So I am covering the 22nd of July's Fic-a-thon. Which is an awesome thing organised by Punky_96, muchos creditos to her! However, I failed a bit, as you can see the word count is not anywhere near the 5K. There are several reasons for this, which will be explained in the short summary of: my muse sucked.

However, this is only the first chapter of 6 (yes, I finally am writing a multichap in which I know where/how to end). So do not despair, there is more to come!

The title (and story) is loosely/strictly (up to you to decide) based on the lovely movie of Hope Springs. Some years ago there was something going on with stories based upon Meryl's other movies, and it seemed like a fun thing to do, hence the reason for this story. However, DWP and a marriage without passion between Andy and Miranda was not something I could envision, therefore I changed a few things and everything turned a little (a lot) unrealistic. Luckily for me realistic was not one of the requirements when signing up on .

Of course I do not own anything. Like, completely nothing. Everything belongs from the people who made up both DWP and HS, and I just admire from afar and wish I could walk in heels as well as MP does.

So… Here goes. Enjoy!

Hope Springs

Low sun casts long shadows. It wipes away both your shortness, as well as your ugliness. Shadows are only an equal shade of dark, they do not possess any facial expression. It was therefore, Miranda decided, that is was much more pleasurable to watch Irv's shadow then himself. Unfortunately her reputation wouldn't allow it to not look the man in the eye, and besides: her character wouldn't either. So she watched him approach her with one of his sly smiles that he thought were covering his maleficent intentions. She had seen baboons with arms full of stolen bananas do better.

'Mrs. Priestly,' he never stopped the formal greeting, at least not directly towards her.

'Irv.' She greeted back. She too put on a sly smile. Yet he fell for it. His shoulders relaxing and his ego seemed to grow. 'Do take a seat. 'She pointed towards the uncomfortable chair in front of her desk which he took obediently. Since Paris he showed little signs of being intimidated by her. 'I am unaware we had scheduled an appointment but as you are here I assume you are having a pressing matter on hand?'. She did not believe her own words for a second. 'Let me reschedule my afternoon appointments, Em-'

'Oh no. that is not necessary. It will only take a minute.' Another smile and he fidgeted a little in his seat. Cleared his throat and put on a stern face. 'As you know you've been in your position for almost … what is it… 15 years now?'

It was 17 years. She knew Irv knew. She was not going correct him. She just kept her smile on. 'Am I going to receive a not-so-surprise-party?'.

He laughed. It was fake. 'Oh but I know how you dislike surprises.' She smiled with him. Then he put on his stern/grave like face again. 'I am here because I did not want to let this surprise you at the board meeting,-' Which meant he wanted to give her this blow himself, at the board meeting someone else might take that moment of glory.

'-A member of the team has done some research and it is most unfortunate that I have to tell you but, as you know Elias-Clarcke has its foundations as an European company. And with our roots we kept some policies.'

Something was about to come, something she was not going to like. She dearly hoped for 'that member of the team' that they hadn't come up with something compromising her position, or otherwise she would make them pay. Gravely.

'For instance regarding to maternity leave, which is approximately 20 weeks instead of the regular twelve .' She knew that policy. She hadn't used it but when the twins we coming she had considered it for a moment. Hectic got a whole new dimension that year. 'Yes. I am aware of our origins.' She tried to push him gently in the direction of getting to the point.

'But that is not the only one, we've incorporated several of the European approaches, mostly related to social support and Human Resources. Needless to say those policies apply to everyone within employment, regardless of their position within the corporation.' He reminded her that she still was on pay check. An exorbitant high pay check but a pay check nonetheless.

'I see. And the reason you are telling me is because a certain policy had come into conflict regarding my… decisions concerning those policies?' She already understood. He was going to talk about the amount of assistants she hired and fired. A classic critique, but minor inconvenience if she had to cut short in that area. Less circulation of second assistants was not a problem, she silently knew she could even manage with just Andrea. But it was good to have a backup in case the girl had sudden urges to flee. It had happened before. She looked at the man who was trying to keep up his 'empathy' face while little glistering in his eyes tried to show the pleasure he was getting out of bothering her.

