Thanks to all of you who left a comment/review. I appreciate all of them.

Part 9

From the next clearing, Miranda noticed right away that Andrea was indeed waiting for her. "I thought you weren't going to wait," she commented crisply, as she gathered a breath.

"I'm not," Andrea clarified, her face impassive and it never left the view in front of her. She really was waiting for the other woman, but she wasn't going to tell Miranda that.

The older woman pursed her lips, knowing that Andy really was waiting for her, but then her forehead caved and she finally followed the brunette's line of sight. Her breath hitched at what she saw. "Wow."

Andy hid a smirk as she peered over at her, taking in another tremendous view. "Wow?"

"I don't think I have ever witnessed a sunset like this," Miranda confessed.

"I've been here before and saw it, but…" she enunciated, and her gaze never left the older woman's face. "Never like this," she managed, even though her emotions were on high, and the combination of the cool evening air was making her tremble.

"Oh? Miranda wondered. "You care to tell me why it's different now than before?"

Andy's lips twisted in thought. "If I do, you're just going to wave it off or make fun of it."

"I certainly will not. I don't understand why you would think that…especially since I did ask."

"Because, Miranda, think about that. You ridicule everything I say or do…so why not now?"

"I hardly think asking you the difference between sunsets is something to get your little panties in a wad over," Miranda argued, annoyance etched in her features. "Seriously it's not a big deal, just trying to make friendly conversation, since it's apparent you're terrible with interviews."

"Was that an insult?"

"Take it as you will, you've been doing that all day anyhow."

Andy exhaled a loud irritated groan and marched out in front of the older woman, blocking her view of the sunset. "Christ Miranda, it's seriously a wonder how you even got married the first time, let alone two more times."

That irked the older woman, and Miranda was starting to wonder where in the hell did this girl get off. "How dare you to presume to know anything about my life," she fired.

"How dare I?" Andy rebuffed, ready to lay into her, but then just as quick she defused. "You know what, I don't care anymore." Her voice softened and her shoulders sagged, not so much in defeat but in weariness. "Let's just keep moving," she said and started to walk away.

"Don't walk away from me," Miranda hissed. "You can't insult me like that and then think it's okay to just walk away. In fact, it's starting to become a habit with you. I wasn't okay with it the first time, so what makes you think I am now?"

Andy suddenly stopped her steps and sucked in a deep breath before she turned on the other woman and glared at her sharply. "Miranda," she began in a dangerous tone. "But it's okay for you to constantly insult me? Yet when I throw it back, all of a sudden you cast yourself as the victim. Besides, this back and forth…" she pointed to the other woman and then back at herself. "Is getting old and it never gets us anywhere. I was going to pay you a compliment by being here with you. YOU, Miranda, are the reason why this sunset is different," she sighed, tears stinging at the forefront of her eyes. "I swear you always deflect, and you want to make a problem where none exists. Well you can start doing it without my involvement, because I am done." She went to pick back up the water bottles she set down when Miranda's voice broke.

"You should have told me, spit it out of that damn mouth of yours…. but nooooo you had to beat around the bush. Make me go crazy with guessing," Miranda snapped. "And you of all people know exactly how THAT thrills me."

"See, more circles," she vented, wanting to tear her hair out as she hardened her glare. "And you know how THAT thrills me!" Andy mocked, throwing it back at her.

It had been years since anyone had ever talked to her like that, and now it suddenly thrilled Miranda. The sexual tension was getting to her, hell you could cut it with a knife it was so thick. She fumed in agitation, not even really letting that sink in. She noticed that her body was now betraying her as she found that it was gravitating toward her former assistant. "Now that is funny coming from you." Her chest heaved. "Circles huh? Well you've been putting me through your damn hoops since the moment I stepped off the plane here."

"That wasn't my intention. I told you I was busy. Once again I am sorry that I don't think the sun rises and sets up your fucking ass!" Andy sassed with resentment in her tone. "You just to seem to forget that I AM NOT YOUR ASSISTANT ANYMORE, SO STOP TREATING ME AS SUCH!" she yelled.

Miranda smiled with self-righteousness and waited a moment to watch Andy calm down. "I know that, trust me, I am better off now that you ARE gone," she badgered, even though that was far…far from the truth.

"And yet you are here, begging for my interview at every turn. So who's lying now?"

