Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

»--•--«

Ryn shoots up from where she’d been curled against the couch, her fingers flying over her phone screen as she navigates to her browser and searches for breaking news headlines out of Los Angeles. 

“No, no, no,” she whispers — thinking of her daughter even as she begins to panic — her fingers fluttering over the screen as she waits for the top page to load. “Fuck! Come on!”

As soon as the site loads, a breaking news video takes center stage on the screen. A glance over the scene displayed makes her heart drop to her stomach. A firetruck on its side. Bodies scattered over the slick pavement. A head of dark blonde curls matted with blood.

He’s trapped.

“Pup,” Ryn whines, tears springing to her eyes. “No, no, no!”

He’s trapped, he’s trapped, he’s trapped!

Arms close around her, her trembling body pulled into a steady one. “Hey, hey. Easy, baby.” Bradley’s soft tone gently guides her back from her panic. “Take a breath, sweetheart. Take a breath.”

“He’s hurt, Bee,” she cries softly, shoving against his chest. “He’s hurt and he’s alone.”

… Echo-6 … heavy enemy fire … he’s trapped …

“He’s not, baby. He’s got people all around him that want to help. And they will help him as soon as it’s safe to, okay? He’s not alone.”

Ryn whimpers, tucking her face close to his neck as she watches the news video still playing on her phone. “I can’t lose him, too, Bee.”

Sudden activity across the screen keeps her laser focused as her hands clench and unclench the soft fabric of her fiance’s t-shirt. A tall white man — that Ryn recognizes to be one of Pup’s teammates  —  approaches the teen boy holding the downed ladder truck and firefighters hostage with the bomb strapped to his body and the trigger clutched in his hand.

“This is unexpected. A civilian now confronting the young man with that vest. We've got no details on this man's identity.

Bradley pulls her even closer, settling his chin onto the top of her head. “He’s strong, sweetheart. He’ll make it through this.”

A struggle breaks out between the bomber and the man from Pup’s team, giving the surrounding authorities an opening. Relief washes through her as S.W.A.T officers — she briefly wonders if it’s Hondo’s team — and Bomb Squad appear on the screen, apprehending the bomber and finally allowing aid to be rendered to the injured.

All of the first responders on scene begin swarming towards the downed ladder truck.

“Well, that firefighter really appears to have taken the brunt of all of this. That's an entire ladder truck that you see there. We can only hope for the best at this point.”

»--•--«

Steve paces rigidly with his arms crossed tight over his chest as he watches the breaking news pulled up on the monitor in his office. The sight of dirty blond curls wet with blood — Echo-6 is taking heavy enemy fire — and a pale face dirtied with red and black — He’s trapped — makes him grit his teeth. 

A knock precedes his office door opening then closing a moment later.

“Hey,” Danny says, coming over to stand beside Steve’s desk, his eyes catching the screen. “What’s…” A sharp gasp escapes him. “Is that?”

Steve manages a jerky nod. “Yeah. Bomber put an IED on the ladder truck. Pup was on the truck when it blew.”

“Shit.”

The two watch in silence as the first responders on scene line up along the 20-ton machine and begin trying to lift it. Steve clenches hands around his biceps when the motion draws loud guttural screams from his Pup. 

… Pup is trapped … can’t get to him …

“Fuck,” Danny swears again, a hand coming up to cover his mouth. “Where is everyone? A wreckage like this should be crawling with rescue.”

Steve grunts, finally looking at his partner. “They’re all there. Lifting a 20-ton firetruck is gonna take either a lot more people or heavy machinery. Crush injury like that on top of whatever injuries he sustained in the initial blast means that he doesn’t have much longer. They can’t call in heavy rescue because it’s a race against the clock which means they’re likely going to try to radio-”

“Now, look at this.” Eyes immediately return to the monitor, watching as civilians surrounding the scene rush forward towards the ladder truck. “Bystanders stepping in. They're gonna help out. This really is an amazing scene that's unfolding. What an incredible show of support and gratitude.”

“Yes,” Danny cheers softly. “Come on, come on.”

