The mirror knows fsog

Chp01

Seattle Washington, USA. 10:00 am, sunny breeze October Saturday. 70degree F. Wind negligible from the south-east. Construction job site. Ceremonial event.

I ran five mile this morning. Five miles in the drizzling rain to clear the anger from my mind. That everything is going perfect, and still I feel like shit and hurt at the loneliness. The self-imposed isolation. I hate myself and the world at large. I stop outside my new abode, the Escala building. I feel like shit.

The force shifts and I feel him, he's near me. I know it. I turn about only seeing the prison guards, my family and Welch leash on me. I know he's here. I know IT! I don't see him, he's f #$King with me; for fu ###king with him. Not allowing him to_never mind stupid girl, you made your bed, now wallow in it.

I enter my penthouse; I see the roses on the table that were not there when I left. I see the old 3-inch floppy disk on the ribbon. He was here. I will cry in the shower so no one knows. He was here. I have to hurry to get to the Ceremony

Turning from my internal strife; my memories of this morning. I watch the crowd cheer as Roz dumps the last shovel of dirt in the ground breaking for construction of my new office building. Thirty floors of ... Offices, two floors of separate professional offices, and two floors a world class gym with their own entrance and elevators. Double security doors separate them from my offices, but allows staff to use the facilities without having to go outside. Helicopter pad on the roof, with a private garden atrium. Reserved for top management staff. Elliott preens this will be the greenest building in the country, maybe even the world. Depending on how Elliott brings the basic items in or hopefully under budget. I haven't asked about the bruises formed on his jaw. Another jealous husband or boyfriend; when will he grow up.

The culmination of five years of my life. Today, I became a multi-billionaire: A frigging twenty-four-year-old virgin multi frigging billionaire. I have everything I always wanted and dreamed of, except him. Must not think about him. Think about everyone who told me I couldn't do this. Today I rub it in everyone's faces. I smile at Carrick and Grace. They were my harshest critics and roadblocks to getting this off the ground. I smile at them in a wolfish coming to dinner smirk.

"Anna, Let the past go. _ Girl!" I turn to my grandmother Theresa Trevelyan and Grandpa T. They loaned me the startup capital to see my dreams thru. Supported and believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. I look at the sign Elliott put up this morning. Future headquarters of Steele Enterprise and Holding, INC. Mia already duped it Steele House. My hyper active little sister.

The air is stifling in the hall closet. My room in this overprice Las Vegas condo. Mom's new husband is a pervert and sadist. Since I woke in the car fleeing Ray and Ft. Bragg; He's beaten and burned me. I'm not allowed cloths, or privacy from him and his pervert friends. The only reason I'm a virgin is he hasn't got the price he wants.

Mom is living the high life of casinos and parties. While I starve, there is plenty of liquor and drugs with no food to speak of. I finished the left-over pizza crust three days ago. I try to ignore the pain and hunger. Mom? Carla is all I can say now, no mother should abuse and harm her child like she does. She never seems to care anymore. It's all Stephen this and Stephen that; even after she pulled a train at the CES convention last month to pay his debts.

I can hear them yelling in the living room, something about a big score. I hear the door slam, and know they have left. At least I hope they have left. I try to sleep. I try to remember a happy place and time; I can't. Whatever memories I had of a safe and caring happy place have faded in the reality soulless Vegas. I wait till I can't take it anymore and leave the closet.

The condo is empty, dirty and trash overflowing. Unluck for me each condo has its own trash chute. I drink some water. Empty the two mason jars of my own piss and shit, what little there is of that. No food equals no shit. I use them to hide in my room. If they don't see me, they forget about me and the lit cigar and smokes don't burn me. I clean the condo, then don't have any laundry soap again, no bath soap, or even hair shampoo; I wash everything the best I can. I take a shower; I never take baths anymore. That pervert Stephen like to wash me, poke my privates, hold my head underwater till I pass out. Then repeats. I check the couch cushions for trash and change; I have hidden about twenty-eight dollars in cash.

I watch the business news, the ticker sooths my thoughts and mind as I mental check my scores on the number and companies. I just get it. The only books in the place are how to beat the casinos, gambling how to's and cheating bibles. The only magazine beside porn and Carla teen beat magazines are Stephen pervert friend Carl's Economist, Forbes, Wall Street Journal and National Review; he plans to take his big casino score and invest and buy and island with hundreds of pre-teen girls and boys to cater to his every whim. Lucky for me; he pops and drinks whatever money he steals. I watch tv till dawn, they should be back soon. The movie Carla like is Tom Cruise as a Vampire. She's living the life now.

I hear them stumble in screams and roaring in happiness. Something has happened? They leave a short time later. I crawl out of the closet just in case. Stephen has band me from walking, I must crawl like the selfless bit#$h dog I am. He will burn me if he sees me walking upright. The condo is empty. The living room filled with trash, and tore cloths, many with blood on them. I clean up the mess and find no food, just the paper and plastic of Nations burgers. I hurt. I need food. Is Twenty-eight dollars enough to escape this town? A go where? I can't go to Rays. No family from Carla or Frank, my birth father. No hope, no reason to go on. Except the hatred to succeed and show them they can't break me.

