Andy used to be certain that she was her dogs favorite person. After all, she was the one who carried Ember out of a burning building, nursed her back to health, and then adopted her. She'd fallen in love with the pitbull looking mutt with a dopey smile.

Then, Robert Sullivan wormed his way into her life and made Andy fall in love with him (okay, 'made her' is a strong term but it certainly wasn't on purpose). Andy wasn't the only Herrera girl solidly in love with Sullivan, Ember was as well. When Robert slept over, which was most nights, Ember would always fall asleep at his feet. In the mornings she'd wake Robert up with kisses until he brought her outside. And it seemed like Ember wasn't just trying to make Robert love her more, but she was determined to let all of 19 know about it.

1.

If there was anything Maya knew about her best friends dog, it was that Ember didn't listen anyone who wasn't Andy. When Andy wasn't around, she'd listen to Pruitt. Other than that, the best bet was some treats and putting a leash on her. Ember was loving, always up for snuggles and kisses, she just didn't enjoy anyone but her mother telling her what to do.

So, when Andy asked Maya to watch the reception desk for 20 minutes while she ran out to grab coffee, she also ended up with Ember. Praying that nobody would walk through the doors.

God, it seemed, was in a mood. Because someone failed to mention that a local class was coming in for a tour. Maya scrambled for a leash as Ember barked and jumped around the 7 year olds.

"Ember, come," Sullivan barked out from his office, "Down. Stay." And she actually listened. She ran to Sullivan and laid by his desk, panting happily. Maya passed the tour off to Vic and returned to the desk, looking in Sullivan's office every once in a while. Maybe Ember just really liked Sullivan? He did have an authoritative voice.

When Andy walked in a few minutes later, bag of donuts and tray of coffee in hand, Ember once again started running around and jumping on her mother.

"Ember! Get over here." Sullivan came to the door and again to Maya's shock, Ember went to his side and sat. Sullivan pet her head and Ember leaned into his leg.

Maya watched as Andy handed Sullivan his coffee and oh...my...god she was doing that hip thing. She popped out her hip at him. Just a little bit but Maya was familiar with her best friends techniques and she was getting laid by Sullivan. Her best friend was having sex with their chief.

When Sullivan finally went back into his office Maya faced Andy and sipped her coffee.

"What's with the face?" Andy asked, oblivious.

"Nothing. Just, if you wanted to come over tonight Carina and I are making homemade pasta. You could bring Sullivan." She looked over the lid of her coffee and watched Andy's face contort as she tried to keep it under wraps.

"How'd you figure it out?" Andy finally gave it up, a smile creeping onto her face.

"Ember. She actually listened to him."

2.

Miller's margaritas were dangerous. So dangerous that Travis somehow woke up in his own bed, but apparently left his phone at Andy's house? Thankfully he'd Ubered that night (how did he call an Uber to get back home without his phone) and still had his car and keys. He started the drive to Andy's condo, hoping she was awake so he could grab his phone and maybe convince her to make him waffles. After a short drive he pulled into the driveway and got out of his car.

He knocked on the door and heard nothing. Tried to open it and it was locked. He was about to consider it a lost cause when he heard barking and then, a scream. Heart racing he ran to the backyard, already imagining the worst scenario. He didn't know if what he actually saw was better or worse.

His captain, Robert Sullivan, had Travis' friend and lieutenant Andy Herrera in his arms and he was spinning her around, with Ember bouncing around at their feet. The scream was joyous laughter, and Travis watched with his mouth open as he saw two of the most serious people he knew being the most free he'd ever seen.

"Uh. Hi." Ember turned her head at Travis' voice and ran towards him, head butting his leg and licking his hand.

"Montgomery." Sullivan let Andy down, his hand still on her hip.

"I'm just, I'm going to grab my phone. Then i'll leave. Nice to see you, chief." Travis turned on his heel and walked inside, still speechless.

"Trav, I can explain." Andy ran in after him.

"I'm not sure I want to know. Is it just sex?" He still didn't think he wanted to know.

"No. It's not. I- I think I'm in love with him. And he feels the same way." That was unexpected. And...good? Maybe good?

"Who else knows?"

"Bishop. You." Andy looked nervous, which she never was. Travis reached out and took her hand.

"It's out secret. I promise. If he hurts you I'll kick his ass." Andy squeezed Travis' hand in silent thanks. He grabbed his phone, kissed her cheek, and left, leaving the two of them to their quiet day.

3.

When Tuck visited the station one day and talked about wanting to pick up odd jobs to have some extra cash, Andy offered to let him dog sit. She had a soft spot for Warrens son, and she felt bad leaving Ember with her father all the time. Having Tuck stop by to walk and feed Ember when she was on shift would be a life saver.

