I know this gets a little angsty, but I promise it'll get cute and fluffy by the end.

Also, let me know what you think :)

Chapter 5

"Come on guys, this is not fair, you ganged up on me." Andy pouted. "And you made me use this pink plastic figurine, I refuse to succumb to these deceiving strategies, you evil tricksters."

Caroline roared with laughter and swatted her sister

"See? Told you she's gonna get sulky, 'cause she hates losing."

Cassidy rolled her eyes and smirked mischievously.

The door opened and Miranda appeared standing with a hand on her hip and a raised eyebrow as if pondering the situation, Patricia wagged her tail vigorously, barked in sign of acknowledgment and stood up to greet her.

"What did you two do to her?" Miranda inquired as she scratched Patricia's furry ears, her blue eyes feigning suspicion.

"And Andrea, really, why did you adapt yourself to such juvenile costumes? There are chairs and other perfectly functional pieces of furniture, not to mention those pants are from the Chanel vintage collection, and that blouse, before it was exposed to such barbaric practices, it was a stunning piece from Cavalli. Did I teach you nothing?" Miranda glared at her as Andy scrambled in an upright position.

"Sorry Miranda, we were just… I mean, the girls really outsmarted me at this game." Andy smiled sheepishly.

"No mom, we weren't as vicious as we usually are. "Caroline grinned. "We had lots of fun and you've missed it"

"Yes, well I cannot just leave Runway every time you feel like playing Monopoly, can I? Cassidy, did you take your medication? I trust Andrea didn't go on a rampage trying to convince you."

"Mom, I'm really okay. Besides, Andy didn't have to convince me, I'm not a baby, I can be perfectly responsible for myself. " She waved her hand dramatically.

"Well then, I see no reason for such stubbornness from you." Miranda retorted.

"We're sorry mom, we just wanted you to come home earlier. I guess the end justifies the means." Caroline snorted and began to gather everything and put the game back in its box.

Andy felt like she was intruding in a private moment so she tiptoed towards the door.

"Now, off to bed you two, and Andrea don't make your escape so quickly." She hugged them both tightly and kissed their foreheads.

"Good night mom.'" They said in unison. "Good night, Andy," Caroline smiled and hugged her too, followed by her sister.

They left Cassidy's room, Andy followed Miranda quietly in her study, she felt awkward now and she tried to resist the urge to grab her things and rush to the door.

"I'm going to have some wine, would you like some? Or can I get you anything else?" Miranda inquired as she made her way towards the bar.

Andy stood cautiously on the couch "Wine is perfect, but I wouldn't want to impose. Surely you want to be alone right now." She swallowed hard and tried not to look in Miranda's direction.

Miranda stopped in the process of uncorking the bottle, and pinned her with an icy glare "And what kind of imposition would that be, Andrea? I've had guests before, you know. " She stated amusedly.

" I didn't want to assume, but you must be tired and quite frankly you must be sick of seeing my face all day long." Andy wanted to slap herself internally. What was she doing?

"Will you just relax and stop acting like my second-assistant for a second. It drives me insane. Then again, I think I already was." Miranda gave a low chuckle and filled their glasses. She sat at the other end of the couch eyeing Andy. "We're not at Runway, Andrea. You're in my house, and you are my guest. That's all" She sipped her wine quietly and stared at her.

Andy felt her jaw clenching and she tried not to stare back at Miranda, instead she let her gaze wander around the study. It was tastefully furnished, luxurious and elegant with a perfect balance between crisp and soft colors. The furniture was geometrical and the lighting was warm and filtered giving the space an airy look . Andy thought it defined her in every aspect, the picture of Miranda in her own study was something she was unused to, the editor looked peaceful and contemplative, almost detached to the commanding persona she had at the office. As if there were two different people.

