MARCH 31ST 2012

"Elena Lincoln was found dead half an hour ago."

"Dead," Ana says looking as shocked as I feel.

"Palmer called in a fire when he saw smoke billowing out of the third-floor window of the halfway house she's currently occupying. The emergency services got there early enough to contain the fire to the third floor."

"Was anyone else hurt?" I ask not quite over my shock.

"No, the ground floor was the only floor occupied, but they were still evacuated for safety reasons. They found her body or what appeared to be her charred remains." Taylor adds.

"So they are not sure…" My phone rings interrupting Ana, I'm not surprised to see Andrew calling.

"Andrew I just got the news." I put him on speaker.

"So far this is what I know, the fire originated from her room, so far it appears to be her, but DNA will be done if there is something left to compare it to, if not dental records will be checked. The fire was reported fairly quickly, so I'm sure there will be something to check DNA wise." He says with a sigh.

"I'm told no one was hurt," I ask.

"That's right, the only victim appears to be her and Christian from what we've learned on the scene so far, it appears to be murder. The coroner believes the actual cause of death is blunt force trauma to the back of the head. Someone took her head and slammed it into the floor several times, and what appears to be bullet wounds all over her body but none of it was fatal, we will know more…"

"THE BAR," Ana shouts.

"What bar?" Andrew asks.

"We were in Spokane for business back in February when we run into her at a bar, she told a guy named Curtis and his friend I was responsible for the cut to her face. I think she expected them to start a fight without any question."

"But they didn't," Andrew adds.

"Fearing the truth will come out, she told them a lie the Curtis guy didn't buy, so much so that he came outside asking for the truth. I don't know if this is of any help, it might be nothing."

"Actually Christian it's something, Curtis Monroe was the last person to see her alive, and he was also the last person seen leaving the building. He had means and opportunity, and I think you guys may just have provided the motive. I will be at Grey House On Monday to take your official statements. Sorry to rush guys I have to get this information to the detective in charge of the case."

"Yeah sure Andrew that's fine," I tell him.

"I know this is the last thing you two need shortly after your honeymoon, but I will do my best to keep your names quiet." He hangs up, and Ana just collapses on the bed.

"Even in death, she disrupts our life." I groan. "Taylor, see what you can find out." He nods.

"Sir I think it will be prudent to increase our security, we already have a file on Curtis Monroe… I don't think his biker friends will be too happy to find out you two are effectively putting the final nail in his coffin. I'm sure Spokane PD will find a way to keep you out of it, but it will become fairly obvious who gave the police that information considering the occupants at the bar when you had the conversation with Curtis."Shit that never crossed my mind.


"So she's really dead… this is not some April Fools' joke is it?"

"No mom she's really dead… blunt force trauma to the head." I answer, our usual Sunday lunch has been overtaken with news of Elena's murder.

"And they believe this Curtis guy was responsible," dad asks.

"Yes, he was the last person seen with her, he was romantically involved with Elena. It's believed he found out about her past…"

"And being the head of a biker gang he dealt with it the way they are rumored to deal with things," Elliot adds.

"What in God's name did she think was going to happen when she tells someone like that you are the responsible for the cut on her face. I mean the ordinary Joe won't let it go more or less the head of a biker gang no less, she brought this on herself," Dad says taking a large swig of his whiskey.

"Even the worst of criminals have a standard and pedophiles are at the bottom of what is considered the worst of human trash," Elliot says. "Look at what happened to her face when they found out in prison," he adds.

"Imagine finding out you've been sharing your bed with a pedophile, I'd lose it and probably kill her," Ray adds his two cents.

"If I were him I'd turn myself in, if it goes to trial he might just get away with murder, I mean it was excessive but who knows with the right jury. The arson charge would be difficult to walk away from. Most people would kill a pedophile if they thought they would get away with it." Dad tells the room. "Hell, I'd represent him if the whole situation wouldn't bring the media to our doorstep."

