Andrew didn't know how long he and Victoria had been hiding. He didn't know what was going to happen as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her shivering body close to his as they listened with intent to what was going on. The noise from the streets of Seattle continued to move around them as they remained silent, neither one of them knowing what to say to each other.

"Andrew," Vicky suddenly whispered, shivering as she realised she was still wearing just her pyjamas and so was he. He looked down at her, his hand around her shoulders playing with her hair as she looked up to him, her eyes held fear and something else which he had never seen. "You know that I love you, don't you?"

"Don't talk like that," he whispered back to her, gulping as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down and she shook her head. "We're going to be fine."

"We don't know that," Vicky replied, her voice low as she thought she heard the tapping of glass and she shook her head. "At the moment...we have no idea what is going on..."

"Nothing is going to happen," his voice said, full of determination as he did so. "We're going to be fine."

"It still doesn't change the fact that I love you," Vicky muttered and he kissed her forehead quickly and she wrapped her other arm around his waist.

"I love you, too," he replied.

...

Christian watched as Taylor moved from the foyer and into the living area and Christian remained stood there, being told to wait back as his bodyguard moved into the apartment and Christian impatiently tapped his foot against the tiled floor as he waited to hear something. The word 'clear' wouldn't have reached more grateful ears. He felt his body shake as he thought about what could have happened...Leila with a gun...Leila could be in his apartment.

"Mr Grey!" Taylor's sudden voice called out and Christian rushed ahead, standing in the living room and looking upwards to where he was being shouted from. Taylor stood on the landing, looking down at Christian as he motioned to the hallway and noted the broken vase.

"Your daughter's here," Taylor said and Christian rushed to the staircase, taking the steps two at a time before running down to the room which Taylor was stood outside of. He looked into his daughter's room, taking in the sight of her shutting the balcony door as Andrew made sure it was locked.

"Victoria," Christian said; his voice full of worry and relief at the same time. He rushed forward, enveloping her into his arms as she wondered what to do with hers as she slowly moved them around his waist and he took in the scent of his little girl. "You're safe."

"Just about," Vicky complained. "Someone was in the apartment...dad...I don't know who."

Christian felt the blood drain from his body as he stepped back from her, his hand dropping to her arm as she looked up at him.

He didn't want to think it was possible. He didn't want to think that his daughter had been here and she had been in the same room, a gun in her hold.

It was all too coincidental, and that was Christian's issue. Elena turning up and telling him about Leila was too well timed. He knew that she was doing something and he would make sure she would tell him.

"Did you know?" Victoria whispered and Christian looked outside and he nodded once.

"I think so."

...

Searching through CCTV didn't take long. Leila was identified as the woman coming into the building and up the penthouse. They deduced she had escaped through the fire escape, using that as a means to run away. The job of firing the security was even quicker. They suffered the wrath of Christian as he roared at them, informing them he would make sure they would never be hired by anyone again. He didn't truly mean it. He was just annoyed and scared.

He had ordered for Anastasia to leave work, much to her dismay and complaints. But, as soon as she heard about what had happened, she didn't seem too fussed. Christian wasn't to be argued with.

"Why would she do this?" Victoria wondered aloud as Christian told her about her mother. She had changed into her jeans and white vest top as Andrew slid into his clothes from yesterday. The pair of them was sat at the breakfast bar, their hands entwined together as Christian continued to down scotch as if it were his last day on the earth. He'd told his daughter about Elena and how he thought she may be involved with Leila.

"She's seen that Leila is unstable. She's getting her to do her dirty work and split Anastasia and me up." Christian said, downing more of the scotch as Andrew shook his head, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"I'm not being...well...she wants to split you and Anastasia up...and she...she had someone break into your penthouse with a gun...it is clear she is willing to kill to get the job done," Andrew stated and Christian nodded in agreement with the young man.

"It would seem so."

"Well this is ridiculous," Andrew snapped and Christian looked taken back at his boldness as Andrew chuckled once in disbelief and Vicky looked at him with concern.

"Andrew," she warned him and he shook his head at her.

"No, Vicky," Andrew responded, looking over at Christian who was eyeing him up with suspicion. "A woman came in here with the intention to kill...all because of your father...what would have happened if she found us?"

"This isn't my dad's fault," Victoria hissed at her boyfriend, willing him to shut up as he snorted once.

"I'm sorry, Mr Grey, but it looks like this has been caused by you." He replied. Christian turned a slight shade of red as he looked at the boy. Christian had known Leila. But, he hadn't induced this breakdown on her. "And what would have happened if she did find us, Vicky? We'd both be in the morgue by now."

"Don't talk like that," Vicky demanded from him and Andrew stood up, releasing his hand from hers as he shook his head.

"I love you, Vicky. I love you more than anything...but staying here...in this danger...I can't do it...I have parents...a sister..." Andrew said, his hand resting on her cheek as Christian watched the pair of them and noted how his daughter began to tear up.

"What are you saying?" she whispered.

"I can't stay here," he informed her. "I can't take it...but...you have to come with me...you didn't ask for any of this madness...I can't lose you..."

"I can't go," Vicky whispered, trying not to cry as Christian downed his scotch, a feeling moving into his chest as he did so. "I can't leave my dad."

"You need to come with me," Andrew pleaded with her. "You need to come to California with me."

"He's right," Christian said; his voice loud and clear as he thought back to the events of the day. "You could have...I could have lost you today...Victoria..."

"I'm not leaving," Vicky said forcefully back to her father and he winced at her words as Anastasia suddenly entered and she looked at the sight, unsure of what to say as Christian rushed over to her, dragging her from the kitchen to inform her of the events.

"You could get hurt, Vicky," Andrew said forcefully. "I don't want to leave you."

"I'm not going," she replied to him. "I can't leave him. Not now. Not during this."

"I can't stay," Andrew responded to her, tears filling his eyes as she stood up, her hand pushing his hair behind his ear as he sobbed gently. "My parents...Vicky...we almost died...I can't live like this and neither can you."

"But I can't leave him," she replied, her forehead resting against his as they sobbed gently.

"You're eighteen," Andrew muttered, stroking her cheek as he did so. "And earlier...when you said that you loved me...you were saying goodbye...I couldn't take it..."

"I do love you," Victoria assured him. "I love you more than I ever thought was possible."

"I need you."

"So does my dad," she deadpanned, closing her eyes as Andrew kissed her forehead, his lips squishing against her seating skin as she wrapped her arms around his waist and he bunched a fist into her hair, closing his eyes as he inhaled her scent and she began to sob gently.

"I love you, Victoria," he whispered. "Never forget that."

"I won't," she promised him as he let go of her and she grabbed onto his hand as he backed away from her slowly. "Andrew...I...I love you so much..."

He sadly looked at her as their fingers moved from each other and he turned on his heel, his hand covering his mouth as he coughed to hide his sniffing and Victoria simply stood there, watching him leave her.

...

A/N: Thank you to anyone reading and anyone who has reviewed!