9-1-1 SEASON TWO
EPISODE 18: THIS LIFE WE   
                                                   CHOOSE

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                     Adalynn shuffled through her room, tugging a shirt over her messy curls that stuck out in every direction, sleep still clinging to her every move.

"You're staring" she muttered, hands guiding her dresser drawer closed, eyes flicking into the mirror for only a second. Biting her bottom lip to stop the small smile tugging at her lips.

Buck on the other hand was lounging back on her bed, shamelessly, arms crossed underneath his head with a more than prominent grin on his face "and?" He questioned, raising a brow.

Adalynn shot him a look, her hip leaning against the dresser as she tugged on her socks "you are still in my bed and not" she reached down tossing his t-shirt at him "fully dressed so we can get to work"

He reached up, pulling the shirt off his face before sitting up, glancing at the clock on her nightstand "I think that we have plenty of time"

Adalynn hummed, her lips pursing "Hm, you think?" She took a few slow, deliberate steps forward. Bucks eyes stayed trained on her while her hands went to his shoulders

She had a sly smirk tugging at her lips as she leaned closer, faces just inches apart. Buck's hands immediately went to her hips his smirk prominent that was until Adalynn froze, pulling back. "well, I think that you didn't consider the traffic"

Buck went to say something but Adalynn continued, head tilting while her curls fell over her shoulders "or how if we both show up late it wouldn't exactly go to well— for you I mean"

Bucks brows pulled together "me?" He questioned in disbelief "why not you?"

"Well, Eddie might kill you, so" she shrugged moving away from him, his hands lingering by her hips until the couldn't. Adalynn grabbing her duffle bag off the floor, slinging the strap over her shoulder "sounds like it could go bad for you"

Her eyes moved to her watch as she continued "so this train is leaving in about ten minutes" her nose scrunched as she looked back at him "I'd say you follow shortly after"

Before Buck could even get a word in Adalynn was closing the bedroom door behind her.

Her fingers moved quick as she moved blindly through the apartment, typing a text message to Eddie. The teasing playful expression slowly falling from her face.

'Hey, just checking in on Chris. How's he doing? And how are you?'  Her heart ached for her nephew— not just him but Eddie too. Losing Shannon hit harder than she thought— yes, she was family but she had also been gone for years. Adalynn would by lying if she said it didn't still bother her but yet again, Adalynn Diaz was the master at masking her emotions.

Adalynn jumped slightly at the sound of Lilianes bedroom door opening, the sound echoing through the quiet apartment startling her from her own thoughts.

Her brows raised as she eyed the Chen woman— who, in Adalynn's kindest words, looked like a hot mess. She chuckled "Wow, rough night?" Adalynn teased as she came up beside her, taking the mug she was holding out with a glare.

"For your information" Liliane said her expression turning smug "It was a wonderful night" Adalynn frowned as Liliane filled up her mug then doing her own "I would guess you had the same, bed head"

"Wow" Adalynn trailed off, hands holding the mug of coffee close to her chest "You know, I didn't have a bad one myself"

"I know" Liliane muttered eyeing the woman causing her eyes to roll.

"Shouldn't be talking" Adalynn commented back as she took a sip of the beverage.

"Well, unlike yourself, my... friend" Liliane trailed off pondering if the word choice was right or not before shaking her head and continuing "has already shipped off and left when I could put money down that yours is still in that room"

Adalynn's eyes narrowed "you think you know that well, huh?"

Liliane scoffed "please, you two have been doing this long enough, it's a given"

As if on cue, Buck strolled out of the hallway, tugging his shirt down. When he looked up he froze for half a second noticing both women looking at him.

Buck chuckled awkwardly, giving a half salute to the Chen woman "Liliane"

The raven-haired girl just gave a look that screamed off 'Told you' towards Adalynn. Before raising her mug towards Buck giving a tight lipped smile "secrets safe with me" she sing-song out as she padded back towards her room.

➷

Adalynn came out of the locker room, tucking her shirt into her pants and still fighting with her still messy but tied back curls when Chimney's voice cut across the bay.

"Adalynn."

She froze mid-step, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as she spotted him holding a clipboard. She braced herself. Whatever this was, she was sure she wasn't going to like it.

Chimney glanced up. "Miller called in today. That means you're driving the truck."

Her entire face lit up. "I get to drive the rig?!" She clapped her hands together, practically bouncing off her feet before pressing her palms together in mock prayer and glancing at the ceiling. "Finally, the universe listens."

Dropping her hands, she leaned closer to Chimney and whispered, "No offense to Miller, but—" she let out a dramatic sigh, "he is never getting his driving privileges back."

Chimney blinked, already regretting his announcement. "Wait, you do realize this is—"

"My dream?" Adalynn cut him off, eyebrows raised. "I'm a phenomenal driver. Do not listen to Adam."

Still grinning ear to ear, she gave Chimney a playful punch on the arm before pointing at him as she backed away. "You will not regret this, Captain."

"Interim Captain!" Buck called out from across the bay, his voice teasing.

Adalynn groaned and rolled her eyes, waving him off like a gnat she couldn't be bothered with. But the extra bounce in her step betrayed her.

Buck watched her with an easy grin, unable to stop the way his chest warmed at the sight. She was glowing, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.

The Buckley man closed the compartment door to the rig, glancing Eddie's way. His worries fading when he realized he was too focused on checking the gear to even notice the way he was looking at her.