"CARRICK.' Mom shouts.

"What! I'd be doing the world a favor, and I'm not the only one thinking it." He's not the least bit apologetic.

"Here here," Ray adds.

"Amen." That would be Kate.

"Sorry, mom but I agree with dad," Mia says.

"If I'm honest my first thought when Taylor told me was good riddance," I add.

"She's dead and gone, I for one do not want to waste another breath on her. I'm hungry let's eat." I chuckle at the indignation in Ana's voice at having to waste a breath on Elena.

"Yes, Food." Elliot concurs.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask on the way home, as she has been very quiet.

"I know it didn't happen, but I can't help feel angry… I find myself thinking about where we would be at this moment if I hadn't run into you. In some alternate universe, you have a dungeon in Escala and whipping your flavor of the week." I chuckle despite the dark tone of this conversation. "God Christian that woman would have in all likelihood fucked you up."

"I don't doubt it, considering the level of my self-loathing at the time. I would have taken it believing it was all I deserved." It's a sobering thought. "Can you imagine somehow meeting you and asking you to be my submissive," I say with a shiver.

"I would have slapped you silly if you had even uttered the word submissive to me," Ana says with a look of complete seriousness it makes me laugh.

"Baby you haven't got a submissive bone in your body, except when it comes to my dick. Let's be honest you'd do anything for my dick." I say with a smirk.

"And you would do anything for my pussy, ass, and mouth, so I'm on top here mister."

"The arrogance." I say pretending to be shocked getting a giggle out of her, and before you know it, the conversation moves from the bitch's death to utter and complete smut.


"I plant my tired ass on the stool ready for a hearty breakfast, I need every ounce of energy today. "Good morning Mr. Grey…"

"Gail we are alone, no need for formalities."

"What would you like for breakfast?" She asks smiling.

"Pancakes, eggs scrambled, bacon, oh and those German sausages, if Ana hasn't eaten it all," I say the last part in near whisper.

"Oh yeah blame me when I'm not here," she says with a huff.

"Morning sweetheart." My sickly sweet voice only adds to her ire.

"Uh huh." I look at Gail for help.

"What can I get you, Ana?" I release the breath I didn't know I was holding when she said Ana instead of Mrs. Grey that would not have helped my morning.

"Whatever Christian is having is fine with me."

"He's having pancakes, eggs scrambled, bacon and sausages," Gail says knowing full well Ana cannot finish that amount of food.

"Are you training today." She knows me well.

"Yep, a couple of hours with Bastille." She nods.

"Good, you are beginning to… mm, soften in some areas." I nearly choke on my coffee and worse I can see Gail's shoulders going.

"WHERE?" I ask offended.

"Just joking baby," she says with a smirk.

"Your jokes are not funny Anastasia." I huff.

"What time is Andrew coming for our statements?" Ana asks as I tackle my large breakfast.

"I'm not sure, but he'll let us know." I'd rather not have my day soiled by the bitch, but it is what it is.

"Just carry on with your day I will call you when I know," I say holding back the burp threatening to take over.

Ana opens her door and comes to a halt when she sees lounging on her office couch. "Mr. Grey, don't you have a couch in your office," she asks with a smile.

"I do, but I also brought lunch."

"Well, then you can stay." She opens the deli bag to see what I brought. "Hot sandwiches, nicely done," she adds tucking in.

"Andrew called he said there's being a development in the case and he no longer needs our statements, but he will be by later in the day to fill us in," I tell Ana.

"He gave you no clue as to what it was." I shake my head.

"I guess Curtis turned himself in," I say taking a sip of my milkshake. "Where is Hannah by the way?" I ask.

"Got the flu, so I sent her home, I cannot deal with the flu right now. I get the flu you get the flu, and we both know just how grumpy and irritating you can be when you are sick." She says finishing her milkshake.

"Are you done?" I ask a little impatiently.

"Yes, what's the hurry." She retorts.

