I never stopped

by Fantastic_writer06

Summary:

"Damn it Evie! I didn't break up with you because I stopped loving you. I could never stop loving you, anymore than I could stop breathing!"

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Or in which Evelyn "Buck" Buckley and Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz met years before in the battle field, fell in love, and out of love. Or so Evelyn thought.

Notes:

Evelyn and Eddie meet 8 years later.

Chapter 1: Eddie Diaz?

Evelyn could tell this was going to be a tough day as she walked into the station. She woke up with a headache, nightmares of her last mission, plaguing her sleep, had a panic attack before it was even 6 A.M. and needed to call Hando to help her out. There's something in her gut telling her this wasn't going to be an easy day. At all. 

"Have you told Buck yet?" 

Evelyn raised an eyebrow as she walked up behind Bobby, "Told me what?" She asked making the three of them jump "God Woman. We need to put a bell on you" Chimney muttered making Evelyn glare at him. Hen smacks him up side the head, while Bobby shakes his head knowing the only reason they didn't know she was behind them was because she didn't want to. He was the only one on the team who knew about her past in the Navy, and she would like it to stay that way

"Uh, we have a new probie. He's going to be your new partner" Bobby told her making Evelyn give him a look. He gives one right back

He get's that Evelyn has some trust issues, I mean, how could she not with that happened? But he also knows that she needs a partner to watch her back out there in case anything happens. Evelyn huffs crossing her arms "And where is this new partner" Bobby motioned to the locker room. Chim and Hen looked over "Wow, that is one good looking man" Chim whistled "Where's the lie. And I like girls" Hen agrees 

Evelyn turned to look at her new partner. Suddenly she stared at a familiar back, one she hasn't seen in 3 years. She tunes out Bobby explaining who he was, already knowing everything there is to her new partner. Evelyn looked away just as the man turned to them, looking at her Captain, the only one she fully trust in this station. Yes she trust her teammates, to get her home but she didn't trust them with her past 

"Bobby" She muttered

Bobby looked at the woman and frowned confused and worried seeing the hunted look in her eyes and her pale skin "Evie, you okay?" He whispered touching her shoulder slowly, allowing her to back up if the touch wasn't wanted at the moment "I just... need a moment" She muttered making sure her eyes didn't stray to the locker room. Bobby looked between the locker room and the girl he thinks of as a daughter and nodded knowing something had to be really bothering Evelyn for her to react like this "Yeah go, I'll put your bag away" 

Evelyn nodded letting him take her back before she walked out the station

Bobby looked at her worriedly as she turned a corner "Everything okay, with Buck?" Chim asked when he saw Evelyn wasn't with Bobby anymore. Bobby nodded turning back to his team members "Yeah, she just had a important phone call to make" He lied knowing Evelyn wouldn't want them knowing something was wrong. He hopes with time and love, Evelyn could start to trust the two, like she trusted him, but he knows that would be a long road 

Evelyn leaned against the brick wall, pushing her nails into her skin as she tried to stop the memories of her and Eddie from suffocating her. Everything she spent 3 years forcing away, memories, feelings, pain, everything came rushing to the front of her mind once she saw Eddie. God, she thought she was safe in LA, far enough from El Paso to never cross paths with the one who took her heart and crushed it, but now he's here. Here in her work place. Here in her new home. Here to be her partner. To watch her back and make sure she stays alive 

Fate must really hates her. Pulling out her phone she quickly called the one person who could talk her out of a panic attack before it truly starts. Fumbling for a moment, Evie finds the number and press calls, waiting for it to connect as she tried to even her breathing on her own 

"Hey pup" 

"Steve" 

She heard something fall to the ground "Hey, pup what's wrong?" Evie tries to tell him but her breaths come out in pants "Okay, pup. I need you to follow my breathing okay. Just follow" Evie didn't say anything as deep breathing came across the phone. She followed it as best she could calming down more and more when she could see clearly as tears stopped blurring her eyes. When did that happen? She thinks to herself "You okay pup?" 

"Uh, yeah" Evie scrubs her tears away "Yeah, sorry for calling you this early" 

"It's fine pup. I was already awake" Evie sighed sliding down the wall "Care to tell me what's got you worked up, that you had a panic attack" 

"Uh. Diaz is here" Evie huffed "Here as in my town. In my station and is my new partner" The line was silent for a moment worrying Evie, as she knew how protective Steve could get "I'm sorry, what?" Steve asked needing to make sure he didn't here that wrong "Diaz, the man who broke your heart, like a little dog, is now your partner!" 

"Uh huh. Bobby picked him because he's army and hopes we could work together. Which I will"

"Pup-" 

"Steve listen to me. I will work with him, I can be professional with him. That's my job and If I can't then people will be in danger, but just because I'm going to be professional with him, doesn't mean I will ever trust him the same. Okay? So don't worry, I'm not letting him back in. Not now, not ever" 

On the other side Steve sighed, while he wanted to believe that, he knows that Evie and Eddie, were it for each other. Both him and Hondo weren't blind, they know that Evie would never move past Eddie, no matter how hard she's trying, if he believed in soulmates, he would think Eddie was Evie's. He also knows that if Evie ever did get together with Eddie, she would have his and Hondo backing her up ever step of the way

"Alright" Steve sighed "You will be professional. But don't hurt yourself either. Okay, pup" 

"Yes, papa bear" Evie laughed feeling better already before she sighed "I need to go back. Been out here long enough" She didn't want to face her team yet, but she knew the longer she was out here, the more likely someone would come and find her "Alright, call me if you need anything. I mean it pup, no matter the time" 

"I will. Bye Steve" 

"Bye Evie" 

Evie hung up the phone and stuffed it back in her pocket. Wiping her face again, Evie stood up taking a deep breath and walked back into the station. Looking around the bay, she didn't see any of her team mates before she heard them upstairs in the loft "Your new partner, should be here soon. She just had an important call to take" She heard Bobby

With one more steadying breath, Evie walked up the stairs, footsteps light, and head held high. She wouldn't let Ed-No. Diaz. He was Diaz. She wouldn't let Diaz see that she was affected, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her struggle to be near him. He doesn't get the privileged of seeing her vulnerable anymore 

"I'm here Cap" Bobby, Hen and Chim jumped at the sudden voice while Eddie froze. When he heard of his new partner 'Buck', he didn't think it would be the woman who got away. The woman he never stopped loving, the woman he let go. Seeing her in front of him, blond hair that always looked lighter in the light, blue eyes that reminded him of the ocean, a smile that made you think an angle was looking at you, it brought back everything he tried to forget 

Evie took a deep breath as she looked at the man in front of her. His dark hair, and dark brown eyes, that always reminded her of the earth, keeping her grounded, the little smirks he would throw at her, the notes he would leave, everything came back and she had to force herself not to turn around and walk out the station 

Hen and Chim looked between the two, feeling the tension between them and wondered what was going on while Bobby looked at Evie worried as the hunted look was back in her eyes before she blinked and it was like it wasn't there at all

"Evelyn Buckley. Everyone calls me Buck" Evie held out her hand. The four blinked at her slightly cold tone, but Hen and Chim didn't put to much thought into it, knowing she was cold to new people. It took them weeks to get anything out of her. Bobby and Eddie on the other hand, couldn't help but be shocked for a different reasons

Bobby thought she would get along with Eddie because of his background in the army, but he could tell something else was at play. He would leave it be for now, watch them to see if they could handle working together. Eddie, though couldn't help but be taken back by her cold tone, but he knows he deserve it, after what he did, he would be surprised if Evelyn didn't hate him   

"Eddie Diaz. It would be nice to work with you Buck" Eddie shook her hand. Evie didn't say anything as she turned on her heels and made her way to the kitchen leaving the four standing there. Eddie sighed "This is going to be hard" He muttered to himself not knowing Bobby heard him  

 

 

 

Chapter 2: A lot could change

Summary:

Three weeks has passed with no change between Eddie and Evelyn. Until one day, Eddie has enough and confronts Evelyn in front of the team and Athena who happened to stop by.

Notes:

Mention of death, betrayal, and being a POW.

