The sun was setting over Seattle, casting a warm orange glow over the city. Andy Herrera stood on the rooftop of Station 19, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The day had been long and grueling, with multiple calls and a particularly challenging rescue. But as she watched the sun dip below the skyline, a sense of calm washed over her. The rooftop had always been her refuge, a place to clear her mind and reflect on her life.
"Hey," came a deep voice from behind her. Andy turned to see Robert Sullivan, her former captain and the man who had once held her heart, standing there. His tall, broad-shouldered frame was silhouetted against the fading light.
"Hey," she replied softly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "What are you doing up here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Sullivan said, stepping closer. "But I have a feeling you needed some time to yourself after today."
Andy nodded, her eyes returning to the horizon. "Yeah, it was a tough one. But we got through it."
"We always do," Sullivan said, his voice full of admiration. "You're one of the best firefighters I've ever worked with, Andy. You have a strength that inspires everyone around you."
She felt a blush creep up her cheeks at his words. Despite everything that had happened between them, his opinion still mattered to her. They had a complicated history, full of highs and lows, but the bond they shared was undeniable.
"Thanks, Sullivan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
They stood in silence for a few moments, the cool evening breeze rustling their hair. The tension between them was palpable, a mixture of unresolved feelings and unspoken words. Andy knew that they had a lot to talk about, but she wasn't sure where to start.
Sullivan seemed to sense her hesitation. "Andy, there's something I've been meaning to say to you," he began, his tone serious. "I know things haven't been easy between us, and I've made my share of mistakes. But I want you to know that I still care about you. A lot."
Andy turned to face him, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been waiting for this moment, for him to open up and share his true feelings. "I care about you too, Sullivan," she said, her voice steady. "But it's not that simple. We've been through so much, and I need to know if we can really make this work."
Sullivan took a step closer, his eyes locked on hers. "I believe we can, Andy. If we're both willing to fight for it. I want to be with you, and I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make that happen."
Andy felt a surge of emotions, a mixture of hope and fear. She wanted to believe him, to trust that they could find their way back to each other. But she knew it wouldn't be easy.
"I need time, Sullivan," she said finally. "I need to figure out what I want and what we need to do to make this work."
He nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Take all the time you need, Andy. I'll be here, waiting for you."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone on the rooftop once again. Andy watched him go, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. She knew that their journey was far from over, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope.
### Two Weeks Later
The following weeks were a whirlwind of emotions for Andy. She threw herself into her work, finding solace in the adrenaline and camaraderie of her fellow firefighters. But no matter how busy she was, her thoughts always drifted back to Sullivan. She replayed their conversation on the rooftop over and over in her mind, wondering if she had made the right decision.
One evening, after a particularly intense shift, Andy found herself back on the rooftop. The sun was setting once again, casting a familiar glow over the city. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, allowing herself to finally confront her feelings.
