Title: Cookies and thank yous

author: Cindy Ryan

Halfway through his shift Buck glanced at the wall click. So far it'd been a slow afternoon. It'd been two days since Abby had sent the cookies. He hadn't had time yesterday to visit. If he went on break now he could pop by 911 headquarters and back.

"Hey Bobby ok if I go on break?"Buck asked catching his superior's attention.

"Sure just have your cell on in case we get a call."Bobby instructed.

"Will do."Evan said as he headed for the front door.

"Don't take the engine this time."Bobby said with a smile.

"That's funny."Evan muttered.

Buck reached his jeep. Few minutes later he was on the road. Belatedly Evan realized he was still in uniform. He shrugged couldn't be helped.

Abby had just finished a call when she felt a hand on her left shoulder. The front desk receptionist Connie was grinning at her. Abby raised an eyebrow.

"What?"Abby asked the petite twenty something brunette.

"You've been holding out on me."Connie said practically bouncing.

"How so?"Abby asked puzzled.

"There's a hot firefighter here to see you."Connie said gleefully.

"Really?"Abby asked as she stood

"Who is he?"Connie persisted as Abby sought out her supervisor.

"A friend."Abby replied absently.

After getting permission for a short break Abby handed her headset to her relief smiled at Connie and went to the front reception office. She was surprised to find Buck in uniform.

"Hi."Buck greeted stepping forward.

"Hi, this is a surprise."Abby began gesturing to his uniform. "Something wrong?"

Buck glanced down sheepishly and then back at Abby with a smile.

"No, went on break without changing; sorry. Want to step outside for a minute?"Buck asked.

Abby nodded grateful to at least not have her conversation overheard by Connie and fed to the rumor mill which would already be a buzz.

"So what's up?"Abby asked once they were outside.

"Just stopped by to check on you and thank you for the cookies."Buckk replied as he shoved his hands in his jacket pockets. "They're half gone already everybody loved them."

"Good."Abby replied with a smile. "Took me forever to decide on what to send."

"You didn't have to…."Buck began.

"I know."Abby finished. "But my rescue wasn't an official call. You guys came even though I was probably out of your range of service. I appreciate everything you and your team did I saved the picture you sent."

Buck smiled and nodded glancing briefly at the passing traffic before looking back.

"How's the head? Any headaches?"Buck asked with concern.

"No, everything's fine."Abby said with a smile.

"Nightmares?"Buck prompted stepping closer.

"No though I've been taking the stairs more."Abby replied with a shiver as she remembered the elevator rescue. "One bright spot of this is more exercise get me into shape."

"Don't blame you for avoiding elevators for awhile."Buck agreed then glanced at his watch. "Better go or Bobby will have my head."

"I should go too."Abby said stepping towards the door.

Buck started up the sidewalk then stopped turning back.

"Abby?"The firefighter called.

"Yeah?"Abby replied glancing back.

"Lunch next week before shift?"Buck asked.

He wanted lunch with her?Abby thought with surprise and a little shock. She managed to smile.

"Sure text me details."Abby responded as she opened the door.

"Great."Buck acknowledged with a grin and headed for his jeep.

Abby shook her head and smiled as she walked back into the main reception area.

"Well?"Connie prompted from the secretary. "You going to tell me about tall, hot and handsome?"

"Maybe someday."Abby replied as she went to the door leading to the main call center. "I have to get back to work."

Abby smiled as she returned to her station and took the headset from her relief. She thought not for the first time since Buck had entered her life that it was amazing the people who crossed your path. Friends came and went with the passage of time; part of life Abby knew but for now she was grateful for whatever it was that had sent Buck into her path.

end