Now or Never
Title : Now or Never
Author : Frenchflotus
Pair : Andy/Miranda
Disclaimer : I dont own them
A/N : Sort of sequel of After Runway ... It's mushy I now ! but I can't help sorry :-)). Thanks again to my wonderful Glinda girl.
Sort of sequel of After Runway ( part 1, part 2 and part 3)
Now or never
“Does she really love me?”
Two months...It's been two months and Andrea couldn't help but ask herself the question again and again. And two months of being in a relationship with Miranda Priestly felt like a lifetime.
Building a relationship with Miranda was like climbing Everest without oxygen; it was exhilarating but terrifying. Miranda was as demanding in her personal life as she was in her job. And that was the problem. Andy sighed. Miranda managed their “affair” as if it was the next John Galliano shoot. It seemed to Andy that it was totally one sided. What and when Miranda wanted, she got.
“Does she really love me?”
Andrea kept asking herself. Sometimes, she would respond yes, when they had spent short moments together. When she would melt into Miranda’s fierce embrace, or when they kissed late into the night. Sometimes, when Miranda hadn't called for three days, blaming the stress of her job, Andy would be strong and says ”no". As much as it pained her to do so, she was beginning to feel as if she was the only person in this relationship.
Love and need were two different things. Miranda told Andy she needed her, not that she loved her. And this small slip of words made Andy question herself late into the long nights.
* * *
Andy sat at her desk at the New York Mirror working on her assignment. She hadn’t heard from Miranda for two days. Staring at the phone, Andy decided to take a break and call her. After all, no matter what, she did miss her when she was not there. She dialled Miranda’s cell and was greeted by a very harsh
“Not now.” and the line went dead.
Speechless, Andy’s throat clenched the feelings of doubt once more rushing to the front. Speaking to herself, she paced the small room. “It can’t be that way, I can’t live like this, I can’t stand it anymore”. Miranda was draining her, this relationship was draining her. Physically, but above all emotionally. And Andy knew she could not carry on like this any longer.
She knew deep down she was not really mad at Miranda. She was just tired, tired of playing this game, tired of dwelling on doubts and questions. This had to stop before she went insane.
She knew that typing a text was not the most eloquent way to tell Miranda what she was feeling. But right now she couldn’t think of another way. If Miranda wouldn't take her call, she would damn well read her text. Hitting the send button, she sat back and waited, waited for what, she didn't know. But at the least it could decide her future with Miranda.
**********
Miranda sat at the Elias-Clark Publication Board meeting. She had been sat there for over an hour negotiating, well Miranda didn't negotiate. She spoke and others acted. Frustrated, yet not letting one crease appear on her brow, she listened to the shareholders debate this year’s budget. Sitting back and crossing one ankle elegantly over the other she inwardly sighed. Magazine sales were up, she didn't understand why yet again they had problems with her spending. She was still making them money, and not compromising the integrity of Runway and in Miranda's eyes that was all that mattered. But no yet again, she was forced to listen to the same arguments as every other year and like every other year, she knew she would get her way. Beginning to loose patience with a particularly dreary little man, she leant forward to speak, jumping slightly when her cell beeped. Grateful for a distraction, she read.
“It’s now or never”
Raising a perfectly arched eyebrow, Miranda for once in her life was shocked. No-one had ever dared give her, Miranda Priestly, an ultimatum. Not her staff or her husbands. No-one. Yet Andrea wasn't just anyone and she was beginning to realise this.
She was aware her relationship must be frustrating for Andrea particularly. Miranda was doing her best but giving up her former life was not an option. There were her girls. There was Runway, the world of fashion that over the years had consumed her life. Then there was Andrea. Andrea, the girl with whom Miranda for once in her life felt safe and secure with. The realisation hit her like a thunderbolt between the eyes. She knew she had a choice to make, another choice. It seemed her life was one big choice. Yet this one was so simple. For the first time in her life Miranda felt stupid. There was no choice to make. Not even waiting for Irv to finish his sentence, she slowly stood.
