Elliot looks worse than we imagined. He had a shard of glass in his side and hasn't woken up since we arrived. His face is covered in little amounts of dried blood and there's large bruises all around his body. My heart tugs at the sight and I can tell it does to Kate. I've never seen her this worried before and it breaks my heart.

"Can't you do something?", she inquires Grace, Elliot's mother.

"We're doing everything we can, dear. He's still breathing, so that's a good sign."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Kate, I know it's hard but there's nothing you can do right now. I promise, once he wakes up, you'll be the first to know. We both will", she declares while trying to stifle a sob. I can only imagine how she feels about this and my heart aches for her as only it can. Please let him be okay.

"Can I stay with him?"

"Of course. I'm going to have a few words with his doctor and be right back."

"Thank you, Grace", Kate states.

"Just keep praying and he'll be fine", Grace smiles as she tries to hide away her tears. Kate pulls out a chair and sits on one side of the bed, and gently grasps Elliot's hand as she does. I walk around to the other side and take a seat on the couch. Please let him be okay. Please let him be okay.

"Any idea why he'd want to do this?", I cautiously ask. Kate sniffs and wipes her nose with the back of her hand.

"We had a fight but I never would've imagined this."

"What was the fight about?"

"How he never makes time for me. How I feel like we're breaking up. He was drinking but I didn't think he had that much."

"Elliot's an alcoholic?"

"Yeah, but he finished rehab about a month ago. I don't know why he started now, but…"

"Kate, it's not your fault", I try to reassure her.

"But what if it is? I was so mad, Ana, and we've never fought like that. Not since we got together. Oh Ana, if he…", she starts and I can see the tears forming in her eyes. I get up and walk over to her to hug her tight. After a few moments, she responds and hugs me back, trying desperately to keep the tears at bay. She never likes to cry, especially in front of someone. I hold her for what feels like forever, squeezing her gently to reassure her that I'm here. After a few more minutes, she pulls away and desperately tries to wipe away her tears. She smiles sadly at me and I take the opportunity to sit next to her.

"I hate it when you see me like this", she jokingly attempts.

"I guess Elliot's not so bad after all", I reply. She chuckles in response.

"Can I get you anything?", I ask.

"No, thanks. I just wanna stay as long as I can."

"Okay."

"So, um, how was Paris with Mr. Billionaire?", she asks. Yep, that's Kate alright. Always changing the subject.

"It was amazing, Kate. I can't believe he actually did that for me."

"What's not to believe? I think he might have feelings for you, Ana."

"Kate, I already told you…"

"That it was a one-night stand, I know, but I'm pretty sure you've gone beyond that by now."

"It doesn't mean anything."

"Are you sure?"

"It's just too soon to tell."

"Well, at least he's rich", she jokes. I playfully shove her but find myself laughing as well. Kate always knows how to turn around a situation, and I don't know whether I love it or hate it.

"Jack forgive you for what happened?"

"Oh please, since when does Jack forgive me for anything?"

"Point taken but he's gotta loosen up about this. It's not like you could help it."

"I just can't believe all this happened. And so fast. If I had known it was Christian Grey…"

"Are you saying you regret it?"

"No, no I'm not. I just…It's just overwhelming, I guess. I don't know."

"When are you gonna see him again?"

"We were thinking about when you interview him."

"Oh right, I forgot about that. I just got so caught up with Elliot, that…"

"Hey, it's okay. When were you planning on doing it?"

"Next Friday. We're just working out a time."

"You need my help?"

"You do enough", she smiles. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

"Guess we know how to pick 'em, huh?"

"Least they're hot", I joke.

"Yeah, cause that's all that matters", she laughs.

Just then, we hear a commotion outside and look to see…Christian Grey?

"He's been unconscious for a while but he's still breathing", I hear Grace saying as her and Christian rush into the room. He gazes at Elliot but then looks at me, looking just as surprised as I am.

"Anastasia?", he asks.

"Christian? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see my brother. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here with Kate. Um, my roommate", I address, turning my head to indicate her.

Just then, we hear a groan coming from the bed and Elliot slowly moves in response.

"Elliot!", Kate exclaims and quickly rises to stand by his side. He groans again and attempts to sit up.

"Elliot, take it easy. You've been in an accident", Grace calmly explains and tries to keep him from sitting up.

"What the fuck?", he responds and grimaces as he holds his side. Grace quickly tends to him just as his doctor rushes in. Dr. Dorson, I think.

"Okay, we need to tend to his wounds. Can we get everyone out, please?", he scolds firmly but gently. Two nurses then come in and usher us out, including Grace. Kate gives Elliot a quick kiss as I pull Christian to the side.

"Why didn't you tell me you had a brother?"

"You never asked."

"When did you get here?"

"About thirty minutes ago. Taylor was taking me home until I got the call. I got here as fast as I could."

"So then Grace is your mom too?"

"Yes. Why are you mad at me?", he inquires and I take a deep breath to steady myself.

