7 Chapter 7 Buck POV

As Buck woke up, he looked around the room, the thoughts of last night hit him straight away. Seeing Eddie all happy with Ana, having to let his date down and then the biggest thought was the fact he was on a 24-hour shift and Eddie was not going be there. It was going be a long day, he lets out a sigh then wipes the sleep from his eyes as he sits up. Once again, he is up before his alarm. He looks over to the bedside table and saw both phones sat there neither were on charge.

'Great all I need!' he sarcastically thinks to himself.

He leans over and puts them on charge, then he looks at his clock and its 8:17am. He quickly turns the alarm off and drags himself out of the bed then he heads down the stairs and makes a coffee. He looks in the fridge to see what he has for breakfast and discovers that he does not have much in there. He closes the fridge and drinks his coffee as he walks up the stairs, he rummages through the drawers picking some clothes out and heads for a quick shower, as the water rushes down him he starts to feel the panic set in about water and jumps out the shower.

'Why does this keep happening?' he asks to himself as he shakes his head trying to clear the panic from his head.

But he can still feel the panic rising still, he looks at his clock it is eight-thirty-five am, he grabs his phone and calls the only person who can ease his panic. He hits dial on the number that is 2nd most used.

"Morning, I didn't expect you to be up just yet." Eddie says and Buck already feels the panic subsiding.

"Just wanted check in on my main man, to make sure he is all set for his trip." Buck says trying to keep calm.

"Thank you, it's nice of you to check in on me." Eddie starts saying teasingly "It's not you, dad it's me he's on about" He could hear Christopher shout in the background.

"Yeah, Eddie please stop trying steal me from Christopher." Buck starts to laugh down the phone in a joking tone.

"I'm already Bucky, Dad's been grumpy this morning. His date didn't go to plan, I heard him telling Hen when he picked me up from the sleepover." Chris says and Buck starts to laugh.

"Christopher, what have I told you about listening in and telling people?" Eddie reminded him.

"Sorry Dad, but Buck should know, he's your best friend." Chris says, Buck hears the words best friend go round his head.

"Yeah Eddie, you should tell me." Buck chuckles.

"Oh, should I? like you should tell me what was bothering you the other day when we came up and you were looking out over the balcony and you fobbed us off." Eddie shot back.

"I told you I was ok, but if you're going be like that I'll leave you to drive." Buck snaps.

"Please don't fight." Christopher says.

"It's okay, buddy, we will speak to Buck later when he's less angry." Eddie can be heard saying.

"Buck, it's now obvious something is up. I'll talk to you later, see ya." Eddie says.

Before Buck can say anything, the sound of a dial tone is heard. Sighing to himself, all Buck wanted to do was to say sorry. He knew he should talk to Eddie and explain about the panic attack. All he wanted was to hear Eddie's calming voice and he messed it up.

'Oh great, now he is in a mood with me. Can this day get any worse?' he sourly thinks to himself as he puts his phone down while he gets dressed.

As he finishes getting dressed he grabs his phone and has a quick look at his hook up phone still no reply, but he is not surprised he messed that one up too. He leaves it on charge and heads down the stairs and heads to work. As he arrives at work its nine-fifteen am, he slowly leaves his jeep and heads to the locker room. Once he was changed and ready he headed upstairs to where Bobby was stood, and he did not look too impressed with Buck.

"What have I done? you got those 'you did something wrong eyes' looking at me Cap." Buck says with a grin.

"Well, I just spoke to Eddie." Bobby says and the second the name Eddie is mentioned his heart sinks

"I can explain." Buck starts.

"No, listen to me I understand your feelings for him, but what is going on Buck I know there's more to this than you are letting on." Bobby says

"Okay, you know how I said I had a date last night?" Buck says

"Yes, the one that was to try take your mind off Eddie." Bobby says

"No – well… yes - anyway I got to the bar and as I was heading in, I saw Eddie and Ana so I bailed on my date." Buck starts.

"What about at the balcony?" Bobby quizzes.

"I didn't want worry anyone but I was having an panic attack from the sound of water it brought back the tsunami and then I had one just before I called Eddie, I only called him as his voice soothes me and helps when I feel my attacks comi.." Buck is cut off as Bobby wraps him in a hug.

