It was a hard day for all. They lost their chief, their friend and a fiancè. The whole team decided to head to Joe's bar for a drink. To celebrate and remember their chief. Vic decided to go home, which was expected, and Travis went to be with her.
- I can't imagine how Vic feels. Andy stated as her and Maya sat by the bar.
- I won't be in her skin right now. Maya replied taking a sip from her cup.
- I will sign now to never experience this. Andy said taking a sip.
- But Andy... you kind of already experienced it. Maya said looking at her then at Sullivan who was sitting by the table with Dean, Jack and some others from SFD.
- Wha... that's not the same! Andy was quick to answer Maya.
- It's not? Maya's eyes were wide open with a question mark all over her face.
Andy ran her hand over her face, tucking her hair behind her ears. Something she used to do to do when she is nervous.
- Andy you visited him every day after or before shift while he was in rehab. And holding hands in the hospital this afternoon? C'mon is so obvious. Everyone saw it!
- Everyone? Is that obvious? Panic was all over Andy's face now.
- Mhm. Maya took another sip.
- I don't know what to say, honestly. He is sending mixed feelings and I'm afraid.
- Andy freaking Herrera is afraid?! Maya said it that loud causing everyone to turn to look at her.
- Quiet! Andy said blushing, covering her face.
- You very well know that and if I feel something towards him it just can't happen. It's against like a million rules.
- So you will just pretend that there is nothing there! C'mon Andy everyone deserves to be happy.
- Right. Look at Vic. Look what happen to her and she was so happy.
- Don't be such a pessimist. You already had near death experience.
- Ha-ha funny. You are funny! Andy said getting up.
She saw Robert went outside, probably to catch some fresh air. So she went to see how he is doing.
- I won't ask how are you... Andy started as she joined him on the bench he was sitting on.
She just put her arm on his back, caressing it lightly. Robert kept his head in his hands, looking down the floor. Tears forming in his eyes.
Andy never saw him crying and he did everything to fight his tears but failed.
- It's okay to cry, Robert. It's okay to let it go. All of it. That's totally normal. Andy tried to encourage him.
Robert sniffed, wiped his tears and looked at her with his red puffy eyes.
- We didn't have time to go and get that beer. We started to renew our friendship and now he is gone. The universe is punishing me.
Andy kept caressing his back, giving him comfort.
- The only advice I can give you is that with time it gets easier. The pain will always be present but you will learn to live with it.
- Thanks! Thank you for being here! Truly it means so much to me!
After the funeral Sullivan took 2 days off and everyone was surprised by that action.
- I can't believe Captain Fire Grinch has feelings. Jack said while they were eating breakfast.
- Don't be an ass, Gibson. He lost his friend. Andy said jumping from her seat annoyed.
She put her bowl in the sink and left the beanery.
- She went all protective mode and he has been an ass to her ever since he came to the station. Jack stated.
- People change, Jack. Maya said following Andy to check on her.
Andy was heading out when Maya catches her.
- You okay?
- I am. He is just so annoying. She throw her hands in the air out of frustration.
- You going to swing by his house? Maya decided to be direct.
Andy just nodded and left.
Parking in front of his house behind his car suddenly she got nervous. "I'm just checking on a friend. Why am I suddenly so nervous?" Andy kept asking herself.
She got to the door and knocked.
He opened. He was in his pj's.
- Hey! I just came by to check on you. How are you holding up?
Robert didn't say anything he just moved and motioned to her to get in which she accepted.
Andy got in and put some groceries that she bought for him on the kitchen counter. She knew what he likes since she done this after the AidCar accident multiple times. She basically knew his kitchen and where everything is.
- You ate? Breakfast? She asked as she pulled out a box of pastries they used to eat when he was recovering.
He smiled at her seeing the box and nodded no in response.
Andy put everything on the plate and made them coffee and they sat to eat breakfast. No one spoke during the breakfast time but it wasn't awkward, it was nice.
- Thank you for everything. I really needed this. He smiled at her.
Back to Maya's apartment, she waited for Andy to come back so she can bombard her with the questions.
- So? Maya jumped in front of Andy as she entered the house.
- Gosh, Maya you scared me! Andy just passed next to her not bothered to answer her question.
- He is sad but those pastries helped so I guess he is a little bit better now. I won't share details it's too personal, now back off. Let's go and see how Vic is doing.
Maya throw her hands in the air and backed off.
Sullivan was back. He was in his office buried in paper work when he heard a light knock. He knew it's Andy.
- Come in! He said with his stern voice.
- Hey stranger! Andy popped her head.
He motioned her to get in and she did.
- I send you a few texts, you never replayed. Andy said sitting in the chair in front of him.
- Sorry I just needed some space. He said in cold voice.
- Oh, okay. Andy got a little bit offended and got up ready to leave.
