Ana and Christian belong to ELJames

Traveling Companions

Christian POV

Christian Grey strode leisurely through the airport headed for the first class lounge. His flight wasn't scheduled to leave for a couple of hours. In an uncustomary gesture of goodwill, he allowed his staff to use his jet for a much needed break. One of the security men from GEH would meet him in Miami since the security risk was low. Dressed casually in dark jeans and top siders, he only slightly resembled the hard nosed, Billionaire, CEO from Seattle.

Christian was on an unofficial, self imposed exile, using work as an excuse to stay away from Seattle. He had given up his lifestyle as a dominant nearly a year ago when a former submissive attempted suicide. He had been unable to give her what she wanted and had become unhinged. After months of working with his long time shrink, he'd finally accepted that BDSM was a crutch he used to afford some semblance of control. His inability to save his birth mother and himself from evil, vicious, violent, abusive pimps haunted him in his dreams and manifested in his need to be in control of all things.

In truth, it was no longer appealingly nor gratifying. The last step was to come clean to his family about all of it. His parents wanted to assume responsibility for the turn his life had taken. His mother, the pediatrician was especially affected as she felt she had let him down when she promised to always keep him safe. For once in his life, he saw what had always been there…..his family loved him. There had been a lot of tears and questions but no judgment. Where he should have been relieved, he was consumed by guilt. All the years his family fought to embrace and include him; he'd shunned them at every turn. The truth of the matter was he never had been able to accept the purity and selflessness of their gift.

When his parents learned that their "good friend" Elena Lincoln had seduced him at the tender age of fifteen and introduced him to BDSM, their anger and regret compounded his guilt. Carrick and Elliott literally held Grace down to keep his mother from committing murder. He worked with his parents to bury her when his father's P.I. discovered Christian wasn't Elena's only victim. He left town soon after she was arrested unable to sit across the dinner table from his family. Now, he was running out of places and excuses. After Miami, he was heading home to...….to what he didn't know, but he was going home; back to the mausoleum where he slept if he were fortunate.

His flight from LaGuardia was scheduled to leave at three A.M. At his hour, the airport was nearly deserted. He found a seat near the vast windows overlooking the runway and pulled out his tablet to review some e-mails. He was responding to a few from Ros, when he heard someone off to his right sniffling.

He hadn't noticed anyone before but now he couldn't see anyone or anything but her. Even in the darkened terminal, he could tell she was beautiful. The petite, mahogany haired goddess sat in a chair only a few seats down, her knees drawn to her chest. In this light he could see her delicate profile; button nose, full pouty lips, and cheeks glistening from her tears. He wondered what she was hiding behind the large sunglasses covering most of her face. Not wanting to startle the beauty, he cleared his throat and handed her a linen handkerchief. She flinched and shrunk into herself when the unfamiliar hand suddenly appeared. Christian saw the bruises on her face and throat and noticed the wince when she attempted to move away.

Rage simmered just beneath the surface when he recognized the bruises as hand prints. It was clear that this dainty; wisp of a woman had been attacked. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself enough to ask "who hurt you pretty lady?"

Ana POV

Had it only been four days since she'd left Seattle for the publishing conference? She had been so excited and honored to be invited. Ana was only an assistant editor at Seattle Independent Publishing, and a new hire at that. Her boss campaigned for her to be able to attend. Her roommate and best friend helped her shop for the week and organize her wardrobe. Ana wanted to look fashionably professional while representing her employer and make a positive impression on writers they hoped to recruit.

She was excited about all of it; the plane ride, the five star hotel, New York. She even bought a new Samsung Galaxy 7 edge to take pictures if she had time to sight see. At that moment her life was nearly perfect. If only Ray, her step dad had lived to see her accomplishments. He would have been so proud.

The first day was both exhilarating and exhausting with meetings and seminars. The six hour time difference didn't help. The next day was more of the same but no less thrilling. It must have been a combination of few sips of wine at dinner and fatigue that had her off her game. She hadn't noticed when her mild mannered boss got off the elevator on her floor. Nor had she noticed that he was following closely behind her until it was too late.

When she opened her door, he forced himself into her room and knocked her onto the floor. Before she could react, he ripped open her blouse and tore her bra from her breasts. He gripped her hands tightly and reminded her that she owed him for this opportunity; that she had been teasing him for weeks; that she wanted this. When she tried to resist, he slapped her to the point of seeing stars. With one hand around both of hers he raised her skirt to get to her panties. She bucked to get him off of her and he reached for her neck, tightening the grip so that she couldn't breathe. With what little strength she had she bent forward and latched onto an ear with her teeth. His scream saved her from being raped but not from another punch and kick to the ribs.

