Surrender and Certainty (9/?)
Title: Surrender and Certainty
Fandom: the Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Miranda/Andy
Rating: M
Summary: AU - Andy must lie to Miranda to do her job and bring down an elaborate crime ring involving Irv Ravitz. Circumstances will force Andy back into Miranda's professional and personal life whether the editor wants it or not. Will she be able to trust the brunette and let her in to her heart?
Disclaimers: Not mine, obviously. Just taking them out of the box for entertainment and will return them when finished (or not).
A/N: I apologize for taking longer than normal with this chapter. I had to work late this week and am away from home. As always thank you for your continued support in reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following. Enjoy! Reviews are like sour patch kids and popcorn at the movies!
The agent knew what was going to happen as soon as she took the call from Hastings asking her to divert to the office for a brief meeting this morning. She was taking her off the case, not removing her as Miranda's personal body guard, but she'd have no hand in bring in Karoff if Hastings had anything to say about it. She was waiting in the deputy director's office preparing to fight her boss on this when she walked in.
"I know why you called me in," Andy stated trying to keep her voice level.
"I'm sure you do," Hastings replied. "From here on out, you are Miranda's personal detail and you'll have nothing more to do with this case."
"You know nobody else has the same knowledge with this case that I do."
"You're right, which is why I'm tasking you with getting Russell up to speed."
"This is a mistake," Andy said haughtily.
"Your objections are noted," Hastings said dismissing her.
Andy was still livid as she approached her desk at Runway. Several clackers had jumped out of her way as she maneuvered through the lobby to the elevator simply because of the scowl on her face. She pressed the button for the executive floor where Miranda's new office was located knowing just seeing Miranda would make her feel better. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. She greeted Heather, the Chief Financial Officer's new assistant and a fellow agent. The brunette checked through the small window beside the door noting that the former editor was meeting with Nigel and Miranda so she plopped down into her chair rather ungracefully.
Heather typed a short message to her saying she hadn't seen anything suspicious and Andy thanked her. She straightened up and focused on her computer screen and tried to manage Miranda's schedule. It was another couple hours before Nigel and Emily both left her office and Andy barely acknowledged either of them. Her head had started pounding mercilessly and she was trying to massage her temples with her fingertips when the auras appeared in her vision.
"Andréa?" The brunette looked up but winced at the harsh lighting and saw a flash of concern in the newly appointed CEO's eyes. "We need to go over our publications and I could use another pair of eyes." Andy stood and followed Miranda into her office. Once the door was shut, she felt the soft touch of Miranda's hand at her lower back guiding her to the couch on the far side of the room. "You have a migraine." It wasn't a question. The older woman left her and poured a packet into a mug of hot water. "Here, drink this."
"Miranda, this is your medication."
She rolled her eyes. "Obviously. It is migraine medication is it not?" Andy nodded. "And you have a migraine, so take the medication."
"Yes, Miranda," the brunette complied.
"Good, now, I really do need your eyes once your head is no longer pounding. I'll need you to take half of this stack and help me decide if the magazine should go in a different direction."
Fifteen minutes later, Andy was able to open her eyes and focus on the glossy pages to help Miranda. The first one she picked up was Auto Universe. There was a picture of a new Corvette with two nearly naked women leaning against the paint. Anyone with any car interest knew the oil in your skin would ruin the paint if you didn't wash it right away. Andy flipped through several pages and was not impressed. As a car enthusiast herself, she would never read this. Miranda looked up hearing the magazine hit the floor. "Crap, utter crap," Andy sighed.
"You are a car enthusiast?"
Andy nodded. "A true enthusiast would never read this junk. A teenager looking for something to jerk-off to might though."
"That's rather crude," Miranda commented.
Andy shrugged. "If the shoe fits."
"And how would you like to see this magazine?"
"The cover shouldn't be about women. It should be about the car. Take a '67 Shelby GT500 for example. It's a classic sexy car that needs nothing else to showcase its majesty other than a perfectly done polish and wax and a photographer that can make its beauty really shine."
"You seem to have an idea for this."
Andy pulled up a picture on google of the car she was describing. It was gunmetal gray with black accents, the sun setting behind it and the surrounding scenery blurry creating an unreal image. The light and shadows played perfectly together. "This car doesn't need anything to enhance its beauty. It'd look just as sexy in a garage. Now, if you want to include something about women to draw in more readers my opinion is you find yourself a lovely grease monkey who will give you a unique perspective working in an extremely male dominated field."
Miranda stared at her with her mouth hanging open. "You are a very talented and clever woman," she stated with awe.
"I'm observant and happen to be interested in reading this magazine if it goes back to its roots. Twenty years ago, you would have seen a muscle car on the front with all sorts of specifications and builds about how to get more horsepower out of the stock engine."
"And you believe more people would read it then?"
"Based on the numbers I'm seeing on your screen here," she said over the older woman's shoulder pointing. “The calculations show circulation is down and so is customer satisfaction.” The position was much more intimate than it seemed with Andy's lips so close to her ear. "So, yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you." She could feel how tense the older woman was.
"And who do you suggest we get to bring about this idea of yours?"
"A grease monkey, of course," she shrugged. "Although you could always call a consultant that would give us ideas based on what they do on a day to day basis. Custom shops are starting to pop-up everywhere now. Everyone wants a custom paint job or some sort of modification. Not to mention there's always rebuilds and restorations."
"You may be on to something with that. I can get a slightly less experienced and inexpensive editor in here and simply pay a small fee for a consultation on what to use in the next issue. It's genius."
"Glad you think so," Andy smiled. "Now, I'll give you your first issue. You put the car I showed you on the cover. I'd get Patrick to do the shoot at a remote racetrack in upstate New York. I'll even find a driver for you. Your spread concerning the cover will be about how to restore this baby from the ground up. I'll even get you an exclusive."
