"Life is about to change. Sometimes it's painful. Sometimes it's beautiful. But most of the time is both. So don't let the past define you. Get out of your comfort zone and start enjoying the things life brings your way."

"Line up!" was echoing through the station.

First day as captain. Her dream came true. She finally earned her spot.

"Captain Andrea Herrera." She repeated to herself for the millionth time. As it will disappear if she doesn't repeat it. She needed to pinch herself a couple of times just so she would remind herself this is happening.

Andy took a deep breath and entered the station. The station she was working for almost 8 years. Being captain at 28 is a big deal. A young woman, a Latina who made her dreams come true is a big deal. She was inspiration for younger generations. To chase their dreams and never give up. Her dad resigned a few month due to his illness and that was an opportunity that she wouldn't or couldn't miss.

Andy decided there is no time to mess around. No time to play. She needed to act mature. Take this seriously and it worked. Fire chief made her captain.

Today felt different. Bittersweet too. She was their boss now. She would lie if the thought of loosing her friends over a title wasn't on her mind.
Andy was a overthinker. And she definitely didn't want to lose her friends, her family just because she is captain now. Deep down she knew that won't happen but still she really hoped the atmosphere in the station won't change.

Stranding in front of now her office, her hand shakes a little bit as she was opening the door.
After placing her duffel bag in her bunk she sat at her desk and spins in her chair a few times.

"The feeling is good, isn't it?" Pruitt said standing at the door frame.

"Sure it is!" Andy said getting up.

Pruitt took out a box and opened. He brought his bugles to gave it to her.

"Is that yours?"

"Now they are yours." He said putting them on her collar.

Her eyes got teary as she touched her bugles. They shared a hug and went to the barn where the chief Ripley waited for them to join the rest of the team.

"Happy first day as captain, Herrera!" Ripley said as they shake hands.

Even he was a chief, he was their friend. He even hang out a few times with them when he was acting captain before Andy became one.

"I'm glad everyone is here so I can make it official. We all know who is the next captain of Station 19 so I wanted to go a step further to make this station even better than it already is. So I make the decision to station a battalion chief here. He is coming in a few days but I wanted all of you to know in advance."

"Who could it be?" Travis whispered to Vic.

Vic just shrugged not knowing anything.

"C'mon you are dating the chief you probably know." Travis hits her playfully in the arm.

"Montgomery, dare to share?" Ripley asked.

Vic just gave him a look.

"Actually yes. Do we know who will be our battalion chief?"

"I'll introduce him when he comes. He left Seattle a long time ago so I doubt it. He used to teach at the academy when he was a lieutenant.
I gotta go so see you all in a few days!" Ripley said and went out.

The whole day the crew where discussed who might come to their station.

"Knock, knock!" Vic said entering the office.

"Hey!" Andy said looking up.

The whole day she was stuck with the paperwork and didn't have any free time to hang with the team.

"Hi! I know you are busy but Maya and I thought and we decided that 3 of us are going out tomorrow night!" Vic said standing at the door frame.

"Decided, huh?" Andy cracked a smile.

Vic throw her hand in the air. Smiling lightly.

"Fine. I couldn't say no anyway."

"Yaas!" Vic turned to go but then came back peeking behind the door.

"Maybe Luke will join us later."

"Viiiiic!" Andy shouted but Vic stormed to the beanery so she doesn't have to explain herself.

The shift was pretty quiet. A few calls that went smoothly with no victims. First day as captain went well and Andy was satisfied. Heading home she stopped at her dad house to tell him about the shift and to have breakfast with him.

"Soo, do you know who is the battalion chief?" Andy asked as they finished their breakfast.

"I do and you don't know him." He said without sharing any additional info.

"Not helpful, dad. I want to prepare myself that's why I'm asking. I need to leave a good first impression and I need info." She looked annoyed.

"You'll do great. Just be yourself." Pruitt said with zero interest to share more info.

He knew who is coming but he won't give Andy luxury of getting the info just because she is his daughter.

"Fine." She said annoyed and little after that she left. She needed rest and sleep more than anything now.

The phone ring brought her back from her sleep.

"What?!" She said half asleep.

"You are still sleeping?!" Vic said from the other side.

"Not anymore."

"Get up it's 5 pm. We are going out tonight."

"Are we going out at 6?"