“Gentlemen, the decision is yours. It’s my way, or not. That’s all” she snapped and grabbing her phone left the conference room.
As soon as she closed the door she inhaled deeply, trying to compose herself. Feeling her anger creep up on her again she punched in the numbers on her cell. Before Andy could even say hello she spoke.
“Never. Do. That. To. Me. Again.” Miranda said in her coldest tone and snapped her cell shut.
Andy didn’t know if she was relieved or afraid, perhaps it was better she knew how things were now rather than later.
* * *
Later that evening, Andy stood in the shadows staring up at Miranda's townhouse. She sighed again realising that issuing an ultimatum over a text was not the best decision she had ever made. She looked at the light glowing from Miranda's living space and again tried to pluck up some courage to go and apologise.
Standing in the cold, she waited for Emily to deliver “The Book”. Waiting until she had left, Andy took a deep breath and approached the door. Hesitating slightly, she lifted her hand and pressed the intercom. She startled as the door opened to reveal a glacial Miranda, feeling once again as if she would be turned to stone under Miranda’s steely glare. Though she didn't slam the door in her face, so that was something. Stepping into the hall, she turned to face Miranda.
Miranda didn't close the door and turned to face Andy. Slamming a perfectly manicured hand against the wood of the door, Andy jumped. She had witnessed Miranda's anger on more than one occasion but this was different. Palms sweating she managed to find her voice.
“Miranda, I … I’m ….”
“DO. NOT. EVER. DO THAT AGAIN. IS THAT CLEAR?” Miranda yelled. To Andy it was all the more terrifying as Miranda never shouted, never raised her voice. Miranda had the capability to reduce one to a gibbering wreck who forgets your own name, by her glare alone. However, things were different now. Feeling the anger bubbling inside her again, Andy retorted.
“Don’t talk to me like that. I’m not your assistant anymore”
"Maybe not, but right now you are acting like a spoilt teenager" Miranda snapped back.
“A what?” Andy cut to the chase; she was sick of this and knew it couldn't go on. “You know what Miranda? I’m tired of this. I’m tired of you snapping at me again and again like I was one of your moronic *yes men*”.
Seeing the shock in Miranda's eyes at being spoken to in this manner gave Andy the confidence to continue. “Can’t you try to act like a human being for once instead of the automaton you pretend you are? Can we not try to speak, have a conversation like civilized people instead of you being a fucking bitch! Is that too much for you?”
Andy felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Whatever the outcome of her outburst she was relieved that for once she had seemingly managed to shock Miranda into silence. "I guess that's the problem isn't it. You don't have to make any effort with other people in your life. People that jump and bend to your every whim. And maybe I am just not worth the effort to you Miranda. Am I?”
Miranda didn’t know if the last part was rhetorical. Her expression softened as Andy’s voice did. Stepping closer to her she gently stroked Miranda's cheek.
“I know you Miranda; you just have to want it. To really want it. But I guess you don't”
Andy’s words cut through Miranda's heart like a knife. She really thought she had made allowances that for once she had been considering Andy in things. Listening to the younger woman talk now she realised she had failed.
“I’m tired. I want you in my life Miranda, but not like this.” Andy grabbed Miranda’s hand in her own. Her eyes seeking answers only Miranda could give.
Miranda stayed silent, her eyes betraying her confusion. Until she spoke, “I want it too, Andrea, more than anything else.” Her voice was soft and Andy knew this was probably the closets thing to an apology she would ever get from Miranda. “But do you realize you made me leave the most important meeting of my financial year?”
Andy couldn’t help but smile noticing how quickly Miranda recomposed herself.
“Something funny?” Miranda frowned.
“Well. Maybe that means that I am more important that the most important meeting of the year?” Andy asked innocently.
“Andrea Sachs!” Miranda sighed, faking an exasperated tone. She caught hold of Andy’s arm and slid her hand around her waist pulling her closer. Leaning forward, Miranda sought out Andy's lips and kissed them gently, until she felt the younger girl reciprocate. Pulling away slightly, she held Andy's face gently, "What am I going to do with you?" she said before seeking out Andy's lips again.
