Another a bit longer one for today - and I apologize but I don't know if (or when) I'll be able to update the upcoming week.


When the Aid Car parked back at the Station they all exited and before Andy could even blink Maya was standing in front of her.

"We need to talk. Now." She said sternly, took her friend's hand and dragged her to first room she could find.

Closing the door behind them Maya was furious and Andy knew it. She needed to let her vent it out.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Maya started and Andy knew her well enough to stay silent. "You could have gotten yourself killed down there? What if the car fell? What if the platform fell? What if there was a rockfall?" She was so mad.

"I couldn't leave him there."

"Yes, you could have."

"No, I couldn't. I know it was risky but we both know if I took the climb back up it could have been even worse."

"Damn you, Herrera!" Maya almost yelled at her.

"I'm sorry, Maya. I didn't mean to go against your order. Really. I wasn't thinking about it. I just couldn't leave him there. I was locked to the loop and Miller had me secured on the rope."

"I know!" Maya replied madly. "I know." She said after a moment more calmly.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I wouldn't leave him either." Maya admitted and Andy didn't know what to say.

"Should the roles be reversed it would be yelling at you." Andy replied in the end and Maya nodded.

"Yeah, probably."

"You asked me if I wanted to take the climb. I agreed. It was my choice."

"I was worried about you." Maya admitted and before she could think about it, she hugged Andy quickly. Andy hissed as Maya pressed on her lacerations and stitches so she pulled back.

"Are you okay?"

"It's nothing serious. Couple of stitches and cuts and bruises. I'll be sore for couple of days probably but I'm okay." Andy said and Maya smiled at her.

"Good because now we have to face your father." Maya added.

"Oh don't remind me." Andy replied and looked worried. She knew what her dad would say.

"And your boyfriend." Maya couldn't resist.

"You're evil." Andy replied after a moment. "And he's not."

"He's not what? Your boyfriend?" Maya teased some more.

"We're not fifteen." Andy argued back but her tone was light.

"One day you're gonna tell me everything." Maya said then with a gleam in her eyes.

"No, I'm not." Andy said back and both smiled at each other. "Are we good?" Andy asked.

"We're good." Maya said and both counted to three before opening the door and walking out to the hall.

When Andy closed the door behind them she came face to face with one angry Sullivan. Before she could say a word he spoke first.

"Get changed and I want to see you all in fifteen." He said and looked like he used the first days at the Station where he called them assets and they couldn't stand him one bit. But now both Andy and Maya knew better. He was a good man and he was right to be mad at them. They violated protocol, put their lives at risk and despite his warning proceeded with a plan that had no back-up.

He left them standing there speechless.

"It's bad isn't it?" Maya asked Andy.

"Yeah." Andy agreed and both went to the locker room to take a quick shower and grab some clean clothes.

In fifteen minutes they all met downstairs where they would normally have their daily line-up. They all knew what would come and the fact that Captain Herrera stood there silently was speaking volumes.

When Sullivan came they all stood in attention, not daring to move. He looked at all of them before speaking up.

"Bishop, you were in charge today."

"Yes, Sir."

"So explain to me why didn't you follow protocol as you should have? Why did you risk the life of your crew member? Why did you defy direct order from me to stand down and wait for back up?" He spoke calmly but his voice gave them the creeps.

"We didn't have time to wait for back up, Sir. Victim in the car needed immediate attention. The situation was risky so we decided to secure the car to our Engine before treating the victim."

"You know full well I'm asking about the second victim, Bishop." He warned her. She stood proudly, didn't backed an inch.

"He was bleeding out and we didn't have time to wait for the air rescue."

"The hell you didn't, Bishop!"

"I was in charge, it was my call and I stand by my decision, Sir."

"You do?"

"Yes, Sir. The victim was bleeding out and there was a risk of a rockfall that would endanger him even more. It could have taken him down the platform. I consulted with Miller who has the most experience in rescuing climbers, Sir. I followed his advice."

"He advised you to risk Herrera's life?" He asked back watching her like a hawk. Maya tried to keep her personal feelings separate from her work and knew it was hard. It was even harder to imagine how he had to feel when it was about the life of someone he cared about. But she cared about her too and they both – hell they all – knew the risks this job included and they all knew what they signed up for.

"He advises someone with light weight to go down and treat the victim. I asked Herrera if she would do it and she agreed. We informed the dispatch about the situation and the air crew was informed in advance they would be picking up two people instead of one." Maya told him and when he stayed silent she continued.

"She secured herself and the victim on both the ropes and the loops she found in the rock."

"And then you disobeyed a direct order from your acting Lieutenant to come back up. Is that right, Herrera?" He asked Andy directly and she felt the intensity of his look and knew that this wasn't good at all.