"And just how are you planning on doing all of this?"
"You let me worry about that. I have a friend who owns the car in question, restored it herself, and would be more than happy to showcase its beauty." Andy smiled stepping away from Miranda and returned to her half of the magazine stack.
The CEO was still staring at her as she glanced through Smart Money. "I sincerely hope you never cease to surprise me."
"I'll try my best," Andy smiled.
"Would you like to discuss what happened this morning that caused you to give yourself a migraine?"
"I got pulled from the case."
"What?"
"Don't worry I'd be remaining as your personal detail even if Hastings hadn't accepted it. She knows I wouldn't have left you even if it cost me my career. Which it still might if the director in D.C. catches wind of what I plan to do in a few days if they still don't have any damn idea who broke in."
"Please, don't jeopardize your career for me."
The brunette stood and walked over to the CEO's chair. She knelt in front of her. "My career has mattered less and less to me since Paris. I wouldn't give it up without a fight but if it ever becomes a choice between it and you," she said her voice thick with emotion as she cupped Miranda's cheek. "Please know that I'd always choose you." Miranda had tears in her eyes as she leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss to the agent's plump lips.
That night Andy called Russell to see if any progress was made and sent her everything she had on the case. Of course, they still had nothing and Andy wished she could look at the evidence. Knowing Russell was as by the book as you could get, Andy decided to not even try to convince the woman to give her details. She had a stick so far up her ass you couldn't even see it to pull it out anymore.
Miranda spent the night going over several more magazines under Elias-Clarke's repertoire while the girls and Andy were having a rather intense competitive game of scrabble. "No way! That's not a word!" Cassidy screeched.
"Za, is most definitely a word. It's slang for Pizza." Andy countered.
"No way! Moooommm!"
"Yes Bobbseys?"
"Andy’s cheating!"
"I am not! Look it up!" Andy searched for it on google.
"Oh man!" Caroline sighed looking down at the screen. "Za is slang for pizza. How did you know that?"
"I was a college student once upon a time and I love me some Za!"
"Really, Andréa, you have a far better vocabulary than that. And Bobbseys, remember that Andréa is much older than you," she smirked when Andy took offense. "And her vocabulary is much more robust than your own."
"Does that mean you vocabulary is better than mine?"
"Of course, it is, darling," Miranda smiled.
"Well, how about a wager?" Andy challenged.
"Girls, cover your ears," Miranda smirked and waited for the twins to follow her directions. "If you win, I'll let you do anything you like to me for the entire night."
"And if you win?" Andy wondered.
"I get to tease you mercilessly all day and then take you on my nice new mahogany desk," Miranda's lips curled mischievously. Andy felt her stomach do summersaults and found herself unable to speak properly so she simply nodded her acceptance. "And no throwing the game," Miranda warned her eyes narrowing.
Andy shook her head. "I wouldn’t dare," she replied.
Miranda motioned for the girls to uncover their ears. "Finish your game, then off to bed."
"Aww, mom!" Caroline whined.
"No buts Caroline, it's already past your normal bedtime."
Andy was off her game for the rest of the match with the twins and ended up only barely winning. The twins got ready for bed and Andy picked up their board sliding the pieces back into the gray bag. She poured two glasses of bourbon and waited while Miranda tucked the girls in. "They say good night."
The brunette smiled and yelled. "Goodnight, girls!"
"Really, Andréa?"
"Yes, really. Now, draw a tile to see who goes first," the agent was right down to business and Miranda raised a challenging brow. "Closest to 'a' goes first."
Miranda drew her tile and looked at it with a grin. "Your turn, darling."
"You're not going to show me?" the older woman shook her head. "Fine," Andy chose her tile and looked at it covering up her frown. "Show me yours I'll show you mine," she smiled. The former blonde revealed her tile and Andy groaned.
"Well, I believe that tells me all I need to know," the older woman grinned and Andy showed her the tile. She started laughing and soon the brunette joined her. Miranda picked her tiles and took a moment to think about what word to play. "I think I'll pass, you go first."
Andy narrowed her eyes suspiciously but pulled out her tiles anyway. She played waive for fifteen points.
Miranda smiled. It's wasn't a bad move, going first usually didn't score you any big points but she had some good letters to work with. When her tiles were placed, she looked up at the brunette with a smile. "You've got to be kidding me! How did you manage to get the 'q' on your first draw? That's... Damn it, forty-nine points." Miranda shrugged. Andy's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I'm watching you Priestly."
A couple hours later, saw them so close in score it would come down to their last handful of tiles. Andy's last word was zonk for sixty six points putting her thirty-two points ahead. "A very nice move, Andréa," she said taking the last few tiles. "Flop for thirty-five points I believe," the former blonde smiled. Andy sighed and pushed the board away. "Now, now, Andréa. No one likes a sore loser," Miranda smirked as she slipped her shoe off. Her foot started at Andy's ankle and slowly slid up her leg.
"Is this part of my teasing?" the agent wondered breathlessly.
"Maybe," the former blonde shrugged. She caressed Andy's thigh with her stocking clad foot.
"This wasn't part of the wager," the brunette moaned staring at her love with hooded eyes.
"I'm aware, darling,"
"Bedroom. Now."
Chairs scrapped against the floor tile and both women ignored it. She really hoped the girls were asleep. In her haste to round the table, Miranda knocked the board game and pieces on the floor. The brunette was positive that she'd end up losing several letters but could have cared less. Andy was utterly grateful they didn't have stairs to climb as she stumbled backwards and her back hit the wall. Miranda attacked her neck with her lips, teeth, and tongue as her hands slid along bare thighs under Andy's boxers.
