The ties that bind us together...

Christians POV:

I enter holding the parcel. I can tell from their look that they know the nature of the contents of the parcel and the gig is up. I place the box on the desk and I look up.

"So Theodore are you going to tell me how you found these and when you moved them?" I ask him. I am looking at him straight in the eye and my 23 year old son looks more like a child than a young adult now.

"Why do you think it was me?" he says avoiding making eye contact. It's the same thing he would say to me as child when he wanted to get out of some predicament he got himself into.

"Don't try to weasel your way out of this son. There are only about six people who could have moved this from Escala to our house, as they would need full access to both properties without drawing any attention to themselves. Two of them are your mother and I, but we didn't move them. Then there is Taylor and Gail but they have also known about these for years then there is your sister but considering how shocked she was when she found them in the closet it definitely wasn't her." I said wondering if he would take the bait.

"What, Phoebe found them? She saw the photos? Is she OK?" He asks standing up and terrified. His reaction has given up his guilt. I hadn't shown him the contents of the box yet and the only way he would have known about it would be if he found it and moved it.

"So you know about the photos but how would you since I haven't opened the box up yet?" I shook my head. Why?

"Yes I do and yes it was me" his confession hit me hard.

"Explain how and why. Tell me everything" I ordered.

"When Hayley and I were first dating in college I took her to a gallery opening. The artist was rather good and I was introduced to her. When she found out my last name was Grey and that you were my dad, her mood and body language changed quickly. I kept talking to her and she finally told me that she knew you."

"What was the artist's name?" I ask.

"Leila, I can't remember her last name plus she was changing it as she was getting married the upcoming month."

The mere mention of her name rattled me. "Keep going" I said calculating my next move.

"I kept asking her how she knew you and then she finally told me that she couldn't legally tell me. Of course I was even more curious. I pressured her for more information as I was worried that she was lying and it could impact on the family. She finally told me to look for the flat cardboard box that would be locked in the safe. She then refused to look and talk to me. The next time Hayley and I came home, we stayed at Escala for a night and I couldn't sleep so I got up and was in the kitchen when I found a key. I hadn't seen it before but suspected that it would be to that room was always locked. I unlocked it and found the red room sparse. I looked around and opened the closet. In there was a safe and I entered the same password as the one at home and alas it opened with the box inside. I opened it and then saw all the pictures. I noticed the same table and bed in the room than was in the photos and I realized that they had been taken there and that you had taken them"

I couldn't believe that my past was causing so much damage after so long. "Why didn't you ask me about them?" I asked.

"I planned on asking you. That was the weekend that I came for my birthday and told you about the Brussels offer. I took them to the house and put them in the cupboard until I could talk to you. I didn't want to have them lying around, but that was a rather heated weekend and I left with you threatening to cut me out of the company that I forgot about the photos." Ted was taking deep breaths and looked like he had run a marathon. I was fuming.

"Well your sister found them and now we can find her!" I said walking out of his office but I returned and closed the door. "I will never tell you mother and sister that you moved them, but heaven help YOU and ME if your sister is hurt as a result of this" I said walking out and leaving Ted shaking.

Phoebe's POV:

I wake up dazed and look around. It takes me a minute to remember where on earth I am. "Phoebe, are you awake?" I hear never being so glad to hear my name before as it reminds me where I am

"Yes and you can come in. I am more or less decent" I say laughing, but it stops him walking in

"So is it ok for me to come in then?" Michael says nervously making me laugh out loud.

"Yes enter now, it is your house "I notice that he is cautiously walking in. "Michael if you don't relax this very minute then I'm going to strip my clothes off right and give you a lap dance" I try to say seriously but fail to do so as Michael is still looking scared.

"You wouldn't dare? Plus my mom is home and I keep checking my back to see if your dad is there or someone else searching for you" Michael said honestly coming closer to me and sitting on the bed.

"No but only because I don't want to give your mother a heart attack. She was very nice I letting me stay here last night. Besides I don't even know what one does in lap dance" I say now very embarrassed. It then occurs to me that one of those girls in dad's photos probably gave my father one at one time.

I like your sister's old room" I said looking around. It was painted white on 3 sides with a pretty wallpaper design on the main wall. There were pictures around the room and a large walk in wardrobe. The bed was a dark wood queen's sized bed with classical matching furniture.

"I like you in my sisters room" his hair was unruly and his eyes where glowing. Wow did he always look this good in the morning?

"Where is she? I can't even recall her at school even though she would have been in Ted's year" I said curiously. Tonight was the first time I had even seen a picture of her.

"Claire went to a all girl's school here in Seattle, her choice and lives in New York now. She's also a lawyer and she's specialized in intellectual property rights. Claire managed to mix her love of fashion with our dads wish that she enter the law profession. She is works for a major fashion house in their legal department"

"Do you see her much?" I asked.