"Yes, Sir, I did." Andy admitted but before she could continue, Maya jumped in.

"She didn't want to leave the victim. I supported her decision. I checked the situation and it would have been more dangerous for both her and the victim if she climbed back up." Maya said.

Sullivan was quiet for a moment and he looked at Pruitt. It was obvious they already talked about it. After agonizing silent minute Pruitt nodded. Sullivan took a deep breath and looked at everyone from his crew.

"You followed Bishop without questioning her. That's both honorable and stupid. But I know you enough to know that you all supported her and did your job of your own will." He started and it surprised them all.

"Bishop, you didn't follow protocol but sometimes there is no time for back-up. I checked with the supportive crew who arrived then and with the air rescue and they all agree that you did the right thing and they support your decision." He told her looking at her directly and Maya didn't know what to say or what to think. She didn't see this coming.

"It doesn't change the fact that you put life of your crew member at risk. Your safety and the safety of your people always come first. Is that understood?" He asked her.

"Yes, Sir." Maya replied and could hardly keep the emotions from her voice.

"Same goes for you, Herrera. I understand that you didn't want to leave the victim but when you're told to leave you should. It's definitely not okay to defy direct order from your commander. Bishop was responsible for you."

"Yes, Sir." Andy replied and felt sick to her stomach. One part of her knew he was right but the other remembered how he smiled at her in the morning, how he touched her yesterday and she couldn't put the two sides of him together.

Which she knew was the risk of falling for her Captain. The two worlds would always collide. And it would hurt – just like it did now.

"Clean up, restock and you're all done for today."

"Sir?" Maya asked.

"Yes, Bishop?"

"What about the incident report?" She asked worried that this call would be a mark on her career. Not that she regretted what they did back there but she just needed to know where she stood.

Sullivan let her sweat for a moment. Gibson and Miller noticed that Captain Herrera looked curious then as well. So he probably didn't know Sullivan's plans on this.

"You're my crew and I have your back. We deal with our issues here, not outside this Station. You answer to me, I'm your Captain. Is that clear?" He asked them all.

In unison they all replied "Yes, Sir."

"Dismissed." He said and without sparing them another glance he left. They all stood there for a moment, digesting what just happened.

"Andrea." Pruitt said and Andy knew she was up for a second round. Maya gave her supportive look and Andy walked to her father.

"Dad, I know you're mad."

"No, you don't, hija." He said and let her think for a moment. "I don't think there's more to say after what your Captain said just now." He added.

"Dad…"

"Are you hurt?" He asked suddenly.

"Yes. Couple of stitches, cuts, bruises. It's minor."

"Good. Good." He replied. Before leaving he looked at his old crew.

"You heard your Captain, didn't you? Clean up, restock and head home." He told them all. But to their surprise he didn't seem to be mad. He looked – proud? Was that possible?

Kissing her daughter good bye – and forgetting the reason why he came to see her that day in the first place – he left. He couldn't but think about what he just saw and heard though.

They all did their chores and duties and by the time they were done it was almost by the end of their shift. Andy was sore and knew she would need something for the pain before getting some sleep. When they were heading up to the locker room she noticed it was already dark in her Captain's office. She lingered there only for a moment but Maya saw her. She came over and squeezed her shoulder.

"Come on, let's go." She looked supportive and so they both took the stairs up, got changed and after saying goodbye to everyone else, they left home. Nobody talked much. They were all still trying to make heads and tails from the day they just had.

Andy was silent and Maya could easily guess why. It wasn't nice and it wasn't easy when they had to face Sullivan after the call. And especially for Andy it had to be extra difficult.

Maya knew that keeping her feelings for Gibson out of work was proving to be more and more difficult as there were situation where she truly worried about him. But mostly it was about the banter and the challenge between them. They liked each other, they liked spending time together but she had this distant feeling that what her friend was going through was even more deep and intense.

Her relationship with Gibson started as casual sex after huge adrenalin rush. It might grow to more, she knew that and was still trying to analyze it as she had her doubts about herself and both her and Gibson had their own issues. She cared about him but still didn't know how much.

When she looked at Andy sitting on the couch, looking lost, she knew that her friend just needed time. She sat down next to her, Andy was already changed into home sweats.

"Hey, do you want to talk?" Andy asked her.

"I don't know."

"Well if you do, just let me know, okay?" Maya offered.

"Thank you." Andy said. "You're going out?" She asked Maya as she noticed her attire.

"Gibson called. Asked me out for a dinner which is a bit weird because we don't do dinner dates." Maya replied and Andy just smiled.

