Do you know what this means buddies? That I'm not working on my thesis, buddies.
All mistakes are mine. Such is life.

The only thing he is proned to do, is making sure that if you don't walk in with a problem, he'll make sure you won't leave without one. - Hope Springs (2012)

Dinner was surprisingly civil. Apparently Miranda had decided to give the week a go, through the illuming sentence of 'did you find anywhere else to sleep or are we spending our joyous time in that little rag that clashes with humanity.'

To which Andrea unfortunately had to admit that she hadn't found anything else. All the accommodations had been fully booked. But even that hadn't made Miranda become nuclear. Andrea felt strange but relieved that Miranda had listened. Being with Miranda as a little bit more of an equal made all the difference. During dinner she tried to stick to their routine of work and thoroughly but decisively went through the schedule again. What meetings were moved to next week, the updates by Nigel, and the electronic version of the book. It would arrive every day, but earlier, thus preventing Miranda from working late on her 'holiday'. Miranda looked mildly annoyed by that little fact, definitely preferring that her employees spend their time on getting things right rather than presumably pleasing their boss with an undesired holiday.

Now they were back in front of the green house again. It was three in the afternoon, they had spent the whole morning on work and Miranda had held a skype session with Meisel who was currently in Italy covering a shoot for Runway on summer fabrics. Miranda had been pleased about the first results which made it more bearable to be around her during these circumstances. Andy knew Miranda felt like a trapped lion, forced to perform a week of tricks while she was destined to own the savanna.

'Morning.' Dr. Feld greeted them in a similar way with a similar sand coloured ensemble when they entered his office. Which made Andy assume that his whole wardrobe looked like that and it would be a matter of time before Miranda would verbally tear it apart. For now they took place on the couch again. Miranda on outer left, Andy on the outer right side of it. Andy tried hard to not think about Freud or any form of symbolic interpretation that Dr. Feld might bestow upon them. He offered tea and coffee but Miranda refused for the both of them.

'I'm glad you managed to get here today.' He spoke gently as he took place on the chair in front of them.

He said the same thing yesterday, and that went down in flames very fast so Andy was unsure how he managed to be still so positive. And from the disinterested look on Miranda's face she thought the same. Still she was happy he didn't make any further references to yesterday or the Miranda threatening him part. And he did seem sincere in his welcoming gestures.

'Now I would like to start off with an exercise which will help us approaching the topics that came up yesterday. As in most relations there can be a lot of scar tissue, emotional baggage that has been build up throughout time. Starting heads deep into addressing this might not be the preferable action for some couples. However it also should not be avoided, as this is the space to address these matters.'

Andy just kept on internally groaning. The whole of dr. Felds vocabulary was built of words that Miranda did not appreciate.

'Thus I'd like to suggest that we start off with telling one thing about what you like about the other. Something that you appreciate. So Miranda, what is a thing about Andy that you appreciate?' He nodded his head as to try to encourage the silver haired women, who barely resisted an eye roll.

It stayed silent for a few moments, until Miranda let out a humph and then a very inaudible 'you're effective.'

Andy couldn't believe what she heard.

'What do you mean by that Miranda? Is this work-related?' dr. Feld looked at her with a gentle smile.

'Of course it is work related! Miranda's hiss spit fire.

'Then it is a very good start, but you have to realise that we're not here to solve your working relationship but your personal one.'

Miranda did not agree with that comment, however only clenched her jaw as a reaction.

'So maybe you can try again. What is something you appreciate about Andy on a personal level?'

The silence was deafening.

Dr. Feld turned to Andy. 'Okay, so maybe you can go first Andy? If you don't mind?'

Andy nodded hesitantly. Better to get this hour over with, before Miranda murdered him and she had to call Lesley to minimize the press on "the accident with the therapist".

'Sure ehm…' Andy glanced around nervously. 'I eh… I like about Miranda… Personally… the way she… looks.' Her cheeks turned scarlet from the way it had come out.

'You mean you think she's attractive?'

