It happened at exactly 7:45pm on the subway. Cramped riders stared at Andy who blurted outloud. ''I'm in love with Miranda.''

One passenger in a thick Bronx accent snorted. ''Good for you honey.''

So what was she waiting for, had to tell her. Now.

No way was she waiting another day. One thought Andy had to find her. Tell her she needed her.

Stepped off her stop, made a phone call she no doubt sounded crazy, and sprinted upstairs to street, raining torrentially hailed a cab to Elias Clarke Building.

Gave scrunched up bills to the cabbie. Andy entered the building. The doorman all knew her well, Gordy and Sal, Andy use to bring them an early morning coffees and bagels or depending on payday a box of Krispy Kreme's.

Emily still didn't know any of their names she only worked in the building for two years whereas Andy for just six months.

Gordon smiled at a face he hadn't seen in months. ''Hi Andy. Skipped the rain I see.'' Andy was a soaked sight to him.

''Gordy I need a pass to go to the 17th Floor, to see Miranda. Is she still here?''

''Can't do that for you Andy. Wish I could but no one's there, all at the top floor party, go on up just this once. Crash it.''

Stepping away from Gordy. ''Oh Andy. I know you might find this unbelievable but I think in a way Ms Priestly's misses you.''

''I have to.'' Andy confessed.

Nate was right about this. Afraid to see it. Andy remembered her grandmother's words ''Love like I'm not scared.''

In the elevator Andy took in her soaked appearance well it could be worse she just never imagined telling someone she loved them resembling a drenched rat, or that person ever being Miranda Priestly.

The elevator opened as Andy stepped out of it, now to find Miranda and tell her.

Runway's partygoers were mingling with Elias Clarke Board, a few holding cocktails stopped mid conversing, what she was doing here, the Miranda girl that fled in Paris.

Andy saw the iconic silvery white hair with her back to her.

''Miranda.''

Whipping around at her name called by Andréa.

Caught Miranda with her brown eyes.

Plastering a fake smile at such an unexpected newcomer. ''Andréa.'' Her cool eyes took in Andy's wet damp state with a flicker of surprise and a dangerous glimmer of discord.

''I know this is sudden and I need to tell you. Why?''

Miranda was walking away from Andy. What was she doing here tonight?

Andy broke a rule. Took Miranda's wrist to stay near her.

''No Miranda Priestly will just listen to why I left, my reason for Paris.''

Serena and Nigel looked between both Andy and Miranda. No way to defuse the situation, what the hell was Andy doing here.

Nigel tried to give Andy the eye don't mention Paris to Miranda ever. They'd all heard every rant about Andy Sachs. Unprofessional and irresponsible made her and Stephen's squabbling on divorce seem a pleasant ordeal.

A waiter offered from a tray, flutes of champagne. Nigel sure hoped Six could duck.

'' Please Miranda just let me tell what you mean to me. I've been thinking about you.'' Miranda body language was icy. Still holding her wrist. ''I guess I'll just show you how I feel about you.''

Miranda was cutting her eyes like daggers at Andy, the look Sachs you will be writing on bathroom stalls homeless for this.

Placing her thumb under Miranda's chin, Andy pressed her lips to Miranda's. Put all of herself into this kiss.

Hit Andy like doused with cold water. Miranda wasn't kissing her back. Fuck. What had she done? Reality of it in Miranda's blue eyes.

Miranda was very rigid. Very still. Andy slickened her lower lip and pulled away.

Did only one thing to Andy's kiss, began wiping her lips as if revolted. By Andy, her lips and the kiss.

Irv Ravitz raised a sardonic brow, ''I knew you instilled blind devotion Miranda in staff but even all adoring former ones.'' Tinkering laughter, around them at her. La Priestly was not laughed at.

''Yes well Andréa is very impulsive and forgets her place.'' Staring at Andy viciously.

Gripped Andy's elbow herself and waspishly began to shred her former assistant's heart. ''Leave.''

''Miranda let me...can't you see I …''

''See? I see a spoiled child who left and I see in front of me someone who is nothing to me. In my world Andrea you have no meaning. Why would you?''

Miranda continued. ''Just a silly assistant to me who fetched coffee and hardly did that competently.''

Andy held Miranda's eyes. Dawning why would she? Andy had just been her lowly assistant. A pair of hands.

