(no subject)
Priestly's Piece of Paradise
by Coco (i_heart_cuddy)
rating R
pairing Miranda/Donna
disclaimer I don't own the Devil Wears Prada or Mamma Mia or Meryl Streep: I'm just borrowing them. No money is being made off of this and no infringement is intended.
summary Caroline, Cassidy, Andy, Emily and Nigel come to see how Miranda is settling into her new life of leisure. Is retirement everything Miranda dreamed it would be or is it driving her slowly over the edge into insanity?
Author's Note Continuation in the fic verse set up in Letters to the Editor ♥
Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four
Nigel looked out over the ocean, the lights from the mainland were distant blips on the horizon. The noise from the party was a dull thumping. Nigel looked over at Miranda, his eyes were wet with unshed tears.
"Nigel," Miranda stepped forward, not caring about the sand in her shoes, "what's wrong?"
"I..." He wiped at his eyes, "I... I was told a while ago by my doctor that I'm HIV positive."
Miranda's mouth fell open.
"It's just... so damn unfair. I've always been so careful. I'm not a huge risk taker, Miranda, you know me. I only take risks with my wardrobe."
"So..." Miranda's heart was in her throat.
"I got a bad blood transfusion last year when I had appendicitis." He shook his head.
Miranda put a hand on his arm. She wanted to say something, she wanted to react in a real, meaningful way, but she was frozen there, watching a tear slide down his cheek.
"I found..." he took a steadying breath, "there's an experimental trial in Switzerland. I got into it. But, uh... I'd have to be gone for six months."
Miranda pulled in a shaky breath.
"I need... well, Emily can't do the job by herself." Nigel looked away from Miranda, "you're the best person for the job, Miranda. It'll just be for six months. Either until I come back or until you find a suitable replacement."
"Shut up." Miranda snapped. Nigel stared at her in surprise. A wind blew through the beach, rustling their dresses. Miranda sighed heavily and wiped her eyes.
"You're going to be back. You're going to be fine." Miranda whispered harshly.
"Will you do it?" He was crying then.
"Yes." She said softly, wiping her eyes again. "Yes, of course."
"Miranda, thank-"
"Stop talking." She demanded as she pulled him against her, she pressed her face into his shoulder, clutching him tightly.
**
Donna looked around after she announced the winner of the limbo contest. She caught Sophie's attention, "have you seen Miranda?"
"No, not for a while." She shook her head.
"I'm going to run inside, see if she's in our room." Donna said, "can you announce dessert in half an hour if I'm not back?"
"No problem, mum." Sophie nodded.
Donna mounted the steps to go inside when she felt a hand on the small of her back. She turned her head to see Miranda. "Where are you going? Don't tell me you're tired of your party already."
Donna smiled softly at her lover, "no," she joined her on the landing, "I was looking for you, actually."
"I was talking to Nigel."
"Oh?" Donna waited for her to continue. Miranda remained silent, so Donna pressed, "and?"
"And I'll tell you later." Miranda wrapped her arm around Donna's waist and pointed her back towards the party, "this is a party, Sheridan."
**
Emily groaned and grumbled as she hobbled to the staircase. "You have two left feet. I don't know what I was thinking."
"There's no way you're going to try to blame that on me." Andy let go of Emily, causing her to stumble unsteadily.
Emily put a hand on her hip and scowled, using the other hand to prop herself against the wall, "I certainly didn't step on my own foot. These are my favorite stilettos and now they're ruined."
"No, you didn't step on your own foot," Andy said as they entered the hallway to their room. "What happened was that you're tipsy and your heel got caught in the cobblestones, which broke your heel. I stepped on your foot when I was trying to steady you."
Emily threw open the door, "so you do admit you stepped on my foot!"
"They're big enough!" Andy slammed the door behind them. She pushed Emily back against it, eyes narrowed. Emily glared and sneered before their lips met in a bruising kiss. Andy pulled the Catwoman suit down hard, she dragged her toward the bed.
"Hey, hey, foot, foot." Emily protested, stumbling on her hurt foot. They fell on the bed. Emily yanked the dress off of Andy. "I've been waiting to get you out of this hideous dress all fucking night."
Emily grunted as she shoved her hand into Andy's panties. Andy moaned and rocked against Emily's palm. Andy's hands sought out Emily's breasts, she cupped them and wrapped her lips around the sensitive areole. Emily hissed and dragged her fingernails up Andy's back.
Andy's hand snaked its way down into Emily's catsuit and shoved three fingers into her lover. Emily moaned loudly, her head lolling forward to land on Andy's shoulder. Her leg came up to wrap around Andy's waist as she worked harder to tease and rub Andy's clit. Within minutes they were pressed against each other, their breath ragged and their moans low and throaty.
Their movements became stiffer as they both felt their orgasms nearing. Emily came first, as she usually did, her hand not slowing until Andy's orgasm swept over her.
They collapsed against the bed breathlessly.
**
Donna, Miranda and Skye were the last people left at the party at 1:30 am. Miranda was asleep on her feet, but had stayed to see the party through to its end for Donna. She wanted to tell Donna what she promised she'd do for Nigel. She wanted to tell Donna as soon as they were alone.
