Fifty Shades or Not
Ch 10: Lack of evidence
Ray and Kate came to Christian's yacht as he had called them to come. Ray was surprised to see Ana there. Christian and Kate excused themselves so they could them some privacy, Ana told her dad she had been raped.
"Come over to the couch and tell me what happened," Ray said, looking at his daughter.
"I'm sorry I lied to you…" she started saying.
"Ana, don't worry about that. Just tell me how this happened. Who raped you?"
"First of all I had been lying to you and myself. I didn't want to admit that it happened," she said, as she hiccupped. "It all started when Jose and I went on our date. I'm not sure if I should tell you this, but I planned to stay with him," Ana said, gauging her dad's reaction. But he just listened.
"Go on…"
"Okay, we first went to the arcade, we were having a great time together and I was becoming more comfortable with him. He even won me a Teddy bear, no one has ever done that for me before. Anyways, he suggested we go back to his place, his apartment at Escala. When we got there he made me a drink, an alcoholic drink and we talked."
"I'm still listening, Ana, go on," Ray prompted.
"He turned on some soft music and we began to dance. I was feeling very lucky because he was so gorgeous and sophisticated and he chose me to be with. Then we started kissing and making out. He carried me over to his bed and that's when things progressed. I was nervous of course and he reassured me that he had protection and that it would be okay. So I...let him continue. As we were making out, I was starting to not feel right about any of it and changed my mind, but he kept going. I told him to stop, but he just said that we were going to have fun. Before I knew was happening he was inside of me, he was going so fast that I felt like I was being left behind." In between she told her dad, she wiped her tears away but they kept coming. "I wanted my first time to be beautiful and romantic and it was terrible dad!" she cried, as he held on to his daughter.
"It's going to be alright, baby," he said kissing her hair.
"When I went home, all I wanted to was get into the hot, hot, hot shower to scrub him off me and then I just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up," she quivered. Ray held onto his daughter as she cried and shook in his arms.
When Christian told Kate what Jose did to Ana, she was ranting mad.
"Oh, Christian, I want to kill that-that animal! He doesn't deserve to live," Kate yelled. "Elliot was right about him, he knew he was bad and wrong for Ana. How am I going to tell him about this? I mean I want to kill Jose, imagine what Elliot would do," she ranted on.
"Believe me, I've entertained fantasies like that too, Kate. But right now, I don't think Ana can deal with anymore violence."
"I knew something was wrong with her, I thought she would tell me. I never expected this. I could tell she didn't want to talk and I didn't want to pry. But I should have found a way."
"Kate, there was nothing you could have done. We all knew she was going through a bad time her friends and family, but she had to get to a place where she could talk about it. Otherwise there was nothing any of us could have done."
"So what happens now, does she go to the police?"
"I don't think she's ready for that yet. I think it was more important for her to deal with first," Christian said as he walked around on the deck.
"You've been a good friend to her, Christian. Thank you for calling us and working it out so Ray could talk to her."
He shook his head to Kate. "What else could I do? I love her… I want her to start healing. I've made so many mistakes in my life. I've been in and out of so many relationships, I can't even count them all. Ana's been my best friend, she was the one who kept encouraging me to keep going, and what did I do? I threw it away...and for what? I was so arrogant back then; and yet she was still there for me. I just think that now...maybe I could make up for some of that time we lost. I want her to know...that I will always be there for her, just like she was for me."
"I think you've already done that, and may have saved Ana's life."
Ray was still holding and talking to Ana. "Did Jose threaten you?"
Ana pulled back some. "I don't know what I would have done if Christian hadn't shown up at the house the way he did. He threw him out and told him never to come near me again."
"I will take care of it if he comes back." Ray stated.
"Dad, I know you're doing this because you love me but please don't. I mean, Christian told him to leave and never come back."
There was a knock at the door as Christian peeked inside. "I was just wondering if you two needed anything?" he asked them.
Ray got up and went to Christian holding out his hand to him. "I want to thank you for being there for my daughter."
