AN: Moving the story to Seattle for this chapter. Again thank you for all the reviews and the PMs. I hope you enjoy this chapter on my favourite character of the story.

Ch 7 Plans

The next day, the man responsible for the turmoil in Ana and Dan's life was seated in his chair in the office on the top floor of the GEH headquarters. He carefully kept his face locked in a neutral expression and his stare guarded as the suspicions he had harboured for years were finally confirmed: Anastasia had never known that either he or anyone else had tried to contact her. As Sawyer finished his report by delivering her message not even his impressive control could prevent the sudden flash of hope from his voice as he sought confirmation:

"Are those her exact words: that she appreciates the warning?"

"Yes, sir."

Despite maintaining control over his facial features, there was nothing he could do about the sudden drum of his heart beating against his chest. She remembered! He had received the rest of the message as well: it will be up to Teddy. He was fine with that. He had also heard the "we" part: she and Dan, together. It was still painful to think of her as not his but the years and the numerous occasions when he had seen them together had tamed the initial burning rage to a dull ache somewhere deep inside. Time and the quasi certitude that she was not in love with her current husband…

Raising his eyes to the pictures framing the door he permitted himself a small smile. This was the first time in all the years that he had any kind of confirmation that he was not completely forgotten. And she had chosen to let him know it!

As he returned his attention to the man seated in front of him he was all business again as he replied: "Thank you, Sawyer, I realize this was not part of your usual duties. Now for Jason Taylor. He has Anastasia and Teddy under surveillance and I want to know why. How much information did you give him?"

Sawyer had had some time to think over a few things since the startling revelations in his hotel room and his frustration had been building over three days, so his tone was as harsh as that of his employer when he informed him: "None. It was Jason who provided information instead."

"I see. How much did he tell you?"

Still seething Sawyer succinctly delivered: "Everything, I think."

He had seen that look on Grey's face before: inscrutable, intense and yet far away as if the man had removed himself from the equation and only his powerful mind was at work. It was unnerving and often led to some decision or conclusion nobody had foreseen so he was prepared for the worst when Grey finally decided to speak: "'Is this a dagger which I see before me...'"

As his visitor did not seem to recognize the line he explained: "Macbeth, a play by Shakespeare. He is driven crazy by guilt."

"You are aware of Jason's involvement?!"

"Lack of involvement." Grey clarified "I figured it out some time ago. He was too good at his job to have missed all the clues. He had to have made a deliberate choice to not alert me to what was happening."

His intercom chimed: "Mr Grey, you have a meeting with the governor and Senator Williams in five minutes."

"Thank you Miss Grieg." Grey replied to the intercom then returning his attention to Sawyer: "What does Taylor hope to accomplish with his surveillance?"

"He wants to ensure that you will continue to keep your distance. I don't know how he hopes to achieve that."

"I have measures in place in Rock Hill which should be sufficient to prevent him from approaching them. Columbia however is different. I want you to formulate a plan to keep him away from both Anastasia and Teddy while they are there. I am aware that he is your friend. If you think you might have a conflict of interest I want to know now."

"My friendship with Jason will not be a problem, sir, but there is very little time left for me to recruit and brief reliable outside security."

"You have another option?"

"Your personal detail: they already know what Mrs Parson and Teddy look like. They are also familiar with the chain of command and communications protocols. All they need is a brief regarding Jason Taylor."

"You may brief Greg McKenzie. I expect to see a plan of action before this goes any further."

He knew he was dismissed but Sawyer had one more item on his agenda. He had debated whether to bring it up, but this whole situation had started with people withholding information and besides this had a potential to become a security issue somewhere down the line. So he steeled himself for the outburst that was bound to come, sent a quick thank you to whatever deity had Grey due for a meeting in a few minutes, and cleared his throat.

"Sir, there is one thing I have learned from Jason which might become a security issue. "

Grey's only answer was a raised eyebrow indicating that this should better be good. He loathed being late.

"He is aware that Marlene then Watkinson's pregnancy with Miss Grey started while she was in Vegas."

The impassive business man seated on the other side of the table had disappeared before the end of his sentence. In his place was now a man with a face like thunder, glowing stare and clenched fists resting on the desk, the tension in his shoulders and neck causing the fabric of his suit to stretch dangerously tight.

"So?" was thrown at him through clenched teeth.

"You were in Seattle at the time, sir."

To his credit Sawyer he didn't flinch when the dragon now facing him threw his chair back and stood, one fist slamming the table. He remained very still and very quiet, barely daring to watch while Grey paced away from the desk. At one point he felt the hairs raise at the back of his neck and he knew a pair of angry grey eyes had landed on him. Eventually Grey paced back to his place behind the desk. Still standing he crossed his arms then asked: "And how would that become a security issue?"

