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Season Two : Episode Eighteen, This is the life we choose

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May, 2019

It had been a long, harrowing week since Shannon's death. Eddie had been going through the motions, trying to be present for Christopher while still processing his own grief. The 118 had done everything they could to support him—visits, meals, and quiet reassurances—but the weight of his loss lingered heavily.

That morning, Eddie dropped Christopher off at his school before heading back home, as he was still processing the events of his wife's death. It was an unspoken agreement among the team to keep things light around him, offering support without overwhelming him even if he needs some space.

At the firehouse, the tone was subdued but steady. The morning passed uneventfully until the familiar, urgent blare of the station alarm cut through the relative calm.

"Engine 118, Ladder 118, respond to a suspicious package at Brookside Elementary. Bomb squad en route."

The team immediately sprang into action, suiting up and boarding the trucks.

When they arrived at the school, the scene was tense but orderly. Police officers directed traffic as firefighters ushered children and teachers to safety.

"All right, everyone, as close and as tight to the truck as you can be," Buck called, guiding a group of young students toward the fire engine.

"You're doing great, kids. Almost there," Chimney added, motioning for the teachers to follow.

Athena walked up to the group as they worked. "A teacher spotted the backpack after recess. Nobody's claimed it."

"Yeah, but this guy's been mailing his bombs. This isn't his usual thing," Buck noted.

"Maybe he's switching it up," Chimney said grimly.

"Or we're dealing with a copycat," Athena added.

"Can't rule that out," Becca chimed in, her expression serious.

Across the playground, the bomb squad worked quickly. Carlos, one of the technicians, crouched near the suspicious backpack with a handheld scanner.

"What do we have?" his partner asked, watching the camera feed from the safety of their truck.

"Metallic components inside. Can't get a clear image. Shall we travel it?" Carlos responded, his voice calm but focused.

The lead technician didn't hesitate. "Let's not take any chances. Proceed with a controlled detonation."

"Copy that," Carlos said, placing a detonator on the bag and retreating to a safe distance.

Over at the fire truck, Buck turned to the crowd of students and teachers. "All right, everyone, down and close to the truck. Stay tight!"

"You're doing great, keep low," Violet added, herding the last of the group closer.

Carlos's voice echoed over the radio. "Fire in the hole! Three... two... one!"

The controlled explosion was sharp and loud, sending a splatter of grayish substance flying onto nearby trees and vehicles.

"What... is that?" Carlos asked, stepping closer to inspect the mess.

He frowned, poking at the substance with a gloved hand. "Some kind of... paste?"

"Tuna fish."

The small voice came from the crowd, drawing everyone's attention to an adorable little girl standing with her classmates.

"Emily? Was that your lunch?" her teacher asked, astonished.

"Yes," Emily said, her voice matter-of-fact.

"Why didn't you say something earlier?" Athena asked, struggling to keep a straight face.

Emily shrugged. "I don't like tuna fish."

The team exchanged glances, trying not to laugh.

"Am I under arrest?" Emily asked nervously.

"No, sweetheart. You're not under arrest," Athena said gently, shaking her head.

As the situation wound down, the team packed up their equipment and prepared to leave.

"False alarms like this are almost worse than the real thing," Chimney muttered as he helped stow the gear.

"Don't even say that," Hen warned, giving him a pointed look.

Buck leaned against the truck, letting out a relieved sigh. "Maybe this whole thing is a false alarm. Maybe it's over."

"Maybe," Violet said, climbing into the engine. "But let's not count on it."

The team loaded up and drove back to the station, knowing full well the day wasn't over yet.

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The warm smell of grilled meat filled the air as Eddie's family gathered in his Tía Josephina's backyard. Laughter bubbled up from the children playing in the corner of the yard, while adults mingled around the table of food. Christopher sat with his aunts, Adriana and Sophia, chatting animatedly with Becca's kids, Bryan, Aryana, and Dylan. For a moment, it almost felt like everything was normal.

Near the food table, Becca and Violet stood with Helena, watching the children.

"He's growing up way too fast," Helena said, her eyes soft as she looked at Christopher.

"I know what you mean. It feels like just yesterday Becca and I saw him in the hospital for the first time," Violet said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

"And now he's a brave big boy," Becca added, smiling as Christopher laughed at something Bryan said.

Helena sighed. "He was so brave yesterday at the funeral."

At that moment, Eddie walked over and she handed him a beer, he gave her a small smile before walking over to the table.

"Bravest kid I know," Eddie said, opening his own bottle.

"Just like his father," Helena replied, her voice filled with pride.

Eddie shook his head slightly, glancing down. "His mom was pretty brave, too."

"She sure was," Becca said gently, sending Eddie a supportive smile.

But the moment was broken by Ramon, who had been listening nearby. "How? By running out on him?" he said, his tone laced with judgment.

The conversation came to a halt as all eyes turned to Ramon. Eddie's jaw clenched, his hand tightening around the bottle.

"Ramon," Helena said warningly.

"Papi, we're not doing this," Eddie said firmly, his voice low but steady.

Ramon raised his hands slightly in surrender. "I apologize."

Eddie took a deep breath and sat down at a nearby table. Becca and Violet followed him, sitting across from him as the tension lingered.

Helena moved closer, her expression soft but concerned. "Look, honey, um... we know Shannon loved Christopher."

"Of course she did," Eddie said, his tone defensive but respectful.

"But she's gone," Helena said gently, "and you're a single father again. The hours you work, Eddie... it's a lot. Come home."

"To El Paso?" Eddie asked, already sensing where this was going.

