Carla stared at the television, a haze of cigarette smoke surrounding her and a glass of whiskey beside her. The place looked a mess after she had gone through each and every spot, searching for any remaining money she may have had.
She watched the picture on the television and scowled.
There stood Anastasia, on the arm of that... that man.
'And it looks like the world may have been wrong about billionaire Christian Grey being gay, since he showed up with this hot little number just a few nights ago at his exclusive club Nightfall in Seattle.'
"That little.. whore." She watched her daughter standing in a brand new black backless dress, most likely looking for attention. She did a double take. Did they say billionaire?
Carla downed the drink, slamming it on the table beside her. That man ruined her life, and everything she had going for her.
She had only needed one more payout to pay off her debt to Mr. Jefferies, and then she would have been able to live her life, free of being followed and free of any worries.
It was times like this she missed Stephen. He could handle situations like this, but she did what she needed to do. She couldn't lose out on the trust fund that Ray had given her. The trust fund was her ticket to being free again, but now that it was gone...
Carla stood, wrapping her robe around her body. She knew it was only a matter of time.
Ray. She scowled at the thought of him. She remembered thinking how lucky she was to have someone like him to take her child, and they hadn't exactly done it the correct way, for which she had then been grateful.
She thought back to the day that her and Stephen went to pick her up.
Flashback
"Who the fuck lives in a place like this?" Stephen said as they drove into the gated community.
They glanced around at the large houses, making their small two bedroom seem insignificant.
"When does the payout begin?" He then asked, glancing at their lawyer in the backseat momentarily and then pulling into the driveway of the address he was given.
"Once she's in your possession for a month. I've spoken with Ray's lawyer, the bank account has been set up." The balding man said, dabbing at his face.
"Does she need to sign anything?"
"Of course not, she's a minor."
Carla stepped from the car with the large man, leaving Stephen there, not wanting to set off any red flags.
They rang the doorbell, and two very well put together people stood there with a less than welcoming look on their face.
The little girl ran down the stairs and Carla gasped.
"Oh my... Anastasia! Look how you've grown..." She said.
Carla hadn't seen Anastasia since she was a baby, and even then, she couldn't feel the pull of motherhood. She still didn't, but she put on like she did.
She watched as Anastasia said her farewells and stepped out with them, an ugly stuffed elephant in her hands. They entered the car, and the girl continued to cry, looking back at the house as they drove away.
"Okay... first rule. Stop fucking crying." Stephen said to her from the front. Carla wanted to suddenly talk back to him, and tell him to let her cry. They did just take her from her family. But she knew not to say anything, so she looked at the window and the passing cars.
The little girl immediately stopped and frowned at him. "You shouldn't swear." She squeaked.
"Oh Anastasia, I have a feeling you and I aren't going to get along very well." Stephen said, and his tone made Carla shudder.
Flashback Over
A knock to the door startled Carla, and she peaked out of the blinds to see flashing blue and red lights.
"Shit.." She murmured and she slowly backed away from the door.
The knock became louder.
"Ms. Wilkes, we know you're in there.. open up."
She finally took a deep breath and opened the door, smiling sweetly.
"Can I help you officers?"
"Yes actually. You're under arrest for fraud and embezzlement, as well as the attempted murder of Stephen Morton." The officer said as he grabbed her by the shoulder to turn her and begin to cuff her hands.
"WHAT?!" She cried out, "I would never-"
"You have the right to remain silent," The man began. "Anything you say may be used against you in the court of law..."
Carla took one last glance at the television, scowling at the paused picture and vowing her own personal revenge.
"Ana, tell me about the last time you spoke with Stephen Morton," John Flynn said, one leg crossed over the other with a notepad sitting on his laptop.
The dark wood of his office and the pale lighting made it both welcoming and calming. She hadn't been sure when Christian first suggested she speak with him, especially since he was his therapist, but she quickly became used to the idea.
Ana sat on the dark brown sofa, this time with Christian who had offered his company and a hand to hold. This would be the third time she'd spoken with the good Doctor in the past two weeks. And oh what a two weeks it had been.
Her interview was in four days time, with a friend that Christian kept referring to as Roach. She had also moved in with Kate, staying with her for only a few nights of the week before she found herself back with Christian the other nights.
"It was six months after he tried to kill me." Ana began, and she felt Christian squeeze her hand reassuringly. "I had left with Carla.."
"And why did you leave with her?"
"I had no money. It was already foolish for me to try to be on my own, but I also felt like I owed her a debt." She paused taking a deep breath.
"Go on."
"Anyways, we were staying in Atlanta, in a small crappy apartment and I was attending some classes. I was leaving campus and he accosted me outside of the English hall. I almost didn't even recognize him at first.. but then it came back to me, and I just.."
She took a deep and shuddering breath, thinking back.
FLASHBACK: TRIGGER WARNING
"Great job on your paper Ana." Her professor said as she left the classroom. She smiled at him, holding her schoolbooks to her chest as she stepped out of the room.
