Chapter Text
The car swerved crashing into some crates of produce. Eddie ensured Pepa’s safety first before trying to scan the damage it did. Eddie had Pepa by his side, shielding her as he tried to get her somewhere safe.
“Eddie, I–”
“It’s okay, you're safe,” he whispered quickly.
“I’m fine....don't worry about me.” She tried to let him go, breathlessly. “Eddie—your boy and Christopher…they were over by the oranges.”
“You saw them?”
She nodded his head. “He covered Christopher—protected him when it came. Go.”
Eddie didn’t hesitate for a second.
His gaze flicked around the market. Broken crates, spilled fruit, broken glass. People scattered, some injured. Others are screaming or frozen. A driver stumbled out dazed, clutching their shoulder. Eddie knelt beside them.
“You’re gonna be okay. Help is coming soon.” he hoped.
He weaved through the broken signs, wrecked tables. Then through the faze he saw blonde curls and a crying kid trying to wake him up.
“Buck!” Eddie’s voice cracked.
Buck lifted his head—grip still tight on Chris. Eddie was searching, always searching.
“Dad, he kept me safe.” Chris' fingers were still clutching Buck’s jacket. “He said to stay still.”
“It’s okay, you're okay. You're safe, I’ve got him.” Eddie kissed his forehead.
Chris hesitated, clutching his shirt tighter.
“I promise,” Eddie looked him in the eyes. “I’m right here. Let me take over.”
After a long second Chris loosen his grip, nodding. Eddie eased him back slightly to fully check on Buck’s condition.
Eddie dropped beside them, shaking hands checking his son's injuries—scratches, bruises and breathing. Alive. Then he shifted towards the other side, nearly breaking at the sight.
“Buck... baby?” he whispered, voice cracking, placing two fingers on the side of his neck, closing his eyes after feeling a faint pulse. “Don’t move, okay.” he told him.
One cut on the side of his head, the other on the side of his back where the blood was coming out on his side.
Buck stirred slightly groaning.
“I’ve got you,” Eddie whispered, caressing his jaw. “Save your strength.”
“C–” he was trying to say but everything hurts.
Eddie brushed some of his curls back soothing him. “Shhh, he’s fine. He’s right next to me. Don’t talk, just breathe for me.”
He glanced back at his son who never kept his wet eyes on Buck. “He’s okay mijo.” Eddie whispered. “He’s tough. You know that.”
Chris bit his lip. “You're not going to leave him are you?”
Eddie never can't make promises in this line of work, but when it comes to Buck. “Not for a second.”
Eddie heard the sirens before he saw them. He knew it was his family.
Ladder 118 even before the truck pulled up.
He soothed his son’s curls. “They’re here mijo,” he said softly. “I’m going to flag them down, okay? Stay right here with Buck, Pepa’s right behind you.”
Chris’s lips trembled. “You’ll come back?”
“Always.” he squeezed his shoulder gently. Forcing himself to get up, after kissing Buck’s forehead. “Stay with Buck, keep him talking.”
Pepa reached Chris just as Eddie turned the corner. Her breath caught the damage around her, before flicking towards Buck’s body.
“Christopher,” she whispered, wiping his wet face.
“He's not waking up.” Chris never looked away from Buck.
“I know, mi amor,” she said softly, watching Buck wheeze. “But your dad is getting help. We're keeping Evancito company.”
“I’m here Buck, okay?” Chris whispered as he scooted closer. “You gotta stay awake. You can’t sleep yet. Dad says you always do that—you always tell me not to give up, remember? So you can’t either.”
Buck makes a slight sound letting him know he can hear Chris.
“His hands are cold,” he says softly. “Can—Can I hold them?”
Pepa smiled, nodding. “You hold them tight. Let him know he’s not alone.”
Chris nodded, gripping tightly, both of his. “Dad says you're stubborn—” his voice trembled, voice cracking. “So be stubborn now, okay. You have to wait for him. He promised he’ll come back.”
“You're doing great.” Pepa whispered to Chris, saying a slight prayer under her breath.
“See? That’s dad. They’re coming. Just hold on a little longer okay. I got you.”
Buck’s fingers twitched under Chris' grip. Chris’s eyes widened.
“Buck?” he gripped tighter. “You can hear me?”
Buck squeezes again, as Chris smiled, kissing his forehead. “See, I knew you could do it. Dad’s going to be back any second—”
🍓🍓🍓
“Over here! Medic!” He shouted, waving them down.
“Diaz?!” Bobby called. “What the hell—?”
“The car came through the market.” his voice broke halfway through. “Multiple injuries. Buck and Chris—he covered him.”
Hen was right behind Bobby reaching her kit. She glanced down at his bloody hand, brow raising. “Is that yours?”
Eddie shook his head. “No. His.”