"Summers, holidays and such. I miss her a lot but we are both rather busy at the moment with school and work" he said sadly. I knew what he meant I also missed Ted heaps also.

"We could go to New York one weekend when we are back at college and introduce you to her if you like. She would rather like you. She often said she would have rather had a sister to shop with rather than a brother" He says light-hearted." But Miss Phoebe I actually came here wondering if you want some breakfast"

"Breakfast? Oh ok. I will get dressed and meet you in the kitchen" I said looking for my clothes from yesterday. Damn I didn't have any clean clothes and I know that I have to meet Hayley. I start to consider the where I should go home and get changed? I probably should ring my parents but I can't bring myself to do so.

"No stay here. I want to bring you breakfast in bed" he says smiling and kissing me slowly. It was the kiss that you could only get from a person who loved you more than life. I left horrible as I hadn't told what that I seen Brent yesterday.

I watched Michael exit the room and my thoughts drifted back to yesterday. After getting into the taxi and not knowing where I wanted to go. I was confused at my dad declaration and I ended up at my uncle's grave. I had always spoken to my Uncle Elliot as a teenager when I had a disagreement with my dad. He would always make some joke and tell me story from dads past and then make me see some sort of reason behind his madness, but even this would have been a hard task for my uncle. I sat on the bench next to the grave. I didn't think I could miss anyone so much.

"Phoebe" I hear my name being called and turn around to find my grandmother.

"Hi grandma, I didn't know you would be here" I say nervously, wondering if dad had sent out the family and security to search for me.

"Are you here by yourself?" grandma asks concerned looking around for the usual entourage of security.

"Yes" I say but she isn't surprised by my answer! "Grandma please don't ring my parents and tell them I am here, please" I say as she sits next to me.

"Your parents rang me already and asked me if I had seen you today. Would you care to fill me in?" Grandma asks warmly but a definite parental tone that I am sure she used on my father.

"I had kind of a disagreement with dad, as I found something out. I left the house without them or Taylor or anyone knowing" I Said. Dad mentioned that grandma knew something about dad's sexual past but it was so much to take in that I couldn't remember it all and I didn't want to blurt anything out that my grandma didn't need to know. "Did you know I would be here grandma?"

"No. I come here once and a while. Call it fate that we ran into each other however I think you need to talk, come let's go somewhere". We went to a local coffee house.

"So Phoebe, what did you and your dad disagreed about?" Grandma asks

"I found out some information on dad when he was younger and I got really mad as I though back to how he had failed to take that into consideration when I was his age"

"Phoebe your dad loves you and everything he does is to protect you. Your parents have bought up amazing children regardless of the fact that the media has tried to take photos of you every day."

"Do you know about Brent?" I ask

"Yes your parents have told me everything and how he has come back. Your grandfather and I agree with your parents. He shouldn't be back in your life and you should stay far away from him. He is lucky that he didn't get killed when he tried to hurt you" Grandma said shaking her head.

"I worked that out today" I said horrified that I went to see Brent as some form of eveng4e on my dad. "Grandma what did you do when you found out about my dad's sexual actions as a teenager?" I asked causing her to almost spit out her coffee.

"Your dad told you about that?" Grandma looked sad and angry, as if she was revisiting a horrible memory.

"I found out by accident" I explained. I didn't want to mention the photos; it would hurt my grandma too much!

"I was furious! A friend of mine had exploited my son! We were just glad that he met your mother. She really helped out your father! Their love was the one thing they needed" She said smiling. It was then when a realized where I needed to be.

"Grandma would you do me two major favors please? I Promise I will be smart about my choices and that I won't do anything stupid and I won't put my life in danger." I said overly dramatically.

"Yes, only because I know you will do whatever you want with help or not. You are too much like your dad" She said.

"Can you take me to Michael Fuller house and don't tell my parents that you saw me. I promise I will return home tomorrow" I said. Grandma drove me and I kissed her goodbye.

It was mid afternoon now and Michael was very surprised to see me. I told him that I left my parents a message that I would back tomorrow. Of course Michael didn't believe me but he went for it none the less.

Forty minutes later Michael enters into the room balancing a tray of pancakes and two cups of coffee. "I hope you don't mind me joining you" Michael says displaying his wicked smile.

"Be my guest. It's your house" I say to him moving over to make room for him. The pancakes tasted as good as they smelt.

"Wow , Mr Michael fuller, you may be the greatest guy alive; smart, good looking, fun and you can cook!.I am a damn lucky girl" I say complementing him.

