A/N: Hey guys… It was my birthday on Sunday so was too busy to finish up this chapter. Thank you all for your great reviews, they motivate me to want to write and update faster! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

It's been 8 hours and I've been pacing my study for almost as long. I'm surprised I haven't burned a hole in the carpet. "Christian?" my mom calls as she peeps her head in for the millionth time. "Stop worrying, she'll be fine." "Then why isn't she waking up?" I snap but apologize immediately. My mom shakes her head dismissing my outburst. She knows how worried I am.

"You said she hasn't slept all night and she did hit her head hard when she blacked out. She probably has a concussion and her body is just resting. That's the best thing for her," she explains soothingly. I nod having heard this as many times as she's checked in on me but hearing it again soothes me nonetheless.

"You should eat something Christian," she says as she drags me to the kitchen. I feel like a kid again with my mom taking control but I let her. I'm so wrecked with worry I can barely function. I just want her to wake up. I see Daniel sitting at the breakfast table playing with his food. He looks just as awful as I feel and it stirs unkind feelings deep within.

I had grudgingly called him realizing that I would have wanted the same courtesy if it was him who was with her when she fainted but it doesn't mean I wish he wasn't here intruding. He barely glances at me as I take the seat next to him. Between the both of us we're sure to dampen all the happiness of the world.

My mother places a bowl of Mac and Cheese in front of me. Comfort food, I realize. She used to make it when I was a boy whenever I felt down. She smiles at me tentatively and I return her smile. She turns around and busies herself clearing up. I would tell her Mrs Jones would do it but I know cleaning calms her down.

She may not have ever met Ana formally but she knows how I feel about her and that's enough for her to add Ana to her list of people she cares about. I don't think anyone can rival Grace in terms of how much she cares for others.

I pick at my food not feeling particularly hungry despite the delicious aroma coming off Grace's manifestation of love for me. Daniel has given up trying to eat and settles on the couch. I guess he's having a hard time too. Ana has to wake up… But when? I ask myself for the umpteenth time. I know I'll never be able to recover of she doesn't.

Grace eyes me as I contemplate how miserable my life would be without Ana and she sighs knowing with her motherly instincts where my train of thoughts has led me. "She will wake up Christian; it's only a concussion, a mild one at that. Stop thinking of the worst," she admonishes gently. She's always here to straighten my crooked line of thoughts. I manage a weak smile and try my hardest to finish my food.

"You wouldn't let me get away with picking at my food," the Ana in my head scowls. I smile sadly as pain grips my heart. I hope I get to see her scowl and roll her eyes and giggle at me for real soon. I made myself finish at least three quarters of my food before leaving the bowl in the sink. I head to my study, my safe space since Daniel's using the living room. Can't he just go home already?

As I'm about to enter the corridor that'll lead me to my study, I feel myself being pulled in the opposite direction and give in to the feeling. My thoughts are consumed with Ana and before I know it I find myself in front of the door to my room. I walk in and gasp as once again her beauty overwhelms me. She looks so calm and serene, I think to myself. Why won't she just wake up?

There's no medical reason why she should be asleep for so long but I guess she's been through a lot. I move in to kiss her on her forehead and sit down next to her for a while. I just need her presence. Just being next to her calms me immensely and I soon fall asleep and dream of Ana's laughter, her bright blue eyes and her soft brown hair.

When I wake the room is dark. I must've slept for quite a while, I think sleepily to myself. I sit up in the chair groggily and look over to my bed. Fuck, where is she? My heart races as my mind runs through the worst case scenarios. "TAYLOR! Call the police!" I yell, my voice reverberating throughout the apartment.

I'm shaking and the panic has rendered me incapable of thinking straight. I hear multiple people running towards the room and I begin to search the room frantically for clues. I need to find out who took her. If anything happens to her I don't know-

"Sir, err..." Taylor's gruff voice trails behind me interrupting my thoughts. "What!" I snap. I just need to find Ana. "Are you always this cranky when you wake up?" the beautiful voice of Ana asks. I don't have time for daydreams, I think angrily to myself. I need to find Ana. I continue searching but stiffen when I feel a soft, smooth hand slip into mine pulling me around to face that beautiful gorgeous face I've missed.