"What's Adalynn's deal with driving the rig anyway?" Buck asked, mostly out of curiosity but another part of him simply just wanting to know more about her.

Eddie glanced his way briefly before he replied "I think it's mostly cause she never got to at her old house— I mean not even touch the wheel" he checked off the small slip of paper beside him before putting the oxygen tank back and moving onto the next.

"Really?" Buck questioned to which Eddie hummed.

His focus stayed on the gear as he spoke "that was strictly Makayla's territory"

Just as Adalynns foot hit the first step the tones went off— she immediately darted towards the truck, pulling her gear on before hopping in the drivers seat.

Her hands ran down the steering wheel the pure look of joy still not washing off her face as she flicked the sirens on and pulled out of the bay.

➷

Adalynn held the hands of two little girls who wondered away from the group, leading them back towards the truck.

Her gaze flicking to Chim and Buck who were instructing the elementary school children to stay close to the truck.

The Diaz woman crouched down to be eye level with the two girls, her face soft as she offered a kind smile to the pair. "Okay, I need to go with my team"

Both girls faces saddened slightly, already growing attached to her after listening to Adalynn telling them a story on the way back to the truck. And as much as Adalynn didn't want to admit it broke her heart just a little "I know— but I will come say goodbye when I have to leave only" her face went stern "if you stay right here"

Both girls quickly nodded, Adalynn gave their hands a gentle squeeze before joining the others.

"Teacher spotted it out there after recess" Athena announced as she and Liliane walked towards them.

Athena always worked alone, but, when she saw the opportunity Adalynn didn't miss the way she always picked Liliane to help her out. Which did make her proud of her friend.

It was like the world had gone into an uproar after that second package bomb had gone off a few weeks ago. Calls flooding in constantly and most being false alarms— but that didn't calm the nerves of the people who thought anything and everything was another bomb.

Liliane's thumbs hooked into her belt "And, if you haven't guessed, nobody claimed it." She looked at the crowd of people "caused an uproar"

"Yeah, but it's not a package" Buck began, arms crossed over his chest "thought this guy sent his bombs through the mail"

Chimney's head tilted ever so slightly "maybe he changed his M.O"

Athena scoffed, head shaking "or inspired some other crazy"

"Well, this is the life we chose" Adalynn sighed out, her eyes trained in front of her. A man dressed in full bomb protectant gear began to make his way into the middle of the yard towards the one sole red backpack that was left unclaimed.

His movements were careful and cautious as he slowly crouched down. Adalynn could feel every muscle in her body tense up as she waited for something— anything really from the bomb squad team. But the look back and forth from them to the screen didn't help calm anything.

But then less than a moment later the bomb squad leader raised his hand, holding the microphone to his mouth "All units be advised! Fire in the hole, fire in the hole!"

Adalynn immediately moved as she noticed kids looking around, some scared, some confused. Her eyes went to the two little girls she had brought back to the rig, their faces were purely terrified— well one of them more than the other.

"Stay tucked in!" Adalynn shouted while moving down towards the two girls before crouching down. "Hey, hey, everything's going to be alright, 'Kay?" Her voice was softer now instead of the commanding tone she used just seconds before. "Just cover your ears and stay close to the Rig, okay?"

Both girls nodded, their tiny hands covering their ears and Adalynn did the same, her arms going over the two girls while her head lowered down and the countdown began.

"Three"

"Two"

"One.."

Seconds later a loud explosion rang through the air, Adalynn's arms tightening around the two girls as it went off.

Soon as the storm of sound died out, her head lifted as she stood to her feet and immediately moved towards the small opening by the two rigs. Chimney and Athena stopping kids from moving forward.

Adalynn could briefly hear the fully tact out man say as he went to inspect what was in the bag. "Substance appears to be some grey-ish paste"

Her brows pulled together at those words. "It's Tuna fish" a young girls voice gained her attention as she looked behind her to the very girl who had wondered off with her friend. Adalynn's lips pursed as she glanced at the teacher.

"Emily. Was that your lunch?" The teacher questioned. She rocked back and forth on her feet her eyes glancing to the ground before she hesitantly answered "Yes..."

"Why didn't you say something?" Athena immediately questioned.

"I don't like tuna fish!" She said sternly her face showing something of disgust before changing to guilt "Am I under arrest?"

Adalynn's mouth fell agape, her head shaking slightly as she tried to hide the smirk behind her hand.

It didn't take no longer than ten minutes to get all the children heading back in towards the school.

Adalynn ran a hand over her curls, letting out a long sigh.

"These false alarms are almost more nerve-racking than the real thing" Chimney said as he opened the passenger door.

Hen shook her head "don't even think that"

"Maybe the whole thing is a false alarm" Buck commented, looking between the three "maybe it's over"

"Highly doubt it" Adalynn muttered out.

"Would it kill you to optimistic?" Buck questioned with furrowed brows.

Adalynn scoffed as she turned, beginning to walk backwards slowly from making her way to the drivers side "it's called being realistic— have you ever head of a serial killer stopping after killing two people?"

Buck rolled his eyes "I'm sure there's been one!" He hollered as she walked around the front of the engine, her head still shaking slightly.

➷

Adalynn was leaned back in a lawn chair, eyes squinting from the sun as her thumb repeatedly traced the rim to her beer bottle as she listened to the conversation around her.