"Texas has fires, too," Ramon chimed in. "You could join a department there."

Eddie leaned forward, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Dad, it's not that simple. I'm still a probationary firefighter. I'm so close to earning my shield. You want me to throw away the last year of my life? Is that why you all flew in here? Not for the funeral, but to bring us back? Was that the plan?"

"We could help you," Helena said softly. "Christopher would be close to family. You could have a life there."

Eddie shook his head, his voice rising slightly. "We have a life here. And family."

"Thank you, Eddie," Isabel, his grandmother, interjected firmly, giving Ramon a pointed look.

Josephina nodded in agreement. "We are sitting right here, you know."

Eddie exhaled sharply, his frustration clear. "I won't uproot him again."

"Christopher hasn't been here long enough to put down roots," Ramon argued. "He spent the first six years of his life in El Paso—with us."

Violet, who had been silent until now, leaned forward, her voice calm but firm. "With all due respect, Ramon and Helena, I think Eddie and Chris have done well here. Sure, it's hard, but like he said, he has family here. We're his family too."

Becca nodded, her voice carrying a mix of empathy and conviction. "Christopher being with his father is the best thing for him, especially after losing the most important woman in his life."

Eddie looked at the two women, gratitude evident in his eyes. Their support meant everything.

He turned back to his parents, his voice steady. "I chose this life for a reason, Mom. Dad. This is my life right now. And I'm not leaving it."

The backyard fell quiet for a moment, the only sound the laughter of children in the background. Violet reached out and placed her hand on Eddie's arm, a look of quiet pride on her face.

Ramon opened his mouth to argue again, but Isabel cut him off with a pointed look. "Let it be, Ramon. Eddie's doing what's best for his son. That's all any of us can ask."

Helena sighed, nodding reluctantly. "All right, Eddie. We just want what's best for you. For both of you."

"And what's best is for us to stay here," Eddie said, his tone softening but resolute.

Becca and Violet shared a small smile, knowing Eddie meant every word. He wasn't just fighting for his life in L.A.—he was fighting for Christopher's future. The next day came as the sound of roaring engines fills the air as Engine 118 and Ladder 118 pull up to the chaotic scene of a race track. Spectators are gathered near the edge of the track, murmuring in alarm. The team quickly exits their vehicles, scanning for the source of the emergency.

A woman in her mid-40s, Maude, rushes toward them, waving her arms.

"What happened ma'am?" Chimney Asked

"He got himself all caught up in the engine...it just—it just sucked him straight in!" Maude Said

"Ma'am, where is he?" Chimney Asked

"This way! Hurry!" Maude Said

She leads them to a blue, red and white race car, where her husband, Roy, is bent over the car. His long, greasy hair is caught tightly in the car's engine belt. Blood trickles down the side of his face.

"She! Damn it, The car is a she!" Roy Said

"Let this be a lesson to you, Roy. You mistreat a woman, they mistreat you right back. You know, I-I've been trying to, like, cut him loose, but I can't quite get in there." Maude Said

"Let's get down there and see what we can do." Chimney Said

"Oh Sir, I need you to keep very, very still." Hen Said

"Any chance you can get me loose without cutting the hair? It's kind of my trademark, you know?" Roy Said

"Forget the hair! You've been scalped." Maude Said

"What?!" Roy Said

"That's what I've been trying to tell you. You know, this isn't even the worst he's been hurt." Maude Said

"Okay, ma'am, I need you to give us some room to work, okay thank you." Violet Said

"What? Why?" Maude Said, as she was escorted away by Chimney.

"Yeah, I can see why she couldn't get in there.
His hair is too tightly wound into the belt. We can't cut him free without pulling at the wound
and making it worse. We'll have to come at it sideways." Buck Said

"Sideways? What do you mean, sideways?" Roy Asked

"We're gonna have to cut the engine belt and remove the alternator, probably the crankshaft pulley, whatever's in the way to get you free." Eddie Explained

"Like hell you are!" Roy Said

The team exchanges a look, unphased by his protests.

"We'll have to remove the alternator, the belt, and maybe even the crankshaft pulley. That should give us enough room to free his hair." Buck Said

"You're gonna butcher my car!" Roy Said

"Sir, it's either the car or your scalp. Your choice." Becca Said, calmly.

"Fine. But be careful with her. She's a classic." Roy Said

"Don't worry we'll be extra careful." Violet Said

Hen crouches down to assess the situation while Buck, Eddie, Violet, and Becca fan out, prepping tools and supplies.

"Let's get down there and see what we can do." Chimney Said

Buck and Eddie move closer to examine the engine, while Hen and Violet begin setting up medical supplies. The team gets to work. Eddie and Buck remove the hood of the car, carefully setting it aside. Violet and Becca begin dismantling parts of the engine under Hen's guidance.

"Not the crankshaft! Oh, God, not the crankshaft!" Roy Cried out

"Roy, if you don't shut up, I'll knock you out myself." Maude Said

Buck suppresses a laugh as he hands a wrench to Eddie.

"Almost there. Just need to loosen these bolts." Hen Said

Becca reaches for a piece of equipment but almost drops it. Buck catches it just in time.

"Careful, rookie." Buck Grinned at her

"Shut up." Becca Said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, man." Roy Groaned, as they removed another part of his car.

"Thought you wanted a blaze of glory." Maude Said

"Setting you on fire, now that would be a glorious blaze." Roy Said, out of anger his wife slapped his arm.

"Please, sir, do not move! Do not move!" Eddie Said, as the wound started bleeding some more.

