Well . . . at 8.6K words, this is the longest chapter so far. So, have 8.6K words of angst, feels, and (likely rushed) content that concludes one chapter and moves to another.

Yep, you read that right. The Buckleys spill, Buck a bit more than Maddie, Owen and TK get the (surprising) good news, hard conversations are had, and departures are made. Next stop, Austin!

***

"I cannot believe him!"

Buck winced, discretely checking the stopwatch he had running on his phone as Maddie ranted and paced his apartment. The moment they had entered the loft, Buck had plopped down on the stairs and Maddie had erupted. She had spent the last – he tapped the screen to light it up again – eight minutes and forty-three seconds going in-depth about how Chimney had betrayed their trust, how she couldn't believe Hen and Bobby hadn't tried to stop him, what she would be doing to Chimney because of what he did . . .

Eddie was right. Buck never wanted to be on the wrong end of Maddie's wrath. "Mads," he finally said, sounding more exhausted than he had ever been.

She abruptly stopped in her tracks, and she turned to face Buck, who was looking at his hands. "I'm so sorry that happened to you," she finally whispered, walking over and sitting next to him on the stairs. "We should have had the chance to tell everyone when we were ready."

"I thought we were close to that point," Buck said, letting Maddie take his hands in hers. "I really thought so. I was ready to tell Eddie, at least . . . but to have Chim drop that bomb in the firehouse, especially when he basically gave the wrong information, too?"

"I am going to castrate him, then butcher him," Maddie growled.

Buck tried to smile, but found he couldn't. "Don't let Athena catch you." He froze. "Oh, God, Athena – "

"Hey," Maddie put her hand on Buck's knee. "I'll text her and ask her to come over, OK? I'll ask her to stop Bobby from telling her anything. This is for us to share, not him."

Buck nodded, running his hands over his face. "I want Eddie and Christopher there, too," he said quietly. "Everyone we want to know, we meet up."

"Who do you want in that group?"

Buck thought it over. "Athena, Eddie, Christopher, Carla, May, and Josh," he decided. "I, uh . . . I don't know about Taylor yet. I like her, but . . . she's not family yet. Those are the six I want to know now."

"OK," Maddie nodded. "Josh and Eddie are on shift, which I know ends tomorrow morning . . . I don't know what Athena's schedule is, but since tomorrow is Saturday, Christopher doesn't have school."

Buck nodded absently, still feeling numb. "I hope the others can meet, too."

Maddie nodded in agreement, laying her head on Buck's shoulder. "I'm sorry this happened," she whispered again.

Buck leaned his head on hers, his heart breaking. "I am, too."

***

"Paul," Owen suddenly said after they were finished with dinner the next evening. "The CFD is headed by the commissioner, right?"

The abrupt topic made silverware stop clinking, and Paul cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah," he looked at Owen in confusion. "It is. Why do you ask?"

"Is it the same commissioner as when you left?"

Marjan and Mateo shared bewildered looks. "I think so," Paul said slowly. "Carl Grissom was the commissioner when I left. As far as I know, there hasn't been a new one. What's with the sudden interest in the CFD hierarchy?"

Owen looked at TK, who gave him a half-hearted shrug. "Because TK and I found our riding paramedic for Squad 9," he said. "But she doesn't want her transfer to go through the one in charge of her house. She wants it to go through the commissioner."

"You found one?" Michelle's eyes lit up, Nancy and Tim looking interested.

"Yeah," Owen nodded. "I doubt she'll have trouble getting captaincy, so hopefully that won't be a problem."

"No," Michelle shook her head. "If you think she's good enough for this house, I trust she'll be good."

"Oh, she's good," TK nodded. "Very good."

"Who is it?" Judd asked curiously.

"Wait," Paul narrowed his eyes. "The only reason I can think of someone wanting their transfer to go through the commissioner . . . "

"She wants it done as quickly as possible," Owen said, steepling his fingers. "She wants here as quickly as possible. That wouldn't be done if it went through her battalion chief."

"Battalion chief?" Mateo blinked.

Paul blinked, too, then his eyes widened and his fork fell from his hand. "Oh, damn," he breathed. "You did not get who I think you got."

"If you think we got Sylvie Brett, you think correct," TK gave a grim smile.

"Whoa, seriously?" Nancy's eyes widened, Tim choking on his drink. "We're getting one of Chicago's best paramedics?"

"The best, according to her records," Owen nodded.

"How?" Paul demanded, looking confused. "How the hell did you get her from Chicago?"

TK frowned. "I find your lack of faith in us disturbing."

"Nice reference," Marjan smirked.

"Thanks."

"No, seriously," Paul shook his head. "Sylvie left her fiancé to return to Chicago, to 51. I didn't think she would ever leave."

"That's the thing," Owen looked around the table. "That was my thought when I first made the call to offer her the job. Then she called sounding . . . well, to say a wreck would be an understatement. She asked how soon we wanted her in Austin. My response was as quickly as possible, which she seemed far too happy about. The last thing we discussed before hanging up was that she wanted her transfer to go through Commissioner Grissom, not Wallace."

"Wow," Paul whispered, looking stunned as he shook his head. "To go through Grissom and not Boden . . . "

He sounded uncertain. "Do you think something might have happened at the house?" TK asked quietly.

"I don't know," Paul shook his head. "But if she doesn't want to go through Boden . . . something must've. I can't for the life of me think what, though."

"Based on what you said, I'm wondering, too," Tim frowned.

A sudden noise from TK made Owen look at his son, who was staring at his water glass, his face very, very pale. "TK?" he asked in concern.

"Um," he swallowed hard. "I can think of . . . a possible reason." He looked up. "Dad, I can't say what it is, it's for her to share, not me."

