Co-written with Stargazer93

Christian:

AFTER THE 3 HOUR wait for the plane, then the four-hour flight with a stop in Denver. we finally made it to Aspen. Ana slept for most of the flight. I'm starting to learn that that's how she deals with stress.

She ended up having a nightmare mid flight. I had to hold her, till she relaxed. I talked to her and tried to soothe her, until she woke herself up. Good thing we were in first class.

We pull into the driveway my parents holiday house. It has one of the best views of the mountains. I remember all the times I came here as a kid. I absolutely love this place. It's so peaceful and surreal.

The cabbie takes our bags out of the trunk and I take Ana's hand to help her out of the cab. I notice Ana's eyes grow wide as she looks over the place. "Wow."

"See? I told you you'd like it."

"It looks like something out of a postcard." I laugh. I never thought of it that way. It is pretty picturistic.

I tip the cabbie and find the key that's hidden in one of the big fake stones outside.

"Welcome to our home for the next week or so." I open the door for her. Then I decide what the heck and pick her up in my arms to carry her over the threshold.

Maybe one day I can do this and she will be my wife.

And for the first time today, she giggles. "Christian? What are you doing?"

"Just giving you a lift." I smile at her, and I feeling see some of the light come back into her eyes. I sit her down in the foyer, and she looks around still a little star struck. "Let me show you to our room." I tell her wiggling my eyebrows.

Again, another giggle leaves her lips.

"Please don't tell me it's where your parents sleep."

"Oh, no. We will not be using a bed that my mom and dad have defiled. We're going to defile mine. Come." I take her hand and lead to the end of the house where there are 4 bedrooms. I open the door that leads to my room.

Never thought I would have a girl in here.

I put our bags down and lead her over to the bed. "I know you can't be too tired yet. Is there anything you would like to do?"

It's about 10pm now.. But she's been sleeping on and off most of the day.

"We could just watch a movie and cuddle. I bet I could go to sleep again soon."

"Sounds like a plan." I have a 45" inch TV in this room with cable and a DVD player. I'm just glad I will be able to just to hold her.

I cuddle her in my arms as we watch 'Independence Day."

Action packed and a comedy, so Ana.

As I'm holding her watching the movie I think back to all the things I said to her.

I can't believe I told her I didn't love her, I called her a slut. How could I be so stupid? Ok, admittedly, I was really mad and confused. Shit, I'm still confused.

Why did Linc and Steven want Elena dead? And why did they need to distract me? Well, I guess I could answer that one, since Elena would call me almost everyday to check up on me. I guess I would be one of the first to know she was missing.

But why Ana? I guess she was just as much as a pawn as I was. I look down at her and she has her whole body wrapped around mine. It's almost like she's afraid I'm going to run off.

Can't blame her, I did leave her high and dry yesterday.

I never really thought about it… but she really has no one else in her life, only herself. Right now the only way I know how to even begin to make her feel better is to show her that I'm here for her and never going to let her go.

I kiss the top of her head and brush her hair with my hand. "I love you."

She turns her head and looks at me. Her eyes filled with questions and doubt. "I love you too."

Baby, I'm going to try everything to make you feel better.

WE WAKE THE NEXT morning, still entangled with each other. The menu for the movie is now playing on repeat. I don't even remember falling asleep.

I think today I will take Ana hiking. Maybe the fresh air will help clear her mind and help her relax.

My dad said he would have Mrs. Hurley to come over and cook for us. So that will be one last thing for us to worry about. I decide to let Ana sleep and bring breakfast to her in bed.

Mrs. Hurley is in the kitchen as I enter. "Good morning Mrs. Hurley."

"Christian, my boy. I haven't seen you in forever. How's school going?"

Mrs. Hurley is an older woman in her late 60s. She's one of the sweetest women I've ever known. She and her husband watch over the place when my family is away. She's been around since I was a small boy.

"School has been good. But I'm thankful for the break. I don't know if my dad told you, but my girlfriend Anastasia is with me."

I think the smile on her face is as big as my mother's was when she found out about Ana. Who would've thought having a girlfriend would make people so giddy?

"Yes, he did tell me. Does she have any allergies I should know about?"

"No. I was hoping to bring her breakfast in bed."

"Aren't you sweet. Of course let me make you up a tray."

She places the pancakes, bacon, and OJ on a tray. I thank her and head back into my room.

