Happy Surrera Countdown! Here is my contribution for Feb 15th... it's 9:06pm PST so we're still on the day :) 8 days left to go? Thank you all for still being a part of this fandom even though the show continues to give us no reason to hang on. Hopefully we turn a corner in 6B. - Enjoy the fic, Ash!

"What do you say?" Andy inquired. "One spin around the dance floor for old times sake?" She was staring up into warm chestnut eyes that rarely failed to bring a smile to her face.

Robert replied simply, "You know I..."

Interrupting, Andy finished his sentence for him. "...hate dancing in public."

His full lips curled up slightly. He wasn't a big goer outer and for most of their relationship, they hadn't been able to anyway because of the pandemic, but when Andy did finally get to drag Robert to a salsa social he'd enjoyed it. It wasn't weird or uncomfortable for him because everyone was actually focused on dancing versus people watching, but this was different.

They were bantering a little now. "Not all public places..." he followed up. "But some."

Andy sighed and knew she was going to have to up her ask. Head tilted to the side, eyes-wide and pleading softly, lips just slightly pouty. Robert had never been able to resist this look when they were together... she was fairly certain it would still work now.

"Come on, I need one quality dance before the night is over and Eli... has two left feet." Andy leaned in a bit closer and caught a hint of his Tom Ford cologne. It always was the perfect blend of warmth and spice. She resisted inhaling the familiar scent deeply. Fluttering her lashes lightly. "Please."

"You are not playing fair." Robert responded by taking in the look she'd learned made even his strongest resolve melt. And as if it were completely out of his control, he took Andy's hand and led her to the dance floor.

The SFD fundraising gala was in full swing. All trading their turnouts for tuxedos and formal wear. With post COVID budget cuts across the department and concerns that the city budget was continuously shrinking it seemed everyone was being asked to do more with less. And while the firefighters themselves weren't ones to smooze and play politics, they were all willing to come out and support a good cause if it meant more job security.

They made it to the dance floor mid Bruno Mars and it took almost no time for them to fall into step as Uptown Funk came through the speakers. They exchanged laughs and smiles as they got lost in the beat of the music.

"Admit it," Andy said. "You're enjoying yourself already." She wouldn't come right out and say she was right, but she'd poke the bear a little.

Robert knew it would have been impossible to hide his grin so he didn't even attempt to, but he certainly wouldn't admit to anything. "I plead the fifth."

They both chuckled a little bit as the song faded. When Michael Buble's soulful voice poured in through the sound system next, they moved seamlessly into each other's arms and started a slow sway to the music.

His height made surveying the crowd easy, but what he wasn't expecting when he did something so normal was, catching Eli's gaze. It hadn't occurred to him that dancing with his ex-wife would send any problematic signals, but something in his gut said the other man wasn't pleased.

Breaking eye contact, he looked down to Andy and with no preamble said, "He's British."

Andy looked up and smiled. They hadn't talked much about her new relationship, if you could even call it that. She and Eli had been on several dates, they were enjoying each other's company, but it wasn't serious in her book.

Thinking for a moment, she replied. "He's nice. It's simple and uncomplicated."

Silence hung in the air between them for a moment. "Not like us, huh." Robert tried to make the statement with lightheartedness, but the look in Andy's eyes when he found them said his tone missed the mark on humor.

When their eyes connected a swirl of mixed emotions danced between them.

"At this point I'm pretty sure that "complicated" is the Andy Herrera special so I don't know if we ever could have been anything but that." Her tone was self deprecating and filled with an emotion Robert didn't know how to name, but was sure he didn't like it.

"I don't know about all that...life kept bringing us impossible crap to deal with," he shook his head.

The odds had been against them from the moment they kissed in the barn. From his leg to Pruitt's cancer, Ryan's death and eventually Pruitt dying... not to mention the drugs, her mom coming back and the demotion. They never got a break. Never got a real chance at happiness in his opinion.

"True, but my string of failed relationships, our marriage included, is pretty solid evidence that I'm a complicated person to be with," this time Andy didn't sound so down on herself, but matter of fact.

