Auraya Kairi Black- don't worry. By the time I'm done posting there will be no loose ends. Lacerta-Cassiopeia-Black, thanks for letting me know that was your favourite part as I spent ages trying to word that so it worked and fitted Andy and Miranda's characterisation. Maude, yep, they both get lost for words don't they? It's how I'd imagine them to be had this actually happened in the movie.
Everyone else, thank you for the feedback, it's much appreciated and makes writing fic even more worthwhile than it already is!
4.
Upon the arrival of Dr. Stone, Miranda disarmed the alarms and went down the stairs to greet the doctor. Both women entered the bedroom fairly rapidly, putting Andy at ease once she was no longer alone again. Dr. Stone smiled the moment Andy laid eyes on her, and Andy was pleased to note that it was a warm, comforting smile as opposed to a simple professional one. Contrary to what her surname implied, Dr. Stone appeared to be a friendly and easy-going redhead, with loose curls falling down from her ponytail. Examining her in more detail, Andy noted that her emerald green eyes shone with concern, and she wore a look on her face that suggested she was approachable. Miranda would most likely be impressed with her fashion sense too, for she wore a classic black suit, (Armani maybe?) and stiletto heels that were most definitely Valentino.
"Hello Andrea," Dr. Stone said, still smiling as she took a seat next to her. "I'm Dr. Lucy Stone."
"Hi," Andy replied, smiling back at the doctor. "You can call me Andy." She cringed mentally at the way that had come out, but she hated being called Andrea. Miranda was the only person who was allowed to get away with it (because she did as she wanted) and the fact that she pronounced Andrea in a heavy European accent that sounded exotic to Andy's ears.
"Ok, Andy; Miranda has told me the basics," Dr. Stone said. "But I'd just like to see if there's anything you want to tell me."
Andy shook her head.
"Shall I leave?" Miranda asked softly.
"No," Andy said without hesitation. "I want you to stay." And she did. This was going to be hard enough as it was, but Miranda's presence in the room was oddly comforting. They may not have yet had a chance to discuss their apparent mutual feelings, but that didn't mean that Andy wanted Miranda to go; she felt much safer with the silver haired woman present.
Dr. Stone nodded. "So am I right in saying you have been physically assaulted?"
"Yes," Andy replied, wishing she'd just get to the examination so that she could find out if any serious damage had been done to her body. Not to mention the fact that she'd more than likely get some sort of pain relief once this was over too.
"I know that you may feel uncomfortable with me asking you this, but I need to know. Have you been sexually assaulted as well?" Dr. Stone followed on from her previous question, straight to the point.
"He touched here," Andy showed her where, trying to remain clinical and detached from the fact that she was talking about her own body. "Underneath this shirt. But that's it."
"Ok," Dr. Stone said, her voice level but somehow comforting. "And have you washed, showered or had a bath?"
Andy shook her head. She badly wanted to shower, but she'd resisted, trying not to think about how horrible she felt. In a way the pain helped distract her from the fact he had touched her intimately in the way that only a lover should. The way Miranda should, Andy added silently to herself.
"That's good," Dr. Stone smiled. "There is more chance of the police finding evidence now, maybe even fingerprints. Try not to touch yourself anywhere he touched you," she instructed. "I'm going to have to touch you to a certain extent when I examine you, but I'll do my best to be careful."
Slowly, Dr. Stone began examining each part of Andy. After checking her blood pressure which was only slightly elevated, she moved onto Andy's facial injuries, cleaning out the wounds and dressing them. As Dr. Stone considered them to be only surface wounds, (as Miranda had guessed herself) it made sense that they were the least painful injuries Andy had sustained, and so she barely flinched throughout the treatment. Her wrists were severely bruised from where she had struggled and they ached a great deal, but after Dr. Stone made sure that she could move and rotate them, she proclaimed that it was merely heavy bruising as opposed to an actual break or sprain. This was something that Andy was dearly grateful for; Lord knows' how long before she would be able to work if she didn't have the use of her hands.
"Are you in a great deal of pain right now?" Dr. Stone asked once she had examined every part of Andy besides her legs and torso.
