Author's notes: Christian is lost and, in the dark of the night, Ana is afraid they will never find each other again.
I did borrow part of a scene from the original trilogy, but I felt it was too good to leave out. Thank you, EL James.
I'm not very good at expressing myself, but I have to say thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful reviews you left me for the last chapter. I was tired, stressed and unwell and you lifted my spirits with your support, not just from the readers who took the time to review, but also from those who chose to follow and favourite me and my story.
Oh, and for my American readers, I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.
As always, characters' thoughts are in italics.
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Chapter twenty-six
In The Dark of The Night
Without the self-possessed presence of its owner, the great room of Escala was an echoing, hollow place. Apart from the blaring of the flatscreen TV on the wall which was tuned into a Seattle news channel, there was little conversation. The family and their friends were scattered around the room, some seated and others standing in clusters and, when they did discuss the tragic situation, they did so in whispers.
Night had fallen, the inky black cloudless sky spotted with glittering stars while a bright full moon, cool faced and unconcerned, gazed down on the anxious people in the penthouse beneath.
Anastasia didn't realise she was shivering. She felt chilled to the bone, a great emptiness hollowing out her heart and threatening to swallow her whole. What if Christian never came home?
And she wasn't the only one suffering. Gail was just as bereft. Taylor was lost along with his boss. Ana glanced over at Christian's housekeeper who was hovering on the edge of the group. The two women exchanged a sad smile. No words were spoken, none were needed, but Ana patted the couch beside her. Gail shook her head.
"Thank you, Anastasia, but I'd prefer to keep busy. Can I get anyone tea or coffee?"
"Tea would be fine, Gail," Ana answered, her voice raw. "Please… and thank you."
"And I'd love a coffee," Grace said. To be honest, she wasn't sure she could swallow anything, but she did understand Gail's need to fill her time with mundane tasks. Meanwhile, Grace's task was to comfort the young woman at her side.
"Try not to worry too much, Ana. They'll find him. You'll see." She took hold of Ana's hand and found she was shaking. "Are you cold, my dear?"
"Just nerves..." In fact it felt like an Arctic chill was spreading throughout Ana, icy fingers wrapping round her heart and her mind, paralysing her feelings, conjuring up images of Christian. Terrifying thoughts flickered through her mind...
Where is he? It's night! Out there in the forests it will be getting colder, even if it is summer. What if he is hurt and in pain? What if my Christian is helpless and freezing and… dying?
Panic grabbed her. One thing she was sure about; if Christian didn't return, she'd never be warm again.
Don't go there! I have to believe he'll come home.
Ana shivered again.
"I'll get you a sweater." Mia hurried off to her brother's bedroom, grateful to be doing something useful.
On the TV, the anchorman droned on, giving a biopic of Christian's public life and reporting on what they knew of the search, which wasn't exactly a lot.
"Turn that damned thing off," Elliot demanded from where he was standing next to his father.
"No, please don't," Ana said, her voice quivering. She wasn't paying too much attention but she needed to know if there were any updates.
"Leave it on, but turn it down," Grace instructed whoever was holding the remote. The sound died to background noise. "Ana, Christian will be home..."
"How can you be so sure, Grace? If they crashed in the mountains or the forest, they might not find them." A judder shook Ana's slender body. "We need more time. There's so much we want to do..."
"Because I know my son, sweetheart. When he told Carrick and me he was learning to fly, we were concerned, but we needn't have been. When he sets his mind to something, he excels. If anyone could set that helicopter down safely, it would be Christian." Grace patted Ana's hand, smiling gently into her tear-filled eyes. "And you'll have plenty of time together because Christian has set his heart on you. Nothing will stop him from coming back to you."
"I love him, Grace. I need him to come home." Ana almost mouthed the words, afraid to speak them out loud in front of everyone, in case she jinxed their future.
"Of course you do and he loves you."
In the background, though the TV was low, the newsreader's demeanour suddenly changed, became more animated.