The former editor sucked the skin at the conjunction of the agent's neck and shoulder. Deft fingertips found the bare skin under her tank top and skimmed across a flat stomach causing the muscles to twitch under her touch. Andy moaned and titled her head to give Miranda better access as her lips made a path to her ear and her tongue ran along the outer shell. "Fuck," the brunette hissed gripping the former blonde's hips tightly. "Are we really doing this here?" she asked breathing heavily.
"Yes, right here, against your kitchen wall," Miranda smiled against her skin. She pushed her tank top up her torso revealing smooth alabaster skin and her mouth moved down her chest where her lips wrapped around a nipple. Andy gasped tangling a hand in the CEO's hair holding her there. Thumbs hooked into her boxers and underwear yanking both down at the same time. Miranda moved to the other nipple and slid a hand to Andy's knee pulling her leg up to hook around her back.
Slender insistent fingers entered the brunette easily and set a rhythm. Miranda put all her weight into thrusting against Andy using her thigh as an anchor. Her lips trailed along the brunette's clavicle up her neck and across her jaw to her mouth. Andy moaned into their kiss allowing Miranda's tongue to slip inside and slide along hers. A warming sensation started in the pit of her stomach moving to her toes. She was so close. "More, Mira..." Andy gasped quietly breaking away from the very passionate kiss. The CEO complied adding another finger and brushed her thumb across Andy's clit. The orgasm rocked the agent to her core. Her back arched off the wall into the older woman and she bit her lip to attempt to keep herself from screaming. Instead of giving Andy time to recover, Miranda continued her movements although at a much slower pace until she built her love back up. Her second orgasm was stronger than the first and Miranda had to cover her mouth with her free hand to muffle Andy's cries.
Miranda held her tightly as Andy's body sagged with exhaustion. Arms hung loosely around the CEO's neck with her head resting against an arm. "Holy hell," she breathed against the older woman's neck. Miranda smirked as she brushed her thumb across her clit causing her to jerk. "Oh God..." Andy pushed her back gently.
"You are so incredibly beautiful when you come," the former blonde sighed and brushed a few strands of hair from Andy's face.
The brunette placed a hand on her chest and started walking her back towards the bar in the kitchen. Miranda yelped with surprise as she suddenly found herself naked and on top of the cool marble. Andy situated herself between the older woman's thighs hands stroking her skin as her mouth lavished attention on her chest. The brunette slowly made her way southward leaving open mouthed kisses on every inch of Miranda's skin that was in front of her and within reach until she was bent over. She was eye level with glistening wet folds and the older woman's scent was intoxicating. Her mouth watered and she felt a sudden urge to make Miranda come all over her face. She dove in with her tongue licking the entire length of the former blonde's folds.
Miranda leaned back on one arm while the other tangled in Andy's hair. She held the brunette to her and thrust her hips forward. The younger woman narrowed her tongue and pushed it inside Miranda's opening. "Ohhh..." Andy's nose bumped against her clit causing her to dig her heels into the brunette's back. The younger woman looked up briefly and saw Miranda's head thrown back, eyes closed, and mouth open in an 'o' shape. She looked gorgeous and it made Andy work all the harder to make her come. Moments later, thighs clamped around her ears and Miranda pushed her hips up so Andy was as close as possible. The brunette could feel her inner walls contract and her clit pulse. Her body went rigid and she grunted as the waves rolled through her.
Andy tenderly lapped her tongue around Miranda's core cleaning the mess she made before slowly making her way up her body and placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Miranda sighed against her and wrapped her arms around Andy's shoulders. "I love watching you come undone," the brunette murmured against her neck.
"It's most enjoyable," the older woman smirked. "Let's go to bed."
Andy smiled and helped her off the counter. Miranda picked their clothes up while Andy straightened up the apartment. The CEO was already snuggled under the covers when the brunette entered her room and she smiled at her content smile and tousled hair before slipping under the sheets on her side. "I love you," she said stroking Miranda's cheek and leaning forward to place a kiss to the corner of her mouth, chin, and nose.
"I love you, too," Miranda smiled softly and pulled the brunette to her. They were asleep in minutes. The former blonde's head resting just under Andy's chin, their legs intertwined, and arms draped over their midsections.
It had been four days. Andy was fucking pissed. Her anger rolled off her in waves as she marched through the office. Miranda was at work with one of Andy's handpicked team members currently guarding her. The brunette was here to demand answers. Four fucking days and nobody has come up with a single goddamned thing. People saw the look on the agent's face and scrambled to get out of her way. She needed to know who did this. She needed to protect Miranda and the girls. Just because they were staying with her didn't ensure their safety. Page six has been all over them, like white on rice, day in and day out between the divorce, break-in, and apparent affection between the two women. That was her next stop, in fact.
Hastings was sitting at her desk looking at something when Andy barged in not giving a rat's ass if she didn't want to be disturbed. "Well, come on in. Please, have a seat. What can I do for you Sachs?"
"I want to know who broke in to Miranda's house. Why don't we have anything yet?"
"There wasn't anything to find. No prints, no DNA and there are far too many people who'd hold a grudge against Miranda."
"This was personal. Her belongings were destroyed and I'm talking about priceless heirlooms, photographs, and artwork. There were big fucking 'x's on every bedroom door. You're telling me you don't think it was Karoff trying to scare her?"
"There's no proof that it was."
"Jesus, does he have to leave his damn card? The man is a sociopath and if he did this it could mean he knows about me. If he figured this out, Miranda and the girls are in danger! My family could be in danger!" Andy practically screamed at her boss in a fit of rage.
"What do you want me to do?" Hastings yelled back. "Huh? You're so smart, you tell me?"
"Put me back on the case."
"You know I can't do that, you're far too involved. You're lucky I'm letting you play bodyguard."
