A/N: Yay, another fic idea from the lovely celesse201, who for whatever reason, holds the belief I can bring her ideas to life. This is my first major AU. Not giving too much away. Miranda is Miranda but I am making her and the twins slightly younger for the sake of the fic. Andy is not the Andy you expect (Hence the AU)

Disclaimer: I not own the main characters related to The Devil Wears Prada. They are owned by the original author and 20th Century Fox. Some characters will be my own.

Summary: Andy loves Miranda, and deep down Miranda loves Andy. Can they mend the bridges Miranda broke when she rejected Andy's love?

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Looking into the mirror he groaned as he took in his unkempt dark wavy hair and the messy lumberjack beard. He appreciated he needed to tidy himself up. He was trying to build his business as a Remodelling Architect and first impressions counted, so turning up to meet potential new clients looking like the wild man of Borneo wouldn't make a good impact.

Smiling at the simile, he examined the fine wrinkles around his eyes. His face was tanned to a deep olive from spending the last few months on a site in the Hamptons. His teeth were pearly white and his wide smile made his eyes brighten, the flecks of green and amber in the brown causing them to shine like sunlight on polished stone. He loved his eyes, holding the belief they were his best feature. When he was good-humoured, which was 98% of the time, they remained warm, lively, and sparkled with laughter, but when downcast they grew dim and darkened. The smooth green on the edge of his iris contrasted beautifully with the amber and green flecks in the middle. His eyes captured the interest of many women who gazed into them, yet there was just one woman who owned his heart, and she couldn't return his love no matter how he wished otherwise.

Sighing at the fleeting thought, he pulled off his sleeveless t-shirt and his muscles rippled with his smooth movements. He was proud of the way he had grown, spending the better part of his early twenties slim, he had bulked up over the last three years; it showed the hard work he put into his physique through his work and his extracurricular activities.

Pulling out his cell from the pocket of his basketball shorts he scrolled quickly and dialled his favourite barber. "Luce." He growled, unable to stop the grin that formed at the loud squeal on the other end of his cell. "I need a favour, honey. Can you fit me in this morning, I have lunch with a prospective client?" He laughed happily. "Sure thing, I'll be there within the hour." He disconnected quickly and placed his cell on the vanity. Stripping off the rest of his clothes he stalked to the shower.

Today would be a good day. You couldn't beat a free lunch and the potential to charm a new client. Ana told him nothing about the woman who may hire him, but she'd been impressed with the renovations on Ana's home. Unable to stop the smile he stepped under the warm spray and closed his eyes.

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He was about to pull into a parking spot in front of the restaurant when a sleek silver Mercedes town car cut in front of him.

In frustration, he slammed on his brakes and pressed his hand on the horn. Like any New Yorker would, he spewed profanities. "You goddamn, mother fucking cocksucker. How did you not see me here? Goddamn arrogant sonofabitch." The driver stepped from the car and discreetly flipped him the bird as he moved to open the rear door.

Pulling back into traffic he looked into his rear-view and his breath caught at the sight of the older woman, her silver hair falling just so. His concentration shot, he almost missed as another car pulled out of a spot. Slowing down he pulled into the spot and took a few calming breaths. Stepping onto the sidewalk he looked back towards the restaurant and shook his head. It was only a matter of time before he crossed paths with Miranda, New York was a small city in many ways, but he hoped he'd have more time.

As he meandered towards the Le Bernardin his thoughts were overtaken by recollections of the first moment he met the woman he loved.

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Who are you?" Miranda asked, her blue eyes piercing into his soul.

"My name is Andy Sachs, I recently graduated from…" He tried to hand his resume to Miranda only to have it ignored as she looked down at the papers in front of her. She looked up and gave him a once-over, top to bottom. "...Harvard University..." He continued.

"What are you doing here?" Miranda queried.

"Well, I think I could do a good job as your assistant and…um…" Andy hesitated before continuing. "I came to New York to be an architect and sent letters out everywhere, but no-one's interested. A friend told me Elias Clark were looking for staff for entry-level positions. I met with Sherri in Human Resources and basically, it's this or nothing."

