Elena POV

Walking through the lobby of GEH, something seems off. It's not as active as it normally would be in the middle of the afternoon; only security and few cleaning crew. Who cares about these idiots? I have to set Christian straight. If recent history is any indication he'll be heading back to Portland tomorrow and I can't allow that. He has to see reason. I have told him too many times that love doesn't exist. The thought that he might say he's in love makes me want to vomit. Is it all love or just not in love with you? I made him the powerhouse he is today. I gave him the tools to conquer the world and become master of the universe.

In the elevator I check my reflection in the shiny reflective steel of the elevator doors. Yeah, I still look good; hair and makeup are flawless. I finally have to show Christian where his loyalties should lie. Only I know what he truly needs.

Stepping off the elevator, I get the same feeling as in the lobby. It's like a ghost town up here; no one running by with papers or conversations in the hallway. I see Christian's assistant at her desk. "Hello Mrs. Lincoln, how may I help you?" She asks before I even reach her. She's no different than all the others whores that work here; she wants in Christian bed. I see how she looks at him. I see how she dresses in tight skirts and low cut shirts hoping he'll show some interest. Think again honey. You're no match for him. Right now I don't have time for her either so I walk right past her without saying a words towards Christian's office.

"Mrs. Lincoln, he's not in there."

"I'll wait." I snap back.

"You'll be waiting for a long time. Mr. Grey worked from home today and..."

"That's impossible. You don't know what you're talking about. He never works from home." Obviously she is mistaken.

"No, it's possible and the truth; he worked from home. To finish what I was saying, he will be out of town for the entire weekend and doesn't want to be disturbed for any reason, including visitors to his office." She smirks at me. Who does she think she is? I am fuming. Then the realization hits me, he must be leaving tonight if she is telling the truth and he gave everyone the time off. Damn you Isaac. You should have known this instead of running around Portland looking for information. You're so called connection sucks. Fuck! I grab my phone out my purse and steps away from his asinine assistant to call Christian. It rings and rings and then goes to voicemail. I try again but still no answer. I'll go to his penthouse. I turn to deal with his shitty assistant and she's walking away. She's changed from her heels into sneakers with her tote thrown over her shoulder and she's at the elevator doors.

"Where the hell do you think you're going? When I tell Christian you're leaving in the middle of the day, you'll be out on your ass."

"Mrs. Lincoln, I'm sorry I couldn't assist you more. As I said you can wait in his office if you want but I wouldn't recommend that because the building will be officially closed in 30 minutes. As far as Mr. Grey firing me, it was his idea for me to leave early. As I said he let the entire company out early and the Labor Day holiday off. I will inform him that you came by…when I get back to the office. Sorry to disappoint you. Have a good night, Ma'am." She steps in the elevator and is gone.

Ugh! She knows I hate to be called ma'am. This situation is worse than I thought.

I pull into the parking garage at Escala and take one of Christian's parking spaces. His SUV and Audi R8 are still in their spots so he must still be here. The ride up to the penthouse is a perfect time to recheck how I look. I smooth down a few stray hairs and take off my sweater to show off my still ample breasts.

I can hear Christian's voice before I enter the great room. He's sitting on the sofa talking on the phone. "I don't want to hurt her" he says in a whiny tone. "…but the thought of not being with her is excruciating. So…I guess I'm going to Portland." This can't be happening. It seems coming here was a good move.

"Of course you're NOT going!" I am seething. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Elena, what are you doing here?" He asks after he tells whom I believe is that quack he calls a therapist that he would call them back.

"I said you're not going to Portland. What are you becoming Christian? You're chasing after some girl. I know you spent the last two weeks slumming in Portland. You're letting things fall apart." I can't believe he would throw everything away for whoever this girl is. His housekeeper hurries into the living room asking him if everything is alright. No everything is not alright, busy body; go clean something. He's throwing his life away. He sends her away and she goes back into the kitchen. "Answer me Christian, what is this?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Everything is fine."

"Really? I go by GEH and you've let the staff off early. That is a waste of time and money. On a side note, that admin of yours should be fired. She's a disrespectful cow. You wouldn't believe the horrible way she spoke to me. Now back to you; nothing is going on you say; look at how you're dressed; a baseball cap, shorts, sneakers and a hooded sweatshirt. What do you call that look, Unabomber chic? All of this so you can fuck a damn submissive." His face immediately loses all color and his stare feels like its burrowing though me. This is the Christian that I'm used to seeing but I don't like it when it's turned on me.

"SHE. IS. NOT. A. SUB." He says through clenched teeth. I've never heard him speak like this like but I can't let him get away with it.

"Great, you're not fucking a sub but a little gold digging whore."

CPOV

Is there a single word to describe murderously angry other than homicidal? Maybe it could be called Greycidal since I have just discovered this emotional with what I want to do to this woman standing in front of me at this very moment. When Elena called Ana a gold digging whore, I felt a small snap in the back of my neck. I moved so quickly across the room, I think I actually floated. It's Gail's voice that interrupted my thoughts and brought me back to the here and now. "Christian, please; don't do this." I looked in her eyes and she shakes her head; her hand on my shoulder. Gail has never touched me in anyway but I know at this moment her hand on my shoulder is what's keeping me from doing something that I would positively regret. Looking back at Elena I can see the fear in her eyes…good. "Listen to me Elena." I keep my voice low and even as I tighten the grip I have on her arms. She winces in pain but I know her well enough, there is a small part of her that is enjoying how rough I am being with her and it disgusts me. "Anastasia isn't part of the sinister world we reside in. She doesn't know anything about bdsm. You will never and I mean never say a disparaging word against her again. You will keep your distance and we will not under any circumstances discuss her or my involvement with her. Do you understand?" Her lips are trembling as she nods. "From this point on you will not intervene in my life unless I say otherwise. Do you understand?"

"Christian, you have to see…"

"Keep quiet. I didn't give you permission to speak!" Her eyes light up. She thinks we're playing; you delusional harpy. She has no idea how easy it would be for me to actually break her neck. There's a swish of movement from my side view when Taylor hurries into the great room.

"What's going on?" He asks. I don't look away from the creature standing in front of me. Gail backs away. "Jason, do something." She pleads.

"Sir, let Mrs. Lincoln go. I will escort her from the premises." I don't respond to him. I want Elena to understand how serious I am about her butting in where Ana is concerned.

"I will ruin you Elena. If you in any way try to involve yourself with my relationship with Anastasia, I will make you regret the day we ever met. Answer me; do you understand?" Before she can respond, I tighten my grip one more time. She should have a nice reminder of this conversation for several days. She nods again and I finally let go. "Taylor, please escort Mrs. Lincoln out. Change all the security codes and revoke her access to GEH effective immediately."

"That's not necessary Christian."

"You made it necessary. Taylor, if she gets out of line, do whatever you need to do to correct said behavior." I can tell that Taylor has wanted to man handle Elena for some time. He grabs her by her sore arm and hurls her out towards the elevator. Turning to Gail, she is still upset about what she walked in on. "Gail, I didn't mean to upset you. Things happened so fast and I…"

She puts her hand up to halt the conversation. "Mr. Grey, it did catch me off guard but honestly Sir and I hope you don't mind me saying this, it needed to be said. Now, scurry off. I heard there is a young lady waiting for you."

We smile at each other and Gail goes back into the kitchen. I grab my bag; push the button for the elevator to take me to the roof where my pilot Stephen and Charlie Tango wait for me. I guess I really am going to Portland.

A/N: Oh snap! Christian told her where to go. Next chapter the get together and the weekend that follows.