Tuck was sweet as can be, and despite Andy telling him to not worry about what the condo looked like, he often found himself cleaning up. With both his parents being in demanding professions he knew how hard it was to keep things in order, so it was no bother to switch laundry or empty the dishwasher while waiting for Ember to finish her dinner.

Ben loved seeing his son take on this responsibility, and it took the pressure off Miranda and him to actually get a dog.

"Dad, I didn't know Andy lived in Montana." Tuck remarked one day.

"I didn't know that either..." Ben furrowed his brow.

"Ember grabbed a Montana sweatshirt today and was running around with it for like 20 minutes until I was able to get it back from her. It was for a Montana fire department."

Now Ben was pretty sure Andy had only ever served as a fire fighter in Seattle, but there was one person he knew who did work in Montana. A smile came over his face as he started to put puzzle pieces together. Smiles, small touches, energy shifts. It was reminiscent of all the times at GSM an attending fell in love with a resident.

"Next time you see Andy you should ask her about it." Just because he was fine with the captain and Herrera dating didn't mean he couldn't have fun with it.

4.

Much like the diner, the dog park had become a haven for Lucas and Vic. It was far away from anyone they knew, and had all the puppies that Vic could want to cuddle. While they were walking through the grass Vic saw a familiar mutt running up to her, a tennis hall in her mouth.

"Ember? What are you doing here pup?" Vic knelt down, scratching between Embers ears while the puppy panted excitedly.

"Eggy, if Ember is here doesn't that mean..." He trailed off and Vic lifted her eyes, expecting to see Andy and try to talk her into keeping quiet. What she wasn't expecting was to see Andy and their Captain, hand in hand, looking just as shocked as Vic and Lucas did.

Ember, oblivious to the tension, bounced around between the four humans, giving them kisses and rolling in the grass.

The park became their spot. On days when all four of them were off, they'd pack a picnic and bring Ember to the park. Sometimes just Robert and Luke would take her there for a walk. They were like the illicit couples club, and they had a mutt as their mascot.

5.

After what may have been the longest shift ever, Dean and Jack decided that a visit to their favorite brunch spot was in order. It was further away from the station and the houseboat than they usually ventured but the waffles were to die for and after a night wherein everyone and their mother decided they needed the fire station, the boys thought they deserved it. The waitress sat them near a window, and Jack did some people watching while waiting for the food to arrive.

"Hey, Miller, is that...is that Captain Sullivan?" Jack squinted across the street to try and confirm what he thought. Sullivan hadn't been on shift last night, but honestly nobody ever thought of what Sullivan's life looked like outside the station.

"Yeah it looks like it, but I didn't know he had a dog?" Dean adjusted in his seat, craning his neck.

"That's Ember. Holy shit that dog is Ember." Jack and Dean both pressed closer, and looked in awe upon the dog they had both come to know as Andy's sidekick.

"Maybe Pruitt couldn't watch her last night so Sullivan offered?" They watched as Sullivan came to a stop outside a little cafe across the street. He conversed quickly with a waitress and then sat at a table outside. Then, Dean kicked Jack under the table, at a loss for words. Walking down the street towards the cafe was Andy Herrera, wearing her street clothes and a smile.

Jack, still trying to rationalize this, assumed that the smile was for Ember and Ember alone. He was, once again, incorrect. Upon reaching the table Sullivan stood and looped an arm behind Andy's back, pulling her body against his. Andy chased his lips with her own, and they stood without a care in the world, Ember jumping at their feet.

"Holy shit."

"Holy shit."

Message from: Jack Gibson

To: Maya Bishop, Travis Montgomery, Dean Miller, Victoria Hughes, and Ben Warren

JG: dean and i just saw herrera and sullivan together

DM: making out

JG: tongue was involved

TM: wait, the two of you didn't know?

JG: YOU DID?

VH: i knew

BW: same

TM: me too

MB: yep.

DM: y'all suck.

Message from: Andy Herrera

To: S19 A-Team

AH: so apparently everyone knows...surprise?

RS: We'd appreciate your discretion in this matter as Andy and I discuss how to best move forward, but I can assure you this does not affect how I run the station.

VH: so serious, i thought you getting laid regularly would loosen you up

VH: sorry that was kinda inappropriate

MB: we'll keep this quiet.

TM: does this mean we can call you lieutenant sullivan? or have an actual wedding as a do-over?

DM: you're MARRIED?

TM: whoops

AH: surprise? again? dinner at my place tonight, free booze, we'll talk there.