A/N: Some didn't like Christian's mood-swing but that's CG, mercurial as ever.
And in the books when Christian would pout, it had the same affect on her as biting her lip does to him. ;)

APOV

The next morning, Christian drove us to GEH. I told him since he drives, I should also be able to drive myself too. Sawyer following me, of course. He wasn't happy about that but reluctantly agreed. I'm slightly nervous when we get to GEH. I'm starting in the publishing department of Grey Publishing today. So instead of stopping at the receptionists desk in the main lobby, I walk passed it. The girls I've been working with don't look too thrilled about this. Oh well.

"Your blondes don't look very happy."

"They're not mine. They work for me but they're not mine. You are mine."

"I work for you, as well."

"Mine." Is all he says, pulling me closer to him.

We get into the elevator and ride up together. I kiss him and I get off at the publishing floor, which happens to be the floor beneath Christian's. I'm slightly surprised it's not on the same floor but I wont be mentioning that, he might move it to his floor.

"Hi." I'm greeted by, who I presume to be, the assistant training me today. "I'm Hannah Jackson. You must be Anastasia Steele."

"Yes. Just Ana is fine."

"Okay Ana. You can call me Hannah. Welcome to GP. Let me show you to you're desk and introduce you to the editor you'll be assisting."

We walk to an office. She knocks and opens the door. We walk in. There is a man sitting behind a desk.

"Good Morning, Mr. Logan." Hannah says. "I have Anastasia Steele, your new assistant, here. Ana this is Liam Logan, the editor you'll be assisting."

"Hello. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Logan." I tell him and shake his hand.

"It's lovely to meet you as well Anastasia Steele. Please call me Liam."

"Ana." I nod.

Hannah continues. "Ana will start assisting you tomorrow. I'm showing her around today." He nods.

We leave his office. Hannah shows me around. She shows me where my desk is, the copy room, break room and kitchen. They've recently moved to GEH so it's all new to her as well. After showing me around and what I'm to be doing. It's time for lunch.

"If you're free. Would you like to have lunch together?"

"Um. Just a sec. I have to check."

Lunch today? x -A

Sorry baby. I can't. I'm not at GEH and I'm in a meeting. Meetings all day actually. x -C

K. I'm going to lunch. See you later. Kisses. xx-A

I love you baby. Be safe. x -C

"I'm free for lunch."

"Cool. Want to grab a sandwich at the corner deli?"

"Sure. I love their sandwiches."

"Me too."

I have lunch with Hannah. She's very friendly and doesn't ask a lot of questions about my relationship with the CEO. There, of course, are some questions but nothing too personally and probing. After lunch, I get to start working with my editor. Even reading a few manuscripts since I've caught on quickly. I'm loving it already. I notice a shadow over my desk so I look up. My boss is standing over my desk.

"Ana, you're free to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Oh, okay." I didn't even realize it was time to leave.

Since Christian drove me, he'll have to drive me home. And since he already asked, we're going to stay at his place tonight. I go in the elevator, Sawyer following me. I push the button to go up instead of down. We get in and go up to Christian's floor. Sawyer goes off to wherever Taylor is. Andrea lets me know Christian's finishing up a meeting so I wait. And wait. And... wait.

~BUZZ~

Ana. We have to go shopping for your charity event gown! Mia wants to join! -KK

Okay. Great. I'll need help with that. -A

I'm putting my phone away when I hear the voice I never wanted to hear again. Ever!

"Hello, Ana." I freeze. I start to panic, my heart races out of my chest. I slowly turn around. Andrea is no longer at her desk. We're alone. Oh god, please. No. "It's been awhile."

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Don't panic, Ana! Breath!

I quickly walk to Christian's office, hoping he's in there but he stops me. He holds my arm and turns me around. I pull my arm from him.

"Oh come on, honey. Don't be like that." I glare at him. "You look just as beautiful as I remember. Maybe we can reconnect."

