9 Chapter 9 Buck's POV

Buck stood there, frozen in shock. Sitting there in front of him was Eddie, the man he wanted but he was also so confused at why Eddie was here.

"What are you doing here?" Buck asks confusedly.

"I could ask the same to you?" replies Eddie, in the same tone.

Again, Buck was unable to answer. He was in shock, but by the looks so was Eddie, so many thoughts racing through his head he did not know what do or say.

'Should I walk out and hope we can forget this, or go for it?' Buck thinks to himself.

Time passes for what feels like forever and neither does talk, their shock is broken by another voice.

"About time." Carlos says gleefully.

"Yeah, though I don't think they have clicked onto it yet." TK jokes.

"What are you on about?" Eddie asks, Buck looks at him wonderingly.

'How does Eddie know these two and what's going on?' Buck thinks to himself.

"Well, you both inadvertently have been speaking to each other and never realised, I mean they say love is blind but you two take it to another level." TK says.

"Eddie, call the guy's phone." Carlos says

Buck watches as he gets out a phone that wasn't Chris's and see's Eddie fiddle with the screen and then hold up the phone to his ear and then all three stare at Buck, he can feel the phone vibrating even before the sound starts, he slowly takes the phone out and looks at Eddie who has now hung up and just looking at Buck the look of reality finally set in with Buck.

"Whose phone is that?" Buck asks as it the only thing is head can think of.

"This is my old phone with an old sim as I'm waiting for my new one remember. And what is that phone" Eddie enquires, seeing Buck's phone, knowing that it wasn't his usual phone.

"It's my old phone from a few years ago." Buck explains slowly.

"Your old hook up one, considering what it says it on the back." TK announced, noticing the back of it.

Buck freezes. He looks in horror at TK and Carlos and then slowly at Eddie who just downs his drink in one.

"Who are you two? Sorry, I'm just simply confused with everything" Buck says hoping to change the subject for a minute.

"Well go take a seat at the table over there and we will bring the drinks over and explain so what you both having?" TK says

"Just a beer and a tequila shot I think I made need it." Eddie says looking at Buck in askance.

"Same for me too." Buck responds.

"Okay, both of you go over there, and we will get them, just don't run off." TK jokes.

Buck follows Eddie just focusing on his shoes. He does not want to look at any other part of Eddie at the moment this was going so wrong. They arrive at the table and take a seat, with Buck sitting pretty much opposite Eddie. He then looks at Eddie who just smiles and shakes his head.

"What?" Buck asks.

"Just this whole situation." Eddie says.

"Tell me, who are they?" Buck asks.

"Oh, TK works at the firehouse in Austin and Carlos is a cop but also TK's boyfriend." Eddie explains

"But why they here? And why are you here I thought you were back tomorrow not today?" Buck asks.

"I'm kind of confused now to why they are here but they said they would explain and I came back early as I had done extra shifts so the captain said I could leave a day early and then TK and Carlos came along" Eddie explains.

"So, your Principe espanol encantador?" Buck asks and does not dare look at Eddie in the eyes.

"And your babyblueboi." Eddie says with a chuckle.

"Yeah, god this is awkward." Buck says wishing the ground would just swallow him up.

Before Eddie can say anything, TK and Carlos arrive at the table and hands them their drinks. Buck instantly goes for the tequila and downs it and washes it down with a swig of beer. As he looks up, he sees everyone looking at him and they smile.

"Hang on, that means you stood me up the other week." Eddie says, and Buck looks at him he knows he is going red.

"I..I..I'm sorry." is all Buck can say.

"Well, first let us explain why we are here so we can go and then you can try enjoy the date you both obviously are craving for." TK jokes.

"Please." Eddie says.

Buck just looks at TK and nods he did not want to say anything, he was getting embarrassed at least no one else from work was here to witness this disaster.

"So, when you came over to our station and explained everything about the guy that stood you up and kept going on about the excuse he gave for not turning up well you know how you left me with the phone while you went and took the call off from Maddie about Buck not answering and how you were worried about him." TK says.

"Yeah, I remember." Eddie says Buck catches Eddie looking at him and lets a little grin appear on his face.

'He was worried about me even when in Austin but why?' Buck thinks to himself?

"Well Buck, do you remember getting a call round the same time as Maddie had been at yours?" TK says looking at Buck.

Buck paused a minute and had to think back, and realising that he did have a call.

"Yeah, from a guy called Tyler." Buck replied.