Mateo looked like a confused puppy, and Michelle looked like she wanted to dig more, but Owen recognized that look TK was giving him. It was a very specific deer-in-headlights look, one he remembered clearly from back in New York. He slowly nodded, getting TK's hint. "Alright. If Sylvie wants to share when she gets here, that's up to her."

TK sighed in relief. "Thanks, Dad."

"Hang on," Marjan leaned forward. "Cap, if you managed to snag Sylvie . . . who did you offer the other position to?"

Owen couldn't help but smirk, one TK matched perfectly. "Who do you think?"

"Oh, God," Judd groaned, dropping his face into his hands. "We're doomed."

***

The rapid knocking on the door almost made Buck jump onto the ceiling from his place on the couch. Maddie gave him a concerned look. "I'll get the door," she said quietly. Buck merely nodded, and she took a deep breath, standing up and walking to the door. She brushed her suddenly sweaty palms out on her pants, then unlocked the door and swung it open.

She blinked in surprise when she saw all six people they were expecting standing there, various looks on their faces. Eddie cleared his throat, easily the most sheepish of them. "We, uh . . . as soon as my shift finished, we pretty much planned to get here at the same time."

"Hi, Maddie!" Christopher smiled toothily at her.

Maddie found herself easily smiling back, bending down to hug Christopher. "Hello yourself, Christopher."

"Now," Athena raised an eyebrow. "What's this about?"

"Does it have to do with why Bobby was so quiet when we passed him on our way out?" May asked.

At the captain's name, Buck's head shot up from the couch. "He didn't follow you, did he?" Maddie asked worriedly.

"No," Athena shook her head, frowning as she stepped into the loft. "I didn't let him say anything, just like you said. That's worrying me, though."

Eddie scoffed, muttering something in Spanish that had Christopher looking at him in surprise. "Dad?" he asked.

Eddie sighed, squeezing Christopher's shoulder and moving past Maddie to the couch where Buck was still sitting. "Buck?" he asked softly.

He got a weak smile in response. "How was the shift from hell?"

"Frankly . . . hell," Eddie dropped next to him. "Lena was honestly a godsend. I don't think I would've made it through without her there to stop me from wringing Chimney's neck."

Buck snorted. "Maddie would've helped you."

"Yes, I would've," Maddie agreed, letting the rest of the crew into the loft before shutting the door. "And I would've asked you to help me bury the body."

"Why stop at burying it?" Eddie gave Maddie an innocent smile. "I'm a firefighter. I know how arson works."

"Are we talking about the same Chimney?" Carla frowned.

"Unfortunately, yes," Josh sighed.

"Buck?" Christopher used his crutches to move forward, frowning when he saw Buck's slouch on the couch. "Are you OK?"

"Uh . . . " Buck wrestled with what to say before finally sighing. "You know? I've been a lot better, buddy."

Christopher accepted the answer with ease. "Do you need a hug?"

Buck laughed, a genuine laugh that made Eddie smile in relief. "Yeah, Chris. I could use a hug."

Christopher looked all too happy to climb onto the couch, worming between Buck and Eddie, and throw his arms around Buck. A sudden weight and a whiff of coconut shampoo meant May had decided she wanted to join in the hug, too, and Buck was engulfed with hugs from two of his favorite kids. "You got it, Buck," she mumbled.

Athena watched with hard eyes as Eddie reached around Christopher to place his hand on the back of Buck's neck, gently squeezing supportively. She finally turned to look at Maddie, who looked ready to burst into tears at any moment. "What happened, Buckette?" she asked. "And don't sugarcoat a single thing."

Maddie didn't. She started from the very beginning, about Daniel and his leukemia, how no one in the family was a match. Carla seemed to catch on first, judging by her soft gasp and look at Buck, who was still dogpiled by May and Christopher. When Maddie explained their parents had Buck to make their own match, Christopher's eyes widened, May's expression turned heartbroken, and Josh looked close to tears. Eddie's hackles were raised, his face twisted in fury. Athena's face was set like stone, but her eyes were cold. Buck had no doubt that if his parents had been in front of the police sergeant, she would have had them shivering. When it got to the bomb dropped on the 118, Buck took over, grounded by the kids hugging him and Eddie's hand on his neck.

It was quiet for several seconds after the Buckleys finished. The silence was broken by Carla's trembling, quiet voice. "Never in my life have I heard of parents worse than yours."

"That's awful!" May burst out. "Your parents had you for . . . for spare parts and when you couldn't help your brother, they just . . . they just . . . "

"They treated you like a disappointment," Christopher whispered, sorrow in his tone.

Buck simply nodded, talked out. "And Chimney . . . " Josh trailed off, ending by simply shaking his head.

"Yeah," Eddie growled. "That's all you need to say, really."

"Buck? Look at me, honey." Buck slowly lifted his eyes to meet Athena's. Several emotions warred in them, but what stuck with him the most was the clear love for him that he could see. "Chimney had no right to share that with the firehouse behind your back, especially when he knew nothing at all," she said firmly. "Hen should have known better and stopped Chimney before he could say anything to the rest of the house, assuming she was the first he told. And Bobby absolutely should have put a stop to Chimney the first moment he got. I love my husband, I do, but by not saying a thing or intervening when he should have, that was a betrayal of your trust as well. Nothing that happened was your fault. You hear me, boy? Nothing."

Buck swallowed hard. "If I had shared earlier – "

"Buck, you flat out told me you wanted to wait to tell," Eddie interrupted. "Me, your best friend. I respected that every time. Chimney sure as hell didn't. That's on him, not you."

"Eddie's right, Buckaroo," Carla nodded. "One of the first things I learned in my profession is confidentiality is the biggest sign of trust possible. Break that confidentiality, that trust is as good as gone. Chimney didn't have that confidentiality to begin with. Had he come to you and asked for more information, maybe that could have been salvaged. Instead, he told a secret you deserved to share. There's no excuse for that."

