Chapter Text
Gibson catches up with Herrera in the turnout room (the site of some of their very satisfactory and VERY out-of-policy
sexual 'assignations'); for her part, Andy quickly glances around in case someone observes them. "You're lookin' for me?"
she asks, stacking a delivery of new helmets on a shelf (and peeking at her watch - she figures they're 'safe' as long as they
remain inside for ten minutes or less).
JACK: Andy; hey - Can I ask you somethin'?
ANDY: Please, please, PLEASE - rather than ask if you CAN ask me something JUST ASK!
JACK: OK...Damn!...Anyway, you're going to Switzerland: one way, at that - right or wrong."
ANDY: THAT'S a question, yes I am, and how do you know that?"
JACK: I-I didn't snoop - Jesus! It was poking out of your locker and I happened to see it...and you didn't deny it.
ANDY: It's not a secret, Gibson. I wasn't hiding it from you or anyone else - not that it's anyone's business or YOURS. But we've
been close for a long time so you get a pass. I'm going to Switzerland to find Sullivan and...I'm not coming back without him. I'm-
if that's hard to hear"-
JACK: Well - at least you're being honest finally. You DID marry the guy, so I understand what you're doing and why.
ANDY: Thanks. Um...keep the one-way ticket between us, please.
JACK: Yeah, of course.
/////////
FLASHBACK-THE XMAS HOLIDAY WEEKEND
The atmosphere inside A19 is relaxed; the run to a housewife's home who suffers 2nd degree burns cooking an Xmas goose for her
family goes off without a hitch; driving back to the station Andy and Robert share a companionable silence, broken only by the low
burble of the radio: Robert suddenly remembers not calling in and does so.
The dispatcher on duty is Australian expat JULES KARR, who purrs back “Copy you , Captain...safe travels.”
A few moments later Andy says (in a poor approximation of an Aussie accent “Ohh...Copy YOU, Ummf! Captain; safe travels.”
Sullivan joins her in laughter and a minute or so after she says “Do you think that...NO, forget it”-
“What? Finish your question.”
At a stoplight she turns to him and replies “If you don’t have plans...we can spend the long weekend together...if you want.”
Immediately he answers "Yeah, sure."
///
The night of Christmas Eve, the couple has three ‘rounds’ of very energetic and ENORMOUSLY SATISFYING lovemaking, and in the
morning Andy slides from the bed - careful not to wake her man and after showering she descends to the kitchen where she
prepares a hearty spread of ham, eggs, two types of toast, hash browns, juice, and coffee. She’s setting the table when Robert
comes down, showered and wearing only a large towel about his waist. Both are famished from the energy expended the night prior
and dig in to repast. After eating her fill Andy pushes her plate aside, stands, and walks a few paces to Sullivan’s chair: she squats,
whips the towel aside and eyes his semi-flaccid member with appreciation. “I just don’t feel that this breakfast is thanks enough for
all of those orgasms you gave me last night.” She takes his hardening cock into her mouth, sucking him to erection and to orgasm
in very swift order, being now quite well practiced in what he likes...when Robert’s knees wobble Andrea slows her wanking and
simply mouth fucks him until the tremors stop, sucking, licking, and him squeezing LOVINGLY...
END FLASHBACK-THE XMAS HOLIDAY WEEKEND
/////////
Two and a half weeks later Andy visits Maya and her fiance Carina at their condo to speak with them about her and Sullivan;
Jack Gibson, there visiting Liam, the child born from the encounter between he and Bishop after the argument between Marina
leaves and Andy finally has the chance to speak with them privately: “I know where he is - the Swiss Alps.”
“The Swiss Alps,” Bishop repeats. “AND...lemme guess - you’re goin’ there.” Andy raises her chin defiantly yet says nothing.
“You ARE.” To Carina, she says “She is.”
“Is that allowed? I mean - I know that I didn’t get your authorization first...OH RIGHT - I DIDN’T get your ‘ok’
first because I don’t need it!”
Carina tries to explain “That is not...of course you do not have to have us authorize anything that you do: we are so sorry that
you feel that way” -
Andy: ‘Sorry that I feel this way’? Remind me again who it was that talked me into avoiding him?
Maya: OK, alright! How can we help you fix it?
“Help my mom take care of Ardolis while I’m away.”
||
Shattered, broken dreams
Sifting like grains of sand
We claim it and here we stay
Watching the world go by
With the strength that we spend in this life
In our hope that it goes on forever
We believe as we promise to try, that
/////////
On her next free day, The Acting Captain visits HQ and asks for an audience with Acting Chief Ross regarding her request for
leave. Ross reads it and then comments "Hmm...Return date indeterminate... and no destination listed."
"Yes, Chief. The reason for the leave is...critical. And I don't yet know how long it will take to resolve."
"Sit down, Herrera." When she does Natasha says "Andy, you are aware that I can't hold your position open for an 'indeterminate'
time."
"Yes, Chief."
Steepling her fingers the Acting Fire Chief says "Woman to woman, off the record...as I understand it you have had ONE GOAL -
captaincy of Station 19. And you're risking all of that for Sullivan."
Meeting her boss's boss's eyes Andy replies "YES . You and he were together years ago; you must have an idea of why I'm
doing what I'm doing. Am I wrong?"
"You know that you're not wrong. Except...sadly I...would never make the same choice as you. I've had the ambition of Department
when the San Diego position opened up for me. As Deputy Cheif that determination to reach the op only got stronger and though I
wish Lucas Ripley a speedy recovery - part of me hopes that he'll recover and decide to retire. He's a friend of yours, I know but that"s
the truth.
"No judgment here, Tasha. Ambition has been my guide since childhood, and yes the captaincy of 19 has been my dream. Then I
met Sullivan and though I have made a butt-load of mistakes and driven him away I can't leave it like this. I CAN'T."
Ross smiles, then clicks keys on her desktop to locate the leave request...she ticks the 'approved' box and signs it electronically.
"I wish you the best, Andy; you might note an undercurrent of regret in my voice, which is due to my having chosen career over
love. Most days wish I'd made a different call."
"Thank you."
?TO BE CONTINUED/