"19 line up" Sullivan yelled from the catwalk and watched as the entire team quickly lined up. He walked down the stairs and stood in front of them, watching every one of them, but letting his eyes linger on Andy.

"It has come to my attention that there are rumors going around this station, which have originated from A shift, isn't that right Hughes?" Sullivan said walking up and down the line of firefighters in front of him.

"oh, umm Yes sir" Hughes said before getting nudged by Montgomery

"And what are those rumors Miller?" Sullivan said as he stopped directly in front of Miller

"That there is something between…you and Herrera and you benched her because she broke your heart or you broke her heart. And that you would promote her because you owe her." Miller said trying his best not to make eye contact with his boss

"And Bishop, who began these rumors?" Sullivan continued

Bishop swallowed the lump in her throat before croaking out, "I did, sir." This response caused Andy to finally look up. Her eyes went between Sullivan and Bishop.

"W…What?" Andy managed to say as her eyes began to well with tears

"I…I…" was all Maya managed to stutter out

"What were you trying to accomplish, Maya?" Montgomery finally spoke up

"I... I don't really know…I" Maya started

"You knew exactly what you were doing" Gibson finally said, "You moved me and Andy around like pawns so you could become captain. You've only been a lieutenant for 3 months, Andy has been one for a year, and me for two years. You played around with my feelings and my PTSD and then you start spreading rumors about you "Best Friend" and her boss, to do what tarnish her record? Blackmail our chief into promoting you? You're sick Maya, you need help," Jack finished he was fuming, no one said a word for a while.

Sullivan finally decided to speak up, "When Andy is promoted, it will not be because I owe her a favor, but because she is capable and ready for the job. It would be because she if a great firefighter, and because she has the trust of the team." He said looking at each and every one of them. "Bishop, you came to me and told me that you were the best candidate for the promotion, a Captain needs to be someone who is trusted by the team, someone the team can rely on. Because of what you have done not only have you taken yourself out of the running for captain, you have lost my trust, the trust of your team, and most importantly the trust of your best friend." He looked directly at Bishop pointing his finger at Andy. "my plan was to announce the new caption but I think I will save that for next shift. Dismissed, Herrera, Gibson my office."

The rest of the team walked away leaving Bishop standing there shock and upset with herself. Andy just looked at her in disbelief before walking behind the boys.

"Gibson come in; Herrera just wait here for a minute." Sullivan said opening the door to his office, Andy just gave him a soft smile. She was hurt, he could see it, Jack could see it, even Andy knew it. All she wanted to do was cur up in bed but she couldn't, she was still in the running for captain, she had to be a leader.

"Sir, I'm sorry if I was out of line during line up. I'm just so tired of Bishop using myself and using Andy just so she could get ahead…," He was rambling when Sullivan cut him off.

"It's okay Jack, I appreciate it actually. I'm sure it's more than obvious by now, but I care about Andy, probably a lot more than I let on. I don't want her to get hurt and If I started speaking, I probably would've said something bad and…," he let out a sigh, he was now sitting in his chair with his hand rubbing his forehead.

"You love her…" Gibson said matter-of-factly.

"What?" Sullivan said, he was taken aback by his lieutenants' comment.

"You love her. The way you talk about protecting her is the same way I used to talk about her when her and I were together. Sir, you love her, you want to protect her, and I get it, I was you." Gibson said

Sullivan was silent, he looked like he was thinking.

"Sorry Sir, but what was it you wanted to talk to me about, I have some chores to do before shift begins."

"Right sorry, I just have a question actually. Why should I make you Captain of 19?" Sullivan sat straight in his chair; he was in Battalion Chief mode.

After a long pause Jack looked up at his boss and said, "You shouldn't."

"What?" Sullivan asked confused

"I said you shouldn't. I'm not ready. I've been a firefighter long enough to know that I am not mentally ready to become a Captain, especially not a captain to the house where my closest friends are. I'm still dealing with my PTSD I see Dr. Lewis three times a week, and I'm making progress but I am not fully healed. I cannot guarantee that I won't get triggered on a call and put the lives of my crew at risk. I thank you for the opportunity but I believe that we both know the right person for the job, and it isn't me. If that's all sir, can I go," Gibson asked eager for Andy to hear that she was getting promoted.

