A/N: I'm so sorry. I may have overestimated in the last chapter when I said there were about ten chapters left. I really don't think I can stretch it quite that far, but I'll do my best. I'm not completely evil lol

Also, I think (after it came back up on my playlist recently) that I might have been inspired to write this after listening to a song called "Friends Don't" by Maddie & Take. Just if you're interested.

-0-

The next morning, Andy shuffled into the kitchen with a yawn and a wicked hangover. She was just about to hit the bottom for a coffee when she stopped and blinked. She turned back to the table and stared. She breathed a wobbly breath out and remembered receiving the package the night before and then, the quiet discussion on the phone afterwards.

"Whoa," she whispered, abandoning the coffee. Her fingers gently touched the top of the beautiful tendrils of blown glass while her brain spluttered to life, trying to find an explanation.

Forgoing everything else, she broke down the box and swept up the packing peanuts before sitting in front of the piece and just staring. She couldn't believe it was hers. She'd never owned anything as beautiful and it was only when she heard the door open and close that she looked up.

"Hey," she breathed.

"I wondered if you'd remember," Miranda chuckled, passing Andy a Starbuck cup and a bottle of Advil.

"You bought me coffee?"

"I am capable of ordering my own coffee, you know. I do not, because why would I."

"Wow," Andy laughed as she shook the pills into her hand. "I'll remember that."

"You do that," Miranda smirked, taking a sip. "Now, may I?"

"Please," Andy chuckled nervously. "I haven't dared move it. In the state I'm in, I'll as likely trip and break it."

"Nonsense," Miranda muttered, though she picked it up carefully. "It matters, therefore you won't."

"Do you remember what I was like in heels?"

"That was a long time ago," Miranda soothed, twisting it this way and that before stepping back with a nod. "There. Perfect."

It was. The position she'd chosen caught the light so beautifully and Andy knew from sitting in the window reading in the evening that it would catch the sun for most of the day.

"I -"

"We've been over this," Miranda muttered, going over to rummage in Andy's pantry. "You thanked me last night."

"Did you plan on buying it?"

"No," Miranda mused, pulling out what looked like ingredients for an omelette. "I saw the way you looked at it, and I decided that you must have it. It is the very least I can do."

"The very -"

Andy turned in her chair.

"Do you realise how much you do for me?"

"Andréa?" Miranda said softly, but with a tone that brokered no arguments. "If I were to list all the things you do for me, every day, we would be here long after we both died."

"Miranda," Andy groaned.

"Let an old woman spend her money how she likes."

"Old woman, my ass. You're bloody hopeless, you know that, don't you?"

"I believe Emily muttered something to that effect last week, yes," Miranda chuckled. "Now come and chop some peppers. You need some food after last night."

"We weren't totally reckless, you know."

"Mmm," Miranda smiled. "I know."

Andy's poor brain, bolstered by the Advil supplied her with a reason for Miranda's insistence on their breakfast together.

"Did you forget to pick up your groceries last night?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny, Ms Sachs," Miranda deferred.

"Miranda?"

"Yes, Andréa?"

"Thank you."

"You are most welcome. I am glad that you like it."

"I love it."

"Well," Miranda swallowed and smiled, though it looked a little sad. She was quick to rally, however, and literally threw a pepper across the kitchen that Andy only just caught. "Chop this, will you."

Andy's laughter was what started their day together and though she'd meant to bring up paying rent, the moment passed and instead they got to work making breakfast and setting themselves up for the day.

-0-

"Andy!"

"Ann," she smiled. "You're free to go in."

"I believe you are responsible for my wife's happy tears this morning?"

"Oh," Andy winced. "Sorry, even if they were happy."

Ann waves her off and sat on the corner of the desk like she owned the place.

"Nonsense, Sarah wished to convey my thanks. She had me get 4-show passes to this season's Broadway shows," she smiled as Andy gaped.

"Seriously?"

"Yes," Ann chuckled, handing her an envelope. "They're just instructions for the app," she chuckled. "Everything is digital these days," she leaned forward conspiratorially. "There are 4 Sets of tickets, Andy, just in case you had other people to invite."

Ann Shankley stood with a grin as Andy stared.

"Thank you," she managed.

"You're welcome. In all the things we've purchased for the baby, we quite forgot about a teddy bear. Your gift was beautiful. I think Sarah's already called it Andy."

