-Disclaimer- I think it's obvious at this point I don't own any part of the Fifty Shades Trilogy. I'm just borrowing them for a bit! All rights go to the wonderful E.L. James. There is no copy right infringement intended!

-A/N- So sorry for the long pause between updates. Again, graduate school is demanding (so much like our CG, but not nearly as much fun!). For all the favorites/follows/reviews…THANK YOU! Much love to the readers. Without you, I'd never make it through writing this. And a special thanks to Pielietje, a most dedicated reader! I love getting your reviews and messages! They are often the push I need to update again, and your kind words mean so much! To all the readers, you all mean so much! Well, enough rambling! Here is the next chapter!

Chapter 10: And Just Forget the World

-Christian POV-

The sun was unusually bright as I woke up this morning. My body ached as I stretched, but I stopped as I felt a warm, delicate body next to me. I looked down to see my sweet Ana sleeping. Last night came rushing on me before I could process it all. Her disobeying me…my full-blown anger…blowing up her cell phone…her text telling me she wanted to see me…the taste of the bitter alcohol as she kissed me…the feel of her underneath me…the feel of her wet and willing against my fingers.

FUCK! I wanted nothing more than to take her over my knee for going to Ethan's and getting drunk. She didn't listen to me, and that was what bothered me the most. I was telling her what to do to keep her safe. That fucker Ethan was already barking after her. How stupid could she be? Did she not even think about her safety?

I took a second to study her features. She was a goddess, and she was lying next to me. Grey, you're a lucky bastard. Her soft lips were parted slightly as she softly snored. Her hair was splayed out in a halo around her head. Her nose sloped down gently. Anastasia was beautiful, and somehow she had feelings for me. I almost dreaded her waking up…what if she didn't remember what we did? Or worse—what if she did and regretted it?

I was still in those moments, contemplating what my next step would be. I couldn't get the images from last night out of my head. She was so bold in her drunken state, and it turned me on. I could still taste her tangy musk on my lips. The speed at which the physical part of our relationship was moving was alarming, but I didn't want it to stop. I had never been with anyone intimately, and this was a new feeling. It overwhelmed me in its entirety. Anastasia Steele was a different breed of woman, and I was not sure if I could handle her.

I checked my phone, and it was 7:45 am. It was still early, but I had to text my mom to let her know I was okay. She had worked late last night, and I had texted her telling her I was going to check on Ana at a party.

I reread her last message: *Christian, please be careful. Make sure Anastasia is okay, and text me if you're going to be any later than midnight.*

Shit! My mother is going to skin me alive. She'll be so pissed! I hurried up and dialed her number. She answered on the second ring.

"Christian! I was so worried! Is everything okay?" my mother said as her voice hitched in what sounded like nervousness.

"I'm sorry, mother. When I got here, Ana was pretty drunk, so she fell asleep and I couldn't leave her. I was so distracted by keeping an eye on her I forgot to call or text. Please don't be angry," I pleaded desperately. The last thing I needed was her to be angry, or worse—disappointed, in me.

"I'm just glad everything is okay. I almost called the police! I am just glad everything is okay with Anastasia. She's lucky you were there to prevent anyone from taking advantage of her," my mother said. My gut clenched as I realized I took advantage of her. She was drunk, and I let things go too far. I hung my head in a silenced shame. I couldn't tell my mother what happened. Fucking hell, Grey. You're really fucking this one up.

As horrible as I felt, I couldn't get the feel of her against my fingers and her moaning for more out of my head. I had no fucking clue what I was doing, but she seemed to enjoy it. Fuck, I remember tasting her after. She was an elixir, and I needed more of her. With one taste I was hooked.

As I was lost in my thoughts of hot skin and whimpering moans, Ana started to stir beside me.

"Hmm, where am I?" Ana asked sleepily. Her eyes squinted in the bright sunlight. My stomach clenched in fear. She's going to dump your ass for taking advantage of her!

"You're in my car. By the time I got here, you were already drunk," I say sternly. Despite my anguish over her possible anger, I was still pissed off that she had put herself in harm's way last night. How could she have been so irresponsible?

Her face was paling, and her eyes closed she gently squeezed the bridge of her nose. "I shouldn't have gotten drunk last night," she muttered.

