Hi my dears,

I'm so sorry you had to wait so long, but I hope this chapter will make it up to you! I thank all of you for your wonderful support! The story is slowly gaining speed and Ana and Christian are setting the ground for a dramatic story. Today you'll get another piece.

Have fun and let me hear what you think,

love you,

Anna xo

C's POV

I'm a bit early and I'm already one fit down! Perfect start of a date, but the waitress was unbearable. I'm quite used to the ogling and stuttering and stammering and blushing – they can't help it and it's not my fault that the most woman fall for my look, they can't see that this is just a pretty face – but this one woman was oblivious. The restaurant had to forcefully remove her.

Maybe this time I was partly to blame as I was dressed to impress, but I couldn't let anything disrupt my date with Ana. I doubled checked that my suitcase was still under the desk. It contained the manila folder with the first draw of my contract and I hope that this is a good idea.

I still haven't heard of Welch or Barney, which bothers me to no end. My phone vibrates and I hope it isn't Ana bailing. But I relax when I see that it isn't her. It is actually Welch and the headline excites me! Re: Ana Doe.

I quickly check my watch and see that I have still time to read her background check before Ana arrives.

But I'm more than disappointed when I realize that the mail contains no attachment.

I scroll through Welch's mail and my heart feels heavy in my chest. I try to take a few deep breaths but this only helps marginally. I try to focus on the fact that I at least know her full name now, but this doesn't comfort me.

Anastasia Rose Steel. Beautiful. Just like her.

Barney hacked Dr. Flynn's patient database to obtain it, but he only pulled her head information from the server, like her full name, birthday or identification id to use this on his other sources. He didn't obtained Flynn's therapy notes, for now. The decision is mine to make and I'm torn. I decide for now that I will make my choice after the date and just when I put my phone away there's a short knock on the door and the most beautiful woman on this planet is lead into the room by the hostess.

Looking at her feels like an outer space experience. She is my revelation. I need her. I want her. I would do anything for her. I have to make this work. She is still standing and I try to focus on the here and now. That's when I realize that another part of my body recognized her beauty, too. I try to secretly adjust myself while getting up to greet and seat her. Another first, Mr. Self-control. I give her a chase kiss on her cheek after evaluating her behavior and coming to the conclusion that this should be ok. She has jet to say something, but she seems out of words, too, but at the same time more than comfortable with me.

Ana's POV

Kate did an amazing job! I'm so glad and proud of me that I was brave enough to call her. The place Christian chose is beautiful and I fell like being a part of a fairy tale. And with this thought I decide to embrace it. Today, this evening I will pretend that fairy tales do exist. I will make myself believe in happily ever after. Adonis may not be my prince charming, but as long as I don't give it a chance I'll never know.

When the hostess opens the door to our private room I feel like opening a new chapter of my story. It feels like this could be the turning point of my life. No matter if for the better or the worse. But for this evening I will believe for the first time in a very long time that it could be for the better.

It feels like the time stood still while I was looking at Adonis and marveling about this chance from the universe, while he seemed to be in thought, too.

But his watching eyes didn't make me feel uncomfortable. Quite the opposite. He looked at me like I was something precious. He made me feel beautiful.

There was no need for words. Just him and me and the calm feeling in my heart that somehow everything would be ok.

We didn't talked much during the dinner (which was delicious, by the way, but I didn't expect anything else with Christian). But it wasn't for the lack of topics, questions or interest, but because we were so comfortable with each other and we were relaxing in each other's presence that they weren't needed.

I can't remember the last time I was so relaxed with another person nearby, let alone a man and when Christian told me that I made him feel calm – an emotion he missed in his life – I was even happier.

When we did talk it was easy and fun and I had the time of my life.

The atmosphere shifted when we got closer to dessert and I observed that Christian appeared to be nervous. Nothing I expected Christian to be after a few nice hours together.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"Yes, why are you asking?" He wanted to know.

"You are just seeming to be nervous and I wondered why."

"Perspective much?" He smirked. "It's just I would like to talk to you about something and I don't know how to start." He admitted and I smiled at him.

"Mh ok, you got me interested. Do I have to worry?"

"No! I just don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, but this is exactly the reason why… I'm not used to this. I don't do relationships and I don't date. Well till now, I didn't met you at Dr. Flynn's because I wanted to see an old friend and chit-chat. I've got issues and I assume you got some too. And if you want to meet me again you should be aware of some of them, but I don't think that I'm comfortable talking about them and you may not be either. So I thought about this dilemma and came up with an idea.

In my job I deal with different kinds of contracts on a daily basis so I thought that we could draw a contract for us too. So if you would be interested in seeing me again we would know exactly what to expect of the other and what we would be comfortable doing and what not.

That being said: I would like to see you again, get to know each other better, spend time with each other and see where this takes us. But if you are not interested or have a better idea instead of the contract I'm all ears." This is the most I've heard him talking and he got quicker and quicker to the end, but I think I've got everything. He's looking hopeful, but also still very nervous. I have to redeem him!

"Wow this is hands down the most considering thing I heard- ever! I can't believe that you gave this so much thought and I think it's brilliant!" A mega-watt smile appears on his face. God I could live for this smile, could SIP pay me with Christian smiles instead of dollars?

"Really, you do?" and when I nod his mega-watt grin turns into the most adorable smile. Damn I'm torn.

"I was so free to draw a few lines, well my part you could say. If you like we could consider it the first draft just to give you some ideas. Deem it editing. And if you like it you could add your part and we discuss it the next time we meet?"

"Sounds wonderful! Do you have it here?"

"Yes, but I could send you a version via mail, too then you can work on it on your computer. But here is the paper version." And he hands me a folder.

"In this folder is a second paper draft, too. It is a NDA – a non-disclosure-agreement. I know this might sound weird to start a friendship with, but I'm a very private person and I'd feel better if you signed it. Consider it one of my issues. I would just like to not worry or censor my mind while spending time with you. This is a standard procedure for me, would it be acceptable for you?"

"Yes sure, that's fine with me." And I sign the NDA without a question.

"You didn't even read it!" he states astounded and puts the signed NDA back in his case.

"Well to be honest I don't have a lot of friends so you don't have to worry about it, but if this is your usual procedure..." I say and wink and he starts to laugh – a beautiful sound! I think I have to make him laugh more often. And with this our easy-going atmosphere is back.

C's POV

This date was extraordinary, not that I have much to compare it to, but I'm still sure and quite proud of myself. I could really come down and enjoy the moment. But now it's over. We kissed our cheeks again, this time Ana's lips touched mine too and then she left. I get it that she wouldn't let me take her home, but I'd feel better if I knew she made it home save. I have to talk with her about her own CPO. Taylor already sorted someone out, but I can't do it without her ok. I can't risk to scare her away. I don't know how to pass the time till I see her again, I feel it hard to breath since the moment she left the room. Now that I've found her I can't loose her and now nothing can't distract me. I can't get Welch's last sentence out of my head.

"These information where all we could obtain through our usual ways, Barney and I hesitate to dig deeper as everything we gathered points to one thing: witness protection and could therefor endanger Ms. Steele's life. Let me know if you want us to continue."