The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 12
Title: Science of Fashion (12/?)
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
12
Andy was finally sitting in the back of the taxi the doorman had called for her. The cold sweat on her brow was slowly drying and the excruciating pain in her leg was also slowly dissipating. She had given the driver her address and let her head fall back. Closing her eyes didn’t help, all that happened was seeing those imagines again and this was a place she didn’t want to visit.
Sighing Andy turned her eyes to the car window, watching the city roll by with unseeing eyes. Foolish thoughts, foolish dreams that was all that it was. Illusions of possibilities, no, delusions that’s what she had let herself fall into.
The first thing she did when she returned home was to take another painkiller and a shower to get rid of the woman’s scent that was clinging not only to her clothes but to her skin as well. Slipping into bed Andy tried unsuccessfully to find sleep. Just like before every time she closed her eyes the same images of the evening returned full force. Tossing back the duvet, putting on her robe Andy walked into the kitchen for a cup of tea. Tea cup in hand she slowly limped over to her windows overlooking the city that never sleeps. The view usually soothed her but there seemed to be no way tonight.
“Miranda, there you are. I have been looking for you”, a really handsome man in his late fifties with greying temples and a trim figure was approaching them.
“Jefferson, what a pleasure”, Miranda greeted the man with a pleasant smile. A real smile which caused Andy to wonder who this man was. So far she had only seen fake smiles from the older woman that evening. This was different though.
“I would like to speak to you, Miranda.”
“Do you mind, Andrea?” Miranda apologetically asked while she got up from her seat.
“No, not at all”, Andy got up as well.
“Thank you”, Jefferson took Miranda’s arm leading her away.
“Not again”, Andy mumbled in despair as another onslaught of pain hit her as she watched the stunning couple walk away. Grasping her cane in a vice like grip that turned her knuckles white Andy cursed her carelessness.
“There she goes again, sinking her claws into the next Mr Priestly”, a male voice maliciously accused from Andy’s right.
“I beg your pardon”, she turned to the voice to find Nigel Kipling there, sipping a glass of champagne.
“Miranda, of course”, he explained like for a slow child, “who else.”
“I thought you are her friend?”
“I am”, Nigel nodded thoughtfully. “That doesn’t mean I’m unaware of her flaws. Jefferson Carlyle is a member of the board of Elias-Clarke. The perfect match for Miranda. Wealthy, powerful and good looking. He could help her finally get rid of Irv Ravitz.”
“That doesn’t make him another Mr Priestly”, Andy objected.
“Don’t delude yourself, Professor”, Nigel chuckled, “the man had the hots for her ever since he joined the board. I think it’s the main reason he did it in the first place.”
“So?”
“So? Please, whatever you have hoped for. It will never happen.” Nigel said with conviction.
“Such as?”
“Miranda isn’t a loving woman, Professor. Her touch is cold and she leaves you burnt at the same time. She will cut you open, take her fill and leaves you bleeding.”
“You really believe that?”
“I know it. I have seen it too many times. By the way what do you think you can offer her? Except being the laughing stock of the whole industry? She is surrounded by the most beautiful women and as you can see most handsome eligible men, why would she be interested in you? You are a fancy she will soon get bored of, not somebody she will go all dyke for, if that´s what you are hoping for.” With that Nigel left Andy alone to watch Miranda and Jefferson Carlyle across the room.
Just as if to make Nigel’s words come true, Miranda was touching Jefferson’s arm and throwing her head back laughing at something he had said. He then led her to the dance floor, swaying to the soft sounds of a waltz. Miranda was enjoying herself, dancing in the arms of a good looking man. Andy swallowed the lump in her throat unable to tear her eyes away.
“Nigel is wrong”, Emily softly said to Andy’s stiff back.
“I have to go, Emily. My leg is hurting like hell and I forgot to take painkillers with me. Please, tell Miranda I’m sorry and give her my regards.” Andy said with her back to Emily.
“Andy, please...”
“No, Emily. Good night!” Andy was determined to leave before the rest of her pride was gone.
“I still think you make a mistake”, Emily called after her.
Squaring her shoulders Andy left the ball room and Miranda behind.
Nigel was right, what could she possibly have that Miranda Priestly wanted? She was damaged goods plain and simple. To even think the older woman could have the slightest interest was stupid. Married twice with twins and seeing her in the arms of this good looking guy made it clear again on which side of the fence the editor stood.
