Disclaimer: I do not own The Devil Wears Prada. No copyright infringement intended.

Rating: MA – sexually explicit

Pairing: Miranda/Andy

Summary: Miranda's opulent home in the Hamptons is the venue for the fast approaching inaugural Miranda Priestly Benefit for the Arts Masked Ball. Miranda and Andy arrive at the house 48 hours prior to the event to oversee preparations. A lot can happen in 48 hours.

Not beta read – mistakes are mine. My second fanfic story, good or bad I welcome your comments!

The Perfect Partner

By PurpleKind

"If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it."

Isadora Duncan

Andy was actually excited about tonight's event. The inaugural Miranda Priestly Benefit for the Arts Masked Ball. The money raised would be distributed to a variety of arts organizations throughout the city. She dropped the bath towel on the bedroom floor as she reached for the garment bag. She had to look, she couldn't wait any longer, just had to look. Pulling down the long zipper her eyes flew wide at the creation inside. It was a gloriously beautiful gown, white satin, with silver, deep purple, and cerulean blue accents. The mask was just as beautiful using the same colors. She laughed out loud when she pulled out the shoes, white satin slippers with a 1" heel.

CHAPTER 1

As the car came to a stop Andy turned to look at Miranda fully.

"I thought you said it was a house? The Hampton house you said."

"What on earth are you talking about Andrea?"

"Thaaaat," pointing and wiggling her index finger toward the building, "is a mansion, not a house."

Miranda rolled her eyes, "Oh, do be serious Andrea, it only has six bedrooms. Now get out of the car."

Andy stepped out and walked away from the car to get a better look at the beautiful building. The building that Miranda refers to as "the Hampton house" is more like something out of The Great Gatsby.

"Good Lord." Andy said out loud trying to take in the scope of it.

Sounding exasperated Miranda said, "Come along Andrea."

"Yeah, yeah glacial pace..." Andy replied equally exasperated.

"You know I liked you better when you were afraid of me." Miranda quipped, a little twinkle in her eye.

"Oh no you didn't." Andy quipped right back, smiling.

"Yes it's true. I don't like you nearly as much now." Miranda said with the tug of a smirk on her lips.

"I thought you didn't like me at all then." Andy mused smiling.

"Touché, Darling." Miranda quipped again smirking.

Andy and Miranda have grown close these six months after Paris. Miranda respected the spine it took for Andy to apologize after the 'fountain' incident and how Andy had shown such protectiveness of her, and the girls, during the press nightmare that was her divorce from Stephen. Miranda had found herself relaxing around Andrea, quite enjoying the playful banter that has developed between them. Neither one was sure what exactly they were to each other, but they were both aware of the constant pull and they knew they could count on one another and that had been enough….but hope nudges at them both.

As they made their way up the large stone staircase to the front door, Andy tripped a little while trying to look around. Miranda quickly grabbed Andy's elbow to steady her.

"For heaven's sake Andrea, I'll give you the tour later." Miranda scolded.

Martha, the live-in housekeeper and cook, greeted Miranda and Andy at the door. Martha informed Miranda that the house was ready for her and that she had left dinner warming in the kitchen.

"Thank you Martha, please just leave the food in the warmer, we will serve ourselves later. You are free to retire for the night."

"Thank you Miranda and breakfast will be served at 8AM in the solarium."

Miranda nodded to Martha then turned to Andy "This way, we will go freshen up before we eat."

"Okay." Andy replied automatically, following after Miranda. Andy's eyes were everywhere, oriental rugs, highly polished dark wood floors, ornate staircase, the paintings on the walls, bouquets of flowers in large vases on antique tables.

Andy tripped again going up the stairs, "Andrea, honestly, you're going to give me a heart attack, Will you please watch where you are going." Miranda scolded.

"Sorry." Andy mumbled and thought 'Yeah right I'm going to give you the heart attack.'

Miranda led her to the end of an elegant hall, "Now, my bedroom is here, and yours is right there." Miranda gestured to the door directly across from hers.

"I trust you can make it safely from here?" Miranda queried smirking.

"Funny. Fuuunnny boss lady." Andy deadpanned.

"Very well, I will see you in 20 minutes." Miranda said while entering her bedroom and closing the door.

"Okay" Andy mumbled feeling a little lost. She turned and opened her own bedroom door, and without realizing she was doing it out loud, wolf whistled.

