Happy New Year! :D Thanks so much everyone. (PS. In case you haven't noticed, I finally got a title for the story! Please tell me if you hate it/like it/have suggestions for a better one!)

Andrea pulled out the chair across from Nigel's desk and sat down in it. Nigel crossed his arms and ran his fingertip across his lips.

"All right, first things first," Nigel tapped his pen against the table. "Let's address the weight issue."

"I had to loose 25 pounds for the role. It was…hard. Especially since I love food!" Andrea chuckled. "I had to be obsessive about it-the idea was to look near death. I lost 10 pounds to begin filming, and then later dropped another 15 pounds."

"So what did you eat?" Nigel's face was a cross between fascination and shock.

"I ate nothing but two thin pieces of oatmeal paste a day. And I exercised constantly."

"Good lord," Nigel leaned back in his chair. "You could have died!"

"Well Hugh (Jackman) lost a lot of weight too, so there were doctors on the set to make sure we didn't starve ourselves to sickness or death," Andrea explained.

"Still," Nigel shook his head.

Andrea chuckled. "Yeah, it was pretty crazy! But it paid off in the end."

"You won a Golden Globe earlier this month and you are nominated for an Oscar this upcoming month with other prestigious actresses like Nicole Kidman and Sally Field."

Andrea blushed and looked down. "Yeah, I did, and yes I am. Best supporting actress…it's astonishing that I'm nominated."

"Do you think you have a good chance at winning the Oscar since you won the Golden Globe?"

"I would like to win," Andrea said modestly as she ran her fingers through her hair. She continued, choosing her words carefully, "but ultimately it's up to the Academy to decide. It's a bit intimidating to have my first film be such a success. My name shouldn't be up there with all of the other wonderful actresses that have done this their whole life. It's both an honor and a miracle that I was nominated, and I'm just happy that the film got the recognition it deserves. Also, Hugh is nominated too, so I'm excited for him as well."

"Later, we will discuss that charming little Armani Prive gown you donned at the Golden Globes," Nigel whispered, breaking away from his professional reporter voice. He clapped his hands and slipped back into his role. "Do you know what you're going to be wearing for the Oscars yet? They're just around the corner."

"I was thinking of wearing a white dress," Andrea snorted before continuing, "really classy, you know?"

"Hmm, yes. It's a beautiful color to wear on the red carpet," Nigel said. "It photographs quite well. However, you need to be careful so it does not look like a wedding dress."

"It won't!" Andrea assured him. "Anyways, I will be wearing my costume from the movie, so-"

"Wait why?"

"Because I'm going to be performing I Dreamed a Dream," Andrea grinned widely. "It's going to be nerve-wracking, but I'm really excited to do it!"

"Your voice is gorgeous, Six," Nigel twiddled with a large ring on his finger, "I had no idea that our ex-assistant was a secret songbird!"

"I have always loved singing," Andrea confessed, "and I've always wanted to do a musical at some point in my life, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity."

"I Dreamed a Dream was breathtaking," Nigel pushed his glasses up on his nose, "how did you prepare for that?"

"I practiced two months before filming. My job was to get people to feel and get people to empathize with my character," Andrea used her hands as she spoke, gesturing in the air as she talked, "it's fascinating that you can move people with your sheer beauty of your voice. Emotion comes before everything, so there seemed to be something selfish to go for the pretty version," Andrea cleared her throat. "Fantine is devastated, she's literally at the bottom of a hole looking up and realizing that she's never going to get out of it. I just decided to apply the truth to the melody and see what would happen."

"Well what happened is that you were marvelous," Nigel said honestly, grinning at Andrea's blushing face. "So the whole entire film was sung live?"

"Yes, each take was performed live. We had little earpieces that we wore that played the instrumental music while we acted and sang. It's the first time anyone has ever tried it like this. Tom Hooper gave us so much freedom with his decision to do it," Andrea smiled. "In an old school movie musical, the cast would have to record the songs in a studio, and then two months later, arrive on set and play the playback as we acted. The problem with that is that a person would have to make his or her acting choices three months before they've met the actor they would be working with. Singing live gave me the freedom to direct the way I wanted the song to go. I could move around when I wanted, and take pauses in the middle of the song if I wanted. There was just so much I could do, since I wasn't restricted by the playback dictating what I had to do."