"I'm just going to help clean up a little." Donna told Miranda, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"I'll wait for you." Miranda insisted, her eyes threatening to close, her heart desperately wanting to end the day, to crawl into bed, shut out the world and let everything fade away for six to eight hours. She didn't want to climb into any bed without Donna. She didn't want to close her eyes before kissing her girlfriend and wrapping her arms around her waist.
"Look at you," Donna stroked her cheek gently, "you're practically falling over with exhaustion. Why don't you just go up to bed, sweetheart?"
"Because I want to be here with you." Miranda protested. "I just want to see you and be near you."
"How much did you have to drink, Mira?" Donna laughed.
"I haven't had anything to drink in the last four hours." She said firmly. "I have to be drunk to want to be with you?"
"No, I just..." Donna studied Miranda's face. "What's wrong?"
Miranda sighed, "it can wait a few minutes. It's already waited a couple hours."
Donna shook her head, "no, I have staff who are paid to clean, right? We can go upstairs and talk."
Once inside the bedroom Miranda sat on the bed and sighed. The idea of saying it out loud to Donna suddenly made her nervous. Donna took her Statue of Liberty headpiece off and set it on the bureau next to her torch. She approached Miranda and took her olive branches.
Miranda looked up at Donna forlornly.
"It's about Nigel, isn't it?" Donna asked gently.
Miranda nodded. She looked down at her shoes, reaching down to unfasten them and slip them off her aching feet. She looked back up at Donna, "he's HIV positive."
Donna's hand went to her mouth, "poor Nigel." She breathed.
"He got into a drug trial though." Miranda looked down at the quilt on the bed. "He'll be gone for six months... in Switzerland."
Donna waited for her to continue, she knew it wasn't the end of the conversation.
"He wants me to go back to New York in his stead while he's gone." Miranda admitted quietly.
Donna sank down onto the bed next to Miranda. She felt conflicted. She obviously thought that Miranda should do this favor for her friend, but the idea of Miranda going back to New York terrified her. "Oh." She said, for lack of anything else to say.
"Yeah..." Miranda whispered.
Donna looked over at Miranda and saw tears in her eyes. Donna wrapped her arms around her and they lowered back onto the bed, Miranda buried her face in Donna's shirt, sea foam green or not.
Day Six
Emily also had mixed feelings about Miranda returning to New York. It would be nice to have her sharing some of the responsibilities because Emily knew that Miranda would take on more than half of the work. On the other hand, she knew she'd be eclipsed by Miranda. She'd worked so long and so hard to get out from Miranda's shadow only to be thrust back into it.
Miranda, instead of spending the last few days of the week with her friends who would return to New York, spent the time with her lover who would stay in Greece. Miranda lay in bed wrapped up in Donna. Donna stroked her hair and kissed her temple and her lips softly.
Donna had never known Miranda to go so long without talking. Miranda was a woman of few words when she decided to speak but she was not one to allow a grievance to go unspoken. Donna was aware that Miranda didn't like dealing with her feelings, she knew she wasn't going to get anything out of her, not yet.
Miranda looked up at Donna. Donna stroked her face, "what is it, beautiful?"
"I want to do something." Miranda said simply, "with you, before I leave tomorrow."
Donna nodded, biting her lip against choking up. "Anything you want."
"You're too accomadating to me." Miranda scolded, "I want to do what you want. That's what I want."
Donna smiled, twirling a lock of white hair around her finger, "your scalp's going to have plenty of time to heal while you're away."
Miranda pulled Donna's hands away from her. Donna searched her face. "Don't talk about me leaving."
"Miranda, in all fairness, don't take away my defense mechanism."
"I'm sorry." She whispered, "I'm sorry, Donna. For all of it."
"Nothing's your fault."
"I'm not taking blame, I'm just sorry." Miranda repeated, "I don't want to leave you."
Donna closed her eyes, "don't think of it as leaving me. Think of it as... taking a vacation." She looked up into Miranda's eyes again, "you'll see me, sweetheart, we'll talk all the time. I'll get Sophie to help me set up one of those accounts for internet talking, the one with the little camera."
"I can set that up for you." Miranda ran her fingers through Donna's long blonde hair. "I'm going to leave you my laptop."
"You can't leave me your laptop." Donna looked stunned, "you need your laptop."
"I can get another one. I want you to have a computer that you can keep here in the room. If we're going to skype, I want to take full advantage of it -- and you."
"There's my Mirà," Donna smiled and kissed her lips.
Miranda spent the next two hours showing everything to Donna and writing several cheat sheets on how to use certain programs. She saved all of them to the desktop for ease of access and locked them as read-only so Donna couldn't accidentally delete them or alter them.
Miranda loved Donna dearly but she knew that she was a computer jinx and she would do whatever possible to keep Donna from reducing Miranda's loyal -- and unsuspecting -- Macbook to rubble in her absense.
Donna kissed Miranda's temple, "let's spend time with the girls."
By the time ten rolled around both the twins and Donna were ready for bed. Miranda was feeling restless and decided to take a walk around the hotel. She found Nigel standing on the landing looking out over the idyllic island scene. He turned upon hearing the tell-tale sound of heels clicking against stone.
He blew out a puff of smoke and looked guiltily down at the cigarette in his hand. "You caught me."
Miranda shrugged and joined him at the rail. "I'm not your mother."
"Thank god," Nigel laughed, "if my mother knew all things about me that you know, she'd drag me to a seminary."
"Don't you mean a nunnery?" Miranda quirked an eyebrow teasingly.
