Part 4

Miranda hurried and pulled her sunglasses out of her bag, putting them on as soon as she walked outside the large tent. Andy was still dressed in character, and her spurs clanged against the ground with each step she took. Miranda was grateful for the dark shades that hid her eyes and allowed her to secretly ogle the younger woman. She even had to swallow a grin as she continued to watch her walk with such power and sexiness. Miranda found she was sweating, and she knew it had nothing to do with New Mexico heat.

As soon as she met up with Emily, Serena, and Nigel, Andy informed them that they had to stand in a designated area behind the cameras, and they had to be very quiet. Soon she was off to start her next scene, and the group from Runway was left with the set assistant's assistant again.

"I want to emphasize once more how crucial it is that you guys are very quiet, especially when the director is ready and yells action," she stressed in a soft voice. "I was told that remind you that if you take any photos, make sure the sound and the flash are both turned off," she informed them, and gathered a deep breath. "Also, the producer wants to check over the photos you do take, and if there are any he doesn't want published, he has the right to delete them."

Miranda growled as she pulled off her sunglasses. "Excuse me? I don't think so," she glared.

The younger girl just shook her head. "Your glare isn't at all intimidating, so don't even try. These are the rules, so if you don't like it… you all will be asked to leave."

"Miranda," Nigel carefully warned. "Exclusive only to Runway, remember?"

"Fine," she said calmly, but held her intimidating gaze long enough to put her sunglasses back on.

Soon the director was yelling 'action', and Miranda felt her heart speed up in her chest from watching Andy in her element. It excited her and the look on her employees' faces told her they felt it too. The sound of thunder erupted and on instinct Miranda looked overhead, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. She winced in confusion, but then understood what was going on as half dozen horses rounded the corner of the old building. Andy was right in the mix, looking like she was ready to kill someone, and that someone was now standing just ahead of them.

Andrea looked like she actually belonged and knew what she was doing as she jumped off her horse and took out a pistol, shooting the man before he could say a word before marching inside the building. The director yelled 'cut,' and just like that the scene was over. Miranda was so caught up in it that she wasn't even aware that the director had yelled 'cut.' It didn't register that it was over until she overhead Nigel ask Serena if she got some good shots.

All Serena could do was stare wide-eyed and shake her head. "Uh, I uh kind of…" she trailed off and looked down at the camera in her hand.

"You what?" Emily now voiced, understanding that Serena somehow got so engrossed in what was going on that never took a single picture.

Miranda now had fire in her eyes. "You got to be kidding me!" she hissed as quietly as she could.

Grimacing, Serena gulped. "Sorry."

Before Miranda could voice her opinion to her stupid employee, that annoying assistant was back. "I hope you got your shots, because the next scene is indoors, and I don't think the director will approve."

Fighting to stay calm, Miranda gave the young woman a pleasant, fake smile. "Well, you will have to forgive the incompetence of my employee here; she was so mesmerized by what Ms. Sachs did that she just simply forgot to take any pictures."

The young girl exuberantly groaned as she rolled her eyes. "Are you serious?"

"Please, if we could just get a few of her in the building in her gear before the director is ready, we would be really appreciative."

The assistant deeply sighed and her shoulders sagged as she looked over to where Andrea and the director were talking. "I'll ask, but I wouldn't hold your breath."

"Most appreciative," Miranda said rather graciously, which made Nigel's eyebrow raise in question and Emily's eyes bug out in shock.

After about fifteen minutes they all entered the old building where the inside was turned into an old saloon. It was really neat and Miranda was actually in awe of it all, but her face gave nothing away as they strolled up to where Andy was getting freshened up by a markup artist. They waited until she glanced up at them from the paper she was going over. "So, I heard the bad news," Andy grinned with a teasing smirk.

Serena awkwardly scratched at her head. "It was my fault; I was so…" she swallowed. "So enamored by your…"

Nigel butted in and interrupted her. "Oh honey," he clapped his joyful hands in front of him in excitement. "That was most impressive. Seriously where did you learn to ride like that…." he stuttered in exhilaration. "And that shot…..God I'm sooooooo in awe over it, so much that I don't have words, Six."