"Turn that up!" Elliot, who'd been keeping an eye on the quiet screen, changed his mind.
"News just in..." the anchor announced. "Christian Grey…."
Anastasia's hand tightened in Grace's as everyone in the room held their breath.
"Billionaire, Christian Grey and his bodyguard, Jason Taylor have been found. They are being taken by air-ambulance to the UW Medical Centre where their condition will be assessed. We'll bring you further news as soon as we know more."
There was a collective sigh of relief, which quickly turned to anxiety. According to the report, both Christian and Taylor needed to be hospitalized.
A cell phone rang and for a fleeting second no one moved, then Carrick quickly answered his phone and again everyone waited, listening to a very one-sided monosyllabic conversation.
Finally, Carrick spoke loudly enough for the others to hear. "Yes, thank you for letting us know. We'll be there as soon as possible." With a mixture of reassurance and a residual anxiety, he smiled tentatively as he addressed everyone. "They're both alive, but they are hurt. Christian more than Taylor, though none of his injuries appear life-threatening. They're already at the hospital and Christian has been taken in for surgery."
There was a pause as the information sank in before Grace and Anastasia rose together, but it was the mother who spoke, Ana's mind still adjusting to the fact that her life and her world would remain whole.
"Then what are we waiting for. We have to get to UW Med. Christian needs us… and Gail, you must come, too. Taylor will want to see you."
These words seemed to break an emotional logjam as everyone rushed to get ready to go. Ana's heart was soaring. Christian might be hurt but she wasn't going to lose him. She was going to see him again, touch him and hold him. She was going to kiss him again, drown in his grey eyes and watch them darken with passion as she ran her fingers through his hair and down his precious body. Christian was still hers to cherish as she was his…
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What made hospital waiting rooms unwelcome places? Even in the prestigious University of Washington Medical Centre the area was stark. The walls might be painted a neutral cream with a number of paintings of pastoral scenes dotted here and there, supposedly to create a feeling of peace, yet most occupants of the room only felt anxious. Perhaps it was the unhappy experiences of earlier families who had waited for news of their loved ones that haunted the place.
Ana couldn't really say. She only knew the sparse news from a junior doctor that Christian's surgery was almost over did nothing to ease her troubled soul and the Grey family were feeling no better than she did. Once more, they could only wait and hope...
Sometime after Ana and the Greys reached the hospital, Christian was wheeled from the recovery room and settled into his own private room on the top floor. The doctors had set his broken leg, repaired the tear in his side which, thankfully, hadn't damaged any of his internal organs and replaced the blood he'd lost. At least, he wasn't in ICU, though clearly the staff would be keeping an eye on him over the next twenty-four hours to insure there were no hidden injuries.
Taylor was being kept in overnight with a concussion, though he would be allowed home the following day if there were no complications. Gail had given her best wishes to Ana and Christian's family for his recovery then quietly slipped away to be with the man she loved.
With both Christian and Taylor out of commission for the moment, Sawyer had taken charge of the Close Protection detail and had arranged for Ryan and Reynolds to protect their boss while he was in the hospital. After having spoken to the police and emergency services, Carrick requested that the in-house security would provide backup.
The investigations into the crash were just beginning, but Carrick couldn't help but feel that something was definitely strange about the reasons for the accident. His son was an excellent flyer and Charlie Tango was serviced on a very regular basis. The control freak in Christian made sure of that.
Of course, they would learn a lot more when they could talk to Christian but that would have to wait till tomorrow. However, Grace had spoken to Christian's doctors and gained permission for herself, Carrick and Anastasia to visit. In fact, before he'd been taken into theatre, Christian had insisted that Miss Anastasia Steele should be allowed to see him the minute she arrived whether he was conscious or not. He'd been adamant and the surgeons had agreed, either to placate an extremely forceful patient or because Mr. Grey was a huge benefactor of the hospital.
