Monday morning comes with an increase in activity in the now Priestly-Sachs household, with the twins needing to go to school, Miranda to work and Andy to figure out how to inform her boss that she needed to work from home for the foreseeable future.

Andy waits until they've all left before settling in Miranda's office. Ciri is with Cara for the moment, so Andy can focus on work.

She knows this is going to be a hard conversation. There has been so much she has been unable to tell Greg, and she knows he is aware of it, if the dropped hints over the last year or so are anything to go by. He made it some sort of personal goal to look after Andy once she found out she was pregnant, even going so far as to include her and Ciri in his own family away from work, knowing Andy's family abandoned her. Andy has dinner with him, his wife and his three kids at least once a month.

With mild trepidation she calls Greg's number and waits for it to connect.

"Hill, speak."

"Greg, it's Andy."

"Andy, good to hear from you, but I will assume from your call you aren't coming in today?"

Andy sighs. "I wish I could but I can't. Actually, I can't for at least several weeks. I need to take some personal time. Is it possible?"

Greg hums. "So I gather from you calling me, instead of being in my bullpen that the problems from Friday are bigger than you expected. Just tell me, kid, is Ciri ok?"

Andy runs her hand through her hair. "I'll be honest Greg, it's far more than I thought. Ciri is okay though." She rushes to reassure him. "I ended up having to find Ciri's other parent." She deliberately avoids giving him a name, as she's done since Ciri was born. "It's hard, y'know? I've never gotten over them. It was their choice to leave, but it still hurts. Now, I have to take the time with them to help Ciri."

"Andy," There's a tone in Greg's voice that indicates his 'protector dad' is about to come out to play. "I know you have your reasons to protect them. I know you have protected them since the beginning. I won't pretend to understand why."

"Greg…" Andy starts but he barrels on over her.

"Here's what else I know or have figured out." He continues as if she never spoke at all. "I know you prefer the fairer sex. Given your propensity to use the pronoun game, I believe Ciri's other parent is female. I know that Ciri's looks and traits mostly come from her 'other parent' as I know you and I've seen your family photos."

"Greg…" She tries again, unsuccessfully, to stop him.

"I can only assume Ciri is a result of ivf that was not expected to take and there were previous failed attempts and it probably didn't help your relationship, so they chose to leave you which is why you didn't notify them when she was born. I saw how devastated you were in the aftermath so I didn't question that choice. I guess, what I am trying to get to is, please be careful. I watched the fallout of this relationship once, so it would kill both Helen and I if we have to pick up the pieces again, especially now Ciri is included in that."

Andy sniffles, trying to stop the tears that start, even as his roundabout way of saying he cares brings a small smile. It hurts her that she cannot tell him the full truth, and realises that letting him continue to believe this version of events is probably the best course of action.

"You are right," she says softly. "And now she knows about Ciri, adjustments have to be made. Her older children have gone through what Ciri is, so I know it will be okay, but I just need the time for now."

"Tell you what," She hears his exhale. "I know you well enough that if we send you pieces you will complete them. So, we will do that for however long you need. Save your time off for when it's truly needed. You have to come in for the weekly staff meeting on Fridays though, so I can make sure you are okay, see it with my own eyes. Helen will have my hide otherwise."

Andy laughs a little at this, knowing all too well what Greg's wife is like. "Deal." She says, finding she is grateful for this wonderful man who ended up as her editor and pseudo father figure. She hears clicking in the background. "Thanks Greg, it means a lot."

"First one is in your inbox. See ya Friday, kid. Be careful a'ight? Gotta go. These idiots won't oversee themselves."

Andy thanks him again as he hangs up.

She checks her inbox after the call ends and finds a piece on the current senator's latest bill due by Thursday and reasons she will start it tomorrow. She closes her laptop with a soft sigh, then goes in search of Cara and Ciri, finding them in the den. Ciri plays with a block set on the floor, while Cara is keeping an eye on her, knitting on the sofa. Ciri is dressed in a loose singlet and loose shorts, to allow for the growing tail and wings and Andy can see the scales beginning to peek out from the edges of the clothing.

It is still something she is struggling to accept, but her research over the weekend has calmed her anxiety somewhat. She knows, in between researching, writing her new article and trying to fit into Miranda's household she will also be digging further into Miranda's library. Her thirst for 'the story' has never waned, and, while it's something that she will never print or allow to be printed, the excitement that comes with delving into the unknown is keen in her, even now.

She is tempted to continue doing so, knowing Cara is quite capable of looking after Ciri, as she does the Twins. It is what she is paid for, after all.

There is also a part of her pushing her to find Miranda, even though she knows the woman is at Runway and almost definitely does not want to see Andy. She has been fighting that part since the other woman left for work that morning, but has told herself she can't. Miranda hasn't given any indication of anything other than wanting to be friends with Andy for Ciri's sake. It feels almost like a siren call to Andy and she doesn't know how long she can fight it. Even at the expense of Miranda's ire. She knows it will not end well, and this undeniable desire making itself known now, the more she seems to embed herself in Miranda's home life is just another thing on her list of 'weird shit that keeps happening'. She resolutely pushes it to the side for now so she can spend time with Ciri.

