Reading Time: 152 Minutes

Title: Daylight
Author: Keira Marcos
Fandom: 9-1-1
Relationship: Bobby Nash/Athena Grant, Past-Marcy Nash/Bobby Nash, Past-Athena Grant/Michael Grant
Genre: Alternate Universe, Magical Realism, Time Travel
Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Canon-Typical Angst, Explicit Language, Discussion-Child Abuse, Discussion-Domestic Violence, Discussion-Violence, Discussion-Rape, Discussion-Murder, Discussion-Kidnapping, Discussion-Sexual Assault, Discussion-Suicidal Ideation, Attempted Murder, Hate Crimes, Temporary Major Character Death, Canon Character Death, Grammarly Beta
Word Count: 80,200
Author’s Note: Happy Holidays!! This is an alternate universe of my series Requiem. It’s not connected to it in any way, but you will see that they share common themes and foundational elements in the world-building. The discussion warnings are related to job-related events for both Bobby Nash and Athena Grant. None of it is explicit. Also, canon means nothing to me, and I’m gonna please myself before anyone else when it comes to my writing. Casting available on the main page.
Summary: Bobby Nash is a man drowning in grief and guilt. When he met Margaret Buckley, he came to the startling conclusion that Evan Buckley was his son. A realization that comes on the day of Buck’s funeral. When he’s offered a chance to return to the past to save his children, he says yes with no thought to the cost.

* * * *

 

Chapter 9

“To Detective Athena Grant,” Elaine said and raised her wine glass. “It’s about damn time.”

Athena shook her head, but lifted her glass as other women around the table did as well. Hen nudged her a little as she lifted her own glass. She’d already had a celebration with the kids and Michael so a night out with the girls seemed like the thing to do since she was technically single. They were in a bar drinking cheap wine and eating bad bar food because that’s what had appealed to them all after the week they’d had.

She pulled her chicken wings closer when the server started to unload food on the table. Athena was still on the fence about the move to psy-ops. She liked a challenge, but the promotion felt weird. Maybe it was for the best because she didn’t know how she was going to relive the life she’d had day by day. Too many things had gone wrong the first time around, and every change she made took her further away from the some of the worst events of her life.

“Change is good,” Hen said like a mantra and Karen Wilson hummed her agreement from across the table. Athena wondered what was going on there.

“It is.” Athena took a deep breath. “But it’s scary, too. I don’t want to get it wrong at this point in my career.”

“Your career is solid gold,” Elaine said. “I’ve been getting grief for several years for not pushing you onto the detective career track. The brass wishes I was much heavier handed with that kind of thing than I am.”

“If you were that heavy handed you wouldn’t be the captain you are,” Athena said. “And frankly, that would be a shame.”

Elaine smiled briefly. “I figure they’re just humoring me until it’s time for me to retire.”

“I’m going to age out,” Athena said and rolled her eyes when they all laughed. “I mean it. They’ll pry my badge out of my very old, arthritic hand.”

“At least you have a plan,” Hen said dryly. “I think this is a great move for you. You can do a lot of good with a position in psy-ops. Getting ahead of magical situations is always to the good because some of the worst calls we get involve magicals going off the rails—hurting themselves or others.”

Athena nodded because she agreed that psy-ops provided a valuable service within law enforcement as a whole. She just wasn’t entirely convinced she was a good fit, no matter her new magical circumstances. Her history with the department made it easy to blend those gifts into her work, but it was a little galling to have someone chalk up all of her investigative work to magical influence. And several people had now that it had gotten around that she’d joined psy-ops.

“Plus, you’ve got a gorgeous new partner,” Elaine said slyly.

“Ah, I don’t…I learned that lesson years ago.” Athena shook her head and wondered why Elaine didn’t know that Lou Ransone preferred men. “Even when it works out, it doesn’t. I’ve seen far too many couples basically implode over the job. You think there is understanding there, but it falls apart in practice nearly every single time.”

“I get it,” Hen said. “I’ve seen it happen in the station, too. Also, you run the risk of having him fuck you on the job and off—that’s never good. When I was corporate, I had a friend who was involved with a co-worker. He thought it was love so he gave her everything he had. Well, she used him to get ahead at work and claimed his work as her own repeatedly. He allowed it because he wanted to help her. When she got the promotion she wanted, she dumped him.”

“Dick move,” Elaine said, and the others laughed. “Did he get revenge? Because I would’ve.”

“He was heartbroken,” Hen said. “So, I got revenge for him.”

Elaine toasted her with a laugh. “A good friend bails you out of jail and avenges your broken heart.”

“A best friend is a bullet proof alibi,” Karen retorted, and Athena couldn’t help but nod her agreement.

Athena focused on Hen. “So, what’s going on with you and the captain parade?”

Hen made a face. “The whole shift is going to be reorganized and I’ve been asked where I want to focus in my career with the LAFD. I just finished my emergency management certification course and submitted it to HR. I didn’t expect to get any notice, but I got a call and was asked to come in. They pointed out several continuing education courses at the academy that I can take.”

“What are you going to do?” Elaine questioned.

“I don’t know,” Hen admitted. “I asked for time to think about my options.”

“Can I offer some advice?” Elaine questioned and Hen nodded. “If your brass is looking to split up your shift, go along with their plan without protest and take any advance offered to you. There’s a problem there and you don’t want to be the focus of the operation. HR reached out to you because they want to get you out of the way of whatever fallout is brewing on that crew.”

Hen exhaled slowly. “Yeah, that was the tone. When I first started working for the LAFD, I was placed at the 118 and the captain liked to call me his affirmative action hire. He treated me like shit when he was forced to interact with me. He made it clear that I was not welcome, not wanted, and not a real firefighter. Eventually, he was reported. I didn’t do it. I wanted to push through and prove myself. It was stupid because I was never going to prove myself worthy to that asshole.

“There have been four captains since him.”

“So, they only replaced the captain?” Elaine questioned with a frown. “They didn’t deal with any of the people on that shift that tolerated his bullshit?”

“Just him,” Hen said and shrugged when Elaine scowled. “He had a history of racist and sexist behavior. He treated Chimney Han terribly as well.”

“Okay, so, you need to get as far from every single person on that shift as you possibly can professionally,” Elaine said frankly. “Take the courses that you’re being offered at the academy and accept a transfer without discussion. You’ve clearly been identified as someone valuable to the organization—I can’t say it’s not because you’re a Black woman first and great at your job second. The optics play a factor and there’s no way around that.”

“I know,” Hen said and grimaced. “So, I should look out for me and fuck the rest of them?”

“How many reported your old captain for his abusive behavior toward you?” Athena questioned. She knew the answer, of course. It was one and it hadn’t even been the man Hen would come to call her best friend.

“Just one,” Hen said and took a deep breath. “Right.” She nodded. “Okay, focusing on my own career is what matters at this point. I’d like to shed the negative attention the 118 has gotten during this whole captain parade thing. I think a lot of people blame the whole station for it when that’s not the case.”

“They’re clearly trying to manage an unmanageable issue and failing so they’re trying a different approach to avoid losing valuable, experienced personnel,” Athena said. “Who is the problem child?”

Hen sighed. “Sal Deluca. He’s headstrong, thinks he should be promoted to captain, and the others back his play. I try to stay out of it, which I know is a form of enablement. And Captain Four is riding rough shod over the entire crew.”

“He’s a fixer,” Elaine said, and Athena nodded.

“What do you mean?” Hen questioned.

“They brought him in to figure out where the problems are. He’s probably already filed a report with his recommendations and the department is acting on it. He’s older right? Near retirement?”

“I would’ve actually thought he was beyond the age for field retirement,” Hen said thoughtfully and sighed. “Right. I should’ve realized. It’s the kind of thing, if I’d have seen it in a corporate environment, I would’ve recognized immediately. They offered me the courses at the academy and interviews with several captains. Plus, a new station commander is coming in for the 56, and I’ve been offered an interview with him.”

“And you said you had to think about it?” Athena questioned. “Isn’t there a significant pay raise with a task force station?”

“It’s a huge commitment,” Hen said. “The 56 is the biggest operation in the LAFD.”

“Then you must be doing very well to end up on that list for interviews,” Elaine pointed out. “If they romanced someone into the LAFD take up the 56’s operation then the chief isn’t going to put anyone down in front of him that isn’t a rock star in their own right.”

“Romanced?” Karen questioned.

“A task force station is a lot of responsibility,” Hen said. “And being the commander of one isn’t easy. The people with the experience and fortitude to run one don’t grow on trees either—especially not at the 56’s level. I heard that there was no one at the 56 ready or willing to step up to Captain II level, and they did a search outside of the organization as a result. No info on the new hire, though.”

“Will the new hire get any blow back?” Athena questioned.

“Nah,” Hen said with a shrug. “If anyone had wanted the job, they’d have busted their asses for it. They didn’t so that’s why the department did an outside search. If they thought that Chief Alonzo was going to take a knee and a beg someone to step up then they were fools. The man isn’t known for that shit. And the only real candidate for the job ended up taking over SAR for LA County last year.”

* * * *

Athena pulled off her shoes shortly after she locked the door. Her house was empty in the middle of the night for the first time since May was born. It was jarring and slightly uncomfortable. Both kids were spending the night at Michael’s condo so that was something she’d have to get used to.

She texted the group chat to tell them all that her Uber had dropped her off at home safe and sound. The rest of them had already done the same so she put her phone on to charge on the nightstand, pulled her weapon out of her purse, stored it in the gun safe, and started to undress. A few glasses of wine had mellowed her out, and she felt a little weepy now that she was alone.

She didn’t normally get sad often when she drank so it was kind of startling, but also her circumstances weren’t exactly normal. Maybe they’d never be the version of normal she knew before again. Everything felt different in a way that was kind of hurtful, and that wasn’t something she felt like she could share with anyone. Maybe she’d made too many changes too fast.

Athena had been so desperate to get away from the grief that had driven her and Bobby into the past that maybe she’d moved too quickly to change some of the more difficult parts of her life. Still, she couldn’t have imagined still being married when Bobby finally made it back to LA. It had been hard to even call Michael her husband in her head much less aloud when she’d been discussing the divorce.

Her phone rang so she used the headset she hadn’t taken off, yet, to answer it.

“Hello.”

“I got your text,” Bobby murmured. “How are you?”

Tipsy, she thought, but hesitated to share that. “Sad.”

“Did something happen?” Bobby asked quickly. “Are you okay?”

“The kids are at Michael’s,” Athena said, and Bobby hummed in her ear. “And my house is empty. It’s weird, and I don’t know what to do with myself. I had dinner with Hen, Elaine, and Karen tonight. They encouraged me to pick up some guy half my age at the bar.” She huffed when he laughed. “We all took Ubers home since we had some wine, and now I’m sitting here on my empty bed missing you and missing the kids. I just…can’t even with myself.”

“You’ll even out. Drink some water and take some aspirin so you don’t get a headache in the morning,” Bobby suggested. “Buck finished his second week at the academy. He’s testing out in the top spot right now.”

“He’d better, considering,” Athena muttered and started to shed the rest of her clothes as Bobby laughed. “How are things going?”

“Everything is set at work,” Bobby said. “I’ve packed everything I could, and Buck finally found a house he thinks we’ll all like. I’ve seen the video tour, and I liked what I saw. We wanted you to take a look at it. Do you think you could swing by tomorrow? He’ll arrange it with the real estate agent.”

“I have a full day with orientation for the new unit,” Athena admitted. “I’ll be working at least four 12-hour shifts going forward. Overtime is mandatory for psy-ops, but the pay more than makes up for it. Send me a link to the video tour and I’ll text Buck with any questions I might have. But I trust his judgment. It doesn’t have to be our forever home, you know. Eventually, they’ll all abandon us, and we’ll be rattling around in a house made for seven.”

Bobby sighed. “Yeah, there’s that. It has five bedrooms, and a loft apartment over the garage with a separate entrance. It wasn’t exactly what we were looking for at the start, but Buck wants to stick around for a while because of Brook and Robbie’s emotional landscape. We’ll just need to make sure the kids know to respect his privacy and space. It’s difficult to think about being in the same city with you, but still being separate. It’s the best choice because I never want any of our kids to think that we cheated, or that we tried to replace….” He exhaled noisily.

“No, it’s difficult and I know I’m going to have a hard road with Robbie and Brook. I’m more than willing to put in the work, Bobby, I promise you that. I’m going to do my best to honor Marcy’s sacrifice and be the parent that her babies deserve. It’s the only thing I can think to do.”

“I agree with that,” Bobby said. “And I hate this, Athena. There’s no easy answer for any of this and I feel…terrible for how relieved I am by how smoothly everything has gone over the last few weeks. Do you think there is a magical influence at play?”

“That…magical spirit that Buck carries has an agenda, and I don’t know if we were told the whole of it. Maybe we wouldn’t even understand all of it, if he’d explained. We have to trust in it and in Buck to lead the way in some cases. Which I know might be difficult for you.”

“It won’t be,” Bobby said quietly. “Honestly, you’re probably going to have to keep me in check, Athena. I can’t say no to any of them.”

Athena laughed. “Bobby.”

“I’m serious,” Bobby said with a sigh. “It’s hard to deny them anything because I’ve already lost all three of them once, and I keep waiting for Fate to take them from me again. Maybe I always will.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Athena said dryly, and Bobby laughed. “Because I want to raise good humans, not spoiled little assholes.”

“That’s a deal,” Bobby said warmly. “I have to go—I’ve got a couple of dumbasses on duty right now who are trying my patience like a pair of hyped up toddlers.”

* * * *

Buck thrummed his fingers gently on the desk as he stared at the screen of his iPad. He was taking a few online courses from FEMA that were self-guided, so nothing was stressful on that point. He just had to spend the time with the materials and take the corresponding tests. The swift water class was going well, and he had five more hours of that left.

His magic warmed gently in his chest, and he stilled. It hadn’t prodded him since he’d come to LA, and he was alone, which was weird. He focused on his iPad, and frowned because there was nothing about his course material that should be setting anything off. Buck stood from the small desk and walked across the room to the window. The Airbnb was a converted detached garage that had clearly been set up for extra income for the elderly couple that owned the property. He liked them a lot.

The house was dark, which was to be expected as they went to bed early and woke up at the crack of dawn every morning. He walked back to the desk, picked up his phone and checked his messages, which gave him nothing. The magic heated to the point of uncomfortable when his finger brush Athena’s name on his screen. Despite the hour, he called her.

“Buck? Is something wrong, baby?” Athena questioned with a voice heavy with sleep.

“Yeah,” Buck said. “I need you to wake up, Athena, and get your gun.” His magic shifted with approval. “Now.”

Athena’s breath was a little heavy and he listened intently to the rustle of covers. “What’s wrong? Wait. Someone’s downstairs.”

“It’s not one of the kids,” Buck said. “Be careful, please.”

“The kids are at Michael’s,” Athena said shortly. “Baby, I have to go. But I’ve got this. I’ll call you back.”

She was gone before Buck could respond.

* * * *

Athena was cursing herself for not setting the very expensive alarm system that Michael had installed in the house. She could already imagine the lecture she was going to get from several corners on the matter. Easing out of her bedroom, she pressed her back against the wall and slid toward the stairs.

The fact that she’d had two glasses of wine with dinner was drifting around in the back of her mind, but it had been about six hours since she’d had anything to drink, and she thought she was well under the legal limit. She’d have to admit to drinking and hoped it wouldn’t be a problem. Hesitating to defend herself wasn’t an option. She had to live for her babies. All of them.

A family of seven.

The words tumbled around her head as she slid down the stairs carefully, scanning the open concept living space that made up the ground floor of her house. The French doors that led out the patio were ajar, which was infuriating. If the alarm was engaged, it would’ve gone off the moment those doors opened.

A tall, broad shouldered shadow moved along the wall, and her gut clenched as she shouldn’t be able to see him at all. But the pitch darkness of the room didn’t seem to be an obstacle at all and that was a new thing. He was dressed in dark clothing—clearly a planned outing on his part. The man had to be stupid or furious to break into a cop’s house. Maybe both, she thought as he continued to move toward her.

“I couldn’t figure out why you were following me,” the man said, and her gut clenched. “Then you arrested me—disrupting a little date I had planned. I told my lawyer about you stalking me. Do you know what he said?”

“I imagine he told you that a police investigation doesn’t meet the burden of stalking unless threats and abuse of power become an issue, Jeffrey,” Athena said. “I’m surprised you made bail.”

“Crowded jails remain a real problem for the city of Los Angeles,” Jeffrey said. “I left my leg monitor at home. It’s not a great system, but I’m not complaining.”

“Is this your first time leaving your monitor at home, Jeffrey?” Athena asked coolly.

“Well, that’s for me to know,” he said in a jovial, yet furious, tone. “Did I give you permission to call me by my first name, Sergeant Grant?”

“It’s amusing that you think I need your permission to do anything,” Athena responded, and he sucked air through his teeth. “Why are you here, Jeffrey?”

“You followed me around, ruined my date, and now everyone in my life thinks I’m a monster,” he snapped. “I’m here to balance the scales.”

“The scales exist to punish you for your disgusting behavior, Jeffrey,” Athena said evenly. “Dates? I got news for you, asshole, everyone in your life already knew you were a monster. You can’t keep a woman, right? You probably can’t even get it up unless you’re raping a woman because you’re inferior. Did your mommy not love you, Jeffrey? Or did she love you too much?”

“I just take what I’m owed,” he responded and shifted closer. “Just like I will with you. You’ve destroyed my life, Sergeant Grant, so now you owe me yours.”

“If you want to live, you’ll cross the room and sit down on my couch while I call for back up,” Athena said.

“My lawyer looked you up,” Jeffrey replied. “Apparently, you’ve never used lethal force once in the course of your career as a point of pride. Some people believe it’s because you have some magical affinity and you’re capable of talking people into surrendering rather easily.”

There was nothing easy about it.

“But your little tricks aren’t going to work on me.” He put a foot on the stairs and their gazes connected in the darkness. “I see you, Athena.”

“I see you, too, Jeffrey,” she said evenly. “Take another step and I’ll kill you.”

He laughed. “No, you won’t. You don’t have it in you. Bitches like you shouldn’t even be cops. You don’t have the fucking balls to take that kind of action.”

He took another step and she put two bullets in his chest. For a minute, Athena just stared as his body slumped against the wall and slid down the stairs. She pulled her phone out of the pocket of her pajama pants and eased back up the stairs and used her gun to flip the light switch on in the hall even as she dialed 9-1-1.

“9-1-1, what is your emergency?”

“This is Detective Athena Grant, Psy-Ops Unit 44. I’m in need of back up and medical assistance at my personal residence. A man invaded my home, and I was forced to shoot him when he refused to yield and advanced on me. The man’s name is Jeffrey Hudson and he’s out on bail—charges pending for six counts of rape.” She took a deep breath and gave the operator her address. “Please don’t use sirens as it would disturb my neighbors and the situation is contained.”

“Are you injured, Detective Grant?”

“No but advise the investigating team that I’m armed. I’m going to my bedroom on the second level of my home to sit on the bed.”

“I’ll stay on the line with you, Detective, until help arrives. Per procedure, your captain and partner in psy-ops have been notified of the altercation in your home. Lt. Ransone is en route. He’s requested a detective from FID, and one is being dispatched. Are you alone in the home?”

“Yes, my children are currently with my ex-husband,” Athena said and relaxed as she listened to the woman work the situation her behalf. “The suspect entered the house through the French doors on my patio. Do you want me to go unlock the front door?”

“Patrol has arrived and is checking the perimeter to make sure the suspect was acting alone,” the operator said. “They’ve entered the house and they’re securing the property. I’m glad you’re okay, Detective Grant.”

“Thank you,” Athena said. “Please make sure a copy of this call is sent to my captain and the Force Investigation Division immediately. I want a thorough and transparent investigation.”

“Of course, Detective. My name is Abby Clark and feel free to use my name in your statement. Good luck.”

“Thank you, Abby.” Athena closed her eyes briefly and nodded. “Have a good morning.” She ended the call just as uniformed officer entered her bedroom with his gun drawn.

“Sarge, are you okay?” The man asked then cleared his throat. “Excuse me. Detective Grant, you okay?”

Athena smiled briefly and put her gun down on the bed. “I’m fine, Jim.” She took a deep breath and crossed her arms over her chest. “I haven’t touched the body. Is he still alive?”

“No pulse,” Jim Faulkner said easily and holstered his own weapon as he activated his radio. “Scene secure. Suspect deceased.” He turned off the radio. “Shooter is a badass even in her pink jammies.”

Athena frowned at him. “You’re lucky I’m not in charge of your scheduling anymore, Jim.” He laughed. “They were a Christmas present from my kids.”

He sobered then. “I’m really glad you’re okay, ma’am. When the call went out and gave your address, I nearly had a stroke.”

“Now I have to tell Calhoun you need a physical,” she told him dryly and smirked when he groaned. “I’ll stay here. You can tell the forensics team where I am when they get here.”

Lou Ransone appeared in the door of her bedroom at that point and Jim Faulkner eased out. “Athena, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she assured and glanced toward her weapon. “I didn’t know he’d made bail. Who the hell thought that was a good idea?”

Ransone exhaled noisily and leaned on the doorframe. “Did he touch you?”

“No, I didn’t let him get close enough,” Athena said shortly. “He’s a violent, serial rapist. There’s DNA evidence, for fuck’s sake.” She rubbed her face with a shaking hand. “I’ve been…I went out to dinner with friends. I had two glasses of wine.”

“How long since you stopped drinking?” Lou questioned.

“About six hours.”

“Even at your size, you should be under the legal limit,” Lou murmured as he checked his watch. “Captain Alan Williams from Force Investigations is here. Once the forensics tech will process you and take the weapon, we’ll go to the station together. They might take the clothes you’re wearing.”

Athena nodded and folded her hands together. “I’m okay.”

She made a mental note to ask Michael where he’d purchased the pajamas in the hopes of replacing them. Once they went into evidence, she wouldn’t get them back.

“Why wasn’t your security system engaged?” Lou asked.

Athena sighed. “I came home a little tipsy, Lou. I just…went to bed since my kids are at my ex-husband’s house tonight. I can’t even tell you how often I just don’t bother with it. Michael insisted on installing it a few years ago because of a burglary down the street. When he lived here, he set it every night before going to bed.”