"Carla's right, Buck," Christopher tugged on Buck's sleeve. "One of my teachers said you should have as much information as you can. Chimney had none."

Buck chuckled. "Your teacher sounds very smart, Christopher."

Christopher nodded. "He is."

"I can't believe Chimney did that," May scowled. "I can't believe Bobby did that!"

"I have half a mind to go to Chief Alonso and report Chimney for it," Eddie ground out.

"I'll help," Maddie volunteered. "Maybe that would be a good break-up present."

"Yes!" Eddie pointed at her with a grin. "Please record that."

"I'll do it," May raised her hand. "I want to see his face."

Buck couldn't help but chuckle and grin. "Don't torture him too much."

"Oh, Buck," Eddie smiled innocently. "I think we have different definitions of 'too much.'"

Christopher giggled. "Just leave Bobby to me," Athena smirked, leaning back in her chair, one leg over the other.

"I'd just be surprised if you went back to the 118 at all," Josh remarked.

And just like that, Buck's grin was wiped from his face. "I wouldn't blame him," Eddie said. "It would suck missing the best partner in the LAFD, but better than staying with people who should've had his back and stabbed him instead."

Buck swallowed hard, feeling like it would be better for him to sink back into the couch than to face everyone. "Buck?" May said quietly. "Is that what you're thinking?"

Buck took a deep breath. "Eds," he said carefully. "Remember the other day when I got a phone call and you headed up before me?"

"That seems to happen every shift now, but yes," Eddie nodded.

Buck chewed his lip. "It was an offer," he revealed. "A really good one, too. One I wasn't sure I would take at first, especially because . . . it's out of state."

"What?" Josh's eyes widened comically.

"Yeah," Buck nodded, not looking up. "It's a new crew forming, and I was one of the first two called to take one of the positions."

"Where's out of state?" Maddie asked, staring at him in shock.

"What kind of crew?" May frowned.

"Is it with TK and Sylvie?" Christopher tilted his head.

That made everyone look at the young boy. "Who and who?" Athena frowned.

"Buck's new friends," Christopher chirped. "I liked them when Buck called them one night. He met them at the train derailment."

Buck swallowed hard. "Yeah, Chris," he nodded. "The new position is at TK's house. His dad's gonna run the crew, actually. Sylvie was offered the other position. I don't know if she's gonna take it, though."

"Where's the house located?" Carla asked.

Buck couldn't help but look at Eddie, who hadn't moved a muscle since his revelation. "Texas," he admitted.

That finally cracked Eddie, who snorted loudly. "Hilarious."

"So are TK and Sylvie," Christopher piped up.

Buck laughed, ruffling Christopher's hair. "I appreciate you trying to help, buddy."

Maddie bit her lip, looking at Buck with tears in her eyes. "Is that really what you want to do?"

Buck sighed, putting his face in his hands. "Do I want to be so far from all of you? No. Is it what I need? I think so."

"Texas," May whispered, looking shocked.

Christopher fidgeted. "It's like when Dad and I moved here," he said. "We needed to leave and have a fresh start." He put a hand on Buck's arm. "Is that what you need?"

Buck tried to smile. This kid, he thought fondly. "Yeah, Superman," he put his arm around Christopher's shoulder, the boy leaning into his side. "I think it is."

Maddie took a deep breath, wiping her eyes. "Then that's what you do," she said.

Buck swallowed. "Maddie – "

"You've been hit with a lot in a short time, Buck," she said. "I've had years with Daniel, and while I'm done with Chimney, there is so much I want to do with the 118. I have Taylor and Ana – " Buck frowned at the new name . . . had he met this Ana? " – and I have everyone in this room. Eventually, I'd like to join you again, but I remember when you told me about TK and Sylvie. It . . . it had been a long time since I saw you smile like that. If it's even just TK, I think you'll be in good hands." She reached out for his hand, squeezing tightly. "Go for it."

"Maddie's right," Josh nodded. "We'll look out for her." He grinned. "Besides, if you're a first responder . . . well, surely there's a dispatcher I could find who's looking out for you."

"That's not at all creepy," Buck snorted.

"You just keep in contact, young man," Carla gave him a mock glare.

Buck nodded in agreement. "You do what's best for you, Buck," Athena patted his hand. "And if that isn't in Los Angeles . . . well. You'll be missed, but this sounds like a good fit for you."

"It is," Buck nodded, he was certain of that.

"Well," Athena spread her arms. "What more is there for me to say, then?"

"We're still gonna be able to talk, right?" May asked nervously.

Buck snorted, nudging May's shoulder with his. "Like I'd shut you out."

May giggled, leaning against him. "You better not," Christopher glared up at him.

"Oh, never, buddy," Buck squeezed him. "I'd never get rid of you."

Those words were the first time Eddie smiled, albeit tightly, the whole time they were there.

***

Sylvie hadn't bothered with a moving company when she had moved to her current apartment. There hadn't been a need, not when she had four firefighters, three police officers, and a doctor to help. After bowing out of Molly's early, she sat at her laptop, sipping at a glass of rosé as she looked through different companies. Owen had told her the AFD would pay for her moving expenses and her flight once it was established, so she was looking for a company that was quick, yet efficient.

She was so wrapped up in her searching that when her phone trilled, she didn't look at the Caller ID when she answered. "Brett."

"PIC Brett?"

Sylvie froze, recognizing the voice on the other end. "Commissioner," she swallowed, sitting back and away from her laptop. "Good evening."

"Good evening, Brett," Grissom responded. "I received an interesting message from Austin FD today."

Sylvie gulped, closing her eyes. "Yeah, it . . . it probably was."

"Captain Strand says you've accepted his position as the riding paramedic of Rescue Squad 9 and that you wanted all paperwork to go through me. Deputy Chief Radford is backing up that decision." There was a pause. "May I call you Sylvie?"

