Title: Off With Her Head.
Author: Q (willowezra)
Summary: A centuries old feud comes to a head in the fashion world.
Pairing: Miranda/Andy
Rating: M for later chapters
Beta: my sister K (even though she is an English major all mistakes are still mine so nobody steal them.)
Chapter One
Before the alarm clock even managed to go off, the lady of the house was already awake and showered. Sitting in front of the vanity in her La Perla lingerie and worn gray bathrobe she carefully applied her foundation before adding just the right amount of the rest of her make-up. Moving casually to her walk in closet, an outfit was selected after discarding several combinations. Once fully dressed in her work finest, she found herself once again that morning in the bathroom adding the finishing touches to her hair. Turning her head this way and that after styling the white locks a little differently it was decided that her signature look was the way the hair style would remain and set it back into place.
The jarring sound of a car alarm from the street below through the open window caused the occupant to wake. Blinking furiously to focus on the red alarm clock numbers, recognition seeped in with the clarity that one was already running late. Jumping out of bed and into the shower for the quickest rush to get ready.
Descending the stairs with all the grace bestowed a Queen, fully dressed and ready to begin her day, she enters the kitchen. Already seated at the kitchen table are her twin daughters quickly eating breakfast and bickering about some new song before heading off to school. Her husband sat wearing yesterdays clothes, wrinkled and disheveled nursing what appears to be a hangover as was his usual as of late. Wondering if he just spent the night in his office drinking or with another woman she didn't know but couldn't help thinking why she seems to marry this type of man. Avoiding him, she kisses her daughters good morning and wishes them a good day at school before she turned making the coffee maker her next stop. With her first cup of what will be many by the end of the day finished, she heads out to the waiting car.
Having reached her stop, Andy exited the subway station making a quick stop at he closest bodega for an onion bagel, she finished walking to her destination the building housing Elias-Clark Publications and the home of "Runway" magazine. Making her way to the seventeenth floor she watched the red head frantically prepare a stack of publications in the adjoining office.
"This must be some kind of a joke," the Brit spoke eying the new comer.
"I was told to arrive for the second assistant position." the brunette replied back not liking the attitude directed at her. "I'm qualified for this job if that is your concern."
Before she had a chance to say more, the red head, whom she later learned was called Emily, waved her back out of the way as a bald man had entered.
"Don't ask," Emily stated as she read the text she just received. "Oh God she's early. The car just arrived."
The bald man looked over at the woman standing off to the side. "Did someone eat an onion bagel?" He questioned before shaking his head and opening the glass doors. "Gird your loins people," he called out causing everyone to frantically move.
The sleek silver Mercedes pulled up to the curb and as soon as the driver opened the door, the Queen of Fashion gracefully exited and strolled into the building. She entered the open elevator and before it closed the other occupant quickly escaped with a whispered, "I'll catch the next one."
Upon reaching the seventeenth floor, home to her precious magazine, the doors dinged open showing an empty hallway with one exception. Her first assistant stood waiting for the mornings instructions and to receive the coveted Book.
Taking the seat behind her desk and peering over her glasses at Emily, she inquired about the woman standing in the outer office.
"She was sent up by Human Resources for the second assistant position," Emily huffed. "I've already interviewed her and she is completely unqualified for the job."
"As the last two you have sent me have been epic failures, I will be the judge. Send her in."
Leaving the Office and returning back to her desk to begin her morning instructions she didn't even bother looking towards the brunette. "She will see you now."
Entering the editor's inner sanctum on shaky legs she observed the older woman feeling a pull towards her. With a little hesitation the brunette slide her resume across the desk to the iconic woman.
"I'm Andy Sachs," she babbled. "Actually Andrea Sachs but everyone calls me Andy."
Looking over the rim of her glasses, she focused frosty blue eyes on the resume before directing her gaze to the young woman. The tingling sensation that she felt upon entering the outer office area returned as she was within close proximity of this woman. Her gaze started at the horrible clunky brown loafers before moving up slim legs to the dreadful skirt. Unable to look at the skirt too long she moved her icy blue gave further up to the baggy cerulean blue sweater that was about as unattractive as anything she had ever seen. But as horrid as it was, she couldn't quite take her eyes away from the younger woman's chest where even under the baggy clothing one could tell she was well endowed.
"What makes you think you are qualified for the position of second assistant?"
"Well I was Editor of my college paper and I think I could learn a lot here."
"You have no sense of fashion," holding her hand up she stopped the response coming. "No, no that was not a question."
Looking over her one last time the editor nodded not sure why she was hiring this fashion disaster but there is an underlying pull drawing her to this girl.
It had been months since she started working at "Runway" and still she felt like a fish out of water. Finally having enough she decided to head down to the Art Directors office, the only person employed at the magazine titan to be courteous to her.