"I've got a meeting in about half an hour."

"Well, I'm not keeping you." She smiles knowing full well what I want.

"You always make me work for our lunch time hanky panky." I groan.

"Someone has to keep you on your toes, Mr. Grey." And just as she looks like she about to indulge me a knock on the door interrupts us.

"Come in," Ana says sweetly. My annoyance turns to worry when I see the look on Andrew's face. "You are not about to tell us that Curtis turned himself in are you?" Ana asks.

"I'm afraid not… he was found dead earlier today."

DECEMBER 25TH 2007

"Déjà vu," I mumble.

"It's not déjà vu when you've actually done it before," Ana says reaching for a bottle of Malibu on the top shelf.

"Let me get that before you drop it on your head." My chuckling earns me a glare. "What! Just saying it like it is." I defend.

"Whatever." We quickly grab the things mom needed and pay up or try to. Mr. Bill the cashier is looking at the bottle of rum and back at me, I have a strong urge to ask him if he's an idiot considering he knows me and knows just how old I am why he's still hesitating. Ana giggles and Mr. Bill smiles at her before ringing everything up.

"What the hell was that about?" I ask annoyed.

"Have you forgotten the bottle of vodka you bought when you were fifteen, and I made you take it back?" She says still giggling.

"Ooh yeah, how could I forget," I say trying to recall if I'd ever bought alcohol from him since then. "He didn't know me then, and due to my height, he sold it to me without question," I add.

"Since then everyone has to show I.D," Ana informs me.

"That's what he should have been doing in the first…"

"CHRISTIAN." I know that whiny ass voice anywhere.

"For fuck sake." Ana lets out a peel of laughter.

"I'll wait for you in the car," She says still laughing.

"Oh no, you don't, you are not leaving me here alone with that wom…" She stops struggling to get away, and my words die in my mouth as we watch her get out of the low-lying car in the most seductive manner ever known to man, she manages it but for some reason that pisses me off even more.

"Hey, Christian… Ana." She adds reluctantly, you'd think she'd know by now to be nice to Ana to get in my good graces. I've had enough of her.

"Look…"

"Karen," Ana tells me.

"Like I give a fuck." I retort much to Karen's surprise.

"Why are you surprised?" I bark at her. "Have I given you any indication that I remotely like you, you have been nothing but rude to Ana, my best friend, one of the small number of people who means the world to me. What makes you think I want you? You are nothing but a money grabbing w…"

"Christian," Ana says stopping me.

"Let's be honest, you don't care about the kind of person I am on the inside, you only care about what can be seen, my looks and my money. If you did you would have noticed I can never remember your name and apart from coming to Ana's defense or trying to humiliate you just before the auction I barely said more than a word to you. You have no aim in life, as long as dad is throwing money at you, that's all that matters, and I guess from his tone the other day your father has had add enough and now you accompany him to charity events to land a rich husband. Look I'm not trying to be cruel, but you need to do something with your life, you can't rely on your parents forever, even if you have no skill get involve with your father's charitable endeavors, actually help out. A rich husband with a wife who has nothing going for her will soon start to look elsewhere. Do you want to be woman men sleep with but can't wait for her to leave?

I'm surprised when she actually shakes her head. "Thank you." She mumbles and quickly leaves but turns before getting into her car. "I'm sorry, I guess I was jealous," she says to Ana before getting in her car.

"Well, that was unexpected," Ana says looking at Karen as she drives away.


"When do you have to go to China?" Grandpa asks.

"Theo." Grandma warms.

"Okay. Okay." He says giving me a wink. Everyone knows we will disappear later to talk business, despite having a full legal team he still my first and last port of call.

"Here's a change of subject you are going to love…" Ana says pausing for effect. "We run into Karen." They start laughing; dad and Ray took great pleasure in telling everybody about Karen and me at the charity dinner.

"Hey, she's not that bad," I say defending her, a vast change from the last few days. "She just got trapped in the same whole as a lot of these girls whose parents are wealthy," I add.

