Chapter Text
Eddie heard his phone go off and he pulled it out of his pocket. He checked the notifications on it before he unlocked it and opened up the text message from Buck. He smiled at the pictures that Buck had sent him. He couldn't help but chuckle at a few of them because of how happy not only Chris looked but Buck looked also. His chuckle turned into a laugh when he checked his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. He retweeted both of the Twitter posts that Buck made and the two that Tony made and then liked the pictures on both Buck's and Tony's Instagram pages. He just knew that all of the pictures posted would end up with a huge following because of who was in them. He commented on all the pictures on all three sites and then sat back and waited for the surprise explosion that he knew would happen. After all nobody but him realized yet just who Buck and Chris were spending the day with.
He stealthily set his phone up to record when he saw Bobby, Hen, Chim, Maddie, Athena, and other firefighters on shift pull out their cell phones to check on the notifications they had just been pinged with. He just knew that their reactions were going to be good and he wanted to catch them for Buck. He winked at Athena when she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He knew that she was wondering why he wasn't checking his phone like everyone else was. He was surprised that she hadn't caught him looking at his phone when he laughed a minute ago.
Athena knew something was up as soon as she saw how relaxed Eddie was. She unlocked her cell phone and then opened her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram apps. Her eyes widened in shock at what she saw and she looked back at Eddie with wide eyes. "Buck and Christopher are spending the day with Tony fucking Stark! How in the hell did that happen, Eddie? From the look of it Buck knows Stark pretty damn well with how much he's relaxed and close with him. Christopher looks like he is having a blast!"
Eddie smiled softly. "Chris has been having a blast since last night, Athena. We went bowling last night and Christopher got to throw the ball on his own for the very first time. As to your question, Buck has known Tony Stark for years. It is not my place to tell you how he knows Stark and I refuse to betray his trust like that."
Athena nodded slowly and looked back down at her phone. She flipped through the pictures and grinned at the ones of the two men, two children, and six Iron Legion. She chuckled as she looked back up from her phone. "Christopher seems to be relaxed in the presence of the Iron Legion. For that matter Buck does too. Your son looks like he's being spoiled rotten and if the captions are anything to go by he's going to enjoy the rest of his time out and about today. At least now I understand the memo that the brass sent out today about the Iron Legion being out and about today and to ignore them when and where possible."
Eddie snorted and nodded. "Yeah Tony warned me this morning about the media possibly getting pictures of Chris. I trust, Buck, Tony, and Peter to make sure that Chris is safe." He shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "Besides it isn't as if they are actually there without some kind of security watching their backs. I know that others are tailing them to make sure that nobody bothers them too much. It doesn't hurt that the Iron Legion is also out in force. Even without the Legion though I trust Buck, Tony, and Peter with my son's safety."
Athena chuckled at that as she ran a hand through her hair. Her mind was putting pieces together that she had somehow overlooked when it came to Buck. She bit her lip as she thought about what question she wanted to ask the most. "How long have you known that Buck is friends with Tony Stark, Eddie?"
Eddie didn't bat an eye at Athena's question because he expected it. He rubbed a hand down his face in frustration because he owed Tony ten dollars now sice he had thought either Bobby or Maddie would have asked that particular question. "I have known that Buck was close friends with Tony since the day we had the 7.1. earthquake. It was Tony who helped me find the school that Chris now goes to because a teacher at his old school made him feel uncomfortable. Buck asked Tony for a recommendation for a new school and Tony not only gave one, but he also ran background checks on all the teachers, teacher assistants, janitorial workers, and all other staff. He has even picked Chris up from school for me when our calls have run past quitting time and Abuela, Pepa, or Carla couldn't."
He rolled his eyes at the looks on everyone's faces bar Athena. "Tony is the one who made sure Buck had the best doctors and surgeons after the ladder truck. He's also filed a lawsuit and won against a couple news stations and reporters that have taken to harassing Buck. Why do you think Buck's new place has suck tight security? Oh, wait none of you would know except for Athena because nobody has been by his place since before the pulmonary embolism. Did you really think that Buck had no support system outside of the 118? I have met several firefighters who have made it a point to visit Buck including ones from out of state! I have met first responders from Texas, Chicago, New York, and Miami. Hell not all of them are firefighters or EMT's. I have met several Detectives and police officers as well."