That made Andy, the real Andy, laugh as Ann disappeared into Miranda's office and the door snicked closed. She glanced at the envelope and slipped it in her bag so she wouldn't lose it and got back to work. She'd cleared most of Miranda's morning and lunch as well in case they decided to go out. She was glad Miranda finally had an ally in her corner - another woman, no less - and she would do anything to make sure nothing came between that.

-0-

And quietly, life went on. Irv was suspiciously absent from their lives, except for the constant sideswipes at the budget. Andy took her cue from Miranda and simply allowed it to roll off her.

"They're getting close," Miranda muttered one afternoon after a particularly vicious cut has sent Andy into her office with a scowl. "There's some sort of legal tape they have to walk through, but they're close, Andréa. We just have to hold on a little longer."

"It cannot come soon enough," she sighed, tiredly. "Even Accounting are getting angry with me. Clearly, they're not in 'the club' as it were."

Miranda snorted.

"I'll call them later. I'm sure they've missed talking to me. Maybe it's time for a reminder."

Andy snigged and went back to her desk. They'd been so busy lately as the summer issue drew nearer. Thankfully, because of the procedures they'd implemented already, it wasn't as bad as it had been the previous year, but Andy hadn't seen the girls for weeks and she found she missed the little rascals.

"Hey," she called.

"Must you shout?" Miranda asked, loud enough for Andy to hear her. Andy laughed and got back up and went back into Miranda's office.

"What are you and the girls doing this weekend?"

"Oh, um," she shrugged in a very un-Miranda-like way. "Nothing, as far as I know."

"Wanna do something? Or can I take them somewhere? Between the birthday parties and not wanting to intrude on your time with them, I miss them."

"We can do something," Miranda said easily. "There's a farmer's market that Cassidy is apparently dying to see?"

"Awesome. Can't wait."

"Good," Miranda chuckled. "They miss you too. Never imagine that you're intruding on my time, Andréa. You know this."

"Yeah but now they're going to their Dads, you get less time with them. I don't want to -"

"Andréa," Miranda said gently. "Don't."

Andy blushed.

"Okay," she grinned, bashfully. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Dinner then? Tomorrow? When they get home?"

"Yep."

"Good, now go and do some work. Surely there's something you haven't automated."

Andy chuckled and went back to her desk. She wasn't sure why, but something good was coming. She could just feel it.

-0-

The girls had fairly leapt into her arms when she'd walked into the Townhouse the next evening. Cassidy had grown a full inch since she'd last seen her and Caroline, who squeezed Andy extra tightly once Cassidy had moved, was catching up.

"I think you're a foot taller," Andy joked as she rocked them gently

"No, I'm not," Caroline grinned. "Maybe you're just shrinking."

"That's entirely possible," Andy poked her arm. "I miss going climbing with you. I think I'll have to start booking you in advance."

Caroline blushed and let Andy wrap her arm around her middle.

"I've been so busy, I didn't want to -"

"Hey," Andy said gently. "I'm only teasing. I'll be here. There are no worries from me. I'm glad you worked out that whole friend thing."

"Did I tell you? Sadie got transferred."

"No!" Andy gasped as they settled down at the table. Cassidy was helping Miranda with the dinner, letting Andy fully concentrate on Caroline for a while. The young woman was talking nonstop but as Miranda set the glasses on the table, Andy caught her eye.

She looked peaceful and as she stood back up, she glanced at Caroline, then winked at Andy, before going back to plating up the food. It was peaceful.

Dinner was lovely and they'd just started on dessert; a lovely warm, homemade Cara-special blueberry pie with healthy dollops of whipped cream. Caroline was arguing good-naturedly with Miranda about whether swimming was considered a feminine sport when Andy's phone started ringing.

"That's weird," she muttered, wiping her mouth. "It automatically goes to Do Not Disturb after six. The only calls I should get are from the office and you guys. Excuse me for a minute."

Miranda shrugged and went back to debating whether wider shoulders were still considered feminine enough when her phone started ringing as well.

"Can you -"

"Yep," Andy called, picking up her phone and then Miranda's and looking at the callers.

"Hey Nige, why are you -"

"Andy? Why do you have Mir -" A pause. "No, never mind. Put the TV on."

"What?"

"Turn the TV on. Now. Any channel."

"Um."

