I really didn't want to continue this story but upon your reviews and PMs my head just wouldn't stop thinking and with the amazing usual brainstorming with teres-i…. eh here we go. Not sure about how many chapters I'll write or where this is going exactly but you know I'm a shipper all the way, right?

In the morning Sullivan came to 19 and almost entered the wrong office. Old habits die hard obviously. He knew that his promotion was the most logical step in his situation but he missed the old office where he could watch everyone come and go, be close to the reception and garage, where he could just ran out and join his people on calls.

But that was the problem, wasn't it? He couldn't be coming on calls with them now. He couldn't very well run out to the garage. He couldn't be there with them because that would put them in danger and he didn't want that at all. With a heavy sigh he walked to his new office. The Chief offered him office near his but Sullivan refused. It was a bit masochistic but he couldn't make himself leave that building. He remembered how Ripley told him that 19 was closest to his heart, even before he fell in love with Hughes. He loved 19 and the unique atmosphere it had. He felt good there and Sullivan did too. So he didn't leave even thought it would probably have been wiser for him.

He went to change, glad he could keep his locker there among others from the crew of 19. And as he got used to getting at least coffee with his people, he walked into the beanery to get some. He had already eaten in the morning so all he needed was coffee. Only Montgomery was there.

"Morning, Sir."

"Montgomery." Sullivan nodded at him with a polite smile. Going to the coffee pot he poured himself a cup and noticed how Montgomery nervously kept on glancing in his direction.

"Just spit it out, Montgomery." Sullivan said, turned to face him and waited. Montgomery got up and came closer to him.

"Sir it's about Herrera." Montgomery said. "I don't think she'll be coming in today."

"Well she asked for a day off so I'm not surprised." Sullivan replied.

"She did?"

"Yeah, she did. Yesterday before she left." Sullivan told him. "She still at your place?" He asked and noticed how Montgomery looked relieved then. "Gibson told me." He clarified.

"Yes, she was asleep in the morning and I didn't want to wake her."

"Good. She needs to get some sleep." Sullivan said and with a small nod he left speechless Montgomery standing in the beanery.

When he woke up in the morning he had to remind himself where he was. When he wanted to leave Pruitt's place the older man told him no.

"If you think you're driving…" Pruitt warned him.

"No, I'll walk or take a taxi." Sullivan tried to argue.

"Well, this isn't the most comfortable couch in the world but it will do for tonight. I'll get you a pillow and blanket." Pruitt told him and left the living room, not giving Sullivan room to argue. It was true that they had quite a lot to drink and he was tired as hell, both mentally and physically but he didn't really think he would sleep on Captain Herrera's couch.

When Pruitt came back he put a blanket and a spare pillow on the couch and also handed Sullivan a towel.

"Think you can find a way to the bathroom?" Pruitt asked him and Sullivan just chuckled.

"Yes, Sir." He said and Pruitt smile at him.

"Good night."

"Night."

And Pruitt left. Sullivan waited till Pruitt was done in the bathroom and went there himself. It was so strange to be there but after the kind of talk they had through the evening he would accept everything.

Not only that now he knew Pruitt's secret, he also knew his. And not just about his medical condition but also about his feelings for Andy. Pruitt was truly shaken from what happened to Tanner and Sullivan could tell it changed the man. He saw things differently. Sullivan was surprised when Pruitt told him about his condition and about the guilt he felt over Tanner's death but he was even more surprised when he asked him to keep an eye on Andy, to look out for her and be there for her.

And there was a part of him that felt both amazing and horrible when Pruitt told him he thought Andy loved him too. Well Sullivan kind of knew that. She told him, she said she had fallen in love with him. She tried to give him all the options and should his leg be okay he would jump right in, ask for transfer and be with her. But he knew he couldn't.

It took him a long time to set it straight in his head. It was so difficult to live knowing he would cause her pain, he would hurt her and make her feel betrayed. But he really believed it was for her own good. And now, trying to sleep on her father's couch he had to admit that he was an idiot. Under different circumstances he would have put her name in for the promotion. And it was not a favor. He believed it should have been her. Or Gibson but as he didn't want it…

He was worried about her and now knowing how hard her life would be he had to admit that he was tempted to say screw it and just go to her, beg for forgiveness and try to explain everything. Not that it would make much difference. She was stubborn and right now she was hurting so much it made her numb to everything. She was in a very dark place and even thought he wanted to follow her there and drag her back to a better one, he knew he couldn't.

He didn't get much sleep that night and was up very early in the morning so he at least made breakfast. Pruitt was surprised to see him up so early and even more to see the breakfast ready. They ate in silence, everything that was there to be said had already been said the night before. After breakfast Sullivan left and Pruitt thought back to everything they talked about.

He was surprised to hear Sullivan admit that he was scared of his feelings for Andy. He was so wrong about that man. But he was not wrong when he told Ripley he would be the best to replace him as Captain of 19. The team needed him and he needed the team. He knew it and hoped it would work out. And it did. True, he didn't think that Sullivan and his daughter would develop this kind of bond though. It was a surprise to him.