A guest in the adjoining room alerted security and they burst through the door to find Hyde's blood on her face and chest and Hyde with his dick exposed. He was arrested and she was taken to the hospital. After being examined and released, the hotel provided her with another room. She slept fitfully in a chair pushed against the door.

This morning, she'd met with the police again to go over a few details. She also had a meeting with the hotels lawyers. They were concerned about her and a lawsuit. They wanted to settle. Ana thought it would be best to discuss the matter with her mother's new husband who just happened to be an attorney. In addition to the papers the Trump Towers wanted her to sign; they provided first class accommodations anywhere she wanted to go.

The first flight to Savannah didn't leave until three A.M. This time of the morning, the first class lounge was practically deserted. She found a seat facing the vast windows overlooking the runway and stared out into nothing; going over details she might have missed leading to this disastrous week.

So lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize anyone was near her until she heard his throat clear and a linen handkerchief thrust into her face. It took everything in her not to scream. She tried to disappear. When the stranger asked who had hurt her, his tone so gentle and sincere, her tears turned to full blown sobs and she dropped her head to her hands.

Christian POV

Christian didn't know how to react, unfamiliar with comforting anyone, so he just waited for her tears to subside. Once she appeared to have calmed he asked ", Do you want to tell me what my innocent handkerchief did to upset you?"

Ana looked up and into the kindest eyes she had ever seen. She knew they were light, but couldn't tell the color through her sunglasses. Her eyes were tender and any light hurt them. She decided to play along as she reached for the handkerchief. "I'm just surprised to see a real handkerchief. Do they even make these anymore?"

Her voice, though slightly raspy, was soft, melodious, laced with pain reminding him of a Billie Holiday tune. It touched him deep in the cavity that would have housed his heart. Christian wanted to keep her talking.

"I don't know if they are available for the masses, but I have a special loom that produces them magically. " That earned him a small giggle and he yearned to hear more. "I'm going to get some coffee would you like some?" No coffee, but tea would be nice, bag out." She replied.

Christian went to the self service bar to get their drinks and a few snacks. This was so out of his realm. He was accustomed to being served at home and on his jet. For some reason this small act of kindness to a stranger was important.

He returned to find her staring out and placed the tray on the table in front of them. She smiled her thanks and it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. The cavity in his chest began to fill. "I'm Chris by the way" offering his hand. Her small hand reached for his. "I'm Ana".

Silence. Just keep her talking. He couldn't get enough. "So, where are you headed Ana?" Savannah, I'm going to Savannah. "She answered quietly. When the hotel offered the ticket, she wasn't sure where to go, but she didn't want to go back to Seattle. Sometimes a girl just needs her mother. Remembering her southern upbringing, she asked the same of Chris "And where are you headed. "Miami by way of Savannah", not intentionally leaving out his final destination. "Looks like we are traveling together ". That unnamed something filling the cavity in his chest was ecstatic. A broad, genuine grin graced his face.

My God he's beautiful she thought. Don't over think it Ana. If the lounge were full, he would never single you out. But she couldn't help but smile back. "Looks like it". How could she feel so comfortable and at peace with someone she'd met only moments ago?

Silence. Christian was never good at small talk. He found it unnecessary; just cut to the chase. But he wanted to engage his travel companion. "So, umm is New York your home or Savannah?" He immediately regretted he'd asked when her smile became a frown.

"No, New York is not my home. New York was a huge mistake." Her voice began to crack. She shook her head to get rid of the memory of the last few days. Ana attempted to steer the conversation back to Chris. "I hear Miami is quite the party town. Is this a vacation for you?

He recognized and evasive tactic when he saw one. He was the master of evading anything he didn't want to talk about. He let it go for now. "Yes, I hope to spend some time on the beach." In reality, it would be a hotel conference room on the beach. He rarely took time to relax during a business trip. For a moment he thought of dancing on a moonlit beach with Ana in his arms. He liked it. "Umm, do you travel much?"