Miranda seemed pleased with his honesty, offering a small smirk. "So you don't read Runway?" She asked.

"No." He sputtered in shocked disbelief. Why on Earth would she think he'd read a fashion magazine?

"And before today you had never heard of me?" Miranda queried.

"No," His nervousness was clear in his voice in as he fell into the deep pools of blue.

"And you have no style or sense of fashion." Miranda declared, looking at his sports jacket, chinos, pale blue shirt and loafers as if they carried the plague.

"I think that depends on…" He stammered.

Miranda raised her eyebrow, "No, no...That wasn't a question." Finally picking up his resume Miranda glanced at the information as he stood shuffling from foot to foot.

Miranda held up her hand and made a shooing motion. "That's all!"

Started with the abruptness he let out a nervous laugh. Shaking his head as Miranda stared at him, he turned away. As he reached for the door he spun around. "Okay, okay you're right. I don't fit in here. I am not interesting or particularly fashionable but I am smart I learn fast and I would work very hard for you..." Miranda said nothing. "...Thank you for your time..." He left quickly.

Stepping into the elevator he let out a sigh of relief, his heart was beating furiously and his palms were sweaty. That woman was something else. She was the most beautiful person he'd ever seen, and those eyes, he'd happily drown in their depths. Stepping from the elevator he moved towards security to hand in his visitor's pass to the burly security guard. He caught his name being called urgently. Looking back, he spotted the uptight redhead from upstairs beckoning him with her index finger as she shook her head in wonder. He let out a sharp laugh as he made his way to the woman. "You have got to be shittin' me?" He exclaimed when he reached the redhead.

"There's no accounting for taste, Andrei," Emily stated coldly.

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He faltered as he arrived at the doors of Le Bernardin. Looking down at himself he nodded once. Wearing slate grey Dolce and Gabbana trousers and a matching vest, paired with a black Tom Ford shirt, he was dressed to impress.

His hair was tamed. He'd let Luce talk him into having it cut much shorter than he usually preferred. It had been clipped short at the back and sides while the front was kept longer and his wavy hair swept back off his forehead in a side parting. His beard had been trimmed to precision, so it looked like 3-day-old stubble, fading into his sideburns. She'd wanted to leave him clean shaven, but he was worried he'd be left with a patch of pale, untanned skin.

Luce stated he looked classy when he came back from getting changed in her back room. He grinned, a dimple flashing in his cheek, and shrugged. She didn't understand the details of his life but had realised he'd been burnt by love and often told him it was a shame he didn't date.

Taking a deep breath he stepped into the cool restaurant and was greeted politely. Explaining that he was here for a meeting with Ana Jacobson he was led to a table where once again he hesitated. Sat beside Ana was no other than Miranda Priestly.

As she looked up and beheld him, her mouth dropped open and shock flash in her eyes. Schooling her features she leaned back confidently. Ana stood up and smiled, her hand extended to him.

As he stepped up to the table, he clasped Ana's hand in his. "It's lovely to see you again, Ana, how are Cody and Jon?"

She grinned. "The boys are well, Andy. Jon won his first soccer match, he really appreciated you taking the time to practice with him." Ana gestured to Miranda. "This is Miranda, she is interested in your work."

"Hi Miranda," He stated nervously.

"Andrei..." Miranda licked her lips before smirking. "Are you going to stand there like a statue of Adonis or will you join us?"

Ana looked at her friend and the young man, who was blushing, confusion clouding her eyes. As he sat opposite the two women, she asked the one question running through her mind. "You know each other?" She was amazed.

"We did, once upon a time. Andrei was my one and only male assistant many years ago." Miranda stated softly.

"The one that left you in Paris?" Ana choked on her drink. Turning her face away from them she wiped her eyes and tried not to laugh at the sheer absurdity of the moment. Miranda had spoken in length to her one night about the disappearing assistant who had declared his love before vanishing off the face of the Earth, and she was aware just how much Miranda had searched for the young man. She had never mentioned his name, however, stating it caused her too much pain.