"Like you said, you are not my assistant, so it's different. Think a smart girl like you would know that by now."

"About time!" Andy said with conviction and a touch of hardness to her face. "You separated the two. How long did that take you?"

"I don't think I like what you're implying!"

"Oh my God, I'm not implying a damn thing! I get it, it's okay for you, but not okay for me….I don't think so Miranda."

Miranda flinched and took a few steps back, looking way again, but this time she gritted her teeth together from not being able to control herself in front of this woman. She never backed down, and she knew why she did with her now, her heart apparently had a say in it. "It's fair and I …" she swallowed and her voice softened. "And I shouldn't have said those things."

Andy hesitated and blinked in surprise. She was not sure what to do now that Miranda had that odd look back on her face and her tone suddenly softened. "Why are we fighting?" she exhaled, drifting closer to the older woman, not necessarily close enough to touch her, but close enough so that at least there weren't several strides between them.

Finally Miranda's blue eyes met hers. "Come on Andrea, I hired you because you are smart, don't let me down now."

Andy slowly nodded. "All right," she said, her jaw quivering slightly. "I may know, well I know how I am feeling, I think I can read you too, but it would be so much easier if you would just tell me."

Miranda seemed to have trouble finding her voice, and when she did, it was far more delicate than Andy had ever heard from her before. "Because if I do," she started, and then paused and shook her head. "I can't….and it still doesn't matter, plus I won't allow myself to go down that road."

Andy now sighed in defeat and shrugged. "Then this discussion is over," she said calmly. She folded her arms over her chest to ward off the light flicker of rain that began to trickle down. She dared to take another glance at the woman who held her heart before she had to finish down the trail, knowing this was her last moment with her like this.

The sincerity in those blue eyes that watched her, along with her flushed cheeks and neck was something Andy wasn't prepared to see. She was at a standstill, because this was a rarity to see this woman like this… so open, and so free from the stress of everyday life. Not to mention so damn beautiful with the evening pinks of the sunset behind her, that by every second seemed to drift lower. In that moment she knew it was now or never…besides isn't that what Nigel told her? "Oh screw this," she uttered in a deep, shuddering breath. "It's not like you can fire me," she husked. Her body erased what little distance was left between them, and she pressed her full length against Miranda's while she gripped the front of her Gap hoodie, making the older woman gasp as her eyes went wide with alarm.

She didn't even think twice about what she was doing as she finally dared to do what she had been dying to do for years….she kissed Miranda Priestly. It was a gentle kiss, so delicate and sweet, and she was sure she had never kissed anyone like this in her entire life. She savored the soft lips against her own for only seconds before she drew back. Her heart skipped a beat with worry for just acting and not really caring about the ramifications of it. But then it hit her… Miranda had returned her kiss, and she licked her lips, savoring the taste that was on them.

"Sooooo," she drawled with a heated smirk, a smirk that made the older woman shiver. "Do you still not want to go down this road?"

Miranda's chest heaved with a painful desire that ached and fueled her entire system, starting right smack in-between her legs from one simple, soft kiss. No other kiss in her entire life had ever caused such a visceral reaction like this one did. Miranda found it difficult to breathe, mesmerized by the dark eyes so close to her. "No," she muttered weakly.

"No?" Andy questioned, and was about to pull away when Miranda stopped her and yanked the younger woman closer to her by wrapping her arms around her. She gently brushed her lips over Andy's full ones before they could slip away. It was soft and chaste and it made her only want more, so she reached up, and tangled her fists in brown hair, drawing her down for a passionate and hungry kiss that was deeper then the two others combined. Breaths mingled together as they drew back. "No," she husked against Andrea's lips, before going in for another kiss.

She wanted to point out to the older woman who was devouring her lips that it didn't feel like no, but it felt entirely too good to even voice it. Miranda's silky warms lips against her own were doing the most marvelous things to her, causing Andy to stop thinking entirely. It was more than she even dared to fantasize about, and the groan she heard coming from Miranda's mouth made her legs quiver with the desire that skittered through her entire body.

The light sprinkle of rain fell against the side of their faces as they continued to kiss and hold each other, both of them ignoring the fact that the cold blackness that was barreling towards them. All they cared about was the storm that was going on inside of their bodies. As the loud crack of thunder erupted overhead, Miranda suddenly realized the situation and pushed herself free. "Oh god," she groaned. "What am I doing?"