"How are you feeling?" I asked as I searched my car for a bottle of water. I chastise myself for not being more prepared. She's probably dehydrated, and I don't have anything for her.

"Better than I deserve," she said. She sat up, and stilled my searching hands. Her wide bright-blue stare pierced me. She looked earnest, and I was stock still.

I was expecting the worst. She was going to dump me for taking things too far last night. She was going to call the cops…her mom…her step-dad. I knew I was fucking done for.

With my mental ramblings fearing the worst, I was completely caught off guard when she leaned forward and gently kissed me. My body was heating up at the simple kiss. The effect she had on me was breathtaking. Just a simple touch and I'm a live wire. She pulled back, and I was awarded with a blazing smile.

"Thank you for taking care of me, Christian. I can't believe I ended up drinking last night, but here you are…my dark knight…here to save the day once again," Ana said breathlessly. She caressed my face once again before giving another chaste kiss.

"You can't do stupid things like that, Ana. I was so worried," I whispered before returning the kiss.

"Christian, you can't control me. Please, let's not fight about this now, I still feel like crap," Ana said. I sighed as I drew her into my arms. She melted into my chest, and I laid my cheek on the top of her head. We were like this for minutes, and the silence that stretched before us was a tense one.

She mumbled something that I couldn't quite make out. Ana looked up at me with her beautiful blue eyes, and I felt like she could see right through me.

"I'll catch you Christian. Don't worry," she whispered. My world had stilled at her words. I remembered what I had said before we both fell asleep.

"But I'm not sleepy," Ana said, yawning. I could hear the sleep starting to etch in her voice. I settled in behind her, wrapping my arms around her middle. Her yawn was contagious as I started feel tired from the long day.

"Yes you are. You are still drunk, and if anything else is to happen between us, I expect you to be sober. Go to sleep Anastasia, and I'll see you in the morning," I told her as I felt her breathing even out. I kissed her cheek and whispered: "You'll have to catch me Ana, because I'm falling faster and faster."

She had heard, and she was going to catch me. My heart skipped a few beats, and her words had a paralyzing effect on me. I took her face in my hands and kissed her, and I hoped I was pouring everything I couldn't say into that kiss. My lips were buzzing as she moaned into my mouth.

We both pulled away, searching for air in our heaving chests. "Do you regret last night?" I asked quickly, dreading the answer.

"I may have been a little drunk Christian, but I knew what I was doing. I wanted it, and I don't regret it. Not in the slightest," she said with bated breath.

I smiled brightly. My dread was dissipating, and my Ana was gazing at me with her bottomless blues. She was beacon of hope—the one real thing I had to hold on to. She'll catch me…she'll catch me…she'll catch me. God, it was a mantra I couldn't stop repeating. I wasn't alone, and she was feeling the same thing I was. The emotions were nameless, but infinite. I felt like my chest was expanding and where the void used to be was filling with a warm and whispering wish, and Ana was fulfilling it. My deepest desire was waking up.

"Well, I'm sure you're hungry and dehydrated. Let's go get you breakfast," I said as I got out of my SUV. I helped her out of the car, and I noticed how she was squinting at the bright light and favoring her head. "Feeling that hangover?"

"Shut up. You were right…I do regret drinking, and I think I need food," Ana mumbled as she swatted at me.

"I like the sound of that. You need to eat more anyway," I said. I fixed the back seats, and held the passenger side door open for Ana. She smiles graciously at me as she got into the car. I followed suit, and we were off to a little breakfast diner that I loved.

We pulled into Ed's Diner; it was in the middle of nowhere-Seattle. It was obscure, but it had a steady stream of patrons that helped keep it open. My dad and I would come here when he wanted quality time with me. Ana looked at me skeptically, and I could only smile at her.

"I know it looks seedy Ana, but I swear it's great! I love this place. It has the best omelets in all of Seattle!" I exclaimed.

"Whatever you say, Christian," she said as if trying to placate me. I opened the door and let her in first. I grabbed my usual spot in the corner, and we waited for our waitress. An older lady named Sally came over to us.

