Ana woke slowly with a blinding headache and a mouth that felt like it was full of cotton. She looked at the alarm clock on her nightstand and watched the date and time flash alternately. Today was the day she had been dreading. At midnight Leonard Schneiderman would take over GEH and Ana had agreed not to fight it. In return Schneiderman had agreed to diligently search for Charley Tango and Christian. If he found proof of Christian's death, he would own GEH for the princely sum of one dollar. If he couldn't find proof, he would take over and Ana wouldn't fight. She remembered the day she met with him. It seemed like yesterday. Could it really have been four months ago?
Ana closed her eyes as she recalled everything that happened that day. She had stepped off the elevator with Taylor beside her, one step behind. Sawyer had already exited the elevator and given them the all clear. She had walked crisply to Christian's office, acknowledging Andrea with a curt nod. Ana opened the door to the office slowly, hoping against hope that today would be different; that he would be there, behind his desk waiting for her with a stupid smirk, apologizing for his absence. Disappointment stabbed her broken heart when she saw his chair still empty. It had been three months since Charlie Tango went missing. Three long months without a trace of Christian's helicopter turning up. No wreckage, no body, just the unending pain of having half of her soul torn away. In the beginning there had been all kinds of support. The Grey's stuck by her for weeks as she patiently waited for Christian to be found. People respond to grief in different ways. Grace returned to work in three weeks. Elliot even sooner. As the week eight mark ended, a reluctant Carrick actually brought up the fact that at some point, Christian would have to be declared dead. For Ana, that was a turning point. She withdrew from everyone after that. Everyone except Taylor.
He was the only one who understood. Circumstances had forced her to become more involved in Grey Enterprises than she had ever wanted or felt capable of doing. It didn't matter what she thought; Christian had left her in charge. Most things were delegated to responsible knowledgable employees. Many times all that was needed was her signature. Then there were days like today. Today, some young hotshot billionaire was making a play for a hostile takeover. She was being advised by Christian's people to take the offer and run. Hah! Really, how stupid could someone be to think she would cede control of Christians precious company, something he had worked so hard for, for so many years? Really, how fucking stupid were they?She sat in Christian's chair and slipped her purse into the bottom desk draw. Andrea entered with tea for her and coffee for Taylor. Andrea then went on about the upcoming meeting with Schneiderman. Ana remained silent and finally nodded her acknowledgement. As the door finally closed behind Andrea, she sighed.
She was tired, so very tired. Everything was a struggle. Everything. Even talking took effort. Eating was difficult at best. Swallowing actually painful. With each mouthful of food, she wondered what Christian was eating. Then she'd either barf or choke. Taylor had taken to giving her liquid meal replacements like Ensure. She never finished them, but they both figured some nourishment was better than none. Taylor looked up at the clock on the wall. "Are you sure you want to do this?" She nodded yes, took a sip of tea and stood.
Silently, they made their way to Conference room A. Schneiderman was there with his lawyers, accountants and several obvious security people. GEH people were seated as well. Six lawyers ready to do battle. Ana felt her inexperience had brought GEH to this point. Taylor maintained it was simply grief. Everyone in the company was suffering. Things were being overlooked. Anomalies weren't being spotted. Now Schneiderman had a death grip on GEH. If he called in the loans that he held, he'd own GEH. Ana looked around the room at the various faces. She had only one plan. She had to save GEH, whatever it took. If she failed, than life was over. What would the point be? If Christian magically appeared only to find his life's work gone? He'd be real happy with that. She looked at the faces once again. Schneiderman's group seemed almost giddy. They were very sure of themselves. "Gentlemen. Mr Schneiderman. Before we go any further I wonder if I could have a moment of your time privately, sir. You may bring a security person if you like. I will have Taylor, as always. Schneiderman hesitated a long time before nodding his agreement. Then he turned to his personal security, a man named Dawson and nodded at him. Then he stood and followed Ana and Taylor back to Christian's office. She sat in Christian's chair and looked Schneiderman right in the eye. "Do you mind if we dispense with the niceties?" He simply nodded his agreement. "Very well. I will try to make this brief. I will never give up this company willingly. I may lose it, but I will fight to the death. It will be a bloodbath for both of us. In the end, even if you win, I don't know what will be left. To avoid all that, I want to make you an offer. Find proof that Christian is dead, find his helicopter wreckage or his body and I will give you the company for one dollar. " Schneiderman wasn't expecting that. Ana could tell by the rapid blinking of his eyes that he was startled even though he displayed no other reaction.
"Mrs Grey, surely if your husband's helicopter hadn't been found by now, it is unlikely my people could find it. "
Mr Schneiderman, I believe Christian is alive. I believe in my heart of hearts I would know deep inside if he was dead. I would know!" Her voice trembling with intensity. "I need new eyes, new thoughts, people not overwhelmed with grief who feel they're searching for nothing. Please help me! If you can't find anything in six months, I won't fight the takeover."
Schneiderman stood and walked slowly to the floor to ceiling window. Hands clasped behind his back, he stood silently looking out on the Seattle skyline. Finally, he turned. "Three months. "
"Five." Ana countered.
"Four. That would make seven months of searching. "
"Deal. " Ana said softly, then stood and shook his hand. As she held his hand, she squeezed it and said simply, "Find him Leonard. Please."
"If finding his remains can get me your company for a dollar, you can bet we'll be looking real hard."
Ana smiled weakly and said simply, "Thank you." Then she grabbed her desk with both hands as a wave of dizziness hit her. Taylor was by her side immediately, helping her to sit back in her chair then sending a brief text on his phone. Schneiderman watched the frail woman sit and knew she was nearing her breaking point. She didn't look like she could take much more. He marveled at her loyalty and found himself envious of Grey. Grey might be a ruthless bastard in the business world but his woman was truly in love with him. There was a knock at the door and Andrea entered with a crystal glass full of Ensure.
Ana sighed in disgust. She wanted to take a sip but her hands were trembling. Without a sound Taylor held the glass to her lips and then magically handed her a linen napkin. She looked up at Schneiderman, "My apologies, sir. I have a simple contract right here" she handed it to Schneiderman. He read the very brief contract that said in very clear simple English find Charley Tango and Christian Grey's body and get GEH for a buck. He signed with a flourish and handed it back. Taylor and Dawson witnessed it and Andrea was called to make copies. A final handshake and Schneiderman was on his way. A phone call and GEH in Conference room A were released back to their offices. Another text by Taylor and Ana was leaving, supported by Sawyer on one side and Taylor on the other.
The memory of that day was a bitter pill. If Christian wasn't found by midnight tonight, she would lose GEH. How would she ever survive and, in truth, did she even want to? She stood and opened the medicine cabinet reaching for the bottle of Advil and quickly swallowing two pills with a half a glass of water. She looked in the mirror at the sorry creature who stared back. Black rings under her eyes. Her hair needed brushing , so did her teeth. A hot shower wouldn't go amiss either but that all took energy, energy she just didn't have. Still wearing her beloved's white tee shirt, she decided to head for security and see Jason.