When I get there Ana is gone.

"Ana?" I place the tray down and that's when I hear the sobs from the bathroom. I rush in only to find Ana, on the floor in the corner, her knees bent up to her chest and her head resting on them.

I get on my knees next to her and cradle her in my arms.

"Baby. Shh. I'm here. "

Her sobs are even more uncontrollable as she lays her head on my chest.

"How could he?!" She screams out between her sobs.

And I immediately know she's talking about what Steven did.

"I don't know. But we will figure it out and we will make him to pay for what he did."

"How? If we do anything he'll end up killing us. He told me. How do… how do we even know that he doesn't know where we are right now?"

I don't know how to answer that. I'm hoping he was serious about just keeping us away so they can get away. But somewhere inside of me, it's too easy.

"Christian, I feel so dirty. I had sex with the man that killed my parents. I trusted him at one point. I was going to go back with him because you didn't want me."

I hold her tighter in my arms. "I'm so sorry I said that to you. I was upset and that's what they wanted. It's all part of their sick game. I wish I could go back in time, to make sure I never said anything that I did say… and as for everything else... I wish I had the answers for you. When we get back… dad suggested I find someone to help me deal with all the shit that Elena did to me… maybe we can find someone for you too?"

"And where do I go after we leave here? I don't have any money."

Baby, the minute we tell my parents, they're going to support you, just like they're supporting me.

Something dawns on her, her expression turns to one of complete horror.

"What if the police connect me to them? I mean they have both been supporting me since I was 14. I could go to jail! You were right! I did help them!" Her breathing becomes ragged. She's on the verge of a full blown panic attack if I don't do something.

"Ana I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Please believe me. Now I know this won't be easy but we are going to try to relax. It's going to sound impossible. But I think it will help keep your mind off of everything... even just for a little bit."

I think I'm in over my head. But if I leave her to her own devices I'm worried she'll start hurting herself. Again.

"I know a way you can keep my mind off everything. You could fuck me and spank me."

Now usually that would excite me, but right now it does nothing. I know she thinks she deserves punishment, but I won't do it. If and when we do have sex again, it's going to be slow and tender to show her just how much I love her.

"Actually I brought you breakfast. "I explain, trying to change the direction of conversation. "Then maybe we could go hiking."

"You made breakfast?" She gives me a strange look.

"Well, no. Our housekeeper Mrs. Hurley did. I think you'll like her when you meet her. She's the second best cook I know."

"Who's the first?"

"You." I kiss her nose.

I pull her off the floor and lay her in my bed. I place the tray on top of her lap and sit next to her. She needs to eat. Yesterday she only had a couple of fries and a few small bites of her cheeseburger.

"What about your ribs? How are you going to be able to go hiking?"

"They don't really hurt anymore. I suffered worse." I tell her and she nods her understand. So, they still bug me a little bit. But, I want to get her out of the house.

She's not eating. So I cut a bite and give it to her. She accepts it. "You don't have to eat it all, but at least get something in you." I beg her.

"I'm trying. But this is really good."

Ana:

I CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S making me go hiking. I just want to lay in bed and forget about the world around me. I know he's trying but, I think part of me still doesn't know why.

When he came back yesterday I was really surprised. I didn't think I would see him again. I thought it was my sleep deprived brain pulling a fast one on me again.

Wouldn't be the first time.

Steven had called me a little while after Christian left telling me he wanted me to come back to him. I told him I didn't want to.

Steven reminded me over and over again, how I had nobody, and nobody else would ever want me. And if I didn't go with him Christian would pay the price. It's not like Christian wanted me anymore.

I was just some lying slut.

After finishing the conversation with him, I just couldn't take it. I laid in bed crying that night. I use my nails to leave deep scratches on my arms. I thought about doing worse, but I couldn't even move from the bed.

Then when Christian came back, it looked like he got into a street brawl. Then out of nowhere he tells me Steven is responsible for my parents murder. The thought makes my skin crawl, my stomach flip, and my brain hurt. This was a man I trusted, a man I willingly gave myself to! And now, to find out he did unspeakable things to my mom and dad? To get to me.

I can't even start to begin to process it all. What if Christian is right and I end up in jail for Elena's murder? What if this is a part of their plan to set me up?

I honestly don't even remember much after Christian told me to leave with him. It was almost like I had an out-of-body experience. It wasn't till we arrived in Aspen at his parents home that I kind of came back to reality and everything hit me again.

