Andrea Sachs, roving reporter, looked around the tented area of the park with amusement. The orderly chaos that seemed to grow with every hour was oddly comforting, reminding her of her days at Runway. Specifically reminding her of the days just prior to a large event when Miranda was in a mood and the minions were trying to appease their resident Goddess.

She snapped a few photos, mostly for her own use to glance at as she was writing the article about this event. Keeping a feel for the atmosphere would help the article for sure. As of now she only had the most superficial of things to report regarding the attendees of this particular New York Fashion Week. So far though, she realized, that she'd only seen the bigger names that were in attendance. Her press pass allowed her practically anywhere, but she had stuck fairly closely to Miranda's schedule. That was partially because she knew that Miranda would be at the best of the best designer's booths, but also because it allowed her to see her wife, albeit briefly, throughout the day. Now with two days of the event left to go Andrea wondered if striking out on her own might make for a better article, or at least better material to base it on. She spotted an empty bench nearby and wondered if just sitting down and waiting for a story to come to her would work. Familiar voices pulled her from her thoughts.

"Ma! Ma!"

"Girls?" Andy looked toward the young women making a bee-line toward her, that is they were swerving through the crowed in as much of a straight line as possible. When they were close enough to hear her without any yelling Andy questioned their presence. "What happened to shopping?" She looked past them to see James carrying a few bags for them. When he caught up she smiled at him. "You got roped into pack mule duty?"

He nodded and lifted the bags in his hands, "It's just a few things and now that we've found you." He handed the bags over to his children. "I will see you next weekend, okay?"

"Sure Dad."

The girls both hugged him and he kissed their heads. "I'll be back from LA by Thursday, so I'll pick you up for sure on Saturday. The plane leaves Saturday afternoon and we can be skiing in Vale on Sunday." He looked at Andy apologetically. "Work stopped us this weekend. I have to fly out and settle some things."

"Sure." Andy knew that next weekend was going to be busy for Miranda anyway. Processing all the information from a fashion week usually took at least two weeks. "Safe flight." She watched him walk away and turned to the girls. "So, your weekend gets shifted."

"Meh..." Caroline waved off the inconvenience, much like Miranda would do. "We decided to make our friends jealous by attending this for a day anyway."

Andy nodded. "Ah..." She grinned at the girls, well then I guess you get to be junior reporters for the day. "How did you know where to find me?"

Cassidy chuckled. "I just called the new Emily and asked for Mom's itinerary. I figured you'd be around here about now."

Blushing at that, Andy nodded. "Yeah."

Her grin widened and Caroline asked, "So, what do junior reporters do?"

"Well, you look around and if you see something interesting you find out more about it."

Cassidy pointed, "Why don't we find out why that little girl is crying."

Andy looked in the direction Cassidy had indicated and saw the little crying girl, maybe eight years old, sitting on the bench that had been empty just a moment before, the very one Andy had contemplated using to people watch before the girls had arrived. "That sounds like a great idea." She smiled and ushered the girls toward the upset child.

###

Cassidy reached the bench first. "Hey... are you okay?"

Andy and Caroline arrived a step behind Cassidy and if either of the girls were surprised when the little girl looked up she couldn't tell. The child's face held all the classic markers of Down's Syndrome. As Caroline and Cassidy sat on either side of the child, Andy knelt, keeping her knees off the ground resting herself on her heels. "My name is Andy." She pointed to the girls as she introduced them, "That's Caroline and that's Cassidy." She tilted her head to try and catch the girl's eyes. "We saw you crying and thought we might be able to help. What's wrong?"

Rubbing the back of her hand across her eyes the girl blinked. "I shouldn't be talking to you. Daddy's boss said not to bother the pretty people!"

Cassidy questioned, "Pretty people?"

Nodding, the child gestured to the woman and girls speaking to her and the gathering in general. "All pretty people, not like me. Daddy's boss said," her face scrunched up imitating the mean boss. "stay out of the way." She sniffled. "She said I would never be a pretty person." Tears began to flow again, so much so that she didn't see the outrage growing in three sets of Priestly eyes. "Daddy says not to listen to her, that she's just mean."

"I'll say!" Cassidy was ready to pound the person responsible for hurting this sweet girl.

A decidedly masculine voice sounded behind Andy, "What's going on here?"

Andy stood abruptly, but smiled as another, softer but equally demanding voice spoke from another direction, "That is my question exactly."

Recognizing the second voice easily, Andy's grin widened when their eyes met. "Miranda."

The child identified the first voice. "Daddy!"

His voice was strained. "What's wrong, Princess?"