"No but we are starting drinking early!" Vic said enthusiastic.

"Ugh, what did I do to deserve this torture today."

"Don't be a drama queen and get up. We are coming over." Vic said and hang up.

Andy sighed and put her sheet over her head in annoyance.
After a little while a constant bell woke her up and she jumped from the bed.

Half asleep she opened the door to see Vic and Maya with bags and very cherfull faces.

Still in her pj's with messy hair she rolled her eyes and let them in.

"You fell asleep after our talk?"

"As you can see!"

Maya puts the food they brought to eat. If they are going to drink tonight they need proper food.

"I see you are not annoyed anymore. Food helped I assume."

"Very funny, Vic. Very funny." Andy gave her a look.

After messing around they got ready and headed to their favorite bar.

They were regulars here and everyone knew them. Perfect place for drinks and dance. Three of them dressed in dresses.

After a few shoots they were enough drunk to relax. So it was a payback time for Andy.

"So Vic where is your boo?"

"He said he will come..."

"We've been here for 2 hours. Is he planning to come when they close or..." Andy said with a grin.

"Go and get us more shoots and stop teasing me..."

Andy got up and went to get the drinks. Ripley came in with a mysterious guy by his side and immediately spotted Vic and Maya.

"Hello! So this is Robert. My friend." Ripley introduced him to the girls.

Andy stayed by the bar longer than usual. Talking with a bartender. So Robert said he's going to get them the drinks.

As soon as he approached the bar Andy's eyes laid down on him.

"Seeing something you like?" Robert said with a grin and his deep voice.

Andy didn't say anything, she just stood there.
The tall mysterious guy with navy shirt and jeans left Andy speechless.

The bartender called Andy a few times and she came back from her thoughts.

"Omg, I'm sorry. Hi and goodbye."

She took the drinks and ran towards the table. Seconds later she saw that mysterious guy approaching their table.

"Why is he coming here?" She whispered to Maya.

"He is..." but before she could finish he was sitting next to Andy.

"Hi again. I'm Robert." He said turning to Andy and extended his hand.

"Again? You never said 'Hi' before." Andy gave him a look.

In conclusion she was nervous as hell. And when she is nervous she can't quite control what she is saying.

"Robert, this is Andy. Don't mind her non sense talking." Maya introduces Andy to Robert.

"Andy, be nice. He is Ripley's friend." Vic added.

Andy didn't say anything just took a shot and got up and said she is going dancing.

What was actually going on is that she needed to get out of the awkward situation. The rest of the squad kept chatting and from time to time Robert laid eyes on Andy. She danced salsa with some guy and Robert felt jealous.

How he can felt jealous and he just met a girl. But something was pushing him towards her. He wanted to get up and take her from that guy but he didn't know if that is what he should do.
He decided he can have this night and tomorrow be her boss plus he saw a few guys approached her and decided to take another shot and went there.
He came behind her, both guys backed off as he came.
He took her hand and he turned her around to face him.

"I thought you might need someone who actually know how to dance." He said proudly.

"Oh. And what made you think you know how to dance?"

"You'll see."

They started dancing and soon enough Andy saw that he actually know how to dance. Most of the people stop dancing and started watching them. They were so into it that they didn't notice everyone looked at them.

This dance, this night, this man made Andy felt something she never felt before. The electricity, the sensation...

It was too good to be true. Something has to be off, she thought. After good amount of time they came back to the others.

"Herrera, that was very good." Ripley said.

Ripley decided not to tell them that Robert is going to be their battalion chief. He deserved his first night back to be relaxed and fun.

"Well, being a dancer my whole life. Thank you very much." She smiled.

Both Maya and Vic looked at her.

"Whaat?!"

"What got into you tonight?!" Vic asked.

"I don't know." She sat and made a sad face.

Both Robert and Ripley weren't at the table so the girls had some alone time.

"His dance moves are wow. I never danced with someone that is that good, except my dance partners. He is... I don't know. Different in every aspect."

"Did someone maybe fell in love a little bit?" Maya teased and nudged Andy playfully.

Andy blushed immediately and cover her face with her hands.

"Something is wrong with him. I have a gut feeling." She said while covering her face.

"Enjoy while you can. What's wrong with that?" Maya asked.

"I'll get attached and get hurt." Andy said.