He carried me over the threshold like I was his new bride. We cuddled on his bed as we watched a movie. He told me he loved me and for just a little while I felt at peace.

Then I wake up the next morning and he's gone. The reasonable side of me knew he didn't leave me but, then I remembered everything I learned.

How the hell do I start getting over this? And I'm supposed to be a psychology major.

So Ana, how does that make you feel? Like I'm gonna shove my foot up your ass for asking me that.

Number one way to work through grief is to get out and back to normal and surround yourself with loved ones. Well, I have at least one loved one. I think

He says he loves me. Yes, knucklehead he loves you.

Can I really blame him for being mad yesterday? I lied to him for months. And that was a lot of information at once. Or am I trusting him too easy?

You see that wall over there? I'm going to go bang my head on it now.

Christian is getting dressed, I have already showered and changed for this hike. I guess I should be happy that he's respecting my space. I mean I asked him to spank and fuck me and he didn't take advantage. I know I would have hated it if he did. And he would of too.

But all the books say i should get back into my routine. Well, my daily routine involves his dick in me at least twice a day. I giggle slightly to myself.

See? It's helping already.

I'm lost in my thoughts when the woman I'm assuming is Mrs. Hurley approaches me.

"Anastasia?" She looks at me with kind eyes. There's something about her, that has a calming effect on me.

"Yes. You must be Mrs. Hurley. Thank you for breakfast. It was wonderful." I'm glad Christian made me eat something. At first it turned my stomach, but soon I realized I was famished and it did make me feel better.

"You're welcome my dear." She smiles. Why does it feel like she can look straight into my soul? "If you need anything, just ask."

"Hey, baby. You ready to go?" Christian comes out of the room, wearing a pair of khaki pants and a tight white t-shirt that shows off every muscle.

Is there a part of the self help books that allow me to jump his bones right now?

"As ready as I'll ever be."

CHRISTIAN DECIDED ON THE Rio Grande trail. This trail goes along the Roaring Fork River and crosses over Hunter Creek. It's absolutely beautiful out here.

There's a large rock that overlooks the water. We perch ourselves on it and Christian drapes his arm around me.

"I really don't want to feel this way anymore. But I don't even know how to begin getting myself out it." I tell him leaning into him.

"You know they say the best way is to get it all out. When you're ready, I'm here for you. When we get back I think it would be wise to find someone that we can talk to."

He said that before - and maybe he's right. I can't go dumping everything on him. The last 48 hours have been pretty earth shattering for the both of us.

"Can I ask you something?" I fiddle with my fingers, not looking at him.

"Anything?"

"Are you sure you want to stay with me? I feel like I'm more trouble than I'm worth. You know, maybe if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in the middle of this."

"I'm going to be honest. I can't say I'm sorry enough for what I said to you. The cops found pictures of me when I was Elena's Submissive. They questioned my involvement and of course my mom and dad found out at the same time." He sighs.

"Then I saw you talking to Linc and well I kind of figured out who he was to you. I should've tried talking to you. But I just snapped. I still hate myself for putting my hands on you like I did. I should be begging for your forgiveness." He tips my chin up with his finger until I look at him.

"But I know if they didn't send you it would have been someone else. All and all I think we did end up lucking out."

"How so?"

"Because we have each other."

Ok, Grey, you're going to make me cry.

"Thank you." I tell him circling my arms around him.

"For what?"

"For coming back, for wanting to help. You could easily just walk away and be free. But you're here. If I'm honest that's going to be the biggest help of all."

And it will be, I never had anyone else to rely on in forever.

"I'll always be here for you. You have helped me in so many ways, and you didn't even have to try that hard. Now I'm going to help you." He kisses the top of my head. "I'm here to catch you because I won't let you fall."

Is he quoting Rascal Flatts?

I giggle at him. "Are you laughing at me?" He asks in mock protest.

"No." I smile at him. I hop of the rock. "Race you back?"

And for a moment I feel free.

A/N: Still more healing to come…

Now I know 1 or 2 people asked why they just didn't tell his parents. Well, for one they're scared. Christian had a gun to his head, and Ana just learned some really hard truths. Steven is nuts and has them living in fear. Plus, you'll find out later it might of not been best either…the story isn't over yet. Still so many more things to find out and Everything that happens will lead to what's to come… Thanks again for following and reviewing.