Where is that silly girl? Is having the book at my side by eleven really that difficult? Miranda sighed running her fingers through her now unruly silver mane. "Fine. I'll go to Runway." Thanking the gods that her daughter's were with their father this weekend, she pulled her coat from the hall closet and stalked out to her black BMW.

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Unlocking the door to the Elias Clarke building and walking purposefully through the lobby of the glass building. Deciding to forgo the metal death trap most know as an elevator. It was a widely known fact that Miranda never let a single soul into the elevator with her, but it was unknown that it was because of a large case of claustrophobia that had sprouted from her older brother locking her in their closet for hours at a time in her childhood. Glad she had decided on wearing her Prada flats instead of the six inch Jimmy Choos she had been wearing earlier that day. She was although, annoyed because she knew the short stature the silver shoes gave her. Miranda made quick work of the 17 flights of stairs silently thanking her personal trainer she saw three times a week. Walking into the hall of the Runway offices and noticed the darkness, as if there was not a soul on the entire floor. Sighing quietly she walked silently into the outer office, and she heard sniffling coming from her own office.

"Nate, I'm sorry! No, I know you wanted me home by 10…" A sob escaped the woman's throat. "Yes, you're right, I know, I'll figure something out, maybe Emily will take the book for me this week. Nate, you know I can't quit, we can't afford it…" Andrea was dissolving into tears on her boss's couch.

Miranda gasped as she heard her second assistant breaking down in her office, she was… worried for the girl. Which would have, if it had been anyone but her Andrea, annoyed and surprised her, but she had grown to respect and have a type of, like, for the young woman.

"Nate! I know, I'll take whatever consequences you give me when I get home all right, I really need to get the book to Miranda, I'm already late. Yes, okay. Good bye." Andrea ended the call and sighed loudly, deciding she needed to wash her face before heading to the townhouse she walked into Miranda's ensuite bathroom.

Miranda was at a loss, Do I go in… Or pretend I was never here… She's hurting, could I help her? She sighed and ran her fingers through her tresses once again. Yes,. The editor decided, I shall help the young beauty. Wait- What… No Miranda chastised herself, Woman-I definitely meant woman. Yes,.

She walked into her office and stared at the bathroom door, although Andrea thought she was alone, it was shut, and she was sure she had heard the younger woman lock the door. Interesting…

Miranda sat on the surprisingly comfortable couch made of soft black leather, Miranda had chosen the couch herself after her first husband, Richard had been caught literally with his pants down, and her then second assistant on top of him on her then-couch. Miranda shuddered at the thought. Sighing for what felt like the upteemth time that evening she allowed herself to relax back into the soft and warm leather. Then the door to the bathroom door clicked open.

A small gasp left Andrea's throat as she saw her usually put together boss looking slightly disheveled and oddly relaxed.

"Oh Andrea, you have decided to leave my bathroom." The older woman spoke icily, without opening her eyes to look at the younger woman.

"Oh, Yes… I-I had to wash my face, and I was about to go to the town house, and ah, deliver the Book… I realize I'm late, sorry but I was, momentarily detained." Andy finished lamely.

"Why is it that you feel the need to bore me with your explanat-" Miranda looked up at her assistant and the icy words died on her lips. "Oh Andrea…" Her voice was soft, gasp like.

Miranda quickly jumped to her feet and allowed a trembling hand to reach out to the woman in question.

Andrea jumped slightly, "Please, don't." She cursed herself for sounding as broken as she felt.

"What happened?"

For a moment Andy was confused by the question, but she soon realized that when washing the tears from her face, she also scrubbed away the vast majority of the well-used make up which had been covering her bruised face.

"I-uh, fell." Andy's words came out a broken sob, she lifted a hand to cover her mouth and as she did she heard the older woman gasp again.

"And your hand?"

Andy had forgotten about the fact that her left hand was slightly deformed, two of her fingers clearly broken and the palm swollen. She nodded.

"Yes, the uh, fall was it?" Miranda continued to speak softly, though the usual ice behind her words had gone and been replaced with a worried warmth.

Andy nodded again. "Well, Now that you're here…" She took in a deep shuddering breath, "I can give you the book, and get home. No dry cleaning on Friday, so…" She allowed her voice to trail off and brought her hand back down to her side. "Nate expects me so, I suppose I'll go then?"