"You're damn right I'm involved! You're taking about the woman I love and her kids!" She took a step back and tried to calm herself, yelling was getting her nowhere. She needed to attempt to reason with her. "Let me look at what they found, I know this case better than anybody. Please, Amanda, they're my family now too. I can't lose them," Andy whispered her plea.
Hastings sighed. "Fine, but whatever you find you bring straight to me and we tell the team. You can't go off halfcocked and put yourself or the investigation at risk."
"Thank you," Andy sighed feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. As soon as she was out the door, she muttered, "better me than my family." And she walked toward the evidence locker to begin her search.
She called Miranda to check in with her while she sorted through the items that were bagged. "Hello, darling. Did you get what you went to the office for?" the editor wondered.
"Partially, I'm back on the case which means I can look at the evidence at least. How are you? Is your bodyguard doing a good job?"
"Oh she's fine; she's at your desk. I could have managed on my own for a couple hours."
"It's not going to be a couple hours, Mira. It's going to take me all day to get through all of this and I might have to go to the house afterwards." Her love was quiet. "Are you okay?"
"No," Miranda replied curtly. "Someone violated my home."
"I know sweetheart, I'll figure this out. Don't worry."
"What if you can't?"
Miranda's voice sounded so small it broke her heart. Andy had no idea what to say to soothe her love. "I will figure this out," she repeated a bit harsher than she meant to and Miranda didn't say anything. "I'm sorry, Mira, I didn't-"
"Darling, I know you are fiercely protective of me and the girls. I trust you. If you manage to find anything else at the house that isn't in tatters, could your bring it home with you?"
"Of course," Andy agreed. "I love you; call me if you need anything."
"I love you too, darling."
Andy hung up and continued to go through the evidence brought back from the house. There had to have been something left behind. They had to have missed something. She went over every piece of clothing and pulled every stray hair she found. She sent all of it off to the lab but found nothing else in evidence. She decided to go back to the house to check there.
Andy started in the kitchen remembering how much glass was in there. Most of the glass had been picked up or taken to the lab to be studied. The agent got her luminal and black light. She turned off the light and started to spray the surrounding areas. About an hour later, she was on her hands and knees looking under the kitchen cabinets. A glint caught her eye and she straightened out reaching with a gloved hand to pick up the stray piece of glass. It was glowing in the black light and she smiled triumphantly. She placed the piece in a plastic bag and placed it in her pocket for the time being.
The next room she went to was the study. It had been completely ransacked but it seemed fairly untouched which in her opinion was a problem. She picked up the room making it easier for her to find anything out of place and found a masculine glove that didn't belong. She added that to her collection of evidence putting it away in a plastic bag first. Her next stop was the bedrooms. It made her shudder to think that someone had seen such a private side to her love.
She checked the girls' rooms first and noted that even though the doors were crooked on their hinges and marked most of the room was left untouched. Something she had failed to notice the day it had happened. Only the items of import, of sentimental value, had been ruined. Their treasured knickknacks from their grandmother were shattered on the floor. Ribbons and awards were ripped and broken. She picked through their belongings to find a duffle bag and filled one for each of them with a few things. Andy had managed to find at least a few unbroken Fenton glass animals; a green frog, blue turtle, purple bear, and pink pig. She carefully wrapped them in the girls' clothes so they wouldn't break and moved to Miranda's room.
It was trashed. The whole room was chaos. Even her belongings had been ripped and strewn about. Luckily, she had taken her FBI credentials with her that day along with her side arm. At least the perpetrator would not know her true identity without a great deal more digging on their end. Hopefully, they would have this solved by then. Nearly nothing was salvageable from Miranda's bedroom and she gave up after an hour. Even the CEO’s perfume had been smashed on the bathroom floor. She went back to the study and pulled a few well-worn books she knew the older woman would find comforting and left.
The brunette checked her watch, it was well past dinner time now but she needed to drop off the evidence she found. She went straight to the lab to make sure it was put through as a rush. "Good evening, Karen, you're here late today," she observed.
"Yes, your team left me a mountain of evidence that I still have yet to get through."
"My team?" Andy questioned. "I got pulled off the case until this morning when I was technically insubordinate towards Hastings."
"Huh, that's odd."
"Very. So you have more evidence from the townhouse?" The redhead nodded and motioned for Andy to take a look at some of the things she had found. The whole mess reeked of Karoff's doing; she just had to prove it. "Unbelievable. She was purposely withholding this from me."
"It appears so, what else have you got?"
"A couple things that might have some DNA on them," the agent said retrieving the items.
"I'll rush these through and let you know what I find but in my opinion based on what we know of Karoff's dealings..."
"I know I just want firm proof that Hastings can't shoot down. I know we want him for the trafficking but I'll be damned if I let him get away with what he's done to Miranda."
Karen nodded knowingly. Andy was sure the whole office knew that she and Miranda were together and if they didn’t it was only a matter of time. "If it were my partner I would do the same. I'll let you know when I have something just know that I can't keep it from anyone else on the case."
"I appreciate it, Karen. Really, give Joanne my regards."
"I will."
With that Andy left contemplating why Hastings would have kept her in the dark about the other evidence. Granted, they hadn't found much implicating Karoff, the whole situation was eerily similar to the same break-ins confirmed to be his or his associates' doing. They always went after the personal and irreplaceable items to intimidate their marks. The thing Andy couldn't figure out was how they knew Miranda was working with the FBI because that was the only explanation as to why this had happened in the first place since no meeting had ever been scheduled between the former editor and the crime boss.
A mole, that had to be it. There was no other explanation to fit her being removed from the case briefly, Hastings withholding evidence, and Karoff knowing Miranda's allegiance before meeting with her. Hastings had ruled her out in a matter of hours surely, but had kept her out of it so she hadn't gone ballistic on any of her colleagues. It all made sense. Now the only question was who did they think it was?
