Work Text:
Family photos
Becoming a Detective for the LAPD wasn't as big of change as Athena thought it was going to be, other then her desk moving to the other side of the station nothing else really changed. On her old desk she had two pictures, her wedding pictures from her and Bobby's wedding and the group photo from the 118 Christmas party.
At her new desk, the first two photos were still displayed, in addition there was one more.
A picture of May, Harry, Buck, and Theo. It was taken at the first family party Theo had attended, Harry had the toddler up on his back while May was leaning against Buck on the other side of the frame. None of the three adults knew Eddie had taken the photo, they also didn't know that Eddie sent it to Athena later that night with a message that simply said
Eddie: Thought you'd want this
Athena: Thank you, Eddie
No one made a big deal about the pictures plenty of cops had photos covering their desks, which was good in all, until a tired detective starts making their way through the station.
Nyla Harper who was already on her second cup of coffee for the day, was attempting to make her way to her desk.
She was half asleep while walking, not quite paying the best attention which led her hitting her hip into the edge of Athena's desk, "Crap," Nyla swears, quickly setting down her coffee, picking the fallen picture from the station ground.
She spins it around to make sure there is no cracks in the frame or the glass before looking up at Athena, "Sorry about that," Nyla apologizes quickly, "I did not sleep enough last night evidently, my two-year-old is on a no sleeping kick currently."
"Understandable," Athena chuckles, not making any attempts to take the picture of the other's hands, "I thought I wouldn't have to help deal with sleep regression for at least a couple more years instead I have Buck asking for advice every few days."
Nyla looks down at the picture spotting the four-year-old and who she assumes Buck is "Is this them?"
Athena smiles softly, "yeah, those two are Theo and Buck and the other two are May and Harry." she answers, "anyways I don't think he's allowed Buck to sleep more then four hours in the last month."
"Lucky he's getting that much," Nyla laughs, handing the picture to Athena, "you have a beautiful family."
"Thank you," Athena answers.
Nyla quickly left Athena's desk rushing towards Angela's, who was sitting at her deck going through her arrest reports, looking up quickly when she realizes Nyla was in front of her, "hey," she greets, "you're late."
"I was talking to Athena," Nyla answers quickly, setting her bag down next to her desk.
"What did you find about her?" Angela wonders, pushing aside her reports, "you ran over here like you found something important out,"
"Did you know Robert Nash has a son?"
"No, he doesn't." Angela denies, glancing over towards Athena's desk, "Why do you think that anyways?"
Nyla looks back making sure Athena wasn't going to overhear, "she has these photos are her desk, and one of them is a picture of her kids May and Harry with another person Buck who looks so much like Robert Nash," she explains, "and the way she talked about him, was like a mother talking about her son."
"I don't know the guy at all, especially now that he's retired" Angela mutters, standing up to walk to Nyla's side of the two desks, "he doesn't really let anyone in, other than Athena, her family, and his firefighters."
"So, he easily could have a secret son," Nyla insists.
"I need to see a picture of this Buck before I can make a final decision on this theory," Angela answers, settling back down into her chair.
"I mean it sits on her desk, isn't too hard to find it," Nyla answers.
Angela looks towards Athena's now empty desk, "Well no times better then the present," she mutters, speed walking towards the desk finding the picture Nyla was talking about. Angela looks around, before taking out her phone to quickly snap a picture of the framed photo before returning it to its rightful place. By the time she returns to her and Nyla's desks Nolan was talking with Nyla.
"I got it," she says, loud enough for only Nyla and Nolan to hear.
"Got what?" Nolan wonders.
"Have you ever met the 118s past Captain Robert Nash?" Angela wonders.
"Um, I don't think so." Nolan answers, "I also don't think Bailey has either, her firehouse is far enough away they don't go to calls together, why exactly?"
Nyla looks around quickly, "We think he might have a secret son, that no one knows about."
"Excuse me?" Nolan wonders, looking between the two with confusion etched into his face, Angela pulls up the picture quickly showing the older cop, "I will say, he looks a lot like Bobby, but I don't think he would've kept his son a secret for this long," he explains, "Where did this idea even come from anyways?"
"Athena was talking about Buck, like a mother talking about her son," Nyla answers, "and he looks somewhat like Nash, so we started thinking."
"Send me that," Nolan asks, "I can ask Bailey what she knows."
"Just send it to the group chat." Nyla cuts in,
Cops + Wesley, James, and Bailey
Angela: sent a photo
Does anyone else think the blonde man in this picture looks like Robert Nash?
Lucy: I can see it
A little bit
Celina: they are 100% related
Penn: Oh yeah
who are the other kids?
