Andy still was dubious of his plan.

Wait for Imran's body to be collected from the city morgue, The Teacher convinced her they'll come. Andy shivered at the cold room. Andy prayed Dr Maura Isles was not on today.

Abdul was sent to collect his employer's son's body. Imran. Good riddance. No great loss to Abdul, that boy had been a hot headed psychopath. The Trader had insisted this be done despite the risks, the auction was tonight.

A morgue worker was brushed away not to touch him as Abdul took out his own pen, lying his charitable organisation wished to bury Imran, scribbling an illegible signature and false address. Abdul winced scrutinising the worker. Perhaps people with dead eyes and missing fingers were allowed to work here, this form of employment would suit the undesirables.

Andy wheeled the gurney as The Teacher pushed a karambit's tip into Abdul's side. Abdul stilled feeling the blade tip.

''Hiya now you're going to play nice with me and tell me all about your Boss.''

Andy knew what he was going to do. She could almost name off the ritual he would follow. Earlier had been queasy about herself being questioned, that Dr had injected her with a drug that made her less resistant, very foggy about what had she told them. Foggy to what the Dr did to her.

She prayed she hadn't revealed everything not to him.

Mr Joshua was watched by Abdul who was strapped to a morgue pallet, flicking a gold lighter on and off. His eyes rolled from side to side. Imran's body immobile on the next gurney. Dead everywhere he looked. The Teacher flicked the lighter lovingly, and ran its flame along his fingertips back and forth.

Defiant at Mr Joshua. Spat at.

''Now, now that's rude and most impolite.'' The Teacher hated spitters. Made him want to smash every tooth in his mouth out, then maybe break his jaw.

Slamming the karambit's into his knee and twisted then held to deepen. ''What was that. Do speak up.'' His breath coming out in this cold room.

Abdul pale face contorted in agony as The Teacher calmly looked at his fake driver's license. ''Giancarlo.'' The Teacher smirked this little worm was about Italian as Garland Joshua was Brazilian.

''I'm just going to have to teach you to keep your fluids to yourself.'' Held the knife to the point of Abdul's eyelid. Trailed its sticky bloodied edge along and pressed its point. Indenting his skin.

''Tell me about this Auction and the twins she has. See my friend here, wants em back real badly. If you tell me everything maybe you live.''

Maybe you don't. Mr Joshua also known as Le Tenia always loved this part, believing him and his words. At least his victim was in the right place. The Morgue.

Andy looked away as he began.

It did not take long. The screaming, the whimpers and bloody gurgles. The teacher left the broken man limp. Later The Teacher pulled his latex gloves off from his hands. ''Damn it, he was a bleeder, ruined my shoes.'' The Teacher grumbled. Liked those shoes a lot.

''Gosh once he started he just wouldn't keep quiet. Could he.'' Chuckling darkly. ''This Zubediat should seriously consider re-evaluating her security. ''Weak little bawling...baby''

Andy felt his pulse. Abdul was dead.

The Teacher glanced at Andy who's long tapered fingers made to almost shut his victim's eyes. Thoughtfully. Clicking his tongue scolding her. ''Ah, Ah Andy. No prints.''

Andy heard her. Her familiar voice calling for her fellow criminalist. 'Susie?''

Stopping him. Blocking his way. ''Wait I'll get rid of her.'' Andy assured.

'' You better do that quick Andy or I'll kill her like him.'' The Teacher meant it. His eyes were lit with killing frenzy.

Andy stepped out to Dr Isles.

Not Susie Chang.

Maura Isles was more than surprised by Andy Sachs being here and also by her condition and her attitude. Why was Agent Sachs here in her Lab and Morgue?

Grabbing Maura's arm hard. '' Trust me Maura you have to leave. Just go please. Get out of here now.''

Never seen Agent Sachs look so agitated and tense least of all at her. Maura did leave.

The Teacher traced his knife along the wall where the Chief Medical Officer's Head would have been. He heard the click clack of her expensive shoes retreating. Nodding good decision Maura Isles would live today. Opening the exit door to let Andy out in front of him drawling '' Ladies first.''

He glanced at Andy, pleased she hadn't even flinched when he's taken the little wimps' nails out one by one. Christiana's daughter had balls and they made themselves a nice little team if he could just stamp out all that wear her heart on her sleeve crap, she'd be better than her mother.