"Did you have an idea of how you were going to perform the song before you shot the scene? Did you know what you were going to do?"

"Well, I had some ideas, but none of them really…popped," Andrea creased her brow in concentration, trying to remember. "I think I just went for it-it was all kinda a blur. I was so in character that it's hard to remember what I did exactly…I knew I was nervous, but I just went with my gut instinct on what to do. It took four takes to do, and the only thing I can remember is at the end, I thought it went by too fast. I wanted Tom to keep shooting after my 4th take, since I felt that it could still use improvement."

"It didn't," Nigel stated bluntly, making Andrea giggle.

"You're too kind sir," Andrea inclined her head towards him.

Nigel shook his head fondly. "Just stating the truth. Anyways, this seemed like such a demanding role, both physically and mentally. Am I correct in saying that?"

"You're right," Andrea rubbed the back of her neck, "I was in such a state of deprivation-both physical and emotional. When I got home, I couldn't react to the chaos of the world without being overwhelmed. It took me weeks till I felt like myself again, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. It was a wonderful opportunity and learning experience."

"And…how much dough did you get?" Nigel waggled his eyebrows.

"Nigel!" Andrea slapped him playfully. "Fine. It's enough to buy the newest pair of Jimmy Choos and some sweatpants, happy?"

"Very," Nigel said coyly and scribbled something on his sheet of paper.

"Wait, don't put that in the article!" Andrea shrieked.

"Wouldn't dream of it dear," Nigel lowered his eyes and kept writing furiously on the pad of paper.

"What are you jotting down?!" Andrea tried to peek over the desk, but Nigel kept shifting his body. "Nigel Kipling, if you print that, I swear, I will…I will SUE!"

"Don't get your knickers in a twist darling," Nigel patted her hand. "I won't. Promise."

"You'd better not," Andrea glared at him.

He held up his hands in mock surrender. "I have a few more questions to ask before you flounce away to your new girlfriend."

"G-girlfriend?" Andrea spluttered. "We've already been over this Nige, there is nothing, and never will be. So drop it."

"Inquiring minds want to know though," Nigel shrugged his shoulders.

"There seems to be only one inquiring snoopy mind," Andrea glared at him. "And my response is 'no comment'."

"Argh. Fine," Nigel sulked. "I will find out sooner or later."

"I'm sure you will," Andrea muttered softly.

"What's that?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just preparing myself for more questions," Andrea turned her blinding smile on Nigel.

After saying her goodbyes to Nigel and dodging more questions about Miranda, Andrea left Nigel's office with a heavy heart. She hesitated before walking down the hallway to the elevator. It seemed like she was done, so she could just leave without telling anyone. But, Andrea's polite nature took over, and she concluded that it would be rude to leave without thanking Miranda again for the photoshoot and interview. She wandered to Miranda's office, a sense of déjà-vu overtaking her as she walked down the darkened hallway, the light slowly fading as the sun sunk behind the horizon.

She reached Miranda's office door and quietly stood there for a minute before making her presence known. Andrea leaned on the doorframe and greedily let her eyes wander over the scene before her. Miranda was standing with a red pen in her right hand, bent over a layout as her sharp eyes scanned the page critically. The only light in the room came from a lamp Miranda had turned on earlier.

"You know, this light isn't good for your eyes," Andrea said softly, startling Miranda slightly.

Miranda looked up and allowed a tiny hint of a smile to appear on her face once she saw it was Andrea. Her heart warmed when her brain registered Andrea's caring words.

"I'm almost done," Miranda said, making a few more marks on the layout before taking off her glasses and stretching her neck.

Andrea gulped when she saw the tense muscles in Miranda's smooth skin. Her fingers ached to touch and massage the stress away. She must have been staring too long with a look of lust on her face, since Miranda cleared her throat. Andrea's guilty brown eyes snapped back to Miranda's blue crystals that sparkled with amusement.