“I wish I knew you well enough to lecture you about this,” Lou muttered and as a crime scene tech entered the room.

They’d sent up a woman. Lou pulled the door shut with a nod in her direction.

“Detective Grant, my name is Amanda Johnson,” she said and put down a large bag. “I’ll be processing you for the investigation.” She unzipped the bag and started to pull out her kit, starting with a large paper bag. “I’ll need the clothing you’re wearing.” She paused. “You can keep your underwear if you…weren’t assaulted.”

“I wasn’t,” Athena assured, and the tech’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “I didn’t let him get close enough to touch me.” She unbuttoned her pajama top and slid it off. “I need to take a picture of this label with my phone.”

Amanda raised an eyebrow.

“My kids gave me these pajamas for Christmas,” Athena explained. “I’m hoping to replace them, so they know as little as possible about what happened tonight.” She picked up her phone and took a picture of the label then set it on the nightstand as Amanda took pictures of her service weapon and bagged it.

“There’s some blood spatter on them,” Amanda said. “You’d never get it out of the silk.”

“No, agreed,” Athena said and took a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

 

 

Chapter 10

Buck put a cup of coffee down in front of Athena and sat down across from her. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I’ve already lined up a cleaning service to deal with the mess that got made. It’s awful that there’s actually a company out there that focuses entirely on crime scene cleanup, right?”

Buck made a face. “Well, maybe not just crime scenes. They probably work on unattended deaths as well as accidents that involve a lot of blood. Death is messy, even when it’s not…unnatural.” He looked down at his own coffee but didn’t drink. “Do you think there will be a problem officially with the shooting?”

“No, I’ve already been interviewed once. The law is clearly on my side. He advanced on me despite being told I was armed. He told me I didn’t have the balls to shoot him.” Athena exhaled slowly. “The kids are really upset that they can’t go home. I spent the afternoon at Michael’s condo trying to calm them down. I got a lecture from Harry because he overheard me telling Michael that I hadn’t turned the security on.”

“Well, I’ll refrain then,” Buck said. “How did Bobby respond?”

“I didn’t want to tell him at all if I’m honest. He can’t do anything from where he is and doesn’t need the stress.”

“If you’re worried about a relapse, don’t. It’s clear that the magical influence was extremely heavy. I doubt he could actually take a drink at this point. Even taking over-the-counter medication had him hesitating when I was in St. Paul.”

Athena nodded. “I did tell him, Buck. I can’t keep that kind of secret from him. He was upset, of course, and furious that Hudson had made bail to begin with.” She took a deep breath. “And the fact that Hudson’s lawyer gave him information about me. I can’t do much about that, but I’d like to.”

“We can figure out something,” Buck muttered and smiled briefly when she laughed. “I’ve never been in a fight.”

“I’m glad,” Athena said. “Violence is the only answer some men have to their problems, Buck. It’s not a great mindset by any means, and it can be life-ruining.”

“I know,” Buck said quietly. “Phillip and Margaret argued a lot throughout my childhood, but it was never violent. But I went to school with kids whose parents fought like that. It was clear who was taught violence at home and who wasn’t. I did pick up some bad habits from them, including conflict avoidance, which hasn’t always served me. It was just easier to find a way not to argue with them and not to get in the way of their arguing, if at all possible.”

“And now?”

“I know that it didn’t matter what I did or didn’t do—they’re hateful and toxic people who should’ve never had any kids. A good parent isn’t selfish, and they’re both so obscenely self-involved that it’s hard to imagine them wanting to actually have children. I feel like they did it because they felt like they should—like they were playing some part on stage.”

She reached out, and he took her hand in his. Athena Grant was such a small woman that it made his heart hurt to think of her in the hands of a man like Jeffrey Hudson.

“He didn’t get bail the first time he was arrested.”

“The first time around, he was in jail for the violent attempted murder of a cop,” Athena said shortly. “An attempted murder most of the first responders in LA listened to happen live. No judge on the bench in this city would’ve allowed him to make bail. The audio leaked on YouTube before he even had a bail hearing. It was awful. This time, he hadn’t gone off the rails yet, still had a lot of money at his disposal, and hired a very good lawyer.”

“And now he’s dead.”

“Very,” Athena assured. “It’s a relief. I’m off-duty while FID finishes their review and files a report.”

“Do you expect any blowback at all?”

“None, I promise,” she said and squeezed his hand. “It was a righteous shoot. My biggest issue will be the kids and Michael. I barely escaped them this morning.” Buck laughed. “Show me the house.”

Buck let got of her hand reluctantly and grabbed his iPad, which was on the table beside them. He browsed to the house listing on the real estate site and passed it to her. “Don’t let the price scare you. It’s been on the market for over a year, and we’re the only interest they’ve had in six months. I lowballed my offer, but our real estate agent expects them to accept gladly since it’s cash.”

Athena nodded and settled in to watch the video tour. “Commute times?”

“Twenty minutes from the 56, ten minutes from your current house, twenty-five minutes to your station, fifteen minutes from the school I’ve picked out for Robbie and Brook, ten minutes from Harry’s school, and twenty minutes from Carson’s. I haven’t checked May’s new school option.”

“Shouldn’t be much of a difference since it’s only a few minutes down the road from Harry’s school. Eventually, I’d like to see Harry and Brook in the same school—at least through junior high,” Athena murmured. “It’s lovely—Bobby will be excited by the kitchen. The outdoor space looks recently updated. You need to make sure Robbie and Brook can swim since there’s a pool. Not really high on my list of requirements.”

Buck laughed. “It was number one on Brook’s. She loves to swim and wants to be on a swim team, if possible, at her new school. She’s on a junior team now. Robbie prefers video games and the like for entertainment but can swim.”

“The apartment above the garage is nice. It’s great that you’re willing to stay close to the kids for a while. Bobby said they’re both very invested in you.”

“I gave them someone to focus on,” Buck murmured. “I try to offer no judgment regarding their feelings and grief. They can tell me things they might hesitate to tell Bobby right now because they’re worried about hurting him. Brook is very sensitive to that, actually. Robbie is intent on protecting his sister due to trauma. It was the last thing his mother asked of him, so he’s hyper-focused on it.”

“Bobby said they’ve both engaged in therapy,” Athena said. “What has Robbie said about his mother’s death?”

“She carried them as far as she could down those stairs before the smoke inhalation just overcame her. Marcy realized that none of the alarms were going off, so she started pulling manual ones on her way down. It would’ve slowed her down considerably. I think that choice, more than carrying both kids, was the reason she’s dead. But she saved hundreds of people, as you know.”

Athena nodded.

“Eventually, her body just gave out, and Robbie said she fell with them. She told them to leave her behind and that she didn’t regret her choices. She also told them that she loved them and to tell Bobby not to be afraid to love again.” Athena took in a shuddery breath. “Then she told Robbie to carry his sister down the stairs, and…he did. But those kids, Athena, they stopped on each fucking floor they had left and kept pulling those alarms. Brook said she pulled each one when Robbie would stop by one—because her mom would’ve wanted them to help everyone else in the building.”

Athena set aside the iPad and brushed tears from her face. “I can’t….” She took a deep breath and covered her face with both hands.

Buck stood and went to get a box of tissues. He knew that Athena didn’t like to be patted when she was upset, so he slid the box onto the table and waited for her to regain the emotional control she required of herself.

Athena plucked some tissues from the box and took a deep breath. “It’s overwhelming—to think about them. I didn’t…think about them much at all when I agreed to time travel with Bobby. It was about you and him. I wanted to support him. I wanted you back. Part of me has loved Robbie and Brook since I fell in love with Bobby because they were part of him and part of his very painful past. I wanted to be with him on his healing journey in that future the three of us now share.”

“I can’t imagine sharing such a thing with anyone else,” Buck admitted and took the hand she offered. “We’re going to be fine, I promise.”

“You saved my life last night,” Athena said. “There’s no guarantee I could’ve fought him off a second time. Especially if he’d caught me asleep.”

“Well, you and Bobby have saved my life,” Buck said quietly. “Twice over. I was in a very dark place when I died in the future, Athena, and I don’t know what I’d have done if I’d gotten out of that fire alive. I felt disconnected from everything and everyone. Phillip and Margaret had destroyed the family I thought was mine after decades of trying. I hate them, you know. And it’s appalling to hate the woman who gave birth to me. It’s actually pretty disgusting to hate anyone. I never thought I could.”

“It’s not your nature,” Athena murmured. “My own mother is a very difficult woman, and I’ve given her too much room to behave badly in my life. I recently found out that she’s been pressuring May to go to law school.”

“May’s interested in civil engineering, right?” Buck questioned, and Athena raised an eyebrow. “We talked about it a few times in the other future. I think she wanted to work for LA County after college. The field is very open, and jobs are in high demand. She wanted to pursue her master’s degree as well.”

“I wish I’d known this,” Athena said quietly. “I gave her a lot of grief for working as a dispatcher.”

“That was about you,” Buck said, and Athena nodded. “And I get it. She felt powerless and the job gave her some power in that situation to help others. But yeah, her far-reaching goal was civil engineering. I think she’d be great at it. You’re changing her school, so she’s not exposed to that bully who pushed her to suicide, right?”

“Yes.” Athena took a deep breath. “And both of them are seeing a therapist to help deal with the divorce. It’s gone better this time around, but I don’t want to take any chances. I need to pay better attention to them and what’s going on in their lives.”

“You’re a great mom,” Buck said. “You always have been. Some things…just happen, Athena. We can’t strive for perfect, you know, it’ll just wreck us.” He cleared his throat. “Do you think you’ll enjoy the work you’ll be doing going forward?”

“Yes,” Athena said. “The team is solid, and it’ll be good to have a partner in the field. I enjoyed working solo, but I need to take a safer route going forward. I should have the first time around as well. We both know that Michael is going to go through some stuff and will fall off the parenting radar in response to my marriage to Bobby. It’s like he thought he should get a pass on it after that but would get irritated by the fact that May and Harry both sought Bobby’s approval and guidance.”

“Well, maybe we can mitigate that fall-out a little better this time around,” Buck said thoughtfully. “Not sure how exactly. He had no business getting pissed off at Bobby because he was at the house doing the day-to-day labor of being a parent. Bobby’s paternal vibe is what it is, and frankly, it’s supercharged around Brook and Robbie. He clearly tried to rein himself in with Harry and May to avoid stepping on Michael’s toes. He’s just a real dad if you get my meaning.”

“I do,” Athena said. “And that vibe drew me to him, actually.” She paused and huffed when Buck gaped at her. “Not like that, you little asshole.” Buck laughed. “I knew I could trust him with my kids. He has a nurturing spirit, and it’s very attractive. You have the same spirit, actually, and the same quiet confidence in the things you know how to do. I’ve seen you wade into problems without a single hesitation and take charge of a situation when others were still trying to get over themselves.”

“That didn’t always serve me at the 118,” Buck muttered. “And Bobby favoring me didn’t help either. I’ve agreed to go to the 56 with him as long as he keeps that in check. I need him to treat me like an employee on the job. Do you think he can do it?”

“I think he will certainly try out of respect for you,” Athena said wryly, and Buck laughed. “But he loves you, Buck, and he’s not going to be able to hide that. He never could hide it and that was more of a problem than the favoritism, which was never as bad as others made it out to be. You didn’t get ahead on the job because of it. He made you work just as hard as anyone else and took you to task when you fucked up, right?”

“Right,” Buck said. “I already promised not to have sex on the job again.” He huffed when she laughed. “Seriously.”

“Well, that wasn’t really about sex.”

“No, I was….” He frowned. “More coffee?”

“Yes,” Athena said as she picked up the iPad. “You were what?”

“I think the best way to describe it would be skin-hungry,” Buck said roughly. “I was also seeking affection through sex because I wasn’t getting it anywhere else. I’d never gotten it anywhere else if I’m honest. Daniel and Maddie were barely in my life at that point, through my own design. I resented them for how well Margaret and Phillip treated them compared to me. In retrospect, they’re shit parents to all three of us, but I felt like I got the rawest end of the deal.”

“You did,” Athena assured as he refilled her coffee. “This is very good, by the way.”

“I remembered you prefer South American beans, so I bought some from a roastery down the street—they’re Columbian. It’s Madre Selva Coffee Finca La Reserva, to be specific.” He paused. “I made sure it was fair trade.”

“I’ll have to pick some up,” Athena said and focused on the iPad. “I like the floor plan—the open design and the big spaces. The large attic is a great bonus. You’ve done a great job with this. I can cover half the cost of this with the sale of my current home, so if you have to go up a bit in negotiation, I’ll be fine with that.”

“How do you think May and Harry will feel about a future move?”

“I don’t know,” Athena admitted. “Maybe more willing now since there was a home invasion. May had some very pointed questions about Hudson and his crimes. I tried to be honest but brief with her since Harry was there as well. I’ll speak with her privately at some point. I hate that I have to prepare her for sexual violence, but this is the world we live in.”

“It’s awful,” Buck said and frowned. “I wouldn’t tolerate being friends with a man who considered any sort of manipulation or force an option when it comes to sex. But then I’ve always been of the opinion that if you can’t earn it, then you don’t have the right to it, no matter what it is you’re pursuing.”

“I’m going to guide Hen toward the 56 and Bobby’s shift. Your thoughts?”

“She’s a great paramedic and team player,” Buck said. “Just her?”

“Bobby isn’t going to hire Howard fucking Han,” Athena snapped and took a deep breath. “Sorry.”

“What’s going on?” Buck questioned. “Bobby and Chimney were tight before.”

“Bobby and Chim had an argument the day after you died,” Athena said. “And Chim said something utterly unforgivable.”

“I’m going to need a little more than that,” Buck encouraged. “Come on, Athena.”

“Bobby’s grief was overt, Buck. He could barely function, and he’d requested family leave to process your death. Chim questioned the legitimacy of that because he was pissed that Bobby didn’t leave him in charge of the shift. In fact, they brought in a captain from outside of the station to handle A shift while Bobby was out. Chim said that Bobby needed to get over it and that no matter how much Bobby wanted it to be true—he hadn’t managed to replace his son with an inferior copy.”

“Jesus Christ,” Buck said in wonder. “What the actual fuck, Athena?”

“Right?” Athena huffed. “Bobby threw him out of our house and told him he wasn’t welcome at your funeral. Which was heavily attended—even Captain Alonzo showed up.”

“That’s nice.” Buck made a face, and Athena laughed. “A well-attended funeral should probably be a life goal, right?”

“I don’t even know.”

* * * *

“How sensitive is your intuition, Detective Grant?”

Athena didn’t know how to answer Captain Williams’ question. She rolled the water bottle she hadn’t opened between her hands. “I’ve never been tested, as you know.” The older man nodded. “I’ve always had very good instincts—some might even say on a preternatural level. Is this related to the shooting?”

“No,” Captain Williams murmured. “It’s about your arrest of Hudson in the midst of him breaking into his next victim’s home. He reported to his lawyer that you were stalking him, Detective.”

“I was investigating him,” Athen returned, and Williams just inclined his head. “As to why, I can’t give a concrete reason. I didn’t act outside of my authority until I saw him committing a crime. Something about him made my gut itch, and I can’t explain it any better than that. When someone puts me off on sight, I’m rarely mistaken about them being some form of a terrible human being. It’s not always illegal activity. My neighbor, for instance, is a wretched old bastard who disowned his son for being gay. I’ve known since I set eyes on him that he’s a crap human being. I just didn’t know why until a few years later when I met his ex-wife. I’ve never let him speak to my kids.”

Captain Williams nodded. “Is it just preternatural instinct? Is that what earned you a spot in psy-ops?”

“Actually, I’m pretty sure they recruited me to act as a shield for Lt. Ransone, who is very talented,” Athena said. “It’s not an uncommon position for a person of my limited abilities. The rest of the unit could be unduly impacted by the wrong kind of magical event, whereas I won’t be. I’ve been the last one standing on the scene of several altercations with a psy-positive individual since I joined the LAPD.”

“Yes, that was noted in your file,” Captain Barnes said mildly. “Your fortitude, integrity, and success in the field have caught the attention of many, including myself.”

Athena considered that. “Did I turn down an offer from the FID? I don’t remember.”

He smiled then. “You’ve turned down two, Detective Grant, and I didn’t even ask you to take the detective’s exam the last time. Everyone was convinced we wouldn’t be prying you out of Elaine Maynard’s command without a significant number of power moves. Can I ask what changed for you?”

“I got a divorce,” Athena said. “So, I’m a single mother now. My ex-husband is saying all the right things and isn’t protesting child support. I can’t depend on that remaining a constant. So, money was a factor, as well as being a part of a team. Psy-ops might be slightly more dangerous than patrol due to magical threats, but I have a full team now to respond to situations that could be deadly. I could’ve taken on a partner and stayed a field sergeant, but it wouldn’t have increased the amount of money I make.”

Williams nodded. “Can’t argue with that, Detective.” He pulled a file into place in front of him. “The forensics have come in, and bullet trajectory confirms that you were accurate in your report regarding your position and his. You said he wanted to balance the scales and blamed you for ruining his life. Do you believe he would’ve killed you? He was unarmed.”

“He violently beat all of his victims,” Athena said. “The second reported victim lost the sight in one eye due to his physical abuse during her attack. Hudson didn’t think I would shoot him because his lawyer had told him that I’d never done it in the line of duty. I believe he would’ve raped and murdered me if I hadn’t killed him.”

“We asked a department psychologist to review the case, and they agree that he would’ve done the worst he could do to you,” Williams said quietly. “Officially, the shoot has been declared justified, and you can pick up your weapon after this meeting.”

“And unofficially?” Athena questioned curiously.

“We’re all very relieved to know that when you have no choice, you will fire your weapon,” Williams said. “Our station would not be the same without you around to look at us all with thinly veiled disapproval at departmental meetings and holiday parties.”

Athena laughed.

Thirty minutes later, she was sitting at her new desk in psy-ops. The unit had its own room, and Lou was on the phone directly across from her. She had a small procedural manual to read for the unit itself, but she knew how field operations worked for psy-ops units due to working with them in the field for years. It was actually weird she hadn’t already met Lou Ransone sooner in either timeline.

“Hudson was a psy-positive,” she blurted out, and everyone in the room turned to look at her.

“Excuse me?” Lou questioned, eyes dark as he focused on her as he put his phone down. “I reviewed his background check and arrest record after the shooting—that wasn’t mentioned.”

“I know,” she said and exhaled slowly. “The security light on my back patio was broken—certainly his doing—so my living room was pitch dark. A psy-null person couldn’t have seen anything without equipment. It’s one reason why we installed the security light, to begin with. It comes on when the sun goes down, so it lights up most of the lower half of the house and the backyard.”

Lou nodded. “Makes sense—good security measure when it’s not broken.”

“Granted,” she said. “But he could see me, and there wasn’t enough time for his eyes to adjust to that kind of darkness.”

“And you could see him, obviously.”

“I saw him,” she acknowledged. “I’ve very good vision—no matter the level of light available to me. It’s pretty galling to know that he used the same gift to stalk and rape women. It would’ve made navigating the homes of his targets very easy.”

One of the uniformed officers, Fiona Vargas, entered at that point with a tray of coffees. She pulled the door short before distributing the coffees. “What are we talking about with such serious faces?”

“Detective Grant was just telling us about the fact that she can see in the dark.”

“Ah, another tick in the Batwoman column,” she said with a grin, and Athena laughed. “You’re one sexy catsuit away from being a genuine icon, ma’am.” She put a coffee down on her desk that she hadn’t ordered.

Athena picked up the cup with a raised eyebrow.

“Caramel latte,” Fiona said. “Got the low down from Jim Faulkner. Coffee during the day, tea at night. You prefer chamomile over green and will straight up fight someone who tries to give you Earl Grey.”

She took a sip of the coffee, pleased with her resourcefulness. Vargas was the youngest member of the unit and one of the few precogs to come out of the police academy in years. She’d been assigned to psy-ops a few days after she entered the academy. Their second uniformed officer was also female—Sergeant Laila Reeves.

Reeves had worked with psy-ops for most of her fifteen-year career with the LAPD and did most of the psychological profiling for the unit, per the summary she’d received from Lou. The email had been succinct, which she appreciated, but she did wonder how he’d chosen each of his assets once he’d been given his own unit.

Sergeant Max Pace was the IT specialist and was on the low end of psy-positive. He was the exact opposite of what she’d expected since he had to be pushing sixty. She hadn’t asked his age but figured he wasn’t near mandatory retirement for his position. Still, she’d expected a fetus with bad hair and tattoos. She’d gotten an older bald man who appeared fit and field-ready despite the open box of blueberry Pop-Tarts on his desk.

Forensics for the unit was managed by Dr. Jenson Holt, who held the rank of detective but wanted no part of management when it came to the unit. Lou had told her the man was far too busy to be any help, even if he’d wanted to be. He was the only person on the team with psychometry, a gift that helped to find evidence, though his impressions themselves couldn’t be used in court.

“Anything else on the untrainable front?” Vargas asked curiously. “I’m always interested in natural gifts like that—it’s a unique situation. My mother thinks a lot of those gifts are built on survival instinct. She said that some of her own gifts manifested due to a series of threats against herself or…well, me.”

“You?” Athena questioned.

Vargas lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “My sperm donor wasn’t a good person. I have no active memories of him because she threw him out of our lives when I was two years old.”

“Violence?” Athena asked and leaned forward slightly in her chair.

Vargas stared for a moment, then grinned. “Wow, you must be a real beast in interview, ma’am.” Lou laughed. “I just really want to answer all of your questions.”

“So, answer them,” Athena said and took a sip of coffee.

“Not violence, no. She caught him using me to pick out horses for gambling. He’d just show me pictures, and I’d pick out my favorite one. Then he’d bet on the horse. Well, I was right a lot of the time. The one time I wasn’t, he flew into a rage and was screaming at me for not supporting the family.”

“And you were just two?” Athena said.

“Yes, at any rate, my mother realized what he was doing and divorced him. She used the incident against him in court, and he lost his parental rights. Everyone knows that if a precog gets caught gambling, they face magical castration. I wasn’t in danger of that as a toddler, but if he’d developed that habit in me as a child, it would’ve followed me into adulthood. It would’ve ruined me. I’m not allowed to stay in most hotels in Las Vegas. I don’t even date people who gamble because I don’t want to face an investigation and examination if they win too much.”

