APRIL 2ND 2012

"Curtis is dead." What the fuck is going on.

"Did he kill Elena?" Ana asks the million-dollar question.

"No." Somehow it's the worst possible word to come out of his mouth.

"I need a drink." Ana mumbles.

"I had hoped I had better news for you… I waited until the last possible minute hoping for some good news, but I'm afraid it's far worse than any of us thought, and the final piece of the puzzle just fell into place and has confirmed our worst suspicion." Ana visibly shivers beside me, I pull her close to me fighting the headache I feel coming. I had never seen Andrew Porter this broken and defeated, and that alone scared me before he started speaking. "Can you get Taylor and the guy you had following Elena here," Andrew asks trying to muster some confidence into his voice.

Five minutes later we move the meeting to my office, Sawyer, Welch, Barney, Ryan and Cooper join Taylor and Palmer.

"There is a basement in the halfway house since it's not occupied and the fire was contained to the third floor is was left unchecked." He doesn't look happy about that. "This morning the caretaker of the halfway house went down to the basement and found the body of Curtis Monroe. He died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, close range. According to the coroner, he'd being dead for at least three hours before Elena was murdered therefore he's not our man."

"If he didn't kill Elena who did?" I ask trying to ward off my oncoming headache.

"The same man who killed him. "Palmer answers.

"Yes, the same gun was used in both homicides. The reason I asked you here was that you told Spokane PD you didn't believe the man you saw exiting the halfway house was Curtis Monroe." Andrew sighs. "I'm sorry, at the time because of the available information your theory was dismissed, but since Curtis was found in just in boxer shorts. I believe you were right," Andrew says clearly angry about it, I feel the same, but Andrew wasn't in Spokane, and he has no real jurisdiction in Spokane, this is just a courtesy on their part keeping him informed.

"I believe the perpetrator has been following Lincoln for as long as I have, up until her death I thought he was an undercover cop," Palmer says giving his phone to Taylor to connect to the large screen hidden behind the bookcase.

"So you know what he looks like," Andrew asks excitedly.

"He is brilliant, the kind of guy who can easily go unnoticed and he did almost every night at the bar; I noticed him because I'm trained to, and I believe so is he, in fact, he tipped his cap to me in greeting several times. We never spoke… I also believe he has a military background." His pictures of the man come up, and despite the quality of the picture, his features are still obscured. He's wearing a baseball cap pulled down over his face, dark glasses, mustache and beard. "He sat with his back to the room and in a position where the entire room was visible to him, actually he was there the night of the confrontation, that was the first time I saw him show interest in something… after that night, I saw less and less of him till nothing at all a week before the murders." Palmer adds.

"Well, I believe that explains his torture of Elena," Andrew mutters more to himself. "The detective in charge of the case felt whoever it was, took those three hours after he shot Curtis to question Elena before killing her; I believe whatever he thought he knew, the confrontation at the bar changed it…"

"So he went to the source for confirmation." Taylor finishes.

"Well, that explains the multiple bullet wounds," Ana says.

"It also goes to confirm our worst fears… Michael Lincoln was shot a week ago in Houston, Texas outside his front door; he was saved by a package he had in his breast pocket and his driver who keeps a gun in the glove compartment."

"WHAT!" I bellow.

"Anytime there is a gun crime; the bullet is checked on IBIS to see if it has been involved in another crime."

"IBIS?" I ask.

"Ballistics." To my surprise, Ana answers. "CSI." She adds with a shrug.

"There was a match to the bullet used on Elena and Curtis to the one used on Michael Lincoln." And it finally sinks in, the temperature in the room drops.

"He's going after everybody he believes turned a blind eye to Elena's activities," Taylor says what we are all thinking, and why not Michael lived with her, hell at the time I questioned how he could not possibly have known, and this guy thinks he does.

"Yes, that's what we believe, and I believe he was sure of your families involvement, but the confrontation at the bar threw doubt on what he thought he knew. Due to Isaac's age at the time everything was kept confidential, and this man won't know of your role in her imprisonment, all he knows will be of Elena's involvement with your family is what he will find in the gossip pages, that is if he finds any. The question is did Elena admit your family was responsible for her incarceration or did she throw you into the fire." Andrew questions.