Now she wasn't shocked at the massive surprise family get together, I mean, cousins, Abuela s, aunts, basically almost every family member you could list off and most of it was considering Shannon's funeral took place the other day it was like the Diaz's to rally together— although their inputs weren't always helpful.

"Adalynn, go get something to eat" Tia Pepa said, waving her hand in a shooing motion.

Adalynn just pressed her lips in a tight line shaking her head "No, no. I'm okay"

Her great-aunt gave her a look to which Adalynn tried her best to avoid— because she actually was terrified of the woman in some cases.

"He's growing up way too fast" Helena sighed out causing Eddie to chuckle before she continued, holding a beer his way "he was so brave yesterday at the funeral"

"Well, he's an extremely brave kid" Adalynn commented with a tilt of her head and a half smile on her face before looking to her nephew who was smiling and talking to his cousins.

Eddie nodded in agreement "bravest kid I know"

Helena patted her son's arm "yup, just like his father" she picked up the pitcher of ice tea and moved towards the table.

It was silent for a moment, Eddies gaze moving to the ground for a moment "his mom was pretty brave too"

"How?" Ramon pipped up with a scoff "by running out on him?"

"Papa" Adalynn exclaimed giving the man a look. Not even moments later her Abuela gave a sharp toned "Ramon" as well.

Adalynn noticed the immediate shift in Eddie's poster as he quickly strode towards the table "Papi, we're not doing this."

Adalynn swallowed thickly as she placed a comforting hand on Eddie's arm as he sat down at the table.

Ramon sighed taking his seat "I apologize"

"Look, honey" Helena sat down, glancing between the two kids. "Um.... We know Shannon loved Christopher"

"Of course, mom" Eddie nodded, still not really looking at either of his parents.

Helena nodded "okay. But she's gone.."

"That's a little insensitive" Adalynn added, taking a drink of the beverage that began to warm in her grip.

"That's not how I meant it" Helena quickly defended, taking a breath before looking back to Eddie "but now, you're a single father, again. Okay, and the hours you work, Eddie— both of you" she looked between the two "come home— I think you both should"

"To El Paso?" Eddie questioned. Adalynn's face immediately contorts as Helena nods.

"Texas has fires, too" Ramon added his two cents before taking a bite of the food in front of him. "You could join a department there— Adalynn could go back to her old house"

Adalynn sat straighter, tucking her curls behind her ears as she shakes her head "I don't want to go back to my old house"

"Dad" Eddie chuckled but it was anything but humorous. "It's not that simple. I'm still a probationary firefighter. I'm so close to earning my shield— you want me to just throw away the last year of my life?"

Adalynn ran a hand down her face, the conversation already starting to get under her skin— and her father's comment certainly didn't make it any better. "Is this really the career you want Eddie? What has that shield ever done for your sister?"

That. That hit like a slap to the face, her eyes immediately widened at the man, a mix of hurt and anger behind her eyes "You have no right—"

Pepa rested her hand onto of the girls, stopping her mid sentence just as her sisters joined the table, Adriana and Sophia.

Eddies eyes narrowed at the two as he slowly nods "right.... Is that why you all flew out here, huh? Not for the funeral" his eyes landed hard on Ramon. Eddie motioned between himself, Christopher, and Adalynn "but to bring us back— was that the plan"

"Yeah" Helena admitted "and we could help, and Christopher would be close to family and you could have a life there" Helena looked to Adalynn "And you— you only came down here to be with Eddie, you know Texas is your home— where your family is"

Adalynn's leg bounced continuously under the table, her breathing rigid. "There's nothing left for me in Texas, mom"

Ramon scoffed "come on, one bad breakup cannot ruin a where you grew up"

"One bad breakup?" Adalynn's tone was filled with disbelief "you seriously think I left because of him? My best friend died! I almost died— all that's there is, is bad memories!"

"Adalynn, he didn't mean it that way" Helena tried to diffuse the situation.

Adalynn scoffed "kind of sounds like he did!" Her hands tightened around the armrest to the point her knuckles went white.

Eddie raised his hand— him clearly growing just as frustrated as her "we have a life here, and family"

"Thank you, Eddie" Pepa said with a grateful voice before motioning to herself and their Abuela  "we are sitting right here." She raised a finger fiercely to Ramon "and you have no right talking to your daughter like that"

"I won't uproot him again" Eddie uttered out, his eyes on his son who was only a few feet away.

"Christopher hasn't been here long enough to put down roots— he spent the first six years of his life in El Paso. With us"

Silence fell but only for a moment before Eddie broke it "being with me is what's best for Christopher.... I choose this life for a reason"

"You could choose a different one" Roman shot back, his voice steadying in that tone that made Adalynn's skin crawl— like he knew best.

Adalynn stood from her seat, her lips pressed together before she spoke "I'm going home" her voice was barely above a whisper. "I'll go say bye to Chris"

"Adalynn" Helena reached a hand out as she passed but Adalynn just raised her own out of reach, her stride never breaking as she moved towards her nephew plastering a fake smile and trying to ignore their words in the back of her mind.

➷

The place had a faint smell of fresh paint lingering in the air. Buck was walking through it like he could already see the furniture in place, the life he'd build here.

Adalynn, on the other hand, trailed behind him with a skeptical tilt of her head. "Remind me again why I'm here?"

