Ana's POV

Eight Years Ago

Left. Right. Left. Right. Left... Wrath. If I didn't know any better I swear this is torture. But no, I chose this, I wanted this, I needed this. Straight ahead Ana, just keep your eyes straight ahead. That's right. Now, chin up.

My mind pondered back to the reason why I am here, marching in this dusty ground with the sun in its highest peak.

"Attention!" A loud and stern voice cut through my concentration. Standing ten feet away is the man most of us hated but respected at the same time. Captain Roach stands tall with his balding head and deep brown eyes scanning every member of our platoon.

I almost smiled when I saw the man standing beside him. The man looked at me and gave me a wink and that gave me away, I smiled.

"Steele! Do tell us what you find so funny that you're smiling like a lunatic?" Captain Roach howls. Ughh, I hate this.

"Sir, I'm sorry sir. No reason sir." I answered. He ignored me and walked around until I heard him yell. "Fifty push ups. Now."

Great, that's just great. The man responsible for my smile and this sudden punishment just smirked and walked away. Perfect!

How do you blame your dad when he messes up with you during drills? Major General Raymond Steele looks real tough in the outside but he's my daddy and despite us being both on duty, he finds time to distract me. I am sitting on my bed cleaning my boots. Shaking my head I can't help but smile again.

"There's that beautiful smile." Speaking of the devil.

"Daddy!" I squealed.

"Hey, sweetheart. I see you had a hard time back there." He teases me.

"I was doing okay dad until you winked at me!" I tried to sound exasperated but I'm not mad. How could I be mad to the man who raised me and is my inspiration for entering the marines?


Before I turned 18, I went everywhere in the world with my dad. Wherever he is assigned, I'm with him. My mom, Carla Steele died while giving birth to me and since then it was my dad who became both mom and dad to me. His world became my world, I became his little marine and I wanted to be just like him. I was trained better than any private marine since I was 12. My dad would always say I am special and his friends were convinced I'd be an asset for the country with my skills. So when the General summoned me and my dad after I turned 18, I knew this was my calling. At first my dad didn't want me to serve but I was able to convince him anyway. I started from the bottom and here I am now, third to the lowest rank but hey, I'm still just 19. They predicted I'd take the marines by storm. I traded heels for combat boots, dress for cammies and my freedom for my country so I better do my best. No regrets.


Hours Later

"No regrets." Huh? Did someone just voiced out my thoughts. I decided to take a run after my dad's impromptu visit. I stopped and searched where the punching noises with grumbled "No Regrets" are coming from.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a lean figure with buzz cut hair like everyone else. His back is facing me so all I can see are the muscles flexing in his arms and his, ummm, nice backside. Wow, I wonder what the front looks like. As if hearing my thoughts the guy punching the poor tree stopped, turned and looked at me. Blue eyes to blue eyes. I felt my heart skip a beat. Who is this guy?


A Year Later

A light kiss on my forehead woke me from deep slumber. It has been one year since blue eyes waltz into my life. Trevor Daniel Ryan, the guy with three first names is the first guy I did so many firsts with. He was my first kiss, first love and the first man whom I gave myself to.

"Good morning beautiful, I love you" he said, eyes full of admiration.

"I love you too, is it time?" I asked.

His eyes turned from full of love to determination. His unit along with our friends Luke Sawyer and Jose Rodriguez are leaving for Afghanistan today. I have been dreading this day and mostly because he was commissioned for a year. Sad but it's the reality of being in the marines.

"Oorah!" I tried to lighten the gloomy mood that is starting to takeover our morning. It was no use; he just nodded and hugged me tight.

"I love you Ana, always" was his last words to me before he left.


Six Months After

Saving Private Ryan. My favorite movie of all time should have just remained a movie but not to me. All I can hear are the other officers devising a plan on how they will save Ryan, my Ryan. Six months after he left, their troop was assigned on a dangerous mission resulting to Luke being sent back with injuries, Jose being transferred to another squad and Trevor missing.

I was in Luke's bedside looking at his wounded face. It has been a week. I worked hard and cooperated with the team formulating a plan on how we will save my love. I was in constant communication with Jose's unit who is responsible for saving him and other guys. I didn't sleep and if not for the General ordering me to rest, I will not leave the headquarters. I didn't shed a tear; I know my boyfriend will come back. I didn't know I fell asleep until a soft hand touched mine. I looked up and see my dad.

"Daddy." I said, my voice raspy.

"Darling, you have to come with me." My dad sounds strange and I feel like I can't breathe. This doesn't look good. I followed my dad but I was in a daze.

My dad slowly opened a private room. I peaked inside and my knees gave out but the body I longed to touch rushed to me ignoring the nurse that instructed him not to move. Both of us fell on the floor. I gripped him tightly, thankful that I'm again feeling his warmth. I looked up - blue eyes to blue eyes.

They saved Ryan. He came back.


A/N: Hello everyone! Many thanks for the reviews and those who have favorited and followed my story. I wanted to try and establish the characters before we go deeper into the story so here is Ana's POV and a short background on her and her love life with Ryan. I hope you guys won't be discouraged with Ana having a first love. I always asked how Ana would have been if she had been in love before she met CG. This story is more of finding true love in second chances, thus entitled Fifty Shades of Taking Chances. I also have some questions about love in general that I wanted to tackle in this journey.

I hope the jump in the timeline is smooth, please tell me if it's hard to understand so I can improve my writing. Till the next chapter! Have a Nice Day!

Credits to E.L. James for writing Fifty Shades of Grey, Darker and Freed