Chapter 26

A/N: Christian's version of the gala. Hopefully tomorrow I will get to Christian's side of the "morning after." I hope you like it.

It's another that I am not too pleased with. Hence the reason that you haven't gotten a Gideon point of view yet. I have tried to sit and write one but I don't think I will be able to do my version of Gideon justice. Never know though as I am still trying to figure his points of view out I may surprise you! :)

Welcome to all my new followers and favs. You guys rock! Again I want to thank ya'll again for all the wonderful reviews everyone! They do make my day. I love seeing them.

Please let me know what you think! :-) Sorry for any typos or mistakes. Please review as all reviews are seen and appreciated! Again I do not own the characters.

AN2: THIS CHAPTER WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED AS CHAPTER 27...I think it hindered the way the story read. So for now I have just switched Chapter 26 and 27 around to help with the flow of the story.

Kissing Ana again was wonderful highlight to my boring evening at my parents fundraiser. Her lips are so soft and I miss feeling them against mine, well.. me, anywhere she wanted to put them. She responded to that one kiss, fervently. It aroused her. I felt her. It was like fireworks between us and we both know it. I don't know why I can't stay away from her. I know I should but there's this pull. I have been so depressed since she walked out of my apartment. All I want is to have her back. I don't understand the fascination that she has with Gideon Cross. I've told her he is dangerous but she's still been seeing him.

She broke our spell when she pushed against me breaking our kiss. She is clearly confused and looks hurt. Oh, baby, no reason for you to hurt, I'll take care of you. Always.

"What the hell are you doing Christian?"

Well isn't it obvious, I raise my eyebrow at her, "Kissing you,"

"Well no shit, really. I couldn't tell. Why?"

Defiant. Sarcastic. She knows how much I enjoy that smart mouth of hers. I smile when responding, "Ah, I've so missed that mouth of yours Ms. Steele. I've wanted to do that since I saw you talking to my grandparents. You look amazing by the way."

She looks horrified. I wonder why? But then she turns to leave telling me, "You don't get to do that anymore Christian. If you'll excuse me."

Oh No Miss Steele, not so quickly and I move in front of her asking where she is going. She gives me an irritated look, shakes her head and tells me that she needs to pee. I laugh at that. Move out of her way and tell her we have things we need to discuss and what better time to do it than here? I don't like procrastination, matter of fact, I fucking hate waiting. If something can be done sooner rather than later than that is what I will make sure happens. I want this discussion over so that I can have her back. Back in my life, back in my arms, back in my bed.

I can't believe her fucking response! Is she kidding me? Me? She thinks that I will ruin her night. No, she needs to understand that I will MAKE her night. She just has to hear me out. And what the hell does she mean about my feeling entitled to her time. She's fucking right I'm entitled to her time. I didn't choose to lose her. She walked out the fucking door. She should listen to me just for that alone!

I start towards my parents table. Kissing my mom on the cheek, getting a hug from Mia. God that girl is a bundle of energy! She means the world to me. No matter how irritating Mia can be, she can always make me smile and lightens my mood. But not today.

Just as Mia sits down she says, "Christian for the record, you're an idiot!"

Mom looks stunned. Dad looks perplexed. Elliot shakes his head and Kate laughs. My grandparents are looking at all of us like we are crazy.

"Oh," raising my eyebrows at her.

She narrows her eyes and tells me not to give her that "look" because it doesn't work on her anyway. I know she's right but she's still getting it.

"You let her go, Christian. You my dear brother are an idiot."

Great, so now everyone knows. I wonder who told her, Ana, Kate, Elliot, or maybe even Cross himself. I didn't want to have to tell my family about Ana and me. I was hoping to be able to get this mess cleared up and be back together soon but as she's here with Cross I guess they were bound to find out.

Elliot knew because when he and Kate got back from Barbados, I guess Ana was a mess. Hence the reason for the trip to New York. That fucking trip where she met Cross.

"Mia, you don't know what happened so I would suggest dropping it," my voice purposefully cold and distant. I don't want to discuss this with my family. The less they know the better. Besides I like it better that way too.

Just then my grandmother looks from me to Mia but addresses me only, "Christian that is not how you speak to a lady. I don't know what she's talking about. Who you let go. That's you and whomever elses' business. But you shouldn't talk to your sister like that."

What the hell. I get chastised for talking coldly to her because she put her two cents in on something that is none of her business and she gets nothing for call me names. "Yes, grandmother, your right. Mia, I'm sorry."

My grandmother nods and leans back against her chair.

"Mia, calling your brother names is impolite as well." Thanks Mom. I smile at her. I know this is the first she is hearing about this and I can see in her eyes that now she understands why Ana isn't sitting with us but with Cross.

"Mom, I can't very well apologize for stating a fact. He let Ana go. They aren't together and she was the best thing in the world for him. We all know that!" she whines.