- Hey, hey! Where are you going?
- I'm giving you space.
- I didn't...
Andy stormed outside slamming the door.
- ...mean from you. But she never heard last part.
Andy went to find Maya, she needed to vent. She found her in the gym.
- I really don't get him. I tried. I really did. She started rambling.
- I was there for him when he didn't have anyone to take care of him, I thought we were friends. You don't need space from your only friend. Right?!
- Andy?! Maya shouted.
- What happened?
- He told me he needs space so I just stormed outside.
- Andy... his friends just died and you make this about you.
- That's your fault. You said things the other night and now it is in my head that he is in love with me and now I can't stop thinking about that.
- Give him time, be patient.
- Fine. She got annoyed again and went to do some chores to stop thinking about Sullivan.
The blinds of his office was shut the whole shift. They had one call and that was the only time he went outside of his office and still he was distant. Even tho they were in the same truck he just stared outside the window.
A few shifts passed and the situation was the same. Andy was annoyed with him and he was distant.
After LA wildfires and once again they ended up having near death experience, this time in the pool. That moment when he cupped her face to keep her from getting out of the pool until it's safe even more messed things up in her head.
On the way back to Seattle she decided to come clean to him. She couldn't keep it inside of her anymore. But it didn't go as planned. She kissed him and he kissed her back but when she went to lock the door and when she came back he told her to go.
For 2 weeks he ignored her as much as possible. She was angry and hurt she couldn't look at him. He benched her for insubordination, Ryan died and when she needed her friend the most he was no where to be found. On top of that he promoted Maya to the captain position while she was out.
After a week she was back to work and she wanted to clear the air between them. She couldn't function anymore. She was so angry and hurt. "Did he do all of it just to hurt me more so I can hate him even more. Is it possible to hate him more than I already do?" she kept thinking while she was going to his office. She needed to talk to him, to look him in the eyes and try to get some answers.
- Cap...Chief, can we... can we talk? She got nervous and he motioned her to get in his office.
Sullivan sat in his chair waiting for her to start.
- Go on. I'm listening.
Hearing him being so cold she started to have doubts to even mentioned anything,
- Forget it. I changed my mind. She turned around and left. Tears forming in her eyes.
"Fuck. what is wrong with you man?" he kept running his hand over his face. He was angry with himself. He keep pushing her away. He was scared to reveal his feelings, he was afraid to let anyone in. The only time he is happy it's when he was with her but now he really outdid himself by hurting her so much.
The feelings are there. Strong as they can be but he was scared. He was alone for 15 years, he forgot how to deal with it so he pushed her away.
After finishing everything Robert decided to swing by her apartment to try to make her talk to him.
Andy was watching TV when she heard knock on the door. She was home alone and Maya had a key so she was confused who it was.
She saw from peephole that it was him and anger and nervousness were back instantly. She was debating for a few seconds should she opened the door or not.
- Andy I know you are in there. Your car is outside.
- Fuck! Andy whispered realizing she can't avoid this.
Andy took a deep breath and open the door.
- I'm an ass.
- You are.
- I'm sorry. Uhm can we... talk, please? You came to my office and wanted to tell me something. Can we start over?
- I'm not in the mood right now.
She tried to close the door but he blocked it with his foot.
- Please Andy?
- Fine. She rolled her eyes.
- Close the door behind you. She went to sit back on the couch.
He sat on the chair and star fidgeting with his leg. Andy decided to play cool and cold just like he was with her before.
- Okay, I'm listening. Go on.
- Copying me I see. He tried to joke bit Andy didn't having it.
- I know I've been distant and very bad friend. But there is a reason why I have been like that. I've been pushing it aside for a long time. Thinking it will go away eventually. I was... I'm scared. But it never went away it just got stronger. He took a deep breath before continuing.
- Andy, I can't be your friend anymore.
Her eyes got widened. She straightened her on the couch and Robert sat next to her.
- I don't know what will happen after today but I just can't live like this anymore. We can't be friends anymore because I don't see you as my friend. I have feelings for you. Strong ones that are keeping me awake at night. I pushed you away because I'm scared. I'm scared of all things that can go wrong, of all the things you don't know about me.
Andy got up starting to pace around the living room. She knew feelings were mutual and he finally spoke about it. It was real. He was actually there in her living room saying he is in love with her.
- You told me to go, practically kicked me out of your office. I thought you wanted me. I'm deeply hurt, Sullivan. When I needed you the most you vanished. I desperately needed a friend but not any friend I needed you. I was there for you when you got hurt, I was there when your friend died. I was... there. Her voice broke, she started crying.
Robert got up and got close to her but she pushed him away. He didn't let that discourage him so he forcefully hugged her and eventually she stopped trying to push him away. He was stronger, Andy never got a chance.
