Sullivan watched Andy sleep for a few minutes as he needed time to sort out his thoughts. He knew he would have to face the crew. And he was not looking forward to it. They saw what happened, or at least some of it, they heard too. And they were there when she collapsed and he decided to forget about everything and just hold her. She was one of them, they cared about her. And he was the intruder. Or used to be. But still if they would have to pick one of them, it wouldn't be him and he knew that.

When he tried to get up Andy whimpered. She had an uneasy sleep. Well, he could understand that very well. She was going through hell. He caressed her face and whispered words of comfort till she fell back into deep sleep. He got up then, covered her so she wouldn't get cold which was something that could happen even though it was warm inside the station, but in her condition... and then he closed the door and walked through his office. Opening the door out he was partially relieved he didn't see anyone from the A shift there. There was only the receptionist but that was all. He greeted her and walked upstairs. He was pretty sure he found the crew in the beanery.

Looking at the clock he was surprised to see how much time had passed. He realized he was quite hungry. Well, nothing left to wait for.

The crew was indeed in the beanery. For a while they tried to talk about what just happened downstairs but then they stopped with it. It wouldn't lead to anything. And so they just made dinner, turned on the TV and relaxed. Nobody even thought about going home. They just wanted to wait and see about Andy and their Captain.

When Sullivan came upstairs, he stopped right when he walked in to the beanery. They all looked at him. He swallowed, nervous suddenly.

"She's asleep." He said and they all just kept on staring at him with those curious caring glances. The first one to break the heavy silence was Montgomery when he asked him if he was hungry.

"Actually yeah. I'm starving." Sullivan replied.

"Then come and eat." Gibson said and Sullivan had to remind himself to actually move his legs. He was frozen to the spot, so nervous about this that he felt like he was 16 again.

He joined them at the table and they gave him some bread, salad and pasta with some tomato sauce. They all just waited and it was driving him crazy.

"Okay, if you want to ask about something, just ask."

"You mean we can..." Hughes wanted to clarify the situation.

"Off the record for God's sake. I think we're past that by now." Sullivan said and noticed how they looked surprised.

"So you and Herrera." Miller said.

"There's nothing going on between us."

"Oh I beg to differ, Sir." Montgomery said and others grinned.

"Oh come on." Sullivan pleaded and realized just how painful this conversation will be for him. They wouldn't leave him be till they knew everything. It dawned on him that he would have to come out clean right here right now.

"So... you love her." Bishop asked and others shot her a dirty look. They still weren't okay with her behaviour.

"Yes." Sullivan said honestly. "Yes, I do."

"And she?"

"You will have to ask her that." He replied.

"Sir what happened?" Gibson asked then and everyone grew quiet. Sullivan didn't know how to answer so he opted for brutal honesty. What was left anyway? He got up and walked over to the window. He was brave but not so brave to face them all directly.

"I screwed up, that's what happened. I thought I was protecting her and her career by turning away from this. But I only hurt her. She tried to work it out but I didn't want to listen so I told her to take the week off." Sullivan said.

"Well you're an idiot." Miller said then and as Sullivan turned around shocked he panicked.

"I said that out loud, didn't I?" He asked.

"Yep." Vic answered. Miller looked at Sullivan then but he just smiled sadly.

"Yeah, you're probably right about that."

"So what's going to happen now?" Hughes asked. "How are you going to handle it?" She wanted to know. She had firsthand experience with this kind of issues and knew it wasn't easy, that it wouldn't be easy.

"I don't know, honestly. I..."

"If it was up to you?" Vic asked. "What would you want?"

Sullivan had to think for a moment but then smiled sadly. "I want to work it out." He told them and they could tell he was being honest. But before they could get any more answers from him, there was a knock on the door and Pruitt was standing there, watching them.

"What is going on?" He asked, worried.

"Nothing, Sir." Montgomery answered. Not that Pruitt would believe him but he could at least try.

"Is Andrea here?" Pruitt asked. "I need to talk to her." He said and others looked at Sullivan. He was kind of glad Pruitt stopped the discussion. But on the other hand the one he was about to have downstairs was probably worse.

"Come with me, Pruitt." He said and with a nod at his people he took Pruitt out of the beanery.

"What is going on, Sullivan?" Pruitt asked, worried now.

"In here." Sullivan said and showed him to his office. Slowly he opened the door to Captain's bunk and there she was, asleep in his bed, she looked hurt and exhausted, she looked so sad even in her sleep.

Sullivan motioned for him to stay silent and closed the door again. Pruitt walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. Sullivan sat down opposite to him and took a deep breath.