"Because I value your opinion," Buck said over his shoulder, flashing her a grin as he ran a hand along the exposed brick.

"Uh-huh," she hummed, crossing her arms. "Or because you wanted someone to make sure you don't accidentally buy a condemned building."

The realtor chuckled politely before her phone rang. "Excuse me, I need to take this — I'll give you two a few minutes." She slipped out into the hallway, leaving them alone.

Buck turned back to Adalynn, leaning against the railing to the stairs. "You seemed a little angry last shift."

Her brows knit together immediately. "I was not angry."

"Really?" Buck's tone was playful, but his eyes studied her closely. "Because you drove the rig like it was a race car."

"It was to get us to an emergency, Buck."

"Sure," he said, nodding slowly. "But Chimney was pressing the imaginary brake in the passenger seat the entire way."

Adalynn rolled her eyes, brushing past him to look out one of the massive windows pretending to admire the view. "It's nothing."

"Or," Buck said, stepping closer, "you could just talk to someone who isn't your roommate or someone who lives across the hall from you."

She snorted under her breath. "You don't want the Diaz family baggage dumped on you."

"Try me," Buck challenged softly.

For a moment, she didn't answer. She just stared out at the city below, the skyline a blur through the glass. "Most of my family flew down for Shannon's funeral. Not to pay respects — not really. They came to try and convince Eddie and me to move back to Texas. Said it was 'best for everyone.' And that I basically just came down here for Eddie— which I did a little but I also needed to get out"

The silence that followed was heavier than either of them expected.

"Are you going to?" Buck asked after a beat.

"No." The word was out before he even finished the question. "There's nothing there for me."

They stood there for a long moment — just breathing in the quiet, both aware of how close they were standing now.

The realtor's voice cut through the stillness as she walked back in, bright and chipper. "So, what do we think? It's got a lot of potential. With the open floor plan and those windows, not to mention the view — I can really see you two being happy here."

"Two?" Adalynn repeated, blinking rapidly. "Oh — no, no, we're not—"

"Not a couple," Buck added quickly, scratching the back of his neck.

"Just a supportive friend," Adalynn blurted out, forcing a laugh that sounded far too high-pitched.

The realtor just smiled trying to move past the situation and began to talk about square footage.

Buck leaned toward Adalynn, voice low. "Supportive friend, huh?"

"Shut up," she muttered, cheeks warm as she followed the realtor to the next room.

"At least someone is finally getting your own place— not like he's a grown man or something" she teased, throwing a glance over her shoulder to deflect from the awkwardness.

"Funny," Buck shot back. "Real supportive."

But despite the teasing, despite the awkward denial, there was a weight to the silence that followed.

➷

The maid quickly opened the door, stepping aside as the team rushed in. Chimney and Hen immediately moved toward the young blonde woman curled on the floor, her hand cradling her arm.

"Help. My arm," she said, voice shaky. "I can feel it, but I can't move it. Like—really hurts in my shoulder."

"Looks like a fractured clavicle," Hen said gently as she examined the injury.

Chimney nodded. "We're gonna sit you up, okay?"

Together, they eased the woman into a seated position. She groaned softly from the movement.

Buck and Eddie shifted the vanity table out of the way, while Adalynn grabbed the fallen chair and set it aside. She glanced around the room, brows furrowed.

"Didn't dispatch say something about an animal?"

The blonde winced. "Yeah, it um... came out of my face."

There was a beat of silence. Eddie rested his hands on his hips, scanning the floor. "What are we... looking for, exactly?"

"It was like a—little, little worm," the woman said, holding her thumb and forefinger a few inches apart. "Or like a grub, maybe."

"Like a maggot?" Hen asked, slipping a sling over the woman's shoulder.

"Ew, don't say maggot," she groaned.

From across the room, Buck's voice called out, "Maggot!"

Adalynn spun around. He was crouched in front of the vanity, peering at something on the surface. She stepped in beside him, grimacing as a small, wriggling larva squirmed across the wood.

"Were you out of the country recently?" she asked, straightening.

"Uh, yeah," the blonde replied. "I actually do a lot of traveling for work."

"What kind of work?" Chimney asked as he examined a small wound near her temple.

"I'm a beauty and fashion influencer."

Adalynn rifled through the medical bag, pulling out a pair of tweezers and a sample cup before handing them to Eddie.

Hen raised an eyebrow. "Any chance your travels included Central or South America?"

The woman shook her head. "No. No—well, I mean, I did just get back from Belize."

Adalynn's lips pressed together as she shared a look with Eddie.

"Belize is in Central America," he said gently.

"Oh," she blinked. "Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure," Eddie deadpanned.

"Botfly," Hen announced, clicking off her flashlight. "Parasite indigenous to Central and South America — including Belize. They reproduce by attaching their eggs to mosquitoes. When the mosquito lands on you, the egg hatches and burrows right into the feeding site."

"Luckily," Buck said, examining the wriggling larva in the sample cup, "it looks like you got it out in one piece."

Adalynn zipped the medical bag with a grimace. "The hospital can extract the rest."

"The rest?" the influencer squeaked.

"Think of them as... new followers," Chimney quipped.

Adalynn couldn't help a small laugh as she rolled the gurney closer. Together, she, Buck, and Eddie carefully helped the woman onto it.

They were just about to wheel her out when she suddenly blurted, "No, no, no! Can somebody grab my phone?"