"Have fun."

"Will you be okay here?"

"Don't worry. I'll head to bed early."

"Okay." Maya left her sitting on the couch alone and grabbing her keys she left.

Andy stayed on the couch for almost an hour before she couldn't take it anymore. There was a huge void in her chest and she needed to do something about it. Realizing that she wouldn't get any sleep anyway, she changed and left the apartment.

On her way she changed her mind about three times but thinking back to the end of her shift and to the pain she felt when she saw the dark office, she knew she just had to.

And so she found herself on the doorstep of Sullivan's apartment. Standing there she realized she didn't know what to say or what to do. She just knew she needed to see him and to talk to him. And so she knocked and waited, nervous and worried.

For a brief moment she got worried about her attire but then she dropped it.

When Robert opened the door and saw Andy standing there he was frozen to the spot. He looked at her and noticed how tired and sad she looked and knew that he was part of the issue.

Andy just stayed there and when he opened the door one part of her wanted to run away and the other wanted to make the two steps and hug him. He was dressed in jeans and dark blue shirt and he had dishtowel over his shoulder.

And so they were standing there looking at each other, both at loss for words.

"I shouldn't have come." Andy said that as he stood still and silent which finally made him react.

"Do you want to come in?" He asked instead.

"Yeah, I do." She replied and so he moved aside to let her in.

It was the first time she was at his apartment and she knew she would have to take a look around next time because she wasn't able to focus on anything but him.

"I should have called." Andy said as she noticed he was just making himself dinner.

"Have you eaten yet?" He asked not answering her silent question.

"No."

"Are you hungry?" He asked softly, knowing well they had to talk but didn't want to go through it on empty stomach.

"Yes, actually."

"Sit down, make yourself comfortable." He offered and left to the kitchen. Andy sat down on the couch and watched him move around the perfect masculine kitchen. It was like watching a fine art. It was obvious he liked to cook as he was moving smoothly around the place.

She must have dozed off because suddenly he was touching her knee, shaking her awake gently.

"Come on, let's eat." He said and she didn't fight him. Only then she realized he set up the table for two and that given the light in the apartment and the classical music playing in the background – how come she missed it before? – it all resembled a date.

It was a bittersweet feeling.

"It smells amazing." She said and when she tasted the pasta he made she had to smile. "It tastes amazing too." He smiled back at her for a brief moment and they had the rest of dinner in silence.

Neither knew what to say.

"I'll be right back." He said when he took the plates and silverware to the kitchen. Andy took the time to look around the living room and realized that the place looked exactly like she would imagine his place would. Not that she had any idea before but seeing it now it just felt right.

She stopped when she noticed the huge collection of old LPs and old gramophone on the shelf next to the TV. She noticed couple of photographs but there were no people on them, only places. All black and white in perfect composition on the wall.

Andy felt the rush of emotions hitting her. She heard footsteps so she turned and he was there, standing so close, watching her.

"Why did you come?" He asked then and she tried to find any traces of anger in his voice but there were none.

"I wanted to talk to you." Andy replied.

"Okay. Sure." And he gave her the space to start. Of course he had the idea about the topic but he needed her to start as she was the one to come to him. Well it dawned on him that not for the first time she had more courage than he did.

"I know you're mad about what happened today."

"Andy…"

"No, let me finish, please."

"All right." He could give her that. She took a breath and then started.

"I know you're mad. And I know you were worried. But it's our job and we both know the risks. I know we should have waited for back up. But you know very well that sometimes you just can't wait. I trusted Maya and she trusted me. Not because we're best friends but because we're good at what we do." She felt emotional and needed to stop for a moment.

Sullivan was listening to her and knew he had to wait for her to finish.

"I know I risked my life. But you have to know I would do it again." And she realized that it was actually troubling her.

"I know you would." He said and as a minute ago he was ready to hug her it all changed now.

"It was reckless, Andy."

"No, it wasn't. I was secured and locked to the loops. It was a matter of few minutes before the air rescue." She argued back a little hurt now.

"It could have all fallen down on top of you! The loops wouldn't have held you." He argued back.

"Then Miller would."

"You don't know that."

"I trust my team." She said finally and now it was her who looked mad.

"I don't know how to do this." She admitted finally after a minute or two of heavy silence.

"Do what?"

"This. Us. Like this." She tried to explain. "I don't know how to do this." She said again and felt like she could even end up crying here in his beautiful apartment with no trace of a woman ever living there.

"You can't expect me to stand down and hold back on calls." She tried to reason with him.

"What if the situation was reversed? How would you react, huh?" He asked back equally hurt and half mad as she was.