"Damn it. He pulled the occipital vein. Cap, he's gonna bleed out." Violet Said

"All right, let's step it up, guys. Hen, what's going on down here?" Chimney Asked

"I'm almost there." Hen Said

"Oh, God, don't let him die, you guys. I love the bastard." Maude Begged

"Almost there." Hen Said

"Maude, I swear to you, honey, if I get out of this alive, I'll never do a reckless thing ever..I'm done with that life." Roy Said

"It's okay, baby, we're gonna get you out." Maude Said

"It's coming, coming, coming." Hen Said, as she was almost done.

"I'm here, baby." Maude Said

"Got it." Hen Said

As Hen loosens the final bolt, a chunk of Roy's hair is freed from the engine. Buck and Eddie carefully pulls it out, avoiding further damage to his scalp.
Eddie gently helps Roy up while Violet presses a bandage to his head to control the bleeding.

"You dumb fool. All this just to impress a couple dozen people?" Maude Said, following him as he was being wheeled towards the ambulance.

"Not them. You." Roy Said

"All you have to do to impress me is live." Maude Said

"He'll live." Hen Said, adjusting the bandage on his head.

"I will?" As the team wheels him in the ambulance, he shouts back at Maude, "Keep the parts safe, Maude! A couple stitches, a decent toupee, and I'll be back on the track next week. I'm back, baby!"

The ambulance doors close just as Maude throws her hands up in frustration.

"Roy, you son of a Bitch!" Maude Said

The muffled sound of her voice trails off, leaving the team in stunned silence.

Becca shaking her head, "That man's priorities are seriously out of order."

"I'd say they're perfectly in order... just not the right order." Violet Said

The team exchanges a round of chuckles as they begin packing up their gear.

"Well, that was one for the books." Eddie Said

"Welcome back, Eddie." Buck Said

Eddie smiled, looking around at his team as they soon hop into their trucks, ready for the next call.

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The shift has ended, and the crew ascends to the firehouse's common area. Becca drags herself in, her exhaustion practically radiating off her. She heads straight for the couch upstairs, dropping onto it unceremoniously and pulling a pillow over her face.

"I'm done. Don't wake me till next year." Becca Said

Violet enters behind her, smirking as she grabs a bottle of water from the fridge.

"You're forgetting you've got to cook, clean, and help with homework for three kids." Violet Said

Becca groans louder, muffling her voice further beneath the pillow.

"Thanks for the reminder, Violet. Love you so much." Becca Said

"Anytime, mom of the year." Violet Said

Becca stays motionless, but her foot half-heartedly kicks in Violet's direction. Buck strolls in, clearly amused, and plops down beside her. He casually lifts her legs, setting them across his lap.

"You look like you're ready to be wheeled out of here." Buck Said

Becca sits up, her exhaustion only slightly giving way to a smirk. "And you don't? You've got that same zombie look."

"I'm tired, sure, but also excited. Today's the big day—I'm finally seeing that loft apartment." Buck Mentioned

Becca perks up slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Oh, that's cool. How's the place? I just know you're already to fall in love with it, or are you waiting for it to disappoint you in person?" Becca Joked

"I'm an optimist. I'm betting it's perfect." Buck Said

"You're also the guy who thought that beanbag chair you bought was a "real steal" at that flee market." Becca Smirked, Buck chuckles, grabbing a throw pillow.

"Hey, don't knock the beanbag. It's versatile." Buck Said

"Versatile at falling apart." Becca Retorts

Without warning, Buck tosses the pillow at her. She gasps, catching it, then immediately swats him back with it.

"Oh, you're dead now Buckley." Becca Said

Buck grabs another pillow, retaliating with mock seriousness. Their laughter fills the room as they devolve into a playful pillow fight. From the kitchen, Violet watches them with a knowing look, sipping her water.

Suddenly, Buck hears his name from below. He stops, standing and peering over the balcony.

"Hey, Buck!" Ally Said

A grin spreads across Buck's face as he jogs down the stairs. Becca, still holding a pillow, stands and follows to the edge of the balcony. She leans on the railing, watching Buck greet Ally with a warm hug and kiss.

"Ready for the apartment tour?" Ally Asked

"Yeah, just give me a few minutes to change." Buck Said

"Sure no problem." Ally Said

He kisses her again, then heads toward the locker room. Ally glances up, noticing Becca.

"Hi, Becca." Ally Said, waving at her.

Becca forces a smile and waves back, "Hey, Ally."

Violet steps up beside her, watching Buck disappear into the locker room as Ally walked towards the fire house entrance to wait for her boyfriend.

"Becks, You good?" Violet Asked

Becca scoffed, "Yeah, totally. Why wouldn't I be? I'm good Vi."

She brushes past Violet, leaving her standing at the railing. Violet frowns, watching Becca walk away towards the kitchen, but doesn't press the matter.

Once she left work and headed home Becca and the kids got into their routine, as she's in the dining room she hears a knock at the door.

"Honey, I'm home." Violet Said, as she unlocks the door and steps inside.

"I'm in here." Becca Said

Violet entered the house carrying a bag of takeout, The muffled laughter and hurried footsteps of the kids echo down the hallway. Bryan, Aryana, and Dylan were sitting at a the table as Becca was over looking their homework.

"Aunt Violet!" They Said

Violet drops her bag on the counter and goes around the table to kiss each of their cheek, ruffling up the boys' hair.

"So how's the homework coming along?" Violet Asked

"Almost." Bryan Said

"I'm still stuck on this book report." Dylan Said

Aryana pipes up, holding a worksheet in her hand,
"Mine's done! I just need help checking it."

"Alright, everyone that's what I'm here for okay."

