Hey guys,it's rough, but I just couldn't do any more to it right now. Sometimes you just have to let it go. And I forgot about Ana's parents. There will be a slight addition to a previous chapter where Ana will have a conversation with her mom and ray about the video and the "Gay boys need love too" interview. So here we go graduation day... As always thanks for the frickn' awesome feedback... and enjoy...

Ana

"...Dad and Ray are meeting us at the main house at ten. I've already put your outfit together. It's in the garment-bag with your cap and gown..." Jose blew through the front door as soon as she opened it, an explosion of color and energy, in a vivid periwinkle shirt and a shockingly bright tie swirling with shades of purple and fuchsia. It should have been atrocious, but on him it looked perfect, if a little bright for someone who'd only been awake five minutes. "Taylor brought Sugar-Buns another Brioni, gray again, but he'll look fabulous in it. I wasn't crazy about the tie though, so I raided Stan's dad's closet..."

Ana stood with her hand on the door-knob in a squinting stupor. Her friend didn't seem to notice. He went straight to the small closet in the living room and pulled out another garment bag. "Now it's ten past eight, I'm assuming you've already showered..."

"Uh..."

He spun around at the uncertainty in her voice, peep-toes in one hand and a garment bag in the other,

"Oh, Hells Sweet Blue Bells, you girls and your Greek Gods." snagging the garment bag over the closet door, he marched over, grabbed her by the arm, dragged her through the living room to shove her down the hall, "Get in the shower. Please tell me that you at least shampooed yesterday..."

"Yes..."

"Then you've got five minutes."

"What..."

"You heard me, I want you showered and back out here in five minutes ready for hair and makeup. You're wearing the peep-toes, so we need to freshen that pedicure. Now chop-chop!" Two hand claps in her ear had her scurrying down the hall. When Jose' pulled out the 'chop-chop' arguing was a waste of time, that according to him, she didn't have.

She turned into the bedroom and collided with a hard warm body, "Morning kitten..." arms went around her, warm hands running up and down her back.

"Morning...I thought you were asleep...um Jose' is here."

"Yes, I heard." lips nuzzled, morning stubble a rough caress on her cheek, and oh...well.. that...was just ..sexy...

"I...um.. need to..." her voice died when Adonis started nibbling his way down her throat. He was a really good nibbler.."Um..."

"Yes?" she felt those lips smile against her throat.

"I ...get..a...a shower..." A hand slid down, cupping one cheek of her ass, kneading.. stroking. Her thoughts scattered like dry leaves on the wind.

"I'll help." words whispered in her ear.

"Adonis, I don't think..."

"And no Greek God nookie." Jose's voice shot down the hall, "We're on a schedule. You now have four minutes and thirty seconds, Annie Steele. Don't make me come back there."

Adonis pulled back, his perfect brows shooting into his hairline, "He wouldn't..."

Her snort came out, "You have met Jose' right?"

His lips twitched, "I'll shower in the other bathroom."

If she'd known how hectic the rest of the morning would be, she'd have taken the full four and a half minutes. As it was she was back out with fifteen seconds to spare.

She sat obediently on her stool in her sweats, while Jose' darted around her with makeup brushes, sponges hair combs, and a very intense red lipstick, she saw when she picked up the tube and twisted it up. "Red?"

"Excuse me, Miss fashion challenged," he snatched the tube out of her hand, "Have I ever steered you wrong?"

"Well, no...but..."

"No buts this is your graduation." placing the lipstick on the counter, he pulled a nutrition bar from his shirt pocket, "Trust the expert and eat your protein. We don't want you getting light-headed half way across the stage."

Sufficiently cowed, she was obediently drinking her tea and nibbling on her nutrition bar when Adonis came striding down the hall.

Gray suit, white shirt, and a tie in a deep metallic blue-gray. His hair still slightly damp from his shower, clean-shaven. She sighed, grateful to already be sitting, so she wouldn't collapse in a heap when her ninny knees gave way.

Jose showed how focused he was by only halting his movements for the barest few seconds. "Very nice," He gave an approving nod, "That tie is wonderful on you. It's an Armani. Stan's father has the most amazing tie collection."

"I'll be sure and return it." Adonis walked up to them all loose-limbed grace,and taking Ana's hand, pressed a soft kiss to her palm. The gesture was so surprisingly tender, she had to blink the sting of tears from her eyes.