"Buck, whenever you feel them happening, you come get me or call me you don't face them on your own." Bobby says.

"I know I should, I was doing fine I just don't know why there so bad all of a sudden." Buck says confusedly.

Bobby breaks the hug and sits down and Buck follows him and takes a seat next to him on the sofa, he can feel tears forming so looks down at his feet noticing his shoes are scuffed and starts to rub the mark with his finger.

"Buck, stop that and talk to me." Bobby says.

"I'm sorry, it's just I feel so stressed." Buck says still not looking at Bobby.

"Why do you feel stressed?" Bobby asks gently.

"The whole thing with Eddie, the fact I feel I need to be dating someone to stop me thinking of Eddie then seeing him with her, and then the whole fact I actually don't have anything else do when I leave work. If I'm not going to Eddie's or having Chris over at mine…" Buck starts, and he can feel the tears coming but he doesn't care right now.

"Buck, you are not alone. You have Athena and I, and you have the rest of the team and your sister, have you spoke to her about this?" Bibby quizzes.

"No, she's busy starting her life with Chim. I cannot ruin that with my problems" Buck says.

"She would want to know, and you know that. what are you doing tomorrow on your day off?" Bobby asks.

"I know she would but still I don't want bother just yet, and I have nothing planned." Buck replies.

"Well you do now, you're coming round to mine and helping me make pumpkin pies ready for the meal on Thursday and that's an order. We need speak to Maddie because she deserves to know." Bobby says.

"Okay to tomorrow but I'll arrange see Maddie on Friday and explain everything. I have shifts Tuesday to Friday and then Thanksgiving with you, so I will be busy. But I promise I'll give my best behaviour." Buck says looking at Bobby giving him a smile.

"I don't want you on your best behaviour, I want you to be okay." Bobby says giving him a smile.

"I will be." Buck says.

"Good. Now, let us get breakfast and start this long day." Bobby says.

They both get up and start on the breakfast, the twenty-four-hour shift goes by quick as they have call after call and when they were at the firehouse, it was either to grab food to scoff down or to nap. Bobby tried to keep any talk about Eddie to a minimum or away from Buck and had asked everyone to let emergency contacts know to contact Bobby as he wanted everyone leaving their phones in lockers which helped Buck as he was tempted to call Eddie so many times to try sort out there earlier disagreement. Before they knew what was going on, the shift was over it was now Monday and ten am. The team sighed in relief.

"Remember Buck, be at mine for five pm. It gives you time for a nap, and no doubt you will want talk to Eddie, just be calm okay?" Bobby says.

"I will do, I'll see you later Cap." Buck says as he laughs and heads to the locker room to get changed and then heads out even before anyone gets in the room.

As he drives back to his place, he decides to call Eddie and get it over and done with. He dreads how it is going go. Using his hands-free car system, he dials Eddie's number.

"Hey, Eddie." Buck says sheepishly when Eddie answers.

"Hey Buck. Look, I am sorry for the other day. I shouldn't have hung up." Eddie says.

"No, I'm sorry for starting. It is the last thing I wanted. I'm sorry haven't been in touch, Bobby made us leave our phones in lockers." Buck says.

"Yeah, he sent me a text to let me know." Eddie says.

"Oh, right cool, so how is it there? Are you working?" Buck asks.

"Yeah it is all good, no I am due to start at eleven, just pulled up as I wanted to be early. so, I'll talk to you later." Eddie says

"Don't work too hard, look after yourself." Buck says.

"I will. See ya." Eddie says

"See ya." Buck says as he hangs up.

He felt the stress ease away, knowing Eddie was not mad at him. He pulls up into his driveway and parks. He hops out, locks the jeep and heads into his apartment, he walks up the stairs and lays down and falls asleep. he wakes up to the sound of his phone ringing and see's its Bobby and that its five pm

"Hey Bobby. Sorry I fell asleep, I'm setting off now," Buck says.

"Okay, see you soon." Bobby says.

