Growing a Pair!

Ana's POV

"Bye Christian and Ana, I hope to see you both soon." A voice calls out. We both turn around and there she is, Elena. Her snake-like smile is smeared all over her face. I steal a glance at Christian, devastated that we won't get a chance to explore what could have been. I can't allow him to lose everything. He has told me he loves me, but I doubt that feeling would last if he lost his whole company. Forty-eight hours, I have some time at least to determine if Elena's threat holds any actual substance.

We slide into the SUV with Taylor behind the wheel, but we don't pull into traffic. In fact, Taylor is yet to even start up the car. Curiously I look at Christian next to me who as always looks like he could feature on the cover of GQ magazine.

"Why has Taylor not commenced driving?"

"You are yet to tell me if you prefer that I go to your place or to come to mine."

"Oh yeah… if I am correct I didn't agree to either," I recount; however, extending the evening with Christian will give me time to determine what to do next. Only he has the answers that I need to work out if Elena is really a threat. Christian looks at me almost pouting. I reach up and with my index finger I trace the contours of his lips, wanting to kiss him so desperately. How has he managed to turn my life upside down in such a short time? And how has he been able to sway me?

"Let's go to my place first, so I can collect what I need for work tomorrow and then let's go to your place." A surprised, charming and partially arrogant smile grows on Christian's face. I am relieved when he doesn't ask why we don't just stay at my place, though I assume that he would prefer to go to his penthouse. I am banking on the fact that it will put him more at ease and cause him to open, probably like he never has before.

"Taylor, straight to Escala," Christian instructs. I look at him confused. Did he miss the part of my request? Christian smirks at me, causing me to shake my head. I should have known!

"Let me guess. You already had Sawyer collect some of my belongings and take them to Escala. Am I correct?

"Not completely."

"What do you mean?"

"I also had Taylor go out whilst we were eating dinner for some clothes and personal items, in case you didn't like the items Sawyer collected for you. This way you have some choice." I shake my head but then smile sadly. Choice. I doubt I have really had this luxury since I met Christian and I don't have any now due to Elena.

"Thank you, I guess," I shrug. Christian cocks his head to the side at my response. I feel awfully uneasy. Maybe I should just tell him what Elena said.

"I was going to return the clothes if you decided not to spend the night at my house."

"You mean you weren't going to keep my underwear?" I tell him playfully.

"You don't know how much I would like to keep a pair of your underwear, but in this instance I couldn't. I didn't have Sawyer pick up any at your place. The thought of any man going through your personal, intimate items, besides me, is unacceptable. Ever!" Christian is authoritarian but then grins, obviously imagining something. "Though if you are offering me the underwear you are currently wearing, I would definitely not say no."

Christian's voice is so playful and seductive that it practically vanquishes all thoughts of Elena, but just thinking briefly about her threat makes me uneasy.

"Please relax Ana; I don't you to be tense with me," Christian whispers into my ear. I nod, and give him a little smile, which does little to put him at ease.

"Can we continue to talk when we get to Escala, about us, or you… actually. I have some questions. Will you answer them honestly," I look up at him, now biting my lip.

"I knew you would have questions after meeting Elena tonight, and yes we can talk. But if you keep biting that lip of yours then I promise you we won't be talking." Christian places his thumb on my chin and pulls down slightly, forcing me to release my lip. "Damn I want to bite that lip again."

We are in the elevator enroute to Christian's apartment, when his phone beeps. His lips form a hard line when he reads its contents.

"Text message? " I inquire.

"Yes." Christian doesn't expand, nor does he look at me. Rather he busies himself with a quick reply. Christian becomes disconnected and the mood changes. Chivalrously he gestures for me to exit the elevator first when it opens and into the apartment.

"Would you join me in a glass of white wine?" Christian offers. I nod decisively, knowing that this might just put my nerves to rest. He removes his blazer and takes his keys, wallet and cell phone out of his pocket, before gracefully heading into the kitchen. I can't help but examine Christian's frame as he retrieves two glasses and the wine. My decadent glare is only broken by his phone vibrating. I look down and see a text message displayed on the screen. My heart drops immediately.