"What? Do you expect to be given a gold star for simply going through the motions of your job?" He pushed the end of the China Marker against her forehead.
"I've been doing everything and learning quickly. That should could for something."
"Everything, are you sure?" Giving her a look over from head to toe taking in the dreadful attire before returning back to his work.
Looking down at what she was wearing she gave Nigel's words some thought and realizing that she hadn't done everything. Mentally admitting that he was right she decided it was time to take action.
"Nigel, Nigel, Nigel."
Like the story of the Ugly Duckling, Andrea was transformed from the frumpy young woman she first arrived as to this stunningly beautiful creature. When she first walked into the outer office, Miranda couldn't help but notice her through her always open door. From head to toe her second assistant appeared to be a completely new woman. Sporting a designer blouse and slacks as well as the Chanel boots that would stop any man or woman in their tracks, Miranda was for once thankful to be sitting down.
Months had passed since the glorious makeover and now it was time for the "Runway" Gala. Instead of attending her boyfriend Nate's birthday celebration, Andy found herself trailing behind the Queen of Fashion.
Seeing Emily stumble with the name of the individuals approaching, Andy leaned forward whispering their names into the delicate shell of an ear. After they gave their greetings they continued on to the next guests to move forward.
It wasn't long before Irv Ravits, CEO of Elias-Clark Publications, approached with the editor of French Runway in his arm.
Miranda Priestly stiffened at the sight of her constant rival, remembering times past when they clashed.
*~* Flashback *~*
Having been struggling for years, finally the fates had opened up to her and changed her world. Being chosen to be in the Queen's service was a great honor, one she vowed to live up to.
She had been following the directions of the head seamstress but there comes a point when one needs to put their foot down on something that will be nothing more than a disaster.
"I have told you many times Miriam, " the seamstress spoke. "You need to keep the lines straight down. None of this following the figure nonsense. It's not what the Queen wants and we must keep with tradition."
"But she doesn't know what she wants," Miriam argued "We need to give the Queen more options, break with tradition a little."
"No that is not the way things are done."
Deciding to do things on her own, Miriam would sneak down to the sewing room and work on her own projects at night when everyone else was asleep. She would pull her drawings out from where they were hidden in her room and bring her creations to life.
The finishing trim was finally added. Needing to step away and look at all her hard work, Miriam pulled a dressing form over to her work space and began to gently slide the dress on. With that done she stepped away needing to take in the full view.
"Yes. I think this will do nicely," she whispered to herself proud of what she had accomplished.
Not wanting anyone else to see what she had made without approval, Miriam removed the gown from the form and carefully placed it amongst all the other items she had been working on over the last several months.
The day had come for the Queen to descend to their room and make her choice. Miriam and several of the other helpers dressed the forms to allow the Queen the opportunity to see the gowns as they are meant to be worn.
Waiting off to the side with the other women, the Head Seamstress came to attention as the doors opened and Queen Elizabeth floated in stopping in the middle of the room.
"My Queen we are blessed by your presence," the Head Seamstress curtsied. "Please take a look at what we have made for your big day."
"Tell me why do all these gowns look the same?" The Queen demanded. "There is practically nothing different between them yet each was made by a different individual."
"My Queen I am deeply ashamed there is nothing here that pleases you," the Head Seamstress Jacqueline Follet apologized. "Our new seamstress er Miriam had the idea of the different dresses. I am sorry the responsibility that I placed with her was wrong."
Stepping forward Miriam gave a cold calculating look to Jacqueline before turning her focus on the Queen. "I apologize for speaking out of turn your Majesty but I have done nothing of the sort. I tried to point this out to Lady Jacqueline but she dismissed me."
Not wanting this to fall on her shoulders even though it was her mistake the Head Seamstress interrupted, "Your Majesty she is only saying this to try and save grace before you."
"It is you that is trying to save grace. I am speaking the truth and I can prove it," Miriam was beginning to get angry. Digging into the garments she had been working on she pulled out the finished gown.
"What proof is that? It's another dress just like the others."
"Oh no this is different. If I may your Majesty?"
Upon receiving the Queen's nod of approval, Miriam pulled an unused form closer to the others and proceed to drape her dress over it. Brushing out the wrinkling she stepped back allowing Queen Elizabeth to critique the dress she made.
*~* End Flashback *~*
Knowing Jacqueline as she did, she knew that she had sensed one of their kind. Though Miranda had the advantage and knew who this new comer was, Jacqueline did not.
"Miranda darling how are you," giving the silver haired woman air kisses near each cheek.
"Lovely Jacqueline and how are you? French Runway treating you well I hope." Miranda allowed a slight amount of disain to color her voice.