"Not unbearable," Andy said not wanting to seem weak in front of Miranda. She had already embarrassed herself enough for one evening.
"Where are you hurting that I have yet to examine?" Dr. Stone pressed. "Be honest with me Andy, that way I'll be able to help you to the best of my ability."
Realising that she was just being stupid and now was not the time to be coy, Andy informed her, "My ribs and my knees."
Nodding her head, Dr. Stone began by carefully lifting Andy's blouse. She pressed a gloved hand down on each section of Andy's torso, seeing where exactly Andy was in the most pain. She did this over and over until Andy no longer just sucked in her breaths but audibly winced. She couldn't really describe the pain all that much, she just knew that it was the worst pain she had ever experienced in her life. Even when she had fallen off the back of her boyfriend's motorbike at sixteen it hadn't hurt as much; although thinking back, he had only just pulled off from the kerb and hadn't yet had a chance to build up speed. If he'd been going any faster then maybe she would have had more critical injuries as opposed to just cuts and bruises.
After Andy winced again, Dr. Stone apologised. "I'm sorry to cause you discomfort, but the good news is I don't think you've broken any ribs. Even if you have there is little point in causing you further pain by moving you to hospital and doing a chest X-ray; if you have broken a rib the most I'll be able to do is give you pain medication anyway."
"Oh, ok," Andy nodded, secretly relieved that she didn't have to go to hospital. She really didn't want to move right now; being here at the townhouse made her feel safe and relaxed. Previously, she never would have envisioned she would feel this comfortable this quickly in Miranda's home, but that was before Miranda had taken care of her and made her feel so at home.
"I do need to check something first though before I say for definite that you don't need to go to hospital," Dr Stone warned. "Have you vomited any blood?"
Andy shook her head.
"Do you have shortness of breath, and are you feeling light-headed?"
"Neither," Andy said truthfully.
"Ok; that's good. I just wanted to make sure that you don't have any symptoms of internal bleeding," Dr. Stone explained. "I don't think you have considering my examination and you would be in a great deal more pain, but it's always better to check."
"Are you certain that she isn't going to start bleeding internally later when you leave?" Miranda asked sharply, interjecting. "If there is any risk whatsoever I want us to go to hospital. Now."
"It'll be fine, Miranda," Dr. Stone said reassuringly. She turned back to Andy. "Other than the obvious aches and pains we've discussed, are you feeling any stranger than normal? Dizzy, perhaps?"
"No," Andy promised. "I'm in pain but it's bearable."
"Then there's nothing to worry about, ok Miranda?" Dr. Stone addressed the other woman.
Miranda didn't respond for a moment, seemingly taking the time to think things over. When she did speak again it was to address the subject of Andy's comfort. "There is nothing you can do to ease her discomfort further? Or that will allow her to heal faster?"
"I'm afraid not," Dr. Stone replied. "You'll just have to allow Andy the necessary time she needs to recover and find a replacement assistant for the time being."
"That wasn't my concern," Miranda said acidly, and instantly; Andy believed her. She seemed outraged by the mere suggestion that that is what she had been implying, and Andy was thrilled that Miranda's motives for asking the question appeared to be entirely selfless and motivated by her consideration for Andy.
A surge of happiness flooding her as she realised how much Miranda cared, Andy cleared her throat, trying to distract the two women from their disagreement. She just wanted this over and done with as soon as possible.
"Sorry Andy," Dr. Stone apologised. "Where was I?"
"My ribs?" Andy reminded her.
"Ah, yes. I'm going to prescribe you some anti-inflammatory drugs to help the swelling go down and codeine for the pain. Is that ok?"
"That's great, thank you," Andy managed a small smile, which Dr. Stone returned. Miranda continued to watch over the consultation, face expressionless.
"You can take a maximum of two painkillers every four hours. If the pain isn't as bad then you don't need to take them but don't take over the stated amount. With the anti-inflammatory tablets I want you to take two every four hours; no varying the dose. Don't take any more than eight tablets of either in a day. Ok?"
Andy nodded.
