Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from 9-1-1 season 8, episode 12, "Disconnected."

Although it may seem like Eddie moving hundreds of miles away from Buck might slow down the progress of their possible romance in Buck and Eddie will one day begin a romantic relationship in 9-1-1.

New episodes of 9-1-1 season 8 are on Thursdays at 8 pm ET on ABC, followed by Doctor Odyssey season 1 at 9 pm ET and Grey's Anatomy season 21 at 10 pm ET.

More than halfway through season 8, Eddie moved back to Texas to be closer to his son, Christopher. The young boy left Los Angeles to go live with his grandparents at the end of 9-1-1 season 7 after discovering that his father was seeing someone who looked exactly like his dead mother. Since then, Eddie has tried to repair his relationship with Christopher, but to no avail. Eddie then decided that the best thing he could do was buy a house in Texas and ensure he wouldn't lose his son forever. Unfortunately, that meant leaving Buck and the rest of the 118.

9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 12 Sets Up Eddie Staying In Texas Longer

Eddie & Christopher Start To Make Amends

Eddie struggles to adapt to his new life in Texas in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 12, "Disconnected." The house he bought is much more of a fixer-upper than he thought. Eddie struggles to get a firefighter position at the local station and resorts to selling his truck to buy a more fuel-efficient car for his new job as an Uber driver. Additionally, he can't seem to make much progress with Christopher. Nevertheless, Eddie's luck starts to turn around by the hour's end.

It seems as though Eddie's stay in the Lone Star State will last at least a few episodes longer (maybe even until the end of 9-1-1 season 8).

Eddie considers giving up and returning to Los Angeles until he talks with his BFF, Buck, in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 12. As Buck reminds him, Eddie moved to Texas to be Christopher's father — not to be a firefighter. After Buck and Eddie's conversation and a heart-to-heart with Christopher, who informs his father that he wants him there, Eddie decides to stick it out in Texas. It seems as though Eddie's stay in the Lone Star State will last at least a few episodes longer (maybe even until the end of 9-1-1 season 8).

Eddie Being Away Longer Can Help Buck Come To With His Feelings Quicker

Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

While it's disappointing that Eddie might not reunite with Buck until later in 9-1-1 season 8, his time away is good for their potential romance in the long run. As many know and have heard before, distance makes the heart grow fonder — it's already happening in the ABC procedural drama. Buck was seriously missing Eddie in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 11, as evidenced by his random hook-up with his ex, Tommy, his desperation to befriend Ravi, and his being uncomfortable sleeping in Eddie's house.

Perhaps Buck is already realizing that his feelings for Eddie might be more than friendly. Both Tommy and Maddie suggested that could be the case in episode 11. Even though Buck adamantly denied that he was in love with his best friend, many could tell that wasn't the full truth. So, as time es and Eddie is still gone, Buck could come to with his romantic feelings much more quickly than he would have if Eddie was still in Los Angeles in 9-1-1 season 8.

How Keeping Eddie & Buck Separated In 9-1-1 Season 8 Benefits The Show

Buck & Eddie's Distance Is Just One More Obstacle For Them To Overcome

Outside the world of 9-1-1, many shows have pushed two characters apart to serve their romance in the long term (e.g., Zoey and Chase in Zoey 101, Eleven and Mike in Stranger Things, or Marshall and Lily in How I Met Your Mother). The same could be happening to Buck and Eddie. Eddie's move to Texas might serve two purposes — to fix his and Christopher's relationship and to accelerate his and Buck's possible romance.

The two firefighters are the epitome of the will-they/won't-they relationship trope, which always features the characters overcoming significant obstacles to be together. Buck and Eddie's separation could just be another one that finally leads to them becoming more than friends. However, only time will tell what Buck and Eddie's fate is in 9-1-1.