Archive of Our Own

Sitting in the corridor of a random hospital that is empty in such a way that feels deliberate, Buck wonders if it’s possible to completely dissociate an entire day. The corridor is dark in a way that reminds him of a horror movie that he can't remember the name of. A flickering at the end of the corridor is bouncing shards of light so sharp off the darkened windows of rooms that line the long expanse of emptiness that he must close his eyes against the pain that is beating into his skull. He doesn't know if the headache started before he arrived at the hospital or after, all he knows is that it is getting worse by the minute.  

*** -- ****************** 

He heard the voice that he hadn't heard in over a year echo down the small speaker and his knees gave out. The dull thud and radiating pain of his knees hitting the wood flooring barely registered in the face of the sharp spike of anxiety and fear that shot up his spine and into his chest.  

“Buck? Oh no, you're okay?” Theo asked in the sweetest most concerned voice, his little eyebrows furrowed into a frown as he approached. Tiny arms wrapped around Buck's neck and squeezed as hard as they could and Buck fought hard against the urge to burst into tears. Sniffling just a little, and swallowing down the lump that had begun to try and choke him, Buck forced himself to take a deep breath.  

“I’m okay.” Buck lied, pressing his face to Theo’s little shoulder as a small hand patted him on the back.  

“There’s someone on the phone.” Theo told him then, pulling away and pointing down at the device that lay face up on the floor.  

“I know.” Buck told him, they both starred for a few more seconds until Theo lunged for the device suddenly.  

“Hello? My Buck is on the floor, who’s this?” Theo asked, holding the phone in front of his face as if he was on facetime before Buck could stop him.  

“Hi Theo, my names Bobby. Is Buck awake?” Buck heard Bobby ask and still couldn't wrap his mind around what was happening. This was a really elaborate dream, and he wasn't sure he had the energy to will himself awake.  

“He is awake and sad, he said he is okay, but I think he isn't b’coz it's like when Mommy cries in the tub.” Theo tells Bobby and it would break Buck’s heart to hear Theo talk like this if any of this was real.  

“Can Buck hear me?” Bobby asked next and Theo had nodded his little head before telling Bobby that they could hear him. Then Bobby had told him that he was calling Eddie and that May was coming. The call had gone silent after Theo and Bobby had said their goodbyes, Theo turned with his back pressing to Buck’s chest and tapped gently at the phone in his hand.  

Buck watched Theo play a matching game that he had downloaded some months ago over his shoulder, still unable to really pull himself from the floor, even as his knees and thighs screamed at him to move. The sound of the door pulled Theo away from him and then his attention to the figures looming over him. One look at May’s and Eddie’s faces tell him that something is wrong, they look concerned in a way that he hasn't seen them since he was struggling with pain killers.  

May leant down to scoop Theo onto her hip, asking him questions and listening to him babble as they disappeared down the corridor. Buck watched as they rounded the doorway to Theo’s room before Eddie got down on his knees in front of him and pulled his attention away.  

“Buck? Hey Buck, can you look at me.” Eddie asked and Buck has tried not to deny his best friend anything in all the time he has known him. He blinked up at Eddie as the older man cupped his cheek and swept his thumb under his eye. It wasn't until he watched Eddie pull the sleeve of his henley down over his thumb and do it again did he realise he was crying.  

“Athena called me, she said that you needed me.” Eddie told Buck, which brought a fresh wave of sorrow to Buck who openly sobbed into Eddie’s shoulder.  

“Buck it’s okay, he’s alive.” Eddie tried to reassure him, but Buck couldn't believe it, he didn't think he ever would. “May is going to the hospital; she is going to take you with her.” 

“I can't Eddie.” Buck tried to explain, how could he go to the hospital and get his hopes up, how could he go there and see that someone was lying to him, that this was an elaborate and cruel prank.  

“You can. Buck, Athena got the call this morning, she was ready to bring down the wrath of the entire LAPD on someone because she thought it was a lie too. The hospital called too, she has been there for the last hour and has seen him with her own eyes.” Eddie explained. Buck blinked at Eddie for a few seconds before he slapped himself hard across the cheek. Eddie made a sound of shock or outrage, Buck wasn't sure.  

“Buck, don't do that.” Eddie admonished him, gripping the offending hand hard like he thought Buck would do it again.  

“I thought I was dreaming.” Buck told his friend, he had tried his best to be reassuring but he wasn't sure it worked. Eddie looked sceptical but didn't say anything else only helped Buck to his feet and guided him to the sofa. Once Buck was seated and rubbing at his numb legs to try and bring some of the feeling back, Eddie disappeared for a second before emerging from the corridor with Theo on his hip, backpack and shoes in hand.  

“I’m going to take Theo to my house so he and Chris can draw Bobby some pictures and that way you won’t have to worry while you and May head to the hospital.” Eddie told Buck, grabbing a juice box and a couple of packets of crackers that May handed him. Buck watched them make plans without him, before finally Eddie told Theo to give Buck a hug and told him that they would see him in a few hours. Buck watched as they left and then followed May’s instructions to the letter, she looked stressed and Buck couldn't blame her. He didn't know what to say so he kept his mouth shut as he put on his shoes, collected his keys and followed her to her car.  

May filled the first few minutes of the drive with chatter about how Chimney had tried to get the station taken offline when Athena had called to tell him the news. That she had called Chimney, Maddie and Hen. That they had all wanted to come but were at work, that Ravi had asked if he should fake a sickness spell so he could drive them. Apparently, Chimney had joked that he had gone deaf for a few seconds there and May had assured him that she would be fine, that she would be with her big brother and her parents. Harry had been pissed that he had to wait for Chimney to secure cover for him to leave but he was already on the way to the hospital.  

Every time May would pause even for a few seconds, Buck tried to think of something to say, anything but he couldn't get his mind to stop spinning. Bobby was dead, he had to be, they had told everyone he was dead. They had buried him in what he was now thinking must have been an empty coffin. He couldnt think of what to say, what to do, and he knew he was falling down on the job of being May’s big brother.  

They pulled into a carpark that was cracked with faded parking space lines and weeds and lumps of grass peeking through in places. The building loomed in a way that made it look abandoned, the upper floors smattered with broken windows. There was an entire corner of the building covered in spray paint motifs. Buck couldn't help throwing a sceptical look at May who must have shared the sentiment because she didn't look at all enthusiastic about going inside.  

Buck watched her pull her phone off the dash and tap away until a figure appeared around the brightly coloured corner. It was Athena, still in her uniform from the morning but face clear of any make up she might have applied, belt missing and shirt slightly unbuttoned. May re-started the engine and moved closer to Athena and followed as the older woman waved them around the corner, there they saw Athena’s cruiser parked next to Harry’s car.  