Fandom: the Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Miranda/Andy
Rating: M
Summary: AU - Andy must lie to Miranda to do her job and bring down an elaborate crime ring involving Irv Ravitz. Circumstances will force Andy back into Miranda's professional and personal life whether the editor wants it or not. Will she be able to trust the brunette and let her in to her heart?
Disclaimers: Not mine, obviously. Just taking them out of the box for entertainment and will return them when finished (or not).
A/N: I apologize for taking longer than normal with this chapter. I had to work late this week and am away from home. As always thank you for your continued support in reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following. Enjoy! Reviews are like sour patch kids and popcorn at the movies!
The agent knew what was going to happen as soon as she took the call from Hastings asking her to divert to the office for a brief meeting this morning. She was taking her off the case, not removing her as Miranda's personal body guard, but she'd have no hand in bring in Karoff if Hastings had anything to say about it. She was waiting in the deputy director's office preparing to fight her boss on this when she walked in.
"I know why you called me in," Andy stated trying to keep her voice level.
"I'm sure you do," Hastings replied. "From here on out, you are Miranda's personal detail and you'll have nothing more to do with this case."
"You know nobody else has the same knowledge with this case that I do."
"You're right, which is why I'm tasking you with getting Russell up to speed."
"This is a mistake," Andy said haughtily.
"Your objections are noted," Hastings said dismissing her.
Andy was still livid as she approached her desk at Runway. Several clackers had jumped out of her way as she maneuvered through the lobby to the elevator simply because of the scowl on her face. She pressed the button for the executive floor where Miranda's new office was located knowing just seeing Miranda would make her feel better. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. She greeted Heather, the Chief Financial Officer's new assistant and a fellow agent. The brunette checked through the small window beside the door noting that the former editor was meeting with Nigel and Miranda so she plopped down into her chair rather ungracefully.
Heather typed a short message to her saying she hadn't seen anything suspicious and Andy thanked her. She straightened up and focused on her computer screen and tried to manage Miranda's schedule. It was another couple hours before Nigel and Emily both left her office and Andy barely acknowledged either of them. Her head had started pounding mercilessly and she was trying to massage her temples with her fingertips when the auras appeared in her vision.
"Andréa?" The brunette looked up but winced at the harsh lighting and saw a flash of concern in the newly appointed CEO's eyes. "We need to go over our publications and I could use another pair of eyes." Andy stood and followed Miranda into her office. Once the door was shut, she felt the soft touch of Miranda's hand at her lower back guiding her to the couch on the far side of the room. "You have a migraine." It wasn't a question. The older woman left her and poured a packet into a mug of hot water. "Here, drink this."
"Miranda, this is your medication."
She rolled her eyes. "Obviously. It is migraine medication is it not?" Andy nodded. "And you have a migraine, so take the medication."
"Yes, Miranda," the brunette complied.
"Good, now, I really do need your eyes once your head is no longer pounding. I'll need you to take half of this stack and help me decide if the magazine should go in a different direction."
Fifteen minutes later, Andy was able to open her eyes and focus on the glossy pages to help Miranda. The first one she picked up was Auto Universe. There was a picture of a new Corvette with two nearly naked women leaning against the paint. Anyone with any car interest knew the oil in your skin would ruin the paint if you didn't wash it right away. Andy flipped through several pages and was not impressed. As a car enthusiast herself, she would never read this. Miranda looked up hearing the magazine hit the floor. "Crap, utter crap," Andy sighed.
"You are a car enthusiast?"
Andy nodded. "A true enthusiast would never read this junk. A teenager looking for something to jerk-off to might though."
"That's rather crude," Miranda commented.
Andy shrugged. "If the shoe fits."
"And how would you like to see this magazine?"
"The cover shouldn't be about women. It should be about the car. Take a '67 Shelby GT500 for example. It's a classic sexy car that needs nothing else to showcase its majesty other than a perfectly done polish and wax and a photographer that can make its beauty really shine."
"You seem to have an idea for this."
Andy pulled up a picture on google of the car she was describing. It was gunmetal gray with black accents, the sun setting behind it and the surrounding scenery blurry creating an unreal image. The light and shadows played perfectly together. "This car doesn't need anything to enhance its beauty. It'd look just as sexy in a garage. Now, if you want to include something about women to draw in more readers my opinion is you find yourself a lovely grease monkey who will give you a unique perspective working in an extremely male dominated field."
Miranda stared at her with her mouth hanging open. "You are a very talented and clever woman," she stated with awe.
"I'm observant and happen to be interested in reading this magazine if it goes back to its roots. Twenty years ago, you would have seen a muscle car on the front with all sorts of specifications and builds about how to get more horsepower out of the stock engine."
"And you believe more people would read it then?"
"Based on the numbers I'm seeing on your screen here," she said over the older woman's shoulder pointing. “The calculations show circulation is down and so is customer satisfaction.” The position was much more intimate than it seemed with Andy's lips so close to her ear. "So, yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you." She could feel how tense the older woman was.
"And who do you suggest we get to bring about this idea of yours?"
"A grease monkey, of course," she shrugged. "Although you could always call a consultant that would give us ideas based on what they do on a day to day basis. Custom shops are starting to pop-up everywhere now. Everyone wants a custom paint job or some sort of modification. Not to mention there's always rebuilds and restorations."
"You may be on to something with that. I can get a slightly less experienced and inexpensive editor in here and simply pay a small fee for a consultation on what to use in the next issue. It's genius."
"Glad you think so," Andy smiled. "Now, I'll give you your first issue. You put the car I showed you on the cover. I'd get Patrick to do the shoot at a remote racetrack in upstate New York. I'll even find a driver for you. Your spread concerning the cover will be about how to restore this baby from the ground up. I'll even get you an exclusive."