*excellent idea, I will see you at your place at 7 on Wednesday for dinner. Make sure you have our favorite wine ready. Elena.*

The contents of the text stab's me like a knife. My heart is telling me to stay and fight; however, my head is telling me to run. I walk towards the glass wall and stare out to the lights of the city. How can Christian be so brilliant but not foolish in other areas? He seems blind to Elena's evilness.

"Penny for your thoughts," Christian whispers into my ear behind me and then passes me the glass of wine.

"It's very beautiful up here," I murmur.

"Yes, it is." I look at Christian and notice that he was looking at me as he responding, but his facial expression changes significantly once our eyes meet. "Something is bothering you. What is it?"

"Nothing," I shake my head.

"Come and sit with me." Christian takes my hand and leads me to the couch, where he directs me to sit close to him. "Are you going to stop lying and tell me what is bothering you?" Christian requests.

"I think all this wine is getting to me," I shrug and look up him as innocently as possible. Christian regards me wearyingly. I wonder if he is considering taking my glass of wine off me or he can see right through me.

"Anastasia, I swear if you don't start telling me the truth right now…." Christian censors himself, tilting his head back and quietly counting down from ten. I know where he is going with this and if I don't get to the point soon, even I wouldn't blame him wanting to put me over his knee.

"How much does Elena know about you?" I inquire. Christian looks uncomfortable.

"Enough."

"Enough, as in your submissives and such?"

"Yes. Elena has helped me there. She has been a source of information and assistance in helping me find subs." I become annoyed that Christian talks so casually and isn't daunted by this truth.

"Did she ever encourage you to send any of your former subs away?" I ask to clarify what Elena told me. I pray this isn't true. Surely someone as powerful as Christian isn't so easily influenced. Christian looks at me, but his expression is controlled. I know he won't answer my question.

"So that is a yes." I shake off the unusual shiver that just ran through my body. Christian places his hand under my chin and then lifts my head slightly so that we can look into each others eyes.

"Anastasia, I am going to say this once and for all. Elena is no longer a force in my life. I don't want or need her. I only want you." It is so easy to be mesmerized and taken in by the strength in his voice and his eyes,

"Elena still wants you."

"Who cares who wants me? I only want you," Christina shrugs, and then narrows his eyes, when I am not immediately placated. "The same could be said in relation to you! Ethan wants you, Ben wanted you and I am pretty sure that editor-fucker at SIP…." Christian's brief but overly passionate speech comes to a sudden halt.

"Editor Fucker? Do you mean Hyde?" I quizzically inquire. Christian refuses to respond, but he has confirmed what I already knew. No matter how much I press this issue I know that he won't confirm or deny.

"Your company; you have put a lot of time into it haven't you?"

"Yes. I have built it up from nothing. It has been a form of therapy really, alongside… you know," Christian smiles slightly thought briefly. "Ana, Grey Enterprise is going to be my legacy. Proof that I was here and made a difference. I have turned companies around and saved thousands upon thousands of jobs. I invest in technology and aim to improve the standard of living of people across the globe." I gulp silently. Regardless the fact that I am ambitious, I have never had his passion and drive.

"You're trying to change the world," I hypothesize.

"Everyone changes the world Anastasia, simply by living. Surely reading literature has taught you that."

"Yes, but you actually have accumulated the means and have the ability to really transform the world." I realize when it is too late that I have commences mumble and my voice has become low, giving away the fact that something has got to me.

"Damn, Anastasia," Christian runs his hands through his hair and then looks perplexed. "I wish you would just tell me what is bothering you" His voice becomes soft, though it fails to lose its authority.

"I am tired. I think I will go to sleep." I stand up quickly and start to wobble a little. Tonight's higher quantities, than usual, of wine consumption, are getting to me more than I thought. Christian, always the savior and with the grace of a dancer, puts his wine down and swoops me up in his arms, preventing me from falling again. Our bodies are pressed together and once I am out of danger of falling over my own two feet, I feel one of Christians hand on lower back and the long fingers of his free hand, run up and down my back, making my muscle's react deliciously.