"Well, she hated us enough to lie while being tortured," I mutter feeling the weight of the world creeping up on me. This man could go after my parents and use us to get to them… we are all in danger.

"Oh God." Ana whispers.

"Her torture was brutal, he hated her, that much I'm sure off, several shots to her body, he pried her fingernails off, cut off her toes and the… what I'm saying is I believe he's either one of her victims, or he was hired." Andrew says, and I'd give my right hand to throw doubt on his theory, but right now it makes a lot of sense.

"Sir your parents, brother, and sister are on their way," Taylor informs me, god this is going to hit my mother hard.

"But why kill Curtis?" Ana asks. "He wanted to know what she did, so if anything…" Ana doesn't want to finish her sentence if anything Curtis should have held her down while he tortured her.

"We still don't know." Andrew answers. "I'm sorry to be the bearer of such dire news, we will provide you with anything you need, hell the moment your family's name came up the mayor made it clear that no expense will be spared in our protection of you. It's politics, but at least, I can do my job without anyone breathing down my neck about budgetary constraints." Andrew walks out with Taylor while we wait for my family.


"So he thinks we knew but did nothing." Dad asks. "If were in his shoes I'd go after anyone I thought turned a blind eye to abuse." He adds.

"You and mom are the very reason she was caught in the first place," Elliot shouts.

"Those records are sealed due to Isaac's age at the time, to unseal them we need his permission," dad explains.

"Can we ask him?" Ana asks.

"What difference would it make," I say.

"None," dad says though it wasn't a question.

If this guy is determined to come after us thinking he knows the truth I doubt we will get the chance to tell him the truth before he shoots us, Michael didn't get that chance.

I look over at my mom, and she hasn't said a word, I know she's blaming herself. I don't think there much I can say to pull her out of her funk.

"Taylor… what's the plan?" Anyone argues with him, and I'm going to lose it.

"If you didn't have security before you are getting one, actually you are getting two." He's got a look that makes it impossible to argue with him. "I'm afraid any public events will have to be canceled; this man has made it clear he has no qualms about getting up close in public and pulling the trigger. We are coordinating with Seattle PD, who will patrol and secure your various places of employment; they will be plain-clothes officers and will do their best not to stand out. This stays in this room. Mr. and Ms. Kavanagh, you should inform your parents."

"God I am so sorry." Mom finally speaks up at the mention of the Kavanaghs. Another family involved in this saga. If Elena Lincoln weren't dead, I'd kill her myself.

"Grace it isn't your fault," Kate says for all the good it does her.


It's been two weeks since this whole fucked up mess begun, and we have nothing. The police have hit a dead end with no new leads, Curtis' biker gang are of no help what so ever, then again they'd never help cops.

Barney has been working tirelessly trying to find a way to identify the man from the picture we have, another dead end.

Ray wanted to come back from his Mediterranean cruise with Abigail, but I told him he would be safer there than coming back. Taylor has gotten in touch with some old Marine buddies to see if they can help identify the man, we got a few leads, but that fizzled out. I hear a commotion outside my door, and before I'm out of my seat, I hear every security alarm in the building go off just as Taylor bust through the door.

DECEMBER 27TH 2007

"Hey, dad." He looks flustered.

"I think Mia got a letter from Cornell." He whispers dragging me to his office.

"Did you ask?" I try not to smirk.

"Christian if it were good news she would have told us, this is Mia we're talking about."

"I wouldn't worry too much dad, this kind of stuff comes naturally to Mia," I say that, but honestly I am worried if Mia doesn't get into the business school for hospitality management I fear she will lose that drive and focus she's had in the last couple of years.

I find Ana in the kitchen with mom, and Mia heads together as they giggle over something. "What's going on with the food, I'm hungry," Elliot shouts coming into the kitchen. Mom finally lifts her head up to see me standing there. "Oh hello Christian." She says looking a little guilty.

"What were you talking about?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing." They all say defensible.

