Chapter Text
“Cap! “It’s getting way too hot in here!” Buck said yelling loudly.
“I know oxygen’s low!” “Were going to have to evacuate soon!” Bobby said trying to be careful where he was walking in case the floor gave out.
“The building isn’t going to hold up much longer!” Chim said through the radio.
“Cap!” “You and Buck need to get out now!” Hen also said sounding worried.
“Copy!” Bobby said looking at Buck.
“You go ahead kid I’ll be right behind you!” Bobby said to him.
“Cap.” Buck said giving him a worried look.
“Don’t worry Buck I’m going!” Bobby said following behind him into the hallway of the building.
“Once more call out just in case!” Bobby said to Buck.
“Be careful tho we don’t want to fall with this floor.” Bobby yelled out already growing tired.
“LAFD!” “Call out!” Buck said trying to yell out as loud as he could over the sound of growing flames.
“LAFD!” “Anyone in here?!” Bobby said opening the door to a apartment with his foot while also shielding his eyes as the thick smoke covered him.
“Help!” A little voice said.
“Is someone there!?” Bobby said carefully walking into the apartment not seeing much over the flames starting to fill the room.
“Here!” The voice said again. “Pease!”
Moving a huge piece of wood Bobby noticed a little boy about 4 years old trapped under a desk.
“Hey bud.” Bobby said. “You okay?”
Shaking his head up and down the kid said “Hot!” “Out.” Trying to wiggle his arms.
“I’m going to get you out of here okay?” Bobby said.
“Eddie are you still in here?!” Bobby radioed.
“Negative!” “I’m out of the building cap!” Eddie said “I can go back!” Eddie said getting ready to head back in the building.
“No stay out!” “That’s an order!” Bobby said knowing the building was going to come down soon and he didn’t want risk losing one of his own.
“Buck where are you!?” Bobby yelled out.
“I’m here Cap!” Buck said coming into the room coughing as the smoke was getting thicker. It was getting much harder to breathe.
“Watch the flames Buck!” “I’m over here!” Bobby said still trying to lift the desk.
“There’s a kid under here!” “My gears to heavy to lift it myself!” Bobby said.
“Alright Cap I got you!” Buck said coming up behind Bobby.
Trying to lift the heavy desk there was no budging it as it was stuck.
As as the little boy starting coughing heavily Bobby turned his head to him.
“Hear buddy take this.” Bobby said giving him his mask. “It’ll help you breathe.”
“Cap there’s no way we’re going to get this up without equipment and even then it’ll be..to late.” Buck said with a sad look on his face.
“You need to get out of here Buck.” Bobby said getting up trying to look around for something he could use.
“No!” “Okay no!” “You are not staying in here!” Buck said growing emotional.
“Buck evacuate now that’s a order!” Bobby said sternly.
“Well it’s a good thing I never listen to you!” “I’m not leaving you!” Buck said refusing to leave his captain here.
“Buck.” Bobby said laying his hand on Bucks shoulder willing him to understand. “I can’t leave him here..alone.” Bobby said now grabbing Bucks face so he could look at him.
“You need to go Buck.” Bobby said. “Now!”
“You’re too important to me for me to lose kid you have to go.” “You need to take care of my family.” Bobby said getting tears in his eyes as he started coughing himself.
“No!” “You just got a family you are not leaving them!” “I can’t tell Athena that I was with you-“ Buck said.
“Times ticking Buck..you have to go!” “I’ll be right behind you.” Bobby said knowing this was the only way Buck may listen to him.
“Bobby...Athena needs you.” Buck said again trying to reason with his captain.
“Buck you got a lot of life left to live kid.” “And I couldn’t be more happy for the one I have but I have to try to save him.” Bobby said loosing down at the little boy. “Even if I go down too.” Bobby said. “It’s our job.” “My job.”
“Dammit cap!” Buck said tears falling from his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Bobby hugging him tightly.
“Go kid.” Bobby said to him pushing him towards the door.
“Tell Athena I love her!” Bobby said sadly.
Taking one last look at the man who became a father figure to him Buck walked out of the room.
“Buck!” “You there!?” Chim radioed in.
“I’m heading out!” “Had to take a longer route.” Buck said breathing heavily feeling the building starting to shake a little.
“Where’s Cap!?” Chim said. “Is he not with you!?”
“There was a kid...I couldn’t..we couldn’t..he’s still up there.” Buck said as he neared the exit of the building.
“There’s minutes before that building falls!” Hen said radioing in.
“I tried...I tried..he wouldn’t.” Buck said finally making it out as he threw his helmet down.
“Bobby it’s Chim!” That building isn’t going to hold much longer!” Chim said growing upset.