Nyla: Athena grants kids
May and Harry
Lucy: is this a picture from Athena Grants' desk?
Angela: Yep
Lucy: that is her stepson for sure
Tim: Reminder that it currently work hours
Angela: Boring
Nolan looks up from his phone where he was watching the group chat go off, "Well looks like everyone agrees with you,"
"Are you surprised?" Nyla asks, putting her phone back away, "anyways let's get to work, before Tim realizes"
A basket full of baking
After a few days the theory of Bobby's secret son died down, mainly seen as a joke through the small part the station all of them making sure none it of made it back to Athena. Nolan and Penn were in the break room getting coffee before hitting the streets, when Athena walks in holding two baskets of baking.
The plastic wrap peeking out of the top of the baskets, as she set them down on the counter, "ooh," Penn mutters, jumping up to look at the baked goods, "where did this all come from?"
"Buck," Athena answers, picking her favorite thing out of one of the two baskets before turning to the other two officers.
"I thought he was a firefighter." Penn asks, halfway unwrapping his muffin.
"He is," Athena answers, "he stress bakes," she explains, "and has a social worker visit soon, and has run out of places in his house to clean when he's off shift."
Nolan looks up quickly, "how much is he stress baking?"
"Enough, that none of our family is going to need to buy any type of baked goods for the rest of the month," Athena answers, "Bobby's had him over last night with Theo, and nothing he did could calm Buck down."
"Well, I'm sure, Buck is going to do fine," Nolan assures, "from what I've heard about him, he sounds like a lovely father."
"I'll pass the word along," Athena answers, grabbing a to go cup from the top of the coffee maker, "him and Eddie are taking the kids to the zoo today to attempt to wear both of them out before the visit."
"Kids?" Penn asks, "Plual?"
"Christopher, he's 16 and Eddie's son." Athena answers, "Eddie and Buck have been co-parenting Chris sense he was 7,"
"So, Buck and Eddie are together?" Nolan wonders.
"No," Athena laughs, "They are platonically co-parenting,"
Penn looks up quickly, "They are on their second child, they are platonically co-parenting?"
"Yep," Athena laughs, going to leave the room, "Don't ask we haven't figured it out either."
Athena leaves the room not long afterwards, when she does Penn takes out his phone taking a picture of the baskets to sent to the group chat.
Cops + Wesley, James, and Bailey
Penn: sent a photo
these are from a trusted source
"Really?" Nolan wonders, looking over at the rookie.
"Just to make sure no one throws them away." Penn retorts.
Angela: what's the source?
Nolan: Buck
Penn: Aka Bobby's secret son
Bailey: Bring me home some
his baking his extraordinary
he could open a bakery if he really wanted to
Lucy: How'd you already try his baking?
Bailey: he covered at my station a few months ago, baked a crap ton
we almost didn't let him leave
Penn: I wouldn't have either
Nolan: anyways the plot thickens
Nyla: ???
Nolan: Buck and another firefighter Eddie are somehow platonically co-parenting for years
Wesley: I mean that's not very weird
Penn: They're on their second child
Celina: WHAT
CO-PARENTING TWO WHOLE KIDS
Penn: and this started when the 16-year-old was 7 years old
Celina: 9 YEARS OF CO-PARENTING?
WHAT. THE. HELL.
Tim: again, reminder that it currently work hours
Lucy: Oh boo!
It was just getting good
Nolan tucks his phone into his pocket, walking over to the baskets to grab some muffins and bread to stash away for Bailey and him. Penn was still scrolling through the group chat by the time Nolan turned around, "Officer Penn,"
Penn looks over sheepishly, tucking his phone away quickly, "let's get back out there."
Betting times
Working with other detectives wasn't anything new to Athena, her and Angela were both working a case, which is how they were both sitting in a unmarked car sitting outside a night club. The time of the dashboard displaying, 11:58pm, they've been there sense 3 pm watching out for a suspect they knew frequented the night club.
"How much longer do you want to sit out here?" Athena wonders, looking up from her phone and over at Angela who was intently staring at the building.
"Not much longer," Angela answers, looking over at Athena to see her going through a folder on her phone.
Buddie Bets…
"Buddie bets?" Angela reads aloud, looking over at Athena.
Athena turns her phone off quickly shoving it into her pocket, "that's a long story,"
"Isn't that the point of stakeouts?"
"Well-" Athena mutters, "It's bets about when Buck and Eddie are going to pull their heads out of their asses and get together."
"Is it true they're on their second kid of co-parenting?" Angela wonders.
