A/N

Thank you to all my readers who are enjoying this story. Your encouragement make it fun to write. I hope you continue to enjoy.

TPOV

Grey is so angry he can barely speak. He is holding the bugs up in the air and asking me to fucking explain them. I explain I just learned about them and will investigate but I have a more pressing problem I need to discuss with him. He goes off on me. Good, I think. Let him vent some anger because when I tell him about Ray, the shit is really going to hit the fan.

He continues to rant and drop the f bomb. I stare straight ahead and tune him out. I am thinking about how to notify Ray; it has to be in person. Maybe via Charlie Tango? I need to get in touch with Elon for extra man power. Suddenly, I am jolted from my thoughts when Grey grabs me by the shoulders and starts shaking me. The pain in my left shoulder is sharp and I yelp involuntarily.

He steps back in dismay and half apologizes. I decide before he can start ranting again, I need to tell him about Ray. Oddly enough, the temper tantrum I expected never happened. Instead, he is filled with self loathing. He blames himself for distancing himself from Ana, and for finding visits with her so painful. He blames no one but himself.

I can't stand this. I point out I should have seen the visitor logs and noticed whose name was missing.

"She's not your girlfriend, Taylor. I had an obligation to see how he was, if he needed anything, but I didn't do it. Don't try to take the blame; you have been sick, this is all my fault. Get Charley Tango ready. "

"Sir, if I may. Ana needs you at her side when she awakens. You wouldn't want her to wake up alone or think Sawyer is the only one who cares, would you? Let me get Ray and explain things and bring him to the hospital."

"No, Taylor. Some things just can't be delegated. Call Boeing."

On the way to Ray, I manage to leave a message for Elon. A long time ago, Elon and I did some anti terrorist training and actually did a couple of missions together. On one of those missions, I was lucky enough to save his life. Now, he is a very high ranking dude with Israeli intelligence. I think he can solve my temporary man power problem and provide me experienced men I can trust.

I look across at the boss. He is busy staring out the window, lost in thought. He seems so desolate, so alone. I look away, watching him is too painful. I am seriously glad he is not piloting today.

The chopper sets down in an empty field behind Rays house. Together we walk to the front of the house. I am a little concerned as he hasn't said a word since we left Escala. He stands in front of the door, hand raised to knock and hesitates. He looks like hell. Then he takes a deep breath and knocks briskly.

Ray opens the door and smiles warmly. The smile fades quickly when he doesn't see Ana. "You came by chopper?" He asks. I see him cock his ear and can hear the chopper idling. Panic washes across his face, "Where is Ana?" He demands.

Grey is starting to falter. I step in. "Sir, Ana is in University Hospital in Seattle. Let me help you get an ovenight bag together. Do you have any calls you need to make?" He shakes his head no. "How about medications?" I ask, he nods at the dining table. I go to his bedroom, pull out an overnight bag from his closet, and start packing. In the bathroom, I grab all his toiletries, razor, toothbrush, deodorant, etc. In the dining room, I sweep all the meds off the dining table into his bag. I am moving double time, trying to get done before Grey starts explaining. I rejoin them in time to hear Ray shout," A head injury? How the hell did she get a head injury?"

"She was kidnapped, Mr Steele." I interject. "We were able to rescue her. The injury occurred when she was tossed into the trunk of a car. She already unconscious. and her head landed hard on a tire iron.

"Why was she already unconscious?" Ray asks.

I explain she had struggled with the kidnapper and been punched in the side of the head.

We are all striding to the helicopter. Ray suddenly halts and demands "Where was her security?"

Before I can answer, Grey does.

"I was upset, confused and angry when I was rescued. I fired everyone. "

I know what's coming and quickly shove Grey out of the way and take a punch to my jaw that is bone rattling and knocks me back a couple of feet.

Its time to get the big shit out of the way. "What you need to know, sir, is that was two weeks ago. We were told the hospital had notified Ana's next of kin."

Steele's eyes narrow. "Why didn't you call me personally?" He asks coldly.

