Chapter 10

CPOV

I'm in the hospital. My arm is in a little bit of pain and stiff but otherwise I'm feeling pretty good. I have no idea have long I've been out of it or even what hospital I'm in. How far away from Seattle were we anyway? I wonder where Ana is right now, is she here in this hospital or somewhere else. I hope she's okay and didn't get into any difficulty.

The door opens and a young doctor in dark blue scrubs comes in.

"Mr Grey, you're awake." He says stating the obvious. He adjusts my bed so I am no longer lying flat on my back.

"Where am I?" I demand.

"You're at Seattle Grace Hospital. You were brought in almost twenty four hours ago so it's Friday morning. As you can see we bandaged up your arm, there was no major damage caused by the bullet however it will scar. We also cleaned and bandaged the wound in your thigh and the IV is pushing antibiotics to fight the infection through your body. Now your ribs will take some time to heal, you had some cartilage damage so you will need to take it easy for the next four weeks, no strenuous exercises at all. Do you have any questions?"

"When can I leave?" That's all I want to know right now.

"Well we need to keep you here for at least another two days to allow the antibiotics to do their job." I scowl at him letting him know I'm not happy with that answer. Seriously two days? What for? I have shit to get done. Just give me some fucking tablets and let me go.

"I'll let your mother and family know that you've woken up and can come see you." He scurries away and is out the door as fast as he can go. Fuck two days. I rub my palm without the IV across my eyes. What I am going to do for two whole days stuck in a hospital bed? I need a phone or laptop. I'm dreading to see how many emails I have received in the last week. If I know my mother she will insist on the two full days, there is no getting out of it.

Shortly after the entire Grey clan come barging into my room and rush up to me all speaking at once so I can't understand a damn thing they're saying. I can see the unshed tears shining in mum's eyes and that she desperately wants to hug me but I can't. The only person I have ever allowed to touch and hug me is Mia, except for Ana a few days ago but that was different, she needed me. So mum just grabs my hand tightly while pushing the hair off my forehead and kisses my check before placing her hand on it. I can see the pain in her eyes at not being able to hold me which quickly changes to joyful and a beaming smile.

"My sweet boy." Grace whispers. "I must have aged ten years these last few days. I'm so happy to see you and have you home safe and sound. Never do that to me again, do you understand me Christian Grey or I will kill you myself."

"Yes ma'am and glad to be home." I smile at her. What else can I say?

Mia is being very emotional and practically sobbing in my dad's arms.

"It's okay Mia, I'm fine, you can't get rid of me that easy."

She runs over to me and practically falls on top of me. Shit my ribs. "Mia be careful." Mum admonishes her.

"Sorry." She tells me sitting up. "I just missed you, I was so scared I would never see you again, we all were."

I just nod my head. I don't do well with all of this feelings and emotional crap, I tend to avoid it if I can. I'm fine, I'm back, let's move on, no need to make a big deal.

Dad is looking a little uncomfortable and apologises for the argument we had before I left that night. He's been feeling guilty and remorseful with thoughts that if I hadn't stormed out when I did all this could have been avoided. That may be but it would have happened at another time, they were determined to get to me. I tell him not to give it another thought.

Elliot has been standing at the back of the room not saying much, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest. Something is bothering him. I'm surprised my goof ball of a brother hasn't made some sort of stupid remark yet.

"Guys can I speak to Elliot alone for a few minutes?"

"Of course." My mother says. "Taylor is right outside your door if you need anything. We'll be back in little while." With a kiss to my cheek from both my mother and Mia the three of them make their way out.

"Hey big brother." I start.

"Hi." That's it? That's all he's going to say?

"You okay? You haven't said much and that's not like you."

"Yeah, just thinking."

"Ummm…..Elliot, how's Ana? Have you seen her? Do you know where she is?" I ask him as I rub the back of my neck. I figure he may know something considering as he is dating her friend. Why am I feeling so anxious, probably because I've never spoken to my brother about a girl before.

