"Come on, let's go home" says Eddie as he claps Buck on his shoulder.
"Home...I don't have a home, it burned down, remember"
"You're apartment burned down, but you do have a home. With me and Chris"
Buck looks at Eddie "W w what do you mean?"
"You're coming to stay with us, come on"
Buck gets up and follows Eddie to his car.
'Thanks man, I really appreciate it"
As they arrive at Eddie's place, Christopher's already waiting for them.
"Dad, Buck! You're home!"
"Hey Boys!" Says Carla
"Thanks for staying late Carla, you're the best"
"Ooh you're so welcome! See you boys tomorrow, have a good night"
A few hours later that night....
Eddie wakes up from a scream and jumps out of bed.
It wasn't Christopher... it's all quiet in his room.
Then he hears it again. It's coming from downstairs where buck is.
Eddie runs down the stairs to Buck
Buck is on the couch kicking and screaming in his sleep
Eddie grabs his arms "Buck! Buck wake up!"
Buck opens his eyes and looks shocked
"Eddie, what are you, I'm sorry, I had a bad dream"
"It's okay. Wanna talk about it?"
"No, I mean..yes, but.. I don't know Eddie..I just" Buck breaks in to tears.
Eddie grabs him and holds him tight
"It's okay, It really is"
"Dad?"
Christopher got out of bed
"Is Buck okay?"
"No, not really. But he will be. I promise"
"Sorry Chris, I didn't want to wake you buddy, I just had a bad dream, sorry"
Christopher walks slowly to buck and gives him a hug.
"You know what helps me when I have a bad dream?"
"No, what, what is that?"
"I get in to daddy's bed and he puts his arms around me, makes me feel safe"
Eddie and Buck laugh
"I made you smile!" Says Christopher
"Yes, you did buddy, you did, you always make me smile"
Buck takes Christopher in his arms "Thank you so much"
Eddie looks at them, especially to Buck
He's acting tough, but he can see the fear in his eyes. He's been through so much.
"I...HA, Maybe Chris is right, you, you shouldn't sleep alone down here, come on"
Eddie gets up from the couch, takes Christopher on one arm and pulls Buck up with the other arm.
"What are you doing? What, I'm, I can't just.." Stutters Buck
"Shut up and come with us" Eddie says.
They walk upstairs to the bedroom. Eddie lays Christopher in the middle of the bed and lays next to him.
"Come on Buck, you can lay next to me, I'll protect you" says Christopher
Buck laughs and looks nervous to Eddie
"Listen to the men! Get in!"
Buck lays himself next to Christopher, who gives him a kiss then turnes around to give Eddie a kiss.
"I love you" he says and then his eyes slowly close and he falls asleep
"Shall I get back downstairs, he's asleep" Buck says
"Don't even think about it, I'm not getting out of bed again if you have a nightmare"
"Ooh, okay. Thanks?"
"Good night Evan"
Next morning, Buck wakes up with his arms around Christopher.
"Morning!"
Buck looks up at Eddie who's standing next to him.
"Morning"
"Christopher, time to get up buddy, you have to go to school"
Christopher wakes up and looks at Buck
"Did you sleep okay Buck?"
"Yeah, I did, thank you"
"See, I told you it would work! My dad's the best"
"Yeah, he really is, right"
They get up and get them selves ready.
A few minutes later at the breakfast table:
"It's Friday so, Carla is coming a bit later today, I have to bring Chris to school, see you at the station?" Eddie says
"Yeah, see you there" Buck response.
Later that night, back at Eddie's place:
Buck and Eddie are in the kitchen.
"Maddie says she found me an apartment, I can move in next week..."
"You're sure that's a good idea, I mean why would you?"
"Well, I can't stay at your place for ever"
"Why not?...I, I actually...I"
"What?"
"Christopher wants you to stay...."
Buck smiles
"Yeah, well I can talk to him and I'll be around"
"No. No.. okay HA.. man this is hard"
"What is hard?"
"Admitting it..."
"Admitting to what?"
"Damn it I've been to war I shouldn't be afraid of anything"
"You're afraid of what?"
"Would you stop repeating me, please"
Buck looks at Eddie.