I wrap my arms around myself. What is he doing here?! Did Christian find out who he is?! Surely not as he's still standing able to walk out. Right? Crap! Maybe he's doing business with Christian. That doesn't make sense though. Oh god! I remember him having a conversation on the phone awhile back. He is doing business with Christian! But why?!

"Leave me alone." I finally find my voice but it doesn't sound nearly as strong as I'd like. I just sound weak. Vulnerable.

"Don't be like that. I've got a hotel here in Seattle."

"Good for you. I hope you'll be very comfortable."

"Maybe we can get reacquainted?"

"No."

I turn to leave and bump into a hard chest. I close my eyes tight. I look up at who I bumped into and relax. It's just Sawyer. Thank goodness!

"Is there a problem, Ms. Steele?" He asks looking at him.

He was with Taylor. He must of saw our interaction on a security camera. Hopefully he didn't hear anything and wont tell Christian.
If he didn't hear, there's nothing to suspect.

"N-No. Mr. Clayton was just asking for directions." I try not to say his name with disgust.

I give Sawyer a reassuring smile. He seems to believe me. Not suspecting anything wrong. I continue to walk to Christian's office.

I open the door and quickly walk in. He's on the phone, standing, facing the windows.

"And the cost?... That was one expensive mistake... No, tomorrow."

I don't care that he's in the middle of a business call, I go to him. I need him! I need his arms around me. I wrap my arms around his back, startling him. He turns around wrapping one arm around me and kisses the top of my head. This is my safe haven. I start to relax immediately.

He finishes up his call and wraps his other arm around me, embracing me. "Anastasia are you cold? You were shaking."

Crap! I can't tell him. "Yeah, but you've warmed me. I'll have to remember to bring a sweater tomorrow."

"Ready to go home?"

"Yes."

Now more than ever, I'm even more grateful to be staying at Christian's tonight. And that I've started working on the publishing floor today, no longer in the main lobby.

Christian is driving the opposite way of our apartment buildings.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"We have to make a detour first. It's a surprise."

"With you, it always is." I mutter. He smirks my way, continuing to drive.

He pulls into a car dealership. I'm slightly confused. Doesn't this man have enough cars? Men. After parking he gets out. He comes over to open my door and holds my hand. We walk towards the cars on the lot.

"What are we doing here?"

"Pick one." He says raising our joined hands and pointing to the row of shinny new cars.

"Pick one, what?" I ask, not fully understanding. He can't possibly be asking to me to pick a car for him. Right?

"A car, Anastasia." He says like it should be obvious what he's talking about.

"Why?" Why would he want me to pick out a car for him? I know nothing about cars.

"You want to be able to drive yourself. I want to know you're safe." He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. "And I have one condition. We get you a new, safer car to drive."

"What?!" He can't be serious!

"Anastasia your current vehicle is a deathtrap. That car you have now is old and dangerous. It's not safe. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you when it's so easy for me to just buy you a safe, new car. I want you safe. I need you safe."

"But, Christian. My car is paid for. I can't afford a- wait." I let go of his hand. "Are you suggesting you buy me the new car?" He nods. "You want to buy me a new car?! Christian!" I say his name exasperated. This is too much. Way, way too much.

"I need you safe, Anastasia. It's just a car. Trust me, I can afford it."

"That's not the point. It's too much and you know it."

"Not for me it isn't. It's a gift Anastasia. Can't you just say thank you and accept it?"

A salesman has come out of the showroom, rubbing his hands together like he's hit the jackpot. "Can I help you folks?"

"No, thank you." He frowns. I walk back to Christian's car.

"Anastasia." I keep walking. Christian is following after me. "Anastasia, will you wait a minute."

I turn around at Christian's Audi.

"Baby, please. It's just a car. You want to drive, I want to know you're safe. I'm compromising here. Why wont you let me do this for you?"

"Christian my car is fine. José fixes it up for me."

"That's exactly my point. If you let me buy you a new car, it wont need fixing and you will be safe."