Catching Jose' in her periphery doing that little pitter-patter thing over his heart, his mouth forming silent words 'soooooo sweeeeeet'. Then out loud, "I'm just going to go check something at the other end of this hallway. Out of seeing and hearing range. It should take one minute."

Adonis quirked a brow, "Subtle."

"Oh yes, Jose' is all about subtle."

"I have to go, kitten." he lowered her hand but still held it, his thumb brushing over the tingling nerves, "I need to be there early. Sawyer will escort you."

"Alright," it came out breathless. Ninny Ninny Ninny

"I'm not sure what to expect with the press. This is a public event. Please be careful, and do as he says."

He leaned down, his free hand slipping under the hair at her nape, "A kiss for luck," his mouth claimed her in a brief, devastating open lip kiss, "Another, I think." he whispered, his nose nuzzling, "It's a long speech," again his lips met hers, his tongue licking the seam, teasing a whimper from her when he pulled away.

"See you soon, kitten." he winked. Turning away with a wave at the hall, "Thanks for all your help, Jose'."

"Oh, anytime sugar-buh..uh...Christian." Jose' joined her and they both stared at his back until he'd closed the door behind him.

"Annie, call 911." Jose' fanned himself, "I've got a fire down below."

"Jose'!"

"What, like you don't?"

Since her panties were drenched, she shut up and ate her protein.

Ten brutal minutes later she was in front of the full length mirror that hung conveniently on the back of the closet door, and well, once again, she had to admit, "It's perfect."

A simple sheath, black on white with three-quarter length sleeves. It hit her just above the knee. The boat neck front became a wide vee in the back exposing the upper half of her back. Jose' had rolled her hair into a low french twist, and yes the smokey eyes and red lips were perfect with the dress.

"Where did the dress come from?" Usually they borrowed from Kate's closet, but Kate wasn't one to wear white.

"J Peterman." Jose' slipped a wide black leather belt around her waist.

"What? You mean like on Seinfeld?" She took black onyx studs from his hands.

"Yes, it's a real company you know." he closed a black and white cloisonné bracelet on her wrist.

"Uh, no I didn't know. Did you buy this? I need to pay you back."

"No you don't it's your graduation happy."

She gave her friend a hug,"Thanks I love it."

"Of course you do. I'm a genius. Now put on your fabulous shoes and let's hit it."

The shoes, right. The tall heels she was supposed to walk across the stage in and not fall on her ass, "Um..."

"Don't even think about it." Jose' placed them in front of her, then took her elbow and aided her step in them, "This is your college graduation, Annie Steele." moving behind her he needlessly brushed lint from her dress and met her eyes in the mirror, "You will wear shoes worthy of this moment."

"Worthy?" Uh-oh, she felt a Coco rant coming. She checked her watch.

"You will glide across that stage on the artistry, the brilliance, the legend that is Coco Chanel."

Yep, ranting. He'd be pulling out the Coco quotes next, and it was already five after ten.

"You will leave this time in your life, graciously acknowledging your accomplishments and boldly embrace your date with destiny."

Yep..quotes. Ray would already be waiting at the house.

"What you will not do is traipse across that stage in some unworthy kitten heel knock-off..."

Knowing the quotes could go on for a while, she jumped in when he paused for air, "Got it. Worthy...Glide...graciously acknowledge...boldly embrace, and no traipsing in knockoffs. Check check, check, check, aaaand check." She made a huge check sign with her hand.

Jose' Humpff'd. She tapped her watch.

"Fine," he handed her a sleek black leather clutch, picking up the garment bag with their cap and gowns, "But there's always time for Coco."

Ray and Stan were at the base of the staircase in a deep discussion about American Holly when they glided into the main house, a mere seven minutes late. Jose' Sr. saw her first and immediately she was engulfed in a warm hug, "Bonita look at you," he pulled back looking her up and down, his eyes shining,"Our little Annie all grown up and so beautiful."

Fierce affection rose in her, "Thank-you, papa Jose'. It's so good to see you, " It was easy to see where her friend came by his enthusiasm for life. Jose' Sr. was as exuberant as Ray was taciturn. It was a marvel the men were such good friends.

"And my son," he grabbed Jose', tears spilling onto his leathery cheek, "Your mama would be so proud."

Jose's mother had passed away years ago after losing a long battle with cancer. Sr's eyes glistened every time he spoke her name.