"I'm just sorry that it happened at all," Christian replied to Ray.
"Is it okay if I come in?" Kate asked.
Ana got up from the couch saying, "Sure. Thank you for coming." They hugged.
"Oh, Ana, of course. We love you."
"This Jose guy, did you press charges against him?"
"No, I didn't. He's gone and I don't think he's coming back."
"And that's the way you left it?"
"I guess what happens next is up to Ana," Christian chimed in.
Ray went to his daughter pulling her in for another hug. "Come home with me and I will fix you dinner," he suggested.
"Actually, what I want to do is get back to living my life and go to work." Looking at Christian Ana said, "I mean you haven't been there as long as I have."
"It's okay, Ana, don't worry about it." Christian explained to her.
"Maybe you should take some more time off?" Kate suggested.
"Thanks, but I'm okay. I love you all and thanks for helping me be me again. I'm going to go change."
"I'll be on deck waiting for you," Christian said to her.
"Let me go with you," Kate said, as she and Ana left the room.
Both Christian and Ray were left alone. Christian asked Ray if he was okay. He told him no, but he would be. You could see the wheels turning in Ray's head.
Back at Grey Enterprises, Grace and Carrick were working on a few projects that Christian had left behind. Grace was talking about Glen Taggart and not wanting to leave her brother with him, but Carrick assured his sister he could handle it. Ana and Christian walked into his office and saw Grace and Carrick.
"Well, well, look who's here," Christian said, greeting his dad and aunt.
"You finally decided to show up," Grace said to her nephew.
Carrick walked up to his son telling him, "We were terribly worried about you, especially after that disappearing act."
"Didn't you get my message?" Christian asked.
"Well, yes son, but it was pretty vague. However, we were sure you had an important business meeting that you didn't want to share, but I'm glad to see you. You too, Ana. Now is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine," Christian answered as he looked back at Ana. "What are you two doing here?"
"Well, we were here helping out and pitch hitting so we could catch you up to date."
Ana announced she was going to her desk to catch up. Once she left, Christian was done playing the nice guy routine with his family.
"Okay, what the hell you two up to?" he questioned, looking at both of them.
Christian stood his ground, he knew if he didn't they'd walk right over him.
"You know son, I really don't care for your attitude. Your aunt and I care a great deal about this company, and since you weren't here for whatever reason, we took it upon ourselves to help out in some way."
"And to hold some hands for some nervous board members who found it a little curious you were nowhere to be found," Grace chimed in.
"Well, I'm sorry if I didn't appear properly appreciate of all your efforts that was very generous to give up your time so selflessly. When you know the only reward is my sincere thanks."
"What else matters more?" Carrick asked.
"What indeed," Christian said, as he went to his office door. "But now that I'm back in the saddle, I'll leave you two you're very busy lives"
The two of them left the office while Christian watched. He didn't trust them at all. He told Ana he was going to human resources to see what the little elves were up to. Ana continued at her desk as she typed away on a document. One she was very surprised when she got an unexpected visitor.
"Welcome back, Anastasia," Jose said to her.
Back to the rest of the Steeles, Ray went to find Nadine as he wanted to let her know about Ana. He found her with her boyfriend, as they were at the roadhouse. He asked to speak to her privately as her boyfriend left hastily.
Nadine asked him what was so important that he had to run her boyfriend off. He told her it was about Ana. He explained that Christian called him and he went to his yacht. He told her Ana had been raped by Jose. Nadine was very surprised and asked how Ana was doing. He told her that she seemed to be okay and went back to work and that Jose supposedly left town. In the Grey office, Jose surprised Ana by welcoming her back.
"What are you doing here, you were fired," she responded to him.
"Not really, not legally anyway. You see Christian had no grounds to let me go," he replied.
"He was your boss," she started saying.
"Yeah he was my boss but he was way out of bounds too. It wasn't about my work, it was about you and me, he made it personal. You see, Christian never really saw straight when it came to you, and they you started crying rape, let's just say he doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. Do you know what I think you should do?"