Still couldn't believe it by camera Andy Sachs and The Teacher left the Morgue and had systematically tortured someone to death.

A pair of killers.

Jane was angrily glancing at Maura's bruised arm from Sachs grip.

''Jane for the last time I bruise easily, Andy I think was protecting me from him.''

''We don't know that for sure Maur.'' Hazel eyes pierced Jane's concerned dark brown.

''What are we going to tell Miranda.''

Jane Rizzoli looked at the grisly scene of a tortured Vory in the Boston PD Medical Examiner's Morgue. For once speechless.

The Trader's Auction

It took Andy two hours to prepare. At least her time at Runway wasn't for nothing.

The Trader's guards ran his fingers along the beautiful woman. Lingering on her figure, she was like a walking epitome of sex. With a sharp necklace and a gown that fitted her sensually.

Arrived in a Gold Ferrari she'd borrowed from a showroom.

Welcomed Bronwyn Lancret Whitehead.

Andy saw them. The Trader began the bidding at 20,000. Andy held up her paddle. Won the first bid but a few others kept raising theirs. Now at 75,000 for a pair.

Good thing Miranda wasn't here to see this.

Witness Cassidy and Caroline had drugged eyes, dressed in skimpy clothes. Revealing their limber young bodies scantily clad and paraded.

Had to repress an urge to sweep over and cover them up. If anybody hurt or touched them Andy would kill them.

Had to remain emotionless at the display seated in a George III chair.

The Teacher voice crackled in her earbud. ''Five minutes and then I think we introduce ourselves to our hostess.'' Andy was offered Cristal. Took one nursing it.

Andy raised her bid more, to another fifteen thousand.

The Trader watched the striking lady. Unusual tastes. Two virgins. Perhaps a broker.

Not the Saudis or her special clients who preferred even younger then these two innocents.

The Trader's phone rang. ''Good Evening Zubediat you have taken something that belongs to a friend of mine.''

The Trader's cold eyes scanned the room of buyers no one here was this person talking to her. '' Who is this?''

The Teacher, Mr Joshua smiled broadly into the receiver. ''Sorry let me introduce myself…I'm''

The first explosion was a controlled one under the parked Mercedes car exploded. The loud blast making her auction buyers begin to flee as another went off. Another buyer gone.

''As I was saying, my friend wants what you took back.''

The Trader scoffed as she held her mobile to her ear. ''Perhaps enlighten me as to what it is I have taken.''

'' A pair of twins. Give em back and you live.''

''If I don't.''

The Teacher chuckled as if she'd shared a joke that amused him. ''Well then there will be a problem. What will I do to you? Hmm things that are painful for hours or maybe days.'' His mind wandering to how he would kill her, torture her, the possibilities were endless.

Depended on how long she survived.

The Trader pressed end call. Supposed she'd have to take her chances.

Was not cowed by threats or explosions. Whoever lost her revenue tonight would pay piece by piece.

The Trader caught the young buyer's firm arm who was asking for her car to be brought. ''Do you still wish to buy my little ones, the twins?''

Andy nodded.

''Good follow me.''

Andy did.

Following the Trader's steps, Andy noted her bodyguard, cameras and a maze of doors in her large Estate.

One way or another Cassidy and Caroline were leaving with her.

''Sit please.''

Andy did so. Offered refreshments, declined by her and The Trader. ''Now to business you represent who?''

Andy looked at the Trader composed. ''Myself.''

The Trader hid her surprise. She was that way inclined? A beautiful woman with long legs and burnished hair that held men and women's attention. Lechery and lascivious came in all shapes and guises.

''I'd like to inspect them first.''

The Trader nodded. ''Of course.''

Did not like this person's eyes. Hard to read them. She didn't like not knowing the buyer, not knowing their peccadilloes. Chances were not something she liked to take she liked to even the odds. Every other buyer she knew their secrets, concupiscent secrets she could use for black mail. Some of the buyers liked little boys, others liked blond, tall ripe whores and of course the usual nubile extremely young girls. Forbidden was always the most succulent.

Some people could be so perverted and she was very happy to provide for their perversions at a very high price.

On the Grounds

A thermal eye watched them. Hidden in the dense foliage with a sniper rifle aimed. Saw Andy's longer figure at the window giving him the small signal. Five minutes. Bring down hell.

Of that he was an expert, to bring hell to any doorstep.

