Ch 1: It's not over yet
Ana and Christian got through the holidays. They were able to spend Christmas together. New Years day was a different story. He went to the holding cell on new year's eve to see his wife and wished her happy new year. That evening he went out with his mother. But all the while he was there he had this fantasy of would it would've been like for he and Ana if they had met differently.
Ana was sitting at a table in the country club across from the campus where she attended classes. Christian was at another table across from her. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was a brunette, her hair went past her shoulders. She had flawless skin and was dressed in pink.
Another student walked by her and accidently knocking off some of her books. He apologized to her profusely. Christian saw this and went to help her.
"Thank you, for your help," she said to him, not looking up yet.
"No problem. Hey, aren't you in my biology class?" the young man asked her.
Ana finally looked up and gasped at how gorgeous he was. She looked deep into his gray eyes, he was clean shaven, and had chiseled chin. Christian continued to try to get her attention by asking, "Are you okay?"
Ana nodded still unable to answer. She shook her head to get out of the trance he had her in and she blushed a shade of pink. Christian chuckled at her shyness.
"Haven't I seen you in my biology class? Your Anastasia Steele, right?" Christian asked her again.
"Yeah...that's right. Your Christian Grey, who rigged the skeleton to sing 'I'm Mr. Lonely,'" Ana replied.
Christian smiled back at her asking, "Now why would you think that was me?"
"Because you sit right next to it obviously," she smiled back, then biting her lip. He saw this as his eyes went straight to her mouth as he groaned. Damn she's biting that lip! I just want to nibble on it and suck on that bottom lip marking her as mine.
He cleared his throat saying, "I had no idea you noticed," while keeping his eyes on hers. He was mesmerized by her clear blue eyes.
"Oh, I noticed," she replied, flirting back. I couldn't get over how gorgeous he was! I've seen him around campus and wondered if he ever noticed me before.
"It's nice to meet you. Listen, would you like to…" he was about to ask her out when his mother popped in.
"Oh! Sweetheart, I'm sorry I'm late!" Grace said to her son. "I was busy picking up your present," she said, putting a velvety box on the table, ignoring Ana.
"How many times have I told you, mother, you cannot buy me? I'm finishing school and going for my masters degree." He told Grace. Ugh! I hate it when mother does this! She always seems to think if she buys me things, I will forgive her or allow her to manipulate me.
"Baby, if you wanted to finish college that's fine. But in the meantime deals have to be made, money has to be made and the family needs you," she told him. Grace walked off to another business meeting.
Christian groaned while he got up from the table and threw the velvet box her way. Ana saw this as she was concerned for Christian.
"Are you okay?" she asked, as he heard the concerned tone on her voice. He turned back to her as she asked, "is there something wrong with your family?"
"No, not exactly. I'm just tired of my mother running my life. I'm sorry to dump all of this on you," he explained to her.
"Its okay. I have ears. I know family can get quite overbearing at times." She told him politely.
"Yeah, I guess, " he replied, as they both were drawn to each other.
"Christian, earlier, you wanted to asked me something. What was it?" Ana asked.
There bodies were practically touching each other, their eyes connected never wavering. "I was wondering...if you believed in love at first sight?"
"I do now," she whispered back as their lips connected in a gentle kiss.
"Christian," Grace spoke. "Christian, are you okay?" she kept asking, getting his attention, breaking him out of his fantasy state.
"Huh? What?" he asked, now realizing where he was at.
"I asked if you were okay?" she asked again.
Christian was at Fifties, Kate was throwing a new years eve party and all of Seattle seemed to be there to ring in the new year.
"I'm fine," he said, grabbing his beer as he drank the alcohol. "Just missing my wife," he told her.
"I can imagine. When does the trial start?"
"Soon. Ross is helping her," he said to his mother.
"Oh? I thought you hired Boyce to defend her," she said to him.
"I did, but he didn't work out. Ross is a family friend and knows the Steeles very well. I'm sure he will do a good job."
Grace smiled back at her son. "Well, then you have it all covered. Why don't you enjoy the festivities?" she suggested.