"It's unfortunate because a lot of the time they are afforded all the opportunities in life, and yet they end up living off their parents and then start looking for a rich husband who is more than likely to start cheating," mom says.

"That's what Christian told her, it hit a nerve because she agreed she didn't want that. " Ana adds.

"If it weren't for Ana I'd probably be the same," Mia says. "You are very focused, you've known what you've wanted to do for a long time," Mia tells Ana. "It's like having an older sister whose footsteps you want to follow. I look at Lily, and some of the other girls waste their parent's money on clothes and things they don't need, and I realized I didn't want to be like that but more like Ana." Ana as always looks embarrassed.

"Why are you embarrassed dear, you are a remarkable young lady, it's something to be proud off not embarrassed," grandma adds.

"That's what Dr. Joseph told her," I add.

"You met Dr. Joseph," Grandpa asks surprised.

"Yeah, he promised to come for dinner after the New Year to tell us about mom in medical school," I add cheerily.

"Oh, Theo we have to come for dinner," grandma says eagerly.

"Don't worry dear we are not missing it," he says with a smirk. "Your mother had that man wrapped around her finger, we know she got up to no good sometimes, but he'd never say a word against her. She was his favorite, and he made no effort to hide it." Grandpa tells us. "But then again you don't get there by being a poor student, and your mother was hardworking and a very determined student. Let's not forget quite a dutiful daughter until she met Carrick." He adds.

"Hey." Dad protests. "She was always that way she just did a good job hiding it," he adds mischievously.

"She was always what way?" Ray of all people asks.

"Never mind." Both mom and dad say at the same time.

"The rest of us practically start yelling to grandma and grandpa to tell us."

"Just throwing it out there, you are both getting to an age where you will need us more and more, just saying," Mom says as cool as can be. We have our jaws on the floor.

"So that's how it is?" Grandpa asks. We all know mom doesn't mean it, but it adds to the fun.

"Just saying," Mom says shrugging.

I get my phone out and call Welch. "Welch when you get back to work, the first thing I want are background checks on Mr. Carrick Grey and Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey." Grandpa high fives me.

"I sorry sir, you want background checks on your parents." My parents are glaring at me. "Dig deep Welch, and I mean really deep, especially around the time my mom was in medical school," I say hanging up.

"Nice one bro," Elliot says earning a glare from the parentals.

"Christian Trevelyan Grey call that man back and say you are joking." Mom nearly screams.

"See now I'm more curious," I say.

"I will sue you for invasion of privacy." Dad grits out.

"It's a chance I'm willing to take, or you might just as well let grandpa and grandma tell us," I add looking at my nails.

"They are not telling you a thing if that's how you want to play it… game on." Dad adds.

"This is too good," Ray says into his drink.


"So China." Grandpa asks when we are on our own.

"Yeah I might have to go out there, I need to find a company here to deal with payroll and workers conditions." I sigh.

"It's not going to be easy, the government might force you to go with a local company," he tells me what I already fear.

"I know, a lot of western companies are getting into trouble with human rights group for how their workers are treated there. I'm paying well above the minimum wage, but a company there might just pay the minimum wage and pocket the rest of the money. I need to set working standards and hours and set targets that are realistic but who is to say whomever I put in charge will follow them." I add.

"Your best bet is to go out there and work with the government, get a high ranking official to agree to the targets you want… with it coming from the government, they will be unlikely to go against it." That's why I come to him. "It's not going to be easy, you may have to grease a few palms and offer bonuses if they continue to meet the standard you've set, no company will want to lose you when they are making money."

"But won't it mean they will put more pressure on workers to keep quiet," I ask.

"Get the government on your side, the operations company you hire won't go against you. The first sign of trouble fire them and get someone else in, set a standard as a no-nonsense employer."

"Thanks, Grandpa," I say a little relieved to have a firm plan in mind for China.