Eddie walked over to the still-live phone mounted on a stand. He stared into the camera for a second before muttering, "Hi guys. Later." Then he ended the stream and slipped the phone into a bag.

➷

The moonlight beat down on the station lot as the crew loaded equipment back onto the rig after routine checks. It was quiet — deceptively so — one of those lulls between chaos that always felt suspicious to Buck.

Adalynn was at the side compartment, sliding an airway kit into its place with deliberate care, humming under her breath. Buck leaned against the doorframe of the truck, watching her with that familiar, half-distracted smile he couldn't seem to shake whenever she was around.

"You know," he said, his voice light and teasing, "for someone who claims she's not a neat freak, you spend a suspicious amount of time organizing gear we're just gonna tear through again in an hour."

Adalynn shot him a look over her shoulder, a smirk tugging at her lips. "It's called being prepared, Buck. Maybe you should try it sometime."

"Prepared?" he echoed, stepping closer. "You mean like how I'm prepared for you to lecture me about doing something wrong?"

She closed the compartment door and turned to face him, close enough that the sleeve of his uniform brushed against hers. "Exactly like that," she said, feigning seriousness before cracking a grin.

There was a beat — one of those moments that always seemed to happen with them lately — where the rest of the world faded and it was just the two of them, orbiting dangerously close without either stepping over the line. His hand brushed hers as he reached for the med bag she was holding. It was an unnecessary move — he didn't need the bag — but he didn't pull away, and neither did she.

Buck's mind drifted, unbidden, back to that night a few weeks ago. The night she'd stood across from him, more vulnerable than he'd ever seen her, and said the words that had been looping in his head ever since:

"I'm not going to walk away from what this might be."
"It might take me a minute to get there."
"So, maybe try asking me again once you see a difference."

It wasn't a yes. It wasn't a no. But God, he had seen a difference. In the way she lingered when they were alone. The way her walls had started to lower piece by piece. The way she let him see her now — the real her — instead of running.

And now, standing here with her inches away, smiling up at him with that same spark in her eyes he'd fallen for months ago, he knew he was ready to ask again. This time for real.

"Hey," he said, softer now, the banter melting into something more careful, more deliberate.

She raised a brow, the corner of her mouth quirking. "That's usually my line when you're about to do something stupid."

He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "I just... I was thinking maybe—"

The sentence died beneath the sudden wail of the station alarm.

The two of them froze, the sound dragging them back to reality. Chimney's voice echoed through the bay, calling out the address as the rest of the team came running.

Adalynn sighed, already moving toward the rig. "Rain check? Talk after" she said, pulling herself into the jump seat on the drivers side.

Buck lingered a second longer, frustrated at the timing but unable to fight the smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah," he murmured, climbing up after her. "Rain check."

As the doors slammed shut and the sirens blared to life. Buck was still frozen for a moment before beginning to move jumping into the passenger seat of the rig Adalynn was driving.

Buck's chest tightened as he glanced her way. He was sure now — this was the difference she'd been talking about. And when they got back, he wasn't wasting another second.

Only, he had no idea that call — the one they were racing toward — would change everything before he ever got the chance.

. . .

The engine roared down the street, sirens wailing, lights cutting through the afternoon sun.

Adalynn's hands gripped the wheel with steady precision, muscles tight as she guided the rig through traffic. Everything felt slightly off with Bobby gone — everyone's positions shifted, the rhythm thrown.

She didn't dare glance Buck's way, even though she could feel his eyes on her from the jump seat. His unfinished sentence still echoed in her mind, looping over and over.

'I was thinking maybe—'

She was terrified. Terrified of what he might have been about to say — and even more terrified of what it meant that she wanted to hear it. But she couldn't keep pushing the feeling down forever.

The headset crackled to life, yanking her out of her thoughts.
"118, 118 This is Dispatch. We've got Bobby Nash on the line. He says it's important."

Adalynn's brows knitted together. She shot Buck a confused glance, but before she could respond, Chimney's voice was already crackling through. "Dispatch, please repeat"

She turned the wheel, steady hands guiding them through the next intersection—

And then everything changed.

A deafening boom shattered the air before the wheel had even straightened. The world flipped. Metal screamed. Flames roared beneath them as the rig lifted off the ground and slammed onto its side.

It was chaos. A blur.

Adalynn's body was thrown from the rig, crashing onto the asphalt with brutal force. The breath tore from her lungs. Her ears rang. Every inch of her body burned.

One second, she'd been driving to a call. The next, she was sprawled on the pavement, the taste of blood in her mouth and smoke choking the air.

Her eyes fluttered open, blinking through the haze. A warm trickle of blood slid down the side of her face from a cut near her temple. Smoke billowed from the overturned engine a few yards away.

Then she saw him.

Buck.

He was lying crumpled near the rig, cuts and scrapes marring his face. And his leg — his leg was pinned beneath the twisted metal.

"Buck..." The word rasped from her throat, but no sound carried over the ringing in her ears.

She tried to move, to crawl toward him, but a sharp, stabbing pain ripped through her side and sent her collapsing back down. A strangled groan left her lips as her gaze darted downward — a jagged shard of glass from the windshield was embedded just below her ribcage, blood soaking through her shirt.

Her breath came in short, panicked bursts. Hands trembling, she pressed them around the wound, trying to slow the bleeding.

