Hey guys! I've had an... interesting past few...years, so that's what's delayed this update so long.

I will mention that yes, I do know there's some mix-ups about the passage of time and ages. The twins are 7, while Miranda is 47, give or take a few months. Andy is around 25, having gone back for a second degree after graduating. Grace and majority of the board are in their mid 60s, with the exception of Irv who is about 53. Originally, I'd been planning to do something else with a particular set of side characters, but I've since decided against it. Also, even though this story is set in fall/winter it has been a year since Andy quit so everything is full circle. I'll eventually go back and fix the timeline issue, but for now it's safe to assume that the timeline set from now on is the accurate one. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

As usual this is unedited, mostly because I have about an hour or two free to write and post this, so I'm sure you'd rather gloss over the mistakes than to have to wait another few days for it. Potentially weeks, with the way my schedule is looking honestly.

Once I have enough time I actually will be going back and editing. Unless of course any of you amazing people want to volunteer as tribute to be my beta. ;)

Winter break began on a surprisingly mild day for New York in winter. The snow was only coming down in light, manageable flakes, and the street sweepers had done a good job of clearing roads enough for the usual morning rush. Andy woke with a smile, knowing that she would start her day off by seeing Miranda as she picked up the girls for work.

She left her home far earlier than she usually would, in order to stop by her office on her way to get the girls. Joey was present, to her surprise, and he smiled when she entered her office.

"Good morning, Boss," he handed her a coffee, "Those packages you've been waiting for from the Research department got here a few minutes ago. I wrapped them like you asked."

"Perfect," Andy hummed happily, as she took a drink of the warm coffee, "the coffee and you having everything ready."

"Just doing my job," Joey grinned, sending her a wink, as his computer chimed.

"I'll be sad to see you go when your year is up," Andy sighed, but smiled at him.

"I'll be around," Joey gave her a slight hopeful look, "at least, if you say I will. If you were to make an offer, I definitely wouldn't say no to it."

Andy laughed at the not so subtle hint, "your degree is in Engineering, right? Why apply here instead of getting an internship?"

"Everyone knows that if you want to make a splash in the tech market you work here. I was at a seminar your uncle gave before…," Joey sighed, "I was just a nerdy Junior, but I knew I had to go. Willam was a hero to us nerds. I wanted to work for a man like him, and change the world someday. I tried to meet him after, but he had a meeting. Gia was there, and she took my number and met me for coffee. And here we are. "

"Gia is a good judge of character," Andy nodded, "if you get through this year intact, I'll make sure you get a position in RD. It won't be fancy, but it'll put your foot in the door."

Joey blinked, before a wide grin spread across his face, "seriously? I was only joking about the job part. I would be happy with a recommendation!"

"You do good work," Andy gave him a knowing look, "I would be crazy to let you go work for someone else."

Joey's smile hadn't left his face even as Andy left her office, minutes later. She made a mental note to go over more of his resume. Her company would be going through an overhaul soon. She needed as many loyal employees as she could get. Especially when they were competent. Joey was showing plenty of potential. She would have to watch him closely to see if he would thrive within his chosen field.

The townhouse was unusually quiet when Andy arrived. Cara opened the door for her, smiling kindly as she let her inside.

"The girls are just grabbing their boots," she explained, "Miranda is due for her morning coffee any second. Would you like a cup?"

"No thanks, Cara," Andy held up her thermos, "my Assistant had it covered this morning."

"Of course," Cara checked the coffee maker, making sure to place the proper mug under the spout, "I'm just on my way out. Enjoy your week, Andy."

Andy said her goodbyes, watching as Cara pulled on her coat and scarf, as Miranda descended the stairs. She spoke to the caretaker briefly, before the woman was out the door, and Miranda was heading Andy's way.

"Good Morning, Andrea," Miranda seemed to be in a good mood, at least.

"Morning, Miranda," Andy smiled, "busy day ahead?"

"Isn't it always," Miranda gave her an amused look, as she grabbed the now full mug of coffee, "the cold weather seems to be affecting the brain functions of everyone who works for me."

Andy chuckled, "you should see my staff. Their vacation doesn't start until Friday, but they're all milling around like zombies until one of them spots me heading their way. If it wasn't for Joey holding everything together, I think I'd probably snap one of these days."

