Chapter Text
"Mr. Buckley, do you need me to call someone for you? I know this was a lot of information and you must be feeling overwhelmed," Buck looked up from his hands and to the doctor sitting at the desk across from him. More specifically the oncology doctor.
"No, I, I'm fine. And there's no one to call," Buck spoke up, clearing his throat and stuttering over the short sentence. The doctor gave him a look, one that looked like it was pity before grabbing a folder and passing it to Buck. He opened and saw a number of pamphlets, things to read over, about this new medical problem.
"I know it's late stage, but we are hopeful Mr. Buckley. We have seen great results with these new treatments." The doctor made a mark in her notebook before facing Buck again.
"Do you have any questions for me?"
"N-no. Not, not at this time."
"Okay. Well, my card with my direct number is in there as well as the number to my nurse. If you have any questions you can text or call and we will answer. Shayla will speak with you and get you scheduled for your first treatment." Doctor Stein stood and held her hand out to Buck who rose on shaky legs and gave a weak handshake back.
"Thank, thank, thank you" Buck stuttered out. He walked slowly out of the office, and down the hallway to the nurses station. Shayla, as on her tag and from Dr. Stein gave him a small smile.
"We want you to come in as soon as possible. We have an opening at 11:15? You would be here for some time because we would need to discuss if you want to do IV or a port, how you react with the chemotherapy, as well as follow-ups and what to look out for the first couple of days." Shayla gave him a gentle smile. She could tell that everything was hitting him hard.
"Um, I, I think so. That should be" Buck trailed off as he pulled his phone out to bring up his schedule. He saw that he was scheduled that day, but knew he could get it off. He would need to file paperwork with HR anyway for FMLA as well as with his insurance. He dropped his phone on the counter and scrubbed his hands over his face, wiping away the few tears that were threatening to fall.
"Yeah. Yeah, go ahead and schedule for that day and time. I'll, I'll be here. " His stuttering was getting worse the longer he stayed in this office, but he knew he had to do this. He's been fighting for so much but he is not done yet. He may believe in the world and fate screaming, but this one he wasn't going to listen to.
"Okay. Here's the reminder card. I see that Dr. Stein gave you the info packet. It should have mine and her numbers in there, but just in case here is another one. Is there anything else hun?" Shayla was a sweet woman. She looked to be in her mid to late 40s, blonde hair that seemed to be graying at the roots pulled back into a ponytail. Even though she was sitting, Buck figured she would stand to be around 5'8, 5'9. She gave off a motherly vibe, either being a mother herself or being in this business and trying to bring comfort to her patients.
"No, thank, thank you."
"Are you sure there's no one we can call for you?"
Eddie
Maddie
Bobby
Those were the names that popped into his head, people he could seek comfort from, but after the last couple weeks, hell the last couple of months, he knew they wouldn't answer, let alone care.
"No, there's no one. But I'll be okay. I've been on my own for some time, I can handle it,"
"Oh sweetheart, just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Here, take this," she handed him another pamphlet.
"What is it?"
"It's a support group. It's run by the church down the street. It's for those who don't have support at home, to help those with cancer. They have therapy groups, meal deliveries, and volunteers who will drive and sit with you during your appointments. My brother runs the group, started after I had my battle and it was just the two of us. I think it would be good for you," she said, patting his hand. Tears welled in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. Buck didn't know if it was from getting his cancer diagnosis or just having a friendly touch, something he hadn't had in quite and time.
"Thank you, " he whispered before letting out a shaky breath. He looked down at the pamphlet again to see a picture of a beautiful church. It wasn't one that was old and opulent, but one that looked to be possibly a little more intimate. The kind he remembers seeing when traveling in the Midwest, the ones where everyone knew everyone in the small town. The small sign on the side of the road having that week's passage to read and think about to give its partitioners. He placed it in the folder and looked back up to Shayla.