Robert thought for a moment, before speaking. He was debating whether or not his simple admission would rock the delicate balance they'd created. It had been amazing that once the anger and frustration on both their ends had dissolved through personal work and time… the love, chemistry and connection hadn't been difficult to find. The curious part now was allowing their relationship to take the shape of platonic, loving friendship and not fiery, passionate, romantic love.

He felt this was one of those moments though where the lines should be blurred. Tilting Andy's chin up, Robert held her gaze firmly and lovingly. "No. You are easy to love, Andy." He shook his head lightly. "It was everything else that was...complicado." He dragged out that final word in Spanish.

There was so much more he wanted to say or could say but figured it best to just leave it at that.

Andy had to look away. Something about his words and the truth she felt behind them was both weighty and exposing. It was like he could read through to her deepest insecurities and know exactly the reassurance she needed to hear. His words felt like the kind of comfort you find wrapped in your favorite blanket holding a mug of tea on a chilly winter day.

The energy between them shifting left Andy feeling unsure how to respond so she paused. With their bodies continuing to sway to the mid tempo melody, she finally murmured, "You can't say things like that."

"Why?" Robert asked. It was rhetorical. He knew the reasons, knew why this kind of talk was leading them into dangerous territory. "Friends tell each other things."

There was mischief in his voice that bordered on flirtation. He wasn't intentionally trying to stir anything up between them, but for the moment he also wasn't doing that thing they'd been doing for the past year where they pretend the chemistry between them was non-existent.

Once the dust had settled after the divorce, Andy had returned to 19 and they'd just figured it out day by day. Slowly but surely it got easier to see each other, talk and remember why they had connected in the first place.

Andy shook her head lightly as she made eye contact. "Because I'm seeing someone and... you're pretending not to see someone."

Confusion furrowed in his brow. "What are..." Robert's voice trailed off slightly as he took in Andy's disapproving glare.

If they hadn't been dancing her hands surely would have been on her hips. For now the hard eye roll would have to do.

"We both know, whatever is going on with Chief Ross isn't "just friends." Pinning him with a firm look, Andy waited for his response.

Breathing deeply and exhaling, Robert replied. "I'm sorry I lied. I trust you with my stuff…"

And despite everything, that statement felt true. He'd also felt bad about it as soon as it happened and all the little white lies she'd been telling to the team to protect him had only made it worse.

"You wanted to protect her career. That's what you do." Andy's voice was gentle and the small smile on her face was reassuring.

His omission caused her expression to transform almost instantly. Offering him understanding and compassion over judgment showed just how much therapy was helping her.

Robert felt grateful that she hadn't taken him to task or called him a hypocrite. There was a time when she no doubt would have.

"Thank you for understanding," Robert said. "That means… a lot, coming from you."

"You've extended a lot of grace to me." Andy said with a small lift of her shoulders. "The least I could do is return the favor. Besides, we are all imperfect people and inevitably will do things with good intentions that end up not being the right call."

"Yeah... but it is done though." Robert nodded his head. They'd formally called it off several weeks ago. "I care about her. You can't live through what we did in war without building a bond. "I thought for a while we could have had more and wanted to try, but..."

Andy grinned a little knowingly, "Oooohhh lemme guess… bad timing? Competing career goals? Life outside the sandbox a little tougher than expected? Or maybe a little childhood trauma screwing things up?"

This time they both laughed.

That about summed it up. There was something so comforting about the way they still understood each other after all this time. Despite how bumpy marriage had been for them, they really did share something sacred. A connection that went beyond general knowledge of people or human behavior and rested deep in their shared experiences.

They'd both faced so many losses in different ways that made understanding each other's pain so easy. They had similar soft spots, fears and dreams. It was almost as if fate knew they'd need each other.

Comfortable silence rested between them for a while before Robert spoke. "You know I never thought we'd get back here."

"Where's here?" Andy asked inquisitively.

Robert shrugged his shoulders a bit as he looked to find his words. "Friends." He said with a small wistful smile.

Even as he said the words he didn't fully believe them. Yes they were friends and yes technically they had moved on from marriage, but his heart had made it pretty clear they would be connected forever in some way.