In a quiet, dimly lit room, Christian came to. The room smelled of antiseptic… a hospital room. His bed was raised slightly and he lifted his head to look around and wished he hadn't. He had a killer headache. Damn, his whole body ached. He had a cannula in the back of one hand and an oxygen tube up his nose. He felt claustrophobic… tied down. The only sound was the constant beeping of the machine which measured his vitals, the screen casting an eerie glow in the darkness.
And he was alone! Where the hell was his family? Where the hell was Ana?
A strange tingling crept along the nerves of his spine and panic welled in his chest. Was there someone else in the room, standing in the shadows?
He uttered a strangled groan. "Who's there?"
No one answered, yet there was a slight movement, a change in the air. His groggy mind started tumbling, no longer in his control... like Charlie Tango.
Is it the bastard pimp? My crack-whore mother? Get a grip! She's dead. The pimp is most likely dead, too. Who then? Hyde?
But there was a smell in the air. A scent he recognised. Elena!
How the hell did she get in here? Where is Taylor?
Then he remembered. Taylor was injured, too. But surely Sawyer… no Sawyer is with Ana, and if he's not, I'll fire his ass! But there's Ryan…
His unwanted visitor stepped forward from the shadows, dressed, as always, in elegant black. Black as her heart, he now realised. Her dyed blonde hair was dull with the lack of light. There was no light in Elena's soul. There never had been.
She came closer and he could do nothing to escape her. Elena reached out to touch him, her hand on his forehead, her fingers with their polished nails running through his sweat drenched hair. He moved his head on the pillow. He didn't want her here. He scrambled to throw himself aside but he was held fast by his injuries... or his horror. But when she ran her fingertips across his chest, he screamed.
"NO!" Help me, Ana.
At his anguished cry, his angel manifested herself by his bed, her chestnut hair falling around her shoulders and her tender blue gaze healing his troubled soul. "Christian, try not to move. You're in the hospital. You're safe now." Her hands, so welcome, smoothed across his chest where his heart beat like a train. "Please don't struggle, sweetheart. It's another nightmare."
Christian reached for Anastasia, thankful to find her body warm and substantial beneath his hands. She chased away the ghostly apparition of his abuser. As his breathing calmed he whispered to her, longing coursing through every fibre of his being. He didn't want Ana's presence to be a dream.
"You're really here?"
"Where else would I be when you're hurt, my love?" Her smile was full of compassion, of tender love. "Oh, Christian, I was so afraid I was going to lose you."
"Never! You won't get rid of me so easily, Anastasia." He took hold of her hand and squeezed, his confidence returning as his mind cleared of the anaesthetic and the distress of another nightmare. "I was always going to come back to you."
Tears started to leak from Ana's eyes and Christian was quick to wipe them away with his fingers. "Baby, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. Ever. I promise." A yawn distracted from his romantic vow and caused Ana to giggle.
"Except maybe to sleep?" Ana suggested, her mood lightening.
"Only if you sleep here with me." He shuffled over to make space on the bed a little.
"Christian, I'm not sure the doctors would allow that. You're injured."
"But it's for my health," Christian protested with a weak laugh. "You keep my nightmares at bay."
And that was only the truth. He slept better when Ana was beside him. However, that wasn't about to happen at this moment as his mother entered with two doctors, the first who had repaired the wound in his side and the other, the orthopaedic surgeon who had set his broken tibia.
"Christian, darling," Grace came to his other side and as she bent to kiss his cheek, she let her hand linger on his shoulder. A mother reassuring herself that her son was still in the land of the living. "It's so good to see you awake. How are you feeling?"
"I don't suppose you'd believe me if I said I was fine?"
"Hardly." She smiled indulgently.
"Then I admit I'm feeling a bit ropey," Christian returned her smile. "Actually, I'd love to go to sleep but I'd rather get rid of all this paraphernalia first." He held up his hand the IV was connected to.
"We might be able to help you there, young man." The older doctor came forward, regarding his patient with a friendly grin, before glancing at the monitor. "But we'll have a nurse check your stats first, though I have to say everything looks to be settling back to normal."