"You're all set hun. We'll see you next week, " Buck just nodded his head before turning and leaving the office. He wasn't sure what happened but one minute he was getting in his jeep and the next he was unlocking his door. He walked to his counter and dropped everything, keys, wallet, and the packet with all the information in regard to his cancer and the treatment plan. He opened his fridge and went to grab a beer but hesitated. He didn't know if he should drink seeing as it could be his last or if he should just throw it and everything else in the fridge out. He decided against it and grabbed a bottle of water instead, twisting the cap and taking a small sip before heading to his couch, grabbing his tablet off the charger as he did. He logged in to his LAFD portal and searched for the transfer papers along with the FMLA papers. Sadly both said he had to reach out to his Captain or HR. He knew he couldn't go to Bobby. He would just get scolded for wasting people's time after not only suing Bobby but the department as well. Yeah, he might have been back at work, but he wasn't working, just doing scut work. He had only been out on 2 calls in the 4 months that he's been back, and that was only because one call was an all-hands-on-deck and the other was due to Harrelson calling out due to a sick wife and kids. He closed out the portal and opened his email, sending one to his lawyer and one to his accountant to schedule a meeting about his will as well as to make sure everything was set up for his accounts. He was about to close out when he changed his mind and sent off a quick email to Chief Alonzo, asking for a meeting when he was available. He figured he wouldn't hear back for a day or so but he got an instant reply, letting him know he would be available around 3. Buck looked at the time and saw it was little after 1 now. He did a quick search on the directions to LAFD offices to see what traffic was looking like and after adding an extra 15 minutes just in case, knew if he left now he would get there about a quarter till 3. Buck sent a quick reply back saying that he would be there. Standing back up and going back to collect his wallet and keys, his hand hovered over the folder. He didn't know if he should bring it but decided he would in case the Chief or HR decided to call his doctor to verify. With the folder under his arm, wallet in a back pocket, a bottle of water, and keys in hand he went back out again.
Even with taking side streets, and trying to avoid the congested parts of the highway, it still took Buck some time to get to the office, but he wasn't late which was the good thing. Blowing out a breath he looked over to the passenger seat, the dark blue folder felt like it was taunting him. Before he could second guess himself he grabbed and hopped out of the jeep. He knew the Chief's office was on the third floor. He stood in the hallways thinking about whether he wanted to take the stairs again or the elevator. He glanced at the time and thought it would be quicker with the stairs. He got there with about 10 minutes to spare. Walking up to the receptionist's desk Buck straightened his shoulders.
"Hi, Firefighter Evan Buckley. I have a meeting with Chief Alonzo?"
"Yes Mr Buckley, they are waiting for you, go ahead back," Buck looked confused at the "they" comment, but figured that maybe he misspoke. He nodded his head, and tightened his grip on his folder before heading to the closed door and knocking.
"Come in," A deep voice called out.
"Chief, thank you- Captain Nash?" Buck was confused and scared. He didn't know why Bobby was there.
"Buckley, thank you for coming in on short notice. I was already meeting with your captain when you asked for the meeting so I figured I could kill two birds. Please come in," Buck swallowed but it felt like a rock was in his throat He didn't look at Bobby, he couldn't. If he did he doesn't know if he would start crying or start yelling.
"How can I help you Buckley?" Instead of speaking, he passed over the folder. Alonzo took it with a questioning look to Bobby. When he opened he sucked in a breath in alarm.
"I need to file a request for FMLA, with possible leave as well as a transfer request Sir," Buck heard Bobby next to him gasp but still refused to look at him,
"Sit Buckley. When did you find out?" Buck sat down in the other chair in the office.
"Today sir. About 3 hours ago."
"Did you know Nash?" Buck cut off Bobby,
"My captain had no clue. i kept this quiet from him,"
"Why? The symptoms alone would have made it hard for you to be in the field, let alone able to do your job,"
"I would rather not say sir, but I had an incident happen that made me concerned and warranted me to go to the doctor. it was from that which made me go in and thus we were able to find it,"
"What incident?"
"I'd rather not say sir," Buck couldn't tell the Chief that it was from some of the other members of the crew who decided that because he was no longer the "golden retriever" on the team they could bully him to the point of shoving him into the truck when walking past, or tripping him when he couldn't see, or the best one, shoving him down the stairs when he was a couple of steps away. That one was the worst and left the biggest mark for concern, the one that caused him to get testing done.
“I don’t care, what was the incident, Firefighter Buckley?”
“About two weeks ago while walking down the station stairs I felt a shove against my shoulder. The only thing that saved me was that they waited until I only had about 3 or 4 steps left. Unfortunately, the way I caught myself left a rather large bruise on my wrist. I would have wrote it off as the blood thinners I’m on due to the screws in my leg, but I had those removed a month ago and off the blood thinners 3 weeks ago.” Alonzo turned his head and glared at Bobby.
