Kate followed Eddie into the house. Athena called the 118, she found a house with children being held hostage in the basement, now they were left to investigate further; make sure no one was left behind and nothing can spark up a flame

It was quiet in the house, quiet and dark; the atmosphere between the two best friends didn't help. Eddie had barely spoken two words to Kate since the lawsuit, apparently he was still mad.

"No electricity" Kate stated, staring into the unused electricity box in the messy basement "god this place is - can you even believe it"

"Yeah" he replied dryly, looking through a few old books that had been scattered around

"How's Christopher?" She asked

"Same as always"

"Seriously Eddie" Kate sighed, "why are you mad at me because I didn't leave Buck, what did you want me to break up with him"

"I'm mad because I know you went into that meeting and defended him" he answered quickly, as if he had been waiting to say it

"No I didn't, I went into that meeting and I defended you and Hen and Bobby. I defended Bobby's reasoning because he was right, because I agreed with him" she argued, a scoff came after "god I can't believe you, what do you take me for some love struck 16 year old who thinks her boyfriend is the be all and end of"

"Whatever" he rolled his eyes, walking up the steps to leave the basement

Kate followed him, "whatever? Eddie I did nothing wrong, if you wanna be mad a Buck be mad at Buck but we are separate people and you being mad at me is stupid and petty."

"Were you even mad, or did you just jump right back into bed with him?" Eddie asked, Turning to face her

Kate glared at him, speechless by his behavior "of course I was mad, I still am. My own boyfriend risked everything including our relationship for his job, he chose his job over me and I am livid about that. I can barely look at him and he hasn't been home In days, I don't even know where he's staying but I still love him Eddie don't you get that. Don't any of you get that, you can hold this grudge for as long as you want but I have a life to get on with and Buck is apart of that life." She lectured

"You have no idea how hard this was for me but why would you, you've been too busy getting the shit knocked out of you and getting arrested"

Eddie didn't respond, continuing to give Kate the silent treatment.. a part of him feeling guilty.

"Fine, you wanna be a child be a child. I'll make sure Bobby keeps us apart until you grow up" Kate said, walking out the door of the rundown house

...

Kate sat at the counter in the kitchen of the fire station, she sipped quietly on her coffee. Debating every life choice they lead her to that very moment.

"You okay?" Bobby asked, pulling her from her daze.

"I'm sick of everything" she replied, continuing to stare a whole in the wall

"Was it the call. You seemed off"

Kate blinked, bringing her attention to the older man "I feel like buck chose his job over me and I don't know if I really feel like that or if I'm just reflecting from my past relationship"

"Adam always chose alcohol over you?" Bobby asked, Kate had forgotten that not everyone knew as much as Evan.

"Always" she nodded "he'd stay sober for a month maybe. Just enough time for me to realise why I fell for him and than her drink again. He always chose it over me. Over our family"

"And you feel like buck somehow did the same?"

"But it's not is it?" Kate asked, "I love buck and I knew he loved his job, this job means everything to me I just.. I thought maybe I meant more"

Bobby sat down "you have no idea how much he loves you. Do you?"

Kate's brows furrowed "what are you talking about"

"A few weeks after you started here, buck came into my office and asked what would happen if two firefighters from the same house started to date because he was certain he was going to ask you out. He didn't actually until at least 2 months later but everyday he talked about you, about how strong you were and how funny you were. He talked about how much he could talk to you, about how comfortable you made  him feel. Kate he has loved you for a long time"  he explained

"I know you are used to being second best, I can't even begin to apologise for how hard that must have been but buck.. he loves you too much to put as anything but first"

"Thanks Bobby." Kate smiled softly, "I appreciate your apologies, but you aren't Adam. You're aren't close"

Kate stood up, she jogged down the stairs and turned to the changing rooms. She wanted to freshen up first.

Kate walked into the changing room, she grabbed her small wash bag and took out a dry shampoo with some moisturizer

Kate looked in the small mirror of her locker, she rubbed the cream around her face until it was rubbed in.

Minutes passed and Kate closed her locker, feeling more fresh than she did, thanking god she only had a few hours left till she was finished.

Her phone buzzed against the metal shelf, she picked it up and answered it the call before looking at the number

"Hello"

"It's me. Please don't hang up"

Kate almost dropped her phone, the sound of Adams voice on the other line. She knew there was a risk of him calling her back, but she never thought he would

"What do you - why did call you me?"

"I got your voicemail"

"I shouldn't have called. That was mistake"

"Please don't hang up" he hurried out "It's coming up to Sams birthday and I -

"Yeah I know, is that seriously why you called?" Kate interrupted "are you drinking again"

"No. I'm still sober, a mo the"

"Good for you" she sighed "what is this apart of your 8 Step program. Make emends with those you've hurt. To be honest I thought we ran out of emends to make"

A part of her felt bad for being so rude, he sounded sober, but Kate had feel for it one too many times. Sue didn't want to feel bad for him, she didn't want to feel anything for him

"I know you have no reason to talk to me but -.."

"You're right I don't. So with that, I'm hanging up... congratulations on your sobriety.. I mean it" she added, a part of her still felt the slightest bit of remorse for the man.