''Tick. Tick. Tick.''

The Teacher smiled admirably. Christiane had made a fine weapon. Shame he'd be putting her down later tonight.

Couldn't very well have a piece of him better than him. His offspring.

Baby girl goodnight. Soon.

Blue eyes focused on for a moment flickering warm brown. Couldn't believe it. Andy. Cass opened her mouth a slurred whimper of help.

Andy had to.

Struck to be quiet. To not let on that she knew them. Felt terrible made it light. Her slap. God the last time she'd seen Cassidy she had yelled at her.

The Trader could not know who she was yet. A clean skin.

The Trader cleared her throat. Her hand gripping Andy's arm tightly. ''No harming my little beauty. Not until you own them. Then by all means break them in.''

She could care less what happened after the merchandise was sold, but until than she had a reputation for flawlessness.

The Trader just provided the product, the taste of pleasure or pain not her concern what was done to them.

Andy didn't meet either twins' eyes. Couldn't. Miranda's eyes.

The Trader went down to business. ''As agreed at auction 90,000 for the pair. If you will transfer the payment they are yours.''

Tapping her smooth fingers on her antique Italian walnut desk The Trader watched as Andy typed in numbers that were fake.

''All mine.''

The bullet pierced into The Trader's bodyguard as Andy shielded the girls down. Unwinding her necklace, a blade or a gun on a garter would have been felt when she was frisked now twisted the chain around this Trader.

Now she was at Andy's mercy. Her neck surrounded by wire, her breath being squeezed from her.

Fingers clawing and curling around her letter opener.

Stabbed Andy.

The Trader was garrotted.

The Twins were wide awake, slow from the sedatives they'd been given, but energised with the thought of escape and the adrenaline shot Andrea had injected them with. She couldn't carry them out. They needed to walk on their own feet while she kept them alive.

Andy's one exposed shoulder edged along the wall, a long trickle of blood sprinkled along it. Leading the twins out.

Recalled her mother's words once to her before she died. You protect what you love with your bone and blood. Also if needs be your body. She would do just that.

Caroline saw the blood and heard her hiss of pain. ''You're bleeding Andy.'' Concerned as Cassidy flinched at another guard was shot from a distance. She didn't know this side of Andy. The hardened eyes, the lack of warmth as she shot the man with a perfect shot.

Lied to both. ''its fine.'' Clutching where The Trader had stabbed her.

Almost there.

Caught a hold of Cassidy tenderly. ''I didn't mean to hit you …I would never hurt you…forgive me Cass.''

Cassidy held Andy's eyes shimmering. ''I know that Andy.''

A van rolled up. Helped both inside. Andy felt a little dizzy from blood loss, wrapped blankets around both twins.

Asked Andy timidly. ''Are you taking us home to Mom?''

Andy nodded.

''Yes I am. You'll be home soon.''

In the Van

All passengers' looked at the driver, with missing fingers who made to form a gun like signal pointing at Andy. Just like when she was little, pointed right at her. Like that night they first met.

Held his cold eyes. His part of this bargain was done. Helped her get them back.

Now she was the price.

Driving them to the city to Maura Isles.

The Teacher, Mr Joshua was asked who he was by Cassidy. ''Me?'' Smiling at the teen broadly.

''Andy here and I, we go way back don't we baby girl.''

Cassidy didn't like him instantly.

Mr Joshua knew Andy held a CRKT Otanashi noh Ken knife under the dashboard as if in warning to him. Would use it on him if he tried to hurt the twins in anyway. Admirable, considering if she used her arm she'd bleed out more.

''You're Cassidy, right, and that in the back is Caroline, nice to finally meet you both, Andy here has shared loads with me. Haven't you.''

Glanced in the mirror at Andy's stony reaction at his friendliness.

''Turn up here.'' Andy ordered him.

Had five minutes before they were at Maura's door.

Caroline rummaged and accepted a cable sweater from Andy's bag, gave Caroline another soft fleece top. Covering what they'd been forced to wear.

Gripping the van steering wheel navigating the Boston streets as he saw Andy inhale trying to clasp her wound with her palm to stop it. Pleased she was hurt. Good. He liked it when they were bleeding.

Cassidy didn't miss him smile at Andy's pain.

''There.'' Andy directed him.

Pulled into the driveway.

''Out.''