"Yes, sir."

"Sylvie, I'm pleased this offer was made to you. It's an incredible jump for your career. However . . . I admit, I'm surprised you've agreed to take it. Honestly, I thought you would stay in Chicago."

Sylvie nodded slowly. "Until the last few days, I thought the same, Commissioner."

Grissom hummed. "I ask you to please be honest with me, Sylvie . . . was it something to do with the department?"

Sylvie sighed. "You could say that."

Grissom was silent. "I will handle your transfer paperwork," he said finally, making Sylvie sag in relief. "However, there is one more question I would like you to answer." Sylvie tensed. "Why do you not want your paperwork to go through Chief Boden?"

Sylvie pinched the bridge of her nose, taking a deep breath. "Because I don't want anyone to convince me not to go," she whispered. "This is a move I think I need, and if I told anyone at 51 . . . "

"You think they would convince you to stay," Grissom finished.

"Yes, sir." Her words were very audible. "Some . . . much more than others."

Grissom sighed. "Severide," he guessed.

Sylvie flinched. "He's one of them."

She heard papers shuffling on the other end of the line. "It seems I have some work to do," Grissom said mildly. "I have an offer for you, Sylvie."

"Yes, sir?"

"I've looked at the amount of leave you have saved up, and . . . honestly, it might be the most in the department. Let me know when your final preparations are made and when you are officially moving to Austin. I have your two-week notice being processed, and whenever you are ready to go during that time period, the rest of your two weeks can be time taken off."

Sylvie blinked rapidly, uncertain she heard what she did. "Commissioner . . . are you sure?"

"Quite frankly, Sylvie, I like you," Grissom said. "You're important to Kelly, which is already points in your favor. But with your record . . . I don't want to do a single thing to hold you back. If you believe this is what you need, I am not going to stop you. Am I concerned because you feel the need to do this through me and not Chief Boden? Yes, make no mistake. However, I am also very happy to help you."

Sylvie swallowed hard, fighting back tears. "Thank you, sir," she whispered. "I appreciate that more than you know."

"You're welcome, Sylvie," Grissom said. "Once again, inform me when everything is set with the move. Chief Radford, Captain Strand, and I will coordinate everything else with the paperwork."

Sylvie smiled tiredly. "Thank you, sir. I'll let you know when I'm set."

***

"If I didn't understand the circumstances, I would be so pissed at you for leaving."

Buck looked up from opening his beer to see Eddie leaning against the counter, staring down at his bottle like it would disintegrate if he stared hard enough. "Eddie," he whispered.

"I didn't say a word earlier, so I feel like I have to say something now," Eddie interrupted. "And let me, alright?" Buck finally nodded, and Eddie sighed, pushing off the counter. "I said I would be pissed at you if I didn't understand the circumstances. That still means I'm angry, but it's not at you. I'm angry beyond belief that it was our coworkers, Chimney in particular, that pushed you to this. I know you get along well with who you're going to work with, and honestly, that's probably the only thing stopping me from packing myself in your bags and hitchhiking."

Buck choked on his drink. "I think Christopher would have something to say about that, Eds."

"Who says he wouldn't be in another bag?" Eddie deadpanned with a smirk.

Buck snorted. "That's a funny image."

"Look," Eddie rubbed a hand over his face. "You, more than anyone, know how awful I am with expressing my emotions sometimes. So here's what I'm going to say. I'm upset you're leaving. I'm more than upset, but I'm not upset with you. I'm upset the most with Chimney, who first eavesdropped when he shouldn't have, then had the gall to share what he overheard with everyone at the 118. I'm upset next at Bobby who, as the captain, should have stopped Chimney in his tracks. He, of all people, should have respected the privacy of one of the men under his command. Hen . . . I'm not sure how upset I am with her. All I know is I'm not upset with you." His lips quirked up. "I'm upset with the 118 that their actions make you feel like you can't stay in the state. I'm glad you're taking the actions you think are best for you." He lowered his head. "I just wish I could follow you there."

Buck swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly very dry. "Why don't you?" he offered quietly.

Eddie laughed bitterly. "Oh, if there was a position magically open, I would be on that before you said 'please.'" He shook his head. "Just like Maddie, I intend to give the 118 hell, and I think I'm in a better position to do that than her. I work with them."

"You don't have to," Buck shook his head.

"You're right," Eddie nodded. "I don't have to. But I made a promise to always watch your back. I didn't honor that promise once, and it nearly ripped us apart."

Buck gulped. "The lawsuit."

Eddie nodded, eyes dark. "That damn lawsuit." Buck looked away, and Eddie shook his head. "I wasn't on your side then, and I am never going to stop regretting that. I'm on your side now, and I'm going to make sure the 118 knows exactly how much they hurt you. And if by some miracle things can be fixed . . . well, I'll know I didn't just waste my time."

Buck smiled. "Is this the same Eddie Diaz I was best friends with?"

"I like to think my best friend made me a better version of myself," he smiled back. "Look, Buck . . . Christopher was right. We left El Paso for a better start, and we found that in Los Angeles. We found that in the 118, in Athena, in Carla . . . but especially in you. I want you to know that no matter what, you're gonna be the priority Christopher and I have. The 118 is the family I chose, and just because someone isn't part of that firehouse anymore doesn't mean he stops being the second most important person in my life." Eddie shrugged. "And maybe after Maddie, Athena, May, and I show the 118 just how badly they screwed up . . . well, maybe something can be salvaged. Chris and I have Abuela and Pepa here, too. My parents are in El Paso, yes, but . . . " He grimaced. "I did kind of move to get away from them."

"I'm not going to El Paso, though," Buck pointed out.

