JUST A HEARTBEAT AWAY 2
Title: JUST A HEARTBEAT AWAY CHAPTER 2
Rating: PG right now
Pairing: Mirada/Andy
Summary: AU When Andy tossed her phone into the fountain in Paris, she knew it would have repercussions, she knew her life would change, she knew creating a new life and reviving her life before RUNWAY would take work, she knew leaving behind new feelings would be hard, what she never expected was how all those things would affect her life in a way she never could have imagined.
Disclaimer: This is especially important: I DO NOT own or have rights to The Devil Wears Prada or any of its characters.
A/N: Prompt from flitterbug18 (not gonna tell you what it was til the end) for the Barren Desert Fic Exhange from worst_liar_ever.
2
When Miranda arrived the next morning at the hospital she was met with the vision of Nigel sitting up in his bed and Andrea setting next to him on the edge. She could see the younger woman had a tight hold on her longtime friend’s hand. They were talking too quietly for the editor to hear what they were saying, but a tingling feeling told her it was about her that they were speaking. With no reference for such a feeling she assumed her mask of Fashion Diva and made a typical entrance.
“Well Nigel, it seems you will go to any extreme to get out of buying me a drink.”
Surprised by her appearance, Andy moved quickly off of Nigel’s bed to stand beside him.
“Good morning Miranda. And I believe it was you who were buying.” She leaned over and brushed his cheek with hers.
“Really Nigel, I don’t know where you get your outrageous ideas from.” Miranda turned to take in the beauty standing next to him. She had to concentrate so she wouldn’t gasp when they’re eyes met. Too many emotions regarding her former assistant still buzzed in through her mind. “Andrea.”
“Good morning Miranda. I hope you got some rest.” She smiled and the older woman could actually feel her heart melting.
“Yes. Thank you.” Nigel’s eyes shot to Andy’s, but sure enough he didn’t see any surprise at the words on his young friend’s face. Oh, this was gonna be good, and he had a front row seat.
“I’m glad.” She turned to Nigel. “Nigel did too and his test results this morning are looking good.” She patted his arm. “I still want to run a couple more to make sure there’s no blockage, but if they look good you should be able to go home later.”
“Is that wise?” Miranda asked her startled.
Andy’s tone was more sarcastic than intended, “No Miranda, I’m just going to hope for the best.”
Shocked by the response and tone the older woman shot back. “There’s no need to get snippy with me young lady.”
“And there’s no need for you to question my decisions. I may not have been the assistant of your dreams, but I’m a damned good doctor. I would never put a patient at risk, must less someone I care about.” She leaned down to kiss Nigel’s cheek. “If you’ll excuse me, I have other patients to see. I’ll be back a little later. Get some more rest.”
Miranda watched silently as Andrea left without another word or look at her. This time she felt as if someone had stabbed her in the chest. What was it with that girl walking away from her that got to her so much.
“She isn’t a girl anymore Miranda.” Nigel said as if he could read her mind. “She’s an extremely accomplished woman. The sooner you acknowledge that, the sooner you two will get past this fake animosity you hold for each other.”
Miranda looked at him like she’d never seen him before. “What on earth are you talking about? Does she have you on some sort of hallucinogen?”
“I don’t need drugs to see what you two seem to want to ignore, have ignored for the past four and a half years.” He grinned, adjusting the blanket over his chest.
Miranda’s mouth opened then closed, soundlessly. She looked past her friend to the window. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you don’t. Isn’t that the problem.” It wasn’t a question, just a statement. He looked at his friend and watched a mired of emotions pass over what was usually an expressionless face. “Do you know why she left you in Paris?”
She jerked her head to look at him. This time he could see the remorse and fear in her blue eyes. Silly, silly woman. She was actually afraid of the answer. “She knew she’d never be enough for you. Never be able to be everything you needed.” He tilted his head in true Nigel fashion. “Funny isn’t it, how you both share the same fears.”
Miranda stumbled back into a waiting chair. “Wh…what do you mean?”
“Wake up my friend. Yes, Six is a very good, highly respected doctor, but you know as well as I do that she is just settling. It was not her dream to be a doctor. Her dream was to be a writer, a journalist. But that meant staying in your world. A world she couldn’t compete with. A life where she would always come in second.” He met her eyes. “A life that meant you would always be near and always be out of reach.” Nigel reached for his friend’s hand. She grasped it tightly. “So our little Six chose to give you the one thing only she could, distance. Stop waiting my friend. I assure you, life is too short.” He grinned.
Every beautiful image of Andrea she had buried in her mind came rushing to the front. She didn’t even realize she was grasping Nigel’s hand tighter. Her heart sped up and felt like it was going to bust out of her chest. “Oh, dear God, what have I done?” She whispered.
Nigel squeezed back. “Nothing it’s too late to fix my friend.” She looked at him.
“What should I do?” It was Miranda’s soft tone of voice, but instead of sounding cold and callous, it sounded painful and lost.
“Not to worry. We’ve solved harder problems than this together over the years.” He grinned at her and raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Andy returned later she found Nigel dozing and Miranda gone. A soft sigh left her lips. She had probably ruined any chance of again being in the editor’s world by her response to the older woman’s remark. But damn it, she was not the same girl she had been all those years ago when she was Miranda’s assistant. She had accomplished more than most in her short time away from the woman and had reached a point in her life that allowed her to be as frank and honest with whomever she chose. Not even the great Miranda Priestly was above reproach. Let’s face it, it wasn’t like the older woman could do anything worse to her, she had already survived the last four years living with a broken heart. A heart that no one else on earth could repair. A heart that would remain beating in her chest for the sole purpose of pumping blood through her veins. Because the only other option was giving Miranda the knowledge that it could beat in time with her own for the rest of their lives, that she was the only cure for Andy’s heartbreak. She sighed again and moved to check her friend’s vitals.
In another area of the hospital, Miranda was on her way back from the cafeteria, carrying two cups of what she was sure would be the worst coffee to ever pass her lips. Her mind was replaying Nigel’s words in her head. Andrea had left her in Paris not because she hated her but because she loved her. Loved her enough to let her go. Not one other person in her life had ever shown that kind of care for her. Now she just had to figure out how to show the girl, woman, that she was willing to put forth the same effort, to recognize her feelings and see where it could or would take them.
As she approached an open doorway she caught a glimpse of a young couple in a tight embrace. They were whispering words of love and passion. Suddenly all Miranda could think of was holding Andrea in the same way and telling her how much she adored her. She had a goal; get Andrea back into her life, all she needed was a plan and hopefully her long time friend would be able to help her formulate one. The editor glanced again at the couple, now kissing, as she strode past the room. Yes, operation ‘Her Andrea’ would be her sole focus, and when she was focused on a goal, it always, always was met. Miranda felt her heart flutter in her chest then begin to beat rapidly, she felt alive, for the first time in a very long time.