Miranda saw the door was ajar to Andréa's room, there was no answer to her knock, stepping inside her bedroom and saw Andrea. Her name dying on her pink lips.

Grey blue eyes dilated at Andrea.

Knew she should turn away and not admire naked Andrea so openly with her own unable to look away blue eyes.

Andrea was sleeping unaware of her here. Long. Lithe and reposed.

Blue eyes tracing over Andrea unclothed who moved content on the mattress, uncovered, no sheets eliciting from parting firm lips a groan which made Miranda want to half moan at the mesmerizing view.

Standing here staring, it should be a law that Andrea own and wear sleepwear.

Despite Andrea doing so many things that irritated and beyond infuriated her to no end like being coldly standoffish after their kiss, yet she had done this for her. It was thoughtful and was offkiltering Miranda once again.

Did she matter to Andrea? If at all. If she did why do something so incredibly sweet but not want to kiss her that night.

Her diffident blue gaze fixated on long toned legs and up all of Andrea. Spread before her inert, clenching her thighs together at Andy's curled long fingers resting splayed between her legs.

Miranda's heard it. Her name from Andy and her own sighing moan mingling.

Groggy somnolent brown eyes opening to hers, which were now after blinking at Miranda fully fixated on her.

''Really Miranda checking out the help.''

To Miranda, Andrea was perfect till she opened up her big mouth.

''I hope I'm copasetic to you Miranda.'' Andy stretched lazily as Miranda retorted. ''Do you always sleep with so little on?''

Andy just smiled roguishly at her. '' Yeah.

''Will you please put something on now.'' Her face flushing pink and rigidly tense, spinning around.

''Geez. Don't kick your knickers off Miranda.''

Wouldn't want Miranda to get swollen eyes over her bum.

Grabbing for a top, almost contacting and getting a handful of Miranda as Andy fumbled and found one, pulling it on over her head, the faded cotton sloping over one shoulder.

Raking her long fingers through her brown hair scrunching her hair up, slipping on over bare hip bones a pair of jogging shorts. Going free buffing commando.

''I seriously worry about you Andrea.'' Her morning routine was astonishing to her.

Miranda looked back at a dressed Andy now. ''I wanted to tell you something?''

''Shoot. Tell me something Miranda.'' Holding Miranda's eyes.

''Thank you for building me the trellis. It's beautiful.''

''Well you are a guest. You're welcome. I am glad you like it.'' Andy drew a finger up to her lip, pleased no delighted Miranda liked it.

Miranda saw in a few of Andy's fingers the thorns, reaching out to take her tapered tips to examine the pads.

''Miranda what are you doing?'' Miranda was still examining Andy's hands.

''What I want to. Stay still.'' Miranda went to get something from her purse. Returning to Andy who'd stayed.

Plucking out with tweezers a rose thorn.

Sachs hand was in hers they weren't rough from all the manual labour Andy was doing, she could almost imagine the feeling of Andy's hands shaping down her curves. Caressing her. Stroking her.

Dabbing a cotton ball with rosewater onto Andy's hand. ''Miranda I don't need you to do this for me.''

Testily. ''Andrea, please submit to me attempting to help you.'' Andy complying made Miranda brows arch at her. ''Just let me do this.'' Pulling out another thorn without warning.

''That hurt.'' Andy's stricken puppy dog eyes weren't working on her. Quite immune to them.

''Honestly Sachs your worse than my twins.''

Leaning bent over Andy, her silk blouse was unbuttoned a little. '' Andrea if you even think about looking down my blouse.''

Andy knew this silver haired beauty had a bite that stings, she pressed her lips together, grinning at her. '' Sure thing Doc. Eyes not forward.'' Miranda caught brown eyes sparkling on her.

Coiffed silver hair in place brushing Andy's collarbone for a moment, quirking a smile at Sachs.

''If I may.'' Andy creased her brows in question as Miranda just pressed her mouth to Andy's cheekbone. ''I wanted you to know. I do love the trellis.''

Meaning her words to Andrea.

''You do. Do you?'' Face to face with Miranda.

Andy's tapered fingers moved timidly to run through Miranda's silver hair, her furtive fingers trailing along her scalp as her firm mouth sought Miranda's whose pink lips met hers. Kissing her inside palm. Miranda felt Andy's warm lips trace her inner hand.

Pulling her lips away.

'' Good. I wanted you to like it. About kissing you Miranda. I did feel it.''

Miranda's eyes went wide with Andy's words.