"Christian, you remember Dr. Chambers?" Grace asked, also checking her son's readings surreptitiously. "You've met him at one or two of our fundraisers. And this is Dr. Mayer, the man who fixed your leg."
Christian nodded to the older man who did look somewhat familiar, but then his mother had a lot of medical friends. He forced himself to smile patiently at both his doctors, suspecting they'd be more willing to leave him alone and give into his request if he, at least, appeared polite. "Nice to meet you and thanks for taking good care of me but I'd like to know the extent of the damage."
"You were very lucky with the wound in your side," Dr. Chambers announced. "We found a few small fragments of metal from the helicopter which, thankfully, did no internal damage and that we managed to remove. We stitched you up and you should heal fairly quickly, provided there's no infection. But you'll have to be careful for the next week or so. No strenuous movements or exercises in case you burst the stitches."
"And my leg?" Christian looked towards Dr. Mayer.
"Again, you got lucky. It was a clean break. We've set the bone and it should be fine but you'll be in plaster for the next six weeks. I believe you must be suffering some pain right about now, so I'll prescribe painkillers to help you sleep and we'll both check up on you in the morning."
"Talking of sleeping, I'd like Anastasia to stay in my room while I'm here." Christian's demands had two intentions; the first was simply he wanted Ana near him and the second was that if he acted unconventionally, they'd be happy to discharge him as quickly as possible.
"I'm not sure that would be possible," the younger orthopaedic surgeon replied, his mouth thinning into a firm line. "We do make allowances for family under certain circumstances, but girlfriends are probably breaking hospital protocol."
"Anastasia is much more than my girlfriend. We live together. She's my partner."
Yet neither doctor gave in, though Dr. Chambers tried to reason with the patient whose irritation was obviously building and that wasn't good for his health. "That might be so, Christian, but this is a hospital and not a hotel..."
"You could have fooled me with the prices you're charging over and above your medical services."
"Christian," Ana admonished, surprised he'd already discovered the cost of his stay, but then she guessed he kept an eye on local economics in general. "It really doesn't matter. I don't need to stay."
"But I want you here, Ana. By my side. And given how much this hospital has benefited from my donations in the past, I'm sure the surgical team and the board will reconsider their objections." Christian's stare left the doctors little room for manoeuvre. He was once again the complete CEO.
Yet, he did relent a little. "You might not know my history, but I've suffered from night time terrors since I was a child, and Anastasia is the only one who can talk me down."
Grace, who'd been standing on the periphery of the group, drew in a breath. Normally, her son wouldn't admit to his Oneirophobia to anyone who was not involved in his psychotherapy. To Grace, it was a measure of the depth of feeling Christian had for this young woman… or was he afraid for her? Did he know something he wasn't telling?
Yet, eager to smooth the way of her son's relationship with Ana, Grace corroborated his words. "Dr. Chambers, Michael." Grace dropped the man's title, after all, they had known each other for a very long time. "What my son says is true, though with Ana's help his nightmares are less frequent. However, given the trauma of the crash, it's likely they could return for the short term and Ana can help him without resorting to medication..."
"Which I refuse to take. If Flynn can't persuade me, I doubt either of you can."
"John Flynn is your therapist?" Chambers asked. "I know him well. Would you like me to arrange a visit if you're feeling traumatised?"
Christian was about to snap that he was more angry than traumatised, but he bit back his words, believing that sympathy might get better results than rage. "Thank you. Actually, I have an appointment with Flynn the day after tomorrow. If you could let him know I might still be in here, I'd be grateful."
Dr. Chambers nodded. "Good! Good. Nurse Winston will be in to check your stats. Don't hesitate to ask for painkillers as you're probably going to need them tonight. As for Anastasia." He smiled at the pretty girl. "We'll have a rollaway bed delivered to the room."