"Six!"

"Alright, hang on."

She jogged up the stairs to the den and pulled open the doors that usually hid the television. She flicked on the channel and dropped Miranda's phone on the floor, disregarding Nigel's protests over the line. It landed with a thump as she watched the ticker tape roll along the bottom of the screen and blinked at the endless flashes on the television.

"Andréa?"

"Get up here!"

"I beg your pardon."

"Seriously," she managed to say. "You'll want to see this."

Somewhere in the distance, the house phone started ringing and Andy just had the presence of mind to catch Miranda when she stumbled against her after catching a glimpse of the screen while shouting to the twins to pull the cord from the wall.

"What's going on?" Cassidy said, running into the room. "Oh, no way. CARO! Get up here!"

"I had to - Oh damn."

"Turn it up!"

"Did you get a call from Ann?"

"No, did you?"

"I've been with you, how was I supposed to -"

Andy rolled her eyes and picked up her phone and Miranda's again. Nigel had hung up. She scrolled through the numerous texts and missed calls looking for one she'd missed.

"No, she never called."

Miranda was watching the screen, chewing on her lip with a teeny tiny twitch in the corner of her mouth.

"Andréa?" she said quietly. "In the bottom of the fridge, there is a bottle of champagne. Would you bring it up here with four glasses?"

"Four?"

"This is a very special occasion."

Andy chuckled and did as she asked, rummaging in the back of the bottom shelf for the Veuve Clicquot. She managed to hang four flutes between her fingers and went back upstairs to the Den.

"Yes, no I understand. Of course. Our NDA's are ironclad there's no way any of us will be saying anything. Yes. Definitely. I will try to meet with you on Monday. Alright. Thank you. And you."

Andy looked at Miranda expectantly as she sat back with a beatific smile.

"That was Ann. The FBI surprised them and jumped the gun."

"The FBI?"

"Hmm," she chuckled. "Elias Clarke received a rather handsome float in the new year. In the national interest, I believe they told us. When the US Government is involved, it becomes an issue for the FBI."

"Wow," Cassidy chuckled. They all sat quietly for a while.

"Did he deserve it, Mom?"

Miranda looked at Caroline and smiled gently, opening her arm to her youngest. Andy smiled and let Cassidy lean on her as they watched Miranda brush Caroline's hair back and kiss her forehead.

"The severity of his crimes are more than just annoying me, Bobbsey," she said gently. "He committed actual crimes. Against many, many people. He stole money from Elias Clarke. Money that should have been put back into the business. Money that is used to pay people's wages. So he didn't only steal from the company he stole from us, from Andréa. Uncle Nigel. He also did some questionable things with some people in positions that were advantageous to him."

"Like, gross things?"

"Well, I think they're gross," Andy quipped, trying to lighten the conversation. It worked as Cassidy giggled, but Miranda merely smiled and squeezed Caroline's hands.

"He will be treated fairly by the judicial system. If anything he might be treated too kindly, for all the things he's done, but it is out of our hands. For now," she smiled at her daughters and then at Andy. Andy smiled back. "For now, we will simply celebrate the end of Andréa's tireless work of keeping track of every speck of paper for the last eight months. How about that."

"I can get behind that," Cassidy chuckled.

"Good," Andy grinned. "Me too. Want a sip, Caro?"

"Sure," she grinned. "I guess so."

Miranda popped the cork, a little excitedly so and poured two healthy glasses and two with barely a mouthful.

"To," Miranda looked at the three of them and smiled one of her precious smiles. "To hard work. And overcoming adversity. And tenacity. And above all, my strong suit," she smirked and Andy could already see what was coming. "Patience."

Andy and the girls laughed with Miranda as they all tapped the glasses together.

"Urgh," Cassidy shuddered as she took a sip. "No thanks."

"Yeah not for me either," Caroline winced. "Thanks though, Mom."

"You're welcome Bobbsey."

"We're going to go upstairs and do our homework. Love you guys."

They disappeared without waiting for an answer, leaving the two women in the quiet with the repeated scenes flashing on the television.

"Who knew this is what it felt like, Andréa," she whispered sitting back, beside Andy.

Andy couldn't help but notice the fire dancing in Miranda's eyes as she watched Irv being dragged through a gang of reporters. It was heady, knowing that a good portion of the evidence that would be levelled at the odious man had been collected by her hard work. Andy laughed quietly and toasted Miranda again before taking a sip.

