Just a little warning, I know that the end of this chapter is highly unlikely, but I kind of liked to end it like that... more explanation at the end of the chapter...

Christian

"This spot looks good to me, come on bro, let's make a stop here, I am starving." Elliot says after we have been hiking for nearly four hours already.

He has not stopped talking since he came to Escala to pick me up this morning, at one point I was tempted to gag him. It's not that I don't like my brother, but I am irritated with him. Why is he happy as fuck to hang out with me, when I have treated him and the rest of my family so poorly?

"Hey bro?! Are you even listening to me, do you want to stop here to eat?" he asks again.

"Sorry Elliot, I must have zoomed out for a moment, yes let's eat. Gail has packed lunch for us."

"Thank fuck for that. I am starving and all my wife did was to tell me that I am to take my shoes off before I get into the house when I am back."

"That sounds like, Kate. So... how is the pregnancy going?"

"Great, and Kate's sex drive is insane, had I known that knocking my wife up would get me laid four times a day I would have done it right after the wedding." he laughs and we sit down on the ground where I unpack the our lunch from my back pack.

"How are things with Ana?" he asks and I think about it for a moment.

"I am thinking about moving my offices to New York." Ever since I came back on Wednesday this is on my mind constantly. I need to be close to her and with us living on different coasts and both busy with our work it is going to be a pain in the ass to find time to see each other. I can't ask her to move back, not now anyway and to be completely honest a small part of me thinks that a fresh start in a new town is exactly what I need.

"So you, too." he murmurs.

"You mean Mia?"

"No, actually... look I have been doing a lot of work in New York lately. And there is this project I would love to do, it would start right after the baby is born, but I would need to stay in New York for at least a year or even longer. Kate is okay with it... you know her, she is natural born bitch and making friends is hard for her. She misses Ana like crazy and we have agreed that she is staying at home with Ava at least for the first year, so if we move at least she has a friend there."

"That's great, why don't you do it. Sounds like a huge project that could really boost your career."

"I know and knowing that Mia will be there makes it easier, but hell bro. You know me I am a family guy. I would hate to leave our parents and you behind. And now if you move there too... can you imagine how upset Mom is going to be when all her kids live on a different coast."

Fuck, he is right. Our mom would be pretty bumped if we all moved away, our dad would tell us to do it if that is what we want, but our mom... shit.

"Yeah, I can see that this would be very upsetting for her... do you think we could convince them to move after their retirement? Dad wants to retire in two or three years and I know he always talked about having a summer home in the Hamptons."

"Maybe, but I'm not sure about mom and you... is it even possible to move GEH to New York?"

"I would keep the offices here and have Ros manage the Seattle division of GEH, it would mean a lot of extra work for a while, but I don't see why it wouldn't work out."

"Have you talked to Ana about that. I mean what if she wants to keep you as friend and you make an ass out of yourself by moving your empire to New York."

"She told me she still loves me, but that she needs me to prove to her that I have changed, I need to earn her trust."

"Well, no shit. Fuck, you really treated her like dirt. Do you have any idea how badly I wanted to beat the shit out of you back then?" he says and that has me thinking...

"How did she deal with our break-up back then?" I ask and he snorts.

"She didn't deal with it at all. Hell, I remember the day Kate and I came back from Barbados, I helped Kate get all of her suit cases up to the apartment and we found Ana crying on the sofa. She looked so bad, we thought someone had died. From that point on all she did was sleeping, working and crying, while she stared at her phone waiting for you to call her. At one point she got so fucking thin and still refused to eat that Kate and I thought about calling her dad. The only time I saw her smile was on our way to Kate's birthday party, of course that was before you showed up." he says and my mind to drifts back to what Ana told me... that night I wanted to kill myself.

Fuck, I can't even think about it without feeling guilt and pain so horrible that I have to close my eyes.

"Hey bro, she is still willing to take you back." I hear Elliot and I need to change the subject.

"Ana wants kids."

"And that surprises you? I mean, we are talking about a woman who has made it her life's mission so help children in need. Have you seen her with those kids at Safe Haven?"

"Yes, she really cares for them. There is this little boy, I think she really loves him."

"How would you feel about having children, bro?" he asks.

"With my issues and fucked up past ... hell Elliot, what kind of father could I possibly be? But the weirdest thing is, since Ana told me that she wants to have kids, I keep thinking that it would be great to have a little boy or girl that is just like her."

"Well, I just hope that your kids get Ana's sweet nature, fuck me, I wouldn't want to put up with a kid that has your temper. Little shit would probably end up being grounded the moment he or she learns to talk. With you as Dad the first word is going to be fuck I bet my ass on that." Elliot laughs and I smirk too.

Yeah, I cuss a lot, though I did surprisingly well at Safe Haven, even when Sam started to use the paint brush to fling pudding in my face. Little shit laughed his ass off when he managed to fling some right in my left eye making me look like a pirate who lost his eye patch. Ana thought it was hilarious and actually, to see the little guy laughing was worth it.

Seeing him was like looking at myself as a kid. And though I haven't told Ana so far I am going to set a trust fond up in his name. He had such a shitty start in life, he deserves the chance to go after his dreams when he is older and with the money I am planning to put in the trust fond he will never have to worry about anything.