Buck followed behind the women as they walked towards a set of concrete stairs that led down to a metal door that looked like it hadn't been opened in years. Buck expected it to creak loudly as Athena opened it and gestured both he and May ahead of her, but it made barely any noise. Buck wondered where they were being led inside what was clearly an abandoned building until they rounded a corner and the world tilted. A heavy door stopped them from going further until Athena pressed a button. A deep buzzing sound echoed from somewhere beyond the doors and with a beep and a click they were allowed entry.  

Once inside the difference was startling, the walls were gleaming white with a dark band of grey that ringed them halfway between the floor and the ceiling. The floor was polished and shiny almost enough to reflect, and the lights were bright. There was none of the abandoned aesthetic that Buck had begun to realise was purposeful.  

“Mom?” May asked, clearly as confused as Buck was.  

“This is a military ward, reserved for patients that the CDC want to keep isolated.” Athena told them with an air of someone who was still in disbelief. Buck had blinked at her a little, opened his mouth to ask if she was serious, to yell or shout, but nothing came out. 

“Excuse me.” He told them, swallowing a little as his chin had wobbled.  

“Is he okay?” He had heard Athena ask as he walked away.  

“He hasn't said a word to me the whole way here.” May told her, her voice cutting off as the bathroom door closed behind him. He had to get it together, he knew that. Bobby was somewhere in this building. A man that he had just come to terms with having some very complicated feelings for when he had died. A man who had taught him a lot, who was everything but biologically his father and a man who was now sitting somewhere waiting for them.  

Buck splashed his face with some cool water before plucking some paper towels from the dispenser and wiping the drips from his chin. Taking a few deep breaths and stealing himself against what he was sure was going to be a very trying afternoon. Buck opened the bathroom door and smiled tightly at two of his most favourite women in his life. Athena tried to smile back, as did May. They walked down the corridor passing room after room until finally Athena stopped at a door about halfway down.  

“Are you ready?” She had asked them, making eye contact with them both and waiting for them to nod before she pushed open the door.  

Bobby laid in a large bed with white sheets and pillows, covered in a pale blue blanket up to his stomach. He looked paler and thinner than Buck had ever seen him but there was a smile on his face and tears in his eyes. The image blurred in front of Buck before Athena nudged him and May forward. May had gasped a horrifically distraught sound as she almost lunged at Bobby, throwing herself across his chest to hug him. Bobby murmured apologises in the quiet room as he stroked a hand over the back of her head and pulled her closer. May cried for several terrible minutes until she finally pulled away and curled into Harry who had been sat beside the bed.  

“Buck, come here.” Bobby had asked, holding out a hand that looked bruised, veins prominent under the thin wrinkled skin. Buck had tried to get his feet to move, tried to take his eyes away from the man in the bed but something had rooted him to the spot.  

Buck had moved eventually, pinched from the spiral his mind had begun to go down by Athena who wasn’t letting him disappear into whatever bull shit his brain was trying to conjure up. The smaller woman pulled him forward with a strength that reminded him that she was trained to handle bigger men than him, poking and prodding him into place until he dropped into a chair next to the bed.  

“Buck.” Bobby held the same hand out that he had before, beckoning Buck closer.  

“Bobby.” Buck had broken then as their hands clasped together and he felt the heat and heartbeat that he hadn't in so long. Buck had sobbed hard, his head pressed to Bobby’s chest as he let out everything he had been holding in for a year. Bobby’s hand stroked through his curls until Buck had no tears left.  

*** -- ****************** 

Sitting in the corridor as Bobby had what they were told was his last physical before he was allowed to leave Buck watched as Athena walked away to make a phone call, assumedly to her Captain. It hadn't taken long and she had re-entered the room only minutes later ignoring the doctors who tried to keep her out. May and Harry had been told to go home, to get the house ready for Bobby who they were told, wouldn't be able to climb stairs until he had some of his muscle tone back. May had promised to get the bedroom that they had planned for when Athena’s parents might have visited into shape. Harry had taken Athena’s credit card and promised to go and buy some clothes for Bobby. Shirts and pants, underwear, pjs and shoes.  

Buck had told Athena he would wait outside the room but hadn't wanted to go home when Athena had told him to. Now he was staring at the stark white walls that were slowly dulling in the darkness as the evening descended. Something inside him had told him that he shouldn't leave, and he couldn't tell himself he was being ridiculous, even though he knew it to be true.  

Eddie had sent periodical updates throughout the day until finally the picture had been of Theo fast asleep in his paw patrol pjs. Theo’s little face slack and relaxed as he lay curled around a large stuffed animal that Chris had insisted he buy for the younger boy the first time they had visited the zoo. Theo had been ecstatic at being allowed to pick up the large hairy facsimile of a tarantula. Eddie had pulled a face that had caused both he and Chris to laugh loudly. It was well known in the Buckley-Diaz family that Eddie Diaz hated spiders.  

“Buck?” Athena asked, sticking her head through the door. Buck tore his gaze away from his phone to ask what she needed. Athena asked him to sit with Bobby while she went and pulled the car as close to the other door as she could. They had another entrance, she told him, one with a ramp.  

Athena disappeared down the corridor as two burly nurses helped Bobby into a wheelchair as Buck watched from the doorway.  

“Who’s Theo?” Bobby asked after the nurses left, and Buck couldn't help the smile that erupted on his face.  

“He’s my son, Eddie has him.” Buck told Bobby and watched sorrow flash over the older man’s face.  

“You had a kid, and I missed it?” Bobby wistfully enquired, staring past Buck a little as if he was trying to picture what the kid might look like. Buck pulled his phone from his pocket and took a seat on the bed nearby, opening his text chain with Eddie he showed the most recent picture of Theo.  

“He’s older than I was expecting.” Bobby told him, his eyes not leaving the phone.  

“Do you remember when I donated sperm for my friend to have a kid?” Buck asked and watched the clarity cause a new emotion to appear on Bobby’s face. Buck explained to head off any assumptions that Bobby’s brain might jump to. “Theo’s parents died in a car accident, the one eighteen were on scene but we couldn't do anything for them.”  

“That is awful.” Bobby hadn't taken his eyes off the phone still so Buck swiped to the picture he had received only an hour before the previous one. This one showed Theo snuggled into Eddie as the TV illuminated their faces. 

“I am fostering him until Kameron and Connor’s will can be found, I was named as the preferred guardian, but CPS has to do some checks and make sure it is safe for Theo to live with me.” Buck explained, scrolling again to the next photo. Theo grinned at the camera covered in sauce stains from the plate of lasagne that Eddie had fed him, spoon in one fist and a lump of half chewed garlic bread in the other.  

“Is that my lasagne?” Bobby asked like Buck hoped he would.  

Athena arrived back with a whole file of paperwork and a scowl on her face. Buck put off any more of their conversation and tucked his phone back into his pocket. Together they got Bobby wheeled down the hall to another door that had looked like a room until it was opened by a nurse on the other side. He led them to a set of double doors that resembled more of a loading bay than anything that should be a part of a hospital, even one as evidently covert as this one. Athena’s shop was parked at the top of a concrete ramp. It didn't take them long to get Bobby loaded into the back, thankfully there was space in the trunk for the folded wheelchair. Buck climbed in next to a clearly already exhausted Bobby before Athena put the car in drive and they were away. It didn't take long for Bobby to drift off to the low hum of the tires on asphalt.  