Athena snorted at that and then laughed. "Yeah, I overheard one of the police chiefs the other day talking about an influx of out of state visitors from other police departments. In fact the Heads of the New York and Miami crime labs are here for the next two weeks to help get the new L.A. crime lab set up properly. They've also brought some of their people to help make sure those that are staffing the lab know how to properly do their jobs."
Eddie snickered. "That would be Detective Mac Taylor and Lieutenant Horatio Caine. Christopher and I met them a couple days ago when Buck had them and us over for dinner. We have also met their teams. They are all nice people and are rabid in making sure that Buck has everything he needs and that he's taking care of himself. They spend their days off helping Buck to unpack and move things to where he wants them. Mac and Detective Don Flack also from New York along with Sergeant Barnes and Colonel Rhodes spent the day before yesterday making sure Buck's weapon certification is up to date. They have also made the time to answer any and all of Chris' questions. Sergeant Barnes has also taken to showing Chris some self defense moves that he can use even with having CP. Stark makes sure that Chris has all the new tech to help with his schooling. They are all important to Buck so they're important to me."
Athena's eyes widened in shock and she ignored everyone else whom were sputtering. "You are talking about Sergeant James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, right? Wow!"
Eddie grinned. "I am talking about him. He is great with Chris. He knew someone with CP at some point which is why he knows so much about it. Him, Dr. Bruce Banner, and Dr. Helen Cho are all working on something that will help Chris with his CP. Why do you think that I always comment about how full Chris' days have been lately? I get to see him first thing in the morning and right before he goes to bed if I'm not working for the most part. I do see him on my days off but that is only between whatever he has going on that day. I am happy that Chris is having fun because he deserves it after everything he's been through in his short life."
Bobby finally regained his faculties and demanded, "How come Buck never told us that he knew those kinds of people? How in the hell was he able to keep it a secret? He tells us everything else including things we don't want to know!"
Eddie snorted and shook his head in disgust. "You don't really pay much attention to what Buck actually says, Bobby, because if you did you would have realized something important by now. If you haven't figured it out on your own by now then you're an idiot. The stuff Buck says is his way of deflecting speculation about his life! He started it after Abby left for many reasons, the chief reason being you guys teasing him about Abby!"
He stood up from his seat and paced the loft. He ignored his phone for a minute as he tried to order his thoughts because he didn't want to say something that Buck wouldn't want the others to know. He was agitated and pissed off enough to say something he wouldn't regret in the least as it was. "You guys teased him so much about Abby leaving that he felt he couldn't trust you with anything personal in case of you saying something you shouldn't. I noticed on my first day here at the 118 that he closed a part of himself off from all of you. It didn't take me more than a day to figure out why he did what he did. I am not going to break his trust to placate any one of you, so don't even think about demanding answers. If you want to know something then fucking ask Buck. That is what I did and he had no problem answering my questions. In fact he was happy to answer my questions because it proved that I cared about him as a person and not just what he could do on the mother fucking job!"
Maddie looked at Eddie and paled slightly when she saw the look on his face and in his eyes. "I am Buck's sister and I haven't made fun of him. So, why didn't he tell me he knew Iron Man? He knows that I am a big fan. I can't believe he so selfishly kept this part of his life to himself! Now, I understand why I have been told to call him before showing up at his place."
Eddie whipped around and glared at Maddie with cold eyes. "You are one to talk about being selfish, Maddie. After all you have done but belittle Buck since the firetruck bombing. Hell even before that you had a fucking tendency to talk down to him. Maybe if you hadn't checked out of his life for basically eight years you'd know about this part of his life. Buck is a grown ass man and he doesn't have to tell you anything that he doesn't want to. Maybe if you weren't so fucking step self centered Buck would have introduced you to Tony."
He smirked and then meanly added, "Besides Buck asked Tony if he wanted to meet you and the man flat out said no. He told Buck he didn't want to meet anyone who treated Buck like he didn't have a right to make his own choices. Stark doesn't have time for people who shamelessly uses those around them to make themselves feel about themselves. Tony Stark doesn't like people who don't know how to see right from wrong. He doesn't suffer fools if he can help it and you should know that from everything that he has said to reporters who have ambushed him."
