Helen on the 9:30 to Syosset of Elias- Clarke Human Resources, glanced at her IM message from her.

Saw who it was from sent to her. Miranda Priestly wanted her to do something important for her.

Hoping the rumors weren't true. Burying the Dragon's victim's in backyards because she wasn't using hers.

Immediately acted as soon as she got home. Andy Sachs was fired, logging into her personnel files at home, recalling immediately the smiling brunette who Sherry liked, liked her enough to send her right to Runway, nobody she picked lasted a week except Andy did and now she was being terminated by Miranda Priestly by text.

This Sachs person must have messed up big time for Miranda to ask her, herself tonight to end her contract by tomorrow morning no longer be an employee of Runway.

Was the position cursed or something, nobody lasted a year in it. Miranda Priestly was capricious.

This one, named Andrea almost made it. Helen would have baked a cake for achieving that impossible feat of lasting in the job with Miranda.

Helen would do the paperwork herself. Drafting up a letter to Andy Sachs, typing it up from a template, starting with Dear Miss Sachs, Elias-Clarke regrets to inform you.

Helen knew Irv Ravitz would be thrilled, he'd implied the other day to HR, and that he thought Miranda's brown eyed coltish assistant was too close with Miranda. Inappropriately invested in her.

He didn't like Miranda's Andrea for some reason. Something about her. She was different. Smart that was a big turn off. Insisted something was there between Miranda and her.

Demanded HR send out his memo on no tolerance of interoffice relationships. Helen scoffed at that, it was clearly meant that if Irv Ravitz's not getting any, then no one can?

Wanted a copy of Andy's file sent to him.

It was rumored one reason Miranda despised him was an ongoing bet that Irv Ravitz bet with his cronies in the steam room of the company gym, that he would get Miranda to sleep with him.

That not conquering her, taming Runway's dragon had been ongoing for years. Helen heard he increased the bet yearly.

Even included his shiny Lamborghini.

That ever happening and Irv thinking Andy Sachs liked Miranda inappropriately made Helen almost snort her herbal tea through her nose at that crazy idea. One of Miranda Priestly's headless gophers having the hots for her.

The Ice Queen, the 17th Floor Terror was the object of affection carried by wholesome Andy Sachs was funny.

Dipping decrease in pay scale and being out of her league was two reasons.

Miranda with both of her husbands and to a few uninvited amorous admirers, she was known to give a look that could ice over balls.

Ravitz needed to have his develop frostbite. Then Priestly really could blue ball him.

Helen scanned her file, she was a sweet Ohioan with no clue who Miranda was that day, that's why they sent her to the dragon.

She didn't even read Runway. Reading periodicals, Andy had listed her favorites, NME and Rolling Stone. Bless her she didn't know anything about Miranda.

Both Helen and Sherry were running out of candidates to send.

Few didn't know the snowy haired legendary Editor and her reputation of working for her.

Except once now canned Andrea here.

Helen thought Ravitz was holding a deep grudge against Miranda Priestly who obviously was intimidated him. The Editor did that to many in the building. Frankly everyone working at Elias-Clarke was.

Stylish and brilliant and possessing a savvy ruthless business mind, Miranda was the only one who could do that job, no one else could try to fill her Louboutins.

Pressing send, informing Andy of her being now unemployed as of midnight by a generic letter tonight.


Elspeth read Miranda's email. She wished she could help but she had no openings for Andrea Sachs in any of her departments for a new writer.

She'd interview her to be polite but it would just be a meet and greet civility, because Miranda asked her.

Replying back to Miranda that's all she could do. Meghan or Kim might have an opening.

She could call around maybe Wyatt or Rick knew of something. A vacancy suitable for Ms. Sachs.

Clicking on all her contacts.

Elspeth was Miranda's first assistant once, when Miranda first started at Runway, she was assigned to her. They'd been through Miranda's pregnancy with twins, discovering her husband's infidelity, she was there for her boss during a long divorce with four year olds.

Settling on joint custody but the twins lived mainly with Miranda.

Elspeth was Cassidy and Caroline's godmother. Trent her live in boyfriend with his music label might help her out with Miranda's request.

Watching Miranda make a mistake with him. Tomlinson of all choices. Stephen was all wrong for her. Elspeth accepted Miranda's invitation to come over to dinner next week and talk.

Wanted to see her and the twins again and find out if Miranda was seeing anyone new?

Hoped she was. If not, Trent knew a few single charming blokes in bands he managed. To get over Mr. Asshole Fax Divorce Papers Stephen.