As the man knelt to comfort his daughter, Andy moved closer to Miranda and, in low tones, explained the situation. She wasn't sure how to feel as the Dragon made an appearance. It always gave her a thrill to see Miranda at her most Dragon-like, but it also usually made her slightly sorry for whoever was about to be eviscerated. This time, however, not so much. The woman who hurt this child totally deserved whatever the Dragon was about to dish out.

Miranda noticed the badge on the man's lanyard. "Emily." She saw the man and his daughter glancing at her then she looked to her left as the summoned assistant appeared. "The Ferretti show begins soon, correct?"

A slight pause as the Emily checked the schedule and then a nod. "Yes, Miranda."

"Send Alberta my regrets and schedule a lunch meeting with her after fashion week, at her convenience." She spoke to the assistant as she moved toward the father and child. "I believe the Vermeulen show begins soon as well, I will be attending that one, inform them and adjust my schedule accordingly."

She had already seen most of the Ferretti and the Vermeulen designs during Milan Fashion Week but had opted to attend the Ferretti show here due to her friendship with Alberta. Now Miranda realized that Hendrik's show was exactly where she needed to be, with one addition to her entourage.

Miranda addressed the child. "What is your name, young woman?"

"Emily."

Miranda's lips twitched and she licked them to stop the smile from forming. "How fortuitous. All of my assistant's are named Emily." She held out her hand. "Come along with me to a runway show. I would like your input on the designs, and the models."

Emily looked at her father and he nodded his agreement, slightly shocked, but he knew that no one said no to Miranda Priestly.

"We'll come with you." Cassidy and Caroline patted Emily's shoulders.

Andy grinned. "Me too."

Emily still looked a bit apprehensive as she turned back to her father. He smiled encouragingly and winked. "You'll be fine, Princess. These ladies will take care of you. I can't come with you, I need to get back to work. The show does begin soon." He tapped the badge that indicated his involvement with the Ferretti booth and could already hear the show coordinator's shrill screeches cutting through the short distance from their company's tent to the bench.

That made Miranda slightly curious. "What is it you do, Mr..."

"Cole." He answered automatically, still somewhat in shock, "Phillip Cole. I'm a makeup artist. Our company contracts with designers, photographers and film studios for short term contracts."

"Mmm..." In fact, Miranda recalled several times this man's name had come up during meetings with Serena. So he was quite good at what he did. "We will return Emily to you later, after the show."

Nodding, he answered the only way he could, the only way anyone could. "Yes, Miranda."

###

Miranda held on to little Emily's hand as they walked. She knew they made an odd pair, her in her power suit and the child in her brightly colored sun-dress. What fascinated her the most was the curiosity and enthusiasm her young companion displayed as she looked at the crowded space. "You are a people watcher." Miranda smiled down at the child. "Andrea also pays close attention to the people surrounding her." A hint of a smile appeared on her lips. "Perhaps you will be a reporter when you are older?"

"I want to be a model." Emily sighed and recalled the ugliness that had set her crying earlier. "But I'll never be a pretty person."

Stopping in the middle of the swirling crowd, Miranda turned and knelt much as Andy had earlier not letting her knees touch the ground but putting herself eye level with the child. "You are a pretty person. Do not ever let anyone convince you otherwise. We are all unique. We all have distinctive traits that make us beautiful to the people who love us, no one elses opinions matter in the slightest."

"But you're a pretty person, so it's easy for you to say that."

Andy watched the scene with some amazement. She wasn't surprised that the crowd left a large space around their little group clear and honestly wasn't surprised at the reassurance Miranda gave Emily. She did surprise herself however when she crouched down as well and informed Emily, "Miranda is the Queen of the Pretty People. If she says you're beautiful, then you are."

Emily's eyes widened. "You're the Queen?"

Miranda shot an indecipherable look at her wife then acknowledged the title. "Yes. I am." She stood and rolled her eyes at her girls' grins as she took Emily's hand again. "Now we musn't dawdle. It it time for the show to begin. I wouldn't want them delayed due to our late arrival."

"They will wait for you to get there?" Emily thought about that for a few steps then added, "Because you're the Queen?"

Miranda licked her lips and nodded as they walked, "Because I am the Queen."

###

News of Miranda's arrival swept through the backstage and everyone was excited about the sudden change. For the designers, the prestige of Miranda attending would be enough to escalate interest in their designs. For the models, having Miranda see them in a runway show could possibly get them work in the magazine. On the other hand, if anything went wrong in front of Miranda she was not known for giving second chances. Some of them took turns peeking out at the crowd, even though the lights had already dimmed for the beginning of the show and they really couldn't see anything.