"Thanks Nige," Andy said, but was staring at Miranda who was focusing in on her with such approval and esteem… and maybe something else in her blues eyes… and that something else Andy was sure as hell was not prepared for. It shocked her so much that it almost paralyzed her, which made her nearly stammer over her words. Sucking in a quiet breath to settle her rapidly beating heart, she quickly averted her gaze away from the editor. "So I suppose you guys need a few shots of me in here?" She walked over toward the rustic bar and turned back toward them, leaning against the bar and striking a pose as a sensual expression filtered across her features. Andy deliberately kept her eyes away from her former boss, because she was definitely not ready to handle the way Miranda was looking at her. "Um, sorry, but you'll have to hurry and take a few so we can get this next part done and out of the way."

Serena pulled up the camera and began taking shot after shot. "I'm no photographer, but you look great."

Emily piped in and put a caring hand on Serena's back as a way of encouragement. "You're doing great, and besides these are just set pictures. Runway's real photography team will arrive the day after tomorrow for the actual photo shoot."

"Thank god," Serena murmured quietly, still snapping the camera.

Miranda finally found her voice, even if it was strained with all of the emotions that were swirling through her as she couldn't help but notice how beautiful Andrea looked when she flung her hair back. "So," she cleared her throat. "We can stay and take some during your next scene," she tried. Although she wanted more pictures for the magazine, she really just wanted to see more of Andy being that sexy, badass cowgirl.

Andy glanced at her but wouldn't hold her gaze as she kept her eyes on Emily, Nigel and Serena. "Sorry, but I'm pushing it now by letting you even in here," she informed.

Miranda detected the uneasiness that was now in her ex-assistant's voice, and that along with the avoidance of eye contact was giving her a complex. It was something she often got from other people, but never from Andrea.

Miranda narrowed in on the brunette for a moment. Everything she had told herself this morning made her second guess herself to the point that it was making her nuts with wanting to know if maybe Andrea actually felt something for her as well. Maybe that's why she left me? She did say she was running from something, maybe that something is me? That thought filtered through her, and instantly she felt hotter and even sweatier, and she knew she had to stop thinking such absurd things. It's the heat, that's it; that's the reason why I'm thinking such delusional thoughts.

"I understand. Serena get the shots, and please allow Andrea to finish her work." Her voice nearly betrayed her, but she just couldn't help her soft stare toward her former assistant, and when Andy turned to look at her with her big, brown, tender gaze, it took everything in her not to close the distance between them and gather her up in her arms and confess everything she was feeling for her right then and there. "I'll be back…" her breath caught as she tried to form words, and she tumbled over them. Miranda pointed toward the door. "At… you know… the tent… waiting for our interview," she managed tightly, and then with the clip of her high heels she disappeared.

Nigel's forehead caved at seeing the stumble in his boss. It clearly baffled him, as he never had seen her in such disarray. "What was that?" he asked, more to himself.

"I'm blaming this bloody heat," Emily said, since she also noticed, and because she was the only one who heard him. "Hopefully we can get this over with this evening and catch the redeye home."

Nigel shrugged as he watched Andy pull out her pistol and strike an intimidating stance. He grinned from ear to ear at seeing her laugh out loud. He didn't even notice that the makeup and hair stylist was back telling Andrea that they needed to get her ready for the next scene.

He was about to leave when Andy called him back over. "Nige," she grinned. "I want you to meet Steve, my hair stylist."

Steve was a very dark and handsome man who reached out to shake his hand. "Well, hello," his perfect smile shimmered along with his faultless chiseled chin and hair.

Nigel's heart skipped a beat as he held out his hand. "Nice to meet you," he husked politely.

"So, will you be at the party later?" Steve asked, with a hopeful expression.

"Party?" Nigel questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, it's gonna be big. The producer is putting it on to reward the cast and crew for all of our hard work. Hopefully after tonight's last shoot here at the desert, we will wrap up here and then finish back in Hollywood." He started fixing Andrea's hair. "Can't wait to get back to civilization," he added.

Nigel eyed Steve's toned muscles, and then caught Andy's eyes watching him intently. He noticed the grin she was trying to withhold, and immediately knew something was up. "Six?" he growled. "Party? So does Miranda know you will be standing her up yet again?"