"Can we just eat first?" Bryan Said

"Homework first, then we'll talk about dinner." Becca Said

The kids groan playfully but looks at her at the dining table. Becca sits between them, scanning worksheets and answering questions while Violet lounges nearby, sipping a soda.

"You run this place like a well-oiled machine, Becks. I'd be losing my mind by now." Violet Said

"Some days I do. But tonight, I'm just trying to keep it together." Becca Smiled tiredly

After homework is finished, Becca shifts into dinner prep while the kids chat excitedly from the living room. Bryan and Aryana's voices rise above the others.

"Dad and Rosie said they're taking us to the adventure land amusement park this weekend! It's for our birthday since we couldn't go before." Bryan Said

"Cause our birthday had to be on a stupid Tuesday this year." Aryana Sighed

"Well That's great, I hope I can make it with you guys if I don't have work." Becca Said

Dylan tugs on Violet's sleeve from his spot on the couch, "Aunt Violet, can you come too?"

"If I don't have work either, I'm there. I love amusement parks." Violet Said

Once dinner is over and the kids are settled in bed, Becca and Violet retreat to the living room, each with a mug of tea. They sink into the couch as the exhaustion of the day begins to catch up with them Becca and Violet found themselves drifting off on the couch, thankfully it was 10 PM and Violet definitely was too exhausted to move so she let her best friend sleep.

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The night air was cool and crisp as the 118 gathered in front of the firehouse, ready for another call. Becca climbed into the ladder truck alongside Buck and a few others. The truck's engine roared to life, the hum of the machinery filling the air as the team prepared for whatever awaited them. In the fire engine sat Violet, Hen, Eddie, and Chimney, with Chimney in the captain's chair, eyes scanning the radio.

Becca leaned over to Buck, trying to break the silence.

"So, how did the tour go yesterday with Ally?" Becca asked, her voice soft with genuine curiosity.

Buck flashed her a smile, his eyes lighting up. "She fell in love with it. Honestly, I did too. It's official now—I've got my own place."

Becca's face brightened with a warm, heartfelt smile. "That's amazing, Buck. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Becks. It feels... surreal," Buck said, glancing over at her before turning his attention to the road ahead.

As the truck sped through the streets, the radio crackled to life.

"118, 118, this is Dispatch. Got Bobby Nash on the line. He says it's important."

"Wait, what? Dispatch? Dispatch, please repeat," Chimney's voice came through the speakers, his confusion mirrored in his tone.

Before anyone could respond, an intense explosion erupted from the ladder truck, sending a shockwave through the air. The deafening blast sent Becca, Buck, and the others inside the truck flying. Becca was thrown against the side of the cabin, pain shooting through her body. Her ears were ringing, her vision blurry. She struggled to stay conscious, but somehow, she knew she was lucky. Nothing seemed broken, though the pain was unbearable.

Becca blinked rapidly, trying to regain her bearings as the smoke from the explosion filled the air. The world around her seemed to move in slow motion. Her head was spinning, and she could barely hear the chaos unfolding around her. She scanned the scene, her heart racing. The ladder truck was engulfed in flames, its metal frame twisted and burned. The others... where were they?

She struggled to sit up, groaning as the pain in her side intensified. Her gaze landed on Buck, who was sprawled on the ground but he was far from her, his foot pinned beneath the wreckage. Blood stained his shirt, but he was still conscious, his face grimacing in pain.

Becca blinked again, trying to push through the pain. She nodded, though the ringing in her ears made it difficult to focus. "Buck.."

"I'm stuck," Buck said, his voice hoarse as he tried to move his foot but failed. He winced as he shifted, clearly in pain.

Suddenly, a figure appeared from the smoke, walking toward them with slow, calculated steps. Becca's heart skipped a beat as her blurry vision focused on the man approaching them. He was tall, wearing dark clothing, and his expression was cold, calculating. She felt a chill run down her spine as she realized who it was.

The bomber, but it was someone she remembered his name was Freddie. She remembered him from a case three years ago when she was rookie and just started the 118.

Becca's breath caught in her throat. She reached for Buck, trying to help him, but the man stepped forward, his eyes locking with Buck's.

"You're new," the bomber said, his voice low and menacing. His eyes flicked between Becca and Buck, a twisted grin spreading across his face.

Buck's eyes narrowed in defiance, but it was clear he was struggling. His foot was still trapped beneath the wreckage, and the pain was evident in his face.

Becca's mind raced. She knew they had to get out of here, but with Buck pinned and the bomber standing between them, it felt impossible. She tried sitting up, trying to steady herself as she reached for her radio. But her hands trembled, the pain and shock making it difficult to think clearly.

Becca's heart pounded in her chest. This wasn't just a random attack. This was personal. And they had to survive it.

"Hang on, Buck. Just hold on," Becca whispered, forcing herself to move despite the pain.

But the bomber had other plans, she tried to push herself up, her limbs trembling. She couldn't just stay here. She had to help Buck. She had to get to him. But the pain on the side of her body was intense, and the debris around her made it almost impossible to move.

Chimney, Hen, Eddie, and Violet stayed hidden, but Becca knew they were just as helpless in this moment. Freddie wasn't going to let anyone interfere.

"Dispatch this is Captain 118, what is the play I've got people dying in the street." Chimney Said, into the radio.

"Hold your position 118." A voice spoke over the radio

"Give me the Captain! Where's the Captain?!" Freddie shouted, "Hey! I told you not to move," he said as he noticed Becca's attempt to crawl toward Buck. He was coming closer, and Becca's heart raced as she tried to scramble away from him, her hands dragging across the hot pavement.