"Ana..." I breathe and before I know it I envelope her in my arms both to comfort myself and to try to protect her. "Christian! I can't breathe!" she says laughing. Her scent reassures me and calms me down as I bury my nose in her soft brown hair. A take a deep breath and let her go reluctantly. I suddenly notice that we aren't alone in the room and almost everyone in the apartment is present in my room witnessing emotions no one else has seen, besides Ana of course.

Daniel stands in the corner, eyes narrowed as he tries his best to contain his fury. I don't care what he thinks. My mom's eyes are filled with tears. She probably has never seen me this scared before or this relieved. I keep my hand fastened around Ana's. There's no way I'm letting her out of my sight again, I think to myself determinedly.

I look at everyone expectantly. There has to be a reason why they're all still standing there. One look was enough to dismiss all who worked for me. My mom smiles at me warmly before nodding and leaving, understanding that I wanted some privacy with Ana. Unfortunately Daniel didn't get the hint, or just refused to get it. He stands in the corner still scowling but I ignore him.

I turn to Ana. "Are you alright? You gave me quite a fright there for a while." She grins. "I never thought the powerful CEO could get frightened." "Only for you baby" I whisper so Daniel can't hear, however he must've picked up on the mood of the conversation and coughs loudly.

My blood boils and my fist twitches, desperate to make contact with his face. I take a deep breath to calm myself. I don't think Ana would appreciate my inclinations. "Something in your throat there Mr. Wright?" I ask through clenched teeth. "Nope" He says popping the 'p' clearly enjoying getting under my skin.

~0o0~ A.S

I roll my eyes at their pettiness. "You're both acting like children!" exasperation clear in my voice. "Has there been any leads about the stalker?" I ask trying to keep my voice level. They shake their heads in unison sadly. Apparently this is the only thing they can talk about without ripping at each other.

"How did they get here?" I ask not satisfied with their answer. "We don't really know. The camera that was aimed at the elevator was disconnected early this morning." Christian explains. It's hard to believe that it was only this morning we were all talking in Kate's apartment. I blush as I remember the conversation I had with Christian.

"My security team, in collaboration with Christian's, has looked over the details of the incident this morning and the timeline of it all and suspect that more than one person is responsible. There's no way someone shot at you, raced back here to put the note and still managed to escape." Daniel elaborates, frowning deeply evidently worried about my reaction.

My head prickles with fear. It was bad enough when I thought someone was stalking me, then finding out they were gunning for me, now there's more than one person? It's too much… I start hyperventilating. Why me? Why me? Why me? I think over and over again. Daniel and Christian rush toward me and catch me on either side before I sink to the floor, gracefully with their help. They're both whispering soothing words but I cannot hear them. My own thoughts drown them out.

I sit on the floor against Christian's bed with the two men in my life. They have ceased talking and we just sit there in silence. I don't know how long we sit there for and I'm grateful that neither of them has left. I don't really want to be alone right now. Between the two of them, I feel safe.

I wake to find either of my hands encased in Christian's and Daniel's. They are both sleeping beside me, their heads leaning against the bed. My heart melts as I see the worry highlighted by the slightly ajar door, etched in their faces even as they sleep. As I wonder how long we've been sitting like this I lean over to look at Daniel's watch. It's a quarter to 4. Wow, I basically lost a whole day in the mess of it all.

I slowly slip my hands from their now slack grasps and sneak out of the room. The lights in the house are all switched on despite the late hour. I wonder around Christian's apartment. It's been a year since I've been here aside from that stupid night I kiss Christian and hurt Daniel. But now, now I'm willing to be friends with Christian and maybe more in the future. But I still care for Daniel. I shake my head at my confusing thoughts.

I find myself on the second floor. I continue walking down the corridor looking for nothing in particular besides a good walk, when suddenly I pass by that door. My heartbeat quickens and a rash impulse overtakes me. I try the handle of the room but it's locked. Of course it's locked. I turn around and lean my head against the door, the door to the red room of pain. The memories wash over me, drowning me and I slide down the door until I'm sitting down against it.