It's been three weeks since Diaz joined the team and Evie hasn't changed. Hen and Chim are starting to worry but didn't say anything since Bobby hasn't. Evie worked with Diaz when needed, but at the station, she did everything she could to stay away from him

Eddie on the other hand, tried everything he could, to get Evie to look at him. Talk to him. He wanted to explain why he did what he did. He wanted to tell her, letting her go was one of his worst mistakes and that he needed her back in his life. But whenever he tried getting close to Evie, she always made an excuse and ran off. He knows the others noticed, but he wasn't going to say anything, he didn't want to force Evie, but that was three weeks ago. Three weeks of Evie ignoring him, and he just- he needed to tell her how he felt

"Come on Buck! I need to beat you" Chim called out from the sofa as him and Hen played Mario Cart. Evie laughed as she searched through the fridge for her energy drink "Do you mean get your ass kicked. Again" Evie called out as she moved things around, she knows Bobby bought her, her drinks "Bobby where are my drinks!" She yelled looking the fridge door with a glare at the-now- frozen man who was standing by Athena 

"Uh, I know I bought them" Bobby told her as Athena tried not to laugh. One thing everyone knew, do not touch Evelyn Buckley drinks

"Looking for this" Diaz voice came from behind her. Evie closed her eyes taking a deep breath, of course he would still know she would need her drink before lunch. God she hates that he still knows her. Standing up and turning around, Evie sees Diaz standing there holding her drink "Yep" She said in a fake enthusiastic voice, one Eddie caught real quick making him narrow his eyes 

Bobby and Athena went silent as they watched the two, Chim and Hen still playing the game, not knowing what was going on behind them 

"Can I have it?" Eddie nodded holding the drink out "Sure" Evie narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before reaching out for her drink "But" Eddie quickly pulled it back making her huff "You have to tell me what your problem with me is" Evie crossed her arms with a huff "I don't have a problem with you" Evie lied. You know, like a liar 

"Bullshit" 

Evie could feel when Hen and Chim turned to them. In the three weeks Ed-Diaz, has been here, he has never cursed, he was polite, followed rules, but never spoke out of terms. Guess, he got tired of waiting 

"You've been acting weird from the moment we met"  

"The moment we met, huh?" Evie asked knowing if she played this right, Diaz would back down he wouldn't their past getting out. Not when he so clearly didn't love her enough to stay with her when she was being sent out on one of the most dangerous OP's she was going to face "How are you so sure this isn't how I usually am? This could be normal for me" Evie challenges, crossing her arms 

She was sure Diaz was going to back down

But he surprised her, taking a step closer 

Eddie raised an eyebrow at her "It's not and we both know it" Evie clenched her jaw, hating that he knows that. That he stated it like a fact he was sure was right. She hates that he wasn't wrong

"Yeah well, 3 years is a long time. People change" Evie shrugged, and turns away but Eddie quickly grabs her wrist spinning her back around 

"3 years?" Evie heard Athena whisper looking at the pair confused, along with Chim and Hen. Bobby just looked at them concerned, he knew something was going to happen. One of them was going to blow, he just thought it would have been Evie  

"Yeah? But not like that" In the three weeks he's been here, Eddie seen just how much Evie has changed, but he also saw the woman he fell head over heels in love with. He knows something happened, something bigger than what he did, to cause such a change in Evie, but he also knows that he knows Evie. 3 years or not 

Evie took a deep breath pulling her wrist free from Eddie hold "I don't have to explain anything to you" Evie told him before walking away. Eddie slammed the drink on the counter and followed her "Damn it Evie! You don't get to walk away from me" Evie froze on the top of the stairs, and Eddie knew he said the wrong thing

"I don't get to walk away from you?" She repeated turning around staring at Diaz with harden eyes "That's rich coming from you" 

"Evie-" 

"Don't forget, who walked away first" Evie didn't let him respond "Don't forget, who left, and never looked back. Don't forget you were the one who didn't love me enough to stay" Evie spat out glaring at Diaz who winced knowing he deserved that, before her words caught up with him. Didn't love her enough to stay. Is that what she thinks? That he didn't love her, enough to fight for her

The group around them went silent as they watched the two, trying to understand what was happening. Bobby though, was the only one who understood what was happening in front of him, remembering when Evie first joined and he found her crying in the bunk. It took a while, but he got her talking, and she told him how it was the day the person she loved more than anything, walked away leaving only a letter, before a mission that was deemed one of the worst ones her team been on. How him leaving broke her more than she wanted it too. He would have never brought Eddie on, if he knew it was him that broke Evie 

Athena looked between the two confused and worried. While her and Buck didn't have the best first meeting, she has grown to love that girl like her own. And Buck is so good with her kids as well that Athena all but adopted her after the first time, she came around for family dinner 

Chim stood looking at Buck worried, he never had a sister before, so when Evie came in, he already thought of her as his sister. Yes at first, he didn't like her much, but after she saved his ass, during the car accident, he realized that him not liking her had nothing to do with Buck but everything to do with him. With the help of his family, he was able to get into therapy and work out his issues, now he's closer to Buck then ever so he doesn't like what he's hearing and what Eddie did to his little sister 

Hen sat on the sofa, but she was ready to jump in if needed. She was an only child, always wanted a sister, so when Buck came and stayed, she fell in love with her. Sisterly love. And she vowed that nobody was going to hurt her little sister, ever

Eddie stared at Evie blinking once before he came back to the present "Evie, do you- do you honestly think I left because I didn't love you?" He asked voice breaking as all he felt was pain. God, he never thought Evie would think he didn't love her, he loved her so much that it hurt to breath not knowing where she was, but he always stayed. He only left because it was getting to dangerous, Evie needed her head in the game and he knew she wouldn't be 100% if she was worrying about him. He needed her safe, even if it meant leaving her

Evie was confused why he was hurt by that, if anything she was the one who should be hurt. The man she loves, the man she planned to marry one day, and have a future with walked away with a word, left her broken that her mission was put on hold as her team worked on picking up the pieces he broke. "Why else would you leave? You know if you didn't love me anymore you could have told me to my face instead of leaving a fucking letter! But hey, what did I expect, you took the easy way out, leaving me broken in the mist" 

"Easy?" Eddie scoffed, nothing about what he did was easy. Writing that letter felt like his heart was breaking but getting in that chopper, leaving with his team without seeing Evie... it was like his heart was ripped out of his chest. He was barely able to work, without his team watching his back, he was sure he would have died out there "Evie, nothing about what I did was easy-"

Evie shook her head "Then why'd you walk away! Why did you leave when you knew the team and I wouldn't be at base, huh?! Why was it so easy for you to break what we had?!" 

"Damn it Evie! I didn't break up with you because I stopped loving you. I could never stop loving you, anymore than I could stop breathing!" Eddie yelled throwing his arms up

Evie froze as she stared at him in bewilderment "What?" She whispered as the others shared looks wondering if Eddie confession was going to help or make things worse. Eddie took a deep breath "Evie, nothing I did was easy. Writing that letter? I felt my heart breaking but getting on that chopper? Leaving not knowing if I would ever see you again, alive or dead, it felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. Hell if It wasn't for my team? I would probably be dead, because I couldn't function without knowing if you were okay" 

Evie blinked trying not to cry, or have a panic attack. She couldn't tell at the moment "Then why?" was the only thing she could get out, trying to swallow past the lump forming in her throat 

Eddie closed his eyes, he hated hearing Evie sound like that, it reminded him of when she was hurt and almost dying. That image will always be burned into his memory "Because even if you were the Navy SEAL, you always wore your emotions on your sleeve when alone" 

"Navy SEAL?" Evie heard Chim muttered but didn't focus on that at the moment 

"You once told me, that you worry so much that you had to shut off your emotions all the way on some of your mission. When someone else from your team was sent onto a solo mission, you had to shut down completely to finish your mission. You told me, you hated shutting them off all the way, that you could shut your emotion off enough to still feel things and get the job done. You told me, you never want to shut off your emotions like that again." Evie looked away knowing Eddie was right, she did shut off her emotions all the way when someone she loved wasn't with her "And we both know you would do that, if we were together. You would shut off your emotions to keep from worrying about me, and it would kill you the more you did it" 

"So what? You left to-to what, protect me?" 

"I needed you safe. I needed you 100%, because I could live with you hating me, I could live with that, I really could if it meant you were alive. But what I couldn't live with? You dying on that field, you killing yourself little by little every time you turned off your emotions until you were a shell of the woman I love. So yeah, I left because you were going to kill yourself if I didn't" 

Evie bit her lip to hold back a sob "I killed myself anyways" She whispered looking into his brown eyes

"Buck?" Athena asked. Evie looked at her over Eddie shoulder, before looking back at the man she loves "I needed you, Eddie. You think you were helping me? That mission was pushed back until my team could put me back together. I needed you when Smooth Dog ended up in the hospital, I needed you there when I was waiting to hear if my father figure was going to make it through the night. I needed you when a year later, a mission went sideways, when Bomber" Evie spat out the code name making them flinch. Eddie more so, wondering what Bomber could have done to make Evie react like that since they were the closest on the team beside Steve and her "Betrayed us. I needed you when I was in the hospital for 3 weeks after being a POW for 2 weeks and watching Owl be killed in front of me" 

Eddie paled more and more as Evie continued talking, he couldn't believe it. Bomber betrayed them, Owl was killed. Evie was a POW. Evie was a POW. Evie was a prisoner of war.