"Oh yeah, that's true," Athena answers, "How do you know that?"
"Penn talks, so does Nolan,"
"Good to know," Athena mutters, looking towards the gas station not far down the road, "I need something to drink, want anything?"
"No I'm good," Angela answers, "thanks though."
"of course."
Cops + Wesley, James, and Bailey
Angela: UPDATE
Nyla: It's 12 in the morning?
Angela: This is important to our theories
Penn: Bobby secret son theory?
Or Buck and Eddie co-parenting and are 100% a couple
Angela: the second one
Athena is part of a betting pool for when they get together
It's called Buddie Bets
Celina: Buddie bets?
Dang I wish I thought of that
I kinda want in on this bet
Penn: Yes
I do too
can we win more of Bucks baking if we win?
Celina: Rodge is reading up on the lore
I think he's plotting a song already
Nolan: oh these poor firefighters
hope they never have to hear this song from Rodge
Lucy: It could be good
maybe
hopefully
Tim: It's 12:04 in the morning
all of you need to sleep
Angela: again boring
Penn: I thought you and Lucy living together meant you wouldn't be as cranky in this group chat
Angela: you were hoping way to much
Angela jumps when she hears the car door open, to be greeted with Athena climbing back into the car with a cup of coffee in her hands.
"So, what's the betting pool currently?" Angela wonders.
"The buddie betting is at 500 dollars currently," Athena answers, "but we add more money every month."
"How many people are in on this?"
"Uh-" Athena sighs, "Me, Bobby, A-shift at the 118, part of B-shift, and half of dispatch."
"That many people!?" Angela wonders, "why?"
"We've been dealing with this for 9 years," Athena answers, "thought we should get some money out of it."
"Dang," Angela mutters, pulling her phone out again as Athena and her agreed to switch spots for a while.
Cops + Wesley, James, and Bailey
now 12:14
Angela: I've learned who all is in on the bet
Penn: Who?
Angela: Athena, Bobby, A-shift at the 118, a part of B-shift, and half of dispatch
Celina: dang
that's a lot more people than I thought
Celina added Rodge
Rodge: Their relationship seems to be a lot more entertaining than I thought it was
Nolan: Did you add yourself?
Rodge: I wanted to learn about Bobby's son and Buddie
read
Cursed Shifts
After a long shift all Nolan wanted to do was go home and sleep, unfortunately for him, his truck broke down that morning which lead him to waiting for Bailey to pick him up. Nolan was half asleep laying on one of the break room tables, when Athena found him.
"Hard shift?" she wonders.
"You could say that." Nolan answers, sitting up properly, seeing the worried look in Athena's eyes, "Something wrong?"
"The 118 got caught in a fire earlier, Buck, Harry, and Ravi fell through the collapsed floor," Athena explains, "Ravi got out with some bruised ribs and stitches, but Harry has a broken arm, and Buck broke his collarbone and has a concussion,"
"Dang," Nolan mutters, "everyone else okay though?"
"Yeah," Athena answers, "I guess the running joke that the 118 A-shift being cursed could easily be true,"
"When the end of your shift?" Nolan asks.
"I have an one more hour," Athena answers, "May's got Ravi settled, Bobby's watching Harry, and Eddie's got Buck on concussion watch." she explains, "which between me and you, I think Bobby would much prefer Buck to be with him as well."
Athena leaves not long after, while Bailey walks in helping Nolan up,
"Is the 118 A-shift really cursed?" he wonders
"There's a reason why I've never covered there." Bailey laughs, "you heard about the floor collapsing?"
"Yeah," Nolan answers, "Athena told me, seems like they'll all be okay in a couple weeks."
"They've definitely had worse," Bailey answers, pulling out her phone
Cops + Wesley, James, and Bailey
Bailey: Informing the masses
if anyone heard about the 118-crew getting injured in the fire, they are all fine with minor injuries
Nolan: and a couple broken bones '
Penn: who broke bones?
Nolan: Harry and Buck
Penn: dang it
not Buck
RIP his baking for awhile
Celina: it could be his leg
Bailey: God, I hope not
if his leg breaks again, I doubt he'd walk again
Penn: what does that mean?
Bailey: he was the firefighter under the ladder truck a few years ago
Celina: UNDER THE FIRE TRUCK?
like it was on top of him?
Bailey: yeah
I think he's fine now though
well as fine as he can be
Penn: damn
no wonder he stress bakes
Nolan: btw it was his collarbone and Harry broke his wrist
Workin’ holidays
It was Valentine's Day, aka the most dangerous day of the year for first responders. Lucy and Celina were walking through the station, talking about valentines day gifts and well Miles's curse. "What about a watch for Tim's present?" Lucy suggests, looking around to make sure Tim wouldn't overhear.
