A/N: Thank you for the reviews. I enjoy reading them. I appreciate all of them.

On with the show…

I do not own the characters. They belong to E.L. James. This is just for fun.


Damage Control

Ana POV:

The Tess books are innocently sitting on my dresser. I walk over to them and run my hand over the book cover on top of the pile. It's all I have left of him…three old books. A part of me wants to keep them as a reminder of him; the other part wants to burn them. Of course, I could never bring myself to burn them. I love books too much. I know they're going to haunt me until they're gone. Maybe I should just give them to Elliot and avoid another run-in. My first attempt to return them failed miserably and opened my eyes.

I've had a night to sleep on yesterday's events. Christian has a new submissive. I don't know why this surprised me. What did I really expect? He's always been honest with me about what he wanted. I turned him down. I'm hurt that he replaced me so quickly but the truth is he doesn't owe me anything. We aren't dating. We never were. I thought there was a spark between us, but a spark is not a relationship.

I know that I said no and it makes no sense, but I thought there was something special between us and he'd change his mind. I guess I'm disappointed in the both of us. I'm disappointed in me, for seeing more between us than there really was…and him for not seeing it at all and moving on so quickly. I guess I'm asking him to do the same thing he asked of me. To change. We both won't…or can't. The rational part of me realizes that my expectations are not fair. It's just my heart that's being irrational.

Live and Learn.

For as sad as I am, I can't bring myself to hate him. I've tried to hate him. It sure as hell would make things easier on my heart if I did. I can't live his lifestyle and he can't live without it. End of story. Be a big girl Ana and just move on.

A crappy night's sleep does put things into perspective. It sucks.

It's hard when your head knows the truth, but your heart wants to live in the fantasy. My heart is still breaking. Why did I have to fall for someone who is emotionally unavailable? Who gets his kicks from pain?

I just need to move forward regardless of my wounded feelings. I have my own life to live. I have interviews today. There's a whole new life right in front of me.

~~~xxx~~~

My first interview went well. But it was a huge publishing house with offices nationwide. I could see myself getting lost in the shuffle there. I'd prefer something smaller, so I can be more hands on. Learn more.

I'm sitting on a green chesterfield couch in the waiting room for my second interview. I'm excited about this prospect. SIP, Seattle Independent Publishing. I like that they devote more attention to their authors. Their authors are mostly local or out of the box quirky. I'd like to be a part of that.

I'm called in by the head of Human Resources, Elizabeth Morgan and led to a small meeting room.

At the head of the conference table is a young man with a red hair in a ponytail, silver hoop earrings and dark blue eyes. He introduces himself as Jack Hyde, the acquisitions editor. He'd be my boss if I got the internship.

After going through the expected round of "Why do you want to intern at SIP" questions, Jack asks me about my favorite books to read as well as my indulgences at WSU. Interesting choice of words.

I think I held my own during the interview. The more we spoke, the more comfortable I felt around Jack.

Our interview concluded, I think it went well. Jack shook my hand and gently squeezed it, telling me it was a pleasure to meet me. I'm sure he says that to all the intern candidates.

As I'm driving home in Wanda, I think back to the interview. I think it went well. Jack and Elizabeth seemed nice enough. Still, I can't help this feeling of uneasiness. I don't know why.

It's probably nothing. I've had an unsettled feeling ever since I met Christian. That must be it. Someday my brain will finally allow me to escape him invading my psyche. Someday.

Once I'm gainfully employed and start the next chapter of my life, Christian will just be a blip in my memory.

~~~xxx~~~

CPOV:

Flynn and I shake hands and take our usual positions, me on the green leather couch, and him in his chair, notepad in lap.

He's the only one I can speak about this predicament I find myself in. I know better than to speak to Elena about Ana. She's tried calling and I've sent them all to voice mail. No doubt she wants to know my interview with Ms. Adams went.

What the fuck am I supposed to say to Elena? She's perfect… no thanks, I don't want her.