Assured them, Andy pointed. '' Go on, that door is where your Mom is. Remember Dr Isles.''

Cassidy and Caroline turned back to Andy. ''Aren't you coming with us.''

Andy swallowed. Shook her head still in the van. ''I'll see you both soon. I love you guys.''

Cassidy stilled at Andy's pained eyes. ''You need a doctor Andy.'' Caroline made to open the door on Andy's side determinedly. Ready to help her out and support her to Mom and to help.

Catching his eyes. Stopping Caroline.

''No. I'll be fine. I promise. Car. Cass. Wait… here take this. It's for your Mom.'' The wrapped star.

Clasped it.

''Tell her I am sorry about leaving her. I…I hope this helps her forgive me a little.''

Saving the twins Andy was hoping and had tried to make things right between them. Still loved her.

Pulling out, leaving saw Cass and Car at a growing distance, go to the door through the side mirror. Good they were safe as the front door opened. Andy had a glimpse of Maura Isles as the van turned a corner.

Now he could do anything he wanted to her. Her eyes shutting from losing blood.

Drove for hours to woods, putting the vehicle to brake. Snowing blanketed the roads and where they were was isolated.

Leaned over The Teacher stroked Andy's defined cheekbone almost lovingly.

Groaning, eyelids flicked open wide with shock.

''Remember home Andy.''

Maura Isles Home

The van license plate Cassidy and Caroline had memorised had been found this early morning abandoned and burnt. Jane Rizzoli heard it on the radio first.

No bodies in it meaning no Andy found. Wasn't dead. Maybe.

Type A+ blood in it though. Andrea's blood type.

Recovered her gown it had been ripped off. Maura Isles had now two fears one Andy Sachs would be butchered by this killer and she'd have Andy on her table and her other fear the flesh-eating bacteria, Chromobacterium violaceum.

Maura felt hives as she tried to sort of lie not very well though to Miranda who knew it was Andréa's blood.

The gown left balled up, Miranda darkly pondered had he raped her. No other matter in the van had been found to suggest that happening Maura confirmed.

Miranda sat in on Hetty questioning her daughters about him.

Clutched what the twins had given her from Andy. Please be alive Andy. Have to live. Stay alive. For her.

Caroline listened intently to Ms Lange's words.

''Caroline it's important if you think back during the drive was there anything even small you can remember to help us find Agent Sachs. Perhaps takeaway bags, coffee cups or a parking ticket.

Liat prompted encouragingly. ''Concentrate on only you in that van.'' When she'd once hunted war criminals was apt at questioning the minutest of details.

Car thought back riding in the van last night. Her leg had collided with heavy backpacks like camping, a generator and stuff.

Cassidy interrupted both. ''Camping gear, I saw a crumpled envelope…I read it when I borrowed Andy's sweater, it was Red fern no …Redmond Farm yes Redmond Farm.''

Miranda's eyes lit. Liat hugged her.

''Good Cassidy and Caroline.'' Hetty praised. Her face growing weary. The Teacher surely wouldn't take Andréa there. To torture her even more.

Dialling a number. ''Nell, Eric need a location on a Redmond Farm outside of Boston.''

''What does Redmond Farm mean?'' Miranda tentatively asked. Saw Hetty react to the place.

''Redmond Farm is… was once Andy's home.''

Christiane didn't want to be found easily. Hetty remembered it. There or to Ireland to be lost in. Keeping Andy safe. Made a lot of enemies in the wilderness of mirrors.

''It's where her mother was killed in front of her by...''

Miranda's bright blue eyes shone sadly. ''Him.''

Hetty prayed she was alive, the likely hood was she was being tortured to death as they spoke.

''Why does he want to kill Andréa? ''

Hetty resolutely decided to tell Miranda everything about that night. Andy had sworn her to not say a word.

Redmond Farm Woods Last Night

Remembered here being her home once. Of course she did.

Andy froze her eyes opening wider, fully awake at where she was. Home.

The Teacher had stripped her dress off her in the van and he'd bandaged and dressed her. Changed vehicles to a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with snow tires.

Clutching her side. They were here. In her old house. Back.

Looked around in disbelief.

''We'll do this together Sunshine return here.'' Pulled further inside by him. ''Your just shaking like a leaf, come on now breathe Sugar.''

''Why am I here?'' Hollowly asked.

