Christian

I wake up with something of a jolt. My dreams are all of Ana, of the wish that she will wake up so when I feel something soft and familiar running through my hair I don't know if it's real or my mind playing tricks on me, but I jolt awake instant and raise my head suddenly. To my great relief I sit up to find the most beautiful sight I have ever seen in front of me. A pair of blue eyes are gazing at me., and she falls back onto the bed drinking me in as I drink her in.

'Hi,' she rasps, and my joy explodes out of me.

'Oh Ana,' I take her hand in mine, relishing the feeling of her returning the pressure of my fingers.

It is magical to see her awake. I feel as though every part of my body relaxes, free from the tension that has consumed me ever since that phone call from the bank. I am wondering if she is feeling it too when she says the very last thing I have ever imagined her saying at this moment.

'I need to use the bathroom.' I blink at her. No way is she getting up and going herself. She'd probably cause herself and injury just walking there at the moment.

'Ok.' She struggles to sit up, but winces a little as she does, 'Ana stay still. I'll call a nurse'

I stand up and reach above her to the call button.

'Please,' her voice is so weak, and I can tell that she's in pain, 'I need to get up.'

Fuck no you don't need to get up. You need to stay in bed and get better.

'Will you do as you're told for once,' I snap at her but she doesn't back down.

'I really need to pee.' She sounds almost apologetic. I sigh. This woman is still the most maddening person I have ever met.

Before I can say anything else one of the nurses that have been looking after Ana for the past two days, bustles in and smiles warmly at my wife, ignoring me completely.

'Mrs Grey. Welcome back. I'll let Dr Bartley know you're awake.'

She moves over to Ana, and I watch as she checks that Ana is comfortable and that she knows what's going on around her. Ana Answers her questions weakly and I smile a little just because I am so happy that she is back awake and with us.

'I need to pee.' Ana says, clearly desperate. Nurse Nora raises her eyebrows at her.

'You have a catheter.' Ana's face wrinkles at the news; obviously not a pleasant revelation. She glances nervously from me to nurse Nora.

'Please I want to get up.' Dammit she is so stubborn.

'Mrs Grey,' the nurse warns. See even she doesn't want you moving and she's the one who is paid to look after you.

'Please.'

'Ana' I say exasperated but she doesn't even turn her attention to me, but instead struggles to sit up once more.

'Let me remove you catheter,' Nurse Nora says in a part resigned and part amused tone that I am all too familiar with. 'Mr Grey, I am sure Mrs Grey would like some privacy.'

I stand motionless as she stands gazing at me expectantly. Is she kidding? My wife has just woken up after two days. I have been in a state of terror since seeing her motionless on the car park floor. I can't leave her now, not so soon.

I cross my arms and stare back at her.

'I'm not going anywhere.' My voice sounds sulky and petulant even to my own ears but I really don't care.

'Christian,' Ana says, both placating and insistent, 'please'

She reaches out and takes me hand back in hers, giving me a reassuring squeeze. I return her pressure briefly and then give her an exasperated voice. She doesn't relent, just says please one more time in that pleading voice.

'Fine,' I snap, knowing that this is a fruitless exercise, 'You have two minutes,' I snap at Nora who raises her eye brows at me, obviously unimpressed. I kiss Ana quickly on the forehead and storm out the room.

I pace outside the door, never taking my eyes of my watch, watching as the seconds tick by. People are staring at me as they walk past but I really don't care. As soon as the hand that counts down the seconds has made two full circuits I push the door open again to find Ana being helped out of bed in one of those really terrible looking hospital gowns.

'I'll take her,' I say indignantly. I'm her husband, and this is what I do.

'Mr Grey, I can manage,' she says, sounding very close to yelling. It's not a question of her abilities; in fact she is probably the most capable nurse I have ever met. I want to finally be able to do something to make me feel useful.

'Dammit, she's my wife, I'll take her,' I tell her, trying to keep my words as clear as I can while glaring daggers at her.

I ignore her from this point onwards, moving the IV stand and cutting in where she was standing only seconds before. I lift her gently, and it depresses me how much weight she has lost in the last few days. Oh my Ana, what have you done to yourself?

I am not naïve enough to think that this drastic weight loss is just from her time in hospital, although I am sure that that played a huge part in it. I am sure that during our time not speaking to each other she missed most meals, and it makes me mad but this isn't the time to tell her.