"No," Violet's voice was barely audible from behind the fire engine, a quiet plea.

Chimney's voice broke through the tension, coming out of hiding holding up his hands. "I'm the captain, okay? Let me help, please! Just let me help them."

Freddie's eyes flicked to Chimney, then to Becca, his expression colder than ever. "No. I don't want you. I want Captain Nash."

Becca could barely hear the muffled conversations around her. Bobby was nearby, his commanding voice trying to keep control of the situation.

Bobby whispered something into Athena's ear , undeterred, he moved forward. "Captain Nash, Don't confront him." An officer warned, but Bobby shook his head, determination in his eyes.

"He wants me," Bobby said quietly.

"He wants you dead!" the officer insisted, but Bobby's focus was locked on Freddie.

Bobby took another step forward. "Let's give him what he wants."

"Captain Nash!"

"Shoot me if you have too." He moved closer then raised his hands, "Freddie." Bobby Said

Freddie's eyes narrowed. "Thought you'd be on the truck."

"I'm here now. What's next? It's what you wanted," Bobby said, stepping closer, his tone calm but unwavering.

"I wanted you dead," Freddie snapped

Bobby nodded slowly. "I get that. But what about them?"

Becca's chest tightened. She had only been at the 118 for a month when Freddie's father burned down his restaurant. She'd just been a rookie, trying to do her job.

"She was just a rookie at the time, Freddie. Just trying to do her job," Bobby said, his voice steady.

Freddie shook his head, bitterness etched on his face. "So what? My dad had a job. Now look, he had that taken away from him.

"Your father had a choice and he did the wrong thing, I get it cause he was scared. But he put his life and yours at risk that night." Becca Said

"Shut up!" He yelled, "Don't you ever disrespect my father, do it again I'll press this button." Freddie Said, holding up the detonator looking down at Becca.

Bobby took another step, his voice filled with compassion. "Come on, Freddie, she's a mother. She's got three kids, a family that needs her. And what about him?" He gestured to Buck. "He's got parents, a sister, a girlfriend, and he never did anything to you. He wasn't even a firefighter when your father burned down that restaurant."

Freddie shrugged, unfazed. "Collateral damage."

Bobby's eyes softened, but his resolve didn't falter. "Is that how you see yourself? An unintended victim in all this?"

Freddie's anger flared. "That lawyer! She..."

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

"Destroying my family. My mom and I lost everything. She was in so much pain." Freddie's voice broke as his eyes flicked toward his mother, standing in the crowd.

Bobby took a step closer, his voice low and pleading. "Want to make it worse? You want to make her watch you die?"

Freddie's mother, standing on the edge of the scene, looked at her son with tear-filled eyes.

"Freddie," she whispered.

At that moment, as Freddie turned to face her, Bobby moved.

Without hesitation, he lunged at Freddie, bearing him to the ground. The bomb squad moved quickly to disarm the vest, the police officers rushing in to restrain Freddie before he could do any more damage.

Becca, still struggling to push herself toward Buck, watched the scene unfold in front of her. Her heart ached for the young man—he had been broken by tragedy, but that didn't justify what he was doing.

As soon as Freddie was secured and the danger passed, Becca crawled over to Buck, her body sore but focused on him. His foot was still trapped, his face pale from the pain.

"Hey, Buck, how we doing?" Becca asked softly, trying to keep him calm.

"Becca, I don't feel good," Buck murmured, his voice weak.

"Okay, okay, don't worry. We're going to get you some help." Becca called out, desperate for assistance.

Hen, Violet, Eddie, and Chimney rushed over, their faces tense. "Still with us, Buck?" Chimney asked.

"Kind of numb," Buck replied weakly, his body trembling.

"I'm gonna run two lines." Hen Said

"His Skin is cold and pale." Eddie Said

"All right. Push sodium bicarbonate." Violet Said

"Just hang in there, Buckaroo." Chimney Said

"Hang on, Buck." Violet Said

"This is Captain 118. We've got a probable crush injury. I need all hands on deck to move this truck and clear a path to the nearest trauma center." Chimney Said, into the radio.

"How's he doing, Chimney?" Bobby Asked

"We're out of time, Cap. All right, let's try to lift this off him, yeah? Try to lift this off him!" Chimney Said

Hen placed a neck brace around Buck's neck to stabilize him.

Becca held his hand, her voice gentle. "Hang in there, Buck. We've got you."

"Becca..." Buck's voice was weak, barely audible over the chaos around them. "I don't...I don't think I'm gonna make it."

Becca's heart clenched, fear gripping her chest like a vice. She shook her head vehemently, her hand finding his and squeezing tightly. "Don't you dare say that, Buck," she said, her voice firm but cracking at the edges. "You hear me? Don't you dare."

His eyes fluttered open, glassy with pain. "It hurts so much," he admitted, his voice trembling. "I can't... I can't move. What if—"

"Evan," she interrupted, her tone softening but still full of urgency. "Look at me. You're one of the bravest guys I know, okay? You've survived too much to let this take you down. You've got so much more fight in you. So stay with me."

He tried to focus on her, his breathing uneven. "But what if—what if it's too much this time?"

"No," Becca said firmly, shaking her head again. "It's not too much because you've got us. You've got me. We're not going to let anything happen to you. You're not alone in this, Evan."

A weak, tearful smile flickered on his face. "You... you called me Evan. You only call me that when you're serious."

She smiled back, even as her own tears threatened to fall. "Well this is serious dummy, and don't get used to it, Buck," she said lightly, her voice wavering. "It's just for special occasions—like keeping your stubborn ass alive."