He pushes off the wall and comes to sit on the end of my bed near my feet.

"She's good, so you don't need to worry about her. She was discharged to go home already while you were still out of it." He stops and looks up, straight into my eyes. "She now knows who you really are Christian. I had no idea when I went to see her that she didn't know you were my brother. Why did you lie to her? You had every chance to tell her the truth. You should have seen the look on her face, she was devastated and so hurt."

Fuck. I didn't want her finding out like this. I mean I know it was inevitable but I really thought I would have the chance to explain and tell her myself.

"I don't know, I didn't want her to think badly of me. I really like her Elliot, she makes me feel different I can't explain it let alone understand it. What do I do?" This is the first time I have ever asked him for advice.

"You need to suck up big time baby bro. Don't be a jerk, show her who you really are Christian deep down inside, not the asshole you show the world. You guys spent five days locked away together, you must have learnt something about her, use it to your advantage."

Elliot turns his body towards me and stares before continuing.

"You know Christian all these years all I ever wanted is for you to be happy, if you think Ana can give you that then fight for her. I know you want to seem cold and distant and be in control all the time, unfortunately real life and relationships don't work that way. You have to open yourself up and take risks. I have heard your crap a thousand times, you think you don't have a heart but I think you're just scared. So you keep everyone at arm's length. We're not going anywhere Christian, haven't you realised that yet. Stop being a selfish dick for a moment, you have no idea what you put our family through the last few days. I'm not blaming you, but if you could have seen what we all went through then maybe you may just believe that you are worthy of being loved. I wouldn't be doing my job as your big brother if I didn't tell you to wake up, stop feeling sorry for yourself and take a chance." That's the most open and honest Elliot has ever spoken to me, he's usually the joker, not taking anything seriously.

"Thanks Elliot. I know I haven't said it before but you have been a great big brother, even though you're annoying as shit." I know that meant a lot to him going by the smile on his ugly face.

"Okay, enough of this mushy shit. Laters dickhead." He gets up, punches my good arm and turns to leave.

"Elliot." I call out. "Before you go, can you tell me her last name."

He rolls his eyes at me "It's Steele."

"Send Taylor in on your way out." I need answers.

Taylor comes in and waits for me to start talking. "Sir?"

"We will need to release a statement about myself and Ms Steele. Also get me a phone. Where is my car by the way?" Please tell me you found it.

"Your car has been found, repaired and is back in Escala's garage." Thank you Taylor. I love my car.

"Great, tell me what I need to know."

He look away from me and starts to shuffle his feet.

"Well….your Mother has forbidden me to talk to you about anything that has been going on until you are discharged and at home or else she has threatened me with castration." Say what?

"You're really going to abide by that? Don't forget who you work for and who pays you Taylor." Now I'm getting pissed off. I need to know what the hell happened.

"I'm well aware of that however I would like to keep my dick Sir." I laugh out loud. Fuck my ribs, don't make me laugh. "In any case it would be best to speak about it once I have the full report and there's nothing that is going to change or can be done in the next couple of days. Also I have had the FBI wanting to speak to you. I have set up a meeting with them for Monday morning along with your father."

"Why my father?"

"I just think it will be wise to have him along." What the hell is he not telling me? There's not much I can do about anything from this bed anyway.

"Fine Taylor, have it your way. You have two days only and then I want to know everything."

XXXXX

Over the next day couple of days Carrick made a statement to the media camped outside the hospital with help of the GEH PR team in the hopes they will leave. Basically he said that we're fine, and there will be no further information provided as there is obviously an ongoing investigation. But then the god damn feds released their own statement without consulting with us and turned it all to shit. Fucking idiots.

When Taylor brought me my new phone I called Ros to check on GEH and the fallout of these past few days. She answered the phone by saying "Damn Grey, I can't get rid of you can I?' She said it was chaotic at the office. The phones were constantly ringing but she managed to not lose any deals. That's why she is my second in command. I will have a shit load of emails and paperwork to read through however they can wait until I get out of here.

