Of course as you know I do not own I am just merely borrowing the characters to use and abuse as I please!

Ok so I didn't realise that I made a mistake in chapter 54, I said drinks with Kate before seeing Flynn it's the other way around … ooops

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS!

When the morning arrives I quickly head down to the basement with Sawyer to meet Lola my personal trainer. It's the first time I've ever been in the gym here at Escala and all the heavy machines make me nervous. As I wait for Lola to arrive I check my phone to find an email from Christian.

To: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Safe arrival

From: Christian Grey

I'm letting you know I've arrived safely, with eight hours difference I know you're asleep as I mail this. Please ring me at eight am your time.

Christian Grey

Homesick CEO, Grey's Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

I smile but don't get the chance to email back as the woman I know is Lola walks in wearing fitted three quarter spandex pants and a tight support bra.

"Mrs Grey?"

"Ana, please. Lola?"

"Yes Ma'am." She replies. "Ready to get down and dirty?" She asks with a wink and I can't help but wonder what it is I've let myself in for.

An hour later and I am glad to be out of the gym. According to Lola I'm definitely fitter than she expected considering I don't work out. I didn't tell her that my workouts consisted of a red room with shackles and whips, she didn't need to know that.

"I'll be ready to leave at eight thirty Sawyer, have the TTS ready for me please and I won't need you to accompany me today." I say in a kind but professional manner, this man is seeing me dripping with sweat and unable to catch my breath, it is not time to be on friend terms.

"Yes Ma'am."

"Thank you." I reply as Gail passes me a bottle of water.

"What would you like for breakfast Ana?" She asks as I begin to head towards the bathroom.

"Can I have a fruit salad?" I ask hopeful and she beams at me.

"Of course, when do you want it by?"

"I'm going to have a soak in the bath first, I'll be about half an hour to an hour."

"No problem." She smiles as I disappear towards my bedroom.

I slip out of my hoody and sweat pants and drop them into the hamper as I walk to the bathroom. I'm hot and sweaty and I need a quick soak in hot water so my body doesn't ache tomorrow.

As the water runs I tap out an email to my husband hoping he isn't too busy.

To: Christian Grey

Subject: Miss you

From: Anastasia Grey

It's lonely here without you but I'm pleased to hear you arrived London safely.

Anastasia Grey

Lonely CEO, Grey Publishing, Ltd.

I sink into the bath and begin to relax when 'Your love is king' reverberates around the room.

"Hey." I smile broadly as I answer the phone.

"Good morning sunshine!" I can tell he's smiling back at me.

"Isn't it three in the afternoon there?" I smirk and he laughs softly.

"Yes, yes it is. So how was your morning work out?"

"I'm surprisingly a very fit woman Mr Grey." I say and he laughs again bringing a wide smile to my face.

"I could have told you that Ana." He's smirking and it's my turn to laugh. "So what are you doing while you're talking to me?"

"I'm in the bath." I reply without thought.

"You're naked?" He asks quietly and I blush scarlet at his seduction.

"Yes." I say quietly and it comes out as a squeal.

"And Wet?"

"Yes." I answer him still squealing.

"Touch yourself."

"Are you alone Mr Grey?" I ask trying to sound seductive.

"Yes I am, Taylor is in his own room and I am in mine, we're settling in." He explains. "Now touch yourself Mrs Grey."

"Christian I need to get ready for work."

"You don't start until nine."

"Not the point I want to jump in the shower and turn it on to Artic cold then get dressed, check my schedule, have breakfast … unless you want me to skip breakfast so I'm not late."

"You'll do no such thing Ana." He growls.

I giggle, I knew that would work.

"Mrs Grey, when I get home I'll spank you for that."

"I wouldn't expect anything less Mr Grey."

"I'm going to add up all your infractions while I'm away and they're all going to come back to bite you on the ass."

"Whip me on the ass more like." I reply smarmily and Christian laughs loudly.

"Yes Ma'am. Now go get ready for work."

"I love you." I say feeling my throat tighten at the thought of having to say goodbye to him again.

"I love you too, have fun at work and I hope everything goes well with John tonight. Call me if you need to don't even think about what time it is ok?"

"Ok." I whisper feeling the hot tears stinging my eyes.