He let out a weak laugh that quickly turned into a groan of pain, and her grip on his hand tightened.

"Hey, hey, stay with me, okay?" she urged, her voice cracking now as she fought to keep him grounded. "You've got a sister who needs you, parents who'd probably go crazy if something happened to you. A girlfriend who cares and me—do you know how sad I'd be in if I let you go?" Becca Said

He blinked slowly, tears slipping from the corners of his eyes. "I don't want to go," he whispered, his voice breaking.

"Then don't," she said fiercely. "Stay right here. Hold on to me, Evan. Don't give up. I won't let you."

He squeezed her hand weakly, his grip faltering. "I'm scared, Becca..."

"I know," she whispered, leaning closer. "I'm scared too. But you've got this, okay? You've been through hell and back, and you always come out stronger. Just hold on a little longer. The team's almost got you out, and then we're getting you to the hospital. You're going to be fine."

Buck's breathing was shallow, but he nodded faintly. "You promise?"

"I promise," she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "I'm not going anywhere, Evan. I've got you. I've always got you.

"Okay, okay, we got to try to lift this!" Bobby Said

The team all comes around the ladder truck and all grabs a part.

"Get a hand on." Bobby Said

"Come in! Come in! Come in!" Chimney Said

"Get some hands in here." Bobby Said

"Let's lift this." Chimney Said

As they were lifting Buck let out screams as he was in so much pain, Becca could tell cause he was squeezing her hand tightly.

"Come on, come on!" Violet Said

"Got to lift higher!" Hen Said

"One more time, guys. Ready?" Bobby Said

"Hang in there. Hang in there." Eddie Said

"One, two, three, lift!" Bobby Said

They lifted the truck once again and Buck screamed out again in pain, as Becca tried to encourage him to hang on.

"She's too heavy." Buck Said

"We got anything on the truck we can use for leverage?" Eddie Asked

"No. We need more people." Bobby Said

"I'll radio again. Dispatch, this is the captain-" Chimney Said

He stopped once he saw the large crowd of people surrounding the area, all start to make their way over to the truck. Everyone grabs onto a piece of the truck, Becca looks around as she sees what's happening.

"We can do this!" Bobby Said

"Get in here!" Chimney Said

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry!" Violet Said

"Everybody, put a hand in where you can!" Chimney Said

"On three. One... two... three!" Bobby Said

The entire crowd all lifted up the truck with all their might, just enough to get it off Buck's leg as he was screaming.

"Okay, we got him! We got him! We got him!" Chimney Said

"Violet help me!" Becca Said, as she and Violet pulled Buck from underneath.

"He's almost clear! Hold it! Keep pulling!" Chimney Said

Becca and Violet continued to pull Buck with all the strength they had, just enough until he was Finally free, and the crowd all cheered and applauded.

"All right, we got him out!" Chimney Said

Violet brought over the backboard laying it next to Chimney.

"All right, we're gonna lift him onto the board on three. One, two, three!" Chimney Said

"Again, One, two, three!" Hen Said, as they carried Buck onto the gurney.

"We good?" Chimney Asked

"Yeah." Violet Said

Becca looked down at Buck who was getting stabilized and gently cupped his cheeks, "Stay with us, Evan okay..you hear me."

"I will." Buck Said

"Just stay with us, kid." Bobby Said

"Okay, Hospital's four minutes away, okay? Come on." Hen Said, as they wheeled him onto the gurney.

"Hang on there, buddy." Eddie Said

They got to the ambulance truck and Becca watched as Eddie, Hen and Violet wheeled him onto the truck and closed the doors and banged on it signaling the driver to go. The chaos of the moment slowly started to die down as the dust settled and the crew scrambled to catch their breath.

Becca stood still for a moment, feeling the weight of everything around her. The sound of the explosion still echoed in her ears, but she couldn't focus on that now. She turned to see the ambulance drive away with Buck inside, her heart in her throat.

"Come on, Becca," Violet said, gently pulling at her arm. "You need to be checked out."

Becca's head was spinning, but she let herself be guided toward the medics who had already begun tending to her injuries. The gash on her forehead was nothing compared to what had happened to Buck, but the blood trickling down her face made it hard to ignore.

"I'm fine," Becca muttered, not wanting to seem weak after everything that had just happened.

Violet stopped her in her tracks, her eyes scanning Becca's face. "You're bleeding. We don't have time to argue. We need to make sure you're okay, too."

Becca sighed but nodded reluctantly. She knew Violet wasn't going to let her off the hook until she was properly checked out.

As they walked toward the makeshift triage area, Becca's thoughts kept drifting back to Buck—his scream when they lifted the truck off him, the pain in his eyes, the way he held onto her hand as if his life depended on it. She couldn't shake off the memory just yet.

Soon Athena runs over to Bobby and finally hugs him, "You're a fool. But I love you, too."

Bobby smiled and they hugged again, as they watched the ambulance with Buck in it drive away as well.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

The next morning, the hospital was quiet except for the occasional beeping of monitors and the soft shuffle of nurses moving between rooms. Buck lay asleep in his hospital bed, his face pale but peaceful. His leg was heavily bandaged and elevated, a stark reminder of the previous day's chaos.

Near his bedside, Becca sat in a chair, her legs crossed, scrolling through her phone. She had checked out of the hospital the night before after getting her injuries treated and had immediately called her kids and Justin, reassuring them she was okay. They'd seen the news—images of the ladder truck collapse had been everywhere, and hearing their panic had made her own fear resurface.