Fuck, thinking about Safe Haven makes me think about the blackout. Hell, that was unexpected. When I ended the kiss to look at her I braced myself for her to punch me or yell at me, instead she ripped my shirt off and took her nightgown off and before I had any clue what was going on we were on the floor with her on top fucking the hell out of me. Gone was the shy girl I once knew and this Ana... fuck even thinking about it now has my dick twitching in my pants.

"Why are you grinning like a loon all of a sudden, bro?"

"Nothing" I mutter and he takes his phone out and talks to what I suspect is Kate, because he is telling her when he expects us to be back from our hiking trip.

"Kate missing you already?" I ask when he puts his phone away.

"Something like that. Come on, eat up the trail is a couple more miles long and my wife is waiting for me at home ready to get fucked again."

Around six in the evening I arrive back at Escala, get into the elevator and scowl at my phone when I see Elena's name flash on the screen. I haven't taken any of her calls since I was in New York and I am not planning on doing it now. If she is a hard limit for Ana I can't be friends with her any longer. Simple. So, I let her call go to voice mail and enter the code for the penthouse. While the elevator makes its way up have to steady myself by holding on to the railing, because the fucking thing is shaking as it goes up. What the hell?

I'm actually relieved when the doors open and I can get out of it. I stop at the security office and open the door.

"Taylor, please call the front desk, something isn't right with the elevator, fucking thing was shaking as it went up."

"On it, Sir" he says and I wonder why he is smiling when he makes the call.

I drop my back pack by the door to the great room and start to strip out of my clothes while I make my way through the great room.

"Dinner in fifteen, Gail" I mutter when I pass the kitchen.

"Very well, Sir" I hear a very familiar voice answer and stop dead in my tracks. Can it be? Fuck, am I so desperate to be close to her that I am imagining her voice now?

Slowly, I turn around I find Ana in the kitchen giving me a glorious smile that makes my heart skip a beat.

"I... Ana... how?"

"Well, I've missed you. So, I've asked Ireland if she would attend the fundraiser and gala I was supposed to go to tonight and tomorrow and she agreed. I thought I surprise you and as I can tell from the look on your face Elliot didn't tell you." she says with a smile and I make my way to her and without even thinking about it I pull her in my arms and inhale the sweet scent of her hair deeply.

"Hmm if I get a half naked hug each time I make time to come to Seattle I might do that more often" she grins and I laugh.

"How about full on naked hugs?" I tease and she giggles.

"Hmm... then I might have to move in here and make you stay naked all day just for my personal enjoyment" she says still giggling and I smirk down on her.

"Don't tempt me, Miss Steele, because I am fully prepared to do just that if it means that I get to see you every day."

"Good to know, but now go and take a shower dinner is almost ready."

"You are cooking?"

"Yup, while I was in the jet on my way here I realized that you never had my famous lasagna, so we have to change that. Hurry up, dinner is ready in about ten minutes" she says and I grin when she shoos me out off the kitchen.

I take a shower in record time and dress just in jeans and t-shirt eager to go back to Ana and find her setting up the breakfast bar for dinner.

"What do you want to drink, Christian?"

"Iced tea, please. If you want wine, maybe Gail has some in her kitchen." I offer.

"No, I'm good, I'll just have lemonade."

"You don't have to do this because of me, Ana."

"I know, but ... well the truth is I am not sure that I can make it through an entire evening with you without kissing you and I can't kiss you if I had wine. You see I am being selfish here" she says and the most beautiful blush appears on her face.

"I like this kind of selfishness, Miss Steele."

"I thought so too, Mr. Grey."

"Fuck Ana, that is the best lasagna I ever had" I praise her when I finish off the third helping.

"I'm glad you like it, do you want desert?"

"What do you have?"

"Chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream"

"I guess that is going to cost me an extra hour of workout in the downstairs gym, but I am not going to say no to chocolate tart and of course vanilla ice cream."

"Can I come with you to workout tomorrow?"

"Sure, but since when are you into exercising, because I happen to remember that you weren't exactly pleased when I told you that I wanted you to workout."

"I know, but times change and since I've started to take Krav Maga classes I learned to like a good workout." she says and gets up to get our desert.

"You can come with me tomorrow. You are staying here, right?"

"Phew, I thought you would never ask, but yes I would like to stay here, if that's okay with you." she says and I roll my eyes. Does she honestly think that I would allow her to stay in a hotel when she can stay here?

"Careful Mr. Grey or I might have to spank you for rolling your eyes at me" she teases and I laugh.

"I'll keep that in mind. Once we have finished our desert I have Taylor get your luggage up here."

"It's already in the guestroom upstairs" she says and I frown.

"I would prefer it if you would stay in the guestroom down here."

"Why?"

"Ana, that room upstairs, you know that is was the room where all my subs have stayed in. You deserve better than to sleep in the same bed as them. I would love to have you sleep in my room, but I guess that would be too much to ask for just now."

"I'll take the room down here" she says with a smile and we both turn around when we hear Taylor clearing his throat.