Buck rolls over and looks at his hook up phone still no message. He laughs to himself, he jumps up and sprays some deodorant and heads to Bobby's. When he gets there he is greeted by Athena and the kids. They spend the next few hours, helping Bobby make pies and making a mess. As it gets to ten pm, he finishes saying his goodbyes and heads back home. Once again, when he's in his apartment he sits on his sofa relaxing watching TV, he sends Eddie a quick message.

'Hey Eddie, hope your day has gone well. Wish I could have spoken to Christopher before he went bed, talk soon.'

He locks his phone but then is greeted by the imagine of Christopher appear on his phone and his ringtone.

"Hello?" Buck says into the phone.

"Hey, Bucky." Chris says.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" Buck asks curiously.

"It is, but Dad said I could call you to say good night." Chris explains.

"Aww, well goodnight and have sweet dreams won't you?" Buck asks.

"I will, you sleep well too." Christopher says.

"Night, Superman." Buck says smiling.

"Night, Bucky," Christopher say's and there is a ruffling sound.

"Hey Buck." Eddie says.

"Hey, thanks for letting him call." Buck says.

"Your joking, right? He been pestering my Mom all night to call you, but obviously I still have his phone." Eddie says with a chuckle.

"Ah, so he stayed up." Buck says.

"Yes, he refused to go bed until he spoke to you. He is heading off now. How was your evening? I tell you what it's so different here." Eddie says.

"I went to Bobby's and made pumpkin pies ready for Thanksgiving and you need sort out a new phone and why is it different?" Buck asks.

"Firstly, I hope you save us some pie to try, second I have ordered a new phone but it's going be delivered to the station due to me been here in Texas, so I asked them send it there. So, look out for it please? It's just this place is a lot posher and more modern." Eddie says.

"Of course, I will, and I bet Christopher will be happy get his phone back and maybe we need talk to Bobby about a restoration job." Buck laughs.

"Bobby won't do that. Yeah Christopher keeps moaning about having his phone back. Anyway, I need go. I got an early start tomorrow. I'll text you through the day and talk later." Eddie says.

"Yeah will do, buddy. Night." Buck says.

"Night." Eddie says and hangs up.

Buck heads up to bed and puts his phone on charge. There is still no message on his hook up phone, so he lays down. He found that he was exhausted. The previous day shift and the long evening at Bobby's finally caught up to him up as he dozes off.

Tuesday and Wednesday go by like a blur, Buck was more focused and happier, Eddie's phone had turned up so Buck placed it in his locker as he had a spare key and texted Eddie to tell him it was in his locker. He talked to Eddie and Christopher before and after shifts, the week started off bad, but was now was going well. He still had not heard from the date he bailed on. He was now looking forward to Thanksgiving at Athena and Bobby's. They had also invited Maddie, as Chim was now working to cover someone been off. It was the end of the Wednesday shift and it was late so Buck went home he sat down and fell asleep on the sofa.

He was awoken by a knock on the door, he sat up stiff from sleeping on the sofa, he slowly rose and walked over to the door as more knocks could be heard. He slowly opened the door as he cleaned the sleep from his eyes.

"About time." Maddie says as she barges past.

"Oh, hey come in make yourself at home." Buck says sarcastically.

"Don't be like that, were meant be at Bobby's and Athena's for twelve and its eleven, I've called you loads, and you didn't answer." Maddie says looking round the apartment.

"Oh, shit. I must have overslept; I fell asleep on the sofa and woke to you. I didn't answer as my phone is dead as you can see." Buck says holding his phone up.

"Well, go get ready and we will head out I'll put your phone on charge I'll also call Eddie, he been worried too." Maddie says with a smile

"Why he was worried about me? And thanks." Buck says moving round the kitchen putting the coffee machine on.

"Well, he was hoping you would tell me, as he doesn't seem to know." She says with a smile.

"Ok let me go have a quick shower and changed and I'll explain on the way there." Buck says with a smile.

She nods and he heads up the stairs and quickly strips off, wraps a towel round his waist and puts the dirty clothes in the washing basket. As he turns to head back to the bathroom, his hook up phone rings with a number he has not seen before. His finger hovers over it, he was not sure whether to answer or not, he decide to bite the bullet and answer.