She'd bring wine and dessert and her easy friendship.


Irv Ravitz read it.

Miranda's brown haired assistant was fired.

Good riddance. He didn't like her from the moment she asked about John Cheever and ghost writing.

Deciding Monday was going to be wonderful, the beginning of his get Miranda into his bed. No Miss Sensitive who took comparative Lit in college in the way, who looked at Miranda in way Irv noticed.

He couldn't miss it. Angie the lechering lesbo watched her, on the plane, at the shows. At meetings with him, the brunette's dark eyes never left her.

Wanted her. Irv could tell that assistant had the hots for her.

Interrupting their meeting in Paris, made Irv livid, he'd planned to make a move on her in his suite but then Bambi eyes showed up.

He was romantic, he'd had the maids put petals on the sheets and Lucy was sent to buy Durex for him.

Angie's lusting for Miranda was very offensive to Irv. Explicitly typed to HR to not include her final salary for those looks and how uncomfortable Miranda must be.

Sending off an email to Lucy his PA, to order an amazing bouquet and jewellery and make a reservation at that hard to get a reservation place uptown with the water fountain.

Book tickets to something stuffy and cultural he'd sit through it, if the end reward was Miranda Priestly's legs spread.

It was fate. His third wife left him and Miranda's marriage was over.


Lily was a lifesaver, doing this for her and she owed her something wonderful from The Closet.

Something else pretty.

Lily didn't mind helping Andy out, lying to her sleazy Supe was exciting and dangerous, that he hadn't heard a kid or a dog, must have been the television, Andy didn't own one.

Lily picked up her own Marc Jacobs bag, to make her phone in it go silent, she still loved Andy's gift from ages and eons ago, a Miranda Priestly cast off slung over her shoulder.

''Brody's asleep.'' Andy tiredly, slipped off her heels.

Nate proved he was a complete jerk of a boyfriend to Andy, leaving all this on her oldest friend. Felt bad she'd actually taken his side, and forgot to be a friend to Andy. Making it up to Andy by being here.

It was a lot on her twentysomething shoulders.

Taking on Brody herself. Brody was hers now. Once Brody was just a scan of Andy's unmade plans she never thought she'd see until he was sixteen.

Nate Cooper, Lily hoped he burnt soufflés forever and went to work in a lunch wagon, skipping out on Andy, after Paris.

Boston wasn't far enough.

Lily offered to stay tonight. Yawning Andy shook her head, ''Lily go home.'' Hugged her as she gave her cab fare to get home which Lily wouldn't take.

Looking after Brody and Chummy was on the house.

How they became friends was a wonder, Lily was a pretty African American who loved only art and she was forcefully paired with Andy in a compulsive summer school class for her college scholarship and slowly eventually befriending Andy who didn't look like this then.

Not resembling wholesome Andy who belonged now on a Kellogg's cornflakes box as its poster child. Lily teased like the lost seventh Brady of the Brady Bunch.

In high school, Marcia Brady would be scared of Andy, with piercings and a dark hoodie on, and Lily gulped at who she was sitting with.

Korn t-shirts and kind eyes, solitary and brooding, first Andy joked did Lily hold up a library by all her books.

Lily was loaned the one book on Klimt she forgot to bring to class by Andy.

Met up in another class together, it surprised Lily, Andy was in an all-female classroom studying the sociology of women in history to feminism, was Andy in the right class.

Not scary Goth more scary punk skater. Sachs was avoided. The rumor was Andy liked fire and pyrotechnics and fireworks and playing with all three and power tools in shop.

Was a stoner and Satanist because of a lip piercing if rumors were to be believed, played drums and was a called a lanky little tulip by the jocks at gym.

Misty McInnis said Sachs ate a paper due.

During lunch, Lily just ignored Andy by talking on her phone, Lily hung up and was unsuccessful trying to turn down a date with Jesse her on and off again boyfriend.

Jesse's reaction to her lunch companion said it all.

Staring at Andy. Mouthing disgusted what was she doing with Andy Sachs. Andy's look back at Jesse Danforth the intellectual giant of Dumbar High said it all.

So he can catch a football. His needs were basic. Play ball. Terrorize smaller then him and consume cafeteria food. Jesse was the lost missing link.

Jesse warned Lily to stay away from Andy Sachs who was called the great unknown.

Lily shrugged at him. Andy was just her study partner. To the teacher Lily tried to get assigned another partner, Lily was told she was stuck with Andy all summer. Great.