Chim stood up and glared at Eddie. "What the fuck man? Watch how you talk to and about Maddie! She hasn't done anything to Buck!"
Eddie stepped forward and poked Chim in the chest. He only did it once because he knew if he did it more than once then he'd probably end up punching the other man. "Open your damn eyes, Chim, and realize your little girlfriend isn't even close to perfect. Ever since you got with her you stopped seeing Buck as an actual person whether you want to admit it or not. Has your little girlfriend told you about the fact that she and Buck have another brother? Has she told you that her parents got rid of Buck as soon as he did the job that he was specifically born for? What about the fact that she only got in touch with Buck eight years ago because her other brother Daniel refused to have anything to do with her or her parents because of what they did to Buck?"
He shook his head and chuckled darkly. "Even now Daniel Buckley wants nothing to do with Maddie or her parents. Hell he's been in California for three months and refuses to even consider seeing Maddie. Not that I can blame the man. He in fact has a restraining order against Maddie and her parents. So, why don't you grow a fucking pair, Chim, and be the friend to Buck you keep trying to say that you are instead of your girlfriend's little lap dog bitch? Huh?"
Athena got up and pushed Chim back so she could step in between him and Eddie. She understood why Eddie was pissed, but she didn't want to have to arrest him. "Eddie, you need to calm down because I don't want to have to arrest you for assault. Now, this Daniel guy would it be the one I met a couple weeks ago that picked Buck after his checkup? The FBI Agent that was with Agent Ian Edgerton? And speaking of Edgerton how does he know Buck so well?"
Eddie smirked wickedly at Athena. "Have you ever tried to run a background check on Buck, Athena?"
Athena frowned and shook her head. "No, I haven't. Why?"
Eddie grinned then. "If you ever do you will get a phone call from some people. Buck's name is flagged because of work he's done in the past. Chief Alonzo himself makes sure that Buck has the same three weeks off every year for vacation because Buck's vacation time isn't exactly vacation time if you get my drift. Edgerton knows him from work Buck did before he became a firefighter. I am sure if you ask Buck he will tell what he can. After all unlike the others, you have been there for Buck, Athena."
Athena smiled at Eddie. "I will call him late and see if I can crash the dinner you guys will be having tonight no doubt. I would like to meet his friends and not just because his friends seem to be famous."
Eddie snickered as he sat back down finally. He was calm or as calm as he could be right then once more. "Tony has something for you anyways since he knows Buck worries about you. I think tonight is Greek food so I hope you like it. Buck has a whole meal planned and Chris is excited about it."
Athena's eyes widened in surprise. "I will be happy to try it. I miss Buck's cooking. I got used to his and my lunches when we were both off shift. He always cooked for us. Lately I haven't had a day off that coincided with a free day for him so we've only been meeting for a quick coffee here and there. At least now I know that he actually isn't avoiding me like I had thought he was."
Eddie shook his head. "No, Athena, he hasn't been avoiding you. If Buck isn't with Chris, at an appointment, or with Tony he is doing something for someone he knows. He hasn't told me what he was asked to do, but he has told me that it was for someone he knows from before he joined the 118. I trust him to know when to ask for help if he needs it."
Athena nodded. "Yeah, Buck knows when to ask for help when and if he needs it. He also knows when to help someone else who needs it even if that person hasn't asked for it. I will definitely make it a point to crash your dinner tonight because I want to see how he is doing with everything. Bobby told me that the higher-ups are keeping Buck from coming back to work because of him being on blood thinners."
Eddie rolled his eyes and huffed. "Athena, I think that your husband is lying to you. Before you tell me I'm wrong I want you to think about something. Buck has been cleared by all of his doctors and the doctors that keep an eye on injured firefighters. Now, do you really think that the higher-ups are stupid enough to go against the very doctors who have cleared other firefighters? Especially since that could and would call into question any firefighter or first responder that has been injured on the job and cleared to work again. If it is the higher-ups keeping Buck from working then they are opening themselves, the fire department, and the city up to legal action since he was completely cleared to return to work. Hell he fucking passed his recertification twice and broke records doing it. So, the question is do you really think that it is the higher-ups keeping Buck from returning to work or is it your husband keeping him from returning to work for some fucked up reason?"