Dr. Mayer frowned and was about to speak, but Chambers cut in. "Come on, Mayer, don't be a stick-in-the-mud. Don't you recognise young love when you see it and I doubt they could get up to anything with Christian in the state he's in."
Ana almost giggled. I wouldn't count on it!
"Besides, like the man says, he's paying handsomely for this suite, so what he does in it, if it doesn't interfere with his treatment and it's not breaking the law, is his business."
"Very well, I bow to your superiority." Mayer didn't look very happy, but he knew he wasn't very high on the pecking order at UW Med, so he gave in. "Mr. Grey, as long as you listen to our medical advice, I doubt your stay here will be overlong. Like Dr. Chambers, I'd advise you to take the meds and I'll look in tomorrow to see how you're doing and to arrange physio for that leg. I hope you sleep well. Goodnight."
Mayer stalked off, but before he did he sent an appreciative glance in Ana's direction. Christian's side might feel like it was on fire and his leg was aching; his mind might be full of mush but he recognised the look.
The bastard's jealous. He wantsAna! That's why he didn't like her staying here with me. Well she's mine. He can't have her.
Sensing Christian's disapproval of his colleague, it wasn't long before Chambers followed, leaving Christian with his mother and Ana. Just as he was about to suggest that Carrick join them, the nurse arrived, asking for some privacy to do her job. The two women excused themselves to go in search of refreshments. Now they knew Christian was safe, they'd discovered they were hungry.
Yet as they went to leave, Christian caught Ana's hand. "Wait. Baby, can you do something for me? Please. I don't know how Jason is? I asked before they took me into surgery, but they would only tell me the doctor was with him." His voice sounded strained. Almost as if he was close to tears.
"Mr. Grey, please don't upset yourself. You've been through a severe trauma and you need to rest." Nurse Winston spoke as if she was addressing a troublesome boy. "I won't take long to finish up here and then I want you to swallow these meds and try to get some sleep. You'll feel better in the morning."
Christian bridled, yet he couldn't summon up the energy to put the annoying woman in her place. He gave the nurse a perfunctory glance, then concentrated on his girl, instead.
"Anastasia, I really need to know. I'm sure he was more hurt than he let on. But he fixed me up and then climbed that hill. He got us out of there. Without Jason, I'd still be lying in that gully. Will you find out for me? He saved me. He saved both of us."
The tight grip on Ana's hand alerted her to the fact that Christian was near panic mode and she stayed a moment to comfort him. "Try not to worry, Christian. I do think Jason is fine. Gail went to see him, but I'll find out for sure." Her fingers trembled as they traced the contours of his beloved face. She'd almost lost him.
Thank you, Jason Taylor! Thank you for bringing him back to me.
"I promise I won't be long. Laters, baby!" Ana smiled, borrowing his phrase and kissed him sweetly before disappearing out of the door.
Some twenty minutes later, when Ana returned, she found Christian looking a little haggard and extremely tired. Thankfully, his breathing tube was gone as was his IV, though they'd left the cannula in case of emergencies.
"So you've got rid of Nurse Ratched," she teased, smiling at him.
"Huh-huh. Thank God. She might be great at her job, but her bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired," Christian grumbled.
"Mr. Grey, I didn't think you were looking for a pinup girl for your nurse!" Ana teased.
"I'm not! But I'd prefer someone a bit sympathetic to look after me, since I'm tied to this bed until tomorrow."
"You don't need to call on her." Ana had noticed the folding bed had been brought into the room and made up. "I'll be here to help you with whatever you need."
Strangely, Christian blushed. They might share a very intimate relationship, but he didn't want Ana seeing to his toilet needs. "I'm sorry, baby, I want you here, but bathroom control was never one of my fetishes. Especially not my own."
Ana giggled.
After all we've done together in the Red Room, why is Christian embarrassed?
Then she realised it was losing his control, his feeling of helplessness, if only for a day, which bothered him. She stifled her grin.
My dear fifty shades of control freak!
"Now get over here and tell me about Jason." Christian patted the bed next to him and Ana quickly did has he bade her.