"I'm not with you for all of this. The money. It's too much Christian."

"I know. I know, baby. That pleases me a great deal and I love you for that. But I can't change it. It's who I am. Please, just let me buy you a new car."

I take a deep breath

"Okay, how about this. You buy yourself a new car and I'll just borrow it. That way you'll know I'm safe. Or better yet, why don't I just borrow one of yours that you have now? That way you don't have to spend any money." I try to reason with him.

"I'd rather buy you a car." He says not budging.

"Can we compromise? You said you were compromising."

"A car on loan then. Indefinitely."

"No, not indefinitely. So then if it's on loan can I make payments to you? Then I'll be paying for it myself."

He laughs once. "No."

"I can't just let you buy me a car."

"You can. You're choosing not to. You're a good negotiator Anastasia. Are you sure you want to work in the publishing department at GEH? I could use your skills in some of my meetings."

"No!" I shout. He looks confused at my actions. Shit. "I mean, thank you for the car Christian." I kiss him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He wraps his arms around my waist, kissing me. My distraction seems to have worked.

We walk back over to the overly excited salesman.

"Which one, Anastasia?"

"I don't know, Christian. I know nothing about cars. Seriously. I can just use one of your others."

"Perhaps, you'd be interested in a convertible Miss?" The overly friendly salesman suggests, sensing he's losing a sale.

"Convertible?" How cool would that be! I grin.

"We have many convertibles." He continues. "Pre-owned?"

"New." Christian insists. This gets the already excited salesman even more excited, if that's possible. "What are the safety stats."

The salesman knows how to do his job. Flashy for the girl, safety stats for the guy. Christian listens intently.

After Christian is satisfied that it's safe enough for me he says. "Pick a color, Anastasia."

"Um. Black?"

"No."

"Why not? You have black cars." He shakes his head. I huff. Then smile. "Grey." He smirks, as well.

"Grey, huh? Grey looks very good on you, Ms. Steele." He says, his eyes glowing.

"I know." I whisper. "I like Grey." On me, in me, over me, under me, any way I can get Grey.

"Just like?" He tilts his head and raises his brow, questioning.

"Love." We stare into each others eyes.

The salesman claps his hands together in an effort to stop our flirting, and get us moving with purchasing the car. "Okay. So is gray your color, sir?"

"Yes. Grey." Christian says.

"Right this way, sir."

They fill out and sign paperwork, all that boring stuff. Christian obviously pays for the car in full. It's to be delivered to us as they don't have the one we want on this lot. It will be available tomorrow.

We go back to Escala and have a quiet dinner. I let Christian know about Kate and Mia coming dress shopping with me, to help choose a dress for Saturday. He lets me know, I will be using his personal shopper Caroline Acton.

In bed Christian is peacefully sound asleep, holding me. I can't sleep. I'm wrapped safely in Christian's arms but I can't stop thinking about him. I can't believe I froze. I sounded so weak. I'm worrying about this and know I wont get any sleep.

I reach for my phone.

I saw him today. -A

It takes her a little while to respond. She was probably sleeping, like I should be.

Who? -KK

HIM! -A

Ana, you're going to have to help me out here. I'm half asleep. -KK

Paul. Clayton. -A

A/N: Most guessed correctly. Paul Clayton is Anastasia's abusive ex! Christian WILL find out.

Also for those who will ask. Sawyer doesn't mention anything to Christian because he didn't hear their conversation and does not suspect anything. He doesn't report every interaction Anastasia has with other people. (Unless, of course, it involves her safety.)

A/N 2: I've had a few reviews regarding the car in my story... I went off the books people.

CG bought Ana 3 cars. First was the red submissive special. Second was the silver convertible. Third was a white R8.

I didn't want the Red submissive special because she's not a sub. I didn't think the White R8 would work since it was the most expensive of the three. So I went with the second car. In the books she choose Silver. I switched it to GREY, which is basically similar to silver. And it goes with his name. ;)