Miranda had paused on the other side of her bedroom door wondering if she would hear Andrea's reaction to her room – she wasn't disappointed as she heard the loud wolf whistle. Miranda chuckled as she made her way to her en suite.

The room is huge. The ceilings are like fifteen feet high. The room glowed warm lit by what Andy could only guess were antique Tiffany lamps. Andy entertained herself looking around, such beautiful things. Is that like silk wall paper? Oh My God it is. The furniture was a beautiful cherry wood, with accents in pale blue…no wait…is that Cerulean? The bed is an enormous four poster canopy, in the corner near the glass doors was a large vanity. When she looked over the contents on top she noticed a bottle of her own brand of perfume…hmmmm. Looking in the drawers she was surprised to see a variety of make-up that would compliment her coloring…wow that's nice. Definitely her favorite piece in the room is a large writing desk set in front of the glass doors. Its dark out but it appears to be a stone balcony outside the doors…I wonder if you can see the ocean during the day. Looking into the enormous armoire there was a great variety of clothing in it – must be over flow from Miranda's room. Making her way to the bathroom she wolf whistled again. Looking forward to a long soak in that claw-foot tub, you could definitely fit three people in there. Turning to the sinks, she decided to freshen up a bit.

By the time she finished brushing her teeth, washing her face, and running a brush thru her hair it was time to meet Miranda.

Andy waited in the hall for her. When Miranda exited her room, Andy beamed, Miranda looked completely refreshed and had changed into casual clothes. She was awed at how Miranda could put in a full day's work, sit in a car in traffic for several hours, then spend just 20 minutes 'freshening up' and look so beautiful.

"Why didn't you change out of your work clothes?" Miranda asked.

"I didn't…I…was I supposed to?"

"Did you not find the clothes in the armoire?"

"I thought they were yours."

"Andrea, honestly, did I not say it was your room?" Miranda chided. "Never mind, come along."

As they made their way to the kitchen Miranda said, "All of the attire in your room is in your size and for your use. Did you find the room acceptable?"

"Oh yes it's beautiful Miranda. Is the blue in that room Cerulean?" Andy whispered her question.

"Yes… yes I believe it is." Miranda didn't look at Andrea as she answered hoping to cover up the blush that just spread across her cheeks.

As they entered the elaborately appointed kitchen Miranda motioned to one of the bar stools, so Andy took a seat.

"Do you need any help?" Andy asked.

"No, no, it will only take a minute" Miranda said as she went about pulling the food out of the oven and fixing them both a plate then getting bottled water out of the fridge.

"Thank You." Andy said as Miranda handed her a plate. Miranda settled herself next to Andy. When Andy took a bite she moaned loudly "Oh my God this is delicious! Is Martha married?"

Miranda chuckled "No, she is not."

They ate in companionable silence. When Andy was done she leaned back with a contented sigh and rubbing her tummy "I am so asking her to marry me."

Miranda smirked "Get in line I'm still waiting for an answer."

Andy laughed out loud at that.

Miranda chuckled with her "She's also quite an accomplished baker. I would venture to say there is a cake or cookies or some such thing lurking about." Miranda smirked at Andy's wide-eyed expression of expectation. "Fetching expression, your blood hound tendencies will serve you well in your pursuit." Miranda quipped.

"Again with the funny boss lady." Andy deadpanned.

Smiling, Miranda said, "Go on, look around, I'm sure you'll find something." Miranda wanted to encourage Andy to become more familiar with the house, to feel at ease.

Andy jumped up and started rummaging thru the kitchen. Miranda picked up the plates and stood at the sink rinsing them off and putting them in the dishwasher.

Andy quickly found home- made chocolate chip cookies in a large jar on one of the counters. "Success!" she exclaimed.

Miranda chuckled again, " I had every faith in your abilities."

Smiling, Andy bit into a cookie and moaned, "This is so good! You've got to try one."

Miranda was just a bit distracted by the affect that Andy's moan had on her, but recovered quickly to say politely "No thank you."

"No seriously you have to try one."

Miranda shook her head.

"Just a bite," Andy neared Miranda cookie in hand, "just a little bite."

Andy broke off a small piece and held it close to Miranda's lips. Rolling her eyes, Miranda acquiesced and leaned in to capture the piece of cookie lightly with her teeth and lips encasing the tips of Andy's fingers in the process. Their eyes met for a very heated moment as they both felt the electricity that shot between them.

