Hello Everyone. As many of you may have noticed, I'm re-posting my Fifty Shades Fandom stories on here again. I closed my wordpress account and decided to move all of my fanfic to this site now. Additionally, I have created a website called craftyrivers dot com. I will be posting my own original fiction there as well as various crafty projects I'm working on. Feel free to head on over there and check it out! Here's the first chapter of Fifty Shades of the Opera. I've got 13 finished chapters of this story, so I'll be posting all those over the next day or so and then will start updating.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Christian PoV

"It's high time you have a real relationship, Christian," Flynn said. I stifled rolling my eyes. Here we go again. "You can clearly see that the submissives you contract are not satisfying all of your needs. Sexually perhaps, yes. Some of your anger, perhaps yes. But you are so much more complex than just anger and sexual need. You have other emotional needs, ones you're not even aware of."

"I don't want a relationship," I retorted.

"How do you know? You've never been in one, so how can you possibly know that you don't want one? You equate a relationship to hearts and flowers, but that's not what they're all about. Take the best aspects of one of your submissive contracts and add a bit of romance and there you have it. The connections you can make with someone on that level will surprise you. Trust me."

"Flynn, I don't know the first thing about romancing a woman." I run my fingers through my hair, exasperated.

"Neither do most men," he replied. "Even ones that have been dating for many years haven't a clue. I know you like to be in control of everything; but to truly seek happiness, you're going to have to go outside your comfort zone a bit. And I think dating is the perfect start. Visit a bar, or a coffee shop, or a bookstore… find a woman you're attracted to and strike up a conversation. Go for a walk with her, tell her about yourself. You'll be surprised how fulfilling that simple act can be."

The time was up and I had to leave. I bade my farewell to the good doctor and headed down to my car. He gave me a lot to think about. I sought him out this week because I ended my most recent submissive contract after only two weeks. Julia was attractive, a well-trained sub, and very obedient, but it wasn't enough. I found that even after a severe punishment, one that would normally have me ready to go for hours, I didn't feel any joy, arousal, or anything. I'd make her fellate me for an hour straight, and I still couldn't climax.

At first I thought it was some kind of erectile dysfunction issue, but when I spoke to Flynn, he urged me to visit him before going to a medical doctor. And then he dropped the bomb on me. A relationship. Hearts and flowers. Romance. Emotions. I'd purposely avoided all of that my entire life. Why would I change it now?

After ending my session with Flynn, I was on my way to my parents' home. There was a mandatory dinner party happening, where I would be reunited with my apparent childhood friends, the Steeles. I barely remembered them and I'd hardly consider them friends. I knew Carla and Ray had three children, though I couldn't recall their names. Ray was in the same unit as my father in the army, and they each got married shortly after their discharge. Their anniversaries were within a week of each other.

I think the Steele children knew early on that I was not into socializing as a kid and then around the time I was twelve or thirteen, the Steeles moved to New York. I hadn't bothered to really get to know any of them. But I did remember they would come over often after school to spend time with my siblings. I stayed in my room most of the time back then.

My mother apparently kept in contact with Carla and my father with Ray, though they rarely or never mentioned the Steeles to me. As I drove, I called up my memories of the family, to at least remember a small amount about them. They had two daughters and a son; I remembered that, as it was opposite our family.

Two of the children were blondes, the eldest daughter and the boy, I recalled. Kate and Ethan, I finally remembered. They were twins, if my memory served correctly. They were Elliot's age. Then there was the younger girl… what was her name? Annabel? No... Annemarie? No… Anastasia? Yes, Anastasia. She was a year or two younger than myself. And a scrawny mousy-haired bookworm as a kid. I wondered if that changed.

I was late, I realized as I heard music coming from inside the house. Someone was playing the piano. My piano. Well, it wasn't mine, but it was the piano I learned on. It held a sentimental part in my life, and I didn't like other people playing it without my permission.

As I entered the house, I saw my mother at the piano bench, playing a familiar tune. She was the exception to my rule about who played the piano. Just as I identified the tune, I heard the most glorious voice singing along.

Think of me,

Think of me fondly

When we've said goodbye

Remember me

Once in a while,

Please promise me you'll try

When you find

That once again you long

To take your heart back and be free

If you ever find a moment,

Spare a thought for me.

I slowly walked further into the room and saw a long mane of chestnut hair attached to the most alluring body I'd ever seen. Soft curves, a shapely rear, skin the color of cream and roses. I only wondered if the face was as magnificent as the rest of the body. She was turned away from me, leaning against the piano, singing as my mother played.

Her voice was out of this world. I stood, frozen to my spot, mesmerized by the lilting tones of her voice. Suddenly, I was very, very glad I decided not to skip tonight's gathering.

We never said our love was evergreen

Or as unchanging as the sea

But if you can still remember,

Stop and think of me

Think of all the things we've shared and seen;

Don't think about the way things might have been.

