Chapter Three:

Andy always saw the drive to Elizabeth's house as both a blessing and a curse. It was blessed because it was far from the city and held an air of perpetual tranquility about it, and it was cursed because it was far from the city and the drive alone took up a quarter of one's day; which normally was a slight inconvenience, but when one added an irritated Miranda Priestly into the mix, well, it was like riding with the devil.

Andy hid her nervous squirming with a visual tour of the car. Of course it was an utter beauty, how could it not be? The engine was practically purring as they wound down the road. Miranda looked comfortable behind the wheel and as they put miles between them and Elizabeth's property, she started to relax, bit by bit. The silence between them lost its tension.

Of course, then Miranda spoke, bringing the nerves back to the forefront of Andy's mind.

"I'm going to step out on a limb and assume that, naturally, you have absolutely no idea of what's going on." She didn't bother looking to Andy for confirmation. "I'm also going to grant Elizabeth some measure of understanding that what she's told me is the truth. Which brings it down to you, again," her mouth twisted to a mockery of a smile.

"Miranda," Andy sighed.

Miranda held up a hand, cutting off whatever she would say. "Considering the fact that they both were going to let you walk out without any warnings, I'll have to pick up the slack, as usual." She gave Andy a sideways glance. "You have no clue what I'm talking about."

Andy shook her head.

"Suppose that's for the best, for now. After all, it cannot be confirmed for the first few nights."

"What?"

"If it comes down to it, I'll tell you."

Andy scowled and leaned back in the seat, her sights focused on the scenery. "Whatever."

"It's for the best, Andrea." Miranda sounded apologetic, "It's not information you want dealt when it has no bearing on the present situation."

"You don't know what I want," Andy snapped, then sucked in a breath. "I, damn, sorry; just, I've spent all morning with people talking over my heads and treating me like I've come down with a disease."

"It's not a disease, Andrea."

"Then what is it then?" She snapped, fixing Miranda with a pained look. The editor's profile hardened, then softened. "What the hell is wrong with me, Miranda?"

"Nothing."

"Bullshit."

"Andrea!" Miranda looked scandalized.

Andy shifted in the leather seat, her arms folded tightly at her chest. "Pull over."

"Don't be silly, Andrea."

"If you're going to treat me like an idiot, I can find my own way home."

"You're not thinking rationally, Andrea, now be quiet and accept a favor for once."

Andy's eyes widened and she let out a bark of bitter laughter. "Oh, that's... that's rich. Coming from you-"

"Andrea..." there was a warning there.

"No. No, someone's going to explain this all to me, and if I'm not going to get my scoop, then one of you gets to deal with an angry Andy. This, this is an angry Andy!" She jabbed a finger at her chest. "You wanted to drive me, since when did you drive other people?"

Miranda rolled her eyes, then blew out a breath. "I was supposed to introduce you, slowly of course, to everyone. You showed such potential, I thought... I thought you would fall so well in line with what it could offer." Her eyes steeled, "then Paris. Do you even comprehend what you did to the magazine, what you did to me?"

"Nigel didn't deserve that Miranda!"

"Nigel understood that I had to do what was needed to keep Runway running perfectly."

Andy shook her head again. "You should have told him."

"You could have as well," she looked to Andy. "Nigel's in the process of transferring to becoming the editor of Men's Runway, Andrea. I recommended him when Alex stepped down." She went silent, then continued, her voice softer than average. "I don't explain my actions." Her eyes turn downcast for a second.

Andy didn't think she could say anything that would fit, or sound right, or even smooth out the wrinkles left after Paris. A heavy silence settled between the two women, and Miranda stared ahead at the road while Andy drifted into an uneasy doze.

Evening was creeping up when the car eased into New York's city-limits. The sudden cacophony of sirens, cars, and the heartbeat of the city woke Andy up in a start and she stared wildly about until she gained her senses.

"I slept the entire time?"

"You did."

Andy risked a glance to Miranda. "Did I snore?""Oh for..."

"It's an honest question!" Andy pushed herself up and stared at the buildings. "Uh, do you need directions? I moved two months ago."

"I know."

"Oh, ok," Andy slumped in relief, "because I don't think I know the way from here; what?" She frowned.

"I know you moved."

"You do?"

"Elizabeth mentioned your new place over drinks." Miranda took the pause from a traffic light and gave Andy an odd glance-over.

"Oh."

The car went quiet again.

The engine wasn't turned off when Miranda pulled to the curb, but Andy still felt some suicidal need to be polite and offer her in for coffee. Thankfully, the long drive seemed to have mellowed Miranda and she waved it off, referring to taking a free weekend as a chance to wrap up loose ends from work.

Andy opened her door and placed a foot on the curb when Miranda called her name. She turned, brow raised.

Miranda apparently thought better and only waved her off. She waited until Andy had stepped from the curb before pulling back out onto the street and disappeared around the corner. The wash of a crisp autumn wind drew Andy from her thoughts and she pushed the door of her building open with a wistful sigh.

The day was over, the oddness of an almost-human Miranda was gone, and she had the rest of the weekend to recover from the head-bump. The thought made her subconsciously rub her hand over the back of her head. No lumps, no soreness. Elizabeth's tea was a godsend.

Andy side-stepped a neighbor chatting animatedly on his cell in the middle of the hallway. She caught clips concerning someone's mother and easing the information to her gently. Andy smirked, wondering if she was going to need to send a well-wishes card.

She fumbled with the key, jiggling it in, then tugged it halfway out, turned it one way, then pushed it all the way in and turned it the other way. She idly wondered if it would be quicker to lockpick the damned door and pushed into her apartment.

It wasn't much bigger than the studio she shared with Nate last year, but it was an improvement. Her personal things could be stashed in the tiny bedroom, and she could leave her laundry lying around without wondering who could see it from the couch. The kitchen was a mite larger too, which helped Andy's cooking, still in it's infant stages. She still burned more things than she plated for her own dinner, but she was learning! Sort of.

The space still felt huge to her after living for so long in a tiny studio, most of that time with another person. The sensation of being alone struck her every so often in the living room that she had to step outside and take a walk to soothe herself. Tonight was one of those nights.

The emptiness smacked her in the face as the door swung open. The room was dark save for the streetlight pouring in from the loft windows. The shadows were thick and unwelcoming and Andy made an about-face and shut the door. She took a shuddery breath and locked the door before heading back down the hall, past the chattering man who gave her a long look as she took the stairs.

Out on the street, the anxiety faded with the cool breeze and Andy felt that she could breath again. Her thoughts tripped over calling Doug or Lily but that avenue slammed shut as quick as it opened. Lily and her still weren't close enough to talk about issues left-over from Nate's leaving, and Doug was entertaining his folks for the weekend.

Walking it off was her best bet.

She stuffed her hands into her pockets and set off south down the street, towards the local park. Though, even though the street was empty save for a passing car, she had the oddest sensation that she was being watched.