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

So chapters are longer so taking longer to write, sorry about that!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS!

This is day two without Christian and I feel like some part of me is missing. It's agonising. This morning was pretty straight forward, an hour of kicking up a sweat in the gym followed by breakfast and work. I haven't heard from Christian yet but I suspect he's busy.

I spend the morning pretty much catching up with work. I make sure that I contact PR and make it crystal clear that the only reason I haven't gone with Christian is because I have my own company to run which requires me to be in Seattle followed by an inter-office memo in an email letting everyone know that Grey Publishing will become Grey Publishing Seattle with hopes of expanding in the future. This includes a three page email to the tech guys about changing everything on the website and everything else that this name change would require and an email about changing the sign and the window sticker out front. After all that is done it's lunch time and I'm spent.

Hannah kindly goes to get me a sub while I sit back and work on reading a manuscript. It's a new author and from what I have understood from the editors she's only fifteen years old. I can tell at once that her writing is well above her level and so far I'm finding the story to be particularly interesting. Most of all I am trying to think of how well Grey Publishing could do with championing such a young author however none of the editors want to take on board someone so young. I have decided if she likes this story I will take her on board without one of the editors, I've done their job and I can do it again, but she deserves a chance if she's as good as she seems to be.

When Hannah returns with my lunch I relax to eat it and continue reading, I'm about half way through when my iPad rings and I feel so pleased that I brought it with me.

"Hey baby." Christian beams when I answer, he looks so beautiful but tired.

"Hi." I smile.

He's lying against the headboard of his hotel bed and I can see he doesn't have a shirt on, how I would do anything to run my hands through his chest hair right now.

"What are you doing?" He asks.

"Eating lunch." I smile before taking a large bite out of my sub.

"It's good to see you eating." He smirks and I laugh softly. "How's work?"

"I'm trying to decide whether or not to sign this fifteen year old kid."

"Bit young."

"Her writing is exceptional."

"Really?" He seems surprised and I smile.

"The publicity would be great, would really boost sales all across Grey Publishing." I say casually as I see him thinking about what I've told him.

"What do your editors think?"

"None of them want to sign her because of her age."

"You?"

"I do, I like the manuscript. The story's original, it's well written, few mistakes here and there that I've highlighted but I've seen writers with Masters in Creative Writing who have more." I explain to him, I really hope he doesn't give me a reason not to pursue this.

"What's it about?"

"A fourteen year old girl with a crush on an older man, it goes back and forth each chapter from her point of view to his. Very interesting. I expected the young girl's narration to be more intense than the older man's as she is a young girl herself but there is no difference, the speech and everything is age appropriate for the characters. For fifteen she's very talented."

"New York Times Best Seller talented?"

"Possibly. If she gets the right support network behind her." I reply casually.

"Does she have an agent?"

"No." I sigh. "I don't know whether to recommend one, call in a favour from one or go ahead without one, she's fifteen so legally she can't sign any of the contracts without her parents here anyway." I say.

"So signing her on is additional work because of her age." Christian realises why my editors are so reluctant to take her on.

"Exactly and the parents don't understand this world so for her to get the right chances she needs an agent."

"Who do you have in mind?" Christian asks knowing I know a few agents now by first name because of my work with Grey Publishing.

"Rachel Banbury." I say and Christian nods enthusiastically.

"She's the one that works specifically with young female stars right?"

"That's the one. I don't know though because she's not a literary agent, she's not worked with Grey Publishing either, I only know her from that Charity ball but she did give me her card and told me if I ever needed her to give her a ring and hey if this work out we can both profit from it." I explain to him and I feel relieved that I am able to have just a normal conversation with him even though he's so far away.

"What does your gut tell you Ana?"

"That this girl could become a millionaire, this book is a trilogy."

"But about signing her, what does your gut tell you?"

"That she deserves a chance more than any other author we have ever dealt with." I reply honestly and I see him grinning wildly at me. "You think I should go for it?"

"I think you should." He nods and I breathe a sigh of relief, having Christian's support means more to me than anything. "I do think you should try and get one of your editors on board though."

"Ok." I nod. "The book is a romantic crime book so I'll co speak with Hope Hewitt and see if she'll take on the risk with me, should this fail it could cost us big."

"I don't think it will fail." Christian says kindly, I beam happily at him.

"One other thing, I need Roach back."

"You think he'll come back?"