My thoughts are interrupted by Flynn.

"So Christian. How are you?"

"Good, good." I'm rubbing my hands together. I'm a little apprehensive to discuss what I came here for.

Flynn notices my anxiety.

"Is there something you wish to discuss Christian?"

"Actually yes. There's something new"

"Something new? Continue"

"I've met someone. A girl. My usual type, brown hair etc."

"A new submissive?"

"No. She literally fell into my office to interview me. And I haven't been able to get her out of my mind ever since, for as much as I tried. She seemed to be a natural submissive, so I pursued her. I followed her to Portland where she worked, to see if it was just a momentary attraction. But it made things worse. I became more obsessed with her and I thought maybe she could be my sub."

"Was she aware of your lifestyle?"

"No. She wasn't into the scene I thought it would be an interesting change to train her to be my new submissive. "

"I see."

"I took her out for coffee and tried to do the right thing. She's young, a recent college graduate and a sweet girl. I tried to warn her off. Leave her alone"

"Did you leave her alone?"

"No, I couldn't get her out of my mind. After I warned her off, I sent some books I thought she'd like to her apartment. She went to a bar after her college finals and drunk dialed me to call me out about the books. Naturally, I was concerned for her well-being since she was intoxicated in a public place, so I tracked her down and found her. Lucky I did as some drunken fucker was making a play on her. To make a long story short, I ended up bringing her to my hotel room after she passed out in my car while taking her home. I could keep my eye on her and take care of her there."

"So you came in to save the day"

"Hardly. Here's the thing, she was passed out cold on the hotel bed. I slept next to her. I didn't touch her, just slept. But I slept well. No nightmares, just a peaceful sleep. Better than I remember."

"Interesting"

"The morning came and I ordered breakfast. I think after her initial shock of being in the hotel and her embarrassment of the night before events faded, we talked and had a pleasant breakfast together. I knew we would be compatible for the arrangement I had originally wanted, so I invited her to my penthouse"

"At this point she still has no idea of your BDSM lifestyle?"

"No. I flew her to my penthouse. To show her what I was all about and unveil my proposal. I showed her my playroom. I told her that I was a Dom and I wanted her to be my submissive. I told her this was the only type of relationship I was interested in."

"How did she respond?"

"She was calm but she turned me down. Said she didn't think this was a lifestyle for her"

"How did you feel about that?"

"Disappointed. I offered to take her home but it was late. I guess she felt comfortable because she stayed in the guest room for the night. "

"Interesting, despite the fact that you showed her your BDSM room, which I'm sure must have been a shock to someone who is not familiar with that lifestyle, she felt safe enough to stay. Unexpected"

"I have come to realize that there is nothing about Anastasia that is expected. Her morning revelation was the most unexpected of all"

"Oh?"

"She disclosed that she was a virgin" Flynn's eyes open wide.

"Really? How did you respond to this disclosure?"

"I almost fell to the floor, for fucks sake. But she was cool as a cucumber. I couldn't believe it. I figured she was inexperienced, but a fucking virgin? Yet, she calmly discussed hard limits and chose to stay. She's so brave. It amazed me"

"Yes, your Anastasia seems quite special"

"There's something about her that calls to me on some level I don't understand. I asked her again to reconsider. But she turned me down again. I saw her some days later at her graduation where I was handing out the degrees. I asked her again to reconsider. I sensed she was having some inner turmoil and briefly considered it, but turned me down"

"You're not used to being told no"

"No, I'm not. She seems so quiet and shy and she is...but there's so much more to her. I can't get her out of my fucking mind. She asked me to try a vanilla relationship but I declined"

"Why? Haven't you thought about a different arrangement to be with her?"

"I'm not capable of anything other than what I offered. I'm a Dom for Christ sake. It's what I am."