"Yes, the exact one." Miranda clarified. She turned appraising eyes upon the man in front of her and offered him a genuine smile. "You look wonderful, Andrei."

"Andy." He growled deeply. He kept his eyes averted, unable to let himself fall in the depth of blue. It would hurt too much to have those eyes upon him and walk away again.

Miranda chuckled. "So forceful, Andrei. But no, I much rather your given name, as you are aware."

He looked up into those baby blues and felt himself sinking. Tearing his eyes away, he looked at Ana for help but she seemed to be gathering her things. As she looked up, she caught his eyes. "I'm sorry, Andy. I have an appointment and wasn't meant to stay this long. Now the introductions made you can thrash the deal out between you." She stood, and he followed her to his feet as she swooped in and gave Miranda the usual air kisses. With a final wave, she was gone, leaving him alone with the Devil herself.

Closing his eyes he counted to ten before sitting down. Miranda eyed him hungrily as he rubbed his jaw. "So, what do you want?" She arched her eyebrow and smirked. "Miranda, I am serious. This is a business lunch, nothing more. What work do you need doing and where?" His tone remained firm and confident which had the older woman sitting back in surprise. She looked a little pleased if the quirk of her lips was anything to go by.

"There are multiple areas your expertise would be welcome, Andrei. Firstly at the house in the Hamptons. I am holding my benefit there in August and need work doing to the ballroom, kitchen and bathrooms. Men's Runway is also launching at the end of the year. Level 16 has been vacated and Nigel and his team will set up there. I need the space cleared and redesigned, with its own closet."

He looked down at the menu as their server approached. Scanning the menu he decided. "Dover Sole, please."

"Filet Mignon." Miranda annoyance at being interrupted was clear. "Wine?" Miranda questioned.

"No, thank you, I am driving out to Queens after lunch." He stated. He also needed to keep a clear head with the editor. They both watched the server retreating, and he grinned. Miranda's reputation preceded her, and everyone understood not to linger.

"Why are you going to Queens?" Miranda asked. Now she had Andrei in front of her, she did not want to let him out of her sight.

"Rockaway Beach, I'm going surfing." He told her.

"In Tom Ford and Dolce and Gabbana?" Miranda's tone was teasing, and he caught the laughter behind her words.

"Well, I'm sure that would be a sight, but no. I have a change of clothes and my board in the car. The waves won't be fierce or anything, it's best in autumn when it's the hurricane season. But it'll be good enough." He explained lightly.

Miranda swallowed audibly. "Well..."

He wanted to steer them back to a professional level. He'd forgotten how engaging the older woman was when she focused her sole attention on you and displayed an interest. "Now, back to business. Tell me more about what you want for Men's Runway and the house?"

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Lunch passed quickly with her explaining her vision as they ate. After clearing up a few points, Andrei understood what she needed. He'd assured her once she provided floor plans he would draw up designs with a quote. He would send them to her once complete. If she was unhappy, he would make revisions, or she was free to use an alternate source to have the work completed.

As they stepped out into the afternoon sun, she turned to the young man and frowned. "The twins have missed you." She said. "I have..." She trailed off, biting her lip. She had never identified what it was about this man that had her world spinning off its axis. She had been devastated when he'd disappeared from New York. "...You can visit them if you wish. They would enjoy that immensely."

She noticed the pain reflected in Andrei's beautifully expressive eyes. "I don't think that's such a good idea, Miranda."

Roy pulled up and Miranda watched as he exited the car quickly and moved to the rear. She observed him gazing at Andrei curiously, almost doing a double take when he realised it was the person he'd flipped the bird to, and then when he realised it was Miranda's ex-assistant. "Hey, Andy." He grinned, a flush creeping up his cheeks.

"Hi, Roy," Andrei stated quietly. He turned to her. "I should..." He gestured towards his new Toyota Tacoma. "I'll be in touch."

"Andrei..." Miranda faltered. She did not want to let him go.

"I'll see you soon, Miranda." She was stunned when he bent down and placed a light kiss on her cheek. "It was good seeing you again."