Andy returned Robert's smile, but caught the DJ looking in her direction. She winked as he gave her a head nod signaling her song was finally up. She'd slipped him a twenty earlier to play a request.

When Robert heard the opening notes to the song he knew it right away. "You set me up?" he said with wide eyes. "I agree to dance with you and you set me up?"

Andy grinned shamelessly. "Whatever do you mean?"

It was Robert's turn to roll his eyes. They had filled hours during lock down dancing to this song. It was one of Andy's favorites and she insisted on making him learn choreography.

"This song..." Robert motioned to the air.

Andy tried her best to play innocent, but it was futile. "Who doesn't like Maluma?"

Robert gave her a look that said, "seriously." They both knew most people here probably didn't know who Maluma was. Looking around just slightly, that didn't stop the various couples from trying to keep up with the latin beats.

He saw the gleam in Andy's eyes and couldn't help the grin his lips curled into. "I'm not doing it." He shook his head no.

"Of course you are," Andy said laughing. "We have hours of practice with one." Robert remained silent. "It'll be fun and you have nothing to worry about. People are dancing and drinking. No one will be paying attention to you, but me."

"Dammit," Robert thought to himself. "I'm doing this." What was it about her that caused him to lose his ability to say no? Even as he asked the question internally, he knew the answer.

With that small bump in the road, they quickly fell into what was clearly a salsa choreography they'd practiced many times before. Moving effortlessly to the deep percussion beats.

Ben and Miranda at the bar…

"Never would have pegged Sullivan for a salsa dancer," Bailey sported a curious, but impressed look on her face as she sipped her glass of Zinfandel.

Ben wasn't sure what to make of what he was seeing. The complicated number was being executed perfectly, but that wasn't what had his attention. It was the two of them. Their matching smiles, the happiness that was so obvious on both of their faces and the way they moved so in sync.

"Me either." His voice trailed off when he finally replied to his wife.

Watching with growing curiosity, he thought back to an interaction he'd witnessed between them months ago. Andy was being a little weird, keeping guard at the door to the showers. He and Robert were cracking jokes and she told him he was disgusting... but the tone in her voice and the smile on both of their faces meant something different now.

"Was it possible that the two still had feelings for each other?" He mused to himself.

"I mean, I knew he had rhythm, but that…" Ben added and was quickly distracted again by a fancy move he'd never seen before. "Was that a dip? He wondered to himself.

Across the ballroom Vic and Theo were having their own conversation about the couple tearing it up on the dance floor.

Picking up his whisky neat from the high top table, Theo tried to casually point out what both he and Vic were observing.

"Is it just me or do Herrera and Sullivan look pretty damn cozy out there on the dance floor?" He took a sip and peered over the top to gauge Vic's reaction.

"Omg, no." Vic said immediately and took a sip of her glass of champagne. "They are definitely over."

She'd spent the last year getting to know Sully better and had seen a side of him most people hadn't. She could see why he and Ripley were such good friends and how Andy could grow to care about him. "Kinda sad actually," She added thoughtfully.

"Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?" Theo questioned. His tone light and humorous.

"What?" Vic asked with a slight shrug.

"Since when did Miss waiting for the next shoe to drop become a hopeless romantic." Theo teased.

They'd had a bump in their own relationship because Vic was so hyper vigilant and hadn't been really letting herself enjoy how good their relationship was. Trauma and disappointment did that to you.

Vic nudged him gently. "First of all, ew. I am far too sarcastic to be a hopeless romantic. Second of all, I'm just saying… They seemed to love each other, but life kept throwing 'em curveballs."

Theo nodded and continued the casual observation of the couple on the dance floor, "Well... maybe that's changing."

He probably viewed Andy and Sullivan differently than anyone else at Station 19. He and Andy had become fast friends when she got transferred to 23. With no one else to talk to, she opened up. He could tell that she was in a complicated place. He did his best to provide advice, but whether he openly said it or not, he could tell Andy still loved her husband. Even after a 10 month separation.

And after working a few shifts with Robert, he could see Robert still cared for Andy. They seemed to have a weird love/hate dynamic that only the most passionate couples shared and it took him by surprise when Andy actually went through with the divorce. He thought they would make it.