Mr Joshua pierced her huge eyes lighting a candle on the mantle. ''I thought it would be nice, a homecoming of sorts little Andy, show you I can hold my temper.''

''It is the season of giving.''

Humming a Christmas carol creepily.

Andy traced a faded drawing she remembered colouring for her mother. This gesture was meant to unbalance her. It was working.

Take her to a place she feared the most.

Took in old torn birthday decorations from that night. The night she lost everything. Closing her eyes from unshed tears. Would not cry not in front of him. Swallowed it down.

Her hands bound behind her back with a zip ties'. Freezing tonight in just jeans and a grey Patagonia Snap-T Fleece pullover and hiking boots.

''Take a seat.''

Pushed into an easy chair.

''Tell me why your mother died?''

Andy looked at him hard. Don't make her do this. Not here.

''Tell me.''

''Because you killed her.''

Beaming at Andy wildly. ''Yup that's right I killed her.''

Cruelly smiling at her. ''It is your fault little one…her death, wanting a party. Seen in town. Selfish. Your mama would still be…around breathing. You just had to go out. I told Chris that you were the only one seen, you were the only one who would be recognised that you needed to go, but oh no she wouldn't part with her baby girl. Got in the way.''

Andy shook. No he wasn't going to twist this around on her. He yanked her up by the zip ties heading for the stairs.

''Now I think it's time we make ourselves a video, I'll return the favour of my missing fingers.''

Pulled up against him, held to in his heavy grasp. Dug into her wound making it bleed out. Tasted it and then streaked it across her face. Felt it across her cheekbone. Her blood.

Flopped onto the lumpy bed. Her mother's bed.

''Are you going to rape me?''

Leaned into her face.

''Geez baby girl what kind sicko do you think I am? Raping my own daughter…offspring. Yes you're my whelp.''

Andy stilled at what he just said. No. That could not be true. He was not. He couldn't be, her father.

Shook her head, seeing he meant it.

''Oh she never told you. Did she?''

Saw it all of a sudden. Their resemblance. Brown eyes. The same eyes, but his had lost his humanity and now had no kindness or pity left in them.

Hers were alive still.

''I marked you because your mine. My kin.''

Ripping her sleeve to it.

''Mine. My property.''

''Now let's say hello to Hetty for old times.'' Turning on a laptop's camera. The Teacher took out a large skinning knife.

Redmond Farm Morning

Camouflaged at the activity of helicopters overhead. Someone holding a scope watched NCIS team landing. Wouldn't be found. Nope just an old abandoned house of a childhood nightmare.

It was over. They were dead. Free.

Stepped inside. No one. Musty and left to decay from the neglect years before. Eerily left with everything as it was like a time capsule. Freezing the day that Christiane died.

Hetty knew why it was left like it was. Andy had never wanted to return and there was no one else to pack it all away. Just a house full of good memories that in one night had turned bad.

Hetty was sure he would bring Andy here. Wrong.

Where would he take her to end her life? Looked to the woodlands, Mr Joshua when he went rogue use to teach death squads in Bosnia how to kill, make them line up victims and have them sing then execute every one of them. Women, elderly and children.

Miranda looked around at Andy's home once. It would have been a nice house to grow up in. Almost picture her Andy young trying to climb the old tree out front.

Overlooked a lake now frozen with a boathouse and a granary.

Sam on radio. '' Hetty we've got something upstairs here.''

Found a laptop. With a looping video, pressed play. Made sure it wasn't booby trapped to explode. Owen Granger was familiar with that in Helmand.

The Teacher came into focus on the screen.

''Hetty long time, now I know you're a tad worried about Agent Sachs. Never you fear now Hetty she's with me. In one piece for now.''

Hetty saw Agent Sachs brought forward into the frame.

Held a knife to Andy's throat under her jaw pressed with her hands bound behind her back.

''Say goodbye Hetty. Maybe I'll send a few pieces of her in the mail to you and to Miri.''

Pressed the sharp hunting blade to Andy's throat and began to slice across her skin. Screen went black.

Miranda caught sight of it before it could be fully concealed from her.

Paling, Andrea no. He'd executed her. Cried out for.

''No.'' Grasping Miranda's arm, Hetty repeated. ''I am so sorry Miranda.'' remorsefully.

Deeks and Kensi told Hetty they'd searched the perimeter no body found or tracks.