The heavy thud of footsteps on pavement cut through the ringing in her ears. Her head snapped up — and her blood ran cold.

A young man stood between her and Buck, no more than a few feet away. A vest strapped across his chest, packed with C-4. A detonator resting casually in his hand.

He looked between them, a crooked smile playing on his lips.
"You two are new," he said, voice almost teasing, as if this were some kind of game.

Adalynn's jaw clenched, her breathing shallow and uneven as pain radiated through every nerve. But she didn't look away — not from Buck, and not from the man standing between them.

It didn't take long for the cavalry to arrive — engines and cruisers barricading the streets, sirens washing the pavement in red and blue.

Adalynn could hear the thrum of a helicopter circling overhead, capturing every second for the news. She swallowed hard, her head pressing back against the asphalt as she fought to keep her eyes open. Her hands pressed tighter around the shard lodged in her side, slick with her own blood.

Across the street, Chimney stood with Hen and Eddie, radio raised, voice tight with desperation.
"Dispatch, this is Captain 118. What's the play? I've got people dying in the street!"

The only answer was static — and then a curt voice crackled through:
"Hold your position, 118."

"Dammit," Chimney hissed, lowering the radio and stepping forward with Hen at his side.

"Give me the captain!" Freddie's voice boomed, cutting through the chaos as he paced near the wreckage. "Where is the captain?!"

Adalynn clenched her jaw and tried to shift, pushing herself upright — but the pain was blinding.

"Hey!" Freddie barked, spinning toward her. "I told you not to move."

"Go to hell," she hissed back, every word ragged with pain.

On the perimeter, Eddie stiffened. He could see the blood now, could see how pale she was getting — and panic clawed at his chest.

Chimney didn't wait another second. He stepped into the open, hands raised.
"I'm the captain, okay? I'm the captain. Please, just let me help them. Please."

Freddie shook his head, sneering. "No. I don't want you."

Chimney's brow furrowed, confusion flashing across his face. Freddie took another step closer.
"I want Captain Nash."

Adalynn's vision was starting to blur. She could feel herself slipping, her body growing weaker by the second.

"Freddie."

The voice was calm, steady — and familiar. Bobby stepped through the smoke, hands raised.

Freddie turned toward him, hatred burning in his eyes. "Thought you'd be on the truck."

"I'm here now." Bobby's gaze flicked briefly to where Buck lay pinned and broken beside the rig — and then to Adalynn, bleeding out on the pavement.

"What's next?" Bobby asked, stepping closer. "This is what you wanted."

"I wanted you dead." Freddie's voice cracked, raw and furious.

"I get that." Bobby stopped. "But what about them?" He gestured toward the injured firefighters scattered around the street. Then his hand shifted — first to Buck, then to Adalynn. "What about him? Or her?"

Freddie barely spared them a glance.

"He's got parents. A sister. He never did anything to you. He wasn't even a firefighter when your father burned down that restaurant. And her?" Bobby's voice softened just slightly. "She has family too. People who care about her are watching this right now. She was living in Texas when it happened."

"Collateral damage," Freddie muttered.

"Is that how you see yourself?" Bobby asked carefully. "An unintended victim of all this?"

"Stop!" Freddie shouted, backing up a step. "One more move and we all go boom!" He held the detonator aloft like a loaded gun, finger trembling on the trigger.

"Freddie," Bobby said, voice still calm. "You were dealt a bad hand, and I'm sorry about that. But what you did with it — that was a choice. You stopped being a victim the moment you planted that first bomb."

"That lawyer," Freddie spat, his voice thick with venom. "She—"

"Did her job," Bobby cut in. "We were all doing our jobs."

Freddie scoffed, the detonator still hovering in the air. "Destroying my family. My mom and I lost everything. She was in so much pain."

"And you want to make it worse?" Bobby's voice hardened as he nodded toward a pair of officers leading a woman through the smoke — Freddie's mother. "You want to make her watch you die?"

Freddie's gaze snapped toward her. His breath hitched. "Mom..."

That single moment of hesitation was all Bobby needed.

He lunged, seizing Freddie's wrist and clamping an arm around his chest. The detonator wavered dangerously as Freddie thrashed, but SWAT was already moving in, weapons drawn.

"Don't move!" one of them shouted.

"Dead man's trigger," Bobby warned as he carefully pried the device from Freddie's grasp and handed it off. The bomber was wrestled to the ground and dragged away.

The second he was gone, the rest of the 118 surged forward.

"Adalynn!" Eddie was at her side in seconds, dropping to his knees as he tore open the med bag, his hands shaking.

"Hey, hey — stay with me," he muttered, tearing open a packet with his teeth. His voice was steady, but his hands were shaking.

Adalynn's lashes fluttered as she blinked up at him, her breath shallow and labored. "Go—" she rasped, her lips trembling. "Go help Buck."

"No," Eddie snapped before she could say anything else. "Buck's not bleeding out on the street — you are."

Her brows knit together weakly, a small, pained sound leaving her throat as Eddie pressed the gauze tighter around the glass still embedded near her ribs.

Across the wreckage, Chimney and Hen were already at Buck's side. Hen was stabilizing his airway while Chim worked to free his crushed leg, their movements fast but focused.

"Stay with me, Addy," Eddie urged, leaning closer, his voice breaking slightly as he applied more pressure. "Hey, look at me — eyes on me."

