Home is Wherever I'm With You

Chapter 5

"Everyone I would like to introduce you all too our new probie, Robert Sullivan," Maya said walking into the beanery with Robert by her side

Vic's eyes shot up and looked at Robert and then turned to Travis who just silently nodded, affirming her silent question. Then her eyes shot over to Andy who was looking down at her freshly polished shoes with a smile that could rival that of a football coach who just won the state championship.

"Okay I'll let you guys get situated line up in 15 minutes," she said giving Andy a nod and a smile letting her take over the introductions

"I'm really excited to be working with you guys," Robert said looking between the team members all standing in front of him.

"Well that's Dean Miller," Andy said pointing to Dean who was at the end of the line

"That's Ben Warren, but we call him Dad. This is Vic Hughes, excuse her she's a little star struck right now. This is Jack Gibson. This is Travis Montgomery, and I'm Andy Herrera," she said with a coy smile.

"I know who you are," Robert replied smiling at his girlfriend

Jack turned to Vic and said, "Did I skip an episode of the Station 19 A shift show or something?"

Vic turned to him and looked at him as if he had three heads, "That's her boyfriend, Gibson. The same guy she would wait for a call from every morning at 8, keep up Jack even Warren knew that."

She turned to Robert and called out to him, "come on probie, sit and tell us about yourself. Tell us Andy stories,"

He smiled and turned to Andy who was giving him 'THE look' the look that said, "you better not or else you will be sleeping on the couch"

"I don't know Hughes. I kinda want to sleep in my bed tonight. I'm not overly fond of the couch and what it does to my back," Robert said, letting out a short chuckle, feeling the effects of sleeping on the couch the past couple nights. He walked over to the table and took a seat watching as Travis grabbed ahold of Andy's arm and pulled her to the side. He watched as she flinched from the sudden pressure on her aching black and blue marks that he had caused.

"Did you tell Maya?" Travis asked keeping his back turned to the rest of the team

"Tell Maya what?" Andy asked trying to play dumb, like she hadn't called him at 3 am that morning in tears

"About his nightmares, his PTSD, the fact that neither one of you have been able to sleep a full night, or maybe how you got those black and blue marks you are covering with your shirt." Travis replied

"He said he would tell her about it," she replied taking a sip of her coffee

"Maybe you should tell her too, just in case,"

"I trust him Trav. If he said he would tell her, believe him." She said walking over to the table to take a seat.

"Let's get down to line up guys," Andy says, turning away from Travis to the rest of the team.

"You okay?" Robert whispers softly to Andy who is lingering at the back of the group

"Yeah. I'm good." she said, smiling up at him.

They walked quickly from the bakery to the barn to line up.

Shift was relatively quiet, but no one dared to say anything in fear of jinxing it. They all took turns running drills with Robert to get him ready for his fitness test later that week which helped it go by pretty quickly. Soon they were off and heading to their various homes. Robert and Andy went on a walk in the nearby park hoping to kill some more daylight hours before they absolutely had to go home and rest for their next shift. When they finally got home there was only enough time for a quick dinner before they got ready for bed.

"The team seems to love you," Andy said as she rubbed the remaining lotion into her elbows

"Yeah, probably more than they love you," Robert teased as he peeled back the decorative comforter Andy insisted on having on the bed. He never understood why she insisted on having a decorative comforter on the bed that wouldn't be used to provide warmth.

"Not as much as I love you though," Andy rebutted leaning over the bed with her lips puckered

Robert met her halfway, giving her a peck on her lips. The two climbed into bed and spent a couple minutes getting comfortable.

"I won't even ask if your meeting with Bishop went well, seeing that you clearly got the job, unless this is a fever dream," Andy said with her head leaning against his chest.

Robert let out a chuckle, "Yeah, she is an amazing Captain. I am excited to be working under her."

"So how long are you on desk duty for?"

"Next shift is my last, unless I fail my fitness test,"

Andy was silent for a moment, "That's weird, usually when a firefighter has PTSD they stay on desk duty for a while until they show signs of improvement. You told Maya about it, right?"

Robert felt his chest tighten. His stomach felt as though he was going 60 mph straight down on the biggest rollercoaster ever, all while he was laying still under his girlfriend who would murder him without hesitation for not only being willing to risk his life, but the life of the team who is her family, as well as her reputation and his. 'Its fine. I'll just tell her I did and tell Bishop about it next shift, no big deal,' he thought to himself.

"Robert?" Andy called out when he had not responded

"Yeah babe?" he replied

"You told Maya about your trouble sleeping and your PTSD right?" she asked again

"Yeah, of course. She said she would put me on aidcar, so I can get some experience there until I'm better. Don't worry baby. I told her. Now come here and get some sleep," he said, opening his arms allowing Andy to get comfortable.

"Goodnight Robert. I love you," she mumbled against his chest

"I love you too," Robert laid there staring at the ceiling in the dark room. He had just lied to the woman who might just be the love of his life. What was he going to do?

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I know its short. Been a little busy nursing a marvel obsession and school but Im done, with school that is so hopefully I will get a few more chapters out before I start school again.