Athena explained quietly as she drove that Bobby had apparently been in a coma for the first ten months of him being in that hospital room. That the CDC and the military had discovered that Bobby was alive when they had taken his body for examination after he had succumbed in the lab. They hadn't realised he had a pulse until one of the nurses had apparently commented that he was surprisingly warm for a cadaver. Athena had growled that little tid bit of information through what Buck was sure were gritted teeth.  

Bobby had then been hooked up to every manner of emergency medicine that they could as they found somewhere to take him. They had settled on the military hospital an hour away and at first, they had apparently decided not to inform any of his family of the change in his condition because they weren't sure he would survive the trip.  

Of course, he had, and then the excuses started. Athena rattled off as many as she could remember being told between the phone call that morning and her arrival at the hospital.  

His heart had stopped twice on the way to the hospital, he was still contagious, the coma had lingered longer than they thought it would and they hadn't wanted to give them false hope. Then he had awoken and they weren't sure he would be mentally cognizant. They had done tests and taken blood samples, brain scans and when he began to stay awake for longer, he had begun to ask about them. They had managed to put him off for another month after he was able to stay awake for most of the day, until finally they could find no more excuses.  

Buck couldn't decide between anger or sadness with each new piece of information that was revealed. Athena told him how eventually Bobby had threatened to stage a mutiny until finally they had called Athena, who then had taken charge once she had arrived to find that it wasn't a hoax.  

“They decided to allow him to go home because I threatened to make a lot of noise if they didn't, I may have told them that my son’s girlfriend was a reporter.” Atthena revealed at least causing Buck to laugh a little incredulously.  

“Athena?” 

“Do you still have her number or not?” Athena asked, eyeing him in the rearview mirror with a raised eyebrow.  

“That’s not the point.” Buck grumbled but didn't deny it.  

May and Harry had worked wonders by the time they pulled into the driveway of the house and got Bobby inside. The bedroom that had been meant for Beatrice and Samuel had been rearranged a little to allow for the wheelchair to be able to get as close to the bed as possible. The wardrobe on one side of the room now held a few items of clothing along with a new pair of shoes. There was a bathrobe, slippers and pjs laid out on the bed too.  

Athena helped Bobby change before guiding him to bed. The afternoon and evening had been eventful enough to suck all the energy from the man, so it wasn't long before he was out like a light. Athena joined the three of them in the dining room as they sat quietly in the dim light of a single lamp. Together they sat and reflected on the day they had just had, as well as how their life was about to change once again. Eventually Athena ushered each of them off to bed, bidding them all a good night before disappearing into her new room.  

*** -- ****************** 

The next morning Buck awoke to a loud voice calling his name as a tiny missile landed on his stomach. The air left his lungs fast and hard as blunt knees pressed into his soft parts as the little menace crawled up his body to eventually settle on his chest. Buck kept his eyes closed enough to fool Theo until he prodded Buck’s cheek, he snapped his teeth in their general direction causing Theo to break out into giggles. Hefting the weight off his chest with a grip under Theo’s thighs Buck sat upright, spreading his own thighs to make room before dumping Theo onto the bed and beginning to prod the little boy until he couldn't stop laughing. Theo curled onto his front and Buck let him get away until he almost reached the end of the bed before he gripped his ankle and pulled him back towards him.  

“Eddie save me.” Theo begged, reaching his hand out to the man who Buck hadn't known was there. Buck knew he must have been somewhere in the house if Theo was here, but he hadn't realised Eddie was watching until he looked up to see the man leaning in the doorway. Eddie was smiling with a look in his eyes that made Buck’s heart stutter as he watched them play before he stepped forward and hooked a hand under Theo’s armpit and began to lift the giggling child free of Buck’s tickling. They played at using Theo in a brief game of tug of war as Buck kept a hold of the boy’s ankle until Eddie tugged harder and Buck let go. Eddie put Theo down and told him to run, that he would keep Buck at bay. They both watched as the boy took off before Eddie turned back to Buck as he took a seat on the bed.  

“How are you doing?” Eddie asked and Buck wasn't sure he had an answer to that question. Shrugging a little he allowed Eddie to pull him close and hug him as the previous day washed over the happy morning that Buck had been allowed to have.  

“I should be happy right?” Buck eventually settled on, “I mean he is alive, he’s back.”  

“You are allowed to struggle with not knowing how you feel Buck, you thought Bobby was dead this time yesterday.” Eddie assured him but Buck couldn't help feeling guilty anyway.  

“I should be happy but all I keep thinking about is how scared I am that this isn't real, that this might be some stupid coma dream because I am laid in a hospital somewhere after getting injured on the job again.” Buck revealed and felt Eddie’s arms tense around his shoulders. Eddie sighed a little as he slowly relaxed back into the hold before pulling back until he could meet Buck’s eye. “It all feels too good to be true.” 

“What does?”  

“After everything that’s happened in the last year, then two amazing things happened in the space of twenty four hours and something inside me is waiting...” 

“For the other shoe to drop?” 

“Yeah.” 

Eddie pressed his lips together a little as he gazed at Buck before he gripped his chin and made sure Buck couldn't look away from him even for a second.  

“Buck a year ago we lost someone important to us all in such a way that was traumatic for everyone involved. Since then, you have struggled to keep your head above water, but you have never lost your kindness, your love for your family or your will to help anyone who needs it. You took on a little boy who has more energy than should be legally contained in a four year old with your only connection being your DNA. You never envisioned this happening when you agreed to donate and yet here you are, ready to raise a kid you thought you would see every now and again, maybe once a year at best. All of that after being kidnapped and held by a psychotic pair who had deluded themselves into believing you were the replacement for their dead son. You are battling every day to be here, and you are ready to take on a new challenge that will surely test your metal. Everything you do is always because you are thinking of someone else and their needs and feelings, but I need something now.”  

Buck tried to contain the tears he could feel welling in his eyes, trying to pull his face from Eddie’s grip so he could look at the ceiling and quell the flow. There was no use, Eddie wasn't letting him avoid eye contact because he had something to say, and he was going to make sure Buck heard it.  

“What do you need Eddie?” Buck murmured eventually as he watched Eddie watch him back.  

“I need you to believe me.” Eddie began, shifting closer still, “I need you to believe me when I tell you that Bobby is alive, that he is here and he is going to get better and better every day until you two are back hiking the ridges on a Sunday morning at the ass crack of dawn.” 

“Buck huffed a watery laugh, Eddie had never understood getting up that early even if the view of the sunrise was spectacular from that high up.  