She called after him. "Was it?"

She watched as he spun around, walking backwards as people parted around him like the red sea. His face split into a wide smile, showing his dimples. "Always."

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Miranda returned to Runway but found her attention was scattered. She entered her office, closing the door with the advice she was not to be disturbed. Spinning in her chair she looked out of the window, her mind on Andrei.

Seeing him enter the restaurant had shocked her and when he stepped towards their table and Ana rose to greet him, it was all she could do not to growl at her friend. She experienced an overpowering sense of possessiveness. Andrei was hers, he had been hers since that first day he'd stepped into her office. There was something about him that made her firing off the demand for Emily to fetch him.

Being in his presence again after so long left her wanting more. The changes she discerned in him, his growth, it left her astounded. Rugged and fit, his biceps were well defined under the sleeves of his shirt and his chest broad. His entire persona caused a jolt of desire to run through her deeper and more ferocious than anything she'd experienced before. She wanted to run her hands through his wavy hair, trail her fingertips up his stubbled jaw. And that ass, before he'd turned to walk backwards and called to her, well, it was simply divine.

She acknowledged how she felt for Andrei, but she was initially slow on the uptake, living in a state of denial. By the time she had worked out what she felt it was too late. He was gone. Broken by her harsh attitude to his gentle declaration of love. She had not believed him at first, she was scared by the failing of her previous marriages and that fear increased with the force of her own feelings for her young assistant as he told her of his deepest hopes for them. She told herself his words were lies meant to pull her in before discarding her or a ploy to gain something from her. Yet upon seeing the pain she caused flickering in his eyes she recognised his words were the truth and her own heart broke.

She remembered that final day in Paris as if it had occurred just the day before, the moment ingrained in her mind.

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She knew he had spent the night with Christina Thompson, the woman's bright red hooker lipstick was unmistakable on his neck when he banged on Irv's door to warn her of his manoeuvring. At that moment, seeing him flushed and with the signs of a night spent in someone else's arms, she had been apoplectic. She had never experienced such a rage. "Have you completely lost your mind?" She seethed.

"Miranda I need to talk to you," Andrei whispered, seeing Irv lurking in the background.

"Do not disturb me." She hissed, dismissing him entirely. She saw his shoulders slump dejectedly as she slammed the door in his face apologising to that poisonous dwarf for the disruption.

Hours passed, and she outmanoeuvred Irv before announcing at the luncheon that the James Holt position was going to Jacqueline Follet. From the stage, she observed Nigel and Andrei's reaction and her smile of congratulations came out more like a grimace. She took no joy in dashing her friend's hopes, but Nigel would succeed, she had plans for her oldest friend and closest ally. Andrei's disappointment in her was clear and she was certain she had dashed the high esteem and respect he held for her.

After the lunch she recognised Andrei wanted answers, they were visible in his eyes as they sat side by side in the car. Turning towards him, she spoke quietly. 'You thought I didn't know?" She asked. Andrei nodded his agreement. "I've known what was happening for quite some time. It just took me a little while to find a suitable alternative for Jacqueline, and that James Holt job..." She sighed. "...it was so absurdly overpaid; of course she jumped at it." She let herself smile. "And so I just had to tell Irv that Jacqueline was unavailable. Truth is there is no-one who can do what I do, including her. Any of the other choices would find the job impossible and the magazine would have suffered." She gazed at the young man sat beside her. "I was very, very impressed though, with how intently you tried to warn me." Studying his reactions further she continued to speak. "I never thought I would say this, but I really do see a great deal of myself in you. You can see beyond what people want and what they need and you can choose for yourself."

Andrei looked at Miranda in confusion. "I don't think I'm like that. I...I couldn't do what you did to Nigel, Miranda, I couldn't do something like that.' He claimed.

"Mm, you already did..." She stated coldly. "...to Emily."

"That's not what I..." He stuttered. "No no...That was...that was different. I didn't have a choice." Andrei declared.

"Oh no, you chose, you chose to get ahead. You want this life, those choices are necessary." She told him.