“Why am I just now hearing about this Captain Nash?” was barked out.
“I’m sorry Chief but this is news to me as well. Buck why didn’t you come to me?”
“Chief I’m not here to file a report or get anyone in trouble. I am simply here to request the FMLA and transfer.” The Chief closed the folder and laid his hands over it.
“Buckley since we have been in here you have barely looked at your captain when the last I knew and heard was that you two had a close relationship. That the whole reason he denied your request to come back to work and what caused the entire suing debacle was because he had major concerns for you. Now you look like you want to be anywhere else but near him and every time he’s spoken you flinch. It’s small, and unnoticeable unless someone is looking. Now I can either send him from the room and then bring him back after our conversation, or if you are willing, you can speak plainly and openly with no repercussions on what is said.”
“Would you be willing to send that to me in an email or write and sign that on a letterhead paper?” Alonzo looked at him for a moment before opening a drawer and pulling a stack of paper out. He wrote out a quick note, signed it, and stamped it as well before handing it to Buck. Buck didn’t look at him, just turned it over in his lap and looked down.
“About 2 weeks after returning to work some of the other members of the house decided that because I betrayed them by suing they would bully me. Some of them are saying that this is what I get for being a traitor. Others are saying that this is punishment. I have had my personal belongings destroyed so I no longer feel comfortable leaving items in the locker. I have had people put things in my food, I’m not able to join the team in the loft for the team dinners. I’ve been regulated to doing any and all chores, left as man behind. I have heard some say that the bullying was sent by my Captain while others have made disparaging and disgusting sexual remarks about mine and the Captain's relationship. This was also after being told that I might regret coming back from Captain Nash.” The office remained silent. Buck started jiggling his foot, feeling the anxiety building as it continued to remain silent.
“Captain Nash, do you want to tell me what kind of team you are running when you have this kind of fucking behavior happening? This has been happening for months? Fucking months and you want to tell me that you didn’t fucking know?” The Chief’s voice was level and calm. The kind of calm that you know is happening before a giant storm was about to be unleashed.
“Chief I-” Buck cut Bobby off again.
“Chief Alonzo, I’m not here to report Captain Nash nor anyone else. If a report is filed I will deny it. All I wanted to do was come to you with my request in hopes of expediting it and not having to get Captain Nash involved.” Buck raised his head and looked at Chief Alonzo straight on.
“Buck-”
“Buckley, you know I can’t let this continue now that I know,”
“I understand sir, but it will stop once I’m gone,” and Buck knew Alonzo would understand the double meaning behind this. The Chief looked at Buck, looked him in his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“Chief I’m tired. I just want things to be simple. There’s just too much going on now for me to truly worry about that.” The Chief let out a deep sigh before pulling out a small pad of paper. He wrote a quick note before handing it and the folder back to Buck.
“Take this out to Mark and have him make a copy of the documents. He will get you the forms. If you can go ahead and fill them out here, today so that they can get started right away in the morning. Do you know where you would like to transfer to? Back to Fire Marshall? Or maybe back to the academy? With your record and numbers for heavy rope and rescues you’d be good for teaching.”
“Would it be flexible enough?”
“I will make it. And honestly, with the way that Donald has been chomping at the bit to get you to come back to help teach a class or two, he will do anything to keep you,”
“Chief you can’t-”
“You would do well to keep your mouth shut Captain Nash. You are on some serious thin ice. You may be from the Midwest but this is not something you can skate from.” Alonzo growled out to Bobby. If Buck hadn’t felt so wrung out with everything that has happened in the short amount of time he probably would have been afraid for him. But since telling the Chief all that had happened since he came back to work he just felt numb.
“Can I get back to you Chief? I think at this point we can say this is a two-week notice with my current Captain and I can get an answer to you by the end of the week since it’s only Monday. Right now I was just hoping to get a few balls rolling, not expecting everything that has unfolded.”
“Of course. Do you need anything at this point? Not work related, personally?” Buck let out a humorless laugh at the first thought,
“A time machine? So I could go back to ignorance?” Alonzo let a small, sad smile grace his face.