''I understand.'' Tears glistened in her brown eyes.

''Now you are walking away from me Andrea as you did so splendidly and will do now. You will never grace me or Runaway with your inferior presence again.'' Miranda looked livid.

''Andréa was just leaving.'' Miranda said to all around them. Stephan was here. He was reconciling with her. Saw him coming closer to them.

''Serena show Andréa out.''

Brushing Miranda lightly who retreated. ''I know you felt it.''

Numb. Right, yes she was just going, for good. Had to get out of here and fast.

Away from Miranda's ridiculing eyes.

Emily heard about it from Serena, one time she'd been in the loo. Sachs actually locked lips with Miranda. Now wonder Miranda was on the tear tonight.

Every single Runway employee was talking about how infamous Andréa ambushed Miranda with her lips as some sick payback. In front of the board. Half could not believe it.

''Emily get me The Mirror's Editor.''


At least the rain hid her tears. Miranda didn't just humiliate her, she demolished her. Breathing out and in exhale what was left of her pride, pulling up her collar from the gales.

Got the call from John who felt really shitty about this but he'd been called by La Priestly herself five minutes ago to do this.

Letting her go. Andy understood. John stayed on the line as Andy's phone pinged. Andy's numb slick hand pressed to take the other call. ''Hello. Yes this is Andy speaking. Wait a minute slow down what happened.''

Cutting through the park, it was a shortcut. Nate told her not to take.


4 hours later

''You must be Andy's grandmother. I'm Detective Benson. SVU.''

Olivia kindly took her to Andrea.

Week Later

Nigel snapped the fashion illustrations down on Miranda's desk on this brisk day with force. ''Could you have been any crueller to her.'' Arms crossed sternly at her.

Miranda looked away. Did not have time for this, nonsense. Her divorce proceedings were now on hold, Stephen was back and the twins' father James was finally agreeing to not wanting the girls for full custody and there was Irv's machinations. Andrea's idol worship was at the bottom of her list of priorities.

'' She never came near you without warmth, kindness and I am not sorry Miranda to say I think how you behaved towards her was inexcusable.''

Miranda's mouth pursed.

''I think Miranda, Andy might have had a lot more to have offered you than you realise or value. You missed out on it. Hope Stephen makes you happy Miranda because Andy could have. ''

''What are you talking about?'' Andrea's little infatuation made a fool of her with the Board. That kiss a few days ago.

Made a fool of. Just like in Paris.

''God you didn't even see. Still don't. Not once. Are you blind.''

Nigel had never spoken to her like this. Not even over Paris.

''I love you Miranda but right now I don't like you very much. I'm taking a three hour lunch to be a friend.'' Looked at Miranda hard, Nigel left without one more word to a stunned Miranda.

Emily swallowed hard. Heard and agreed. Nigel was right. Poor Six. She'd even called Andrea a few times. No answer. Promising herself she'd try her again tonight, maybe invite her out or over to her place for sympathy drinks.

Spring Street

Nigel buzzed again. Six where are you he wondered. Left three messages. Nothing.

Should have called her after it all happened to talk, but he'd been busy with Francisco and Miranda's generous offer and with Kit becoming the head of Elias Clarke.

Deciding he was going to Andy's place of work next. The New York Mirror. Hoping Miranda didn't destroy Andy's writing.

Checking the address on his phone.

''Hey you were buzzing 8b right.'' Andy's landlord asked the flamboyant man at the front door of his building. Nigel nodded at the burly man.

''Six. Andy Sachs I was hoping she was home.''

''Sorry but she's gone.''

Nigel slumped. Six moved back home. ''Gone. When?''

''22nd owed me back rent. What can you do though rob a Potter's field.''

Nigel looked confused.

''Shame she was a nice kid.'' Shaking his head at Nigel. ''Never going to see my back rent.'' Nigel was fishing through his suit pocket for a cheque book. He'd settle whatever Andy owed. Least he could do. Should have intervened at the party. Gone after Andy that night.

''Gone now. Died last week. Motor accident some type of collision in Ohio. She owed me $1900 bucks.''

Nigel felt shaky. Six was what… Andy wasn't…no couldn't be. Not possible. Refusing to believe it, he was going to take her out to lunch or coffee and if she declined force her to answer her door. No she'd be up a couple of stair flights opening her crummy apartment door to him reluctantly and they'd both sit on her thrift shop couch and he'd be her shoulder for as long as she needed.