She makes her presence known to Cara, who smiles at her before she joins Ciri on the floor, asking what she's building.

Ciri smiles at her mother, happy at this moment to babble excitedly about how she's building Runway for Mommy. Andy glances up at Cara at this statement and Cara just smiles benignly back.

"She has been building for some time now." Cara says,chuckling. "Miranda will be pleased no doubt. The little one here has it in her head though that Mama is going to visit Mommy at Runway today. Told me quite certainly that it was happening."

"What? No…" Andy blusters. "There are no plans." She tries to school her face to hide from Cara just how much she actually wants to do so. "The plan is to hang here with you and Ciri now I have made arrangements with work."

Cara just rolls her eyes at her.

"Andy, Carina… you are hearing the call, no?"

"N…no!" Andy tries to deny it. "What call? I'm not like them. I'm not a… Not a dragon. My need to see Miranda stems from not being able to get over the damn woman." She crosses her arms petulantly. "Even if I wanted to see her… Which I don't." She tries to cover, realising she has slipped. Ciri climbs over into her lap, perhaps sensing her mother's confusion.

"Oh Carina," Cara smiles at her. "You are so obvious in your feelings even as you are oblivious to the signs. You are in love with Miranda. I have seen this, seen you. You watch her, when she is not paying attention. The longer you are here, the louder this Call will become. Both of you will have to answer eventually."

Andy huffs, glaring at Cara who just laughs at her response. Ciri giggles at Cara, who winks at her.

"Both?" Andy snorts. "Unlikely. Miranda made her feelings obvious when she left me knocked up in that hotel room, Cara."

Ahhhh, Carina! Things are not always as they appear, no? Miranda had her reasons, which she will tell you in time, no doubt."

"Why is it," Andy questions. "That everybody seem to know more than they are willing to tell me? Miranda said she told me everything." She is not happy discovering that even Cara seems to know more than her about the whole situation.

"Mm, she told you everything relevant about Ciri, si. You and I both know, Carina, that Miranda is never more forthcoming than needed. Sometimes to her own detriment, no?" Cara shrugs. Miranda's behavior is normal for her. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Andy glares at her. She is tired of only being told what is deemed 'necessary' and anything else shrouded in mystery, supposition and for anyone else but Andy, a kind of knowing.

"Mama." Ciri pipes up. "You go see Mommy at Runway."

Andy looks down at her daughter. "Oh really, pumpkin?" She tries to smile at her, knowing how sensitive her daughter has always been to her moods. She is determined not to do it.

"Yes Mama. Dragon peoples need to see you too."

Andy's brow furrows. "Dragon people?"

Cara speaks up. "I assume she means Nigel, Emily and Serena." She shrugs again. "There may be others, I do not know. Miranda tries to keep her Clan around her, but they are the ones I know of."

Andy sighs and rolls her eyes, giving into what are apparently her plans for the day. "I guess I'm going to Runway. Let's hope I make it past security, since I apparently won't find any more answers here. I have to say Cara, I am totally not loving the whole 'being forced to do things' without a choice. Especially on my daughter's say so."

"Ah Carina, we know. These dragons of ours just know things all the time. I know it's frustrating for you, but all will be clear in time, sí?"

Andy looks over at her, curiously. "You are not a dragon?"

"No, I am not. My family has looked after Miranda's clan for generations. Since we were gifted the sight to see the Others. It was to protect us. If we can see them coming, we can avoid them, no? My family received this gift for saving the life of one of Miranda's ancestors." Cara seems pleased to be able to share this with Andy. "We have been gifted some longevity on top of our normal human lifespan to facilitate this but nothing too big, no?" She holds her hand out, her finger and thumb a small distance apart. "To make up for the time we spend looking after the dragons, away from our family."

Andy is now even more curious to hear what Cara has to say and cuddles her daughter. Happy for the chance to delay her possible trip to the Elias-Clarke building.

Cara continues, watching her audience carefully. "A generation or so after receiving the gift, my bisabuela, great grandmother, at least four generations back, unexpectedly found herself surrounded by the Others. The stories say she was terrified and that she feared her death was upon her that night. Her fear activated a link between my family and Miranda's that she hadn't known of. It is like the Call you hear," She looks pointedly at Andy. "It is also not. If one of my family is in danger it alerts one of Miranda's Clan, so they can find us and protect us from the Others. My bisabuela was rescued by Miranda's abuelo, her grandfather. We have been in their lives and homes since. My Madre kept Miranda's house when she was Melinda until I was of age to know the history. Then it was time for Melinda to become Miriam, and for me to join her in this new life. She did not stay as Miriam long before becoming Miranda. Only a few years, barely a blink in dragon years." Cara sees Andy about to question that. "I do not know why she became Miranda instead of Miriam. My children were on the cusp of human adulthood and it was time for their Abuela to prepare them for the next generation or new lives of Miranda's Clan to make their own households. Sometimes a generation does not work with the dragons because of their long years but they are taught so they may tell the stories and teach the next generation." She shrugs like this is nothing out of the ordinary. "It is how it always has been, and how it shall continue. Besides," Cara smiles widely at Andy. "Miranda and her Clan always pay much more than we would earn in a similar position and we get the protection of the clan. My family is much better off than others. It is good, sí?"