"No, Christian. You are a man. Your BDSM lifestyle is a choice. You are free to choose the way you live, whether BDSM is a part of it or not. It is your choice"

"I disagree. It doesn't matter anyway, in light of some recent events"

"Go on" Flynn encourages

"Elliot mentioned to me that Ana had gone out with the fucker who attacked her at the bar. The fucker is her friend and she apparently has no issue with him"

"Elliot knows Anastasia?"

"Yes, he is dating her annoying roommate. My mother has met her too. She came to the apartment when Ana was still there"

"None of your former submissive has met your family members. How did you feel about this?"

"Surprisingly fine. Ana is no one to be embarrassed or ashamed of. "

"Interesting...so what were the recent events"

"After hearing about her going out with that boy, I had enough of chasing after her. I needed to move on with my life. Doms don't chase women. I don't sleep with women. She turned me down enough, had me breaking all sorts of rules. I don't have relationships. I had to regain back my control. So I had an interview with a new submissive arranged"

"I see. Did you feel you resumed your feeling of control by interviewing a new submissive?"

"I thought I would. The girl I interviewed was text book perfect. Perfect. But felt nothing. No excitement. No challenge. Nothing. I kept thinking about Ana. "

"Anastasia challenges you? Is that the attraction?"

"Yes and no. I like that she speaks her mind, tells me what she thinks...and I'm frustrated by it for the same reasons. I'm miserable. Doesn't matter, as luck would have it, she bumped into the sub I interviewed practically in front of my fucking building; the NDA fell to the ground. Between the NDA, the girl and Taylor standing there, I'm sure Ana worked it out. I'm sure she hates me now"

"It took you to interview this submissive to make you realize that perhaps what you truly desire isn't what you thought you wanted."

"Yes but Ana knows about the submissive. "

"From what you tell me, that is probably true"

"How am I going to convince her that it was not my intention to follow through on it?"

"That is was a knee jerk reaction to your jealousy over her friend?"

"Jealous? I do not get jealous." Of course Flynn knows this is bullshit, he knows of my jealous nature more than anyone.

"Christian, let's call a spade a spade. Yes, jealous. Tell me more about Anastasia"

"All sense of reason flies out the window when I think of her. Her little quirks, I find amusing, she's beautiful. I don't think she has a clue how beautiful she is. She's smart and quite witty. What the fuck are these feelings? They don't belong in my world."

"Sounds like you like her"

"I enjoy her company, yes. I was thinking… if I could get her to agree to see me, I could try her way, temporarily. You know, vanilla. Being a virgin, she doesn't really have a point of reference .Then once she has a taste of what I can offer her, I can convince her to sub for me."

"So you want to seduce and trick her into submission?" he cocks his head to the side.

"Well, when you put it like that, I seem like a shit"

He raises an eyebrow. Yes, that is shitty

"Christian, you may know a lot about sex but you know nothing about women. If you are looking to enter a new type of relationship under a cloak of deceit, I suggest you rethink this. Is this what you want?"

"No, not when you put it like that. It's not what I meant."

"What did you mean?"

"I don't know any other way. Like business, I do what I need to do to achieve my goal."

"Are you comparing Anastasia to a business acquisition?"

"No...yes…I don't know what the fuck I mean."

"Christian ..."

"John, she's a sweet girl. She deserves better than a fuck up like me. Don't you think I know that? I know what she wants. She wants hearts, flowers, romance, all that fucking crap. I can't do that."

"If you aren't willing to change your ways for the sake of a relationship with Anastasia that is different than what you have had the past, I'd advise you to stop this pursuing her and leave this innocent girl alone. Is that what you really want? "

"No. What the fuck do you suggest? "

"How about honesty?"

"I tried honesty, she said no."

"No, Christian. Tell her you like her. Court her."

"Tell her I like her? What am I fucking fourteen years old?"

He raises his eyebrow again, clearly amused. Fucking Flynn.

"She has made it clear to you that she is not interested in your lifestyle. You have tried to resume your lifestyle, only to discover that you are not satisfied because you've met someone who interests you on a different level, a deeper level."