“I need you to believe me because we don’t lie to each other, and I need you to believe that I love you. That I have been in love with you longer than I have been able to fathom and every day I think I fall deeper than I have ever been. I watch you with Theo and I remember what it was like to watch you with Chris every day since we became best friends and I know what I was trying not to feel then. I know what I wasn't ready to admit to and I know that with the greatly exaggerated rumour of Bobby’s death, that I have been trying to figure it out ever since. I missed you in Texas like a limb and now I know why. Trust me to tell you the truth and trust me to tell you what you can’t believe your own eyes are seeing. Please.” Eddie ended on a plea before pulling Buck in for a kiss that Buck hadn't known he needed. It stayed chaste, lips moving only slightly against one another’s as they kissed for long minutes. Buck eventually pulled away but pecked Eddie’s lips once or twice more before he pressed his forehead against Eddie’s.  

“I believe you.” Buck whispered into the quiet of the bedroom.  

“Good.” Eddie intoned, kissing him twice more before tiny thunderous footsteps could be heard running down the corridor towards them. Eddie shifted away only slightly, enough that Theo wouldn't be able to see what had been happening or report back on what he saw and have everyone speculating. They had agreed when Eddie had confessed his love the night before last that they would take it slow and keep it on the down low until they knew for sure that they would work. They didn't need tiny gossip machines from spreading information like a tiny sleeper spy unaware of the information he possessed.  

The door swung open a little roughly as Theo announced breakfast and then turned tail to run back the way he came. They shared a look before making their way down the corridor and into the dining room that sat across the breakfast bar from the kitchen where Athena was flipping pancakes.  

“The doctor’s said you need carbs and to gain weight.” Athena was telling Bobby who was sat at the dining table with a colouring sheet in front of him and a coloured pencil in hand.  

“Buck could help; he helped me get up to fighting weight for the fire academy.” Harry told Bobby who smiled proudly at his youngest son.  

“I will definitely be helping.” Buck confirmed as he approached the table. Theo was sat in the chair at the head of the table, catty corner to Bobby’s seat as he coloured his own page. Buck took the seat next to him and complimented his work before nudging the small plastic plate forwards.  

“Theo, can you eat a little more please?” Buck asked, eyeing the plate enough to figure out that Theo had taken maybe three bites, one from each of the small pancakes on the plate.  

“Grandpa is helping me.” Theo told Buck, slapping a hand against his picture before jabbing the coloured pencil in his hand towards where Bobby was diligently colouring his own sheet.  

“I can see that.” Buck told him with a smile, “Grandpa is good at colouring, and until his own breakfast comes then he can help you as long as he wants but when that happens i need you to try and eat some more of yours. Okay?” 

“When Grandpa eats.” Theo confirmed.  

“Deal, thank you Theo.” Buck had learned when and how to pick his battles. They still had some issues, but he had realised pretty quickly that Theo didn't like to eat alone and would eat much more if he thought he was sharing a plate with Buck or Eddie. Sometimes Chris. 

Athena thankfully appeared with Bobby’s breakfast only a few minutes later and Buck watched Theo try and push his luck by tucking his chin and pretending he hadn't seen. Bobby reached for the boy's plate and nudged it closer before gesturing to his own.  

“This is a yummy breakfast.” Bobby hummed a little theatrically around a bite of his own pancakes before reaching across with his fork as if to steal a piece of Theo’s when the boy continued to ignore his plate. That got his attention though and he quickly threw his pencil down to begin eating before Bobby could steal any.  

Athena sat down with her won breakfast after making Buck a plate of pancakes too, explaining while they ate that she would be speaking to her Captain in a few hours to talk with her about a leave of absence. Bobby had tried to wave her away, but Athena had challenged him on his belief that he wouldn't need any help until he had conceded. Buck and Eddie offered to clean up after they got Bobby settled on the sofa after breakfast whilst Athena got dressed for work.  

“I should be home in a few hours.” Athena told them, her eyes lingered on Bobby before she leaned down and kissed his lips.  

“We’ll be here.” Buck assured her, keeping his eyes on Theo who was kneeling on the carpet with Lego strewn around him building what looked like a cross between a car and a rocket ship. There were several wheels up the side, so it was Buck’s best guess.  

Athena took one last lingering look at her husband before eventually she had no choice but to leave or be late. Harry came down the stairs only a few minutes later, LAFD uniform in place as he snagged an apple from the bowl on the side and saluted Bobby.  

“I’ll see you later Bobby.” Harry assured the older man, his eyes lingering a little too.  

“Yes, you will.” Bobby reassured the young man and watched him leave before turning to Buck and Eddie. “How’s he doing at the firehouse?” 

“He is doing really well, Chimney was reluctant to take him on at first, but he got over that pretty quick when he saw how adamant Harry was about becoming a fire fighter.” Eddie explained, Bobby thankfully didn't ask about Chimney’s reservations as Buck wasn't sure how they would answer that question especially with little ears present.  

They slowly filled Bobby in on everything he had missed since he had ‘died’ only omitting certain things that they were sure would stress him out. Telling him that Chimney had named his son Robert Kevin Han had brought a tear to Bobby’s eye until Buck had explained that he called the kid Circle Baby depending on who was listening in on his conversations with the smallest Han. 

“Why do you call him that?” Bobby had laughed, only to laugh harder when Buck showed him a picture of the little boy with a gummy smile on his face.  

“I happened to point out to Maddie that his face is almost a perfect circle and she was not amused.” 

“After that well, he was his sister’s annoying little brother just because.” Eddie finished for him as he and Bobby laughed along. Theo laughed too, which set them all off again when they realised he was just joining if for the sake of it and didn't understand the joke. 

“I can’t believe they called their son Robert.” Bobby eventually managed to get out once the fits of laughter had died down.   

“Well, we call him Robbie but it's better than what they were going to call him.” Buck cringed a little at the memory of that conversation.  

“Robert Nash Han.” Eddie explained when Bobby raised an eyebrow and soon, they were all cringing. “Athena and Maddie talked Chimney out of the idea.” 

“Thank god for that.” Bobby intoned.  

“Eddie?” Theo’s little voice interrupted them from any further discussion.  

“What’s up Spider-Man?” Eddie asked.  

“I need to pee.” Theo told them, Eddie jumped up to scoop up Theo and take him to the bathroom before there was an accident. Theo sometimes got a little too into an activity and forgot to go to the bathroom, anytime that he didn't forget he got a high five. It had worked well so far. Buck watched them go before turning back to Bobby to see him watching Buck.  

“Theo’s a little obsessed with Eddie.” 

“A little like his dad?” Bobby joked but Buck just shook his head causing Bobby’s smile to quickly turn into a frown.  

“Sorry, I should have said, we don't refer to me as his dad. Connor was his dad, I’m his Buck.” Buck clarified, satisfied when Bobby nodded. “It’s easier until he is old enough to understand.” 

“I get it, he called me Grandpa. I hope that’s okay?” Bobby told Buck who felt the heat hit his cheeks as he rubbed his hand over the back of his neck as he leaned forward to reach for his cup of coffee.  

