AN: Thanks for all the follows, favorites and comments! Very very much appreciated. And definitely motivating. Trying 3rd person. Hopefully it works. Constructive criticism welcome! I'm trying to get better!

Chapter 2

6 months later

As Christian looks over the set list for the opening night of the tour he feels the stress of the last six months of tour planning and rehearsals slowly lifting off the back of his shoulders. Mark has handled most of it, but nonetheless, Christian feels the excitement of getting the actual tour started tonight. He doesn't mind the administrative and logistical work, and is very hands on as he considers the leg work a business as much as performing his music is business. But to be on the road and have a break from it all for a little while is a welcome reprieve.

He continues to check of each song in his mind that he and his band plan on performing tonight but he pauses at the word collaboration. He hasn't seen Ana much in the last few months as she has been just as busy as he, if not more so since it's her first major tour, but it hasn't stopped Christian from developing a texting relationship with her which involves a lot of him trying to get her to write a song with him.

When it comes to his job, which he feels very lucky to be able to call work, he revels in the writing part of it. As good of a performer as he is, it's the writing he loves and on which he thrives. After his initial meeting with Ana to work on their song for the tour, he knows they would work really well together when it comes to putting together a song. And while Ana seems a little apprehensive about performing with him tonight, he knows it's going to be gold. They had given Mark a preview last week at rehearsal and Christian could tell by the look on Mark's face that he was thinking the same thing. Ana has attitude, sass and beauty, but it's just enough of each or the way the three combine, that she manages to pull off her act. Christian never could understand how people could listen to all the break up songs and man hating songs. He never thought it was a sustainable act. But the way Ana delivers when she performs, he can understand why. There is just something about her. You have no choice but to like her and always be rooting for her. And while Christian continues to clash with her, even through text messages, he still keeps coming back and finds himself unable to stay away from bantering with her for long. After rehearsing he also realized they have great on stage chemistry. Because there are going to be a lot of women at their shows he knows rumors are going to come about regarding him and Ana. For this reason he already has Taylor preparing a response and working to keep any speculation at bay. The last thing he needs are the tabloids speculating that he and Ana are country music's hottest new couple. And he knows Ana will not appreciate it very much either. She is fairly new to the country scene, but he can tell she wants to do this on her own. And if she's connected to him, people will talk and he doesn't want to derail her rise. As much as her independent personality sometimes bothers him, he knows how hard she has worked to get where she is, and he doesn't want to begrudge her of the opportunity to get there on her own. Though he hasn't spoken to her about the issue of the two of them being the pegged as a couple he thinks she is totally naive about how people are going to see them so he wanted to be ready to handle it, for both of them. Because the last thing he needs is feisty Ana Steele pissed for the entire tour. He didn't want to admit to himself that maybe his motivation for helping her was not entirely selfish and that he had developed this need to protect her and take care of her while on the tour and even mentor her to an extent. If she would only let him.

The tour opens tonight in Nashville. Then it was onto Kansas City, Denver, Las Vegas, three shows in California right before Christmas, and a show in Christian's hometown of Seattle a few days after Christmas. After New Year's they head to the south with shows in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. And then they round out the tour by heading up the east coast and finishing in Boston. Tours are always tough and take a lot out of you but Christian is hopeful that he can finish the song he is writing for his mom in time for Christmas. He is close to completing it but has not been able to dedicate as much time as he would have liked to complete it over the past few months.

After all the tour prep of the last six months and having the first seven shows of the tour over the course of the next two weeks he is really looking forward to having some down time from December 23 to January 1 which he plans to spend exclusively in Seattle with his family. He is sure that his brother Elliot is planning a New Year's Eve party at Christian's penthouse in Seattle, but Christian will likely be spending most of his time at his parent's house in Bellevue, Washington as he usually does when he's home. It was actually Elliot's idea that Christian buy a place in Escala in downtown Seattle as Elliot's construction company was the one that managed its construction. Christian agreed with Elliott when he said it was time for Christian to buy his own place in Seattle. He has a place in Nashville, but finds he can't stay away from his family for too long. Despite having the penthouse he still spends most of the time at his parents when he is in Seattle. Escala is a great "escape in the clouds", as it was marketed it to him before he bought it, but he escapes enough to his Nashville studio. When he is home he wants to be home. And Christian doesn't feel like he really has the time to make Escala home.