Athena nodded and focused on Lou. “So, if we have no active cases. Are there any cold ones that we can confiscate and look at?”

Lou rocked back in his chair. “My last partner refused to look at cold cases, and it wasn’t worth arguing with him about it. He said pulling cold cases and putting them on our roster impacted our statistics.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass about statistics,” Athena said dryly, and they all laughed. “I like to arrest bad people and put them in small spaces for as long as legally possible so they can reflect on their bad life choices.”

“Sounds like you’re doing them a favor,” Lou said in amusement.

“I’m a generous person, and I invest myself in helping people deal with the immense guilt they must feel after they commit crimes,” Athena said.

“I’m in love,” Max Pace said in amusement as he took off his headset. “I should bring you home for dinner. My wife will fall in love, too.”

“I like to eat,” Athena admitted and smiled when Max laughed. She focused on Lou. “So, show me your white whale.”

Lou quirked an eyebrow. “I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours.”

“Deal.”

 

 

Chapter 11

Bobby closed the box he’d used to take the last of his personal belongings from his office a little reluctantly. Margot was leaning on the desk, arms crossed.

“It’s a little weird.”

“Is it?” Margot questioned. “You’ve been pretty determined this whole time to move on, to go forward.”

“I just want what’s best for all three of my kids,” Bobby said and put a hand on the box. “But I put a lot of time and energy into this station. I trust you with our shift and Capelli with the commander position, but it’s still weird to let it all go despite how I feel about everything.”

“Grief can make thinking clearly difficult,” Margot said. “Are you sure you’re making the best decision for yourself and the kids? You have a support system here that you won’t have in LA. It’s a great job offer, and I get that, but….” She sighed. “It’s a lot.”

“I need something different,” Bobby said. “I can’t stay here—where I lost Marcy. I can’t explain it any better than that. I’ll have Buck in LA, and he’s really all the support I could need at this point. I’m very proud of the very good man he is. I wish I had more to do with it.”

“I’m glad he’s going to be there to help you hold things together,” Margot said quietly. “At least your departure from St. Paul will probably save my marriage.”

“What?” Bobby questioned in shock.

“Cory thinks I’m in love with you,” Margot said and shrugged when Bobby made a face at her. “He’s insecure, and it’s only gotten worse since he had prostate cancer. A lot had to be done so he could survive, and there were a few ramifications that he’s having a hard time dealing with.”

“Sometimes, I don’t even think you like me,” Bobby said wryly, and she laughed. “But in truth, if he’s going through that kind of situation, then he’ll just pick someone else out on the job to be threatened by. It’s not even about you. So, he probably needs therapy to deal with his feelings about cancer and his survival. Plus, whatever issues emerged due to treatment. Just help him get some tools to deal with all of that crap.”

He leaned on the desk beside her and nudged her shoulder with his own. “It’ll be weird being on the job without you.”

“Maybe we’re co-dependent,” Margot said thoughtfully. “Because I agree. I’m a little worried about not being able to watch your back. I’m glad the LAFD blackmailed you with that task force situation so you can bring Buck on the job with you. I need to send him an email about all of your bad habits on the job so he can help me manage them from afar.”

Buck already knew all of his bad habits, but Bobby hoped to shed a lot of that behavior with a new job.

“Like what?” he asked curiously.

“Well, you focus so much on your people on a scene that you don’t always watch traffic for your own sake,” she began. “You don’t stay where I put you the majority of the time and always end up inside a building that you really shouldn’t be in. You apparently think compartmentalization is for suckers because you personally invest in situations and victims far too often for it to be mentally healthy. Then there’s your hero complex.”

“I don’t have a hero complex,” Bobby denied.

“Okay, Clark Kent,” Margot muttered, and Bobby huffed. “Are you being serious right now? I’m not saying you’re a glory hog, but you are prone to heroics in situations that would look untenable to everyone else. It doesn’t help that you often come out on top of those situations, so it makes you feel like you can do it again and again.” She looked down at her feet. “I don’t mean to be cruel with this, Bobby, but you’re a single parent now. You can’t just throw yourself at the job and hope for the best going forward.”

“Okay,” Bobby said and nodded as he exhaled slowly. “I’ll take that on board.”

“Really?”

“Yes, of course, because you’re right. It will be hard, going forward, to be everything to my kids. Buck’s mother is awful, so I’m really the only parent he has at this point, as well.” Bobby exhaled slowly. “I used to judge people who’d get married so soon after losing a partner. Now, I understand.”

“Just make sure to choose a woman who will honor Marcy’s legacy and take her babies as her own,” Margot said. “Don’t settle for less, Bobby.”

“I won’t,” Bobby said quietly. “Not even for a second.”

* * * *

“You got your hair cut again.”

Athena glanced toward May briefly before she focused on her image in the mirror. “Yeah, just a trim to keep things easy.”

“I thought you were going to grow it out,” May said and scooted up onto the bathroom counter. “I was hoping to get a new perm soon. I’m tired of straightening it myself.”

“I’m unsure about how my schedule will go with the new job, so I decided to keep it short for now. You didn’t want to go natural?” Athena questioned as she checked her hair. “How are my edges in the back? My regular stylist wasn’t available.” She turned and showed May the back of her head.

“Looks great,” May assured. “Natural or straight—it’s a lot of work at this length. But I don’t know what’s trending at my new school or how many Black girls will be in my grade. It matters.”

Athena swallowed back a sigh. “Does it?”

“Yeah, of course it does, and you know it. Fitting in will be important as a new student. So, I want to keep my look neutral-ish until I know the landscape and culture at Crossroads. I know I’ll be in the minority there—most private schools in LA are predominantly White. I don’t want to be the token Black girl in some rich White girl’s social club, so I’ve got to have a plan. Ya know?”

“I get it, baby,” Athena said quietly.

“Dad’s got a date tonight,” May blurted out, and Athena hummed under her breath. “He FaceTimed me so I could tell him which shirt matched his pants since he wasn’t sure I’d be available this evening when he was getting dressed.”

Athena laughed. “Remind me to go over there and label all of the clothes.”

“Harry and I went shopping with him. We didn’t let him get any weird shirts, so that should help,” May said and swung her feet a little. “So, about my perm?”

“We’ll go this weekend,” Athena said. “I’m off on Saturday. If you’re really concerned about fitting in, you should do some investigating.”

“What?” May questioned with a laugh.

“Get on Insta and check the hashtag for the school. Even the girls that aren’t old enough for their own accounts are probably featured on their mom’s. You’ll probably get pictures of school events at least, so you’ll see what they’re wearing when they aren’t in uniform.”

“Oh, cool,” May said and pulled her phone out of her pocket. “The school probably has an Insta, too.”

“They do. It was in the information packet. I declined permission for them to include your full name in posts on their social media accounts but agreed you could be included in candid group photos and the like at events.”

“Yeah, that’s good,” May said. “I’m on the fence about having social media at all. It’s…an avenue of access, right?”

“For good and bad,” Athena said as she carefully applied the minimal amount of eyeliner she wore on the job. “Are you worried about your dad dating?”

May huffed. “Aren’t you? He can’t be any good at it.”

Athena laughed. “Actually, he’s great at it. One of the best things about your dad is that he’s empathetic and he pays attention to his partner. We always had a great time on dates. He’s a great dancer, picks good and interesting places to eat, and doesn’t try to keep you out too late when he shouldn’t.”

“That’s good,” May said thoughtfully. “Are you mad at him? For lying to you?”

“He lied to himself, baby,” Athena said and applied a mascara carefully. “And I’m angry with his parents for what they did to him—what they forced him to do to himself as an adult. I can’t say it didn’t hurt to realize that he never wanted…to be with me as a romantic partner. But I’m processing that hurt, and we’re all moving on in the best way we can.”

“I worry about Dad making a dumb decision because he’s…sort of got all of this freedom he didn’t have before.”

Athena hummed under her breath. “He’ll have a learning curve, of course, and maybe he’ll make mistakes, but he’s a grown-ass man, and everything will be fine.”

“Gay bashing still happens, you know,” May said and crossed her arms when Athena looked her way.

“Baby girl, your father knows how to deal with violence. He’s a Black man living in a country where even his education doesn’t trump his skin color. No matter how successful he is, no matter how much money he makes—to some people, he will always be a second-class citizen.” She touched May’s face with a gentle hand. “This is your reality, too.”

“I know,” May said quietly. “I guess I’m just worrying about everything.”

“It would be a favor to me if you’d do your therapy homework and talk to her about the things that worry you,” Athena said and kissed May’s forehead. “And I’m always here to listen to whatever you have to say, I promise. But I don’t know how to give you the tools to deal with your anxiety. I don’t even know how to manage my own.”

May laughed. “Maybe you should do your therapy homework, too.”

“I’m doing the work,” Athena said and picked up her lip balm. “It’s weird to be out of uniform.”

“You probably need to go shopping for work clothes,” May said thoughtfully. “We could do that on Saturday. You look great, though—professional, not too casual, but comfortable.”

Athena smiled. “Good then.”

“Are you going to start dating?”

“I’m going to take my time,” Athena said. “And find a good man who…will love you and Harry as much as he loves me. I want a partner, not just someone to date or whatever.”

“What makes a good partner?” May asked curiously.

“A good partner respects you and your choices,” Athena said as she put on her watch. “They understand and support your goals but don’t enable bad or unhealthy habits. They’re honest, thoughtful, and careful with you. They never take more than they’re offered from you in any situation, and they don’t expect you to do all the emotional labor in the relationship.”

May nodded. “Are you going to hang out at Disneyland until this dude comes along on his white horse or what?”

Athena laughed. “There are good men out there, you know.”

“Sure,” she said and sighed. “Well, I’m glad you aren’t going to have a cougar phase. Casey said her mom went wild after her divorce.” She paused. “I mean, you could have one—if you have your heart set on it. No judgment.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to get involved with a man half my age,” Athena said wryly. “I don’t have the patience for that nonsense.”

May laughed and slid off the counter. “I’ll go check to make sure Harry has put on his shoes. We’re ready to go otherwise.”

* * * *

“Heard you already got a position at the 56.”

Buck shifted in his seat as he hadn’t expected the instructor, Captain Joel Morris, to hold him back after the rest of the class was dismissed. He’d been very careful not to cause any sort of problems. “Yes, sir.”

Morris nodded. “Also heard your father is coming in from a different state to take over as station commander. Got himself blackmailed by Chief Alonzo—he takes one of the problem children, and he gets to keep his son in his own house.”

Buck exhaled slowly. “Yes, sir.” He shifted his binder around in front of him. “The optics are probably not great.”

“The optics are fine,” Morris said. “You got into the academy on your own. You’re doing the work and not acting like a spoiled brat here who has a guaranteed job once he graduates from the academy. We’ve dealt with that kind of nepo baby before, and it’s never pretty. I think you’re a natural for the work we’re training you for. I heard you’re working on certs outside of the academy to go along with the laundry list you came to California with.”

“Yes, sir, swift water with FEMA, and I’ve got some others on the deck for later. Deep water and dive rescue are on the list at my dad’s suggestion.”

Morris nodded. “That’s good to hear. You’re doing well here, Buck. I’m having this conversation with you because I want to make sure you’re on board with Alonzo’s political shenanigans. I also know that parental pressure can be difficult to get out from underneath. If I can mitigate either situation, I’m willing to try.”

“My dad lost his wife in a fire a few months ago,” Buck said, and Morris took in a shaky breath. “My stepmom saved my younger brother and sister but died of smoke inhalation herself. He’s coming here for a fresh start, but things aren’t going to be easy or smooth for him or the kids. I want to have his back on the job and off while he adjusts to single parenthood and gets his legs under him in LA. Maybe I’ll stay with the 56 long-term, or maybe after my probationary year, I’ll move on. It just depends on how everything goes. But I certainly don’t want to be known as a lazy nepo baby, which is exactly why I intend to graduate first from the academy.”

Morris smiled. “You’re well on your way. We’re all impressed with your performance so far.” He paused. “And I’m very sorry for the loss of your stepmother.”

“Thank you, sir. She was an incredibly brave and strong woman. We’re doing our best to honor the choices she made going forward in how we live our lives.”

“That’s all you can do,” Morris said quietly. “I can’t imagine it, and it does put a different light on your old man’s desire to keep you close on the job. I’d do no different. The work is rewarding, but it can also be dangerous.”

“Well, life is dangerous,” Buck said, and the older man nodded. “I’m still trying to figure out how to be a good son if I’m honest. My mother’s husband never had much time for me, and my connection with my biological father is relatively recent compared through no fault of his own.”

“Ah,” Morris said and sighed. “Like that, is it? Well, if it means anything, I’d be proud to have such a competent young man for a son.”

Buck flushed. “Thank you, Captain Morris.”

The man smiled. “How do you feel about getting on the climbing tower this afternoon? Marcus and I are doing some maintenance on it for training, and we could use another hand. Deputy Chief Navarro from FEMA told me that he personally supervised your SARTECH II cert and that your rope skills are second to none.”

Buck checked his watch. “I’ve got some time, sir. I have to pick up the keys to my father’s new house this afternoon, but that’s not until 5:30.”

* * * *

“Daddy.”

Bobby looked up from the duffle he was using to pack all of the clothes he had, which wasn’t much for a variety of reasons. Brook leaned on the arm of the couch. “What’s up, kiddo?”

“I finished packing my stuff,” she said with a little shrug. “And I checked to make sure I didn’t have any library books. I didn’t. Robbie is upset.”

Bobby glanced toward the bedroom. “Okay. Why don’t you get your iPad and read some while I talk to him?”

“Sure.”

Bobby zipped up the duffle and walked into the small bedroom where his son was seated on one of the beds in front of an open backpack. He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Hey.”

Robbie made a face and poked at his backpack.

“Are you worried about the move?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

“California sounds cool, and I want to live near Buck. It’ll be warm, and I don’t even like snow.” He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and took a deep breath. “I miss Mom. I don’t know how to stop.”

“I still miss my mom,” Bobby said, and his son focused on him. “I even miss my dad, and he was…not great. When life takes someone we love from us, it’s hard to find a new rhythm without them. Nothing feels exactly the same ever again. I’m going to miss your mom for the rest of my life. Every single time you or your sister reach a milestone…I’ll wish she was here to see it. I’ll never share being a parent with her again, and that hurts.”

“Like what?”

“I was home with you when you took your first steps. I barely got my phone out in time to take a video of it, and when I shared the video with your mom, she cried.”

“Why?” Robbie asked with a frown.

“Because she missed it,” Bobby said gently. “And she’d been the one trying to get you to walk for weeks when you were content to scoot around on your butt.” Robbie laughed. “But she was also really excited to watch the video. She must have watched it a dozen times.”

“Do you have any pictures of mom?”

“Of course, all of our pictures and videos are safe.”

“For real?” Robbie asked. “I thought…everything would be gone in the fire.”

“Everything is on the cloud,” Bobby said wryly, and Robbie smiled. “Remember how your mom got obsessed with putting everything in the Apple account after she got her iPhone? Well, I have the login, and I’ve already made copies of everything, so it’s all safe. I promise.” He pulled out his phone and browsed through the albums until he found the one he’d dedicated to Marcy, then passed the phone to his son. “I’ll get some printed out if you want. That way, you can have a picture of her for your room in California.”

“She was so pretty,” Robbie said quietly. “I don’t know how to be worth the sacrifice she made.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going to mess up a lot,” Robbie said. “Maybe I’ll get bad grades or whatever. She was a good person. Maybe I’m not a good enough person to be here instead of her.”

“Your mom loved you so much,” Bobby said quietly. “And that love filled her up to the brim even before you were born. She started taking vitamins for pregnancy before she even got pregnant once we started trying for a baby. Marcy was so ready to be a mom that she couldn’t have a conversation for months that didn’t turn into something she was reading or researching about how to be a good mom.”

“What does that have to do with me messing up stuff?”

“It means that no matter what you think of yourself going forward, you need to remember that your mother loved you so much that she believed no sacrifice was too great,” Bobby said quietly. “So, be kind to yourself. Okay? Be kind to the baby that your mom loved so much she made me read four different books on parenting before he was even born.”

Robbie laughed. “Sorry?”

“No, it’s fine. I certainly needed the help. Neither of my parents was great at it, and I didn’t need to model them on any front. I loved them, but they were seriously flawed.”

“Uncle Greg says you’re just like your dad,” Robbie said quietly.

“I….” Bobby took a deep breath. “I need to have a conversation with you and Brook about something serious. Okay?”

“And Buck?” Robbie questioned. “If we’re having a family meeting, then he’s included, so it’s fair.”

“So, he should suffer with you?”

“Yes!” Brook shouted from the other room. “It’s his job to suffer with us! I’m FaceTiming him right now to make sure!”

Shortly, she came trotting into the room with her iPad.

“Your brother has classes tomorrow,” Bobby said. “And should be studying.” He plucked her from the floor and settled all three of them together against the headboard of the bed.

Buck raised an eyebrow at them from the iPad. “I just came back from working out, and I’m considering meal options. What are you guys doing?”

“Family meeting,” Robbie announced. “Dad wants to have a serious talk with us.”

“Well, whatever the two of you did—it’s not my fault,” Buck declared. “I wasn’t even there.”

Bobby laughed. “If they’ve done something, I haven’t caught them yet. I wanted to talk about my addiction.”

“Okay,” Buck said. “Are you having issues that I need to know about on that front?”

“No, I’m maintaining. I swear it.”

Buck nodded. “I’ve done some research and found a few places that have DAA meetings so that you can get a sponsor here if you feel that you need one going forward.”

Bobby considered how to start the conversation, because he wanted all three of them to be informed, but also, he worried that maybe the conversation would be too much for both Brook and Robbie.

“My dad was an alcoholic,” Bobby said. “I have precious few memories of him sober throughout my childhood. He said he drank to cope. Maybe he was self-medicating because he had a lot of mental health issues that were never diagnosed. He drank even more after my mother died, and he retired from the fire department. I learned a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms from him as a result.

“It’s hard to talk about my feelings, hard to talk about my back injury and the road it put me on, but I’ve promised myself and Marcy that I’m going to do better. I have to do better because I don’t want the three of you to suffer for my choices. Before I broke my back, I was always careful with alcohol because of my old man. I rarely took even over-the-counter medications because I was worried about being dependent on them.

“The accident at work broke my back, but it also did more. Having that kind of injury was mentally and physically exhausting. I see, in retrospect, that I was suffering from depression and PTSD related to the accident. I didn’t trust myself, and the physical pain was overwhelming. The pills and alcohol proved to be a distraction and, in some ways, even a haven. It was like I was building a little fort to protect myself from the rest of the world.”

“Mom was mad about the pills,” Robbie said. “And she worried a lot about you taking them again. Do you have any pills now?”

“The only pills in this whole apartment are Brook’s allergy medication and Children’s Tylenol for you guys,” Bobby said. “I promise.”

“I need those,” Brook muttered. “Otherwise, I can’t breathe out my nose!”

Buck and Robbie laughed.

“How did you get pills?” Robbie questioned. “From the doctor?”

“At first, then I found ways to buy them illegally,” Bobby admitted frankly, and Brook huffed. “I know it was wrong, and I’m going to do the very best I can to never do it again. I won’t promise you that I’ll never relapse because no addict can make that kind of promise legitimately. I never want to lie to you guys.”

“What if you want to buy them?” Brook asked. “Will you tell us?”

“I’ll tell Buck,” Bobby said, and Robbie made a face. “He’s an adult, and he can do the most to help me. It’s a burden that he’s willing to take on for our family. It’s not about keeping secrets from you, Robbie. It’s about not giving you an unnecessary burden. You wouldn’t be able to…Buck will have to make some hard choices if it comes down to that, and I trust him to make them for our family.”

“Okay,” Robbie said quietly. “We wouldn’t end up with grandma if you had to go back to rehab, right?”

“No,” Buck said firmly. “You never have to worry about her again. Okay?”

“Okay,” Robbie said. “Good. She’s not…she’d only want custody of us to get money out of it. It isn’t like she even knows us. Even when she came to visit Mom, she didn’t spend time with us unless she had no choice. Plus, she treats Brook like a doll when she is around her, and it’s gross.”

“Super gross,” Brook muttered and slouched against Bobby to stare at the iPad. “How’s fire school going, Buck?”

“It’s good. I did some climbing today on a big tower,” Buck said. “And I finished my swift water class with FEMA yesterday. Also, I got the keys to the house today, too.”

“Cool. Don’t pick out my bed without me!” Brook said and sprawled across Bobby to get closer. “I mean it.”

“Of course not, but I did scope out some places to shop, and the mattresses will be delivered tomorrow afternoon, so you’re sleeping on the floor until you pick out your furniture.” Buck stretched. “Listen, I know moving is scary and that leaving your school with all of your friends will be difficult. No one’s pretending it won’t be, okay? It’s perfectly normal to be sad about little things as well as the big things. Sometimes, the little things are what linger with me. When I left Pennsylvania, I missed silly things that I felt shouldn’t be important—like the place I stopped to get breakfast before school every single day for two years.”

“I’m going to miss the library at my school,” Brook said. “I know the new school will have a library, but I won’t know my way around it.”

“Well, that’s an adventure waiting to happen,” Buck said in amusement, and Brook hummed under her breath. “But your guys’ current mission is keeping Dad entertained the whole way here. Did you pack enough snacks for the trip?”

“Yeah, of course,” Bobby said in amusement. “I’ve sent you an email with the itinerary and the hotel reservations I’ve made. I think that I can handle driving about ten hours before a stop, but if that’s a problem, I’ll let you know. Regardless, I think we can be in LA in less than three days. I’m still wondering if I should’ve just shipped everything and booked flights instead.”

“We can still do that,” Buck said. “The company that took care of my Jeep was great.”

“I think I need the drive,” Bobby admitted, and Buck nodded. “I downloaded that location-sharing app you sent me and signed up. Did it work?”

“Yes, I can see the locations of the iPads and your phone,” Buck said. “Thanks for that—it’ll keep my anxiety lower. Make sure my number is your emergency contact and that both kids can unlock your phone if they need to.”

“I got it covered, kid,” Bobby said with a smile. “I’ll keep you in the loop as we travel.”

“Did it feel weird and sad when you left home, Buck?” Robbie asked.