Her summer couldn't be worse. Lily was invited over to Andy's house. Accepting the invitation to her house like being sent to a firing squad.

''Careful Lily Minifred Weeks you just talked to me.'' With a mock look of horror at Lily.

Very funny, looking around if anyone saw. Lily met The Sachs later that night.

Lily smiled if she had been assigned another study partner, she wouldn't have ever had a friend like Andy.

Funnily enough along the way of scaring all of Lily's jock dates, both bonded over the projects assigned, writing an essay about each other and by graduation were the best of friends.

''Dragon wore you out huh?''

Andy didn't say anything. Lily knew not to push about Miranda.

Saw it develop, Andy's feelings start to happen. Lily saw it just as much as Nate had. Andy loved her. Lily didn't know how or why but Andy just did. It just happened.

Guessing opposites did attract when it came to Andy being head over heels in love with Miranda. Unrequited for Andy though. Miranda was divorcing and had children and wasn't aware of Andy's heart in her hands.

If only Andy would stop wishing on what if's? In Lily's opinion, Miranda Priestly was something alright.

Lily had seen her in pictures, she was beautiful but a bitch. Lily would love to be given her overdue ten minutes with The Priestly, she'd talk to that white haired egotistical vain maven…give her a piece of her mind, treating Andy like crap, tell her to go get her own coffee and eggs and Lily would straighten her out on how Andy felt about her. Open her eyes to it.

Andy was special and amazing to love and be loved by.

Saw Andy's phone left on the living room coffee table, deciding Andy needed this, Lily turned it off, give Andy a Miranda dragon free night.

Seen out, shutting her door. Andy put the lock and chain on.

Andy slipped off her designer loan from Nigel into her comfy clothes, tying her hair back, she skipped dinner.

Tomorrow she'd have to get Donnie to fix her buzzer again.

Slipping into bed, careful not to disturb Brody or Chummy, Andy was too tired for a shower or starting Travis Barker's new bio. Andy's head hit her pillow, dead to the world.


Ivory fingers pressed the button again with A. Sachs written on it. Miranda knew Andrea was home. Roy waited on the curb, Miranda tried her number. Andrea always picked up. She wasn't tonight.

Holding the brown bag.

Turning on her heels, heading back to her car, Roy got out to assist his powerful employer, just as she turned her back on Andrea's shabby entry door. ''You trying to see 8C.''

Miranda turned around to him.

''Yes I am, who are you?''

''Her boyfriend.'' He joked, Donnie had been meaning to corner Andy about the deposit her boyfriend said she'd reimburse. In full.

Last Monday. Along with his rent. He knew he heard a pet and a kid. That was not allowed on the lease.

Donnie, Andy's super's answer made Miranda's mouth open then close again.

Staring at Brody. Andrea certainly had no taste in men. Clearly. Emily said he was cute.

Miranda was not judging by staring at his undershirt, and baggy pants stolen off a rapper like Tyga or Justin Bieber, he was certainly big and burly and brawny, he was Andrea's type, at least despite wondering numerous times, why did she ever marry Stephen, he didn't wear such cloying Old Spice as she was led upstairs to Andrea's door.

Knocking on it.

''Thank you Brody.'' Miranda said, well-mannered to him, despite waves of jealousy in her towards him. Spending nights in Andrea's bed, having bubble baths with her.

Donnie Minnini shook his head. ''I'm Donnie not Brody.''

Miranda's lips thinned. Exactly how many boyfriends did Andrea have? Brody. Donnie. How terribly busy it was in bed for Andrea.

Andy unlocked her door half asleep.

Opening it with mutters of she was coming, trying not to wake Brody up, Andy brown eyes were still bleary opened wide awake on Miranda.

''Miranda.''

Donnie her landlady's son, the super was standing in the hall beside Miranda and seeing the look on his face, Andy could see he was about to ask about the deposit Nate took and her late rent. Andy had no choice but to usher Miranda inside.

Wincing she hadn't done her dishes of coffee cups and washing up and hadn't got around to pick up after Brody and Chummy tonight. Miranda who was always immaculate, she was going to think she was a slob.

''Sachs about the… Donnie was cut off with a quick wave goodnight to him. Shutting her door on Donnie.

To the closed door. '' rent you owe.''

This was her last chance, rent or else.

Miranda didn't want to come in, her mouth drying and she couldn't form words of protest, unable to refuse when Andrea's eyes held hers and the brunette's hand took her arm, guided inside by the brunette who looked like she'd just been woken up.