She was still adjusting to the fact that she didn't have to face living without him and she needed to touch him for reassurance. Ana curled up by his side. "Jason is doing fine. He does have concussion, but they've completed his scans and that's his only injury. I went to visit him for a few minutes and he's more worried about you. He was happier when I told him you were doing good, too."
"We were lucky. If we hadn't found a place to set Charlie Tango down, I dread to think what might have happened."
"Taylor said you did a great job of flying. That you'd lost both engines."
"We did!" There was a pause as Christian considered his options. He really wanted to cuddle Ana and go to sleep, but he needed to organise the helicopter's retrieval and investigation and the quicker the better. "Ana, are my parents still outside?"
"They are. Do you feel up to seeing them? I know your Mom and Dad would like a quick visit but perhaps it could wait till morning."
"I'm not at my best, but I need to speak to my dad. Can you fetch them?"
Ana nodded. "If you're sure."
Moments later Grace and Carrick followed Ana quietly into the room. "Christian, how are you?" Grace asked, lifting one of Christian's hands to her cheek. "We only wanted to say goodnight. We can come back tomorrow."
"I'm doing OK, Mom." Christian managed a smile which turned into a grimace as he tried to sit up in the bed. "I am tired and sore and I promise I'll rest up just as soon as I've had a word with Dad."
"What is it, Christian, that can't wait till morning?"
"Dad, I want you to arrange for CT to be uplifted and taken to the Boeing Field. The FAA will have to be notified and the NTSB. Probably Airbus, too. I want to expedite the investigation. Something's very wrong." Christian swallowed back a groan. "There was a fire in the main engine and I lost the radio seconds later."
"What about the back-up engine?"
"It blew, too, when we were trying to find somewhere to land."
"That's… unusual," Carrick said quietly, though his brain was racing at the thought of someone wanting to harm his child.
"Dad, I hate to ask you. Normally, Taylor would take charge..."
"Son, don't worry about it. I'm only too happy to help. But it's late now and you should be resting up. And don't worry about protection either. I'll take care of everything… tighten up on security."
Christian gave him a weak smile but his eyelids had begun to droop. Now he'd passed over responsibility to his father, his body and brain were giving way to exhaustion. He felt his mother press a kiss on his hand.
"Goodnight, Christian," Grace whispered. "Sleep well… but don't be too proud to take those painkillers. You're going to need them."
There was a whispered conversation between Anastasia and his parents before Christian vaguely heard them leave. Seconds later, she was back by his side.
"Christian, do you want these pills?"
"Not now. I'm woozy enough without them. Come to bed, Ana," he said, his voice beginning to slur slightly.
"Your Mom brought me pyjamas. I'll just be a moment in the bathroom, then I'll pull the bed up to your side."
"No, Ana. I want you to come to bed with me..."
"Christian, I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"I only want to cuddle, baby. Please. You keep the nightmares at bay..."
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At the end of the corridor just inside the stairwell door, a woman watched and waited. She was elegantly dressed in a black pant suit and wore a matching stole over her blonde hair.
"Damn! Damn! Damn!" She swore underneath her breath as the family left, leaving that foolish girl behind… and a guard outside Christian's door.
Elena was sure she could win Christian back if she could only speak to him. Of course, she'd have to lie. Pretend she understood he was in love with Anastasia and that she was happy for him. But to speak to him, she'd have to get past Anastasia Steele, his family and his protection officers. But that wasn't an insurmountable problem, though this might not be the time and place to do it. She just had to watch and listen and choose her moment.
Meanwhile, she had another issue which needed taking care of. And fast!
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I hope you enjoyed this latest update. Of course, I was never going to part Christian and Ana forever. I believe in HEAs, but there is still some trouble ahead for our favourite couple.
Oh, and I have no medical experience and no experience of hospitals in the US, except for what I've seen in films or on TV. I did some research, but if I've got things wrong, forgive me.
Please let me know what you think of this offering. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.