'' Can we try again?'' Andy asked her softly.

Miranda nodded amenable to what Andy's offering.

''There's a lot to make up for with just a kiss.''

Andy sensually traced Miranda's mouth with her fingertips and then met her soft lips with her mouth. Tasting sparks on her tongue.

Falling back more into her chair as Miranda returned each kiss of Andy's.

Straddling Andy, atop her, exploring her jogging waistband, pushing her ivory fingers down the cotton trailing over Andy's toned flat buttocks.

Peppering Andy's face with kisses along her face and across her jawline, manicured nails brushed along Andy's cheekbones, kissing the side of her mouth.

Andy nudged her pert nipples through her lacy bra as she cupped Miranda's skirt, inching down her lacy panties, bunching her skirt up around her waist. Her pubis mound met Andy's. Fit so well.

Miranda's mouth was half open clenching her teeth as Andy's slickly reamed to her as Andy erotically began stroking her with her own body, felt Andy's hard nipples brush her askew silk blouse. Clenching her closer to her as Miranda felt Andy's long fingers run down her spine, her nails raking the back of her knees.

Panting into Andy's earlobe with incoherent words running together. Rolling a piercing cry of ''Andy ''on her tongue.

''Mom. The caterers are here, they want you to try the chocolate rum balls and Capezzoli di Venere you wanted!'' Caroline called her.

Miranda was stroked intimately by Andy's digits as she slowed loving pulse of quivering from the almost of this, raking Andy's hair. Breathless against Andy's earlobe. ''Do you want to try Capezzoli di Venere?'' Sensual blue eyes shimmering at Andy beneath her.

''My Italian may be rusty but I am perfectly happy sampling yours Miranda and not any others Nipples of Venus.'' Andy's dark eyes dared her to respond.

''Mom.'' Cassidy called her this time. ''I hope your being nice to Andy and not arguing. Try to get along.'' Both had to hold in their laughter which shook through Andy and her.

Soothed a soft husk of apology. ''I am sorry.'' Kissing Andy again who playfully nipped her lower lip as she disentangled herself from Andy.

Received another kiss from Andy as she made her way to the door. Hearing another resounding impatient. ''Mom.''

Smiling through this last kiss they shared. ''I have to go.'' Promising her. ''Later.''


No one was any wiser to what almost happened in Andy's bedroom.

Greeting Six like old times. Nigel thankfully with Emily didn't make a big deal out of Andy's scars for that Miranda was grateful.

Nigel and Emily had never seen Caroline eagerly doing chores like helping with luggage for them. Andy took Nigel's bags up as Dona met them, Francisco was with Nigel on this trip.

Francisco met Andy. ''So you're the girl wonder that got Harry Potter once.''

Warmly welcomed by both to the Guest House.

Nigel quietly suggested to Miranda. ''I hope you use this as a second chance with Six.'' Miranda enigmatically arched a brow at Nigel as Andy came back downstairs.

Handing Nigel his key, Andy had given Caroline the day off for the dinner party so she and Cassidy could go get ready for it.

''This must be Kit.''

Andy brows furrowed at a fancy sports car arriving. Nigel definitely noted an edge in Six's voice.

''Miranda.'' Kit greeted her. Kissing her in greeting on both cheeks.

Andy watched him with Miranda. Stoic. She didn't like him one bit because Miranda didn't see it, but he liked her. Andy could tell that Kit was very attracted to her.

Emily saw it immediately. Nigel did too. Caroline and Cassidy also couldn't miss it. Andy Sachs was jealous.

Kit was staying for four days. He knew things Miranda liked which didn't endear Andy and also requested to have flowers sent to Miranda's room from him.

Saw some of Andy's old photos of running on the wall. ''Ran the dash myself.'' Kept staring at Andy's side of her face making her uncomfortable.

''Do I know you from somewhere?'' Andy shook her head in answer but remembered passing him that night at the Runway party after kissing Miranda.

Andy wrote down his request with a white knuckled grip of her ballpoint pen, of a dozen roses and rose petal chocolate truffles for Miranda. Just friends right.

She'd order flowers all right for Kit. Perhaps the orange lily which implies extreme hatred or the begonia and lavender, danger and suspicion, Miranda should realize both in Kit respectively. Shame there wasn't a flower that meant Kit's a serpent.

''I've been invited to a party on Wednesday night, at a Roselawn Estate. Do you know where it is?''

Roselawn. Andy knew where it was. Very well.