"I don't know but I'll offer him a pay rise. Clarisse is great as a vice president but I need a president here, someone with a bit more experience."

"He left because you didn't have the experience." Christian sighs. "Do you really want to bring someone on board who could try and undermine and contradict you?"

"I don't think he will, I heard he was struggling in finding another job and heard he missed his job here and regretted leaving. Maybe he just needed time to realise I was going to be his boss someday. I had to jump in head first when he quit."

"Call him, see what he says. Roach really did know is stuff."

I smile, he must be in a particularly good mood to be agreeing with me so much.

"So enough about me and my work Mr Grey, how is London and the jet?" I ask and his face lightens up a little more.

"London is particularly cold. I did some shopping today…" His smirk widens here and I can't help but wonder what he's wasted money on me for now? "Then we found out the problem with the jet, the comparison came back a match so tomorrow we're going to be in the lab all day trying to re-enact the crashes and see what we can gather from them." He looks like a boy who's had his cake and eaten it too.

"That's good progress then?"

"Yes. It's more and more likely that the jets have both malfunctioned. The company are no panicking and have grounded all flights with that particular jet which is causing major problems all over the world. We've already heard from the company's lawyers and I guided them straight to my attorneys. I am not even going to begin negotiating anything with them until we know exactly to the last detail what happened, then I'm going to make sure to bring them down enough to bankrupt them then buy the company out."

"You want the jet company?"

"Yes I do." He grins like a child and I can't help but smile back.

"I want my own jet." I tell him in a manner that's obvious I'm pretending.

"I was thinking maybe you'd prefer one of those smaller privet yet luxury planes." He says and I gawp at him, I know his faces and voices so well these days that I know…

"You've already…"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"So you can use it." He shrugs but I know there's more to it than he's telling me.

"I hate you."

"No you don't."

"I hate that I love you."

"I love you too."

We both laugh at the speed of our banter and when my office phone rings I don't even bother hanging up before answering it.

"Ana Grey." I answer and I see Christian frown at me. "When was this?" I ask seriously and I look at Christian to see his interest has spiked. "No don't do that, email it to me now and I'll do what I can. Yes. Thanks." I hang up the phone forgetting for a moment that Christian is there and I drop my head into my hands.

"Ana what is it?" He asks and my head snaps up to meet his.

"Elena's been released from the hospital, that was my PR, she's released a statement to the press."

"What?!" Christian roars.

"Don't worry it's nothing to do with you!" I stress.

"What do you mean?"

"She's accused me of something… hold on…" I open my email and begin to read it out to Christian at once knowing he isn't going to settle for this. "She says 'My actions on the evening in question were out of the ordinary to say the least. I express my deepest sympathy to Mr Grey and express my humblest apology. However, I did what I did in blind rage. I believed Mrs Grey to be driving the car alone and after overhearing others say that Mrs Grey had told them she was going to have Christian divorce her after a year so she could have half of everything because there is no pre-nup I acted in blind rage. Again I must apologise to Mr Grey for the injuries he sustained and hope he finds it in his heart to forgive me.' No one is going to believe this trash."

"I'll call Andrea." He says and before I have the chance to answer he is on the phone.

I pick up my own phone and call Sawyer knowing Christian is about to insist on it.

"Luke, Ana, I need you to come down to Grey Publishing … bring Ryan."

"Is everything alright Mrs Grey?"

"I think so but I'm just being cautious." I know from this alone Luke knows that everything isn't alright and that I'm worried.

"Andrea is working on a statement from me right this minute." Christian says snapping the phone shut. "I'll arrange a flight out of here in the morning."

"No Christian, stay, please? I don't think she's going to do anything, she's not allowed and I think Samantha may have told the sub club to stay out of my way." I laugh knowing for a fact that she has because they're all friends.

"Ok, well keep Luke and Ryan with you at all times Ana." I know he's warning me now.

"I promise, no stupid risks." I tell him and he smiles a little, grateful to me for acting in my own best interests for once.

"Andrea will keep me updated on the fall out." He says. "Go look out the window, see what's going on downstairs."

I take the iPad from my desk and carry it over to the glass wall. I lean on it and look down. I can just make out the small gather of photographers at the entrance of Grey Publishing and I groan internally.

"This is all I needed." I sigh.

"What do you mean?" Christian asks.

"I miss you Christian, I miss you so much and I was hoping for a quiet week where I could brood." I whine.

"Oh Ana I miss you too but you should know by now there is no such thing as a quiet life as a Grey."