"But what if this isn't what I want? I mean, what if I don't want to live the way you live?" Andrei asked.

Miranda blew out a harsh breath. "Don't be ridiculous Andrei, everybody wants this, everyone wants to be us,"

"You are wrong, Miranda. I don't want to be like you." She looked at him, eyebrow raised. "I want to be with you." Andrei's voice was gentle and his eyes held tenderness. She realised she probably looked like a guppy, her mouth opening and closing in incredulity at those words. She shook her head, she would not let herself believe him. "I love you, Miranda, your girl's too. They're beautiful, like you. I want you to consider what I am saying, think about it, give me a chance." She heard the hope in his voice. "I would love you all of your life, I would respect you. We could be a family."

"I...I...No, that will not do." She stuttered. She let her eyes turn hard and her voice was quiet but firm. "How can you even contemplate I would return such sentiments? You are a man almost half my age, with no real idea of what you want from your life. The idea is quite absurd, really. You have overstepped all boundaries, Andrei. I will forget this and you will not mention such things again. That's all." With that, she turned away and placed her sunglasses on as the car stopped. She exited the car and entered the milling press but realised Andrei had stalled upon following her from the car. As she turned to scan the crowd for him, she saw his back as he moved across the road quickly, travelling in the opposite direction. When he reached the other side of the road, he turned back and she saw the tears glistening in his eyes, a sign of his heartbreak. He nodded once at her before turning his back and continuing towards the Place de la Concorde. She knew she had made an egregious error in her dismissal of his genuine feelings.

Ignoring the press she pulled out her cell and pressed the speed dial for Andrei's cell, only for it to ring out to voicemail. Making her way through the hotel she tried again with the same response. She grew frustrated. Why was the impossible man not answering her calls? He always answered. Trying one last time it didn't ring but went straight to voicemail. She closed her eyes from the knowledge she had ruined her one chance at absolute love. Her heart ached, and she tried to tell herself it was for the best, Andrei would be like the others, and she couldn't live through yet another disappointment.

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Miranda shook herself from her memories and spun towards her desk. She tried her hardest over the years not to linger on those moments in Paris, but her dreams each night took her back to those final moments with Andrei. Looking down at the designs on her desk from the latest James Holt season, she frowned at the sheer atrocity. She did not have the inclination to deal with such horror.

Pulling up her browser she did a quick search of Andrei Sachs. It was something she had not considered doing for at least two years. The articles flooded in causing her to gasp in amazement.

He had started small purchasing run-down properties across L.A for a song using an inheritance from his grandparents and flipping the properties quickly for a profit, but it was his work on a large abandoned Colonial Revival mansion in L.A that caught the industry's attention. Built in 1905, the six-bedroom, four-bath mansion had fallen into disrepair over the many years it had been empty but had been occasionally used as a standing film-set for quite a few B-Grade horror movies. There was a fire that had damaged the roof and much of the second floor in the 1980s. With the help of a small, loyal crew, he had restored it to its former glory for its new owners, who had purchased the mansion as part of a package with the property next door, which also needed restoration.

Miranda was stunned, the work done on the house was magnificent, with the Pocket doors and eyebrow windows lovingly restored, the garden beautifully landscaped. The before and after photos showed the immaculate care and attention to detail she knew Andrei held and the pride he took in his work.

Andrei's fame had risen in California and his move back to New York raised a few eyebrows. In one architectural magazine, he was quoted saying it was time for him to return home, when they queried where that was he smiled and stated New York was his home, it was the place his heart wanted to be, and so Andrei Blake Sachs moved back to the Big Apple and opened an office in the Meatpacking District.

In the few months since his return word was spreading across New York about the passionate young man who lovingly restored premises to their original grandeur or modernised them to perfection. He was offered work at many high ranking architectural firms but declined all to continue building his own firm and many of his loyal team of tradesmen followed him across the country, safe in the knowledge they would be treated well and cared for in their employment.

She turned back to the window and contemplated her next steps. She wanted Andrei more than she ever wanted anything before, for the man he used to be and for the man he had become.