"That was me, when you answered and said it was Buck I figured it out so I told a white lie that I was from New York, but I am originally from New York." TK says with a chuckle "Then when you came back in, Eddie and said what was I smiling about that was it I had figured out that you two were messaging and didn't know who was the other, so I spoke to Carlos and we agreed that it had to get sorted out, then I spoke to my dad and he agreed so here we are." TK finishes.

"I'm lost for words." Eddie says.

Buck does not respond at all, he is eyeing up the exit hoping to make a run for it, he needs five minutes to calm down and think, he is now looking down and twiddling his thumbs.

"Hey Carlos, let's get another round." TK says, giving them an 'out' to talk to each other without their presence.

"Yeah, same again; you two?" Carlos asks.

"Yes please." Eddie replies.

Buck quickly looks up and nods wordlessly as he watches them walk away and then realises that he is left with Eddie. But he does not know what say or where to look, so he just continues to play with his fingers.

"I'll be back in a minute; I'm just going to the bar." Eddie says.

"Okay." Buck manages to force out.

He looks up as Eddie walks away and starts talking to TK and Carlos, occasionally looking over towards Buck. he knew he would be okay he just needed some air, so he grabs his phone and calls the first person he could think of and stands up as it rings, he looks over to the bar and sees them watching him he holds up his hand and mouths five minutes and heads out without looking at them.

He listens to the phone as it rings and is picked up.

"Oh my god, I need help this date has gone so wrong and I don't know what do, I can feel the panic rising and I can't crumble not in front of him. He will think I'm a mess what do I do?" Buck blurts out.

"First, calm down Buck, do you want me come and get you?" Bobby says

"No, just tell me what do?" Buck says

"Just take deep breaths and relax yourself, what has happened?" Bobby asks

"Well, I got here and he told me what he was wearing so I found him at the bar his head was down and when I tapped his shoulder it was-" Buck stopped and started to breath a bit more frantically.

"Calm Buck deep breath in and out remember?" Bobby says

Buck takes a minute as he breathes in and out calming himself down, he looks round make sure no one had come out looking for him and looked at the window and could see them sat at the table still he felt himself getting calmer.

"Buck, you still there?" Bobby says.

"Yeah, I'm all good." Buck replies.

"So, who is it? Is it someone you knew is that why your acting like this?" Bobby asks.

"Its … "Buck mumbles Eddie's name too quietly.

"Who? You went quiet as you said it" Bobby says

"It's EDDIE!" Buck shouts by accident.

"What you mean, its Eddie?" Bobby asks confusedly.

"Apparently, we have been messaging each other this whole time, I used an old phone so did he, so we didn't know each other's numbers. Oh, this is so crazy. But then one of the firefighting team from Austin is here with him as he figured it out and made sure we meet up, I do not know what do, should I walk out?" Buck asks

"No Buck, you know Eddie and the fact you found each other in the most bizarre way. Go back in and say something, see how it goes. It must be difficult for him too you know, just talk. Talk to him." Bobby says.

"Maybe, but now I'm thinking about everything all the time we spent together, was he trying tell me and I missed it have I been so blind, and I stood him up last week." Buck says

"To be fair you saw him with that teacher, has he explained that bit yet?" Bobby asks.

"No, I was about ask but then the other two came back." Buck says.

He looks round and can see that only Eddie and TK are at the table and that Carlos was missing, as he looked round a voice came from behind.

"Looking for someone?" Carlos says curiously.

Buck turns round and goes white he fumbles with his phone.

"Got to go Bobby, I'll talk to you later." Buck says as he hangs up.

"Sorry, I just needed…" Buck starts to explain

"To chat to someone, I get it." Carlos finishes, understanding what he was saying.

"it's just a lot to take in." Buck says.

"We get that too; my advice is talk to him. He likes you; do you like him?" Carlos questions

"Yeah, a lot actually." Buck says going red.

"Well good because all he could go on about is you no matter what we did. It always came back to Buck would like this, Buck said this, Buck did this. So, he's definitely smitten. We came to make sure neither ran off. So, come back in, TK and I are heading off, so you are alone okay?" Carlos says with a smile.

"Yeah, your right. Plus I can't avoid him, we work together." Buck says ruefully.

They head back into the building and back to the table as they approach Buck looked over and can see Eddie smiling and looking at him. He lets a little smile out as he gets closer, once at the table he takes a seat, as he does, TK stood up.

"Right we're off, you two talk and let me know how it goes." TK says with a smile.

They exchange farewells, and they watch as they leave.

"So alone at last." Eddie spoke, and Buck just looks at him.

'What did he mean by that?' Buck thinks.