Hearing the static Hen looked at Chim.
“Cap please you can still make it out!” Hen said. “We can’t...we can’t tell Athena-“
“I can’t leave this kid in here.” Bobby said finally radioing in. “He’s about four years old..until the last second I have to try.” Bobby said coughing into the radio.
As Eddie saw Buck emotionally trying to take his gear off he laid his head against the firetruck.
“Buck.” Eddie said trying to comfort him.
“Don’t.” Buck said angrily wiping the tears from his smoke covered face. “You are not the one that’s going to have to tell his wife.” “Athena is going to-“ Buck said hearing glass break and turning around to see it falling from one of the windows.
Watching as the building became even more unstable they saw Bobby jump from one of the lower floors of the building. Air leaving all of there lungs. ***
“Alright Buddy I’m not leaving till we get you out of here.” Bobby said looking around the apartment.
“Hot!” “Hot!” the little boy said trying to reach out for Bobby again.
“Just give me a second buddy.” “Okay..what’s your name?” “Can you tell me your name?” Bobby said trying to remain calm for the sake of this kid.
“Robbie...” the kid said softly coughing again.
“Robbie.” Bobby said trying not to get let his emotions get the best of him at how this little guy could’ve been left alone. “I’m Bobby...okay I’m a fire captain I’m going to try everything I can to help you.” “I know your scared okay.” Bobby said ruffling Robbie’s hair.
Finding a sturdy peace of wood from a chair Bobby grabbed it.
As the building started to shake again making the flames get thicker Bobby tried harder to get the desk up.
Feeling it start to budge he got it up enough to pull the little kid out from under it as the desk came down falling through the floor.
“Let’s not tell anyone about that!” Bobby said.
“Alright Robbie I’m going to wrap this around you okay?” Bobby said putting the fire blanket around the kid.
Walking carefully again towards the door Bobby and Robbie tried to make it down as far as they could.
Feeling the building starting to shake Bobby grew worried.
Entering one of the other apartments Bobby immediately spotted a window.
“I’m gonna put you down right here okay.” Bobby said making sure the blanket was around Robbie.
“No go!” Robbie yelled scared. “It’s okay Robbie!” “I got you!”
Looking out the window Bobby saw his team along with many other RA Units and other first responders.
Hearing a loud noise Bobby grabbed Robbie in his arms.
“Hold on okay..do not let go of me.” Bobby said to the kid as he tucked his little head into his chest.
“I love you Athena.” Bobby told himself feeling his wedding band underneath his gloves.
“I have to try.” Bobby said looking up hoping someone up there would be hearing him.
Breaking the glass from the window Bobby took a deep breath before jumping.
***
“Bobby!” “Bobby!” Buck yelled as he tried to run towards him but Eddie stopped him.
Chim and Hen looked on in disbelief as they too saw there captain jump out of a burning building.
“Bobby!” Chim yelled running towards Bobby once they saw him hit the floor.
“Help Hen!” “Hen!” Chim yelled trying to take her out of the current shock she was in.
“We have to pull him away from here.” Chim said as he along with 2 other firefighters pulled Bobby back away from the falling debris.
Finally getting there captain safe enough back from the building they all saw the little boy tucked in his arms.
“Take him!” “Make sure he gets checked out.” Chim said handing the kid to Hen. “Bobby?” The kid said looking up at Hen. “No go!” “We have to get you checked little guy!” Hen said calming the kid. Trying to be gentle but thorough Chim felt a pulse from his captain. “Get me another RA unit now!” “Caps alive!”
“Cap!?” “Bobby can you hear me?” Chim said trying to open Bobby’s coat.
“We’re going to have to cut him out of this.” Chim said to the other medics.
As they took Bobby’s coat off and cut through his shirt Chim tried to be careful of the many injuries Bobby could have.
Hearing groaning Chim yelled out. “We need that ambulance now and an all clear route!”
“Caps alive!?” Buck said approaching them.
“Careful Buck!” “We don’t know what could be wrong..anyone got sight of that ambulance!?” Chim yelled again.
“Here!” one of the paramedics who just arrived screamed out.
“52 year old male, jumped from one of the lower floors of that building..no known allergies, possible spinal damage, broken back, ribs I don’t know what else but his pulse is very weak.” Chim said scared. “I’m surprised I felt his pulse.” Watching as more paramedics came to help Bobby Chim said “Please be careful he is the captain of my unit and my friend.” Chim said as they got Bobby on a gurney and in the back of the ambulance.
Turning back to the team Chim knew this was the last thing they wanted to happen.
“I’m acting captain now.” “ So one of you needs to go with him.” Chim said said wiping his hand on his face.