"Hello." He says.

"Hey," the mysterious man says.,

"Do I know you? You're not saved in my phone." Buck asks.

"It's Tyler, and you are?" Tyler asks.

"It's Buck, but I thought you would know that considering you called me." Buck says bemused.

"Oh, Buck from LA?" Tyler asks.

"Yeah, and where you from?" Buck asks

"New York, but don't worry I'll leave. You're a bit far for a meet good luck though." Tyler says and before Buck can reply the phone line is dead.

'Why does everyone hang up on me?' he laughs to himself.

He puts the phone down and goes for a shower once done he changes into fresh clothes heads down and Maddie has his phone and charger and two travel cups ready to go.

"All set" She says.

"Of course." He replies with a smile, shaking his head at Maddie's organization.

They head downstairs and jump into Maddie's car and start driving, he places his phone on charge as he drinks the coffee.

"So, explain. I want to know before we get to Bobby's." She says.

"Basically, I have been having panic attacks about the tsunami. It is nothing bad. I've just been dealing with it on my own, but Bobby knows and has been helping." Buck says

"Why didn't you say anything about it?" She asks

"I didn't want bother you, you and Chim are starting something and I didn't want my problems bothering you." Buck says.

"Don't be silly, you will never bother me. I'm here for you, if you need talk about it, just talk to me." she replies.

"I know now, I promise I will. Let us just enjoy the day." Buck says.

"How's Eddie coping in Texas?" She asks.

"Well, you spoke to him didn't you? But he is doing good. I think it helped seeing family." Buck says.

"I spoke to him about you, that's all, He was finishing his shift when he called at nine to say you weren't answering the phone." She explains.

"Oh, right. What did he say when you called him?" He asks.

"He just wanted know if you were okay, I explained you just slept in and didn't charge your phone and that you will call him later." Maddie says.

"Ok, I'll call him when we get there." He says.

"Oh, I have a favour to ask." she says.

"Do I want to know?" Buck laughs.

"Shh. It's serious, Josh has a date on Friday and he wants some company, so I said I would go and be in the background, so I was wondering if you would come with me so I'm not on my own." She says

"Yeah, why not could do with the distraction," He says.

"Cool, I'll let Josh know and we can arrange to be there before they turn up so it doesn't look fishy." She says

"Protective mother aren't you?" Buck says with a giggle.

There is no answer just a slap on his arm, and a laugh, they continue to drive and as they approach Athena's it's nearly twelve thirty pm and Bucks phone ring, and he sees Christopher face he looks at Maddie who just smiles.

"Hey." Buck says warmly into the phone.

"I see you're in the land of the living," Eddie teases.

"Yeah, I am." Buck laughs.

"Bucky, Happy Thanksgiving!" Christopher shouts down the phone.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Superman, how is it up there?" Buck asks.

"It's okay. It would have been well better if you were here, but Dad says were having a special second Thanksgiving next week when we get back." Christopher says.

"That we are buddy." Buck says.

"Come on, Christopher I want talk to him." Eddie can be heard.

"Ughh." Christopher can be heard and then the sound of crutches moving away.

"Sorry, you know how he is when you're on the phone. How is it going have you made it there yet?" Eddie asks.

"Well, we are getting there. so I'll talk to you later." Buck says he could see the Grant-Nash house approaching.

"Yeah, the last thing I want is Athena coming after me, so we can talk later." Eddie says

"Very true. Talk later, bye." Buck says as he hangs up.

They pull up at the house and park. They get out, Maddie goes to the trunk of the car and picks up a tray of cakes and a few bottles of wine. Buck glances at her and she looks at him and smiles as she passes the tray of cakes to him.

"Remember, you bring something when you are a guest, and this isn't Eddie's" Maddie teases with a giggle.

"Point taken and thanks." He says with a smile as they walk to the door and knock.

"You finally made it." Athena says with a smile as she opens the door.

"Yeah, someone slept in." Maddie says with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I had a long shift, it has been a long week to be honest." Buck smiles.

"Yeah, Bobby mentioned that it been a tough week." Athena says.