The next few weeks Andy made it an art form to avoid Miranda Priestly at all costs. She didn’t take her phone calls, she didn’t answer her e-mails and she told her secretary to tell Miranda or her assistants that she wasn’t in her office or not to be disturbed.
Andy became her brooding self again, even less cheerful than before. Throwing herself into work did help but only to a certain degree. Every now and then she captured herself thinking of what could have been only to be angry for being foolish again.
Employees at Runway were faring worse. Miranda was her ghastly self breathing fire at every possible and impossible opportunity. In the first week after the reception three people had been fired . One of them the new Emily, causing Emily to nearly collapse under the never ending work load Miranda was constantly throwing at her. When the first issue of the new Runway for Miranda to approve landed on Emily’s desk the red-head was tasting a bout of fresh air. Three weeks of endless mood swings between fire and ice had to come to an end. Emily knew Miranda wanted to deliver the issue with her interview personally to Andrea.
With a new found pounce in her step Emily entered Miranda’s office. Finding the editor looking out over the skyline of Manhattan, eyes shooting icy glares at her through the reflection in the glass.
“What?” The editor’s tone sent a chill down Emily’s spine.
“The new issue just arrived from printing.”
“Put it on my desk! That’s all!”
Shoulders slumped, Emily returned to her desk. Hoping desperately she was right about Miranda’s intention.
Emily didn’t have to wait long though.
“Emily, call Roy! Tell him to wait for me outside, I’ll be downstairs in ten minutes.”
“Yes, Miranda.” Barely keeping herself from doing a little jig, Emily called Roy.
“To the University, Roy”, Miranda ordered her driver after she got into the car.
“Yes, Miranda.”
What was she going to say to Andrea, Miranda’s thoughts were in a jumble. She could demand answers for her behaviour, she deserved them. And she would be damned if she didn’t get them. On her way to the University it had started to rain, the sky was full of dark clouds. How very fitting for her mood.
When they arrived on campus the rain had gotten heavier, only slightly but still and the wind was cooler than it had been over the last few weeks. Roy held the door open and an umbrella over her head as she exited the car.
“Miranda?” The editor heard her name being called and saw Pauline Langton walking towards her.
“Professor Langton.” Miranda greeted the physicist.
“What are doing here? In such an awful weather?” Pauline asked.
“I came to bring Andrea the first copy of Runway with her interview.” Miranda held up the issue in question.
“Andy isn´t here.”
“But it’s Wednesday. I know she has lectures on Wednesday”, Miranda insisted.
“Yes”, Pauline carefully said, “but not today, never today.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Miranda was confused.
“She hasn’t told you, has she?” Pauline sighed.
“Andrea refused to speak to me for the last three weeks. So, no, she didn’t tell me why she wouldn’t be here today.” Miranda was slowly losing her patience. “Where is she?”
“She will be so angry”, Pauline muttered. “Do you have something to write?”
Roy produced a note pad from his breast-pocket handing it over to the Professor. Writing down the address for Miranda’s driver, Pauline knew it was the right thing to do.
Handing the pad back to Roy, she waited for him to read what she had written and if he needed further instruction.
When his eyes widened in surprise, Pauline was certain he had recognised the address.
“Do you know how to get there?”
“Yes, ma´am.”
To Miranda Pauline only said “Good luck!” before she resumed her way to the lecture hall.
Lost in her thoughts after the encounter with Pauline Langton Miranda didn’t pay any attention to where they were going. Only when Roy passed the gates of the cemetery she realised where they were.
“There must be a mistake, Roy.”
“No. This is the address the Professor gave me.”
Wondering what this was all about Miranda didn’t understand why the Professor would send them here. That was when she saw the lone figure in black standing in the rain, hair swept back in a ponytail, heavily leaning on her customary cane.
The car rolled to a stop and Roy got out to open the door for her. Mesmerised by the figure in front of her Miranda didn’t even take the umbrella from her driver’s hand.
Closing the distance between them she could finally read the inscription on the stone.
Sarah Matthews
1972-2005
Beloved wife, mother, friend and sister
Andy didn’t have to turn around to know who was there. Waiting for Miranda to stand next to her Andy looked at the older woman with a blank expression.
“Why are you here and who told you where to find me?” Andy asked devoid of any emotions.
“I went to the campus where Professor Langton told me you’d be here.”
“Of course, Pauline.”
“Andrea, who...” It was as far as Miranda got before her courage failed her. Suspecting who but needing the confirmation nonetheless.