“That’s actually my fault, when he wasn't sleeping so well after he came to live with me, I started telling him heavily sanitised stories about the one eighteen’s escapades.” Buck began. “Captain Pops turned into Grandpa after Theo asked Eddie who Pops was and Eddie explained that you were like my dad.” 

“So, it’s Eddie’s fault.” Bobby chuckled.  

“I can get him to stop if you want me to.” Buck promised, his anxiety spiking wildly for a second until he saw the look of happiness of Bobby’s face.  

“No, no it’s fine. Sorry bad joke, it’s nobody’s fault. I like it, I always thought if you had a kid, I would get to be a grandpa.” Bobby told Buck who calmed considerably.  

“So, he knows some of the stories and I think between that and Eddie's ability to just be the coolest person ever in Theo’s eyes, it's made him more than a little obsessed with him.” Buck finished.  

“That makes sense.” Bobby nodded, “So tell me what else happened whilst I was away.” 

The run down of how all their lives had changed since Bobby had been missing took a while to explain especially as Eddie and Buck kept getting lost in tangents about various events.  

“Is it true that someone bid eight thousand dollars to go on a date with Buck? I still can’t decide if that was an elaborate prank that he and Chimney cooked up.” Eddie asked Bobby at one point. Buck blushed heavily as they explained about the group of senior citizens who had pooled their money to get Buck to join their knitting circle for the evening. Buck defended himself by talking about how fun it was and how he has been looking into all the things that you can make with wool since. He is especially intrigued by the Amigurumi projects he had found and the tapestries. Bobby listened diligently as Buck explained the process and why he would want to learn and the things he could make.  

He caught Eddie watching him indulgently at one point and nudged him a little to get him to stop looking at him like that when Bobby looked away to retrieve his drink off of the coffee table. Eddie only winked before he collected the now empty cups and offered to make them all a fresh drink. Bobby agreed but asked for green tea as he was beginning to get tired. Buck offered to help Bobby back to his room, but the older man waved that away. 

“I think Theo should show me his favourite movie.” Bobby posited instead, reaching for the remote as the little boy jumped up onto the sofa and crowded into Bobby’s side. Theo had been yawning steadily on and off for the last ten minutes and Buck knew that he would probably need a nap, Eddie had told him that Theo’d had a rough night’s sleep the night before.  

Buck watched them get settled carefully on the couch as Bobby navigated to Theo’s favourite movie, Cars. They watched together with Bobby occasionally asking questions here and there until eventually they both nodded off. Eddie pulled a blanket from the ottoman and covered them as Buck moved to begin preparing lunch, he knew that Athena would be home soon. Eddie followed him into the kitchen only a few minutes later to sit at the breakfast bar and watch Buck work.  

*** -- ****************** 

Once Athena had returned from the station Buck had made a large salad and some chicken breast fillets for Bobby to help build up his protein intake and some boiled eggs. He and Eddie had talked about it while he was making lunch and had done some research into what they would need to do to help Bobby regain some of his muscle mass that he had lost whilst in a coma.  

Between them they had figured that they could trade off helping Bobby work out with work and taking care of the kids, and Buck was already making mental meal plans that would have Bobby getting the much-needed nutrients that had been missing from his diet so far.  

Athena took in the notebook and the recipes spread out on the dining table when she got home.  

“Oh Buck, you don't need to do this, the army is apparently sending a nutritionist and a rehabilitation therapist to help with Bobby’s recovery.” Athena informed them, throwing her bag down onto the counter a little rougher than necessary. Athena explained that whilst she had been at the station filling out paperwork and making sure the captain could cover Athena’s emergency leave of absence, she had received a phone call. That she had been contacted by someone claiming to be a Lieutenant Colonel attached to the CDC in Atlanta Georgia and informed that they would be sending a Major to speak with her. The Major had arrived and given her packets of information that had detailed their care of Bobby throughout his extended stay under the army and CDC joint command.  

“That’s a better way to put it than state sanctioned kidnapping.” Eddie huffed sarcastically, Athena nodded and poured herself a large glass of wine as she moved to unfold the file she had been given.  

“They explained that they had initially taken blood from Bobby to track the progress of the biological agent in his system that he seemed to be fighting. They were surprised that Bobby had managed to live as long as he had but for the first few days were convinced that he would succumb to it eventually.” Athena wearily explained. “After they were proven false and realised that he was fighting it on his own they had taken more and more samples to try and track as much as they could of the process. See if they could figure out what made Bobby different from everyone else who had ever died from the virus.” 

“Did they figure it out?” Buck asked, his eyes on the back of the couch across the room where Bobby was sleeping peacefully with Theo.  

“Do you remember when Chimney induced everyone to donate for the blood drive all those years ago, how Bobby was found to have a rare blood type and even rarer antibodies that could be used to cure pregnant women and babies of rhesus disease?” Athena asked them both and waited for Buck to nod but Eddie shook his head.  

“It was before you joined the team.” Buck told him.  

“Anyway, turns out those rare antibodies which help stop a mother’s immune system from attacking her own child’s blood while in utero. It had also somehow helped Bobby’s immune system enough, that the virus hadn't taken hold as violently as it had with Chimney whilst in the lab.” Athena took a sip of her wine and then swirled the remainder in the glass as she pursed her lips. Neither Buck nor Eddie commented on the welling in her eyes as she mulled over her next words.  

“They’d noticed and were already planning on hiding the body until they’d finished taking as many samples as they figured they needed to investigate the anomaly.” Athena dropped that piece of information and Buck felt sick for a minute as he remembered how Chimney and Athena had been adamant that something wasn't right. That there had to be a reason why they weren't releasing Bobby to be buried, everyone had just assumed it was grief taking hold. They had been right all along.  

“Fuck. So, they were going to what? Just lie to everyone?” Eddie frowned.  

“Basically. Only the plan changed, Bobby was alive. They admitted that they didn't think he would have stayed that way if they’d have delayed the retrieval of his body for longer than they had.” Athena reached for a tissue and plucked a couple from the box before blowing her nose. “They kept him in that ward for months, using his blood to try and synthesise a cure that could be used to encompass the different haemorrhagic fevers from around the world.” 

“So, Bobby really does have magic blood?” Buck couldn't help the note of scepticism in his voice, it seemed unreal. This whole situation did.  

“More than we would ever have known had it not been for the lab incident.” Athena nodded weakly. “They used his blood to figure all that out, kept him from his family and made us all believe he was dead, and in return. They are giving us a check for financial compensation and paying his medical bills until he is fully recovered, including any therapy’s he might need.” 

That final bomb was too much for Buck who could feel the air in the room get heavier and thicker than it should have been. Pushing back from the table he excused himself to the patio and dropped onto the stone steps that led down onto the grass that spread out across the back garden.  

“I'll just.” Eddie pointed behind him with his thumb, but Athena just patted his shoulder as she rounded the table and told him she would go. Eddie watched her walk across the stone floor and drop down beside Buck to pull him into a hug. They were both crying so Eddie looked away, not wanting to intrude as he got up to make them all some more coffee. He was just debating whether he should pour a fresh glass of wine for Athena when he heard a shuffling noise.  