"What if I can't? What if I can't control my urges. My needs. I need control, John. It's how I function"

"We've talked about SFBT. Perhaps you can start taking it more seriously and explore other avenues for your control issues"

"I don't want to talk about this SFBT shit again John. I just need to figure out a way to make it work out. Maybe we can combine what she wants and eventually, what I want. I don't know " I put my head in my hands and shake my head.

"I believe there are different possibilities for you, things that never occurred to you that you might be capable of. Explore that. Maybe you'll learn something new about yourself. Look we're out of time. You have a lot to think about. Don't pass on an opportunity for change Christian. It may very well be beneficial to you in the long run"

"I'll think about it John"

~~~xxx~~~

Ana POV:

Kate and Elliot have left for Barbados. I'm left alone with my thoughts, which these days are a daunting task. Between waiting to hear back about my job prospects and Christian flooding my head, my brain is in overdrive.

I've got to clear my head. I have to get out of here get some fresh air. I throw on my running clothes, grab my Ipod and head out the door.

As I open the door, I stop in my tracks as familiar gray eyes are on the opposite side of the doorway boring into me.

I have no clue how I'm still standing…I know my brain just fainted. My stomach has relocated to my feet.

"Ana"

"Christian. What are you doing here?" I'm shocked that I have the ability to speak

"I need to speak with you" he says softly

"I don't think we have anything to say to each other" Obviously Taylor has given him the heads up on our recent sidewalk encounter.

"You will listen to what I have to say" He demands. Ah yes, Mr. Dom has made his appearance.

"Domineering as always. You don't dictate me. As you may recall, I have maintained my free will. If you want to dominate someone, go boss around your new friend" I cross my arms and furrow my brows. I must looks like a pouting teenager.

He looks to the ground, shakes his head and exhales.

"Can I come in? I don't think either of us wants to make a scene for public display" his voice softens again.

He has a point. And my curiosity is peaked…why is he here?

"Fine. Come in" I open the door wider to allow him in. As he gets closer to me I smell his unique scent. I inhale deeply. I hope he didn't notice. I could lose myself in his Christian scent.

We stand in the living room, glaring at each other. The room is filled with tension.

"Ok, Christian. What do you want?"

"First, I want to ask you something. Are you fucking him?" The tension is radiating off his body.

My eyes open wide. Did I just hear what I think I heard?

"What did you just ask me?" I ask incredulously

"Are you fucking him? The photographer?" He scowls.

I shake my head in disbelief.

"What I do is none of your concern. " How dare he.

"You're driving me crazy, Ana"

"I drive you crazy? You don't need me to drive you crazy. You arrived there all by yourself. Christian, you're Webster's definition of crazy"

He's furiously running his hands through his hair. Jeez, he's mad.

"I'm not a patient man, Ana. Answer me"

"I'd agree you're not very patient. Bumping into your little friend proves that. Do you have 'phone-a-sub' on speed dial? You certainly didn't waste much time"

"If you were mine, that smart mouth would get you one hell of a spanking"

"Well, I'm not yours. My ass is off limits to you, Mr. Grey" Take that Grey!

He sighs.

"I thought you were with that fucking photographer, Ana. I thought you moved on"

"Why would you think I was with Jose?"

"Elliot told me you were out with him at a bar the night before you moved to Seattle. He led me to believe there may have been more"

"Jose is my friend. That's all he'll ever be to me. I've told you this. Anyway, it doesn't dismiss the fact that you have contracted a new submissive."

"I haven't contracted anyone"

"I know what I saw. The NDA. The girl. Taylor."

He looks down and runs his fingers through his hair again.

"Yes. I interviewed someone. But it wasn't right. I had no intention of signing a contract."

"Why wasn't she right? Too many hard limits for your liking?" I know I sound like a bitch, but I can't help myself.

"She wasn't you. You're the one I want."

Oh my. I didn't expect that.

"Why me?"

"You've bewitched me. I want you. Only you"

