15 Times Bobby and Athena Prove They’re the Best Couple on ‘9-1-1’

If there is one thing we can always count on from 9-1-1, it is that character development and human interest stories will always take center stage to the emergencies themselves. This is why fans have a hard time narrowing down which character they love the most out of everyone at the 118 and beyond.

However, everyone can agree that the top couple on the entire show is the dynamic duo we never thought we needed until it was happening. Of course, we are talking about Bobby Nash and Athena Grant, thanks in part to the undeniable talents of Peter Krause and Angela Bassett, respectively. 

From the moment they got together at the end of Season 1, this couple has shown us that we can always rely on them to love, support, and cherish one another. All while working together to ensure their family remains a solid, cohesive unit.

As a result, we’ve worked hard to narrow down the 15 Times Bobby and Athena Prove They’re the Best Couple on 9-1-1. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Undercover Casino Job

Probably one of the hottest moments of the entire show occurs during 9-1-1 Season 5 Episode 9, “Past is Prologue.” Bobby and Athena go above and beyond their duty to their respective jobs and themselves to solve a case.

Fans never thought they’d see Bobby Nash working alongside the police undercover, let alone in a well-tailored suit that really highlights his best physical features. Don’t even get us started on how gorgeous Athena looked in her form-fitting over-the-shoulder dress.

Thanks to Bobby’s keen attention to detail and Athena’s natural cop instincts, the two are able to do a quick look at surveillance cameras and find exactly who is to blame. Then, we get a moment where Bobby asserts himself so confidently that we all fall in love with him even more.

This wasn’t the first time Bobby and Athena had put their talents together to get something accomplished. However, it was the first time they’d done so for a professional situation. To this day, fans are still talking about how in sync and sexy they both were.

2. Landing a Plane

One thing we can easily say about 9-1-1 Season 8 so far is that it has definitely had quite a few memorable moments. It starts with Athena Grant herself getting caught on a plane that starts to fail mid-flight.

Not only does Athena use her cool head under pressure to her advantage to keep everyone on board safe and calm, but she also takes it upon herself to fly the plane once she realizes the pilots have been incapacitated. 

The action and excitement could’ve stopped there, allowing the pilots time to recover and land the plane themselves. However, the writers said, nope, let’s keep up the momentum.

Therefore, on 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 3, “Final Approach,” Athena connects with both air traffic control and her husband, Bobby, in order to walk her through the process of landing the plane. Bobby doesn’t freak out that his wife is in harm’s way; instead, he navigates her to a safe landing on the freeway of Los Angeles.

3. Bobby Saves Athena From Fire

It’s never easy to find your beloved home engulfed in flames, and it’s even harder when you realize that the woman you love is still trapped inside. During 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 9, “Ashes, Ashes,” Bobby has to shove all his anxiety and fear to the bottom in order to save Athena from the fire in their home.

It’s a gut-wrenching series of moments on an episode filled to the brim with anxiety and bated breath. It’s hard enough on anyone to be in such a situation, even more so for someone with Bobby’s history.

Despite having trauma centered on losing his first family in an apartment fire before moving to Los Angeles, Bobby knows he can’t fall into a spiral of bad thoughts and emotions. He has to put his firefighter training to good use in order to save his current family. 

It’s one of those TV moments where viewers clutch their chests and wait to see if the two people they love will make it out alive. Don’t even get us started on that cliffhanger in which we thought Bobby might die.

4. Athena Saves Bobby From Fire

When Bobby saves Athena from their house fire at the tail end of Season 7, it isn’t the first time they’ve helped one another out of a tight spot. In fact, during 9-1-1 Season 4 Episode 14, “Survivors,” Athena risks it all to re-enter a building that’s been evacuated to ensure her man is still alive and safe.

During a time that is uneasy for everyone, not just Athena, due to a sniper targeting first responders/LAFD members, it’s amazing to see the love they have for one another shine through. Athena is so determined to get to Bobby that she forces Buck and Hen’s hands, demanding they help her get to Bobby’s last known location with fire gear to protect her.

Once she gets inside, this fearless cop takes matters into her own hands and saves her husband while also dealing with the sniper. She isn’t trained to fight fires, but she does know a thing or two about surviving while under fire.

It’s one of those moments when our hearts burst, watching her forget about her own safety to ensure her happiness remains intact. How many people do you know who would fight a fire for the one they love?

5. Bobby and Athena Solve a Childhood Mystery

When Athena was a child, a friend in her neighborhood disappeared. The cops were never able to solve the case, which impacted Athena so deeply that she ended up becoming a law enforcement officer.