“My wife. She was my wife, Miranda.” Andrea softly whispered.
“I’m sorry, Andrea.” Miranda felt inadequate.
“Why don’t we go somewhere else and I’ll tell you. I should have told you long ago, Pauline was right, you deserve to know”, Andy sighed at her stubbornness.
“No, you don’t have to.”
“Yes, Miranda.”
Returning to the car Andy gave Roy the address of a cafe in the Village where they could be sure that nobody would recognise Miranda and they could talk undisturbed.
They found a quite corner table and after ordering their coffee Miranda waited for Andrea to tell the story in her own time. Their orders where placed in front of them and after a healthy sip from her cup Andy was ready to speak about Sarah.
“Sarah and I had been together for five years when she died. We had been legally married in the UK after two years. That night we were on our way home from a wonderful dinner. It was our anniversary. Which actually means today, the reason why I wasn’t at the University. I always take this day off.“
Taking another sip to moisten her dry throat Andy knew she had to get on with this otherwise she would never tell it.
“Anyway”, she sighed, “It happened at a crossing. The lights were green, I was driving when a truck crashed into our car. The driver had fallen asleep, he had been behind the wheel for more than 24 hours. Sarah died in the car and I was severely injured. A coma lasting over two months, a lot of surgery and physical therapy were the result.“
A question was burning on Miranda’s tongue since she had read the text on the stone. But before she could ask, Andy continued.
“Sarah was pregnant, it was a girl.“
“I am sorry.“
Looking up at Miranda, Andy found two pools of compassionate blue looking back at her.
„How did you two meet?“
„Pauline’s partner, Claire, introduced us“, Andy smiled at the memory, “they were both artists and I was looking for somebody to illustrate my children’s book.“
She knew she should ask about Sarah, what kind of person she was, what had made Andrea fall in love with her, when did they decide to have a child together? But she didn’t really want to know. She was selfishly protecting her own heart, not ready to hear about the other woman in Andrea’s life. Not when she still wanted to know why Andrea was avoiding her at all costs.
“Why did you not return my calls for the last three weeks?“ Miranda couldn’t wait any longer.
“I am sorry.“ Andy´s eyes were sad.
“Don’t apologise, explain it to me! I thought we were friends, I thought ...“
“What? What did you think?“ Andy looked into Miranda’s eyes, seeing the hurt and desperation clearly written in them.
“Nothing“, Miranda didn’t say what she wanted to say, afraid to be rejected. Because that’s what she saw in Andrea’s eyes. What was the point in baring your heart only to have it ripped apart. She couldn’t say she thought they would become more than friends, that she had fallen in love with Andrea when they other woman obviously didn’t feel the same.
“Look, Miranda, I enjoyed spending time with you. I will always be grateful to have witnessed a glimpse of your world. Now I understand what fuels your passion and what makes you the best in this job. I know now what my grandmother tried to tell me. Thank you.“
“You are welcome.“ It felt hollow, even though she truly meant it. “Is this a good-bye, Andrea? Because it certainly sounds like one.“
“I’m afraid it is“, Andy didn’t stop the tear that was running down her scared cheek. Getting to her feet she stopped next to Miranda’s chair, put a hand on the older woman’s shoulder and with closed eyes she pressed a gentle kiss into those, oh so soft, white hair.
“I can’t give you what you need. I´m sorry, Miranda.“ Squeezing the shoulder under her hand Andy left the cafe without looking back.
Miranda didn’t know how long she had been sitting there before she finally snapped out of her stupor. Gathering her bag to pay the bill, the waiter informed her that everything was taken care of. Without further questions about the when and how she left, putting on her sunglasses and getting into the car.
“Runway, Roy.“
Keeping her own tears in check, Miranda refused to let them fall. Now was not the time to cry, maybe never. Where had everything started to turn wrong? What had she done to drive away the only person who could have been her match in so many ways? The right person, Maria had said. It was true Andrea was the right person, everything about her felt right.
Returning to her office Miranda was determined to get back to what she could do best, editing a fashion magazine.
Searching in her bag for her reading glasses she came across the magazine with the scientists on the cover, Andrea in the middle, smiling that crocked smile laced with mischief.
Involuntarily a smile stole itself onto Miranda’s face, followed by a sigh and an icy call for Emily to take away the magazine.