But her gaze was starting to wander. Her breaths came shorter, each inhale more ragged than the last.

"Eddie..." she whispered, and it was barely a sound.

"Don't you dare," he hissed, voice low and desperate. "Don't you dare check out on me. Not here. Not like this."

Her lips parted like she was going to say something else — but the words never came. Her eyes rolled back, and then she was gone, her body going limp beneath his hands.

"Addy! Adalynn!" Eddie's voice cracked as he shook her shoulder gently. "Wake up! Wake up!"

Across the street, Buck heard it — her name. And the world around him fell silent.

Hen's voice was a muffled hum. Chimney's hands on his leg were distant, weightless. All he could hear was Eddie shouting her name. All he could see was her, motionless on the ground, blood pooling beneath her.

No. No, no, no.

But Buck's heart was racing, tears burning at the corners of his eyes as he stared at the blood staining the pavement just feet away.

Eddie's hands never stopped moving. He slid an oxygen mask over Adalynn's face and secured a trauma dressing over the wound before lifting her onto a backboard with the help of another firefighter.

"On three," Eddie barked, his voice trembling as they carefully loaded her into the second ambulance. "One, two, three—"

The doors slammed shut, and just like that, she was gone — sirens screaming as the ambulance tore down the street.

Eddie stayed behind just long enough to look back at Buck — pale, battered, staring helplessly after the rig as it disappeared from view. But Eddie immediately moved to go help Buck.

And for the first time since they joined the 118, the Diaz siblings were heading to the hospital separately.

➷

The world came back slowly — blurry lights overhead, the faint beeping of monitors, the sterile chill of hospital air.

Buck blinked against the haze, his mind fighting through the fog until everything snapped back into brutal clarity. The explosion. The engine flipping. The searing pain. And her — bleeding, motionless on the pavement.

His chest tightened, breath quick and shallow as his gaze darted around the room.

"Hey," a familiar voice said softly, grounding him before panic could take root.

Buck's eyes landed on the chair by his bed. Adalynn sat curled in it, a thin blanket draped over her shoulders. A bandage was taped across her temple, a faint bruise blooming beneath it, but she was awake. Breathing. Alive.

And smiling at him.

"Welcome back to the land of the living," she teased, her voice raspy but light. "We were starting to think you were gonna sleep through the whole dramatic aftermath."

Buck's chest loosened on an exhale he didn't realize he was holding. "You're here," he whispered.

"Where else would I be?" she murmured, scooting the chair closer.

"You—" His throat felt tight. "I thought—"

"I know," she said gently, reaching forward to take his hand in hers. "But I'm fine. A few stitches, a killer headache, but fine."

He stared at her for a long moment, as if making sure she wasn't a hallucination. Then finally, his breathing evened out.

"How're you feeling?" she asked quietly.

Buck huffed out a small, shaky laugh. "Like I got hit by a truck."

Her lips curved into a soft grin. "Technically, you were in one."

That earned a chuckle from him — the first real one since he'd woken up. She watched him for a beat, her thumb brushing absentmindedly against the back of his hand.

"You know," she said after a moment, leaning back just slightly, "I was thinking I might drop by the firehouse next shift. I wanna take a look at that new ladder truck they got."

Buck let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head. "Of course that's the first thing on your mind."

"Hey, I have priorities," she shot back with a small smile, though there was something softer hiding beneath her sarcasm — something he wanted to reach for.

But before either of them could say more, the door opened and Carla stepped into the room. Adalynn's hand slipped away from his almost instantly, like muscle memory, and she rose carefully to her feet.

"I'll give you guys a minute," she said, wincing slightly as she straightened. "Get better, Buck."

"Adalynn—" he started, but she was already heading for the door, glancing back just once before disappearing into the hallway.

Carla moved closer, setting down a bag on the small table by his bed. "She hasn't really left this room," she said with a knowing smile. "Sat right there since the moment they cleared her. I practically had to bribe her with coffee to get her to take a shower."

Buck's chest ached at that — a different kind of ache than the one in his leg. One that settled deep and warm beneath his ribs.

Because no matter how many walls she built, no matter how carefully she tried to keep her distance — she stayed.

➷

Eddie stepped into the firehouse, a grin spreading across his face the second his eyes landed on the familiar figure by the rigs.
"Cap!" he called, dropping his bag without a second thought as he pulled Bobby into a hug. "You're back."

"I'm back," Bobby exhaled with a small, content smile as Eddie stepped back.

"Hard to fire a guy who was a hero on the six o'clock news," Chimney quipped from behind them. "Imagine the letters they'd get."

Hen chuckled as she walked over. "Not to mention the fiery tweet-storm that would rain down on their heads — starting with me." She wrapped Bobby in a tight hug of her own. "Welcome back, Cap."

Bobby laughed lightly, warmth in his eyes. "Thank you. It feels good to be home."

Chimney smirked. "But admit it — you're gonna miss Captain Han just a little."

Hen scoffed. "Not even a little. Things are finally getting back to the way they're supposed to be."

Eddie's smile softened, but something in his tone shifted. "Almost."

"Damn right almost."

The voice drew all their attention toward the apparatus bay doors. Adalynn walked in slowly, a half-smile on her face, one hand resting against her side where bandages still hid beneath her clothes. She let out a low whistle as her eyes scanned the new ladder truck.