"Touche, madame." Nigel took another long drag on the cigarette. "I quit so many years ago because I was afraid for my health. I figure why deny myself now, you know?"
"Nigel, stop." Miranda growled. She leaned against the rail and hung her head for a moment, "stop. You've been admitted into a trial. That's hopeful."
"Miranda," he shook his head, "I have a 50/50 chance of being on the placebo. I have no idea what the side effects could be and there's no guarantee at all that the real deal will do me any good."
He looked up at Miranda and saw that tears were sliding down her cheeks. "Buck up, Priestly. I'm going to have to tell the tabloids that you've gone soft."
"Shut up." Miranda wiped at her eyes. "Just because you don't work for me anymore doesn't mean I can't make you rue the day you were born."
"Yeah, yeah." He pulled out his handkerchief, "you look real tough with your mascara running down your face." She closed her eyes as he gently wiped the smeared mascara from her cheekbones.
She let out a soft whimper. Nigel leaned into her and kissed her forehead before drawing her against him. She let out a strangled sob and punched him in the arm.
"Ow!" Nigel protested. "What did you do that for?"
"I'm angry!" She yelled, "I'm angry as hell and don't tell me I don't have a right to be!"
"Angry at me?" He furrowed his brow. "For asking you to go back to New York?"
"No. I'm... I'm..." Miranda deflated a little, searching for words, searching for a reason. "I'm just angry that this happened to you. I want you to sue the shit out of that hospital."
"Whoa, whoa." Nigel's eyes widened at her language choice, "Miranda."
"I'm serious. They can't just give someone an hiv positive blood transfusion and get away with it!"
"They are being sued. Every which way but up. The suit has almost two hundred defendants. They have a long history of bad medical practices. They have plenty to go on without me. I'm opting not to be part of the lawsuit so that I don't take any of the settlement money away from the people who need it. I'm very well off financially."
Miranda looked unconvinced. She shook her head, "you deserve justice."
"Justice will come for me in the form of a court verdict." He said softly, "no settlement can fix what happened. My receiving money isn't justice, it's vengeance. They're going to be punished and that's enough for me."
"You're so much more level headed than I am." Miranda said with empty scorn. "I want you to be angry!"
"I was angry." He snapped, "but I don't want to waste my energy on being angry at something that I can't control. I don't want to waste any more of my time than I have already."
Day Seven
When Miranda woke up that morning she heard the shower running. She got up and shed the few clothes that she was still wearing. She sauntered into the bathroom and knocked on the tile next to the shower, "knock, knock."
"Hey, you're awake." Donna smiled at her, "what time did you get in last night?"
"Not very late." Miranda said, slipping into the shower behind Donna, she kissed her neck. Donna moaned softly. "You should've woken me."
"I wanted to let you sleep," Donna turned in Miranda's arms and pressed her wet body against her lover's. "I haven't been awake long, anyway."
"Doesn't matter," Miranda whispered, dragging her teeth along Donna's shoulder, "there's still lost time to make up for." Miranda's fingers teased the blond pubic hair between Donna's legs.
Donna moaned but pulled Miranda's hand away, "this morning is about you," she lowered to her knees and coaxed Miranda to lift her leg and put it over Donna's shoulder for leverage. "I haven't tasted you in so long."
Miranda grinned and put her hand on Donna's other shoulder, squeezing gently, "no arguments from me."
Donna's tongue ran up Miranda's inner thigh toward the triangle of light brown pubic hair. Donna loved seeing Miranda naked, she loved her brown pubic hair in contrast with the white hair on her head. Though Miranda insisted that the carpet had never really matched the drapes even when they were both au naturel.
Miranda loved watching Donna between her legs. She tightened her hold on her with her calf, pulling her closer to her pussy, "please." She whispered.
Donna grinned and ran her tongue along Miranda's outer lips. Miranda moaned and her eyes threatened to close but she forced them to stay open to watch Donna enjoying herself. Donna's tongue circled Miranda's clit, knowing full well that she was driving the older woman crazy.
Miranda thrust her hips gently forward, mindful not to crack Donna in the nose with her pubic bone -- again. Donna dragged the blade of her tongue against the sensitive clit. Miranda whimpered shakily. Donna lapped at her greedily, suddenly overcome with the realization that she had no idea how long she'd go before being able to see Miranda again.
"God, Donna..." Miranda breathed. She moaned throatily when Donna's tongue swirled circles over Miranda's clit.
Before long Miranda was writhing and whimpering, putty in Donna's hands. An orgasm rocked through her and she was thankful for the support of the shower wall. Donna's movements didn't cease after Miranda's climax and Miranda whimpered, "oh my god, Donna," she moaned. "I'm done... ohhh..."
Donna pulled her mouth away from her and looked up at her. Miranda smiled down at her before Donna pushed three fingers into her. Miranda cried out, rolling her hips against Donna's fingers, "fuck..."
Donna kept her eyes on her, grinning as she watched Miranda convulse with pleasure. It wasn't until Miranda's core pulsed with what must have been her third orgasm that Donna pulled out.
When Donna let her leg down, Miranda sank to the floor of the shower. "Dear Lord." Miranda breathed. "I'm going to walk funny for a week."
"A little going away present." Donna laid her forehead against Miranda's. Miranda cupped her cheeks, pulling her in for desperate kisses.