“Bobby, shit you are supposed to tell us if you need help.” Eddie admonished the older man, hooking his arm over his shoulder to guide him to the dining table.  

“I need to start getting my strength back somehow.” Bobby told him but Eddie just shook his head and guided him down into an available seat. “Are they okay?” 

Eddie watched through the window as Athena pulled away from Buck to kiss him on the forehead and wipe his tears.  

“I think they will be now that your back.” Eddie told Bobby truthfully.  

“And how’re you doing” Bobby asked gruffly, clearing his throat a little before he spoke and taking his eyes away from the pair talking quietly in the garden.  

“I’m doing better. Chris and I moved back not long after you ‘died’ and I have been figuring out some things since, things that maybe you were trying to tell me for a while.” Eddie revealed and watched Bobby’s face bloom into a smile.  

“Things that both you and Buck might be figuring out together?” Bobby questioned. Eddie felt the heat rise in his cheeks before he could stop it, but the sound of Bobby’s laughter might have been worth it. “Your secrets safe with me kid.” 

*** -- ****************** 

Buck threw himself down onto the steps and tried to gulp in the fresh air of the garden as he fought to hold in the tears and the pain that had been threatening to engulf him since he had gotten that phone call. Maybe since Bobby had died. He wasn't sure, he had tried so hard and he hadn't managed to hold onto his strings as well as he had hoped. Sinking into a fit of depression and pain so deep that eventually the painkillers had been more of an escape than he had ever thought he would need.  

The dark insidious part of his brain that longed to sink back into that blissful ignorance and numbness whispered that he should find someone to buy from to help him deal with the stress. He shook his head at himself, trying to clear the thoughts that were eating a little at him, but he was unsuccessful. The little voice, the one that he associated with the evil Buck from his coma dream, whispered that he might as well. That Bobby was going to be disappointed anyway, he might as well embrace it, give Bobby a real reason to disown him, to give up on him like his birth parents had.  

Pulling at his hair as he sobbed, he didn't realise that anyone had followed him until strong arms pulled him sideways to bury his hair into a floral bloom of fragrance that he associated with Athena.  

“I’m so sorry.” He sobbed, begging for forgiveness for breaking so easily when she was holding it together better than anyone, he had ever seen. Apologising for adding more to her already over-loaded plate.  

“Buck baby, you need to get rid of this notion that you aren't allowed to feel.” Athena told him, “You tell yourself that you need to be strong, but nobody can hold on for that long without breaking. Sometimes letting go hurts worse in the moment but feels better in the end.”  

Athena rocked him a little and Buck wrapped his thick biceps around Athena and pulled her closer, sniffling and trying not to leak all over her blouse.  

“You and that man in there are far too alike.” Athena tutted. “Bobby apologised to me last night as I cried because he has gotten it into his head that somehow this is all his fault. That being kidnapped and held hostage by mad scientists is somehow something he could have prevented while being deeply unconscious.” 

“Athena...” Buck tried but the woman shushed him, patting his head a little before running her fingers through his curls.  

“I used to wonder if somehow someone had stolen his DNA and created you without anyone knowing, if like one of Eddie’s telenovela’s, we were going to discover that you were secretly his biological son all along.” Athena joked, “Before yesterday I would have told myself off for being ridiculous, but after finding Bobby alive, I’m now not so sure we shouldn't check.” 

“Athena, I...” Buck tried again, unsure what he really needed to say but Athena spoke over him again.  

“May likes to say something, about you, what is it?” Athena asked. 

“Pure of Heart, Broad of Chest, Dumb of Ass.” Buck huffed, wiping his nose on his sleeve as he pulled his head off Athena’s shoulder.  

“Ah yes, the Himbo Pillars.” Athena joked.  

“She thinks she is so funny.” 

“She thinks she is hilarious and I am not so sure she is wrong.” Athena laughed. “She teases you because she loves you, and she isn't wrong, but sometimes I think that Bobby might also fall under that category. He has such a pure heart whilst also somehow managing to make the most dumbass decisions. He believes that everyone is worth forgiveness and happiness but himself and he believes that he should be apologetic for everything, even the things that aren't his fault. Sound like anyone you know?”  

“I’m still sorry, I just couldn't hold it in any longer and now I am wondering if I should even be here... when he finds out.” Buck looked away from Athena’s kind face, not wanting to see the sympathy he knew would be broadcast for him to see. He wasn't sure he deserved it.  

“Buck. Bobby is going to be upset that it got that far, that you felt you had no one to turn to until it got bad enough that you almost stole from work. He is going to blame himself for not being here to help you and he is going to do everything he can to help you from now on. He would never judge you or hurt you because of something you are fighting to change.” Athena told him steadfast in her beliefs. “I think you should call your sponsor and talk to them about what you are feeling, and what has happened in the last two days. Maybe they can suggest a meeting.” 

“I think that’s a good idea.” Buck agreed, stretching his long leg out to get to his pocket so he could text Armando to see if he was busy. He got a text back almost right away asking for five minutes. Athena squeezed his shoulder before climbing to her feet and telling him that she would be inside if he needed her, that he should take his time and promising that she would leave it up to him to decide how to tell Bobby what he was currently dealing with.  

Buck was grateful and disappointed in turn. He knew it was going to be hard to reveal what he had done to Bobby, but like Athena he knew that it had to be him to tell Bobby eventually. He heard the sliding door close as his phone began to ring.  

“Hey Armando.”  

*** -- ****************** 

“Is Buck okay?” Eddie asked, like she knew he would the minute she got inside.  

“He is on the phone to Armando.” Athena informed him and watched him nod even as Bobby looked confused a little, probably because he didn't recognise the name. “I’ll let Buck tell you about him.” she assured her husband as she rounded the table and took in the scattered plans around them.  

“We were just discussing how Buck wants to help Bobby get into fighting fit shape again.” Eddie gestured to the papers.  

“Oh, you were? Well, I’ll let you two speak to the rehab specialist that they are sending Bobby to see when we get a phone call or a letter. It shouldn't be long.” Athena explained what she had been told to Bobby now that he was awake and watched his face go through a range of emotions.  

“I was telling Eddie that they should focus on Theo.” Bobby tried but Eddie shook his head.  

“Buck wants to help, he needs this.” Athena told Bobby who conceded with a nod finally. “Besides, Theo has more energy that each of us combined and then some, maybe he can be your very enthusiastic cheerleader.” 

Athena told the story of how the one eighteen had come across Theo who had climbed up an electrical pylon to retrieve his balloon that had blown away. Eddie interjected here and there with snippets of information and jokes about how they hadn't known that Theo was biologically Bucks, but how it hadn't really shocked anyone when it had been revealed later. The kid had a lot of energy and Buck had spent hours chasing him around the firehouse before Kameron and Connor had come to collect him. That they hadn't known he was missing as he had wandered off whilst in the care of his daycare workers who hadn't realised he was missing at first.  