I also called Welch, asking for a background check on Anastasia Steele and to look into a company called Seattle Independent Publishing. I keep thinking about her and that kiss, not to mention my body's reaction to it. I got such hard on during it I had to move away so she didn't notice that my erection was pushing against my pants trying to escape. That has never happened to me from one kiss before. She owes you a date doesn't she? That was before. I don't know what she's thinking now.

I have been getting so frustrated just laying here doing nothing that I have been taking my anger out on whoever dares to walk through the door. My mother has been fussing around me so much it's gotten annoying, shit she is even around while I'm trying to shower and shave. These have been the longest two days of my life and that's saying something considering I was held captive for five, but that's because you had Ana with you.

Finally Sunday comes around and I'm able to leave. I never want to see another hospital again anytime soon. The amount of media outside has increased and I'm ignoring their stupid ass questions and remarks as Taylor guides me to the car parked along the kerb yelling at them to move back. "Mr Grey tell us about the girl you were taken with. Who is she?" One of them screams out.

"No-one important." I reply before getting in the car and having the door shut. Fuck Grey, why the hell did you say that? I hope to God she doesn't see that otherwise you have just made it worse for yourself.

Arriving at Escala and taking the elevator up to my penthouse I feel calm and in control again once I step inside. Gail is standing in the kitchen and welcomes me with a huge smile once she sees me. "Welcome home Mr Grey. Dinner won't be long."

"Thank you Gail. Taylor my office now, your two days are up."

In my study I take a seat behind my desk, back where I belong, with Taylor seated in front of me.

"Start talking. What do we know?"

"The full report is on your desk sir but what we do know is that both the traffic lights and street cameras were manipulated to have you stopped at that particular intersection and not record the incident. They had help. We're still working on finding who accessed the systems.

"When you failed to return I tracked your car and located it in a small side street not far from where they rammed your car but had no leads so I called a friend of mine in the police force to help me.

"Roughly twelve hours after that I was contacted by an FBI agent named Rick Bradley. I'm sorry to tell you this sir but apparently they had knowledge that Victor Nikolaev planned on kidnapping you prior to it taking place however did not think it was information we needed to be made aware of. They thought it best to let it occur and have him arrested for it seeing as they have been unable to make any other crimes stick. I tried everything I could to go around them and discover your location. I'm sorry."

"WHAT?" I jump up out of my chair, bringing my fists down on the desk. I can feel steam coming from out my ears due to the burning rage I'm experiencing. "Tell me you're joking." I get out between clenched teeth. Now I understand why my mother insisted he not reveal any of this until I was at home and why my father is required tomorrow. They have no idea what's about to hit them.

"Afraid not, I argued and almost came to blows with the little weasel on several occasions. We also had no idea about Ms Steele until her friend reported her missing on Monday. The office building she works in is around the corner from where your car was found in the alley. We didn't know at this point you were taken together.

"Apparently they had an undercover inside man who made contact late Monday night and advised of Ms Steele's presence with you.

"They informed us that they have been trying to have Nikolaev put away for the last year or so but nothing stuck, he was always one step removed from it to bring charges about. He was wanted in relation to his mafia connections, drug supply into the US and prostitution. It turns out it was his ex-wife which gave the FBI the information about this plot of his and what they needed to bring him down. I guess you left quite an impression on her." Taylor smirks at me. I just raise my brow at him and sit back down.

"On Wednesday night Nikolaev arrived by private jet and landed at Sea-Tac. Two of his men left the house where you were being kept which is two hours south of the city to meet him. They were arrested before they left the airport. There were three guards at the house on his payroll along with the undercover agent."

"Find out who owns the house, I don't care what it takes, I want it bought and knocked down."

"Of course. Anything else sir?"

I just gaze at him. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone and this is some sick joke someone decided to play.