"Evie" Eddie whispered staring at her tears filling his eyes. Evie shook her head "I shut off all my emotions for months after that mission. Killed myself while doing it. The me, I am now? Is the me that Steve, Jay, Hondo and Kelly spent years putting back together" Evie blinked letting her tears fall "You want to know why I'm so cold towards you? It's because I still love you and it hurts. It physical hurts to love you" 

Eddie swallowed against the lump in his throat, he never wanted to hurt Evie, he loved her and hurting her was the last thing he wanted to do "I never meant to hurt you" He told her

Evie nodded wiping her tears away "I know" She cleared her throat, she knew Eddie never wanted to hurt her and she thinks that's what hurt the most. He was still caring, still thinking of her feelings, but she still got hurt "You probably left that letter thinking it would give me closure, left it hoping it will help me. And that's what hurts more and knowing you never wanted to hurt me, but still did. So I-" A sob escaped her as she backed up

Eddie wanted to move towards her, wanted to hug her and tell her everything's going to be okay, but he knows it wouldn't. Not for a long time, he doesn't have the right to hold her no matter how much he wants to. Not when he's the one who caused her pain

Bobby was immediately by her side along with Chim as Athena and Hen were by Eddie. The four could see this will killing both of them, even if Eddie didn't show it more than a few tears

Eddie nodded knowing what Evie needed. And God if that didn't show her that he still knew and loved her, even with her changes, he didn't know what will "I know" He whispered "Go" Evie looked at him one more time before rushing down the stairs, Bobby and Chim behind her. Once the three were out of sight, Eddie knees buckled under him, Athena and Hen catching him, before slowly lowering him to the floor "It's okay, honey. Let it out" Athena whispered as both her and Hen held him between them. Eddie didn't say anything as he started sobbing 

Athena and Hen shared a look over his head as they held the broken man

Evie knees hit the ground as she collapsed on the concrete, sobbing and taking deep breaths as she tried not to fall into a panic attack. Arms wrapped around her, making her lean back into a lean chest, as someone kneeled in front of her "It's okay, Evelyn. It's okay, we're here" Chim whispered holding her hand as Bobby held her. The two men shared a look over her head

Bobby, Athena, Hen and Chim knew at that moment, both of their teammates were broken. And only the two of them could fix what they both broke   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3: One more chance

Summary:

It's been three months since Eddie and Evie fight. Evie didn't know what to do. Eddie just wanted her back. The two have a talk that sets them on the right path

The next day, Evie and Eddie were changing in silence in the locker room, not looking at each other. Neither knowing what to say after the truth bomb yesterday, it was a hard to pill to swallow. For 8 years both thought different things, Eddie thought Evie knew he loved her and wanted her safe. Evie thought Eddie didn't love her and didn't care if she made it out alive or not

Finding out that's not the truth for either of them shook their world. Evie walked up the stairs, the chattering stopping when she walked in "You guys don't need to stop talking" Evie told them opening the fridge and grabbing a water. Hen and Chim shared a look before Hen walked over to her sister "How you feeling hon?" Evie gave her a strand smile "I'm good" Evie moved towards Bobby knowing that he wouldn't treat her like a broken doll 

"Hey" Bobby smiled at the blond as he made breakfast "Can you cut the veggies?" He asked motioning to the peppers. Evie nodded and grabbed the bowl, walking towards the sink to wash them before cutting them "Can one of you guys make me coffee? I need the energy today" Evie asked Hen and Chimney "Sure" Hen shrugged grabbing a mug and moving towards the coffee pot

"Bobby, you want them in strips or cubes?" Evie asked moving towards the counter cutting off the ends of the peppers "Cubes" Bobby told her moving around the kitchen. Evie nodded and started cutting the pepper when Hen walked over to her "Here Hon" Hen handed Evie the mug of coffee "Oh thanks" Evie took it from her, taking a sip before scrunching up her nose "There's something missing" She muttered looking at the coffee. 

"Really?" Hen sighed, her and Chimney have been trying to figure out Evie coffee since she started here but they have never been able to get it right. Eddie, who was talking with Chim, laughed a little gaining the girls attention "What's so funny?" Hen asked a hand on her hip. Eddie shook his head "Sorry, it's just...you guys really don't know how Evie likes her coffee?" He asked looking between Hen and Chim

Chimney sighed shaking his head, god he wished he did, just so Evie would stop teasing them about it "Nope. Not for a lack of trying" He told the younger man. Eddie hummed pushing himself off the railing and moving towards the fridge grabbing the butter "Bobby pass me a spoon please" Eddie asked setting the butter on the counter. Bobby stopped what he was doing and handed Eddie a spoon, wondering where this was going "Thanks" 

Eddie grabbed Evie coffee out of her hands, the girl letting him do it, wondering if he really remembered how she and team Bravo took their coffee 

"What are you doing?" Hen asked confused watching Eddie open the butter a scoop out half a spoon full before he dumped the butter in Evie coffee, mixing it until id dissolved "What the hell?" Chimney scrunched up his nose in disgust "Here you go" Eddie handed Evie back her coffee. Evie took it with narrowed eyes before taking a sip, humming when it hit her tongue "Hmm, surprised you remembered" 

Eddie shrugged putting the top back on the butter "Never forgot it" He told her, moving away to put the butter back and moving towards the loft. Evie watched him with a small smile, taking another sip of coffee 

Turning around she met the incredulous stares of her teammates "What?" Evie asked taking another sip of her coffee. Chimney shook his head "Buck, you actually like that?" He pointed at her cup. Evie nodded setting it down on the counter to continue cutting the peppers "Yes. In the field, my CO used to put butter in all our coffee. I still drink it daily but I know Hondo and Kelly only drink it like this when they really need it" Evie shrugged 

Her and Steve were the only ones who really liked butter in their coffee. Owl also liked it but he was more of a black coffee guy only. She finished cutting the peppers, handing them to Bobby "Here, I need to make a call" Evie grabbed her coffee and walked downstairs, feeling the eyes of Eddie on her. Sitting on the bench, 

---

Three months 

It's been a three months since Eddie joined the station. The day Eddie started his shift, Evie went home to find her sister Maddie, who she hasn't seen since she ran away from home when she was 15, showed up. Evie wasn't stupid, she knew the signs of a abused woman, and she knew it had something to do with her sister husband. Evie didn't know how long Doug abused her sister but she wasn't letting him get to her again. She got Maddie a job at Dispatch

A call to Steve and Doug suddenly disappeared 

Two shifts after Eddie first, they had a guy with a bomb in his leg, since she was a SEAL, and specialized in explosives she went in with Eddie to get the bomb out of the patient. Three weeks after that, they had a 7.1 earthquake, both of them had to climb into a building that was on it's side. That was also the day she met little Chris Diaz. A kid she's never met but heard a lot about

She remembers when Eddie told her about him, how his one night stand, Shannon became pregnant with his son. Evie remembered the fear she felt when Eddie told her how his parents wanted them to marry before relaxing when he promised her it wasn't happening. Apparently after they had sex, Shannon realized she was gay and couldn't be married to a man 

Even now, she still feels that relief, no matter how much she hates it

---

Evie and Eddie were restock the ambo silently. This was how it was between them, they worked together in silence when at the station, always tense. Out in the field they worked perfect, knowing what the other needed without saying a word, just like they did all those years ago, but at the station? They don't talk to each other, they don't know how 

Eddie sighed looking away from the clipboard and towards Evie, who was crouched inside the ambo restocking the inside "Evie can we talk" Eddie asked. Evie didn't stop working as she talked "There is nothing to talk about Eddie" 

"Evie please" He begged 

Evie sighed looking at him but before she could answer, another voice rang out "Daddy!" Eddie turned in time, catching his son in his arms "Hi Buck!" Chris waved at her from his father arms "Hi Chris" Evie smiled back before looking at Eddie "Go hang out with him, I got this" 

"You sure?" 

Evie nodded turning back to the ambo. Eddie watched her for a moment before sighing and walking up the stairs, smiling at Shannon as he went 

"Excuse me?" Evie turned around at the unfamiliar voice. Standing in front of the ambo was a woman with brown hair and blue eyes smiling at her "Yes? How can I help you" Evie asked climbing out of the ambo "Are you Evelyn Buckley?"

