Work Text:
For the 118, the weeks and months passed without Buck felt like an eternity. They all missed him dearly and the firehouse felt empty without his larger-than-life presence. Buck had become an essential part of their team, not just as a firefighter but as a friend, and his absence left a deep void. The team tried to stay positive and continue their work, but they couldn’t help but feel sad whenever they responded to a call or sat down for a meal.
The work day continues as usual until the 118 is responding to a lab fire. They were careful and focused, their training kicking in as they worked together. The lab was filled with volatile chemicals and viruses. They had to be careful, they were warned of a super virus residing inside the lab.
They contacted Maddie to help them navigate through the lab, she pulled blueprints and coached the team through. A few of the firefighters bring an injured man they found on the lower levels to safety while Captain Nash and the others push forward.
They worked hard to contain the fires which have spread around the lab work station. However, just as they thought they were making progress, an explosion rocked the building. A blast of fire and debris rained down on them, trapping them inside since the lab sealed shut.
In the chaos, Bobby and Chimney were exposed to a deadly virus that was released during the fire. Hen was injured in the blast. Maddie, frantically still on call with the 118, heard the explosion and that they’re trapped inside. When she heard that Chimney’s face shield was compromised, she immediately called Athena who showed up to the scene without hesitation.
In the beginning hope was high, the military who showed up had a plan of tunneling them out, to get them to safety. While the military work on their tunnel, the 118 try to stabilize Hen who has a collapsed lung.
After just a short while, the military cancels their rescue op. Not wanting to risk this deadly virus to go free. Athena was furious, pleading and arguing with the military colonel, desperate to get through to him. “You can’t do this! Those are my friends in there, my family!” The colonel’s expression was steadfast. “I’m sorry ma’am, but this is a matter of national security. We can’t risk unleashing a deadly virus onto the public.
Athena was escorted out by a soldier, struggling against his grip as she tried to get back to the tent. She shouted and called out to the colonel, cursing him and the military. But it was no use, they had their orders. When they dropped her off further away from the scene, she pulled out her phone, eyes teary as she realized she might lose her husband and friends. She tried calling Buck multiple times but she only reached his voice mail so she left a message for him. her voice choked with despair and anger. “Buck…there was a lab explosion. Chimney and Bobby were exposed to a deadly virus. The military…they’re giving up on them. They’re going to leave them to die. I just…wanted you to know from me first, that we might lose our family…call me as soon as you can.” She continued, her voice filled with pain. “I tried, Buck. I pleaded, argued and begged. but they won’t listen to me. And I’m scared. I don’t know what to do.”
His tour is shorter than expected, finally landing in L.A. and to be honest, he is very glad to be back. Buck immediately checks his messages, his heart sinking as he hears Athena’s desperate voice on the voicemail. His mind is instantly focused, his determination taking over. For a bit longer, he will let his SEAL part take over, just until his family is safe. With a steely resolve, he informs his Navy SEAL brothers, filling them in on the situation. The SEALs, known for their loyalty and unflinching bravery, agree to help him without hesitation. They do remind him though that they are going against direct military orders. Within the hour, they’ve set up a makeshift command center in Buck’s loft, surrounded by laptops and duffle bags filled with gear. Their mission? To hack into the lab’s database, find blueprints and reports of the incident. Buck and his SEAL buddies get to work.
Their fingers fly across the keyboards, searching for any information they can find. They hack into the lab’s databases,sifting through endless amounts of data. Buck’s team is efficient and skilled, quickly finding blueprints of the lab and reports on the virus. They also discover the name of the scientist who created the virus, and even a report on the antidote. It turns out the scientist is currently missing which. “Boys, this just has become a manhunt.” Buck informs his team.
He and his SEAL brothers gear up quickly and efficiently, knowing they can’t lose any time. Strapping on tactical vests and loading up on weapons and ammo. They move out, their footsteps soundless and quick. Buck’s team is well trained and disciplined, working together seamlessly as they make their way to his Jeep and take off to the last pinged location of Dr. Moira. They track her down to a pharmaceutical company, their eyes sharp and alert as they take in the surroundings.