Miranda seemed amused as Andy ranted, as she always does whenever work is brought up by Andy. It's so interesting to see Andy dealing with very similar issues in completely different ways. She supposed that it was merely them playing to their strengths. Andy had quite a bit more responsibility than Miranda when it came to the sheer number of people under her. Miranda was only responsible for Runway, she couldn't imagine having to run an entire business the way Andy did. It was something she admired about the younger woman. It was almost unfathomable that a 25 year old could shoulder so much responsibility so gracefully.

"I brought you something," Andy drew Miranda's attention, "I know you like to keep your journal with you at all times, but that's not as practical when your appointments are always changing."

Miranda watched as she pulled a small, square box from her bag. It was wrapped in a deep black paper, with thick, crimson ribbon. Miranda took the package, looking at Andy for an explanation.

"It's a tablet," She explained, "it's still a prototype, and there's a lot of things that can be improved, but this one was actually designed for me, personally. Gia struggled to keep me updated whenever there were major changes in my day and I was out of the office. The tablet is connected to cell towers that keep it updated when something suddenly changes in my schedule. Saves everyone a lot of time."

Miranda pulled off the wrapping, and saw that it was a discreet black, and would fit into her hands easily, being only a little bigger than her cellphone. There was a stylus on the side, and the display was large enough not to strain her eyes.

"Andrea this was very thoughtful of you," Miranda paused, looking up at the younger woman, "you didn't have to."

"I know how stressed you can get about your schedule," Andy shrugged, her smile almost bashful, "and also...it might come in handy for our investigation. The department has already approved it, and it's basically a sure way to verify you were where you claim, since it logs all completed appointments. Irv is slippery, I don't want to give him any more ammunition to hurt you than he already thinks he has."

Miranda's face hardened a little at the mention of her boss. The man was gone come January 1st, but he was taking great pains to interfere with Miranda's daily life at work until he was gone.

"That little man will get everything he has coming to him," Miranda's usually cool voice was filled with irritation.

"Oh trust me," Andy sighed, shaking her head, "you have no idea, and when you do... you'll understand why it's important you're involved as little as possible."

Luckily, the twins' presence was made known before she could press. They came into the kitchen, both wearing matching outfits in different colors. Andy couldn't be too sure what they had on under it, but Caroline had on a purple winter coat, and black pants that were tucked into similar colored boots. Her hair was up, surprisingly, held back into a low bun that allowed her to put on her beanie. Cassidy was in an identical outfit, with the exception of a pink jacket instead of purple. They both had black gloves and beanies, and Cassidy's hair was down as usual.

"Good morning, Andy," Cassidy smiled brightly when she saw her.

"What's that," Caroline's eyes had moved to the tablet in Miranda's hand.

"Andrea has given me a tablet to help me organize my day," Miranda indulged her daughter's curiosity.

"It's cool," Caroline looked it over with a critical eye, before nodding her approval.

"What does it do," Cassidy was suddenly very interested in the tablet.

"I'm sure Andrea will be more than happy to explain that to you, Bobbsey," Miranda placed the tablet in her purse, "I have to go into work now, and I imagine so do you."

Cassidy sighed, but still happily accepted the kiss to her cheek Miranda gave her, "bye Mom!"

"We'll see you later," Caroline pressed her own kiss to Miranda's pale cheek, before she moved eagerly to the door

"Have a good day," Miranda smiled at them both, as she moved to the door, "I love you both, very much."

"Love you too, Mom!"

"I love you more!"

"No you don't, I do!"

"No!"

Miranda watched them bicker over who loved her more, blinking heavily to stop the stinging in her eyes. She took a deep breath and shook her head. When she divorced their father, the girls were very young. She feared that they would grow to resent her, and whenever they expressed how much they truly cared for her, she couldn't help but be overwhelmed with joy and relief.

"Have a good day, Miranda," Andy sensed her mood, and spoke gently, "the girls will finish work around 4. I'll drop them home around 6 after an early dinner."

Miranda snapped from her thoughts, giving Andy a grateful look, "that's acceptable. I'll see you then."

She left before she could draw the attention of the girls, who's argument had shifted to something else by this point. Andy chuckled, herding them to her own town car.

Andy had arranged for a conference room to be rearranged to look more like a small office space. There were several desks sectioned off with various items and a stack of papers and pens. Caroline and Cassidy were the first to arrive, and as such they got their pick of desks. Oddly, Caroline chooses a seat further to the left of the room than Cassidy, who seemed content to be alone for now. As the flood of kids arrived, they took to the social situation in just the way anyone would expect a child of Miranda Priestly to, and Andy lingered long enough to watch as they helped organize the otherwise rambunctious children around them. Cassidy seemed more interested in the products being placed in front of them, while Caroline eyed her peers with critical eyes, taking in outfits and rearranging people so there was some semblance of color coordination.