Eddie snorted. "Small miracles, huh?" Buck snickered in response. "But there's a lot of things to consider before making a move like that again." He smirked. "If it was that easy, you can sure as hell bet I'd be right behind you."

Buck sighed. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear all of that, Eds."

"Good," Eddie sighed in relief. "I don't think I've ever spoken that much in my life."

Buck burst out laughing, moving around the counter and engulfing Eddie in a hug. "I'm gonna miss you, Eds."

Eddie squeezed him just as tightly, if not more. "We'll miss you more."

***

"Hey, Cap?" Mateo leaned his head out of the ladder window. "The Deputy Chief's here!"

"What?" TK twisted in his seat, trying to see out of the rig.

Owen looked up from his conversation with Judd, who was in the driver's seat, to see Radford's vehicle was indeed parked outside the firehouse. The ambulance had already arrived, and Michelle was in conversation with the other man. "Look alive, everyone," he ordered. "Let's see what we've got this time." Judd parked the rig expertly, and Owen hopped down from his seat on the rig. "Chief," he nodded politely.

"Captain," Radford nodded. "I was just informing Captain Blake of the good news."

Owen blinked. "Good news?"

Radford held out a folder, a smile on his face. "I wanted to deliver these in person."

Curious, Owen took the folder and flipped it open, well aware the rest of the 126 was watching him for his reaction. Staring right up at him was Sylvie's transfer papers, filed directly by CFD Commissioner Carl Grissom . . . as well as a note from the Commissioner himself asking Owen to take care of her. The paramedic was to immediately meet with Radford and, upon his approval due to her experience, be given the rank of Paramedic Captain, equal in rank to Michelle with the older brunette remaining the chief paramedic of the 126.

And underneath that file was Buck's transfer papers from the LAFD, immediately approved by the chief of the department due to recent events that had occurred at Station 118.

Owen looked up at Radford in shock. "Congratulations, Captain," Radford grinned.

"Dad?" TK asked quietly.

Owen shook himself out of his stupor, turning to give TK a tight smile. "You just got yourself a partner, son."

"Buck accepted?" TK's eyes widened, and he lurched forward to see the papers.

"Really?" Marjan asked in surprise. "I thought he'd stay in Los Angeles!"

"Well, we thought Sylvie would stay in Chicago, too," Paul pointed out. "Shows what we know."

"Shows what little I know," TK whispered. "I haven't heard a thing from Buck about this."

Owen sighed. "Guess we'll find out when they get here." He looked up. "Is there one thing I can ask?"

"Name it," Radford tilted his head.

***

"Two eights."

Sylvie gave Joe a side-eye, but no one called him out on his lie. The firefighter gave her an innocent smile and pivoted in his chair to look at Tony, who was seated immediately next to him. The man hummed and looked at his cards, then finally tossed one in the pile. "One nine."

Truth. Capp snorted and dropped a card next. "One ten."

Kelly narrowed his eyes that time, but after a glance at his cards, apparently decided against calling the bluff. Sylvie waited for Matt, who was seated on her other side, to make the next play. He finally did after a few seconds. "Two Jacks."

Sylvie frowned, seeing two Jacks of her own in her cards, but no one challenged him. She surveyed her cards, then smiled, plucked one, and plopped it on the large pile. "One Queen."

Joe scowled. "BS."

Sylvie smiled sweetly, showing him the Queen of Hearts she had placed on the pile. "All yours, Roomdog."

Joe cursed as Kelly burst out laughing, Matt grinning widely. "This is why we've learned never to play poker with her," the truck captain said.

"Strip poker?" Capp wagged his eyebrows.

Kelly took one of the cards from the pile Joe was trying to fit in his hands and flung it at the firefighter. "Pervert."

Sylvie turned her face into Matt's shoulder, her own shoulders shaking with laughter as the four squad firefighters started up another loud, bickering ruckus. "Oh, my God."

"I can't believe we haven't had a game night like this in a while," Matt snickered, carefully shielding his cards as he wrapped an arm easily around Sylvie, tugging her close to him.

Sylvie ignored the painful throb in her heart, choosing to nestle as close as she could get without being in his lap. That wasn't too hard to do, considering Matt and Kelly had declared she was sitting between them the moment they had set the chairs up in their loft and sandwiched her in between when they had finally started. "A lot's been happening," she finally said.

"Is that what we're calling what's happened since Mackey got here?" Tony snorted.

"Oh, we're blaming Mackey?" Joe raised an eyebrow challengingly.

"I'm just saying!"

Sylvie watched, her head on Matt's shoulder, as Joe took up Gianna's defense as Tony tried to explain himself. Capp leaned back, letting them go at it, and Sylvie finally turned to Kelly. The squad lieutenant was watching with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, his beer to his lips. "You're not gonna do anything?" she whispered.

"What?" Kelly grinned. "The evening entertainment isn't good enough for you?"

Matt snorted loudly, and Sylvie rolled her eyes so hard, she thought they would roll out of her head. "You're a bastard, Kelly."

"Your bastard," Kelly smirked cheekily.

Sylvie blushed, ducking her head. "Shut up."

"Make me."

Sylvie's jaw dropped, her cheeks flushing even redder, and Matt choked on his drink. "Sev!" she sputtered as Matt tried to cough and laugh at the same time.

"How drunk are you, man?" Matt rasped, Capp reaching over to thump the captain on the back.

"This is my first beer!" Kelly gestured.

"Then don't make it sound like you want her to kiss you to shut you up!"

That caught Joe's attention like a dog spotting a squirrel, and he gave Sylvie a pointed look. She missed it completely as she buried her face in her arms, trying to avoid everyone seeing her as red as their rigs. I wouldn't be opposed to that was what she wanted to say. She obviously didn't. "He probably wouldn't mind," Capp supplied unhelpfully.

"Thanks, Capp, you're really helping," Matt glared.