"You need to go to bed. Come and sleep with me tonight. In my bed," Christian suggests quietly into my ear and then nuzzles his nose into my hair. I desperately want to say yes, but I don't think it would be fair on either of us.

"I think it would be wiser if I went upstairs to the spare room," I can't read his expression now. None of his usual cocking of his heads to the side, or thinning of his lips or his narrowing of his eyes. He isn't even running his hands through his hair.

"I will show you to the room since you never actually made it there last time" Christian has suddenly become formal and polite. He takes my hand and silently leads me through the apartment. I look around; getting a better view than the previous time I was here. The apartment is immaculately decorated, but it doesn't feel overly warm. Christian opens the door of the bedroom and leads me in, only then letting go of my hand.

"In the wardrobe are your clothes and the items of clothing Taylor purchased this evening. Everything is yours." Christian drills me.

"Thank you," I reply politely. We both stand facing each other, not knowing what to say. This is the longest few minutes of silence ever. Christian is standing there looking at me. It is an unusual glare and I can't tell if he wants to rip my clothes off me and have his wicked way or if he wants to discuss politics.

"I can take it from here," I declare. Christian cocks his head to the side not following me. "I don't need help getting changed. I can complete that task competently."

"Pity," Christian murmurs. He takes a step toward me and runs his knuckles softly down the side of my face before, leaning down and kissing me chattily but softly. Christian is deliberately leaving me longing for more.

"Good night Anastasia. I will see you in the morning for breakfast." Christian doesn't hesitate and quickly leaves me alone my thoughts. I reflect on the fact that I have known Christian Grey for over two weeks and since then my life has been in a word…unpredictable. Now he thinks he loves me. Do I be with him? Yes. Do I love him? I don't think so. That is a lie, it is just that I don't know. We have been together for too short a time. So now it's time to work out my next move. Do I leave him in order to safeguard everything he has built up or find an alternative way?

Christians POV:

I exit the spare room feeling uneasy and frustrated. Anastasia Steele is the most infuriating woman in the world. Feisty, strong and intelligent, but then on occasions she is contrary and for lack of a better word, predisposed. Fuck Elena turning up tonight. There is no way she could have known that we were going to that restaurant tonight, but I should have been more careful. Elena has been on the Coping Together committee for years and she keeps a close relationship with my mother. It then hits me that maybe….. Just maybe… I pull out my phone and send a message to Taylor to meet me immediately in my study.

Taylor and I recount the evening minute by minute and we both come up with the same question. Why did Ana's demeanor change so drastically from the time we finished dinner till the just then?

"The only time I wasn't with Ana, was when she went to the bathroom. I was talking to my parents," I retell Taylor.

"Then we need to determine who else was in the bathroom," Taylor says and suddenly I start to put two and two together.

"Elena. It must have been her. She wasn't with my parents at the end of dinner and walked toward us, from the same direction as Ana. Fuck I knew something was up the way she looked at us, when we left." I tightly close my eyes and run my hands through my hair. I am going to lose my hair faster than my father at this rate. "We need to work out what Elena said to Ana and immediately."

"Do you want to go and pay her a visit?" Taylor inquires. This is my usual manner of dealing with Elena, but these are not usual times.

"No, in fact, I have a different solution," I grin as I pick up my cell phone and make three phone calls. Taylor is looking at me as if he doesn't even know me right now. After I am satisfied that my arrangements are in place, I confer with Taylor and ensure that everything is timed perfectly.

It is past one in the morning when I walk out of the office and rather than head to my bedroom, I head for the spare room. Ana is asleep and I move the single seater couch to get a better view. Instantly I am mesmerized by her beauty. If Ana ever finally becomes mine and sleeps in my bed every night, I may never sleep again in between my endless desire for her and watching her sleep. I stroke her arm softly, not wanting to wake her, but my yearning to be close to her is challenging my ability to control myself. Control Grey! Control!

"Ana what haven't you told me," I ask her regardless of the fact that she is sleeping. Ana shuffles a little.

"Christian?" Ana in between sleep and being awake.

"Yes, sorry I didn't mean to wake you." Ana turns around and is no longer facing me, but falls fast asleep. I kick off my shoes, remove my clothes and slip into the bed. I wrap my arm around her and press myself against her.