Shaking her head in amusement, Andy left quietly to return to her own office the floor above. Joey greeted her, and informed her that she had a visitor waiting in her office. Curious, she opened the door and saw Grace sitting on the couch watching the skyline.

"Not what I was expecting," Andy admitted to the older woman.

"Sorry to disappoint," she gives Andy an amused look, "but then, people rarely live up to the excellence that is La Priestly."

"Funny," Andy rolls her eyes, sitting at her desk, "what brings you by?"

"I've come to inform you that the board has finally decided on Irv's replacement," her smirk is triumphant, and Andy relaxes a little.

"And who is that," Andy leans forward, genuinely interested.

"Fitzgerald Jacobson," Grace reveals smugly.

"Jacobson," Andy recognizes the last name, "isn't your sister married to a Jacobson?"

"Yes," Grace laughs, "Helena was never the most business savvy, but her taste in men is impeccable. It just so happens that Fitzgerald has recently sold his law firm and is looking for new ventures. It also happens that his son went to Law School with one Alexandra Cabot."

"Huh," Andy is impressed and a little weary about how interconnected New York's elite were, "well at least we have a majority now, right? Whatever Irv and his band of merry men are up to, we have a little leverage."

Grace grimaced at her words, "I just had the most repulsive image of Irving in tights."

Andy's laugh fills the room, and she shakes her head at the scandalized look on Grace's face, "well enjoy that. Some of us have a company to run, and a meeting in 30 minutes."

"I know when I'm not wanted," Grace gets up dramatically, shooting Andy a playful glare, "I would never be treated this way if I was Miranda."

"Ha ha," Andy glares back.

"Then again, I should feel lucky," Grace smirks as she leaves the office, "if I was Miranda I probably would be bent over that de-"

"Have a great day, Grace," Andy's glare is genuine now.

The older woman's laugh carried even through the closed door as she left.

Andy sighed, getting back to work. She managed to get through a decent amount of her report before her office door opened and Joey poked his head through the door.

"Emily called," he says, "Miranda's meeting got pushed back so she won't be home until 7 at the latest."

"That's fine," Andy rubs her bottom lip distractedly, "just change the reservation to Tony's so we can use the spare time for the drive."

"You got it," he nods, lingering in the doorway.

Andy looks up, giving him her full attention, "what's up? Everything ok?"

"Yeah I just…," he looks nervous.

"Have a seat," Andy frowns in concern, "you know you can talk to me."

He sits, deflating a little, "I was in the cafeteria getting your coffee this morning and Josh and David from Research were there. I was going over to say hi when I overheard them talking about being approached by Intel. I didn't catch everything but from what it sounded like, they'd been offered a lot of money to tell them what we're working on."

Andy believed him, immediately. Were it anyone else, she would have been skeptical but she knew he was honest and hard working. She saw a lot of herself in him, actually.

"And you're sure," She knew he was, but she felt the need to ask anyway.

"I don't want anyone to get in trouble, but if they're doing what I think then you deserve to know," he insists, and suddenly Andy is reminded of running across Paris, desperate to warn Miranda of the betrayal at hand.

"I'll look into it," Andy tells him, "quietly. In the meantime, keep your ear to the ground. Thank you, Joey."

"Always," he smiles, relieved, "I'll get ready for your meeting."

"I'll be out soon," Andy goes back to her paperwork, distracted now that she's seeing how far the corruption is going.

Olivia Benson was a smart woman, and damn did she look good in Armani. Andy had spent a significant amount of time drilling her and preparing her for Miranda. She knew the woman was patient, but there was patience and then there was being able to handle Miranda. She would need all the help she could get. The department decided to wait until the beginning of December to implant Olivia, after Andy's latest replacement was sure to fail. It still felt odd for Andy to consider any new second assistant as her replacement after all this time, but that seemed to be the consensus at Runway. Andy hadn't seen much of the girl, which only meant Emily kept her out of the office and away from Miranda as much as possible. Andy almost felt bad for the girl.

"Is she really as bad as you say she is," Olivia looked flawless in her suit, if slightly uncomfortable to be wearing something so expensive.