“Sort of,” Buck said. “I was running away from the people who raised me. They weren’t great parents, and it was awful to realize that they really didn’t care that I was leaving. I sort of cut ties with Daniel and Maddie for a while as well because I didn’t want them to guilt me into coming back. So, I was alone, and it was scary sometimes. I wasn’t old enough to rent hotel rooms, and I sometimes slept in the car I was driving at the time. It wasn’t a great fit, so I’d be sore and tired every single day.”

“I’m sorry. That sounds awful,” Robbie murmured.

“But you guys aren’t leaving home, you know. You’re coming to California to make a new start. It’s not really the same thing,” Buck said. “And the house has some furniture already—not a lot since I’m waiting on you guys, but we’re going to make a home here together.”

“That sounds nice,” Brook decided. “Right, Daddy?”

“It sounds amazing,” Bobby said and took a deep breath. “Maybe it’ll be scary, but we’ll all be together, and that’s the most important part.”

 

 

Chapter 12

The scene was loud, as was often the case with magical backlash incidents. They were in the parking lot of a high school, and it was a potentially bigger mess waiting to happen. They’d managed to get parents on the scene for six of the seven teenagers involved in the situation, but they were arguing about cooperation. It was, in short, infuriating.

“Hey!” Athena snapped. “Grab some curb immediately.” All six girls sat so fast that several people gaped at her in shock. “Now, we can’t interview you without your parents, and you can’t seem to stop arguing with them. But we can arrest every single one of you, take you in, and book you. Your mug shots will be online within twenty-four hours. Now, I don’t mean to be rude, ladies, but none of you are currently looking your best.”

“You can’t just arrest me,” one girl protested as she patted her hair. “I…I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Watch me,” Athena said and smiled when the girl teared up. “Crying will make your mascara run, and your eyeliner is already a mess.”

“She’s right,” the girl next to her whispered. “It looks awful.”

“Your lipstick is smeared,” the first girl said tartly. “And you’re pale as a corpse!”

“Who would like to go home within the next hour without getting an ugly mugshot taken and put on the Internet where it will live forever.”

All six of them raised their hands.

“Great,” Athena said. “Which one of you is magical?”

They all immediately dropped their hands and Athena glared at two different sets of parents when they started toward her with protests spilling out of their mouths.

“One of them is definitely magical, and if I find out that she’s hiding because she’s afraid of her parents—we’re going to have a very long day. Allowing a magical to enter puberty without training is considered child neglect in the state of California at the minimum and outright abuse at the worst.”

“It’s me and my parents didn’t know!” One girl blurted out, and the rest of the girls actually pressed closer to her as if they could protect their friend with their bodies. “I didn’t mean to have an outburst. Joey the Jerkface grabbed my butt again, and I just…he’s been doing it for weeks! And I lost it, okay? I didn’t even hurt him! He’s just being a whiny jerk because my magic shoved him away!”

Athena looked toward Lou, who was leaning on their SUV.

“She didn’t hurt him. He did whine his way into an ambulance ride and is being evaluated since he was doused in a rather large amount of magic,” Lou said. “He also refused to say which of these girls was responsible. Now we know why. I’ll send Vargas and Reeves over to Cedars to arrest him.” He focused on the girl. “Name, age?”

She stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “Amelia Howard, and I’m fourteen.” She glanced toward her parents. “I swear they didn’t know about my magic. They aren’t abusing me. I didn’t tell them because they kicked my older brother out of the house for using his magic. I thought I could get training on my own. I’ve been taking online classes without them knowing.”

Athena turned to the crowd of parents. “We’ll need statements from your daughters regarding the sexual assault and Miss Howard’s magical reaction. You can bring lawyers if you wish, but that would be an expensive and unnecessary call on your part. None of them are facing charges for this incident as it is currently being described.”

“Sexual assault?” Amelia questioned. “He just grabbed me a few times.”

“Against your wishes,” Athena said, and the girl nodded. “That’s fourth-degree sexual assault in California.” She glanced toward the girl’s parents and found them both pale. “It’s time to take this conversation private.”

* * * *

“I want you to know that I almost took a seat on that curb,” Lou said as he followed Athena into their office.

She laughed. “Shut up.”

“I’m just saying your mom voice is on point.”

Laila Reeves came to their desks as Athena sat down. “Joey the Jerkface turned out to be Joseph Schneider, and he’s eighteen years old. He’s going to spend the last part of his senior year in court. His mother ugly cried when she found out that he’d be facing charges for the sexual assault of a minor. He claimed to not know she was just fourteen, but she is a freshman in high school so that doesn’t fly with me. Not that it would matter since the majority of the girls in that school are minors.”

“Amelia’s parents agreed to transfer her into a school with magical classes, so at least she won’t have to go back to that school,” Lou said. “Unfortunately, she’s going to be separated from some very good and protective friends in the process. They also spoke with a social worker about the older brother, who was kicked out of the house for using dark magic. They kept that from Amelia because they were trying to protect her and not because they’re anti-magic.”

“I can’t see giving up on my kid,” Max Pace said as he rocked back in his chair. “I mean, I’d probably even visit his dumbass in prison.”

“Same,” Athena admitted. “I couldn’t content myself to lecture them just over the phone.”

Pace laughed and nodded.

“Do you think the charges will stick?” Fiona Vargas questioned.

“Yes,” Lou said. “There is magical evidence to be recovered because of her reaction, but more importantly, we have security footage in the school of three different incidents where he violated her. He didn’t just grab her ass. Holt is still looking at the video.”

“Ugh, may the goddess save us from badly raised people,” Vargas said and slouched down in her seat.

“That’s what the justice system is for,” Jenson Holt said as he entered the room with a large bag. “I brought sandwiches. I finished the review of the security footage as well. She had an immense magical reaction. It’s no wonder that the area alarm sounded for it. She’s got all the makings of an elemental, so I’ve added that to her file and reported that finding to social services. Jerkface is lucky she didn’t set his little deviant ass on fire.”

“Deviant?”

“She’s not the only little girl he’s touched inappropriately in that school,” Holt said with a frown. “We’ll need to speak with the principal about identifying the other girls, but he seems to focus on the young ones—the ones less likely to fight back, I’d assume. Or maybe he just likes that age group. The school only had two weeks of footage to go through from the two central hallways of the school. I found six more victims and documented four specific times he groped Amelia Howard. He put his hand up her skirt two days ago in full view of a security camera.”

“The little bastard,” Lou muttered and cleared his throat. “We’ll have to pass all of that to sex crimes. Detective Juarez has already been assigned as our liaison for the Howard case.”

“She’ll want to speak to the school administration about any reports they’ve handled internally,” Athena said. “He must have a history of this behavior.”

“This is his first year with this school,” Lou said. “He went to two different private schools before moving into a public school this year.”

“So, his parents have been moving him around instead of dealing with his behavior,” Reeves said. “It might be difficult to get the records from the private schools.”

“That’s a problem for Detective Juarez,” Athena said and shrugged when Lou laughed.

 * * * *

Buck: They’re in Lincoln Nebraska. Checked into a hotel with no problems.

Athena: Thank you. How many times did the kids call you today?

Buck: Four. lol. But they were good to wait until I was out of class. By the time they reach LA they’re going to be super tired of fast food. Brook complained about getting McDonald’s for lunch because it was bland. Bobby has spoiled those kids rotten on the food front.

Athena: That doesn’t surprise me at all. I’m kind of spoiled myself. I got super lucky in the husband department both times when it came to cooking. How is the academy going?

Buck: Fine. I’ve gotten a few comments from other cadets but nothing completely out of line. Most of them are paramedics moving into firefighting from volunteer work or from private companies, and I’m running circles around them. We both know it’s not really fair since I have more experience than I should.

Athena: Well, you can’t help that and since you can’t afford to underperform you don’t really have a choice but to come in first at every single opportunity. You did the first time, right?

Buck: Yeah, I ended up in the short course the first time, too. After I submitted my certs. Me and this other guy tied for first in the session. We hoped to end up at the same station eventually, but it never worked out that way. I think he’s currently in the Marines. I hope he ends up back with the LAFD when the time comes. Maybe I can get Bobby to recruit him.

Buck stared at his phone for a moment, then decided to confess what he’d done earlier in the afternoon.

Buck: I registered as a precog this afternoon and filed two vision reports. Tsunami. Earthquake. I figured I could focus on natural disasters and my magic seems to agree. Some events are fluid, but I think we can count on disasters like that to be static. Preparing people is all I can do on that front.

Athena: Great thinking. I’ve been trying to work that out in my head as well. Especially Santa Monica. What are you doing now?

Buck: Online shopping. I’ve been picking out stuff for my apartment. I kept some of the furniture from the staging because it was nice. I also kept the appliances based on Bobby’s approval. I’ve got a sofa bed set up right now. Utilities are on, and I’ve been making a list of purchases we’ll need to make. I hired a lawn service since I don’t see any of us willingly mowing the grass even if we had the time.

Athena: I might consent to weeding a flower bed or two.

Buck laughed.

Athena: Get the pool cleaned. I doubt Bobby will keep Brook out of it long if she’s that keen on swimming.

Buck: It should be done in the morning while I’m at the academy. I hired a service for that as well. Can you swing by sometime tomorrow and check out the yard? Bobby wants to replace the current fence with a taller privacy fence, and we wanted your input.

Athena: I’ll do my best. Michael is picking up the kids after school so that’ll be one thing off my plate after work. Get some sleep.

Buck: You too

He set aside his phone and grabbed his water bottle so he could refill it. Buck settled down on the bed after that and browsed for a bit more as he considered the space he had to work with. It was a big open space on a single floor, so not quite like the loft he’d had in the future. There was a full kitchen and an enclosed bathroom that was quite spacious, considering it was a renovated space. The previous owner had created the space for a live-in nanny, so it had been done professionally rather than just as a side project.

The bedroom area was on a platform, and he’d already started considering a privacy wall or screen in case the kids walked into his apartment when he had a guest over. He couldn’t discount it, and honestly, he was already a little paranoid about locking the interior door that went into the house on the second floor. Buck had pretty much resolved to keep it locked all the time, just to develop a good habit regarding his privacy and also to keep little kids from seeing something they shouldn’t.

Though, really, he wouldn’t bring just anyone around his family’s house. It would have to be a serious relationship, and he already knew the failures he’d experienced the first time around on that front. He didn’t intend on meeting Abby Clark at all if he could avoid it because just the thought of her made him sad and hurt. She’d really broken his heart, and he didn’t think she ever understood that.

His broken relationship with Abby had just been the start of a spiral of bad romantic choices that had started to make him bitter about actually finding a person to share his life with. He put a few items on his wish list to save the links and set aside his iPad. There was plenty of room for a dining table, a couple of chairs to match the couch, and a big TV.

His magic shifted in his chest as he settled down to sleep, and he rubbed his sternum gently. Nothing felt urgent or out of place, so Buck just rested back against the pillows and tried to relax as his magic sort of nestled inside of him. It had been far more content since he’d woken up in the past than it ever had before. It was clear it had never been all that happy with him in the future, and that boiled down to the fact that he’d often ignored it.

“I don’t know how to be magical,” Buck murmured, and his magic warmed up. “My parents used a religious exception to prevent my education and forced me to go to see this specialist who taught me to ignore you. I know it made you really unhappy, and I spent too many years trying to make them happy even after I gave up on their love. It was just something I got used to. Maybe I gave up on a lot of things, you included, and I’m sorry for that.”

The warmth remained persistent.

“But you’ve given me a second chance, and I’m not going to disappoint you or anyone else.”

Buck turned off the floor lamp next to him and settled down to sleep.

* * * *

There were a couple of idiots in every group, and Buck knew that well enough. The academy class he was in was really no different in that respect. Both were a little older than him, convinced of their worth, and he’d been giving them a wide berth. He wasn’t the only one. Rachel Weaver had also been doing the same, which had gotten a little bit of notice since the moment Captain Wallace told them to partner up for climbing instruction. She’d brushed both of the idiots off and headed straight for Buck.

He’d accepted her request with a nod and plucked up a bag of equipment for them to work through. Buck pulled out two ropes and dropped one down in front of her on their table. He uncoiled his own and started to check it for problems.

“What are you doing?”

“Checking for damage.”

“But…it was in the equipment bag.”

“Did you pack that bag yourself?” Buck questioned and raised an eyebrow when more than one cadet looked their way.

“No.” Rachel picked up the second rope.

“So, you have no idea when or even who last inspected, stacked, and coiled that rope, and you trust it with your life?”

She flushed and uncoiled it. “Right.”

“Are you saying we shouldn’t trust our fellow firefighters, Nash?” Isaac Lowery, one of the idiots, asked.

“I’m saying it would be inappropriate to trust a random bag of gear, with no providence, with your life,” Buck said and shrugged.

“Cadet Nash is correct,” Captain Wallace said, and everyone focused on him. “The first thing I do every single shift I work is check the ropes I’ll be working with. I’ve been doing it since my probationary year. Making assumptions on the job will get you killed just as easily as a frayed rope. The LAFD has urban and rural SAR situations throughout the year—you could find yourself hanging off the side of a skyscraper or a cliff on any given shift. Knowing and being able to trust your equipment is paramount to your success on the job.

“Are there any circumstances where you wouldn’t check your rope, Cadet Nash?”

“No, sir.” He started to recoil the rope he’d finished inspecting. “Not even if I’d packed the bag myself. It hurts nothing to check your equipment, and failing to do so could get you killed. It’s a quick end for you and a closed casket for your family.” He paused. “If they even get a body to bury.”

“Why wouldn’t they get a body?” Rachel asked in confusion.

“There are a lot of dead bodies on mountains all over the world,” Buck said, and several people made appalled noises. “At least 200 people are buried on Everest, one way or another. K2’s death zone is a graveyard for a dozen people, maybe more. It’s not always possible to retrieve a body, and that is certainly a circumstance that could happen here, considering our proximity to the ocean. Mudslides, rivers, and wildfires might also interfere with the ability to find or retrieve a body in a rural situation.”

“Dude, you’re really depressing,” Rachel muttered.

Buck shrugged. “This job isn’t glamorous. Dealing with dead bodies will probably be the least of it on some days as you already know.” He glanced toward Wallace who just gave him a nod, so he continued. “My last day volunteering in Peru during earthquake recovery a year ago, I put upwards of fifty people in body bags. The last one was a five-year-old boy. I was so relieved that it was FEMA’s last day of volunteer work that I could hardly stand myself. I felt like I should’ve stayed and continued to help because I could. I had the resources to do it. I just…I’d reached my limit.”

“Knowing and respecting your emotional and physical limits is important,” Wallace said. “It’s how we survive to work another day. Sometimes, it’s hard to leave the people we save or alternatively fail to save at the door. Walking away can feel heartless or like cowardice. It’s neither. But that’s the kind of lesson you’ll have to experience and process on your own. This job isn’t for everyone, and even after you finish here—you might feel that you can’t handle it as well as you think.”

“What do we do then?” Rachel questioned as she slowly stacked her rope.

“You find a way to push through, or you make a shift in your career plan for your own mental health,” Wallace said. “There are many positions with the LAFD, and your probationary year will allow you to see that for yourself. You might find a path that suits you quickly, or it may take a while. The academy can only prepare you as much as you allow in that regard. The better you educate yourself about the work going forward, the better off you’ll be professionally and personally. It’s clear that Cadet Nash has been doing that long before he got here.”

“Kiss ass,” Mark Blankenship, idiot number two, muttered from his place a few feet away from them.

Buck ignored the comment as he’d heard it before and wasn’t going to take the bait. He wasn’t at the academy to make friends or enemies, so keeping clear of any kind of conflict was a goal on any given day. He’d already have a lot working against him on the job because of working with his dad, but that was their only option, considering what had happened. Sticking close to Bobby felt like a duty and a requirement.

He wondered if something was lurking ahead of him that he couldn’t prepare for. His memories of events were unnaturally sharp, which told him that there were things he could change, lives he could save if he made better decisions going forward. Buck owed the magic that he carried consideration for many reasons, chief among them that it had saved his life.

His magic shifted inside of him and grew warm just as idiot one approached them. Buck focused on him, and magic flashed over his skin without prodding.

“Can I help you with something?”

Lowery paused, and his gaze narrowed. “You’re magical? How the hell did your kind get into the academy, Nash?”

“The LAFD actively recruits magicals of all levels and talents, Cadet Lowery,” Captain Wallace snapped out and was outright glaring at Lowery when they all focused on him. “What exactly did you mean by your question?”

“I was just surprised, sir,” Lowery said and went back to stand with Blankenship with a grimace in Buck’s direction.

“The LAFD also does not tolerate bigotry in any form,” Wallace said coldly. “Cadet Nash’s magical abilities are no one’s business but his own. Inappropriate interest in those abilities could be seen as harassment. Understood?”

“Of course, sir,” Lowery said with an easy, utterly insincere smile.

The class quieted down as Wallace huffed a little and started to micromanage the pair of cadets who were getting ready to climb the tower. Buck shifted slightly and urged Rachel away from the crowd.

“Do yourself a favor, and don’t let that guy get you alone for any reason,” Buck murmured.

“What kind of problem is he?” Rachel asked with a pinched frown.

“I don’t know,” Buck admitted frankly. “But my magic doesn’t respond overtly like that without a reason. It’s very intelligent.”

“So, you didn’t make a show of it,” Rachel said. “Odd, I’ve never met someone like you. My sister is magical—a medium. Fortunately, she was identified early and got the right kind of training to avoid any serious mental problems associated with speaking to the dead. She’s got very good shields and boundaries despite working in law enforcement.”

Buck nodded.

“You don’t have to say, but what are you bringing to the table?”

He considered how to respond to that. “Increased strength, endurance, and stamina. I also have what some would call hyperactive intuition.” He glanced toward Lowery. “And I’m rarely wrong.”

“I’m definitely cashing that rain check,” she said with an amused grin, and he laughed. “Can I ask a question?”

“Sure.”

“Why the LAFD? Surely you could’ve gotten a job with FEMA with all the experience you have as a volunteer and the qualifications you already have. Is it really about family tradition?”

“There was no pressure from my dad,” Buck assured, and she nodded. “He just wants his kids to be happy.”

“So, you aren’t the only child?”

“Nah, I’ve got half-siblings on either side of me.” He pulled out his phone. “Maddie and Daniel are the sibs through my mother.” He showed her a picture.

“Wow, he’s gorgeous. Single?”

“Not currently,” Buck said in amusement. “Through my dad, I have a younger brother and sister—Brook and Robbie.” He showed her a selfie of him with the kids and Bobby. She grabbed the phone.

“Aww, they’re adorable. Is that your Dad? He’s hot, too.”

“Oh my god,” Buck muttered and grabbed his phone. “Don’t talk about my father like that.” He tucked the phone in his pocket with a huffy frown even as she laughed. “He’s twice your age.”

“No worries, I’m still cashing that rain check.”

* * * *

“What’s up with you and Weaver?”

Buck pulled his T-shirt over his head and zipped his bag shut. Showering at the academy had been expedient, but it had also meant more time with the idiot squad.

“What do you mean?” Buck questioned and focused on Lowery.

“She makes sure to pair with you for every exercise,” Lowery said in frustration. “And has ignored all of my offers outright. I asked for her number, and she told me that she wanted to keep things professional at the academy for her career.”

“That’s a smart choice,” Buck said. “Everything we do here—for good or bad—will follow us onto the job. In an organization like the LAFD, reputation can mean the difference between promotions and stagnation. Plus, every single instructor here was once active duty with the LAFD, so they have long-term friends still in the field working every day. What they think of us will impact our job opportunities. If she’s looking to make a career, then she needs to make careful choices from here on out about having personal relationships on the job.”

He shouldered his bag and met Lowery’s gaze steadily. “So, there’s nothing personal between me and Weaver. I don’t even have her phone number, man. And I haven’t asked for it.”

“Why not?” Lowery questioned. “Gay?”

“Bi, actually,” Buck said evenly, and Lowery huffed. “That kind of bigotry is frowned upon, too, by the way. I can get laid any time I want. I don’t need to troll for ass on the job.” He checked his watch. “I should go. I have another class this afternoon.”

“What kind of connections do you have that you’re getting to do all this extra classwork?” Blankenship asked as he joined them. “It’s not fair.”

Buck grimaced. “Come with me.” He led them out to the lobby, where there was a literal wall of pamphlets. “I got all the information for my extra classes right here and on the FEMA website. The FEMA classes are free, and you just have to fill out a form online. You might have to wait for a slot. I signed up for those before I even came to California.” He tapped one. “I’m taking this one for the next four days—trench rescue. I’ve never had to do anything like that, and LA is full of trench-like situations due to the storm drainage system. The more I have to offer a station, the better positioned I’ll be for my probationary year as an asset.”

“Plus, you don’t want to disappoint your daddy,” Lowery muttered.

“Well, my father is starting with the LAFD in a few days,” Buck said with a shrug. “And I’d rather not be a source of shame. Would you want to make your father ashamed of you or your behavior?”

“No,” Blankenship said while Lowery shrugged. “The instructors already work you harder than anyone else, Nash. Is it going to get worse with your old man on the job?”

“I can’t see how it won’t,” Buck admitted. “Especially since he’s coming in as a commander for a task force station. It’s a pretty high-profile transfer into the department from St. Paul. Plus, there have been some shenanigans by the brass about my placement. Anyways, I need to go unless I can dispel any other erroneous assumptions in a minute or two.”

“This will do,” Blankenship said thoughtfully and plucked a pamphlet from the display. “Thanks.”

Lowery frowned but said nothing, so Buck just walked away. Hopefully, the idiots would refocus their attention and leave him alone. He didn’t think Rachel would get a break since Lowery was pretty focused on her due to the rejection, which was unfortunate. Buck didn’t know if it was his business or not. There was a fine line between helping someone and overstepping to the point of boundary stomping.

He left the building with a frown in place.

“Don’t worry about it, Cadet Nash.”

He turned and found Marcus Wallace leaning against the wall, drinking from a bottle of water.

“Sir?”

He jerked his head toward the lobby. “I’ll take care of Lowery. I heard him asking you about Weaver.”

“I’m here to work, sir.”

“That’s clear,” Wallace said and nodded. “On your way then, I owe someone an uncomfortable conversation about sexual harassment.”