"Yes, I am" Evie tilted her head looking at the woman confused and guarded "Who are you?" The woman smiled embarrassed "Oh sorry, I should have you introduce myself. I'm Shannon. Shannon Morgan" Shannon held out her hand, Evie smiled shaking it. She's heard of Shannon, Eddie one night stand and mother of Chris. When her and Eddie started dating, he made sure she understood what happened

They had a one night stand together before he shipped out, they're best friends, Shannon got pregnant his parents wanted them to marry but Eddie didn't want to marry someone he didn't love romantically and Shannon came out as Lesbian during her pregnancy so they decided to co-parent. Eddie wanted her to meet both Shannon and Chris before everything happened 

She's broken out of her thoughts when Shannon started talking "Oh, I've heard so much about you. Eddie hasn't stop talking about you since he came home years ago, he talk and talks and talks, I feel like I know you already" Shannon rambled but Evie was stuck on one part "Eddie talks about me?" She asked cutting Shannon off. The woman paused, realizing what she said, giving Evie a sheepish look "Yeah uh... he talks about you all the time" She told her

Shannon looked back at the loft when laughter flowed down, she sighed turning back to the beautiful blond "Look, I don't know what happened, when Eddie came back from his last tour he told me, he made a stupid mistake but it was too late. After his first shift here, he came to me crying, told me he saw you again and that you believed something that killed him... I can guess what that was" Shannon give her a small smile "Look, I know he wants to make this right, talk to him. I want him happy and you seem like a wonderful amazing woman who deserve to be happy too. If that's with Eddie or not, that has to be talked out" 

Evie looked down thinking over Shannon words, that's what Jay and Kelly told her. She deserve to be happy, after everything that's happened, she deserves to be happy and live a great life "I'll uh, I'll think about it" Evie told Shannon looking at her

Shannon laid a gently hand on her arm "Thant's all I ask for" 

---

Evie stood in front of Eddie door. 

She could do this. It was just a talk, it was something to give her closure. That's what Jay and Kelly said when she called them. The door opened and Eddie stood there, smiling at her and for a moment, it felt like it was their first date again when they were back home. When he took her out, wearing that same smile, Evie quickly pushed those thoughts away. She couldn't remember them now 

"Evie" Eddie breathed easier now. He wasn't so sure she was going to show up, he wouldn't be surprised if she changed her mind and bailed at the last minute nor would he hold it against her if she did. He opened the door more "Come on" Evie nodded stepping past him, she took off her sneakers knowing how he was with shoes in the house and looked around. Pictures of Chris and Shannon littered the hallway walls 

"Where's Chris?" Evie asked following Eddie to the living room, she could see more photos and some toys laying around, it had a homely feel to it, something she always wanted for her future family. "He's with his abuela tonight" Eddie told her, moving to the kitchen to grab them both a beer "You still drinking?" He asked holding up one of the beers. Evie nodded "Yeah" Eddie handed it to her 

The two sat in silence, Evie took a sip of her beer before playing with the label. Eddie looked at her with a frown trying to figure out what to say "I'm sorry Evie" Eddie broke the silence. 

"Eddie you already-" 

"I already apologized, I know" Eddie cut her off "Just let me talk, please" Evie blinked at hearing Eddie say please but nodded. He took a deep breath setting down his beer "I know I hurt you. I should have never left that letter, I should have listen to my team, they told me I shouldn't but I did it anyways because I thought I was protecting you. It was stupid. I was stupid. I should have-" Eddie took a deep breath, he was never good with expressing his feelings but for Evie he would try "I should have stayed with you. I left because I wanted to protect you but also to protect me. I thought if I left, I would save us both the pain of having to worry about each other all the time, but the truth is Evie. I worried even more"

Evie listened to him talk, shocked the more he spoke. She never thought of what Eddie would be thinking about her, she didn't think he would worry about her after he broke her heart. She should have known, he would. Eddie might have changed a little but he was still the same Eddie she fell in love with, the same Eddie who held her during cold nights and whispered how beautiful she was under the night sky. Though he was also different, he was rougher around the edges, like her and he's talking about his feelings, not shoving them in a box and waiting for them to explode out of anger    

"Every single second I was awake, I worried if you were alive. I wondered if the guys were okay. If you found someone else. If you got out or died on the field. There wasn't a second that I didn't worry about you because I love you. I love you Evie and I am so sorry that I hurt you. You always told me, my inability to express my emotion in dire times would be my ending and you were right. Instead of telling you about my fears, talking through them with you, I left because I believed it was better knowing I left you alive and in one piece. But now I know, I didn't leave you in one piece. I broke you and I am so sorry. All I ever wanted to do was keep you safe and I failed at that"

Eddie knew he failed at more than just that and if Evie would allow him, he would spend every waking moment proving to her, he's changed. That his family helped him change. When Evie didn't say anything, he slowly grabbed her hand, meeting her blue eyes "Please Evie. We don't need to jump into anything. I just want us to friends again and if down the road you can forgive me then I would like to try being together but if not, then I will be happy just being your friend. Because I want you in my life, it's better with you in it" 

Evie took a deep breath. She got what she needed. She got closure, she didn't need to say anything or do anything. She didn't need to forgive him or be friends with him, she just needed to work with him. So why the hell was her heart telling her to give him a second chance when her brain is telling her to leave. God why couldn't her brain and heart ever be at peace together 

You don't need to forgive him if you don't want too Pit Jay told her

Your there for closure. If anything else happens it happens but remember you don't owe him anything Kelly told her

I'm always a call away Hondo told her

All of them told her she could pick, but Steve told her something else 

I know you Evie. You love hard, you always have. If you truly believe in what he tells you, then go for it. Your heart has never led you wrong before. Your brain has. You pick what you listen too

She picks what she listens too

"...We can start as friends" She told him 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4: He’s back!

"I got to say pup your looking happier than ever" Steve smiled over face time.

Evie smiled "Thing's are great over here. Hondo and I went to the range last night then grabbed some burgers" It was their weekly meet up. Sometimes they would go to the firing range, other times they would go out to the movies, and other times they would stay in and cook together.

It was something both of them never missed. If one was in the hospital? The other would bring a movie and food. If they were both working they would be on call while cooking for their team.

They know Jay and Kelly do the same thing over in Chicago. The four do worry about Steve though. He's in Hawaii, with no one from the team so they each make sure to call him. They even have a secluded.

Monday: Hondo
Tuesday: Jay
Wednesday: Evie
Thursday: Kelly
Friday: Group face time

Saturday and Sunday was the day off for them.

Steve nodded "How's the station?"

Evie gave him a look, hearing the silent question. How are things with Diaz? "Things are good we're working through some things but we're good".

Steve nodded. He knew it wasn't going to be easy for his pup to trust Diaz again, hell none of them, trust people until 3 months in comes with their past, but they all know that the only way Evie would even think about forgiving Diaz fully and getting back together with him, something disastrous has to happen.

He knows his pup well. She's going to deny her heart what it wants until she almost loses Diaz again or she almost loses herself. He doesn't know which one would come first but he secretly hopes it Diaz.

"You're still coming next week right?" Evie question brought him back.

Steve nods "I wouldn't miss it" he smiles sadly "Danno is coming with. Grace and Charlie are staying with Rachel for the week." The smile that lit up on Evie face was totally worth the two weeks of dishes he had to do in exchange for Danno to come with him.

Evie couldn't stop the squeal that left her. Danny was coming down to LA. She has been waiting to see him in person since last year when she went down to Hawaii to visit Steve in the hospital. . . Again. They had gotten along great, though he wasn't too happy when he noticed Evie had the same ability as Steve when it came to getting hurt.

Not caring at all.

The two had kept in contact through Insta and calls, and now they get to finally see each other again.

Evie looked at the time and sighed "I have to go before I'm late for work" she frowned a little making Steve smile "Talk Friday! Aloha"

"See you Friday take care pup. Aloha"

Evie hung up throwing her phone on her bed, her smile dimming a little as she remembered why Steve, Jay and Kelly were coming down in a week. She looked at one of the photos on her beside.

It was a group photo. Her, Steve, Jay, Kelly, Hondo, Bomber, and Owl all together decked out in their gear, smiling and laughing. It was taken two weeks before everything went to shit for her team, and in just a week it's the anniversary of one of the worst days for their team. Sometimes she wished this was all a nightmare, that she would wake up and be back in the desert with her team laughing and living.