"I've learned that." I laugh. "Now it's late there, go to sleep." I tell him.

"I'll sleep better having talked to you."

"Me to." I smile at him.

"I'll have Andrea update me on the situation there, take security, be vigil and one word from any of the security that you're screwing around with them Ana I will be home and I will punish you."

"Yes sir." I smirk and he shakes his head and laughs at me. "I love you."

"I love you too, Laters Baby."

He switches off.

"Laters." I sigh before going to my desk and calling up to PR.

"Ana Grey, listen, release a statement on my behalf, Grey's House is doing on Christian's. Tell them that Elena Lincoln is unhappy and jealous because Christian broke off their business relationship, tell them about the restraining order that we have against her and add a hint that if this slander continues then lawyers will come into play."

"Yes Mrs Grey."

I hang up and sink back in my chair. I'm glad Christian has decided not to jump on the next plane back but I also wish he did. I think I might need him here tonight because of this. Luckily I have my cocktail evening with Kate. I grab my phone and dial her at once.

"Hey Steele!"

"Hey Kate." I smile weakly, I miss her so much sometimes.

"What's up?"

"Shouldn't you know already?" I reply sarcastically.

"Oh yeah, sorry, don't worry our editors are all refusing to print it because they know it's lies I mean there's a picture of you, me, Elliot and Christian on my desk and they all see that you couldn't be more in love if you tried and they know that lawyers will come into play if it goes too far."

"Good to know the Times has a heart." I roll my eyes and hear Kate giggling the other side.

"So we still on for tonight?"

"Yeah definitely, while the husband's away this girl is gonna play." I tease making Kate laugh harder. "I was going to suggest rather than going to Zig Zag's maybe we could just go back to my place"

"No Ana! You can't hide from this! Double security or something but if you hide your face then you make some people question it. Get seen out and not being bothered by what they're saying and then they'll know you do love your husband."

"That would only work if Christian was with us." I reply and she sighs.

"You can't stop and hide every time the press goes wild or you'll never leave the apartment. You and Christian are making your way up the list of New Year power couples Ana… don't tell anyone I told you that either."

"Power Couple? Christian and I?"

"Yes! You could buy Seattle Ana, jeez, you don't realise just how full your life is do you?"

"I guess not." I sigh, Christian and I a power couple? I'm not powerful.

"Ok so I'll meet you at Zig Zag's."

"Meet you there." I smile before hanging up, just as Sawyer and Ryan come in following Hannah, now I have some explaining to do.

"Have either of you spoken to Christian or Taylor?" I ask nodding my head towards the two chairs opposite me.

"I did Ma'am. Mr Grey filled me in on the situation."

"Good. Ok so tonight will go ahead, I'm meeting Kate at Zig Zag's Ryan take my car back to Escala then come back here. I'll have both of you with me there and then you'll both be with me to return to Escala this evening."

"Yes Ma'am." They both reply and I feel satisfied now and not worried like I was a moment ago.

I hand my car keys to Ryan and Sawyer waits for him to leave.

"Luke do you think she'll try anything?" I ask allowing my fear to show through a little in front of him now he's alone.

"I doubt it Ma'am." He says and I know he's being honest with me. "And if she does it will be the most stupid thing she has ever tried."

I know it's a silent threat on his behalf and I can't help but flash him a warm smile as I turn back to my computer to get on with some work before I head out. I'm worried about Christian more than I am myself, I know many people believe I married Christian for his money and to be honest I don't care because I know I didn't and he and his family and my own family know I didn't so that leaves me feeling pretty content.

I hate having Christian flash his cash on me. I'm particularly angry about this small plane he's bought me, as I've said before he clearly has more money than he has of sense but then I can't help but wonder if there's a specific reason he's bought it. Other than to visit my parents I have no reason to fly. Unless he really thinks I'm going to go ahead and open another branch of Grey Publishing, or giving me a reason to go ahead and do it. Maybe I should start looking into current publishing companies that are slipping and buy them out? I mean, Grey Publishing Seattle is up and running and is fine … there's no harm in looking.

At six pm I shut down my computer and leave the office with Sawyer. Hannah left at five as always so it leaves me to lock up the office before heading down to Ryan who is waiting with the SUV.

"I'll be honest and say we may have to drop Kate off, doesn't matter how drunk or persuasive either one of us is if she drinks more than the one she isn't to drive ok?"

"Yes Ma'am." They both agree before I climb into the car.