Kate put her phone back on The shelf, she exhaled a long heavy breath

"Hey, uh I owe you an apology" Eddie approached Kate

Kate turned to face him, she looked at him quietly

"I've been taking my anger out on you, I didn't know how hurt you were till you got mad In the supermarket and then again today and you were right, I've been going through some things and I wasn't there for you and just got mad at you"

"I noticed. You know the exact thing you ridiculed Buck for" she quipped, a sigh came after "i don't know what's going on with you, but I do know Christopher didn't give you that and I know you were in jail and needed bailing"

"I just.. I'm working through my own stuff"

"Look I've been struggling myself, I felt isolated and alone and I kinda needed my best friend" she admitted, she didn't want to make him feel worse but she needed to be honest

"I know and I'm sorry, I didn't make it easier. You don't have to accept my apology, I just needed to give it"

"You forgive Buck?" Kate asked

"Yeah, we just talked" he nodded

"I forgive you" Kate said, "I'm sick of the tension and drama so I forgive you and now you owe me one thing?"

"And that is?" He asked

"Where the hell did you get those Bruises, unless Christopher started using bionic crutches"

"Uh it's nothing, I just got in a fight some guy But it's fine, I'm fine"

"Eddie you're a shit liar" Kate told him, "seriously what happened?"

"Look it's nothing, I promise" he reassured, "how are things with you and Buck?" He asked, changing the subject

"Good, things are good" she nodded.

"Who was on the phone?" He asked

Kate exhaled a heavy breath "Adam"

"What!" He exclaimed, "why?"

"Something about being sober, I don't know and I don't care. It's nothing of my concern.. or bucks" she added

"I won't tell him, but if he keeps calling -.."

"I know, I know" she nodded "now, you owe me secret. The bruises"

Eddie huffed a laugh "touché.. I've just been doing some fighting, blowing off some steam" he explained

"What kind of fighting?" Kate asked

"Don't worry, it's safe" he lied, but if she really knew, she'd Lecture him till his ears bled

"Just be careful, those things are dangerous"

"Yes mom" Eddie joked

Kate rolled her eyes, hitting his arm "yeah well, we don't talk for a week and you get arrested"

Eddie wince "yeah..I'd hoped you would forget"

"never Edmundo, never"  Kate shook her head

"Have you talked to buck yet?" He asked

"I'm going to, I know he's gone. So when I get home, hopefully he'll be awake"

...

Kate walked in the door, she dropped her keys in the bowl and shut the door

"Buck, you here?"

"Come here" he called out

Kate walked down the hall, she stopped when she seen the empty room next to hers "we need to talk. Please don't move out, I know I've been mad but-..

"Hey, no, no. That's not what's happening here" he stopped her

"I'm sorry" Kate apologised, "I spent years being second best with Adam and when you told me about the lawyer I felt second best and I let my emotions run ragged, but I know how much you love me and I'm sorry for being so mad"

"You don't owe me an apology. I was wrong and I'm sorry you ever felt that way. I love you more than anything, including my job"

"So what is this?" Kate asked, pointing to the room

"I'm moving in" he announced,

Kate stared at him confused, her eyes narrowed as she tried to work it out.

"Well, I can't already move in.. so I'm making it official. We share a room now"

"Yeah, no I'm still confused"

"I hated being away from you when I was staying with Maddie, I never want sleep anywhere if you aren't next to me, if you we lived apart I'd ask you to move in; so this was the next best thing"

Kate's face softened, he really did love you. she rested her arms on bucks shoulder and kissed him "you are so cute"

Buck rested his hands on her hips, he pulled her closer "cute?" He raised a brow

"Oh I'm sorry, I mean you are so hot a big buff man" she mocked

Kate felt her feet leave the ground, she giggled and Buck picked up "what are you doing!"

Kate felt her body land on the soft mattress of her bed, she laughed as Buck towered over her "are you showing off your big manly-ness" she joked

"Don't make me" Buck warned

Kate gasped, "you wouldn't dare"

Buck dug his hand into her side, tickling her against her will

"No, no!" Kate squirmed, trying to push him off her "Evan buckley!" She protested, hitting him off her

She kicked her legs, not realizing Buck was so close to them, she heard a loud grunt and the painful tickles had came to an end.

She looked up and noticed Buck was doubled over.

"I told you I hate being tickled" she justified

"Noted" he groaned, "god you have a strong kick"

Kate chuckled, it turned to a laugh as she watched him try and move "Oh come on, it can't be that bad"

Buck sat down beside her, a pained sigh left his mouth "remind me to never tickle you again"

"Oh I will" she nodded, she smiled at him "I love you, you big buff man"

Buck sat down, "you better" he huffed out

Kate sat up, she smiled and kissed him softly

"What was that for?"

"I just.. missed you"

Kate felt her phone against the bed, she glanced down and rolled her eyes at the incoming text from Adam.

"What is it?" Buck asked

"Don't be mad"

"What?" He asked more seriously

"Adam called me, told me he was sober and stuff. I told him I didn't wanna know and I ended it there. Now he's just texting me" she explained

"Along with the letter, is he serious?" Buck was suddenly mad, he never he met the man but he had only ever heard the worse things about him.

"It's okay" Kate reassured, resting her hand on his leg "I can deal with him. I'm used this type of stuff,  next week he will have dropped of the Face Of the earth again"

"Thanks for telling me"

"I love you, I don't ever wanna keep secrets"