“Go ahead, Evan. Nash you are going to stay here and have a few words with me,” Buck nodded his head in thanks and stood to leave the room.
“Buck,”
“Sit down Captain unless you want to lose your job,” Buck again didn’t look at Bobby as he left the room, keeping his eyes on the receptionist, now knowing the name was Mark.
“Hi. Chief Alonzo told me to give you this note and that you would make copies of the documents in this folder as well as get me the forms for FMLA and a transfer form?” Buck handed everything over. When Mark opened the folder Buck watched as his eyebrows raised before a wounded sound was released.
“I’m so sorry. Give me a few minutes and I will get this taken care of for you. Go ahead and have a seat. Do you need anything? I have water, coffee, tea? I have a few juice pouches from when kids came to visit?”
“A water would be great, thank you,” Mark leaned over in his chair and Buck saw a door open, figuring there was a mini fridge under the desk before a full-size cold bottle of water was handed over.
“Thank you,” Buck headed to the chairs that were in the waiting room. It felt like a lifetime waiting. While he was waiting he was able to hear Chief Alonzo’s raised voice but never making any words out. Buck pulled out his phone to see if there were any notifications that he might have missed. There was an email waiting from his lawyer letting him know when the best times were and that they could do either a phone call or come down to the office. He marked it to look at later. He decided to go on to his social medias in hopes of distracting himself. It had the opposite effect, causing him sadness to see posts from the people he called friends and family, many of them together either as a group or with their families. He closed out of those apps and decided to get a start on looking into his cancer. Soon he got himself lost in a research spiral into his cancer and the treatments
“Evan?” Mark called from the desk. Buck stood and walked back over.
“Everything has already been filled out. I was able to call your doctor's office and confirm along with insurance. An agent is going to reach out to you about what will be covered. I also reached out to the secondary insurance to get the ball rolling to pick up where the primary won’t. One of their agents will be in touch with you also. If there is anything that isn’t covered by insurance I’ve been instructed by Chief Alonzo that you are to send the bills here and we will cover them. The only thing left I need from you for the FMLA is your signature here and here,” Mark pointed out with a pen before handing it to him. Buck signed and dated quickly.
“Perfect. I will add this to your folder. Here is the transfer form. Again I’ve got most filled out for you already. All you have to do is write in where you want to go and then sign it. Once you do that you can either bring it back personally or you can scan and email it back to me. I’ve provided all mine and the Chief's info and I put it back in this folder for you. Do you need anything else?” Mark looked at him in earnest. Again Buck felt so many emotions overwhelm him. Confusion on what happened in the office, fear at what will happen to him now, sadness that he has had more kindness from complete strangers than people who he used to look at as family.
“A hug?” A sardonic laugh left his mouth after that statement. Buck had his head down, looking at the paperwork so he didn’t see or hear Mark move around the desk before his arm was being pulled away from the top of the island being pulled into a gentle hug. It was this hug that Buck allowed himself to break. It was during his breaking when Bobby finally came out of the Chief’s office. Bobby stared in horror at seeing his youngest member and the one he thought of as family breaking down in this stranger's arms. He wanted to go over and bundle Buck in his arms and take him back home to find out what was going on, but after everything that happened in the office just now, knew that he couldn’t. Bobby knew that Buck wouldn’t open up to him, not after the way he’s been treated. Bobby dropped his gaze and left, making a plan to try and get Buck’s attention at work tomorrow.
Buck didn’t know how long he cried before he finally started to calm down. He slowly started to pull away from Mark, wiping his face off.
“I’m so sorry. I just-”
“Hey, no. You don’t need to apologize. I can’t say I know what you are going through exactly but I’ve seen the toll it’s taken on people. And the fact that this is just day one? Stronger men has broken at less.” Mark reached over the desk to grab the tissue box. Buck took a few to wipe his eyes and blow his nose. Buck raised his head to study the man in front of him. He looked to be around Buck’s age, maybe a few years older. He had dark skin and was a few inches shorter than him. His eyes were bright green and a nice smile. His locs were tied back in a low ponytail. He had a larger build than Buck which allowed Buck to feel wrapped up when Mark was hugging him.