The drive over is quiet and I can't help but wonder what Christian is doing. Sleeping if he has any sense of course as it's now gone two am over there.

Kate is waiting outside when I arrive. The paparazzi who have followed us snap pictures quickly as I hug Kate and we link arms to go inside. Luckily Zig Zag's are used to high profile customers and have their own unique security team who deal with the press to stop them coming in and that includes a barricade with a warning for them not to cross it.

I order a strawberry daiquiri and sit back in the booth with Kate.

"So Ana what do you think the papers are going to be screaming tomorrow?"

"No idea but they can keep it. I'll have Sawyer fill me in on the way to work tomorrow."

"You're taking security to work?" Kate gawps at me, she knows how much I dislike having the security around so much but then I know she doesn't understand not only how controlling Christian is but how realistic the threats against us can be, especially now we're in the papers more and more often.

"Yeah." I sigh. "I need to Kate, with Christian gone and Elena playing games … I just need to make sure I'm safe or Christian will freak."

"I'm sure he will." She says rolling her eyes.

"Oh come on Kate it's not like that." I sigh rubbing my hand across of my forehead. "She's made some pretty wild accusations and who knows how people are going to react to it. Remember the public love my husband."

"Ana you have as many if not more adoring fans who would willingly give you a shoulder to cry on." Kate laughs and I can't help but smile, it's true what she's saying. I get recognised as Ana Grey now not Christian Grey's wife.

"Well with Christian not here and the paparazzi going completely bonkers out there I would rather be safe than sorry." I explain to her and she nods her head and agrees with me reluctantly.

"Come on Ana." She says pulling my head towards her and ripping out my ponytail. "Time to let your hair down and get drunk with your BFF and then maybe we'll go pose for the paps after." She winks at me and I can't help but laugh.

"Can I get a pitcher of Strawberry Daiquiris please?" I smile to a passing waiter and he blushes and hurries off.

"See Ana? Males love you!" Kate gushes hitting me in the shoulder making me laugh again.

With the press outside trying to sneak in and get pictures, Sawyer and Ryan watching us closely and Kate and I constantly breaking out in fits of giggles we are bringing a lot of attention from surrounding diners to us however I ignore them. Tonight is my night with Cate to let my hair down and act my age for a change. It makes a nice change to have so much freedom, maybe Christian will see I can be free but safe if the boundaries are there… I won't dwell on it and enjoy the time I have while he's gone even if I do miss him like hell.

"So I heard a rumour about you… actually I saw it on the Nooz website."

"Oh go on." I encourage having had enough drinks to not really give a damn.

"That you're taking some mystery woman to this Charity Fundraiser at the Olympic."

"I'm taking a friend because my husband is in London." I shrug.

"Well of course they say it's because you and Christian are on the rocks and it doesn't help that Elena is adding fuel to that fire." Kate says and I can't help but laugh, Christian may be on the other side of the Atlantic but our relationship has never been stronger.

"Well as long as Christian and I know the truth we're good."

"So who are you taking?"

"Gail Jones."

"Your housekeeper right?"

"Yup, she's a friend too and Taylor's girlfriend and as he's not here … I should have invited her out with us tonight." I sigh thinking how lonely she must be back at the apartment.

"Well bring her along with us Saturday! Mia's dragging Grace along with us so the more the merrier right?"

"Sure, let Mia know we'll have another?"

"Sure thing Mrs Grey." She says and we burst out in another fit of laughter just as Sawyer approaches us.

"Mrs Grey, more and more of the press are gathering outside, we're beginning to worry that the two of us alone aren't enough."

"What do you want to do Sawyer?" I ask in just as much of a whisper as he to me and I know Kate can't hear.

"Either bring more security here or head back to Escala."

"Ok. We'll head back." I tell him. "Kate I need your car keys."

Kate doesn't even question it and hands me the keys to her baby, I pass them to Sawyer and lean in to talk to him again.

"Have Ryan drive Kate's car to her place then we'll go back Escala and take Kate home later on."

"Sure Ana." He smiles before walking off and I laugh and turn back to Kate.

"Time to take this party to Escala and have Mrs Jones join us." I tell her before knocking back what's left of my drink.

"Why?" Kate groans. "I like it here."

"Safety Miss Kavanagh, too much press not enough security and not just my safety but yours and everyone else here. Ryan's taking your car back to your place then we'll party at my place for a bit then Sawyer will drive you home or you can stay."

