All characters belong to E. L. James. All mistakes are mine. This is a story that I've tried to get out of my head, but it refuses to go. Let me say this, this is my story and if you do not like it, you do not have to read it. Please just sit back and enjoy the ride before you start tearing me apart and berating me for a fictional story. It's not necessary.

As I walk into the banquet hall, I'm awed at the decorations. Everything is immaculate and looks hella expensive. I'm sure a fortune, that could have fed a small country, was shelled out for tonight's event.

I never thought I'd be back in Washington. After graduating from Harvard, and passing the Bar, I moved to New York. I seemed to come alive and thrive in New York. I would have never thought someone like me, little book worm Anastasia Steele, from Montesano could achieve success in a state like New York.

My fresh start came when I stepped foot off the plane into New York. I came alive. I knew if I could make it there, I could indeed make it anyway, as the song says. Ray was so proud the first time I flew him out to see me. He could not stop smiling, or telling me how proud he was of me. He bragged to all his friends after he got back to Montesano.

Thinking of Ray makes me sad and tear up. This is supposed to be a happy time for me. However, I do miss him. I don't think I'll ever get over no longer having parents in this world. After Mom died of cancer when I was just a little girl, Ray was all I had. He was my everything. No father has ever doted on a daughter the way Ray did me. I'll never forget the day Mr. Williams, Ray's neighbor, called me to give me the news.

I had flown Ray out to visit for Christmas. He stayed through the New Year. He called me once his plane made it to Sea-Tac. He was supposed to call me once he made it home. After the two-hour drive and no phone call, I started calling him. After hours five and six passed, I was in a frenzy. Finally, my phone rang, but it was Mr. Williams calling to tell me Ray's truck was struck by a drunk driver. Ray died on impact. That was the day I stopped feeling.

I kept his house and hired a staff to keep up the yard and the inside clean. The drunk driver, who killed him, got the book thrown away at him. Especially, since this was his fourth DUI that resulted in homicide. He was not supposed to be driving since he lost his driver's license from his second DUI.

I took time off work to attend the trial. He apologized to me over and over. His wife had the audacity to ask me to write a letter to the judge and ask for a lenient sentence. She said they had three children, she was a stay at home mom, and he was their only source of income. I told her I'd go to the cemetery and speak with my father about it. I think that got my point across to her.

On the day I was scheduled to go back to New York, I received a call from the Washington DA. He said he had been following my career, was about to retire and wanted to pass the baton to me. I was floored and honored. I was not sure I wanted to move back to Seattle, but here I am.

"Ms. Steele?" I turn to see DA Robert Smith and his wife. "Our table is this way, follow me." He says and leads the way to the head table.

"Thank you, Mr. Smith." I say as I take my seat. "You look lovely tonight, Mrs. Smith."

"Please call me Charlotte and thank you. You look lovely as well." She says as she squeezes my hand.

As the lights turn down and everyone has taken their seats, the master of ceremonies steps onto the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attendance tonight to say farewell to DA Robert Smith and to welcome his replacement."

"Without any further delay, please put your hands together for DA Robert Smith."

The audience stands and claps as he makes his way to the stage. "Please have a seat. Thank you for these wonderful years to serve you as your DA. I have loved every minute of it. I will miss my staff and the chocolate chip cookies my secretary would bring to the office for Christmas." He says as the crowd laughs.

While sitting here listening to him give his farewell speech, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I have this weird electric sensation that overcomes me. I know that feeling all too well, but it can't be. I have not had that feeling in years. Not since I left Harvard all those years ago.

"….and welcome my replacement, Ms. Anastasia Steele." I'm jolted back into the moment as I hear my name and the applause. Once I make it to the stage and the applause dies down, I take a minute to get my thoughts together. "Thank you, and thank you Mr. Smith for this opportunity…"

~x X x~

I did not want come tonight. I had work I could have been doing instead of coming here. Randi felt I have been neglecting her and wanted a night out. When my dad mentioned the banquet honoring the DA and naming his replacement, she jumped on the chance to attend.

As soon as we walked through the doors, I should have turned around when I was bulldozed with that spark of electricity. Only one person elicits that feeling in me, but I haven't seen her in years. I fucked that up and have regretted it every day of my life.

"….and welcome my replacement, Ms. Anastasia Steele." I instantly choke on the steak I'm eating. I have to drink my wine to help me get it down. I cannot believe it. Ana, she's here, in Seattle. Not only is she here, but she's the new District Attorney.

My dad looks over at me as Ana's name is said and he mouths that he didn't know about this to me. However, I can tell he's happy about it. He loved Ana, like he loves Mia and treated her the same.

I am immediately drawn to her as she steps on the stage. She's still beautiful. In fact, as I take the time to look her over she is not the same. She has filled out and is curvy. Her breasts are rounder and fuller. I follow her tiny waist to her round hips. Ana has always been petite, and she still is. However, her weight is noticeable and in all the right places.