Buck starts to panic what exactly has he told Athena, could his secret be out he turns to Maddie who is shaking her head then he looks at Athena who just smiles.

"You've gone pale, Buck you okay?" Athena asks

"He's fine, let's have that chat." Bobby says as he walks to the door.

"Yeah, that'll be great thanks," Buck says as he passes the tray of cakes to Athena,

They wait until Athena and Maddie go in and the door closes, and Buck looks at Bobby, his thoughts start going round his head again.

'What's he said to people? Bobby wouldn't tell what I said to him, wait he wouldn't do that.'

"First, Buck don't worry. I just said you were having a tough week, but I did not explain exactly why. I can see your panicking." Bobby says.

"Yeah, I knew you wouldn't, but the thought hit me." Buck responds.

"I thought as much. have you spoken to Maddie?" Bobby asks

"Yeah, I explained about the panic attacks, but I left out the Eddie bit. I'm not ready yet." Buck explains.

"That is fine, as long as you're talking about the attacks. Everything else can wait." Bobby says with a smile.

"Yeah, it will be all okay now." Buck says.

"You heard from Eddie then?" Bobby says.

"Yeah of course, Christopher wanted to wish me Happy Thanksgiving, I told him I was here and would talk to him later, just wanted to keep focused." Buck says

Bobby laughs and they head into everyone's cheers of welcome. It is a great day filled with laughter and fun. Buck enjoys the day; he holds off drinking too much he wanted to keep his head clear that and he also didn't want be a drunken mess where he spills his heart out to everyone about the man he loves.

As the night draws in, it gets to seven pm and people start leaving. Maddie decides to leave which means Buck must too.

"Come on, you got an early shift and I don't want you tired." Bobby says.

"Okay Cap, come on Mads." Buck says.

They say their goodbyes and jump in Maddie's car and she drives them back to Bucks as they pull up outside Maddie turns to Buck.

"Okay, I'll message you in the morning with time and location for tomorrow, what time do you finish your shift?" Maddie asks.

"I start at six am and finish at three pm" Buck promptly replies.

"Okay, that's fine. Now go get a good night's sleep and I'll see you tomorrow." she says.

"Will do." Buck says as he leans over and gives her a hug.

He jumps out the car and heads in, once he is through the door, he heads to the sofa he looks at the time its half seven, he decides that he should start settling down but wants to call Christopher see how his day has gone, he pops in to the kitchen to get a drink of water and then settles back on the sofa as he calls Christopher's phone.

"Bucky!" Christopher exclaims with excitement.

"Hey Buddy, how are you? How was your day?" Buck asks.

"It's been fun, Dad was a bit grumpy when Nana asked about his girlfriend, I've eaten so much turkey, I'm sleepy." Christopher says.

"Good to hear that you have had fun and well, best get settled into bed before your grumpy Dad moans." Buck laughs and he can hear Christopher giggle.

"I will, night Bucky." Christopher says.

"Night, buddy." Buck says with a smile.

"Hey Buck, how was the meal?" Eddie asks.

"Hey, Mr Grumpy Gills." Buck teases with a laugh.

"Ughh, Christopher said I was grumpy didn't he?" Eddie asks.

"How you guess?" Buck says with a giggle

"The fact you are referring me to Marlin from Finding Nemo, I'm going have to stop you two watching Disney films together. You two gang up on me." Eddie says laughing

"No fun in that though. Did you have a good time though?" Buck asks.

"Yeah, I'll be glad be back in LA though." Eddie says.

"Why is that?" Buck asks.

"Well my Mom and Dad want me to move here permanently, as they can help with Christopher more." Eddie says.

"Would you? "Buck asks.

"No, I have this argument with them each and every time I see them, so it's nothing new." Eddie says.

"That's good then. I mean, you have such a good support group here. I can't see how they would think you would struggle." Buck says

"That is true, thanks Buck. You know how to cheer me up. Anyway, I better let you go. Aren't you on an early shift?" Eddie asks.

"Yeah, and then I've been roped in to going out with Maddie as she watches Josh on a date so at least I'm outside." Buck says,

"Sounds like fun, just don't cause to much trouble." Eddie laughs.

"Night, Eddie." Buck says.