"Yeah, if you want her to shut you up that way, let her know," Joe smirked into his beer.

"Joe," Sylvie whined, embarrassment in her voice.

"Maybe if she wasn't my little sister," Capp rolled his eyes. "She's not Severide's."

"Or yours, Casey," Tony piped up.

It was Kelly who choked on his drink that time as Matt's eyes widened. "Oh, my God, just stop," Sylvie buried her face back in her arms.

"The next time we are on shift, you guys are cleaning the rigs until I can see my reflection in them," Matt ground out.

"Worth it," Joe winked at Sylvie, reaching over to take Kelly's beer before he knocked it over as he tried to stop coughing.

Sylvie closed her eyes. "I hate every single one of you."

"Love you, too, Brett," Capp patted her arm, not at all hiding a smug smirk.

"Our Queen of Hearts," Joe smirked, showing the card she had stuck him with.

"I'm gonna kill you, Joe," she glowered. "And these two will help me hide your body."

"At this point, I honestly would," Matt folded his arms.

"The Halsteads would help," Kelly said. "Seriously, Sylvie, how many people have adopted you?"

"I don't want to know," Sylvie mumbled, rubbing her forehead. "There's too many." Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out to see who was calling. She blinked, seeing it was a conference call, and she quickly pushed her chair back. "I'm sorry, I have to take this."

"Yeah, go ahead," Matt scooted to the side, letting her slip behind him.

"Thanks." Sylvie left the loft, heading to the end of the hall as she answered. "Hey, guys – "

"What the hell happened in Los Angeles, Buck?" TK all but screeched.

Sylvie yanked her phone from her ear, glaring at it. "Thanks for deafening me, TK."

"I stand by what I said. What the hell?"

"Somehow I figured that was what you were calling about," Buck sighed; there was a tone of defeat that Sylvie had never heard before. "Let's put it this way, I want to trust more than one person in my firehouse."

Sylvie blinked slowly. "Excuse me?"

"I don't like that implication," she could hear TK's scowl.

"No, neither of you will," Buck said. "Look, I am more than happy to explain everything when I actually get to Austin. I don't have the energy to do it now while I'm getting ready to leave."

TK grumbled, but he acquiesced. "I'll let Dad know to have a serious talk with the house if you're worried about trust. We're all looking forward to having you guys here."

"Thanks," Buck said. "I'm really looking forward to getting there."

"Me, too," Sylvie admitted. "I got a message from Chief Radford. I'm having a meeting when I get there, right?"

"Yeah, you are," TK confirmed. "Sounds like you're in for a promotion."

"Atta girl!" Buck cheered.

Sylvie blushed. "I'm not coming to Austin just for a promotion."

Had she not been completely focused on her conversation, she would have heard the muffled inhale behind her. "You mean you're not a glory hog?" TK gasped dramatically.

"No, I'm a cocker spaniel who somehow gets along with a golden retriever and a grumpy cat."

Buck's laughter made her smile. "Oh, I can't wait until we're in the same city to have these kinds of conversations all the time."

"We are going to drive my dad insane," TK sounded so giddy.

Sylvie pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm gonna be your impulse control, aren't I?" she asked dryly.

"Think you can handle it?" Buck teased.

"It's either handle it or join you, and I don't think our new captain can juggle three of us acting like dumbasses."

"I mean, he's handled the rest of the house just fine," TK snorted.

Buck's laughter was even louder that time. "I pity your dad."

"Don't start that party until I get there," Sylvie smirked. "Preferably before I have to act like a captain."

"Noted," TK sang. "Dad should be sending your plane tickets your way soon."

"Good," Sylvie checked her watch. "I should be hearing from the moving company tomorrow."

"How much are you moving?" Buck asked.

"Essentials," Sylvie answered. "None of the large furniture. I have no clue where I'm starting when I get to Austin."

"Me, neither, honestly," Buck agreed.

"Oh," TK sounded far too innocent. "I might be able to help you out with that."

"Oh, God," Sylvie deadpanned.

"Hey!"

"Yeah, I'm with Sylvie on this," Buck joined in. "What kind of help are we talking about?"

"Kind my dad will help with. Trust me, it'll be good."

"That's encouraging."

"Buck!"

Sylvie snickered. "How about we save you two being dumbasses from when you're actually in the same city?"

"Oh, princess," she could hear TK's smirk. "You fit in perfectly."

Buck cackled. "Oh, Austin is doomed."

"You mean my dad is doomed."

"Him, too."

Sylvie rolled her eyes. "Talk to you boys later."

"Bye, Sylvie!" they chorused at the same time.

Sylvie hung up, looking at her phone and shaking her head. "Dumbasses," she said fondly.

"You're one to talk."

Sylvie froze, her heart skipping several beats. She slowly turned to see Joe standing behind her, a mixture of anger, betrayal, and hurt on his face. Three empty beer bottles were in his hands; he must've been on the way to the recycling. She swallowed hard, slowly sliding her phone into her back pocket. "How much of that did you hear?" she whispered.

"Mmm," Joe pretended to think. "I don't know what happened on the other end, but I definitely heard you were heading to Austin, and you were likely getting a promotion." Sylvie closed her eyes; so he'd heard most of it. "Austin, Sylvie?" Joe hissed, stepping closer. "As in Austin, Texas?"

"Yeah," Sylvie nodded. "Austin, Texas."

"And when were you going to share that?!" Joe seethed, anger flaring in his eyes. "With Mackey? With the house? With Boden? With . . . oh, the two you love?"

Sylvie recoiled as if physically struck. "If I had my way," she said hoarsely, "it wouldn't have been brought up until Commissioner Grissom brought the new PIC to 51."

"Until – !" Joe cut himself off, trying to keep his voice low. "Why?" he asked, voice cracking. "Sylvie . . . I've never seen you even think about leaving Chicago, let alone 51! Why?"