When he thought they just had a fling and now couldn't work together, he was mad and he said some really bad things to both of them. He still had to apologize to Andy. Thinking her Captain took advantage of her was driving him crazy, especially given the fact that he had brought him in. But now he knew that things weren't so black and white as he thought.

Sullivan was a very private man and despite that he tried to open up to the crew of 19. Pruitt knew he would join them for food occasionally now, he knew he tried to go for drinks with them from time to time, he knew he joined them on calls instead of hiding in his office. He knew how he supported Warren and how he helped to get Montgomery out of jail. He saw the lengths he went into to help Hughes after Ripley died. And thinking back he also saw the way he was looking at Andrea.

It was kind of funny to realize that a man like Sullivan was in love like a teenager. He fell for Andrea and it caught him off guard. And hear him admit that it was for the first time ever since losing his wife caught Pruitt off guard. He could understand him so well it was scary. Truth, he was not the type of man he would pick for Andrea but if he stopped and tried to look at it objectively he could tell those two were good for each other. They challenged each other and made each other better, stronger and also more vulnerable but in a good way.

He should be mad at Sullivan for how he hurt his little girl but knowing his reasons and all the circumstances he really couldn't. That man was willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of woman he loved and Pruitt knew how rare that was. He was also an idiot not to treat his leg and risk everything because of it but honestly? Being in his shoes he doubted he would tell anyone and have the surgery. No, he would try to minimize the damage and keep it quiet.

Well one thing was for sure. He had to make it right with his daughter. Sullivan was right about her in this. She would want to know, she needed to know, she needed the time with her dad and she needed to hear it from him. So his plan for this day was pretty clear. He would give her time to catch up on some sleep at Montgomery's place and then he would call and take her out and spend some time with her. Hopefully she'd let him apologize at least.

When Sullivan told him she was staying with Montgomery he was grateful. He knew there was some tension and friction between her and Bishop so… well Montgomery was a good firefighter and he had a gentle soul. So he knew he would take care of Andrea as far as she would let him.

Back at the station Sullivan told them about recommending Bishop for the promotion. Their looks told him too much about their opinion. They were surprised. So the damage to Andy's reputation had already been done. They all thought he would promote her and surely not just from professional reasons. Damn the rumors! So now maybe they would cease when there was Bishop to be promoted instead of Andy. Nobody had to know that he was ready to promote her.

Dixon came after lunch to confirm that it had been approved. So Sullivan gave Bishop her knew insignia and told her he would watch her closely. He also told her that should she need anything, he'd be there. He just hoped she would take that information and put it into good use. She wasn't his first choice but as he had said months ago, she had potential. He thought about promoting her at line-up but knowing the crew had their reservation about this he did it in his office, just the two of them. The team already knew it would happen so it was the lesser evil for the crew.

Maya still had to take some tests and lectures but those were only formalities.

Sullivan watched the crew go when they were called to a car crash and was grateful for the solitude. He had a lot to think about and it was nothing pretty.

Andy woke up late. It was already past lunch-time. She was confused till she realized she was at Montgomery's place. It slowly came back to her. Sullivan promoted Maya. And she felt so drained she just wanted to sleep. Montgomery took her to his place and she obviously had fallen asleep. Getting up she found a note from him on the fridge and a spare key.

Sitting down on the couch she didn't know what to do. Everything just fell apart and she simply didn't know what to do. Nothing felt right and she was lost. Taking Travis' advice she took a shower, he was sweet to tell her to make herself at home if she needed it. She opted for coffee and toast as she didn't feel all that well. It wasn't much but she couldn't really eat more.

Thinking back to her previous day she wasn't sure about what exactly happened. Ryan was dead. She snapped at her Captain, well Battalion Chief and he let it slip and allowed her to work. She heard from Jack that Maya got her head chewed off because of letting her go on that call. One part of her thought that maybe Sullivan cared about her and was worried but she silenced it. She didn't need any false hopes.

Coming back to the Station she felt exhausted by everything that happened. Ryan's face kept on coming back to her as he said he loved her. It kept on coming back. They talked about Sullivan and she had no idea Ryan … he came back for her, because of her. He came back to be with her and instead of that he died knowing she loved someone else, someone who pushed her away and she still loved him. He pushed her out of the way and got shot. He died in front of her, he died and she had his blood all over hands and clothes. He died. He just died. She buried him and her soul with him. She was empty. She didn't realize how much she missed him till he was back and they had that one day together and that was it. It was so cruel and so unfair!

She thought she would cry more but it seemed there were no tears left. She was so empty, so dull. She was running on autopilot and had no idea about how to function better. She just couldn't. He died.

Finding her phone she turned on the sound but forgot all about it so when it started to ring she got startled. She checked the caller ID and it was her father. She wasn't sure she wanted to talk to him but answered the call anyway.

"Hi dad." She said.