"Bye Ana." He says quietly before hanging up.

I take a deep heavy inhale and wipe away at my tears before climbing out of the bath and jumping into the shower and letting the cold water run over me and soothe me.

After washing and dressing I head into the kitchen looking and feeling like the CEO of Grey Publishing. Mrs Jones smiles at me and I know it's because she's spoken to Taylor and I happily sit down and accept the fruit salad and glass of juice she places in front of me. I begin to eat as I check my messages from work and Sawyer comes in with newspapers.

"How many?" I ask him.

"Just two this morning."

"Thank heavens, have you read them?"

"Yes." He replies politely.

"Interesting?" I say grabbing the first one.

"The express mentions Christian's lone trip to London, they speculate that you haven't gone because of a falling out."

"Oh great." I say rolling my eyes as I push the paper to one side. "Do these people not realise I have my own company to run." I mutter and Sawyer, wisely, says nothing.

"The Times is you on the fashion page and they're comparing the three outfits you wore to the funeral and make general comments on them."

"Good or bad?" I ask not bothering to open the paper.

"Good Ma'am. They liked all outfits just they compare them, labels and the cost."

"Thanks Luke." I say putting the papers to one side. "Saves me wasting my time reading the junk." I say and with a nod of my head Sawyer's off to do whatever it is he needs to while I finish my breakfast.

"What time would you like your dinner tonight Ana?" Gail asks me as I continue to eat.

"I have an appointment with Flynn at five so shall we say six thirty?" I ask her and she smiles and nods.

"Any preference?" She asks and I remember I haven't done the menus this week.

"Nope." I reply. "And if you want to join me I'd be more than happy."

"I have nothing else to do." She says with a smile.

"Good then cook whatever it is you fancy Gail. If you need anything call me and I can pick it up on my way." I say getting to my feet. "Thanks for breakfast."

"No problem." She smiles as I pull on my coat and she swipes the dishes up and loads them into the dishwasher.

Sawyer hands me the keys to the TTS as soon as I step into the lobby.

"I'll be home after six." I tell him. "I'm seeing John Flynn at five but again I don't need an escort." I smirk and he cracks a smile at me. "Any problems call me and not Christian, I don't want him flying back in a hurry without a damn good reason." I say even though I wish he'd hop on the next flight and come home.

"Yes Ma'am."

"And if Ros calls have her call me!" I add as the elevator doors close.

I take a deep breath and relax into the silence, yes, it's going to be a damn long week.

I jump in my car in the garage and I put my iPod in, turning Christian's playlist and turning it up loud, happy to have to not care about the other people who would normally be 'accompanying' me during my day.

The drive is relaxing but as Thomas Tallis begins to play I find myself missing Christian more and more. By the time I arrive at the office I want nothing more than to call him but I refrain from doing so knowing I need him to know I can take care of myself, he needs to have this trust in me and I need to prove to him that I can do things on my own sometimes.

I arrive on my floor and Hannah smiles happily at me. I think she may have just missed me last week when I was away for the funerals.

"What have you got for me Hannah?" I ask her as soon as I step into the foyer.

"Well Clarisse has some documents that she needs you to sign." She says handing over a blue folder. "Then here are the messages Clarisse told me to hand to you." She says handing me over a small pile of post-it notes.

"Does that woman not know how to use email?" I ask more to myself than to Hannah but I catch her smile and I smirk back at her.

"Then HR have been in touch about the whole Creative stuff, they didn't want to email you with it because of the funerals just told me to tell you to get in touch as soon as they could and PR wants to know about the rumour flying about that Mr Grey has flown to London without you because your relationship is rocky."

"That everything?" I ask feeling myself getting annoyed with the amount that needs doing.

"Yes, would you like some tea?"

"Yes please and could you please call the event organisers for Friday and have them send me a second ticket." I smile.

"Who is it for?" She asks casually though I know it's for the guest list and will probably be in the papers tomorrow.

"Gail Jones." I smile before heading into my office knowing Hannah has no idea who Gail is.

I sit down and turn my computer on, this is going to be a routine for me I'm going to make damn sure I'm a good CEO.