More than anything, she regretted the way things ended with him. She knew there was a long way to go to regain his trust, but she hoped she still possessed his heart.

She would work towards a future by his side. To be the family, he once claimed he wanted. The twins still adored him. Cassidy kept a photograph Cara took, of her sat on his shoulders on her bedside table, while Caroline kept a photograph of the three of them with Patricia on her pin board. Neither spoke to their mother about the young man who disappeared from their lives so abruptly.

She swore to herself she would fix the monumental mess she created. At 45 it was time to follow her heart, and that would ultimately lead her directly towards the handsome man who haunted her dreams.

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Nigel walked into the outer office and saw Miranda, through the glass window of her office, gazing unseeingly through her window to the street below. Leaning against Emily's desk he thumbed in the general direction of the editor. "What's that about?" He asked.

"You tell me. She went for lunch with Ana Jacobson and that contractor she was interested in using. When she came back, she was distracted. She didn't even reel off any instructions, and she hasn't demanded coffee." Emily was nearly hysterical at the editor's unusual behaviour. "God Nige, the last time I saw her like this was when Andrei left her in Paris."

"Speaking of Six, did you hear he's back in New York?" He smirked at Emily's shocked face. "He was seen in Central Park by Jocelyn, who told Paul. The whole art department knows so maybe the rumours spread. Miranda has a happy knack of finding things out."

"Oh God, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job." Emily closed her eyes and breathed her usual mantra hoping it would calm her. It didn't work. "Oh shit, she'll destroy him."

"I don't think so, she always held quite the fascination with that young man, surely you noticed that when he worked here?" He declared calmly.

"But he's gay. He was living with that chef." Emily sputtered.

He laughed freely, seriously amused by the assumption many had made regarding Six's sexuality. "He is not gay. Jesus Em, I thought you had a better gaydar than that. He is as straight as a die." He continued to chuckle. "The rumours are saying he's turned into an extraordinarily handsome man. Jocelyn said he's ripped and sexy as hell. Bearded, tattooed and oh so delicious." He licked his lips as Emily let out a squeak. "I wish he swung my way, I'd hunt him down and woo him within an inch of his life if the rumours are true."

"Coat, bag." Miranda's voice echoed through the outer office, although she spoke with her usual quietness. When the second assistant just gaped at the woman she sighed and rolled her eyes. Nigel watched as her eyes settled on an empty chocolate wrapper as she stepped behind the desk and retrieved her own things. "Nigel, surely you have work to do?" She arched an eyebrow at him and he moved away quickly, dodging into the kitchenette. He saw his boss looking at Emily as she gestured, with a tilt of her head, to the second assistant. "Emily, I expect that to be dealt with." Miranda's tone was icy.

He caught Emily's sigh as she counted backwards from three, a move he'd seen many times over the years. "Yes, Miranda." This would be the twentieth assistant fired in three years since Andrei left. And now Emily owed him. She'd stood firm, sure they were finally on to a winner with this one and he'd bet her fifty bucks the young girl wouldn't see out the month.

"I am leaving for the day. Other than telling me this matter is resolved, I do not wish to be disturbed unless Runway is on fire. Have the art department send the book electronically. I will be in the Hamptons with the twins for the weekend. I will arrive Monday morning promptly. Ensure my coffee is ready and that it is hot. That's all." Miranda stalked towards the elevator and disappeared.

Stepping back out of the kitchenette he stepped back into the outer office as Emily connected quickly to Roy, ensuring he was waiting as required. Getting confirmation, she disconnected and looked at the now ex-second assistant. "Why did you have to get caught with that bloody chocolate wrapper, Belle?"

The young woman felt a sense of foreboding. "I was having a sugar low." She explained weakly.

Emily clenched her jaw. "Yes, and the last thing Miranda requires is sticky fingerprints on everything, plus you broke the no eating at desk rule, that is what the cafeteria is for and when she requests something you are supposed to fetch it immediately." Emily sighed. "That's three strikes, Belle."