Alive.

Came back to Runway in a daze. Typed Andy's Sachs name in shakily. There it was.

Sachs family killed in drunk driving collision in Ohio.

Emily snuck over to Nigel's desk. Went white at his search.

Later

''Nigel good your back is something wrong with Emily she keeps staring and bursting into tears every few minutes and I assure you it's not because of me.''

Miranda stood in Nigel's doorway. Sensed something was wrong with Nigel who just stared at his IMac screen.

''Miranda I think you should sit down but then again I don't think it will matter to you anyway.''

Not liking that presumption, Nigel mattered to her. He did. She'd made up with him over Paris.

The new role, and exciting venture with her. She'd atoned for Paris.

Miranda was growing worried from Nigel's face, something had happened. ''Nigel what is it? Did something happen to Francisco?'' Francisco was Nigel's lovely boyfriend.

''No Francisco's fine it's just I went to see Andy and well she a…I just was told...she's…''

Spoke sharply at Nigel. ''She's what?'' Strolling his modern office, ran her manicured finger along a snow globe that didn't fit here. Colourful and tacky. Cradling it. Nigel liked sea life it was from the Georgia Aquarium.

''She's what moving back to gauche backwater Ohio had a dose of real life, god how that sunny tender creature ever survived here is a baffling. With her big ideas of right and wrong.''

Miranda could care less what Sachs was doing right now, furrowing her brows over her last assistant.

''Andy's dead.''

Dropped the snow globe. Dead.

Miranda paled. '' Nigel this assuredly isn't funny. Tell me it is not true.''

''Andy died beginning of this week.''

Nigel never heard Miranda voice ever tremble before. ''But she can't be.''

Nigel took her shaking graceful hands in his. ''Miranda

Miranda unreadable eyes saw it was, took in his sombre air he wasn't joking. It was true. Her necklace felt very constricting all of a sudden. Hollowly asked him. ''How?''

Shown the obituary.

''I have to go back to work.'' Leaving Nigel in his office.

Andrea was dead.

Shut her office door. Emily didn't even know what that meant because Miranda never did that before.

At dinner had no appetite, snapped at her dinner companions who were still talking about that kissing incident, Miranda could hardly hear them tonight with their snide droll drivel.

Andréa was not silly, she was a wonderful assistant to her. Should have told her that. Should have said a lot to her. She was unblemished. With a big smile and kind eyes.

Should have been kinder about that kiss, instead of flying off the handle.

Recalling her care she took in duties and doing little thoughtful things for her. Needed or not.

Realisation hit her. Not a crush. Nigel's words distracted her over and over she analysed them. Last to know. Being blind or immune to something Andréa had offered her.

Mulling that night in Paris. Seen it, Andrea's attraction, her want, sneering at the time another idol crush that Miranda did not tolerate.

At the party she'd kissed her just like that.

Saw in pretty brown eyes lots of things, pure and simple honesty and it clicked suddenly, love, it was love and then slighted hurt. Hurt she'd caused.

Andréa Sachs loved her. What had she done?

It was too late anyhow. Gone.

Stephen pulled her to her. Kissing her in greeting if she was honest with herself not at all like Andréa's.

Didn't feel his.

One Month Later

Heard a quarter pushed into the payphone and hearing the operator say ''Please deposit 75 cents in the next free minutes.

''Hi something just happened, it just clicked and I know what you mean to me. I realised how I'm in love with you. I was wrong. So wrong. Leaving you like that. I'm sorry. This is about you and me, always was about this. It will always be you. Only you. I am crazy about you. I love you Miranda. It is the truth of what I feel. Oh by the way this is Sachs. Andy Sachs.

Ending voicemail call she'd kept.

A manicured hand ended it. Tears falling in red rimmed blue eyes.

Stephen was moving out. Her marriage was over.

Present Four Years Later

Miranda Priestly was late.

''It's not fair you always have strangers take care of us because you don't want to and I almost sixteen.''

''Caroline please. We will talk later.'' Saw her driver Roy was here.

Caroline figured, her mother's image was so important. How she was presented. Seen. Most in New York admired or feared her Mother.