She was shaking her head before he even finished. "I can't tell you, Joe," she said. "I can't."

"Why not?" Joe demanded. "Did someone do something? Say something?" His expression darkened. "Did Grainger do something?"

"God, no," Sylvie shook her head instantly. "Grainger didn't do a thing."

"Then . . . " He made a helpless gesture. "What happened? What happened to make you decide to leave?"

"A lot, Joe," Sylvie leaned against the wall, closing her eyes. "A lot happened." She snorted. "And in a short amount of time, too."

"How short are we talking, here?"

Sylvie thought. "A few days?"

"A few – !" Joe had to cut himself off again, pinching the bridge of his nose. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. "OK. I want to understand. What happened?"

Sylvie folded her arms to hug herself. "I told you I met two firefighters when we were in Santa Monica." Joe nodded, pursing his lips. "One of them is stationed in Austin. His dad, also the captain of the house, called with an offer. They're forming a new crew down there – squad crew, actually – and they wanted me as the riding paramedic. Buck – the other firefighter, he's from Los Angeles – got the offer to be TK's partner. Initially, I didn't want to take it."

"So what happened for you to take it?" Joe asked quietly.

Sylvie swallowed hard, feeling nausea again at the very thought of what had made her decision. "I . . . can't say it, Joe."

"Can't say it?" Joe scowled. "Or won't?"

Sylvie wiped her mouth, remembering how much time she had spent in that convenience store bathroom. "Can't," she rasped. "I really can't."

Just thinking about it made her dizzy again, and she felt herself wobble, even against the wall. She heard the clink of glass, then Joe's arms wrapped around her. "OK," he whispered, and Sylvie whimpered, burying her face in his chest. "I believe you. You don't need to say it if it's that bad."

"It's bad," she told him. "And it's why I didn't want to tell anyone. It's why I went over Boden and asked for everything to go through Grissom." She could almost hear the gears whirring in Joe's head as he processed what that could mean. "I don't want to leave 51," she said. "I don't want to leave Mackey. I don't want to leave Squad. I sure as hell don't want to leave Matt and Kelly. But honestly . . . this is an amazing opportunity for me, too. Buck, TK, and I . . . we just work. And I'd be an idiot if I didn't want to see how that would go."

"I know how it feels when a crew clicks," Joe nodded. "That's Squad 3 for me. If you haven't found that yet . . . " He huffed. "Well, don't let me stop you from finding it, even if I lose my Roomdog." He pulled back, making Sylvie look up at him. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to do my hardest to find out what's so bad that you can't tell me."

Sylvie nodded, accepting that. "Don't tell them?" she whispered, voice breaking. "If they tried to stop me . . . "

"On one condition," Joe said seriously. "You tell me when you're leaving."

She cracked a smile. "Deal."

***

Buck let Owen know as soon as he got everything settled with the movers. Barely a few hours later, he had an e-mail with his flight from Los Angeles to Austin ready, with just one layover. He couldn't help but laugh when he saw where it was located. "Clever," he muttered, sending out a simple text: a date and a time.

Two days later, after the moving company had arrived, packed the remaining personal items Buck was taking to Austin, and headed on the road, Buck found himself in the back of a taxi, Maddie riding with him to the airport. It was quiet, except for the stray sniff. "I'll keep in contact," Buck promised.

"You are texting me as soon as you get your new number," Maddie ordered wetly.

"You, Eddie, and Athena," Buck said. "And they'll share it from there." He snorted. "Eddie's gonna have fun trying to hide it from the 118."

"So will Athena," Maddie grinned.

Buck laughed. "Bobby trying to crack Athena and May . . . please send pictures."

"I'll ask her to." The taxi pulled into the drop-off lane, and Buck stepped out of the back, the taxi driver opening the trunk. He hauled his suitcase out and swung his carry-on over his shoulder, Maddie joining him on the sidewalk. "Come on," she took his free hand.

Buck entwined their fingers together and let Maddie lead him into the airport. When they were through the doors, he stopped in his tracks.

Two of the three people they had just been discussing were waiting for them. "What, you didn't think you'd leave without saying goodbye to us, did you?" Athena raised an eyebrow, Eddie smirking unapologetically next to her.

Buck sighed, releasing his suitcase and letting Athena saunter up to him. "Guess not."

"Come here, Buckaroo." He obeyed her order and walked up to the police sergeant, who cupped his face with her hands. "You listen to me, and you listen well," she said. "Whatever happens here in Los Angeles, you are as good as my son. Once you impress me, you've got me in your corner. There's always a place in my house for you and your family, Buckaroo. That is going to include your new house because I have no doubt they are as good as you believe they are."

Buck smiled at her. "Thank you, 'Thena."

She wrapped him in a hug. "Go be Buck."

"And what does that mean?"

Athena's eyes twinkled. "You never give up. That's what being Buck means to me."

He smiled warmly at the woman who was more of a mother to him than Margaret Buckley ever was, and Athena kissed his cheek. That left just one person, and Buck sighed, looking at Eddie. "Don't you have a shift in a few hours?"

"I do," Eddie nodded, still smirking. "I'm going in with the chief of the department to deliver some . . . unwelcome news."

"Oh, God."

Eddie shook his head, walking forward. "Like I wasn't going to see you off, man."

Buck gave Eddie as tight a hug as he got . . . which considering Eddie's vicelike grip, it was a pretty tight hug. "Thank you for having my back," he whispered thickly.

"Always," Eddie said fiercely. "No matter where you're going." He pulled back, clasping Buck's shoulder, thumb dangerously close to his pulse point. "My ringer is always on."

Buck smiled. "That goes both ways."