"Hey, Papa." Jose' wrapped his Dad in a tender hug, "Mama knows, she's probably looking down right now and shaking her finger at you for wearing those shoes."

Hearty laughter broke through the tears, "And I would tell my lovely Marcia that these shoes are comfortable and to leave an old man alone."

"Your look great Annie," Ray came over and enfolded her in a more subdued but no less loving hug, "I'm proud of you kid."

"Thanks, Dad." She whispered, again feeling the sting of tears. She was in for an emotional day.

"I've been talking to Stan. He's got a source for American Holly."

"Did you see the banister."

Yes, it's quality work...he says he can get ebony too..."

"I've got a wood working shop in Seattle" Stan joined them, handsome as ever even with the black eye, "Your dad is going to show me some of that period craving..."

"You two can talk wood later." Jose' interrupted, "We need to get some pics before we leave. Stan if you wouldn't mind." He handed Stan his new phone, famous for its picture taking ability, Spinning Ana into her cap and gown and in under five minutes pictures were done and they were out the door, flanked by Sawyer and another security guard whose name she could never remember, and down the steps to the...oh...

"It's a limo." She stated needlessly.

"Sure is. Stan said he's got some Southern Comfort in there." was all Ray said before he was moving forward with Mr. Rodriguez. Jose' took her elbow, "That sugar-buns is a class act."

Everything after that blurred together. Before she knew it, she was seated in her cap and gown, Sawyer at her side. His eyes in constant motion scanning for any sign trouble, and garnering a lot of female attention.

After shooting him numerous glances around Ana's body, the girl next to her leaned in, "Who is he?"

"He's my... uh.. body-guard."

"Oh, wow.." she leaned around her again, wide eyes ogling, "He can guard my body anytime."

Sawyer took it in stride, but then after Frannie and Jose,' this little bit of girlie-girl admiration was nothing.

"Oooo, who is that hunk?" The girl next to her pointed to the stage.

"I think it's the billionaire." Ana heard a whisper from behind her.

"Oh, he is hot."

She followed their eyes. Yes, he was hot, his eyes subtly searching the crowd. Finally finding hers, and in the flicker of time between one second to the next, she felt those eyes like a physical touch, potent and heady. She saw the ghost of his satisfied smile. Fudge. How could he possibly know he'd affected her from all the way up there. She poked her tongue out at him, saw his lips twitch and that one brow go up, before his eyes moved on.

"I wonder if he's really in love with that girl from here" the voices behind her kept whispering,. "What's her name, Ana something."

Oh shit. She scooched down in her chair and tried to hide behind her program.

The chancellor stepped up to the podium and the ceremony began. Kate was brilliant. Her speech timely and inspiring. Then Adonis stepped to the mike. He was eloquent, passionate and beautiful. She was entranced until...

"I've known extreme hunger..." Those four words hit her like a physical blow and the world fell away.

A chaotic mix of words and images tumbled through her mind...adopted when he was four.. the cigarette burns... extreme hunger... Oh God... She closed her eyes, but couldn't block the image of a little copper haired boy – helpless, abused, hurt and hungry. A burning knife sliced her chest with searing hot pain. Tears spilled over. She dashed them away with an impatient hand.

"Miss Steele?"

Sawyer's voice brought her back to the crowded stadium. She realized she was clutching her chest, her shoulders hunched. Rising up, she took a shuddering breath, lowering her hand. She shot him her best attempt at a smile, "I'm fine." the two words were a blatant, flat-out, whopping lie.

He gave her a quick nod and went back to scanning their surroundings. By the time Christian began handing out the diplomas, the pain in her chest had eased to a piercing ache. She even managed to glide across the stage. Strangely, Jose's words and the knowledge of the legend on her feet gave her strength. Then she looked up into fathomless gray eyes and the knife twisted, ripping through her heart.

Christian

"Congratulations Miss Steele."

"Thank-you."

Christian's eyes narrowed at the tremble in her voice. Taking note of her slightly puffy eyes..the smudged mascara, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

"You've been crying."

Her eyes darted away, "I'm emotional."

She was lying. Something was wrong. He glanced to the exiting stairs where Sawyer waited, caught his eyes. Sawyer shook his head. What the hell did that mean? A throat cleared. He turned back to see the next student looking up at him, "Congratulations Miss... Sylvester."

