Chapter Text
Sometimes things changed, but this wasn't a change Athena Grant was ready for. A family is what the 118 was, what it always had been since Bobby had become captain. A family was what Bobby and Athena were, the rings on their fingers proved that to the world as much as their love proved it to each other. Love was something a family had, but another was honesty. Having each other's backs. Trusting each other to make the right decisions, even in a bad situation. Family had understanding, so why did Bobby leave everyone in the dark? It was something Athena couldn't understand.
Walking up to their unfinished house, she could see it all so clearly. Their past, present, and what they hoped to be the future was all there, on that property. Where Bobby met her kids, where he proposed, the years they spent living their in holy matrimony. This house they were building represented their love. It too was formed over the ashes of loss, like their relationship. Like a phoenix, rising from the flames to come back fresh and full of life.
Athena walked around, looking around the area. Just hours ago, they were rebuilding that life. Even though she knew, deep down, that her husband had done the right thing, Athena couldn't believe it. That he was gone. That he didn't tell her- didn't trust her enough to make the decision to let him go. As filled as she was with sorrow, loneliness, and heartache, she was filled with anger. He left her. Even of he didn't WANT to, he did. Bobby made the choice without telling her. What happened to for better or worse, in sickness and in health?
Athena looked at the small table with the map of the house laid out. She was here with him this morning, with May and Harry. It felt like another world. Taking a deep breath and putting her hand on the edge of the table, she shook her head. "Why?"
After a few seconds of stillness, a familiar voice answered her. "Because it was the right thing to do." Everything was silent, the tension so thick that not even Eddie's ass could compare (well, that's what Buck would say, at least.)
Athena turned around, looking at the doorway. There was Bobby. He was still in his turnout's, still dirty. "How...""I died." Bobby said simply, giving Athena a small smile. "God grants gifts in mysterious ways."
"So you're here?"
"Only part time."
Athena scoffed, "What, so you're a... roaming soul?"
"A ghost is the actual term." Bobby corrects, "Because I've got unfinished business."
Athena crosses her arms, "And you decided to roam over here, huh? To... what? Apologize?"
"And here I thought you'd be happy to see me..." Bobby gestures into the room, "May I?"
"Not like I can stop you, Mr. Poltergeist." Athena said flatly. Sure, she was happy to see him, but him being a ghost also pissed her off even more.
"Look, Athena..." Bobby took a few steps forward, "I didn't want to leave you. You know that, right?"
"You made that clear. Doesn't change that you still did- without forewarning me."
"If I told you, you would've tried to find a way to save me-""Of course, I would!" Athena snapped, "You're my husband, and I loved you. If you actually let us try, maybe we could've done something!"
Bobby sighed, "We didn't have time, 'thena."
"How do you know that!?" Athena retorted quickly, narrowing her eyes at her undead husband. For all she knew, this was some weir dream. Deep down, she prayed that's what this was. A nightmare. A sick, twisted game that her mind was playing by pulling the horrors from her soul. "You didn't even give us a chance to try, Bobby! You- you didn't give me a chance to even give you a proper goodbye! And now you're leaving me alone."
The room once again goes silent. Bobby looks at the ground, then muttered, "You're right. And I'm sorry."
"As the saying goes, sorry doesn't cut it." Athena jeered. "I mean, I get what you were doing, and I admire it. But that doesn't make me any less pissed at you."
"As expected." Bobby put his hands up, "But I'm still here."
"Yeah," Athena scoffed, "As a hallucination."
"Not quite, but even if I were, can't I at least be here to help you heal? And give you that time that you wanted." Bobby suggested, putting a hand out to his widowed wife.
Athena huffed, but reluctantly took Bobby's hand. It had a weird sensation, like it'd been wrapped in cobwebs and chilled, but it was him in every aspect. "You're lucky I love you, even if I'm losing it."
"Well, good thing to know that whatever you're losing, it's not me. Right?" Bobby smiled."If there's anything we should lose, it's this outfit." Athena looks Bobby up and down, scanning his turnouts. "I'm not going to catch super Ebola, am I?"
Bobby laughs, shaking his head. "Nah, I can't have germs. Benefit of being dead."
"Is another benefit the ability to change your wardrobe and wash your face? Because this..." Athena gestures to Bobby dramatically, shaking her head. "It isn't it."
"If that's really your concern, I'll take it up with the big man." Bobby jokes, the small smile on his face growing into a grin.
Maybe Athena could adjust to this change after all.