"Dunno about you, but I reckon this calls for some ice cream on our blueberry pies."

"Mm," Miranda hummed. "I believe you're right. Call for some to be brought here, I can't imagine we'll be leaving the house any time soon."

"You think they're already here?" Andy asked. "They work quickly."

"Hmm," Miranda chuckled. "Right. The news never sleeps, Andréa. Shall we find a movie then?"

"I'm down," she smiled.

Miranda got up and rummaged in the DVD cabinet and settled in for the night.

"We're quite a team," Andy whispered as Miranda got comfortable against her shoulder, as was custom.

"Yes, we are," Miranda whispered.

-0-

The atmosphere in the office on Monday morning was rather tense in the wake of the fallout. Irv had been questioned all weekend and according to the tabloids, had been released with a brand new ankle accessory, sometime Sunday afternoon. Miranda had heard a rumour that he was currently staying in a Holiday Inn after his wife had kicked him to the kerb.

Since she and Miranda had arrived that morning, however, he had been upstairs, in a Board meeting and according to Jack (Andy's friend in Security) he'd been escorted up there by two very burly-looking men in suits.

Even though the Summer edition was looming, not a lot of work was being done when a revolving schedule of employees were poking their head around the door for more news. Serena had just left empty-handed when Andy's phone rang and she picked it up quickly when she saw the number, greeting the other person and trying to sound as relaxed as possible.

The woman on the other end spoke in clipped, hushed tones and Andy listened with wide eyes. When the line went dead, Andy just stared at the receiver, overwhelmed by what she'd just heard.

"Miranda!"

The raised voice brought Miranda out of her office quickly and she stood at her doorway looking expectantly as Andy met her eyes.

"He's gone."

"Gone?"

"Gone," she breathed, looking up at her. "Done."

"You're sure?"

"Sarah just called," Miranda's blank face forced her to elaborate. "She's at home, but Ann is texting her. He's gone, effective immediately. No handshake, no pension. Pending investigation, he may even have to pay some of it back. The interim will be decided by the end of the day."

Miranda's face broke into a beautiful smile and she looked skywards for a moment before locking eyes again with Andréa.

"Thank you."

Andy beamed and glanced at the door, where she knew quite many other people were waiting for the news.

"Go on then," Miranda chuckled. "I'm sure you will all wish to celebrate this evening."

"You could come?"

"No, Andréa, I don't think so," she said quietly.

"I'd like it if you did. And it would only be Nigel, Emily, Serena and me?"

There was a long pause while Miranda looked at her carefully.

"Perhaps."

"Thank you," Andy grinned. "Be right back."

She felt Miranda's eyes on her as she left, and she turned back around before she got to the door and warped her arms around her boss tightly.

"We did it," she breathed.

"We did," Miranda agreed, her arms tightening for just a moment around Andy's waist. Andy stepped back and grinned.

"This is the best day ever," she chuckled.

She left again. She was so excited that she knocked on Serena's office as she swept past it without even waving hello to anyone else. She knew the woman would follow as she swept into Nigel's office and grinned at him, interrupting Emily, who was peering into a lightbox with a frown.

"Has it happened?" Serena asked as she joined them.

"He's gone," she grinned. "Completely. Effective immediately."

"Bloody hell," Emily groaned, looking relieved.

"Wonderful!" Nigel exclaimed. "How is she?"

"Relieved, I think," she grinned. "I," she winced. "Well, she said that we would no doubt want to go out and celebrate and I," she glanced at Emily. "Kinda invited her."

"ANDY!"

"Em," Serena soothed. "Relax, querida."

"Sorry."

Emily looked at her for a long time and then rolled her eyes.

"It's her victory, I suppose. Fine. If Miranda is coming, where are we going?"

"Same place as always," Nigel shrugged. "She and I have had a drink there before."

"It's not exactly upmarket," Emily worried.

"She won't care," Andy shrugged. "She'll probably only stay for one drink."

"Fine. Normal time then. What a day."

"This is going to be awesome," Andy grinned. "Thanks, guys."

"You did all the work, Andy," Serena chuckled, hugging her gently. "You deserve the thanks."

