Chapter Text
Chapter One
Chimney
Chimney isn't quite sure when it started.
Well. He knows it was after Buck and Eddie got back from Nashville, but that's a given.
It's been two weeks since they returned—give or take a day—and because of their injuries, they've both been benched with light duty. Eddie had grumbled and rolled his eyes at the decision, and while those reactions were usually annoying, Chimney had actually found his relieving. Especially when his counter part had nodded quietly and accepted his fate without complaint.
Hence now, why Chimney is watching his brother-in-law like a hawk from the loft, counting the seconds he's been stalled.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Se—
Buck's hand moves in a circle, resuming his polishing like nothing ever happened.
Chimney sighs, scratching his ear. He needs Hen.
He turns, scanning the loft.
No Hen.
He leans back over the railing, peering down into the engine bay.
No Hen.
He searches the ambo specifically.
Again, no Hen.
However, he does see Eddie, restocking the vehicle while also intensely staring at Buck. He rips open a package of gauze idly, then—as if he sensed he were being watched—his gaze moves straight to Chimney. He raises an eyebrow.
Guilty, Chimney stumbles backwards and pretends he didn't just get caught.
Back to the task at Hen.
Hand.
Whatever.
Chimney rushes down the steps, making brief eye contact with Eddie for the second time before snapping his gaze away.
He bounces on the last step, craning his neck.
Where could she be?
"She's in the bathroom," Eddie calls. "I assume you're looking for Hen." He cocks his head, ripping open another package.
Chimney snaps his fingers and smiles. "You're the man, Diaz!"
Eddie rolls his eyes and disappears into the back of the ambulance, sparing a final glance to Buck. Chimney parts for the restrooms, arriving the same time she's exiting.
"Hen!" he whispers, ducking his head.
"Cap?" she says, equally hushed.
Chimney shakes his head. "Just Chimney. I need to talk to my best friend first."
Hen raises her eyebrows.
"Follow me to my office."
"I thought this wasn't a work situation."
"Shush! It's just for privacy."
He ushers her inside, closing the door with one palm to the material and the other on metal. Then he locks it, for good measure.
Hen stands awkwardly, shifting on her feet and tipping forwards. "So…?"
Chimney sucks in a breath, holding his hands in prayer at his nose.
"It's about Buck."
Her eyebrow raises again. "What about him?"
"Have you not noticed anything weird?"
Hen sighs. "Chim, it's Buck. Everything is weird with him."
Chimney snorts, then shakes his head. "Not the point!"
"Ohhkayyy," she drawls, sitting in a guest chair as she beckons to the other. He sits, both of them knee to knee. "Then what is the point?"
"He's doing this thing," he starts, uselessly gesturing with his hands. "This thing where he'll just… stop, in the middle of what he's doing. Have you noticed that?"
Hen frowns. "Like he zoned out?"
Chimney shakes his head. "More than that, but I don't know how to explain it. It's not just zoning out. It's completely stopping."
Hen squints, grimacing. "I don't think I've noticed that."
Chimney huffs, slapping his hands on his thighs.
"But hey! I'm not saying I don't believe you."
He nods at that, albeit tightly. "I'm just worried, Hen. I feel insane for being this overworked about it but with everything that's happened recently? I couldn't forgive myself if something happened to him, especially under my watch."
"Chim," Hen says, reaching for his hand. "Deep breaths. We'll figure it out? Okay? Let's just—"
Knock knock.
Hen barely startles at the sound, but Chimney jumps out of his skin. Hen stares at him, waiting.
"Who is it?" Chimney yells over his shoulder.
"Its Eddie."
Chimney looks at Hen.
"Maybe he's noticed something?" she suggests.
"I'm pretty sure that's exactly why he's here," Chimney whispers back. He stands and shuffles over to the door.
"Quick," he hisses, and Eddie slips in swiftly.
Eddie crosses his arms over his chest. "So I assume we've all noticed?"
"I haven't, but Chimney has," Hen answers. "What have you seen?"
"That his zone outs have gotten more frequent."
"Yeah but are they zone outs?" Chimney presses.
"You don't think they are?" Eddie's eyebrows narrow, diving to concern.
"It just doesn't feel like the right word to me," Chim exasperates.
Eddie sucks in a breath, nibbling on his lip.
"Wait," Hen cuts in, pressing her arm to Eddie's. "Do you think it's like, a seizure?"
It's not missed on Chimney—the way Eddie stills.
"Maybe?" he says instead. "I would hope not."
"Well, if it's just absence seizures, and they've only been short, it's not that harmful. We'd just have to figure out the cause of it and hope it doesn't get worse while we do. Plus, he's on light duty, so the chances of it drastically affecting a call are slim."
The room thaws immediately.
"Should I talk to him?" Eddie suggests. "I can try to see if he'll open up about something?"
Hen and Chimney exchange glances; Hen shrugs. "I think it's worth a shot."
Chimney nods to himself, then directs it at Eddie. "Yeah. Go for it. Tell him I swapped you both as partners today. And I'll have Ravi pair up with you, Hen."
Eddie loosens his grip on his arms. "Alright. I'll let you know when I find something out."
Already relieved, Chimney releases his held breath. "Thank you."
Eddie shrugs, reaching for the door handle. "It's nothing."