It has haunted her from time to time over the intervening years. Alongside the case of her dead fiancé, Athena is determined to solve this case before she retires.

So, during 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 3, “The Devil You Know,” when it is discovered that her father’s garage contains evidence linking to that little girl’s disappearance, Athena makes it her mission to find out the truth. It sways her trust in her father ever so slightly, but eventually, the evidence points somewhere else.

Bobby stands by her side as she investigates this unspeakable crime and eventually finds the real culprit. He never judges her or tells her not to do it because he knows how important this case is to her.

6. Co-Parenting May, Harry, and by Extension Buck

When it comes to 9-1-1, Bobby and Athena don’t deny their ability to be parents. Sure, Bobby has a lot of trauma regarding the loss of his first wife and their two children, but that doesn’t stop him from being a stand-in father for Athena’s kids, as well as the firehouse.

Most importantly, they recognize that when they entered into marriage, Athena brought her two kids, May and Harry, while Bobby brought Buck. Buck isn’t his biological son by any means, but he treats the young firefighter as if he is.

In fact, it’s so well-known that it is mentioned by people both in the family and outside it on two separate occasions. This further proves that Bobby and Athena are ultimately recognized as the parents of the 118, but more on that later.

After some harrowing moments for May at the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center, she sits down with Bobby and tells him that her mom brought two kids into the marriage while Bobby brought in one. In another instance, Hen and Athena are going over Bobby’s go-to lottery numbers and it’s discovered that he uses May’s birthday, Harry’s birthday, and the year Buck was born. 

7. Cruise Ship Rescue

While most of Season 7 feels rushed and unformed, fans can’t deny that the opening cruise ship disaster gave us the Bathena love we adore. If nothing else, it gave us more intimate time with Bobby and Athena outside their jobs.

The ridiculousness of the disaster and emergency itself should be credited. However, it wasn’t so far off the beaten track that we couldn’t appreciate Bobby stepping in as a first responder and Athena asserting her authority in a crisis.

In fact, during 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 3, “Capsized,” we were rooting for Bobby and Athena’s dynamic duo to save everyone on that cruise ship. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it out, but we still get to see Bobby perform some big moves that are usually reserved for the younger firefighters such as Buck or Eddie.

At the end of the day, they hold each other in a major emotional moment, assured that they’re about to die, which breaks our hearts. Our love for their love knows no bounds and makes those rescue moments all the better.

8. Athena Supports Bobby with His Alcoholism

During Season 1, fans are first introduced to Bobby’s addiction issues during 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 4, “Worst Day Ever.” During that time, he doesn’t have Athena there to support him and hold him up. So, he relies on Buck and Hen to see him through instead.

By the time Athena and Bobby get together, his addiction is well in hand, so she doesn’t really have to deal with the constant struggle. However, on 9-1-1 Season 4 Episode 13, “Suspicion,” Athena discovers that Bobby hasn’t been completely honest with her about who he is sponsoring as part of that recovery.

This leads to a major misunderstanding, almost ending their marriage. However, at the end of the day, she knows he needs her support with his addiction, so she gives it despite being angry at him.

Fortunately, by the time 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 12, “Recovery” rolls around, Bobby finds himself able to lean on his wife with no pushback when his longtime friend and sponsor, Wendell, dies unexpectedly. He finds he needs to be in a meeting, so Athena goes to one with him and proves once and for all that she will always be there for him when the chips are down.

9. Bobby’s Brush with Death 

Considering his profession, it’s shocking that Bobby’s life hasn’t been on the line more frequently. Fortunately, we’ve been spared that heartbreak much more than we have for characters such as Eddie, Buck, or Chim. 

However, during 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 10, “All Fall Down,” we were on the edge of our seats and holding our breaths as we waited for news on Bobby’s future. After collapsing during his rescue of Athena, Bobby’s heart stops, indicating a more permanent outcome could be on the horizon.

During his time unconscious, we watch as Athena refuses to stay in her hospital bed and recover, instead opting to spend as much time as possible at Bobby’s bedside. At this point in their story, this couple has had way too many tearful goodbyes for our liking.

In the end, he comes back to Athena thanks to her dedication and love, both of which we are forever grateful for.

10. Supporting Athena in Her Career

One of Bobby’s greatest qualities is that he isn’t afraid to show overwhelming love and support to his woman in her career. This is especially true as the seasons go on, and it becomes increasingly apparent that others want Athena to slow down or retire.