They assess the situation, taking note of the security measures in place and searching for any weaknesses in the company defense system. However Buck decides a stealth breach will take too long. Buck motions for his team to split up. They spread out inside the building, leaving a few employees confused. Buck heads to one of the security rooms, knocking out the guard and watching the cameras with his SEAL tech-expert who scrolls through different camera feeds until they find her.
Their eyes locked onto her and the CEO’s location. They quickly make their way to the meeting room. Once they reach the door of the room, they hear the CEO discussing the cure and prices. Buck and his men burst into the meeting room, guns raised and voices hard. “Don’t move,” Buck barks, his gaze locked on the CEO. “We’re not here for you, we’re just here for her and the cure,” he nods towards Dr.Moira. Buck’s SEAL buddy suddenly looks up from his tech pad, expression changing. “Buck,” he says urgently, “there’s something you need to see.” He shows him the screen, and Buck curses, eyes widen as he sees the military movement on the ground floor.
Without hesitation, Buck quickly barks out orders to his team. “Change of plans. We need to get to the roof, NOW.” His team is confused, but they know better than to question him. They quickly gather up the captured scientist and head towards the roof. While the team moves ahead, Buck pulls out his civilian phone and calls someone.
When the team arrives on the roof, they hear a chopper approaching. Buck looks up as the helicopter lands on the rooftop, the blades whirling loudly. The door opens and he is met with a familiar sight. “Tommy,” Buck states. “I wish we had more time for greetings but we have to go. I’m sure the military on the ground floor heard the commotion and are on their way up.”
They all hurry up to get in the helicopter. The blades churn the air as the helicopter quickly takes off, the powerful engine lifting them into the sky. Just as they leave the airspace of the pharmacy company building, they can see the military running out to the rooftop. Tommy expertly pilots the helicopter, steering it towards the bio lab where the 118 is currently trapped.
They land a bit further away from the lab so as to not alarm the military who secured the perimeter. Buck and his SEALs quickly unzip their duffle bags, grabbing the bio lab suits from within. They put on protective gear. Each man is focused and determined, their eyes fixed on the task at hand. As they gear up, Dr. Moira watches silently, unsure of what to expect. Once they are suited up, Buck signals to the team, their nods showing readiness. They are ready to breach the building.
One of his SEAL brothers squeezes his shoulder in support, knowing that Buck’s family is trapped in that building. He nods towards the man, letting him know he appreciates the gesture.
They leave Dr. Moira with Tommy in case she needs to make more antidotes. The smoke grenades are thrown with precision, their thick smoke creating a dense cloud around the bio lab. The team uses the smoke to their advantage, moving quickly and silently. The guards closest to the entrance, unable to see and disoriented, are quickly taken out by Buck and his team. They breach the building, moving in formation through the now-cleared-perimeter.
They reach the lower floor and find the 118 locked inside, their faces pale and eyes unfocused. Hen is still bleeding from her injury. Chimney is fully passed out in a corner, and Bobby is barely conscious, sitting on the ground. Ravi is the only one still kicking about. “Who…Buck?!” the young firefighter exclaims when he makes out who is on the other side of the glass. Buck puts his hand up, signaling to Ravi that he has to wait with questions and needs to let him and his team work. Buck cannot lose any focus. The younger one nods.
The team’s breaching specialist uses his gear to cut through the thick glass walls, creating a large opening. Buck pushes his way through, the other Navy SEALs right behind him, their eyes scanning the surroundings and the barely conscious 118.
Their medic quickly administered the antidote to both Chimney and Bobby, hoping it would work. They both flinch at the needle contact but the drug takes effect quickly, bringing them slowly back to life. Buck’s team carry Hen and Chimney who are still unconscious out of the lab. Buck and Ravi who carry out Bobby, right behind them.