The beginning of a smirk appeared on Miranda's face. Miranda probably thought it was a safe thing to say. She was the queen of fashion. It was her job to decide what looked good. A job she ruled over more than 17 years. She was used to being fawned over and being superficially admired.

'No… No I mean, yes, of course, but that is not what I meant. I meant… like on the phone… with the twins… the way she looks as if she's…' Andy let her sentence fade out, embarrassed about her confession. Miranda already head tons of leverage to fire her, and Andy would rather have a reason that wouldn't hurt Andy personally. These thoughts and feelings were not things she liked to share.

'You spy on me?' The smirk that had just graced Miranda's lips had instantly gone away and was replaced with disdain and even a little bit of shock.
'No! Of course not. It is just… sometimes they call when you're at the office and I'm actually at my desk and when I look up because after 26 mails I need a micro-break and...' She was babbling, but she wasn't spying on Miranda. Not on purpose.

'So you eavesdrop.'

There was an angry undertone that made Andy cringe. This was exactly the reason why opening up to Miranda was not recommendable. Andy regretted her comment, and looked away from Miranda, observing the rest of the office and the spring weather outside. After a minute of silence she softly said, 'I'm sorry about making you feel like I eavesdropped on you. Part of my job is let things run as smoothly as possible and reading your body language is part of that. It caught me by surprise, the first time I saw you talking to your girls. It makes you look content and affectionate. Which looks good on you, that is all.' Andy cringed again about her use of Miranda's signature words. She felt vulnerable and embarrassed.

But Miranda made no comment on it. Andy didn't dare to look at her, yet the stretch of silence meant that she was overthinking something. When Miranda spoke it was mild and almost overthinking.

'Andrea's appearance is…not entirely unappealing.'

Dr. Feld smiled encouragingly and tried to prolong the moment. 'Do you think Andy is pretty?' He asked in what Andy thought was his non-threatening voice. It had the opposite effect with Miranda, who preferred the direct way rather than being handled with gloves.

The silver haired women sighed. 'I should tape-record myself, as you seem to be intent on asking every question twice.'

It was only then that Andy looked up in wonder, as she processed the words by meaning.

Miranda thought she was pretty.

'It is very good Miranda,' dr. Feld tried again, 'could you perhaps elaborate on-'

'No.' It was Miranda's definite answer. There was no discussion possible and dr. Feld seemed to acknowledge this as well.

Silence filled the room again. But Andy was too dazed to do anything about it. Gobsmacked with Miranda's admission and desperate to shut down all her bodily and emotional reactions to Miranda's words she had no extra space to safe the situation.

After a while dr. Feld let the tips of his fingers touch, the universal gesture of a thinking man. 'Hm. I am glad you both shared this with each other. Even though it might not feel beneficial right away, it is good to create a sphere in which personal feelings can be expressed.'

Andy studied her jeans. Miranda looked intently at dr. Feld.

'As there seems to be a lot of tension between you, I would like to propose a simple exercise for in between sessions to work through the uncomfortableness.' He looked at them both in a decisive but gentle way.

Andrea mentally braced herself what would come. Therapy with Miranda was complicated enough, but homework… well, even 'the fetching girl' could not make Miranda do therapeutic homework.

Dr. Feld continued. 'When being comfortable with each other in a psychological way holds too much pressure for one or both of the…'

He was not going to say partners, Andy prayed.

'…persons, there are several different angles to take upon within communicating. Not all of our interactions are based on words. One of those ways is to create a more tangible fundament of comfort. I would like to stress that this is in no way a guarantee for evaporating tension, and one should be aware of their own and their partners-'

Ugh.

'- limitations and borders. However touch possesses the possibility to build trust in both physical and psychological ways. Thus, I suggest that try a more tactile approach of spending around ten minutes with your arms around each other to see what this-'

There was the sound of a door slamming. Miranda had left. Andy put her head in her hands. It just couldn't be any more uncomfortable, being asked to touch Miranda. Or the other way around. Letting her hands gliding through her hair she said 'Thank you dr. Feld, I think that is enough for today.'