Bobby listened rapt until a tiny thud echoed from the couch area, they all watched as Theo wandered sleepily across the room towards Eddie, wrapped in the blanket he had been covered with. He looked like a particularly adorable ghost, and Eddie wondered how he was able to see until it became clear that he couldn't all that well when Theo bumped into the dining table leg before course correcting.  

“Eddie, where's Buck?” Theo asked as he held his hands up to silently request to be picked up in the way that all kids just know.  

“He’s just in the garden; he is on the phone.” Eddie told the little boy as he cuddled into Eddie and put his thumb in his mouth. Eddie stood and wandered towards the patio doors and gestured to Buck who waved back at them as they watched him pace the length of the garden.  

Once it was established that Buck was still there Eddie took them back to the table and sat down, pulling a few spare sheets of paper forward and offering Theo a pen. It wasn't long until Theo got into his art project while Bobby and Athena spoke quietly about what she had learned from the army about Bobby. It was unfathomable, Eddie didn't understand how they had been able to get away with it.  

Once Buck came back inside, they ironed out a few details, including Athena explaining that she would love if Buck could move in for a few weeks. Buck and Eddie were under no illusions that this was so Athena could keep an eye on the younger man too, but Buck agreed. Athena told them that they had a little bed in one of the spare rooms that Theo could use.  

That evening Athena and Bobby watched Buck and Eddie say goodbye at the front door like they were never going to see each other again and shared a look when they hugged for longer than was probably necessary. Those boys thought they were slick.  

*** -- ****************** 

Over the next few weeks, the house settled into a new routine pretty quickly, one that saw the house filled with much more noise than it had it in a while. Noise and activity that Athena wasn't sure she would see or hear for a while.  Buck and Theo got settled quickly into their new routine, with Carla now coming here to watch Theo and assist with Bobby whenever they needed it.  

Dr Micheala Johannsen arrived at their address one afternoon and didn't leave for a few hours as she explained the plan she had made for helping Bobby regain his muscle mass. Buck and Eddie had been extremely interested in these plans and had listened and asked questions so diligently that Athena hadn't had to interject with many of her own. They had a plan, Buck or Athena would take Bobby to a clinic uptown that specialised in helping disabled veterans. Dr Johannsen had initially offered Bobby residential care, but nobody had wanted Bobby out of sight that soon and she had understood.  

Theo would get dropped at daycare by a rotating plan of people for the days that he attended and on other days they had Carla.  

It worked so well that Athena was reminded of all the times they had executed such plans as a team before. Chimney and Maddie got involved too, offering to babysit Theo when needed or be included in the rehab attendance plans. Bobby had his own ideas however and after disabusing Chimney of the notion that he would be taking back the position of Captain, he had explained. He wanted to begin to spend time with Chimney in ways that they had been lacking for a while before Bobby’s death.  

Chimney all but jumped at the chance, suggesting baseball games and hikes. Movies they could go see and other activities they could do. Bobby had tearfully explained later that he thought Chimney was his best friend and now that he was no longer his Captain, they could get back to the friendship they’d lost at some point. Athena thought it was a wonderful idea and Maddie agreed.  

Hen and Karen had been by a lot since they had brought Bobby home. Helping fill the fridge with easily reheated meals that Bobby could get to himself without much help from anyone else to give him some independence. Buck had of course offered to cook, and Athena had agreed hoping that it would get Bobby back into the one passion she had always known soothed him like no other. Of course, she hadn't wanted to pile too much on the younger man, so they had created a rota for that too.  

May helped by doing the laundry and sorting the clothes into piles for each of the house's residents to put away in their own time. Harry had taken over the yard work and basic housework. It was a well-oiled operation that Athena couldn't help but be proud of, she had raised some amazing kids. Both she had Maddie were very proud of the kids they had raised and continued to watch grow.  

Bobby got his strength back steadily over the first three or four weeks of his treatment with Dr Johannsen, no longer needing much help to get around the house, choosing now to use a cane instead of the wheelchair. He could dress himself better and only needed help now to get his shoes on. It was progress and Athena was ecstatic or she should have been.  

“You’re bored.” Bobby had hit the nail on the head one night as they had settled down into bed together. Athena had wanted to dispute this notion, but she couldn't as Bobby talked over her too quickly. “I think you should go back to work.” 

“You want rid of me Bobby Nash?” Athena had playfully accused, turning enough in bed to face her husband, the man she never thought she would see again.  

“Never.” Bobby assured, pulling her hand above the covers to kiss her knuckles. “I was speaking to Elaine last week when she visited to see how things were going.” 

“She told you?” Athena asked,  

“Why didn't you?” Bobby wondered aloud and Athena didn't have an answer, “You passed the Detective’s exam and there is a spot open at your station, I think you should take it.”  

“I was going to..” 

“Then I came back like a bad penny and scuppered all your plans.” Bobby joked but Athena scowled, they had spoken about self-deprecating humour with their family therapist, and it wasn't helpful when dealing with fraught situations. They had agreed that they would both stop doing it.  

“You didn't scupper anything, I was thinking about it even before you came back. I wasn't sure I wanted to spend all my time at a desk.” Athena explained and watched Bobby nod.  

“You were worried you would get bored?” 

“Yes, I was worried that I was better out on the streets, that I might lose something of myself if I took a desk. “ 

Bobby listened diligently as Athena talked about her worries and how he was right that she was bored, that with the family rotating chores she found herself with little to do day to day. He encouraged her to speak to Elaine about going back and promised that he would talk to her if he needed her at any point. They agreed she would stagger her return if Elaine would allow it.  

*** -- ****************** 

“Mom, I think we have raccoons.” Harry told Athena the next morning as he came down for breakfast.  

“What makes you think that, Honey?” Athena asked as she poured more coffee for Bobby before she moved to replace the coffee pot. Buck and May shared a look before Buck shrugged a little too nonchalantly.  

“I don't know, I thought I heard noises in the garden last night.” Harry told her, reaching across to steal a piece of May’s toast. Athena watched May brandish her fork at her little brother before motioning that she would stab him. That seemed like a bit of an extreme reaction over a triangle of toast. Harry smirked down at May as he crunched loudly into the pilfered bread before he fixed his face and wiped away the crumbs around his mouth.  

“I’ll take a look on my way out.” Harry told her, kissing her lightly on the cheek as he passed. Buck all but rocketed from his seat from what looked like a vicious nudge from May.  

“I’ll go with you.” Buck volunteered, even though they all knew that he was going to be early for work. He kissed Theo on the forehead as he passed and then Athena on the same cheek as he reached her. “Carla should be here in twenty.” 

“I know, you boys have a good day at work.” Athena told them, narrowing her eyes at her daughter who looked a little too innocent. There was definitely something fishy going on.  

Buck caught up with Harry outside the door and hissed that he wasn't funny before they climbed into the truck and set off for the firehouse. Harry was pretty sure he was hilarious. 