"Anastasia what are you not telling me? What happened between you and Elena today?" I ask her though she is asleep. Knowing this crucial piece of information will mean that my plans for tomorrow will be much more effective. I feel like I am losing control and decide that I need to know exactly what happened, but before I can wake Ana and question her, she turns around, still asleep. I stroke her cheek and then kiss her lips. She wakes up again but again is on the verge of sleep.

"It's okay, it's me," I reassure her. "Do you want me to leave?"

"No." A large smile forms on my face and I hold her tighter. "I am tired. I need to sleep," Ana yawns.

"What did Elena say or do to you tonight in the bathroom?"

"Threatened."

"What?" I ask. Threats are not below Elena. I look at Ana, but she is asleep again.

"Elena threatened you?"

"She threatened to destroy you," Ana murmurs in her sleep state. I have never tried to get information out of anyone when they were so tired and vulnerable, but this time it was crucial. I text Taylor and one more person. It seems that there will be one more here in the morning.

# # # #

Ana's POV:

I wake up from the most restful sleep. Thought it takes me a moment to remember where I am and what happened last night. I have no idea how I am going to leave Christian without him questioning me and then stalking me. Christian? Was he here in the room last night? Maybe it was all the wine. I look at the time and it is half past seven. I need to shower and get ready for work. I enter the wardrobe and find two sets of clothing; one from my own wardrobe from home and another outfit which is the one Taylor purchased. It is an overly expensive but perfectly tailored black blazer and knee length skirt with a pale blue silk shirt. There are even shoes to match and of course underwear. I select my own clothes, not wanting to take advantage of Christian. Maybe I should just write him a note.

I head downstairs, after showering and dressing and instead of finding Christian, I find Elliot drinking a rather large glass of Bourbon, sitting at the breakfast table. There is another well-dressed man who is finding with some papers and passes them to Elliot how is quiet and looks like he has had the worst news in the history of man. Taylor is also present and accepts a copy of the papers from a man in the suit.

"Taylor, please give those to Mr. Christian Grey. The first envelope deals with the matter of Grey Enterprise, the second with Esclava and the third deals with his personal issue. Elliot, if the handover of the corporation occurs, then you just need sign those forms and contact me immediately to legally finalize everything. Here is my card with office number and cell phone." He's a Lawyer? Handover of the corporation? He shakes Taylor and Elliot's hand and is then escorted out by Sawyer.

"Morning," I state, to make my presence known. Elliot looks up at me and offers me a small smile, but it seems that is all he is going to be able to manage. It is so out of character. He isn't boisterous, comical or chatty. There is something unnerving about him right now.

"Miss Steele, can I offer you some breakfast?" Gail asks coming out of the kitchen.

"Could I have a cup of tea?" I request. "Where is Christian?"

"He is in his study at the moment," Taylor informs me. He is even more straight-faced and unreadable than usual. "I will just go and say good morning to him."

I head off toward the study only to have Taylor grab my arm and prevent me from walking away.

"I am sorry Miss Steele, but Mr. Grey cannot be interrupted right now."

"Why? What is happening?" I inquire tensing up immediately. Taylor looks at me sympathetically, but I know he won't answer my question. Sawyer then re-enters the kitchen area and nods at Taylor, causing his whole demeanor to shift. Taylor lets go of me and walks briskly away, leaving Sawyer to watch over us.

"Elliot, what is going on and why am I getting nervous?" I beseech him to offer me some clue as to what has happened this morning.

"Ana, please sit." I agree only because I know it will help to get the information to calm my nerves. "Christian is trying to fix everything. Trust him."

Before I can say anything, Christian walks into the kitchen. He looks terrible. Behind him are his parents. Grace's eyes are all red and she is supported by her husband. Panic hits me as I start to wonder if someone has been hurt. As soon as Christian sees me, he picks up his pace and embraces me tightly and kisses my forehead, I savor the moment as much as he does.

"What is going on?" I ask him.

"I will explain later." Damn it I was hoping he wouldn't say that.