“Like I said earlier, my number both work and personal, are in the folder. If you need anything from just a gentle ear to listen to help getting to an appointment, you can call. I know we just met, but you look like someone that could use someone.” Buck let out a weak sob before wiping his eyes again with the used tissue.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. Are you going to be able to get home okay or do I need to call you an Uber?” Buck shook his head.
“No. I’m going to sit in my car for a few minutes to make sure I’m okay. If not I promise to call for an Uber,” Mark looked at him.
“Can I see your phone?” Buck sniffled, looking in confusion while pulling it out of his pocket.
“What?”
“I want to enter my number in to it and send myself a text to make sure that you will use it in case you need help. Somehow you seem like the type to suffer in silence before asking for help,” Buck let out a bark of laughter before unlocking the phone and handing it over.
“Who have you been talking to?” Mark smirked at him before opening the messaging app and sending a text to a number. Buck watched as Mark then went and saved the number.
“There. Now I can check in with you and you don’t have an excuse of “losing” my number.” Buck let out a few giggles while taking the phone back.
“Thank you,” Buck said sincerely.
“You’re welcome. Now I’m going to let you go. Please get home safe and let me know you got home safe. If not I will abuse my office powers and get your address,”
“I’ll back him up,” Both men jumped at the Chief's voice.
“Chief,”
“Go home, Buckley. I’ve already cleared it for tomorrow and Wednesday to be off. You report on Thursday.”
“Yes sir, and thank you. Both of you,” Buck grabbed the folder, and gave a head nod to both of them before finally leaving the office.
“Has anyone seen Buck?” Hen asked as she walked up the stairs. She knew she was late for work, quick morning meeting with Denny’s teacher about help with a report, but she had yet to see Buck around. Both Chimney and Eddie raised their heads, Chimney to look around and Eddie to glare.
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t. Wonder what happened?”
“Who cares! Good riddance I say,” interrupted Stephen Faithen.
“Hey! He’s still our teammate,” Hen spoke up.
“Really? Cause last I saw you didn’t talk to him either,” Sabrina Jeppings said walking over to the table with her arms crossed. Sabrina was a floater, on loan from station 243. She had been here for some time since Yang was on paternity leave. Honestly, she couldn’t wait to leave. With the way this station treated Buckley all over a lawsuit, which she was seeing had some serious merit, she wanted out. And the first thing she was going to do was bug her captain to poach Buckley. The man had some serious experience under his belt and the fact that he was regulated to chores? She had never felt a captain was fucking stupid until coming to this station. And the fact that none of his so-called “team” stuck up for him? Especially when Diaz was talked about having been his best friend, and would turn a blind eye to the bullying? She couldn’t stand it.
“Listen the lawsuit-”
“Was warranted from what I’ve seen in the 3 weeks I’ve been here! I mean hell you all talk about how Buckley released sensitive info but did any of you do any research in to what happens when things like this goes on? That “sensitive” info is released to both parties. And even then some of the things is public knowledge like your accident with the rebar and attack Han.” Sabrina commented.
“Also how can you be dating the guy's sister and still be treating him like shit? Isn’t there supposed to be some kind of “bro code” or do you think you are above that?”
“Hey now! You need to watch what you say!” Eddie stood.
“Or what? Are you going to swing at me? Or do you only do that while in underground garages with money at stake?” Everyone turned to look at Eddie as his face drained of color.
“What-what are you-”
“Yeah, I know about those fight clubs you were doing. You and Bosko weren’t as quiet as you liked to think,”
“Eddie, what is she talking about?” Hen questioned.
“I-I don’t-”
“Hey! What is going on here?” Bobby barked out, coming out of the office with C-shift Captain Wave.
“Nothing Cap. Just having a discussion.” Sabrina said keeping eye contact with the three.
“Well, table it. Get ready for the morning meeting.”
“Wait, where’s Buck?” Hen called out. They all watched as Bobby’s shoulders tensed.
“He’s off today and tomorrow.”
“Damn. That means we have to actually work,” someone muttered. Bobby heard closed his eyes, tapping down the anger that was trying to rise. Who the anger was towards he wasn’t sure.
“That is something I will be talking about. Get ready!” He yelled out. Everyone started to head downstairs to where the locker room and engines were to get ready for shift orders.
“Alright listen up. I had an interesting meeting yesterday. One with the Chief and Firefighter Buckley,” A few groans were released and people started to mutter.