"I'm going to check your knees and then that's it," Dr. Stone stated lightly. She examined them briefly, putting pressure onto each knee in turn but not causing Andy as much pain as she did when she pressed down on her ribs.
"Can you bend them?" she asked.
Andy demonstrated this for her, and although it hurt it was fairly bearable. "I um... I ran too. Really really fast, so I don't think they're like, really damaged or anything..." she mumbled.
Dr. Stone nodded. "I think it's just heavy bruising, the same as your wrists," she agreed. "To be honest, Andy, I don't think there's much that can be done other than pain relief which I'm already prescribing you. It's going to hurt a lot for the next few days but the pain will gradually lessen and there should be no lasting damage, which is the main thing. You should feel much better as each day passes."
Andy smiled. "That's good to hear."
"You'll be back at work in no time at all," Dr. Stone returned the smile. "But I recommend you take at least a week off, especially after what you've been through."
"She'll take two weeks," Miranda announced. "I need a healthy assistant who is able to run around. I'll just have to make do with Emily."
"You could get a temp," Andy suggested.
Miranda looked positively repulsed by this idea. "Absolutely not. God only knows' what horrors will be bestowed on Runway; the last time I hired a temp she served me with a frappuccino and then proceeded to set James Holt's entire collection on fire. I mean really, she took stupid to a whole new level," Miranda seethed.
"I'm surprised you didn't fire her after she got your Starbuck's order wrong," Andy said drily.
"I did. She set the collection on fire on her way out whilst lighting a cigarette," Miranda drawled.
Andy tried not to giggle at this image, knowing Miranda wouldn't appreciate her laughing at the death of designer clothing. "Ok... well I guess I can work from home and help Emily."
"No," Miranda shook her head. "You will take two full weeks off to recuperate. Understood?"
Knowing that arguing with Miranda was utterly pointless, Andy decided to just accept it. "Understood."
Dr. Stone cleared her throat, drawing Andy's attention back to her. "Miranda's right; two weeks off will mean that when you go back you'll be fully recuperated," she paused. "There's just one more thing that I know you won't want to think about it now, but maybe you should consider during your time off. It may be a good idea to consider therapy?"
Andy nodded silently, looking down into her lap. She had no intention of seeking therapy but there was no point in protesting if it wasn't being forced upon her. She would be fine. All she needed was rest and time to get over the shock, and then she was certain that she would feel like herself again. If she didn't, well she would deal with that then. But she refused to believe that she was unable to get over this without professional help. It wasn't that she thought therapy was useless; she was just of the view that it was worthless for herself, she mused, kind of irritated that a doctor who barely knew her considered her to be so weak.
"Right then; I suppose I'd better be off," Dr. Stone announced, evidently detecting the change in mood. She stood, picking up her briefcase. She smiled over at Andy. "I hope you feel better soon, Andy."
"Thanks," Andy said quietly, not returning the smile this time. "Bye."
"Goodbye."
Miranda followed the doctor out of the bedroom and Andy heard them murmur to each other quietly as they walked down the stairs. Andy couldn't make out what they were saying, and really, she wasn't sure that she wanted to know. She hoped that they were just making small talk, but realised that it was more than likely that in actual fact they were discussing her.
Passing the time until Miranda returned, Andy examined the pills that Dr. Stone had left for her. She supposed she should be grateful that she didn't have to go and pick them up from the chemist herself. Maybe it was a rich person thing; Dr. Stone was bound to be highly sought and reputable considering the fact that Miranda was one of her patients. Although wait... didn't Andy have to pay her, or claim on her insurance now? She was confused, not able to think clearly.
When Miranda entered the room again she sat next to Andrea, eyes travelling over her face. "I can't believe what he's done to your beautiful face," she whispered sadly, shaking her head.
"It'll heal," Andy said casually, though inside she was elated at Miranda's words. She'd called her beautiful. Did she mean it? Her inquisitive nature wouldn't allow it to pass without comment. "Do you really think I'm beautiful?"
"Well, of course," Miranda said, sounding taken aback at the question. "You are beautiful."