"Hello, Grace. Christian," Leila said greeting them.
Grace looked up and smiled back at the girl. "Hey, Leila. Why don't you join us?" she suggested. Leila sat next to Christian as he gave her an awkward smile back. What is my mother up to?
"Thank you. How are you two this evening?" Leila asked them both, making herself right at home between them.
"Ringing in the new year like everyone else," Grace told her. She looked down at her watch and saw it was getting late. "Listen, I think I'm going to call it an early night. You two enjoy your selves," she told them, getting up leaving. Grace went to collect her coat as Christian followed behind her as he told Leila to excuse him.
"Mother? What the hell do you think your doing?" he growled to his mother.
"Why, Christian, I'm getting my coat," she replied, in an amused voice.
"I know what your up to so cut it out. My wife is being tried for murder that she didn't commit and I'm not happy with you setting me up with Leila," he angrily whispered.
Grace looked back at her son. "I did no such thing! I just wanted to get home earlier, that's all."
"I thought you settled your differences with Ana?" he asked his mother.
"We did. Christian what is this about?"
"Look, I don't like being made to look like a fool. I know you aren't Ana's biggest fan and now this."
"I thought you and Leila were friends?"
"We are...sort of."
"Christian, I didn't invite her and she knows how devoted you are to Ana. I think she just wanted to be a friend right now."
Christian looked back at the table. Leila was just sitting there all alone. He sighed. "Okay, fine. I'll go back. But don't think for one second that she and I…" he couldn't even finish that sentence.
"I understand. Now go, don't keep her waiting…" Grace said to him as she got her coat and left Fifties.
He didn't like this, it felt like a set-up. He went back to Leila and sat down. This time he sat another chair over. She looked back at Christian.
"Is everything okay?" she asked.
"Fine," he snapped.
"Christian, will you please drop the attitude. I thought you could use a friend right now. I also have some news to share with you." He looked back at her. "I did what you asked me to do...I checked around to all the other families and none of them set up your wife."
"You know that for sure?" he asked.
"Yes. They really respect you, Christian. So, I think you should look elsewhere."
"Great," he breathed out.
"You don't sound too convinced," she told him.
"I guess I was hoping it was one of the families. At least then I'd know where to look. Now I don't have a clue on who could set up my wife," he told her.
She moved closer to Christian as she lowered her voice to him. "I know and I'm sorry. But, maybe you should face the facts."
"What facts are you alluding to, Leila?"
"I know you don't want to think this of your wife, but what if…"
"No!" he shouted to her, getting looks from all around. Then he lowered his voice to her. "I know my wife didn't do this. She's not that kind of person."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but, wasn't your wife who was seen at Company putting a knife to his throat?" she asked. Christian looked back at Leila suspiciously. For one, she wasn't there that night. Two, no one could have known that happened if they weren't there.
"How did you know about that?" he snapped.
"Your kidding right? It's been all over the news. Christian, you can't keep that kind of news private."
I guess she had a point. By now it was all over the news.
"Even still, Ana couldn't of have gone through with it. So that leaves me back to her being set up. I will find the person who did this." He told Leila getting up from the table. It was nearing midnight and he had a enough of this scene.
He started walking towards the door when Leila approached him again. The countdown was happening. Ten, nine… as everyone continued on.
"Christian, wait!" she called out to him. Leila pulled him to a stop as she reached up and kissed him. Everyone was shouting Happy New Years to each other as Christian felt her lips on his. She kissed him hard and it took him a second to realize what was happening. He pulled away from her abruptly.
"Stop!" he yelled to her.
She looked back at him in shock. "Christian...I'm sorry. I didn't…"
"What ever, Leila. Get it through your thick head. I love my wife! Nothing will ever change that!" he told her sternly as he left her alone inside of Fifties.
Leila watched as her ex left her alone in the club. She sighed out hating the fact he was still hung up on Ana.
"Ugh! Why is he being so damn stubborn?" she asked herself.