Elliot doesn't mind using it to his advantage, however, when Christian isn't around, and much to Christian's dismay, sometimes when he is home. Christian knows that Elliot frequently brings his revolving door of one night stands there because in Elliot's words "why spring for a hotel room when I have Hotel Escala right downtown." Christian, for the most part, doesn't mind, but he does often wonder when his 35 year old brother will grow up and settle down. Not that Christian is one to talk but his musician touring lifestyle makes it difficult to think long term. But it wasn't as if Christian has met anyone he cared for enough to even consider settling down. He knows he is closed off to most people, even his family. If he has trouble opening up to them, how could he ever consider opening up to a woman. For that reason he is very nervous about this song he is writing. His mom inspired it but it is written as a man singing to his girlfriend, not his mom. He couldn't really say why he wrote in this way. Part of him thought it would be more marketable and maybe his label would actually allow him to put it on an album. Well he had a plan to make sure they did. He also wanted to sing it for his family but was too embarrassed to come right out and tell his mom she was the inspiration. The only downside to this is that they will think he wrote it for a woman, which may spark more questions. Though Christian is fairly confident that they won't ask. They will certainly wonder though and he feels a slight pang of guilt at keeping them so in the dark. But he wants his mom to love the song. And if she does he will perform it at the concert in Seattle right after Christmas which his family would be attending.

To Ana's credit, she didn't ask Christian again about the song but she frequently reminsd him to put his "short fuse" away or the time when Mark had a suggestion about the tour that Ana didn't like and she told him that he "had another thought coming if he thought he was going to bring a wrecking ball" to her entire tour. Mark just looked at her puzzled because it was such an over the top comment to make about a minor suggestion but Christian didn't miss the smirk that Ana sent his way. Ana has now made it habit to add one of the two phrases into the conversation whenever she can. Christian knows that Ana is dying to talk to him about this song but can't figure out if it's because she really liked the song or because she's just curious. He can't think about it for too long because his cell phone starts buzzing and he picks it up seeing it's his mom.

"Hi mom."

"Hello, Christian, dear. How are you? Are you all ready for tonight?"

"I was just putting the finishing touches on the set list but yes I'm ready to get this tour started."

"That's wonderful. Your father and I, and Mia and Elliot of course, are very excited for your show in Seattle. It's been too long since I've seen you perform. Plus, I am especially interested in seeing this young lady who is touring with you, Ana Steele. Mia has not stopped raving about her since we found out. Mia's played me a few of her songs and she has a wonderful sound but her type of song is quite . . . different from yours, isn't it?"

Christian laughs to himself thinking that his mother the doctor has a keen business sense and she's still his protector. Christian does not want to sour his mother's impression of Ana before she even sees her though. Plus, Christian knows it's not Ana's fault that she's touring with him.

"Now I know the reason for the call, mother. You wanted to make sure this tour was in your son's best interest?"

"Oh Christian, I was just checking in. But like I said, just curious because she's different from the types of artists you normally tour with so I was just wondering the reason, that's all. It's my right as your mother to question, isn't it?"

"Of course it is mother, I was just kidding and I appreciate you always looking out for me. The truth is I haven't really figured out the real reason behind this move myself. Mark claims it's because they are trying to promote Ana heavily because she is a really strong female artist at a time with female acts are at an all-time high. I've got Taylor keeping his eyes and ears open though, don't worry. And as soon as I hear of something nefarious going on you'll be the first to know so you can go knock some heads over it."

"Ok, Christian. Keep me updated. I am really looking forward to seeing Ana and you of course. Umm, I hate to ask this son, but Mia really wants to meet her. Is there any way to make that happen?"

"Ok so now I really know the reason for your call. Mia has been hounding me for weeks about this and I've been too busy to deal with her incessant calling. You know you guys are always welcome back stage at my shows. I'm sure you will run into Ana there. As for a formal meet, let me see how things go. Ana and I tend to … butt heads at times."

"Well you better be on your best behavior then. She's a young girl, Christian. You should be mentoring her. Not arguing with her."

"Already taking her side I see, mother. And you haven't even met her."

"You know I'm always on your side dear, but I just know how you can be sometimes."

"Yes, difficult." A short fuse - Christian thinks to himself and can't help but chuckle at the amount of times Ana has texted him that over the last few months.

"No Christian, you aren't difficult. But it wouldn't hurt to let someone in sometime. I'm not getting any younger you know and I hope one of my children can bring me some grandchildren while I can still play with them."

"And your hope is on me?"

"Christian, of all my children you have the biggest heart. I know you don't see it but someday you will."

"Ok mother, let's not get all teary eyed over there. I really should get going anyway. I go on in six hours. And don't worry, you will meet Ana and tell Mia as an apology for not getting back to her that Ana and I are signing a song together during my set. But it's a surprise so tell her not to go blabbing it to the world."

"Oh, how wonderful! Good luck tonight, son. I will see you in two weeks!"

"Thanks, mom. I'm looking forward to being home for Christmas."