But looking at them now… he couldn't help but think maybe he was right.

Vic and Theo went silent as both of their minds tried to make sense of what they were seeing play out before them. Watching as Robert twirled Andy once, twice, three times. She beamed and leaned into his embrace. The joy on her face was undeniable. It was a dance out in the open, but the two of them were no doubt lost in their own world.

Could the spark that had ignited years ago be back?

They didn't talk anymore about it, but when Vic saw Eli waiting at the edge of the dance floor, an uncomfortable half smile on his face, she realized Theo was right. It seemed they were all beginning to notice the thing, Andy and Robert hadn't seemed to realize yet for themselves.

They were still in love. Poor Eli didn't stand a chance.

That last half spin left Andy's back to Robert's front, still moving in time with the music and both acutely aware of the heat coming from each other's bodies. The intimacy of the moment not lost on either of them. When Robert's husky, baritone voice brushed against the crook in her neck, Andy felt a familiar shiver run down her spine.

"How is it that we aren't married anymore, but you can still get me to do things I wouldn't do for anyone else?" He murmured the question against Andy's ear. It was rhetorical and they both knew it.

Turning her head and tilting her chin slightly, she caught Robert's eyes. Immediately her heart stuttered and breath caught. Intense longing that had been locked up tight was unfurling and the war between looking away and getting further lost in the moment raged on.

One thing was certain, what she saw in his eyes was certainly reflected in her own. "What are we doing?" Andy berated herself.

Slightly breathless, they held each other lightly and came out of their reverie as the song faded.

Head feeling light, insides feeling mushy, Andy wished she could blame the unstable feeling on champagne, but had only drank one glass so far tonight.

No. This wasn't alcohol. This was the potent, irresistible, unexplainable energy only one man in her lifetime had the ability to stir up. Still after all this time... he made her feel.

"Thanks for the dance," Andy offered just above a whisper when she found her voice.

"Any time," Robert said, running a thumb across the soft skin of the hand he held.

The heaviness of competing emotions resting deep in his gut, he took one last look and led them off the dance floor.

It had only been a dance, so why did she feel guilty Andy wondered to herself as she approached Eli. His smile was bright and eyes hopeful. He really was adorable.

"Stoppp..." she said motioning to the light hand clapping he was doing. A blush creeped onto her cheeks.

"Wow... just wow. I had no idea you could move like that?" Eli replied easily.

"You know I salsa dance." Andy shrugged her shoulders, trying to brush off the compliment and grabbed a champagne flute from a passing server. She needed something to calm her nerves.

Eli persisted. "You're amazing and seriously out of my league when it comes to dance skills."

They both chuckled.

Threading her arm through his and leading them back towards the collection of tables 19 was huddled around, she replied in an easy playful tone. "Well, I guess it's a good thing there are so many other things to like about you."

She wasn't lying. Eli was a great guy. He was smart, willing to try new things and had a quirky sense of humor that made her laugh. He was perfectly nice, but there was nice and there is…

She knew comparing the two men wasn't smart, but as much as she tried to convince her brain to stop and focus on something else. It wouldn't. Or was it her heart having a hard time. One thing was clear, what she had with Robert and what seemed to be budding with Eli didn't even come close to being on the same level.

"Thank you," Robert mumbled to the bartender after picking up the soda water with lime that had been sat down in front of him.

He took a sip and let his mind wander somewhere else. Or rather to someone else. How was it that a few trips around the dance floor and some meaningful words exchanged with Andy had opened up Pandora's Box?

It had been a long time since he'd let himself think about what ifs. They had figured out a path forward in friendship and while their connection was no doubt strong, they'd let their chemistry cool. Or so he'd thought.

It seemed obvious after tonight though, that it wasn't gone and it wasn't even buried under the surface very well. And maybe it never really was?

The thing was... that wasn't enough. Chemistry and even that unexplainable connection they shared wasn't enough for a successful relationship. He knew that... he also knew that between her therapy and his meeting and time with Richard, they had both grown a lot. They were in different places now.

Maybe things could be better? Maybe their timing might be better now?