“What now? Is he getting ready to sue us again? Honestly, what is he doing at this point?” Roberts yelled from the back of the group.
“Seriously, why is he still here?” Wilkins called out. But there was one comment that was said, not sure who said it, but it made Bobby, Eddie, Hen, and Chim all tense up.
“It would have been better if he just died from that bomb”
“ENOUGH” Bobby yelled. It was loud enough and strong enough that it made everyone flinch or jump.
“This is what was talked about. The blatant and disgusting bullying that had been dealt to Buckley. I will admit that I did nothing to stop it, but it ends here and now. If I hear or see anyone and I mean ANYONE say anything rude or anyone lays a hand on him in aggression you are out of here! Am I clear! Yes, I will be the first to admit that I had my shortcomings and i did nothing to stop it from happening but I’m stopping it now. The fact that it was reported someone even tried to say that Buckley and I had a sexual relationship is even more insulting not just to him but to me as your captain. So I will only say this once. If you have a problem with Firefighter Buckley being here, get your shit and get out of my house. I will not tolerate that kind of talk or those actions in here, am I clear?” Bobby looked around and only a few of the members would look at him. Most of them being floaters or transfers from other houses. Everyone who had been here before the ladder bombing refused to meet his eyes, including his main team. Bobby took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
“If you are still here it means you understand and this is your only warning. Now next on the agenda chore list-” Bobby went down the list and assigned everyone.
“That’s it. Let’s get started before any calls come in. Everyone dismissed except Wilson, Diaz, and Han. Stay back for me,” The three in question moved closer to Bobby.
“Let go talk in the office,”
“Everything okay cap?” Bobby looked at them.
“No, nowhere close to being okay.”
“What happened?”
“Let’s talk in my office,” Bobby turned around and led the three of them in. It was a tight squeeze but everyone was in with Hen and Chim sitting in the chairs and Eddie leaning against the wall.
“Bobby?” Chim asked. Bobby dropped his head into his hands.
“We fucked up,” He muttered before looking at them.
“It was my quarterly meeting with the Chief yesterday. Buck was brought in also. That was where I learned what was happening. I got chewed out by Alonzo for it which was deserved. But I also learned something else. Buck wants a transfer,”
“What?”
“Seriously?”
“Why?” They all questioned.
“I don’t know! Buck came in carrying a folder and handed it over to the Chief and requested FMLA and transfer. I was hoping one of you knew,” They all gave a negative response. Eddie pulled his phone out and went to text Buck but froze at the last time he sent him a text. The date showing 5 months ago and even then it was asking him to watch Chris.
“Fuck,”
“What?” Hen turned in her chair to look at Eddie.
“I fucked up. We fucked up,” He said He passed his phone over showing the last text he sent to Buck. Hen passed it over to Chimney as she pulled her phone out to look at the last time she texted him and her’s was even longer ago, asking him a question on some weird history topic for Denny. Chimney passed the phone back to Eddie and pulled his out. His was not as long but it was simply asking Buck where his sister was. Chimney went scrolling through the group chat that Buck created years ago. The last message that was ever sent in it was a message from Buck apologizing for everything, but no one ever responded. Hen had created a different group chat for the three of them.
“Maddie is going to kill me,” He groaned out as he laid his head in his hands also.
“Seriously Chim? All you can care about is his sister that you are dating and not our actual friend? The one you’ve known longer? Jeppings was right,” Hen spoke up.
“Hey! You’re not any better! What happened to “Marching to your own drums” you went along with everyone else!” Eddie tried to defend.
“Oh please! Like you have room to speak Mr. Best Friend! What happened to “Having each other’s back”? The three broke out in arguments, voices rising.
“Enough!” Bobby yelled for a second time today. All of them turned to face Bobby.
“Here is what is going to happen. We are going to go about work like normal. We will go out on calls. Then after work, we will invite him back to mine and Athena’s place. Try and have dinner as a team again to talk. See if we can’t apologize and hopefully change his mind on leaving. Then we will go from there. But at this dinner, we will apologize for our treatment of him and hope he forgives us. Or at the least accept our apology. Understood?”
“Yes Cap,”
“Good. Now Hen and Chim go and get started on your assigned chores before a call comes through. Eddie, you stay back. We need to talk about your fighting,” Hen had just opened the door when the klaxon went off.