Robert kept hugging her until she calmed down. He kept caressing her back to calm her and it was working. Andy let all go. She kept things inside of her for so long and she got to her breaking point.
- I'm sorry. I'm the worst friend.
He whispered to her ear when she calmed down. But she didn't say anything she just hugged him even tighter. She desperately needed her safe place. He was her safe place. The only person who could make things better just being present.
- I'm still mad at you. Andy finally spoke after she broke the hug.
- I will do anything to make up to you. I know it will take a while but I'm here now.
- Why did you tell me to go? That hurts the most. And... and now you are telling me you have feelings for me. I just don't get it. I'm confused.
Robert took her hand and they sat on the couch.
- That's the one thing you don't know about me. I hurt my leg when we were running from the fire. I kicked that damn door and when we were back my leg decided to stiff at the worst time. I didn't want you to go. Gosh, he smiled remembering how bad he wanted her, I wanted you so bad, still do but I just didn't know what to say to you in that moment. Saying you to go was at that time the only reasonable choice.
Surprise and shock took over Andy's face. She was left speechless. She couldn't formed the sentence.
- The other thing you don't know is that I think I'm starting to have a problem with pain killers. I need to stop before it goes further and I become an addict. Robert let out a breath he was holding while he was letting everything out.
- Robert... for God sake why are you doing this to yourself?
- I didn't come here today to ask you for your help because that would be selfish after everything I did to you. I just needed to come clean so you know my reasons and eventually, hopefully you will forgive me for being the worst person ever. Now he started rambling.
- Robert... stop talking. She lifted his head so he can look her in the eyes.
Andy cupped his face with her tiny hands and placed a kiss on his lips.
- I'm here. She rested her forehead on his.
- I won't repeat your mistake and let you be alone again. She stated.
- I don't deserve you. He kissed her back.
- One more thing.
- There is more?
- You have to know that you were my choice for the captain position, your dad got into my head and messed with it even more and I listened to him.
- I know he did and I know why you did it. But I have to tell you he was wrong. So wrong.
- I know that now. I wish I could take back time and do things very differently. All of it.
Andy saw in his eyes that he deeply regretting everything he did.
- I'll forgive you but I need some time to sort things in my head.
- I totally get it. Robert got up taking his jacket.
- Where do you think you are going?
- To give you space to sort things out. You need it. I'm just a text away if and when you need me.
No matter how bad she wanted him to stay he was right. Sleeping with him was not a good idea right now. They said their goodbyes and shared a long kiss on the door like two teenagers.
In the morning Andy was getting ready for the shift. This time it was different. She was smiling, she was happy. Maya observed everything from a distance but Andy ignored her completely and left the apartment not bothered to say 'good morning' at least.
She got the station and looked on the parking lot but Robert wasn't there yet. She went to change and headed to the beanery to get something to eat.
- Someone is in good mood today. Travis stated as he entered the beanery seeing Andy singing quietly.
- I really am. She smiled at him when Robert entered and she blushed instantly.
She was quickly to go sit by the table and bury her face in he bowl praying no one saw her blushing.
- Morning 19. Sullivan said and everyone greeted, except Andy.
- You still mad at him? Jack teased.
- Non of your business, Gibson. Now I lost my appetite. She got up and left the beanery.
Robert followed her every step and after a few seconds he went after her.
He found her in the locker room trying to calm down. He slowly approach her looking around so nobody will see them.
- Hey... he hugged her from behind.
- What's wrong? He whispered.
Andy didn't say a word she just leaned her head on his chests and took a deep breath.
- I'll tell you later, if I tell you now I will get more frustrated and you just calmed me down.
- Okay, you know where to find me. He kissed her neck and left before anyone can see them.
The whole shift Andy was on edge. Even little things annoyed her and she just wanted to be somewhere quiet where no one will be present except Robert. Finally night came and she could lock herself in her bunk and enjoying some peaceful time. She was half asleep when her phone chimed.
From Robert:
" You up?"
To Robert:
"Kinda. What are you still doing at the station?"
From Robert:
"Come to my office."
It didn't take her long to as quiet as possible to sneak into his office. She slowly closed the door and locked them and then hurry to sit in his lap and never leave that spot.
Robert waited her with his arms open and hugged her tight once she sat in his lap. Placing kisses on her cheeks and lips.
Andy kept caressing back of his head but Robert noticed that she drifted away.
- What about you come to my place tomorrow? Robert asked trying to get her attention.
- Huh? Andy turned to look at him.
- We are off tomorrow so we can spend time together. Come whenever you want. He gave her quick kiss on the lips and Andy got up and left.
- You knew?! Andy said shouting after she stormed into his apartment.
- And you didn't think to mention something? She started pacing around throwing hands in the air.
Robert was sitting on the couch when she stormed inside.