"Yeah, I suppose so. Eddie, can I just say sorry about the other week." Buck says

"So, what was the real reason you did the no show routine?" Eddie asks curiously.

"Well I got here, and then saw you and Ana and I didn't want you see me having a date with a guy. I wanted to tell you about me once I had someone, so seeing you two sat there I just bolted. Why was she there if you arranged a date with someone?" Buck asks intrigued in the answer

"She was here for support. She knew it had been a while and after you told me about stalkers. I thought at least if she were there and it was a weird guy, she would save me. but then you never showed up, so I got slightly drunk and then fell asleep." Eddie said with a chuckle.

"Oh right, so… you two aren't an item?" Buck asks sheepishly.

"No, were just friends plus I don't think her girlfriend would be impressed, she basically was the one I spoke to about things." Eddie says turning away.

"What things, you know you can tell me anything." Buck says automatically

"Well if you must know it was about a guy I like, she actually tells me off as I talk to much about him, and if you're wondering it's you." Eddie says Buck can see the redness in his cheeks coming out.

"Really, Carlos said you wouldn't stop talking about me" Buck said with a grin

"Yeah, it seems that other people seemed to have noticed I liked you, and you didn't." Eddie says

"Oh, right like who?" Buck asks curiously

"Well obviously Ana, TK, Carlos, my Abuela of all people. Oh, and Hen she got it out of me when I picked Chris up." Eddie says with a giggle

"Your Abuela knows, how? And it will be round the station by Monday if Hen knows." Buck says with a chuckle.

"Well she pointed out I always smile when you call or when your around, Hen said she keep it quiet, more importantly who knows about you fancying me." Eddie says sticking his tongue out.

"Well, only Josh and Bobby most likely Athena knowing Bobby. Oh, and TK and Carlos obviously, Maddie does know now after…" Buck says pointing to his black eye.

"Ah, yes the fight was going ask about that." Eddie starts

"Yeah they were calling him names and asked why I should care then questioned if I was one and I said yeah they attacked I defended myself, but hadn't realised Maddie was there when I said it. She also knows how much I like you and everything else." Buck says as he looks down.

"About your nightmares, from the tsunami?" Eddie asks

"How did you know?" Buck asks

"Chris said something to me and Hen at hers and then it clicked for sure on the day when you froze at the balcony. It was raining that day and the nightmares had come back hadn't it? Why didn't you tell us? I'm guessing Bobby knew as he told us leave it alone?" Eddie says.

"Yeah, I'm sorry I just didn't want say I had a problem, Bobby spoke to me that day I cut my finger as I was distracted." Buck looks away knowing he is going red "That's when he found out how much I liked you and the stress I was under." Buck finished

"Distracted by what? And you should have said if you were stressed." Eddie says.

"It was you." Buck says looking at his hands.

"What do you mean, me?" Eddie replies confusedly.

"Well, the day I cut my finger I was too busy watching you and not paying attention to where I was cutting, and then when Bobby was sorting out the cut, I was too busy watching you again, and that's how he knew." Buck explains

"We are a pair, aren't we?" Eddie says with a laugh as he takes a swig of beer

"More than a pair, where do we go from here?" Buck asks he was nervous this could ruin their friendship.

"Well, I say we actually have this date. it looks like it's been a long time coming don't you think?" Eddie says.

Buck sat there in shock. He was expecting to be told maybe they should head to their separate homes and forget it.

'Bite the bullet time.' Buck thought to himself

"Well in that case, Eddie Diaz will you go on a date with me tonight?" Buck asks and looks at Eddie.

"We are already out on one, but yes I would love that." Eddie says smiling back.

"Yeah, but this isn't us at all. Come on finish the drinks. I'm going order a Uber to take us on a date we will both enjoy." Buck says, slapping his hand on the table.

Buck knew this would be too much for him and Eddie both sat in a packed bar talking about being on a date, Buck decided to book a Uber and take them to the beach front he knew some of the shops were open till late, he quickly figured they could pop in some of the shops grab a few things and walk along the beach and find a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the view.

"Okay, that's fine with me." Eddie says.

"Where is Chris?" Buck asks realising he has not asked.

"He is with Abuela all night." Eddie says with a smile.

Buck focuses on the fact Eddie said all night

"Oh right, planning on some action were you?" Buck jokes trying break the awkward tension.

Buck tries not to laugh as he sees Eddie nearly spit his drink out.

"No I don't put out on the first date, it has been a long week and wanted a quiet night in plus I didn't know if my date would turn up so was prepared to get drunk." Eddie says.

"And fall over again." Buck chuckles teasingly.

