Janeway found herself gazing into smoky gray eyes not unlike her own. She couldn't help but wonder if her own hair would be that same pristine, snowy shade of white one day and if she would look half as good when it did.
Miranda, for her part, said not a word, merely held her hand out for the portfolio which B'Elanna handed over. A quick cutting glance from those icy eyes had the Klingon excusing herself to the outer office before she'd even realized what she'd done, if the look on her face was any indication. It caused a small smile to curl Janeway's lips as she recalled reacting the same way when she received an identical look from her own mother. At least now she knew where Gretchen Janeway had gotten it.
Janeway watched Miranda flipthrough the images contained within the portfolio, waiting to see if she would receive the dreaded lip purse that Seven had warned her about. Other than the occasional "Hmmmm" Miranda said nothing, merely studied each photograph closely. At last, she reached the final image and closed the back flap.
"Why have I not heard of you before?" Miranda asked in her quiet tone.
Janeway found herself leaning closer to hear and wondered why she'd never thought to use this tactic herself. It would come in quite handy with some of the more belligerent species she had to negotiate with.
"Perhaps because I don't wish to be known outside of a certain circle," Janeway offered by way of explanation. "I work selectively so that my time is my own."
Miranda nodded. "The photographer contracted to shoot a spread tomorrow has had to drop out at the last moment. I want you to replace him. "
Janeway offered up her diplomatic smile which gave away as little as Miranda's neutral expression. "If we can come to an agreement on terms, I'd be glad to," she said as if she was granting Miranda a personal favor.
The sudden arching of Miranda's brow told Janeway that the woman was not unaware of her implication.
"I see," Miranda leaned back in her chair and studied Janeway for a moment. "And you make this offer, why?"
Smart lady, Janeway thought, realizing Miranda was aware there was no plausible reason for anyone to do the editor such a favor without some hope for gain. That was evidently how it worked in Miranda's world, so Janeway gave her the most believable reason she could come up with on short notice.
"I have a fondness for Annika, and she asked me if I would assist you," Janeway explained with a small shrug.
"And you always do what your ex-assistants ask of you?" Miranda inquired with an arched brow.
"About as frequently as you do, I would suppose," Janeway chuckled lightly. She noticed Miranda glance towards the open doorway. A quick check in the reflective surface of a picture frame on the wall behind Miranda showed Janeway that B'Elanna and Seven were talking to someone she assumed was Andrea Sachs.
"There seems to always be exceptions to one's personal rules," Miranda murmured as if to herself while staring intently toward the three women.
"Yes, there do," Janeway agreed quietly, watching one particular woman in the reflection as she suspected Miranda was doing as well. The thought that Miranda might be looking at Seven made Janeway shift uneasily. Surely not—Miranda. Miranda barely knew Seven. But then how long did it take me? Janeway thought with an internal sigh. This was a complication they did not need. Janeway cleared her throat gently to bring Miranda back to the topic they had been discussing.
Miranda blinked at her for a moment, as if unsure where she was or what they had been discussing. "Oh, yes. Your terms. And they would be?"
"My staff, my equipment, and I do the final processing," Janeway listed.
Miranda nodded. "Acceptable."
"And the photographer's credit can read anything you want, except my name," Janeway added, raising her hand to forestall a comment as the editor clearly bristled. "It's not that I consider Runway to be an inferior publication. Far from it. I am simply aware of what shooting for your magazine could do as far as expanding my reputation. I prefer to photograph the things I wish to. It's simpler for me to continue to do so by keeping my anonymity to a certain extent."
Again Miranda nodded at the reasoning. "Very well. Seven informed me that you normally work with nine assistants. As you've just set up your studio here, I assume you do not have your full staff with you yet?"
Janeway blinked at her in confusion. "You call Annika Seven?" she asked, wondering how that had come about.
Miranda's lips quirked for a moment. "It seems my Art Director, Nigel Kipling has nicknamed Andréa Six for reasons of his own. Annika explained that she was the seventh of your nine assistants and prefers that 'designation.' I chose to comply with her request. As I said, exceptions abound."
Janeway bit her lip to stifle a laugh. "Ummm, no, I don't have a full staff with me," she replied choosing to answer Miranda's first inquiry and not to respond to Seven's little fabrication.
"Seven is quite capable of maintaining the functioning of this office to the level that I require. So much so that Andréa finds herself free at the moment. Serena has met her deadlines for this month. I should be able to spare her as well to assist you," Miranda seemed to think for a moment and then an almost evil gleam made her eyes glow a bright blue. "And, by all means, take Emily as well. I'm sure she will be thrilled by the idea. Perhaps you'll have better luck with keeping up with her," Miranda muttered the last under her breath. "I'll instruct Andréa to notify them immediately. When would you like them to start?"
"If you'll give me the details of the shoot you want, then I'll have a better idea when they need to report," Janeway hedged. What was she supposed to do with three extra people?
B'Elanna walked out of Miranda's office with such a startled expression on her face.
"There is a problem, B'Elanna Torres?" Seven asked her crewmate.
"Umm, no, I just think I finally met someone who could scare my mother," B'Elanna admitted.