Taylor returns to the kitchen with a visitor. An unwanted visitor, as far as I am concerned. Elena. Why is she here? She looks perplexed at the small party that has gathered.

"Oh, I didn't realize everyone would be here," Elena smiles. I hate her smile, it's devious and cold. She looks up at Christian seeking an answer. "Grace darling, you have been crying. Christian what is going on here?"

"Elena, how on earth can you even show your face here? How dare you? How have you managed to be in my company for so long without feeling remorse or guilt? If it were up to me, you would be jailed." Oh, my Grace is so furious, that even I take a step back. Elliot and Carrick stand beside her and place their hands on her arms. The mild mannered and ever so polite lady I met last night is nowhere to be seen.

"Christian?" Elena states name as a question to have him explain what has transpired.

"Elena, I have told my parents and brother everything." My jaw drops in shock. I am so glad that I don't have to speak right now as words would fail me! I look up at Christian and he looks down at me. I want to wrap my arms around him, and would is it would cause him to recoil. He has been in enough pain today relieving the memories he must have told his family.

"Excuse me?" Elena says with a small laugh.

"Never threaten me, Ana or anyone in my family again," Christian hisses. Oh, shit he looks forbidding. "I will destroy you." I gulp and wonder how he even knew she threatened me.

"I think you will find Christian that the reverse is actually true."

"Seriously Dad, if we are not allowed to take a swing at her, then we really should let Mom," Elliot's states.

"Elliot, no," Carrick says and then nods to Christian, signalling to him to keep going.

"Elena, this morning, I met with a lawyer from my father's firm and informed him of our relationship. Due to my age at the time of our relationship, you are liable for criminal offenses. If even think of threatening my family or Anastasia again, I will press charges."

"And you will look like the poor abused child. The media will love it! All your secrets will come out. You will be ruined," Elena threatens hideously.

"Which is why today, I also had paperwork written up, that will hand over Grey Enterprise to my brother, should that happen. I will publicly remove myself from the corporation." I proudly look up at Christian and amazed at his ability.

"You owe me Christian." She spits and then looks at Grace and Carrick. "You both owe me too. Christian was on a path of self-destruction. You were terrible parents!" Elena starts to rant and rave, not stopping until Christian grabs her arm, harshly.

"Do not talk to my parents like that. Now I have instructed my lawyer to gift my share of Esclava to you and this is the last time I and any other member of my family will ever acknowledge you," Christian severely advises Elena. Before she can respond Christian nods at Taylor, who practically drags her out of the apartment.

The mood remains quiet and still. Compassion and heartbreak start to tear me up for Grace and Carrick, whilst I am so in awe of Christian's strength. "Wait here for a minute," Christian whispers into my ear. He walks over to his parents, but I have no idea what they say to each other. He hugs his mother and father and then shakes Elliot's hand. All three of them offer me as much of a smile as they can as they walk out.

"You okay?" Christian inquires, pulling me toward him and holding me tightly.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I shake my head unable to process everything that just happened. "What occurred just then?"

"I was protecting you and us or as my brother would say, 'I grew a pair' and came clean"

"How did you know? How did you know that Elena was threatening me?"

"You told me."

"I don't understand."

"Let's sit and I will explain everything."

"Everything?" I ask confused but hopeful.

"Yes, I need to be honest with you. I will explain everything from last night until just then. It is just going to take some time." Christian looks at great pains and I think I fall a little more in love with him. Regardless of his history, the pain he must have endured while he recounted everything to his parents and brother, he is willing to do so again for me. Except there is one issue.

"I have to be at work soon. What about you?"Never have air dreaded going to work more than right now.

"I will have Taylor call your boss and state you are ill today." Christian suddenly returns to his usual strong self as he takes control. I would normally protest, but I need to know what happened.

Christian's POV:

"Anastasia, I am going to tell you everything because you need to know everything about me. I love you, and if you are going to really love me, then you need to know everything." I take a deep breath and start to explain the past twelve hours and my whole life.

Authors Note: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. So do you want me to write about Christian confessing everything to his brother and family or skip it? I am of two minds over this issue. Regards, Maria Amore.