The person watching them unseen by NCIS team leave, saw Miranda pale helped by Granger, the scope focused on her. Only her. Would be meeting again.

Boots crunched the snowy earth, hiking deeper into the forest to where they'd left a backpack.

Almost a Week Later

Her words haunted her. Just go and don't come back. Last words she'd said to Andréa.

Andréa was gone. No body to bury. No closure.

Disavowed NCIS Agent Andy Sachs was a missing person.

Miranda was lost without her. Wished she could wake up and have it all be a bad dream that Andréa would still be here and alive. With her.

Every package that came she opened with caution. Affected by his words. Pieces of Andrea might be sent to her.

Leaving Boston, David and she talked honestly for the first time in years and he felt their girls were best with her. To heal. Admitted he was being petty keeping them from her, they needed their mother. Especially now.

Liat had helped her through as best she could, forcing her to be strong for her babies. Needed to be for Cassidy and Caroline.

Jane and Maura felt terrible for her loss.

Flown back to NY with her family missing a piece.

Nigel had urged Miranda to take time off. Liat told him what happened to Andy. Brushed off his condolences.

Miranda was finishing off a few small matters at Runway today. Then she'd be home and pretend everything was fine.

Aitana still couldn't adequately explain what came for Miranda this morning.

No courier or messengered package in her entire tenure as Editor in Chief of Runway came to her desk, anything delivered had to go through Aitana but there it was.

Just left on Miranda's glass desk.

Left for her.

This was not funny. It was sick. Was it him sending her this? Toying. Know where Andy was and torturing her with it this week.

The box had the sender as A Sachs.

Closing her bright blue eyes to compose herself. Earlier reading it made her makeup smear from her eyes.

Opening her eyes and looking downcast at a midnight blue velvet box with a silver ribbon. Touched it timidly with graceful tapered fingers.

Plucked the folded card, her blue sapphire eyes rounded at the words written to her.

Miri. Tonight I imagine you wearing this and only this. For me. A

Bravely opened the wrapped gift to an expensive long strand of cultured Mikimoto pearls.

Runway staff had left for the day on the 17th Floor, most were trying to do holiday shopping it was Christmas Eve tomorrow.

Miranda tilted her head back in her leather chair in repose. Exhaling, a tear trickled down her sharp cheekbone, Miranda felt it. Someone's fingertip trace and trailing it.

Felt a wet kiss on her lips.

Stilling it was late tonight at Runway's offices and she was alone. All alone. Her office lights dim usually Miranda looked out at the skyline.

Eyes snapped open to them.

Rich golden eyes met hers kindly. Knew that silhouette leaning into her. Grasping both chairs arms Miranda was pulled to.

''Do I know you?'' Asking her. The young lady had turned her head slightly.

Looked at her face to face. ''I don't know, Miri, do you?'' Prompting with her alive lit brown eyes. Lighter burnished hair and eyeglasses. Same smile.

Croaked out. ''Andréa.''

Alive. Here. With her. How did she survive?

Kissed Miri's eyelids softly. ''Yes it's me. I am here. Miri. Alive. With you. ''

Pressed her fingers to Andy's skin in disbelief.

Overjoyed at this, letting out a startled sputter of. ''How?''

Andy smiled at her. Honesty didn't hurt. ''With some difficulty. He's gone. I finished it.''

Her head of striking silver was caressed gently as Andy spoke of what happened. That night.

Andy hit him with her knee, felt the knife's edge slice her. Broke the zip ties free scrambling away, the laptop knocked in their scuffle. Thrown against a mirror, wincing from the impact Andy grasped a piece of glass like a skank and lunged at him. Stabbing at The Teacher who had similar reflexes blocking it, twisting Andy's injured arm. Trying to sprain or dislocate it.

Contorting her face in pain as he struck her injury, Andy was thrown down the creaky stairs.

The Teacher pulled at the glass shard makeshift blade she'd used against him to defend herself with. Jude had taught her well but not like him.

Examining his flesh wound idly she was going to die slowly.

Andy landed in a heap, swaying to her feet. Pushed by his words.

''Your Mom would be ashamed dying this quickly.''

Saw in her dark eyes, memories. The child he'd first seen with a wide smile playing with her Labrador, dropping a jar of fireflies which shattered when she saw them. Strangers here, her Mom yelling to her. '' Andy! Run.''

Chris frantically urged her daughter. ''Hide.''