Taking the opportunity at hand, Ross meandered over and stood next to Robert at the bar. He barely noticed her when she approached and when she followed his line of sight, he was clearly looking in the direction of his ex. Yet another confirmation that she had been right.

Unsure how much time they'd have without interruption, she didn't bother with pleasantries.

"Ya know, Sully... when you told me, all those months ago, I was the one that got away... I wanted to believe you."

Noticing the beautiful woman to his left, Robert offered a somber smile. He knew where this was going.

"Wanted to believe that somewhere after all that time, you still..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at Robert and tried to grasp for the right words.

"...but watching you and Herrera out there tonight, it's pretty clear that if any woman in your life got away, it's her. I was right to call things off."

"Tash..." Robert said with a tinge of regret. "We were good together... we could've been happy."

"We could have, but there's happy and there's… once in a lifetime kind of love. What we had doesn't compete with that." Ross replied. There was no malice or even envy in her voice. Just honesty.

"We aren't... We're friends." Robert struggled to find the best way to describe his connection to his ex for the first time in a long time. "She's moved on." He added knowing the person he was trying to convince was himself.

The inner game of tug of war at odds within. He could barely acknowledge to himself what he was feeling, he certainly wasn't going to confess it to someone else.

"Has she?" Ross glanced in the direction of Andy and Eli before patting his arm and walking away. Robert could see the awkwardness in their body language. It was subtle, but it was there.

"Tash," He called after his friend. "You're an amazing woman. You deserve a once in a lifetime kind of love, too."

She nodded in agreement. "I know," and that was the truth. She did know. That's why she couldn't settle.

Some time later…

Andy had just rounded the corner into the ladies room as Vic stepped out of the stall and began washing her hands. She had been debating whether or not to say something for the past hour and figured this might be her best shot.

"That was some show you two put on out there," Vic eased in as Andy headed into a nearby stall.

"Was it that bad?" Andy questioned through the door. "Eli couldn't find a beat if it smacked him in the face." The toilet flushed loudly behind her and when she opened the door Vic was staring her dead in the face.

Her look offered a hard eye roll and no sympathy. She knew exactly what Andy was doing.

"You and Sully, Herrera. You looked very… NOT divorced." She said each word with emphasis.

Andy washed her hands roughly and tried to ignore the look Vic was giving her. "That was nothing. We spent a lot of time dancing during the lockdown and Eli's a terrible dancer. I needed to have a little fun."

"Pretty sure Eli didn't think it was nothing. I mean, I don't even like the guy, but I'm sure he saw the sparks flying just like Theo and I did." Vic reapplied her lipstick in the mirror and watched Her friend squirm next to her.

"You're overreacting." Andy fingered loose curls. "Eli and I are fine and I am 100% not still pining away for my ex."

"If you say so, Herrera." The dismissiveness in her tone couldn't be missed which annoyed Andy.

Andy felt herself getting warm and frustrated, "I filed, remember."

And though she couldn't fully explain the sensations flowing through her, she knew at least partially that it was because she had doubts now that she hadn't started the night with.

For whatever reason, Vic didn't seem to be able to let this go. Maybe she felt a little protective of Sully after their deepening friendship or maybe she just wanted her friend to admit that clearly she still had feelings for the person she was no longer married to.

Either way, she pushed on.

"How could anyone forget… he was served in the beanery in front of all of us?" She shuddered a little remembering the look on Sully's face after hearing the words, "you've been served."

The crew hadn't been doing the best job being a family at that point. All of them caught up in their own stuff so their reactions were definitely a low point for 19. No one really did anything to support him, something she wasn't proud to admit.

"I honestly don't know how he forgave you for that," Vic added.

Andy scoffed a little, remembering the events that transpired that day. A wash of shame coasted over her. She hadn't intended for him to get the papers at work and had felt bad, but when she tried to apologize he dismissed her which of course sent her into a rage and led her to make by far one of the worst decisions she'd ever made in her life.

"Maybe he's just a better person than I am?" Andy didn't actually expect Vic to have a response to her statement and she wasn't even totally sure why she said it other than still feeling some residue of guilt about what happened next.

They both stood facing each other, hips leaning against the bathroom counter. "I'm gonna say something, then I'll drop it." Vic waited for Andy's acknowledgement.