"You can go, Gibson"

"You're turn Herrera" Jack said with a smile

Andy walked into Sullivan's office, finding it hard to make eye contact, she was embarrassed. She confided in her best friend and she went and sullied both her name and Sullivan's, and she couldn't help but feel responsible. Sullivan didn't speak at first, he got her some water closed the blinds and locked the door.

"I'm sorry" she managed to say after a long period of silence.

"For what?" Sullivan asked opting to sit in the chair next to her rather than in the one behind his desk.

"I confided in Maya after you explained why we couldn't be together and she went and told everyone and sullied your name." she said looking up finally at the man sitting in front of her.

"You have nothing to apologize for. If I was honest with you about my leg from the start you wouldn't have had to confide in her. If anything, this is my fault." Sullivan said grabbing ahold of Andy's hand. After what happened after the wildfire Andy finally gave Sullivan the chance to explain himself. She forgave him and vowed to be there for him every step of the way. She went with him to physical therapy, to doctor's appointments, even to AA meetings. She was even with him when he had the surgery. He was happy that she was by his side through it all.

Andy looked at him and smiled.

"Well I guess this may not be the best time to do this, seeing we just went through all that, but Gibson helped me realize something today." Sullivan stated, which earned a very confused look from Andy.

"Andy, I know a lot has happened. We started out as enemies and I mean look how far we've come. You've stuck by my side through everything, and I appreciate it so much. It means the world to me. It has taken me a long time to muster the courage to tell you this because I was scared. Scared of what you might say or do. Scared that I would be forgetting about Claire, I was scared to love again Andy, but you taught me how. I love you, and you mean the absolute world to me. I want to get to know you better, I want to get closer to you, and maybe someday become more than friends." When Sullivan said the last part, he looked deep into Andy's eyes looking for any signs of anger or doubt or anything that signaled she didn't want that, but the only thing he say was joy, and love. It didn't take long for Andy to lunge forward and crash her lips into his making for a soft yet passionate kiss, filled with love.

"I would love nothing more, Robert. I've loved you for so long." She said kissing him again.

"Well now that the personal stuff is out of the way, it's time for business." He said standing up and going to sit in his desk chair. This was Andy's que; she now knew that she would be talking to Battalion Chief Sullivan now and not Robert. She sat up straight in her chair.

"Chief, you wanted to see me?" she asked and say a small smirk begin to grow on his lips before he caught himself

"Yes, Lieutenant. As you know Lieutenant Bishop has had some behavioral issues which have resulted in her being removed from the running for Captain of 19. That left yourself and Lieutenant Gibson. Just before you came in, I had a meeting with Gibson and after that meeting I have come to a decision. I would like to let you know that I will be recommending you to be the next Captain of Station 19." He said and watched the smile on her face grow with every word, this only made him break and smile with her. "Well that is only if you don't have any reservations," He continued

"Are you kidding me, Robert…I mean Chief, of course I accept." She said smiling from ear to ear. This was the first time in a really long time he saw her smile so wide. He was happy that he did something to cause that reaction. "Can I please talk to Robert right now" Andy said with her puppy dog eyes she knew he couldn't resist.

"Yes Andy?" Robert said

"I just got promoted to Captain!" She said doing her famous happy dance that he knew all so well.

"I'm so proud of you" He said walking over to her and pulling her into a hug. "You deserve it more than anyone." He whispered into her ear placing a soft kiss on the side of her neck. She reached for his face and pulled him down into a long passionate kiss, one so passionate it left them breathing heavily.

"How about I take you to dinner tonight to celebrate" Robert said his arms still wrapped around her waist and hers around his neck.

"Pick me up at 8?" Andy said before placing another quick kiss on his lips

"I'll be there" He said letting her go and walking back around to his desk.