Andy didn't know what to say at first. Then she exhaled loudly. "I'd be out of my mind." She said. "I'd be so worried. And mad. And I don't know…" And she had to look away.

Sullivan knew it was getting a bit out of hand.

"I don't know how to do this either, Andy." He told her and waited for her to turn to look at him. "It's new to me and I'm not good at this."

"Can you work with me? Can you be both Captain Sullivan and Robert?" She asked and he had no answer for her.

"So what now? We go back to what we were before?" She asked as she took his silence as an answer and the tension and pain she felt in her body hit her with a surprising force.

"Do you want to?" He asked back and she knew that he would always let her make the call as he was her boss. But she didn't want to.

"And you?" She asked back and waited, letting him see the deepest part of her soul.

"No. I don't." He said and didn't hold back the emotions from his voice. "I'm mad because I was worried. Because it hit me like a ton of bricks."

"What did?" She asked in teary voice.

"Andy." He just said her name without giving her actual answer and they collided into each other's arms. He kissed her deeply and she grabbed his shirt into her fists.

They broke apart as he moved his hand and pressed onto her stitches.

"Ouch."

"What? You're hurt?" He asked and immediately moved a bit away from her. Noticing the forming blood stain on her blouse he took her to his couch and made her sit down.

"You're bleeding."

"It's nothing."

"Andy…" And before she could argue he got up and left. She didn't know where he went but then he came back with first aid kit.

"May I?" He asked. She nodded and unbuttoned her blouse. Slowly he took it away from her shoulders, leaving her sitting there in front of him only in her bra. He was sitting behind her, looking at her back and the back of her arms.

Andy wanted to say something but then she felt him touching her skin with a damp cloth and just let him take care of her. Never in her life had she felt like she did at that moment.

Robert knew he was walking on a very thin ice but screw it. He was man on mission. Besides taking care of her injuries gave him time to think about what he wanted to tell her.

Andy felt herself getting more and more tired. Part of the tension from before left her body and as she felt the steady touch of his hands on her skin she was slowly relaxing.

"I was worried about you." He said. "I knew you could handle yourself. I meant what I said at the Station, Andy. I trust you all. You're trained well. I was going nuts because I wasn't there with you."

Without turning to face him she asked back "What would you do if you were?"

And knowing he had to be honest he replied "Probably the same as Bishop did. Although…"

"What?"

"It would have been much harder for me to let you go down there."

"Robert…" She said his name and turned so she could face him.

"Can you bear with me for now? Before I get used to this? Before I find the balance between being your Captain and…. " He asked baring his heart and deep fears to her. And she didn't see this coming. He couldn't finish as he didn't know how to name what he was to her. Neither knew yet.

"Yeah…" She agreed and smiled at him. "It will take me some time too." Looking up into his eyes she let him decide what he wanted to do. And so he kissed her softly, gently, almost lovingly. And she responded willingly.

"Promise me you'll always come to talk to me if I chicken out." He said then and she actually giggled.

"You don't."

"Oh I do. You have no idea how many times I was holding the phone to call you. I even wanted to come over but I didn't really want to face Bishop." He admitted.

"Yeah, that would have been interesting." Andy replied and he just smiled at her, putting her hair behind her ear.

"So…"

"So?"

And she wanted to reply but yawned instead. He chuckled.

"You're tired."

"Yes. And my shoulder hurts." Andy admitted sleepily. Before she realized what was happening he offered her a painkiller and water. He must have prepared it before when he went for the first aid kit. She took it willingly.

"Here, take this so you don't have to wear yours with the blood stains." He offered her his t-shirt. It was even more intimate gesture than she thought something could be. She put it on and leaned into him.

"If I don't leave now I will probably fall asleep." She warned him.

"You don't have to go." He offered, playing with her hair. He actually liked it when she let her hair down.

"I know." She said back. And right then her phone started to buzz. Groaning she reached for it. It was Maya.

She picked up and Sullivan stayed silent so she could talk to her friend.

"No, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. – Yes, I'm okay. – You don't have to. – Okay okay. Yeah. I'll see you, bye."

She put down the phone and looked at him apologetically. And without saying anything he knew she was leaving.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"No, you won't. You're staying at home tomorrow so you don't tear your stitches." He told her and she wanted to argue at first but then gave up. Watching him looking at her with worry in his eyes she decided to let it go for this once. She could do that for him.

"Will you call me?"

"Absolutely, yes. And if you're okay I might take you out for a real dinner, what do you say?" He tried.

She leaned up and kissed him. "Well I don't know if anything can compete with your cooking." She said then and he just chuckled.

Neither said another word and with one last kiss she was gone as Maya was picking her up in front of the apartment.