"Uh, well, does Tim need a watch?"
"No." Lucy answers, "But he didn't need a signed baseball, either."
"It was instinct." Celina begins, changing the topic quickly, "You know, I mean, I saw the curse coming, and I just, like, hid--"
"Behind Miles. I know, I know." Lucy interrupts.
"My job is to run towards danger, not use my partner for cover." Celina mutters, "I mean, how can I say I'm fit to be a cop when I'm clearly a coward?"
"You--Celina, you are not a coward." Lucy insists, "And curses, they're not real. So just, you know, cut yourself a little bit of slack, okay? I think he's gonna be okay."
The two of them pause by Athena's desk seeing a vase filled with flowers sitting behind the rest of her pictures, "Hey," Lucy greets, "What did you get Bobby for valentines day?"
"We get each other experiences," Athena answers, "I planned us a hiking day for next week,"
"That's sweet," Celina answers, "and what did he plan you?"
"He hasn't told me yet," Athena answers, "he only knows about mine, because I put it in the wrong calendar."
Celina laughs quickly before shutting up, "who got you the flowers on your desk?"
"Harry, May, and Buck had those delivered this morning," Athena answers.
"Aw," Lucy mutters.
"Why do you ask?" Athena asks.
Celina laughs again, "she uh, lost her present for Tim."
"How'd you do that?"
"Re-hiding it after one too many cups of wine," Lucy answers, running her hands over her face, "not my finest moment, I have one idea, I'm going to call Genny to see if she can help with it."
"Thanks for the help," Celina tells Athena before walking towards the breakroom.
Cops + Wesley, James, and Bailey
Celina: Okay serious question, would any of you buy your boss wife flowers for valentines day
like buying Luna flowers or something
Tim: God no
Angela: Hell no
that would just be awkward
why do ask
Celina: because Buck teamed up with Harry and May to get Athena flowers for valentines day
Penn: THAT IS HER SON
don't even try to lie to me
Lucy: She was so happy about those flowers too
shes loves all three of her kids
you can tell
Angela: anyone have new with the buddie front?
Bailey: those codependent little weirdos
but no, talked with Hen Wilson
shes just as annoyed with them as the rest of the station
they're acting all close too
Rodge: here me out guys
Nolan: no
Rodge: what if they're secretly dating
and haven't told anyone yet because it so new
Angela: like what Tim and Lucy did?
I could see it
Penn: We should make our own bet for that
Celina: Heck yeah
+ the hospital waiting room
The next day led to the officers being admitted to the hospital because of the explosion
The hospital was packed full of people, friend and family of the officers of the Mid-wilshire station, the less injured officers were hanging out in the waiting room as most of the room were already filled even with most of them being shared.
Athena was sitting in the waiting room, holding a bandage to her forehead to a deep cut that needed stitches. It wasn't as much of an priority as other injuries were, the sound of the elevator opening fills the room. Bobby rushes out finding Athena in the room quickly, "Hey-" he greets, pulling her into a hug, "I found out what happened, are you okay?"
"Nothing to bad," Athena assures, pulling back to look Bobby in the eyes, "It wasn't as bad as it sounded, how did you even find out?"
"I was at the station," Bobby begins, "They heard a priority over the radio, and the stations address, the team got there just as it was getting bad."
"Everyone got out okay?" Athena asks.
"Yeah, Harry wasn't allowed to go inside," Bobby explains, "Buck kept him stable throughout the whole thing, they're on their way here now."
As if he was planning it the elevator door opens, Harry rushes out with Buck right behind him. Harry falls into his mothers arms, holding her tight before looking at her to see if there was any visible injuries.
"Are you okay?" he asks, holding his mom's face in his hands.
"I'm okay, baby." Athena answers, after another minute Harry lets his mother go for Buck to hug her.
"Glad you're okay, Thena." he sighs into her shoulder
"I promise it, Buckaroo." Athena sighs, as he lets go, "Where the rest of you guys?"
Harry chuckles quietly, "Chim, Ravi, and Hen are raiding the gift shop, Eddie is picking up Theo from preschool and dropping him and Chris off with Karen." he explains.
"Have Eddie bring the boys here," Athena cuts in, "I'm sure some people from my station could use some cute kids after everything,"
"I got it," Bobby explains, kissing the uninjured side of Athena's face.
Buck gives Athena a weird look as Bobby walks away, "People from your station want to see Theo and Chris?"