Think of me,

Think of me waking

Silent and resigned.

Imagine me,

Trying too hard to

Put you from my mind.

Recall those days,

Look back on all those times.

Think of the things we'll never do

There will never be a day

When I won't think of you!

Applause broke out in the room pulling me from my trance. The girl turned minutely and I saw her profile for a split second. She was beautiful. I had to know who she was. My mother stood up from the piano bench and turned, seeing me standing in the doorway. "Christian! You made it!" she exclaimed.

"Er yes," I mumbled. "Hello everyone. I didn't want to disturb the performance. It was beautiful," I turned my gaze to the brunette with the golden throat. A luscious blush spread across her cheeks as she gazed at me and bit her lip. Oh dear lord in heaven. As I stared dumbfounded at her, I saw her striking blue eyes. They sliced right through me, into my very soul. I was so lost in her that I couldn't even think.

"Christian, you remember Ana," my mother said, breaking yet another trance. This was Anastasia Steele?!

"Anastasia?" I asked. No way the entrancing creature before me was the same girl I knew as a child.

"Yes, but I prefer Ana," the beautiful woman replied. "It's been a long time. You were a gangly, socially awkward ginger the last time I saw you," she teased. I smiled.

"Well you were a four-eyed bookworm nerd, if I recall," I teased back. She giggled and it was almost as beautiful as her voice. "It's great to see you again." I walked towards her, grasped her hand and pulled it up to my lips for a chaste kiss. I felt a zing go up through my arm and into my heart. What an odd sensation.

"Er, likewise," she replied. "I guess we both grew out of the awkward tween phase, huh?" We laughed together.

"Wow, the years have been good to you," a new female voice stated. I turned away from the brunette goddess to see a blonde approaching. She was pretty, too, not my type, rather generically beautiful. But she certainly was Elliot's type. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and saw him practically salivating over this woman.

"Kate," I greeted. I copied the gesture I gave to her sister, not wanting to give away my sudden attraction to Anastasia. Ethan came up next and shook my hand. Next were the parents, Carla and Raymond Steele. Ray had a nice firm handshake, evidence of his years in the military, where Carla's was more dainty and soft.

"I hope I'm not too late. I had a meeting that ran long," I explained.

"Oh not at all dear, Ana was just practicing for her upcoming audition," my mother said.

"Audition?" I asked. "For what?"

"It's a call back," Carla replied, beaming with pride. "She's been called back for the role of Christine Daae in Phantom of the Opera. I think she's a shoe-in." I could just picture her in that role. She'd be perfect for it. Provided she could act and dance as well as she sang.

"Well, you certainly look the part," I complimented. "And your voice is phenomenal. You've got my vote."

"Thanks," she replied, blushing further. Her skin turned a delicious shade of pink. I wondered what it would look like warmed from a crop or a flogger. I shook my head, releasing those thoughts. She wasn't my submissive, she was a family friend. I made a concerted effort never to mix the two sides of my life.

"Shall we eat?" my mother suggested. She shuffled us all into the dining room which had been set elaborately with name tags and everything at each plate. I was seated directly across from Anastasia, which made me happy.

"So tell me Ana," I began once the dishes were being passed around. "Christine Daae has to do a great deal of dancing in that role as well, if I'm not mistaken. Do you have a background in dance?"

"Yes," she replied. "I started ballet when I was four years old, but it didn't really stick until after we moved to New York and I got a much better instructor. Where the old one scolded me for being clumsy, humiliating me in front of the entire class, the new one showed me how to turn my inordinate lack of grace into a new style of dance, and eventually, make me able to dance swan lake with near perfect technique."

I remembered her being rather awkward on her feet as a child. She stumbled around, tripping over air more often than not. Now she was a graceful beauty that had the world at her feet. She was the epitome of the ugly duckling turned swan metaphor.

"When is your call back?" I asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon," she replied. "I have to prepare 'Think of Me' and a dance sequence that they provided on DVD. I've been dancing and singing practically non-stop since they called me on Wednesday."

"Oh, at least they gave you a few days to prepare. I've heard some companies want call backs the next day," I answered. I was a member of the theatre board in Seattle, so I knew a thing or two about the audition process.

"Yeah, it was nice. 'Think of Me' was already in my repertoire, so it was only fine-tuning needed for that, but the dance is completely new material," she answered. I found myself more and more drawn to her with each word she spoke. I wanted nothing more than to be present at her audition; I'd have to talk to Garland to see if that was possible.

"Well I will say, 'break-a-leg' then," I replied just before digging into my meal. Mother had prepared a delicious roast with vegetables. Fingerling potatoes, julienne carrots, rutabaga, Vidalia onions, and zucchini made up the roasted vegetables. I watched Anastasia closely to see if she was a good eater. I was pleased to see she ate her entire plate and then added a second helping.

