Disclaimer: 9-1-1, the TV is property of Fox and all respective cast, crew, and employees. I am not making a profit off this. This is simply for fanfiction enjoyment.

Summary: Maddie's ex will stop at nothing to get back to her, and neither Maddie nor Chimney might survive. An alternative outcome to Maddie's ex tracking her down.

Stronger

"So you and Chimney seem pretty close," Buck said casually as he put spinach next to the potatoes and pork chops on a plate.

Maddie was at Buck's for dinner. The siblings sometimes had dinner at each other's place to catch up.

"We're just friends," Maddie said, as Buck put her plate in front of her.

"Oh good," Buck said softly, but not so softly Maddie couldn't hear, "maybe he'll be truthful with you since you're 'just friends.'"

"What?"

"Oh, it's just that Chimney lied to his ex-girlfriend. He actually proposed to her and she really didn't know who he was..." Buck said just as casually.

Maddie studied her brother's face for any deception.

"What're you talking about?"

"What's your problem, man?" Chimney said as a greeting to Buck the next time both were on duty at the firehouse.

"Huh?" Buck turned around to face his colleague.

"You know what I mean," Chimney glared at Buck, "Maddie and I are none of your business."

It had taken Chimney a long time to explain to Maddie that he was a changed man when Maddie confronted him with what Buck had said the next day. That a literal rebar through his skull had made him take a hard look at his life and his relationships. The scar on his forehead reminded him every day. He would not lie to a girlfriend or friend ever again

"I'm just trying to protect my sister," Buck said.

"Protect her from what?" Chimney gave a sidelong look at Buck, "From scum like me?"

Buck shrugged his shoulders. Chimney clenched his fists.

"HEY!" Bobby shouted from a few feet away. He strode so that he was standing between them. Raising his palms toward each of them, he continued.

"Whatever this is, settle it. Outside."

Chimney continued to clench his fists, but then let out a long sigh and walked away.

A few days later, Maddie and Chimney watched as the ending credits for the movie Die Hard rolled across the TV screen. The two were sitting on Maddie's living room couch, Maddie leaning on Chimney's shoulder.

"Thank you," Maddie sighed contentedly.

"For what?" Chimney asked, looking at Maddie.

"For letting me have a quiet Christmas," she said, looking back at Chimney. She couldn't help but notice that the room and Chimney were bathed in the glow of the Christmas lights she had put up on the tree. The same tree she had originally refused to put up because of the horrible memories it stirred from last year. This year, however, was different. The peacefulness of the house, the genuine smile on Chimney's face, the safety she felt in Chimney's presence... yes this year would be different. She would finally allow herself to be happy, to feel safe.

"Of course," Chimney replied simply.

For the next hour, Chimney and Maddie talked, just talked. Conversation flowed easily between them. They talked about family members with strange quirks. Chimney had an uncle who would blow his stack if you moved anything in his kitchen. If a saltshaker was moved so much as an inch to the right, his uncle would know and yell, "Who moved my saltshaker?!" Maddie had a competitive cousin who would keep challenging you to successive games of basketball until he won. And he wasn't even good at basketball. Maddie would finally get tired and let him win. They talked about their favorite TV shows. Their love of action movies. Their dislike of cold weather.

When Maddie began yawning, Chimney checked his watch. It was 3:20 am.

"I should probably get going," he said, rising, "are you going to be okay?"

Maddie thought for a moment, then nodded. She also rose. Chimney smiled and looked into Maddie's eyes. He and Maddie has always insisted that they were "just friends," but deep down, Chimney felt there was something more. Perhaps that was why he had gotten so angry when Buck ratted him out. But knowing Maddie and what she had to endure in the past, he never pushed. They would be friends for as long as Maddie felt comfortable.

Chimney hugged Maddie and Maddie gave a tight embrace back.

The man with a fake name watched from his car across the street as Chimney pulled out of Maddie's driveway.

"Finally," he muttered to himself. He waited a few minutes after Chimney's car was out of sight before making his move.

To be continued...

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