**
"Do you have your passport?" Andy asked zipping her suitcase shut.
Emily sneered at her, "yes, mom." Emily was busy trying to force her suitcase shut, to no avail. "Hey," she wiped her brow, "how about putting your fat ass up here to help close this thing?"
"Shove it up your ass, Emily." Andy pulled her suitcase off the bed. "I'll meet you at the dock."
"Hey, come on." Emily protested incredulously, "I can't close my suitcase."
"Tough shit." Andy slammed the door behind her.
Emily grunted in frustration, pounding her fists against the suitcase, desperately trying to close it, "fucking hell. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Andy Sachs, you're a son of a whore!"
Nigel appeared in the doorway, "my, my, my. Emily Charlton, you have quite a mouth on you."
Emily narrowed her eyes, "either give me a hand or get the fuck away from me. I'm not in any mood to be mocked."
Nigel pushed his suitcase toward her, "put some in my bag. I'm getting on a different plane but you can move some into Andy's or Miranda's at the airport."
Emily sighed. "Thank you, Nigel." She rooted around in her suitcase and pulled out a couple of packages and tucked them in Nigel's, allowing hers to close easily.
"You're welcome."
"Nigel, I'm sorry..."
"Hey, I'm not dead yet. Don't start eulogizing me." Nigel nudged her, Emily furrowed her brow, "you know, we may not always agree on everything, but I enjoy working with you."
"It's been fun." Emily smiled a little, "I'm pretty mad at you for sidling me with Miranda. We were finally out from under her and you threw it all away."
"It's only for six months," he laughed.
"I'll be marking off the days, believe me."
**
Donna and Sophie rode with the group to the mainland. Once inside the airport, Sophie stopped before the checkpoint. Donna submitted herself to searching so she could go further with Miranda.
Miranda and Donna were holding hands while they waited for the plane. Cassidy walked up to Miranda, "mom. Can we talk?"
"What is it, Cass?" Miranda asked innocently, though she was sure she could guess what was vexing her A twin.
"My plane ticket said London, England but when I went to check in they told me that I was moved to a flight to New York. I can't just fly back to New York! All my stuff is in London!"
"Do you have a flatmate?"
"...yes."
"We'll have your things mailed to you." Miranda replied calmly as Cassidy looked prepared to go off like a rocket.
Cassidy stalked off mumbling. Miranda knew that she should be prepared for a counterattack. Miranda looked around the terminal. There was Donna, who she'd have to leave behind in the airport, Nigel, who she'd have to leave behind at another gate, and Caroline, who was taking another plane once they connected in Paris. She'd already left Sophie outside the airport, Miranda had grown to think of herself as a mother figure for Sophie, as much as Donna had felt the same for her twins.
She didn't even look back when she was on the ferry. Every time leaving Villa Donna was harder. This was no exception. The prospect of New York was only a small comfort. At least, she thought, I'm not being dumped in some remote place.
An announcement came over the loud speaker, announcing for Miranda's flight to queue up. Miranda looked at Donna and her eyes filled with tears, but she managed to choke them down as she cupped Donna's face and kissed her. Donna wrapped her arms around Miranda and was less successful in hiding her tears. "I'm going to miss you so much." Donna whispered urgently.
"I'm going to miss you," Miranda breathed, kissing Donna again and again, "I love you."
"I love you."
"Sickening, isn't it?" Andy whispered playfully to Nigel.
Nigel smiled, then sighed. "Laugh all you want, Six. I wish I had half of what they had."
Andy sighed and nodded, "me too."
"Where's your..." he caught Andy's eye, "ball and chain?"
"She boarded already." Andy rolled her eyes. She picked up her suitcase which now weighed an extra ten pounds thanks to Emily's overflow. She grunted as she hauled it over her shoulder, "why couldn't you have told her to mail it home?"
Nigel laughed, "my dear, sweet, long suffering Andrea." Nigel kissed her forehead, "I'll miss you."
"Oh," Andy looked sad, "I'm going to miss you, too." She hugged him tightly, "come back soon."
"I'll do my best, kiddo." Nigel hugged her back, setting his chin on her shoulder. He cast his eyes upward and caught Miranda's eye.
Nigel pulled back from Andy, "you have to board now."
"Yeah." Andy said softly. She leaned up and kissed his cheek once more before silently boarding.
"This is it." Donna whispered.
"It is." Miranda nodded, kissing her again, "I'll visit. This isn't goodbye."
"I know. It's see you soon." Donna smiled weakly.
"See you soon." Miranda whispered, barely audibly. She reluctantly let go of Donna and turned towards the gate. She looked at Nigel and, impulsively, hugged him again. "See you soon, too."
Nigel closed his eyes, a tear falling down his face, he rubbed her back and nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
**
Almost a day later, Miranda's key slid into the townhouse's lock, the tumblers clicked as she turned it and gave away as she pushed. The door opened easily and Miranda peered in as if she were gazing nervously into a haunted house.
I'm standing on the stoop of my own house. She told herself, this is precisely the sort of reason you didn't sell it. So that the girls and I could stay here when the need arose.
The need had certainly arisen.
Miranda was getting bored of her own reluctance and stepped into the house, closing the door behind with force. Just as she expected to hear it click into place in the doorframe she heard it stopped by something else along with a protested, "whoa."