“I’m going!” Buck said running towards the ambulance they were putting Bobby in.
“We’ll meet you there!” Eddie and Hen said together worried.
“I’ll meet up with you all when I’m done here.”
“Someone needs to call Athena.” Chim said looking at Hen. “I can’t.” He said tears in his eyes.
“I’ll...I’ll do it..” Hen said trying to stay strong watching as the ambulance carrying her best friends husband took off to the hospital.
**^
“Hmmm it’s been 3 hours and he still hasn’t called.” Athena said.
“I’m sure he’s fine mom.” May said hugging her mom.
“He usually lets me know that he’s okay after dealing with such a big fire.” Athena said checking her messages again.
“Maybe call one of the guy or Hen?” “You want me to call Buck?” May asked.
“No..no...” “There probably all still working.” Athena said worriedly as she rubbed her hand that held her wedding and engagement rings.
Something felt off to her but she couldn’t place it.
Not until her phone finally rang but it wasn’t who she wanted to speak to.
“Hey Hen.” Athena said
Watching as her mothers face grew emotional Athena got up quickly.
“I’m on my way!” “Where!?” “What the hell happened Hen!?” “Bucks with him?” “Okay I’m on my way now!” Athena said grabbing her purse along with her badge.
“Mom!?” “What happened?” May said growing scared at seeing her mom reacting the way she was.
“The fire was so bad..Bobby jumped from a window.” “He’s on his way to the hospital now..” Athena said emotionally her heart slowly breaking.
“Your brother is with your father I’m calling him.” Athena said.
“I can stay and wait for dad you go mom.” May said.
“Okay.” “I love you May.”
“I love you to mom go make sure Bobby’s going to be okay!” May said knowing this was a lot for her mom.
Hugging her daughter Athena rushed out of the house and to the hospital.
Gripping the steering wheel Athena didn’t know how to shut out the worried thoughts in her head.
“Please...be okay..Bobby I don’t want to do this without you.” Athena said hoping someone out there heard her.
****
Rushing into the hospital she spotted Hen, Chim, Buck and Eddie standing together.
Turning around Buck ran towards her “Athena!”
“Where’s my husband?!” She said looking around at all there sad faces.
“Athena.” “I’ll get the doctor.” Buck said
“Hen...” Athena said hugging her friend.
“Athena we tried but he stayed up there to help this little boy...” Hen said trying to explain.
Tears falling from Athena’s eyes she saw as a doctor was walking towards her one that looked familiar to her.
“Are you Mrs. Nash?” The Doctor asked.
“Yes i am..Athena Nash.” She said wanting to impatiently know if Bobby was okay.
“I’m Dr. Hale, Mrs.Nash..Bobby has many injuries.” Bobby’s doctor said knowing this was going to be a lot to say. “He has three broken ribs, both his legs are broken, he fractured his wrist, and dislocated his shoulder..not to mention the old injury from his back.”
“He’s very lucky to have been alive when they found him Mrs. Nash.” “I..don’t even know how he’s still alive..but he is.” Dr. Hale said.
Looking at Bobby’s doctor with shock on her face Athena didn’t know what to say until she heard the next words that came out of the doctors mouth.
“Despite all that..he can make a full recovery if he comes out of the coma.” “His body needs time to rest..but he can still come out of this.”
“The...coma?” Athena said shocked. “His body didn’t know how to handle all the pain that his brain temporarily shut itself down.” “He needs time to recuperate.” Dr. Hale said. “There is sign of activity it’s just too much for him right now.”
“He needs as much rest as possible..Mrs. Nash but we’re going to do everything for your husband that we can.”
“If you want to see him..I can take you to him..talking to him will help.” Dr. Hale said giving her a reassuring hand.
“Okay.” She said looking back at the rest of Bobby’s team.
As they all nodded at her to go ahead Athena followed Bobby’s doctor.
“He’s in here room 17C if you have any more questions please let us know.” Dr. Hale said.
“And also seeing him with all the tubes and wires...is worrying but I assure you he’s in great hands.” Dr. Hale said once again before leaving Athena to be alone with her husband.
Walking towards the bed Bobby was in Athena took a shaky breath.
Seeing the wires on his body and the tube coming out of his mouth along with the many casts on him Athena had tears coming out of her eyes.
“Oh...Bobby...” “Please come back to me..you can’t leave me.” She said as she sat in a chair close to him.
Grabbing his hand noticing his wedding band was still on his finger she kissed it.
“I need you Bobby...we need you.” She said looking down at her stomach.
“I..will be here..we’ll get through this.” She told him leaning her head softly on him.
As a few hours passed of just sitting with her husband Athena felt it was best to let some of his team come see him because she would be with him the most.