The rest of the ceremony was a haze viewed from behind his rising frustration. Thank fuck he was near the end. By the time he tripped over the name Mr. Zyntaschal, his jaw was so tight he could barely speak. The Chancellor said a few words. People cheered. He was already moving. He got to the bottom of the stairs and was immediately accosted by various people he couldn't ignore. The mayor among them. He shook hands and nodded thank-yous. Somehow smiling, all the while his eyes searched for Ana. Finally, he saw Sawyer leading her through the crowd, "Excuse me, gentlemen..."

He cut through the mass of people, taking Ana's arm, "What's wrong?"

He saw her lip tremble, "Nothing...nothing.." the words were mumbled. She dropped her head. All he could see was the top of that hat.

He swung his gaze to Sawyer,"What happened?"

"Uh..." The man's discomforted gaze moved from him to Ana and back again, but he remained silent. Holy shit! If somebody didn't tell him what the fuck was going on he was going to fucking lose it.

A low voice murmured from behind him, "She's upset because you went hungry." jerking his head, around he saw Elliot standing behind him next to Kate,"Damn Bro, for somebody who made a billion, you can be dumb as a stump."

He blinked at his brother. Hungry? What? He turned back to the woman in front of him, "Kitten?"

She wouldn't look up, her shoulders drawn tight, but he saw the subtle shaking. Shit! she was crying. Suddenly they were descended upon. The Mayor, the Chancellor, the Dean, and …the press. They were surrounded, people pressing in from all directions, and his kitten was crying... for him.

Fuck it.

He bent down and scooped her up in his arms. The cap fell from her head. Eyes flooded with tears met his, "What..."

"Ssh..kitten" he whispered, lowering his head, tasting the salt on her damp cheek, "I'm getting you out of here."

"But..."whatever protest she was about to utter was drowned out by reporters shouting questions. She ducked her head, he felt her nod, her arms went around his neck.

"Excuse me Gentlemen, Ana's unwell. It was a lovely ceremony " He spoke over his shoulder, already walking away. "Sawyer have the limo brought around. Elliot, find Ray. Meet us at the airport. I'm taking Ana back to Seattle."

Elliot nodded, "I've got this. You take care of your girl."

He wove through the milling crowd, Ana was completely silent her face turned to his chest. Sawyer in front of him, cutting a path through the back of the stadium to the parking area reserved for speakers. The driver was already opening the door, "Airport." was his only word. Then he was in the Limo. His arms full of woman, his shirt soaked from the tears she cried for him.

"Kitten?" She ducked her head. Her fingers so tight around his neck, he could feel the bite of her nails. He had no idea what to do. He buried one hand in her nape, "Kitten, please don't cry, it was a long time ago."

At that, Holy Christ, her silent tears burst into heaving sobs. He tucked her tighter into his body, attempting to still the violent shudders, feeling like his own chest was cracking in two. He'd never seen anything like it. She was shaking so hard he was half afraid she'd break apart. Terrified to say anything else that would possibly make her worse, he just held her while her entire body jerked with gut wrenching sobs.

He'd never felt so helpless.

Ana

She hurt. Dear God she hurt so much. Sobs ripping out of a chest raked raw with one little boy's pain. She couldn't get the picture out of her head. Tiny copper headed Adonis, terrified, hurt, and hungry. The image merged with the man he was now. So beautiful, so alone. A boy who couldn't fight back. A man who couldn't be touched. It was all so horrible. The pain welled up inside till she felt she would explode. So she gave in, crying because she knew in her heart the man holding her never would. He'd never shed tears for that hungry, scared little boy and that was the most tragic thing of all. So she cried. She cried for the helpless little boy, for the beautiful lonely man and for herself, the woman who loved them both with every beat of her shredded heart.

"Ssh, Ana sweetheart, you're killing me please..." the voice above her, so soft and deep and tender, made her cry harder.

"Sh, sh,sh," a gentle touch to her hair, "Please baby, I promise I'm alright."

No, no he wasn't he wasn't alright. More sobs tore from her, wracking her body. She shook her head against his chest,

"I'm not alright?"

" Nnnon...n..o" she stuttered. Her chest burning. The sobs robbing her lungs of air.

"Alright kitten, whatever you say. I'm not alright. I'm wrong, upside down, inside out, and backwards. Anything, anything you want. Just please stop crying, please baby."

