The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 3
Title: Science of Fashion (3/?)
Author: vicar_dibley
Fandom: The Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Andy/Miranda AU
Rating: G (for now)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from The Devil Wears Prada
Author's note: English isn't my first language, this hasn't been beta'd so forgive me. The mistakes (language wise and otherwise) are all mine. This is my first DWP fan fiction. Hope you like it:) Comments are welcome!
Summary: It’s an alternative universe, Andy is about 35 and Miranda is 50. In my story Andy is not cheery.
Science of Fashion
3
After sufficient time to calm down, Andy thought about Carl´s words regarding Runway and how helpful it could be to feature science in a popular magazine like that. Maybe he had a point after all, Andy had to admit grudgingly.
It was true, they really could use any help they got to promote science especially female scientists. Positive role models for young women and even girls who read this magazine wouldn´t be a waste of time for her.
An idea was forming in her head but after some time Andy thought it useless because she was convinced that there was for one no chance that Miranda Priestly would agree and secondly she wouldn´t meet the woman again. So there was no point in it.
When Andy arrived at the Richardson’s house she heard amused voices through the door, wondering if it was a dinner party and not just a simple supper. It wouldn’t be the first time Carl got it wrong.
Feeling slightly insecure Andy rang the bell and waited for one of the hosts to open the door. Andy couldn’t help but smile when Anna Richardson opened the door and gave her one of her joyful answering smiles.
“Andy“, the older woman exclaimed when she saw her. „I am so glad you could make it.“
Handing over a bottle of Anna’s favourite wine Andy found herself wrapped in a warm embrace, inhaling the older woman’s familiar scent.
“Thank you for having me.“ Andy whispered into the embrace.
“Nonsense.“ Anna dragged Andy into the house.
“Look what I found“, Anna announced when she entered the drawing room with Andy in tow.
Andy gasped when she saw who Carl was talking to in his usual animated way.
The woman was a vision, Andy wondered if she could ever be anything else, probably not.
“Hello, Andy.“ Carl cheerfully greeted his colleague.
“Hello Carl, Ms Priestly.“
“Professor Sachs.“ Miranda gracefully inclined her head. “Call me Miranda.“
“Miranda. Just call me Andy then.“
“Why? Andrea is such a beautiful name.“
“Whatever“, Andy rolled her eyes. “Suit yourself.“
Stunning, gorgeous, beautiful were only a few of the words that run through Andy’s mind when she thought of Miranda Priestly that evening. Mingling and exchanging pleasantries with some acquaintances Andy sipped her stiff whiskey and waited for an opportunity to spend a few minutes just by herself.
After a tiring conversation with one of her colleagues Andy sneaked out into the garden. Taking a deep breath of fresh air she instantly felt better. Ever since the accident this had become a habit. This was one of the reasons why she dreaded such gatherings, even though she knew Carl and Anna meant well.
Hearing the soft click of the door behind her, Andy knew it had to be Anna, seeking her out to talk to her.
“Hey, stranger.“ Anna smiled.
“Hey“, Andy returned the smile.
Standing next to Andy, gazing out into the dark backyard Anna pondered at how to broach the subject.
“Are you mad at me?“ Anna lightly touched the arm that held on to the cane, feeling Andy flinch at the contact she immediately withdrew her hand.
“Why should I be mad at you?“ Andy was confused.
“Two words“, Anna ruefully smiled. „Miranda Priestly.“
Heaving a sigh, Andy merely shook her head.
“Carl told me about the interview“, Anna went on. “And about the fund raiser. You were anything but happy, to say the least.“
“No, I wasn’t.“ Andy had to admit.
“Miranda is a friend. We met when I joined a breast cancer fund. She can be very charming“, Anna felt the ridiculous need to defend the editor.
“She can be difficult, I have to give you that. But I admire her and you have to admit that she is a very intriguing and beautiful woman.“
Smiling at her older friend’s attempt Andy exhaled a soft breath and closed her eyes. She knew she could trust Anna and she surely needed someone to talk to who wouldn’t be judgemental.
“Oh, Anna“, Andy sighed. “Miranda Priestly is a very dangerous woman.“
“What do you mean?“ Anna’s brow knitted in confusion.
Andy told Anna about her conversation with Miranda at the fund raiser, the flowers and her thoughts and feelings regarding the editor when she saw her that evening.