'Mrs Grey,' I whisper into her ear, 'you are too light.'

And I set her gently down in the en suite bathroom, Nora following behind us pushing the IV.I switch the light on and then I turn my attention back to Ana who is swaying alarmingly.

'Sit before you fall,' I order, and she does with my arms still around her so that she can't overbalance.

When I don't move she looks annoyed.

'Go,' she waves me away, and I know that she doesn't like this but really. I'm her husband for crying out loud I can bear to hear my wife pee.

'No just pee Ana.'

She doesn't relent, still stubborn as ever.

'I can't. Not with you here.'

'You might fall,' I say quietly. Nurse Nora chimes in, saying my name in an annoyed voice but we both ignore her.

'Please,' Oh Christ she is begging again. This woman can make me do almost anything with just that one word.

I raise me arms in defeat and stalk out of the room, telling her as I go that I am just going outside with the door open. This seems good enough as she doesn't argue.

'Turn around please,' she calls after me and sulkily I do as she asks. It is a tense few minutes just me and Nurse Nora standing in Ana's room waiting for her to be ready. Nurse Nora glares at me as though I am the devil himself and I stare impassively back at me. I don't think that we are destined to be friends.

When she finally calls that she is done I move back into the room, grateful to escape the scathing look the nurse has been shooting my way. I pick her up again, and this time I take a moment to savour the fact that she was really here, burying my most in her hair and inhaling deeply, and I think she is doing the same, tightening her grip about my neck.

'Oh I've missed you Mrs Grey,' I whisper into her ear, but nurse Nora is standing behind us, still glaring at me and I move Ana back towards the bed and reluctantly place her in it and let her free.

We don't get any further opportunity to speak now as nurse Nora insists that she be allowed to tend to my wife. Grudgingly I stand back and watch them. I think some kind of silent communication passes between them, but I'm not sure. She busies herself over Ana, sounding sympathetic and irritated in equal measure.

'How are you feeling,' I ask her trying to zone out Nora, and move to sit beside her on the bed. She smiles up at me and my heart squeezes. Oh how I have missed that smile.

'Confused, achy, hungry,' she says as though reciting from a shopping list. The last word immediately catches my interest.

'Hungry?'

She nods and my brain whirs into action. I can get her something to eat.

'What do you want to eat?'

'Anything,' she says, sounding tired, 'soup?'

'Mr Grey,' Nurse Nora cuts in, obviously irritated once more, 'You'll need the doctor's approval before Mrs Grey can eat.'

Yeah right, I think to myself. My wife wants some food so food she will get. I stare at her impassively for a moment before taking my blackberry out my pocket and press the number to call Taylor.

'Sir,' he says sounding hopeful.

'Ana wants chicken soup.' I say and I can hear the relief in his voice when he replies.

'I'll go get some now from the Fairmount Olympic Sir.'

'Good,'

'I'm glad she's awake sir. I'll let Gail and the others know.'

'Thank you' I say, with genuine warmth. If he didn't work for me I think I could be good friends with Taylor.

I look up at the two women in front of me, the nurse disapproving and annoyed, Ana amused.

'Taylor?' she asks and I nod.

'You're blood pressure is normal Mrs Grey,' Nurse Nora says, obviously wisely choosing to ignore the fact that I've just disregarded her instructions. 'I'll fetch the doctor.'

She leaves so finally it's just me and Ana again.

'I think you made Nurse Nora mad,' she says grinning up at me.

'I have that effect on women,' I smirk right back at her and she laughs. I am so happy to hear that sound again. Her laugh is quickly stifled by pain and she winces. She can't even laugh without pain. I wish I'd killed that fucker for what he's done to her.

'Yes you do,' she says finally, but she doesn't lose the grin, so I hope that I am at least partially forgiven for my terrible behaviour.

'Oh Ana, I love to hear you laugh,' my relief seems to have removed my brain to mouth filter again, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Before she can answer a very stiff Nora comes back in bearing a pitcher of water and a glass for Ana. I don't take my eyes of Ana's as she moves about the room and tells her sternly only to take small sips at a time. Ana murmurs an agreement and takes a sip before Nora moves out of the room.