"Andrea." He replied and didn't give her a chance to hang up on him – which he couldn't and wouldn't hold against her after the way he treated her the past weeks. "Do you have any plans for the evening?" He asked her.

"What?"

"Well I was thinking we could spend some time together, take a walk, have dinner and Alejandro's or something. What do you think?" He tried.

"I don't know dad I'm…."

"I know. Off duty today so you can find time for your old father, right?" He said and knew it was a low blow. He heard her sigh.

"All right, okay." She agreed, still hesitating.

Pruitt told her when and where to meet him and she promised she would be there. She was actually glad she took her travel bag along yesterday as she had spare clothes in there and didn't have to go home. She couldn't walk past that police line, she couldn't face the damn door. Everything would rush back and she didn't have the strength to fight it.

She had a nice quiet time at Montgomery's. She left him a note and left when it was time to meet her dad. She didn't know what he wanted to talk about but she didn't care anymore. He could be mean, he could yell, he could call her names. She would just take it and accept it. What else was there to be done? Sullivan made his choice. She was a fool to think he actually cared about her. And now he promoted Maya, he silenced all those loud voices gossiping about her sleeping her way up.

Andy walked to the park her father mentioned and he arrived right after her. Not giving her a chance to retreat he kissed her cheek and greeted her warmly.

"Hi dad." She said surprised a bit.

Pruitt knew it would be difficult to find his way back to his daughter but he was determined to try. Maybe he would succeed. And maybe it would give Sullivan one more reason to do something about his leg. He had to be careful not to break his trust. He had a secret to keep for now and he would.

"So?" Andy asked him as she didn't know what to do.

"Walk with me." He said and without waiting for her permission, he pulled her arm through his so she was walking closely next to him.

"Dad, what's going on?" She wanted to know as she didn't like this. It was too suspicious.

"I just thought a nice walk could do us both some good." Pruitt told her.

"Okay…" Andy agreed, unsure about where this was going. "Except we don't go for casual walks anymore, remember?" She sounded a bit hurt but it passed too quickly.

"And I'm sorry about that." Pruitt said. "Te extraňo hija." Pruitt said then and she stayed silent. So they just kept on walking slowly as he was gathering up the courage to tell her what he needed her to know. He also took the time to watch her closely.

She buried it all deep and was running on empty. No matter if she was 9 or 29, she was still the lost girl who had her world turned upside down.

"I wanted to apologize." Pruitt said then carefully.

"What for?" Andy wanted to know.

"The way I treated you."

"You mean when you told me I crap where I eat?" She asked and truly hated that phrase. Especially as they made fun of it with Ryan. It hurt even more than it did before.

"Yes, for that too." Pruit answered and Andy was so shocked she stopped walking. There was a bench nearby so Pruitt took her there and made her sit down.

"I should have believed you." He told her and Andy didn't know what to say.

"But you didn't."She replied.

"No. No, I didn't. And I am sorry, Andrea. I am sorry about what I said and I am sorry I didn't believe your word." He tried to approach it as best as he could knowing his stubborn daughter wouldn't make it easy for him.

"So now you believe me?"

"I believe you." He assured her and thought it would be the end of discussion but he was wrong.

"Why? What changed?" She wanted to know.

"I had time to think about it."

"Dad." She warned him.

"I talked to Sullivan also." He admitted and she couldn't believe it.

"What did you do, dad?" Andy asked all worried. So maybe there was more to Maya's promotion. Maybe her dad pissed her commanding officer off.

"Nothing, I just talked to him."

"So you believe him but not me?" Andy asked and that question hurt even without having an answer.

"No, nothing like that. I just had time to think and I wanted to apologize."

"Dad…" Andy warned him again.

"Can you please forgive me, Andrea?" He asked then and despite her best efforts she nodded yes after a moment.

"I can." She said and Pruitt visibly relaxed. "In time." She added.

"I can live with that." He told her and knew the hardest part was lying ahead of him.

"I need to tell you something." Pruitt said then and Andy was worried. What news did he have?

"I'm listening." She answered.

"I… I've got cancer, Andrea." Pruitt said softly and Andy seemed confused. "It's already spread and I… I'm dying, hija." Pruitt added and Andy just kept on watching him. She didn't react at all.

"No." Andy refused to accept it. "No, you're not." She argued back.

"I am. I have about six months, maybe a year." He said. She looked devastated.

"What do you mean.?"

"I mean I'm on paid meds and under all the control from Grey Sloan."

"What about chemo?" Andy asked and that was the moment Pruitt was afraid of. Well, time to be brave.

"I'm not getting a chemo." He said and watched her for reaction. Nothing. Well, there was that. "It just makes me sicker."

"Could it help?" Andy asked, her voice breaking but there were no tears in her eyes.

"It could slow it down a bit but there are no guarantees."

"Dad…" She said sadly, worriedly.

And Pruitt the only thing that made sense. He hugged her close to him and held her as this time she let him and after couple of long agonizing moments she hugged him back.