She whipped around and furrowed her brow when her eyes fell on Lucas.
by Coco (i_heart_cuddy)
rating R
pairing Miranda/Donna
disclaimer I don't own the Devil Wears Prada or Mamma Mia or Meryl Streep: I'm just borrowing them. No money is being made off of this and no infringement is intended.
summary Caroline, Cassidy, Andy, Emily and Nigel come to see how Miranda is settling into her new life of leisure. Is retirement everything Miranda dreamed it would be or is it driving her slowly over the edge into insanity?
Author's Note Continuation in the fic verse set up in Letters to the Editor ♥
Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four
Nigel looked out over the ocean, the lights from the mainland were distant blips on the horizon. The noise from the party was a dull thumping. Nigel looked over at Miranda, his eyes were wet with unshed tears.
"Nigel," Miranda stepped forward, not caring about the sand in her shoes, "what's wrong?"
"I..." He wiped at his eyes, "I... I was told a while ago by my doctor that I'm HIV positive."
Miranda's mouth fell open.
"It's just... so damn unfair. I've always been so careful. I'm not a huge risk taker, Miranda, you know me. I only take risks with my wardrobe."
"So..." Miranda's heart was in her throat.
"I got a bad blood transfusion last year when I had appendicitis." He shook his head.
Miranda put a hand on his arm. She wanted to say something, she wanted to react in a real, meaningful way, but she was frozen there, watching a tear slide down his cheek.
"I found..." he took a steadying breath, "there's an experimental trial in Switzerland. I got into it. But, uh... I'd have to be gone for six months."
Miranda pulled in a shaky breath.
"I need... well, Emily can't do the job by herself." Nigel looked away from Miranda, "you're the best person for the job, Miranda. It'll just be for six months. Either until I come back or until you find a suitable replacement."
"Shut up." Miranda snapped. Nigel stared at her in surprise. A wind blew through the beach, rustling their dresses. Miranda sighed heavily and wiped her eyes.
"You're going to be back. You're going to be fine." Miranda whispered harshly.
"Will you do it?" He was crying then.
"Yes." She said softly, wiping her eyes again. "Yes, of course."
"Miranda, thank-"
"Stop talking." She demanded as she pulled him against her, she pressed her face into his shoulder, clutching him tightly.
**
Donna looked around after she announced the winner of the limbo contest. She caught Sophie's attention, "have you seen Miranda?"
"No, not for a while." She shook her head.
"I'm going to run inside, see if she's in our room." Donna said, "can you announce dessert in half an hour if I'm not back?"
"No problem, mum." Sophie nodded.
Donna mounted the steps to go inside when she felt a hand on the small of her back. She turned her head to see Miranda. "Where are you going? Don't tell me you're tired of your party already."
Donna smiled softly at her lover, "no," she joined her on the landing, "I was looking for you, actually."
"I was talking to Nigel."
"Oh?" Donna waited for her to continue. Miranda remained silent, so Donna pressed, "and?"
"And I'll tell you later." Miranda wrapped her arm around Donna's waist and pointed her back towards the party, "this is a party, Sheridan."
**
Emily groaned and grumbled as she hobbled to the staircase. "You have two left feet. I don't know what I was thinking."
"There's no way you're going to try to blame that on me." Andy let go of Emily, causing her to stumble unsteadily.
Emily put a hand on her hip and scowled, using the other hand to prop herself against the wall, "I certainly didn't step on my own foot. These are my favorite stilettos and now they're ruined."
"No, you didn't step on your own foot," Andy said as they entered the hallway to their room. "What happened was that you're tipsy and your heel got caught in the cobblestones, which broke your heel. I stepped on your foot when I was trying to steady you."
Emily threw open the door, "so you do admit you stepped on my foot!"
"They're big enough!" Andy slammed the door behind them. She pushed Emily back against it, eyes narrowed. Emily glared and sneered before their lips met in a bruising kiss. Andy pulled the Catwoman suit down hard, she dragged her toward the bed.
"Hey, hey, foot, foot." Emily protested, stumbling on her hurt foot. They fell on the bed. Emily yanked the dress off of Andy. "I've been waiting to get you out of this hideous dress all fucking night."
Emily grunted as she shoved her hand into Andy's panties. Andy moaned and rocked against Emily's palm. Andy's hands sought out Emily's breasts, she cupped them and wrapped her lips around the sensitive areole. Emily hissed and dragged her fingernails up Andy's back.
Andy's hand snaked its way down into Emily's catsuit and shoved three fingers into her lover. Emily moaned loudly, her head lolling forward to land on Andy's shoulder. Her leg came up to wrap around Andy's waist as she worked harder to tease and rub Andy's clit. Within minutes they were pressed against each other, their breath ragged and their moans low and throaty.
Their movements became stiffer as they both felt their orgasms nearing. Emily came first, as she usually did, her hand not slowing until Andy's orgasm swept over her.
They collapsed against the bed breathlessly.
**
Donna, Miranda and Skye were the last people left at the party at 1:30 am. Miranda was asleep on her feet, but had stayed to see the party through to its end for Donna. She wanted to tell Donna what she promised she'd do for Nigel. She wanted to tell Donna as soon as they were alone.
"I'm just going to help clean up a little." Donna told Miranda, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"I'll wait for you." Miranda insisted, her eyes threatening to close, her heart desperately wanting to end the day, to crawl into bed, shut out the world and let everything fade away for six to eight hours. She didn't want to climb into any bed without Donna. She didn't want to close her eyes before kissing her girlfriend and wrapping her arms around her waist.