'Mia,' she says finally, and I can tell that with all the excitement of waking up and the controversy between me and the good nurse she has only just remembered the reason behind it.

'She's safe thanks to you,' I say quietly, not mentioning that she very nearly died in the attempt to keep my little sister that way.

'They did have her?' she asks. I can tell she is asking if her stupid actions had any value to them at all.

'Yes,' and he face relaxes in relief, but then she frowns.

'How did they get her?'

'Elizabeth Morgan,' I saw and she looks horrified.

'No,' she breathes and I nod.

'She picked her up at Mia's Gym,' she frowns again in confusion. Always Eager for information.

'Ana, I'll fill you in on the details later. Mia is fine, all things considered. She was drugged, she is groggy now and shaken up but by some miracle she wasn't harmed.'

I look at her, thinking that she was harmed because of it. She needs to know how pissed off again. If she wasn't so hurt I would take her across my knee here and now for being so stupid. Instead I decide to tell her.

'What you did …' I stop, my mind transported back to that moment when I first saw her on the ground. I run my hand through my hair. 'Was incredibly brave and incredibly stupid. You could have been killed.'

I keep my eyes locked her hers, letting my anger show for the first time since I felt her hand in my hair.

'I didn't know what else to do,' she whispers, and I can well believe that. She must have been terrified.

'You could have told me,' I snap, but deep down I know why she didn't. We both know that I have a tendency to act before I think.

'He said he'd kill her if I told anyone. I couldn't take that risk.' It is as if for the first time since all of this happens the full force of what she must have gone through hits me. Not just the physical damage but her panic and terror. She must been pulled to the very edge of her limits when I had spoken to her at the bank.

I close my eyes at the realisation trying to hold in my emotions. When I finally speak all I can say is 'I have died a thousand deaths since Thursday.'

When I open my eyes again she is looking at me in confusion and something that almost looks like horror.

Of course she has no idea what day it is. For all she knew she'd only been insensible for a few hours. Nice move Grey I think to myself.

'What day is it?' she asks, sounding scared. I look at my watch. Ten to midnight.

'It's almost Saturday,' I tell her, 'You've been unconscious for more than twenty-four hours. She quickly masks her shock and is once again business like and asking for information

'And Jack and Elizabeth?'

'In police custody,' I assure her and then I continue, because my brain seems to have taken some time off thinking, 'Although Hyde is here under guard. They had to remove the bullet you left in him. I don't know where in the hospital he is fortunately or I'd probably kill him myself.'

I watch Ana as she works through the emotions that my words evoke, and I kick myself as she obviously remembers what happens and she pales as her expression changes from relative calm and relief to sheer undiluted fear. I watch as her eyes begin to water and scoot forward, reaching to take the glass from her hand.

'Hey,' I take her into my arms and stroke her hair, murmuring into her ear, 'You're safe now.'

'Christian,' she sobs, 'I'm so sorry.'

'Hush,' I whisper, trying to soothe her, although I have no idea what she's actually been through. I just saw what it resulted in.

'What I said,' she continues, ignoring my words, 'I was never going to leave you.'

My eyes close against the pain of that awful memory and I hold her slightly tighter in my arms.

'Hush baby, I know.'

'You do.' I feel her pull back and look at me, her tears stopping with her surprise.

'I worked it out,' I say wryly, 'eventually.'

MY emotion catches up to me again as I realise exactly how much she's risked.

'Honestly, what were you thinking?'

You took me by surprise.' He mutters, moving back into my arms and speaking into my shirt, 'When we spoke at the bank … thinking I was leaving you … I thought you knew me better. I've said to you over and over I would never leave.'

She's telling me off now and assuring me at the same time, and my fears from that moment hit be again with full force.

'But after the appalling way I've behaved,' I tighten my grip once more; my voice is quiet, broken. 'I thought for a short time that I'd lost you.'

'No Christian, never,' She says into my shirt, not mumbling but clearly, making sure I catch every word. 'I didn't want you to interfere and put Mia's life in danger.'

I sigh. I knew it. My tendency to act before thinking has brought us to where we are now. I need to work on controlling that so that nothing like this ever happens again.

'How did you work it out?' she asks, and I can tell she is trying to distract me.

Gently I tuck her hair behind her ear, I know it's probably my imagination but it feels softer now she is truly back with me.

