A/N: Here it is folks! Gideon is finally going to have some screen time! Thanks for reading!
My gaze drifted out the window, taking in the familiar landscape of my home state. The car drove smoothly along the interstate and I was relaxing, feeling and hearing the timed "thump thump thump" of the seams of the concrete as the tires rolled over them. I always loved that sound as a child. It was relaxing and hypnotic and sometimes, I wonder if that is why some babies fall asleep in cars so easily, it being like a womb, and the "thump thump thump" of the road like a heart beat. My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts and I realized I had almost fallen asleep. I look down, easily recognizing Christian's number on the caller ID.
"Hey hon. What's up?"
"Hey Shana, was wondering how long you will be gone, and if you wanted to make some plans for dinner or lunch." I smiled, my mind hearing something different in his voice.
"Actually I am heading back now. We could meet for lunch if you want."
"That would be good. I have to go to the office for a few minutes, but there is that Thai restaurant you like down the street from it."
"Oh that sounds great!" I smiled, glad he was always able to remember my favorite things. "I haven't had good Thai in a while. Did you get my note? On your computer," I asked.
"Yeah, thanks. I sent her a email about it..."
"Oh? And...," I asked, intrigued.
"She said she would appreciate a ride." YES! I grinned, glad that that little ploy worked. "Thank you."
"Oh Chrissy, you know I'd do anything for you," I said, laughing. "So, what do you think you will do for the event?"
"I am not one hundred percent sure, but maybe fly Charlie Tango over there, get something to eat before we see his show," he said, and I could hear from the tone in his voice that he wasn't sure about all of that, but at least it's a start. "Would... Ummm... "
"What?" I waited, knowing what he was going to ask. I sighed deeply, wishing I could give him a answer he would like.
"Would you like to join us?"
"Thank you, Christian, but... no. Not this time. You both need this without others around right now."
"Thought I would ask." There was a moment of silence and then he broke the spell. "Shana... were you... Are you wanting to purchase SIP?" I blink, not understanding his question.
"Why do you ask," I said, hesitantly, wondering at the change of topics.
"Roach said you had been there, looking around the facility," Christian said and I rolled my eyes. Damn Roach. Boy never could keep things private.
"Well... I was there, yes. And, Bug owed me a favor. So I cashed it in, and he gave me carte blanche to look around. Under the guise of me, or one of my partners wanting to purchase it."
"Bug...?" Christian said the word like he was testing it on his tongue. "Wait! Roach is Bug? How do I not remember that?"
I laugh at him. "Cause sometimes you forget the small stuff dear." Back when we were kids, Roach and a few other kids and us owned the block we lived on. Running free and wild, getting into all sorts of trouble, and, trying to play as far away from our homes so we couldn't hear the calls of our parents when it was time for dinner. Bug was a great kid back then. We got into all sorts of trouble, and dirt and muck. Of course, Christian loved to play, but he didn't like all the dirty, messing playing we used to get into. Roach fit easily into our posse and, unfortunately, found as much trouble as we did.
"I can't believe that is him. Why didn't he say something to me?" I can picture Christian on the other end, one hand rubbing the back of his neck while he just shook his head.
"Because... You're Christian Grey and if you aren't acknowledging it, why should he bring it out into the open? Who knows. That's only a guess."
Christian grumbled something in his end. "So... why were you there?"
"I'll tell you at lunch, okay? We're almost there." He agreed, and ended the call. I returned my gaze back out the window, and smiled, remembering the childhood we used have.
Christian leaned back from the table, patting his full belly and grinning at me as I finished the last of my curry sauce with a chunk of na'an. I smiled back, leaning back as well when I am finished. He grins at me, shaking his head.
"What," I ask, and he shakes his head some more.
"She... Ana, she rarely eats. When she does, its so little. You... you relish it. I don't understand why people will just... not eat. Don't they understand that people are out there starving?"
I roll my eyes and sigh at his words. "Christian, not everyone knows what you know. And, sometimes, people use food for other purposes then just sustaining their life. When some are sad, or depressed, they can eat too much, or not at all... And, girls... they diet. A lot. Also... until we know someone well enough... We always eat very little in front of our new love interest. Don't ask, I really am not sure why."
He sat there, leaning back on the back two legs of the chair he is on, his hand rubbing his chin as he mulls over what I just told him.
"You used your married name," Christian said after a few minutes.
"Huh?" I looked up at him, eyebrow arched, wondering why he had just said that.
"When you went to SIP. You used your married name," he elaborated. I groaned inwardly, surprised at another quick change of topics.
"Ohhh... Well... I couldn't be a good spy if I walked in under the Grey name, right?" Surely he thought of that. I watched as he slowly nodded, and then leaned forward, settling his elbows on the table, pushing the empty plates closer to the center of the table.
"You use it in New York, too," he said, his voice low, his forefinger running back and forth across his lower lip.
I sat up, my eyes glaring at him. "And how, prey tell, do you know that?"
"There was some property there I was looking into, but saw your name on a few of the plots. Your married name, that is. Care to explain?"
I exhaled a long slow sigh, rolling my eyes up to the ceiling. "First," I started. "What business I do, and what property I hold is none of your damned business. Second, do you have any idea how the Grey name is looked down upon on the East Coast?"
He looked at me, his eyes searching mine for a explanation. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, that there are two, fine, very young men in this country who have each claimed a coast. West is yours, East is his. Every fucking time I go to search into a piece of property, if I use the Grey name, amazingly enough, I can't get a damn thing accomplished. And, any piece I do manage to look at, it is shortly picked up by your old buddy."
"So... You use Darqlee, and get things as you like," he said, slowly understanding. I nod, and he sighs. "Is it really that bad for you?"