"Think of the most arrogant, demanding person you've ever worked with," Andy gave her an amused glance, as they entered Elias-Clarke, "and multiply that by 10. Then make them your boss."

Olivia whistled, eyes a little wide, "and you still fell for her?"

"She's a little abrasive," Andy admitted, "but she's got a good heart. Not many people get to see it, though."

"Ah," Olivia gave her a knowing look, "I understand."

"She's my Alex, I guess," Andy gave Olivia a knowing look, as they each received a visitor badge.

Olivia, to her credit, didn't stumble, even as her eyes widened in surprise. She looked at Andy, completely shocked as they moved to the elevators.

"Alex is a very good friend, but we're not...she and I," Olivia sighed, realizing her stumbling only amused Andy and gave her away, "it's complicated."

"Complicated on your end or hers," Andy wondered, "you don't have to answer, obviously. I'm just curious."

"She's so straight laced," Olivia smiles just a little, "everything has to be by the book, but sometimes I catch her looking at me and...I have hope."

"The infamous look," Andy grins, as the elevator opens to Runway, "I know the look well."

Emily looked up at their arrival, and Andy instantly knew Olivia was in for a long day. She felt a little bad, but remembered that Olivia had her number should things go wrong. She just hoped they didn't. It was only Tuesday, after all.

"Morning, Em. I stumbled across your new co-worker on the way up," Andy grinned at her.

Emily's eyes looked Olivia over, judging if she was worthy of Miranda. When she didn't send her away, Andy took that as a good sign.

"At least this one looks decent," Emily sniffed, "why HR insisted that they chose Miranda's next assistant, I'll never know. I'm perfectly capable of-"

"If that were the case, Emily, I wouldn't need a new second assistant," Miranda's entrance was the usual storm, but instead of going completely into her office, she paused to take in Olivia and Andy. It was only a few seconds, but the lack of pursed lips was a good sign. That meant that Olivia was safe for now.

"Well," Andy cast a glance at Olivia, who seemed relaxed enough, "I'll play assistant one last time and bring her coffee. Gird your loins, ladies."

Andy entered the office, carrying a thermos of coffee. She had a custom Starbucks cup in her other hand, as she approached Miranda. She'd remembered to close the door, and was thankful because the look on Miranda's face was less than pleased. She hadn't gotten the chance to see her this morning, Miranda had already left for work when she came to get the girls.

"I brought coffee," she held it up like a shield.

"Sit, Andrea," Miranda took the thermos from her, ignoring the Starbucks cup, "I highly doubt I'll have much time to talk once my day begins in earnest."

"Of course," Andy sat, smiling at her, "I've already put her through the ringer, Miranda. She's good under pressure."

"High praise indeed," Miranda looked at her in amusement, "now, are we going to sit and stare at each other, or will you be giving me the good morning kiss I can tell you're trying to resist."

Andy's eyes widened at the words, but Miranda remained casual. If Andy wasn't positive she'd heard Miranda correctly, she would have assumed she was going crazy. Miranda had been saying the most suggestive things since their kiss, but this was by far the most direct.

Instead of talking, she just got up and planted a kiss against Miranda's cheek. The displeased sigh she got in return caused her to raise an eyebrow. Miranda gave her an expectant look, and she realized Miranda actually meant kiss her...on the lips. She hadn't dared attempt that since the first time, and Miranda hadn't mentioned it at all until now. Apparently Miranda was now expecting more.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she ducked her head down, and pressed her lips lightly to Miranda's. The satisfied hum of approval she got in response caused a shiver up her spine, and when she pulled away, she knew her face was dreamy, if the amused glance she got from Miranda was any indication.

"I'm assuming you've got somewhere to be, Andrea," The dismissal was laced with affection, even as Miranda turned her eyes to the work in front of her.

"Of course, Miranda," Andy grinned, straightening herself, before heading for the door. She stopped short, turning to look at Miranda again, "if you're going to work late, I can get dinner with the girls and maybe we can drop by to see you on the way home."

Miranda froze at the suggestion, her blue eyes darting up to regard Andy. The silence was tense for a few seconds, and Andy feared she crossed a line somehow. Then, Miranda nodded.

"I'm sure they would love that," Miranda waved her off, "now go, you're distracting me. I'll inform Cara."

Andy exits Miranda's office with a grin, and ignores the questioning looks from both Olivia and Emily. As she took the elevator down, she sent Joey a text, making sure her schedule would be clear after 5:30.