Now, she was texting Violet, who kept asking for updates.

Violet: How's Buck? Any news?
Becca: Still sleeping. Surgery went okay, but he's got a long recovery ahead.
Violet: Of course he made it through—he's too stubborn not to.
Becca smirked softly, replying, You're not wrong.

A small sound made her glance up. Buck stirred in his sleep, his head turning slightly on the pillow. Becca put her phone down, leaning forward. "Hey," she said softly, watching as his eyes fluttered open.

The first thing Buck saw was her face. Blinking groggily, he rasped, "Becca?"

She smiled gently. "Hey, there. Welcome back. You had us all pretty worried, you know."

Buck frowned, his brows knitting together as flashes of the ladder truck incident came back. "What... what happened?"

"You don't remember?" Becca asked cautiously.

He paused, then his eyes widened slightly. "The ladder... the truck—it fell."

"Yeah," she confirmed, her voice calm despite the tension in her chest. "It was a mess, but you're here now. That's what matters."

Buck's eyes darted down to his leg, wrapped and immobilized. His breath quickened as panic seeped in. "Okay, okay, okay—calm down, all right, all right," Becca said quickly, moving closer.

"My leg..." Buck said, his voice trembling.

"It's gonna be okay," Becca assured him, keeping her voice steady despite her own worry. "It's gonna be okay."

"Is it?" he asked, looking at her with wide, scared eyes. "Did you talk to the doctor? Did he say anything about how the surgery went?"

Becca hesitated, then nodded. "Just that you made it through. And you're now the proud owner of one titanium rod and four beautifully cobalt-chromed screws in that leg of yours." She gave him a small smile. "Were you hoping for something more?"

Buck let out a shaky breath. "Before they wheeled me in, he, uh... he said he didn't know how it was gonna go."

"You'll walk again, Buck," she said firmly.

"Yeah, he said... he said he was pretty confident about that," Buck admitted, though his voice wavered.

"But?" she prompted gently.

He swallowed hard. "He, uh, he just... he didn't know if I would ever... work again."

Becca exhaled, leaning back slightly but keeping her gaze steady on him. "Okay, I'm not gonna lie to you and tell you that it's gonna be all right. But I don't think you need to be borrowing trouble, at least not yet. Let's just take this moment and be glad that you're alive. 'Cause for a moment, I thought—well, we all thought you were a goner."

Buck nodded slowly, his eyes glassy. "Gonna take a lot to get rid of me, huh?" he said with a faint smile.

Becca chuckled softly. "Yeah, looks like it. See, any other person would probably be done for, but... not you, Evan Buckley."

He looked at her intently, then moved his hand closer toward hers. Becca instinctively reached out and held his hand, not needing him to ask.

The door opened, breaking the moment. Carla stepped in, her warm smile lighting up the room. "Hi there," she said, glancing at Becca before looking at Buck. "Welcome back."

"Carla," Buck said, his voice tinged with relief. "You—you're here."

"Of course I'm here. Hey, if I see my friend on the news being crushed by a fire truck, I'm here," she said with a teasing grin.

Buck managed a weak laugh. "Thank you for coming."

"Anytime," Carla said, before adding, "So... Ally seems nice."

Becca's smile faltered slightly, but she masked it quickly as Buck continued.

"You met Ally?" he asked.

"Mm. So we're into brunettes now?" Carla teased.

"She was actually blonde when I met her," Buck said, his voice soft but amused.

"Oh, so we're just gonna cover the waterfront," Carla quipped, earning a laugh from Buck despite his soreness.

The door opened again, and Maddie and Ally walked in. Maddie grinned when she saw him. "He's awake," she announced.

"Hey, you," Ally said softly, leaning down to kiss Buck.

Maddie and Carla playfully rolled their eyes at the moment while Becca shifted in her seat to stand as she clearly didn't want to see that.

"Hey.." Buck Said

Ally sits down in the seat where Becca was,
"You were in surgery for a while. Too long."

"Thank you for being here." Buck Said

"I would like it noted that he didn't thank either of us." Maddie Said

"Girl, I don't think he knows we're still in the room." Carla Said

"Right?" Becca Said, as all three of them chuckled.

"No seriously thank you all of you, for being here for me." He looked to Becca, "And you Becca, thanks for making me hold on." Buck Said

"Anytime Buck." Becca smiled at him as they gazed into each other's eyes for a moment until she cleared her throat, "Mm, I'm thirsty. You know where I can find a vending machine?" she asked Carla.

"Down the hall, baby," Carla replied, giving her a knowing look.

"Thank you," Becca said, excusing herself.

Once outside, Ally followed her. "Hey," Ally called softly, stopping Becca. "I just... I wanted to say thank you."

"For what?" Becca asked, keeping her tone neutral.

"For being there for Buck," Ally said. "I saw the news feed, and it was... terrifying. Seeing him like that... but you crawled to him, kept him sane, kept him holding on. That's... that's a true friend."

Becca hesitated, then nodded. "I was just doing what I know he'd do for me. We care about each other."

"I can see that," Ally said softly before unexpectedly pulling Becca into a hug. "Thank you."

Becca hugged her back briefly before watching Ally return to Buck's room. She stood there for a moment, her chest tightening.

Her jealousy was undeniable now, simmering just beneath the surface. She'd held Buck's hand through one of the most harrowing moments of his life, but now Ally was back at his bedside.

As she walked down the hall, it hit her like a freight train. She liked Buck—more than she'd ever admitted to herself. More than she'd thought possible.

But what could she do about it now?

Becca sighed, shoving her hands into her pockets and heading for the vending machines, trying to shake the weight pressing down on her heart.