"Hey, you know us Greys like a challenge," I said, grinning at him. He returned my smile weakly. "It's... difficult, sometimes, but it's not that bad. Just... Look, Vegas is my town, got it? Don't do anything there."
"Vegas... and New York? Is there something else going on that I need to know?" The waitress came by, dropping off the check, and both Christian and I looked at each other, our fingers twitching. Suddenly we both reached for the bill, and I let out a whoop, claiming victory on grabbing it before he had.
"You're getting old, bro. Or out of practice," I laughed, sliding my black Amex into the leather bill fold. Christian grumbled at me, and I smiled a haughty smile. It is rare when anyone gets the honor of paying for a meal while around Mr. Christian T. Grey.
"You didn't answer the question," he huffed, crossing his arms.
"The answer is, no." I check my watch and cuss under my breath. "Shit. I gotta make a call." Christian nodded, and we quickly left, grabbing my card from the waitress as we leave. I may have paid the bill, but Christian, bound and determined to never be bested, made sure I saw him tip her with two one hundred dollar bills. I smirked, rolling my eyes at him as we left, and he laughed at me.
We both hopped into his Audi, Taylor at the wheel, and as we pulled away from the restaurant Christian turned to me. "So, why were you at SIP?"
"I had to check on your girl, and scope it out."
He raised a eyebrow at me. "Oh? And what did you find?"
"Something slimy."
"Can you be more vague?"
"Ana's boss... He's... It would be a lot better for the company if he wasn't there," I said, wanting to clench my teeth as I said it. I watched my brother, seeing his hands clenching into fists. His body has gone taunt as his thoughts try to overpower his brain. I reach a hand out, taking his hand in mine. Immediately, he refocuses on me and the storm he was creating dissipates "You have got to learn to control yourself," I whisper. He he turns from me, but begins to slowly nod and I see he is unclenching his fists.
"I don't know why... But she does this to me. I can't... I have tried to stop. She is just..." I nodded, smiling at him.
I feel my phone vibrate and pick it up, looking at it. If my brother were not standing within feet of me, I would immediately answer it. Christian, turns, and sees me, raising a eyebrow at my unusual stance.
"You going to answer that?" I look up at him, not understanding his question. "Since when don't you answer your phone? Go on then." We pulled into the garage at Escala, and I waited for one more ring, and finally answered it.
"Grey," I said, my voice low and softer then usual. I see Christian watching me, his face questioning.
"Shana," the voice on the other end whispered in a harsh, rough voice.
"I'm here hon, what's wrong?" My heart jumped in my chest hearing the distraught voice on the other end.
Taylor parked the car, and I got out as normally as I could, heading towards the open elevator. I entered it, and quickly punched in the number for my apartment. No one joined me in the elevator car, and I sighed, grateful for a brother that can read my body language.
"She...," the voice broke, and I closed my eyes, leaning against the wall of the elevator. His heart was broken. I knew it. I could feel it. I knew that his voice was rough because he'd been crying. I wished that I could be there for him. I had promised him I would be there whenever he needed me...
"She's gone Shana." The elevator arrived on my floor and I quickly entered my apartment.
"Shana?"
"I'm here. Just getting into the apartment. One second okay dear?" I quickly crossed to my office, and saw Stevenson as he entered from the kitchen. "No interruptions," I said walking briskly past the kitchen heading to my office. He nodded understanding, but I barely noticed it as I stepped into my office, closing the door behind me, locking it. "Talk to me hon, what's going on?"
"She... We had another fight... We were supposed to go out last night... She's gone." I sighed, rolling my eyes and then stopped him.
"Hon, you aren't telling me things in the right order. Try again. Start with the last time it was really good with you." I waited, but he didn't say anything. "Hon?"
"Would you mind... I mean... Is it all right if I come over, to talk? Just to talk. Or, you can come here?" I could tell that he's really hurting. I groan inwardly at myself for not being there for him.
"Oh hon. I had to fly out to Seattle. Family issue. My brother, actually." The line was quiet for a few minutes.
"When are you coming back?" His voice was barely a whisper. I inhaled slowly, closing my eyes, and collapsing down into my desk chair. "No," he said, trying to firm up his voice. I heard him cough, trying to hide what his voice had already betrayed. "No, family first," he said.
"Come here," I suggested, my voice low, hoping he would.
"No, you should deal with your brother. It's okay," he said, and I smiled, shaking my head.
"Bullshit. If you leave now, you'll be here before midnight."
"No, you should stay there... and... I will be-," I heard his voice break again before he coughed to cover it up.
"If you aren't here by midnight, I will head for New York, and I will not be in a good mood," I said, trying for some joviality, but in all honesty, I failed. I wanted to try to lift his spirits, but... knowing him, I had to be firm. He wouldn't think I was serious otherwise. "Stevenson will meet you at the airport."
"Shana, no. I'm... I'll see you when you get back." Defeat. He was defeated, and empty.
"Four hours. I'll be there in four hours," I conceded, sighing loudly. I feel the prickle of a migraine tapping at my temple and know that the flight will not be fun.
"No. You stay with your-"
"Gideon Cross, since when have you ever told me what to do?" I jump to my feet, raising my voice to one of my deeper, louder "You Will Do It Now" volumes my staff knows a little too well. "You need me there, my family needs me here. I gave you a choice, you chose poorly. I will be there in four hours." I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply and letting the breath go out long and slow.
"Thank you," he whispers, and then the phone goes quiet.
Okay... I can do this. I can get there, and talk him into coming out here, even if I have to tie him up and drag his sorry ass onto the flight myself. Then I can be back here before Christian knows I have gone. I nod to myself and stand, walking back over to my office door. I was glad I had locked my office door in case Christian had decided to follow... me... here.
Fuck.