"I'm sorry. I was just surprised is all. I'm happy to see you", I say as sweetly as I can.

"Are you?", he asks with one eyebrow raised.

"No", I lie and fail to hide my laugh.

"Smart mouth", he whispers and reaches up to caress my cheek. My breathe hitches and I lean closer into his touch. He then leans down and places a kiss below my ear.

"I'm happy to see you too", he says softly, failing to hide his amusement. I smile shyly at him and take his hand in mine. Before we go any further, we're interrupted by a door opening and look to see Grace walking towards us, looking a little more relieved than before.

"He's gonna be okay", she declares and I sigh a sign of relief.

"How bad is it?", Christian asks.

"He has a few broken ribs and the glass left a terrible scar, but after a few weeks he'll be able to go home. It might take some time for him to heal completely, but he's gonna be okay"

"Thank God", Christian exclaims and runs his hands through his hair.

"Can you stay for a while Christian? I haven't seen you since your birthday", Grace asks.

"I wish I could but I have some meetings today. I can visit tonight."

"Okay. I understand", she smiles sadly and I idly wonder why. She then takes Christian into her arms and hugs him tightly. It takes him a while to respond but he ultimately hugs her back. After a few moments, he pulls away, feeling a little awkward and if I'm not mistaken, embarrassed.

"Um, can we go see him?", Christian asks after a while.

"Of course", Grace smiles and we walk back to the room.

Me and Christian leave Kate and Grace and head for his car, where Taylor's waiting for us. He smiles at me and opens the door for us to enter.

"Thanks, Taylor", I remark. I watch as Christian slides in beside me and leans back in his seat.

"Why were you so embarrassed to hug your mom?", I ask after we pull out.

"Who isn't embarrassed to hug their mom with a date?", he jokes dryly.

"So, I'm a date now?"

"Maybe. I'm not used to introducing them to anyone."

"All part of me being special?"

"Maybe so", he smiles and pulls a bottle out from his jacket and takes a quick drink.

"I really wish you would do that", I whisper.

"I got no choice", he responds.

"Why?"

"You ask a lot of questions, Miss Steele."

"And you don't answer enough, Mr. Grey."

"Funny. That's what my family says about me too", he jokes and I laugh as well.

"Do they know about you drinking?"

"No. I do a good job of hiding it. Especially at work."

"How?"

"I'm just careful. I had to take a swig of water so my mom wouldn't find out."

"What about Elliot?"

"What about him?"

"Has he always been an alcoholic?"

"Since he was eighteen."

"Really, that long?"

"Yeah. He's the reason why I can't say anything. It'd break my mom's heart."

"You're very distant, you know."

"I know", he says quietly and looks out the window to avoid my gaze.

"Your boss still mad at you?", he enquires.

"He's always mad at me. It's really hard to be nice with him."

"Well, you could always work for me", he retorts and I scoff at his remark.

"Oh yeah, that'll happen."

"Maybe. In like a parallel universe or something." I laugh in response.

"You're funny."

"I know", he smiles as if proud of himself. He takes my hand and squeezes it gently, before bringing it to his lips and kissing it softly.

"I'm really glad to see you", he whispers. "And I mean it."

"I know. Me too", I smile and he smiles shyly in return. Before I can stop myself, I unbuckle and struggle to climb into his seat, holding him as I do. He's taken aback but before he can reject me, I kiss him forcefully and run my fingers through his hair. Soon, he responds. I make quick effort to unzip his jeans and remove my own. He groans in approval and takes off my panties before I can protest. Gently and ever-so-slowly, he slides me onto his length and I wince as I feel him inch by inch. Soon, he works up a pace and I follow in his rhythm, mimicking his moves and moaning as I do.

Fuck, Ana", he hisses through his teeth and my head falls back as I take in the pleasure. Soon, I feel my walls tightening and grip him harder as I explode around him, calling out an incomprehensible version of his name. My legs stiffen and I collapse in his lap, listening with pleasure as he finds his own release. We're both breathing hard but I don't want to move.

"You're full of surprises, Miss Steele. I think I like it", he breathes.

"Good. That was my goal", I smirk and kiss him one last time. He carefully pulls out of me and sets me down beside him. He then reaches down and hands me my clothes.

"Thank you", I remark.

"Anytime", he replies, looking thoroughly pleased with my jump.

"I can't believe I just did that", I chuckle as I attempt to get my clothes back on.

"Wouldn't mind if you did it again", he remarks.

"Maybe next time you could do it."

"Is that a challenge, Miss Steele?"

"Of course it is, Mr. Grey."

"Well then, challenge accepted."

"Good", I respond, before holding my hand to my mouth to stifle my laughter. I nervously look at Taylor and suddenly feel shy again.

"Hey", Christian says gently as he takes my hand again. "Just look at me. Just look at me."

"I like looking at you", I chuckle.

"Good. Guess we are soul mates after all", he remarks with a gleam in his eyes. I narrow my eyes at him but find myself laughing as well. Jeez, I'm never gonna get used to this, but evidently I'm glad.