She now had a full on smile on her face as she shrugged. "It couldn't be avoided Nige. So, could you inform her for me?"

He shook his head and snarled. "You tell her!"

Emily came back over to grab him. "Miranda wants to speak to you."

"By the way Nige," Andy spoke up. "You all are invited to come. It will give you the perfect chance to rub shoulders with some celebrities, plus who knows, they may agree to an interview."

Emily's forehead fell as she glared at Andrea. "What is she talking about?"

Nigel tilted his head, knowing they were in a world of hurt no matter what, and then a slow smile graced his lips. "Emily," he began. "Tell Miranda that Andrea will not be able to give her that interview tonight as she has a prior commitment."

"Excuse me?" Emily barked.

"Yes, well, she is a busy girl, you know that. Let Miranda know that she'll give her that interview…" he trailed off and moved his gaze back toward Andy's, waiting for her to give them an answer.

"Tomorrow afternoon," Andy said coolly.

"Are you kidding me?" Emily voiced loudly. "She'll kill you; she has an entire day planned back in New York tomorrow."

Andrea knew they needed to leave as the director walked in alongside her co-star. "You guys need to leave," she said, but before she walked away she added softy, but sternly. "Tell Miranda she can take it or leave it."

Emily was forced out of the building with her mouth still agape as fear skirted through her body with the knowledge of what was ahead of her.

…..

Miranda tried to relax in a chair back in her hotel room. She had a cold cloth over forehead as she waited on room service.

"You okay Miranda?" Emily dared to ask, as she finished canceling all of her appointments.

"Do I look okay to you?" she voiced, not even bothering to look over at her assistant. "I can't believe this; I should just tell her to…" she swallowed the vulgarity and just groaned.

"Um," Emily gulped.

Miranda forcefully grabbed the cold washcloth off of her forehead and now glared at the Brit. "What?"

"So," Emily blew out a nervous breath.

"Spit it out!"

"We were wondering if you were going to make an appearance at the party tonight." Emily searched through her memories and she couldn't recall Miranda ever acting this way before. She always had this calm yet demanding presence about her, never this, hell she had no idea what this even was.

Miranda clawed a hand through her perfect hair. "No," she vented, as she stood up. Now void of her heels, she began toward the bathroom, turning back toward her assistant before she entered. "Tell our driver to be ready to leave right at nine tonight."

Emily felt her lips bow into a tiny smile as soon as her boss closed the door. "Is there something you want me to get out for you to wear?"

"I trust you," was all she heard before the water turned on, indicating that Miranda was going take a much needed bath.

"Thank goodness Miranda over packs," Emily whispered to herself as she carefully laid a dress out for her, and then left to go back toward her and Serena's room. As soon as she entered, she noticed her friend half naked on the bed. "What are you doing?"

Serena stretched as she rolled over to face her. "Resting," she said nonchalantly.

"Where are your clothes?" Emily felt her cheeks heat up at seeing the blonde's bare, flat stomach and toned thighs.

"It's hot; I'm hot," Serena uttered faintly, like it was no big deal that she had very little clothes on.

Emily semi averted her gaze from Serena's perfect body. Yes you are! "God, I think this bloody ass heat has everyone losing their bloody freaking minds."

Serena just leaned up on her elbows and watched Emily finally rid herself from her heels. "So are we flying home, or are we going to a kick ass party tonight?"

Emily flopped back on the bed with a groan. "Party," she winced in a tired breath. "She wants us ready by nine."

Serena smiled. "Yes, I could use a wonderful party."

"Great," Emily muttered, already feeling her eyes closing. "You let Nigel know, and wake me up in a few hours."

"No problem. You look exhausted; would you like me to rub your shoulders?"

Emily hid her stunned wide eyes against her pillow. "No," she squeaked. "I'm good."

"Okay," Serena exhaled, and then reached over to her phone so she could call Nigel.

Emily sat and listened to the excited conversation between Nigel and Serena as her mind went back to the offered back rub, and then began to drift to other things she tried not to think about doing with her friend. She decided that it was the heat, the sun, and the dry desert air that was making everyone here so mental.