Buck watches as Eddie shakes his head and he hears his phone go off and the Uber is arriving, they quickly finish up their drinks and head out.

"Where are we going?" Eddie asks.

"You will see." Buck replies.

They hop in and head towards the beach. as they are in the car, Buck feels something warm slide on to his hand that is on the middle of the backseat, he looks down to see Eddies hand on top of his. He blushes and looks at Eddie who is looking straight at Buck, also with flushed cheeks. They arrive at the beach front and jump out and look around.

"Wait by that lamp post, I'm going pop into in the shop okay?" Buck says looking at Eddie.

"Ok, but hurry will you it's cold." Eddie says.

Buck had forgot it was November and that it was cold in all his excitement.

"Well, you should have put extra layers on." Buck says as he sticks his tongue out and runs to the shop.

He does not hear what Eddie says from the sound of the cars passing by. He enters the shop and picks up a basket, he walks round picking up snacks and drinks. Nothing too heavy or to strong, he wants to remember the night. as he continues to wander round the shop he sees some blankets and picks up a couple and smiles. He did not see the night going like this, but he doesn't mind the result. As he heads round to the checkout he stands as the clerk adds up the items.

"You have a glow about you, may I just say." The girl teases.

"Yeah, it started off as a bad night, but it looks like it might end perfectly." Buck says smiling.

"Well I hope it goes well, sir." She replies.

Buck pays for the items and heads back out and towards Eddie. He sees him leaning against the post looking so hot. He cannot believe this was happening, he was actually on a date with the man he loves. He knew it was too soon to say that, but he was going enjoy every moment. As he gets closer, he sees Eddie who looks at him and shakes his head.

"What are you shaking your head at, Diaz?" Buck giggles.

"You, only you would think of the beach front in November." Eddie says smiling.

"Come on, let's go for a walk on the beach." Buck says.

"You are joking right? I'm not dressed for the be-" Eddie starts but stops as Buck throws a blanket at his face.

"It's sorted and before you moan, I have more so you will be warm." Buck says.

They head on to the beach side by side, but not holding hands. Buck did not want push anything and he thought Eddie must not want too. They walked along the beach when Buck spotted a spot to sit at. It was next to a fence and had dunes on two of the other sides, so only the front side had no cover he walked over and Eddie followed once they got there, Buck popped the bag of food and drinks down while he got the blankets out, placing one on the sand as they sat he wrapped one round him and placed the spares in front of them. He fished into the bag and got two beers out and handed one to Eddie.

"I know it's not the most perfect first date but if I had known I would have made a better effort." Buck chuckled.

"Hang on, so you didn't try back there?" Eddie says

Buck looks at him and thinks 'shit have I ruined it? Eddie didn't even laugh after I said that.' Buck continued to stare into Eddie's eyes and then notices as smile form.

"I would have made more of an effort too if I knew it was you that I was taking on a date." Eddie said smiling.

"Oh really?" Buck asks.

"Yeah, if you want maybe we could have a proper first date Monday night after our shift." Eddie says

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Buck asks

"Well what do you say?" Eddie asks smiling

"I say I'll think about it." Buck says and looks at Eddie who has a look on his face of he doesn't know what say.

"Of course, I will." Buck says with a chuckle.

"You're a idiot." Eddie says as he pushes Buck over

"So, where we going? Hopefully somewhere quiet and not too public." Buck says.

"I will think of something." Eddie says.

"What about Christopher? We can't dump him on your Abuela again, it's not fair plus it's a school night." Buck says.

"Always thinking of others, but you are right. Maybe we have to have a rain check?" Eddie says and Buck looks at him and can see Eddie looks sad.

"I know, how about tomorrow night we have a date at yours." Buck starts

"But Christopher will be there." Eddie butts in

"If you let me finish, yes Chris will be there but he will also go bed early, as it school next day so how about when it gets time for him to head I will sort out something." Buck says

"You sure you want our date to be at mine?" Eddie asks

"I'm not fussed on whereabouts we are on the date, the main thing that is important on the date, is the people there. So, I'm not fussed if I'm at yours or you are at mine. We can make it special." Buck says smiling.

"Ok, you win. But I'll sort out the surprise as we both know Christopher will want you to read to him." Eddie says with a smile.

"That is true, I make the character voices and the noises. You don't even bother." Buck says smiling.