"Yes Ma'am!" She salutes me before we double over in laughter again.

When Sawyer comes to get us to get into the car I stand and realise just how drunk I am. My head spins a little but not too much that I can't walk. Maybe I should have eaten first, Christian won't be pleased if he finds out.

It's difficult to leave the restaurant and I'm aware of some of the patrons taking photos of us on their phones and I wonder what they do with them. It's a scrum to get through the paparazzi but we make it without any injuries and I get to relax back into the seat as Sawyer drives us to Escala.

"Mrs Grey this is your life." Kate giggles and I can't help but laugh with her.

"Why Miss Kavanagh I must admit it is." I say in just as much of a mock upper class British as I can manage before we bowl out in giggles again.

We arrive Escala safely but I don't miss the parade of Paps there too. Is this Elena thing really that big?

"Gail?!" I yell as soon as I kick my shoes off in the lobby.

She comes rushing in from wherever she was and she looks amused from Kate to me.

"We're going to have some wine and girl talk you in?" I ask her as Kate starts opening the bottle.

"You don't think you've had enough already?" She smirks her arms folded across her chest, the amusement written all over her face.

"Nope, we're just getting started!" Kate squeals and I'm relieved when Gail laughs.

"I don't see why not then." She shrugs coming to sit on the couch beside me.

I look at the clock and see its past eleven already. I can't believe we stayed out that late! As I relax back into the couch with the glass of wine Kate has given me I can't resist a peek of my BlackBerry. I'm excited to see an email from Christian and only sent a few minutes before.

To: Anastasia Grey

Subject: If you're not having too much fun

From: Christian Grey

Please get out your iPad and give your husband five minutes of your time.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey's Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

I run over to my purse and quickly remove the iPad and turn it on as I walk back to the couch. The wine mixed with the daiquiris has really gone to my head but I don't care because I get to talk to my husband.

It rings as soon as I place my behind on the couch and I answer it quickly as Kate flicks through the TV and Gail plays absentmindedly with her only-one-sip-gone wine.

"Hey!" I beam as soon as his face appears on my screen.

"Hey back at you." Christian laughs.

"How is my darling husband tonight or tomorrow morning as it is for you there?" I say and I know my words are slurring.

"Ana Grey are you drunk?"

"Christian Grey are you mocking me?" I reply my voice low trying to imitate him.

He laughs loudly and I break out into a grin, I really am one of those happy drunks.

"You're cute when you're drunk Ana." He says and I flash him the widest grin I can manage. "Everything ok that side of the ocean?"

"Oh yes." I say mocking a commercial I remember seeing when Christian and I were in England for our honeymoon, if I remember rightly it was a car insurance advert with a British Bulldog who talked.

Christian laughs and I think he remembers what I'm on about too.

"So you're not missing me then?" He asks eyeing me sceptically.

"Of course I am!" I gasp over-dramatically. "I want you to come home and do very rude things to me Mr Grey."

"ANA!" Kate squeals beside me while Gail burst out laughing, I'm too drunk to be embarrassed.

"Ok I hear you're not alone so I would prefer it if you kept your mouth shut about what you'd like me to do to you upon my arrival home." Christian says but he's still laughing and smiling so I don't care.

"Mr Grey, one of them is fucking your brother, the other one is your housekeeper who is fucking your head of security. I think they know that we spend time in the bedroom." I say seriously until I get wacked in the face simultaneously by two pillows. "What?!" I yell before bursting out laughing.

"I should be furious at you for getting drunk Ana but you're so adorable when you're drunk."

"Thank you." I smile a Cheshire cat-crinkled eyes-million-mega-watt –very-drunk smile at him and he laughs again.

"Well I am going to play with toy jets now so I'll let you get back. Please don't drink too much more Ana and get to bed early?" He asks seriously and I frown mockingly before smiling and nodding, he laughs again.

"Gail I trust you to make sure she's in bed safe and sound?" He calls and I pull Gail into the view of the webcam.

"Of course Mr Grey." She says blushing.

"Enjoy your evening ladies." He says.

"Bye!" Kate calls from her seat.

"I love youuuuu" I say and he laughs at me once again.

"I love you too, behave."

And on that he hangs up. I can't help but smile as I place the iPad beside me, Christian the ever mercurial fifty and his very good mood has made me happy, I'm sure however all this will come back to bite me on the behind when he gets home … and I hope that bite comes from a riding crop.