They both quickly looked away.

Miranda recovered first, "Would you mind a rather abbreviated tour? I find I'm rather tired after our journey and I still have to go over the Book it should be on-line by now."

"No, of course, I'm a little tired myself." Andy replied, avoiding Miranda's eyes.

"This way." Miranda said and led them toward the back of the house to the solarium.

It was gloriously beautiful, full of emerald green foliage, colorful, fragrant flowers in bloom, several seating areas and…and…."You have a pool." Andy said in dumbfounded amazement.

"Yes" Miranda stated quietly, noticing Andy's eyes were huge.

"You have a pool in your sunroom." Andy stated again, not quite believing the opulence in front of her.

"Solarium and yes." Miranda replied. Miranda could feel Andy's discomfort. Miranda was hoping it wasn't judgment. She had exposed Andrea to many beautiful and extravagant hotels, corporate jets, etc. But a privately owned home of this magnitude and luxury was something very different. Even the townhouse in the city did not remotely compare.

"It's heated?" Andy enquired still awe struck.

"Yes it is. It was very useful when the girls were small. I wanted a private place where I could teach them to swim myself. You are welcome to use it whenever you like. I believe you will find a bathing suit in your room." Miranda attempted to say it lightly, trying to get Andy to relax.

"Okay, thank you." Andy replied rather numbly.

"Come along Andrea" Miranda said rather firmly this time trying to shake Andy out of her stupor.

Miranda very quickly escorted Andy through the immaculate formal dining room, which seated thirty, and decided the next room would be the last for the evening.

Opening a large set of double-doors Miranda said, "And the reason we are here," Miranda gestured inside, "the ballroom."

When Miranda flipped the light switch Andy gasped audibly putting her hand over her heart. Miranda watched Andy's eyes light up at the beauty of the room, yes, but also something else….excitement…..longing… and then a little sadness.

Andy didn't hesitate to walk fully into this room.

Miranda watched as Andy, very subtly, bounced on the balls of her feet, as if she was testing the floor boards...curious.

Andy continued to look around the room, enamored with all the gilded mirrors along the main wall, the width and breadth of the dance floor, the murals on the ceiling, the two crystal chandeliers, the enormous set of glass doors that led onto the stone terrace and into the formal garden on the property.

Miranda was pleased that her Andrea was clearly enjoying this room. It was her favorite as well, one of the main reasons she bought this house.

Miranda continued to watch as Andrea's hand stayed over her heart, and the fingertips of her other hand covered her lips. Is she starting to cry?

Andy spoke before Miranda could move toward her.

"Miranda it is so beautiful, I …I…" Andy's voice trailed off as she turned her back to Miranda and walked closer to the glass doors obviously trying to reign in her emotions.

Miranda began to ask softly, "Andrea are you alrig..."

Andy cut off her question, trying to sound normal asking "So the terrace leads out to a garden?" Andy discretely wiped at the corners of her eyes.

"Yes, yes it does, to the formal garden on the property." Miranda answered still confused by what could have possibly upset Andrea so.

"Miranda I'm really am tired is it ok if we turn in?" Andy asked a little weakly.

"Certainly." Miranda replied turning off the light switch and closing the doors as Andy exited quickly making for the stairs. Miranda had to exert some effort trying to close the distance to Andy.

"Goodnight Miranda." Andy called out over her shoulder as she opened and quickly closed her bedroom door.

Miranda was still a few paces behind Andrea, "Goodnight." Miranda replied and paused outside her door wondering what had just happened?

Andy made her way straight to the bathroom and turned on the water to the bathtub. She found a hair tie in the vanity and pulled her hair up as she walked back to the bathroom. There were towels on the rack next to the tub, so she quickly stripped down and gingerly eased into the hot water. Holding her legs to her chest she started to rock herself and bowed her head as she started to cry.

Miranda had no idea what was going on with Andrea, but she was worried and disappointed. She had invited Andrea to spend these two nights prior to the benefit, which was really not necessary as the decorators and caterers for the event wouldn't even really get busy until Friday morning. But selfishly, Miranda wanted the opportunity to spend some time with her alone, hoping that they might be able to explore this…this pull, this attraction, dare she even think it…this love?