"I can't just enjoyed it. It's not an ice cream and I'm a person with feelings, Maya."

The guys came back so they stopped talking.

"So Herrera..." Robert started as he sat across her.

"What do you do for a living?"

"All 3 of us are firefighters." She said proudly.

Robert just gave Lucas a look that he knew very well what it meant.

"And you?" Andy asked.

"I guess we all are." He winked.

"I knew it there is something wrong." Andy blurted.

"Huh?" Robert was confused.

Lucas already wanted to escape in that second.

"You are our battalion chief!" Vic said looking at Lucas.

"Told ya, I had a gut feeling." Andy looked at Maya.

"Herrera, Herrera...
You just had to ask, didn't you?"

"Of course I had to, and you... if we can be relaxed in front of our fire chief and trust me it took us months to get used to it." Andy looked at Lucas.

"We can be relaxed and friendly in front of our soon-to-be battalion chief, as well." Andy looked at Robert and smiled.

"As long as he is okay with it. We don't mix pleasure with job." Andy chuckled.

"Perfectly fine with me. I want to be your friend first then chief." Robert nodded in agreement.

The whole night Robert and Andy kept exchanging looks and smiles. They both saw something in each other and they just couldn't stop observing one another.

"You like him, huh?" Vic asked as they were all back at her apartment.

"He is interesting. I can't lie. Mysterious in some ways. Fascinating even." Abdy throws herself on the couch and kept looking at the ceiling remembering their dance earlier.

"His dance moves... I never danced with someone like him. It's like he knows how woman moves. He can read it so well."

"Okay, okay. You have to remember he is our boss." Maya said.

"Yeah right. Like Vic cared about that when she started dating Lucas." Andy gave Maya a look.

"Fair point." Maya chuckled.

Next shift

The morning started relaxed and easy. Andy arrived 30 minutes earlier and managed to make herself a coffee before everyone busted and started with their breakfast.

She needed some peace and quiet.

"You know even captain needs breakfast." Familiar voice startled her from her thoughts.

"Oh God, you scared me."

"Sorry, wasn't my intention. So breakfast..." Robert looked at her waiting for the answer.

"Yes about that. I eat cereals."

"What?! That's not food!" He widened his eyes.

"Can I make you something?"

"We are at work. Remember we don't mix pleasure with job." She winked.

"Technically shift doesn't start for another 30 minutes, so we have time. The other coming earlier or..."

"Nope." And she sat at the kitchen island.

"Okay, you need to help me find all the stuff I need."

"Tell me what and I'll tell you where it is." She smiled and placed her hands in her head observing him.

Robert made her breakfast and they ate together sitting next to each other by the kitchen island. Enjoying each other company.

"So tell me..."

Robert turned to her.

"Where did you learn to dance like that?"

"It won't be fair if I tell all of my secrets immediately." He winked.

"Maybe next time I'll tell you."

"Who said there will be next time?"

"Oh trust me there will be!"

At his words Andy started blushing so she got up to take a glass of water.

"So since you won't tell your secrets can I know at least what kind of boss are you? Cranky, strict, demanding?"

"No need to answer it now. You answer it yourself." He smiled.

"Really? I don't have that impression?"

"We don't mix pleasure with job, remember!" He got up and turned smiling and left.

Andy stayed at the kitchen island a few more minutes. Trying to stop smiling and put her captain face on.

She left before others came.

"Knock, knock!" Vic said entering the office.

"Vic! He made me breakfast! A breakfast!" Andy said spinning in her chair.

"Oh wow. He likes you too."

"Not helpful. He just started working here I have to make an impression."

"I think that's settled." She chuckled and left.

"Line up in 2!" Andy shouted.

Everyone ran towards the barn. It was time to introduce the new battalion chief.

"Everyone welcome to the station our new battalion chief. Robert Sullivan." She looked at him.

"Or hers." Vic whispered to Maya and they both chuckled.

Andy completely ignored their little giggles because she knew what they were doing.

After the introduction Sullivan gave them a speech about his habits and the way he expects station to be. His deep voice and serious face everyone gave chills.

"Knock, knock!" Andy said entering his office.

"Yes?" He turned and seeing her his face light up but she saw he was annoyed.

"I can come back!" Andy started to walk backwards.

"No, no. No need. Sorry. It's just... ugh." He sat and scratched back of his head.