Buck winced and trotted off toward his Jeep to avoid the blast area, as he didn’t want to be connected to whatever Wallace said to Lowery more than he already was. He headed toward the nearest source of food so he could eat before his next class.

 

 

Chapter 13

“What are you reading?”

Athena lifted the manual off the table to show Michael the title. “I need to brush up on my procedures for paranormal forensics, so I don’t make things more difficult by accident.”

Michael nodded and sat down at the table. “I have no room to judge you on this front, Athena, so please don’t take this as a jab. But why have you lied for years about your magical abilities? When I met you, you claimed you were, and I quote, ‘barely magical’. Is it your mother’s fault? She had pretty rigid ideas about what your life should’ve been like.”

Athena had hoped that Michael would never touch the subject. He was one of the few people she’d ever had explicit conversations with about her lack of true magical ability. She knew, on a profound level, that she couldn’t tell him the truth. It was a circumstance best left to those who already knew.

“As you know, my mother wanted me to be a lawyer and actively disdained the magic her own mother carried her whole life,” Athena said as sticking to the truth served her best on the conscience front. “I guess, in the end, we are all shaped by our parents’ wishes and opinions. For years, I told myself that it was just instinct, and I’m still not all that convinced it’s more than that. I don’t believe I have any sort of trainable magical gift at all. I wouldn’t have been able to ignore that for years. Maybe my mother’s attitude impacted me more than I ever realized, and I’ve buried abilities permanently. My new captain wants me to be tested, and I’m open to it.”

Michael nodded. “Okay. And your new job?”

“I wasn’t hired for any ability but to act as the shield for my new partner. He’s very talented magically on several fronts that I can’t disclose.” She put a hand on the manual. “The other members of the team have various levels of abilities, so being able to account for that and make sure they don’t overextend themselves seems like my best course.”

“Sounds like a lot.”

“Honestly, no, not compared to the job I had before. The position of field sergeant was a lot like herding cats.”

“Did you take this new position because of the divorce?” Michael questioned. “Are you worried I’m going to stop paying child support or something in the future? Because I hope you know that I won’t ever do that. Do you need spousal support? Because I’m more than willing to give you whatever you need.”

“I don’t need spousal support, and I took the new job for me,” she said, and his shoulders relaxed. “Maybe it’s a little bit about having more independence from you and your money, but that’s not about the kids or child support. I want to be seen as a good potential partner.”

“Any man should be grateful to have you,” Michael said firmly, and Athena laughed. “I was the luckiest bastard alive the day you agreed to be mine, and I don’t feel any differently now.” He picked up the tea he’d brought to the table and took a sip. “Got your eye on anyone?”

“No,” she said. “How did your date go?”

“I’m out of practice,” Michael said in amusement. “And he was put off by the fact that I’m a divorced father of two. So, there was some attraction, but we don’t mix on an intellectual level.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “How was the sex?”

He huffed. “How do you know I slept with him?”

“You’re a man,” she said tartly, and Michael laughed.

“It was fine,” Michael said with a shrug. “Not nearly as satisfying as the one-night stand I had the night after we signed the divorce papers. Is this weird?”

“It could be if we allow it,” Athena said with a shrug. “So, let’s not. Remaining good friends is paramount to our ability to be co-parents. I’m not saying I want to be all up in your relationships, but I want you to feel comfortable confiding in me. I’ll try to do the same with you.”

“Try?” Michael questioned.

“Well, there’s always work stuff,” Athena said and shrugged a little as he nodded. “Sometimes, it’s just not right to share what I experience. Some first responders treat the job like a form of entertainment, but for every funny moment I’ve had on the job, I’ve had a hundred bad ones. I see the worst of people every single day. I see their trauma in full technicolor whether I want to or not.”

“I’ve never understood how you do the job you do,” Michael confessed. “But then I’ve also never had any sort of inclination toward serving the public.” He paused. “Do you suppose that’s some kind of magical calling for you? A lot of magicals end up in service of some sort—cops, firefighters, soldiers, doctors, nurses….”

“Maybe,” Athena said. “I hated law school. It never felt like it belonged to me, and I didn’t know how to make it work. But becoming a police officer felt natural. Putting on a uniform and going out to protect people satisfied a part of me that had been restless my whole life.”

“Are you going to tell your mother about your new job?”

“She’ll find out about the promotion eventually, but I see no reason to explain the details of my job. I never have. She hates what I do and will use any single opportunity to berate me for it. I think I’m done with that, too. Life is short, and there’s no need to have that kind of bullshit hostility in my life all the damn time.”

Michael checked his watch. “Want me to sleep in the guest room?”

“I don’t need it, but Harry would probably appreciate it if he wakes up tonight and you’re here,” Athena said. “But we shouldn’t make it a habit since he’ll probably use it against us both in the future.”

“Agreed,” Michael said and yawned. “Well, then I’m going to sleep.”

* * * *

The hotel had two queen-sized beds, but by the end of the night, both Brook and Robbie were sprawled across him. Oddly, it had been Robbie who had migrated to his bed first, and Brook had followed in a huffy fashion an hour later. Neither of them liked sleeping in hotel rooms, so he was glad that Buck had already got the keys to their new house.

Bobby felt a little adrift, and it was easy to get mired down in his grief and guilt as he drove. His phone had been full of texts from Buck and Athena, so at least he’d had that connection to work with after he’d finished driving for the day. He certainly needed adult communication as he couldn’t confide in Brook and Robbie the way he could Buck and Athena.

His own childhood had been destroyed by his father’s addiction, and he didn’t want to do that to the youngest of his children. The loss of their mother had already done a lot of damage to them emotionally. Bobby could only hope that they would heal as well as they could and not fall into the traps that grief often created. He recognized that part of his job, going forward, as a parent would be to make sure they had the tools to live well.

“I’m tired of fast food.”

Bobby hummed his agreement. “We’ll find a place to have a real breakfast.”

“Pancakes,” Brooks said. “I want pancakes and sausage.” She scrambled out of the bed, grabbed her bag, and darted toward the bathroom. “I get the shower first!”

Robbie groaned and flopped around on the bed like he was annoyed until the door shut, then relaxed. “Pancakes would be nice. But not ones from McDonald’s.”

“Yeah, I’m fed up with it, too,” Bobby admitted. “We can find a sandwich place for lunch, that’ll be better than fried food. Did you have a bad dream?”

“There was a lot of smoke, and people were screaming,” Robbie murmured and threw an arm across Bobby’s chest as he scooted closer. “I was alone, and I couldn’t find Brook, but she kept calling my name. It was scary. Buck said that everyone gets scared. Do you get scared?”

“Yes,” Bobby said. “Of course. Life is hard, you know, and we have moments where everything is too much. I have bad dreams, too.”

“About mom?”

“About everything, really,” Bobby admitted. “I’ve seen some really horrible things on the job, and it can sometimes come back to haunt me. Dreams and even nightmares are how our brains process stress and our emotions. In fact, some scientists think that our dreams even help us prepare to deal with things that haven’t happened yet.”

Robbie hummed under his breath. “Did Buck tell you that?”

Bobby laughed. “Yes, actually, he did.”

“Sounds like something he’d talk about,” Robbie said. “He’s interesting. I think Mom would’ve liked him a lot, but maybe she would’ve been mad not to have known about him before.”

“I’m pretty mad to have not known about him,” Bobby admitted. “I’d have much rather had him with me when he was little since I know his mother didn’t want him at all.” He took a deep breath. “But don’t ask him about that. I shouldn’t have said that to you.”

“I already kind of knew that,” Robbie admitted. “But I won’t ask him about it. It’s clear he didn’t have a good home with the Buckleys. He changed his name for you without much of an argument, right?”

“Right.” Bobby sighed. “We’ll be in LA tonight, and he’s getting the house as ready as he can without buying any more furniture.”

“A mattress on a floor in my own room will be great,” Robbie said with a yawn and sat up. “Do you think we could find a Cracker Barrel or an IHOP?”

“Pretty sure I saw signs for both.”

“Cracker Barrell then,” he suggested. “Brook won’t care, and I can get good biscuits there.”

“Deal,” Bobby said and reached for his phone.

He’d sent a text to Buck shortly after they’d settled in the hotel room but hadn’t gotten a response before going to sleep. So, he checked his messages first.

Buck: Sorry. I was out for a run when you messaged. Then I got cornered by the lady who lives next door who wanted to question me about the house purchase and my age. I avoided answering all of her questions. She also seems to want to set up an HOA and I sternly declined that shit.

Buck: There are these two idiots at the academy who aren’t taking anything as seriously as I think they should. They made some comments about my performance at the academy and your being hired by the LAFD so that’s gotten around. Nothing I can’t handle.

Buck: I have morning classes but nothing in the afternoon so I’ll be home when you guys get here. I’ll go grocery shopping for your kitchen after class so you’ll have staples. If you have specific things you want send me a list before you get on the road this morning.

Bobby considered that and responded with a list of various meats he’d like in the fridge. He knew he could trust Buck to buy the right cuts, so that was a relief as a lot of people in his life would just buy whatever and assume he could make it work for what he wanted to cook. He got a thumbs-up response shortly after he hit send.

“Texting Buck?”

“He’s going to get us groceries,” Bobby said. “Want anything in particular?”

“Just some fruit—apples or oranges.” Robbie stretched. “And Brook might like a pineapple or some strawberries. We never get good fruit this time of the year in St. Paul.”

“California will be very different on that front,” Bobby said and sent another text with a request for fresh fruit and listing the favorites.

* * * *

Buck silenced his phone as he entered the academy building since Brook had snagged it shortly after they’d had breakfast to list all of the things she’d like to see in the fridge when she finally made it to California after her long, epic journey. He adored her, but class had to come before his little sister’s desire for organic Roma tomatoes and the good kind of feta cheese.

He sat down at a desk and pulled the binder that held the course materials out of his backpack. He didn’t need the review, but he was keeping up with the reading assignments just in case he’d forgotten some small detail that would come up in a lecture or on a test. Buck didn’t want to get caught off guard as his performance at the academy would go a long way toward negating the overt nepotism that many would see with him being in his father’s command.

“Hey.”

Buck turned and found Mark Blankenship sitting at the desk next to him. “Hey.”

“Lowery got moved to the afternoon session because of Weaver.”

“You mean because of his behavior toward Weaver,” Buck corrected. “Don’t blame her because he’s more interested in getting laid than doing the coursework.”

Blankenship grimaced. “What? Did you get raised on Lifetime movies or something?”

“I’ve got two sisters,” Buck said. “One’s an adult, and I wouldn’t want some asshole treating her like a piece of sexual property. Also, for the record, being told no once is enough. By the time Lowery is on the job, it will have gotten around that an instructor found his behavior toward a female cadet so off-putting he moved him to a different session. It’ll be pretty hard for women on the job to trust him to be a decent guy after that unless he makes some serious changes and starts taking all of this seriously.

“I’m not even sure I’d trust him with my life, considering how little attention he pays attention in class. He played a game on his phone most of the morning yesterday.”

Blankenship frowned and sat back in his seat as he shifted his own binder around. “Right.” He wet his lips. “How old are you, Nash?”

“Twenty-three. Why?”

“You seem much older,” he said roughly. “Older and certainly more jaded than twenty-three should allow for. Plus, you’ve all of this experience already.”

“I ran away from my biological mother’s house when I was seventeen,” Buck said and shrugged. “So, I was on my own until I connected with my father. What are you getting at, anyways?”

“It’s pretty irritating to have someone your age running circles around me,” Blankenship muttered. “I’m five years older than you, and Lowery is six. He was a volunteer firefighter in his hometown before moving to LA, and he thought the academy would be a breeze. I’ve been a paramedic in the private sector for three years. It was weird that you even got into the short course, which is supposed to be for experienced personnel.”

Buck still didn’t get what the man was trying to say. “Okay, and?”

“You don’t care that you’re irritating the shit out of your classmates?”

“He’s not irritating me,” the man in front of them said and turned half in his seat. “His performance should be challenging you to do better, man.”

“I’m not irritated either,” Rachel said. “But I don’t have a dick for the contest.”

Buck laughed and shot her a look. “I think you’d win if you did.”

“Thanks, that’s a sweet thing to say,” she said and slouched back in her seat and spread her legs in a direct impression of Blankenship.

Blankenship huffed and sat up straight. “I get it.”

“Do you?” Buck questioned. “Because this job is going to require we maintain appropriate interpersonal relationships that we can depend on when our lives are at stake, which I shouldn’t have to point out to someone with so much experience. No one’s going to want to trust a fuck boy with their life.”

“Interestingly put, Cadet Nash,” Captain Morris said dryly from the front of the room.

“Fuck me,” Buck muttered and sank down in his seat as several people around him laughed.

“Heard your old man’s something else,” Morris said with a grin and leaned on the desk. “So, I’ll be keeping my hands to myself. Let’s talk about appropriate behavior on the job and why we need to be a significant cut above the average fuck boy when we’re in uniform.”

* * * *

“This big house is all for us?” Brook questioned as she stared at the house from the sidewalk. “Are you sure, Daddy?”

Bobby was saved from having to answer that question because the front door of the house opened, and Buck came outside. “That guy looks familiar.”

Brook laughed and darted up the sidewalk.

Robbie pulled out the two backpacks they’d kept in the backseat and took a deep breath. “It is a big house. I don’t mean to…money was always an issue with you and mom.”

“Yeah,” Bobby said. “Her mother ended up taking almost all of her salary some months, and living on just my income was difficult.” He wondered if he should’ve been that frank with his son but noted that Robbie was just nodding. “I’ll be making a little under twice I made salary-wise here in LA and Buck bought half of this house. We got a good deal because it’s an older neighborhood, it could use a little bit of cosmetic work, and it’s been on the market for a while.”

Robbie nodded. “And the insurance money?”

Bobby winced. “In part, yes.”

“That’s…not a bad thing,” Robbie decided. “Mom’s just taking care of us again, right?”

“That does feel like a good thing,” Bobby agreed, and it felt better than thinking about how mercenary he’d felt as he’d received money from three different insurance policies. Though one of them had been renter’s insurance. “Your mom insisted we get private life insurance policies after you were born. So, we had one with the department and a second for additional security. She said it would be hard financially to be a single parent.”

“Is it weird to be single again?”

Technically, Bobby thought, he was a widow. “It’s hard. Your mom was my partner and my best friend. I lost a lot, Robbie, and I’m trying to figure out how to live without her.”

“You’re doing a great job, Dad,” Robbie said and looked at the house. “I never thought I’d live in a real house. Did you have a house growing up?”

“No, in fact, this will be my first house, too,” Bobby said. “I’ve only ever lived in apartments.” He cleared his throat and pulled his own bag out of the truck. “Let’s go inside before Brook claims the whole house as her territory, and we have to go house hunting again.”

Robbie laughed.

In the house, they followed Brook’s chatter into the large kitchen that Bobby had only seen pictures of. He’d been thrilled with the space and had said yes to the purchase because of it. Brook was on a bar stool, already directing the construction of a sandwich.

“Thank God,” Robbie said and dumped backpacks on the floor, then he climbed onto a stool. “I’m so tired of fast food. I never want to see another McDonald’s again as long as I live.” He paused. “Or for at least a month.”

“The disparity is real,” Buck said wryly. “Turkey, ham, or chicken?”

“Turkey and ham,” Robbie answered and stretched. “Even the bread smells good.”

“It should. I only pulled it out of the oven an hour ago,” Buck said, and both kids groaned.

Bobby went to the sink and washed his hands. “Since when do you have a sourdough starter?”

“Since I made one two weeks ago,” Buck said in amusement. “It’s in your fridge.” He motioned toward the appliance. “I had it in mine, but I realized you’d probably do a better job of keeping it alive.”

Bobby nodded. “How was class?”

“Ah, well,” Buck said and shrugged. “Those two idiots I told you about were separated because one of them was harassing a female classmate. She’s attractive, and it’s clear she has practice brushing off unwanted attention, but the instructors pay a lot of attention to me. One of them overheard the idiot complaining to me about her telling him no.

“He was moved to the afternoon session and is lucky he wasn’t moved to the long course, honestly. The short course is supposed to be for people who just need to get oriented for the LAFD and most often just for the firefighter portion of the academy.”

Bobby nodded. “Did you get grief over his transfer?”

“A little,” Buck said and shrugged one shoulder. “At least that’s the way the conversation started because the remaining idiot apparently knew better than to come at the woman with an accusation. Then it shifted into him complaining about my…everything.”

“Everything what?” Robbie asked.

“Well, my level of maturity is apparently off-putting and irritating,” Buck said as he cut Brook’s sandwich and put it on a plate. “I did a quick pickle cucumber—found some nice Japanese ones at an international market. Did you guys want some?”

“Yes, please,” Brook said as she opened her bottle of water.

Bobby opened the fridge and easily found the bowl of pickles. “Been busy this afternoon?”

“I wanted to stick around the house, so I had to occupy myself some way,” Buck said in amusement. “I’ve already furnished my loft and meal prepped for my lunches. So, I came down here to micromanage your kitchen.”

“Seems reasonable,” Robbie said and groaned as Buck passed a plate his way. “Maybe we are spoiled.”

“Who said you were spoiled?” Buck questioned.

Robbie made a face as he bit into his sandwich.

“Marcy and I got a note from Brook’s teacher asking us to tone down the lunches she was bringing to school because, apparently, I had no business packing her hot lunches every single day,” Bobby said.

Brook laughed. “Daddy sent me to school with lamb chops and Miss Crouch said it was inappropriate for me to have gourmet food at school and that I shouldn’t have asked for my parent’s leftovers because she thought it was restaurant food. So, I told her Daddy made it.”

“Then Dad got a note from her saying to stop sending Brook to school with a rack of lamb in her lunch box,” Robbie said in amusement.

“First of all,” Bobby began, even as Buck started laughing and he huffed. “It wasn’t a rack of lamb. It was literally just lamp chops, and they didn’t even cost that much since I got them at the wholesale meat market. Second, I have every right to send you guys to school with decent food.”

“Mom tried to make him use chicken fingers from the freezer section, and he almost had a riot all by himself,” Robbie said dryly, and Buck laughed again.

“They’re making fun of me like they weren’t complaining for the last two days about eating junk,” Bobby said.

“Well, these two foodies are your own fault,” Buck said. “I made some banana chips in the air fryer yesterday. They’re in the cabinet.”

“Oh, yum,” Brook said and made grabby hands when he headed toward the cabinet that Buck had pointed to.

“Seems like they’re going to get even more encouragement from you,” Bobby said.

“There’s nothing wrong with dehydrating your own fruit,” Buck protested. “That stuff is expensive, and it’s cheaper to buy fresh and make my own.”

Bobby didn’t disagree, so he just nodded as he gave Brook some banana chips and put some on Robbie’s plate when his son nodded his head to the little shake of the container.

* * * *

“I thought you weren’t going to buy any bedroom furniture,” Bobby said around a yawn as he joined Buck in the living room. They’d kept the couch and chairs from the staging.

“I didn’t buy the furniture in your room,” Buck confessed. “I got texted orders to be home for the delivery, though.”

“Ah, well, I like it at least,” Bobby said and checked his watch.

“She gets off work in an hour,” Buck said, and Bobby nodded. “I can hang out right here if you want to see her.”

“I want to see her,” Bobby murmured. “But she’s had a long shift, and I’m exhausted. We both agreed that we want more time than we can give each other tonight. She promised to pick up Harry from his dad’s to take him to school in the morning.”

Buck nodded. “I can provide a distraction tomorrow in the afternoon—I can take them shopping for their bedroom stuff.” He leaned against his shoulder, and Bobby relaxed against him. “If you want.”

“We’ll see what her schedule is with the kids,” Bobby said. “Did anything else happen at the academy that you didn’t want to say in front of the kids?”

“No, but I’m curious about what kind of hiring you’re going to do from this session. Do you have any clue what you’re walking into at the 56?”

“I’m taking over A shift. The former station commander ran C, but they transferred a captain in to run his part of C. I was asked to choose between A and B. I guess I needed something familiar in all of this because I stuck with A.”

“And the captain you’re displacing?” Buck questioned.

“They’re moving to B because one of the captains from B took a job with LA County last month and is finishing up their final week now,” Bobby explained. “The second captain on A is named Anita Alvarez. We’ve had a few conversations over the phone and exchanged some emails over the last week. She’s solid. I know her only by reputation from the previous…situation.” He glanced toward the stairs. “I think I’ll work well with her.”

Buck nodded.

“As to hiring, I need one paramedic, and I’ll be interviewing Hen for that. And I need three heavy rescue assets. One for the helicopter, and Alvarez is currently running floaters through her shift from the reserves while she waits for people to come out of the current session. They were having a hard time getting transfers into the station because of the previous commander. I’ll have to do a lot of work to get rid of the taint he’s left behind. Is there anyone in your session that appeals?”

“I’ll start paying attention. The two idiots are named Blankenship and Lowery. Lowery is the one who thinks with his dick, and I realize I have no room to judge, but I consider him a problem. Beyond the womanizing, he’s not paying attention in class, and he appears to have a problem with magicals and gay people.”

“They should probably start doing the psych evaluation before the academy,” Bobby muttered and nudged him a little. “Missed you, kid.”

“Same,” Buck said and yawned. “I should probably get some sleep if you aren’t going to sneak off in the night for a sleazy rendezvous.”

“I’m telling Athena you suggested we were going to do sleazy things,” Bobby muttered.

“If a rendezvous isn’t sleazy, it’s not worth doing,” Buck declared, and Bobby laughed.

 

 

Chapter 14

Athena took a deep breath to settle herself as she parked the SUV. She’d barely had a full ten hours off-duty before being called in due to a delicate situation with the LAFD’s academy, which had caused magicals all over the city to respond in a variety of ways. The whole psy-ops division had been deployed, and anyone off-duty who could come in was on the way. The brass wanted Lou on the scene at the central event, which meant the rest of the team was activated right along with him.

The magical event was still in progress—magic was drifting visibly in the air despite the mid-afternoon light. She knew, the moment she’d gotten the call, that it involved Buck. Athena hadn’t tried to call Bobby as she wasn’t certain what she walking into and needed room to assess before calling him.

“Detective Ransone, thank you for coming,” a man said as he held out a hand.