Caroline neither feared or admired her Mom just hated her right now. Mom didn't care. She didn't care enough to just talk to her.

''Maybe I can book an appointment with Emily your assistant to talk to you.''

Living on the Upper East Side their household had a slew of staff.

Over the year's countless nannies, tutors, a gardener, one main housekeeper/ cook Mary and all of Mom's many rotating assistants. Went through enough of them all easily replicable but Emily stayed by Mom.

Mom had staff that Cary was sure their birthday and Christmas gifts were picked out. Probably by Emily.

Mom wouldn't know or care what they like.

Stephen was right. Runway her job was more important.

''We will talk tomorrow morning Caroline.''

''I'll be at music camp remember Mom or do you need Emily to remind you of that to.''

Miranda stopped at door. ''Caroline I don't have time for this…I have to go to this.'' Stepping outside to her chauffeured town car getting in and pulling away from the curb.

John Graham Editor of The New York Mirror was an easy-going and affable and he had seen Miranda Priestly in photos' before but never up close.

She looked almost human.

Swallowing his scotch neat.

He didn't dine with someone who ruined a career with a phone call especially Andy Sachs. It had been four years ago. What had happened to Andy made him sick.

Kit of Elias Clarke Board was introducing them. Miranda knew him immediately, a ball of shame hit her. John Graham from Andréa's paper.

''Sorry Kit. I don't share my evenings with someone like Ms Priestly.''

Kit saw Miranda had heard John Graham. Every word.

''Miranda's not that scary to dine with.''

Kit was trying and failing to lighten his friend's rudeness, Emily stared. John Graham of The Mirror was walking a fine line with Miranda tonight.

''I wouldn't say fear Ms Priestly I just find you morally repugnant.'' Walking away from them.

Miranda's blue eyes widened at John Graham's words.

''I don't care if you dislike and blackball me I guess it'll be like Andy Sachs for you.''


''Afraid Priestly.'' Caroline swallowed it, burning her throat. Her Mom would kill her. Caitlin was trouble, she smoked and got expelled from many schools and was spoiled rich and only interested in doing this. Which Caroline didn't want to do, because first it was wrong and it was breaking the law, Caroline wished she'd stayed at camp tonight. She should be there not here being pressured to do this.

''Just do it.'' Hesitating this so wasn't right to do, should just walk away.

Caitlin took a swig from the alcohol she'd stolen from her parents' summer house in the Outer Banks not that her Mom and Dad noticed anything she did, Caroline studied her, wondering if Caitlin would be her in another year and Paul here brought something to get the fun started. Weed.

''That's the Stowe's place. She's a crazy bitch.''

''If you want my friendship do this otherwise go back running to your NY Mommy. Priestly.''

Caroline broke the pane.

Felt good to smash something, the house window glass breaking. Hit it again.

Caitlin smiled delighted at Caroline as Paul and her spray-painted.

''Get off my property.'' Barking from a dog.

''Quick. Run.''

Falling down in the sand as they fled, Caroline was yelled at to flee. Started sprinting, the owner caught her arm but she slipped out of their grip.

Caroline jogged away in the thick sand in moonlight, stopping from running so fast, getting her breath. Where was her wallet? Caitlin had no sympathy.

Caroline couldn't go back and look for it.

Angry brown eyes of one, Andy Sachs stared down at the id in the wallet. Priestly. Caroline Priestly.


''Ms Sachs. Here's Caroline.''

Caitlin had thrown her under the bus. Claiming she'd heard Caroline boasting about vandalising the old Stowe beach guest house and was concerned.

Caitlin was believed, allowed to go.

''Caroline this is very serious. Vandalism if Ms Sachs here presses charges you will have a record. ''

The stranger sitting there in her Musical camp director's office was watching her in the glare of sunlight pouring in. Brown hair spiky and who wears scarves in June. Gosh Caroline you're sounding like Mom, as shallow and vapid.

''We'll just have to call your mother Caroline.'' Caroline swallowed hard.

Just great her Mother would disown her and would hit the roof. Probably send Emily in her place and be more upset if it hit Page Six.

''Maybe we can find a solution. Without dragging a parent into it.'' Her voice was firm but cold.

''What do you suggest Ms Sachs.''

Andy smiled, she had a few ideas.

Priestly money wasn't buying this away.