Here's the next part, not much Tommy but he's there at the end. Kind of ended up replacing the Buck and Eddie conversation from 6x12 with him talking to Hen. But yeah still not completely done with the things from 6x12 but I'm almost there. After I get done with this episode I think working through the others will take a little less time. But who knows Iām wordy and terrible at grammar so weāll see.
Part 4
Buck didnāt know what he expected to come home to after his most recent therapy session, but it wasnāt this. Therapy had been productive he felt like he finally made some progress with how stuck he felt. He had started making a list in his head of things he wanted to work on and potential new hobbies to look into. He really did have to thank Tommy the next time he saw him. After making that list on the way home he decided he should probably take a nap because of how drained he felt. But that went out the window when he got back to his apartment and saw Connor standing in front of his door.
āAre you good?ā Connor asked from behind him. Buck realized he was standing in front of the open fridge. He quickly grabbed a drink and closed the fridge.
āIām fine, just got a lot on my mind.ā Buck sat down at his island with Connor.
āI get that. Kameron getting pregnant still feels like itās a dream Iāll wake up from any day now. Sheās got more energy now than she ever has. With no morning sickness itās been going great. Only like I said it doesnāt feel realā
Buck wasnāt sure if Connor was actually excited for the baby to come, something in Connorās tone made him pause. He chose to not ask about it and instead said, āItās going to feel real soon.ā
āYeah, I know. Itās been a minute since we caught up. You kinda dropped off the face of the earth there for a bit. I know I just asked, but more broadly how are you doing? Knowing you all this time to yourself probably is driving you crazy.ā
Before Buck could answer there was a knock at the door. āYeah, time to myself,ā He muttered more to himself than a response to Connor. āGive me a minute.ā
āNo, no. I wasnāt planning on sticking around long. I just wanted to stop in to see how you were doing and catch you up on whatās going on.ā Connor stood up and grabbed his things and walked with him to the door.
āIt was nice seeing you Connor, let me know if thereās anything I can help with. Have a good one,ā Buck opened the door to Hen standing there ready to knock again. Connor waved and left Buckās apartment. āHey Hen, come on in I guess.ā
He turned away from the door and heard her follow him in after she closed the door.
āWhat was that about?ā She questioned him as she leaned against his counter.
āHe was at my door when I got back, we talked for a bit before you knocked. I donāt really know what he wanted since we didnāt get that far before you showed up,ā Buck knew he was getting snippy with Hen and he didnāt mean to. He just felt so tired after therapy, then Connor showed up unannounced. āIām sorry. It has been a long day, and I havenāt had time to decompress yet. I donāt want to be rude, but can we make this quick?ā
Hen just stared at him for a second, āYeah, okay it can be. I was just stopping by because we havenāt talked much since you left the hospital. Howāre you doing?ā
āWhatās there to say Hen? I died, was in a coma, and now Iām back. And I know that it all was very traumatic for all of you,ā Buck paused for a second, but he couldnāt stop the words that slipped out, āWas this a scheduled visit in whatever group chat Iām not a part of? If Iām being honest at this point the visits feel more like a way to keep tabs on me more than actually wanting to talk.ā
Buck knew he was pacing and ranting. He forced himself to stop moving and look to where Hen was still standing, eyes wide at what Buck just said. He sighed and paused to let her respond.
āAh so you caught on. Sorta, I swapped with Josh. I wanted to see you since we hadnāt talked,ā Hen told Buck as he sat down on a stool next to her. āI know it was stupid to ask you about how you are. Eddie mentioned you had plans with other people, so we all wanted to see whatās up with that.ā
āYeah, it was a dumb question,ā Buck let out a chuckle as he let the silence between them settle, āYes, I did have plans with some new friends. You donāt need to worry about me wallowing here and blowing you guys off.ā
āThatās good. We werenāt worried that thatās what you were doing. Well, most of us. Iām glad youāve got something new going on. Whenever Iām on medical leave I know I drive my family insane when you guys are on shift,ā Hen smiled softly at him. āAnything you want to talk about this new friend group?ā
āI met one of them at one of the group therapy sessions I go to sometimes. He gave me an open invitation to join him to get out of the house. And turns out I needed it, so I went to a pickup basketball game with him and some of his coworkers,ā He could see that Hen was about to interject a comment about him and basketball.
āYes I am well aware of my past comments about me and basketball. I still hate it. I just needed to get out of the house and away from you guys. Nothing against you but I need a break from people who know about what happened,ā He quickly said before Hen could start.
Hen laughed, āGood to know you havenāt changed at your core Buck. Weāve missed you at work. Bobbyās gotten mopey whenever he as to cook a meal he usually cooks with you. But lately heās seemed preoccupied with something else going on. Athena seems to know what it is but hasnāt said what it is when we meet up for our nights in.ā
āIāll have to ask him the next time we talk,ā Buck added another thing to the mental list he was forming.
āWell, I think Iām going to head out now. Like I said I just wanted to check in on you,ā Hen said as she stood up and grabbed her things, āI donāt want to take up too much of your busy time.ā Buck rolled his eyes at the comment about his free time; Hen laughed at him as they walked to the door.
āI know we are all a bit overbearing right now, but I do think you should talk to Maddie about her schedule. Set the boundary you need to help yourself find level ground again if what weāre doing isnāt helping,ā Hen patted his shoulder as she turned to walk down the hall.
Buck closed the door and leaned his head on the closed door with a sigh. He knew what Hen said was right. He had to talk to Maddie about the schedule for check-ins because it wasnāt helping him relax. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
Tommy: Hope your day is going better than mine and the chaos that was work today. Weāve set up a date for our next trivia night, and I wanted to see if you were available for it. Itās not until next week so if you donāt know yet thatās alright.
Buck smiled as he typed out his response.
Buck: My day has been fine. Tiring but pretty good. What happened at work?
Buck saw Tommy was bubbling him as soon as his text was delivered.
Tommy: Just the usual from Ray. He somehow got an error on a piece of equipment that none of us have seen before. Speaking of work. Have you heard anything about when exactly youāll go back.
Buck: Nice transition. I have an appointment set up with the doctor so hopefully Iāll know when Iāll be back tomorrow.
Tommy: Thatās good to hear. Iām going to crash now so talk to you whenever. And let me know about Trivia night, I know Sarah is hoping youāll be there so she can beat you in trivia.
Buck: I thought weād be on the same team but knowing what little I do about here sheāll make even that into a competition. Goodnight.
Buck set his phone down after texting Maddie to set up a time after his appointment to meet. He hoped heād know when he was going back to work before then. But even if he didnāt, he wanted to talk with Maddie about the schedule she made of people to check on him. He felt himself drifting off shortly after that as the fatigue from the day hit him.