"Your chef boyfriend, correct?" Not waiting for the brunette to respond she continued, "Yes, you could, but I'd rather you let me take you to the hospital." Seeing the panic rise in the Coffee colored eyes she modified her request, "Or at least let me look, I took nursing classes a while ago and, I'd like to help you."

Andy wasn't quite sure what to do, her desire to flee was quickly being beaten out by her desire to fall into the arms of the older woman and weep. "No." She shook her head adamantly, "No hospital, I don't do hospitals. Ever."

Miranda nodded, "Very well, allow me to drive you to the town house then?" Miranda watched the young woman look at her seemingly confused at the offer. "Well, the girls are at their grandparent's for the next two weeks, and I have quite a few guest rooms, and I would personally prefer you to come home with me…" Miranda took a deep breath, "Then to go home to that." She allowed her hand to make some sort of movement she hoped Andy would see as a dismissal to her boyfriend.

Andy shuddered thinking what Nate would do if he found out she had gone home with Miranda, and for the first time that night she allowed her eyes to lock with the editor's. She was dreading to see anger or pity, worse yet, disappointment, but all she was was warmth, worry, and ...Love? Swimming in those beautiful blue eyes that had captivated her more than she's like to admit. And then Andy did something she hadn't in a while, she allowed a small smile to form on her lips.

"There's the Andrea I know and, uh know. Right, I'll get you back yet my dear. So, the townhouse?" Her voice sounded slightly nervous to the younger woman.

"Yeah, I uh.. Yeah, okay. I need to get my coat first, then we'll go."

Miranda nodded, eyes following her lovely doe eyed assistant. Fell my ass! Oh my darling beautiful Andrea, why would anyone hurt you. Oh dear, I'll keep you safe now. I promise.

"Shit." Miranda heard the girl whisper to herself in the outer office before hearing the sound of metal scraping the linoleum and then of Andrea retching into the trash bin. Hurrying out of her office and to Andrea's side she spoke quietly, "I am going to pull back your hair, I will not hurt you, you are safe." She spoke the words of comfort as she gathered the woman's long silky locks of hair in her one hand. "Now, I'm going to place my hand on your back." She saw Andy tense at her words before emptying her stomach into the bin again. "It's going to be all right my dear, you will be fine. I will help you, yes. I will be here for you. Every step my darling Andrea. Shh now, shh." She felt the woman tremble beneath her hand which had begun to rub soothing circles on the brunette's back. Andrea was crying, she would have none of that.

"Come Andrea." She pulled the girl to a standing position, albeit slouched. Pulling her Hermes' scarf from her neck she wiped the woman's mouth. "Now dear, let's get to the car and then you can tell me what got you so sick, hmmm?"

Andy nodded her consent as Miranda fetched and helped her into her coat. She allowed the older woman to pull her to the elevator, and relished in the feeling of warmth the woman was giving her. Be it any other circumstances Andy would have been both floored and thrilled with the fact that she was not only sharing an elevator with Miranda, but also leaning into her side.

Feeling herself being pulled through the lobby and into a dimly lit parking garage the young woman struggled to keep her eyes open, the stress of it all was settling on her shoulders and she was very tired.

Miranda must have noticed this because she spoke lovingly, "We're almost there my darling, then you must tell me what happened, then you can sleep." Andy nodded again, shivering against the cold of the night, only to be pulled into Miranda's side. It was so much different to Nate's, while his was muscular and strong, there was a stiffness, a discomfort in being so near, Miranda was soft and warm, and being snuggled into her side made her feel safe and content like she hadn't in years.

Miranda then helped Andy into the BMW before slipping into the driver's side. Taking a quick glance at the passenger of her vehicle, she started her car and pulled onto the road.

"Now, will you tell me what made you sick?" Miranda kept her eyes focused on the road as she could almost feel Andy tense in the seat next to her's.

"I suppose I should, Nate uh-texted me is all."

"About…?"

Andy cleared her suddenly dry throat, "Where I was, and that I needed to get home, It's Friday… And he, uh.. Expects me to, well-preform, my uh-" Andy's voice broke into a small sob before she regained her metaphorical footing, "My duty as his girlfriend. I should go home Miranda, he'll be very angry, he could come after you. Oh God, he will. He will go after you, he know's I wouldn't be able to stand it if-Oh God. Miranda, I don't think this was a good Idea." Her breath was labored and shallow.