I log into my computer and while it loads up I go through the messages. Most of them are just people calling to say they're sorry for the jet and I am quick to write down a list of their names so I can contact them all back with an email or quick phone call to say thank you. I go through the files that Clarisse made up for me and I see that everything that needs my signature on require money transactions of some sort and it's going to take a while for me to go through each and every one of them.

The most urgent one is on top and it's the budgets for each department for December. I compare them to last month's budget and quickly make some changes. As I write I realise that I can actually do this. Being CEO was not something I ever aspired too but I know I can do this and I can do it well if I really want to.

Hannah brings my tea in and I stop her before signing the form I'm working on.

"Can you photocopy these, send them out to the relevant departments, file a copy and get a copy down to Clarisse?" I ask as my email pings.

"Sure thing Ana."

"Thank you." I reply as I turn to my computer.

I know I must look quite funny. I have my hair in a tight bun at the top of my head. I'm wearing a knee length black pencil skirt with a navy blue silk loose flowing shirt and red stiletto pumps with a pointed toe and I'm sat in my CEO office with a pen hanging out of my mouth, my desk overflowing with paper work and my eyes glued to the computer screen.

To: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Lonely in London

From: Christian Grey

How is work my hot-shot CEO wife?

Christian Grey

Bored CEO, Grey's Enterprises Holding, Inc.

I can't help but smile, I'm sure I've called him Hot-shot CEO a few times in the past and here he is using my words against me.

To: Christian Grey

Subject: Happy but sad

From: Anastasia Grey

Things are great here, I'm busy of course but enjoying every minute of learning what it's like to be you. Do you still think Grey Publishing could be expanded, if so I want to discuss the name with you…

Love and miss you (which is making me sad)

Anastasia Grey

CEO, Grey Publishing, Ltd.

I click send and begin typing up emails to thank people for their apologies over the deaths while dialling the interoffice code for HR holding the phone with my shoulder, this is multi-tasking at its best.

"Sophie, Human Resources."

"Hey Sophie, Ana Grey, what do you need from me?" I sound like Christian, not good.

"Hey Mrs Grey, we just need to discuss replacing Clarisse and Francesca, do you want in on the interviews?"

"No, I won't have time. I want details of all the applicants to send to Grey's house for background checks before any interviews are set up then when the field is narrowed down I'll look over your notes and Clarisse's notes before the decision is finalised but I don't see us replacing them before the New Year."

"Ok, I'll let Clarisse know."

"Thank you." I reply before hanging up. I see Christian has emailed me back.

To: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Expanding already?

From: Christian Grey

What happened to in over your head? Have you found an expansion already? It's your company now, you do whatever you want with the place Ana. Don't work too hard!

Love and Miss you too

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey's Enterprises Holding, Inc.

He can be so sweet, even in an email.

To: Christian Grey

Subject: Walking slowly!

From: Anastasia Grey

No not planning on expanding YET, just a possibility for the future, right now I'm enjoying strolling!

Grey Publishing Seattle. Just so it's known that we may or may not expand, keep Grey Publishing as central type of thing? You'll know what I mean.

I love and miss you more.

Anastasia Grey

CEO, Grey Publishing, Ltd.

I hit send and catch a glimpse of the clock. This morning has gone by way too fast for my liking. I hit the phone and call Hannah while I begin looking through more of the things Clarisse has sent for me to sign.

"Mrs Grey?"

"Hey Hannah could you run across the street and get me a pasta salad pot and a latte please?"

"Sure thing." She replies.

"Thank you." I hang up and begin to sign the documents so Hannah can file and deliver them when I'm done and I can relax and enjoy my lunch before going to see what every department is doing and trying to get to know the people who work for me, luckily Grey's Publishing soon to be Grey's Publishing Seattle only has about 150 members of staff, shouldn't be too hard to learn everyone's name … right?

To: Anastasia Grey

Subject: I understand

From: Christian Grey

Grey's Publishing will be centre, I get it. Yes I think Grey's Publishing Seattle has a nice ring to it except the abbreviated version is GPS, don't think that will work …

I'm going to get some sleep Mrs Grey, I will call you or email you later

It's impossible that you miss and love me more than I love and miss you.

Christian Grey

Homesick CEO, Grey's Enterprises Holding, Inc.