"Christian! So good to see you again! I'm surprised you're not with your father! Who is this lovely young lassie?" Sally said with a kind smile.

"This is my girlfriend, Anastasia. We were hungry and I thought the best place would be to come here. This is my favorite, and I thought Ana would like it too," I said.

"Hi Sally! It's so nice to meet you!" Ana said with a small wave.

"Alright dearies, what can I start you off with to drink?" Sally asked.

"Two coffees please," I said.

"Actually make that one coffee. Do you have English breakfast tea?" Ana asked.

"We sure do sweetie. I will bring both right out!" Sally said.

"Breakfast tea?" I asked incredulously.

"It's my favorite. I only drink coffee when I have to, but I really prefer the tea," Ana said as she glanced at the menu.

After a few minutes, Sally returned with our drinks. "What it'll be? Christian, your usual?"

"Yes, please. Omelet with mushrooms, bacon, and sausage and a side of home fries," I said. I always have the same thing since I was young.

"I will have eggs sunny side up, bacon, white toast and home fries with sausage gravy please!" Ana said.

"Coming right up darlings," Sally said.

"I love a girl with an appetite," I said. She was far too thin anyway, and I was glad to see her eating.

"I can definitely eat my weight in food!" Ana exclaimed with a giggle. I loved the sound of her giggling…carefree and happy. We have each had our trials and tribulations, and it was amazing to see how resilient Ana was.

Sally brought our food, and we ate in an amicable silence. We made small talk for a bit, but the comforting void of conversation stretched on. Sally finally brought the bill when we were finished. I was grabbing my wallet to pay, but Ana had already snatched the bill from me.

"Hey!" I cried out indignantly. She smiled at me and left enough cash on the table to cover the bill and leave a generous tip. I was slightly put off, and I think it was my ego that was suffering the most.

"Don't 'hey' me! I am a strong, independent woman. If I want to pay for our date, I am going to," she explained.

"But Ana, I asked you to come here, so I should pay!" I said.

"Oh well, too bad. You can get the bill next time!" Ana said.

"How're you feeling?" I asked, and I decided to let go of the whole who-paid-what-bill thing.

"Much better. Thank you for taking care of me last night and this morning," she said. Before we got to my car, she stopped and gave me a chaste kiss. "I really appreciate it. Especially since you came to my rescue. I am sorry I drank last night. It was definitely against my better judgment."

"Next time I ask you not to do something, please at least consider it. Ethan was at that damn party last night, and the night could have ended very differently," I warned. I shuddered at the possibility of what could have happened.

"Well you saved me, and the night ended perfectly," she said with a blazing smile.

"Yeah, it did," I said. I nearly groaned at the memory of us together last night. Not now Grey! You can get a fucking erection outside! Control your shit, now!

"Well, I have to go home and face my mother…she called me last night and I didn't answer. Plus I have to charge my phone so I can talk to Kate. I'm not sure if she knew I left with you, so I'm sure she is worried," Ana said.

I just nodded, still stuck in the memory of last night. I wanted to taste her, make her scream with my mouth on her. I wanted to love her, soothe all the pains of her past away. Make her forget everything in this sick, sad world except for me.

Before I knew it, I had driven back to Kate's house. I was in a reverie, and it was a beautiful daydream. I dropped her off at her so-called car. I still worried that the thing would fall apart with the whisper of the wind, but Ana was confident about it.

"Well Christian, thanks for an amazing night together. It was our first, and though I wish it was under better circumstances…aka me not being a drunken idiot…I don't regret it. And it will be the first of many nights together. I will see you soon," Ana says. She leans over to me and plasters a red hot kiss full or fiery promise on me. I am almost too stunned to return it, but I try my best.

"See you later tonight?" I say hopefully.

"Definitely. I just need to face the mother creature," Ana said with a joyous laugh. God, I could listen to her laugh all day.

"If you need me, call me. How about a movie night tonight? We can do your place or mine," I offered.

"Your place. My mother will probably be zoned out watching her stories on the DVR tonight," Ana smiled. I got one more kiss before she left.

"See you tonight my sweet Ana," I whispered as she left. I watched her get in her old VW Beetle and drive away. I leaned my head against the seat and tried to process the events that just occurred over the past twelve hours.