“Anyway“, Andy finished. “Do you mind if I sit at the pond for a while? You know I am not good with people anymore.“
“Andy...“, Anna started. Lifting a hand for a comforting touch, but thinking better of it Anna let the hand fall back to her side again.
“It’s all right, really. I will be back in a few minutes. I promise.“
“Of course, dear.“ Anna gave in, seeing the pleading look in Andy’s eyes.
Watching as the younger woman made her way over to the pond where she sat on the wooden bench Anna thought her limp was even more pronounced.
Maybe it was a reflection of Andy’s mood. When Anna turned around she looked into the ice blue eyes of Miranda Priestly. Gasping at what she saw in those eyes, Anna wondered if, no it couldn’t be or could it?
“She is avoiding me like the plague. Why is that?“ Miranda’s voice was cool, devoid of any emotion.
“No. It’s just that since her accident, Andy tends to avoid people in general.“ Anna tried to explain.
“Why?“ It was an honest question.
“She hates to be pitied, for one. And what is more she somehow lost her light, that certain spark“, Anna sighed.
“You should have seen her before the accident“, Anna couldn’t help but smile at the memory. “Her easy smile and joyful laughter would make you laugh in return. Her playful mood and lively personality were infectious.“
“I’m sorry“, Miranda said. And much to her own surprise she really meant it.
“It is still there. I’m quite sure it is not completely gone. It is just that life has dealt her quite a lot and she has to rediscover that side of herself again. She was more alive than anyone I knew, besides from...“ Anna interrupted herself not quite willing to talk about it any further. “I have to get back to my guests. Excuse me, Miranda.“
“Of course.“ Miranda waved her off.
Contemplating the younger woman quietly for some time, Miranda went back into the house and returned shortly afterwards with two glasses and a bottle of wine. She made her way to the pond, determined not to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.
When she reached the bench Miranda realised that the younger woman had been crying. There were unmistakable traces of tears on her cheeks. Feeling her heart go out to the biologist Miranda didn’t know why she felt that way but all she wanted to do was take the other woman into a comforting hug. Shaking her head at her ridiculous notions, Miranda gently cleared her throat.
“Care for some wine?“
Wiping the tears from her cheeks, Andy couldn’t help but smile at the familiar line. Not trusting her voice she simply nodded.
Gracefully Miranda slid down next to Andy, handed her one of the glasses and filled them with a generous amount.
They clinked glasses and drank. It was Miranda who finally broke the silence.
“You didn’t know I would be here.“ It was the mere stating of a fact.
“No.“
“Would you have come if you knew?“
Deciding that honesty was the best course Andy sighed.
“No.“
“I see.“ Getting up Miranda made her way to door, not exactly sure why she felt so sad at the other woman’s rejection.
Andy had seen the sad look on the other woman’s face, she didn’t mean to hurt her or make her sad.
Before Miranda reached the door, Andy called after the other woman.
“No, wait, please.“
Miranda stopped without turning around.
“Please“, Andy also got up and walked over to Miranda. Andy leaned heavily on her cane looking into the blue eyes of Miranda Priestly.
“I´ve thought about your article about science and me. I have a proposal for you, will you at least listen to it?”
Sensing sincereness in those deep brown eyes,Miranda simply nodded her agreement and followed Andy back to the bench to sit down beside her.
“Let´s hear it!”
“Right, well.” Andy swallowed heavily at Miranda´s scrutiny. “I think Carl is right, your magazine reaches a wider audience than any of our´s ever will, even if we tried to make them more popular. So why not make a series, starting with my interview but instead of only my picture on the cover make it a group photo of the leading female scientists of NYU?”
Watching the editor from the corner of her eyes, Andy thought she could see her mind working, when Miranda pursed her lips Andy felt her heart fall.
“You don´t like it.”
“No go on!”
“I could talk to my colleagues about the picture and the interviews. Depending on how long the series is going to be I will introduce you to those who are willing to participate.”
“Hmm”, Miranda looked at the younger woman with an intense glare. “What makes you think they will agree? Giving your initial attitude I highly doubt they could be easily swayed.”
“I can be very charming and convincing if I want to.” Andy flashed a brilliant smile at the editor.
The smile transformed her whole face and it caught Miranda off guard, feeling herself drawn to the light in those brown eyes.
“Deal?” Andy smirked holding out her hand to the older woman.
“Deal!” Miranda shook the offered hand with a genuine whole hearty laugh. “But only if you pose with them.”
TBC