»--•--«

A gasp escapes Ryn as she watches the crowd of civilians rush forward to help her brother in everything but blood. As they reach the truck, she can see first responders directing them on where to slide in, where to grasp, before there’s another try at lifting the truck.

“Come on,” she whispers, grabbing onto Bradley’s hand as he rubs his thumb over her blotchy tear-streaked cheeks. “Please.”

She can hear more bone-deep screams as the gathered crowd lifts the truck once more — this time a little higher than before — and the team surrounding her brother yank him  out from underneath the machine.

Her body can’t even begin to relax when she sees the sudden flurry of paramedics from the 118 surrounding Pup’s prone body.

Bradley interlaces their fingers and gently squeezes her hand. “They’re helping him now. He’s in good hands, baby. Your pup is going to be okay, alright?”

Ryn looks up at him. “I want to go see him.”

“Then we’ll book you and Care a flight,” her sweet fiance says, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “I’m not going to stop you from doing whatever it takes for you to reassure yourself that he’s okay, sweetheart.”

“Good,” Ryn hums, leaning up to catch his lips in a chaste kiss. “You wouldn’t be able to stop me even if you wanted to.”

He chuckles. “I figured. Given the last name and all.”

“Which one?”

“Both.”

“Fair point.”

»--•--«

Once Steve ensures the first responders on scene are caring for his Pup, he turns away from the monitor and pulls out his phone.

“I really hope that phone call you’re about to make is to order us food and not to arrange the torture and/or maiming of a teenager.”

When he looks up, Danny meets his gaze then drops it pointedly to Steve’s phone.

Steve frowns, looking back down at his phone. “Just making sure the proper authorities reside over this case given that a retired Navy SEAL was blown up by an IED in the middle of Los Angeles. I happen to have a friend in LA that will personally handle this case if I ask him to.”

“Ah, great, more of these connections of yours,” Danny nods, crossing his arms. “That little black book of yours must be a mile long.”

“Hey, I’ve only slept with a few of them.”

The detective scoffs. “Only a few?”

Steve tilts his head, pretending to think. “Give or take.”

Clicking on one of the rarely used contacts in his phone, he waits for the line to connect as he watches Danny throw up his hands and walk away, shaking his head and muttering about ‘uncultured Neanderthals’ the entire time.

“Hanna.”

“Hey, Sam,” Steve greets, grinning.

“McGarrett. It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, it has,” he sighs. “Listen, that bomber that’s been active around LA…”

“Already on it, Dawg. Your Pup’s case is in good hands.”

Steve lets his head drop forward and his eyes slip closed. “Good. That’s good. Thank you, Sam.”

“No need to thank me, Commander. I wouldn’t be too good at my job if I let this one go.”

“Still. Means a lot to me that you’re taking care of this case personally,” he says, standing up straight once more. “Talk to you later, Sam.”

»--•--«

»--•--«

Incoming Call from Rynnie…

Incoming Call from Pops…

»--•--«

New Message from Rynnie

»--•--«

New Message from Pops

»--•--«

Maddie sits down in the uncomfortable chair in the hospital waiting room, her phone and an empty coffee cup clutched in her hands. Setting the cup aside, she unlocks her phone, staring at the message thread pulled up once more. She allows herself another moment of indecisiveness before beginning to type.

Hi. I know we don’t really talk or don’t talk at all but I think Evan is going to need you. All of you really, but you specifically. 

»--•--«

»--•--«

Ryn lets out a huff as she finally collects her suitcase from baggage claim, pulling the handle up before the wheels even hit the ground. A glance around her surroundings — analyzing and cataloging — calms her as she squeezes Caroline’s hand.

“Tired, mama,” Caroline whines, reaching her hands up. “Up, please.”

Sighing with a smile, Ryn picks her daughter up, cradling her close with one arm as she readjusts her suitcase to sit on the side of her free hand. Caroline immediately presses her face into her mom’s neck, her small hand coming up to grip the back of Ryn’s shirt.

“Ready?” Ryn murmurs, to which she receives a nod that rubs soft dark blonde hair against her jaw. “Okay. Onwards then.”

