First Day Part 1
Eddie pulled up to station 51 and took a deep breath, in and out just like his therapist taught him. He chuckled a little, if someone would’ve told him he’d be seeing therapist in the future he would’ve laughed in their face. He saw Chief Hatcher waiting on the apron with Sylvie Brett, his new partner next to him. They met in training and he automatically knew they’d get along just fine and they did, she was like another sister to him. Before he knew it he was sharing his life story with her, his mistakes and his regrets, even told her about Buck. She had a way of just making him feel at ease, she told him that people make mistakes but that’s why we have second chances. Everything Gabby had told him about her was true, it immediately made him feel better.
“Time to face the fire.” He whispered to himself as he stepped out of his truck.
“Diaz, glad you could make it, you know Brett. Let’s go inside, the Chief is waiting for us. Brett, go ahead and show Diaz the locker room, get changed and meet us in the Chiefs office.”
“Yes sir.” Eddie followed her, “Don’t worry Diaz, 51 is like one giant dysfunctional family. You’ll do just find.”
He chuckled, “you’re not the first person to tell me that.”
“Well Thats good, but from who if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Ummm, Gabby Dawson actually, we met in Puerto Rico, it’s where I met Chief Hatcher actually, she actually played a role in helping me make the decision to take this job.” He left out the part about the letters she had given him to give to Sylvie and Matt, her ex husband but she told him he’d know when the right time to give it to them was. So for now he would just hold onto them.
It didn’t take too long to find the locker room and to change. When he walked into his new boss’ office he did not expect to see Kelly Severide, Bucks brother, to be standing there. “Kelly?”
“Eddie?”
Brett looked on confused, “you two know each other?”
“You could say that.” Eddie said.
“What are you doing here? You didn’t come here because of Evan did you?”
“No Kelly I didn’t, I’m here because I was offered a job I couldn’t refuse, it was an opportunity for a fresh start. I promised I’d give him time and space and I intend to keep it.”
Someone clearing their throat brought them out of their personal bubble. “Look gentleman, you can discuss your shared history at another time.” Chief Hatcher interrupted them, “Chief Boden, where’s Captain Casey?”
“He had an emergency he had to take care of this morning, he’s running a little late, I asked Lieutenant Severide to step in for him.”
“Ok. Then lets get started, as you guys know 61 has been chosen as a trial phase for a new pilot program for our paramedics. It’s gives them a little more leeway in the firm. Of you guys know Brett but this is your new paramedic here at 51. This is Eddie Diaz, he transferred in from Los Angeles. He and PIC Brett have been training together the past couple weeks and have been very impressive. I hope you’ll make him feel welcomed.”
“Of course sir. We look forward to having him here. Is there anything else we need to know?” Boden asked.
“No Chief that’ll be all, do you mind walking with me. There’s a few private matters I’d like to discuss with you?”
“Of course Chief.” Boden looked at Kelly, “behave Lieutenant.” Then Boden looked him straight in the eye, it told Eddie that Boden knew exactly who he was.
When Boden and Hatcher disappeared Kelly turned to Brett, “you mind giving us a minute Brett?”
“No.” She turned to Eddie, “I’ll be at the ambulance, find me when you done. I’ll show you around it.” She turned back towards Kelly, “be nice.” Then disappeared.
As soon as Brett was clear Eddie spoke straight to the Lieutenant standing in front of him. “Look Kelly, I’m not here to cause any problems. I’m just here to do my job and go home at he end of shift to my kid. I know I’ve made a mess of things in LA but I’m a different person then I was a year ago. I’m not here to badger you for answers I’m not allowed to know yet. If and thats a big if, Bucks ever ready to talk to me again, I’ll be ready but until then I’m going to keep the promise I made to him.”
“Eddie, I get the feeling its about to change real quick.” Kelly said.
“What do you mean?”
“Bucks here, in Chicago. Specifically this station.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah. Look, I know Evan, he’s not going to be mad in fact I think he might be happy. He definitely misses you but most of all Chris. I’m going to give him a heads up but promise me you’ll wait for him to come to you.”
Eddie was having a hard time catching his breath. He couldn’t believe the Buck was here, they would be working together again. He knows everything works a little different here in Chicago. While they won’t be running into burning buildings together anymore, they will still be in the same house. There’s so much he wants to say but he has to keep his promise of staying away from Buck until he’s ready. Yes, its going to be a little more difficult now but not impossible. “I cant promise I won’t have to talk to him because well we will be working together, but I can promise it’ll only be professional business, nothing personal until he’s ready.”
“Thank you Eddie. Though I gotta tell you I don’t thing you’ll be waiting long.”
“Maybe. Look, thank you for telling me but I really need to meet Brett, get use to everything. I heard nothing but great things about this house and I’m looking forward to working with you.” Eddie put out his hand for a handshake and Kelly graciously accepted it.
“You too Eddie.” Eddie nodded his head and walked out of the office, he had to place his hands in his pockets they were shaking so much. He wasn’t going to lie, he was a little more nervous now then he was when he walked in here earlier.
It didn’t take him long to find Brett, she was in the back of the ambulance taking stock of everything. He couldn’t help but smile as she was humming along to the radio playing in the background. “Brett.”
“Diaz, is everything alright.”
“Yes, I think, I don’t know.”
She smiled, “care to elaborate?”
“Remember how I told you about Buck?” She nodded her head, “well turns out he works here at this very firehouse and I might be internally freaking out a little.”
“Eddie I’m not aware of a Buck working here, are you sure?”
“Yeah, Kelly confirmed it, he was there when some of all that went down, he’s his brother.”
“Oh sugar plums. Evan is your Buck isn’t he?” Eddie nodded his head, “I didn’t know.”
“It’s ok, sounds like he doesn’t even go by Buck any more. I really have missed out on so much.”
“Hey Eddie, it’s going to be ok, Baby Sev is a good guy. Though it does explain why the guy looked so sad when he first started here.” She must’ve seen the heartbreaking look on his face, “I’m sorry. But you don’t need to worry, he’s definitely not the same guy that walked in here a year ago. I know it’s going to be hard but trust me when I say this, things are going to turn out okay in end.”
He smiled but he knew it didn’t reach his eyes, “thank you. But enough of my drama, show me the madness boss.”
She smiled back at him, “come, step into my office.” The next hour went by smoothly, he hadn’t seen Buck yet but he has a feeling that was on purpose. Before he knew it, it was time for morning roll call. He was most definitely not ready for it at all but it didn’t matter because he didn’t have a choice, it was now time for a professional and calm Eddie, good luck with that, he thought to himself.