Author : Frenchflotus
Pair : Andy/Miranda
Disclaimer : I dont own them
A/N : Sort of sequel of After Runway ... It's mushy I now ! but I can't help sorry :-)). Thanks again to my wonderful Glinda girl.
Sort of sequel of After Runway ( part 1, part 2 and part 3)
Now or never
“Does she really love me?”
Two months...It's been two months and Andrea couldn't help but ask herself the question again and again. And two months of being in a relationship with Miranda Priestly felt like a lifetime.
Building a relationship with Miranda was like climbing Everest without oxygen; it was exhilarating but terrifying. Miranda was as demanding in her personal life as she was in her job. And that was the problem. Andy sighed. Miranda managed their “affair” as if it was the next John Galliano shoot. It seemed to Andy that it was totally one sided. What and when Miranda wanted, she got.
“Does she really love me?”
Andrea kept asking herself. Sometimes, she would respond yes, when they had spent short moments together. When she would melt into Miranda’s fierce embrace, or when they kissed late into the night. Sometimes, when Miranda hadn't called for three days, blaming the stress of her job, Andy would be strong and says ”no". As much as it pained her to do so, she was beginning to feel as if she was the only person in this relationship.
Love and need were two different things. Miranda told Andy she needed her, not that she loved her. And this small slip of words made Andy question herself late into the long nights.
* * *
Andy sat at her desk at the New York Mirror working on her assignment. She hadn’t heard from Miranda for two days. Staring at the phone, Andy decided to take a break and call her. After all, no matter what, she did miss her when she was not there. She dialled Miranda’s cell and was greeted by a very harsh
“Not now.” and the line went dead.
Speechless, Andy’s throat clenched the feelings of doubt once more rushing to the front. Speaking to herself, she paced the small room. “It can’t be that way, I can’t live like this, I can’t stand it anymore”. Miranda was draining her, this relationship was draining her. Physically, but above all emotionally. And Andy knew she could not carry on like this any longer.
She knew deep down she was not really mad at Miranda. She was just tired, tired of playing this game, tired of dwelling on doubts and questions. This had to stop before she went insane.
She knew that typing a text was not the most eloquent way to tell Miranda what she was feeling. But right now she couldn’t think of another way. If Miranda wouldn't take her call, she would damn well read her text. Hitting the send button, she sat back and waited, waited for what, she didn't know. But at the least it could decide her future with Miranda.
**********
Miranda sat at the Elias-Clark Publication Board meeting. She had been sat there for over an hour negotiating, well Miranda didn't negotiate. She spoke and others acted. Frustrated, yet not letting one crease appear on her brow, she listened to the shareholders debate this year’s budget. Sitting back and crossing one ankle elegantly over the other she inwardly sighed. Magazine sales were up, she didn't understand why yet again they had problems with her spending. She was still making them money, and not compromising the integrity of Runway and in Miranda's eyes that was all that mattered. But no yet again, she was forced to listen to the same arguments as every other year and like every other year, she knew she would get her way. Beginning to loose patience with a particularly dreary little man, she leant forward to speak, jumping slightly when her cell beeped. Grateful for a distraction, she read.
“It’s now or never”
Raising a perfectly arched eyebrow, Miranda for once in her life was shocked. No-one had ever dared give her, Miranda Priestly, an ultimatum. Not her staff or her husbands. No-one. Yet Andrea wasn't just anyone and she was beginning to realise this.
She was aware her relationship must be frustrating for Andrea particularly. Miranda was doing her best but giving up her former life was not an option. There were her girls. There was Runway, the world of fashion that over the years had consumed her life. Then there was Andrea. Andrea, the girl with whom Miranda for once in her life felt safe and secure with. The realisation hit her like a thunderbolt between the eyes. She knew she had a choice to make, another choice. It seemed her life was one big choice. Yet this one was so simple. For the first time in her life Miranda felt stupid. There was no choice to make. Not even waiting for Irv to finish his sentence, she slowly stood.
“Gentlemen, the decision is yours. It’s my way, or not. That’s all” she snapped and grabbing her phone left the conference room.