Speaking of Christmas, Christian wonders where Ana is headed for Christmas. Mark arranged the tour so that Christian would be close to home to minimize the travel so he wonders if Ana also lives on the west coast somewhere, perhaps California. He will have to ask her tonight.

Meanwhile, Ana is sitting in her dressing room with her best friend Kate Kavanagh tightening the strings on her guitar and relaxing. Ana puts everything she has into preparing for her shows in the months prior so in the few hours before the show she can just relax because she knows it will take every ounce of her energy once she gets on stage.

Kate has been her best friend since they met freshman year at Washington State University. They were roommates and clicked immediately. Ana went to college at the request of her dad while also trying to get her music career started. Looking back, it wasn't easy - trying to find gigs, flying back and forth from Nashville or wherever else she could get a gig, working on her music, rehearsing, all while taking business courses which she felt could help her with the business side of music. Ana had not planned on going to college and was ready to move to Nashville after high school when her dad laid the guilt trip on her and convinced her to go. It was too late for her to get into any schools near Nashville so she had to settle for WSU which was relatively close to her home in Montesano, Washington. The plan was to transfer after a year but Kate convinced her to stay by getting her dad to pay for Ana's trips to Nashville. Ana felt guilty accepting the money, but couldn't have afforded it otherwise and Kate's dad pleaded with her to stay as he felt Ana was a good influence on Kate because of her work ethic. Ana kept all the receipts, however, and paid Mr. Kavanagh back in full the day she signed with her record label.

Kate is currently living in Seattle and working for her dad's media company but she insisted on being there for the first show of Ana's first major tour. "I can't believe I am here right now for your first show of your first tour! This is so amazing Ana! Have I told you how proud I am?"

"Only about a million times, Kate. And I wouldn't even be here right now if it wasn't for you and your dad."

"Oh please, Ana. Stop selling yourself short like you always do. You would have made it no matter what. From the first time I heard you sing I knew you were born to do this Steele. It was only a matter of time. And here you are, in Nashville getting ready to start a tour with Christian Grey. Christian freaking Grey. Speaking of do you think I will get to meet him? My God is he hot. And he must be a beast in bed. Shit, we need to open a window in here."

"Kate, first of all, there are no windows in here. Second, gross. Third, I don't think he's your type. He's too … controlling. It would be like dating yourself."

"Ha ha. Or like dating you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"C'mon Ana. When it comes to your music you are a control freak. If Christian is too than maybe you are a match made in heaven."

"More like, in hell. Haven't I told you about our first meeting?"

"Yes, in great detail. In addition to you barging into his studio to rehearse and every text message he's sent you and your rehearsal the other day. Should I go on?" Ana's face was reddening by the second either out of anger or embarrassment that she had told Kate so much about Christian. "If I didn't know that you were a workaholic man hater who didn't have time for boys I would think you have a crush on him."

"I do not have a crush on Christian Grey."

"Why the hell not, Ana? Sounds like he has one on you."

"What are you talking about? He definitely does not have a crush on me."

"Well the text messages say otherwise."

"Ok I am not having this conversation right now. I need to perform with him in a few hours and I am nervous as hell. I'm not even nervous about my own set. But I've never performed a duet before. And he's so mercurial I don't know what to expect from him. Plus, Mark was giving me a weird look the other day while he was watching our rehearsal so I don't know if he thought it was bad or what."

"What do you mean a weird look?"

"It's hard to explain.

"What's hard to explain?" Ana and Kate look towards the door and there stands Christian with his hands above his head on each side of the frame and with a huge smile on his face. Ana expects him to gawk at Kate like most guys do but he continues to look at her waiting for an answer. Suddenly remembering his manners he reaches his hand out to Kate and introduces himself.

"Hi, Christian Grey. Friend of Ana's?"

"Yes, best friend. Kate Kavanagh.

"Nice to meet you, Kate. You ready to see Ana kill it tonight?"

"Of course. I'm so thrilled for her. And excited to see the two of you perform together. We were just talking about it actually. Ana said that she thought Mark was giving her a weird look during the rehearsal the other day."

Looking at Ana again, Christian says, "Oh yes, I didn't think you noticed."

"Oh I noticed and it's freaking me out because I'm worried he thinks we were awful."

"Awful? Are you crazy? Ana it was amazing. Why do you think I've been begging you to write a song with me? I keep telling you we work well together. And we perform even better together. I know you have a difficulty getting along with me in everyday conversation but when it comes to work we click. We both like to get down to business and we both love to make music. It's a match made in heaven."

