Chapter Text
Eddie Diaz is at Harry Reid Airport, Las Vegas, on his second transfer of the trip. All US military returns have to go through Washington, so that had been his first, and then he'd chosen another layover because it was sooner than waiting for a direct flight. He's rushing because he's worried about son. And wife, but she was more the source of the worry.
South America was experiencing riots, plus blackouts cutting off communication, and conspiracy theories were cropping up like crazy. Shannon had always been a bit of a free spirit, but she started spiraling into theories online. She said that there weren't really riots, it was a virus driving people insane and violent, and that their family had to flee to somewhere isolated like Alaska and hole up before it spread into the US.
She'd demanded Eddie take emergency leave and come home ASAP. He'd said no and asked his parents for help since they lived so close and she wouldn't listen to him. A week later she and Chris were gone, booked a flight to LA to go get Shannon's mother. When he pressed his parents, they admitted that they'd had her committed to a psychiatric ward, but that she'd waited out the mandatory hold, gotten out, grabbed Chris and fled.
So now he WAS on emergency leave, gone to track down his wife who was apparently having a mental breakdown. Not that he blamed her entirely, she'd told him enough times about how she needed him back and the stress she was under, and then her mother got sick. He feels like he should have noticed the warning signs earlier and talked her into therapy or something. He couldn't even be pissed that she'd dragged Chris along instead of leaving him with his parents, because she genuinely believed they were in danger. And his parents had no right to institutionalize her like that! He felt so betrayed, and so guilty for accidentally betraying Shannon. He'd just needed help.
And all that brought him here, shuffling along with a ticket in hand, waiting to board a plane and hoping Shannon was still in LA when he got there and was willing to listen. He'll go to Alaska with her first, if that's what it takes to make her feel safe and trust him again, and then they'll figure this out.
Eddie checks his phone and sees that while he was flying he missed a call from an unknown number in LA. Shannon? Or maybe her mom.
He hits call and waits, hoping she'll pick up.
"You've reached the Los Angeles General Medical Center. If this is an emergency, hang up and dial - "
Eddie's world stops. Jesus Christ, Chris, Shannon, please be okay! He fumblingly presses the number for reception. Maybe it's about her mom, she's sick after all...
He's on hold for longer than he'd expect, and then a harried voice answers. "LA General." she says, curt and to-the-point.
"My name is Eddie Diaz, I have a missed call from you?" he says, trying not to rush his words in his panic.
There's a typing and she confirms his name. "Yes, we have two people here with you listen as an emergency contact."
"My wife and son? Shannon and Christopher Diaz?" he asks desperately. "Are they okay?"
There's a pause. "There was a car accident. Your wife is in critical condition, your son has very minor injuries."
Eddie steps out of line, ignoring the sympathetic looks from people around him who have overheard.
"God, is she - "
"Sir." the voice cuts him off. "I'm sorry but we're incredibly overwhelmed right now. I have to let you go."
"What? No, please at least let me talk to Christo -"
"Sir, I have a lot of calls waiting. Check the news if you think I'm being unreasonable. We'll do our best for your - "
The call cuts off. Eddie stares at it, then turns on his data to check the news.
No signal
Eddie gets back into line, the people who'd been near him letting him back in without a fuss. Gotta get to LA General. He tells himself. Chris needs me, and Shannon...
Being in critical condition in an apparently overwhelmed hospital could not be good.
He's waiting for boarding at the gate when all the signs start to flash. Flight cancelled every row suddenly says. There was a buzz in the air as everyone in the airport either worried or complained to their traveling partners.
What the hell? Maybe some kind of weather thing? I'll rent a car, it's only 4 hours away.
An announcement came on.
"Attention passengers. All flights are cancelled. An emergency has been declared and a lockdown is in effect as of this moment. No one will be permitted in or out of the airport."
The buzz in the air gets louder.
"Complementary food and water will be available at mealtimes. Bags will be unloaded from planes for people to retrieve anything they need. Let us know if you have medication or anything urgent so that we can prioritize it.
If anyone is a doctor or has applied medical experience, please let an employee know so that we can ask for assistance in case of emergency. Anyone that is ill will be temporarily placed into quarantine. Please follow all hygiene protocols thoroughly and inform security if anyone seems unwell. Please do not panic, we are in communication with the government and medical authorities and will inform you when the lockdown is lifted or if there are any updates."
Eddie doesn't have any checked luggage since this was an emergency leave, so he heads to a lounge and sits with his head in his hands.
Was Shannon right?
He opens his phone and pulls up a photo of her and Christopher. She'd been trying to warn him, to protect him, and look what it got her.
I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry baby.