Walking into the waiting room she saw as most of the 118 was still there.
“He’s...going to be here a while but the doctors are optimistic with time he will..make it through this..he isn’t awake but Buck if you want to see him you can.” She said looking at Buck seeing as he was almost impatient as she was.
“Thank you.” He said going to hug her. “Room 17C.” She said hugging him back.
“Athena I...” Buck started to explain. “It’s okay...you can explain all that to me later.” Athena told him.
“Of course.” Buck said going to see Bobby now.
“Sargent Nash?” A women said approaching her.
“Yes?” Athena said turning around
“I’m so sorry to bother you right now.” “I heard about your husband.” “I know he’s a fire captain.” “I hope he recovers quickly.” The woman said truly being sympathetic. “Thank you.” Athena said rubbing her arms. “My name is Denise Welding I work with CPS.” Denise said holding her hand out.
“Child protective services?” Athena said growing defensive.
“No Sargent.” “Let me explain..the kid your husband saved..was abandoned by his parents..” Denise said.
“Kid?” Athena said with a confused look on her face.
“Yes..his name is Robbie Ethan Smith.” “He’s 4 years old. And he hasn’t spoken a single word except your husbands name.” Denise said
“Robbie has been through a lot..and he has no family Sargent he’s going to be put though the system tonight.” The CPS worker said.
Knowing that her husband would do anything to help a kid especially one in desperate need Athena felt she had a choice to make.
“Is there anyway i can take him?” Athena said not evening giving herself a chance to think about it.
Surprised Denise said “Of course Sargent you’re a decorated officer and could easily become a emergency foster parent..we can get started on paperwork..” Denise said relieved this little one would be with good people.
“My husband would want me to help so how soon can I can meet him?” Athena said nervous.
“Robbie’s actually here but in the children’s ICU and is doing extremely well but they want to keep him for a day or two for observation. “I’m truly sorry about Captain Nash and my wishes are well with him.” Denise said shaking her hand.
“Thank you.” Athena said honestly.
“If you could just come with me.” Denise said showing Athena where she could meet the kid her husband rescued.
“Just give me a second.” Athena said going to talk to Hen.
“Are you sure about this Athena?” “Why don’t you give this some time?” Hen told her.
“He doesn’t have time!” Athena said not meaning to snap at her friend. “Bobby wouldn’t want this kid to have to go through all that when we can help.” Athena said trying to also reason with herself.
“Okay..we’ll if you need me I’m here.” Hen said understanding. “We’re all here.”
“Thank you.” Athena said going with the social worker.
“This way Sargent Nash.” ****
Entering the children’s ICU Athena followed the social worker down many hallways until they arrived at the room Robbie was in.
“He’s a little skittish Sargent.” “I’m sure you’ve worked with many kids and you’re also a mother.” Denise said.
“We’re hoping he’ll warm up to you.” She said.
“He’s got a few tiny scratches but nothing serious your husband did a incredible job taking care of him.” Denise said smiling.
Growing emotional at thinking of her husband laying in a hospital bed in this same hospital got to her again.
“God Bobby.” Athena said needing a second to gather herself.
“I’m sorry Sargent.” Denise said. “I understand if you can’t do this.” “If it’s too much.”
“No it’s fine..I’m alright.” Athena said taking a breath.
As Athena walked into the big room she saw Robbie.
He was definitely as they described her to him. But he was so small for 4 years old. He had curly brown hair, brown skin, green eyes and cute little dimples as he was smiling at his fire truck.
“Lobby!.” Robbie said noticing someone walking into the room but not who he wanted to see.
Growing shy at the women he didn’t recognize Robbie hid behind his firetruck.
“It’s okay..Robbie I’m Athena.” Athena said calmly not wanting to scare him.
“Thena?” Robbie said his little eyes lighting up. He’s heard that name before. From the tall man who saved him.
“Lobby.” Robbie said trying to get up from the bed.
“It’s okay baby.” “I’ll come to you.” Athena said walking towards him.
“He recognized your name.” The social worker said in disbelief. “He hasn’t had that reaction toward anyone.”
“Bobby said that anytime he thought he wouldn’t make it out he always would say my name.” Athena said. “He probably remembers hearing it.” Athena said rubbing Robbie’s back noticing how quickly he’s warmed to her.
“Well it seems this little guy has grown attached to you already...so are you good with this Sargent?” Denise said wanting to make sure this was Athena’s choice.
She has two kids already what is she thinking taking on another while her husband is fighting for his life not to mention she’s carrying one inside her. But in her heart she felt like this happened for a reason so not giving it another thought Athena made up her mind. “I’m sure.” Athena said gathering Robbie in her arms.