"I'm kind of wondering that myself," Kate told Leila, surprising her as she gasped. Kate was standing before her.
"I thought Ana was your best friend?" Leila asked.
"She was...until she killed my father." Kate stated to her.
"So you believe she did it?" Leila asked her. "You know...I came here to give you my condolences, but Ana stopped me. She warned me to stay away from you." Leila told her.
"Really?" Kate asked her.
"Yeah. In fact she acted like a guilty person. I heard she pulled a knife on your father in Company. I'm sorry to hear about Ben," Leila said, trying to get in Kate's good graces.
"Thanks. No one will believe that Ana did it. I didn't want to think she did at first, but all the evidence is pointing in her direction."
"Wow. I can't even imagine...I would die if I lost my father." Leila replied with empathy.
"What's going on between you and Christian?" Kate asked her.
"Nothing unfortunately." Leila stated.
"Don't give up," Kate replied. "Because if Ana goes to prison, he would be all alone."
"Wow. Are you really telling me not to give up on Christian? That's a three-sixty. I thought you didn't like me," Leila said to Kate.
"To be honest, your looking better for Christian these days. I guess I was fooled by Ana." Kate told her. "I need to get back. Talk to you later," Kate said to her.
Wow! Kate surprised me tonight. But then her ex best friend is on the hook for murdering her father. She told me not to give up on my being with Christian. Though Jimmy did ask me to come back to LA to finish the tour with the bands. But I think this takes precedence over that. Look out, Ana! I'm coming for your husband. It's not over yet, Christian.
Leila left the club and went back home. She called Grace to wish her a happy new year. She told Grace she wasn't giving up on the idea of her Christian yet. Grace told her good luck.
It was new year's day and Ana was sitting on the cot in her cell. She was thinking about the plans that Christian showed her on their dream home. She couldn't wait for construction to get started on it as they had big plans for it, but first they had to get through this trial. She heard her husband's voice as he walked up to her cell.
"Hey, you," he greeted her. "Happy New year."
"Happy new year," she told him back.
Frank walked up as he told them they had thirty minutes to visit. She thanked him for the christmas present, but he pretended to not know what she was talking about. He let Christian into her cell as they embraced each other. Ross showed up as the guard let him in her cell. Ana told him thank you for representing her even though it must be hard on him, because Ben was his brother.
"I haven't done anything yet," Ross said to Ana.
"Yeah, well, it's a lot better that your here under the circumstances," Ana replied.
"Ana, you know how I feel about you. Your like a daughter to me and I know in my heart you didn't kill Ben. But, I have to be honest, it doesn't look good for you."
"I know...believe me I've been racking my brain on this whole thing."
"I'm sure you have. Okay, first thing, I need to know what you did every minute of that night." He explained to her.
Ana began explaining that she and Christian were together for most of the night back at her home in her room. He asked here what time frame this was and she replied it was around six-thirty or seven. He urged her on as she told him that they had made love and then afterwards stayed in bed for an hour talking. Ross wanted to know what happened next.
Christian explained that they both fell asleep then later on Ana decided she wanted to go to the party that Kate was having for her adopting Max. By the time they had gotten to Towers, the murder had already happened. Ana looked back at her husband. She knew she had told him that she would lie and say she was with him all night, but that was when Boyce was her lawyer. She didn't want to lie to Ross.
Her lawyer could sense something was off with Ana. He told her he needed to know everything and that there could be no surprises as jail would become her permanent home. He demanded to know if that is what truly happened that night. Christian and Ana were looking back at each other.
"No, its not," she told Ross. She knew by the look on Christian's face he wasn't happy with her, but she couldn't go through with the lie.
"Okay. If that didn't happen, you need to tell me what you did," Ross explained in his lawyer voice.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered to Christian. "The truth is I got hungry and went out for some ice cream."
Ross looked away from Ana. "You went by yourself?"
"Yes," she answered.
"What time was this?"
"Seven -thirty," she told him. He asked if she was sure and she told him that as far as she knew the ice cream store stayed open until eight-thirty.