Had he dared Sawyer would have breathed a sigh of relief. Grey was still angry but this was board room angry, not homicidal fury. This he could deal with.

"If Jason and I made the connection, others might as well." He explained as succinctly as he could.

A couple of seconds passed while Grey was processing the statement from his Director of Security. When he sat back down, his shoulders were still tense but his impassive mask was back on.

"Besides Taylor and now you, the only other people who know about this are Marlene, Samantha and I. Jason Taylor is the only person who could verify my whereabouts in November that year. Are you telling me this might become an issue?"

"No, sir. I don't think Jason would go public or act on this. But I don't have enough information to determine if Marlene Randall, ex Watkins, might at some point do just that."

Grey nodded once: "I will deal with Marlene. In addition to my previous instructions I also want Taylor placed on the proscribed list for all the Greys and all GEH locations."

xXx

Sawyer had barely closed the office door behind him when his intercom buzzed again: "The governor and Senator Williams are on their way up, sir."

Without acknowledging the messenger he rose from his chair and stepped outside of his office and into the small conference room where he received most of his visitors. He was already sitting at one end of the conference table when the door opened to let in the two middle aged politicians. Acknowledging their presence he stood but allowed the visitors to make their way to him before he nodded in greeting: "Governor, Mr Senator."

"Good morning Grey," from the governor and "Mr Grey, a pleasure to meet you," from the senator accompanied the mandatory handshakes then Christian Grey sat the one end of the table with the governor to his right and the senator one chair further down the length of the table.

"What can I do for you, gentlemen?"

"Grey, you know why I asked for this meeting. The comments you have made regarding the senator's plans are simply not acceptable."

Christian's only answer to that was a raised eyebrow. Before the governor could launch into another tirade the senator raised a hand to stop him.

"Mr Grey, I was informed that saving businesses from failure and bankruptcy is a cause close to your heart."

"That is correct, Senator."

Opening his arms wide as if taking an invisible audience as a witness Senator Williams asked: "Then why not support my proposal? Surely you could see it would benefit hundreds if not thousands of small and medium sized businesses across the state. I was given to understand it is very similar to some of the things you do here at GEH."

Christian might have rolled his eyes but that would have been a sign of weakness, telegraphing his annoyance to an informed observer. The men seated at the table with him were seasoned politicians. They could read body language just as well as he could. He had also no intention of allowing himself to be drawn into an endless discussion on business models, a subject the two men clearly did not understand. His response was measured and delivered in as reasonable a tone as he could conjure.

"I am indeed often involved with failing businesses, Mr Senator. That is how I know that throwing more money at them is not the answer."

He could see the senator was getting ready to interrupt him. Without letting his irritation show he stapled his long, elegant fingers in front of him and continued: "Please allow me to explain. The businesses GEH is involved with often require restructuring, financial advice, publicity, various other measures. Without this kind of support and a solid business plan any money received would simply prolong the inevitable outcome."

It took another thirty minutes of arguments back and forth before an agreement to have a few members of the GEH mergers and acquisitions team sit down with a few of the senator's staff was reached. Tentatively hopeful that upcoming discussions will take place between people who at least had some clue about the matter at hand,

Christian returned to his office to do what he did best: ponder over a business proposal until he found a way to deal with the weaknesses, exploit the strengths and turn the numbers into profits and jobs. Two hours later he shut down his computer with one hand and picked up the phone with the other.

"Bailey", was the single word answer.

"You have the go ahead for the Nebraska project, but only if Donovan can pull it off with local resources." He said, not bothering to introduce himself.

Before he could hang up the female voice at the other end asked: "And Charleston?"

"You know better Ros. No GEH involvement in the south east."

Daring where eagles fear to tread, she insisted: "Christian, I really think you should reconsider this one."

Ros Bailey, the COO of the company and the only person allowed to address him by his first name, had worked for him for thirty years and they had a tremendous amount of respect for each other's abilities. Christian new why she was asking: it was a unique opportunity. But his position on this was not negotiable. With a look at the two portraits of the woman he loved, he told his most trusted employee: "The answer is no. I will be out of the office for the rest of the day. We'll discuss Nebraska in more detail tomorrow."

With that he did hung up. One look through the floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking Seattle confirmed that while the skies were cloudy it was not raining.

Stepping out of his office he nodded to Gregor McKenzie, his current CPO and head of his personal security, and pressed the button of the executive elevator.

While he started his descent towards the GEH parking, his mother, Dr Grace Trevelyan Grey, was being shown to a secluded table in the restaurant of the Fairmont Olympic. She knew that the deference shown by the waiting was only partly due to her advanced age. The main reason was that she was Christian Grey's mother.