"Uh huh," I mutter.

"FOOD." Elliot bellows completely oblivious to everything else.

"I'm going gliding this weekend; Ana want to go?" I ask enthusiastically

"Yeah sure why not, you came back buzzing the other day."

"Excellent we have to leave around five to make it for half five," I say not looking at her knowing how she feels about early mornings.

"We have to leave at what to make it for when." I should have expected that smart-ass comment.

"It's the best time to go, you know to chase the dawn," I argue.

"No I don't, and in all fairness, my life will still be complete if I never chase the dawn. You mister you are on your own." She retorts.

"Come on Ana; it will be fun."

"Not at five in the morning." She snorts. It's not a lost cause I just have to get her there by…

"So Christian…" Mia says interrupting my thought process. "A weekend of pampering for two at The Fairmont."

"Yes, what about it?" I ask knowing where this is going.

It's for two and your wonderful sister…"

"Yeah… Mia, not happening." I cut her off.

"Who else are you going to take?" She huffs.

And that gives me an idea. "Ana do you want to go since you endured the charity dinner with me because someone else refused to go." I say giving Mia a 'you should have come with me' look.

"Hell yes, waking up late, room service just what a girl needs after her first trimester at college, sorry Mia." She says eliciting a few laughs.

"Hey… that's my joke." Elliot protests.

"Yeah, but I used it better." She sticks her tongue out.

"Elliot you are my favorite brother from now on." Mia huffs. "You'd think I'd get some pampering for getting into Cornell." She adds looking smug as fuck.

"WHAT! You kept that quiet, nicely done Mia." I walk around the table and give her hug.

"I knew I saw the name on one of the envelopes, really well done. I am so proud of you." Dad adds.

"Well, you can consider this your Christmas presents." She says.

"We happily accept," Mom says chuckling.

"I have Ana to thank for helping me with the application."

"You are more than welcome Mia," Ana says giving her a sideways hug.

"Funny how you are always helping everyone else but I get the short stick," Elliot grumbles.

"That's because you ask for it," I answer.

"True that," Mia adds.

"I am no longer your favorite brother." Elliot retorts before he storms out of the dining room.

"You have all the grace of an elephant," I shout after him. "No, actually that's an insult to elephants," I add.

He starts singing at the top of his lungs about how nobody likes him.


Ana and I headed for dinner at The Fairmont dining room when we spot Ray with a very buxom brunette. "Who the hell is that?" Ana asks in a tone I've never heard. Did she think Ray was celibate this entire time?

"I don't know, but she's clearly into him." She scoffs she doesn't like this. As much as I'd like to tell her that her dad is barely in this forties, a distinguished looking man who takes very good care of himself, and, therefore, women are going to show an interest in him. One he's likely to reciprocate, but I know when to kept my mouth shut.

"I don't like it." She says petulantly.

"Relax Ana it's not you are ever going to meet her, you never met the oth…" Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"What others?" She whispers angrily.

"Ana," I say softly as we are shown to our table. "Your dad is a young man who looks even younger than his age. He's rich with a no-nonsense personality. Do you expect him to sit at home twiddling his thumbs?" She looks annoyed. "Ana he's having fun for fuck sake, let him. If anyone deserves it, it's him." I add.

"I guess." She says with a huge sigh.

Ray and his lady friend finish their dinner without spotting us despite Ana glaring at them.

"Ana, Ana, Ana."

"WHAT?" She growls.

"Come on get up we are going out," I say excitedly.

"Okay, okay, let me get dressed." That was easier than I thought.

"Excellent." As she throws the covers off. I skip out of the room. "That was too easy." Just as the thought leaves me, I hear a lot of shuffling behind the door. "Ana," I call suspiciously.

"Nice try Christian." I hear the laughter in her voice. I try the door despite knowing she's jammed the door close.

"Ana get your lazy ass out of bed and let's go gliding," I shout. "You are ruining my weekend," I add. "I'm not going to speak to you again unless you get out here." I bluff.

"Good, then I can go back to bed instead of listening to your annoying voice right now." She counters. Goddamn it.