"Why do I already feel like I don't wanna hear this?" she rolled her eyes a bit and steeled her resolve.

TW / SA referenced.

"The morning after your assault none of us really knew what to do." Vic was careful with her words not wanting to upset her friend. "Should we give you space? Talk about what happened? Try to be normal?" She shrugged her shoulders a bit. "So we just let you sit and be in the beanery. But I watched Sully. He didn't hesitate when he saw you. Instinctively he just knew what to do. He poured you a cup of coffee and sat with you."

Andy remembered this moment like it had taken place yesterday.

He cracked a joke and for a millisecond she felt a slice of normalcy. And without him needing to probe or ask her questions, she just spilled her guts. Shared exactly what was on her mind about her mom. When she was done he had the perfect response. She felt seen, heard and validated. And when she started to break, he held her.

"Now, I obviously don't know what was said, but I do know that you reached for him… when it's common to not want to be touched after…" Vic's voice trailed off, not sure how to describe what happened.

Her words weren't a question, but that didn't stop Andy from picking up where she left off. "…he made me feel safe."

Vic took a breath before continuing. "I didn't really get it before that night. How you guys ended up together, but Andy… he was so worried. I mean, we all were… but Sully acted like a man fighting to take care of the woman he loved."

Andy shook her head lightly. "Why are you telling me this now? What am I supposed to do with it?"

"You've said repeatedly that you've moved on and he's on dating apps or whatever... but I know it's completely possible to start seeing other people while someone else still has your heart." Vic offered an understanding look.

They both thought back to the call at Joe's bar where Andy was clearly nursing a broken heart and Vic was using Jackson to get over hers.

"I'm not…" Voice weak, Andy couldn't even bring herself to fully say the words because she knew Vic was right.

"I started dating Jackson while I was still very much in love with a dead man." Vic gave her friend a gentle smile. "So it's not my place to tell you what to do…but I can say what I saw. You and Sullivan both looked happier than I've seen you in two years. And you deserve to be happy…both of you."

They weren't a hugging group, but this moment seemed like it called for one. Vic leaned in and gave Andy a quick embrace before heading out of the bathroom. Andy took a breath and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Staring deep into her eyes, she knew, even if she was terrified, what she had to do.

A few hours later…

"Do you get deja vu?" Andy jokingly sang the song lyrics to herself as she rang her hands together.

Still in her formal gown hours after leaving the gala, she had finally convinced herself to get out of the car and knock on the door. Having been here before in a moment very similar to this one, not making it any easier.

The truth was, Andy felt clueless.

She hadn't rehearsed a speech or made sense of much, but she knew Vic was right. Something had happened between her and Robert tonight, really it had been happening and they just couldn't ignore it anymore. It couldn't be swept under the rug.

Robert had just thrown on a pair of sweats and t-shirt after getting out of the shower. Heading downstairs to turn the lights out and check the locks, he was startled by the knock on the door.

"I broke up with Eli..." Andy blurted out as soon as Robert appeared in the doorway. "I realized that no matter how nice he is, he could never be the right guy for me and... I don't even know why I'm telling you all this."

She ran a hand through her curls and looked away, before continuing.

"Tonight…Did you? Are you?" She couldn't fully form the question and Robert hadn't said anything. Nerves were getting the best of her. "This was clearly a bad idea. Forget I said anything or came here."

Andy pivoted on her heels and tried making a beeline down the cement walkway back to her crossover.

Shocked. Surprised. Stunned. Robert never in a million years would have expected Andy to show up there, even after what happened between them on the dance floor. When he came out of his momentary stooper he called out. "Andy, wait!"

"I'm sorry," she said. "I don't even know what I'm doing here." Andy said, frustration emanating from her.

In sock clad feet, Robert followed her down the walkway and closed the distance, "You're here because you felt it too... right?" His eyes were warm and hopeful.

Exasperated, Andy replied, " Of course I felt it." Throwing her hands up a little. "How could I not?" Shaking her head just slightly. "I sure as hell don't know what it means though. Do you?"

Robert thought for a moment and reached out his hand for her to take. "I think it means we talk." Holding her hand tightly, he turned on his heel and headed back towards his apartment with Andy following closely behind.