"And just how are you planning on doing all of this?"
"You let me worry about that. I have a friend who owns the car in question, restored it herself, and would be more than happy to showcase its beauty." Andy smiled stepping away from Miranda and returned to her half of the magazine stack.
The CEO was still staring at her as she glanced through Smart Money. "I sincerely hope you never cease to surprise me."
"I'll try my best," Andy smiled.
"Would you like to discuss what happened this morning that caused you to give yourself a migraine?"
"I got pulled from the case."
"What?"
"Don't worry I'd be remaining as your personal detail even if Hastings hadn't accepted it. She knows I wouldn't have left you even if it cost me my career. Which it still might if the director in D.C. catches wind of what I plan to do in a few days if they still don't have any damn idea who broke in."
"Please, don't jeopardize your career for me."
The brunette stood and walked over to the CEO's chair. She knelt in front of her. "My career has mattered less and less to me since Paris. I wouldn't give it up without a fight but if it ever becomes a choice between it and you," she said her voice thick with emotion as she cupped Miranda's cheek. "Please know that I'd always choose you." Miranda had tears in her eyes as she leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss to the agent's plump lips.
That night Andy called Russell to see if any progress was made and sent her everything she had on the case. Of course, they still had nothing and Andy wished she could look at the evidence. Knowing Russell was as by the book as you could get, Andy decided to not even try to convince the woman to give her details. She had a stick so far up her ass you couldn't even see it to pull it out anymore.
Miranda spent the night going over several more magazines under Elias-Clarke's repertoire while the girls and Andy were having a rather intense competitive game of scrabble. "No way! That's not a word!" Cassidy screeched.
"Za, is most definitely a word. It's slang for Pizza." Andy countered.
"No way! Moooommm!"
"Yes Bobbseys?"
"Andy’s cheating!"
"I am not! Look it up!" Andy searched for it on google.
"Oh man!" Caroline sighed looking down at the screen. "Za is slang for pizza. How did you know that?"
"I was a college student once upon a time and I love me some Za!"
"Really, Andréa, you have a far better vocabulary than that. And Bobbseys, remember that Andréa is much older than you," she smirked when Andy took offense. "And her vocabulary is much more robust than your own."
"Does that mean you vocabulary is better than mine?"
"Of course, it is, darling," Miranda smiled.
"Well, how about a wager?" Andy challenged.
"Girls, cover your ears," Miranda smirked and waited for the twins to follow her directions. "If you win, I'll let you do anything you like to me for the entire night."
"And if you win?" Andy wondered.
"I get to tease you mercilessly all day and then take you on my nice new mahogany desk," Miranda's lips curled mischievously. Andy felt her stomach do summersaults and found herself unable to speak properly so she simply nodded her acceptance. "And no throwing the game," Miranda warned her eyes narrowing.
Andy shook her head. "I wouldn’t dare," she replied.
Miranda motioned for the girls to uncover their ears. "Finish your game, then off to bed."
"Aww, mom!" Caroline whined.
"No buts Caroline, it's already past your normal bedtime."
Andy was off her game for the rest of the match with the twins and ended up only barely winning. The twins got ready for bed and Andy picked up their board sliding the pieces back into the gray bag. She poured two glasses of bourbon and waited while Miranda tucked the girls in. "They say good night."
The brunette smiled and yelled. "Goodnight, girls!"
"Really, Andréa?"
"Yes, really. Now, draw a tile to see who goes first," the agent was right down to business and Miranda raised a challenging brow. "Closest to 'a' goes first."
Miranda drew her tile and looked at it with a grin. "Your turn, darling."
"You're not going to show me?" the older woman shook her head. "Fine," Andy chose her tile and looked at it covering up her frown. "Show me yours I'll show you mine," she smiled. The former blonde revealed her tile and Andy groaned.
"Well, I believe that tells me all I need to know," the older woman grinned and Andy showed her the tile. She started laughing and soon the brunette joined her. Miranda picked her tiles and took a moment to think about what word to play. "I think I'll pass, you go first."
Andy narrowed her eyes suspiciously but pulled out her tiles anyway. She played waive for fifteen points.
Miranda smiled. It's wasn't a bad move, going first usually didn't score you any big points but she had some good letters to work with. When her tiles were placed, she looked up at the brunette with a smile. "You've got to be kidding me! How did you manage to get the 'q' on your first draw? That's... Damn it, forty-nine points." Miranda shrugged. Andy's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I'm watching you Priestly."
A couple hours later, saw them so close in score it would come down to their last handful of tiles. Andy's last word was zonk for sixty six points putting her thirty-two points ahead. "A very nice move, Andréa," she said taking the last few tiles. "Flop for thirty-five points I believe," the former blonde smiled. Andy sighed and pushed the board away. "Now, now, Andréa. No one likes a sore loser," Miranda smirked as she slipped her shoe off. Her foot started at Andy's ankle and slowly slid up her leg.
"Is this part of my teasing?" the agent wondered breathlessly.
"Maybe," the former blonde shrugged. She caressed Andy's thigh with her stocking clad foot.
"This wasn't part of the wager," the brunette moaned staring at her love with hooded eyes.
"I'm aware, darling,"
"Bedroom. Now."
Chairs scrapped against the floor tile and both women ignored it. She really hoped the girls were asleep. In her haste to round the table, Miranda knocked the board game and pieces on the floor. The brunette was positive that she'd end up losing several letters but could have cared less. Andy was utterly grateful they didn't have stairs to climb as she stumbled backwards and her back hit the wall. Miranda attacked her neck with her lips, teeth, and tongue as her hands slid along bare thighs under Andy's boxers.