Andy reached out and touched the other's cheek again, feeling the thrill thread down her arm and into her heart. "Miranda," she whispered. "Please, don't do this…." She inhaled raggedly, and before she could say anything more, a loud rumble fell down around them so loud it caused them to jump apart.

"Shit!" They both cursed.

"We better go, and let's make it quick," Andy exclaimed. A little fear coursed through her brown eyes as she gathered up their water bottles, quickly handing Miranda hers so one of her hands was free to claim the older woman's hand.

Soon it was now full on rain and just in time to run across the parking lot to flop inside Andrea's car before they were totally soaked. She didn't waste a beat as she started the engine and flipped the heater to high. They both shivered a moment as they gathered their breath. "Damn, we almost made it in here before it really started coming down," Andy noted with a lopsided grin, and then frowned once she noticed Miranda shivering.

"Here." She pulled her hands in to her own, and was grateful that Miranda let her. She rubbed them softly and blew her hot breath over them in an attempt to warm them up.

"Andrea," Miranda murmured. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the younger woman, her entire body thrumming with such an affectionate gesture. Once again she found that no one in her past had done such a simple thing like caring if her hands were cold and trying to warm them it up, and it actually spoke volumes.

She couldn't take it another second and it took every ounce of strength in her to tear them away. "It's fine," she uttered in a faint breath. "So stop." Her voice was shaky and she turned her head away and gazed out the wet window.

"I was just trying to help," Andy said trying to keep the disappointment out of her tone.

"Well, did I ask for it?" the older woman said a little icily, keeping her eyes from Andy's as she watched the rain hit the ground.

Andy shook her head as she sighed in defeat. "Sorry, for … oh forget it…." she trailed off and decided against it, and just pulled her car into drive and began to head toward Miranda's hotel, despite how bad the storm was.

Miranda waited a moment and then couldn't take the silence any longer as their kiss played over and over in her mind. "You didn't honestly think that any of this was a good idea?" she quipped.

"Excuse me?" Andy's face looked puzzled for a split second and then clued in. "Fine I didn't check the weather, I should have I just wanted to get you outside and alone for once….feel free to sue me if you'd like."

That wasn't what Miranda meant, she was still back on their heated kiss and the evidence was still lingering below. "That's not what I was referring to."

"What?" Andy blurted, and then cast a glance at the woman next to her. "Oh, you mean…" she faded off, not sure if she should continue.

"I don't know what happened up there on that mountain, but I am going to remind you that it will not go any farther. Plus, I think we both agree that no one needs to know about it. Do I make myself clear?"

A knowing smile spread across Andy's lips and she rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that, Miranda, it's a line of crap and we both know it. I kissed you, and I know good damn well that you kissed me back."

Miranda mentally cringed and her nostrils flared. "Fine, I do, and it was just that and nothing more, so please let's just drop it. Besides we're both straight, so this was some…..some…" she knew what it was, so she couldn't find the word that she needed to tell them, and mostly herself, what it wasn't.

"Some?" Andy drawled.

"Oh you know exactly what it was…I mean wasn't," she said, her voice elevated somewhat in frustration.

Andy snorted loudly as she finally turned down the street to Miranda's hotel. "I do know, and I am not going to let you pretend otherwise."

Miranda pursed her lips. "There are a hundred reasons why this is a bad idea," she warned her.

"Perhaps, and who told you that I was straight?" Andy relayed willingly. "And tell me why is it NOT a bad idea?"

A low growl slipped from the editor's lips. "I don't have to explain this, and don't think I noticed how you worded that," she said. Her voice was unsteady, and then it fell back a beat. "Wait, you're not?"

A giggle fell from Andrea's mouth. "I don't really think you can be either…..I mean not totally, not when you can kiss me like that."

"Nooooo….don't you dare," Miranda gritted. "Don't make more of this, it was just…" her heart raced and she couldn't even say it.

Andy was about to scream in frustration over this woman when her phone screeched for her with an annoying sound. "Oh no," Andy fretted as she pulled the car into the hotel parking lot, and as soon as she parked she grabbed her phone.

"What is it?"

"It's the weather alert; there's a tornado warning."

Miranda's eyes went wide. "Well it's a good thing we got back when we did." She went to get out of the car, and then turned back. "Here." She was about to unzip Andrea's hoodie, but was halted by the younger woman's warm hands.

