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"What? Did you all play rock-paper-scissors and the loser had to come and talk to me?" Buck asked bitterly as they stood on the doorway to Buck's house.
"Buck!" Chim sighed. "It's... it's not that at all."
Buck stood tall and crossed his arms. "Then why are you here?" he challenged.
Chim had the grace to flush. "With Bobby... gone, and Hen out on disability, and moving Eddie to the ambulance, we're..."
"We?" Buck growled. It had not been we for a long time.
Chim huffed. "I have been told that the house no longer qualifies to do heavy rescue calls."
"Ravi is good," Buck said flatly.
"He needs more qualifications," Chim admitted.
"He's working on them," Buck said.
"Until he has them, we can't do heavy rescue calls," Chim said firmly. "That came down from the Chief's office."
"So? Why are you here?" Buck asked. "I'm still a firefighter. How does this affect me?"
Chim sighed. "I've been told... not asked... that you'll be reassigned to a station that has more assets for heavy rescue calls."
Ah. Not doing heavy rescue meant being a 'regular' firehouse. It was a loss of prestige and, likely, of money for Chim. The bonus for being captain of a house that did heavy rescue calls was substantial.
"Where?" Buck asked.
"It somehow turns out that there are five different houses that want you," Chim admitted. "I don't know why!" he threw up his hands.
Buck pushed down the moment of pleasure that came with being wanted.
"Okay. What else?" Buck asked.
"Okay? Just... just okay?" Chim was puzzled.
"It's not personal, it's part of the job," Buck shrugged. "I go where I'm assigned."
"But... it won't be the same without you!" Chim protested. "It's too many changes!"
"It's not been the same for a long time," Buck said softly. "Thank you, Captain Han, for letting me know in person. Since we're on four days off, I'll come and clear out my locker. The department will appreciate not having to order special gear when I move to a new house."
"It's not fair!" Chim shouted.
"Life isn't fair," Buck said as he closed the door he had not invited Chim through. "I'll see you around."