The Atlanta air was warm, but it felt good after the two hours in that freezing room. She missed the cool Seattle breeze, even after all of these years.
She vaguely thought back to her family there. She had written to them, multiple times and so far hadn't received anything back. She hadn't been able to find their numbers, except for a listing of Carrick's law firm, using the schools internet. Even then, she had called and found herself speaking to a receptionist unsure of what to say.
Ana didn't quite understand the pull that kept her there, but she knew that they had been safe from Stephen Morton for six months thanks to Carla.
She walked towards the bus stop, glancing quickly at her wrist watch and looking around. It was dark, something she wished she could avoid, particularly because it didn't feel safe. It was enough that she was receiving aid to attend school, but she hadn't found a job, and Carla didn't make enough to get her a car.
"Well, well, well... look who it is." She heard him before she saw him, and she immediately felt on edge.
After the man came into view, she squinted her eyes to see him better before they widened.
"No!" She yelled and immediately turned and began running, but he was too quick for her. He grabbed her by the back of her sweater, her legs buckling and she fell to the concrete with a thud.
"HEL-" She began to scream before his rough and calloused hand was over her mouth.
"Did you both REALLY think you could just FUCKING LEAVE ME THERE?!" He screamed at her, standing in a crouch and grabbing her by the hood of her sweater, his mouth still on her face. He dragged her into the alleyway and she kicked, doing all she could to get away from him.
But she couldn't.
FLASHBACK OVER
"What happened then Ana?" Flynn asked, looking up from the notepad he continued to scribble on.
"He grabbed at me... in certain places, I think just to scare me. He hit me, kicked at me... but then he left. I didn't quite understand why at the time."
"Do you understand now?"
"He couldn't kill me, because then Carla wouldn't get my money. I realize now that maybe Carla and Stephen never stopped talking." Ana said after taking a deep breath. It had been a hard realization to come to, but once she realized that Carla didn't actually care for her in anyway, she knew.
"I don't understand why didn't leave." Christian blurted out, looking to Ana with a furrowed brow. He looked, angry... but she wasn't sure it was at her.
"Christian, you have to understand," Flynn began. "that people in Ana's situation can feel something called 'capture-bonding'. This essentially means that Ana bonded with Carla over their ordeal with Stephen, since Carla had made Ana believe she was just as afraid as she was. There are cases of people feeling this when in a hostage situation, which Ana was. The only difference is that the only weapon used against Ana was fear. And because it was her mother, it made it much easier to feel a bond, especially after her father had passed."
Ana thought for a moment. Was that what it was? She hadn't exactly understood what kept her with Carla, except for something she couldn't explain. There were times when they had laughed together, and cried together. Carla had sat her down and apologized for not escaping with Ana sooner, and for letting Stephen abuse her for all of those years.
She had believed her.
"So are you enjoying living with Kate? I haven't really asked you that." Christian asked as Ana unlocked the apartment door.
They stepped inside the two bedroom apartment, Ana taking her off her shoes in the process.
It was very spacious and modern, other than the back wall which looked to be the original brick the building had been made with. Her room itself was large, but nothing compared to Christians. In fact, she was sure the apartment could fit inside of Christians and still have access to the majority of his.
"It's nice. I really do like her, it's just a little awkward when Elliot's here." She grimaced and he followed suit.
They stepped into her bedroom and she turned and shut the door behind him. The room was plain, other than the bed and the dresser with vanity. She was thankful the apartment was already furnished, although she would have gladly purchased furniture with the money Carrick had given her. Now though, she was able to save it.
"Are you okay?" Christian asked, his voice still dripping with contempt as he remembered her words.
Ana sat onto the bed, looking to her feet. "It's hard to talk about it Christian. I feel ashamed of myself, I feel.. pissed off."
Christian stared at her, a strange look in his eyes. He finally took a seat with her on the bed and placing his elbows on his thighs, his face in his hands for a moment.
"Are you okay?" She asked him, unsure of why he was being so mercurial.
Hearing that Stephen Morton had touched her in a way that was anything but appropriate made him want to hit something. It reminded him of being younger, and being out of control. He needed control and he suddenly felt the urge to spend a session in his playroom.
But then she touched him, a small touch on his forearm, and he felt calmed. He took a deep breath, turning his head to look at her.
So beautiful.
The night she had spent with him had been something he had never experienced. They had laid in bed, their hands on one another as they did nothing more than kiss. He remembered it feeling more fulfilling than anything he had ever felt with a submissive, or with Elena. But he also had felt conflicted.
She didn't know his background with Elena, nor did she know about his lifestyle choices. She didn't know about the darkness inside of him, or the fact that he could never give her anything... more.
He remembered the day after, calling Flynn and being chastised on the phone.
'It's time you stop seeing yourself in that light Christian,' His British voice chided, 'if you want to be the man she deserves, then just be it!'