A few minutes later they were sitting on separate ends of the couch, comfortably facing each other. Andy had her knees tucked under her and a throw in her lap. A cup of tea Robert had made her sat on the coffee table. Neither was sure where to start.

"God… you are stunning," Robert said softly with a smile. Tonight she'd worn a deep burgundy form fitting dress. The deep v in the front was the perfect blend of sexy and tasteful. Her curls looked soft and touchable, but had been held back on one side with decorative pins.

When he caught the slight tinge of pink etching it's way onto Andy's cheek he added, "I can say that now and it's not against the friend rules."

She cracked a smile at his admission. "Well thank you…" Picking at an imaginary piece of lint on the blanket, she debated what to say. "You are handsome on a normal day… in a tux, pretty irresistible, obviously." Andy cracked a little joke seeing as how she'd landed on his doorstep.

Robert sensed her nerves and figured if she'd courageously taken the step to come here, the ball was in his court now.

"Being on the dance floor with you is the best I've felt in 2 years. It felt like coming up for air. Like I had been fighting something and I could finally relax. Like…" he searched for words that would paint a clearer picture.

"Home," Andy filled in the silence with a shaky breath.

She saw the agreement in Robert's eyes. "I don't know why or how and I can't really explain it, but being with you still feels like home."

"Yeah." Robert nodded. That is exactly what it felt like. "Andy, I didn't stop loving you when I signed the divorce papers or let you go… I just figured it would change. I would have to do it as your friend now."

Before she could stop them the words fell from Andy's lips. "I don't wanna be friends with you." Seeing Robert's face, she laughed and added. "I don't JUST wanna be friends with you… friends should definitely not be thinking the thoughts I've been thinking."

"Picturing me naked, huh?" he joked and the ice between them melted even more than it already had. Smiling and reaching for her mug of tea. Andy shook her head, her body flushing, but didn't disagree.

The grin on Robert's face is one Andy felt she wouldn't soon forget. It was perfect. It was one of the things she loved about him. He was serious a lot of the time, but he had this other side that was funny and lovable. It was hard to resist.

"I know we're tiptoeing into the pool here… but can I just say…" Andy sat her mug back down and took a breath to give herself a moment. She needed to jump.

"I'm terrified to admit that I want to be us again because maybe you'll look at me like I have two heads and tell me I'm crazy and that the feelings are just…" She was going to reduce them to sexual chemistry when Robert interrupted her.

"My heart's been yours this whole time," His declaration came out like it was the easiest most natural thing in the world to say.

She'd heard him, but was he really saying what she thought he was saying? "What?" A blend of nerves and excitement flooded Andy's insides.

Robert shifted from his end of the couch so he could cup the side of Andy's cheek and look her squarely in the eyes. "My heart has been yours this whole time." He repeated.

She leaned into the warmth of his palm, "You really..." Before Andy could let her doubts get full air time, Robert kissed her.

From the second their lips touched, he couldn't get enough. One hand threading through her luscious curls, pulling her forward, he pressed his lips firmly against Andy's and poured the feeling of every moment he'd wanted to kiss her into their embrace. He bit her bottom lip, she laughed and sucked his lip between hers. It was sexy and playful and before they both knew it they were both breathless.

Andy was a woman who had gotten used to things not going her way, so this seemed easier than it should be. It seemed like she really needed to get clear and honest, put all the cards on the table, make sure something wasn't being overlooked.

Pulling back just slightly, "I know I screwed up. You really think you can trust me enough to be with you? To let me love you?"

Robert's insides melted at the vulnerability in her words and the traces of worry that creased her brow. They mirrored his own. The hurt in their relationship had gone both ways. If they were going to reconcile and build something better, they both had to take responsibility.

He smiled softly at the woman he loved... it felt so good to admit that, even just to himself without guilt. "We both messed up. Can you trust me?"

Andy saw the same fears she was holding onto reflected in Robert's deep brown eyes. "I want to. I wanna love you and fight and work it out and grow with you instead of a part." The words rushed out of her mouth in a cascade that she couldn't stop.