"But...but..." The young woman stuttered.

"I'm sorry Belle..." He sensed she wasn't really but wanted to soften the blow. "Your termination paperwork will be posted out to you."

"She's firing me?" Belle screeched in shock.

"Yes." Emily diverted the desk phone to her cell and stood. Smoothing out her McQueen skirt she looked at the young woman. "You have fifteen minutes to vacate before security arrive to escort you from the building." Emily pulled Nigel out of the office quickly, heading towards the closet. He knew she hated the handing over her hard earned money, but he'd called it. Now they would go to the closet to get his gloating over and done with. He would surprise her by not taking the money and keeping his gloating to a minimum, he'd tell her to buy a round of drinks instead. It was an act of kindness he wouldn't normally allow, but the remembrance of a gentle young man with an innate goodness left him feeling nostalgic.

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She hates me, Nigel." Andy whispered hoarsely. He'd just been chewed out and spat out in typical Miranda fashion.

He looked up at the tall dark-haired young man and saw the pale face, his square jaw and pretty eye. He was gangly and endearingly awkward. "And that's my problem because..." He asked. Seriously, what did the young man expect? "Oh, wait, no, it's not my problem." He looked down at the proofs he was working on.

"I don't know what else I can do, because if I do something right it's unacknowledged, she doesn't even say thank you. But if I do something wrong, she is...vicious." Andy's tone was emphatic, and he exhaled a sharp breath.

"So quit." He told the young man.

He felt the young man's eyes on him. "What?" Andy queried, shocked.

Nigel looked up and rolled his eyes. "Quit."

"Quit?" Andy's tone was incredulous.

Nigel decided it was time for some home truths. "I can get another girl to take your job in five minutes...one who really wants it."

"No, I don't want to quit. That's not fair. But, I, you know, I'm just saying that...I would just like a little credit...for the fact that I'm killing myself trying." Andy stated.

Nigel snorted. "Andy, be serious. You are not trying. You are whining." He moved across the room and placed the proofs on his desk before turning back and catching Andy's eyes. "What is it that you want me to say to you, huh? Do you want me to say, "Poor you? Miranda's picking on you. Poor you. Poor Andy. Hm? Wake up, Six." He gestured at Andy before moving around his office, putting things away. "She's just doing her job. Don't you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it. Well, not you, obviously, but some people." He picked up the most recent edition of Runway and waved it at the young man. "You think this is just a magazine, hm? This is not just a magazine. This is a shining beacon of hope for...oh, I don't know...let's say a young boy growing up in Rhode Island with six brothers, pretending to go to soccer practice when he was really going to sewing class and reading Runway under the covers at night with a flashlight. You have no idea how many legends have walked these halls. And what's worse, you don't care," He saw that Andy was looking a little discomforted. "Because this place, where so many people would die to work, you only deign to work. And you want to know why she doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold star on your homework at the end of the day." He prodded Andy in the centre of the forehead with his pencil. "Wake up, sweetheart."

He heard Andy take a deep breath. "Okay, so I'm screwing it up." He hummed his agreement. "I don't want to, I just wish that I knew what I could do to..." Andy faltered and he could sense the lightbulb moment and the sigh as he came to the realisation. "Nigel?" He heard the smile in Andy's voice. "Nigel, Nigel..." He looked up to see the bright smile, a dimple in Andy's cheek playing peek-a-boo.

He shook his finger at Andy. "No!" Andy's laughter was like music and he couldn't resist. Gesturing for him to follow he led him into the closet. "I don't know what you expect me to do." He looked over his shoulder at the slim young man whose eyes were lit up in amazement. He couldn't help but smile as he handed Andy a range of clothes and shoes as he looked increasingly stunned, his arms full of Dolce and Gabbana, Saint Laurent, Hermès, Balenciaga and Tom Ford. "Andy, shall we? We have to get to the beauty department and God knows how long that's going to take." He couldn't help but grin at the small groan. This would be worth the effort.

The first test would be Emily, who'd been scathing toward Andrei. If Emily reacted semi-favourably, then it would ensure Miranda's approval.