The conversation went on at the table, with the Steeles asking the Greys how life was the past few years, what we'd all been up to. Elliot regaled them with tales of the construction business, Mia with her studies in France, and I kept my stories reserved merely mentioning that I'd become a successful businessman.

Anastasia had studied at Julliard, focusing on musical theatre. I was impressed to learn that she already had three Broadway shows under her belt. That must be one reason why she was given a call-back. Most theatre companies liked seasoned performers, especially ones with Broadway experience.

Kate studied fashion at NYU and was planning on opening her own line, soon. She and Mia chatted animatedly about that all through dinner and afterwards. Ana and Kate's brother Ethan was in med school, about to graduate and become a doctor. He and my mother went on and on about various new medicinal treatments that were coming out. Carrick, Ray, and Elliot were engrossed in a conversation about what was going on in the Middle East.

That left me and Anastasia to our own devices. "Have you been given a tour?" I asked. "We've done some renovations since you all lived here last."

"Just of the main floor, but not outside," she answered, smiling up at me.

"Well you're in luck," I told her. Extending my hand, she took it, squeezing lightly, and I led her out the back door onto the patio. As soon as her skin touched mine, I felt that same zap of electricity go straight through my body. I wondered if she felt it, too.

Ana PoV

Holy shit. He was effing gorgeous! I didn't remember him being so good looking when we were kids. He was socially awkward, scrawny and kind of mean back then. The years were very, very good to him. Perhaps deciding to move back here with the family wasn't a bad idea after all.

Christian had grown a good eight inches, his hair darkened to a coppery color, instead of the fiery ginger shade he used to have. His eyes were still the same hue of gray, but they seemed deeper, wiser, and very intelligent. Underneath his tailored suit, I could tell he was very well muscled. Not as bulky as Elliot had become, but more wiry.

I had gone back and forth about moving back here many times. Broadway was where my heart was; I wanted nothing more than to have a long and successful career there. But I looked a bit too generic. There were plenty of other actresses that looked more interesting than me, and they got the roles far before I did. Either they had bigger breasts, a bigger ass, were taller, or prettier. My voice and dance skills were on par with everyone else, but if it was only about talent, then I'd have been a lead actor many times by now.

Instead, I had to deal with popularity contests, seniority, and cattle calls. In Seattle, I would be a much bigger fish in a much smaller pond. In New York, I doubted I would have even gotten a call back for Christine Daae; whereas here, I knew I had a pretty good chance of getting cast as the role.

There was something dark and mysterious about Christian now. Something that wasn't there years ago. At least I didn't remember it being there. He seemed genuinely interested in my life though. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw me after I finished my song, and they'd stayed that way the entire evening. When he grasped my hand and kissed it, I felt a surge of electricity roll through my entire body. I was sure that my hair was standing on end, liked I'd just stuck my fingers in an outlet.

Now he and I were on our own, strolling through the extensive Grey Estate. Christian held my hand tightly in his the entire time as he explained the changes made in the house. I listened to the baritone sounds of his voice, but didn't pay attention to the words. My mind was more focused on the constant hum of electricity flowing between us. Did he feel it too?

He was leading me towards a boathouse, where he was going to show me the family's latest toy. He held the door open for me like a perfect gentleman and I stepped into the dark building. A light switch was flipped and then it was illuminated in a soft glow. There, rocking softly on the night's waves was a beautiful house boat.

"Wow, this is beautiful! I think it's bigger than my apartment in New York," I said, giggling.

"Yes, well it's meant for family travel, I suppose," he replied. "Would you like to come aboard?" I nodded and smiled at him. He hopped up on deck first then hoisted me up, lifting me over the side as if I weighed ten pounds.

He led me on a short tour of the boat. While it was very large, the rooms were small and simple. We found ourselves back on the deck, sitting on the cushions near the helm. "Anastasia, I need to ask you something," he said. Oh lord, the look in his eyes had me melting into a puddle and slipping in to the bay water below.

"Okay," I replied quietly, suddenly very shy.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked. Holy lord.

"No," I squeaked. "Do you?"

"Have a boyfriend? No," he joked, chuckling. "I don't have a girlfriend either, for that matter." So did that mean he was straight?

"Oh, good. I mean, yes. Why do you ask?"

"Because, just wondering if there's going to be any competition." Holy shit.

"Oh my," I whispered to myself. He smirked slightly, so I knew he heard me. One day back in Seattle and I've already got a suitor. I didn't have time for boyfriends. I never had time. I was always too busy rehearsing, studying, performing and sleeping. There was little room for anything else.

Granted now, I'd have a lot more free time. The rehearsal schedule out here was a lot less demanding than on Broadway in New York. And living at home, I wouldn't have many expenses that would require a supplemental job. But did I want to jump into a relationship with the first guy that I ever even took the time to notice?

Christian leaned towards me, a very determined look in his eyes. And I just knew he was going to kiss me. Gulp.