There were paintings on the walls, all of them seemed to have a recurring theme, the ethereal landscape, profoundly symbolic and atmospheric, they were like glimpses of dreams with mysterious and supernatural human forms. One of the paintings captivated Andy's attention, it was slightly bigger than the others and it depicted in wonderful detail a young, blonde woman, she looked powerful and graceful, her long tresses falling on her delicate shoulders; she stood with her back turned and her head slightly twisted to the side as if to compel the watcher to follow her. Her hazel eyes were sorrowful and she was surrounded by edelweiss flowers, she was a sad, beautiful goddess.

Andy stood mesmerized and she couldn't miss the fact that all of the paintings were signed with the M.P initials; Miranda was the author of these wonderful creations and Andy couldn't help being enthralled by the beauty that laid in the depths of her imagination.

"I see you like my paintings." Miranda stated matter of factly, "I do have my weaknesses, Andrea. As much as I love fashion, reality becomes overwhelming sometimes and crude. This is my manifesto and my escape."

"Weaknesses? Miranda, I am speechless, I never knew you were so talented and complex. Why don't you expose them at a gallery?" Andy looked at her bewilderedly, "They are far too beautiful to remain unseen."

"Yes well, I couldn't do that. I think they are far too personal, they are my truths, Andrea, every single one of them. I think I've grown to become attached to them. Don't you have things that you would rather keep to yourself?"

Andy felt her throat dry, this was uncharted territory, but she didn't want to seem skittish, she couldn't believe that Miranda was actually interested in finding anything personal about her, and she would go anywhere with the conversation as long as Miranda seemed comfortable.

"Of course, but then again, I don't think they are worthy of such works of art, not to mention I couldn't paint even if my life depended on it." Andy laughed nervously and sipped her wine.

"Don't belittle yourself, Andrea, every aspect of you is significant and worthy, don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Miranda now turned to face Andy and put her glass down. " My girls really seem to like you, and I think it's no secret that they are not all that impressionable. I haven't seen them so happy in a long time." Miranda's blue gaze shifted on Andy's face and sparkled with something unreadable, as if searching for something in her eyes.

"I really like them too, Miranda, they are wonderful kids." Andy bit her lip and she groaned inwardly. Why did she have to sound like a moron?

"This isn't something I let every assistant do, Andrea. You realize that?"

"I know how protective you are with them, I thought you will get mad at me for proposing this. I just…I wanted to do something for you." There, it was out in the open. She would feel lucky now if Miranda didn't yank her by the collar and throw her out the door.

"How very presumptuous of you." Miranda smiled. "I know what you think. I know what everyone thinks, Andrea, that's my problem. I know what kind of reputation I have, and it's only fair to say I'm doing a fine job at keeping it. I treat everyone equally, or should I say with equal disdain? That's why they presume so much about me and they carry these legends so far that they start to amuse me." Miranda stood up and started to pace around the room with her glass in hand.

"I never presumed anything, Miranda, I just didn't want to seem unprofessional or like I wanted to get a rise out of you, but then again, I couldn't help myself, I invited myself here and now I am sorry. Perhaps I should go. " Andy started to panic, this was a disaster rolling downhill, full speed ahead.

"Don't. You are on the same track as you were in Paris, you're doing it again, Andrea and I'm quite sure I wouldn't be able to forgive you this time if you were to turn your back on me." Miranda pinned her with the brightest blue gaze making Andy freeze in place.

"Do you think I'm a monster, Andrea? A dragon?" She huffed.

" Quite the opposite actually." Andy almost whispered and lowered her gaze.

"And what exactly is the opposite?" Miranda inquired and took two steps towards Andy.

Andy felt cornered, this was getting way out of hand, the atmosphere was so dense that she felt it coiling around her chest, it was a loop of redundancy and a hazardous game to play.

"I don't know." She leaned on the backrest, it was best to back off now before she could say something even more interpretable. "What do you want me to say? People don't know a lot of things about you, Miranda." She blurted.