"What?" she asked.
"You lied, there was never any rape. Now say it. Say it!" Jose commanded as Ana stared back at him.
"No! I'm not lying. You forced me and I won't let you lie about it anymore." Ana got up from her chair as she faced him down. "I'm not going to runaway and hide anymore. I'm tired of being scared, it's your turn to be scared of me! You raped me and now you say it. Say I raped you. Say it! Say it!" she yelled back.
Jose looked back at her as he smiled. "Your crazy. I'm not admitting to anything. You're the one causing trouble for me," he said as she came from around her desk.
"You're going to be the one in trouble because I'm changed. You changed me and now you're going to face the consequences," Ana replied strongly.
Jose grabbed her on the arm as he threatened her. "No, Ana, you're going to stop this right now before I…"
"Oh yeah, get your hands off me," she scolded.
"You're the one who is going to be be careful or you will be sorry…"
"Get your hands off her, now!" Christian barked as he came closer, getting in between Jose and Ana. "Back up," Christian said sternly, looking Jose in the eyes, not once looking away. Christian began to back him into the elevator.
"She's got you snowed too. Good, good work, Ana. You're going to be in trouble when I add threats of physical violence and intimidation to the lawsuit do you understand me?"
"Move," Christian replied gruffly, as he pressed the elevator button.
"Don't touch me," Jose said to Christian.
"I'll see you soon…"
"Hmm, mmm."
Christian turned to Ana. "I'm sorry I left you alone, are you okay?" he asked.
Ana looked at Christian. "Actually I'm, better than I have been in a long time."
"I specifically told security not to let him in," Christian told her.
"It's okay...I know this sounds weird, but I'm glad he came. I know what I have to do now," she said, getting her purse.
"Where are you going?" Christian asked.
"This is something I should have done a long time ago. I'm going to report him."
"Would you like me to come with you?"
"It's okay...I think it would be better if I went alone. But could you tell my dad for me?" she asked right before leaving.
"I'll go right now," he said getting in the elevator with her.
Christian told her he would meet her later at the police department. Christian found Ray at the roadhouse. He came in explaining to him that Jose was back. Ray was about to go after him when Christian stopped him. He explained that Ana confronted him, that she was strong and brave. Ray wanted to know where she was, Christian told him at the police station.
He ran off to go see his daughter as Nadine told Ray to tell Ana she loved her. As Christian ran to catch up with Ray, Nadine stopped him asking if she was doing the right thing. He explained he thinks once this was out in the open, that Ana would need them more than ever.
Ana made it to the station as there were lots going on. She stopped at a cops desk and told him she needed to report a crime. The male police cop asked if her car was stolen and she timidly said no.
Elena was there as she was helping the police with a big story on a drug bust. Nick, who was Christian's cousin was there too. Elena saw Ana and saw that she seemed distraught as she went over to help her.
"Ana? Are you okay?"
"No. I...um...really need to speak with someone," Ana said to her.
"Okay. let me help you," Elena said, as she directed to Levy's desk. "Hey, Nick, I will meet up with you later."
"Sure," he agreed. He saw Ana and asked, "Are you okay, Ana?"
"She's fine. I'll meet up with you later, alright." Elena explained to Nick.
Detective Levy was putting some stuff in the computer when Elena said, "Levy, this woman needs your help. Could you please help her?"
He looked up and saw Ana. "What's the matter, Steele? The country club pool water not warm enough for ya?" he asked, condescending.
Ana however braced herself and said sternly, "I was raped by Jose Rodriguez and I want to press charges."
That got both Elena and the officer's attention. He took her in a room where there was a woman cop who dealt with sex crimes against women.
She began to tell her story of what happened that night. Both Levy and the woman cop looked at her with empathy. She had asked Ana once she left the suspects apartment did she go to the hospital? She told them no.
"But that doesn't change anything right? I was still raped," she said emotionally.
