A/N: I am not dead, I promise, and I have every intention of finishing this story ,even after the long hiatus. I have had numerous big changes in my personal life including a new very busy job that has unfortunately left a lot less time for writing. I am trying to get back into the habit now, and wanted to at least post a new chapter for this story...its a little short. Thank you all to those who have sent me messages and inquiries. I will be more prevalent with my updates, I promise.


"Mom? What's going on? Mom?!"

"Just shut up, Anastasia! Shut your mouth!"

"This the kid?"

"Yeah, this is her. Anastasia!, stand up straight!"

"She's kind of scrawny… not worth more than an eight-ball…"

"But you said— Fine, whatever. Just, give it to me!"

"Mom?!

"Shut UP, Anastasia!"

"Come here, kid"

"Ow, hey! Lemme go!"

"Here's the dust. Now get the fuck out of here."

"MOM!"

"Shut up kid,"

"MOMMY! Wait!'

"I said SHUT UP!"


Ana awoke abruptly, shaking the dream from her mind. She hated how some memories just refused to fade, despite how hard she tried to forget them. She had told herself over and over again— the past was in the past. So why couldn't she let go? Why did she still dream about that night? About what her crack-head mother had been willing to do to get her fix… Ana would not be going back to sleep any time soon…the memories were still too fresh in her mind. She sighed to herself, and slipped out of bed, stretching the sleep from her limbs.

It was very late. At first Ana assumed she was the only person in the penthouse who was awake. But then she heard it. The sound of faint sound of piano music was wafting down the corridor. From her room, she could barely hear it; but the melody was haunting. She slipped out of her bed, taking the duvet with her, wrapping it around her slim figure, and crept out of the bedroom. She paused briefly at the door, she didn't think it would be locked, but she was not actually sure until she turned the handle and the door clicked open. Her footsteps were silent as she padded down the hallway toward the great room where she'd seen the piano. She had assumed before that the piano was for decorative purposes only but now it seemed she had been wrong. She stood in the shadows at the entrance of the great room, letting the music wash over her. It was forlorn and melancholic and beautiful.

Christian Grey's eyes were closed as his fingers moved across the piano with fluid grace. He was playing from memory, lost in his own thoughts and world. It was beautiful to witness. The melody was haunting and sad, and Ana felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she listened.

"Are you going to just stand there, all night?" Christian Grey spoke as soon as the melody ended, his tone sardonic but amused. Ana startled a bit, she had been very quiet, and she was half in shadow. She was surprised he'd noticed she was there. He had very good hearing, she noted for later.

Ana decided it was best to play this shyly. She padded into the room further, allowing the light from outside to reflect over her and the duvet. Christian looked up from the piano keys for the first time, his grey eyes shining almost silver in the moonlight.

"That was beautiful." She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I apologize if I woke you, Miss Steele." He replied. She shook her head.

"Couldn't sleep." She shrugged in response and Christian nodded.

"I know the feeling." He replied and the unspoken word was shared between them, she recognized the look in his eyes. He suffered from nightmares as well.

"Where did you learn to play?" She asked, not wanting the silence between them to drag on too long. Perhaps a sleep deprived Christian Grey would be more forthcoming with information. It was his turn to shrug.

"It doesn't matter." He sounded sullen, almost angry.

"That was very beautiful. What was it called?" She pushed, growing bolder. He smiled indulgently at her

"That piece was called Claire de Lune by a composer named Clause Debussy."

"Do you play often?" She stepped further into the room, positioning herself closer to him. She watched as he almost imperceptivity stiffened in response. She offered him a shy smile and let the duvet dip off one shoulder just a little bit, exposing her clavicle. She watched his eyes move to the pale skin of her collar bone and then back to her face in response.

"No, Miss Steele. The piano, my father likes to point out, is not a particularly Dominant trait or endeavor. It is something, however, that I do for myself."

His stare was as penetrating as ever, but Ana was not daunted. She figured a bit of flirting would not hurt, might even loosen the taciturn Master's tongue a bit. And, if she was completely honest with herself, she found him attractive. But that was not the reason she was flirting. It was purely for information. She was a professional, after all.

"Well…Mr. Grey, you are quite talented with your fingers…" She let herself grin at him, moving closer to where he sat at the piano. He raised an eyebrow at her, a quizzical expression crossing his face.

"You'd be surprised to learn what else they can do, Miss Steele." He replied, almost without skipping a beat, completely non-plussed. Ana bit her lip in deliberation, she didn't want to play this too confident, she was still supposed to be a terrified kidnap victim, meek, and unsure. But she felt like she could push it a little bit. She noticed the way Christian's eyes darkened when she tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth. He liked that. Good to know. She let her eyes lower from his to a point just below his chin, a submissive look, docile, she knew he would respond to that. She knew now how she would play this. She let him watch as she curled up on herself emotionally. She tugged her hair back behind her ear and pulled her duvet back up over her shoulder. She offered him a shy smile and then looked away.

"I'm sure you are very talented in a lot of ways." She murmured this time, still not meeting his gaze. She noticed through her periphery vision that his eyebrow raised again. He was studying her. She confused him. She could tell she intrigued him.

"In some ways." He agreed, his tone softer this time.