"Miranda Priestly is a formidable woman," Seven agreed.
B'Elanna nodded. "And I thought Janeway could scare a targ," she muttered low enough she knew only Seven's Borg enhanced hearing could discern her words. She was proved right when Seven nodded subtly, and the other woman remained non-reactive. "Who's your friend, Annika?"
"Andrea Sachs is Miranda's first assistant, B'Elanna Torres. Her designation is Six." Seven introduced the two.
"Six, huh?" B'Elanna chuckled. "Was that Annika's idea?"
"No, that was Nigel's, but Seven seems quite happy with it. You can call me Andy, though," Andy shrugged as if it didn't matter to her what she was called, though B'Elanna noticed a certain tension in the woman's shoulders that belied her words.
"Got them calling you Seven already? Fast work," B'Elanna teased her crewmate.
"It is my designation, B'Elanna Torres. What else would they call me?" Seven leaned her head to the side waiting for an answer.
"I can usually think of a few things," B'Elanna laughed.
"Indeed," Seven agreed, rolling her eyes for emphasis.
"I take it you two get along really well," Andy asked sarcastically.
"We have our moments. Usually when Seven's acting superior to everyone else," was the quick reply.
"I am not superior, B'Elanna Torres," Seven said with a small sigh.
Reminded of what the captain had said to her earlier, B'Elanna smiled at the tall Borg. "Anyone who can run in these shoes is superior, Seven. Trust me." For just a moment, she thought the Borg was going to actually smile at her, then remembered that Seven never smiled. Does she even know how? B'Elanna wondered for the first time. A closer examination revealed a definite twinkle in those big blue eyes. Yeah, I guess she does in her own way. Deciding to turn her talents of gathering information in a way that Seven normally couldn't, B'Elanna focused her attention on Andy.
"So have you worked for Miranda long?" she asked with a smile.
"Just short of a year, which is about as long as any assistant does, though Emily made it almost two," Andy responded easily.
"I'll have to meet this Emily. She must be an incredibly strong woman."
"Or maybe a masochist, I haven't really decided," Andy quipped. "Good luck with meeting her though. Emily has made herself pretty scarce lately. I think she's afraid of having to do assistant duty again."
"But you're not?" B'Elanna nudged her gently.
Andy's smile was wry. "I don't have that long left to make my year. What's the worst that could happen? Miranda fires me? That doesn't keep you from getting hired in this town; that only happens if she blacklists you as well. I doubt Miranda would waste her time with that."
Something wasn't right, and B'Elanna couldn't put her finger on what it was. From what Seven had told them, Miranda had seemed anxious to have this woman back in the office. Yet, Andy Sachs seemed to be almost blasé about the editor firing her. It didn't add up. She glanced back at the inner office to see the editor staring toward where Andy and Seven stood near each other, but really couldn't be sure which one Miranda was watching so closely. There was something going on here beneath the surface, and B'Elanna didn't think Seven was comfortable enough with the subtleties of personal interactions to ferret it out. She made a mental note to talk to the captain about it later. Maybe Janeway had picked up something from Miranda.
"So where's a good place to get a drink around this city?" B'Elanna asked, hoping for an opening to spend some time outside of Runway with Andy and to get a chance to see what else she could find out.
"There's a couple of bars nearby that several of us go to after work. I can write them down for you," Andy offered, giving her a true friendly smile for the first time.
"I'm actually new to the city. Maybe you'd want to go have a drink with me sometime," B'Elanna inquired. She put just a hint of seductiveness in her smile, having picked up a vibe from Andy that she might be receptive to female attention. She was relieved when Andy's smile didn't falter but grew a bit wider.
"I might like that," she said. "We'll have to compare schedules. I think I'll be getting out of here pretty early the next few days since Seven is taking over most of the things that used to keep me here late."
Noticing that Janeway and Miranda were walking toward them, B'Elanna grinned. "I think the schedule question will be answered soon enough. Looks like they're finished in there." She kept an eye on Andy as Miranda addressed them all.
"Andréa, notify Serena and Emily, if you can find her, that the three of you will be assisting Kathryn for the next three days. Seven is quite capable of handling the office by herself. You will report directly to her studio during that time so there is no need for any of you to come into the office."
B'Elanna watched as those warm brown eyes took on a decidedly chilly cast at Miranda's words, though Andy answered in a polite, professional tone.
"Of course, Miranda."
"Kathryn will provide you with the address of her studio and the details of your assignment. That's all."
Andy nodded. "I'll get them now. Would the small conference room be suitable, Ms. Janeway?"
It was clear the captain was somewhat startled to be addressed in this manner, though she hid it well from anyone who hadn't spent years becoming familiar with her cool veneer.
"Kathryn, please. That will be fine. Seven can show us where it is."
"If you'll excuse me," Andy said, turning to leave.
B'Elanna leaned over as Andy passed and whispered, "Guess we can have that drink sooner rather than later."
Andy nodded with a pleased smile and continued out. B'Elanna looked back in time to feel a chill race down her spine as her own eyes were seared by the ice in Miranda's glare. Kahless! That woman could end a blood feud with one look. There was definitely more going on here than met the eye.