Stepping outside the doors, she squints against the setting sun, the California heat smacking into her. She scans the many cars lined up along the sidewalk, noting the taxi logos on most of them. A few of the drivers try to catch her attention, but her gaze resumes its travel across her surroundings.

“Over here!”

Turning, she locates a brunette woman holding a sign with her name on it. The woman waves her over with a bright smile, one reminiscent of the little brother she loves so much.

Walking over, she returns the smile as she comes to a stop in front of the woman. “Hi! You must be Maddie.”

“I am,” she confirms. “You’re Ryn?”

“Yeah,” Ryn says, “And this is Caroline.”

Caroline whines as her mom jostles her, turning her face further into her hiding spot.

Maddie’s eyes are soft. “Oh my goodness. She’s so cute.”

“Can you say ‘hi’, chickadee?” 

Caroline shakes her head. “No,” she whines.

Ryn chuckles. “Alright, alright.” She looks up at Maddie. “We had a long flight so she’s not feeling up to meeting new people right now.”

Maddie waves her off. “I get it. New people are so tiring.”

Nodding, Ryn follows with a nervous smile. “How’s P- Buck?”

“He’s holding up well, all things considered.” Maddie gestures towards the parking lot. “Come on. My car’s over here.”

Minutes later — very long agonizing minutes of navigating the cramped and busy parking lot both on foot and on wheels  — they’re on their way out of the airport. Maddie tells her briefly about Buck’s current housing arrangements as well as quick updates on his condition since being released two days ago.

“I’m worried about him,” Maddie states, frowning, her grip tightening on the steering wheel. 
Ryn nods. “Completely understandable. It’s hard not to be. Hell, I’m worried. Just… be careful that being worried doesn’t turn into trying to tell him what to do.”

“I wouldn’t…” she pauses, her eyes flicking across the road, “I’ll try not to. As his older sister and the person who practically raised him, it’s really hard not to slip into a mom role with him. Especially when he’s hurt. Brings back too many memories.”

“He’s told me about his childhood,” Ryn says, her smile sad. “Told me about how much you did for him… How bad it would have gotten if you hadn’t been there.”

Maddie sighs. “I still left him in that house; I left him to deal with our parents looking through him like… like…”

“Like he was a ghost.”

She shakes her head. “No. They looked through him like they wished he was the one they lost.”

The car goes silent for a while, the trip from the airport to Buck’s apartment being slowed to a crawl with the normal Los Angeles traffic. When she glances in the rearview mirror, Ryn smiles at the sight of Caroline napping in her carseat, her head dropped over to rest against the side cushioning.

“Can we…” Maddie starts, stops, then starts again, “Can you pretend I didn’t say anything about that?”

Ryn frowns, looking at the older woman. “What do you mean?”

“The thing I said,” Maddie says, not clarifying her statement. “I just… I’m not supposed to talk about it and I’m kinda feeling guilty that I blurted it out to someone who is essentially a stranger and it would really make me feel better if you pretended I didn’t say anything at all.”

Ryn blinks.

Maddie cringes back. “Sorry. That was a lot. Just… please?”

Ryn thinks for a moment, replaying the statement and the older woman’s reaction, her frown deepening. “It’s something that even Buck doesn’t know.”

The brunette’s hands seem to flutter on the steering wheel. “What? No. It’s not… It’s…” A quick glance at Ryn has her heaving a defeated sigh. “Yeah. Our parents made me… they made me promise not to tell him. And it’s been so long now that I don’t know how to tell him without it… breaking him.”

As they pull up to an apartment building — one that Ryn is not thrilled at the sight of and makes a mental note to have a talk with Buck about — Ryn unbuckles and shifts her body to face Maddie.

“You need to tell him,” she says, reaching out and laying a hand on the trembling hands on the steering wheel. “Don’t let the choice be taken from you. It’ll hurt so much more if it is.”

»--•--«

»--•--«

“So he’s okay?” 