"Night." Eddie replies this time as Buck hangs up in 'revenge'.

'Ha see how you like it.' he says to himself as he laughs.

He gets up and heads to bed, he knew that tomorrow would be a long day. But, at least he could have a few hours of downtime in between work and going out with Maddie, he strips down and heads to bed.

He gets a good night's sleep, when he wakes to his 5am alarm, he smiles. First time in a while that his alarm wakes him up. As he sits up and wipes the sleep away and heads into the bathroom to get ready to go starting with a quick shave and a shower as well as a clean change of clothes and he is ready. he looks over still no message on his hook up phone, so he decides to send a message.

'Hey, I know you haven't messaged me since I bailed and I'm sorry about that, but if you are willing give me another chance, would you like to go out tomorrow night, meet at the same place at 8pm.'

As the message sends, he smiles and is hopeful, he grabs his other phone and heads out and gets to work, as he arrives at work a bit late due to traffic and as he pulls in the car park he sees everyone talking already changed into their uniforms.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in, bit late today aren't we?" Chim teases, smiling at Buck

"Yeah, traffic was crap today, but I had a great sleep, so can't complain." Buck replies.

"Well, that's good to know. Go get changed and we will get started." Buck nods and heads to the locker room and gets changed ready for the day.

As he puts his phone in his locker, he quickly messages Maddie, simply asking 'We still on for later?' then presses send then proceeds to put it in the locker and shuts the door.

He heads out and joins the rest of the team as they talk about how Thanksgiving went. As they do, the alarm goes off and they move into action. It was a long shift, call after call with barely any break time but thankfully when three pm came, they arrive back at the station and leave the vehicles.

"Is everyone shooting off, or will you have time for food?" Bobby asks.

"I'm down for food." Buck says, it makes it easier for him as he was not sure what was in his fridge to cobble together for a meal.

"Yeah, why not." Chim states.

"I would, but I'm meeting up with Karen." Hen says.

"That's fine, see you tomorrow," Bobby says,

"Yeah, will do and I'll see you two Monday." She says pointing at Chim and Buck.

Buck watches Chim and Bobby head upstairs and he quickly goes to grab his phone and head upstairs. When he gets there both Chim and Bobby are busy cooking, so Buck sits on the sofa and watches, he opens his phone and Maddie has texted.

'Yeah meet you at mine at seven pm, and we can go from mine. Josh will be there from eight so was thinking get there twenty minutes earlier.'

'Oh, yeah that's fine. I will be at yours for seven. See you later.' he replies.

He looks at the time and its three-twenty and he knows Eddie will be working right now but sends him a quick message.

'Hey Eddie, I know you're driving back Sunday and you will be tired but was thinking maybe I can come round with some pizza? It would save you from your awful cooking.'

He puts his phone in his pocket and watches the world pass by the main doors of the fire house watching the other shift working away on the trucks he smiles; he is so relaxed and happy right now.

"Food's up, Buck." Chim shouts from the kitchen.

"Okay." Buck says turning round on the sofa and getting up and crossing the room to grab his meal.

They sit and eat and when Chim is all done and he heads off, leaving Buck and Bobby.

"So, any plans?" Bobby asks.

"Yeah, I'm going out with Maddie tonight." Buck replies.

"Have you told her about your feelings for you know who yet?" Bobby says.

"No, not yet. But I will, but I asked that guy out again on a date but there's no answer yet." Buck replies

"Well, hopefully he will give you another chance. Just enjoy it and don't stress yourself out." Bobby says.

"I won't, I better be off, I want to get a nap in before I go out." Buck says with a smile.

"Ok I'll see you Monday. But if you need me, call me okay?" Bobby says.

Buck heads back down the stairs and into the locker room he gets changed back in to his civvies and heads home by the time he's home its half four. He heads up sets his alarm for six pm. he knew he can get to Maddie's in roughly thirty minutes, he is about to lay down when he looks at his hook up phone he has a message.

'P.E.E – 14:30 – 'Hey, I know I might regret this but yes I will meet you tomorrow at same bar at eight pm, but if you bail that will be it.'

'I completely understand and agree with you, but I'll be there I promise, see you tomorrow.'