The fire station buzzed with excitement as the 118 gathered to celebrate Eddie's big day. The ceremony was the culmination of his year-long probationary period, and today he would officially become a firefighter. The bay had been transformed with tables draped in red and gold, balloons tied to chairs, and a banner reading "Congratulations, Firefighter Diaz!" strung across the back wall. The air smelled of barbecue and cake, laughter echoing off the walls as the team and Eddie's family mingled.

Eddie stood at the front of the room, dressed sharply in his uniform, his posture proud but humble. Beside him stood Bobby Nash, everyone fell silent as Bobby began to speak, his voice carrying the weight of experience and respect.

"People assume we choose this life. I'm not so sure," Bobby said, his tone thoughtful. "Sometimes I think this life chooses us. For those who answer the call, there can be no doubt, no hesitation. It's not just the lives of those we serve that depend on us, but our own, and the lives of our fellow firefighters and first responders."

Eddie glanced at the crowd, his eyes landing on Christopher, who sat with a wide grin on his face. His parents, Helen and Ramon, were beside him, beaming with pride. His sisters and grandmother looked on with misty eyes, as if this moment was as much theirs as it was Eddie's.

Bobby continued, "Today, we welcome into those ranks a new brother. After a year of hard work, dedication, and heart, I am proud to officially declare that your probationary period is at an end. Welcome to the Los Angeles Fire Department, Firefighter Diaz."

The room erupted into applause as Bobby shook Eddie's hand. "Thank you, sir," Eddie said, his voice steady but filled with emotion.

The applause grew louder as Christopher walked up to his dad, carefully carrying a firefighter helmet in his small hands. Eddie's face lit up as he met his son halfway, kneeling down to his level.

"What do you got for me, son?" Eddie asked, his smile softening the edges of his normally serious expression.

"I got your helmet," Christopher said proudly, holding it out for his dad.

Eddie chuckled, taking the helmet and pulling his son into a tight hug. "Yeah, my helmet? Oh! Thank you, buddy."

"Congratulations, Dad," Christopher said, his voice full of admiration.

Eddie held onto him a moment longer. "Thank you so much, Christopher. This means everything."

The heartwarming exchange brought smiles to everyone's faces, a few even dabbing at their eyes. Becca, standing near the back with her kids, Bryan, Aryana, and Dylan, couldn't help but feel moved by the sight. She glanced over and noticed Buck sitting alone at a nearby table, his hands resting on his crutches propped up beside him. His usual bright energy seemed dimmed, and her heart ached for him.

The celebratory atmosphere at the station buzzed with energy, laughter, and the hum of conversation. The tables were adorned with red and gold decorations, and a large banner reading "Congratulations Firefighter Diaz" hung proudly in the background. The ceremony had just concluded, with Eddie now officially a firefighter, and everyone was enjoying the food and camaraderie.

Becca scanned the room, catching sight of Buck sitting alone at a table. He looked out of place amidst the cheerful chaos, staring off into the distance, his injured leg resting on a chair. Determined, she grabbed a slice of cake from the dessert table and made her way over.

"Hey, Buckaroo," she greeted, sliding the cake in front of him before taking the seat next to him.

Buck glanced up, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Hey, Becca."

She gestured to the untouched slice of cake. "Figured you could use a little sugar rush. You know, cheer you up a bit."

Buck gave a soft laugh, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thanks."

Becca studied him for a moment before asking, "How are you doing, really?"

Buck hesitated, then sighed. "Ally broke up with me."

Her eyes widened. "What? When?"

"Yesterday," Buck said, running a hand through his hair. "She said she finally realized how hard it's going to be dating a firefighter. The danger, the unpredictability, the long hours. Guess she couldn't handle it."

Becca frowned. "I'm sorry, Buck. I know you really liked her."

"Yeah, I did," he admitted. "But maybe... maybe she wasn't the one, huh?"

Becca nodded quietly, her gaze sympathetic. "Maybe."

Buck glanced around the station, his expression heavy with unspoken fears. "You know, it's not just that. I'm not okay, Becca. Not with any of this. Being injured... sitting here while everyone else keeps moving forward—it sucks."

"Of course it does," Becca said firmly. "No one's okay with that, Buck. It's normal."

Buck leaned back in his chair, his voice low and unsteady. "My biggest fear isn't the injury itself. It's losing all of this. Losing them." He motioned to the team mingling across the room. "What if... what if it's gone, just like that? What if I can't come back?"

Becca leaned forward, her voice soft but resolute. "You're not losing anything, Buck. The firehouse, the team—none of that is going anywhere. You're still one of us. Just take the time you need to heal. We'll be right here waiting for you."

He looked at her, his usual confidence replaced with vulnerability. "You really think so?"

"I know so," she said firmly, holding his gaze.

Buck met her gaze, her words sinking in. There was something unspoken between them, an unshakable trust, a connection that neither dared to name. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the noise of the room fading into the background.

Becca finally broke the silence with a playful smirk. "Well, if you're not going to eat that cake, I'd hate to see it go to waste."

Buck's hand shot out, pulling the plate closer. "Oh, no you don't." He grabbed a fork and took a bite, his eyebrows raising in approval. "Okay, you were right. It's good."

"Told you so," Becca said with a grin, leaning back in her chair.

As the moment lightened between them, the rest of the world came back into focus. Eddie, surrounded by his family and friends, looked over and waved, his wide smile infectious. Buck lifted a hand to wave back, a hint of hope flickering in his expression.

"See?" Becca said softly. "You're still part of this, Buck. And you always will be."