“When we get back,” Bobby spoke up before following his team out and to the engine.
“Hey moms looking for you where are you,” was the text he received from May. He was about to reply when his lawyer stepped out.
“Evan, how are you?” This lawyer, Asher Abella, was different then Mackey. After the bombing and embolism, he went looking for one to help create and set up his will.
“I have had better days Asher. How are you?” Buck asked standing and shaking hands.
“Not bad, what’s going on? You sounded serious in your email,” He asked as he led Buck back to his office.
“Well I just got some devastating news yesterday and it made me want to make sure that I have all my affairs in order,”
“Evan, I want to ask you, are you here of your own free will and sound mind?” Asher asked as he took a seat in his chair.
“Yes. I’m in distress but nothing like that. I just learned yesterday that I have cancer. Wow, that was the first time I said it out loud. I have cancer,” Asher dropped his professionalism and stared at Buck.
“Shit dude, you doing okay?” Buck gave a weak smile.
“Is anyone really okay after learning something like that?”
“No, I guess not. Do you know what kind and how long?”
“ Leukemia. The doctor gave me about a year, but they say with the treatment I have a good chance of remission. I’m being put into some experimental treatment plan that has been giving patients longer than the normal 5 to 10-year remission supposedly. I’ll be honest I’m not too sure which is why-”
“Why you contacted me. To make sure your will is up to date. Yeah, let me grab the file and we can review.” Buck spent the better part of two hours in Asher’s office reviewing the will and getting in contact with his accountant to make sure that the money he put in for Chris’s trust fund was taken care of as well as creating a trust fund for any future kids that Maddie might have. He knew it would most likely be with Chimney and he would do anything and everything for her, but he just wanted to make sure that she and whatever kids she has will be taken care of. He gave instructions on what to do with his things, what to sell, what to pass on, and anything else that could be donated. For anything sold where the money goes, be it to Chris or Maddie’s future kids' trust, and then creating a third one for Maddie and Eddie to be executors on for their care be it for themselves or kids.
“Thanks Asher. I know this is your job but I appreciate you taking the time to help with this,”
“No problem. I know you are going to fight this, that’s who you are, but I’m praying for you Evan. The world will be colder and sadder without you in it,” Buck gave a small smile as he shook Asher’s hand before leaving. He felt drained from the meeting. While in the elevator he pulled his phone out. He had another message from May and one from Mark. He pulled up the message from Mark.
“Check in. how are you?” Buck smiled. He spent half the night texting with Mark, getting to know the man. He learned that Mark lived with his boyfriend and that he was a native to LA. That he and his boyfriend had been together for 5 years and were thinking of buying a house and talking about kids now.
“Just left the lawyer's office. Right now currently a 3 maybe 3.5,” He sent that text and was just opening May’s message when a voice called out to him.
“Hey there Buckaroo,” Buck spun around and faced Athena. He stared as she pulled her sunglasses of before sighing.
“Hi ‘Thena. What’s up?”
“Baby, what’s going on?” Athen raised a hand to his face but stopped when he flinched from the raised hand.
“Buck?”
“Sorry, Athena. It’s been a long day and I’m tired,” Athena raised an eyebrow. She did notice the dark circles under his eyes along with some of the bruising on his arms, but didn’t want to say anything.
“Well come on. You’re following me home. Family dinner,”
“Sorry Athena, but if it’s family dinner I shouldn’t be there. I’m not family,”
“Excuse me? Says who?” Buck just sighed.
“Please Athena, I don’t want to fight. I just want to go home and sleep. A lot has happened and I don’t have the energy to fight,”
“Baby, Evan sweetheart please, what’s going on? I haven’t seen you in forever, and heard about you even less. You look like you haven’t slept in weeks and you have bruises all over. Are you in trouble? Do you need help?” Athena did raise her hand and laid against his cheek. Buck leaned into it, taking comfort in the gentle touch, again something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Nothing that you can do for me Athena, I’m sorry. But thank you.”
“Baby, please. Talk to me.”
“Everything will be okay. Go home Athena. Go be with your husband,” Buck laid a kiss to the back of Athena’s hand before turning and leaving for the parking lot again. He was ready to stop going through so much emotional turmoil, but he had a feeling it was just the beginning.