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He walked into the Barcelona Bar with Emily in search of Serena, they were looking forward to a Friday night of drinks and maybe a spot of dinner. The day had quietened after Belle had left Runway sobbing and word had got around that Miranda had left for the weekend. Every member of staff breathed a sigh of relief.

Spotting the tall Brazilian at the bar talking to a man, her hand resting on his bicep, he knew Emily had not yet noticed. If she had it would be an all-out war. Emily was notoriously jealous when she thought someone was encroaching on what she believed was her territory.

The fact the beautiful Serena had not had a boyfriend for two years, and her eyes followed Emily hungrily, was not something Emily had noticed, and he knew it was only a matter of time before they would collide spectacularly. He hoped to be there to see it.

He felt the redhead tense upon hearing Serena's joyous laughter. Looking sidewards he saw the young woman biting her lip as her cheeks flushed and hands clenched at the sight in front of her.

Serena's arms had reached around the young hunks abdomen, holding him close as she looked up into his eyes and smiled happily as he spoke to her gently. He couldn't make out the young man's face but if his body was anything to go by, he could understand why Serena seemed so enraptured.

The man turned when a young woman tapped him on the shoulder. Untangling himself from Serena he snaked his arm around the woman, pulling her in for a one-armed hug. Nigel could see the man in profile as he introduced the two woman who eyed each other warily before the new arrival disappeared again with a fleeting smile at the hunk.

Serena looked up and caught his eye. Smiling widely she beckoned for them to join her at the bar. Taking hold of Emily's elbow he propelled them towards Serena and her new man. As they stepped behind her, the hunk looked up, his eyes widening in happiness.

"Hey, Nige." A familiar smile shone from the man's face, a deep dimple softening the strong face.

He couldn't help but let out a loud laugh as Emily's eyes widened at the sight before them. "Six, my God. Let me look at you." He stepped beside Serena and held his arms out and Andy twirled happily between them before pulling him into a bear hug.

"I can't believe you're still calling me that." Andy grinned as he released him.

"Well, that lovely little six-pack seems to have grown exponentially." He grinned up at the tall young man. "Have you grown even taller? My word, you're a giant."

Andy blushed. "Nah, I'm still only six-two."

He scoffed. "Only six-two." His smile widened as he shook his head.

He caught Emily's groan. "Shit, shit, shit!" He raised an eyebrow at the redhead. "What am I supposed to say if Miranda finds out about this little reunion?" She asked.

"Hey, Em, chill. I saw Miranda at lunch." Andy stated gently.

"So it's your fault." Emily accused menacingly.

"Whoa, what the fuck did I do?" Andy held his hand's palms up."

Emily ranted. "You, you...First, you leave. You don't keep in touch. You admit to seeing Miranda at lunch, which clearly rocked her world off its axis, yet again. And you have her audacity to ask what you did?" Emily was on a roll and his lips quirked in amusement. "Nothing's been right since you fucking left. She was lost without you. And then you rock up out of the blue. And to make things worse you've turned into a stud and I walked in here to find the woman I love wrapped around you. You are an ass, Andrei Sachs. A monumental ass. I could throttle you, you big ass."

"You love me?" Serena's quiet question caused Emily to jump and the two men looked at each other as they tried to stifle their laughter.

"Well...well, oh fuck it!" Emily made to flounce away but was stopped by Serena's warm hands around her waist.

"Don't you think you should have told me, Querida? Mm..." Emily's lips crashed into Serena's and he couldn't help but clap in delight as they kissed.

Catching Andy's eyes he was amazed to see them sparkling with happiness. "Oh dear God, Andy. I'm so happy you were here to help with this. The sexual tension has been through the roof." He smirked.

Andy's joyful laughter burst forth and he couldn't help but laugh along as Emily pulled away breathlessly. "I think you're forgiven, Andrei."

"Always glad to be of service. Now, let me get the drinks in." Andy's smile was bright, and he found his breath catching at the sight.

Whoever this young man found to spend his life with would be the luckiest person on Earth.

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