"How the fuck did we miss all this Taylor? I mean seriously what do I pay you and your guys for? How was none of this discovered when we were looking into buying his company. This is a major fuck up and just plain unacceptable. Pull your asses out of your heads." I am absolutely livid and have to clench my fists to stop myself from breaking something. "Get out."

I have trouble sleeping that night, I have another nightmare except this time it's not my usual one, I dreamt of Ana not making it out and being shot, so I give up on sleeping and decide to read through some of my emails.

XXXXX

The next morning I meet my dad downstairs in the garage, we get in the SUV and Taylor drives us to this fucking meeting which is being held at the police chief's offices. I should have returned to GEH today. It's fair to say I'm even more angry today than I was yesterday as I have had the opportunity to contemplate on all that could have gone wrong.

Walking into the conference room I get into my CEO, don't fuck with me mode. I recognise the police chief and greet him.

"Gentlemen this is my father Carrick Grey. He is here as my attorney." I inform the room in general which holds three other males who suddenly look nervous.

One of them comes up to me "Mr Grey, I'm Rick Bradley and in charge of this case, pleasure to meet you." He holds his hand out for me to shake. I refuse and take a seat at the head of the table waiting for the others to follow suit.

I sit back and let them start talking, listening to their half assed explanations and excuses of this whole mess until I can't take anymore and interrupt.

"I made a few phone calls this morning to express my displeasure shall we say. Suffice it to say you have pissed off a lot of people Mr Bradley due to your handling of this matter. I also found out something very interesting." Oh, I have your attention now don't I you smug fucker.

"Is it true you did not have approval from your superiors to conduct this matter in the way you did by withholding vital information? I do believe you were expressly told by the head of the bureau himself to get in contact with my security team to advise them of the threat." I ask as calmly as possible to mask my growing fury.

He has gone as white as a ghost and begins to stutter.

"I should have been warned of what was going on. What exactly were you trying to prove by going behind their backs and not following your orders? That your dick is bigger than everyone else's. "What gave you the right to decide to play with my life?" I'm this close to leaning across the table and grabbing the prick by the throat.

"Miss Steele, an innocent bystander was caught up in your mess, was she to be collateral damage?"

"I was doing my job and what I thought was best to achieve the outcome we required." Oh my god, did he really just say that. How stupid is he. I just look at my father dumbfounded while he's trying to hide his smile behind his pen and the police chief lowers and shakes his head in disbelief. I've heard enough shit for today, I only have one more question and then I am out of here.

"What about the American helping them who was there? What do you know about him?"

"Who?" They look confused. They have no idea what I'm talking about. "We have not had a chance to debrief with the agent as yet so we do not have that information available for you."

"Really? It's been four days. What exactly have you been doing besides scratching your balls? For all I know he could still be out there plotting." I rub my hands along my face and through my hair.

"Tell me was your undercover guy supposed to let MISs Steele almost be raped or myself stabbed?"

"Okay." My father interrupts before I commit murder. "Christian you can go. I'll handle it from here."

That's fine by me, I can't stand to be here any longer, I just have one last thing to say to this piece of shit.

"Oh and before you get too cocky with yourself you've been suspended mother fucker. Don't bother showing up tomorrow. This is not over. You better pray you get Victor Nikolaev to plead guilty or make a deal with you because if this goes to trial and Ms Steele and myself need to testify I am going to drag your reputation through the mud based on your incompetence. Now anything else you have to say can be discussed with my attorney who has my requests and demands."

I get up and storm out of the conference room with Taylor behind me, not stopping until I'm back in the car.

"Take me to Ms Steele's apartment Taylor." I need to see her, to reassure myself she's safe. I know I should have tried to contact her before now but I kept putting it off, thinking it's best to see her face to face.

Somehow Taylor knows where she lives and before long I find myself standing outside her door. I hesitate, unsure of what her reaction to me just showing up like this will be. Elliot said to take a chance so I knock on the door and wait.

She opens the door and I see her standing there. She looks amazing. I've missed her, however she doesn't seemed too pleased to see me.

"Christian? What are you doing here?"