The SEALs reach the outside, only to be surrounded by the military. Buck raises his gun, ready to fight his way out, but the military colonel quickly steps forward, his hands raised in surrender. He calmly tells Buck that a standoff is not necessary and the doctors will check on the 118 members since the antidote worked. Buck nods and the medics get to work, taking Hen, Chimney, Bobby and Ravi with them to a medic tent. Buck and his team go to the contamination tent where they get showered. They can finally take off their suits and head outside again.
The SEALs are relieved they were able to save Buck’s family. Athena makes her way to the young SEAL, Tommy and Dr. Moira right behind her. Buck guesses she found them waiting by the chopper and they all decided to sneak inside the perimeter. Athena wastes no time hugging Buck tightly, her body shaking with tears. Buck holds her tightly, his eyes locking with Tommy’s over her shoulder. There is a silent understanding between them, a silent agreement of what they have done.
“So you have gotten my voicemail?” she chuckles while holding him. Buck nods and gives her a smile. “Just landed today…I almost lost it when I heard the voicemail. I was scared to lose my family…” She gives him one final squeeze before pulling away. “I should really scold you for doing what you did, but you saved them.”
Just a bit later they were informed that the 118 was being moved to the hospital. Of course Athena, Buck and his team would be right behind them. They’re going to wait for them to wake up.
Once in the waiting room, they see a pissed off Maddie who immediately scolds Buck as she hugs him tightly. “You idiot,” she murmurs, her voice thick with emotions. Buck hugs her tightly, chuckling. He figures Athena has informed Maddie about everything. “I couldn’t let them die Maddie, we’re all family.” she understands and nods, she knows how much they all mean to each other.
As they waited through the night, the group sprawled out across the waiting room, the tension palpable. Eddie eventually walks in and spots the group, looking pissed off. His eyes lock onto Buck, who looks up at him with a tired expression. “Why the hell didn’t anyone call me?” he snaps, his frustration evident. Buck looks up at him, his expression a mix of exhaustion and guilt.
“I didn’t want to worry you,” Buck mutters, his voice tired and hoarse. “Especially if things had gone wrong.” Eddie huffs, his expression still angry but a hint of worry seeps through. “You should’ve told me. I could’ve helped.”
Buck shrugs helpless, running a hand over his tired face. “I know. I just…didn’t want to put you in danger.”
Eddie’s expression softens slightly, his anger fading as he sees the exhaustion on Buck’s face. He sighs and pulls him into a hug, his arms wrapping around him tightly. “I was worried, you idiot.” Buck lets out a soft huff of laughter, his shoulders slump as he relaxes into the hug. “Yeah…I can tell,” he says, his voice muffled against Eddie’s shoulder. Buck’s SEAL buddies whistle at them and laugh. Buck rolls his eyes but laughs with them. Athena still can’t believe that this bunch outsmarted the military, kidnapped a scientist, pulled off a helicopter escape, took out military guards and breached a highly guarded bio lab.
A few hours later, the 118 begins to wake up. First Hen, then Bobby and then Chimney. They’re groggy and disoriented, but they’re alive. Their eyes widen in surprise as they notice Buck and the SEALs around them. Athena is the first to embrace her husband. Maddie tears up as she hugs hers. Karen, who also has made it, embraces her wife, crying tears of relief.
Most eyes in the room are now wet but smiles go around. Happy that the family survived. Ravi joins a bit later, his parents have him checked out again since they worry a lot. Bobby wonders how they made it out and most eyes land on Buck who looks like he’s been caught in a headlight. Athena tells them what he did for his family. Bobby can’t help but tear up and embrace the young man who’s become like a son to him. “I can’t thank you enough son,” he tells him and Buck gives him a watery smile, just happy to have his father figure back.
He introduces his SEAL buddies since they helped pull the operation off. They share stories and future goals. The lesson learned here is that family is not always by blood. Sometimes it’s the friends we made along the way. Be there for each other and don’t let go.
Buck looks around with a smile as everyone chats away. He’s glad to be back and can’t wait to explore his new relationship with Eddie.