"Something happened?" She looked concerned.

"Nah, not worth mentioning and ruining perfect start of the day."

"Okay. So..."

He looked at her and she immediately forgot why she came.

"Uhm, just came to say everyone got scared of you and... Yes, right. I came to ask you if you will join us for lunch."

"If you are cooking... I might consider it."

"I'm not but I'll be eating it."

He chuckled what made Andy uncomfortable a little.

"Sorry. Yes I'll join. I need to get to know the rest of the team."

Andy nodded and left as soon as she could.
She felt she started blushing and more embarrassment wasn't necessary.

The morning was quiet no major calls so everyone was in the beanery helping with a lunch. Andy said to them to prepare something nice as a welcome for the chief.

"You comin'?" Robert asked as he stood in front of Andy's office.

"Yeah, yeah. Just need to finish something." Andy said not looking at him.

So he entered and got to her side of the desk.

"Can I help?"

But since Andy didn't see him coming this close she again startled.

"Am I that scary?"

"Huh?"

"This is the second time you startled today when I spoke." He said with a little bit of sadness is his voice.

"I didn't."

She blushed immediately.

"Aha, right." He chuckled.

"Anyway, finished for today." Andy said and turn to get up but Robert stood in the same position like before, preventing Andy to get up.

Their faces got so close, their noses almost touching. But Andy completely ignore it.

"We're late." She said instead and got away from Robert passing under his arm.

"You are trouble." He said following her.

"I think you are." Andy said turning to him and winking.

Ladder 19, AidCar 19 car accident.

"Can I join?" Sullivan asked jumping in the driver seat next to Andy.

"I never heard that Batt. Chief ever drove a ladder but I guess there is a first time for everything."

"Exactly, Herrera."

The car accident was bad. Lot of injured but thankfully no dead. Andy had to show herself. First day with new chief and she wanted to make an impression. Hopefully a good one. Sullivan saw that she was a little bit nervous but he let it go because he knew she wanted to make a good impression.

Coming back from the call, they took off their gears and everyone left to the showers. Sullivan waited for everyone to leave so he could catch Andy to tell her that she did a good job. He knew it will meant to her to hear that from him. But she never went to showers so he went back to the barn to find her.

She was standing on the side of the ladder. Arms resting at the lower part of it and she was taking deep breaths trying to calm herself. He approached really slow and quiet. Robert didn't want to scare her again by just starting to talk to her. He sat nest to her and waited for her to see him. When he saw she saw him he just gave her a comforting look and nodded.

"You did good today. Everything went smooth. Congrats!"

"It's easy for you to say it. I almost passed out there. It was my first big call since I became captain and that has its heaviness, you know."

He just looked at her and nodded. By his look she knew he understands.

" Thank you. It means a lot to hear that from you, tho. Now I know I definitely did a good job." She cracked a smile and left.

One month later.

"I see you adjusted just right." Ripley said as he entered Sullivan's office.

Robert throws his hands in the air and with a big smile said.

"What can I say. I'm easy lovable man."

"Yeah, yeah. Right!"

"Did you maybe try harder this time because of someone speacial." Ripley started mocking.

"Maybe."

As Lucas mentioned Andy, Robert's face immediately lit up.

"I like her a lot and I feel so at ease when I'm with her. With her it was easier to adjust."

He smiled thinking of how for the last month they spent a lot of time together diring shifts but either one of them never went a step forward.

"I can't stop wondering if she is scared to go further or she sees me just like a boss and a friend. I wanted to ask her out but she seems distant the second I tried something."

"Look, I'll just say take it easy and be patient."

Confusion was evident on Robert's face.

"I can't tell you anything else if she didn't mention anything."

"Did you solve the problem on your end?"

"Nope. It's taking so long and I'm losing my patience."

Ripley left confused Robert to have something to think about for the rest of the day.

What was Ripley talked about? What happened to her? Who hurt her?

All those things were running through his mind he didn't see someone entered his office.

"What... what do you need from me now?" He got up immediately frustrated.

As he said it Vic stormed into the office.

"Chief, we need you right now. It's Andy."

As he heard 'Andy' he left his office in seconds.

"Where are you going? We need to talk!" The person said.

"I'm done talking to you! Just give me those papers!" Robert said running towards the barn.