Hen didn’t wait as she moved. “Ravi! Stretcher! Now!”
Chim glanced over, his heart dropping as Bobby distracted him enough not to look back.
Chris shook his head just as Ravi came. “I don't wanna leave him.”
Ravi knelt over, crouching besides Chris. “Hey buddy. I'm Ravi, a friend of your dad and Buck. We're going to make sure Buck's okay, but we need to check on you also.”
Chris didn't answer, just stared at his Dad's direction as Eddie was hovering over buck.
Eddie met his gaze. “It's okay. Buck's not going anywhere. Pepa's here. Buck's not alone. I won't let him be.”
Chris finally allowed himself to be pulled into Pepa's embrace as she kissed his head.
“I've got you,” she whispered, guiding him towards the corner away from Buck.
Eddie knelt besides Buck again, brushing his curls back. Hen next to him doing the best she could without scaring Chris. She examined with ease, but spotted the angle of his leg.
"He's breathing…” Eddie whispered, feeling his pulse again. “He's been fading in and out.”
“Shallow, likely concussion. Internal bleeding or bruising. We need to stabilize him before moving him.”
“He was shielding Chris,” Eddie told her.
“I figured.” Hen whispered. “You okay?”
“Ask me later,” Eddie muttered, refusing to leave Buck.
Bobby froze at the sight of his son when he found him. He swallowed hard before coming over.
“Talk to me.”
“He's alive. Concussed. Ribs bruised. We need the backboard before examining more.” Hen explained still checking out what she could. “Stay with me Buckaroo, we're almost getting you out.” Hen whispered.
I need you to be okay. Because I don’t know how to do this without you.
“Eddie,” Bobby whispered nearby. “You okay?”
“Not until he is,” Eddie watched hen start a iv for Evan who was trying to say something but sleep came again.
“Eddie—”
“I'm not leaving him, Cap.” his voice caved. "Not again.”
“Eddie, you aren’t on duty.”
It didn't matter to Eddie whether he was or not.
“Alright, stay with him. But you listen to Hen.”
“Eddie, put pressure here,” Hen whispered, guiding his hand.
For a second Bobby flickered between his team. Hen and Ravi working on Buck. Chim making rounds, glancing back at Buck.
“Buck, are you still with us?” Edde whispered.
Buck groaned slightly in response as he slightly squeezed Eddie's hand. that started to fade lightly
“Eddie, he's coding…” she whispered, not wanting to scare Chris.
Hen and Bobby worked fast but blocked Chris' view in case he was watching. Ravi caught Eddie’s glance and didn't let Chris see. Pepa tried to shield Chris, understanding from Ravi.
Eddie stood there helpless watching Hen shock him. When he heard Buck gasping for breath, Eddie nearly dropped.
“See, he's going to be okay.” Ravi murmured to Chris who’s gaze was still glued to Buck.
“I don't want to leave him.” He whispered.
Eddie came over, brushing some of his curls again, with Buck's blood still on him. “Hey, mijo.”
“I wanna stay with Buck.” His panicked voice rose. As Pepa had a protective arm on him.
“I know. I know you do, but Buck is going to be right behind you. I swear to you. Pepa’s going to be with you every step of the way. So is Ravi. I promise.”
“But—”
“I promise,” Eddie repeated, giving him a kiss on his forehead. “I'll come as soon as Buck is safe.”
“I'll take care of Chris and your Tia,” Ravi knew immediately his head was on Buck. “He needs to see a familiar face when he wakes up.”
“I'll see you soon.” Eddie's voice cracked out, kissing the top of his head.
“Come on mi amor,” Pepa guided him towards one of the open ambulances.
Eddie nodded, watching them go. Pepa gently took Chris away. He couldn't move, couldn't breathe after he watched Chris being guided into the ambulance with Pepa and Ravi.
Buck’s fingers twitched at the contact.
“Buck” Eddie whispered. “You with me?”
Buck stirred under Eddie’s touch, a sound escaped his throat, but Eddie told him not to move.
“Hey, hey… it’s okay—sweetheart.” Eddie said softly, hands trembling. His thumb brushed over Buck’s back grounding both of them. “That’s it.”
Buck’s brow creased, his fingers twitching in Eddie’s hands. Eddie gently squeezed back. “Just keep breathing for me. Hen! He’s starting to wake up!”
Hen was already nearby reaching for her kit, her brow glanced at Eddie making sure she heard him. But kept herself busy pretending she heard nothing.
Bobby didn’t hesitate. “Let’s move. Now.”
Chim was already at Buck’s other side, readying the collar and bracing his neck. “On your count.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Eddie promised, eyes on Buck.
“Alright,” Bobby said, bracing himself under the edge of the debris. “Let’s get our guy out.”