"Did you drive there?" Ross asked.
"Yes, I did. But, by the time I got there they were already closed. They must have closed early. So I just drove around and ended up at my mother's grave." Ross walked around in the cell as he let what she said to him sink in.
"So, in other words around the time frame of the murder, you were nowhere near Christian?" he asked again.
"Yep. I was alone." She told him.
Ross looked over at Christian as he looked away from their lawyer. All this time, he lied to everyone as to the whereabouts of where his wife was that night.
"Is this true, Christian?" Ross asked him.
Christian looked back at his wife as he knew they were busted. He nodded back to him.
"We had to lie," Christian explained to him. "Without an alibi, Ana was guilty as far as they were concerned."
"I realized that the truth is a foreign concept to you, but that was the only think you had going for you right now," Ross declared to him.
"Look, I did what I had to do for my wife. Ross, you and I know as far as the law, its not cut and dry. They send people to prison all the time with mistaken false witnesses, trumped up charges, I wasn't going to let that happen," he argued.
He sighed to Christian. "I understand your frustration, but you have the truth to hang on too. You have to believe in that," he told him then turned and asked Ana, "Did anyone see you while you were out?"
"No," she told him.
"Then maybe someone saw you. There has got to be someone out there who saw you and who would be willing to come forward."
"Ross, we have been looking but came up empty."
"Well, you have me now. Okay, it looks like I have some work to do. You two keep your spirits up. I will be in touch," he told them both.
He was let out of the cell. Ana looked at Christian and knew he wasn't exactly happy with her.
"I know...your not happy with me telling the truth."
"I don't get it, Ana. I thought we had discussed this and agreed on it?"
"We did. But that was when Boyce was my lawyer. I couldn't lie to Ross. I mean...he knew right away that we were lying. Imagine if Doris found that out, my credibility would be shot. At least this way we have a chance."
"I know...I get it. I'm not mad at you," he told her taking Ana into his arms.
"Okay, you two, Christian you have to go," Frank said to Christian. "And your being transferred to county jail."
"What? When?" Ana asked.
"Tomorrow," he told her.
"But...Frank you can't. I can't…" Ana tried to say.
"I don't like this either, I have no choice." Frank said to her.
"Fine. I'm going to go look for an alibi. That's the only thing that will save you," Christian told Ana. He gave her a quick kiss as he left.
Just as Christian was leaving an old man was walking by him. "Are you, Christian?"
"Who's asking?" he asked the old man.
"I'm the man who owns the ice cream shop."
"Where have you been? I've been calling you and leaving tons of messages."
"I was on vacation. I just got back. I've known Ana since she was a little girl. Is it true that she killed someone?"
"No, of course not. She's being framed, but we have to your help. Please tell me you saw my wife outside your store that night?" Christian asked him. The old man just looked back at Christian and he could tell that he was desperate.
"I...um...heard a knock on the door…."
"Yeah, that was my wife." Christian told him.
"It could have been...but I didn't look. I'm sorry," the man told him. Christian began thinking about this. The man could see the look in Christian's eyes. "What?"
"Maybe you did see Ana," Christian suggested.
"No, I told you I didn't."
"Perhaps you could say you did."
"You want me to lie?" the man asked.
"I know its asking a lot. But we're running out of time. My wife is being set up. Your the only one would could save her. Please, I'm begging you. Just think about it and get back to me. Here's my number. You can call me anytime."
"Fine. I will give it some thought," the man told him.
"Thank you," Christian replied.
The man walked away. Christian looked up at the ceiling. Oh, baby, we're this close! I hate lying about this, but Ross was wrong. This was the only way to keep you out of prison.
A/N: So this man named Len, will he be able to help Ana? What did you think of Liela? Grace is a piece of work isn't she? Is she on Ana's side or Leila's? It seemed as though Kate had totally turned her back on Ana. Just so you all know, I will be posting edits, pics of the characters in the story in my Karen Cullen Grey group. Though the story focuses on Ana and Christian, there will be others involved in their lives. Link can be found on my profile page.