"Nice rig," she said, grinning. "Let's try not to blow this one up anytime soon, huh?"

"Adalynn?" Eddie blinked, taking a few steps toward her, his expression tightening as he looked her over. "What are you doing here?"

She raised a hand before he could launch into full protective-brother mode. "Relax, I'm fine — mostly. Got discharged today." Her tone softened slightly. "Just some stitches and a bit of blood loss." Then, with a flicker of her usual cocky grin: "I give it two weeks before I'm cleared."

"Let's not rush it," Bobby said gently, stepping closer with a knowing look.

Adalynn nodded, smile warming. "Of course. I'm just glad you're back — Captain Han was a nightmare."

Chimney's jaw dropped. "Come on!"

The group burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the bay — and Adalynn winced slightly, pressing her hand back to her stitches but still smiling through it.

➷

It had been almost two and a half months since the explosion.

Adalynn had been cleared for duty after a month — though Bobby hadn't exactly thrown her straight into the flames again. At first, he'd eased her back with light calls and safer assignments, but now she was officially back in the thick of it. No more tiptoeing around her injuries. No more "fragile firefighter" treatment.

Today wasn't about her, though. Today was about Eddie.

She sat near the front with Christopher, a proud smile tugging at her lips as she listened to Bobby's speech.

"People assume we choose this life," Bobby said, his voice carrying through the firehouse. "I'm not so sure. Sometimes I think this life chooses us."

Adalynn shot Eddie a thumbs-up from her seat, her upside-down smile pulling a smirk from him in return.

"For those who answer the call, there can be no doubt, no equivocation," Bobby continued, eyes sweeping over the crowd. "It's not just the lives of those we serve that depend on us, but our own. The lives of our fellow firefighters and first responders."

He turned back to Eddie with a warm smile. "Today we welcome into those ranks a new brother. After a year of hard work and dedication, I am proud to officially declare that your probationary period is at an end. Welcome to the Los Angeles Fire Department, firefighter Diaz."

Applause erupted around the bay as Bobby extended his hand. Eddie shook it firmly, pride radiating off him. But one cheer rose above the rest — a loud whistle and quick, enthusiastic clapping that drew more than a few eyes.

Of course, it was Adalynn.

Still grinning, she looked back over her shoulder as Christopher climbed down from his chair, carefully carrying Eddie's helmet toward him.

"What've you got for me, son?" Eddie asked, crouching down.

"I got your helmet," Christopher said proudly.

"Yeah, my helmet." Eddie's voice cracked slightly as he took it and pulled his son into a tight hug.

Applause slowly faded as the ceremony shifted into celebration. People moved toward the tables of food and cake Bobby was already handing out.

But Buck didn't move. He watched from where he sat tucked off to the side, leg propped up, cast visible under his sweats. He hadn't expected the weight in his chest — the ache that came with watching the family laugh and celebrate while he sat here, still on the sidelines.

And then his gaze snagged on her.

Adalynn.
She was still clapping for Eddie, still laughing with Christopher — but then her smile faltered. Just a little. And before he could look away, she was weaving through the crowd toward him.

"Hey, stranger." Her voice was soft but teasing, a drink in her hand.

He blinked, caught off guard. They hadn't talked much in the last couple of months — not like before. "Hey."

"I, uh, like the cast." She gestured over him with a dramatic wave of her hand. "Really pulls the whole ensemble together."

Buck laughed — an actual, genuine laugh that loosened something in his chest. "Yeah, well, I'll like it better once it's off."

Adalynn dropped into the seat beside him. "I wouldn't rush it. You did have a whole firetruck on top of you."

His brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." She sighed, her voice softening. "You should let your body heal. Maybe... listen to your doctor for once."

Buck groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Maddie told you?"

"She thought maybe I could get through to you." Adalynn shrugged, holding up her hands. "I mean, it's not really my business. I haven't exactly been checking in." A pause. "Sorry about that."

"Don't." He shook his head. "You were going through your own stuff."

Her eyes held his, steady and unflinching. "Yeah, but that's not really an excuse. You could've died, Buck."

"I thought you did." The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Her breath hitched — just slightly — and then she bit down on her lip and gave a small, shaky laugh. "Yeah. Scared myself a little. Don't tell anyone though. Gotta protect my reputation."

They both laughed softly, the tension easing for the first time in months.

Then she hesitated, fingers brushing nervously against her cup. "Um... about what you were going to say before—"

"Adalynn!"

Eddie's voice cut through the air from across the bay, bright and proud. He waved wildly, grinning ear to ear. "Come here! Abuela wants a picture!"

"One second!" she shouted back.

She turned to Buck again, sighing before pushing herself to her feet. Her hand lingered on his shoulder, warm and steady.

"Get better, Buckley," she said with a small smile. "It's a little boring around here without you."

And with that, she slipped away — back into the crowd, back toward her brother and the family waiting for her.

Buck watched her go, his heart pounding in that maddening, familiar way. She was right — it was boring without him. But if this moment proved anything, it was that he wanted back in— he always knew he wanted back in but he didn't want to wait any longer — back to the job, back to his team...

back to her.

➷

AGHH CANT BELIEVE WERE DONE SEASON TWO!! Now onto season three!!
I hope you all enjoyed love you all and thank you for so much support with this book <3!!

Love
— Brook <3

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