The few good times we had in here make me smile. I had barely known him then but I still indulged in his lifestyle. You enjoyed it, my sub-conscience says slyly as I remember the silver balls. I clench involuntarily as I remember how full they made me feel, how much pleasure they gave me when he spanked me. There were some good times. My mind goes over my memories as if I was watching a movie.

All too soon I approach the final scene of the film that is my time with Christian and a foreboding feeling takes over my senses. I recall that last day I was here. I remember how I bent over the bench positioned not 10 feet behind me, how the belt had bitten into my behind. I start to sob as I relive the day.

How could I have forgotten all of this? He was the reason I left Seattle, left America. He was the reason I joined Wright's Publishing and met Daniel. Daniel was the one who made me optimistic about love again, after Christian crushed it. My shoulders slump and I feel like I'm right back to square one. I have feelings for Daniel and for Christian. But there's only one who I can trust not to hurt me again.

The realization snaps me back to reality. Over a year ago I was a mess because of that day, of what happened in this room. But I'm stronger now. Why does being around Christian always take that away from me? I fell for his charms and suggested we could be more one day. I bang my head against the door and groan. I'm not ready for that.

I stand up shakily and instantly have to hold the door for support as the blood drains from my head. When was the last time I ate? I think as I steady myself against the door. I scowl at the door one last time and make my way slowly to the kitchen. The apartment seems empty and I'm grateful no one is up yet even though it must be nearing 5 by now.

I grab an apple from the fruit basket and sit at the breakfast table eating it hungrily. I need to calm down. The past is in the past, my sub-conscience reminds me. I have to let go of that day and not let it turn me into the mess I was before. And what about the stalkers? You gonna let them turn you into a mess? I shake my head at no one. I cannot let them control me either. I push aside all my fears and adopt my tough-Ana personality I use at work.

I throw away the apple core, walk towards the refrigerator and select all the necessary ingredients for blueberry pancakes. Cooking relaxes me and I enjoy the control that comes with cooking alone, it reminds me of how I feel at the office a little. As I put the batter together, I embrace the calmness and confidence that comes with the Chief-Editor-Ana persona.

While I cook the first batch of pancakes, the mess that I was outside the red room of pain and yesterday melt away and for the first time since I called Kate crying. I feel like my strong self again. Happy I finish cooking the rest of the pancakes making enough for 10 people.

"How many are we expecting?" a familiar voice asks bemused. Here it goes, stay strong Ana. Keep it strictly on a friendship level. "I just thought we could all use a good hearty breakfast after yesterday. Is Daniel up?" keeping my voice casual. Christian frowns but it soon disappears. "He's making a call. He'll be out shortly," he says brusquely. He sits down at the breakfast table and I prepare a plate for him and myself. We sit in silence and eat. "These are good Ana," he says as though testing the waters.

"Thank you." "What happened? Yesterday you were ready to be friends with maybe more and now you're…" I had expected he'd call me out on it. "That was before I saw your secret room." "What secret room?" Daniel asks, appearing suddenly.

Christian scowls at me and I give him an apologetic look. I didn't mean for Daniel to overhear us and I certainly don't want him finding out about the red room of pain! "It's what she calls my bedroom." Daniel raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Private joke" Christian adds airily before going back to eating his pancakes.

"How'd you sleep? I made pancakes. Want some?" I ask quickly changing the subject. His gaze turns to me and instantly the look of annoyance he had vanishes. "Of course I'd love some! I've missed your cooking." He says, though more at Christian than at me. Must they always compete like this? I sigh and make him a plate.

Just then, Taylor walks in. "Sir, you're going to want to see this." "What is it Taylor?" Christian asks in his normal curt manner. "We may have one of the suspects stalking Ms. Steele." My eyes widen and Daniel's head looks up in interest. "Where is he?" Christian asks fiercely. "Erm… It's a she Sir."

Who do you think it is? Let me know what you think about this chapter! Not every chapter can be full of suspense but I think this chapter dealt more with Ana's emotional state. Hope you guys liked it anyway! DawnMidnight x