The former editor sucked the skin at the conjunction of the agent's neck and shoulder. Deft fingertips found the bare skin under her tank top and skimmed across a flat stomach causing the muscles to twitch under her touch. Andy moaned and titled her head to give Miranda better access as her lips made a path to her ear and her tongue ran along the outer shell. "Fuck," the brunette hissed gripping the former blonde's hips tightly. "Are we really doing this here?" she asked breathing heavily.
"Yes, right here, against your kitchen wall," Miranda smiled against her skin. She pushed her tank top up her torso revealing smooth alabaster skin and her mouth moved down her chest where her lips wrapped around a nipple. Andy gasped tangling a hand in the CEO's hair holding her there. Thumbs hooked into her boxers and underwear yanking both down at the same time. Miranda moved to the other nipple and slid a hand to Andy's knee pulling her leg up to hook around her back.
Slender insistent fingers entered the brunette easily and set a rhythm. Miranda put all her weight into thrusting against Andy using her thigh as an anchor. Her lips trailed along the brunette's clavicle up her neck and across her jaw to her mouth. Andy moaned into their kiss allowing Miranda's tongue to slip inside and slide along hers. A warming sensation started in the pit of her stomach moving to her toes. She was so close. "More, Mira..." Andy gasped quietly breaking away from the very passionate kiss. The CEO complied adding another finger and brushed her thumb across Andy's clit. The orgasm rocked the agent to her core. Her back arched off the wall into the older woman and she bit her lip to attempt to keep herself from screaming. Instead of giving Andy time to recover, Miranda continued her movements although at a much slower pace until she built her love back up. Her second orgasm was stronger than the first and Miranda had to cover her mouth with her free hand to muffle Andy's cries.
Miranda held her tightly as Andy's body sagged with exhaustion. Arms hung loosely around the CEO's neck with her head resting against an arm. "Holy hell," she breathed against the older woman's neck. Miranda smirked as she brushed her thumb across her clit causing her to jerk. "Oh God..." Andy pushed her back gently.
"You are so incredibly beautiful when you come," the former blonde sighed and brushed a few strands of hair from Andy's face.
The brunette placed a hand on her chest and started walking her back towards the bar in the kitchen. Miranda yelped with surprise as she suddenly found herself naked and on top of the cool marble. Andy situated herself between the older woman's thighs hands stroking her skin as her mouth lavished attention on her chest. The brunette slowly made her way southward leaving open mouthed kisses on every inch of Miranda's skin that was in front of her and within reach until she was bent over. She was eye level with glistening wet folds and the older woman's scent was intoxicating. Her mouth watered and she felt a sudden urge to make Miranda come all over her face. She dove in with her tongue licking the entire length of the former blonde's folds.
Miranda leaned back on one arm while the other tangled in Andy's hair. She held the brunette to her and thrust her hips forward. The younger woman narrowed her tongue and pushed it inside Miranda's opening. "Ohhh..." Andy's nose bumped against her clit causing her to dig her heels into the brunette's back. The younger woman looked up briefly and saw Miranda's head thrown back, eyes closed, and mouth open in an 'o' shape. She looked gorgeous and it made Andy work all the harder to make her come. Moments later, thighs clamped around her ears and Miranda pushed her hips up so Andy was as close as possible. The brunette could feel her inner walls contract and her clit pulse. Her body went rigid and she grunted as the waves rolled through her.
Andy tenderly lapped her tongue around Miranda's core cleaning the mess she made before slowly making her way up her body and placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Miranda sighed against her and wrapped her arms around Andy's shoulders. "I love watching you come undone," the brunette murmured against her neck.
"It's most enjoyable," the older woman smirked. "Let's go to bed."
Andy smiled and helped her off the counter. Miranda picked their clothes up while Andy straightened up the apartment. The CEO was already snuggled under the covers when the brunette entered her room and she smiled at her content smile and tousled hair before slipping under the sheets on her side. "I love you," she said stroking Miranda's cheek and leaning forward to place a kiss to the corner of her mouth, chin, and nose.
"I love you, too," Miranda smiled softly and pulled the brunette to her. They were asleep in minutes. The former blonde's head resting just under Andy's chin, their legs intertwined, and arms draped over their midsections.
It had been four days. Andy was fucking pissed. Her anger rolled off her in waves as she marched through the office. Miranda was at work with one of Andy's handpicked team members currently guarding her. The brunette was here to demand answers. Four fucking days and nobody has come up with a single goddamned thing. People saw the look on the agent's face and scrambled to get out of her way. She needed to know who did this. She needed to protect Miranda and the girls. Just because they were staying with her didn't ensure their safety. Page six has been all over them, like white on rice, day in and day out between the divorce, break-in, and apparent affection between the two women. That was her next stop, in fact.
Hastings was sitting at her desk looking at something when Andy barged in not giving a rat's ass if she didn't want to be disturbed. "Well, come on in. Please, have a seat. What can I do for you Sachs?"
"I want to know who broke in to Miranda's house. Why don't we have anything yet?"
"There wasn't anything to find. No prints, no DNA and there are far too many people who'd hold a grudge against Miranda."
"This was personal. Her belongings were destroyed and I'm talking about priceless heirlooms, photographs, and artwork. There were big fucking 'x's on every bedroom door. You're telling me you don't think it was Karoff trying to scare her?"
"There's no proof that it was."
"Jesus, does he have to leave his damn card? The man is a sociopath and if he did this it could mean he knows about me. If he figured this out, Miranda and the girls are in danger! My family could be in danger!" Andy practically screamed at her boss in a fit of rage.
"What do you want me to do?" Hastings yelled back. "Huh? You're so smart, you tell me?"
"Put me back on the case."
"You know I can't do that, you're far too involved. You're lucky I'm letting you play bodyguard."