The first time he had caught Eddie and Ravi in the garden by the side fence late at night he had watched them point silently at one another and been reminded of the old Spider-Man meme that he and Chris used to love. Harry had watched Ravi climb down the trellis like he was auditioning for a role in a teen romance and warned May that she needed to tell their mom and Bobby about Ravi’s visits. His sister had of course not taken kindly to being told what to do so he had instead taken to teasing her instead.  

He hadn't expected to see Eddie sneaking out of Buck’s ground floor window, but it had provided some amazing comedy when he had heard Eddie squeak loudly as he ran into Ravi ass first. Ravi had spun Eddie and pressed his hand to his mouth before pointing upwards. Harry had watched them have a silent conversation with just a few nods before they had exited the side gate. The quiet if the night allowed him to hear Eddie’s truck start from where he had probably parked it down the block. Ravi’s prius was quieter but he had no doubt that it was probably secreted somewhere too.  

He had promised that he wouldn't say anything, but he hadn't promised that he wouldn't be a teasing little shit.  

*** -- ****************** 

A few weeks later Athena was startled out of a deep sleep by Bobby nudging her a little roughly in the side. Athena was coming off of her first full week back at the station and was exhausted, hoping that there was nothing seriously wrong she sleepily curled into Bobby’s side.  

“There’s someone in the garden.” Bobby told her and Athena’s anxiety spiked faster and harder than it had in a while. Sitting up swiftly and opening her bedside cabinet she quickly typed in her code for the gun safe and retrieved her weapon. Taking the tablet from next to the safe, she keyed in the code for the security system and watched as each of the camera’s that Chimney had helped her install, blinked to life.  

“Test the kids.” Athena instructed Bobby as she flicked through the feeds, having her house burned down by criminals had made her more than a little paranoid, there were quite a few camera’s to check. Bobby told her that each of the kids had checked in and were in their rooms as the camera hidden in the foliage of the trellis came to life.  

There was a man in a hoodie looking up at the trellis before he reached up and began to climb steadily. Athena threw the remaining convers from her body and ran as fast as she could to her daughter’s room. Yelling for Buck to get to the patio door as she ran across the balcony between the upstairs rooms. She heard Buck’s door open as she burst into May’s room.  

The young woman startled hard where she was laid on the bed in curiously revealing underwear, Athena paid it no mind as she moved across the room, ignoring a frantic May as she slid open the double doors to the balcony that overlooked the garden. Shushing May a little as her daughter tried to hiss at her to stop, she levelled her weapon at the corner of the balcony where the trellis met the house and waited.  

Two hands came up first, then the top of the hooded head before half of the man’s torso became visible.  

“Freeze LAPD.” Athena ordered, aiming squarely at the man’s chest who startled so hard that he almost let go of the balcony rail.  

“Mom wait, stop.” May begged, moving in front of Athena then, who lowered her weapon and clicked the safety back in to place as May helped the man over the rail. “It’s my boyfriend, it’s Ravi.” 

“Ravi?” They all heard Buck’s shout of outrage before the patio doors clicked shut and thundering footsteps came up the stairs.  

“Explain.” Athena ordered, eyeing Ravi who looked spooked and sheepish all at once.  

“Woah.” Buck yelled a little, throwing a hand over his eyes as he pointed between them blindly and parroted the order. Athena watched May reach for her bathrobe to cover the pyjamas she hadn't been wearing when she got ready for bed earlier and realised what had been happening under her own nose.  

“You decided to sneak your boyfriend into the house for a booty call? This isn't Romeo and fucking Juliet. Are you insane, I could have killed him.” Athena seethed at a flushed and flustered May who wrapped herself in the fluffy bathrobe that she had hastily climbed. “You aren't some maiden who must hide your lover from your family who forbids it. I could have shot him May.” 

“I know.” May sighed, sounding more like the sullen teenager she hadn't been in years than a grown woman.  

“The front door is there for a reason.” Athena told her, sighing loudly.  

“We will be having a conversation tomorrow, Ravi.” Buck told the room, still with one meaty hand over his own eyes. Athena rolled her eyes at the man who couldn't see her before she edged past him.  

“Oh, shut up, like you have a leg to stand on Buck. How’s Eddie?” May shot the older man a look and Athena groaned rubbing the bridge of her nose hard before blowing her cheeks out in exasperation.  

“I’m going back to bed.” She told them.  

“You shouldn't have had him climb the trellis May.” Buck argued,  

“It’s better than having him climb in through the window.” Athena heard May shoot back.  

“I will repeat.” Athena turned back to the doorway where May and Buck were now arguing. “I am going back to bed; you should all do the same. May is right Buck; you have no room to talk if you are also sneaking your boyfriend into the house. We will discuss this in the morning.” Athena raised an eyebrow until both of them conceded. Buck lumbered back down the stairs and into the far corridor to his own room, May closed the door to hers and suddenly the house was quiet and dark once again.  

Athena secured her weapon and climbed into bed beside Bobby who now looked more amused than he should, the tablet still in hand. He locked it and laid it aside before shuffling down and holding his arms open so Athena could cuddle into his chest.  

“It’s not funny.” Athena told him, even if she was fighting her own smile.  

“No, it’s not.” Bobby agreed still sounding amused despite it. “But you would think that out of everyone in the house, it would be the youngest you would have to worry about sneaking in and out of the house at all hours.” 

Athena huffed a little sleepily as the adrenalin left her body and the sleepiness returned.  

*** -- ****************** 

The next morning found the dining table more crowded than usual. Bobby and Athena at one end with Theo sat between them. Buck and Eddie on the left with May and Ravi facing them. Harry looked amused and knowing at the other end. 

“So...” Athena started, “Who wants to explain first?” 

Buck opened his mouth to talk but May beat him to it.  

“I’m so sorry mom, it was very irresponsible of me to sneak my boyfriend into the house without letting you know that he would be visiting. I won't do it again.” May told her, a contrite look adorned her face. May’s speech was a little too practiced, but Athena allowed it. Buck however stuck his tongue out at the young woman who returned it quickly until Athena cleared her throat and they both stopped antagonising one another.  

“From now on, any visitors who intend to stay the night will come in through the front door, and will be here at a reasonable time, barring any shifts that might run late. Am I clear?” Athena informed them. Eyeing each of the kids around the table in turn until they each agreed.  

“Yes Ma’am” Theo parroted them adorably before Harry pulled a face.  

“Hey what did I do?” Harry complained. “I’m the most well behaved one here and I’m catching strays.” 

“I just don't want you getting any ideas is all.” Athena told him, trying to hide a chuckle at the antics of her kids.  

“Your older siblings are terrible influences.” Bobby frowned playfully before he clapped his hands together and grinned. “On the upside, we won the pool honey.” 

“Which one?” Harry asked which had the entire table erupt. Athena watched her family be happy and whole again for the first time in a year and knew they would be okay.