Andy felt herself growing hot, and she beamed at the best compliment she'd ever been given in her entire life. "Thanks," she said bashfully. However, not wanting to push the subject or draw attention to it further, she decided to change the subject. It had been a perfect compliment, and she didn't want to ruin it with her big mouth.
Moving on, she asked Miranda, "So umm... do I need to pay for that consultation or will my medical insurance cover it?" She dreaded the answer and hoped it was the latter Miranda gave, otherwise she was unlikely to be able to afford it.
Miranda waved her hand, "Don't be ridiculous, Andrea. I have it covered."
Andy gawped. "Are you serious?"
Miranda huffed. "Yes. And before you continue to protest; there will be no further discussion about it."
She was using her firmer-than-usual tone of voice, and once more Andy decided it was just easier to agree. "Fine."
Miranda glanced over at the tablets next to Andy. "Now, have you taken both your tablets?"
"No," Andy denied.
"Well, take them," Miranda ordered.
Doing as she was told, Andy dutifully took two of each tablet, sipping water with each one. Hopefully the pain would now begin to subside. She dreaded to think what she would look like once the bruises had manifested, although no doubt the tarnished skin would feature a rainbow of horrifying colours that blended together. Lovely.
"Do you..." Miranda paused, seemingly to think over her words. "Do you think that you're going to be able to deal with this without the aid of professionals?"
"You mean a shrink," Andy said wryly.
"I am referring to a therapist, not a psychiatrist," Miranda clarified. "Someone who you will be able to discuss your feelings with."
"I don't need to discuss my feelings with anyone. Not now, not next year, or ever," Andy said resolutely.
"You don't think it would help?" Miranda suggested. "I would pay, of course."
Andy sighed, wondering how she was going to make Miranda understand that she didn't want any sort of therapy or counselling. Or for her to keep throwing money at anything and everything she deemed necessary for Andy, but then she should probably leave that argument until another day when she was feeling better. Right now all Andy wanted was to forget the entire situation, and later, if she was hurting then she would speak to a friend. Probably not Lily, but maybe Doug. He usually found it easier to listen than Lily after all, he was the only one that really bothered to stay in touch with her after she and Nate had ended. But talking to others was a long way off anyway; for the moment she just had to see how she felt and deal with it herself. "I don't need to talk about it."
"Do you not think you should discuss with someone what you've been through?" Miranda pressed.
"I don't want to," Andy replied. "I don't want to tell anyone."
"In the future you might," Miranda said, and Andy supposed she might have a valid point.
"You're right," she said slowly, agreeing with the older woman. "In the future, maybe. And if I'm struggling, then I'll see a therapist. Just... not now. I don't want that."
"Nothing I say will make you change your mind?" Miranda said, although she seemed to have resigned herself to the fact that Andy was not going to listen to her regarding therapy.
"No. I'll be fine and if for some reason I'm not in the future, then I'll talk to a friend," Andy stated.
"Or a boyfriend?" Miranda queried, keeping her tone light. The question was completely out of the blue and sounded unnatural coming from Miranda. She was saying it in a perfectly kind manner, not pursing her lips or looking as though she were jealous.
Andy frowned. "Why would I have kissed you if I had a boyfriend?"
"Ohhh, I don't know," Miranda said with a shrug, meeting Andy's eyes with a sharp gaze that betrayed how she really felt about the subject. "Perhaps you have no concept of fidelity."
Shocked at what Miranda was implying, Andy tried to work out how therapy related to her having a boyfriend. She couldn't make sense of it no matter how hard she tried, and so she said slowly, "Why would you think I have a boyfriend?"
"You have had one since you were employed at Runway, have you not?" Miranda said.
"I... well... yes," Andy admitted honestly, seeing no reason why she needed to lie. "But we split up months ago, Miranda. He doesn't even live in New York anymore; he's got a new job in Boston."
Miranda nodded, and it looked as though she didn't quite believe Andy.
The most surprising thing for Andy was that Miranda was even aware of Nate's existence. She'd always been under the impression that Miranda tuned out any conversation that she had with Emily whilst they were at their desks, especially considering that the majority of it involved Emily ridiculing her or telling her to shut up. Apparently she'd been wrong. Therefore, Andy chose her next words carefully, not wanting to start an argument. "He said that I wasn't committed to our relationship. He said... he said that the person whose calls I always take is the relationship I'm in," she paused, allowing Miranda time to digest her words. "And then he made a smart comment about how he hopes we're very happy together."