'I'd just touched down in Seattle when the bank called. Last I'd heard you were ill and going home,'

'So you were in Portland when Sawyer called you from the car?' she asks, surprised I think.

'Yes, we were just about to take off. I was worried about you.'

'You were?' that is definitely surprise in her voice and I frown.

'Of course I was.' I move my thumb across her lower lip, just wanting to feel the touch of her alive and awake under my fingers. 'I spend my life worrying about you. You know that.'

'Jack called me at the office,' she tells me, filling in the pieces as she speaks; 'He gave me two hours to get the money.'

She shrugs helplessly, 'I had to leave and it just seemed the best excuse.'

Of course it did. Clearly I am not the only one in this couple to act before thinking. I press my mouth into a hard line to stop myself from telling her off before opening it again, thinking of how I can without sounding too Harsh.

'And you gave Sawyer the slip. He's mad at you as well'

'As well.' She asks with the worst mock innocent expression I have ever seen.

'As well as me,' I clarify and smirk at her. She moves her hand and touches my face and I close my eyes again, relishing the fact that once again she is touching me and lean into her.

'Don't be mad at me. Please,' she begs. I think she must be crazy if she thinks that I would not be mad at her for this.

'I am so mad at you. What you did was monumentally stupid.' MY anger is spilling out of my now, despite the control I managed to show earlier, 'bordering on insane.'

'I told you I didn't know what else to do,' she pleads.

'You don't seem to have any regard for your personal safety, and it's not just you now.'

She blinks at me. I have never mentioned the baby to her before, not whilst sober anyway. Her lip trembles a little bit but before she can either cry or speak the door opens and Dr Bartley walks into the room, smiling. She is much nicer than Nurse Nora, who is following behind her and glaring straight at me.

I move away from Ana as she introduces herself and begins to examine Ana. I move to lean against the wall and get my blackberry out.


Kate.

Elliott had just come to the apartment. I can tell that he is exhausted. I lead him slowly to the bedroom, not wanting anything from him now except his arms around me. We are both suffereing. Ana is still not awake and Christian is still distant.

Before we reach the bed however my phone starts to ring. It's Christian. I hold up a finger to Elliott and he stands gazing at me.

'Christian,' I say hopefully,

'Kate,' He sounds warmer than usual and I know just from him saying my name that Ana is back in the land of the living.

'She's awake?' I ask, not wanting to be wrong and he laughs a little, the first time I have heard him laugh since his wedding I think.

'She is miss Kavanagh,' he says, ' Is Elliott with you.'

'Yes.' I look over at Elliott who has just realised what's happened and has obviously decided to perform a kind of victory dance around my bedroom.

'Is he dancing?' He asks amusement in his voice and I tell him that this is indeed the case.

'While I would love you to give me a full description of what he is doing I have to call everyone else and tell them.' And he hangs up. Honestly he can be so rude sometimes but I suppose I can forgive him for it this one time.

I throw my phone onto the bed and literally hurl myself at Elliott. He catches me, laughing like a boy, instead a man of thirty.


Grace

It has been a very long day, and I am grateful when I get home. John and Elliott have left, Mia is in her room, and wearily I make my way up to mine and Carrick's room. I look at the clock. It's half past twelve. I hope that that darling girl wakes up soon.

When I enter the room Carrick isn't there, and this confuses me. I back out of the room and think about looking for him when I think of the only place he could possibly be.

I move down the hall towards Mia's room and when I open the door I am surprised to find them both grinning like fools.

'What is it?' I ask and Carrick leaps off the bed and takes me in his arms.

'She's awake,' he whispers into my hair. I should have realised. Surely that is the only reason either of them have to look so happy at the moment.

'Does Elliott know?' I ask, thrilled that my daughter in law has finally come back to us.

'Yeah,' Mia says with a smirk, 'He's already called Kate.'


Christian

I have called Kate, my dad and Carla, and have left a message for Ray. She is watching me the entire time I am on the phone, I think trying to listen into what I'm saying. A couple of times I want to move forward as Ana reacts to something painful. I finally hear the good doctor say that 'Ana is lucky,' and we both look at her incredulously.

I move my gaze to Ana and mouth the word 'foolhardy' at her. I think she gets the message because she looks away quickly.