"Was I ever inclined towards rhetorical questions? Do enlighten me." Miranda wasn't going to let this go, maybe she enjoyed seeing Andy squirm like a mouse caught in a trap.

Andy bit her lip hard. That should wake her up to reality, because this was so not happening.

"I know enough to say that you are not." Andy said slowly.

" You are not a dragon, or a monster or whatever else they say about you. And frankly, it's impossible for me to be blind Miranda. Is that what you want? Because I can provide a great deal of things, but not that. People fear what they don't know or understand, and the sad fact is that that they don't know because you don't show them." Andy felt breathless now, the connotations of this discussion was now far beyond any known boundaries. " You don't show them how amazing you can be." Andy whispered barely audible.

"You think you understand me?" Miranda crossed her arms and leaned against the desk. "No, I think the appropriate question would be, do YOU understand what you are implying right now?" Miranda closed her eyes as if she wanted to detach and transport herself to another place.

"I think I do , otherwise I wouldn't be standing here still, on your couch, in your house, as your…guest." There it went the residual boldness Andy had in her.

"You're not here because I asked you to stay, Andrea. You are here because you chose to stay. There's a difference. Also you can choose to further discuss about this, or not. But I can assure you, there won't be another chance."

Miranda threw the ball in her pitch, what a sly move. This could have one result, and one result only. "Hit or miss, Sachs." Andy closed her eyes and tried to erase the images of the horrifying scenarios that were bouncing through her mind. She also had the nauseating feeling that Miranda was fishing for a confession. What could she say? That she didn't think that Miranda was amazing, no. She was absolutely brilliant, stunning, not to mention gorgeous, the way she stood leaned against the desk with her forearms exposed, the skin on her décolleté glowing and barefoot, made her eyes latch on every exposed patch of skin they could find. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes locking them with Miranda's.

"Discuss about what? What are we even talking about?"

Miranda scoffed and pushed herself from the edge of the desk and started again to pace across the room.

"Don't play this boring and unintelligent game with me Andrea." She whispered coolly. "That look you had just seconds ago, it doesn't go well with the professionalism you've been mumbling about. That's what I meant when I said I know everything. And I see it every day in those little things that you do, and you think I don't see or care about . Today makes no exception." she stood again on the couch next to Andy, leaning on the backrest.

Andy felt like her heart was waiting on the edge of the gallows to be executed she didn't even turn to face Miranda. "I'm not going to deny it Miranda." She felt herself growing pale, it was no use in denying it, but she didn't know how to admit and confess her feelings either. And what kind of feelings where there? Was it mad, passionate, obsessive infatuation or was it love? Love. What term of comparison could there be, when she felt like a pile of anxiety and visceral reactions? When in her life had she ever felt so out of control and exposed, but at the same time, bold and fierce, her heart galloping in her chest like a wild horse on endless expanses of space.

" I just don't understand why do you have to make me say it, it's not like I'm expecting anything from you." Andy felt like she was about to break down, tears stung her eyes, she fought to keep them back, the lump in her throat making her impossible to keep her voice even. "It's 2 more months, Miranda, please ignore it. I'm not asking you not to fire me, but it's been so long that it really doesn't matter anymore."

She raised from the couch with the intention to leave and she felt her wrist being grabbed by a soft but firm grip. Just like how she'd imagined it, she allowed herself to revel in the touch just a second more before it could all come crushing down.

"Stay." Miranda's voice was husky and commanding, but not angry. Andy turned slowly, she felt wobbly and insecure on her legs. "Why?" She managed to utter and closed her eyes in defeat.

"Because you are wrong, irrational and impulsive, and I… I couldn't stand to see you walk away and feel ashamed of this. You haven't changed one bit, Andrea. " Miranda sighed and pressed her lips in a thin line "You are still as hot-headed, naïve and oblivious as you were when you first stepped into my office, doing me a favor not applying at Auto-Universe." Miranda paused and turned giving Andy a once-over. Andy felt like fainting.