Andy grinned and went back to her desk. She shared a small smile with Miranda as she met Andy's eyes for a moment before going back to work. Andy took a moment to think about what Serena had said. It wasn't just her hard work. Miranda had put in just as many hours, double and triple-checking things that ordinarily wouldn't need to and making sure her actions were 100% transparent, against her usual modus operandi.

They'd worked together to put Irv in front of the Board of Directors with enough evidence of indiscretions personal and professional that they'd offered no other solution except for him to go. Even better, however, was that the FBI had completely removed all of the backlash from any of them. Andy had been so thankful when Ann had taken it on herself so that nothing could blow back and damage Miranda in the process. Now she was equally pleased that the FBI had removed it from Ann's plate too. After getting to know them as closely as she had, Andy didn't want them to have to deal with it either.

And now that Irv was gone, Andy felt a kind of peace descend over the office and she smiled to herself, looking forward to drinks with all of her friends after work.

-0-

She arrived before anyone else, having a quiet word to the barman before taking up a large table in a dark corner where she knew Miranda would be more comfortable. She'd also ordered a bottle of the Veuve Clicquot to pop once Miranda had joined them, using her own money. Sadiq would be pleased that she was finally getting used to charging extravagant things as business expenses.

She'd come to terms with the money. The ability to make money without worry. She had so much to be thankful for and she often spent a few moments thinking about how lucky she was to have Miranda in her life.

"Six!"

She grinned, letting go of it for now as she stood and hugged Nigel hello.

"Darling, I didn't want to say anything at work, but goodness, you're an angel."

"What?" she laughed. "Have you started early?"

"No darling," he smiled gently. "Remember, when your entire life goes up in smoke, then it's time for a promotion." She frowned, wondering where he was going with that thought. "I was so wrong," he said happily. "You keep her happy, she is happy. Perhaps for the first time since I've met her, I think she is truly happy."

"Nige -"

"No, listen," he said, turning serious. "I think you might need to know. I think you haven't realised. And I've gone back and forth on this, but," he bussed her cheek. "This is important. She'll never tell you, so it's up to me to do so."

"What?" she said, looking at him sideways. "Know what? Tell me what?"

"She'd give you everything, if you asked it of her, Andy."

"Nigel," she half-groaned. "I'm just the best assistant she's ever had. I mean, she told me that herself. And she's my friend. And," she sighed. "She's already done so much for me. She helped me get a new place and helped me learn how to get control of my life and," she hesitated. "I mean, she cares. I know that, but -"

"No, darling. I," he sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Look, I wasn't going to say anything, but, it's time. Irv has gone and it's time for you to at least think about it." Andy met his eyes. "She more than cares, Six. She -"

"Thank God we're finally here. Is it still Happy Hour? I need a Rum Punch."

"I -" Nigel frowned, looking at Emily and squeezing Andy's hand instead. "Come on Em, God forbid you pass out before we get anywhere." He left Andy where she was, standing beside the table, puzzled by his words until her phone buzzed in her hand.

She glanced down and saw that Miranda would join them momentarily. Her mind was still spinning as she considered the hidden meaning behind Nigel's words and couldn't seem to focus on anything, so she allowed Serena to lead her to the table and accepted the drink Nigel had bought. She took a swig, gradually allowing the alcohol to warm her and loosen her tongue just a little. Before long, she felt like herself again and all thoughts of Nigel's mysterious message were pushed to the back of her mind. They were here to celebrate Irv's demise, not deconstruct hidden clues. She'd had enough of that over the last eight months or so. For now, she simply smiled as Miranda swept into the bar, pressing genuine kisses on everybody's cheek and smiling gratefully at Andy when she saw the champagne.

"As usual, Andréa has excelled," she chuckled, uncaging the cork herself. There was a small cheer when the cork popped and she poured out five glasses with aplomb.

"To my colleagues," she smiled at them all. "My friends. Thank you for being patient and giving us the latitude we needed to get this done. In particular, spare a thought for Andréa who has barely done anything except collect evidence on the matter all while fighting to keep us going. To Andréa."

Andy blinked up at her and let everyone squeeze her shoulder while they clinked their glasses together.

"Now," Miranda nodded, licking her top lip a little. "Emily, Serena. How are things?"

Andy tuned out as Nigel's eyes met hers and he looked at her pointedly. Shrugging it off, Andy made it a point to enjoy her evening and not worry about Nigel's cryptic clues about something she didn't understand.