Grey's eyes have a far away look. His mind is someplace else and it is doubtful whether or not he can hear us. The expression on his face is defeated. Ray looks from Grey to Taylor, "What the fuck happened to him?"

"Seven months in isolation, feelings of abandonment and betrayal, finding out his only friend was actually his worst enemy, watching that persons head get blown to pieces, not being able to protect Ana from being kidnapped, the list is endless.

Yeah, sometimes he gets that thousand yard stare but at least he's alive. He'll be alright. He just needs some time. And Ana."

Ray smiled, "You're right. She can cure anything. "

Once everyone was aboard Charley Tango, the chopper quickly rose into the air. Taylor pulled out his phone and texted Sawyer "ETA 30 minutes Boeing Field. Have Armstrong meet us. Bringing Ray Steele and The Boss. Get a wig for Ana, cno. "

Almost instantly, Sawyer confirms, Armstrong will be there. He also confirms Ana regained consciousness briefly and showed no immediate signs of brain damage. Then he shakes his head and thinks where can he get a wig for Ana in less than forty five minutes, cost no object. (cno)

Forty five minutes later, Grey, Taylor and Ray Steele walk out of the elevator on Ana's floor. Ray's expression tightens as he notes two security men outside her door a uniformed hospital security roaming the corridor. It was not a reassuring sight. Was her life still in danger? Ray mentally cursed as he never asked what happened to the kidnappers.

All three men were asked to present ID and sign in. Taylor immediately realized what he had overlooked. Ray signed his name and glared at both Grey and Taylor. One look at the sign in page and it was obvious hardly anyone was visiting Ana.

Once inside, Ray approached her bedside, picked up her hand and called gently, Annie?"

To his great relief, she slowly opened her eyes, and then cries, "Daddy!" With obvious delight. Ray bent over and kissed her cheek, just repeating her name over and over again. After a few minutes of kissing and tears, Ray steps to the side and motions Christian over and says to Ana, "Look who I brought you?"

Christian walks over slowly and smiles gently, "How are you feeling, Ana?"

"I'm feeling better but, well, I am sorry but do I know you?"

"Uh, er, uh -" Christian is shocked and unable to answer. Taylor comes to his side to guide him away when Ana excitedly calls "Taylor! Oh, Jason, its so good to see you. "

Taylor's head spins around with his mouth open, unsure how to respond. Then he just smiles, leans down and kisses her nose affectionately and says simply, "You scared us, girl."

Just then the nurse enters and requests everyone wait in the hallway. Sawyer stays behind. The nurses tries to get him to leave as well, but he is adamant. He stands behind the head of the bed and scrutinizes the nurses actions as she measures the urine output and empties the bag and then takes vital signs.

Out in the hallway, a devastated Christian waits for the doctor. Once he arrives, Ray rejoins them and as next of kin, explains how Ana didn't recognize Christian but knew his body guard. The doctor says temporary selective amnesia is common in head injuries and may eventually resolve more common is short term memory loss. We should look for the same question repeated over and over because she cant remember asking it or what the answer was. If we see any evidence of this, we are to notify the nurse.

Christian speaks up and asks the doctor how long will it take Ana to remember him. The doctor kindly replied" I am sorry, I know its very frustrating, but the truth is we simply do not know. It varies from patient to patient, from hours, to days to months - sometimes never. Just try to be patient and think positive. "

Grey's expression becomes even more despondent. His posture sags as he yanks at his hair. Taylor stands close to him and says just loud enough for Grey to hear him, "Sir, I saw a lot of head injuries in the service, and the memories almost always return. Think positive."

"That's easy for you to say, she remembered you! What if she doesn't want to remember me?"

"Sir, you cast a very strong presence. I really don't think anyone could permanently forget you, whether intentional or not."

"I need to leave Taylor."

"Fine, but let's say good bye."

Grey reluctantly nods, but when they reenter Ana's room, she is asleep again. Its decided Sawyer will call when Ray is ready to leave. A suite is reserved for Ray at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

Finally able to leave, a worn down Christian walks slowly out of the hospital with Taylor beside him to the waiting SUV.