"I am sorry I interrupted you." She apologized, " It was just so beautiful, and I…" She trailed off deliberately.

"It's quite alright, Miss Steele. After what you've been through, I imagine it can be hard to sleep through the night. I have some Xanax on hand if you would like to take something for your nerves."

She shook her head.

"I think I've had enough drugs pumped into my system for one lifetime, thanks." She smiled at him again, and she saw the slight smirk hint at his features.

"Good girl." He responded. Patronizing ass. She thought. She let herself blush though as if flattered. She saw his smile grow just a little. She pushed a bit further and bit her lip again. He responded. She was turning him on. She could tell. Christian Grey liked his women innocent, and docile. Ana should have guessed, given his standing in the illegal human trafficking community that was plaguing Seattle. She wasn't sure why that disappointed her, exactly. but is stung.

"You should get some sleep, Anastasia." He snapped abruptly, standing from the Piano bench for the first time since she entered the room. She glanced at his pajama bottoms, noticing a slight bulge forming. She had him bothered, and he was trying to get rid of her. She had to hide her smile at that thought. She felt like teasing him a bit more but she held her tongue and pretended not to notice his rapidly growing hard on. Men...they were so easy to control, always thinking with their dicks. She would not be getting any more information tonight, but she knew now that she would be able to crack him, get him to tell her what she needed to know. It would take a little time, but he was drawn to her, like she to him, and she would use that. Still. She did not like being told what to do and did not feel like going to bed without a fight.

"So should you." She challenged him. He frowned. He did not like being challenged. Clearly he was a man who was used to getting his way.

"Anastasia…" There was a warning in his tone. "Get some sleep. Now." It was not a suggestion. It was a command. And suddenly Ana had a wicked idea. She had to hide her grin as she thought it. She would let him win, but she would let him win on her terms. She bowed her head slightly again and approached him.

"Alright… I will try to sleep." She conceded. He was just beginning to smile at his little victory when she invaded his personal bubble. She was leaning up, almost brushing his chest she was so close and before he knew what to do she leaned up on her toes and kissed him gently on the lips. It was a peck, but it had the desired effect. His eyes widened in shock, his mouth slightly agape.

"Good night, Christian. Thank you for the song." She gave him another shy smile and turned on her toes to exit the room without a backwards glance. She could sense him staring at her back as she left. Little victories. Until she got out of here, that's what she could live with. Little victories. And once she was free of this place...she would win the war.


"Shit man, what do we want with a kid anyway?"

"Are you kidding? This little bitch is going to make us a fortune. Aren't you, baby."

"Get away from me!"

"Hahahah! She's got spirit, I'll give her that."

"You sure about this Frankie? She's awfully young."

"Don't be a pussy, Ray. Young sells. I know a few guys who'd kill for a night with a fresh young cunt like this one."

"Let me go! Let me go you freak!"

"Now, now, shut up and do what you're told, we own your ass now, bitch. Dave – take her."

"Yeah, yeah Frank. Jesus this is fucked up."

"I didn't ask for the commentary. You don't like it, then get the fuck out of here."

"Calm down Frankie, we're with you. You know that."

"Yeah, yeah…whatever you say Frankie. Come on, girl."

"NO!"

"Ow! The little bitch bit me!"

"Ray, handle it!"

"Whatever you say, boss."


It was still very late. A glance at the clock told Ana it was 3:30 in the morning. She still could not sleep. Every time she tried, her mind wandered back to that night. And the night after. She told herself she was over it. Over the betrayal and the hurt. She was a stronger woman for it, and she was the kind of woman who helped those who needed it, like she'd been helped once before. But it still...hurt.

There was no beautiful music playing anymore to soothe Ana's nerves. She assumed the handsome slaver had gone to bed by now. She felt lonelier than she had in a long time. And in her loneliness her thoughts kept drifting back to times gone by. To her mother. To her almost fate. And most of all, to Ray. Raymond Steele; the man who'd saved her as a child, the man whose name she'd adopted as her own, much to his chagrin. She missed him. She promised herself she would not cry, but she did miss him.

No use cryin' over spilt milk, Annie.

She heard his voice in her mind, chastising her gently and it made her smile. He'd taught her everything he knew, he'd taught her how to take care of herself. He'd been the strongest person she'd ever known. She would make him proud.


Downstairs, in his own bedroom, Christian Grey lay in his bed wide awake. Ana's full lips pressed against his own had left his entire body tingling, filled with electricity. And so he lay in his bed, eyes open, fingertips brushing against his lips where Ana had kissed him hours earlier. His mind kept trailing back to the peak of her skin he'd caught when her duvet had slipped from her shoulder. His mind's eye replayed the image of her biting her lip over and over again and it was driving him crazy. He'd wanted to take her tonight, to make her his. But he knew in his heart that if he'd tried that, it would not have been right, he could not take her as he wished and have her truly be his. It was not fair of him to be having these desires, to be pushing that on her, the poor girl had already been through enough without his unwanted advances. . He wished Ana were with him at that very moment. He wanted to hold the girl in his arms, feel her snuggled against his chest. Christian sighed to himself in frustration, knowing that he would get no sleep that night, wondering what his pale angel was dreaming about.