"Wow." Andy was shocked at the depth of history between Miranda's and Cara's families.

"Miranda will always look after you, Carina. Do not forget that due to your frustration at how slow your time of learning is going. Time is needed for you to accept all of this and you will be told what is needed at the time you are ready to hear it." Cara smiles gently at Andy as she packs her knitting into the bag beside her. "Now you have to go, sí? Leave Ciri with me. It is time for the bambino's lunch." She holds out her hand to Ciri. "We will have fun together, sí?"

Ciri grins happily, taking Cara's hand. "Yes Cara. Funs. Bye Mama."

Andy leans down and gives her a kiss, waving as Cara leads her to the kitchen. Cara has left Andy less frustrated at the situation but not completely happy; she has something to think over on her way to Runway.

After catching the subway, Andy finds herself at the security desk of Elias-Clarke being told they could not allow her access without permission from either Emily or Miranda; the original order came from her, or Miranda being the EIC. Andy figures she is just lucky Emily didn't leave Runway when she was promoted, because she is already unsure of Miranda's reaction to her just turning up in the middle of the work day.

Andy sighs. "Fine, can you at least call Ms Charleton please? I'm sure she will lift the ban for me."

"Yes ma'am. One moment." The guard places the call, informing Emily of Andy's presence. Once he hangs up, he looks over at Andy.

"So, I can go up now?" Andy asks.

"No ma'am."

Andy is surprised by this response. "Wha… what?"

"Ms Charleton said that you are to remain here and she will be down for you shortly."

"Ok then. Thank you." Andy responds, trying to wait patiently. Even though Emily has apparently forgiven her, she has no idea of how long the other woman will make her wait.

Eventually, some fifteen minutes later the lift doors finally present Emily to the ground floor.

"Em! Finally." Andy greets her former colleague with a wide smile.

Emily says nothing as she grabs Andy's upper arm, pulling her away from the security desk. "What are you doing here, Andy?" She hisses in a whisper, looking more frantic than Andy remembers her ever being. "I know you were at Miranda's on Friday, but she has not lifted the ban on your presence at Runway. If she even hears you are anywhere near the building, heads will no doubt roll. Probably mine first for letting you get this far."

"Em!" Andy grabs hold of both Emily's arms attempting to calm her. "Calm the fuck down already."

The cuss seems to halt the other woman in her tracks.

"She hasn't told you, has she?" Andy asks quietly.

Emily just glares at her like Andy is an idiot. "Yes, she absolutely has explained everything." Emily rolls her eyes, sarcasm just dripping off her words. "Of course not, Ahndreya. You know perfectly well she never explains anything to the minions. Why should this be any different?"

"Because she explicitly told me that, if I had questions, to see you, Nigel or Serena."

"Why on earth would she do that?" Emily probes. She definitely needs more than that if Andy thinks she's getting past her to Runway.

"Because, the child she was carrying when you saw us on Friday…" Andy keeps her voice as low as she can. "Is Miranda's, as well as mine."

Emily stares at her for long moments, unblinking. "What?"

"Which is why I need you to revoke the ban you put in place and let me upstairs." Andy continues as if Emily didn't speak. "We do not want to be continuing this conversation in full view of the public and I certainly do not want to call Miranda to do it at this point."

She waits for a moment, hoping the woman in front of her shakes herself out of her shock, but it does not appear to be happening.

"EM." She snarls lowly, her patience being sorely tested at this point. "Snap out of it."

Emily finally blinks, and gathers herself. "Right, right. Let's do that then. But you are telling me everything once we get upstairs."

She turns back to the security desk and speaks to them for a moment before snatching the presented Visitor's Pass from the guy and turning back to Andy.

"Here, do not lose it and return it when you leave. It's temporary, for now." She grabs Andy by the arm and drags her to the lift. Andy can't help smiling to herself as she hears a much-missed muttering of 'I love my job, I love my job.'

She lets Andy go to punch the button for the 15th floor and the door-close button, not allowing anyone else onto the lift with them.

"Um, Em. Runway is still on 17."

"I am aware. 'L'homme Urbain' is on the 15th and that is where Nigel is. I can't just let you up to Runway without his or Miranda's permission. Clearly, you don't wish to speak to Miranda this instant and if what you are saying is true, then you know why we are going to Nigel."

"Not really." Andy responds. "As much information as I have been given in the last few days, I haven't been informed of what connection you guys have with Miranda, other than the obvious. It'll be great to see him though."

Emily sighs, as she rubs at her temples. "Of course, Miranda would do this to me. Fine, fine. Nigel is her second-in-command. Has been longer than I have been alive, and that is all I will say until we are in his office."

The ding of the elevator announces their arrival on the 15th floor and Emily leads Andy through a maze of corridors, ending in front of a door marked 'Nigel Kipling - Editor In Chief'.