"Look at you," Donna stroked her cheek gently, "you're practically falling over with exhaustion. Why don't you just go up to bed, sweetheart?"
"Because I want to be here with you." Miranda protested. "I just want to see you and be near you."
"How much did you have to drink, Mira?" Donna laughed.
"I haven't had anything to drink in the last four hours." She said firmly. "I have to be drunk to want to be with you?"
"No, I just..." Donna studied Miranda's face. "What's wrong?"
Miranda sighed, "it can wait a few minutes. It's already waited a couple hours."
Donna shook her head, "no, I have staff who are paid to clean, right? We can go upstairs and talk."
Once inside the bedroom Miranda sat on the bed and sighed. The idea of saying it out loud to Donna suddenly made her nervous. Donna took her Statue of Liberty headpiece off and set it on the bureau next to her torch. She approached Miranda and took her olive branches.
Miranda looked up at Donna forlornly.
"It's about Nigel, isn't it?" Donna asked gently.
Miranda nodded. She looked down at her shoes, reaching down to unfasten them and slip them off her aching feet. She looked back up at Donna, "he's HIV positive."
Donna's hand went to her mouth, "poor Nigel." She breathed.
"He got into a drug trial though." Miranda looked down at the quilt on the bed. "He'll be gone for six months... in Switzerland."
Donna waited for her to continue, she knew it wasn't the end of the conversation.
"He wants me to go back to New York in his stead while he's gone." Miranda admitted quietly.
Donna sank down onto the bed next to Miranda. She felt conflicted. She obviously thought that Miranda should do this favor for her friend, but the idea of Miranda going back to New York terrified her. "Oh." She said, for lack of anything else to say.
"Yeah..." Miranda whispered.
Donna looked over at Miranda and saw tears in her eyes. Donna wrapped her arms around her and they lowered back onto the bed, Miranda buried her face in Donna's shirt, sea foam green or not.
Day Six
Emily also had mixed feelings about Miranda returning to New York. It would be nice to have her sharing some of the responsibilities because Emily knew that Miranda would take on more than half of the work. On the other hand, she knew she'd be eclipsed by Miranda. She'd worked so long and so hard to get out from Miranda's shadow only to be thrust back into it.
Miranda, instead of spending the last few days of the week with her friends who would return to New York, spent the time with her lover who would stay in Greece. Miranda lay in bed wrapped up in Donna. Donna stroked her hair and kissed her temple and her lips softly.
Donna had never known Miranda to go so long without talking. Miranda was a woman of few words when she decided to speak but she was not one to allow a grievance to go unspoken. Donna was aware that Miranda didn't like dealing with her feelings, she knew she wasn't going to get anything out of her, not yet.
Miranda looked up at Donna. Donna stroked her face, "what is it, beautiful?"
"I want to do something." Miranda said simply, "with you, before I leave tomorrow."
Donna nodded, biting her lip against choking up. "Anything you want."
"You're too accomadating to me." Miranda scolded, "I want to do what you want. That's what I want."
Donna smiled, twirling a lock of white hair around her finger, "your scalp's going to have plenty of time to heal while you're away."
Miranda pulled Donna's hands away from her. Donna searched her face. "Don't talk about me leaving."
"Miranda, in all fairness, don't take away my defense mechanism."
"I'm sorry." She whispered, "I'm sorry, Donna. For all of it."
"Nothing's your fault."
"I'm not taking blame, I'm just sorry." Miranda repeated, "I don't want to leave you."
Donna closed her eyes, "don't think of it as leaving me. Think of it as... taking a vacation." She looked up into Miranda's eyes again, "you'll see me, sweetheart, we'll talk all the time. I'll get Sophie to help me set up one of those accounts for internet talking, the one with the little camera."
"I can set that up for you." Miranda ran her fingers through Donna's long blonde hair. "I'm going to leave you my laptop."
"You can't leave me your laptop." Donna looked stunned, "you need your laptop."
"I can get another one. I want you to have a computer that you can keep here in the room. If we're going to skype, I want to take full advantage of it -- and you."
"There's my Mirà," Donna smiled and kissed her lips.
Miranda spent the next two hours showing everything to Donna and writing several cheat sheets on how to use certain programs. She saved all of them to the desktop for ease of access and locked them as read-only so Donna couldn't accidentally delete them or alter them.
Miranda loved Donna dearly but she knew that she was a computer jinx and she would do whatever possible to keep Donna from reducing Miranda's loyal -- and unsuspecting -- Macbook to rubble in her absense.
Donna kissed Miranda's temple, "let's spend time with the girls."
By the time ten rolled around both the twins and Donna were ready for bed. Miranda was feeling restless and decided to take a walk around the hotel. She found Nigel standing on the landing looking out over the idyllic island scene. He turned upon hearing the tell-tale sound of heels clicking against stone.
He blew out a puff of smoke and looked guiltily down at the cigarette in his hand. "You caught me."
Miranda shrugged and joined him at the rail. "I'm not your mother."
"Thank god," Nigel laughed, "if my mother knew all things about me that you know, she'd drag me to a seminary."
"Don't you mean a nunnery?" Miranda quirked an eyebrow teasingly.