Christian

Fuck, he had no idea what he was saying, those harsh shuddering cries were making him crazy."I'll stand on my head and sing 'It's raining men'." he rambled on, feeling each one of those sobs like a cannonball slamming into his chest, "I'll take you to one of my chocolate shops, Belgian, that's the best. I'll feed you a steak." He didn't own a steak place yet, but he was working on it. "Anything, anything...kitten please..."

Then, just when he was ready to pull out his phone and hunt down Flynn. He felt her take a breath, "Ch...cho..co...late...?"

"Yes, I can get you all the chocolate you want," he jumped on the word, "I own five stores. I'll take you as soon as we get back to Seattle. You can pick out whatever..."

"Fffive?" The tears still fell but the awful jerking eased.

He grabbed that chocolate and ran with it,"Yes, yes, five shops. They have everything, not just candy, cakes and pastries and gellato...and..."

"Yyou own ffive shshopp..ps..." shock broke through the tears in her voice.

Aah, right. He hadn't told her that yet, but shit, it worked. He'd buy fucking Godiva if he had to, "Yes, Belgian chocolate." he looked down into her face now looking up at him. Tears and mascara running down her cheeks, her eyes swollen, her nose red, and still it was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen, for the simple fact the tears had stopped. "It's the best," He pulled his handkerchief out, handing it to her.

She sniffed, staring at it, "It's a handkerchief."

"Yes, I know." he smiled, relief flooding his chest. He was still calling Flynn, though - ASAP. Because no way in hell could this ever happen again.

He was a brutal bastard. He'd taken apart companies and broken grown men till they were blubbering like babies in his office without a twinge of guilt. But his kitten crying like her heart was being ripped in two? No, never again. That would fucking kill him.

"I didn't know they still made these." Her hands left his neck, taking the square of linen from him. She wiped her eyes, blew her nose, then asked the question he was waiting for, "Adonis when did you become a chocolatier?"

"I ..uh.. bought the chain recently."

"Why?"

"That night you said you wanted lots of chocolate..."

"Adonis," her eyes blinked up at him, "Are you saying because I said I wanted lots of chocolate, you bought an entire chain of chocolate shops."

He cleared his throat, "Not entirely, relationships are new to me, so I thought I might need to apologize again. It's a local chain. Belgian chocolate. That's the best, you know."

"Uh yes, so you said." she snuggled back into his chest, dropping the soiled handkerchief in her lap and put her arms back around his neck, her soft fingers fiddling with his collar. A relieved sigh left him.

"Adonis?" a small, hoarse whisper.

"Hmm..."

"I know you probably don't want to talk about it. I hope one day you will, but I want you to know I'm so sorry for what happened to you."

His sigh caught in his throat. Such simple words. Words that burned and soothed at once. He heard his own voice, "I don't remember much. My mother was addicted. She had a pimp." He rubbed his chin on the crown of her head, comforting himself with the feeling of her in his arms.

"He hurt you." her voice thickened with tears.

Bracing himself, he decided to get it over with in one go, "Yes, she eventually overdosed. It took them three days to find me. I was four."

He felt her body begin to shake. Her fingers tightened around his neck. He heard a broken sob. Oh no. No no no no...

"Kitten," tilting her head up, he saw bruised blue eyes spilling with tears, "I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to tell you, if you keep crying I'm going to lose my mind." he lowered his forehead to hers, his words a rasping whisper, "It's hurting me far worse than those burns ever could. Kitten, please, please, please.." he pressed kisses to her damp cheek, whispering the word over and over till the shudders eased once more. The fingers loosened their grip, and again fiddled with his collar, and peace, warm and solid, and bone-deep settled in his chest.

Ana

She came awake to the soothing silence of rain pattering on a window. She opened her eyes to warmth, inhaled that wonderful smell, "Adonis?"

"Ssh," warm hands stroked her hair, "Go back to sleep, kitten."

"What? Where are we? What's going on?" Realizing she was stretched out with her head in Adonis' lap she tried to sit up. Gentle pressure kept her in place.

"We're on the way back to Seattle. We're taking the limo. Everyone else is taking the jet. I've talked to your father. They're staying overnight at the Monaco. You can see him tomorrow. Go back to sleep, kitten. You need rest. You've had a hectic couple of days. "

She was going to ask more questions, but she was so sleepy, and warm, and comfortable and...nothing.