They told her that unfortunately since there wasn't any evidence, that they couldn't do anything. Levy felt bad about the situation and told her that if she has any new information to let them know.
Meanwhile her dad showed up as he raced to go see her. Elena explained to him that she was still talking to them. Jose came into the police station and Ray tried to go after him but was held back.
Ray was allowed to go see his daughter as he crouched down to her. She explained they couldn't prosecute because of the lack of evidence. He told her he was proud of her anyway. Jose who was taken to the back saw Ana in one of the rooms, he knew why she was there.
Christian came into the room. "I'm sorry, I couldn't stay away. Are you okay?" he asked Ana.
"I'll be fine," as she got up and the three of them left together.
Jose was getting him a drink of water when Levy came up behind him saying, "I'd watch your back if I were you."
He laughed saying, "I'm the safest man in the world!
Nadine was still at the roadhouse when her boyfriend came back. He explained to her he was leaving town and wanted her to go with him. She told him that all her family was there and she needed to stay put. However; he told her it was because of Ray the reason she was staying and that she still loved him.
Carrick came into the station after hearing about Ana's situation. He came to see what was going on. Elena explained that that couldn't arrest Jose for the lack of evidence. Carrick said, he would understand if she didn't want to go out anymore but she told him that she would, they left together.
Christian had taken Ana back to Mia's. He asked her if she was okay being there that he could take her back to her family.
"No, I'll be okay. I just need a good nap."
"I'm really proud of you for going to the police like that. I know that had to of been difficult."
"Yeah well, unfortunately there's nothing they can do. I did everything wrong."
"Ana, Jose's not going to get away with this. He will pay, one way or another." Christian vowed to her.
Speaking of Jose, he went back to the Grey Enterprises, sat at Ana's desk and turned it on. He looked up some files as he said, "Oh this is just too perfect."
Jose was not aware of Ray watching him behind Christian's office door. Jose turned off her computer and went to the elevator getting in. When he looked up he saw Ray glaring at him.
Ana was in her robe and slowly made her way down to the kitchen. She heard a noise and goes to check it out. Just as soon as she opened the door, Nadine her step mother appeared as Ana gasped.
"Oh sweetie, I didn't mean to scare you. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I just came down to get me some warm milk to help me sleep. What are you doing here?" Ana asked.
"I came to see you, sweetie. I heard about the…"
"Rape?" Ana asked a little annoyed.
"Yes. I hope I'm not intruding, I just wanted to talk. I think of you as my daughter, Ana. I wanted you to know if you'd like to talk about what happened…"
"Thanks, Nadine, but I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Okay then how about we talking about something else?"
"Like what?" Ana asked.
"Nails?" Nadine suggested as she pulled out her case full of her manicure set.
At first Ana wanted nothing to do with this, but, Nadine was being nice and she really loved her like a real mother. So she sat at the table and let Nadine do her work. Of course while she did, Nadine made subtle hints about nail color and what happened to Ana.
She wanted to share her story with Ana on how she was raped. Ana had no idea that Nadine had been through it before. Ana told her if it was too painful she didn't have to share it. But Nadine insisted she hear her story. What was so weird to Ana was that Nadine's experience was a lot similar to hers.
Ana listened to Nadine, she felt a few tears slip down her cheeks. Once she was done Nadine told Ana that she would eventually move on from the rape. Though she would never forget, it would be a distant memory someday.
"Hey, looky there. Your nails look so pretty now, just as you're a petty amazing woman and you will get through this."
Ana looked back at Nadine all teary eyed and her face wet from the tears. "Thank you, Nadine. I appreciate you sharing your story with me."
"Oh sweetie, you are welcome. You're the only one who knows about this."
"Really?" Ana asked. "Dad doesn't know?"
Nadine shook her head. "Only you."
"I love you, Nadine," Ana said with so much love in her voice.
"Oh sweetie, I love you too!" as the two women hugged.
A/N: Not much happened. Ana did go to the police but with the lack of evidence, there was nothing they could do. But don't worry, Jose will get his.