Buck lays the phone down and puts his other on charge he has no messages on that one.

'Eddie must be busy today.' he thinks to himself.

As soon as his head hits the pillow, he is out cold, He dreams of Eddie as he sleeps and is annoyed when his phone starts ringing but his annoyance turns to a smile when he sees Christopher's picture on his phone.

"Hey." Buck says in a groggy tone.

"Have I woken you up?" Eddie asks

"It's okay, I was trying to get a nap, but I managed grab some, my alarm was due go off in ten minutes anyway." Buck says as he glances at the clock.

"Ah, ok not too bad. Sorry, I did not message back. It has been a manic day. I'll let you go and get ready, but yes to Sunday night." Eddie says.

"Ok, cool I'll see you Sunday, but I'll message you tomorrow. Enjoy your last day in Texas." Buck says

"Yeah I'll see you Sunday but …" Before Eddie finishes Buck hangs up.

'Haha, serves him right.' he thinks to himself.

'Eddie (Christopher's phone) so fucking rude! see you Sunday.' Eddie texts, making him laugh.

Buck goes to reply but is stopped by his alarm going off, he turns it off and puts his phone down, he jumps up off the bed and heads to get showered. Once he is done he spends ten minutes deciding what to wear. Finally, he is dressed he grabs his phone and heads out he gets to Maddie's round half six and as soon as he leaves his jeep he is pushed into her car.

"Come on, I want get there early for food." Maddie says.

"Okay, bossy." Buck jokes.

They drive and stop at a burger bar, Buck loos confused as they enter the diner and take a seat.

"Is he having his date here?" He asks

"No, it some graveyard movie thing, so they won't serve food so thought we eat and then head there." She explains

"Doesn't sound creepy at all." Buck says sarcastically.

"Well, that's why he wants us there." She says.

They sit and look at the menus once they ordered they talk about the work. Maddie and Chim, Buck deflects and questions about him eventually the food turns up and they eat as they finish Maddie looks at her phone.

"Come on, we better go he's on his way." She says

"What? I thought you said eight its only half seven." Buck says

"Exactly. It's a good thing that it's round the corner lets go." She says as she gets up.

Buck pays the tab and they leave heading towards the graveyard as they approach they see the screen and people already sitting down, Maddie show there tickets and they head in and she takes a seat at the back so they can see everyone, they get comfy and see that Josh turn up and he doesn't wave at them just walks past with a smile and sits with a guy. They start watching the film and after thirty minutes they see them get up and leave.

"Where do you think they're going?" Maddie asks.

"Well most likely for a fumble." Buck jokes.

"No Josh would do that, something is probably wrong go and check, please." She says pushing Buck

"Hang on, what if there you know doing it." Buck asks.

"Well turn around and come back." She says with a joke

"Fine" He says as he walks over

As he walks the way he saw them leave he sees three figures so starts walking quicker, he turns his head to look at Maddie and gives her the we need help look and she starts getting up, Buck gets closer and can see there attacking Josh.

"Come on faggot, fight back." One guy says

"it's disgusting two men shouldn't be allowed to date." The other says

"Oi, what do you think you are doing!?" Buck says.

"Just some old gay bashing, want to join?" The guy jokes.

"Why would I want do that?" Buck says getting closer.

"Oh, your another faggot then." The guy says as he squares up to Buck.

"So what if I am, what you going do about it" Buck says as he pushes the guy and he falls and the other guy punches Buck in the face so Buck punches the other one back and they both run off seeing that Buck wasn't going go down easy.

"You ok Josh?" Buck says

"Yeah thank you, they got my wallet, but I'll be fine." Josh says

Buck helps up Josh and they turn round to see Maddie stood there.

'Shit, did she hear me' Buck thinks

"Are you okay, Josh?" She asks

"Yeah, your brother saved me." He says

"Buck you okay, you gone pale." She asks

"Yeah, let's get Josh to A&E." Buck says quickly.

They take Josh to the hospital. As he is getting checked out Maddie and Buck sit the waiting room.

"So, something you want tell me?" She asks

Buck knew it was coming so he decided he needed fill her in on everything.