I smile at the email and I can almost see Christian's boyish I'm-only-twenty-eight smile and it really makes me smile wider.

Hannah comes in with my lunch and I explain the documents to her and have her hurry off with them while I relax and eat. I can't help but wonder how this week is really going to go with Christian so far away from me. I am missing him but I know it's only going to get worse. I think I'll have to address this with Flynn this evening.

After I eat my tomato and spinach pasta I send an email out to all those necessary about the name changes and begin to sort out the paper work needed to do all of this. I'm finding my way around this whole CEO thing quite easily right now, maybe it's because I only have one company to run, what would it be like if I had two?

At four thirty I bid goodbye to Hannah and head out, sending a text message to Sawyer to let him know I'm on the move. I know they're all worried about my safety and I am trying to make their job somehow easier for them by letting them know where I am. I just don't need Sawyer to be around me while I'm working, I didn't even leave my desk for the whole seven and a half hours I was there.

After parking my car I head up to Flynn's office. The secretary greets me happily, almost as if she's one of my friends and I find it ironic considering she would like to be screwing my husband.

She lets me know when it's time for me to go through to Flynn's office and I smile gratefully at her before slipping through the door.

"Ana lovely to see you again."

"You too John." I smile as I slip onto the couch, it feels like I haven't been here in so long though it's not been that long at all.

"So we'll jump straight in, how have you been since we last talked?"

"Considerably better considering." I reply and I know he's deciphering what I've just said, I have a habit of being cryptic when I want to be.

"You mean the funerals?" He asks.

"Yes and the fact that Christian has gone to London." I say sadly, I can't stop missing him and it's heart-breaking that I can't just pick up the phone either with the time zones and his probably jet lag.

"I see." He nods softly as I relax back into the leather couch, I don't feel the need to sit so upright and be so uptight when I'm here anymore. "Did you do what I advised you too the last time you were here?"

"Yes." I reply sheepishly.

"Really?" He sounds surprised.

"Every time Christian would disappear into his study I'd go into the library and just put pen to paper, or in this case fingers to mac." I smirk a little.

"And?"

"I've written about ten thousand words." I say quietly and I know he's shocked. "I don't know if I'll ever consider publish it, I mean I may send it to one of my editors and see if they champion it before I say it's mine or something, give it a pen name."

"I think that's a great idea." John smiles broadly and I smile back, I haven't told him I've almost finished the damn thing. "Have you been only writing when you've been feeling guilty?"

"No, to be honest I haven't felt like that since I left here and went to the tree. I've accepted it for what it is and focused on my future."

"That's great Ana." He beams. "So what has been happening for you?"

"Well it's been a hectic couple of weeks, hence why you didn't see me last week." I smile and he nods softly understanding the mixture of emotions I'm displaying. "In all honesty John I've barely had time to stop and breathe this past week."

"I can understand that with everything I know from Christian and what I've seen in the press." He encourages me as gently as he can, pushing me to give him more.

"There's been a lot of tears but there's also been some light. Christian and I have been discussing possibly trying for another child."

"That's great news." John smiles and I can't help but smile back and nod my head.

"I don't know if we will, we may wait but at least we're discussing something in the future."

"What else have you discussed?"

"Oh so much!" I gasp and John beams at me. "We've got Christmas and New Year, visiting Savannah and visiting Minnesota and then there's moving into the news house and that's on top of trying to work. It's hectic but it's good to, I can't wait for the coming months."

"I can see that on your face."

"Christian and I are communicating much more now." I shrug. "We try and trust each other more or he me I trust him with my life any way. He's a lot less controlling and sometimes I can see it in his face that he's not happy and he wants to contradict me and things but then he doesn't. I can see that it's a struggle for him but he doesn't dwell on it, doesn't fight me as much as he wants too. Then I'm reasonable with him, I let the security come with me shopping and so on and I know that relaxes him some."

"That's great Ana." John sounds extremely surprised. "You've both come leaps and bounds in the last couple of weeks."

"I think we've had no choice." I tell him. "If we didn't try and change a little we would just spend every minute fighting and neither one of us wants that."

"I can understand that." He smiles and I see I'm just sitting here talking and he's just listening.