"I want that too," Robert said before leaning in again for a kiss. This time it was slow, deep and reassuring.

"Ugh. this dress," Andy said as she tried to get closer and more comfortable. "It was definitely not made for sitting."

Robert pulled back, smiled and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Your go bag is in the car, right?"

A few minutes later he returned from her car with the bag she normally took to the station in hand, Andy changed into a pair of leggings and a tank and they sat snuggled on the couch talking. At some point in the wee hours of the morning, when neither of them could keep their eyes open any longer, they drifted off to sleep.

The chime for his iphone alarm pulled him from sleep and Robert did his best to move gingerly in hopes of not waking the petite woman laying across him. Clicking the stop button, he sat the device back down gently and breathed in the scent of Andy's shampoo.

For the first time in a long time, things just felt right.

To say the past 12 hours had blown his mind didn't come close to describing what had transpired between them. He wanted to stay and soak it in, but was scheduled for a meeting and coffee with Richard after.

"Your back is gonna be killing you today," Andy said with a raspy, sleepy voice. She tightened her arms around Robert's strong muscular form and relished the warmth and comfort she felt.

Robert knew she was right, but if a sore back is what he had to deal with to wake up with the woman he loved, he would take it. "Worth it," he replied simply.

"You have to get up don't you?" she asked with a tinge of sadness in her voice.

He sighed a little and rubbed Andy's back as he considered his options. Robert knew he wouldn't change his plans, but it was definitely tempting. "Meeting and coffee with Richard."

Andy lifted her head up to find Robert's eyes, "Can I see you later?"

He offered her a small sleepy smile, "I'd be disappointed if I didn't get to see you later."

Leaning down Robert tilted Andy's head just slightly and laid his lips across hers. It took seconds for the sparks between them to combust. He nibbled and sucked from one corner of her mouth to the other and listened as a faint moan left her lips.

Andy's body rested squarely atop Robert's, his strong hands keeping her firmly in place. Legs threaded together, she could feel every ridge and muscle in his body, not to mention his growing arousal. Her hips responded of their own volition and rotated forward. But when Robert's hands slid under the tank she was sporting and connected with her heated skin, she knew she had to ask.

"So… just checking in here," Andy said, her hair curtaining around them as she kissed his chin, jaw and trailed kisses down Robert's neck. "You're serious about the whole no sex thing?"

Everything in her wanted to rip his clothes off and attack. Memories of satisfying orgasms fluttering through her mind. It would be so easy to get naked and give them both what they so clearly desired.

Robert groaned feeling equally as turned on and frustrated. "Yes."

There were no rules for their relationship, but last night they had talked about how in the past they would use sex as a way to avoid addressing important things… so for now, they were going to hold off. As much as he wanted to carry her up to bed and spend their day off getting reacquainted with her body, he knew in the long run the better play was waiting.

Swiping back Andy's loose tendrils of hair, he held her gaze lovingly. "I intend to love you forever, Andrea Herrera and to do that well, I gotta know you." Andy nodded, knowing it was for the best.

Robert continued, "Who you are now. What you like and don't like. What worries you and keeps you up at night. What your hopes and dreams are. What you need from a partner…" He saw Andy's facial expression melt and knew his words were significant for her. "...all that's gonna take time and a clear mind."

Chagrined, Andy added to his statement, "Which won't happen if we hop back into bed together." She let out a long sigh of breath. "My head says you're right, my body says..." She let her voice trail off and Robert's chuckle filled the silence.

"It'll be worth it," he replied before capturing her lips once more. "And in the meantime, kissing…"

"Lots of kissing," Andy corrected and leaned in again.

"And hugs. And holding your hand and nuzzling that spot on your neck that you really like," Robert added as he trailed kisses down the column of her neck. "And talking and dates and eventually, when we're both ready…"

"Sex. Lots and lots of sex," Andy filled in before kissing him again.

xx, Ash

Hope you all enjoyed it! Thank high heaven the muse decided to move from Antarctica to Fiji so she was accessible by phone otherwise ya girl would've been in trouble. LOL. Anyway, hopefully 6B will do something to surprise and maybe delight us. Surrera stan's loyalty has definitely earned it.