Chapter Text
Buck is at the station when he finally gets closure to what has happened to his daughter, Sophia.
Buck is sitting on the couch with Eddie, shoulder to shoulder and thights pressed together, both of them watching as Hen decimates Chimney at Mario Kart. While, Buck knows Bobby is currently preparing dinner.
All of them, occupied don't notice the sound of footsteps climbing up the stairs until, they hear someone clearing their throat.
While, Hen pauses the videogame on her character winning first place, the others have already turned to looked at who cleared their throat to gain their attention.
They are not suprised to see Athena there, what suprises them throught, is the other three people she has with her, what look likes an other officer by his LAPD badge, an FBI agent by the name of the agency written on the man's jacket and what looks like Hen and Karen's case worker for their foster children.
Everyone, confused look at the new arrivals, Hen thinking it's for her goes to stand up, until her caseworker subtly shakes her head at her. When, the women finally address the group, it is clear the matter is serious and should probably be addressed in private.
"Which one of you is Evan Buckley?"
Buck rises at this, a clear look of dread and confusion on his face. He knows he hasn't done anything recently to get himself in trouble, although considering that Hen and Karen's case worker for their foster children is there, it is unlikely that they are there for that.
It dawns on him seconds after, what it could be for, the moment the realization hits, his face drains of color and his hands start shaking. Eddie seeing Buck's reaction and coming to the same realization as to why these people are here, with Athena. Also, rises from his seat and puts an arm around Buck's shoulders to support him incase his legs give out or he faints.
"Is there anywhere we could this talk privately with Mr. Buckley", asks the FBI agent, who is looking around the loft at the assembled group of firefighters and paramedics.
Before, a confused Bobby can respond, that his office or the conference room is available for privacy, - Buck can't help, but ask the new arrivals one thing.
"Is this about Sophia?"
When, he gets a nod from the agent, Buck almost collapse right then and there, the only thing keeping upright his Eddie's arm around his shoulders.
Eddie relieves Buck from having to speak, seeing that he is shaken, at the possibility of maybe getting closure or knowing what happened to Sophia - is the one to look at Bobby and ask, "Can we use the conference room for this?", to which Bobby gives a single nod of his head to indicate that they can.
Eddie, while still supporting Buck leads the new arrivals to the conference room of the firehouse.
Once, Buck, Eddie and the new arrivals are gone, the only ones remaining in the loft are Bobby, Athena, Hen and Chimney. The firefighters and paramedics confused at what just happened and confused as to who this Sophia person, Buck asked about could be, - look at Athena for answers.
She can only shrug her shoulders and shake her head, not having any idea as to what is happening. At this, the rest of them look at eachother confused, intrigued and worried at Buck's reaction. The fact that Eddie apparently also knows what this could be about, the fact that Eddie seems to know who this Sophia person is and that Eddie was already - ready to prevent Buck from hitting the floor incase his legs gave out or he fainted - after hearing the news.
It's Chimney, who breaks the silence and ask what is on everyone's mind.
"That was weird right? Like what just happened? Why did Buck react like that? What does Eddie know that we don't? And finally who in the hell is Sophia?"
"Breathe Chimney. We don't have any more answers to that than you do. And don't you dare go eavesdrop on that meeting.", Bobby tells Chimney in his stern "Fire Dad" voice, having no answers to his paramedic's questions and to make sure that Chimney doesn't do something stupid.
"I would never do that! ", pouts Chimney at his Captain while giving an innocent look.
Which, in return makes everyone give Chimney a look and makes him relent and grumble - and makes turn his head at the TV, to see that it is still paused on Hen's character winning first place. This, makes him sink deeper into the couch, when he sees Hen grinning at him reminding him about the fact that they had wager that, the loser had to clean and rearrange the storage closet.
Bobby chuckles amused at their antics, but that doesn't stop him from looking at Athena and seeing the same concerned and worried expression reflected on her face.
"Knowing these we are going to know soon enough. And they know, that they can talk to us if, they need to", Athena whisper to Bobby - and Bobby knowing that Buck and Eddie have eachothers backs, that they are going to be fine - and if they are not fine, he hopes that they don't bottle up what is happening, because Bobby and the rest of the firefam know, the disastrous results that, can lead up to with them.
Bobby squeeze Athena's arm once and then, goes to his office, to demand that his station be taken offline for the rest of the shift knowing that, everyone would be too distracted to go on calls tonight and, to give Buck and Eddie the time they need for the news that they are about to receive.
Little did they know, that the news, - that Buck is about to receive, are happier, sadder and more complicated news than, everyone - including, Buck himself - think.