Ryn hums into her phone as she pours herself a cup of coffee. “As okay as he can be, yeah. He’s still exhausted and in a lot of pain but he’s taking it easy and healing up quick even if it annoys him to sit still.”

Steve chuckles. “There’s no way you got him to sit still. Pup has way too much energy for that.”

“The mom look seems to work on him… sort of.” Ryn pouts at Buck as he hobbles out of the bathroom using only one crutch. “If that doesn’t work, pouting at him seems to go a long way.”

Buck tilts his head in question from his new perch on one of the island stools. Ryn mouths ‘Smooth Dog’ as she pulls the phone away from her ear and sets it on the countertop, flipping the conversation to speaker as she does.

“Your pouts work on all of us so that doesn’t count,” Steve says. “Hi, Pup.”

A bright smile appears on Buck’s face. “Hi, Smooth Dog!”

“How you holding up?”

The smile dims. “Ah, not too bad, not too bad. Going stir crazy with Ryn here not letting me do anything in my own house.”

Ryn rolls her eyes. “I’m not gonna have this argument again, Pup. You’re wasting your breath complaining about it.”

Steve huffs. “I think you’re the one wasting your breath, Bengal.”

“Yeah, well, he’s going to have to suck it up because I’m not leaving.” Ryn stares her little brother down. “I’m gonna be here whether you want my help or not so make it easier on yourself and accept my help. Also keep in mind that it will very much upset Care if we left ‘Unca Bucky’ all alone while he’s hurt and that I am 100% not above using my child as a guilt trip.”

Buck frowns, opens his mouth, then closes it again.

The action draws a smug grin out of Ryn as she sips her coffee.

“Is that… silence?” Steve queries, disbelief coloring his tone. “He actually stopped arguing?”

It’s Buck’s turn to huff. “I can be agreeable, I just don’t want to because I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”

Ryn snorts. “At least you’re honest.”

“When am I not?” he shoots back, cocking a brow. 

Dropping her eyes to her phone then back up to Buck, she tilts her head.

He backs down immediately, throwing his hands up. “Alright, fine, I give.”

On the other end of the phone, Steve sighs, muttering about kids hiding things from him prompting Ryn and Buck to share a soundless laugh.

“So…” Ryn sets her coffee down and leans closer to her phone and Buck. “I have news.”

“I knew you and Bradshaw were gonna elope in Vegas.”

Ryn gapes at her phone. “Steve! What the hell?!”

A deep laugh echoes over the phone, joined moments later by Buck’s soft chuckle, his hand covering his mouth.

“We did not elope!” She states, pouting. “See if you get a wedding invitation now.”

“Alright, alright,” Steve says, his laugh tapering off. “What’s the news, Ben?”

Buck, similarly sobering a little but keeping a smile on his face, nods for her to continue.

Ryn takes a breath. “I got a job here in LA with the LAFD.”

Her brother’s eyes widen and he grins at her. “Seriously? You’re gonna be a firefighter like your baby brother?”

Shaking her head, Ryn traces the edge of her coffee cup. “No, not really. LAFD had an opening for a pilot for their Air Support division and since I have multiple pilot licenses, one being a helicopter pilot license…”

“It’s the perfect fit,” Steve finishes. “Congrats, Ben. I’m glad you finally found something that you want to do.”

“I’m happy for you, too,” Buck says. “Congrats, Rynnie. You’ll do amazing.”

Ryn smiles. “Thank you. Both of you. I’m excited for this next challenge.”

Steve doesn’t stay on the phone much longer before being pulled away by Danny for a case, leaving Ryn and Buck sitting in amiable silence as they each nurse their coffee.

“I’m glad you’ll be close,” Buck says finally. “It’s… it’ll be nice to not be alone.”

“You’ve never been alone, Pup.”

He nods. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I have the firehouse and you guys and everything, but having you closer makes it feel like,” his eyes dart around, settling back on her a moment later, “It makes it feel less of a burden to ask for help. To ask for a reprieve from the pain.”

Ryn reaches over and grabs his hand, smiling at him. “If I am still on this earth, you’ll never have to go through pain alone.”