"Funny that most people would say that I was the damn lucky man getting to sit here on this bed with you" he said. I bite my lip and blush! But guilt is really building up in me now. After we finished breakfast I looked around for my clothes. "Michael have you seen my clothes?" I asked him and he got an evil grin on his face that I have never seen before. "What have you done with them?" I ask

"I had them washed and dried last night." he said now laughing at how he had sucked me in just then. He passed my clothes and I started to get out of his old t-shirt. Michael froze, not sure where to move.

"Are you OK? You're going all pale." I ask concerned. Michael was taking deep breaths.

"Yes I am OK, it's just that I have never seen you partially or fully naked, and I am pretty stupid aren't I?" Michael said embarrassed. I hadn't even thought about it and suddenly I became self conscious of my body. "Don't be shy. You're perfect" he said strongly. Michael then passes me my clothes and I quickly get dressed.

"Michael last night when you were with me and we were kissing why you didn't want to go further. I was more than ready to do so." I asked.

"Phoebe, it was obvious that you were upset and mad over something last night and I don't want you to remember the first time we have sex as an afterthought to whatever happened yesterday morning. Are you ever going to tell me what was bugging you?"

"I can't I really wish I could but it is one of those family secrets and being a Grey I honestly believe we have more than our share!" I say sighing.

"Every family has their deep dark secrets. Even my family does" he reasons with me.

"Really? Your family is perfect. They are squeaky clean, professional, smart and loving." I react. I then notice that Michael is looking down and is avoiding making eye contact.

"A lot of people would say that about your family too" he said moving his head to one side. i just wondered if everyone's parents had the same secrets to my mine. Surely not!

"I think you need to ring your parents. Tell them you are alive and well. They will be really worried about you" Michael says passing me the home phone. I think about whom should I ring, dad? No, I would rather have squirm for a little longer even if it will only be a minute before he finds out where I am. Taylor or Mom? I think about it for a few minutes and then decide on mom as I think I owe that to her at least.

"Michael do you mind If I talk to my mom privately?" I ask and he kisses me softly and walks it of the room.

I press her cell phone number into the phone and listen to the ring sound. Soon I hear my mom's voice.

Ana: hello

I can't talk at first and I am trying not to cry.

Ana: hello?

Phoebe: hi mom, it Phoebe

Ana: Where are you? We have been looking for you non-stop!

Phoebe: I am with Michael and I am fine. I stayed the night here.

Ana: You're not with Brent? Thank gosh!

Phoebe: I was, I went to his house as you would probably know. I realized a lot yesterday and I came to Michael house.

I didn't tell her about the cemetery as I didn't want anyone getting annoyed at my Grandma.

Phoebe: how are you and dad?

Ana: I am better now that I know you are OK. Your dad is very angry that you left the house without anyone knowing and by yourself. He is also irritated at himself. Phoebe, there is a lot you need to understand and I you need to come home. I will come over to get you.

Phoebe: No don't come over. I need to meet Hayley in a couple of hours and I will come home after that. We need to get the dresses soughed for the wedding. Can you ring dad and tell him I am ok? I don't think he would want to talk to me right now; he would more than likely just want to scream.

Ana: He would more than likely just want to know you are ok and hold you. But yes I will ring him.

Phoebe: Mom I love you and dad. I don't know if I understand everything, but alas you are my parents.

Ana: We love you too.

Ana's POV:

I breathed a major sigh of relief. Deep down I knew she was OK; she was too much like Christian. I go to ring Christian but he isn't answering his phone. I decide to go to Grey House and talk to him personally. When I arrive I find Christian is still fuming and Andrea lets me into his office immediately. I fear she has had to face the brunt of his mood today.

"Ana, have you heard anything?" he asks nervously and with a sense of urgency.

"Yes, Phoebe rang me she is fine. She is with Michael and will be home tonight. I tried to answer your phone but you didn't answer"

"Sorry I left my phone here in my office while I dealt with an issue. Are you sure Phoebe is ok?" he asks concerned

"Yes, but I think she is very confused!" I explain to him. "Hey what issue did you have to deal with, the photos?" I ask beginning for information.

He nods "It's all dealt with" he says partially relieved but still furious.

"Who was it who moved the photos?" I hate to think who has been able to go freely between the houses and would do such a horrible thing.

"Doesn't matter, it's over Anastasia" he says putting his arms around me. I know that I probably would never find out who did it now.

Michael's POV

"Every family has their deep dark secrets. Even my family does" I try to explain to Phoebe.

"Really? Your family is perfect. They are squeaky clean, professional, smart and loving." Phoebe says.

If only she knew the truth. My family wasn't so perfect and we had more than enough secrets. I only hoped that she never found out, if she did then she wouldn't be with me.


Sorry that it has taken me some time to write this chapter. We had a super busy weekend with weddings, work and family matters. I hope you enjoyed it and maybe were surprised that it was Ted who moved the pictures... Please review if you wish.