"You're damn right I'm involved! You're taking about the woman I love and her kids!" She took a step back and tried to calm herself, yelling was getting her nowhere. She needed to attempt to reason with her. "Let me look at what they found, I know this case better than anybody. Please, Amanda, they're my family now too. I can't lose them," Andy whispered her plea.
Hastings sighed. "Fine, but whatever you find you bring straight to me and we tell the team. You can't go off halfcocked and put yourself or the investigation at risk."
"Thank you," Andy sighed feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. As soon as she was out the door, she muttered, "better me than my family." And she walked toward the evidence locker to begin her search.
She called Miranda to check in with her while she sorted through the items that were bagged. "Hello, darling. Did you get what you went to the office for?" the editor wondered.
"Partially, I'm back on the case which means I can look at the evidence at least. How are you? Is your bodyguard doing a good job?"
"Oh she's fine; she's at your desk. I could have managed on my own for a couple hours."
"It's not going to be a couple hours, Mira. It's going to take me all day to get through all of this and I might have to go to the house afterwards." Her love was quiet. "Are you okay?"
"No," Miranda replied curtly. "Someone violated my home."
"I know sweetheart, I'll figure this out. Don't worry."
"What if you can't?"
Miranda's voice sounded so small it broke her heart. Andy had no idea what to say to soothe her love. "I will figure this out," she repeated a bit harsher than she meant to and Miranda didn't say anything. "I'm sorry, Mira, I didn't-"
"Darling, I know you are fiercely protective of me and the girls. I trust you. If you manage to find anything else at the house that isn't in tatters, could your bring it home with you?"
"Of course," Andy agreed. "I love you; call me if you need anything."
"I love you too, darling."
Andy hung up and continued to go through the evidence brought back from the house. There had to have been something left behind. They had to have missed something. She went over every piece of clothing and pulled every stray hair she found. She sent all of it off to the lab but found nothing else in evidence. She decided to go back to the house to check there.
Andy started in the kitchen remembering how much glass was in there. Most of the glass had been picked up or taken to the lab to be studied. The agent got her luminal and black light. She turned off the light and started to spray the surrounding areas. About an hour later, she was on her hands and knees looking under the kitchen cabinets. A glint caught her eye and she straightened out reaching with a gloved hand to pick up the stray piece of glass. It was glowing in the black light and she smiled triumphantly. She placed the piece in a plastic bag and placed it in her pocket for the time being.
The next room she went to was the study. It had been completely ransacked but it seemed fairly untouched which in her opinion was a problem. She picked up the room making it easier for her to find anything out of place and found a masculine glove that didn't belong. She added that to her collection of evidence putting it away in a plastic bag first. Her next stop was the bedrooms. It made her shudder to think that someone had seen such a private side to her love.
She checked the girls' rooms first and noted that even though the doors were crooked on their hinges and marked most of the room was left untouched. Something she had failed to notice the day it had happened. Only the items of import, of sentimental value, had been ruined. Their treasured knickknacks from their grandmother were shattered on the floor. Ribbons and awards were ripped and broken. She picked through their belongings to find a duffle bag and filled one for each of them with a few things. Andy had managed to find at least a few unbroken Fenton glass animals; a green frog, blue turtle, purple bear, and pink pig. She carefully wrapped them in the girls' clothes so they wouldn't break and moved to Miranda's room.
It was trashed. The whole room was chaos. Even her belongings had been ripped and strewn about. Luckily, she had taken her FBI credentials with her that day along with her side arm. At least the perpetrator would not know her true identity without a great deal more digging on their end. Hopefully, they would have this solved by then. Nearly nothing was salvageable from Miranda's bedroom and she gave up after an hour. Even the CEO’s perfume had been smashed on the bathroom floor. She went back to the study and pulled a few well-worn books she knew the older woman would find comforting and left.
The brunette checked her watch, it was well past dinner time now but she needed to drop off the evidence she found. She went straight to the lab to make sure it was put through as a rush. "Good evening, Karen, you're here late today," she observed.
"Yes, your team left me a mountain of evidence that I still have yet to get through."
"My team?" Andy questioned. "I got pulled off the case until this morning when I was technically insubordinate towards Hastings."
"Huh, that's odd."
"Very. So you have more evidence from the townhouse?" The redhead nodded and motioned for Andy to take a look at some of the things she had found. The whole mess reeked of Karoff's doing; she just had to prove it. "Unbelievable. She was purposely withholding this from me."
"It appears so, what else have you got?"
"A couple things that might have some DNA on them," the agent said retrieving the items.
"I'll rush these through and let you know what I find but in my opinion based on what we know of Karoff's dealings..."
"I know I just want firm proof that Hastings can't shoot down. I know we want him for the trafficking but I'll be damned if I let him get away with what he's done to Miranda."
Karen nodded knowingly. Andy was sure the whole office knew that she and Miranda were together and if they didn’t it was only a matter of time. "If it were my partner I would do the same. I'll let you know when I have something just know that I can't keep it from anyone else on the case."
"I appreciate it, Karen. Really, give Joanne my regards."
"I will."
With that Andy left contemplating why Hastings would have kept her in the dark about the other evidence. Granted, they hadn't found much implicating Karoff, the whole situation was eerily similar to the same break-ins confirmed to be his or his associates' doing. They always went after the personal and irreplaceable items to intimidate their marks. The thing Andy couldn't figure out was how they knew Miranda was working with the FBI because that was the only explanation as to why this had happened in the first place since no meeting had ever been scheduled between the former editor and the crime boss.
A mole, that had to be it. There was no other explanation to fit her being removed from the case briefly, Hastings withholding evidence, and Karoff knowing Miranda's allegiance before meeting with her. Hastings had ruled her out in a matter of hours surely, but had kept her out of it so she hadn't gone ballistic on any of her colleagues. It all made sense. Now the only question was who did they think it was?