It was small, Andrea had a lot of LP albums and books on one bookshelf. Blue eyes took it in, a few framed photos on the wall, a drum signed, Miranda saw Andrea had a younger brother. Same eyes.

Same smile. Handsome.

Miranda was here in her apartment. Why? Breathe Sachs. Take in air. But don't be weird like a mouth breather.

''I phoned you.''

She did, Andy saw with horror, her phone was off. What the f…Lily!?

Andy offered to makecoffee, not gourmet or Starbucks just plain grocery shop coffee in a bag, clumpy granules like Folgers, Miranda wouldn't like, on edge to why Miranda was here at her place at 11:30 at night.

What did she want from Andy?

''Andrea. No thank you, it's late.'' Trying not to stare into Andrea's eyes, taking in a faded t-shirt of Blink 182.

Miranda saw no signs of a guy living here.

''Can I do something for you Miranda?'' Andy asked. Felt it might be considered rude if she suddenly demanded out what in the hell Miranda was doing here at this hour for her.

Miranda held it out to her. ''This was left when you delivered the Book for me.''

Andy took it. Nigel's gift for Brody.

Miranda face flushed as Andy unwrapped the toys, not seeing what Nigel gave.

Kinky and squeaky. Porcelain cheekbones that suffused.

Avoiding Andrea's eyes, Miranda looked closer at the photo of Andrea's brother. They could be twins. Was Andrea a twin?

''I'd like to know why you didn't deliver that Monday night? Andrea tell me.'' Miranda's eyes blazed like blue flame tips on Andy.

If it was for a little romantic date with Brody, dismissing Andrea from her job was going to be not so hard for her.

''Miranda I had to be somewhere else, I should've told you. Emily was doing me a favor. The Book still got to you right?''

''Yes. Andrea, but I asked you to bring it not Emily.'' Miranda said tersely. She knew she was being a bit petty and overboard about this but Andrea should've said Emily would bring the Book.

''Were you out with your parents? Were they here visiting?'' Miranda wanted to see if Andrea would lie to her.

''I was with Brody. Miranda.'' Andy missed at how Miranda's eyes cooled. Him again.

''I see. Emily is not employed by me to help your social life.'' Miranda just wanted to leave Andrea's home. Have Roy drive her to her townhouse and not think about him or Andrea.

She needed to start dating again. Start to forget Andrea, her eyes, the shape of her mouth.

Her many annoying habits of thinking she's not seen sneaking lunch at her desk. Andrea ate like a baby T-Rex. Hardly chewed. Andrea's laugh, she had an annoying Miranda greatly, laugh that shook her whole body like a dog wagging its body.

She was sunny to Nigel who first snidely asked if she was rolling twice. Not used to friendly in this city.

If she baked cookies for them or Andy brought in donuts with tiny sprinkles on top, Nigel was convinced Miranda hired his Mom from Rhode Island.

Liked sports. Miranda only knew this when Emily and Andrea were heated about calling Soccer, football. Emily loved her footie and rugby. Religiously.

Miranda made both stop talking about sweaty men and balls.

Separated both by making Emily call about chiffon and took Andrea with her. From the elevator down to in her car, they didn't go together at all. Andrea was a vegan, she ate steak. An odd pair lunching.

Sat at the table for two, Andrea really was nervous with her. Tapping her fingers like drumming subconsciously. Had a crooked finger from something.

Putting on her glasses.

''Here graze on the rolls.'' Indicated the basket. Watched scandalized as Andrea was smearing the butter on one roll, felt her blue eyes on her, given an impish smile, Andy began dabbing her roll delicately self-conscious.

Reading from the menu, Miranda knew what Andrea ate, ordered pumpkin ravioli for her and her usual. Snapping at her eyes on her. ''What? What is it.''

In a small awed voice. ''You know what I like to eat?''

Miranda rolled her eyes on Andrea's yokel insipidness. What had truly possessed her to hire the brunette? ''Andrea. I ordered it for you. I did not make it.''

Looked shocked she called her Andrea, hadn't meant to.

Had to take a call outside. It was Stephen.

Whining about wanting her to attend a partner dinner party she had no choice to promise she would be there.

Stephen's wants made Miranda want to go home to her townhouse and take a bubble bath and watch a Nicholas Sparks film on Dish. Watching fictional romance of what love should be like was informative like PBS documentaries.

Had yet to experience it.

Striding back to Andrea as a diner was asking Andy something about her.