"Sir, Mrs. Lincoln is on her way up." he says and I actually cringe. Fuck, this is not good.

"Who is Mrs. Lincoln?" Ana asks, but I can tell by her tone that she has at least an idea whom she is going to meet in about one minute.

"Listen Ana, I had no idea she would come here tonight, I haven't taken her calls since..."

"Wait, are you kidding me. It's her, right? Elena?" she asks and I nod.

"Ana I swear I haven't talked to her since I've been in New York"

"It's okay, can I wait in your bedroom until she is gone. I have no desire to meet this woman and if I do things could get ugly pretty quick."

"Sure, I get rid of her quick, I promise."

I watch Ana as she gets up, but it's too late and Elena dressed as usual in black comes into the room. But what I didn't expect was that it is Elena who pales when she sees Ana and Ana gapes at her.

"Oh my god! Is this supposed to be a joke? Christian, is that Elena? Your so called friend?" she asks and I nod.

"What is wrong, Ana?"

"I know her, she was at Kate's wedding. Grace introduced her as Elle... Mrs. Lincoln why don't you tell Christian how you tried to hit on Gideon the second Grace told you that he is not my boyfriend, but my brother" Ana hisses and I stare at her.

"Ana what are you talking about?"

"She knew Christian, she knew that Gideon is my brother. Don't you want to ask her why she never told you. Or why she never told you about Jose and the pictures, because she was sitting next to me when I talked about it with Kate." Ana says and I can feel my anger rising when I turn to face Elena.

"Is that true? Did you fucking know all this time?" I hiss at her and she stares at me wide eyed.

"ANSWER ME!" I yell at her and her face goes from shock to a mask of impassivity.

"Christian, I was trying to protect you, this girl is not right for you. She is not submissive and she made you miserable. Look at her, she is nothing special, just a mousy little thing that is going to hurt you again the second you let her in again. You don't need her, I am what you need. It has always been me; I've made you ... without me you would be nothing" she says arrogantly and I feel Ana grabbing my hand.

"Don't let her get to you, Christian." she begs and I look down at her small hand holding on to mine.

"What are you, Christian? Her puppy? Don't you see what she is doing, she is trying to make you her lap dog. You are a dominant, master of your universe and she is trying to take all that away from you, every last bit of control you have. First she convinced you that you need rehab and next she..."

"Shut up... fuck... I can't believe this. All this time when Ana told me what a vile person you are, I didn't want to believe her. I've defended you, Elena and now I finally see it. You are a liar and you used me... is that why you didn't want me to get back together with Ana? Because you feared that I would finally see what you are doing?"

"No, I did it because I haven't spent years to turn you into the man you are today just for some mousy bookworm to take away what is mine!" she says with venom in her voice.

"Get out! I am telling you this only this once Elena. Leave my apartment and don't you dare to ever return here. Our friendship is over and if you try to pull any stunts then I am going to ruin you" I tell her and she huffs.

"You need me. You always did, you are nothing without me, Christian. Does she even know? Does she know that you are a sadist who likes to fuck women who look like your birth mother?" she says and I freeze and watch as Ana steps forward and slaps Elena hard across the face.

"Get out! Haven't you heard him, you are no longer welcome here!" She says she is so furious that Elena starts to walk backwards before Ana grabs her by the hair and starts to walk towards the elevator.

I follow them still not able to utter a single words. Ana knows, she is not going to give me a chance. How could she, I am disgusting... a monster... a sadist. I will never see again. This is it, I have lost her forever.

"Christian, do something! How can you allow her to treat me like this?" Elena yells at me, but I don't even look at her.

"Okay, I see she has already taken over here, but this is not over" Elena yells and presses the call button for the elevator while Ana comes to stand next to me and takes my hand again. Why is she doing this? Shouldn't she get ready to leave? Why would she want to stay here with me?

The elevators pings and Elena turns to glare at us. "This is not over, you haven't seen the last of..."

Ana and I jump both forward at the same time as we realize what is going on, trying to grab Elena before she can make a step forward, but it is too late. She has already tried to step into the elevator and the last thing I see of her is her shocked expression when she steps into nothing because although the doors have opened the car isn't there and we hear her piercing scream when she falls down the elevator shaft until there is a sickening thud.

For the first time in my life I can't even move and Ana is clinging to my side as Taylor uses a flashlight to look down the elevator shaft.

"Mrs. Lincoln is dead, Sir"

Ding dong the witch is dead :-) So, I know something like that wouldn't happen in modern buildings like Escala... or at least I hope something like that can't happen in a modern building, but I really wanted to get rid of Elena quickly. I only tend to keep her in stories when I need her to cause more drama, but there is enough drama already in this story, so why not kill her right after she has reared her ugly head the first time?

Oh and I would love to hear your opinion on the whole who is going to move situations. I leaning toward Christian, but then there is the problem that Taylor can't move because of Sophie and then Gail would stay with Taylor in Seattle. So, I might have to kill Sophie's mom off to make that work... and if I make Ana move back to Seattle I can't picture her being happy because she has to leave her family/friends and Safe Haven behind... so let me know what you would prefer...