"Touche, madame." Nigel took another long drag on the cigarette. "I quit so many years ago because I was afraid for my health. I figure why deny myself now, you know?"
"Nigel, stop." Miranda growled. She leaned against the rail and hung her head for a moment, "stop. You've been admitted into a trial. That's hopeful."
"Miranda," he shook his head, "I have a 50/50 chance of being on the placebo. I have no idea what the side effects could be and there's no guarantee at all that the real deal will do me any good."
He looked up at Miranda and saw that tears were sliding down her cheeks. "Buck up, Priestly. I'm going to have to tell the tabloids that you've gone soft."
"Shut up." Miranda wiped at her eyes. "Just because you don't work for me anymore doesn't mean I can't make you rue the day you were born."
"Yeah, yeah." He pulled out his handkerchief, "you look real tough with your mascara running down your face." She closed her eyes as he gently wiped the smeared mascara from her cheekbones.
She let out a soft whimper. Nigel leaned into her and kissed her forehead before drawing her against him. She let out a strangled sob and punched him in the arm.
"Ow!" Nigel protested. "What did you do that for?"
"I'm angry!" She yelled, "I'm angry as hell and don't tell me I don't have a right to be!"
"Angry at me?" He furrowed his brow. "For asking you to go back to New York?"
"No. I'm... I'm..." Miranda deflated a little, searching for words, searching for a reason. "I'm just angry that this happened to you. I want you to sue the shit out of that hospital."
"Whoa, whoa." Nigel's eyes widened at her language choice, "Miranda."
"I'm serious. They can't just give someone an hiv positive blood transfusion and get away with it!"
"They are being sued. Every which way but up. The suit has almost two hundred defendants. They have a long history of bad medical practices. They have plenty to go on without me. I'm opting not to be part of the lawsuit so that I don't take any of the settlement money away from the people who need it. I'm very well off financially."
Miranda looked unconvinced. She shook her head, "you deserve justice."
"Justice will come for me in the form of a court verdict." He said softly, "no settlement can fix what happened. My receiving money isn't justice, it's vengeance. They're going to be punished and that's enough for me."
"You're so much more level headed than I am." Miranda said with empty scorn. "I want you to be angry!"
"I was angry." He snapped, "but I don't want to waste my energy on being angry at something that I can't control. I don't want to waste any more of my time than I have already."
Day Seven
When Miranda woke up that morning she heard the shower running. She got up and shed the few clothes that she was still wearing. She sauntered into the bathroom and knocked on the tile next to the shower, "knock, knock."
"Hey, you're awake." Donna smiled at her, "what time did you get in last night?"
"Not very late." Miranda said, slipping into the shower behind Donna, she kissed her neck. Donna moaned softly. "You should've woken me."
"I wanted to let you sleep," Donna turned in Miranda's arms and pressed her wet body against her lover's. "I haven't been awake long, anyway."
"Doesn't matter," Miranda whispered, dragging her teeth along Donna's shoulder, "there's still lost time to make up for." Miranda's fingers teased the blond pubic hair between Donna's legs.
Donna moaned but pulled Miranda's hand away, "this morning is about you," she lowered to her knees and coaxed Miranda to lift her leg and put it over Donna's shoulder for leverage. "I haven't tasted you in so long."
Miranda grinned and put her hand on Donna's other shoulder, squeezing gently, "no arguments from me."
Donna's tongue ran up Miranda's inner thigh toward the triangle of light brown pubic hair. Donna loved seeing Miranda naked, she loved her brown pubic hair in contrast with the white hair on her head. Though Miranda insisted that the carpet had never really matched the drapes even when they were both au naturel.
Miranda loved watching Donna between her legs. She tightened her hold on her with her calf, pulling her closer to her pussy, "please." She whispered.
Donna grinned and ran her tongue along Miranda's outer lips. Miranda moaned and her eyes threatened to close but she forced them to stay open to watch Donna enjoying herself. Donna's tongue circled Miranda's clit, knowing full well that she was driving the older woman crazy.
Miranda thrust her hips gently forward, mindful not to crack Donna in the nose with her pubic bone -- again. Donna dragged the blade of her tongue against the sensitive clit. Miranda whimpered shakily. Donna lapped at her greedily, suddenly overcome with the realization that she had no idea how long she'd go before being able to see Miranda again.
"God, Donna..." Miranda breathed. She moaned throatily when Donna's tongue swirled circles over Miranda's clit.
Before long Miranda was writhing and whimpering, putty in Donna's hands. An orgasm rocked through her and she was thankful for the support of the shower wall. Donna's movements didn't cease after Miranda's climax and Miranda whimpered, "oh my god, Donna," she moaned. "I'm done... ohhh..."
Donna pulled her mouth away from her and looked up at her. Miranda smiled down at her before Donna pushed three fingers into her. Miranda cried out, rolling her hips against Donna's fingers, "fuck..."
Donna kept her eyes on her, grinning as she watched Miranda convulse with pleasure. It wasn't until Miranda's core pulsed with what must have been her third orgasm that Donna pulled out.
When Donna let her leg down, Miranda sank to the floor of the shower. "Dear Lord." Miranda breathed. "I'm going to walk funny for a week."
"A little going away present." Donna laid her forehead against Miranda's. Miranda cupped her cheeks, pulling her in for desperate kisses.