Evie sighed standing up she had work in an hour and needed to leave before she's late because of stupid traffic.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Steve walked into his boyfriend office, with a deep frown "Hey Danno" He walked towards the dark haired man desk.

Danny looked up from his paper work smiling a little annoyed but it turned into a frown when he saw how serious Steve looks. "What is it?" Danny asked leaving his file, moving to his boyfriend "Steve, what's wrong?" He asked again when Steve stayed silent. He's never seen Steve this quiet unless he was sleeping or unconscious in a hospital bed.

"I think we need to head to LA sooner then we thought"

"And why is that?"

Steve didn't say anything. He only held out the file in his hand, shaking it a little, to get Danny to take it.

Danny took it from his boyfriend with furrow brows and opened it. He read through it silently "Steve..." he looked at the blond man in front of him "Is this really happening?"

Steve nodded.

Danny closed the file "Let's go" he grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair.

"Danno?"

"Our girl needs us" Danny walked past Steve "And we're going to be there" He knew everyone was going to take this news hard but Evie was going to have it the worst. They weren't there when Owl died. She was. And she was there when bomber killed him. Steve and his team couldn't be there for her then. They're not going to let that happen again.

Steve followed behind him with a smile "I'll get in contact with Hondo and let the governor know what's going on" Steve informed his partner pulling out his phone "You let the others know we're leaving".

Danny nodded, heading straight for their team.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Evie and Bobby worked around the kitchen making lunch for the team when Jax, who usually worked B-shift but covering for Jackson, called up "Cap! Someone's here for Buck!"

Bobby looked at Evie who shrugged her shoulders "Send them up!" Evie yelled grabbing a dish towel and wiping her hands. Evie blinked seeing Hondo walking up the stairs "Hondo?"

Eddie who was sitting with Hen and Chim snapped his head towards the stairs staring at the men with wide eyed. He hasn't seen any of Evie team since he came here, he had hope that he wouldn't see any of them for a while knowing how protective they were of Evie. But to his relief Hondo didn't spare him anything more than a glance.

"Pit" Hondo smiled but Evie could see the tenses in his shoulders and the tight grip he had on a seemingly plain folder "We need to talk."

Evie crossed her arms, eyeing her brother in arms confused and concerned. Hondo has never visited her at the station, he says he wouldn't be caught dead in a fire station though she knew he just wanted her to settle before coming in. But seeing how he was standing, it was like he was ready for a fight.

"Yeah" Evie nodded and turned to Bobby "Can we use your office?"

"Sure" Bobby agreed though hesitant.

Evie gave him a soft smile before turning back to Hondo "Come on" she led him to Bobby office, shutting the door behind them "Alright, talk" Evie demanded resting against Bobby desk, crossing her arms over her chest.

Hondo stood before her, "Pit, Evie" Evie raised a brow, it wasn't normal for her team to use her name. They usually called her Pit or for Steve Pup. "Steve got a call from Davis." Admiral  Lesley Davis, he used to work with them on the field before being moved up, "He got some news and if we accept, we leave in 5 hours."

Evie blinked shocked. She did not expect that and what does he mean if they accept. If they're being called up then she has no choice to go, wait no. Hondo didn't say anything about being called up. What the hell is going on.

"Hondo, what aren't you telling me?" Evie asked getting right to the point.

Hondo sighed "It's not good" he decided on, handing Evie the file Steve had sent him.

Evie raised a brow but took the file, holding it for a minute as she stared at her brother "Am I going to regret this?" She asked motioning to the file. Hondo made a so-so motion with his hand making her sigh. "Alright" Evie muttered opening the file.

Hondo watched as color drained from his sister face before her eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched tightly as she continued to read the file. Then suddenly, Evie was calm. She closed the file and set it beside her, looking at him and Hondo winced knowing this wasn't good. A calm Evie wasn't a good Evie. Like the say calm before the storm.

"Bomber's back?"

Hondo nodded taking a step back when Evie got up. Evie nodded, grabbing the file and made her way to the door "Evie? What are you thinking?" Hondo asked her.

Evie paused hand on the door handle "I'm thinking we need to pack." She looked at him over her shoulder "Because there is no way Bomber is going to get away alive a second time."

 

Chapter 5: Called up?

"What the hell is that about?" Chim asked as they stood with Bobby, staring at his office. The team shifted to look at Eddie "Eddie?" 

"I don't know, but that man, is Hondo. He was part of Evie team in the SEAL's." He told them crossing his arms. Whatever Hondo wanted, couldn't be good, especially if he showed up during their shift. 

Evie and Hondo stormed out the office, Evie heading straight for Bobby who was waiting with the team "I'm being called up" Was the only thing Evie told them, handing Bobby the papers he would need to file, turned her back and stormed down the stairs with Hondo behind her.

"What?"

"Buck!"

"Evie wait!"

Evie heard Chim, Hen and Eddie call out, but she didn't stop, moving to the locker room, grabbing her bag and leaving the station "When do we need to leave?" She asked.

"7 hours. We're heading straight to Sabria. The others will meet us there." Hondo told her.

Evie nodded, sliding into her Jeep "Follow me!" She called out to Hondo before he slid in his SUV. She pulled out the parking lot just as the team made it to the door. 

"What the hell just happened!" Hen yelled staring at the parking spot Evie Jeep was parked. 

"Did... Did Evie just leave?" 

Eddie turned to Bobby who was reading the papers with an ashine face. He recognized those papers, it was the one he got when he was being stationed somewhere, but... Evie never mentioned being in the reserve. 

"Bobby?" Chim looked at him "Evie isn't going back, right?" He asked hopefully. 

Bobby swallowed looking at his team "She's being called up." 

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Jay sat at his desk listening to Kim explain what she found out about their latest victim when his phone started to ring. He took a double take when he saw who was calling. Why was Steve calling him? They had their weekly phone call yesterday. 

He grabbed his phone and stood up, walking towards the break room. 

"Halstead?" Voight looked at his detective. 

"I have to take this." Jay told him, before closing the door, "Smooth, what's wrong?" Jay asked skipping the pleasantry. 

"We're being called up. Hondo is getting Evie; I need you to get Kelly. You leave in 7 hours; the plane should be at the airport to take you two Sabria where we'll meet." 

Jay tensed, wondering what was so important that they were being called back. None of them were supposed to be called back into action unless it was something life threatening. "Smooth, what is going on?" 

There was a sigh on the other end of the phone "Bombers back." 

That was the only thing Jay needed to hear, "I'll inform Kelly." 

"Good. Your bosses should be getting an Email now. Get Kelly, pack your gear, and go. I got you two enough time to explain it to your crews if you want." 

"I will. See you soon." Jay hung up, staring at his phone for a moment trying to understand what he was just told. Bomber was back. Why? What did he want? He had to know that showing his face was a one-way ticket to jail or death. 

"Halstead!" 

Jay was jolted out his thoughts, turning to look out the window. The team were staring at him confused, Voight looking confused, angry and concerned. He got that email. Jay thought with a sigh. He squared up, taking a deep breath leaving the room. 

"So, you got the email." Jay said moving to his desk, throwing on his jacket while the others tracked his movements with their eyes. 

"Jay what are you doing?" 

"As you guys know, I'm still in the reserves." Jay told them, holding his gun and badge "I'm being called up. I have 7 hours to get ready. Meet me at Molly's at 7, I have to go." Jay handed Voight his gun and badge and took for the stairs "Remember Molly!" He shouted before the gate closed. 

Jay stopped in front of the desk, "Trudy, Molly's a 7. Be there it's important." He told her before leaving not staying to hear a response. He rushed to his truck, getting in and pulling out the parking lot once it was running. 

He needed to tell Kelly now. 

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kelly was at the Squad table, playing cards with his boys when a truck squealed to a stop right by the open apparatus doors. He got up along with the others, Matt, Herrman, Stella and Boden stood at the railing watching the doors. 

Kelly instantly became alert when Jay stepped out the truck "Trig!" He yelled rushing inside. 

"Ricky, what's wrong?" Kelly asked stepping away from the table. 

Everyone looked confused, wondering why Jay Halstead was calling Kelly Trig and why he answered to that and why Kelly called him Ricky. Why was Jay even here? As far as they know the two barely speak to each other. 

"Bombers back." Was the only thing Jay had to say before Kelly was rushing to his quarters. He quickly packed his bag, threw on his jacket before heading back to Jay. He did not need to hear anything else expect that. That bastard is back, and he will pay for it. 

