A/N: Here is the final chapter! Many thanks goes out to Elliewrites for always reading my work prior to posting. I know this was a completely crack-ish idea but thank you anyways for reading it and offering your opinion. I appreciate the words, critique, and love you send me. I would not be posting if it weren't for you! xo

And thank you to this DWP fandom for having the July ficathon/Poke the Dragon event. There are some totally brilliant writers out there and I am forever grateful for finding this fandom.

For disclaimers see Chapter 1.

Chapter 4

Andy struggled up the townhouse steps having the weight of the book, the dry cleaning, and her own personal belongings. Inside herself, she also carried the news that Nigel had just divulged to her; his conversation with Miranda last week. So technically this blasted article was Nigel's fault. And Caitlin hadn't quit, she was transferred to a different publication with a raise. She just happened to be the scapegoat for this little 'let's give Andy an article' project due to the topic of her piece. But even the whole article scheme was nothing compared to knowing that Miranda had bought Nigel's condo. That detail sent Andy's head and heart spinning with something a lot like hope.

Andy deposited the dry cleaning and proceeded towards Miranda's study. Her boss had not called out to her, but after the revelations she had learned earlier tonight, she was determined to talk to the editor.

Miranda was sitting absolutely still behind her desk in the study wishing she had turned off her lamp prior to Andrea's delivery of the book. One hour earlier Nigel had sent her a text simply saying 'talk to her.' Not replying to his text, she could only assume what exactly Nigel was implying. There was no need to say who her was, and if she could help it she would not be talking to her anytime soon. Really, things were just fine. She could continue to love from afar, and by not giving into emotions she would keep her heart intact. But truthfully her heart was anything but intact. It was broken, and the cracks were filled with what she believed would always be unrequited love. Sure Andrea may have an attraction to her, but love was something else entirely. So no, there would be no talking with her tonight or any night for that matter.

Andy approached the threshold and observed Miranda in the soft light of her study. She had changed out of the Donna Karen wrap dress and was now donning a Hadley&James sweater. The graphite color contrasted beautifully with the expanse of creamy skin the asymmetrical boatneck cut revealed. Watching Miranda unobserved had become one of Andy's favorite pastimes and the low wattage glow that surrounded the crown of stark white hair made the older woman even more alluring to Andy.

Miranda knew before even looking up that Andrea was watching her. She could feel those brown eyes pouring over her just like the melted chocolate that they represented to her. Feeling self conscious, she immediately snapped out a harsh "Andrea, I do not recall inviting you in here." The bite in her voice was so heavy it even had Miranda flinching internally.

Before the tone would have had Andy running scared, but knowing what she knew now she instead stepped forward placing the book onto Miranda's desk never allowing her eyes to leave the blue glaciers directed at her.

It's now or never Sach's. Either tuck your tail and run or settle this, whatever this is between you. Finding her voice, Andy stated softly, "I wanted to say thank you."

Whatever Miranda had expected Andrea to say, it wasn't that and the question was evident in her expression.

"For the article. Um, for the opportunity I mean." Andy added.

Miranda looked down and waved her hand as if shooing a fly away but Andy stood her ground and began, "Nigel told me. He said.."

But Andrea was cut off by Miranda, "Yes, I can imagine just what Nigel has told you." Getting out of her desk chair, Miranda walked over to the window that overlooked the courtyard of her home. I guess I'm going to talk to 'her' afterall.

Andy turned but remained silent, waiting, hoping for Miranda to speak. After what seemed like an eternity Miranda spoke still staring out of the window, "Open the left hand drawer on my desk and pull out the binder."

Cautiously Andy made her way around the large intricately carved mahogany desk and pulled the drawer open reaching for the thin binder. Laying it open, she saw the copies of her old college articles that she had handed to Miranda that first day of her interview. They were encased in plastic sleeves with several empty sleeves following them.

So Miranda Priestly keeps copies of my work in her desk drawer?

While Andy continued to stare at her old articles Miranda turned to speak, "Even for a mere collegiate periodical, your writing skills are... you are quite gifted with the written word Andrea."

Disbelief at the compliment clouded Andy's face as she looked up towards her boss. Miranda recognized the look of confusion. Why would she believe you? You never say anything other than that's adequate to her.

"Those empty sleeves behind your articles... I hope to see them filled someday." Miranda confessed as Andy gave a slight smile.

"Please, let's sit?" Miranda asked as she indicated to the small sofa in the room.

Andy still too speechless at Miranda's words simply nodded and sat down on the sofa. Miranda surprised her by sitting right next to her. The older woman turned to her and said, "I have been selfish."

Andy couldn't help it, she immediately blurted out "Uh? What?"

She had come here to talk to Miranda, to tell her how incredibly appreciative she was to her and instead she was hearing Miranda say that she was selfish? She had to convey this to the older woman so she placed her hand atop her boss's, "Miranda, you have been anything but. You are not only giving me this opportunity to write, granted the topic is well... but I know why it had to be this particular article. And... I know about Nigel's condo." she added sheepishly as Miranda winced. So Nigel did tell her.

"I believe I will send Nigel to a shoot in Antarctica soon." Miranda said with a pointed look.

"In all fairness I think his heart was in the right place." Andy wasn't going to tell her that she had been caught impersonating the Ice Queen persona when he decided to spill the beans on everything. "And besides, I'm glad he did." she said as she tightened her grasp of the hand in hers and leaned forward stopping only centimeters from Miranda's mouth.

"Andrea..." Miranda whispered before Andy closed the remaining distance between them. The kiss was tentative at first, a slow lesson in learning the softness of another woman's lips, gradually becoming more heated until Miranda pulled back slightly with eyes full of smoldering adoration.

Andy finally opened her eyes and murmured, "Wow."

"Wow indeed," Miranda confirmed. "I was going to say that I have been selfish in keeping you on as my assistant when I knew for so long that you would make an excellent writer. I am sorry for that." she apologized while reaching up to stroke Andrea's cheek. "You are by far the best assistant I have ever had, anticipating my needs, meeting my demands, and I didn't want... couldn't let you go."

Andy turned her head to kiss the palm of Miranda's hand. "Abigail Worthington was my roommate at Northwestern. Her dad Arthur bought The Mirror about two months ago. If I had wanted to leave you... but I couldn't."

Miranda was astounded to know that Andrea had chosen to be near her over such an opportunity. She would make this right. She would do whatever it took to keep the girl, but she would also be sending a letter of recommendation over to The Mirror on Monday morning. Andrea's career would be fully supported just as she had been supporting Miranda all of these months. But they could and would talk later about all of that... stuff.

Miranda leaned forward and once again lips and tongues danced hungrily against one another as hands began to roam creatively. Andy's mouth made it's way down the soft elegant neck before her and over to the exposed hint of clavicle that had been teasing her since first walking into the study. Feeling the barest of bites against her skin, Miranda groaned before asking, "When is your deadline for Sarah?"

Andy was thrown for a loop. She really did not want to stop right now unless... "It's due in three days." she responded slowly.

Miranda's face held a look of mischief. "Well, let's not waste another minute then. Besides, I hear your 'mini-miranda' could use a break."

Andy's mouth fell open as she sat there stunned.

Miranda stood up and held out her hand to the young assistant while smiling wickedly, "Come along Andrea, and grab that Marc Jacobs tote."