Seated facing the window, she was lost in her own thoughts when a slight hush descended upon the half full room. Her son had arrived. The third richest man in the state of Washington, forty or fifty or thereabouts in the country, he was a well-known figure in Seattle. Respected by most, feared by some, occasionally hated, for her he was just her son: the little boy who was brought to a hospital in Detroit more dead than alive and who had stolen her heart the moment their eyes met. It was Grace's biggest regret that his eyes would still occasionally reflect the pain and the fear of the hurt and lonely four-year-old boy she had adopted. Among the sounds of resuming conversations and gentle clinking of silverware against fine china she lifted her eyes to greet him with a smile.

"Mother," he said bending to place a kiss on her cheek.

"Christian, how are you darling?" she asked.

Most of their meal was spent discussing the trip to Europe that Grace intended as a birthday present for Samantha Grey, Christian's daughter. She was going to be eighteen in August. By the end of the meal they had agreed that the trip would take place the month before her birthday. Her actual birthday was on the 15th and Christian planned to give her his present on that day.

A little weary on how to broach the next subject Grace waited for the waiter to remove the plates from their main course before saying: "You know she would like to go out with her friends for her birthday?"

Christian never gave his mother 'the stare', but he was so surprised that she had felt the need to intervene on his daughter's behalf he almost did this time. Catching himself in time he replied: "Yes, of course I know."

Having raised Sam as a single father, he had done all he could to have a good relationship with her. He knew she trusted him and respected him and was fairly sure she was not afraid of him, or afraid to talk to him. As a rule him and Samantha presented a united front before strangers, staff and family. Any disagreements they had, they resolved privately. Besides, the question of her birthday party did not even qualify as a disagreement. She had asked him and he had said he would consider the options. True, it had been almost a week. Even so, feeling the need to enrol his mother's support to sway him would be a first. Concerned he asked: "When did Sam talk to you about it?"

Aware of how important his relationship with his daughter was for Christian, Grace didn't hesitate to explain: "She asked my opinion a couple of weeks ago. I think she was worried considering what happened at Ava's party."

They were both silent for a moment. Ava was Kate and Elliot's daughter and had had a party for her eighteenth birthday earlier in the year. Samantha had left after a short while and had only commented that 'It was not her kind of party'. Eventually the security detail assigned to the event had called Greg McKenzie who had called Christian who had called Elliot.

The three men had arrived at the rented venue to be greeted by the smell of alcohol and cigarettes and the sight of drunken teenagers, some of them in less than decent clothing. That had led to another epic fight between Kate and Elliot, with Elliot wanting to punish Ava and Kate defending her and making the usual snarky remarks about Christian and his controlling ways. Unfortunately Grace had overheard the end of the screaming match.

"I don't think she needs to worry about that." Christian said

"Of course not," Grace replied. "Does this mean you'll allow her to go out?"

"Yes of course. I trust my daughter."

Assessing him, Grace slowly placed her napkin on the table. "Christian, what have you done?"

With a sigh Christian patiently explained: "I have reached an agreement with a club. She can have as many friends as she wants."

"Samantha Grey will be attending a night club with her friends?"

"With security, of course."

Grace only looked at him without saying anything. Christian ran a hand through his hair before continuing: "All the employees have been vetted and have signed NDAs. There will be security-trained guests in the venue, posing as patrons, and a few more will be stationed somewhere close, on standby. My own team will replace the usual door bouncers and they will ensure no professional cameras are allowed to enter the venue. Three senior security staff will be monitoring the CCTV and will liaise with the undercover team to deal with any pictures taken using mobile phones. Several members of the IT and PR departments will monitor social media for anything uploaded despite all the other measures and will deal with whatever gets posted during the evening and the following three days. Somebody from legal will be on standby in case they are needed."

By the end of his tirade Grace's eyes were swimming in unshed tears. It was common knowledge that Christian was serious about protecting his daughter's privacy. Few however realized to what lengths he was going in order to do so and what a tremendous effort it was to allow her to participate in various activities outside the house and the school. Trying to lighten the mood she teased him as she usually did when he went overboard: "Is there any point in asking how much this cost?"

Recognizing the old tease, Christian played along, rolling his eyes and replying with his customary: "No, there isn't," then continued, already half standing: "Shall we?"

In the privacy of Christian's car Grace could no longer contain herself and noted: "Something is bothering you."

Looking through the tinted window rather than at his mother Christian confessed: "I sent Ana a letter. We had a trust fund set up for Teddy when he was born. He was meant to receive the first cheque the Monday after graduation." His body stiffening with determination he turned his head towards his companion to conclude: "And he will."