During 9-1-1 Season 8 especially, he supported his wife as she struggled to decide whether or not it was her time to step down. She pulls a muscle but ultimately decides that a minor injury isn’t going to stop her from doing the things she loves.

Sure, Bobby gets as nervous as Athena does whenever he’s in a dangerous fire, but he trusts that she knows what she can and can’t handle. At the end of the day, these two love one another enough to allow them the independence they deserve.

Athena is a great law enforcement officer all on her own. However, it doesn’t hurt that her man stands right behind her, supporting her every step of the way.

11. Supporting Bobby in His Quest to Find His Sponsor’s Killer

Losing Wendell is probably the hardest loss Bobby has to endure, aside from his family. It’s someone he relies on heavily to help him through his more troubling days as a recovering alcoholic. 

We don’t really meet Wendell until he is about to lose his life, but even from those small moments, we can see how much his influence has shaped the Bobby Nash we know and love. So, naturally, when Bobby starts to believe Wendell’s death wasn’t a tragic accident like the owners of the rehab facility claim, we believe it too.

The other person who was found easily in Bobby’s corner? None other than Athena herself. In fact, we soon find out that May Grant is ready to lay down her life for the man she sees as a second father.

It’s a major family moment and an investigation like we haven’t seen since the casino robbery earlier in the show. If we can take away anything from 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 12, “Recovery,” it’s that Athena will always stand by her man even if she doesn’t fully believe the same as him without solid evidence.

12. Being the Parental Figures of the 118

From the moment they first kissed on the apparatus floor, Bobby and Athena have shown the other members of the 118 that they are the parental figures. It doesn’t matter that only Buck and Eddie are young enough to potentially be their children.

No, the bond of family runs deep at the 118, and that is all thanks to Bobby Nash. So, when he first starts seeing Athena Grant, it is only natural that the two of them will spearhead the family together.

Over the years, the team has looked to the two of them to guide them through all of life’s struggles. Whether it is parenting advice, spiritual understanding, or relationship guidance, the Bathena partnership covers it all.

The found family vibes of 9-1-1 would be nothing without Bobby and Athena’s naturally nurturing personalities.

13. Bobby’s Christmas Spirit is Saved by Athena & Buck

During 9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 10, “Christmas Spirit,” Bobby finds himself not exactly feeling the Christmas spirit. That’s when his son and his wife step in to ensure the holiday doesn’t pass the man by without a little celebration. 

Thanks to the thoughtfulness of Buck and Athena’s talents in the kitchen, they are able to band together and create a Christmas dinner that would make even the Grinch smile. Bobby puts aside his issues for a short while in order to enjoy the holiday time with the people he loves most in the world.

It’s one of those quieter moments that prove just how deep Athena’s love for Bobby runs. Buck comes to her with a problem, and she immediately knows the perfect solution.

If this moment didn’t warm your heart, you need to rewatch it.

14. Bobby and Athena’s Wedding

About a year after they first got together, Bobby and Athena decided on 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 18, “This Life We Choose,” to tie the knot. For some, it would appear to be extremely rushed.

However, for this couple in particular, it seemed to be perfectly timed. Their love has been one for the ages since that surprising first date during the Season 1 finale. Why change that up now?

Originally, the idea was that they were going to have a giant to-do with all their friends and family in attendance. However, at the end of the day, Bobby and Athena decide that small and intimate is the best.

It’s a moment to remember because it further shows how much these two consider Harry and May in any decisions they make. Even when they don’t see eye to eye, Bobby and Athena will always put their family and their love first.

15. Bobby Rescues Athena from Landslide

One of the more scary emergencies comes on 9-1-1 Season 4 Episode 2, “Alone Together.” It’s terrifying because the landslide is unpredictable and any one of them could end up hurt or worse.

Luckily, none of the 118 are caught in the natural disaster. Therefore, they are on hand to help Bobby when he realizes that Athena got caught with a woman in her house.

The courageously stubborn Athena had seen that a landslide moment was imminent for a woman who had agoraphobia and insisted on helping her. This led to both women getting trapped and hoping to be rescued by someone.

Athena never lost hope that her husband and other trusty firefighters from LAFD would eventually save them. As per usual, when major events happen, the reunion between Bobby and Athena is enough to make us believe in the power of love above all else.

—

What are your favorite Bobby and Athena moments from 9-1-1? Let us know in the comments below!

 

9-1-1 returns Thursday, March 6th at 8/7c on ABC.

Follow us on X and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!