Ana was curious why this beautiful man kept talking to her but she didn't want it to end. Perhaps for a little while she could pretend this was the beginning of the rest of their lives. It made her smile. Giving him her full attention she turned to face him. "No, not really but I've always wanted to travel the friendly skies. How about you Chris? "

For the next hour he told her about the states and countries he'd visited. Her excitement over Europe was contagious, her questions about Big Ben and the Louvre; endless and he wondered what it would be like to sightsee with her. They talked about books, movies, and music and we're surprised how they shared similar tastes. When he talked about flying and soaring, she giggled like a school girl wishing she could experience that with him.

When she laughed at his corny jokes he was on top of the world. They laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks when she attempted to recount a joke but couldn't remember the punch line. It was the most enjoyable few hours he'd ever experienced. He noticed that she would occasionally rub her neck or wince when she reached for her tea. Finally, he had to know; hurt and defeat evident in the hunch of her shoulders. "What happened Ana"? He asked pointing to her neck. The mood turned somber. He waited.

She knew this was coming. His eyes followed her hands every time she touched her neck. She was sore all over and longed for a hot bath, believing she would never feel clean again. Exhaling deeply she told her story once more. This time it was cathartic. Somehow, she knew this handsome stranger cared. "I feel so foolish, violated, I should have known. I had only worked for the company a short time and an assistant had never been allowed to attend a conference of this magnitude before". Why didn't I pay more attention? What did I miss? She sighed again as she finished her story, offering a weak smile and a shrug. All Christian wanted to know was this Fuckers name so he could ruin him, ruin his children and his children's children.

Before he could respond their flight was called. Christian arranged for them to be seat mates. Once they were in the air and breakfast served, they picked up where they left off. "Ana, I know what it is like to be taken advantage of; violated by someone you trust". Visions of Elena and her dungeon had him seeing red. "It's not your fault it's his. Don't let him or this change you. I, I let something consume me for years, eating away at my soul, destroying everything I touched."

Ana saw the torture in his eyes even in the darkened first class cabin. She had been absently rubbing the leather bound tablet Ray had given her for graduation, her name engraved at the bottom. Now she reached for his hand and gave it a gentle reassuring squeeze willing him back to the present. They shared a common experience. Who could possibly have hurt this gentle man? Under the cover of darkness, she found the courage to tell him what she thought. "Chris, you are a beautiful man with a kind and generous soul. That event didn't destroy you."

He looked at the breathtaking creature beside him and scoffed saying "some would say I'm a monster."

Her heart broke. Cocking a delicate eyebrow, "I would say they don't know you well". She dared him to argue.

He just stared for a few moments, so full of emotion he was afraid to speak. He patted the hand he was still holding and laid his head back on the seat rest. How could someone he met only hours ago make this claim with such sincerity and conviction. He couldn't let her go, not now, not ever. He made up his mind and needed to be able to contact her. He didn't even know her last name. Gathering his courage he turned to her only to find her sleeping against his shoulder. She smelled of vanilla and lavender. Like a creepy stalker, he watched until he too drifted off. All too soon, they were in Savannah.

The landing woke her. She was having the most pleasant dream about a handsome stranger. Ana didn't want to open her eyes. She felt a tap on her shoulder from the flight attendant announcing their arrival. To her left was her dream man. She quickly gathered her things not sure if she should wake him. Searching for her sunglasses that had fallen off during her nap, he snapped awake when her hand accidentally came in contact with his thigh.

Whispering and leaning slightly towards him, she took his hand, "Chris, thank you for taking this journey with me. I was so lost only a few hours ago. You brought me back. Maybe my step dad sent you. He was always looking out for me. I know I will be fine. Before emotions overtook her, she kissed his cheek and departed without looking back.

He was paralyzed; so lost in her ocean blue eyes. The purplish bruising did nothing to diminish their depth. Could she see right through him? How could he let her leave? Why did he fall asleep and let the best thing that would ever happen to him walk away? Good Morning Heartache played on repeat in his mind.

A little more than an hour later he was gathering his things to deplane when he noticed…..what is this? Did Ana leave this? He turned it over in his hands. It was the tablet she carried. In the lower right hand corner, engraved in gold, Anastasia Rose Steele. Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.

A smile graced his face and relief flooded his soul. He would find her and maybe take her soaring.

He pulled out his phone and called the one man that could get him what he needed. Welch picked up on the first ring.

The End

A/N

One shot. That's all she wrote

The song is Good Morning Heartache as sung by Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues

Thank you so much for reading my story.