- Not my place to tell anything. He is your dad, Andy. I told him that he has to tell you but I can't teach him what to do. He got up to get closer to her but she then sat on the couch.
- So you knew? All this time you knew?
- Yes Andy I knew. She just got up and stormed outside and drove away.
Robert didn't know what to do. He didn't want to go after her. there wasn't a point doing that. He sat back on the couch and waited. Waited for her to cool off and call or text or come back. Andy didn't have a place to go to or better say a person to go to. The only person she wanted to go was Robert and she just yelled at him. Deep down she knew it wasn't his place to tell her anything but still she felt betrayed. Again.
"Maybe this is universe telling me that we can't function together. Maybe we are bad for each other. He hurt me so much, he did some unforgettable things. Maybe we are not for each other." She kept thinking while she was driving who knows where. It's started to rain. It turned to a heavy rain really quick. Her phone was going off every second. Robert kept calling her but she didn't want to pick up. She turned around and decided to come back to his place. The whole time she was driving she was crying not able to stop.
Andy finally came in front of his apartment. It was hard to get it since rain never stop but she was there safe and sound with over 10 missed calls from him and more than 5 messages. Running from her car to his door she was soaking wet but this time she decided to knock not to just storm inside.
Hearing the knock on the door the worst scenarios crossed Robert's mind. He was praying it was her at the door not some people saying that something happened to her. He opened the door and there she was. Soaking wet trying not to shake so much.
- Thank God. A huge burden fell of his chests.
- I'm tired. I'm tired of fighting you, Maya, my dad. I lost everyone. Everyone abandoned me. I got into the car and realize I have no place to go. I don't have place where I feel safe and loved. I don't have place to call my home anymore. I know you and me, this, is against like a million rules but I just can't live another day without you in my life. No matter how deeply you hurt me in the past I have to leave that there, in the past because it's just that. I know you always thought about me while all of this was happening. I know it's not your place to tell me about his cancer, I know he got into your head and convince you not to promote you. It's what he does, my whole life he did that. I'm sick of people deciding what is best for me without actually asking me. So please I just want us to be honest with each other no matter what. I need one person, just one to be on my side and have my back. To love me and to be my safe place. Can you be that person?
Andy finished her speech shaking out of cold and crying at the same time. Robert just hugged her tight trying to warm her.
- Of course I can be that person. I always wanted to be that person. I'm that person. He whispered to her ear while hugging her.
They kept hugging each other a few minutes but Andy couldn't stop shaking so Robert got her upstairs and she went to shower to warm up and Robert went to her car to get her bag with her stuff.
- I hope you won't mind I took one of yours shirts I found in your closet. Andy said shyly trying to cover her legs.
- And why are you covering your legs? Are you shy? Robert asked seductively taking her hands in his.
They interlaced their fingers and kept looking each other deeply into their eyes.
- I want to do something so badly. Robert whispered.
- I think I know what it is but feel free to do it. Andy said biting her bottom lip.
So Robert kissed her neck right under her left ear. Then he kissed the same spot on the opposite side which made Andy giggle.
- I'm allowed to do more things? He whispered on her ear which made shivers go down her spine.
- Mhm.
This was the only thing she managed to mumble.
Robert then got his hands under her shirt and grabbed her waist to pull her closer to him. Andy managed to take off his shirt and runs hands over his torso.
She puts her arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss him. He immediately lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Robert slowly put her on the bed never breaking the kiss.
- Let's warm you up a little bit more. Robert whispered to her ear which sends butterflies to her stomach.
He got down and slowly lifted his shirt she was wearing and sucked one and the other nipple. He continued to place wet kisses all the way down to her sensitive spot. Andy couldn't control her moans. Robert kissed her inner thighs and then came back to her most sensitive spot. Within' a few seconds Andy's body started shaking again but this time out of pleasure. He sent her over the edge.
Robert got up and took off his pants and boxers not waiting a second he inserted himself in her which caught Andy off guard and just caused her to moan even louder than before.
- Sorry I just couldn't wait. He whispered while he kept thrusting in and out fast.
- Just keep going I'm close. She said out of breath.
With two more moves Andy got another orgasm but this one was followed by Robert's so they both enjoyed their climaxes together. They were so thirsty for each other that there wasn't time to play or to keep it slow.
For the first time in her life she was making love to the man she was crazy in love. He wasn't just a sex buddy, he was someone she will love forever.
Robert rolled off of her and pulled her closer to him kissing her forehead. Andy wrapped arms around his bare torso and adjusted her head on his chests.
- This was wow! She whispered half asleep.
- It really was! He answered playing with her hair.
They soon drifted to sleep in each others arms. Not bothered by outside world. Being in their bubble was their safest place.
She needed him as much as he needed her. They complete each other in the way Andy thought it wasn't possible.
Robert finally had his girl and Andy finally had her man.