"Uh, sorry," Andrea mumbled. Then, pulling herself together, she continued, "I just wanted to say, thank you so much again for allowing me to take part in the photoshoot and the interview today. It was fun." Fun? Andrea cringed at her poor choice of words.

Miranda blinked. "You are welcome."

"So, uh," Andrea rocked back and forth on her heels, feeling very awkward, "see you around?"

"Leaving so soon?" Miranda's voice dropped 10 degrees and Andrea tensed.

"Well yes, I mean, I have to get home," Andrea stuttered. "I have stuff…I mean things to do tomorrow."

"Ah," Miranda pursed her lips.

Crap. Andrea didn't know what to say, so she nodded her head to Miranda and turned on her heel, choking back the tears when she remembered that it was probably the last time she would ever see the woman.

"Andrea, wait," the soft voice caressed Andrea's ear.

Suddenly, Miranda was right behind her. Andrea blinked hard to get rid of any signs that showed that her eyes were watering before she turned around.

"Yes Miranda?" she focused her attention on Miranda's smooth cheekbones.

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Miranda said quickly before she lost her nerve. Truth be told, she needed to be around Andrea more. Four years of almost no communication had worn on her, and Miranda desperately wanted to try and make up for lost time. She cleared her throat before proceeding, "The twins are with their father for this weekend."

Andrea stood, shell-shocked. "I…I…"

Miranda held a thin finger up to Andrea's lips, making the brunette's breath catch. "May I suggest calling Roy and you can think about it in the car?"

"I…can't," Andrea whispered, her soft lips warming Miranda's finger.

"Can't what?" Miranda's heart dropped and she felt incredibly embarrassed. She yanked her finger away from the full sensual lips, and took a step back.

"I can't be involved with someone…" Andrea trailed off. She looked away, feeling the repressed tears from earlier threatening to make themselves shown again. "Not now. I'm so sorry."

"Why?" Miranda asked, her heart breaking. She felt incredibly foolish, and a bit embarrassed that Andrea saw her innocent invitation for what it really was-a date.

"I can't explain," Andrea's eyes shined with unshed tears. "I'm sorry. I can promise you that you will only get hurt. I'm better off alone."

"What was with all the touching in the restaurant yesterday?" Miranda started to get angry. "What about the touching today? You are sending multiple mixed signals. I'm trying to take a chance with you Andrea. Why won't you let me?"

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. I shouldn't have done any of that," Andrea reached up and wiped away a few stray tears that leaked out. " I need to go." She turned to leave.

"No," Miranda said forcefully and reached out to grab Andrea's arm.

Andrea whimpered quietly, but Miranda, in her state of panic, didn't notice. She clutched Andrea's arm like it was her lifeline. "Please don't walk away again. You just came back to me."

"You will get hurt," Andrea tried to make Miranda understand without telling her secret. "It's…it's hard to explain."

"Can you honestly tell me that you feel nothing for me?" Miranda tightened her hold on Andrea's jacket-covered arm, unaware of Andrea's soft moan of pain.

"Yes," Andrea averted her gaze. She attempted to free her arm of Miranda's grip, but was unsuccessful.

"I don't believe you," Miranda growled.

"Why not?"

"Because you wouldn't react to this."

Miranda yanked rather forcefully, and Andrea stumbled forward, crashing into Miranda's soft body. The white-haired Editor took advantage of Andrea's dazed state, and wrapped her arms around the thin frame, effectively trapping the brunette. Miranda leaned in quickly to press her lips firmly against the woman she…loved? No. It was too early for Miranda to be in love with the young woman. There certainly a strong attraction, and it seemed like it was mutual. Full lips parted underneath hers, and Andrea sighed. Miranda could taste the saltiness from the brunette's tears, and she was determined to kiss it away. But before she could deepen the kiss, Andrea seemed to come back to her senses and she yanked her body back. Her fingers came up to trace her own lips, and she locked eyes with Miranda. Both women were breathing heavily, and Miranda's hands stung from the loss of contact.

"You weren't, I mean, I wasn't," Andrea mumbled, trying to piece her scrambled thoughts together.