As soon as she closed the door she inhaled deeply, trying to compose herself. Feeling her anger creep up on her again she punched in the numbers on her cell. Before Andy could even say hello she spoke.
“Never. Do. That. To. Me. Again.” Miranda said in her coldest tone and snapped her cell shut.
Andy didn’t know if she was relieved or afraid, perhaps it was better she knew how things were now rather than later.
* * *
Later that evening, Andy stood in the shadows staring up at Miranda's townhouse. She sighed again realising that issuing an ultimatum over a text was not the best decision she had ever made. She looked at the light glowing from Miranda's living space and again tried to pluck up some courage to go and apologise.
Standing in the cold, she waited for Emily to deliver “The Book”. Waiting until she had left, Andy took a deep breath and approached the door. Hesitating slightly, she lifted her hand and pressed the intercom. She startled as the door opened to reveal a glacial Miranda, feeling once again as if she would be turned to stone under Miranda’s steely glare. Though she didn't slam the door in her face, so that was something. Stepping into the hall, she turned to face Miranda.
Miranda didn't close the door and turned to face Andy. Slamming a perfectly manicured hand against the wood of the door, Andy jumped. She had witnessed Miranda's anger on more than one occasion but this was different. Palms sweating she managed to find her voice.
“Miranda, I … I’m ….”
“DO. NOT. EVER. DO THAT AGAIN. IS THAT CLEAR?” Miranda yelled. To Andy it was all the more terrifying as Miranda never shouted, never raised her voice. Miranda had the capability to reduce one to a gibbering wreck who forgets your own name, by her glare alone. However, things were different now. Feeling the anger bubbling inside her again, Andy retorted.
“Don’t talk to me like that. I’m not your assistant anymore”
"Maybe not, but right now you are acting like a spoilt teenager" Miranda snapped back.
“A what?” Andy cut to the chase; she was sick of this and knew it couldn't go on. “You know what Miranda? I’m tired of this. I’m tired of you snapping at me again and again like I was one of your moronic *yes men*”.
Seeing the shock in Miranda's eyes at being spoken to in this manner gave Andy the confidence to continue. “Can’t you try to act like a human being for once instead of the automaton you pretend you are? Can we not try to speak, have a conversation like civilized people instead of you being a fucking bitch! Is that too much for you?”
Andy felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Whatever the outcome of her outburst she was relieved that for once she had seemingly managed to shock Miranda into silence. "I guess that's the problem isn't it. You don't have to make any effort with other people in your life. People that jump and bend to your every whim. And maybe I am just not worth the effort to you Miranda. Am I?”
Miranda didn’t know if the last part was rhetorical. Her expression softened as Andy’s voice did. Stepping closer to her she gently stroked Miranda's cheek.
“I know you Miranda; you just have to want it. To really want it. But I guess you don't”
Andy’s words cut through Miranda's heart like a knife. She really thought she had made allowances that for once she had been considering Andy in things. Listening to the younger woman talk now she realised she had failed.
“I’m tired. I want you in my life Miranda, but not like this.” Andy grabbed Miranda’s hand in her own. Her eyes seeking answers only Miranda could give.
Miranda stayed silent, her eyes betraying her confusion. Until she spoke, “I want it too, Andrea, more than anything else.” Her voice was soft and Andy knew this was probably the closets thing to an apology she would ever get from Miranda. “But do you realize you made me leave the most important meeting of my financial year?”
Andy couldn’t help but smile noticing how quickly Miranda recomposed herself.
“Something funny?” Miranda frowned.
“Well. Maybe that means that I am more important that the most important meeting of the year?” Andy asked innocently.
“Andrea Sachs!” Miranda sighed, faking an exasperated tone. She caught hold of Andy’s arm and slid her hand around her waist pulling her closer. Leaning forward, Miranda sought out Andy's lips and kissed them gently, until she felt the younger girl reciprocate. Pulling away slightly, she held Andy's face gently, "What am I going to do with you?" she said before seeking out Andy's lips again.