Just then my grandfather says, "Are you talking about that beautiful young woman you introduced us to earlier, Mia? The one in the red dress sitting a few tables over."

"Yes."

And now my grandmother, "Oh everyone has been talking about her all evening. She's been getting high praise from so many. She must be a wonderful young woman. It's a shame we didn't have longer to talk to her."

"Christian, that was the girl who your mother told us about?"

I look at my mother as my grandparents look at me. When the hell did I become subject of gossip in my own fucking family! "Yes, " I respond tightly.

Standing and excusing myself I walk out of the tent, I can't sit at that table for another moment. I am angry. Angry at my family for discussing me and my private life amongst themselves; angry at Ana for walking out my door that night when she had promised that she would never leave and angry at myself for not only letting her but for not doing something sooner to rectify the problems between us.

I needed the fresh air. Away from everyone in that tent. Away from the accusations that I screwed up. Don't they fucking know that I realize that? Shit. The auction has started. I've been away from the table long enough that my mother will very upset if I don't return. Taking a deep breath I head back to the table. Hopefully my family has decided to stop fucking talking about me now too.

I can't stop myself from staring at Ana and Cross across the tent. Even though he's kept up conversation with the men at the table, he's keeping his arms around her. Touching her and it makes my blood boil. I have to rein in my temper. I don't understand how she has moved on so quickly if what she said about loving me is true. I haven't really been paying attention but when I hear Cross bid on an auction lot I scan the list of items to see what it is that interested him. Ahh, Pride and Prejudice, First Editions. I laugh to myself because I know what he's doing. Didn't I do the same thing? Again I turn my gaze over to them. Ana looks confused but then I see him kiss her temple. And my hackles raise again. I can't bear to see her so affectionate with another man. Letting him touch and kiss her. That's supposed to be me. Damn it! I have seen her smile and laugh more tonight than the entire time we were together. I want to be the one that makes her do that. I will win her back.

Lost in my thoughts I didn't notice that Mia and Kate had left the table until I say them both approaching Ana. I know Mia has orchestrated the ladies for the first dance auction. Did Ana agree to the auction? I laugh to myself when I see Cross' amused look and Ana's horrified one as Mia drags her to the stage. Yep. Looks like little Miss Steele agreed to it.

I see Cross join the men near the stage with some of the other men who have escorted a few of the ladies on stage as well as a few others. Looks like Elliot is going to be bidding on Katherine. God, I'm glad she wasn't the one to do the interview. This is my lucky day. I will have that first dance I don't care how much it's going to cost. Money is no object and it's for a good cause.

Ana looks shocked as she finally notices me among the other men bidding. Her shock turns to worry. I can see it on her face. She has no reason to worry though. I will win the dance and we can talk and get this mess straightened out. I don't want to be without her any longer and she needs to know that.

The bidding for Kate begins and two men from the back are bidding. Looking at Elliot who looks pissed as he glares at both men as he doubles the highest bid. Well well Elliot Grey has a jealous streak in him. I guess we are not too far apart after all.

Ana is up next and as she approaches the podium where the MC is I see she looks a little green around the gills. Of course this isn't something that she would be comfortable with. She doesn't like being the center of attention but she's going to have to get used to that. She's definitely the most beautiful woman in the room. I notice that Cross has made his way front and center intending to bid. Fuck that, I interrupt the MC with my starting bid of ten thousand. They both need to realize that I will always get what I want. And right now I want Ana and her first dance.

I see Ana scowling at me just as I hear another bid come in. I turn and realize that it's Flynn. Of course neither Ana or Cross will know who he is but he knows me and he knows how I feel about the stunning young woman on that stage. I know that he's testing me. Seeing just how far I will go. Ok, lets play. Flynn and I go back and forth. He goes to twenty-five thousand. I'm tire quickly from our game and up the stakes as I know that Cross is biding his his time waiting for Flynn and I to finish our tête-à-tête. I smile at Flynn then look at Cross, game on, as I call out Cross has still to bid. I know he's waiting to see what I will do. How high I will go. Well, let's just see "One hundred thousand."

The crowd has all gasped. Shocked I'm sure that I am bidding let alone that we are now in six digit figures. I don't care. The money is for a good cause and I want Ana. Cross just raises and eyebrow and goes to five hundred thousand. Again I am done playing. I double my bid. Everyone is shocked. Staring at the two of us as we stare each other down. Neither of us backing off. I notice Ana, shaking her head and mouthing something to Gideon as she begins walking to the stairs to leave the stage the MC yells, "sold to Mr. Christian Grey."

Instead of coming to me as all the others women have done with their prospective dance partners, Ana walks straight into Cross' arms and he kisses the top of her head. They are whispering to each other. He looks upset, good he ought to be. That's right, I won. It will be my arms she is in shortly. But she looks upset. I don't want her upset especially if it has to do with the fact that she won't be dancing with Cross first.