"Aren't you the one who told Theo his hugs help heal people," Athena laughs, remember when Buck first begin fostering Theo she was still healing from getting shot and kept getting hugs from the four-year-old. When she asked why, Theo responded that "Buck said hugs help everyone,"
"Well-" Buck drags off, as Hen and the other two enter the floor.
The conversation was quickly forgotten until Eddie got there with the two boys, Theo breaks free from Eddie's arms rushing towards Buck. Forcing the other firefighter to pick him up, Theo touches Athena's uninjured cheek with his hand.
"Thena okay?" he wonders, looking between Buck and the Detective.
"I'm okay, baby," Athena assures, pushing some hair out of Theo's eyes
Across the waiting room, Nyla and Angela noticed the family, "Look at him," Nyla begins, spotting Theo and Athena from where they were sitting
"How is he cuter in person?" Angela wonders,
"Who?" James asks.
"You really need to start reading the group chat," Nyla retorts, "if you read the group chat you'd know who we're talking about."
"Okay, okay," James mutters, "I'll read the chat eventually, who are we talking about?"
"Theo," Nyla answers, pointing at the group, "Athena's grandson basically,"
James and Wesley look over at the group who were now sitting in the waiting room chairs with Athena, Theo was now curled into Athena's left side holding her hand, Buck was next to the two of them a hand on his sons ankle. Eddie and Chris was next to Buck, Chris laying on Bucks shoulder while Eddie held Buck's other hand, Hen and Chim were camped out with Ravi. Bobby and Harry were on Athena's other side.
After a few minutes, Nyla makes a choice getting up to walk over to the group with Angela and their husbands close behind, "So how bad is it for you?" Nyla asks, settling down in the chairs across from Athena.
"Just need a couple stitches," Athena answers, gesturing up at the cut on her temple
"So this is Theo?" Nyla asks, looking down at the toddler.
"Yeah," Athena sighs, "this is Theo."
"Is he still not sleeping?" Nyla wonders.
Buck groans suddenly, leaning his forehead into Chris's hair, "you have no idea," Buck responds, muffled by Chris's hair.
"We've gotten him to at least sleep five hours," Eddie cuts in, "Then he'll rush into our- I mean Bucks room to wake him up bright and early."
"And that's why I lock my door when Theo sleeps over," Chris adds in, apparently lying better then the two adults, "so he won't wake me up."
"Smart kid," Angela laughs.
"I like to think so," Chris smiles.
Awhile later, Smitty comes into the waiting room spotting the 118 and Bobby. "I can't believe you have a whole son, and didn't tell anyone," Smitty complains, looking at Bobby while walking over, "and to think I thought of us as friends."
"My son?" Bobby asks.
"That firefighter," Smitty explains, pointing at Buck who was still hiding his face his Chris's hair.
"Buckley?" Bobby asks, his voice almost laughing.
"Yes," Smitty answers, "There's a whole group chat of officers figuring out about your secret son."
"A group chat of LAPD officers?" Hen asks.
"Yes," Smitty repeats, looking at Nyla and Angela, "you two in it, so are your husbands."
"I forgot we put Smitty in there," Nyla mutters.
"Shit," Angela mutters, looking over at the 118 who were all attempting not to laugh, "We really-" she gets interrupted by Chim breaking into laughter first.
"Oh god," Chimney laughs, "don't feel to bad, this is like the third time someone has mistaken them as father and son,"
"And they may as well be," Hen adds in, "It's not like we like the Buckley parents."
Eddie's face scrunches up at the name, "oh god I hate them,"
"We know," Buck assures, finally pulling his face from Chris's hair.
Later Nolan was walking down the hall with Bailey, the two of them talking about the fire, "Well, I have a newfound respect for firefighters." Nolan explains, holding Bailey's hand, "And you in general, as if I needed that."
"And I have an even greater respect for your stubborn-headed bravery." Bailey explains, "But next time, leave the fire rescue to the professionals. We dress for it."
As the two of them walk down the hospital halls, Nolan accidentally looks into a abandoned room that still needed to be cleaned. The room which he assumed was supposed to be empty wasn't, Eddie and Buck were in there talking quietly. Bailey paused as well, looking into the room.
Neither of the firefighters noticed, which was became obvious when they shared a quick kiss, pressing their foreheads together.
"What?" Bailey mutters, pulling them both away from the room before either of them noticed.
Nolan hadn't said anything, he had pulled out his phone quickly texting the group chat
Cops + Wesley, James, and Bailey
Nolan: Rodge was right
this is the first and only time I will utter those words.
Rodge: HELL YEAH