"Are you going to tell what the hell happened?" Pruitt asked, impatiently.

"Well..." And Sullivan told him about the last call. About Andy's behaviour. He told him about coming back to the Station and wanting to talk to her. He told him about their argument. Well, most of it.

"Wait a moment, Sullivan. What are you not telling me?" Pruitt asked as he was sure there was a huge part of the story missing.

"I know you care about her. I have an idea about how much exactly."

"I told you there was nothing between her and me and I meant it." Sullivan said firmly.

"I know that. I saw the way you look at her."

"Sir..." Sullivan was too tired for these half riddles.

"Dad?" Andy asked suddenly, standing at the door.

"Hija..." Pruitt said and walked over and hugged her. "Are you all right?"

"No," Andy answered, "but I will be." She added and he looked proud of her. "But there is something you need to know and I need you to listen."

"We can talk later, Andrea." Pruitt said gently. "Come over for dinner, okay?"

"Okay." She answered. Pruitt kissed her cheek lovingly and she looked confused.

"Sullivan." He nodded at the man and Sullivan just nodded back. He knew that discussion wasn't over but right now he wanted to talk to Andy more than he wanted to talk to him. They both watched him go and then Andy looked at Sullivan.

"What was that about?"

"He was just worried about you." He answered. Andy didn't say anything.

They both looked so nervous they couldn't even talk. They just kept on glancing at each other, didn't know what to do with their hands, nothing. Andy felt like she was back in high school and felt really stupid. They both opened their mouths to say something but closed them again. It was so awkward it was actually painful.

"Andy, I..." Sullivan started and when she heard him say her name, something in her broke. She took those few steps and collided with his chest. She hugged him and he hugged her back.

"I'm sorry about everything, Andy. I know it's not enough and I don't know how but I will fix this, fix us." He said sincerely.

She just nodded silently into his shirt and still held him for dear life. She felt warm and safe finally and she was not letting him go.

"You'll get promoted and I'll be here."

"I'm still your Battalion chief." He said. "Whatever you do, whatever happens, everyone will question you."

"I know. But I've lost too much already." She answered and looked up at him, looked him in the eye. "I don't want to lose you too."

"You won't." He half said and half promised. Putting loose hair behind her ear she smiled at that contact.

"I need to tell you something though." He said and got all serious. Andy moved away from him a bit, curious and worried.

"What is it?" She asked, tired but still needing to know.

"After L.A., when you went to lock the door..." He started.

"Yes?"

"A sharp pain shot through my leg. I couldn't move it." Sullivan confessed and watched Andy's face change. He didn't want her to interrupt him so he had to continue. "I panicked. I didn't know what was going on and I didn't want to ... I don't know, be a burden. It just crossed my mind that you shouldn't be there, shouldn't be with me."

"What? Are you serious?"

"Andy..."

"What was it? Are you okay? What happened?" She started shooting questions and he had to give her all the replies. She listened to him patiently and then she punched his arm.

"You're an idiot." She told him.

"So I've heard today from Miller."

"From Miller? Why?"

"They're all upstairs, waiting for you." He told her and she just smiled and hugged him again.

"I don't know what to tell them."

"Whatever you want."

"And what about the consequences?" Andy looked up and met his loving eyes.

"Those we face together, if you decide to give me a second chance." Robert told her and something in her just melted. She put her palm on his cheek and brought his face down so she could kiss him. So they kissed gently, enjoyed the feel of it, every single moment. He smiled at her then and she smiled back. Andy was tired and sad and wanted to crawl under a blanket and get some more sleep but she knew she should face her friends. She owed them an apology and explanation, that was for sure.

And after that she needed to face her father. Which was another level for her. Oh she would love to do that in a day or two after getting some sleep.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I'm so tired." She told him. "I just want to sleep."

"Go and talk to them." He suggested and with a nod and heavy sigh she did just that. Sullivan waited downstairs and was surprised to see her back so soon.

"Everything okay?" He asked.

"Yeah. For now." Andy answered. "Robert..." Andy started and as she chewed on her lip he could tell she was trying to say something she didn't think was really appropriate.

"Just spit it out."

"I have no idea where we stand now so... Ehm..."

"Andy?" He was more and more curious.

"Is your couch comfortable?"

"What?"

"Your couch... I mean I don't really want to go home right now and I want a chance to talk so I was thinking if I could maybe crash on your couch tonight. But I don't know if..."

"Hey..." He said and reached out for her. She took his hand and came closer to his arms yet again that evening.

"I'm not leaving you, not tonight."

"Okay, Robert."

"Let's go." He said with a smile and she took his hand and walked out of the station with him.