''Good. If you can give me directions. Miranda and I don't want to be lost on our date.''

Date.

Andy almost sputtered out. Their date.


This morning had begun perfectly for her, now Andy kept being ignored by Miranda with the other Board members arriving, Andy tried to catch her silver haired dragon alone who wasn't very receptive in the least to Andy's flirty wink.

Andy knew Miranda got uptight at attending events for Runway but not acknowledging her and being given the cold shoulder was pretty hurtful.

The phone rang for Andy who answered it at her desk, saw caller Id from New York. ''Hello Olivia.''

''Hello Andy. About your case.''

Olivia Benson's words woke up memories of him. Olivia insisted on coming down to see Andy.

Numbly setting down the phone at the news, Andy was in a dark mood by evening.

Also Andy kept seeing now who was perfect for Miranda, he was right next to her. Kit.

Not her.

With what Olivia had found and disclosed. Miranda wouldn't want anything to do with her now.

The back deck and garden with the trellis was lit up.

Andy was not attending the dinner party tonight as a guest but helping the caterers, but she overheard Kit talking about his this and his that like his villa in Provence and Andy didn't like Kit's hand brushing Miranda's arm and back.

Felt like that night years ago, when she'd kissed her, not belonging with Miranda.

Miranda. Who hadn't even looked at her once tonight as she was with a few Board members in conversation as Hostess of her party, probably because Andy was the help and this was Manhattan's wealthiest near her.

''Yes so I bought it even if it is toilet paper it was hanging in the Gagosian.''

Kit was regaling one board member's wife and Miranda about his Modigliani and heli-skiing.

''Andy remember how I met Jonas your grandfather.'' Dona reminded her as a warning. That was different Andy pondered. In three seconds Jonas and Cateya knew they loved each other.

Even when Jonas was told to stop seeing her. Jonas didn't.

Refilling glasses as Kit caught Andy's attention. ''You're a local, this estate Roselawn it has a maze right. Any idea why it was built?'' Kit asked curiously as Andy knew why and also who it was made for but still shrugged at him as if she had no idea.

''Sorry I wouldn't know I don't own a Modigliani or a Gauguin just a Ford pickup.''

Leaving them. Running her hands through her chestnut hair, wired tonight with what Benson had told her.

Andy was followed by Miranda with purposeful strides.

''Andrea you owe Kit an apology.'' Miranda looked radiant tonight though icy fury at Andy for speaking like that to a colleague and friend like Kit.

What was she four? Hell no was she giving Kit the smug satisfaction.

''I will not apologize to that pompous windbag. Miranda I am not yours to tell me what to do. So don't.''

Picking up a bottle putting it under her arm.

''Jeez. Finally you speak to me tonight. Out there that, is where you belong with those pretentious people. This is where I belong. Maybe we should just not begin this. Miranda.'' Andy missed Miranda's hurt eyes.

Standing resolute in the kitchen, Andy's toned arms folding.

''Andrea lower your voice. I don't care to pursue this in the middle of my dinner party.'' Andy shook her head at Miranda.

''Have Kit slip you out of your dress tonight because he certainly wants to turn down you're sheets. The help's a bit busy.''

''Andrea.'' Miranda's tone warned her. If Andrea was angry at her for being ignored tonight she was sorry but out there it was Miranda Priestly, Editor of Runway.

''I don't need this and I don't need you. I'm going out.'' Slamming the screen door hard.

No. Andrea did not get to walk away again from her like Paris.

Miranda made to go after Andy in evening gown, expensive heels in sandy dunes or not.

Dona caught Miranda's shoulder. ''Don't. Miranda just leave Andy be. She needs to cool off and face her demons.''

Calming down, counting to ten, Miranda pinched her nose bridge. ''I know Andy lost a lot in the car accident.''

Dona looked at Miranda oddly. ''Andy wasn't in a car accident.''

Andrea wasn't hurt in drunk driving collision that killed her family.

Miranda was now confused she had looked up the accident in the paper in Ohio, she'd read it so many times. How did she get her scars then?

''Tell me please. What was she in?'' Miranda asked her voice laced with concern.

''It's up to Andy and only Andy to tell you.'' Dona said.


Waking up with her hand gripping wet sand, she was face down in it.

Tried to swim it again. Dona was wrong she wasn't trying to swim out in the ocean to just be once too tired to swim back and drown.

No it was a challenge she and Jill had once.

Earlier almost caught up in the undertow rip current but survival kicked in and Andy broke the surface.