"But those big brown, oblivious eyes couldn't see that you were never alone, and it did matter, and it matters, I saw every fleeting emotion I had staring right back at me. You were so in tune with me, it scared me." Miranda's voice now dropped to a low whisper and she stood facing Andy.

"I couldn't look at you, Miranda, I was a replaceable tool, executing tasks and orders. I couldn't exactly stare deeply in your eyes and take a moment to appreciate their unique shade of blue. Not to be presumptuous here, but Emily told me it's a long way down from the seventeenth floor." She snorted nervously.

"Oh, but you stared alright." Miranda retorted.

"Miranda, we… I don't even know what this means." Andy brushed her fingers through her hair and bit her lip.

"It means we are attracted to each other, Andrea. It's not unheard of. Does this shed some light on the situation?" She stated on bored tone.

"Yes, but I mean… You don't even like women, and you couldn't possibly like me."

"Oh, and you do? What about the apprentice cook boy? And again, you presume too much, Andrea. You still don't know me that well." She smirked wickedly

"Nate? What of him? Honestly, right now I'm feeling like I've really fallen and smacked my head on the pavement." Andy sighed and bit her lip again. By the end of the night she was sure she would have fish lips. "I just can't believe this is actually happening."

"Andrea, nothing is happening and for god's sake, stop sighing and sulking, nobody died. I'm not any more comfortable with this than you are, actually I should be more disconcerted about this, supposedly I should've known better. I've been trying to avoid this for such a long time." She whispered absently staring into space.

"I couldn't avoid it, and I'm not going to argue about who's fault is it Miranda, for months, the last thing I heard at night before I went to bed was your voice. I guess we were so much into each other's lives it was kind of inevitable, I just never dared to hope, I still don't. God, I should stop talking about this." Andy groaned and chewed her lip, looking at Miranda.

"You're rambling, and for god's sake, stop biting your lips like that." Miranda said and waved her hand exasperated.

Andy snorted and covered her mouth "And I suppose if I don't, you are gonna make me. "

"Don't push your luck, Andrea." Miranda said rolling her eyes.

Andy turned and in one swift move she was inches close to Miranda.

"Since you've asked me to stay, I might as well push it." She leaned closer and brushed her index finger on Miranda's knuckles, her skin was soft but cold, she moved her finger towards her slender and elegant forearm. Andy barely touched her, fearing that any sudden movement would make this surreal state vanish like a haze. Miranda flinched and closed her eyes, maybe she was pondering if now was the right time for Andy to be thrown out the window. But Andy didn't care, all she could see was Miranda's parted lips and her heaving chest, this image alone making shivers travel from the base of her spine and coil around her stomach.

She turned and straddled Miranda's hips, if she was about to harass her, she might as well do it properly, Andy chuckled inwardly.

"Andrea, don't." Miranda panted, she fought this, though it would've been much easier to give in to Andrea's warmth, she ached for it and it felt so good, but she couldn't, not just yet.

Andy aligned their faces, brushing her fingers tenderly at the nape of her neck, then through her soft hair and brought Miranda's face even closer, so their noses touched and teased each other. She could feel Miranda breathe through her mouth, parting her own lips, she hovered in that space of decision.

"Andrea, don't. Don't do this if you don't mean it." She whispered low and Andy could almost feel her taste, their breaths now mingling.

"Oh, but I do." Andy said not moving and inch, she brushed her lower lip across Miranda's and then slipping it between them, teasing her, probing her. Miranda exhaled through her nose forcefully and grabbed Andy's hips, digging her fingers in them and then capturing her mouth. Andy moaned when she felt Miranda's teeth sink in her lower lip, releasing her only to crash again in a full open-mouthed kiss. Not very graceful, not very polite, when she felt Miranda's tongue eagerly tangling with hers, searching and chasing, and her sweet taste invading her mouth, Andy's knees gave in and she lowered herself fully on Miranda's lap. She brought her hands up and caressed the skin on Miranda's neck, then lightly grazing it with her nails. Miranda hissed and clasped her arms around Andy's hips, locking them firmly in a strong embrace. Andy whimpered, it was all deliciously nerve-wrecking, she felt the heat seep out of her body and encompass them both like a warm, safe blanket. When their lips finally parted, none of them dared to move, Miranda's arms still fastened around Andy and their foreheads resting against each other.