After prescribing some painkillers, telling Ana to sleep and telling us who will be seeing her in the morning she goes to leave the room, only to be met by Taylor who is carrying a black Cardboard box with the Fairmount Olympic logo on the side.

The doctor turns her gaze to me and raises her eyebrows 'food?' she asks, obviously surprised.

'Mrs Grey is hungry,' I say, broking no argument. If my wife wants to eat she will eat. In fact most of the time it's if my wife doesn't want to eat she will eat. 'This is chicken soup.' I say after a while, trying to assure her that it is at least something light.

She smiles at me and nods. 'Soup will be fine. Just the broth. Nothing heavy.' And she walks out of the room. It's lucky I didn't tell her about the bread that's probably also in here.

I set about sorting out the food for her to eat, barely acknowledging the exchange that passes between my wife and Taylor. I know that he is relieved to see her awake, and just let them get their hellos out of the way.

'This is great Taylor,' she says when she gets a good look at everything that he has brought. She isn't wrong. They really have made an extra special effort for my wife, but then again most people do.

'Will that be all,' he says to be after smiling kindly at Ana.

'Yes, thanks,' I say, and he blinks at me surprised for a moment. I hardly ever thank him, or anyone who works for me. He nods a beat later and Ana thanks him one more time.

'Anything else I can get you Mrs Grey.'

I watch her, eager to hear the answer to this myself. She looks at me, taking all of my in and grins.

'Just some clean clothes for Christian.' I think Taylor nearly laughs and I look down at myself. It is certainly very wrinkled.

'How long have you been wearing that shirt,' she asks raising her eyebrows at me.

'Since Thursday morning,' I say sheepishly. I could have gotten a new shirt, but it really didn't seem very important given the circumstances.

When Taylor has left the room to get the clothes he has been asked for I decide to impart some more information to her.

'Taylor is real pissed at you too,' I tell her. I'm not sure if this is strictly true anymore, but I am fully aware that he has been furious at her. I think, like me, the relief of seeing her sitting up and talking is slightly eclipsing his anger.

I push the bowl that I have just filled with soup towards her and she starts to devour it, as though she hasn't eaten in a week, which I remind myself is probably almost true.

I watch her, perching on the bed. She doesn't even pause eating when I ask her if it's good, just gives me a nod. When she does pause from her meal it is only to ask me for information.

'Tell me what happened?' she demands, 'After you realised what was going on.'

She never lets me off the hook for even a second. I run my hand through my hair and look at her, shaking my head. I know that she has a distraction technique so I try to use it against her.

'Oh Ana, it's good to see you eat' I say and she gives me a look that clearly says 'don't mess with the master Grey.'

'I'm hungry. Tell me.'

I frown at her and begin to talk.

'Well after the bank called and I thought my world had completely fallen apart.' I can't mask the pain in my voice that the memory evokes and she pauses with her spoon half way to her lips.

'Don't stop eating or I'll stop talking.' I say, slightly panicked. She needs to eat. For once she obediently continues to eat and I continue to explain. I tell her about Taylor telling me about Hyde being granted bail. I tell her that I had thought that we were safe on that front, but she interrupts me, looking angry now. Obviously the memory she had been mulling over is to anger inducing to contain.

'It was never about the money,' she spits, 'how could you even think that. It's never been about your fucking money.'

Holy shit she's pissed off. She winces as if the force of her anger is making her head worse and I gape at her. I should have foreseen this. Of course she is angry I'd assumed that. I narrow my eyes, knowing that she only swears when she is angry.

'Mind you language,' I growl at her, matching her glare with my own, 'Calm down and eat.' I don't want her to make herself worse just because I've said something stupid yet again. This time she isn't nearly so obedient. She continues to glare at me.

'Ana.' I warn but instead of encouraging her to eat, it seems to encourage her to speak.

'That hurt me more than anything Christian,' she whispers, 'almost as much as thou seeing that woman.'

I deflate, my anger leaving me as quickly as it came, my eyes closing in resignation. We are finally having this conversation, some of it anyway. She needs rest.

'I know, and I'm sorry. More than you know.' I beg her with her eyes to forgive me and her eyes soften, 'please eat while your soup is still hot.'

And this time she does and I breathe a sigh of relief. Crisis averted.