And just like that Christian had Ana blushing and Kate just sat there watching their interaction while muttering to herself, "there's that phrase again." She had read all their bantering texts. She couldn't believe Ana kept sending her screen shots. They clearly liked each other. Kate knew Christian got under her skin but how could you not have a crush on Christian Grey. He is gorgeous, single and Kate had never heard a bad thing about him in the press so he is probably a decent guy. No mention of girlfriends so maybe he's a man whore but Kate not being in a position to judge given her own bedroom activities wouldn't consider that a deal breaker. She just wished Ana would get over some bad guy experiences from college and high school (for God sakes) and let someone in. She is always saying she is too busy but Kate knows she is scared. And if what Christian is saying is true about their duet maybe that's why Ana is so apprehensive. Now Kate was really excited to see that part of the performance tonight.

"Don't think I missed another one of your underhanded compliments, Grey. I would get along just fine with you if you weren't such a shithead," Ana retorted while smiling. Christian knew she was kidding by going back to the nickname she had given him at their first meeting. He just laughed loudly and Ana broke into a fit of giggles. Kate just shook her head because she knew it was only matter of time before it happened. Ana is smitten. And Grey is too hot for her to pass up. Kate's mission is to make sure this happens one way or another.

"So Christian, do you have any friends coming to watch the show? You know, of the good looking variety?"

"Oh my God, Kate! I can't believe you just met him and you are seeing if he has any friends for you to hook up with."

"Ana, why are you embarrassed? I'm not trying to hook up with him. I wouldn't want to step –

"Shut it Kate!" Ana was not glaring at Kate. "Christian, I apologize for Kate's behavior."

Christian suddenly puts on a wide eyed expression as if to feign shock. "You just called me Christian. You know what that means."

"It means nothing. I never agreed to your stupid plan."

"What plan?" asked Kate.

"Well Ana called me so many names the first day we met that I told her when she calls me Christian then I'll know that we've progressed enough in our relationship to write a song together. I like the way Christian sounded, Ana. Though I will miss Shithead."

"Don't worry it hasn't totally left the rotation."

"Well anyway, Kate. To answer your question, I guess my friends would be the crew or band. My other friends are back home in Seattle and aren't coming. But after the show we will probably go out for a little while to celebrate. You should both come. I'm sure my crew people already invited yours."

Before Ana had a chance to decline Kate answered. "That sounds great Christian. We'll be there." Kate ignored the death stare Ana was giving. Ana needs this. If Kate has to take one for the team so be it but Ana is going to spend time getting to know Christian if it kills her.

Ana then spoke up. "I didn't know you were from Seattle, Grey."

"Yep, that's home. My parents live in the suburbs so I spend most of my time there when I'm home but I have a place in the downtown, though my brother seems to use it more than I do."

"Oh, you have a brother?"

Ana just rolled her eyes. Kate was truly unbelievable sometimes.

"Yes, Elliot. He sometimes comes out to my shows but he will be at the one in Seattle after Christmas so he's not coming to any of the others. Speaking of home, I was thinking today, Ana, that I don't know where home is for you.

"It's actually not far from Seattle. Montesano."

"Oh that's great. I was talking to my mom today about Christmas and I was wondering if you lived on the west coast given our schedule right before the holiday. So are you heading to Montesano then for Christmas"?

"Yes, I'll be spending it with my dad. My mom lives in Georgia but I usually spend the holidays with my dad."

Noticing that Ana feels uncomfortable discussing her family Christian decides it's time to go. "That's great. Well anyway, I'll leave you to it. Good luck tonight. You'll be great. Nice to meet you Kate. Hope to see you after the show. Ana, I'll see you on stage. Get ready to make some magic."

Christian left with a wink to Ana and Kate just stared at Ana with a smirk on her face.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Kate?"

"Because you have it so badly and I'm so excited! He's a little harder to get a read on, but I think he likes you. He might not know he wants to date you yet but he definitely finds you attractive."

"Ok Kate, that's enough. I'm serious or we aren't going out tonight."

"So you are actually agreeing to go out? You do like him! You would never agree to go out unless you wanted to see him."

"Would you quiet down, Kate? He's going to hear you. And you better keep your trap shut tonight. I know how you get when you get drunk and I don't want him getting any ideas."

"Hate to break it to you Ana but he's a man so he's already had ideas about how many locations and how many times."

"Ugh you are so gross Kate. And seriously asking him about his friends and his brother."

"A girl's gotta eat."

"You are unbelievable and disgusting. And enough about Grey. I'm supposed to be relaxing and this is anything but."

"Want to help me pick out an outfit for later?"

Ana rolls her eyes. "Ok, Kate, and then I will show you my outfits for the show."

"Squeeeeeee. You better have a sexy one for your duet. Grey won't know what hit him. And if he has any doubts he won't after this show."

"I am really starting to regret having you here."

"You love me."

"Yeah I do. Let's go."