As I am contemplating walking over to her and taking Cross' arms off of MY girl my mother takes my hand saying, "Follow me now."

I look at her and she looks angrier than a wet hornet. What did I do now? She drags me out of the tent and into the house. Turning around with her arms crossed in front of her, "Want to tell me what that was about Christian?"

"I don't know what you're talking about mom..."

Before I could finish my sentence she holds up her hand to interrupt me. "You made a mockery out there in front of over 300 people of this charity Christian and I want to know why. Why would you bid one million dollars to dance with Ana if you two are not together any longer."

"It wasn't my intention to make a mockery out of the gala mom. I did it because I need to speak with her and she won't talk to me so I figured this was a good way to get her for a few minutes so that we could work some things out." There honesty without too much information. I never want to hurt my mom. My saving Grace. She rescued me and I owe her at least that.

"There are other ways to go about it than to do what you did out there. We'll discuss this later. I'm not happy with you right now Christian. I thought we raised you better than to embarrass us or mock something we hold dear." Wiping a tear that has fallen as she walks by me and patting my arm at the same time I know that I fucked up and will have to deal with the outcome of that with my parents and soon.

Leaving the house, I get back out to the tent and see Elliot and Kate talking with Ana as Cross is standing watching the three of them. The orchestra is preparing for the first dance and I am going to claim my prize. Walking up to the group I notice that Cross pulls Ana closer into his side. Just like in the pictures that were taken in New York when they got papped. What the hell. He doesn't have to protect her from me so why the stance. I want nothing but the best for her ... and well that's me!

As I get to them, I smile and raise my hand, "Anastasia, come the first dance will be starting in a minute."

Instead of taking my hand and allowing me to lead her onto the dance floor she turns and thanks that evil bastard for trying and kisses his cheek. Yeah he tried and failed. You are mine Miss Steele and I won't let you forget it. Then she walks right past me toward the dance floor. Shit. She's mad. Well she's going to have to deal with it. I've been mad for a month now and I've been dealing with it.

Catching up to her as she is almost to the dance floor I place my hand on her lower back to guide her where I want her to be and I can feel her entire body tense under my fingers. The spark of electricity is still there, I feel it every time I'm in her presence, I believe she still feels it too but the only reaction I get from her is a curt,"Don't. We're not on the dance floor, yet."

I take this moment to remind her that she is mine and always will be but all I get from her is an indignant response of me talking nonsense and that I need to accept that we aren't together. Not going to happen baby. I tell her she's wrong. I felt it and so did she, when we kissed. That primal response to each other's bodies. If she felt that way she wouldn't have responded to me like she did.

Vehemently she responds, "No Christian. We're over. It's funny that you wouldn't even speak to me but as soon as I am in New York and a picture runs of me with someone else you decide to come back and demand … whatever it is you want. Whether that's me back or answers to why I may or may not be with someone else."

will What the hell? I'm really beginning to struggle with controlling myself not to take her, throw her over my shoulder and leave with her. "Well it sure appears like you're with someone else. Someone who's more wrong for you than I am, it seems."

She needs to know that Gideon Cross has a damn near uncontrollable temper. Yeah I know coming from me, pot meet kettle but shit I've never damn near killed a man with my bare hands! I can't have Ana around that kind of violence. I need her protected and safe.

She narrows her eyes at me and tells me that its not any of my business if she is seeing anyone and they are nothing more than friends. Yeah right baby. I said it earlier and I'm not about to let you forget, you are mine.

I know he wants more than that. He wants to fuck her. You can see it in his eyes every time he looks at her. Fuck that! "He wants in your panties Anastasia.," pulling her closer to me.

She reiterates they are friends and nothing more as they live in different areas of the country and then refuses to discuss the situation any further. Then adds that I embarrassed her tonight with the bid for her dance. I give her my megawatt smile, the one that always has her weak in the knees when I respond that the cause is good and that I wanted to dance and talk with her.

She got rather upset telling me that we were scheduled to met tomorrow and but that what I did to her tonight was basically objectify her and turned her into a prize. I can't believe that is how tonight made her feel.

As the music closes the dance, she tells me that she told Gideon to stop because he would not have just to protect her from unwanted situations. She talking about me? She then tells me that she is finally healing from our relationship and I need to let her do that. I'm stunned. I can't let her go. She turns to leave and I tell her we still need to talk. Stubbornly she says that she is done talking and that we won't be meeting. As she finishes her statement Cross appears and he takes her elbow and asks her something quietly. All I hear is her asking for him to take her home.

I'm crushed when I hear that. I should be the one taking her home. Our conversation did not go as I thought it would and I still need to let her know that I want more. I want her. I can't lose her. Especially to someone that could very easily hurt her without a second thought! That is when I decide that come hell or high water I will meet with her tomorrow, even if it is first thing in the morning before she gets a chance to leave her apartment for any reason.