Andy opened her brown eyes to Joe DiMaggio. ''Don't worry, buddy. I'm still alive.'' Slapping a wet tongue across Andy's face for good measure.

Groaning at the pounding in her head it felt like a ball-peen hammer was pounding in the base of her skull, and also felt like someone was smashing her throbbing skull with a lump of concrete until she couldn't move, she didn't remember finishing off the empty bottle of Jameson near her. But then, Andy never did.

Trying to drink the pain and him away.

Sitting up, rubbing her arms from the chill of early morning.

Caroline scrunched her nose up at Andy.

''Ugh you look worse than a LA county mug shot.'' Cassidy complimented Andy with her dry sarcasm.

Putting her head under the faucet sink, shivering as if she'd plunged her head into a bucket of ice water. Shaking her head like the way her dog does.

After showering. Dona silent punishment for her was to make Andy make breakfast brunch for their guests.

''Andy. Your supposed to beat the eggs not mug them.'' Caroline stated. Andy was watching Miranda and Kit strolling on the beach this morning from the kitchen window.

This mother of a hungover was self-inflicted and yes she'd said a few things last night to Miranda she wished she could take back.

Andy had a few minutes to throw herself together and face them. Caroline offered to take out the guest breakfast orders.

Then Dona started at her. Switching from rapid mad Spanish to angry English to disgusted with Andy Spanish.

Her head was cleaved in hurting enough without words of Miranda waiting up half the night worried sick about her and how selfish and thoughtless Andy was behaving just like when she was fifteen that summer she was forced to stay here with her grandparents.

Jonas had given Andy five gifts that made her. Her.

''Andy that dish you've been washing for ten minutes. I think it's clean.'' Caroline caught Cassidy's eye.

Andy was glaring at it in the soap suds.

Damn Kit and his heli-skiing in St Moritz no doubt he had a Chalet and his Modigliani and pair of Gauguin's and his yacht and having a measuring contest with Andy over Roselawn's maze.

Caroline met Andy's eyes steadily. ''Andy.''

''Yeah.''

''With Mom it's best to grovel. Abject humbling ignominious grovelling and apologise for being a moron to Mom.'' When Andy stopped wincing she would.

''No you know what Andy, I'll play you for taking Mom out again on a perfect date and you do dishes for a week no two weeks, if I win that's the bet.''

Scrabble or chess. Caroline was on.

Nigel knocked. ''Hi Six.'' Andy groaned at his chirpiness, did he have to whistle. Swiping turkey bacon from Andy's plate who wasn't hungry.

''What are we betting?''

Cassidy nonchalantly informed. ''Mom.''

Emily came in to get a lemon slice and held her mug between her fingers, joining them, almost choked on her sip of tea at Cassidy's words.

''Wha-What. You can't bet Miranda.'' Caroline shrugged.

A word of advice never try to win at anything while hungover from Irish whiskey against competitive Caroline Priestly.

Caroline neglected to tell Andy she played chess very well. Losing as Caroline was ever so modest and gracious in victory over Andy with a thrilled happy dance around the kitchen with whoops.

''Dona I'm your dishwasher for the next two weeks.'' Andy grumbled

Caroline smiled at Andy broadly. '' Now go ask Mom out on a date. Don't mess it up like last time.'' Pointing at Andy for emphasis.

''Your Mom probably hates me at the moment.''

''That's never stopped you before Andy. You have dibs on Mom.'' Cassidy urged.

Dona's suggestion made an impression on Andy. ''Write her a letter Andy. Try to please Miranda not vex her so much.''

Andy sat down and wrote this to her.

Dearest Miranda,

I behaved as an imbecile last night, I animated in part by Kit, in part by your beauty, and in part by my own foolish pride and jealousy and for that I am profoundly sorry. Please accept as a gesture of my deepest apology, to accompany me to a party at 4 o'clock and also out to dinner.

I promise to be cute and affable.

Andy

Slipping it under her door.

4:02pm

Andy was waiting for her. It was obvious, Miranda wasn't coming.

Caroline and Cassidy saw from the porch, Mom approaching Andy.

''So it begins two completely opposite people both destined to make each other miserable.'' Caroline said watching both of them fondly.

Miranda had almost decided not to come but here she was stepping up into Andy's truck.

Driving in silence, Miranda wasn't talking to her and with an air of defiance was not about to start small talk with Andy.