''So tell me what's it like working for her? The frigid bitch of Seventh Avenue?'' Miranda shoulders tensed, her mouth thinning. This rude person would never dine here again. Talking about her. Cornering her new assistant.

''I've heard she's a nightmare to work for.'' Goading Andrea to say something about the fickle intemperance Editor.

Andrea's back was to Miranda. Miranda was waiting.

The other person dining with that rude person was eager to talk about Miranda also. ''Impossible and above pleasing isn't she? Too much coffee. Not enough sex from Mr. Priestly.''

Sniggering about the White haired Editor. ''Maybe not enough PVC and discipline.''

Not able to see Andrea's face, she stood up. ''I wouldn't really know. I just assist.'' Her figure began walking away, stopping and coming back. '' On the other hand go screw yourselves.'' Andy meant it with conviction.

Stephen would have never have done that for her. Defended her.

Met Miranda's unreadable eyes. ''Come along Andrea.'' Following her regal white haired boss.

At the next appointment, tasting a menu for the Benefit at MOMA, Runway was hosting.

Bit her mouth from quirking an almost smile as Andrea asked for milk. A glass of milk at Thierry's Caterers. A first.

That and combining the dessert choices together tasted like a ring ding.

''Try it.''

Miranda explained Andrea was from out of town. Thierry understood. Told Ohio. Looking at Andrea who was finishing his creation of buttercream and dark chocolate ganache smushed together and saying it taste like a ring ding, Ohio that explained it.

Almost made Miranda laugh in her office at asking Emily if Miranda enjoyed going somewhere for lunch she couldn't pronounce. Followed by going to places to meet with designer with names that no one can pronounce.

Behaved like a dog with a head out a window at seeing Paris. Begrudgingly infectious, Yes. Andrea possessed a few deplorable habits she didn't care for, it was a good thing she was finally going.

Leaving her for good.

Andy grumbled silently. ''I'm sorry Miranda it won't happen again.''

''No it won't. About you being my assistant, Andrea I think you and I need to step back from being this…''

Miranda steeled herself to tell Andrea she was no longer required at Runway or to be by her side as her assistant. It wasn't because she wasn't good at her job as her assistant. Andrea was the best. Miranda wanted her away from Runway. Away from her.

They…she needed some distance from her now that she was with Brody.

Andy saw Brody first behind Miranda.

''Brody. Hey what are you doing up?'' Andy's voice gentled.

Miranda's face tensed, turned to him, she was going to leave here without Andrea ever realizing how she liked her and felt about her, expecting him in boxers and stubble instead saw Andrea's Brody with shocked blue eyes. He was adorable, in Master of the Galaxy pj's with big brown eyes just like Andy's.

''That's Brody.'' Not what she expected.

Andy scooped him up strongly. ''Yes this is Brody Andrew Elijah Sachs. Say Hello Miranda.'' Shyly greeted her. ''Hi. Mirandy.'' Pushing his face more into Andy's shoulder, he was so cute. Emily was right.

Miranda didn't know what to say, Andrea had a kid.

''Nice to meet you Brody.''

Andy discovered why Brody was up. ''Monsters.''

Andy shared a knowing smile with her boss. ''Were they under your bed again? You left Chummy to fend them off.''

Chummy Andy's new dog was a collie mix mutt, alternately called Hulk and Jingle bells on any given day, and Andy was sure next would be her favorite Muppet, Animal or Chocolate, Andy knew to expect anything from Brody's mouth.

Miranda mouthed to Andy silently. ''His father is?'' Miranda genuinely wanted to know more about Andy's child.

Was he the cook's? Nate's?

Andy sighed that was a long story she wasn't sure Miranda wanted to know about or if Andy wanted to share it with her curt boss.

Miranda was going to hate her. It would change everything between them, when Miranda knew.

Miranda offered to make Andy a tea or remembering how her twins were at three, not saying the word, or Brody here would be up all night, mouthing to Andrea a few words. ''Hot chocolate.''

Andy nodded to her in acceptance. Sure she was jumping headfirst into having a cocoa bender with Miranda at midnight.

Andy took her son back to bed.

Miranda found her way in Andrea's kitchen easily, it was small but adequate, texting Roy to go home for the night. She was staying here tonight.

Shaking her white head at Andrea's fridge. Found Swiss Miss packets, it would have to do. Emily would have fainted seeing Miranda make her own drink and one for her Andrea.

Placing each mug down waiting for Andrea to join her and sit across from her and tell her everything.

Starting with where was Brody's father?