Chapter One

Based on seasons 2-3 events are out of order.

I know I've been posting a lot of new stories, but I need to know how dark would be too dark?(Depression wise)

ALSO, I WILL be updating my other stories at some point too. My semester is almost over.

Andy didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to think. She had just moved out of Maya's a couple of days after Maya had become captain. She just didn't know how to live with someone who now had her dream job. She wasn't entirely sure how it even happened, but she just needed her own space.

Andy was unpacking a few of her boxes before she had to head to work when she came across a picture of her and Ryan and her heart constricted. Even months later she still couldn't handle the heart-gripping pain of losing her childhood best friend. She took out another photo and it was a picture of the two of them and her dad. Her dad. God, she missed him. Despite the flaws, she would do anything to get into an argument with him just one last time.

Andy shed a tear but quickly wiped it away. She knew that she needed to stay strong. She couldn't let anyone see. She had to act fine. She had to be fine. She had to have her head held high. She couldn't show emotion. If she showed emotion, she'd have people constantly bothering her, checking on her.

Andy had been struggling for months. Since Ryan's death it was like she was in a constant pattern of; Going to work, getting through shifts, trying to avoid Sullivan as much as possible and then going home. Her job was just a job now. She felt like she had no one and didn't even care anymore.

Andy put the two photographs on a bookshelf in the living room, grabbed her to go bag and made her way out of the apartment and to her car.

"Push your feelings back, Andy. You can't fall apart. You need to show everyone that this isn't affecting you like they think it does." Andy reminded herself. She sighed and made her way to the station.

She got to the station and noted that the only other car there from A shift was Maya's. She sighed. Maya had always been an early bird.

Andy walked into the station and was immediately met by Maya. She put a smile on her face. "Morning, Captain," Andy said and walked past her, about to walk up the stairs when Maya stopped her.

"Herrera," Andy kept the smile on and turned to face her.

"What's up, Cap?" Andy asked, just wanting to get away and have a moment to herself before anyone else comes and things get chaotic.

"You're on aid car today. I hope it's okay that I swapped you from the truck?" Maya asked, trying to catch Andy's eyes.

Andy nodded and looked at her, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, no. That's cool. No worries." Andy told her with a smile. "I'm gonna go get changed now and I'll be back down to stock the rig." Maya nodded and Andy walked up the stairs to the locker room and sighed.

"You okay, Herrera?" Andy heard Travis ask.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm good. Just a little tired from moving." Andy looked at Travis and saw him look surprised. "What? You knew I was leaving Maya's because I wanted my own space." Andy told him, trying to seem neutral and unfazed by the change in her life.

Travis looked at Andy, trying to gauge how she was really feeling but decided to leave it alone for now. Andy walked into a bunk room to get changed and have a moment to herself now that she heard Dean, Ben and Vic coming into the locker room. Andy sighed. Act like you're fine. Act like you're fine. Act like you're fine. Can't show any weakness. Andy repeated in her head. She had to be strong. She had to be okay.

When Andy left the bunk, she saw the whole team and was quickly overwhelmed. She quickly shut the door and breathed in and out. Breathe, Andy, breathe. Be strong. Be the strong firefighter they all know you to be. Andy took one last deep breath, exhaled, and opened the door.

"Hi, everyone!" Andy greeted them with a smile plastered on her face.

"Hey, Andy" Dean responded first. "How's it going?"

Andy kept the smile on her face, "Good. Just tired." Andy replied.

Vic was looking at Andy and was about to ask her if she was really "okay" when Maya walked into the room, and everyone straightened up.

"I need everyone down for a lineup right away. Chief Sullivan has an announcement that he needs to make." Maya announced and Andy cringed, not unnoticed by Vic.

Everyone began to walk out of the room, but Vic grabbed Andy's arm and pulled her aside.

"Whoa, Vic. What's up?" Andy asked, heartbeat picking up.

"Are you really okay or are you just putting on a brave face for everyone?" Vic asked, rubbing Andy's arm.

Andy gave Vic a soft, real smile, "I promise I'm okay Vic. It's just an adjustment with everything that's been going on." Vic looked doubtful. "I swear, Vic. I'm okay. I'd talk to someone if I wasn't."

Vic nods as the two rush off to get to the lineup. Andy keeps her head bowed, not wanting to look at anyone.

"So, I know everyone's probably wondering what's going on" Sullivan started, "I just wanted to let everyone know that starting today Herrera will be demoted."

Andy snapped her head up in shock. Speechless, she was unable to talk so Vic spoke up for her.

"Why? What the fuck did she do?"

"It's not coming from me. We have another Lieutenant coming to the station, and we had to demote someone." Sullivan told them and Andy looked back down. Knowing that fighting this would only make matters worse. Vic tried to take Andy's hand, but Andy pulled back and Vic felt her concern growing.

"Andy and Jack have been Lieutenants for nearly two years! Maya wasn't even one for half a year yet you're giving promotions to her! How the fuck is that fair?" Travis put his two cents in.

Sullivan was about to reply when someone else walked in. "Maya was the best fit to be captain of this house and it's unfortunate, but someone needed to be demoted," Ripley told the group, walking beside Sullivan.

Andy looked up, hurt in her eyes. She had known Ripley because of her dad for years and she never thought he would do this to her. Andy raised her hand.

"Yes, Herrera?" Sullivan asked.

"Is there anything else or can I be excused?" Andy asked, trying to keep her voice from breaking while everyone looked at her.

Sullivan shook his head, "No, that's all. You're all dismissed." He told the group and Andy rushed out of the barn but everyone else just stood still.

"I'm sorry," Dean started and caught the attention of everyone, "But why the hell is a new Lieutenant coming in instead of just a firefighter so no one needs to be demoted?"

"It seems kind of strange, right?" Ben asked. "Andy's worked her ass off to get to where she is."

"Guys, this isn't up for debate. Now back to work!" Ripley demanded and everyone scattered.

Um. The demoted part was not in my original plans for this story… guess we'll see where it goes..