Andy had to stop to fill up at a service station. ''There it goes my new dream house in Turks and Caicos and look we can try for Caroline and Cassidy's college tuition gone.'' Earning a small quirk of Miranda's pursed lips.

''For the last time I'm sorry Miranda. It was just a little shortcut.''

Crossing her arms at this predicament. Stuck. At least they weren't out of gas, Andy did one thing right. Roy never did this in city traffic, uptown or midtown.

''How is it going out there?'' Miranda asked. Sitting in the Ford and by her watch 5:30pm.

Andy muttered indiscernible but Miranda heard it. ''Andrea language.''

''She speaks.'' Andy saw Miranda give an icy glare at her.

''Miranda I need you to give it some gas please.'' Trying it by placing her heel down on the pedal.

''More.'' Andy yelled. ''Stop.''

Looking in the rear door mirror at a sight, Andy wasn't just splashed with mud, she was covered in it. Wiping it off. ''I think we're going to have to walk there.'' Approaching her truck door.

''Andrea don't you dare.'' Careful not to muss the Ice Queen, Andy was handed her shopping bag.

''It's not that far. I promise.''

Miranda joined her. Beginning to rain on them.

Walking in the rain which was an exquisite feeling of wet, cool drops falling on both their skin and soaking into Andy and Miranda's clothes as Andy led the way.

Miranda held one of the gift bags for Andy at the door as Josh flung it open.

''Cheese.'' Momentarily blinded by a boy with a Polaroid. Marybeth came to the door. ''Josh.''

Her again, terrific, Miranda almost groaned at Miss Perky Perfect who matched with Andy as one relentlessly sunny individual. Andy's Marybeth with long blonde hair and her standing here, drenched.

Blue eyes narrowed as she stepped inside.

Andy greeted Josh with a warm '' Happy Birthday Josh.''

''Hey Andy we didn't think you were coming.'' Miranda saw a tall man approach them. ''Hi, I didn't know you were bringing someone.''

''Miranda. This is Kevin. Marybeth's husband and this little monster is Josh my nephew, the birthday boy.''

Marybeth was family.

Why didn't Andy tell her? Here she thought they were a together. Together.

''You missed most of the party.'' Kevin interjected well humouredly. ''The demolition derby sugar rush.''

''Miranda let's get you something dry to wear.''

Miranda's clothes were drying, loaned an oversized Chapel Hill sweatshirt. Marybeth shook her head. ''Honestly Andy drowning a date.''

Miranda pulled it on over her head after using a hair dryer on her hair.

Heard them together.

Andy was good with Josh. ''You can to, here try it Andy.'' Andy was trying to taste colour. ''I don't know Josh I'm tasting blue no purple no definitely cerulean. Staring at Miranda who greeted both.

Andy tasting air. Sticking her tongue out. Charming.

''You have to promise to use it wisely. Ok?''

Josh gave it to Andy bossily. ''There really rare. Don't waste it.''

Andy solemnly promised. ''Chief this is about most amazing thing I've ever been given.''

''Here. One Martian wish.'' Picking Josh up to Miranda's level.

''Josh this is my friend. Miranda.'' Josh smiled at her fully, he was boisterous and cute with the same brown eyes as Andy's. ''Hi.''

Miranda's blue eyes warmed on Andy's nephew. ''Should I give my Martian wish to Miranda?''

''Nah she's a girl.''

Miranda rose a brow at Andy and you're not.

Offered by Andy and Josh. ''This is either a cupcake or a small planet.'' Miranda took it from her, almost agreeing with Andy it was the size of a planet with frosting.

''I'm sorry I owe you dinner.'' Andy said to her.

Miranda didn't mind. Offered by Kevin and Marybeth. Pizza slices or pinwheels.

Marybeth joined Miranda sitting on the couch. ''Andy's great with Josh. You should see her coach him in little league.''

''Hot coffee.'' Josh yelled out.

''It's there thing when Andy pitches and he hits.''

Miranda couldn't help but smile at Andy and Josh interacting with his presents as Marybeth was clearing up and putting dishes into the dishwasher, getting up to help.

Saw outside, it was pouring still. Marybeth offered. ''It's going to be bad all night. Andy. Miranda your both welcome to stay the night.''

Andy offered to take the couch. Josh thought it was a great sleepover.

Kevin went to get Josh ready for bed as Miranda was realising Andy and herself would be sharing a room tonight.

Andy's brown eyes met Miranda's only for her ears. '' I promise I'll wear clothes to bed.''