"I can't believe I'm actually asking this, but what are you thinking about ?" Miranda finally broke the silence. Andy gave a low chuckle and brushed her cheek against Miranda's.

"I was wondering what it would be like to hold you like this every day." Miranda felt her warm breath against her ear and struggled to keep her arousal under control.

"Oh, Andrea, why would you even want that?" Miranda cupped her cheek and stared in her eyes intently, she was so honest and affectionate that it made her heart tremble.

"I mean not like in a overly-attached creepy kind of way, maybe like once a day, or twice if you are not too busy." Andy ignored her question, taking her hand and kissing the inside of her wrist.

"Andrea, look at me, I am not young anymore, I cannot afford a mistake like this, and before you jump to conclusions, this is a mistake, and not because of the lack of….feelings, do you understand? Not to mention I am old, and compromising and jaded, and no one needs that in their life, Andrea."

"Miranda, just, please, don't say anything. It's not going to make me change my mind or feel any less about you. In a few hours I'll transfigure myself in your second-assistant again, and it'll be all forgotten, but for now, let me have this." Andy said smiling faintly. " You said that I'm so tuned with you, it's scary. Tomorrow, between wiping your office floor with Emily, and scaring the living daylights out of everyone else, I'm sure I'll catch your eyes for a second maybe, and I'll know you'll still want this. We've done it a thousand times before, anyway." Andy whispered closing her eyes.

"And I guess it's really late, and I should probably go, wouldn't want you to see me after the spell breaks." Andy chuckled and untangled herself from Miranda's arms. "Who knows in what uninspired ensemble I might change myself into, and it would be a shame to get my chances blown out by fashion." Andy quipped.

Miranda gave her an impish smile and rose from the couch. " Well I did hire you in clunky shoes and rather antique clothes, didn't I? You did make a beautiful Cinderella, but that's not why I hired you." She smiled again devilishly.

They went downstairs together quietly and Miranda called for a cab while Andy paced around the foyer. "I would ask you to stay Andrea, but we both know it would be counterproductive and both of us need to collect ourselves before we make any decision." Miranda said looking slightly uneasy, staring at the floor.

"I know and I understand perfectly what you mean by saying counterproductive." Andy giggled and watched Miranda blush profusely. "Just please, don't make me feel insane tomorrow and act like this only happened in my head because I would literally go bonkers." Andy said with pleading eyes.

"Andrea, there is only one type of insanity I would willfully inflict upon you." Miranda said in that low silky voice that made Andy's hands sweat and her mind go blank for a second.

"And what kind of insanity would that be?" Andy swallowed hard.

"You really do ask a lot of questions." Miranda replied giving her a half-smile and a lingering look.

Andy turned to leave when she felt two arms snaking around her from behind. "No goodnight kiss for the prince?" Miranda leaned forward breathing the words in her ear. Andy almost yelped at the surge of arousal and realized that she couldn't trust her body anymore around Miranda; she could send her into sensory over-drive in nanoseconds.

She turned in her arms and brought her hands to Miranda's face, cupping and caressing her with her thumbs. She placed her lips upon Miranda's in a chaste kiss and smiled. "Do you want me to take off one of my shoes and leave it here, so you'll find your way back to me again?." Andy said nuzzling her neck.

"I'm quite sure that won't be necessary." Miranda replied taking a step back and lacing their fingers together. "Finding my way back to you will be the easier part. Sleep well, my darling." She whispered kissing the back of Andy's hand.