"Keep it. Like I said, it looks good on you."

Miranda couldn't believe this woman, no matter what she said to her, she still had this caring, nurturing way about her. God she wanted her, so much so she almost gave in and decided to be greedy. She was grateful for the one time that her heart won out and she wasn't going to let her need to have this woman override any of that.

"Well," she began after a moment of silence passed between them, ignoring how her chest tightened from knowing what she needed to do. "I better go," Miranda said, and carefully opened the door so the wind wouldn't grab it, but before she could exit the car she heard her former assistant clear her throat.

"So I suppose this is goodbye," Andy said with a crestfallen expression. "Because you never really finished that interview."

Suddenly it dawned on Miranda that this was going to be the last time she would ever see this woman, well in person that is. Plus, she was right; she never finished giving her all her questions.

Andy noticed the other woman's pondering face. "Hey just write them down, send it over with your photo team, and I'll answer them and send my answers back with them."

Miranda growled. "And why couldn't I have done that in the first place?"

"Now where would the fun be in that?"

"Fun? You call all this fun?"

Andy giggled. "I sure did, and deep down I believe you had a little fun as well." She bounced her brows with a knowing smirk.

Miranda sighed as if she was agreeing, and then the silence that surrounded them grew thick. She was finding that her heart couldn't bare looking at her another second, so she slipped from the vehicle. For a moment Andy thought that this was it, and she wasn't even going to get a goodbye, and then at the last second Miranda dipped her head back into the car. "Well I guess this is goodbye then." Her face was stoic, but the quiver in her lip gave her away.

"I guess it is," Andy whispered. She had to get a handle on her own emotions and the desire to pull Miranda back into the car and ask her to stay, or hell something. It then dawned on her a little too late that because Miranda had already shut the door and was running toward the hotel.

"Shit." Andy banged her hands against the steering wheel. "Why did you have to fall for her…why why why? Oh you know why," she vented to the empty car, as the wind hurled around it harder and harder. She eyed the road as the fallen debris twirled around. "I can't drive back to the Villa, not in this weather." She gathered a deep breath. "Oh screw it," she said for the second time that day.

She quickly got out of the car and ran inside, hoping that Miranda was still in the lobby, but no such luck. I bet she's in the nicest room here, and I know exactly which one that is. Andy knew this hotel, hell she had lived in this town for over 4 months so she knew it quite well. She just strutted through the lobby, acting as she owned the place, entered the elevator and pressed the floor to the pent house.

As every floor passed by, Andrea's heart raced faster and she found that the inside of her bottom lip was getting sore from chewing on it with her amped up tension. As soon as the doors opened, she didn't let her nerves get the best of her, she just raced down the hall until she found Miranda's room. Blowing out a huge breath, she wrung her hands out a couple of times before she knocked.

"Yes?" Andrea heard, and just knocked again.

"It's me, let me in," she hollered out, and she could have sworn a whole minute ticked by before the door finally opened.

"What now?" Miranda voiced, but it hitched slightly, which gave her away.

It was then that Andy could tell that she had been crying. The evidence was there as her features matched that night in Paris. Andy only hesitated a second, then shook her head in a commanding way as she pushed herself into the room. As soon as she heard the door close behind her, she gently cupped Miranda's cheeks. It was something she found that she loved to do, and before she could process what was happening, Andy's lips pressed firmly over the older woman's mouth, then covering it completely, moving against her with tender, yet passionate devotion. Hastily Andy maneuvered them until she was completely against Miranda, who now found she was hard pressed against the wall.

Miranda accepted the weight and warmth of this body with pleasure. It was so dizzying that she thought she would pass out. She finally jerked her mouth free and they stared at each other for a moment, and Andy was sure that Miranda was going to throw her ass out.

The editor's chest heaved as passion overran her body. The woman that she had wanted for over three years was here, and it was obvious she wanted her just as much. Her inner ice queen, hell the devil herself took over and she was finally going to claim what she wanted, what she damn well deserved. A low growl hissed through her lips as she reached down, grabbed the hem of the brunette's shirt and ripped it up and over her head.

Andy only could catch her breath as she realized she wasn't going to get kicked out, but her pulsed raced all the same. It was soon all forgotten as she felt Miranda's sweet mouth covering her own once again.