"Chief Boden," Jay looked up at the man "You will be getting an email shortly. Everyone else please meet at Molly's at 7 for more information." Jay nodded before he and Kelly rushed to his truck. 

"Kelly!" Matt yelled after his friend, but Kelly didn't stop, sliding into the passenger seat. 

"Talk to me." 

"Smooth got us time to pack, talk to our landlords or roommates, pack, gear up, and talk to our crews. Mines meeting at Molly's at 7, figured it would be easier to include yours to the talk as well." Jay told him, pulling out the parking lot. 

Kelly nodded "I can't believe that asshole is back." Kelly huffed. They all held grudges against Bomber, but Kelly and Evie were the angriest and betrayed. Evie had to suffer with Owl for two weeks before they found them. Kelly was the one who found Evie and Owl, he was the one to see the state Bomber left their teammates in. 

"Well, he's not getting away this time." Jay told him gripping the wheel. They'll make sure Bomber is done for. 

 

Chapter 6: Explanations.

Evie packed her bags with easy, only taking what she needed. Hondo sat on her bed, his bag packed by his feet. Neither spoke. Neither needed too. They both know how the other was doing. 

Hondo knew that Evie was eternally freaking out, but also wanting blood. Hondo knew she was itching to get back onto the field, to get justice for Owl. She was the one who was stuck in that room with Owl when she was being tortured then killed, Evie had to live with those memories.  

Evie knew Hondo was afraid of what was going to happen. He has always been a family man, and that extends to both of his teams. Hondo didn't want to lose anymore of his team, and going back on the field to find Bomber, could be a way to lose them all. 

Pounding at the door, made them both look downstairs, "That's either your team or mine." Hondo said. 

"How would they know you're here?" Evie asked him confused. 

Hondo held up his phone, "Tracking." He knew they would track his phone when he didn't answer any of the 40 text messages he's gotten since he left headquarters. Hondo sighed when the pounding continued, "You should get that before they break the door down." 

Evie nodded, zipping her bag up "I'm coming!" She shouted. The pounding stopped as she reached the last step, tossing her bag at the end of the steps. 

David "Deacon" Kay, stood outside an unfamiliar apartment door, with Jim Street, Jessica Cortez, Christina "Chris" Alonso, Dominique Luca, and Victor Tan behind him.

"Are you sure this is where his phone leads?" Street asked. 

Deacon nodded, "This is where his phone pinged." 

"Why would he come here?" Chris asked confused. 

"No idea." Deacon shrugged as he started pounding on the door, "But he better have a good explanation on why he walked out during shift." 

"I'm coming!" A female voice shouted from inside. 

"Was that a girl?" Luca asked confused. 

Jessica sighed, "Yes. It was a girl." She said annoyed, though they knew she was concerned for their leader. Who was he with?

As the door opened the blinked in surprise when a tall, blond with blue eyes answered. 

Evie blinked at the familiar faces in front of her, and glanced over her shoulder, "Hondo! It's for you!" She shouted, before turning back to the group of six "Come in." She stepped aside holding the door open. 

The team entered, looking around the loft, "Seating is right through there." Evie pointed to the back of the loft. Chris saw Hondo walked down the stairs from the bedroom, that was in full view. He dropped a black duffle next to a similar one on the ground. 

"Tracked my phone did you?" He asked looking at Deacon who only shrugged. 

"You walked out in the middle of a shift. Hicks wouldn't tell us anything." 

Hondo nodded, going to respond when the pounding started again. Evie groaned, "That would be my team now." She muttered opening the door to see Hen, Chimney, Eddie, Chris, Bobby, Athena and Maddie outside her apartment. "Come in." 

Evie team looked at Hondo team confused. 

"Okay let's move this to the living room." Evie told everyone. 

The two teams made their way to the back of the loft, taking seats at the couch and chairs while Hondo and Evie brought the kitchen chairs to the room, letting people take them. Once everyone seat, Chris on Eddie lap, did Hondo and Evie sit as well. 

"Okay," Hondo sighed, "I know this is all confusing so I'm going to give you all the short version." He said. The two groups nodded, leaning forward. Hondo looked at Evie who nodded, slowly. She would rather none of them know, but she knew that wasn't really an option. "Pit and I were in the SEAL's together." 

Street held up a hand, "You were a SEAL? I thought you were a Marine." Hondo has never mentioned being a SEAL. He was proud to be a Marine, that was obvious to anyone who heard him talk about his time, so why keep the SEAL part a secret? 

"I was." Hondo nodded, "Four years, before I switched." 

"Why didn't you ever mention it?" Jessica asked, her gaze firmly on Hondo though they stray to Evie every once and while, jealous that Hondo was in this beautiful girls apartment.  Who was she and why did he run to her? 

Hondo shrugged. "Many reasons. For one, a lot of what I did was classified so I never brought it up. Another reason is because it's... painful to talk about it. Our past isn't sun shine and rainbows." 

"Our past?" Cristina asked, looking between Hondo and the girl. 

Hondo nodded, "Pit, well Evelyn," he motioned to Evie, "And I were on the same SEAL team. It's why I'm here." 

Hen looked at Evie who was staring at the floor, looking deep in thought, "Is that why you never said anything?" 

Evie looked up at the sound of Hen voice, "What?" She asked brows furrowed. 

"About being a SEAL." Hen told her, "Is that why you never told us? Because it's painful?" 

"Yeah." Evie shifted, letting out a slow breath, "A lot was classified. A lot of pain and suffering." Her mind flashed to Owl's face, blood and bruised, eyes open but no life. Hondo sensed the shift in Evie and reached out, laying a hand on her leg, grounding her. 

Two eyes zeroed in on the hand, burning with jealously. Though one knew they didn't have anything to be jealous, Evie and Hondo never had anything going on. 

"Our last mission is the reason we're being recalled." Hondo explained, squeezing Evie leg in support when he felt her tense under his hand. 

"Why?" Athena asked, eyes narrowed looking between them like she was trying to solve a puzzle, "What's so special about that mission that you're being called up, what? 3 years after it ended?" 

The group watched as Hondo froze, and Evie flinch like she's been struck. 

Hondo looked at Evie who went pale, "Pit," he whispered. 

Evie shook her head, "I'm going to call Danny." Evie said standing up, Hondo letting his hand fall away, "See where he and Steve are at." Hondo only nodded, letting Evie walk away. She headed towards the balcony, shutting the door behind her. 

Maddie watched her sister go worriedly, before looking back at the man sitting in front of them, "What was that?" She asked. 

Hondo sighed, "I can't tell you much about our last mission. Only that it ended in one of our dead, and another betraying us." 

The room went dead silent. One dead and another betrayed.  Oh no wonder they didn't want to talk about it. Losing one of your own is hard enough, but having one of your own, someone you trusted with your life, betray you? 

Eddie though, his mind was racing as he recalled the fight he and Evie had all those months ago. "Owl died." "Bomber betrayed us." "I was a POW for three weeks!"    

"Bomber." The name slipped out before Eddie even knew what he was thinking. 

Hondo head snapped towards him, eyes narrowing in a way that made Eddie squirm. Hondo has always been Evie biggest protecter, right behind Steve. Of course the man wouldn't be thrilled to see him right now. 

"What?" 

"Something Evie said during our..." Eddie shook his head. "She said she was a POW for three weeks. And Owl died, and that Bomber betrayed them." 

Hondo sighed, glancing at Evie. She was on the phone still, leaning against the railing. "Yeah. Pit and Owl were taken together." Hondo admitted, glancing back at the teams, "Three weeks. Owl died by week two. Bomber was the one who sold us out. We didn't know until he stopped us from going after them." Hondo eyes went distant as he remembered that moment. The betrayal and heartache he felt when Bomber turned his gun on them. "We barley made it out alive. Bomber did as well." 

After that, the team hadn't been the same. Everyone was blaming themselves, wondering how they didn't see that Bomber was against them. They don't even know if he's always been against them or if he turned sometime during the tour. That's what hurt them the most. Not knowing if the memories with him were real or fake. 

"Why are you being sent out?" Chimney asked, confused, "I mean, wouldn't they send a different team since you guys are close to this?" 

Athena and Hondo team nodded in agreement. Why wasn't another team being sent. 

"Usually they would." Eddie was the one to answer, knowing why Evie and Hondo were being sent, "But their team was hand-picked for their skills. If they send another team, it would take too long for them to understand Bomber skill set and how to work around that to catch him." 

Hondo nodded in agreement.

"He's right." Another voice answered. 