"Andrea, listen to me, you are starting to have a panic attack. Just listen to me." She moved her hand to grab Andy's lightly, "I need you to focus on my voice, can you do that for me, Darling?" Andy nodded quickly. "Good, now I'm going to count to five. You need to take deep breaths and just focus on me, we're almost home Darling." Andy nodded again, her breathing slowly turning to normal at Miranda's words of comfort. "Five...Four...Three...Two...One." By now Andrea's breathing had returned to normal. "Good, now, no one will be getting anywhere near me, or you that matter. Just focus on me, okay?" Andy nodded once again.

"Okay." She was still breathless and she grasped Miranda's hand tighter, relishing in the warm contact she was having with the editor. "Th-thank you." She closed her eyes and laid back against the comfortable seat.

"You'll be just fine my dear, I promise." Miranda squeezed her hand. "I promise."

Miranda pulled her BMW into the garage and unbuckled herself before getting out and opening the younger woman's car door. "We're here now, let's get inside and see what the damage is okay?"

Andy just nodded again before allowing Miranda to help her from the luxury car. Miranda led the young woman into the house and up two flights of stairs to the den. The room was painted a soft creme and the floor was a deep mahogany covered in the navy area rug with gold bordered edges. The furniture was dark colors, and seemingly over-stuffed. It looked cozy, maybe because of the large fireplace taking over a large portion of the south wall.

"You sit here, I need to get the kit, it's down the hall in the restroom. Will you be all right?" Miranda motioned to the couch and helped the younger woman sit on the burgundy love seat.

Andy nodded, slumping against the comfortable fabric. Her eyes slid close, she was so very tired. "Y-yes. I'll be okay." Her voice was still shaken.

"Okay then, right back." Miranda spoke softly still, though she wanted nothing more than to scream and yell at the asshole that hurt her Andrea. My Andrea..? What am I saying, she belongs to no one. She is so beautiful… Miranda stood watching the girl lay against the soft couch. Shaking her head and sparing one last glance at the beautiful woman before leaving to get the first aid kit.

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"There now, are you all right darling?" Miranda asked the woman as she walked back into the warm den. When Andrea didn't respond the older woman was worried, but finding the girl soundly asleep on the couch she took in a deep breath. "Andrea darling, you need to wake up. Andrea sweetheart?" Miranda placed a hand on her shoulder and Andrea's body surged forward.

"NO!" She screamed waving her arms in front of her before curling her legs into herself and breaking into sobs. "Don't touch me! No! I'm sorry, I'll be better Nate! Just don't touch me anymore." Tears were streaming down her face, "Please…" She sniffed burying her head between her knees. "Please…"

Miranda jumped back, shocked at the outburst, and as it continued she chastised herself for scaring the girl so. "Andrea, darling, it's me. Miranda, I'm not here to hurt you. Nate isn't here. Just you and me." She got to her knees in front of the younger woman. "Okay? Just us. Have I ever told you how much you amaze me? Well, you do Andrea, you're so strong, so smart, oh yes, not just anyone can handle working for the devil." While speaking the soothing words, Andy slowly unfolded herself and looked into the eyes of the silver haired beauty.

"NO." Andy spoke with a force that scared herself. "No, don't speak about yourself that way. You're not the devil. I promise." Andy sighed wiping her tears from her battered cheeks. "Please, I don't think of you that way, I-I never have. So don't… Please."

Miranda was shocked, but nodded anyway. "Okay, will you let me help you now Andrea?"

The girl nodded and Miranda sat to the task at hand, thinking of what had transpired.

Neither talked as Miranda fixed up the Doe eyed beauty in front of her. "Okay, all better. Bed?"

At the stiffing of her body Miranda spoke quickly, "To sleep, where ever you choose. Just to sleep." Andy nodded, her body was exaughsted.

"I-I know this is uh, odd… To say the least, but could I um, uh…"

"Yes, Darling?" Miranda gently coaxed the words from her mouth.

"Stay with you, In your room I mean…"

Miranda smiled lightly at the younger woman. "Of course. Now… Bed?"

Andy returned the smile. It was strained, but a smile and it relaxed the older woman slightly.

"Let's go then, hmm?"