"Are you serious?" Miranda asked, and Andy was pleased to note she looked astonished. It seemed that Andy was finally getting through to her.
"Yes, I'm serious. He packed his bags that night and by the time I got home he'd left. I've spoken to him since on the phone, but we basically decided to call it quits. I wasn't prepared to leave Runway and he wasn't prepared to accept me as I am now. So you see, there is no boyfriend. Or girlfriend, for that matter." She gave Miranda a small smile.
"So you're single?" Miranda said, seeking further clarification.
"I am," Andy acknowledged. "I'm not sure I want to be though. I'm kind of crazy about someone."
"You are?" Miranda arched an eyebrow.
Andy grinned. "Yep. I think she's single too... she's just gotten divorced and seeing as I'm her assistant I know pretty much everything that that she does, and it doesn't look as though she's been dating anyone. Of course, I could be wrong and it may be the case that she's been secretly sleeping with Irv Ravitz."
Miranda looked disturbed. "Those painkillers have gone to your head already. I'm not seeing anyone, Andrea. And for the record, I'd rather sleep with Jacqueline Follet than Irv, and believe me that is saying something."
"Jacqueline is hot," Andy blurted out before she could stop herself. Damn. Apparently the codeine was affecting her more than she'd realised.
The atmosphere in the room chilled by about a hundred degrees, and Andy cursed herself inwardly.
"I'm glad you think so," Miranda said icily.
"Miranda," Andy started.
"No, no," Miranda held up a hand to indicate that Andy should stop talking. "I should be grateful for your honesty; at least you haven't hidden your feelings regarding other women the way that Stephen used to."
"I'm sorry," Andy apologised, before Miranda could cut her off again. "I didn't mean anything by it. I just..." she searched her head for the right thing to say, but the codeine had made her head go fuzzy. "I don't want to sleep with Jacqueline or anything like that. I want you, Miranda."
"I find that hard to believe," Miranda said, and now it seemed to Andy as though her voice was choking up.
Feeling awful, Andy went about rectifying the damage she'd done. "Are you kidding? You're like... the hottest woman I know. Way up there," She gestured with her hand. "Jacqueline has nothing on you. Besides, it's not her I'm in love with."
Miranda was struck by Andy's admission, and she looked stunned.
"Don't look like that," Andy shook her head. "I wasn't going to say anything because I thought it was too soon, but I'd rather you know too much of how I feel about you than not enough. You're everything to me. Please, don't be mad," Andy begged, and she worried that she was going to start crying again.
Something in Miranda snapped, and she drew Andy into her arms. "I'm not angry, Andrea. I'm sorry, I'm being ridiculous."
Andy sniffed against Miranda's shoulder and buried her head in deeper.
"For what it's worth; I feel the same," Miranda revealed.
"You do?" Andy mumbled against Miranda's jacket.
"Yes," Miranda said firmly. She shifted, pulling Andy's head up so that they were face to face. "So let's just forget about everyone else, ok? We've established that we have mutual feelings for each other, and that's all that matters." She smiled at Andy.
Smiling back, Andy nodded. "Ok." She sniffed. "Can't believe you've apologised to me twice in one night now."
Miranda chuckled lightly. "Don't get used to it."
"I think I might already be used to it," Andy admitted. "I like it when you're nice to me."
"Well now that will be a regular occurrence from now on," Miranda promised. Enveloping Andy closer, she placed a soft kiss on Andy's mouth, holding her once again. "For the moment though we have to focus on what has happened this evening," she said gently. "It's time to inform the police." Her tone was soft but somewhat resolute, and Andy understood that this was not a mere request but the only option as far as Miranda was concerned.
Andy gazed up at Miranda, her big brown eyes fearful. "I don't know if I can," she said, her voice trembling.