Eddie squeezed, then backed away. Buck finally turned to Maddie, whose eyes were brimming with unshed tears. "Come on," she sniffed.

Buck wrapped his arm around her shoulders, the two of them walking as far in as they could before Buck had to go alone. "I'm sorry for leaving you," he said.

"Don't be," Maddie shook her head. "This . . . this is what you need. I've got what I need here." She smiled up at him. "We'll see each other again. I know we will." She winked. "I'm the only one who knows exactly where you're going, after all."

Buck laughed, startled. "That's true."

"I won't tell them until you want them to know."

Buck exhaled shakily. "God, what would I do without you?"

"You'll never know," Maddie answered promptly, taking his hands. "No matter where we were or what we went through, we always had each other. That is never going to change."

Buck smiled. "Buckleys for the win?"

Maddie grinned back, offering her pinky finger. "And united front."

Buck linked their pinkies together, then hugged his sister as hard as he dared. "I love you, Maddie."

Maddie snuggled into him, her tears getting on his jacket. "Love you more, Evan."

He kissed the top of her head, then regretfully stepped back. Maddie stepped in the opposite direction, and Buck took one last look as Eddie joined her, his arm going around Maddie's waist as she tried to stem the flow of tears. Athena's hand landed on Maddie's shoulder supportively, and Buck gave them a wave. All three waved back, Maddie mouthing one last "I love you." Buck mouthed it back, then took a deep breath and turned, walking further into the airport.

***

"Do you know who's joining the house in your place?"

Sylvie smiled as she walked into the airport, arm in arm with Joe, the man helping her with her suitcase as she kept her carry-on over her shoulder. "I know exactly who's joining. Grissom confirmed she agreed to join before he finished asking."

"She," Joe hummed.

Sylvie snickered. "You know her."

"That narrows it down."

"It narrows it down quite a bit, actually."

Joe stopped them just before security, and he turned to Sylvie, eyes wide and worried. "If you need anything at all – "

"I'll text you," she promised. "As soon as I get my new number, you'll be the first one to get it."

Joe sighed in relief. "Good."

"Besides, I know Buck took off earlier than me," Sylvie checked her phone. "His flight left a few hours ago. He'll probably be in Austin before me."

Joe nodded. "Go show Austin who's boss."

Sylvie smiled, hugging her brother tightly. "Keep an eye on everyone for me?"

"You bet," he nodded. Sylvie nodded back, taking her suitcase from him. "One more thing?"

"Yeah?" she looked up.

"What you signed to Severide when you took that call from TK . . . " Sylvie tensed. "He and Matt don't know what you signed, do they?"

Sylvie took a deep breath. "No, they don't."

Joe sighed. "Love you, Roomdog."

Sylvie smiled, showing him the same sign she gave Kelly. "Love you, too."

She passed through security quickly, then checked the gate on her phone. She weaved through the crowds easily, used to such traffic as a paramedic. She finally found the gate, noting only a few minutes were left until the plane was supposed to arrive –

"Sylvie!"

She almost dropped her phone as she whipped around, eyes wide. "Buck?" her jaw dropped.

"Captain Strand is my new favorite person," Buck decided, grinning widely and jogging over, his carry-on on his back. "And I haven't actually met him in person yet."

"Mine, too," Sylvie agreed, her smile splitting her face as Buck wrapped his arms around her waist and swung her around; she shrieked in delight, her arms around his neck and hanging on for dear life. "Oh, it's so good to see you again!"

"Missed you," Buck grinned as he set her down.

"Oh, I missed you, too," she beamed at him.

His grin faded slightly. "I think I want to know what happened with you as much as you want to know what happened with me . . . but I think I can only tell that once."

"Yeah," Sylvie nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear. "If I can even manage to tell it again."

"Oh, same," Buck agreed easily, looking up as their flight was called. "Wait until Austin?"

"Wait until Austin," Sylvie confirmed.

They had their tickets scanned, and Buck smiled playfully, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

Sylvie took another look around the airport, then steeled herself and nodded. "We shall," she slipped her arm through Buck's.

They left Chicago behind them as they boarded the plane (Sylvie was seriously tempted to kiss Owen when they arrived in Austin because somehow the man had gotten them seats right next to each other), and when they were finally in the air, Sylvie felt all the anxiety, dread, and fear from Stella's threats drain, left behind in her former city. Chicago, and Los Angeles, were in the dust.

Austin, here we come.

***

Yes, this was definitely rushed. Yes, a few moments (especially on the 9-1-1 side) are likely a little OOC. Let's face it, though - I know I've been toeing that line since I started writing this fic. I've also been very wibbly-wobbly with the timey-wimey, so . . . I promise I'll have much better chapters than this one in the times ahead, hopefully starting with the next one.

Because next time . . . the fallout at the 118 and 51, and Buck and Sylvie arriving in Austin.

As for the question . . . it is very early to start thinking about this, but I already know the roles of five out of six people when we roll around to the Austin wildfires. I know exactly where Buck, TK, Eddie, Matt, and Kelly are. The question is where to put our dear Sylvie. Your options are:

1: with the strike team, which would include an immediate reunion with all of 51, more time with Matt and Kelly, seeing her and Eddie working together, and the three love interests seeing how Squad 9 fits together (hint: they fit together really well).

2: with Owen in the helicopter, which would include her arriving late to the wildfire show (she'd be at the funeral for Rosewater), being the paramedic in the strike team's ear, a more shocked Matt and Kelly upon hearing her but not seeing her, and (probably the clincher for some of you) overprotective Matt, Kelly, and Squad once the chopper goes down. Overprotective everyone, really, because Buck and TK will go ballistic, and where Buck goes . . . well, Eddie's right behind him.

I know which option I'd like to go with, but I want to hear from you guys, too. Give me your choice, and give me your pros and your cons, too.

See you all soon!

graphic by marvelity