"Good Morning Andrea."

"Good Morning Mr. Grey."

"How was your New Year?" I ask.

"Excellent sir."

I nod. "Give me a minute, and we can go over my schedule." Out of the corner of my eyes, I see a young woman coming out of the staff kitchen.

"Mr. Grey this is Penelope Hawkins, she's my assistant." I'm already annoyed with her. It's been tough finding an assistant for Andrea. I like to give everyone a fair chance but Hawkins is inappropriately dressed, and the look she's giving me is downright obscene.

"Ms. Hawkins," I say dryly.

"Mr. Grey." She purrs, Andrea stiffens knowing Ms. Hawkins is gone if her current attitude carries on.

What the hell is going on with women and me, Elliot says it's because they can tell I'm unavailable and it's making me more appealing. I am available but only to one woman.

I power up my computer, and the first email is from Welsh asking to see me. "Your Coffee sir."

"Thank you, Andrea, what's my day looking like?"

"Not much sir, Welch is requesting 10 minutes with you."

"I know I will call him in a minute. Anything else."

"Finance sent over a few proposals for you to sign off." She places a stack of papers on my desk.

"Alright, Andrea… oh one more thing, the new assistant." I groan.

"Yes sir, I will have a word with her." She says sounding defeated; chances are she's already did, and it got her nowhere.

"Welch, what have you got for me?" I ask bristling with excitement.

"I have a letter here from your father threatening a lawsuit against myself if I look into his and Dr. Grey's background." I hear the amusement in his voice.

"I know you are serious, but I'm still tempted to ask if you are serious," I say laughing. "Not a lawsuit against GEH but you," I add.

"Yes, now I want to know what they are hiding." Welch chuckles.

"Well then go ahead, even if I can't use it I'd like to know," I smile hanging up and immediately call Ana.

"They what?" Ana whispers.

"Yep, my dad is threatening to sue Welsh if he gets the background check."

"He was keen to find out more about Grace during her time in medical school, and now he's threatening a lawsuit. I'm even more curious as to what they are so desperate to hide." She laughs but stops immediately.

"You and me both. Why are you whispering?" I ask.

"I'm at the hospital with your mom." Ooh. "What are you going to do?" She asks giggling.

"I told Welch to ignore it."

"Christian, can you do that?" She asks shocked.

"I'll find a way found it," I answer confidently. "What are you doing for lunch?" I ask.

"Having lunch with you."

"Cool, I'll see you for lunch." I hang up looking forward to seeing Ana. My refusal to speak to her lasted all of 30 seconds when she woke up for lunch. Gliding any other time of the day I find is not as thrilling.

I'm looking over the proposals when a knock interrupts me. "Come in," I say amused thinking it's Ana. "Ms. Hawkins."

"Mr. Grey." At least, the purr is gone but looking at her… and I'm not arrogant when I say this. She wants me; I feel naked when she looks at me, and I don't like it, I feel vulnerable.

"Ms. Hawkins sit down." A small smile plays on her lips, and it only strengthens my resolve. "I am a man who knows when he's wanted." Her smile gets wider. "Question is… do you know what you are getting yourself into?" I say it with enough menace to give her pause for concern. "I know what I like and how I like it, you don't want that, you do not want me to inflict myself on you, for me it will be glorious." I finish with a maniacal smile. The look in her eye is replaced by fear, and inwardly I smile. I move to get up, and she bolts out of her chair, I pretend to cough to cover my laugh. "You sure you don't want to stay." She shakes her head furiously and walks backward out of my office bumping into Ana, who quickly jumps out of the way.

"Please tell me you didn't follow Elliot's advice?" Ana shakes her head.

"It works, I mean really works." I laugh.

"Yeah, I can see that." She says amused.

We spend the rest of the day in my office; she helps me with the various proposals, and I sign one off for the agricultural department at her college. It is, after all, a proposal close to my heart.

Welch comes in with a beaming smile. "As a parent, I'd hide this from my kids too at all cost." Ana and I sit up.


AN: Let me know what you think. CJ.