"I guess I'm worried that it's just been like this because my parents have been here and the jet crash and the funerals and that he'll change again when he gets back from London." I explain and my voice has dropped to a whisper.

"I won't tell you that it won't." He says and my heart drops. "But it may not either, it's something you should discuss with him when he's home."

"I guess, I just thing considering everything our relationship this past week has been better than it's ever been." I sigh again. "I mean he's as mercurial as ever but he's less so sometimes."

John smiles at me and I can't help but smile back.

"I think you're doing much better in yourself too Ana, I don't know if you see that you've both taken steps to improve your marriage. He isn't the only one that's had to change, he may be less controlling and less mercurial but for him to change you have had to also."

"I accept his ways as much as I can, I don't fight him on things unless I absolutely have to. When he asks me to take Sawyer shopping I take Sawyer shopping but don't take him with me to work when I have no plans to leave the building."

"That really is great Ana, are you talking more to Christian about how you're feeling?"

"I try." I reply and I know my face has dropped.

"What is it?"

"When he was going to London I wanted to go to the airport to see him off and he was having none of it, even threatened to tie me up and leave me there until he was in the air and have Sawyer come free me, sometimes I don't know if he's kidding and it frightens me."

"Do you really think he'd tie you up and leave you there?" John asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you?" I ask and he shrugs, I answer with a shrug of my own.

"He point blank refused to let me go, in some way I'm glad I didn't but I wanted too, he's gone for a whole week and going to the airport meant an extra half hour with him and I know it sounds really pathetic but I wanted that extra half hour."

"I don't think it sounds pathetic." My eyes meet his in surprise. "I think it's understandable that you want to spend that little extra time with your husband."

"He had the audacity to ask if I meant it when I said I'd miss him because I filled my schedule with things to do. He thought I might not have time to miss him."

"You've filled up your schedule to distract yourself." John sees it at once.

"Exactly and I know Christian is an adolescent at times but even a half decent adolescent can see what I've done." I say exasperated. It's really been a kick in the guts to have think that.

"Yes, maybe a half decent adolescent can see that but Christian is a man who loves you and whose biggest fear is losing you. Maybe he thinks the only way you'll miss him is if you're alone in Escala brooding."

"I told him that I'd miss him, explained to him that with everything I'm doing this week I'm going to wish he was there to make it more enjoyable." I reply.

"And?"

"He accepted it."

"Good, see communication is the key for you and Christian, just keep it up." I see he's getting ready to wrap up the session, the hour as flown by.

"Thanks John." I smile and I know he sees that I've realised this is the end.

"Next week?"

"I guess, thanks again."

We shake hands and I'm quick to leave. I have a light smile on my face thinking that maybe Christian and I really are better for everything and he won't change back but even if he does I love him and that won't change. My smile fades as I edge closer to Escala knowing Christian won't be there to greet me, to hold me and tell me that I'm ok.

Sawyer greets me at the door and I hand him my car keys without a word. I just want Christian and I feel sick not having him here with me. Mrs Jones is in the kitchen cooking and she looks as lost as I feel.

"Hey Gail." I smile dropping my purse onto one of the stools and kicking my shoes off.

"Hey Ana. You ok?" She asks.

"Yeah." I shrug and she gives me a weak smile, she knows how I'm feeling. "It's only been twenty six hours."

"I know." She says and I guess she's counting like I am.

"It feels really weird especially as I haven't heard much from him all day."

"Jason called after they landed."

"I spoke with Christian briefly, we exchanged a few emails but then he said he was going to sleep." I reply and Gail nods, I guess Taylor went to bed after calling her too.

"It's hard."

"Yes it is." I say as she places a glass of wine in front of me. "Join me."

"Sure." She smiles pouring one for herself and I know if Christian was here she would make her excuses not to.

"What are you cooking?" I ask as she sips her wine and turns back to the cooker, she looks so much more relaxed with Christian not here, even if she looks a little down because she misses Taylor.

"Spaghetti Carbonara."

"Yum." I smile and she laughs softly. "You gonna eat with me?" I ask casually letting her know with my voice that she can say no if she wants to.

"Why not? I don't have to rush back for Jason."

I smile and she returns it before getting the bowls out and serving the food.