'Go one,' she whispers, and bites into one of the bread rolls I'm sure wouldn't be allowed.

I continue once more, telling her about Mia, and my panic when she didn't answer. How we tracked her, both to the bank and to the shop. I am brought short when she smiles at me smugly.

'Why are you smiling?' I ask bemused.

'On some level I knew you'd be stalking me?'

This just confuses me more. Is she trying to make me feel worse? No she wouldn't smile about that.

'And that is amusing because?'

'Jack had instructed me to get rid of cell, so I borrowed Whelan's cell and that's the one I threw away. I put mine into one of the duffle bags so you could track your money.'

I mixture of pride and exasperation swells inside me. Obviously she did think it through a little.

'Out money, Ana,' is all I say, 'eat.'

And with once last mouthful of soup soaked break she finished her meal. She looks better when she announces that she has finished.

No sooner have I said 'good girl,' than nurse Nora comes back into the room holding a small plastic cup and gives it to Ana, announcing that it is pain relief.

'Is this ok to take?' Ana asks her and shoots me a nervous look, 'You know with the baby?'

She tells her its fines and without another word Ana takes the pill, looking grateful.

'you ought to rest Mrs Grey,' she says with a pointed look in my direction, and I nod in complete agreement.

'You're going?' she says, sounding slightly desperate and I snort. Is she crazy?

'If you think for one moment that I am going to let you out of my sight Mrs Grey you are very much mistaken.'

Nora Huffs but doesn't comment, just sets about making Ana comfortable and then leaves with a goodnight.

'I don't think Nurse Nora approves of me,' I whisper, smirking down at her, and settle back into the chair.

She tried to persuade me to go home and sleep but that is just not going to happen

'I'm not leaving you, I'll dose in this armchair.'

She scowls at me but then he expression turns hopeful and she shifts.

'sleep with me.'

Hell no She has an IV and I might hurt her.

'No I can't'

'Why not?' she challenges and I eye her IV speculatively

'I don't want to hurt you.'

'You won't hurt me. Please Christian.' Dammit she's started begging.

'You have an IV,' I say feebly, and I can tell from the look on her face that she knows she's already won me over.

'Christian, please.'

I gaze at her, thinking that it might not be such a bad thing. What damage could really happen. Nurse Nora certainly won't like it, and that thought very nearly wins me over completely.

'Please,' she begs once, more and lifts the cover in invitation and my resolve finally comes crumbling down around.

'Fuck it,' I mutter, and move towards the bed. I take my shows and jacket off, and carefully twist my body so I avoid the IV and hurting her. I gently wrap my arms around her and she places her head on my chest. I feel as though the weight of the world has been lifted from me as I lay there with her in my arms, gently running her hand up and down my chest.

'I don't think Nurse Nora will be very happy with this arrangement,' I whisper into her hair, and she laughs and groans when the pain hits her.

'Don't make me laugh,' she gasps, 'It hurts.'

I smile sadly at her. Of course it does baby, I'm so sorry for putting you through this.

'Oh but I love that sound,' I say sadly and kiss her hair. 'I'm sorry baby, so sorry.'

I'm not sure what I'm apologising for. Whether it's for hurting her now, the run in with Hyde or the way I've behaved over the baby I mean it. I mean it so much that it hurts.

She places her hand over my heart and I rest mine on top of hers, letting her know that it is hers, will always be hers. For a few moments there is silence between us and then she speaks again.

'Why did you go see that woman Christian?' she asks and I groan internally. She wants to do this now?

'Oh Ana,' I groan, 'You want to discuss that now? Can't we drop this? I regret it, ok?'

'I need to know,' she persists. Of course she does and I sigh.

'I'll tell you tomorrow,' I promise and then remember that I have to call Clarke in the morning and tell him Ana is ok to talk to him.

'Oh and detective Clarke wants to talk to you. Just routine. Now go to sleep.' I order, and she sighs heavily, exasperated I think, and I listen as her breathing evens out and she falls to sleep peacefully in my arms.


OK so here is todays addition :)

I'm really sorry but I won't be able to upload anything from Wednesday next week until Monday evening. I'll write what I need to before then and make sure I post regularly before then

While I'm sitting in my tent in the field I'll write what else I need to so I'm all prepared to just type it up and update when I get home.