Grace had accepted Christian's reasons to stay away from Ana and his son, but she also knew how much that decision had cost him. She had witnessed the joy in Christian's eyes when he had new pictures to show her and his pride in Teddy's achievements. She had also witnessed the pain inflicted by the knowledge that he was not a part of his son's life and the longing when he looked at the pictures of Teddy and Ana.

Very gently, she asked: "Have you changed your mind, about staying away?"

"No. There are no names, except his new one, on the legal paperwork."

Grace knew Christian had to be aware that the sudden appearance of a trust fund in Teddy's life would raise questions. Was he lying to himself when he said he had not changed his decision to keep his distance? "Christian!" She admonished.

With a sigh he ran his hand through his hair and resumed looking through the window: "He is my son", he said, the words a plea for her to understand.

Grace remained quiet so he turned again to look at her and with pride and wonder in his voice he informed her: "He has been accepted at Harvard, to study law."

Once again Grace's eyes were filed with tears. Carrick would have been so proud! Three years since he had passed away she still missed him, her husband, her soul mate. Christian's hand griping hers interrupted the sad thoughts. What was done was done. It was his decision, his family. All she could do was to be there for him and support him. She squeezed his hand in return.

Leaning his head to one side Christian observed her.

"You don't approve."

Grace sighed: "I know he is your son. I miss him too. It's just…this is going to be a lot to take in, especially since you don't know what he has been told about you. Do you know if he is aware that he has a different father?"

"He knows Dan Parson is not his father."

Shaking her head Grace asked: "Do I want to know how you know this?"

Shrugging Christian answered: "There is no name for the father on his birth certificate. He has Parson as his last name but he was never adopted."

The car was passing through the gates to her house in Bellevue as Grace was yet again left wondering how Christian could so casually admit knowing confidential information about other people. When they stopped in front of the impressive property and Christian helped her out of the car and into the house she raised a hand to caress his face: "You know I'm here if you want to talk about it, about anything," she said.

"I know Mom."

As he was uncharacteristically lingering in the foyer Grace asked: "Do you want to come in?"

"I think I should, but not for long. I have some work to do and I need to talk to Sam."

Moments later they were seated in the comfortable living room, Grace with a cup of tea and Christian with a coffee. Grace had learned long ago to not try and press Christian for answers and so several minutes passed in silence while Christian stared at his cup apparently lost in thought. Eventually he took the dainty cup and raised it to his lips for a sip of the scalding liquid, then informed her: "I have been asked to hand the degrees at Teddy's graduation and I have accepted the invitation."

Putting down her cup of tea Grace straightened her posture in the armchair: "You are going to hand him his diploma?"

"Yes."

This was, Grace knew, why he had seemed so troubled. The trust fund might cause some trouble, raise some questions, but he had said it was set up anonymously. The graduation ceremony however was personal. He was going to stand face to face with his son and shake his hand. And Ana will be there as well. Grace knew Christian was travelling regularly to see them, although he had refused to tell her where they lived. And suddenly her mind was made up.

"I want to come with you. I want to be there."

She was prepared to have to convince her son and was preparing her arguments when she noticed the look on his face was not of resistance but of concern.

"Mom, will you think about it? It's going to be…emotional."

That was an understatement if she had ever heard one. To see her grandson in person for the first time since he was a toddler, to witness Christian shaking hands with his son…the mere thought once again threatened her emotional stability. Before she dissolved in a mess of tears, effectively proving his point she insisted:

"I want to come. It won't be too much, I promise."

He had known that she would want to come and the only thing holding him back was the fear that it would be too much for her. She was seventy four and there were days when she looked frail and tired. The past few years had been hard on her: Carrick passing away, Elliot and Kate's constant marital problems and more recently the knowledge that Elliot had son with one of his many mistresses. A son who was almost thirteen and of which Kate was, they all believed, still not aware. At least Teddy's graduation was a happy occasion.

"Mom, if you are sure, I would be happy to have you there."

"Oh, Christian, yes I'm sure, of course I'm sure. When is it?"

"The ceremony is on May 27th. I think it will be best if we leave the day before and would you mind staying over the weekend? There is a charity fundraiser on the 29th and I have been asked to attend. They do much the same work as Coping Together and they have helped me with a couple of projects in the past."

Once the details of their trip had been decided, Christian left his mother's house with Grace watching as he made his way to the waiting car, the door opened by his CPO while the driver had already started the engine. Her happiness at the prospect of seeing her grandson in person was bitter sweet. As a grandmother she could barely wait to see him and share in his special moment. As a mother however her heart ached for Christian who she knew would need to make a tremendous effort to maintain his mask of impassivity while greeting his son.

AN: Next chapter part 3/4 of why their lives took this particular turn: Ana's POV on the separation