"See? There is something," Miranda said smugly.

"No," Andrea shook her head fervently. "Wait. Did anybody see that?" She frantically swiveled her head around.

"There is nobody."

Andrea visibly relaxed.

"Miranda, you deserve so much better than me. I can't be…what you want me to," Andrea's eyes filled with more tears. "I'm really sorry. But please, don't try and pursue this…whatever this is."

"This, my dear Andrea, is the start of a relationship," Miranda bit her lip. "Or at least, I wish it would be."

"I'm sorry," Andrea repeated. She backed away. "I can't…"

"Tell me why!" Miranda exclaimed, her heart clenching with fear.

"Please don't push it. I can't tell you why," Andrea felt like a broken record. "I don't feel ready for a new relationship now." She finished lamely. "So please, just let me leave."

She turned around and strode away quickly.

"Andrea!"

Andrea ignored the heartfelt plea and kept walking down the hallway, her form quickly melting into the shadows. Miranda thought quickly. She couldn't lose her again. Miranda looked around hopelessly and then thought of the solution. It was going to be the most idiotic thing she had ever done in her life, but it was the only thing she could think of to keep the woman that owned her heart from leaving forever. Miranda awkwardly fell down and cried out in pain when her ankle throbbed. It worked. Andrea came hurrying back with an expression of concern on her face.

"Are you alright?" her voice sounded panicky. "What happened?"

"Fell," Miranda said through gritted teeth, secretly thrilled that her plan of deception had worked. "These damned heels."

"Oh good lord," Andrea gasped.

She leaned down and wrapped her arms around a slender waist. Using her thigh muscles, she pulled them both up. She held Miranda in a tight hug, not letting go for a second. Even though Miranda's ankle throbbed, it was worth the discomfort for Andrea to hold her in her arms. The brunette was slightly taller than her, which made Miranda feel oddly protected. Miranda tucked her face in the crook of Andrea's neck, nuzzling the soft skin.

"Don't scare me like that," Andrea gently scolded. Her hands rubbed up and down Miranda's back in soothing circles.

"Don't leave me like that," Miranda countered.

"You don't understand," Andrea wanted to scream. "I will never be able to be with you."

"But I want you," Miranda's forceful tone was muffled somewhat because she was cuddling her nose into Andrea's neck. "You have no idea how much I've missed you over the last four years."

"Oh but I do," Andrea rested her cheek on top of Miranda's soft hair, "because I've missed you the same amount-probably even more."

"Then be with me," Miranda breathed onto Andrea's soft skin. "You'd make me so happy."

"You don't think I'd feel the same way?" Andrea pulled back, but did not loosen her hold on the older woman. "I'm telling you Miranda, I can't."

Miranda didn't know what to say so she groaned in exaggerated pain. "Please, can we go to the townhouse? We can talk about it then."

Andrea gave her a long look but relented. "Alright."

Miranda called Roy, and Andrea helped into her coat before turning off the lamp. They were shrouded in darkness, but Miranda trusted Andrea to guide her. Andrea wrapped her right arm around Miranda's slender waist and supported her as they moved out of her office and towards the elevators. The ride down was quiet, which Miranda didn't mind. She snuggled her body up to Andrea's frame, savoring the closeness she felt with the young brunette.

Once outside, Miranda shivered and rested her head on Andrea's shoulder with her arms locked around Andrea's waist as she limped towards the car. The pain was real, but Miranda was milking it for all it was worth. The snow had started again, sticking to both women's hair and eyelashes. Andrea helped Miranda climb into the car, and once they had gotten themselves situated, Miranda lay stretched out with her feet propped up on the brunette's lap. Miranda had to suppress a gasp when she saw the white snow stuck on Andrea's chocolate hair. She looked beautiful, and it stole Miranda's breath away. Little did she know, Andrea was having similar thoughts about the white-haired Editor. She mindlessly traced Miranda's foot with her finger, and stared out the window in deep thought. Miranda felt a little bad, but she accomplished her goal-the object of her affections was with her. They rode in silence as the car drove through the silent flurries.

Thank you for reading! :)