As we eat we talk about everything and anything but the elephant in the room that is our missing loves. When we're done I load the dishwasher and top up both our wine.

"Well I am spent, fancy watching a movie because you're officially off the clock." I say and she beams at me and nods, I can't help but smile back and laugh softly, I'm so pleased I have Gail here or I'd be so bored.

We go through to the TV room rather than the great room as its more cosy. Gail excuses herself for a moment while I flick through the movies on pay per view and one of the things she told me over dinner was that she was into scary movies that required a pillow to hide behind so I look specifically for one even though I know it would probably induce nightmares.

Gail returns with a pretty large box of chocolates as I top up our wine glasses again. She laughs when she sees I've chosen Paranormal Activity.

"Have you seen this?" I ask knocking the button to start it as she dims the light, I can't resist one look at my email in hope before making sure my BlackBerry is on loud in case he calls or emails.

"Yes, Taylor took me to the movies to see it. Have you?"

"Nope." I reply and I see her smirk. "That bad huh?"

We both sit back on the couch and she takes a chocolate before passing me the box. I smile at her and she returns it before I take a chocolate and a long sip of my wine then she places the box between us, telling me without words to help myself.

Half way through the movie I'm regretting watching it, Gail has told me it gets worse and I can't help but smile when my phone pings to signal and email.

To: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Awake?

From: Christian Grey

Hey baby, if you're awake grab your iPad and sit back.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey's Enterprises Holding, Inc.

I knock the pause button and run through to the kitchen to grab my purse which contains my iPad.

"You got your phone nearby?" I ask as I sit back on the couch and turn the iPad on.

"I do." Gail replies.

"I'll tell Christian to let Taylor call you." I tell her as the iPad comes on.

Skype starts to ring within less than a minute and I quickly answer it to a lovely video of my Fifty.

"Hey baby." He beams and I smile gleefully at him.

"Hey."

"Everything ok?"

"Everything's fine." I smile. "You?"

"Everything's good here." He replies and I relax back into the couch. "So what are you wearing?"

"Christian I'm not alone."

He frowns and I laugh and look over to Gail who's not managing to hide the giggles that have come through.

"Why who are you with?" He asks and I hear the anger in his voice.

I grab Gail and pull her towards me.

"Hi Mr Grey." She says awkwardly and I can't help but laugh.

"Hi Gail." He says professionally and I raise my eyebrows towards me.

"Christian tell Taylor to call his woman will you?" I say.

Christian grabs his phone and fires off a message and within seconds Gail's phone begins to ring.

"Go." I tell her and she smiles and hurries out of the room.

"So what have you and Gail been getting up to?" He asks as I take a long sip of wine.

"Well we ate and had some wine and now we're having wine, chocolate and a movie."

"You like befriending our staff Anastasia." He says bitterly.

"I'm lonely and so is she." I shrug. "She knows exactly how I feel and I know how she feels." I explain but I know it makes no difference because he isn't pleased.

"So how did things go with Flynn this evening?"

"Fine." I shrug.

"Nothing to share?"

"Nope." I reply before I smile at him and he nods.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"What do you mean?"

"It's like midday there right?"

"Yes."

"So why aren't you in sorting things out about the jet?"

"We're waiting on test results." He shrugs and I nod. "How was work?"

"I got a lot done once you stopped distracting me." I say with a giggle and I see his smile broaden.

"Well I just won't email when you're working." He says seriously.

"No! You can distract me any time!"

"You sure?"

"I love your distractions Christian." I laugh and I see the gleam of seduction in his eye.

"Oh yeah what do you like about them most?" He asks, his voice purring as he speaks.

"Hmm Christian that would be telling." I purr back and he laughs until his cell phone rings.

"Grey… ok… now I'm on my way." He hangs up and I can see he looks apologetic. "I have to go baby."

"It's ok." I reply though inside I'm screaming for him not to go.

"I'll call tomorrow, enjoy yourself with Gail. I love you."

"Love you too." I reply before he knocks the button off and the video of him vanishes.

Gail comes back in seconds later and I know she's hated having to say goodbye to Jason too.

"Shall we finish this movie?" I ask and she smiles, the art of distracting ourselves works for a little while but the reminder of what we're missing is always there.