Everyone turned to look at Evie as she close the door, walking back towards them, "We're being sent because we know how Bomber works. We know his strengths and his weakness. We use that against him." 

Chris wiggled his way out of his father grip and slowly made his way towards Evie, "Buck, are you leaving like daddy did when I was younger?" He asked. 

Evie softened, a small smile forming on her lips as she gently pulled Chris onto her lap, "Yeah buddy I am. There's a bad man out there that I need to help catch." She told him, knowing he would understand a lot of what they were talking about but she also knew he was still a kid and didn't want to scare him. 

"For how long?" 

Evie sighed, sharing a look with Hondo who frowned, "Right now? A month. Maybe longer." 

Chris frowned, playing with Evie hair, "But your coming back right? You'll be back home soon right?" He asked, not wanting Evie to go if that means she wouldn't come back. 

Hondo closed his eyes, a slow sigh escaping him. The others looked at each other concerned. One of the first things you learn as a first responder was that you never know if you're going to make it back. And as a military personnel? You never promise to make it back home. Because you never know if you will be home. 

"I'm going to try." Evie settled for. She couldn't give him false hope. Not when she knew there wasn't a chance of making it home alive. Bomber had targeted her once, he was most likely going to do it again once he knows their after him. "I'm going to try to come back to you, but until then." Evie suddenly unclasped her necklace, "You're going to have to keep this," Evie gently put it around his neck, clasping it together, "Safe for me." She smiled. 

Hondo and Eddie stared at her surprised. They were the only two who knew what that necklace meant and represented. 

Chris picked it up, "What is it?" He asked, looking from the necklace to Evie. 

"That is a Lotus flower." Evie said gently taking the silver flower resting it in the palm of her hand. 

 

"It has different means to different cultures but overall it means purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. The  symbolism reflects its deep spiritual significance and universal appeal." Evie let it fall against Chris's chest, "It was given to me by a very important person. Someone I saw as my sister. So, keep it safe yeah?" 

"Wouldn't you want it with you?" Chris asked playing the necklace. 

Yes, she would. "I can't take it with me. So I'm trusting you." 

Chris nodded, a grin forming at being given the task to keep it safe and tucked it under his shirt, before hugging Evie. Evie smiled kissing his forehead as she locked eyes with Eddie and he knew right there and then. Evie didn't give it to Chris because she couldn't take it. She gave it to Chris in case she didn't make it back, he would have something of hers. 

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 

Jay sighed as he parked his truck in Molly's parking lot. Kelly was sitting in the passenger seat, both of their bags and guns were in the back ready to be grabbed. He looked at the bright, Molly sign, and took a deep breath. He never thought this day would come, but here they were. 

Kelly unbuckled himself, and looked at Jay, "You ready Ricky?" He asked. 

Jay closed his eyes, taking a moment before answering. "Yeah, Trig. Let's get this over with." 

The bar was empty expect for the firehouse and Intelligence unit along with Trudy. The bar was quite, everyone staring at the two men as they walked in. 

Jay and Kelly shared a look, before taking the two seats across for their teams. "Okay," Kelly sighed, "I know all of you have questions." 

"Hell yeah we do." Casey nodded, looking at his friend concerned and confused. "What was that early today? Why did you leave?" 

"Yeah." Kim nodded looking at Jay, "What was that phone call about? It got you so worked up." 

Kelly looked at Jay, not really knowing what to say. 

"And this," Voight motioned between the two, "Since were you both friends?" 

"And Ricky and Trig? What's that?" 

"Okay stop!" Jay shouted cutting off the questions. Everyone went silent, staring at them waiting for answers. "Let us breath for a second," Jay ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath.  Kelly rested a hand on Jay shoulder, grounding him for the moment. 

Jay took a couple more deep breaths before he answered. "The phone call," he started glancing at Kim, "Was our old C.O calling. Kelly and I are being called back into action." 

Mouse looked him confused, "I thought you were a Ranger?" They were rangers together, before Mouse left. 

"I was," Jay reassured his team. He didn't lie about that, "But after you left, I was picked to join a SEAL team." 

Herrman looked at Kelly confused, and a little hurt, "You never said you were military." 

Kelly shrugged, feeling a little guilty, "Yeah I," he cleared his throat, "I don't really broadcast that time. I'm not ashamed, I will never be ashamed of my time." Kelly could never. He gained a family and made so many memories. His team shaped him into the man he is today. How could he ever be ashamed of that? "But our work was classified and honestly... after our last mission it was easier not to bring it up." 

"And what mission was that?" Boden questioned his firefighter. He never knew Severide was a SEAL. There was nothing about it in his paperwork which mean Kelly either kept it off, or it was sealed off. 

Kelly swallowed. Jay tensed up. The teams waited for one of them to answer, both picking up on their body language and knew whatever happened wasn't good. 

Kelly was the one to answer, "Our last mission, ended with Two of ours being Prison of Wars. One was killed. The other I... I found her, and somedays... somedays I wish, I hadn't." The image of Evie hanging from the ceiling, bloody, bruised and broken, that haunted look in her eyes. Kelly would never forget finding his baby sister like that, nor would he forgot how he found Owl. 

He could never forget that day. 

Neither could Jay. He carried Owl dead body out of there, holding onto her like she was his lifeline. "Our own betrayed us." Jay admitted, that sentence hitting the team the hardest. Someone they cared for betrayed them. A person who they trusted to watch their backs, to keep them alive, turned on them. "He spent three weeks with the two that were taken. Hurting them. And now he's back." 

"And you're going to catch him." Stella muttered. 

Kelly nodded, "Yeah, we're going to catch him." Alive or dead, is still in question. 

"So this is it?" Kevin asked, looking between the two, "You're just, leaving? Just like that?" 

Jay nodded. "Yeah. Just like that." 

"That's bullshit!" 

"We don't have a choice!" Kelly exclaimed, slamming his hand down on the table. Many flinched back at the sudden display of anger. Jay reached over, wrapping his hand around Kelly wrist, pressing two fingers to his pulse point. Kelly leaned back in his seat, taking a deep breath. 

The firefighters watched in shock. No one has been able to clam Kelly's anger down in seconds. Not even Shay and they were best friends. How did Jay know what to do? 

"We don't have a choice." Kelly repeated, calmer this time. "But even if we did? We would still go." 

Jay nodded, agreeing 100% to this. No way was someone else going to bring Bomber in. He hurt them, killed Owl, hurt Pit. He doesn't get to roam freely anymore. 

 

 

Chapter 7: SEAL's meet up

Evie and Hondo stood by Hondo truck, bags and gear in the back seat. The two teams stood in front of them, watching as they got ready to leave for another mission. A mission none of them know if the two would come back home after. "So this is it?" Luka asked. 

"Yeah." Hondo nodded. 

Evie looked at her team. Maddie was in Chimney arms. Athena and Bobby held each other. Chris stood in front of Eddie, one hand gripping the necklace. Eddie hand a steady hand on Chris's shoulder. Hen stood next to Athena, smiling softly. 

Evie made her way towards them as Hondo made his way towards his team. "So . . . this is it." Evie pressed her lips. 

Bobby let go of Athena, stepping forward, opening his arms. Evie threw herself into his arms, wrapping his arms around his neck tightly. Bobby held Evie tightly, one hand on the back of her head the one wrapped around her waist, holding Evie like he used to hold Brooke. 

"I'm sorry I have to leave." Evie whispered. 

Bobby shook his head, "You're doing what you have too. We'll be here for you when you get back." Bobby reassured her. Evie tightened her grip on him, before stepping back, wiping her wet cheeks. 

Hugs went all around, Maddie and Hen reaching her first, then Chim, Athena, Chris and finally Eddie. Evie looked at him before looking at her team, "Give us a moment." Evie said pulling Eddie away from the rest of the team. 

Hondo noticed Evie pulling Daiz away and kept an eye on them. He didn't fully forgive Diaz, he broke his little sister, but he could tolerate the guy if Pup every got back with him. 

"Evie," Eddie started before Evie could say anything. "I-I don't know what to say." Eddie huffed, stuffing his hands in his pocket. "I wish I could go with you. I don't like knowing your out there without me as backup."

Evie smiled softly, "I know, but I won't be defensless and I won't be alone." Eddie nodded, but it didn't make him feel any better. She was still going to be in dangerous territory without him there watching her back. And he knows, he knows he left once and she stayed and she worked without him, but even then Eddie felt like he was having a heart attack every single time he heard a SEAL team was down or a SEAL died. "Eddie," Eddie blinked looking back at Evie. She was fiddling with her hands, shifting from foot to foot. "I want you to know . . . I love you. I do really, really love you, and I love Chris, and if I don't make it back-"

"Stop." Eddie whispered. "Stop. Don't say that. Please don't say that." He shook his head. 