Emily’s heart sank to the bottom by the look on Miranda’s face. It was even worse than before. Before she left there had been at least a small bit of glimmer in those ice blue eyes. Now every little trace of warmth was gone, in its place were the coldest chips of ice Emily had ever seen.
Something had gone terribly wrong that much was clear and from experience Emily could tell it meant hell for everybody at Runway. As soon as she was done for the day she would go by Andy’s and get to the bottom of this.
Ringing Andy’s bell, determined not to be sent away without a word, Emily tapped her foot and held her thumb on the button.
“Is today Runway-Day?“ Andy flung open the door with a furious look. “First Miranda, now you. Or is it just Bother-Andy-Day?“
“It´s Meryl-Streep-Day, actually.” Emily answered cheerfully.
“What?”
“Today. You asked what day...”, seeing Andy´s incredulous look though, Emily waved it off, “oh never mind! Hello to you too, my friend.”
“You are not going away, aren’t you?“
“Nope, can’t do.“
“Come in“, turning away from the door, Andy left it to Emily to close the door and follow her into the living room.
Sitting back on her couch Andy waited for Emily to find a place for herself. Taking a seat next to her friend Emily looked at her worn face. There were lines of exhaustion and pain around Andy´s eyes that haven´t been there before. Remembering her trouble with her leg, Emily settled for a safer topic for the beginning.
“How is your leg?” The redhead was really worried.
“I went to a check up last week”, Andy explained with a strain in her voice. “They will have to do surgery at the end of the semester. I knew it will come to that eventually but not this soon.”
“Will the surgery make it better?”
“A bit. Less pain, easier to be on my legs for a longer period of time.”
“That´s good isn´t it?” Emily tried to cheer her up.
“In the long run, yes”, Andy had to agree, “but to get there will take more than one surgery and lots of physical therapy.”
“I´m sorry”, Emily was deflated.
“Worse things have happened. I will live and the outcome sounds good. So, no need to be sorry.” Andy smiled at her friend.
“But I suppose that´s not why you are here.” Andy guessed.
“No. Not entirely.” Emily admitted honestly.
“If it´s about Miranda, you can save your breath. There is nothing to talk about. She and I had a intense conversation today and all has been said.”
“Rubbish!” Emily exploded.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me! Oh, you two are a piece of work. I have to give you that. You certainly deserve each other. I have never met two people who were more dense and behaving like idiots like the both of you”, Emily was pulling her hair in frustration.
“Hey, I don´t care for your insults! Friend or not.” Andy said indignantly.
“Stuff it! Why do you keep being so stubbornly dense?”
“What do you want from me?”
“To tell her that you love her!” Emily shouted with desperation.
In the ensuing silence the drop of a pin could have been heard. Observing Andy´s face as emotions washed over it. Emily witnessed how her friend closed her walls around her, her eyes became hard and distant. Andy shut her out completely. Way to go Charleton! Just what you needed.
“Look, Andy, if it´s about what Nigel said, forget it! He is wrong in many ways”, Emily desperately tried to mend fences, “he is just pissed because of Paris.”
“Another one?” Andy snorted sarcastically.
“Well, yeah, but that was business. It has nothing to do with you. Nigel hasn´t seen her the past few months. She was actually happy because of you.”
“Emily, please, leave it be!”
“No, Andy. For the first time since I have been working for Miranda Priestly I saw a glimpse of the woman behind the icon, because of you. Nobody could do that, except for her children and then you could only see the mother. Please, Andy!”
“Emily, I would prefer if you go now”, Andy sighed. “Don´t be offended, just please, go home. It´s been a long day.”
“Okay. But think about it.” Squeezing Andy´s hand in reassurance Emily left her sitting on the couch staring into space. Hoping against hope that some of her words got through.
By the look on Miranda´s face when she entered her home that evening Maria knew something terrible must have happened.
“Don´t tell me the Wintour woman finally got your job?”
“What?” Miranda´s sharp tone cut to the bones. She didn´t care for jokes, not tonight.
“Nothing. Sorry. You all right?” Maria asked softly.
“Yes, of course. I´m Miranda fucking Priestly, why shouldn´t I be? Nothing ever touches me, nothing ever hurts me. I´m the Dragon Lady, the Snow Queen. My heart is a frozen lump of ice and I have no feelings at all to hurt. So yes, I´m perfectly fine.” The tears Miranda had so perfectly held at bay all day where now spilling uncontrollably down her cheeks. She didn´t even try to hold them back any longer, neither made she an attempt to hide or wipe them away.
TBC