Miranda placed a hand over hers. Immediately feeling the warmth emanating from her skin, in that moment alone Andy failed to see how anyone could ever call Miranda an Ice Queen. She had been so completely kind and caring, her concern for Andy evident in the way that she had treated her from the exact time she had realised there was something wrong. Even the hurtful comment she had made was followed by a sincere apology soon after, not to mention the fact that despite Miranda's awareness that Andy had suffered no serious physical injuries, she was still worried and wanted to make sure that she was ok.
"I know it's going to be difficult," Miranda replied, still understanding. "But it's something that you have to do, if only for your peace of mind. There is no reason why the police won't be able to apprehend the bastard responsible for this. There is bound to be CCTV, is there not?"
Andy nodded in reply. "It's just... it's going to be horrible. Having to talk about it in detail, I mean. And I'm still concerned for your safety."
"The concern, though appreciated, is not needed. And I will stay with you if you so wish, just as I did when the doctor attended," Miranda promised, squeezing her hand in support.
Andy paused, her mind wired with a thousand images flitting back and forth, of Miranda now and Miranda then. She couldn't comprehend what was happening between them, what had already happened. It was so unbelievable that someone of Miranda's stature would find her, a mere average assistant, attractive. More so that the attraction did not appear to be a simple lust for her. but something more. The situation that had occurred tonight proved that for a fact, for if Miranda only wanted her for sex then it was something she would have gone about achieving in a very different way.
"Andrea?" she heard Miranda say her name, sounding worried.
"Yes?" Andy replied, still distracted by her own thoughts buzzing around in her head.
"Where were you?" Miranda asked curiously. "What were you thinking about?"
Andy shook her head. "Just... stuff." She left it at that.
"Stuff?" Miranda said teasingly, in reference to the last time that Andy had dared to use that word in front of her. Andy would have thought Miranda irritated, but the glint of amusement in her eyes made it clear that she was commenting on it to lighten the dark mood of the evening.
"Yep, stuff," Andy smiled, playing along, grateful for reprieve from the serious conversation. "I know how much you appreciate it when I use that word."
Miranda smirked and raised a hand to brush back some hair from Andy's face. "You're extraordinary; do you know that?"
Andy frowned. "Is that a good thing or not?"
Miranda gave a light laugh before she stated, "It's a good thing. Most definitely." She placed a kiss upon the corner of Andy's mouth, causing her to shiver slightly at the electrical jolts that flashed through her body.
Reciprocating, Andy deepened the kiss, turning her head so that her mouth joined directly with Miranda's, moaning against the softness of her lips. She leaned in towards the silver haired beauty, prolonging the moment and enjoying the brief respite from the reality of what she was going to have to ultimately face. Question upon question from the police, her co-workers, her friends. She had already decided she was going to keep it from her parents and swear Lily (if she even told her) and Doug to secrecy; her parents would only attempt to drag her straight back to Ohio after all. She would make sure that her friends honoured their bond of friendship, however fragile said friendship currently was. Besides, it wasn't up to them to reveal things about her own personal life to her family, and if she made it perfectly clear it would only upset her further then she was certain that they would abide by her wishes.
Eventually, Miranda broke away from the kiss, breathing uneven. "As much as I do not want to stop, I know exactly what you're trying to do, Andrea."
"And what's that?" Andy said, a slight croak to her voice.
"Distract yourself," Miranda said simply, hitting the nail on the head. She didn't look angry though, just accepting. "You cannot do that, not until you've spoken of the details and come to terms with what has happened. Once time has passed... that is when it is acceptable to bring in distractions."
Downcast, Andy stared at the floor. She knew that Miranda was right as she usually was, but she didn't feel that she was ready to begin the healing process yet. It saddened her to think that she was probably going to feel this way for the foreseeable future; scared, angry, upset and pained. It wasn't fair. Why did it have to be her?
"Andrea," Miranda whispered, sensing that she was overwrought with emotion. "You've already proved to me that you're capable of achieving so much. I know that no matter how hard discussing it with the police will be; you can do it."
Feeling herself drawn into a hug, Andy allowed herself to melt into Miranda's arms, leaning her head against her chest. She managed to utter one word. "Ok."