Miranda settled into her front row seat with little Emily. "Pay attention now, and if you have a comment regarding any of the designs or models, whisper them to me quietly."

Emily nodded and sat up straight, ready for the show to begin.

Andy and the girls settled in to their seats as well. Andy loved it when she could share in Miranda's job, even peripherally. She had fallen in love with her wife through this world and it was a great treat when she could revisit that feeling. She didn't think she could love Miranda any more than she already did, until the models began walking the catwalk and one particular model stepped down the runway. Andy saw the small smirk on Miranda's lips when little Emily jumped out of her seat and made a small gasp. Miranda allowed Emily to stand during the model's walk then gently helped her sit back down. Andy heard the tiny excited whisper. "She's like me!"

Miranda nodded. "She is. She has worked very hard to obtain what she wants, as you can." A tiny twinkle appeared in Miranda's eyes. "Would you like to meet her?"

"Yes!" Emily practically vibrated in her seat for the rest of the show, which was nearly over but probably felt like an eternity to her.

When the last model did finally walk down the runway and the lights came back up, Miranda stood and held her hand out to little Emily. "Come along." She walked to the backstage area and first congratulated the designer on the line, then moved on to where the models were gathering. "Ms. Stuart?" Miranda waited for the young woman to turn around and for both her and her caretaker get over the shock of Miranda Priestly addressing her. "I want to congratulate you on your first runway show. I will be watching your career with great interest." Miranda accepted the young model's thanks then she indicated Emily. "My new friend here also wanted to speak with you for a moment."

"Hi." Emily hid her face in Miranda's side.

"Hello." Madeline smiled and knelt down to hug the younger girl.

Madeline's agent, who turned out to be Madeline's mother, also hugged little Emily. "Did you like the show?" She smiled when Emily nodded.

Miranda interjected. "Young Emily here was under the impression that 'people like her' could not be models." She smiled indulgently at the child. "I brought her here to discourage her of that notion." She spoke earnestly, "Madeline is a role model for many people."

"Thank you." She smiled as she wrapped her arm around Madeline's shoulder. "I'm very proud of her."

Nodding, Miranda glanced at her own children and smiled. "As you should be." She offered her hand to little Emily. "Come along, Emily. I'm sure your father is anxiously awaiting your return."

"Bye." Emily waved as they walked out of the tent.

###

Backstage at the Ferretti show was similar to the one they had just left. Miranda and her entourage made their way through the crowd. She stopped long enough to air kiss her friend's cheeks and promise to have lunch with her soon then moved on to find her newest Emily's father. It was the young woman herself who spotted him.

"Daddy!" She released her grip on Miranda's hand and ran ahead to fall into his arms.

"Hello, Princess. Did you have a good time!"

"Yes!" Emily was trying to speak so fast that anyone else would have thought it was gibberish, but Phillip was able to follow his daughter's words.

"You saw a model like you?" He looked up at Miranda for clarification.

"Hendrik Vermeulen's show featured a young woman from Australia who happens to have Down's syndrome." Miranda smiled at her new friend. "Young Emily here found that very interesting." She winked at the girl. "As did I." She took in the astonished look on his face and nodded. "Now," she glanced around as if making sure no one was listening, "we should discuss your future." Miranda found a chair and made herself comfortable. "I have heard many good things associated with your name." She smiled. "How would you like to come to work at Runway?"

"He works for me."

Miranda turned toward the voice. "Not for much longer." The Dragon appeared. "Your prejudice against differently-abled people will be your downfall." Miranda sniffed. "It will not take long before your company closes its doors."

"My company is doing just fine."

"It won't take long for word to spread regarding your appalling attitudes." Miranda began listing off names of people who would most definitely make the company that was doing 'fine', far from fine.

"You can't do that!"

Miranda merely looked at the irate woman with a mixture of pity and disgust. Her gaze never left the woman, even when young Emily's whisper to her father reached her sensitive ears.

"She's the Queen."

One perfect eyebrow rose slightly and a smirk pulled at the corners of Miranda's mouth. "You will find that I have many skills." Her smirk widened when she heard Andrea choke back laughter. Andrea knew more than most exactly what Miranda's skills encompassed. Miranda stood and took Andrea's hand. "I believe we're done here. Shall we go to lunch?"

"By all means." Andy looked at little Emily. "It was nice to meet you." She smiled when the child nodded and they waited while Caroline and Cassidy both got hugs goodbye. Miranda spoke to Phillip as they began walking away.

"My people will be in touch."

He held tightly to his daughter's hand and nodded, again answering the only way he could. "Yes, Miranda."

End.