They sit there enjoying their beers. Ever Buck often l looking at Eddie as he looks out at the sea and smiling. He wonders what Eddie is thinking, he turns and starts to swig on his beer as he looks out and then freezes the sound of the waves hitting his ears louder than a few minutes ago. He tries to stop listening, but he can't, and he can feel the panic building he doesn't move for a good minute he feels the bottle falling and he can't do anything. He freezes as the memories start hitting him of being thrown around by the waves like a washing machine and losing Christopher when the first wave hit. A tear started to form as the beer bottle falls onto the blanket.

"Buck, are you okay?" Eddie asks.

Buck does not answer he is frozen stiff.

"Buck answer me, it's just a memory, listen to my voice it's just a memory you're okay, I'm next to you right now. Feel my finger on your cheek." Eddie prompts.

Buck starts to listen, and he does feel Eddie's finger he continues to focus on the warmth of Eddie's finger.

"That's it Buck, just focus on me." Eddie says.

Buck finally unfreezes and looks at Eddie, he does not say anything. He just wraps his arms around Eddie and buries his head in to Eddies neck and feels Eddies arms wrap round him.

"It's ok Buck, you're okay. I'm here." Eddie says.

"I'm sorry, I've ruined it. Haven't I?" Buck says knowing he most likely ruined the special moment they were having.

"No, you haven't, how about we head back to yours and get away from the sound, okay?" Eddie says.

"Okay." Buck replies pulling away to rub the tears away.

He watches as Eddie orders an Uber, they pack up and head to the road and wait for the it to arrive. Buck keeps quiet the whole time he feels like he has messed everything up and does not know what to do. When the Uber arrives, they jump in and Eddie explains where to head to as they drive towards Bucks place. Buck looks out the window watching the world go by he feels low and does not know what will happen now.

'Bet he thinks I'm a mess, wouldn't blame him for running off once he knows I'm in my apartment.'

His train of thought is broken as they arrive at his apartment block, they don't say anything to each other as they arrive at his door, Buck fumbles with his key as they enter the apartment he turns round expecting Eddie to go but is shocked as Eddie pushes past him.

"Let's get a coffee I know I'm cold and I bet you are." Eddie says.

"Yes please, good idea. I'll just go throw these blankets upstairs." Buck explains as he climbs the stairs.

"When you come down bring the spare duvet for me so I can sleep on the couch." Eddie shouts up.

"Why are you sleeping on the couch?" Asks Buck

"I can't leave you after that so. I'll stay on the couch in case if you need me okay?" Eddie says.

"I'll be fine" Buck says, trying to assure him.

"No buts. I'm staying so go get it." Eddie says

Buck walks up the stairs and he can hear Eddie making the drinks he places the blankets on the side and his phones. He quickly strips and gets into a pair of pyjama shorts and a shirt he then goes in his cupboard and digs out the spare duvet and then a shirt and pyjama shorts for Eddie and heads down. As he walks down, he smiles. Eddie has taken off his shoes and walking round in his socks, he sees the coffee on the side he walks past and places the duvet on the couch and then passes Eddie the clothes.

"Can't have you sleeping in the clothes you have on. They do look uncomfortable, so go get changed." Buck says.

"Thanks, I will., Drink your coffee and warm up." Eddie says, Buck feels him pat his back as he heads up.

Buck heads to the counter and starts to drink the mug. He loved that Eddie knew exactly how he liked it, but then he knew how Eddie liked his too. He walked to the window and looked out at the city all lit up in the night sky. Eventually he made his way over to the couch as Eddie walked down and took a seat next to him.

"So, do you want to talk about what happened?" Eddie asks gently.

"Not really, I do want to talk about it but just not right now." Buck says, he wanted to try enjoy the last of whatever tonight was.

"Ok, how about a quick movie?" Eddie asks.

"Yeah, ok as long as it's a quick one." Buck replies.

Eddie finds a movie and they start watching it, halfway through Buck can feel himself nodding off. He looks over at Eddie who was already asleep. Buck stands up quietly turns off the TV, and gently lifts Eddie's legs up on to the couch and then covers him with the duvet, he takes one last look before he turns the light off and heads up to his bed. he climbs into his bed and turns off the light.

Buck struggles through the night with nightmares of the tsunami and losing Christopher through it all. He does not fully wake though, eventually he wakes and feels he is laying on something that was not his pillow and is warm. He opens his eyes and sees a shirt; he then hears a heartbeat and then notices an arm and it is Eddie's arm. He was laying on Eddie he did not know how he happened to be here, but he did not care. he just drifted off with a smile.

"Hey sleepy head, wake up we need talk" Maddie says.

Buck sits up quickly he was confused as he looked at his sister.

'Where was Eddie, had he dreamed it all? He was so confused.'

He looked at his sister as she walked down the stairs, he had a lot to say and ask.