"Eddie. Eddie I need to say it." Evie held his face in her hands, forcing him to look her in her eyes. "Please, I need to say it. I love you. I never stopped loving you. And I need you to know that if I don't make it back, I tried with everything to make it back to you, and to Chris, and to everyone else. Okay? I need you to know that I will always love you, even when I hate you, I will love you and I will fight to come back to you." 

Eddie swallowed hard, staring into those blue eyes that always reminded him of the Ocean. "Turn around," he muttered. 

Evie looked at him confused, but turned around. 

"What is he doing?" Maddie whispered. 

"No idea." Hondo shrugged. 

The two teams now standing together, watching the duo with curious eyes. 

Hen gasped, "Is he-"

'Yeah." Chimney nodded wide eyed. 

Evie blinked when she felt something heavy settle against her chest. Looking down, Evie saw the gleaming silver of a medallion resting between her chest. 

"Oh shit." Hondo breathed out, staring wide eyed at Eddie. 

Luca looked between his boss and the duo confused, "What's so important about a medallion?" He asked. 

"It's not just a medallion." Hondo shook his head. "It's St. Christopher. Eddie has worn that since his first tour, and I've never seen him without it." 

Christopher looked up them. "Mommy gave him it after I was born. So he would always come back!" Chris chirped. 

"That's sweet." 

Evie gently ran her fingers over the medallion, "Eddie?" She whispered. 

"So you know what your fighting for." Eddie whispered hands trailing from the clasp to her shoulders, leaning his chin on her shoulder. "It kept me safe. Maybe it'll keep you safe." 

Evie spun around looking down. She always loved that she was just an inch or two taller than Eddie, even now Evie wanted to smirk and a comment that he was shorter but held back. Now wasn't the time. "Ed's I can't . . . I can't keep this." Evie shook her head. 

"Yes you can." Eddie shot back. "You can because it'll keep you safe. It will remind you that I love you too." 

Evie shot forward, wrapping her arms around Eddie neck pressing her lips against his. Eddie held Evie cheek in one hand, his other hand resting on her hip, kissing back with as much enthusiasm as Evie. 

"WHOO!" 

"About time!" 

"Finally." 

"Ugh." 

The two pull apart laughing a little at their team cheers. "Stay safe." Eddie muttered. 

"I will." Evie muttered back, giving him a short kiss before stepping back. 

After another round of hugs, Evie and Hondo left for the airport. 

Eddie stood with the time, arms drapped around Chris shoulders, as his son leaned against his legs. "Daddy." 

"Yeah, buddy?" Eddie looked down at his son. 

"Do you think Evie will come back?" 

Eddie took a deep breath, swallowing hard. "I think . . . she'll try really hard to come back." Chris nodded cuddling into his dad legs. The two teams stood there in silence. They might not know each other well, but they kenw right now they needed to be strong with each other. Until the rest of thier team makes it back. 

---

Kelly and Jay drank with their team, enjoying the time they get when Kelly phone went off. He answered without checking. 

"Severide." 

"Hey Trig."

"Pit." Jay head snapped towards Kelly. The teams went quite, leaning forward. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I got Hondo with me. We're heading to the airport." 

"I got Ricky with me. Our teams as well." 

"Put me on speaker, we need to talk to both of you." 

"Alright," Kelly did as he was told. "Your on speaker pit." 

"Hey Ricky." 

"Sup Jay." 

Jay smiled, sliding in next to Kelly. "Hey Pit. Hey Hondo. How are you two?"

"I'm good." 

"Could be better." 

Jay and Kelly frowned, "Pit what's wrong?" Kelly asked. 

"Daiz gave her his St. Christopher medallion." Hondo answered. 

"Woah." 

"You mean the medallion that I've never seen him take off?" Jay asked. "That medallion?" 

"Yeah. That medallion." Evie told him. "Look, we're heading to the airport now. Should be in the air in 20. We're calling to make sure you two have our trackers." 

Kelly nodded, "Yeah there packed with the gear." The trackers, are grad A and very hard to get. The team got them on their last tour, and when they disbanded the decision to have Kelly and Jay hold and protect them was made. The two were close and lived in the same city as at the time, Evie was in the hospital not knowing where she was going to land, Steve was going Hawaii and Hondo was going to LA alone. 

"Good. We'll see you two in a few hours." 

"Of course. Stay safe." 

"Yeah, I want to hug you two." Jay smirked when Evie laughed. 

"You got it." 

"See you later Jay, Kelly." 

"Bye." Kelly hung up. 

"Who was that?" Matt asked his best friend. 

"That was Pitbull. AKA Evelyn Buckley. Pit for short." Kelly down the rest of his drink. Club soda since he was driving. "And Hondo. Two of our team members." 

"Live together?" Kim asked. 

Jay shook his head. "Nah, but they both live in LA. Just a few minutes from each other, like Kelly and I." Kelly nodded. "Well..." Jay sighed glancing at the time. 6:20. "It's time." 

Kelly sighed, standing up from his seat. Everyone else followed. Kelly and Jay stood on one side, the other two teams stood on the other. Like their on the opposite side of the world already. "So this is when you two leave?" Ant crossed his arms. Jay looked at his best friend and nodded once. Ant waited for a moment, before crossing the space, pulling Jay into his arms. "You come back to me, you hear me?" Ant whispered. 

Jay wrapped his arms around Ant tightly, nodding against his shoulder. "Yeah. I hear you." Jay swallowed. 

Kelly was locked in a tight hug with Matt and the squad 6. "You better come back lieutenant." 

"I will." Kelly nodded. 

"I mean it Kelly." Matt whispered. "You better come back to me." 

Kelly swallowed, trying to hide how hopefully those words made him. "I'll try." He nodded. 

The rest of the teams gave their person hugs, before watching as Jay and Kelly left the bar. 

"Their going to be back." Mouse said, but it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself. 

Even so, the others nodded. They needed to believe it. Needed to believe that the two will come back. 

---

~Time Skip~

Hondo and Evie jumped off the plane, duffle bags in hand, guns and knives hidden on their persons. 

"Pit! Hondo!" 

The two turned to see Jay and Kelly walking towards them, their own duffles tossed over their shoulders. 

"Jay, Kelly." Evie smiled, rushing to hug them. The men responded, hugging their little sister tightly. Evie was the youngest SEAL on their team, even now, 28 years old, she was the youngest. 

"I missed you two." 

"We missed you too pit." Jay muttered kissing her head. 

Kelly and Jay pulled away to hug Hondo. 

"Pup!" 

Steve dropped his bag on the ground and rushed towards Evie, pulling her into his arms. 

"Steve." Evie hugged him tightly. Steve was like her dad, the first man who protected her and took care of her, showed her what patermal love felt like. "I missed you so much." 

"I missed you too, pup." Steve kissed her head. 

Evie slowly let him go, heading towards Danny. 

"How you doing kid?" Danny asked pulling Evie into a gentle hug. 

"I've been better." Evie let out a soft sigh. "I just want him gone." 

Danny tightend his hold on Evie. He couldn't imagne how she was feeling at the moment. He did know how she felt. Danny heard about how close Evie and Jessie were. Sisters. And Evie and Oliver. Best friends. Losing both of them on the same day, Danny didn't know how Evie was still standing and ready to fight. 

"He will be." Danny promised, pulling back. "And you won't do it alone. Not again." 

Evie smiled, a strain one but a smile nonetheless. "I know." 

"Man it's cold." Hondo complained. Danny and Evie turned to their team, smiling at Hondo exaggerated shivers. "Of course he would surface in fucking Romania. Always loved cold places." He scoffed. 

"Yeah, so this follows." Evie shook her head, grabbing her bag from where it fell to the ground. 

"How are you four not cold?" Steve asked zipping up his jacket higher. 

Danny, Evie, Jay and Kelly shared smirked. "Let's see. I grew up in Pennsylvania. Danno in Jersey. Kelly and Jay in Chiacgo. It's always cold." Evie said snarky. "Of course you old people wouldn't get it."

"Oh you joke nows?" Steve laughed. "Come here!" 

"Ah!" Evie ducked under Steve arm, rushing towards the carpark. Steve ran right behind her, playfully trying to get her. 

"Run Evie!" Jay called out. 

Danny laughed picking up his boyfriend abandoned bag. "Let's go before they break something." The three men laughed but followed Danny to the carpark.