'I am afraid so. I do not know how to tell you this but…'

You have to let go of one assistant.

'-…you've worked too much.'

What? She only rose one eyebrow. 'Worked… too much?'

'Yes. According to the European Collective Employment Agreements you are not allowed to go without more than halve a decade without the mandatory two weeks of vacation. Those need to be spent in contiguous sequence. Even more so when you work a lot of overtime. Now we are a little more flexible but as you haven't taken a day off within nine years….

'Yes?'

It is of necessity that you go on a vacation.

'My apologies?' Miranda looked at him as if he had just sprouted two heads. Was this some kind of joke?

'And because we value your immense… benefit to this company, I've taken the liberty to arrange a full week of vacation. We cleared your schedule-'

'I beg you a pardon?' He had done what?!

'Don't worry it is just one week, everything is fully arranged.'

One week?! The man had lost his already degrading mind. As if she would ever go on a vacation for a week, willingly. Two days with the girls were lovely but exhausting.

He chuckled a bit uncomfortable. ' On the house of course. As of next Monday, you will be heading towards the lovely and rustic town of Stonington Borough in Maine. Here are your tickets. Two of them, because a vacation is always better shared, don't you think?' He winked. She would rather step down then share a wink this pathetic man, but forced herself to show another fake laugh. 'Well I guess this is not bad news at al then? How lovely. I shall enjoy it immensely. Thank you Irv.' She accepted the envelope he held out to her.

He nodded enthusiastically. Thinking she'd buy his plan and pleased that he knew she hated to leave her work. 'Well, I shall leave you to your job then. I know how busy your schedule is. I am glad you take this inconvenience so well.' He started to walk away. 'Good afternoon Mrs. Priestly, and enjoy your well-deserved free time.' He winked again.

She was not amused.

However, a quick research into Elias-Clarcke policies showed her that he was right. She was forced to take a week off. Bastard! Apparently she had no other option than going. Well, then, if he thought she couldn't rule from a different place then her office, he would get very disappointed over the week. It took a little more than a forced week away to get her out of employment. It was, in fact, one of his weaker attempts.

Angry she glared at the tickets on her desk. Two because a vacation is always better shared. His words echoed in her ears. She didn't have a partner, he knew very well. Her divorce was finalized within three months after fashion week two years ago. Since then page six had speculated, but she hadn't dated anyone. Stephen had been a lesson well learned. Obligatory sex and a fortune were not enough compensate for separate bedrooms or lack of emotional involvement. Though she had been clear about the more contract based nature of their marriage, he had believed that she would change for him, over time and fall in love with him. The opposite happened, and that was that.

And her girls were at their father. The little man had planned it well. She pinched her nose. A sign of exasperation. Then she stood up, her decision already made.

Irv had left Miranda's office over five minutes ago, with a glimmer in his pork-like eyes, and still her boss' door hadn't opened. It made Andrea worried. The little man was always plotting against Miranda, while he had no reason to, other than that she didn't allow his ego to grow because she beat him every time to his plans.

She wondered what was going on, and doubted if she should bring the coffee she immediately had fixed when she saw Irv approaching. Miranda always needed coffee after meetings with him.

Suddenly the doors swung open and Miranda strode along her desk in marching pace. 'Coat, bag, coffee. Andrea clear my schedule for next week. Completely. Then clear yours, of everything that can't be done outside of the office, including the running of errands. Then pack a bag. You're coming with me.'

'Yes Miranda.' She retrieved the woman's coat as well as her own.

'What are you doing?' Miranda looked scrutinizing at her. Her eyes always made Andrea feel nervous. And other things.

'I am coming... with… you?'

'Don't be silly. Not now. Next week. Oh, and don't forget a coat. It can be chilly in Maine, even this time of year.' She took her coat from Andy's surprised hands and walked out the office.

Maine? Andy thought. 'Why would they be going to fucking Maine?'