"Ok, there's a lot I need say, so the nightmares I been having about the tsunami it's come from stress." He starts.

"What stress, you said you were fine, Buck tell me, does Bobby know?" she asks.

"Yeah, he knows everything, he basically caught me, so I've been stressed recently as everyone was on about dating and after everything with Abby I wasn't wanting to date, but the other problem is I've fallen for someone and I can't mess it up, so it's been getting on top of me not getting what I want but taking what I can. But I have a date tomorrow and before you ask. yes, a guy. I thought I would try the field again, I'm bi as well before you ask." Buck says knowing he is gone red in the face.

"Buck, I don't care what you are, I just want you to be happy and I'm guessing its Eddie." She says giving him a look.

"How? You know what I must be so bad at hiding it." He laughs.

"Your good, but I've known you for so long. I understand now why your stressed. He is with Ana and your so close as friends it must be hard. But focus on the date tomorrow I'll want the details okay?" she says.

They sit there and talk more while they wait for Josh by the time he's let out its two am. Maddie drops him off and then heads back to hers, on the way Buck checks his phone but its dead he shrugs and puts it in his pocket, they get back to Maddie's.

"Drive safe" She says as Buck gets in his jeep and drives home.

Once home he just falls on the bed its now nearly three am, he pulls his clothes off and just goes to sleep, he wakes up later and looks at the clock its nearly four pm he slept for over twelve hours.

'It must be all the mental tiredness that's finally caught me up.' he thinks.

He sits up looks for his phone he can't see it on charge he picks his jeans and it's in there he places it on charge and looks at his hook up phone he has a message.

'P.E.E – 10:30 – still on for later, see you soon.'

'Yeah see you at the bar, I'll message you when I'm at the bar.' Buck replies.

He gets up out the bed he decides to go for a run so he leaves both his phones on charge and heads out he spends a good hour running by the time he's got in after talking to the neighbour its half five. he decides to get a quick drink and bite to eat. As he sits on the sofa he starts wondering how the night will go. He heads up the stairs and showers. He gets ready by slipping a pair of blue jeans on, a white undershirt and a green button up, he smiles at himself in the mirror and notices the blackeye appearing.

'oh well, at least there a good story behind it.' he thinks to himself.

He slips his shoes on and takes a seat on the bed he turns his phone on and is bombarded with messages he doesn't look at them its half 6 he needs order his Uber he wanted get there early so he was there. After ordering it for seven he replies to messages off Maddie who was asking if he was okay and then he saw the ones off Eddie he does not read them just calls him.

"Buck are you ok? Maddie told me about last night." Eddie says Buck stops

'shit what did she say' he thinks to himself

"I'm okay it's just a black eye, what did she say?" Buck questions.

"Just you had saved Josh from some idiots and you got yourself punched." Eddie replies

"Yeah it's okay, they ran off. I'm fine, look I'm heading out to Maddie's, are you out as well or just on a drive?, Anyway can I talk to you later?" Buck says as he notices Eddie huffing at other cars.

"Yeah, on a drive and yeah sure. Talk later." Eddie says before Buck can reply the Uber sends a message, so he hangs up and grabs his hook up phone and heads out the uber turns up at 6:50pm once in the Uber and it starts on its way he sends a message.

'On my way now, see you soon.'

'P.E.E – Me too. I wanted to get there early and get a drink. It Looks like be both had the same idea I'll be there in 10 minutes.'

'Ok, I'll be there in 20.'

Buck smiles and enjoys the ride as he gets closer the butterflies hit him, he steps out surveys the windows and does not see anyone he knows so gets his hook up phone out.

'I'm here so what are you wearing so I can find you at the bar.'

'P.E.E – I'm the one with the red shirt on I stand out, everyone else here is in black lol.'

'Okay, I'm in a green shirt so we will stand out together.'

Buck enters the building and heads to the bar he sees the only person in a red shirt his head is down so he can't see much more, as he walks up, he taps the guy on the shoulder.

"Hey, I'm Bucc" He stops mid-sentence as the guy turns around.

"Eddie?" he asks in shock.

"Buck?" Eddie asks in the same tone.

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