Grabbed up by him as she squirmed, she'd spat at him that night. ''That wasn't very nice.'' Gripping her jaw. ''I think your mama's been remiss in manners.'' Quivering in fear of him than.

Broke free.

''That's right run. Little one. Run.'' Told his two men to hold Chris. ''Kids like me. Let's play hide and seek Andy. Come out. Come out. Wherever you are.''

Andy. Nice name. Sort of cute with wild chestnut hair. His Mama had a smile like that.

The Teacher. Le Tenia. Mr Joshua always found anyone hiding. Had a knack for it.

Chased after into dense firs. Not on a balmy night once but wintry.

He'd found her once before but this time not cowering near a table saw that cost him his fingers when she'd turned it on.

Inflicted pain on her in retaliation by carving his initial into her.

This time he'd be using his knife again on Andy but not to mark her but draw life from her.

His memory flicking back to present time. Shaking off the past.

The boathouse, searching saw her boots under the unlatched door. Entering curling his blade to stab. Jabbed air.

Clever. Picking up an empty shoe. ''Andy, Andy where could you be.'' Just like before.

Struck across the back of his head with an oar.

Raising the oar to hit him again and again. For everything she'd lost. Stopping herself.

No, would not be like him. Ever.

''Well my little bitch has bite. Come on give in to it. The rage. Let it out. Do it.'' On the wood plank floor, blood dribbled down his chin egging her on.

''Show me you have my temper in you. Don't hold it Andy.''

''Go.'' Andy clutched her arm. Dropping her defense. Letting the oar drop from her grasp. ''I'm letting you live… just take it and leave here and me. Just promise me never to try and hurt me or mine and I'll let you go.''

Garland Joshua's slack mouth opened. ''Baby girl you are a fool. Just like her. I have to kill you.''

Andy had a flicker of hope he would just walk away.

Lunged at Andy, letting go of the unknotted rope, the weight of the vessel landed on him fully. Swept down into the icy water.

Surfacing and gasping out. ''help me.'' Clawing at the water, panicking. Couldn't swim with the icy water making his legs lead and flaying arms heavy. Sinking down.

Andy's fingers almost reached his, almost touched and then she snatched her arm back. Away from him. She knew deep down now, given the first opportunity he'd attempt to kill her. Or go after hers.

''That's me holding my temper.'' Andy said. Not killing him letting the chilly elements do so.

''Goodbye father.''

''I tried to let him live. To just go. Show him I wasn't him. He…'' Miranda was listening compassionately, understood what Andy tried to do. Spare his life. Be better.

Clasped her hand Miranda's mouth pressed to Andy's warm skin.

''I know now you left for my benefit. To protect us from him. I was so angry with you. What I said to not come back to me.'' Miranda spoke into Andy's shoulder.

''I…Miri I want to be back with you. If you'll have me back. I love you always have.''

Blue eyes lit at Andy's words.

''I belong to you Andréa.'' Miranda began to express more words cut off and stopped with a demanding kiss, up against her glass desk.

''Actually Miri I believe you're also kissing Bronwyn Lancret Whitehead who was very jealous in LA with that Somers.'' Growled his name out with a heavy accent.

Somers Toleram.

''That's a terrible accent'' Miranda chided Andy. ''Wait Los Angeles. Were you there? You were.''

Andy nodded impishly.

''I know you probably were lonely. I understand if you both were together.''

Met with a sparkling laugh at her. ''Somers is a very good friend to me and very much like Nigel and Stephen.'' Took the sneaky opportunity to kiss Andy's slack open mouth soundly. Show who belonged to who. Held her blue eyes.

''I told you I am yours. Now there is something I need this Christmas.''

Ran her fingertip along Andy's lower lip slowly. ''One thing I do want and you do know how I hate to be disappointed.''

''What Miri?'' Willing to give her anything.

''Someone to stay in my bed, and life permanently.''

Andy pondered her words playfully. ''Let me think, I might know of someone who could accommodate you this season. She might and I have this on authority love you crazy Miranda Priestly.'' Brown eyes sparkling roguish.

''Really. She won't ever walk away from me with no explanation.'' Miranda asked teasing her only love with her mouth. Was brought to and held close to Andy.

''Hetty couldn't drag me away. Miri.''

Now there was the matter of wearing just a necklace tonight. Capturing Andy's lips.