“No problem, Joel,” Lou said. “This is my partner, Detective Athena Grant. Athena this is Captain Joel Morris. What are we looking at?”

Athena accepted the hand she was offered with a nod. “We’ve met before. It’s good to see you, Captain Morris.”

“You, too. Congrats on the promotion.” He motioned toward the scene. “Started out as some ego that needed to be checked,” Joel admitted. “We thought we’d split the problem child off and defused the situation. As it turned out, the real problem was boiling under the surface. The victim’s name is Buchanan Nash, and he was struck from behind with a Halligan.”

“Jesus Christ,” Athena murmured.

“We can’t get close enough to do any kind of medical treatment because his magic immediately lashed out against the attacker and flung him across the parking lot. He hit one of the trucks and has already been removed from the scene by ambulance. He’ll survive, but he’s probably been maimed for life due to crush injuries.”

“How is Mr. Nash’s magic responding now?” Lou questioned.

“Not violent, but he’s drawing very firm boundaries, even unconscious. Anyone approaching is met with a wall of magic,” Joel said. “We need to get in there and help him. Every single time he moves, he’s endangering himself.” He checked his watch. “We’ve already called his father, who is en route. Captain Nash is due to start working for the LAFD in a few days at the 56 as the new station commander.”

“How long until he gets here?” Athena questioned as she focused on Buck’s still form. He wasn’t far from his Jeep. “The motivation—jealousy or bigotry?”

“One of the witnesses heard Mark Blankenship talking about magic before the attack started,” Joel said wearily. “He had a problem with Cadet Nash’s competence and age. The kid’s just twenty-three and in the short session due to experience and certifications. Frankly, he’s a rock star.” He took a deep breath. “We need to get in there and help him. His father is stuck in traffic since he’s traveling in his own vehicle.”

Athena wet her lips. “I want to try.”

“What?” Lou questioned. “He might respond worse to a magical.”

“I can handle this, Lou,” Athena said. “I run toward neutral when interacting with other magicals, and you know that already. He’s not responding violently, so it’ll hurt nothing for me to try, right?”

“Right,” Joel agreed. “He prefers to be called Buck.”

Athena took that as permission and started walking toward Buck. She ducked under the tape that had been put up to mark off the safety zone for the event, and Buck’s magic just swirled gently around her. Shortly, she was on her knees beside him. The gathered crowd was silent as she checked his pulse and stilled him with one hand as he started to move.

“Easy, baby, you’ve been attacked.”

“Athena?” Buck questioned, and his eyes flickered then opened completely. He held out a hand, and she took it. “Got hit by a car?”

“No, some asshole hit you with a Halligan.”

“Back hurts,” Buck said and tried to move.

“No.” Athena held her free hand against his chest. “Don’t move. You might have a spinal injury. You need to calm your magic down so we can get you help.”

“Safe?” Buck questioned.

“I’ve got your back,” Athena promised, and his hand clenched in hers briefly to the point that it hurt, then his magic started to recede. Buck’s fingers went lax against hers, and he passed out.

Behind her, everyone started moving, and she shifted on her knees but didn’t let go of Buck’s hand just in case of a magical surge.

“Great job, Athena,” Hen said breathlessly as she moved around her and carefully put a collar on Buck. “You keep holding his hand. We’ll need you to ride with us.”

“He’s unconscious,” Chimney interjected. “We don’t need some cop riding in the bus, Hen.”

“His magic has already reacted violently once,” Hen snapped. “She calmed him down in seconds when everyone else was pushed away, Chim. I’m not getting an ambulance with a traumatized magical without someone to anchor them. She’s the anchor. And since I’m the one certified to handle magicals, it’s my call. If you don’t want to drive us, get Tommy to take your place.”

“I’m riding with him,” Athena said firmly. “He’s the victim of a violent assault and needs security regardless of his circumstances until we’re certain it was a singular incident and not part of some larger situation.”

“Amazing job, Athena,” Lou said as they moved Buck to a gurney. “I’ll meet up with his father and escort him to the hospital.”

Athena nodded as they headed for the ambulance. She noted that Tommy Kinard ended up in the driver’s seat, and she was glad for it as she really didn’t want to even look at Chim. The ambulance started moving the moment the doors closed.

“What was that?”

“He’s been second-guessing my decisions since he found out I got an interview with the 56,” Hen said. “He also told me that getting extra certs was a waste of time since I wouldn’t get anything out of it.” She focused on Buck. “I need to take his vitals.”

“Let’s see how he responds,” Athena suggested and scooted forward a little as she held Buck’s hand. “Hey, kiddo, I hope you can hear me. You’re in an ambulance on the way to a hospital. Your dad is going to meet us there, and my very good friend Hen Wilson is with us. She wants to check you out.”

Buck stirred and shifted on the gurney. They both touched him to stop his movement. “Safe?”

“You’re very safe,” Athena promised and gave Hen a nod when Buck stilled.

Hen quickly took vitals and added them to a tablet even as she spoke with dispatch. Athena tried to pay attention, but since none of the stats seemed extremely abnormal, she returned her focus to Buck, who looked young and small despite his size.

“Are you going to accept the job if the 56 offers?”

“I don’t know. Why?” Hen questioned.

“Because this is the son of the new station commander for the 56,” Athena said, and Hen blinked in shock.

“Chim told me I shouldn’t bother with the interview because I won’t get the job.”

“Why does he want to hold you back?” Athena questioned as she gently ran her fingers through Buck’s hair to soothe him.

“Jealous,” Buck murmured, and they both focused on him. “Entitled assholes like that never get anywhere.”

“How do you feel?” Athena questioned.

“Back hurts,” Buck said and wet his lips. “I shouldn’t have turned my back on him. I didn’t think he was a threat to me.” He forced his eyes open. “At least I get to ride in the ambulance with two pretty ladies.”

“Charmer,” Hen said warmly and pulled out a pin light to check out his pupil response. “Can you move your toes?”

“Yeah, nothing feels weird,” Buck reported. “I’m really tired, though.”

“You threw out a lot of magic,” Hen said. “And certainly, saved your own life. If he’d managed to hit you again—well.”

“I think…he tried to hit my head,” Buck said softly, and Athena’s stomach lurched. “But I moved—my magic made me move.” He exhaled slowly. “Hurts.”

“We’re almost at the hospital,” Hen said. “And they have a witch doctor waiting for you.”

Buck took in a ragged breath. “Sorry for the trouble.”

“This isn’t your fault,” Athena said firmly.

“Magic is upset….” Buck’s eyes flickered shut. “A lot of people are upset, too.”

“It’s still not your fault,” Athena said gently.

The ambulance came to an abrupt stop, and Hen started moving. A doctor and nurses were waiting already. “This is Evander Buchanan Nash, 23, magical gifts and ranking unknown, and Detective Athena Grant, Psy-Ops Unit 44. She was able to calm his magic down on the scene so we could transport him. I’m unsure how he or his magic will react with separation at this point. He wasn’t conscious for most of the backlash, so sedation probably isn’t an option.”

“Understood,” the doctor said. “Injury assessment?”

“I’ve put a collar on him because I’m uncertain about his injuries,” Hen said. “I didn’t assess the injury due to the magical backlash incident, but his vitals are stable. They aren’t entirely certain the attacker is going to survive.”

Athena didn’t care if the attacker made it or not, but she knew Buck would. She kept pace with the gurney as they moved into the hospital easily, and once they were in a private area of the emergency room, a nurse pushed a stool right under her. She thanked him as she sat and focused on Buck.

“Safe?” Buck questioned.

“Yes, you’re safe,” Athena promised. “We’re at Cedars-Sinai in the magical emergency area. All of the nurses and doctors in the area are certified to work and treat magicals.” Her phone buzzed on her hip, and she pulled it free to check her messages. “Your father is here. Can you confirm his name for the hospital staff?”

“Robert Wade Nash,” Buck murmured, and his eyes closed again. “Head’s starting to hurt.”

Athena focused on the doctor.

“Mr. Nash, my name is Cristobal Salas,” the man murmured as he gently touched his head. “Can you tell me what happened?”

“Got hit from behind in the parking lot,” Buck said slowly. “Back hurts. Call me Buck.”

“Do you think you hit your head when you fell?” Dr. Salas questioned.

“I don’t remember,” Buck said, and his fingers flexed against Athena’s. “Did I kill him? I didn’t mean to.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Athena said when the medical personnel around them stilled. “Buck, look at me.” She waited until his gaze connected with hers. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Your attacker is in a different hospital, and from the last reports, he was still alive. But if he dies, the fault remains his. Okay?”

“Okay,” Buck said, and tears welled in his eyes. “Where’s Dad?”

“I can go get him if you think you’re settled,” Athena said and touched his hair gently. “But I’ll stay right here if you’re not. There’s no wrong answer here.”

“I want to see him, but he’ll have brought the kids with him,” Buck said. “There’s no one to leave them with. They’ll be really upset.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Athena said and carefully released his hand. Magic flashed over his face, and Dr. Salas stilled. “Easy.”

“I’m okay,” Buck murmured and wet his lips. “My magic just likes you.”

“Well, your magic has great taste,” Athena said, and Dr. Salas laughed. “I’ll stick around for a bit since we’re going to need a statement from you.”

“I don’t know what I’ll be able to tell you,” Buck admitted. “I didn’t even see who hit me. Was it Lowery? I saw him arriving for the afternoon class.”

“No,” Athena said. “But we can discuss the specifics when you’re more stable and alert. No need for another backlash.”

“Okay,” Buck murmured. “Thanks.”

Athena touched his shoulder just briefly before she walked away. It was the last thing she wanted to do because she’d be a cop again once she left the room, and she really didn’t want to shift into that role with Buck when he was injured and vulnerable. Still, he wanted his dad, and she couldn’t deny either one of them that. There wasn’t enough space in the room for more than one visitor.

Outside of the treatment section for magical patients, she found Lou leaning on a wall next to a closed door. He met her gaze and inclined his head.

“How is he?”

“Awake and asking for his father,” Athena murmured. “Status on the attacker?”

“Mark Blankenship, twenty-eight, psy-null in a family full of registered magicals, and licensed paramedic from Nevada. I have Reeves interviewing his roommates since he’s in a room share. Vargas is looking for Isaac Lowery, his friend at the academy, per Captain Morris. Lowery was moved to the afternoon session due to some problematic behavior with a female cadet. They considered him the problem and didn’t recognize that Blankenship was going to be a much bigger issue.”

“Is Captain Nash here?”

Lou inclined his head toward the closed door. “Private waiting room. He has two younger kids—nine and eleven. The whole family is new to the city, so they don’t really have any personal connections outside of each other. He admitted to not having anyone to leave the kids with.” Lou cleared his throat. “He was widowed three months ago, and now someone has tried to murder his oldest son.”

Athena stared at the door. “Are the younger two magical as well?”

“I didn’t ask, but he is,” Lou said. “Uncertain of how, but I definitely get a magical vibe from him. With little kids, it’s not always clear, but adult magicals rarely fly under my radar.” He stared at her. “But you’ve always been an interesting exception. I figured that working more closely with you would give me a better read, but it hasn’t.”

Athena shrugged. “Let’s figure out how to help Captain Nash with this situation. They aren’t going to let the kids back there.”

Lou opened the door and motioned her in ahead of him. “Captain Nash, this is my partner, Detective Athena Grant.”

“It’s good to meet you, Detective,” Bobby said as he stood and took the hand she offered. Brook clung to him, and he shifted her weight carefully as he held her. “This is my daughter, Brook, and youngest son, Robbie.”

Athena smiled and took a deep breath. “Buck is conscious and asking for you, Captain Nash. He’s under the care of Dr. Cristobal Salas, one of the most prominent and well-known witch doctors in the state. Injury assessment is still being done.”

Brook took a deep breath. “Daddy, you have to go back there and make sure he’s getting taken care of like you did with us after the fire.”

Bobby kissed her forehead as his eyes fluttered shut. It was probably the last thing he needed to be reminded of, but she knew Brook hadn’t meant it to be cruel. Robbie leaned into his father, and the grief was palpable. It made her heart hurt, and Lou took a deep breath, so she shifted slightly and prodded her partner away from them a little.

Bobby stared.

“Detective Ransone has an empathy disorder due to his magical talents,” Athena said. Since the condition was overt, they’d agreed it was better to confess it in situations like the one they were in than for him to appear rude or cruel for keeping his distance from victims and the families of victims.

“My apologies, Detective,” Bobby said quietly. “It can’t be easy being in this room.”

“I’ll be fine,” Lou said. “Are you comfortable leaving your younger children with Detective Grant? I’ll escort you back to see your son and get an update on his condition for the higher-ups. Both the LAPD and the LAFD are asking for updates at this point.”

“She took great care of Buck,” Bobby said. “I was told by Captain Morris that she was the only one he’d let near him.”

“Detective Grant has a unique relationship with magic,” Lou said.

Bobby nodded and carefully put Brook down in a chair. “Okay, I’m going to go back and see your brother. I need you both to be on your best behavior for Detective Grant. Okay?”

“We’ll be good, Daddy,” Brook said as she took her brother’s hand. “If Buck’s magic trusts her, then we can trust her, too.”

Robbie nodded his agreement, and Athena took a deep breath as she sat down in a chair with a nod for Bobby and Lou. Bobby hesitated, his fingers curled against his jeans, but then he just followed Lou out. She understood. The desire to touch him again was overwhelming. The door shut, and she turned to find both Robbie and Brook staring at her with bright blue eyes, just like Buck’s.

“Hi,” Brook said and swung her feet. “Thanks for taking care of Buck today. Did you see what happened to him?”

“No, I was called in with the rest of the police after it happened,” Athena murmured. “Buck is going to be okay. His magic protected him.”

“Buck’s very magical,” Robbie said quietly. “Like more than other people. I’m glad it kept him safe.” He cleared his throat. “We felt it happen.”

“What?” Athena questioned in alarm.

“Well, we felt something happen,” Brook clarified when Robbie made a face. “Daddy did, too. It was like this weird fluttering in my chest.” She rubbed her sternum with a frown. “Then Daddy got a phone call about Buck being hurt at fire school.”

Athena took a deep breath because she’d felt that fluttering, too, but hadn’t connected it with the attack on Buck. She’d never had magical responses due to the trauma of others, but now that was apparently also on her plate.

* * * *

Bobby let a nurse guide him through the crowd of people in the room to the head of the gurney, holding his son. Buck was paler than normal but conscious. He reached out for him as soon as he saw him, so Bobby took his hand and sat on the stool he was directed to.

“Dad.” Buck took a deep breath. “Are the kids okay? They told me that my magical response was felt all over the city.”

“We all felt it, but it wasn’t painful,” Bobby said. “Just a little fluttering of alarm.” He shifted as close as he could. “How do you feel?”

“Hurts all over,” Buck murmured. “Dr. Salas says it’s magical resonance and not a true three-fold response, but a mirror of what my magic did to the person who attacked me. They haven’t said the name, but Mark Blankenship followed me out of the academy after classes, asking about my magic and if I was using it to cheat since standings were announced because we’re at the halfway mark. I’m sharing first.” He huffed. “I don’t even know how I would cheat on tests with my magic.”

Bobby had no idea, either. “Even if you had advanced memory skills, it wouldn’t be a cheat. You’re not wearing a collar. Have they already confirmed no spinal injury?”

“Yes, we have,” a voice said. “I’m Cristobal Salas. He has some deep bruising on his back but no broken bones or internal injuries.” He had a tablet in hand. “I need to get him to sign a release for the LAPD and LAFD regarding the results of the tests we’ve done and my assessment of his injury.”

Buck nodded and tried to sit up.

“Whoa, kid.” Bobby held him still. “Let the bed do that work, okay?”

“Yeah, sorry.” Buck stayed still while they adjusted the bed so that he was sitting up. “I can return to class on Monday, right? I don’t want to get behind.”

Dr. Salas stared for a moment, then passed him the tablet. “I have a private practice, and I’m willing to take you as a patient. How about you come to see me on Monday morning, and we’ll see how you feel before you resume physical activity? When does your class work start?”

“Nine, but I could probably attend the afternoon session, which starts at one,” Buck said as he signed the release form with his finger. “My digital signature always looks like a big mess.”

“It’s the thought that counts,” Dr. Salas said, and Buck laughed a little as the man took the tablet. “We’re going to bring in a portable x-ray machine and take a good look at your torso to be sure. Once we get the magical resonance under control, I’m willing to release you to go home as long as you aren’t living alone.”

“I live with family,” Buck said. “I’ve never had a problem with magical resonance before.”

“Have you ever been the victim of a violent assault before?” Dr. Salas questioned.

Buck shook his head. “Never. My size is deterrent enough, and I’m overtly magical. I normally get a lot of room in situations. I thought, when it first happened that I’d been hit by a car.”

“Your empathy is creating the resonance,” Dr. Salas explained. “It’s not an overt disorder like some magicals have to deal with, but it’s clear that your magic is responding to your emotional state.”

“I’d never hurt someone on purpose unless I had no choice,” Buck murmured.

Bobby cupped his shoulder. “Of course, you wouldn’t. I understand the guilt you’re feeling, but you know it’s not…you have nothing to feel guilty about, Son.”

“I know,” Buck said hoarsely. “Can we get an update on his condition? I realize I can’t know much because of privacy concerns, but if I’ve killed him…I need to know.”

“Detective Ransone is outside of the room waiting for this form,” Dr. Salas asked. “I’ll ask him to come in and speak with you.” He paused for a moment. “But your father is right, Buck. You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. Considering the weapon he chose, he fully intended to kill you, and you have every single right to defend your own life.”

“I know.”

“We’ll set you up an appointment for first thing Monday morning for an evaluation,” Dr. Salas said. “Unless you’d prefer a referral. I know several witch doctors in the area that specialize in dealing with trauma.”

“Are you a general practitioner?” Buck questioned.

“In private practice, yes, but I handle trauma calls as needed for Cedars,” Dr. Salas explained. “I did my residency here and kept privileges when I decided I needed a better schedule for my own health.”

“If you can give me your earliest possible appointment on Monday, that would be great. If I need a trauma consult, I’d prefer a psychiatrist referral at a future date, and I need a recommendation for an herbalist since I’ve not bothered with that since I arrived.”

“We’ll take care of all of that before you leave,” Dr. Salas said and walked to the door.

The room had cleared out when Bobby hadn’t been paying attention, and only a single nurse remained with Dr. Salas. He passed him the tablet, and he started working with it as he opened the door. Detective Ransone appeared after a few moments and came in when he was motioned to.

“How are you doing, Mr. Nash?” Detective Ransone questioned as he came to stand next to Bobby.

“I’m better,” Buck said. “Did I kill Mark Blankenship?”

“No,” Lou said. “And even if he dies, it won’t be something you did. He suffered the consequences of his own actions. Mark Blankenship comes from a very magical family, and he had to know what he was risking attacking a magical person from behind. The magical backlash was outside of your control, and nothing that happened to him is your fault in any single way—not legally, morally, or ethically. I was informed by Captain Morris at the academy, that it was known to your classmates that you’re magical.”

“Yeah,” Buck said. “Can you tell me anything about his injuries?”

“I heard on the scene that he suffered some crush injuries from being thrown up against one of the trucks parked in the lot,” Lou said. “Most on the scene believed him to be, and I quote, maimed for life.”

Buck shuddered, and tears welled in his eyes. “Shit. Sorry.” He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Hey, none of that,” Bobby said gently. “You’re entitled to all of these emotions, okay?”

“Yeah, I just…what did I do to get this kind of response from him?” Buck questioned.

“Bigotry is irrational,” Lou said, and they both focused on him. “It’s cruel, ignorant, and miserable to witness. I’m sure he’ll have plenty to say about his circumstances, but there is security footage, and my people have already started reviewing it. I’ve been told that he went to a truck to retrieve the Halligan, so it wasn’t done in the heat of the moment. If you weren’t magical, there’s no way you’d have survived this attack.”

“If I weren’t magical, maybe he wouldn’t have attacked me at all,” Buck muttered.

“Your magic has nothing to do with your academic performance at the academy,” Bobby said. “You’re just very competent, Son, and that’s going to attract negative responses no matter the fact that you’re magical.”

“Can you give me a statement now, or do you want to wait?”

“I can do it now,” Buck said. “I don’t have much to say, so it’ll get it off your plate, and you can focus on the witnesses or whatever.” He rubbed his face. “Can I have some water?”

“Yes, of course,” the nurse said. “Did you want something to eat? I have snack crackers and meal bars. It’s all organic.”

“Chocolate and peanut butter, if there is one,” Buck said. “Otherwise, a dried fruit option but no cashews, please.”

“Sure, no problem.”

Buck watched the nurse leave then turned to Bobby. “I got to ride in the ambulance with two lovely ladies, and now I have a hot doctor and nurse.”

Dr. Salas laughed as Bobby sighed.

“I’m just saying that despite the violent part, my day is working out pretty good,” Buck said. “I hope the water is spring water.”

“It will be,” Dr. Salas said. “We can’t afford to make magicals sicker with food and drink. Some respond very negatively to the chemicals in tap water.”

The nurse returned at that point with two bottles of spring water and a peanut butter and chocolate meal bar. “My name is Jake. You can use the button on your bed to call me if you need anything, Mr. Nash.”

“Thanks, Jake,” Buck said and opened one of the bottles.

Detective Ransone put his phone down on the tray table as the nurse left and shut the door behind him. “You’ll need to write and sign a statement next week at some point. There are three witnesses, and they’ve all been transported to the station for interviews.”

Buck nodded.

Detective Ransone started recording and made some verbal notes regarding the interview and focused on Buck.

“Can you tell me about your interactions with Mark Blankenship?”

“I haven’t spoken to him much,” Buck said. “I’ve been focusing on doing the work at the academy, and I’ve been taking certs outside of it as well. I came into the LAFD with several certs that made taking the long course a waste of time. Due to volunteer work in SAR in Colorado and with FEMA, I’m well-situated for the work.

“I’ve got some attention from the instructors both because of my work history and because my dad is starting work as a task force commander for the LAFD in a few days. They’re, honestly, working me twice as hard as anyone else in the session. It’s a mixture of reasons—I’m challenging them, and I think they like that. On the other hand, they’re all LAFD vets, and they don’t want anyone to say they gave a nepo baby a soft ride at the academy.