"…I have big shoes to fill, but Mr. Smith I will make you proud. Thank you." She finishes and steps off stage. I see her make her way to the bar and excuse myself to speak with her. I ignore the business men trying to get my attention as I make my way to Ana.

"Margarita, please." I hear her say to the bar tender. I take the time to really look over her body as I'm standing directly behind her. It is pleasingly obvious that she works out. Her body looks amazing and I'm stupefied as I stand here taking her in.

"Since when did you start drinking margaritas?" I ask and see her stiffen.

~x X x~

"Margarita, please." I've been here long enough. I need to get out of here and go home. I've mingled, I've given my acceptance speech, I've done what's expected of me. I want to get out of this dress and heels and pig out on the couch watching a movie. The electricity around me suddenly becomes stronger.

"Since when did you start drinking margaritas?" I hear the smooth baritone voice and instantly stiffen. I have not heard that voice in years. I just had to get a margarita. I should have left instead of ordering this damn drink. Bracing myself, I slowly turn around and am face to face with Christian.

"Christian." I say as I take a sip of my margarita and begin to walk away.

"Ana, wait." He says as he walks behind me.

"I'm trying to leave, Christian. What do you want?"

"Ana, I…. The new District Attorney, huh? Wow."

"Again, I ask what do you want? I don't have time for small talk or idle chit-chat."

Sighing as he runs his hands through his hair, a telling sign that he's getting frustrated. He moves closer to me.

"I was surprised to see you here."

"Why? Have you been looking for me, Christian? It's not like we kept in touch, so why would you be surprised to see me here?"

"Ana, look" He begins to say, but he's cut off by a brunette's left hand grabbing his arm. I get the message as soon as I spot the rock sitting on the ring finger of her left hand.

"Babe, your dad is looking for you and I'm ready to go home." She says while looking me up and down.

"Give me a minute and I'll meet you in the car." He says to her, but she holds her position.

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" She asks him.

"Ana, this is my fiancé, Miranda Devereaux." He says.

"Randi, for short." She says, "And you are?" She asks as she extends her hand.

"No one. I was one of Christian's classmates at Harvard." I say as I turn and walk away.

~x X x~

"No one. I was one of Christian's classmates at Harvard." She turns and walks away before she can see the pain on my face from her comment. Ana was definitely no one. I know we were young and I acted foolishly, but she was my entire life. If only I could go back in time.

"Well, she was rude." Randi says as I watch Ana walk away.

"Let's go home." I say as we turn and walk away. For years, I had thought of what I'd say if I saw Ana, again. I had an entire dialogue planned. Yet, the moment I see her the words fly out of my head.

Once we make it back to Escala, I send Randi to bed and ask Taylor to meet me in my office. "Have a seat," I gesture to the seat in front of my desk.

"I need you to get with Welch and pull me everything on the new District Attorney, Anastasia Steele. I need to know everything for the past five years. Her address, cell number, past jobs, everything." I tell him.

"I'd like this information, ASAP."

"Yes, sir." He says as he gets up and walks out the door. I walk over to my bar, pour myself a glass of scotch and walk to my window and look out over the city as I contemplate my life.

~x X x~

I immediately kick off my shoes as I make my way inside my apartment. I'm met by a bunch of boxes sitting in my living room and will be glad when this move is complete. I found a house in Bellevue once I decided to take the job as District Attorney.

"Hi, Ana. I hope you had a good night." Danielle says.

"I had a great night, Dani. I hope you did, too. I hope your night was fun and uneventful." I say smiling.

"It was a good night and uneventful." She says as she grabs her coat. "Good night, Ana."

"Good night and thank you, again."

"You know it's no trouble. I love doing it."

"Call me to let me know when you make it home" I tell her. Although she knows the drill.

"Yes ma'am" She laughs while saluting as she walks out of the door.

I make my way to my bedroom and remove my dress and makeup. I take a quick shower and walk across the hallway into the other bedroom.

"Mommy, you're home."

"So, you were faking sleep?" I ask as I walk over to the bed and start tickling my son.

"I missed you and wanted to stay awake until you got home." He says giving me a hug.

"Mommy, can we watch The Lion King?" He asks knowing he'll be asleep before Simba runs away and meets Timon and Pumba.

"Sure." I say as he hops out of bed and dashes to my bedroom. I turn the lamp on his table off and head to my room.

"No jumping on the bed, Frankie." I say as I turn on the movie.

"Mommy, is tonight our last night here?" He asks.

"Yes, it is. Tomorrow, we'll be moving into our new house."

"Can we finally get a dog?" He turns while giving me a familiar serious expression. I look at his unruly copper hair and his gray eyes and know I'll give in.

"Yes." I smile and tell him as he throws himself at me and hugs me giggling.