**
"Do you have your passport?" Andy asked zipping her suitcase shut.
Emily sneered at her, "yes, mom." Emily was busy trying to force her suitcase shut, to no avail. "Hey," she wiped her brow, "how about putting your fat ass up here to help close this thing?"
"Shove it up your ass, Emily." Andy pulled her suitcase off the bed. "I'll meet you at the dock."
"Hey, come on." Emily protested incredulously, "I can't close my suitcase."
"Tough shit." Andy slammed the door behind her.
Emily grunted in frustration, pounding her fists against the suitcase, desperately trying to close it, "fucking hell. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Andy Sachs, you're a son of a whore!"
Nigel appeared in the doorway, "my, my, my. Emily Charlton, you have quite a mouth on you."
Emily narrowed her eyes, "either give me a hand or get the fuck away from me. I'm not in any mood to be mocked."
Nigel pushed his suitcase toward her, "put some in my bag. I'm getting on a different plane but you can move some into Andy's or Miranda's at the airport."
Emily sighed. "Thank you, Nigel." She rooted around in her suitcase and pulled out a couple of packages and tucked them in Nigel's, allowing hers to close easily.
"You're welcome."
"Nigel, I'm sorry..."
"Hey, I'm not dead yet. Don't start eulogizing me." Nigel nudged her, Emily furrowed her brow, "you know, we may not always agree on everything, but I enjoy working with you."
"It's been fun." Emily smiled a little, "I'm pretty mad at you for sidling me with Miranda. We were finally out from under her and you threw it all away."
"It's only for six months," he laughed.
"I'll be marking off the days, believe me."
**
Donna and Sophie rode with the group to the mainland. Once inside the airport, Sophie stopped before the checkpoint. Donna submitted herself to searching so she could go further with Miranda.
Miranda and Donna were holding hands while they waited for the plane. Cassidy walked up to Miranda, "mom. Can we talk?"
"What is it, Cass?" Miranda asked innocently, though she was sure she could guess what was vexing her A twin.
"My plane ticket said London, England but when I went to check in they told me that I was moved to a flight to New York. I can't just fly back to New York! All my stuff is in London!"
"Do you have a flatmate?"
"...yes."
"We'll have your things mailed to you." Miranda replied calmly as Cassidy looked prepared to go off like a rocket.
Cassidy stalked off mumbling. Miranda knew that she should be prepared for a counterattack. Miranda looked around the terminal. There was Donna, who she'd have to leave behind in the airport, Nigel, who she'd have to leave behind at another gate, and Caroline, who was taking another plane once they connected in Paris. She'd already left Sophie outside the airport, Miranda had grown to think of herself as a mother figure for Sophie, as much as Donna had felt the same for her twins.
She didn't even look back when she was on the ferry. Every time leaving Villa Donna was harder. This was no exception. The prospect of New York was only a small comfort. At least, she thought, I'm not being dumped in some remote place.
An announcement came over the loud speaker, announcing for Miranda's flight to queue up. Miranda looked at Donna and her eyes filled with tears, but she managed to choke them down as she cupped Donna's face and kissed her. Donna wrapped her arms around Miranda and was less successful in hiding her tears. "I'm going to miss you so much." Donna whispered urgently.
"I'm going to miss you," Miranda breathed, kissing Donna again and again, "I love you."
"I love you."
"Sickening, isn't it?" Andy whispered playfully to Nigel.
Nigel smiled, then sighed. "Laugh all you want, Six. I wish I had half of what they had."
Andy sighed and nodded, "me too."
"Where's your..." he caught Andy's eye, "ball and chain?"
"She boarded already." Andy rolled her eyes. She picked up her suitcase which now weighed an extra ten pounds thanks to Emily's overflow. She grunted as she hauled it over her shoulder, "why couldn't you have told her to mail it home?"
Nigel laughed, "my dear, sweet, long suffering Andrea." Nigel kissed her forehead, "I'll miss you."
"Oh," Andy looked sad, "I'm going to miss you, too." She hugged him tightly, "come back soon."
"I'll do my best, kiddo." Nigel hugged her back, setting his chin on her shoulder. He cast his eyes upward and caught Miranda's eye.
Nigel pulled back from Andy, "you have to board now."
"Yeah." Andy said softly. She leaned up and kissed his cheek once more before silently boarding.
"This is it." Donna whispered.
"It is." Miranda nodded, kissing her again, "I'll visit. This isn't goodbye."
"I know. It's see you soon." Donna smiled weakly.
"See you soon." Miranda whispered, barely audibly. She reluctantly let go of Donna and turned towards the gate. She looked at Nigel and, impulsively, hugged him again. "See you soon, too."
Nigel closed his eyes, a tear falling down his face, he rubbed her back and nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
**
Almost a day later, Miranda's key slid into the townhouse's lock, the tumblers clicked as she turned it and gave away as she pushed. The door opened easily and Miranda peered in as if she were gazing nervously into a haunted house.
I'm standing on the stoop of my own house. She told herself, this is precisely the sort of reason you didn't sell it. So that the girls and I could stay here when the need arose.
The need had certainly arisen.
Miranda was getting bored of her own reluctance and stepped into the house, closing the door behind with force. Just as she expected to hear it click into place in the doorframe she heard it stopped by something else along with a protested, "whoa."
She whipped around and furrowed her brow when her eyes fell on Lucas.