"Things are beginning to look up for me," offering a sinister smile as she swept her eyes around the vicinity to discern who was setting of her alarms. For a brief moment her eyes landed on the newest of Miranda's assistants wondering if this could be the person.
As the night wore on La Priestly dismissed them of their duties with strict orders that neither was to leave the event.
A blond man approached Andy where she sat perched at the bar waiting on her drink and watching those in attendance.
"I don't think we've meet before," he slid next to her when someone moved away. "I'm Christian. Christian Thompson."
Holding her hand out for a friendly shake. "Andy Sachs, nice to meet you Mr. Thompson. Now are you the Christian Thompson in publishing?"
"One and that same," offering what he thought was a charming smile. "I couldn't help but notice you were standing near Miranda."
"Yes I'm her new second assistant," she beamed proud of her job.
"Well don't let La Priestly destroy you like she has done so many others."
"I don't think that's going to happen. I'm not going to be an assistant forever, just long enough to open doors so I could write. I want to be a journalist."
"Really beauty and brains something one doesn't stumble upon too often. You should send me some of your work, maybe I can help open that door for you."
"That would be wonderful Mr. Thompson. Thank you."
"Christian please."
Seeing a commotion nearbye and recognizing the cause as Miranda's husband, Andy quickly excused herself with a promise to send him some things before heading to help the situation when Miranda was spotted by Steven.
Seeing his wife he stumbled in her direction tumbler in hand sloshing his drink of choice over the rim, covering his hand before dripping to the floor.
Noticing the drunken man, her body stiffened in preparation for the confrontation she knew was coming. It appeared that she was not the only one to notice as a smirk appeared on Irv's face while he focused his attention on the situation to come.
Andy was aware of not only her boss' body stiffening but of Irv Ravits focusing his attention on the drunken man. Knowing she needed to do something to distract the CEO, Andy approached him.
Linking her arm through his she began leading him to the other side of the room, all the while asking him questions about his charity.
Seeing what Andrea was doing, Miranda gave a slight nod before turning her attention towards her drunken husband and escorting him out. Once outside after having words with Steven, The Queen of Fashion made sure to get him into a cab before returning to the Gala. Addressing the guards that Steven was not to be allowed back in.
Finding Andrea still speaking off to the side with Irv, it looked to be that her assistant was now in need of being rescued.
Grabbing two champagne flutes she made her way towards the two.
"Irv, sorry to interrupt but could I possibly borrow Andrea for a few moments?" Handing the woman in question one of the flutes she was holding.
"Of course Miranda she is after all your assistant."
Offering the CEO a fake smile she escorted the young woman away from the smarmy man.
When they were out of ear shot she stopped walking and addressed the brunette. "I want to thank you for running interference with Irv. This could have been a bigger disaster than what it was. Don't think things like this go unnoticed. They don't."
Walking away the Editor failed to see the brilliant smile that adorned her assistant's face or that her arch nemesis had been watching the whole exchange coming to the conclusion that both were a little protective of the other. Slithering out of the Gala in the shadows, Follet decided she was going to try and entice Andrea away from the woman she has vowed to destroy for centuries.
The next day the office was back to its normal chaos. Arriving after stopping at the local Starbucks for Miranda's center of the sun hot coffee, Andy placed it just so before arranging the publications of competitors for her perusal in the specific order that only Miranda knows the reason why.
Before it got too far into the morning a floral delivery service showed up with an order for one Andrea Sachs. And before she even had a chance to read the card, Miranda breezed in with Emily hot on her heals taking notes. Stopping mid stride and almost causing Emily to crash into her back, La Priestly's icy gaze shifted to the left zeroing in on the arrangement on the corner of the desk.
Gasping at what brought about the distraction, Emily's eyes comically widened at seeing the freesias amongst the other flowers. "What is that. Get it out of here."
Not allowing Andy to move, Miranda speared her with a fiery look. "And just who are these from?"
"They must be from my boyfriend Nate but I haven't read the card yet and I don't know anyone else who would send me flowers though it's not really his thing either," Andy informed as she realized she was babbling and stopped reaching for the small envelope holding the so called card.
With a snort of disinterest Miranda walked into her office hoping Andrea was correct in who sent the arrangement and that it wasn't part of some twisted game that Miranda feared was coming.
Slipping the small note card out of the little envelope, Andrea softly read the script, "Your beauty stole my breath away as surely as the mightiest sword."
After rereading the note a couple of times she came to the conclusion that Nate definitely didn't send the flowers and that it must have come from Christian though the strange message didn't mean anything to her.
Once her assistants were away from their desks, Miranda quietly walked back out to Andrea's. Opening the top drawer she spotted the card sitting right on top. Taking a look around to make sure no one else was around and watching her, Miranda started reading what was scripted confirming her suspicions. It was obvious from the moment she read the penned words that it was from none other than Jacqueline Follet.