He had since been doing his best to work through his issues, for her.
"Ana, I just.. I'm never going to let you be in harms way again." He said, finally finding the right words to say.
Her eyes softened, "I know."
"That was delicious", Ana said with a soft groan, making Christian clench his jaw.
The family sat in the Grey's dining room, their plates almost empty. Both Grace and Carrick had cooked, grilled brown sugar glazed Salmon with a side of bacon braised string beans and potatoes.
Christian was on his second glass of wine, as was most of the family and Gretchen stepped around the table inquiring who had wanted more. As usual, he ignored her stares and at this point, only had eyes for the brunette next to him.
He could see his parents staring at him, curious as to his constant glances to the side, but frankly he wasn't sure if Ana wanted to divulge the nature of their relationship just yet.
"So Ana dear, have you picked up a dress for Coping Together yet?" Grace asked after dabbing her mouth.
"Oh, yes. Mia and I found one that I think is perfect. I'm very excited to attend." Ana replied.
Christian generally hated attending events with his family, only because he was unable to 'bond' with them at most times. He felt uncomfortable, especially from the stares of people who had just wanted him to give them some attention. This year, however, he couldn't wait...
"Do you have a date?" Mia piped up, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she stared at both Christian and Ana.
"Oh, don't be silly Mia, Ana's just finally getting settled." Grace said waving her hand at her daughter.
He cleared his throat, "Ana will actually be attending this year with me Mother."
The room silenced for a moment, Carrick actually dropping his fork. At first Christian assumed he would be displeased by this news until he saw the small smile on his fathers face.
Finally Kate spoke, clearing the tension in the room. "So Mia, do you have a date?"
"That was awkward at dinner." Ana said, her knees curled up to her chest as she sat in the cushioned lawn chair in front of the bonfire.
Elliot, Kate and Christian all sat with her enjoying a glass of brandy, or one final glass of wine.
"It was only awkward because Christian never actually wants to go to an event that our parents have, especially not with a date." Elliot said, swishing the liquid in his glass. His hand held onto Kate's who stared lovingly at him.
Ana felt a pang of jealousy for a moment and looked to Christian who stared in the crackling and flickering flames.
His phone pinged and he lifted it immediately it, his eyes lighting up. "Excuse me for a moment," He said standing and walking quickly inside.
"So... have you guys... you know?" Kate asked and Elliot grimaced at the thought.
"No Kate." Ana replied with an exasperated sigh. Although she really wanted to.
Elliot chimed in. "It's probably for the best Ana. I don't think my brothers ever even had sex."
Was that what it was? No. It couldn't be, She thought remembering the experienced way he kissed her and touched her. Not to mention, a man like that didn't stay a virgin for long.
The moment Christian walked back outside, Elliot shouted, "Are you still a virgin dude?"
Christian stopped in his tracks, looking between them before rolling his eyes and ignoring his brother. While Elliot said under his breath to Kate, 'told you.', Christian kneeled in front of Ana, much to her confusion. He grabbed her by the face, running his thumbs along her cheeks.
"They've arrested her Ana."
"What?"
"They've arrested Carla. On grounds of fraud, embezzlement and attempted murder." He paused, staring at her. "Ana? Are you okay?"
She was sure what she experienced was a panic attack, but she had no idea why she had experienced it.
She sat in Christians old bedroom, squeezing the bedspread while she closed her eyes tight and thought.
Carla was arrested. There was no more Stephen.
Carla was arrested.
Ana didn't care about the money. She cared only for the justice that she wanted to receive from being tricked for so many years, but frankly, the thought of having to face her again in court was less than appealing.
There was a soft knock to the door and Christian poked in head in. "Ana, I just wanted to check on you. I apologize, I didn't realize-"
"It's okay." She said softly. "I guess I just didn't expect that this would all happen so quickly."
"I told you I wouldn't let anyone harm you again. I meant physically, mentally, emotionally.. I've had my team do a lot of digging, and it was enough to get her arrested." He sat beside her, looking gorgeous in his jeans and button up.
"You.. you did this? You're the reason she's been arrested?" She looked to him, disbelief in her voice.
"Yes Ana."
"Why?" When he didn't answer, she let out an exasperated sigh. "Why Christian? I've been here for weeks and you've still had yet to tell me why to any of this? Why did you search for me for so many years? Why did you have her arrested?"
He seemed confused, his expression also torn. "Did you not want her arrested?"
"Of course I did! But I just want to know why you're doing all of this for me?"
"Because you deserve the world Ana, and this family wasn't the same without you. And now that you're back, I.." He almost growled the remainder of his answer, "I told you I'm never going to let anyone hurt you again."
A/N: Slightly shorter chapter to go over some things that happened while Ana was gone.
Do you think Christian was completely honest in his answer why he saved her? Heres a hint: There's a little more to it.
Next will be the Coping Together event, Ana's meeting with Roach, and an interesting encounter with one of Christian's old submissive's.