“Mark Blankenship and Isaac Lowery seemed to have a problem with me from the beginning, but I considered Lowery the problem due to his behavior with another cadet. He was pursuing Rachel Weaver, but she brushed him off immediately. She spends a lot of time with me in class, and he made some assumptions about my relationship with her. I told him that I didn’t even have her phone number and that I didn’t need to troll for ass on the job.”

Buck shrugged when Bobby sighed. “I don’t.” He waved at himself. “Sometimes I don’t even have to ask. I could walk right out of this hospital, quirk an eyebrow at the right person, and take a ride in about thirty minutes.”

Ransone cleared his throat in a clear attempt not to laugh.

“Buck,” Bobby warned and got another shrug for his trouble.

“At any rate, Lowery and Blankenship stopped me one day after the session to talk about Rachel, and Blankenship asked me how I was getting so many extra opportunities. I had to point out the literal wall of educational material available to us. Captain Wallace overheard the conversation, and Lowery was moved to the afternoon session because of his behavior toward Rachel Weaver.

“The next day, Blankenship sat next to me in class and point-blank blamed Rachel for Lowery’s move. I corrected him, and he expressed frustration with my age, maturity, and experience. It was like he wanted me to apologize for being me, and that was weird. The instructor walked in on the conversation, which was kind of embarrassing.

“Then today, our mid-session performance evaluations came through. I tied for first with another guy who was recruited and hired for the 133. His name is Oscar Fuentes, and he was a volunteer firefighter before coming to LA. He suggested we go grab some lunch to celebrate our performance, and I agreed, so I was heading to my Jeep after class.

“Blankenship called out to me, and I stopped to talk to him. He was clearly pissed off, and he asked me what kind of game I was playing. He suggested that I was using my magic to cheat, but none of my gifts really skew in that direction. It was a weird tangent, and I brushed him off, which, in retrospect, wasn’t a great choice on my part. I walked away from him, and the next thing I knew…my magic basically jerked me forward, and something hit me. My only thought was that I’d gotten hit by a car.”

“So, your magic responded for you—from the start.”

“It’s protective,” Buck said reluctantly and exhaled slowly. “I grew up in an abusive home.”

“What?” Ransone questioned and turned to glare at Bobby even as Dr. Salas took in a deep, audible breath.

“My father didn’t know I existed until earlier in the year, Detective Ransone,” Buck said, and both men relaxed.

Bobby waved him off when Ranson started to speak. “Your reaction is perfectly normal, Detective.”

“My stepfather, whom I didn’t know was my stepfather until I was in my teens, ignored I existed. My mother hit me often when I was little, but when my magic fully settled, things changed. It was like the bigger I got, the more room my magic had to act. She hasn’t hit me in years at this point, but my magic is responsive to potential violence because of her.

“When my older brother turned eighteen, he threatened to sue my parents for custody of me despite the fact that there was no proof of mistreatment. It was enough to force them to behave as much as they could, which wasn’t a lot. But everything was better after that, and I left home as soon as I could.

“I asked my mother for my biological father’s name earlier in the year, and she gave it to me. I wish I’d done it sooner, but I can’t say she’d have given it to me then. I think, in fact, she only gave it to me because of my trust fund, which came from my stepfather’s mother. Maybe she hoped I’d decline it if I knew for certain that Phillip Buckley wasn’t my actual father.”

“You kept the money, right?” Ransone questioned and huffed a little as he turned off the recording. “You don’t have to answer that.”

“I totally kept every single penny,” Buck assured. “And made sure they knew they couldn’t do jack shit about it. Which is fortunate since I don’t currently have health insurance. I’m going to have a hefty bill.”

“No, you won’t,” Dr. Salas interjected as he worked on a computer terminal not far from the bed. “The LAFD has already contacted the hospital about covering all of your expenses regarding the incident. It’s the least they owe you for not recognizing what kind of threat they had in their own academy.”

“Plus, he took the Halligan off one of the fire engines in the parking lot,” Detective Ransone interjected.

Buck nodded. “We had a few on the property for practical lessons this morning.” He exhaled slowly. “Can I go home, Dr. Salas?”

“Yes,” Cristobal Salas said. “But I need you to promise to call me if you have any issues over the weekend. Your discharge instructions will include a contact number and your appointment for Monday.”

“I’ll go update my partner,” Detective Ransone said. “Get better, kid, and take it easy. Also, not in my wheelhouse, but please see a therapist. Events like this will come back to haunt you.”

“I will,” Buck promised.

Ransone nodded and left with a lingering glance in Cristobal Salas’ direction. Bobby stilled the urge to be a wingman. He figured he’d get to know Lou Ransone very well in the months and years to come, and he kind of already owed him for having Athena’s back on the job.

“He’s single,” Buck said in Dr. Salas’ direction and raised an eyebrow when the doctor huffed a little. “It’s a thing I can do. I always just know when someone’s available.”

“I can handle my own business, Mr. Nash.”

His son grinned. “Call me Buck. And seriously, give that dude your number. He looked at you like he was starving.”

“Do you do this a lot?” Dr. Salas asked with flushed cheeks.

“Only when he beats me to it,” Bobby admitted. “Detective Ransone definitely wants your number.”

Dr. Salas just sighed and stepped back from the computer. “I’ll get the discharge process started, and Jake will be in shortly with your instructions.” He gave Buck a pointed look. “Please be kind to yourself both mentally and physically as you heal from this event. Since you’re new to the area, I’ll prepare a whole list of referrals and recommendations for you and the rest of your family. How old are your siblings?”

“The younger ones living here are nine and eleven,” Buck said.

“Considering the level of magic you and your oldest son are dealing with, we’ll work under the assumption that they are much the same, and that will impact the doctors you choose for them across the board, Captain Nash.”

“Thank you, Dr. Salas, I appreciate it.” Bobby focused on Buck and found him fiddling with his phone. “We’ll need to arrange to pick up your Jeep sometime this weekend, but other than that, I think we should just stay at home and decompress.”

Buck nodded. “Yeah.”

“Hey,” Bobby said as the door shut, leaving them alone.

Buck set aside his phone and focused on him. “I didn’t see this coming at all. I really didn’t consider either one of them a threat to me. I did feel like Lowery was a problem for Rachel, and I warned her against being alone with him. His entitlement was ugly to witness.”

“Well, you’ve always had a lot of emotional intelligence to bring to the table. On the job, it made trusting you with victims really easy.” Bobby cleared his throat. “We haven’t talked about Margaret much.”

Buck made a face. “I really don’t want to talk about her, Dad. She banged you and hit me.” He shrugged.

“Please don’t be flippant about the fact that she abused you,” Bobby said quietly. “I missed out on every single bit of your childhood because she failed to be a decent person.”

“It’s not great, but we just have to figure out how to have the relationship we should’ve had all along.”

Bobby took Buck’s hand. “I wish I could replace all of the crap she heaped on you with good, sweet memories. I wish that the day I met Marcy, I would’ve had pictures of you on my phone to brag about.”

Buck laughed, but his breath hitched.

“And I wish that I had a video of your first steps, crusty pieces of paper that you totally believed was art when you were six, and I’m so fucking sorry I wasn’t there the first time someone broke your heart.”

“Well, my mom broke my heart first,” Buck admitted and averted his gaze when Bobby took in a deep, ragged breath. “She never loved me, and realizing that was really awful. I told Maddie that Mom hated me, and she lied to me and said that wasn’t true at all.”

“What did Daniel say?”

“He said he was sorry and that one day we’d both be free of her,” Buck said. “And he was right—I’m free of her now, and Philip never mattered at all, really. I don’t think I’ve had more than a handful of conversations with him ever and that’s fine. I don’t care what he thinks about any of this. It’s not my fault his wife cheated on him with a much younger man.”

“One of us should call Daniel before your name ends up in the news. I don’t know if we’ll be able to keep your identity a secret when it comes to the attack and the ramifications of it,” Bobby said quietly. “You haven’t spoken much about either of your older siblings.”

“Maddie’s weird about me finding out about you,” Buck said. “Daniel is torn between supporting me and protecting her. Maddie has a whole wounded bird sort of persona that he knows is false but indulges anyway. They’re older than me and share a lot of history. I had a therapist tell me that Maddie and Daniel trauma bonded over their fucked up parents. They both love me, but Maddie’s very self-involved, like Margaret. It makes her hard to take sometimes.”

Bobby nodded and looked at his hands. “One of the things I did wrong before is making assumptions about what you needed from me. I got it wrong a lot and hurt you. I damaged your trust in me as well.”

Buck made a face. “We worked through all of this already, you know. I’m not holding on to any resentment for things that went wrong between us or on the job. In the end, I just wanted you to hear me, and you learned to listen.”

“I didn’t listen enough,” Bobby said. “Because we both know how it ended.”

“Yeah,” Buck said and took his hand. “But you know what? I can’t regret a single bit of it because where we are right now is everything. How are Brook and Robbie?”

“Worried, but magically, it seemed like you were okay despite the initial push of warning we got,” Bobby said. “They’re currently with Athena. Hopefully, they’re behaving.”

“Oh, certainly,” Buck said in amusement. “Her mom vibe is intense, and I’ve seen grown-ass adults straighten up like naughty kids with a single look from her.” He squeezed Bobby’s hand gently. “We’re good. I promise.”

“I just want to be what you need,” Bobby said quietly. “I don’t want to fuck us up again.”

“Things are so much better and so different now,” Buck said. “I think we’re going to be fine, Dad.”

* * * *

Athena stood when the door to the waiting room opened. Lou had come and gone with the promise to return for her when they were ready to leave the hospital. Bobby entered, and her stomach clenched up a little as he focused on her.

“Daddy.” Brook hopped up and darted over to him. “How’s Buck?”

He caught her easily and picked her up. “He’s okay. They’re getting ready to discharge him, so he’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“That’s great. I invited Detective Grant to our house for dinner when she’s not working,” Brook announced as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “To thank her for taking such good care of Buck when he was hurt. I told her you’re a great cook.”

“High praise,” Bobby murmured and kissed her forehead as he focused on Athena. “What did Detective Grant say?”

“She’s difficult to tell no,” Athena admitted and flushed when Bobby laughed.

“I got her business card,” Brook said. “It’s in my pocket!”

“Good job,” Bobby said and focused on Athena. “Now she can’t escape.”

Brook laughed, and Robbie just sighed. “I did manage to prevent her from interrogating Detective Grant about her personal life. She gets the nosiness from Mom.”

“Whatever, Robert Junior,” Brook said and made a face at him.

Robbie stood and shouldered a backpack. Bobby cupped his shoulder as the boy came close.

“Thank you for staying with them, Detective Grant. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for my family today.” Bobby smiled. “I look forward to cooking you that dinner.”

“Since your praises were certainly sung, I have expectations,” Athena said.

“I’ll try not to be a disappointment.”

Several minutes later, her partner had neatly separated her from the Nash family, and she watched them cross the parking lot toward Bobby’s truck from her place behind the driver’s seat of their LAPD issued SUV.

“Attractive family,” Lou murmured as he worked on his phone. “But sad. I looked up the wife while I was waiting.”

“Yeah?” Athena questioned as she started the SUV.

“She’s credited with saving the lives of her children and several hundred people in the apartment building where they lived,” Lou said. “The St. Paul Fire Department awarded her a Medal of Valor for her actions that night. Over a thousand people attended her viewing, but they managed to keep the funeral itself under 500, barely. They filled the venue to capacity.”

“Big shoes to fill,” Athena murmured before she could help herself, and Lou hummed his agreement. “Did you see the witch doctor? Wow.”

Lou laughed. “Yeah, I got an eyeful, that’s for certain. We should direct our cases to this hospital more often.”

“Deal,” Athena said and grinned. “Has the perp lawyered up?”

“The perp is still unconscious,” Lou said. “I hope he wakes up for Buchanan Nash’s sake if nothing else. Let’s go in and process what we’ve got for the case file. We have three witness statements to review as well.”

“Yeah, let’s get started. I want to nail this asshole to the wall if he survives.”

 

 

Chapter 15

“How do you feel?” Robbie questioned.

“I’m fine, bud,” Buck murmured and winced when his dad prodded the bruise on his back. “It probably looks worse than it is.”

“It doesn’t look as bad as it should,” Bobby corrected. “It looks like a glancing blow, and we both know how much power he was able to put behind that Halligan. Even if he’s just average.”

“And he is,” Buck assured. “He barely met the weight minimum during evaluations last week and got a lecture about working out more.” He rolled his shoulders as Bobby started to put a bruise crème they’d picked up from an herbalist. His magic tingled as it started to interact with the product. “Good call on going to the herbalist before coming home.”

“Yeah, it says it works well on bruises and sore muscles,” Bobby said. “And you don’t have anything deeper than that.”

Brook leaned on him suddenly, and Buck pulled her into his lap. She huffed a little. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay that someone tried to kill you,” Brook protested.

“How about…I’m okay?” Buck questioned, and she slouched against his chest. “Sometimes people do bad things that we can’t control. What we can control is how their actions impact us and our lives. I can’t let this incident slow me down or make me hesitate to live my life exactly the way I want to.”

Brook nodded. “We have to be brave and strong like Mom.” She focused on her hands, which were shaking.

“Hey,” Buck said gently. “What’s going on?”

“We just got you,” Brook said quietly. “It would be awful if you got taken away from us, Buck. That man didn’t care at all, did he? He just tried to kill you. Why? Why did he hurt you?”

“I don’t actually know what his motives are exactly,” Buck said. “But he seemed to have a problem with my magical abilities. Maybe he hates magic, or he’s just jealous. Either way, I don’t know if his motivations matter to me at all. He doesn’t deserve, in my mind, an opportunity to offer some kind of excuse for his behavior because no excuse is good enough.”

“What’s the difference between a reason and an excuse?”

“I guess to me, a reason is why someone does something, and an excuse is a way of mitigating someone’s behavior,” Buck said. “But I could be biased on this subject. My biological mother always made a lot of excuses for her behavior and required my forgiveness, no matter what she said or did. If I didn’t verbally forgive her, the behavior would get worse.”

“I’m sorry she’s so awful,” Robbie said where he sat next to their father on the couch, staring at Buck’s back.

Bobby closed the crème and set the jar on the side table, and Buck just stayed on the ottoman since it was comfortable. He turned around, taking Brook with him so they were both facing the couch.

“I never have to interact with her again, so I’m trying to move on from my childhood,” Buck said. “It wasn’t great, but I want to be present in the life we’re building together as a family, which means I can’t wallow around in the past.”

“Seems healthy,” Bobby said. “Might be good to wallow a little bit now and again in therapy.”

“I’ll get a referral,” Buck promised. “So, what did you guys do this morning while I was at school?”

“We scouted out some grocery stores,” Brook said earnestly. “And went to the farmer’s market, which was great. There was so much fresh food, Buck. It was amazing since it’s fall. We were going to have roasted broccoli with dinner, but you were in the hospital, and Detective Grant had Officer Vargas bring us some food. She got us some chicken salad sandwiches.”

“Though we had to convince them both that we really wanted them,” Robbie said in amusement. “Detective Grant was worried we’d just ordered the same thing she’d gotten to be polite. It was pretty good—they put it on a croissant. Brook told Detective Grant that your chicken salad was better, Dad. And that’s how the rest happened.”

“What rest?” Buck questioned.

“Brook has invited Detective Grant to have dinner with us in the future,” Bobby said, and Buck grinned.

“She’s nice, Daddy,” Brook said. “And she must be really strong and brave, like Mom, to be a police detective. You need to make grown-up friends here in LA, and I think Detective Grant is perfect.”

Buck swallowed hard. He couldn’t imagine what was running through Bobby’s head.

“I’m okay,” Bobby murmured.

“That’s great,” Robbie said. “So, you’re definitely ready to make a friend.” He smiled when Bobby huffed a little under his breath. “Just try, okay? No pressure.”

“The role reversal here is bizarre,” Bobby said frankly. “It’s a good thing you two start school on Monday.”

“Speaking of the registration paperwork is in a drawer in the kitchen waiting for your signature and I did the shopping for school supplies based on what I remembered that they already had.” Buck shifted a little so he could pull out his wallet. “And I forgot to give you something, Brook.”

“Oh, yeah?” She stared at his wallet. “I get my allowance from Daddy.”

“And you shall continue to,” Buck assured, and they all laughed. He pulled out a card and handed it to her.

Brook stared for a moment and took a deep breath. “Wow.”

“What does it say?” Bobby asked curiously.

“Los Angeles Public Library,” Brook said. “It’s got my name on it, Daddy. Can we go tomorrow, Buck?”

“It depends on how I feel,” Buck said. “But you don’t have to wait for me.”

“No, we’ll go together,” she said firmly and left his lap. “I’m gonna put this in my backpack so I don’t lose it!”

“Good thinking,” Robbie said. “She needed the distraction. I bet you she comes back with an iPad so she can check out the library’s website.”

Brook trotted back into the room at that point with her iPad, and Robbie just shrugged a little when Buck raised an eyebrow at him.

* * * *

Athena sat down on the bench by the front door and slouched back against the wall a little. She started to take off her shoes, but Michael appeared and took a knee in front of her.

“Hey,” he murmured as he unlaced her boots and pulled them from her feet. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m off tomorrow,” she said and yawned. “Thanks for staying here with the kids.”

“Keeping them on a schedule lowers their anxiety,” Michael said. “I thought maybe the therapist was being a little extra about it, but she was right. Was the call bad?”

“Attempted murder,” Athena said, and her eyes welled with tears. She cleared her throat and blinked rapidly. “The victim is a twenty-three-year-old cadet at the LAFD academy. His magic defended him harshly, and he’s actually worried about his attacker surviving.”

“Better man than me,” Michael said frankly. “I wouldn’t give a fuck about that guy.”

“No, I don’t think I would either,” she admitted. “At any rate, the would-be murderer is an extremist but covert about it. We executed a search warrant two hours ago and found a whole locked room full of anti-magic propaganda in the house he lived in alone despite it being reported he had a roomshare. His computer is full of some of the ugliest shit I’ve ever seen, calling for the extermination of magicals. He’s been disowned by his family, all of whom are magical, for past behavior. His father wasn’t remotely surprised to hear about the attack or the crap he’d collected in the house he’d inherited from a relative here.”

“Was it planned?” Michael asked curiously. “Can you put him in jail for a long time?”

“It was a crime of opportunity, but based on security footage, he had time to think better of his actions. It wasn’t like a fistfight or a heat-of-the-moment argument. He hit the victim from behind with a goddamned Halligan, Michael.”

“One of those firefighter crowbar things?”

“Yeah,” Athena said and shuddered. “If the kid’s magic hadn’t responded to the incoming attack—this asshole would’ve murdered him right there in the parking lot in front of three witnesses and four security cameras. I’m sure his defense will make out like it was a psychotic break, but he just looked determined on the security footage. Determined and furious.”

Michael stood and helped her up as well. “Let me fix you some food.”

“I haven’t eaten in hours,” Athena admitted. “I don’t think you’re supposed to take care of your ex-wife like this.”

“Well, I’m gonna,” Michael muttered, then plucked her right up off of her feet and put her on a barstool. “Shorty.”

She laughed. “I’d love some eggs and sausage.”

“Toast?”

“Please,” Athena said and took off her watch. She put it down on the counter and rubbed her wrist. “I met the victim’s family. Widowed father with two younger kids as well as the adult one. It was really hard, but I was just relieved we didn’t have to tell him his oldest son was dead.”

“How long has he been widowed?” Michael questioned as he got out a skillet.

“A few months,” Athena said, and he winced. “Remember that apartment fire in St. Paul that was all over the news and the off-duty firefighter in the building who saved most of her neighbors and her own two children?”

“Oh, God,” Michael said and took a deep breath. “Yeah. That fire made me think really hard about my current projects, and I’m micromanaging the placement of the fire suppression system to the point that one of the installers complained. I just had him replaced. I’m not going to stop nitpicking it. That building will house over 400 people, Athena. I need to know I’ve done everything I can to keep people safe. But it’s probably the last large complex I’ll work on. I’d like to focus on something different in the future. Maybe townhomes and renovations in low-income areas would be better.”

“That sounds interesting,” Athena said. “Why?”

“Just trying to figure out how to live a good life,” Michael said. “We have a lot, and I’m a lucky man. I’d like to start paying forward instead of…just existing. That’s something I learned from my best girl recently.”’

“Ha, your ex-wife.”

He reached out and took her hand. “Hey, you might be my ex-wife, but you’re always going to be my best girl.”

She glared at him. “If you make me cry, Michael Harrison Grant, I’ll make you sleep on the couch.”

“Well, one of the benefits of having my own bed is I can trot my ass right back to my condo and sleep in it,” Michael said wryly, and she laughed. “Now, let’s get some food in you.”

* * * *

Bobby watched Brook leave with her teacher. Buck had taken Robbie to the junior high school, and he’d taken Brook, who was a little weepy in a way she hadn’t wanted to explain. Still, she’d insisted on starting school on time. The weekend had consisted of them bunkering down and staying home. He’d overfed all three of them and felt no guilt for it.

“Mr. Nash? Principal Morris can see you now.”

“Thank you,” Bobby said and stood from the chair he’d been directed to after Brook’s retrieval.

Eloise Morris offered him her hand and a smile as she walked around her desk. “Mr. Nash, I’m happy to finally meet you. Your son, Buck, was a delight throughout the admissions process. Brook did very well in the online meeting, and her tests were on par with the records we received from her school in St. Paul. I understand that your son, Robbie, is at Myers.”

“Yes, we had to make quick choices due to the move, but we’re comfortable, as a family, with the results.” Bobby sat down where he was pointed. “Brook was a little emotional this morning, and I almost kept her at home. She’s processing the death of her mother as well as I can expect for her age and because of the trauma of the fire.”

Principal Morris folded her hands together in front of her. “Please accept my deepest condolences regarding the loss of your wife, Mr. Nash. I watched a video about her life put together by a news station in St. Paul. As a mother myself, I hope I would find the strength to do as she did.”

“I hope you never face such a situation,” Bobby said. “I just keep reminding myself that I’d have done no differently in her place. It’s been hard. The kids are adjusting as well as they can, but I need to know that if Brook starts having difficulties, that you and your staff will call me immediately. It’ll be your first inclination to handle it yourself, but she’s my baby, Principal Morris. Her mother’s sacrifice weighs heavy on her.”

