Miranda was glad to be back in bed. It took a while for the uncomfortable tenderness around her operation wound to abate and Miranda hated it nearly as much as being so easily fatigued.

"Better?" Andy asked, hoping that the delicate features would relax. She hated every bit of discomfort reflected on the editor's face.

After the little tense moment she had just had with the young woman, Miranda bit back the reply that was on her lips already. Instead, she gave a short "Yes, thank you."

Andrea knew of course that this was not what the woman had wanted to say in the first place and allowed herself a small smile. "Can I get you anything or are you ready to sleep now?"

"If you could switch off the light," the tired woman replied, still too polite for the woman she truly was.

"Of course, Miranda." Andy did as was she was asked, walked the few steps back and sat quietly in the chair beside the editor's bed.

"What do you think you're doing?" was heard from the direction of the huge bed.

"I'm staying until you fall asleep and I won't discuss it with you now. Good night Miranda and sleep well." Her poker face covered her anxiety well. She hoped it was good enough for Miranda who seemed to smell fear ten miles down wind.

Miranda felt her pulse quicken. "Honestly, I.."

"Don't. Just don't." The interruption ended in a glaring contest and to her utmost surprise, Andrea won. Well, Miranda probably just gave up because she was too tired, but Andy chose to take the victories when they presented themselves.

"Fine," the older woman relented and turned around in a huff, silently pleased that she didn't have to be alone. Somehow, she didn't mind having Andrea in her bedroom. It felt natural and didn't require any time to get used to the idea, unlike with her former husbands.

Sleep came easily upon the weakened editor and allowed Andrea to dwell on her thoughts regarding current situation. Here was she now, taking care of a woman she thought she'd never see again, sitting in her bedroom. Miranda was so demanding that there was hardly any time left to feel. This moment of peace was her first opportunity to consider the ambivalent feelings she harboured for the editor. God, the woman was difficult and unfair, harsh and ruthless and then she had this very soft and gentle side she always tried to hide. She could be caring and kind and so fragile that Andrea wanted to protect her from all harm and shield her from all pain. So what was it that she felt for the beautiful proud woman? She couldn't quite name it yet, but she was about to find out.

XXX

Her mother always knew when Andrea was crying in the middle of the night. Whenever Andy asked her how that was possible, she was told that part of it was instinct and the other was that kind of super-sensitive hearing that a mother develops when the child is very small and never seems to end.

Andrea wasn't a mother yet, so it must have been pure instinct that caused her to wake up in the middle of the night, knowing that something was amiss with her patient. She had left the door of Miranda's bedroom and the guestroom ajar, just in case. Andy didn't know what she heard from the bedroom, but it sounded alarming.

Tiptoeing across the corridor, she silently pushed the bedroom door open. It was pitch-black of course and as she didn't want to startle the elder woman with sudden light, she walked further into the room. After a little while her eyes adjusted to the darkness and Andrea was able to make out Miranda's figure, curled up on the bed. Now she could identify the strange sound. The proud editor was crying her soul out and the sound nearly broke Andy's heart. Not knowing what to do, she quietly sat on the bed.

"Are you in pain?" she whispered. "Do you need a doctor?" Miranda didn't reply and that was not surprising at all. Miranda was obviously suffering, but the cause wasn't physical in nature.

Andrea didn't know what to say and knowing the editor, no words would be welcomed now. Instead of comforting babbling, Andy reached out and carefully touched Miranda's shoulder. For a moment she felt it stiffen and knew that if she pulled away now and allow Miranda to close herself off, she would lose whatever she tried to accomplish here. No, her hand stayed steadily where it was and started moving in circles on Miranda's back. It took a long time, but in the end the tight muscles of the sobbing woman relaxed and gave in to the comforting touch.

The cold of the night slowly but surely engulfed Andrea and sent shivers through her body. The young woman was on the horns of a dilemma. She wouldn't leave Miranda alone, but she knew she needed warmth or she would be the sick woman in bed and wouldn't be any help to Miranda at all. Considering her options, she finally settled for the only possible way to comfort Miranda and not freeze to death at the same time. She stilled the movements of her hand for a moment and carefully lay on the bed and got under the blanket. She felt the editor's body go rigid and whispered soothingly, "It's all right. I just need a little warmth." Carefully she spooned up to Miranda and reached around her. When she found her hand, she squeezed it reassuringly. "Try to sleep now," she whispered. "I've got you. You're not alone in this."

Just before sleep claimed the young woman, she felt Miranda squeeze her hand in return. She pulled Andrea's hand to her chest and held it there until they both drifted off to sleep.

I'm sorry it is so short, but I wanted to start the new chapter with a new day. The next one will be longer... Please review :)