"Christian, we've been over and over this. I can't do what you ask of me. I just can't"

"Yes, I know. I want to try your way Ana." I can't believe the words I'm hearing.

"What if one day you'll realize that a vanilla relationship isn't enough for you? Where will that leave me? Either I go in that red room to keep you or you'll leave me for a sub. Either way I look at it, I end up in pain."

It hurts to say this, but it's what I feel.

"I'm willing to try. For you, I want to try. Why can't you trust me?"

"Trust is not freely given just because you've asked for it, trust is earned. I say no to your indecent proposal and five seconds later you're lining up your next submissive. You were entitled to do that, you didn't owe me anything, but your actions spoke volumes to me. It showed that your need for that life is stronger than any need you may think you have to be with me. "

"It isn't like that. I realize that now"

"Is this just about sex? Is this why you continue to pursue me? Conquest of the virgin? A special notch on your bedpost?"

"I've wanted you before I knew you were a virgin. You know that. I'm not going to deny that I don't want another man's hands on you. I want you to be mine, only mine."

That sounds so domineering, but fuck, it's all sorts of sexy. He wants me to be his, I would have thought I'd hate that statement, like I'm a piece of property... but it makes me feel so...wanton. I have to think about this. I don't want to be some one night stand, have the virgin, and then sacrifice her feelings. The ultimate conquest.

"What if I said no sex, while we get to know each other better?" I expect he'll be out the door in two seconds with that request.

"No sex, eh?" He smirks.

"MmmmHmmm." I shake my head.

"That would certainly be a challenge" He actually looks a bit amused at the prospect.

"Is it something you'd consider? I need to trust you; this is the only way I know how."

He walks close to me. My breathing hitches. I feel my heart racing. He's inches from me. I want to throw myself at him. He tucks a few strands of my hair behind my ear.

"Anastasia, I have little doubt you are worth the wait" he purrs in my ear in a low sexy as fuck voice. I close my eyes and feel the hum of his voice vibrate right down to my sex. How does he do this to me?

Take me, take me. I want to drag him in my room, rip off my clothes and let him have his way with me, right now. I'm so desperate for his touch, but I don't want to betray my heart. Or the heartbreak I'd surely endure if he isn't sincere. Stay strong Ana.

"I'd like to think about it. You being here now…saying these things to me, it's just so unexpected. I appreciate what you're saying, I really do. You show up like this after seeing that girl. I just need to think about what I saw and what you've said"

I bit my lip to suppress the smile that is desperately trying to show. He needs to know that I'm serious when I say I want to think about it. I need to figure out if he's telling the truth, to me or to himself. I don't want to doubt his sincerity but I don't want to be played the fool either.

He tugs my lip from my teeth's hold.

"Stop that, I want to bite that lip" He runs his index finger across my bottom lip. I look down, trying to gain back some composure while remaining upright.

"Can I have some time, please?" I peek up at him , feeling vulnerable.

"As you wish. I'll leave you now." He walks toward the front door "I'll be in touch. We can make this work baby." He takes my hand and softly kisses the back of it. And again, his touch sends tremors straight down to my sex. Wow.

He walks over to his car with a graceful swagger, looking confident and utterly gorgeous. He must have sensed my weakness to his touch. I'm betting he thinks this is a done deal. I am sincere; I want to think about this. I don't know if either of us is capable of a relationship with each other. He wants to change for me. Well, he wants to try. I'm feeling…hopeful.

It's exciting and scary at the same time. What if he can't change? Then all I'm left with is a broken heart. Is he being truthful to me…or to him. I really need to think.

He reaches his car and looks back at me standing in the doorway. He smiles his panty creamer grin. I can't help but give a small smile back…the cocky son of a bitch.

"That was not a yes, Mr. Grey" I remind him.

"That was not a no either, Ms. Steele." He smirks and gets in his car


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