“We have a licensed counselor on the campus, and she’s been notified of Brook’s circumstances. Buck had a conversation with her as well,” Principal Morris said. “And, of course, we’ll call you when you’re needed. I would ask you if there is any kind of limit on this?”

“What do you mean?” Bobby questioned.

“Helping her deal with her grief is paramount,” Principal Morris said, and Bobby nodded. “But it’s also important that she learn to regulate her own emotions, and she needs to recognize what she’s actually struggling with when it comes to trauma, grief, and life in general.”

“She’s in therapy,” Bobby said. “And I realize I’m precariously close to coddling her. It’s just….” He took a deep breath. “Her mother died for her, and Brook understands that on a level that breaks my heart. To be frank, I don’t want to raise a brat.” She laughed. “But I do want to be very present in her life, and I need her to trust me. The kind of trauma she’s experienced could very well lead to a PTSD diagnosis, and that worries me.”

“I understand. I’ll speak with her teacher, Ms. Cruz, and Ms. Kyle, the counselor. Let’s start with managing her emotions and teaching her how to recognize what she needs. If she needs you or her older brother, Buck, then we’ll call as quickly as possible. If she just needs some quiet time or a little space, then we’ll arrange for that as well.”

“She manages her anxiety by reading,” Bobby said and relaxed as the principal nodded.

“That’s good,” Principal Morris said. “What would you say her triggers are?”

“The smell of smoke was very upsetting for her at first, but we’ve worked with her on it since she had a meltdown at the park because of a smoker,” Bobby said. “She’s better, but it can catch her off guard. I don’t know how she’d respond to a fire drill, so I’d like to be on-site for that and know in advance that it’s coming so I can discuss it with her.”

“I hadn’t…considered that.” She pulled a laptop close and opened it. “We have monthly fire drills, Mr. Nash. We also have lockdown drills twice a semester in the case of an active shooter. Earthquake drills take place once a month. Finally, we have a shelter-in-place drill for external threats once a semester. We’ve already done one lockdown drill and the shelter-in-place drill for this semester. She’ll be taught the procedures for both since it’s a monthly discussion topic in all classes.”

“I’ll need to contact my son’s school to get the schedule for that as well,” Bobby said. “I may be wrong to be worried about this, but they pulled the fire alarms in the building after their mother made them leave her.”

“I….” Principal Morris cleared her throat. “That’s a lot to take in, Mr. Nash.” She wiped the corner of her eye and plucked a tissue from a box. “My apologies.”

“I’m sorry for upsetting you,” Bobby said.

“It’s just…I hate to think of children having to go through such a thing. We’ll coordinate regarding the fire drill. What do we do if we have an actual fire?”

“Brook is calm under pressure. She gets it from her mother,” Bobby said. “I don’t see her having an emotional response until after the fact. Even on the night of the fire, she only got combative when medical personnel tried to separate her from her brother. Her mother had told her to stay with Robbie until I came for them. She was very determined to obey her mother’s last instructions.”

“The situation breaks my heart,” Principal Morris confessed. “But I don’t want to burden you with my emotions.” She cleared her throat. “Let’s just resolve to be a team going forward as we help Brook navigate her new circumstances.”

“Thank you,” Bobby said quietly and stood. “I’ve taken enough of your time. I need to go to Myers and talk to someone about the drills. Also, between you and me, I’m appalled that there is a reason to have lockdown drills.”

“You and me both,” Principal Morris said. “We’re lucky in that we’ve never had an intruder or an active shooter. That being said, we do have two security guards on duty during school hours. I do my best every day to protect the children in my care.”

Bobby sighed and sat back down. “I forgot. I can’t believe I forgot this.”

“What?” Principal Morris questioned.

“On Friday, my oldest son Buck was assaulted due to being magical. I imagine your school experienced a shelter-in-place order as a result of the magical backlash, which briefly impacted the whole city. There were dozens of sympathetic responses from other magicals.”

“Yes.” Her eyes widened briefly, and she took a deep breath. “I had to send twelve students home, Mr. Nash. Is Buck okay? You said he was driving this morning.”

“He’s fine. His magic protected him, and even the bruising is already fading,” Bobby said. “I just can’t believe I forgot to mention it.”

“Your stress levels are high, and you seem the sort of focus on the problems right in front of you,” she said.

“Yes, well, I do.” Bobby nodded. “I’ve been a firefighter since I was nineteen years old. And we’re taught to work the problem in front of us, and distractions are dangerous.” He cleared his throat. “Brook was upset, of course, about the attack. If it comes up in conversation, she might get emotional, but she’s confident in his recovery. They even went to the beach yesterday to hunt for seashells. He bought her a big jar to put in her room for decoration. At any rate, it has to be said that her current emotional state might not be entirely focused on the loss of her mother.”

“I don’t mean to intrude, but you’ve made arrangements for therapy for yourself as well, right?”

He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I promise.”

“Good because you also seem like the sort to take care of everyone around you while ignoring your own needs.” She eyed him. “I’m tempted to make you bring me a note from your therapist.”

Bobby grinned.

* * * *

Buck settled into his seat in the lecture hall with five minutes to spare. Dropping Robbie off at school had gone quickly, and he appreciated the fact that his little brother was eager to leave him and get settled in a classroom.

Rachel sat down next to him and put a hand on his arm. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He offered her a smile. “You cool?”

“Me?” she asked and huffed. “Jesus, Buck. Should you even be in class?”

“I’m basically okay,” Buck said. “I have a big, ugly bruise, but it’s already fading, and I was magically exhausted. I slept a lot this weekend. I have a follow-up appointment this afternoon with a witch doctor since I couldn’t fit it in before class.”

“You’ll be sitting on the sidelines for PT this morning, Cadet Nash,” Captain Remy said from the front of the room, and Buck focused on him. “I’ll need a note from a doctor regarding your physical recovery before you’re going to get near the climbing tower this week.”

“Yes, sir,” Buck said. “It won’t be an issue.”

Captain Remy nodded, but Rachel huffed a little under her breath.

“What?” Buck questioned.

“Aren’t you…traumatized and shit?” she demanded, and several people around them nodded. “Mark tried to freaking murder you. I spent ten hours getting interviewed by the LAPD.”

“Well, you might be more traumatized than me,” Buck admitted. “I don’t actually remember any of it. I thought I’d been hit by a car. It’s not cool to know that he tried to do that to me, but my magic protected me wholesale from the whole thing. I didn’t even have nightmares about it or anything. Do you have a therapist? I can get you a referral.”

“I already got a referral,” she said hotly and slouched down in the seat when Captain Remy cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

“Let’s talk about compartmentalization,” Captain Remy said and grinned when several people groaned. “The first thing you learn on the job is to separate yourself from the trauma of others. All of you have worked in the field in some fashion or another, which is why you’re in the short course. Learning to walk away from the doors is one of the more difficult aspects of the job. More to the point, closing the body bag and moving to the next victim is hard as hell.”

“I worked in medical transport,” Rachel blurted out. “And trauma cases were rare. Private companies only get called out in Austin when the fire department is at capacity when it comes to emergencies and disasters.”

“You tested very well, or you wouldn’t be here, Weaver. Your response to the attack on Cadet Nash is more personal than professional because you know him. You’ve partnered with him repeatedly in class, and it must have been very difficult to watch what went down and not have the ability to help him.”

“His magic didn’t let anyone near him until that cop broke through. I didn’t know psy-ops cops were taught to do stuff like that,” she said. “I’m interested in learning how to do it as well. It wasn’t included in the magical treatment certification I have either.”

“They aren’t,” Captain Remy said. “The police officer in question, Detective Athena Grant, has a reputation with the LAPD and the LAFD when it comes to magical incidents. She’s been the last one standing on backlash incidents repeatedly over the years. We were lucky she showed up, and upon reflection, I should’ve asked for her specifically. I didn’t know she’d been promoted and moved, and we were required to ask for a psy-ops unit.”

Rachel nodded and focused on Buck. “Do you know what she did?”

“I don’t think she did anything specific,” Buck admitted. “Magic just trusts her.”

“Your magic?”

“No, I mean that magic itself trusts her,” Buck said. “Historically, there are individuals who can act as a neutralizer of sorts. To put it simply, she made me feel safe, and it calmed my own magic down. That kind of influence is priceless. The LAPD is lucky to have her on the job.”

* * * *

Mark Blankenship was awake and demanding to speak with the LAPD about filing charges of his own. Athena figured she could make bank if she set up a TikTok and started talking trash about the idiots she had to deal with as a cop.

“What do you mean I can’t press charges?” Blankenship asked.

“Sir, you’re going to be charged with attempted murder,” Lou said patiently. “You can’t file charges against your victim for defending themselves. Frankly, you’re lucky to be alive.”

“My right arm is crushed,” Blankenship snapped. “And my back is broken. I’m lucky to have escaped a spinal injury, but I’m probably going to have to learn to walk again! We had an argument, and he lashed out at me, so no matter what he said, I didn’t try to murder him.”

“You realize, of course, that the parking lot at the LAFD academy is under twenty-four/seven surveillance,” Lou said. “We have video footage of you attempting to strike Buchanan Nash in the head with a Halligan.”

“Video?” Blankenship questioned and took a deep breath. “I want a lawyer.”

“You certainly need one,” Lou said mildly. “You can find one now or wait until you’re arrested to avail yourself of a public defender. The only reason you aren’t currently handcuffed to that bed is that you’re not a flight risk.”

“So, that fucker ruined my life, and he gets away with it?” Blankenship asked. “He just gets to fucking walk away after doing this to me?”

“You did it to yourself,” Athena interjected. “You had to know the risks of attacking a magical person.”

“I didn’t know he was that powerful,” Blankenship ground out through clenched teeth. “He has no business working for the LAFD. Plus, he talked shit to his father about me because I was denied an interview at the 56. I deserved the task force station, but Buck couldn’t let me have it.”

“Robert Nash hasn’t had a single shift with the LAFD,” Athena said. “So, he hasn’t made any decisions about interviews. Battalion Chief Lenore Young is currently the station commander for the 56. Thanks to your actions, Captain Nash won’t have his first shift until Wednesday.”

“Since we are aware that you were declined an interview,” Lou said. “I did ask Chief Young why she crossed you off the list of interviews to present to Captain Nash when he starts work. There’s only one paramedic slot at the 56, and the brass wants to put an experienced LAFD firefighter paramedic in the position. She removed all of the cadets as a result. It wasn’t personal, and it wasn’t about you.”

Blankenship glared at him. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“That’s fine,” Lou said. “We’ll be back to arrest you after the DA has determined what he’ll be charging you with.”

Athena said nothing else until they were in the SUV. She put on her sunglasses. “I hate that guy.”

“Me, too,” Lou muttered. “I’m looking forward to arresting him. DA Banks is also looking forward to throwing the book at him. I’ve gotten ten text messages from him regarding charges. They’re researching the statutes to see if they can make a hate crimes charge stick, and they think with the evidence gathered from his home that it won’t be a problem.”

Athena nodded. “Considering the job issue, his defense will probably try to angle it that way.”

“I think he’ll take a plea deal. We have crystal-clear video surveillance of the whole thing. I was surprised by the quality of the video footage.”

“The LAFD store trucks in that parking lot sometimes,” Athena said with a shrug. “A single ladder truck can run a million dollars or more, Lou. The big SAR vehicles can cost upwards of two million. Each one is a custom build and has to be ordered individually rather than in bulk like our vehicles are.”

“Interesting. How do you know that?” Lou questioned.

“One of my best friends is a firefighter paramedic. She was on the scene on Friday and rode in the ambulance.”

“The good-looking Black woman?” Lou questioned, and Athena nodded. “You two probably can’t even go into a bar together.”

She laughed. “It works out since her wife often comes with us. Her name is Hen Wilson, and her wife, Karen, is a rocket scientist.” Athena checked the time. “Let’s pick up some lunch and go feed the kids.”

“Max is fifteen years older than us both,” Lou said dryly.

“And the biggest kid of all,” Athena retorted, and he grinned at her.

* * * *

Bobby got in his truck and rolled his shoulders. Setting up a nanny service for the kids had been necessary, and Buck had done most of the work before he’d ever come to LA. He’d also met the young woman that they’d be contracting through a service and got the magical stamp of approval. He’d also met and approved two different substitutes in case of illness or scheduling issues. Still, leaving his children with a stranger was daunting. He’d have to accept it as a new part of his life.

Marcy had been opposed to using daycare or nanny services, so it’d been a very rare thing in their lives in St. Paul. They’d had what she called a circle of moms who’d traded off on childcare. Bobby had been relieved when they’d included him in that circle after her death.

He’d already spoken to Robbie and Brook about the nanny. They didn’t seem to be concerned at all since he’d promised they’d meet her before she came to pick them up at school.

He turned on the vehicle just as his phone started to ring. Bobby picked it up and answered the FaceTime call from Athena. “Hey, beautiful.”

She smiled. “Busy?”

“I just finished setting up the nanny service for Brook and Robbie,” Bobby murmured. “Buck met them and got some magical approval, so at least there’s that.”

“They’re very sweet kids, so I’m sure the nanny will have an easy job of it.”

“They were on their best behavior,” Bobby warned, and she laughed. “What are you doing?”

“I’m off duty for the rest of the day,” she said and raised an eyebrow. “Lou and the rest of the unit have court for an old case, so I took the time.”

“Meet me at my house?” Bobby questioned.

“I’m already sitting in your driveway,” she said in amusement.

“You know the door code; make yourself at home. I’ll be there very soon,” Bobby promised.

“If you speed, I’ll know,” she warned.

“Promise I won’t. I’m just ten minutes from the house.”

* * * *

Athena ran her hand along the stair railing as she walked up the stairs. It was her first time in the house that would one day be her home. There was some work to be done, but they’d already been discussing that. It was far more modern than her current home, and the kitchen was amazing. It hadn’t surprised her at all that Buck had focused on making sure Bobby had a great kitchen in the new house. There wasn’t a lot of furniture, but she’d been picking stuff out here and there when asked.

“Hey.”

Athena turned and found Bobby standing at the foot of the stairs. She turned and walked back down the steps, then stopped on the first one. “Hey, back.”

Bobby wrapped an arm around her, pulled her off the step, and took a deep breath as he sat her gently down on her feet. “I’ve missed you so much.”

She pressed her face against his throat as he held her tight and took a deep breath. The smell of him was intoxicating, and it always had been. She’d had to do a lot of avoidance the first time around because Bobby Nash tempted her beyond reason from practically the moment they met.

Bobby sat down on the stairs and pulled her into his lap. Words were beyond her as they settled together, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Tears welled in her eyes, and she trembled in his arms.

“You okay?”

“I’m good,” Athena whispered against his skin and closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry about Marcy. I didn’t know how we were going to navigate that whole situation, but I wanted her to live.”

“I don’t know how to grieve someone twice, and it’s hard to say the right things,” Bobby confessed. “It’s been so intensely painful that sometimes even breathing got hard. I’m not in love with her anymore, but I loved her so much. I also feel immensely guilty for how relieved I am that if I had to lose one of them again, it was her and not one of my babies.”

“I think that’s entirely normal,” Athena said. “She certainly felt the same—she sacrificed her own ability to escape that building to protect her children and the other residents. It’s humbling, Bobby, and I want to make sure that I get everything right with Brook and Robbie. I want Marcy to look down on her children and be relieved that they’re with us.”

“I feel like a monster for how relieved I am that I didn’t see her again before she died,” Bobby confessed. “I knew it would be difficult to be her husband when I’d moved on from that relationship for years as far as I was concerned. It would’ve been so hard to see her alive and so sweetly dedicated to our family, only for her to die again.”

“What does your therapist say?”

“Nothing real since I can’t tell her about the time travel,” Bobby said. “We’ll live this lie for the rest of our lives, Athena. Buck seems to be adjusting very well, and I’m glad for it because it’s been a struggle even without that little bastard trying to murder my son.”

“Blankenship’s awake,” Athena said and sat back a little so she could see Bobby’s face. “He tried to say it wasn’t his fault until Lou revealed we had security footage of the attack. He blames Buck for not getting an interview at the 56 and says that’s why he attacked him.”

“That’s got nothing to do with Buck,” Bobby said in confusion. “I haven’t even seen a list of names for interviews, and I don’t have that many positions to fill at any rate. Buck’s already been hired for the 56, and I’m definitely going to take Hen from the 118 for the paramedic slot.”

“I know,” Athena said. “He’s just grasping at straws. We executed a search warrant on his house and found a lot of anti-magic crap. He’s a bigot, and the DA is going to charge him with a hate crime.”

“Thank you for being there for him,” Bobby said. “And for staying with the kids when I was with Buck. It was a relief to have you there, even if we had to pretend to be strangers.”

“They’re adorable,” Athena said. “Brook spent thirty minutes extolling your virtues and cooking.”

“She says I need to make a friend in LA,” Bobby said. “I think she picked you out for me. She said….” Bobby took a deep breath. “That you must be brave, like her mom, to be a cop.”

“They’re going to be breaking my heart for the rest of my life,” Athena said and brushed a tear from her cheek. “How do I help?”

“Just be you,” Bobby murmured. “It’s all I’ve ever needed. I know we can’t rush any of this for many reasons, but being apart from you is killing me.”

She smiled and kissed his mouth gently. “How about we be each other’s dirty little secret for a while?”

He laughed. “That sounds tawdry and perfect. Can we meet in seedy motels and bang like animals?”

“Hell yes,” Athena agreed and shifted on his lap to sit astride his thighs. She looped her arms around his neck and stared for a moment. “I really fucking love you.”

“I really fucking love you back,” Bobby said and cupped her ass as he pulled her close. “And I’ve missed you like a limb. How are May and Harry? Not seeing them has been difficult, and you don’t post enough pictures on Instagram for me to peek at on Buck’s phone.”

“They’re both still adjusting to the divorce. May is moving to a new school as soon as I can arrange it. Harry’s mostly focused on getting as much time with Michael as he can. You can follow me on Instagram after the case is resolved since we’ve met officially,” she suggested, and he nodded. “Buck needs to give an official statement, but other than that, my part in the investigation is going to come to a close sooner rather than later. I can’t see how he won’t take a plea deal because of the immense amount of very good video evidence.”

Bobby exhaled slowly as they stared at one another, and she ran her fingers through his hair.

“We’re going to be okay,” Bobby said quietly, and she nodded. “Just being here with you like this makes everything seem more reasonable.” He exhaled slowly. “Thank you.”

“For what?” Athena questioned.

“For loving me. For having so much faith in me that you time traveled with me. I’m going to do my very best to never ever disappoint you.” Bobby pressed a soft kiss against her mouth and pulled out his phone.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to ask Buck to pick up the kids and keep them occupied and away from the house through dinner so I can spend as much time with you as possible.” He paused. “Is that selfish?”

“Let’s be a little selfish together,” Athena said gently and rested against him as he started typing out the text. “Then tomorrow, we can start working toward our better future again.”

Bobby smiled as he sent the text, tucked his phone away, then picked her up as he stood.

She wrapped her legs around his waist and grinned. “Got something on your mind, Captain Nash?”

“You bet your very sweet ass I do,” Bobby muttered and started up the stairs as she laughed.

 

Epilogue

Buck checked the messages on his phone as he exited the academy. He’d graduated the day before but had been enlisted to work on the climbing tower a week before that, so he’d spent most of the day repairing various parts of the tower with Captain Marcus Wallace. The parking lot was mostly empty, and he was glad for that because even weeks later, people expected him to have a response of some kind regarding the scene of the crime.

No matter how many times he’d told practically everyone, including his dad, that he really didn’t remember much of anything about the attack, people were pretty sensitive about it. Buck appreciated the care, if not the coddling that came with it. He leaned on the driver’s side door of the Jeep as he read Brook’s pitch for BBQ for dinner and her opinion that their dad should invite Athena and her kids to the house.

Athena had come to the house for lunch twice over the last few weeks on weekends, but only when her own kids were with Michael. Brook and Robbie both were more than ready to meet May and Harry Grant. He figured that Bobby and Athena were close to relenting on the subject. They were cautious about the integration, and he appreciated how focused they were on making sure the kids didn’t end up resenting anyone for how their blended family came together.

“Buck!”

Buck looked up and found himself staring at a little boy. He couldn’t help but smile as he wondered if he’d ever get an opportunity to meet Christopher Diaz again. The little boy was much younger than the first time they’d met.

“Hello, Christopher.” The man holding him huffed a little, and Buck focused on him. “I’m a precog.”

“We’re both…prophetic dreamers,” the man said and shifted his son in his arms. “He’s had several dreams about a man named Buck.”

“Buchanon Nash,” Buck said and held out his hand. “My friends and family call me Buck.”

“Eddie Diaz,” the man returned as he took Buck’s hand. “It’s great to finally meet you, Buck.”

Christopher laughed and lurched in Buck’s direction right out of his father’s arms. Buck caught him even as his father scrambled to keep from dropping him.

“Hi.” Christopher wrapped his arms around Buck’s neck as the three of them collided. “I have great dreams about you! You’re my best friend.”

Buck had rarely been so charmed in his whole life. “I had a dream about you, too, Superman.” He focused on Eddie. “But your dad is a very pleasant surprise.”

Eddie Diaz’s gaze widened just a little, and his cheeks flushed. “I just finished registering for the next session. Are you a firefighter?”

“Graduated yesterday,” Buck said easily as he adjusted Christopher. The boy clung like a monkey, which reminded him of Brook, so he focused on him. “How old are you?”

“Four! Let’s have lunch.” He turned to his father. “Right, Daddy? I need to tell him about my dreams.”

Eddie took his son back with a quick smile. “Mijo, we can’t just demand his time because you dream about him.”

“Well, of course, he can,” Buck said easily, and Eddie’s shoulders relaxed. “Lunch would be great unless you have plans with your wife.”

“No wife and no plans,” Eddie murmured and then smiled. “We’re pretty new to the area. Got a suggestion?”

“I do,” Buck said and pulled out his keys. “There’s an organic deli place down the street that gives an LAFD discount that I think you’ll both like. I’d love to get to know my best friend’s dad. Follow me?”

Christopher laughed a little and bounced in his father’s arms.

Eddie smiled at his son’s obvious joy. “Yeah, absolutely.”

The End