I find to my shock close to one thousand dollars in the couch, all new clean hundred-dollar bills; how? Where? Do I give a shit? I find Carla's cell phone nearly dead. The glass front is broke, but the phone works. I smile, finding the number for the Chinese place that deliveries. I order hundred and sixty dollars in food. I can hide most in the freezer, they never open it since it's always empty, and the ice dispenser on the front door always works. I get one of Carla's blouse, pick the lock on the front door. The dead bolt needs a key both sides. So, I can't escape; denying him the profit of my rape and deflowerment. The delivery guy balks till I give him a forty-dollar tip. I eat till I'm sick and then again. I finish the dawn slowly sipping the hot and sour soap and nibbling on the lemon chicken. I feel full and happy. I hide the food, clean the mess, and hunker down in the closet: After two days I hope they aren't coming back. I hide a steak knife under the easy chair Stephen likes to sit in to torment me. The chair of burning. I watch the parking lot every morning, on day eight my life turns cold and ugly. Stephen and Carla show up, even from seven floors up I can see they're bruised and bloodied. I hide in the closet. They enter to moans, then slam into their room.

The next morning, then order IHOP. Calling me, I crawl to them. Stephen dumps the half-eaten pancakes, on the rug, "Eat up, I sold your shank ass to cover my debts. Your C#$T is worth a cool half a million. Isn't that right Carla?"

Carla just laughs puffing on the glass stem, looking happy that the pain is gone for a little while. "She's out, your turn to learn a new skill for your new daddy. Thomas like virgins. Till your skin falls off and your get older than his eyes. Don't worry B ##h we're never coming back. Hell shank! You're never going anywhere once Thomas takes you walking in the desert. Now take it out and stroke it like I showed you before. It's time you get a job; a blown job. You've seen your mother enough! Do it or else." He lights a cigarette. I know it now or never; I take the knife, hiding it behind me, till I ram it into his thing; jerking back and forth till he punches me across the room. He staggers out into the building hall way. I grab my money, Carla's blouse a run; run for my life.

Running out of the stairwell, Stephen sees me, pushing, throwing me thru the glass next to the door. I wake to hospital nurse talking to fast and loudly. Never letting me speak or do anything. I watch the world turn white, with the sickly smell of death. Am I dying, don't I deserve too for being a worthless person and bad daughter? I must be bad to have no one love me, mustn't I?

"It's hard to let the past go. It's hard when the people you trusted and loved; don't trust or support you." I look down. Lost in my self-loathing and painful self-victimization as the shrinks tell me. I pout!

"Anna, my granddaughter! They supported you, the best they could. They trusted you to do the right thing. They just had to get the stick out of their ass first. It's taken a bit. They love you. Period. Get over yourself. SHIT 'T' here comes the Lieutenant Governor." Grandma cringes at the pushy baboonish guy. I listen then slip away.

"Anna?" I turn to Carrick. He hugs me without touching my chest or back. The damage of my mother and #3. I smile up at my adopted father and cousin. Once he knew I exist, stuck in a Nevada nut house for children. They got me out and took me in.

"Your father Frank would have been so proud. Ray is waiting to see you. Didn't want to intrude on Family time." He says nodding to my other Father, Raymond Steele, Husband #2… Ray's deployment overseas prevented him from saving me. Still the nut house and #3 took their toll on me.

"Dad?" I ask walking up to him

"Won't have missed this for anything."

"I thought you were prepping for deployment?"

"I'm retired as of this morning. I medical-ed out." Ray says ashamed he has failed his country somehow.

"What was it?" I ask afraid it's serious and terminal

"They found a blockage, had to have a STENT put in last week."

"Why didn't you call me!" I ask pissed off

"Hey! You had other thing to worry about then me. This building and your Merges of the three telecommunication companies."

"Yea! I would have still flown out to be with you. You shouldn't have had to go thru that alone." I gripe.

"I wasn't alone. Sarah honey?" He turns, waves over a statuesque lady in a simple dress, brown hair with bright caring green eyes. She walks over to us.

"Anna, my girlfriend Sarah Lawrence. She's a world class wood carver, and part-time Vet." He crows to me. I can tell she's good for him. He deserves a wife who can support him, not destroy him.

"Hurt my dad, I'll ruin you than bury the body!" I stare daggers at her. She laughs in my face. What the frigging hell. Am I losing my touch?

Dad hands her ten bucks. I stare at them, feeling Grace and Carrick next to me. "Ray bet you wouldn't threat me, manners and such. I knew after your mothers' evil shit, you would. So, Ray ice cream is on me." She smiles at me. I like her. There must be an evil side to her.

"Yea I have a dark side Anna. I'm going to call you Anna. It's Ray bull shit about being a part time Veterinary. His back yard in Montesano is already half filled with dogs and several miniature horses. I train service animals. Starting with this old army ranger dog." She leans over a kiss dad. This is a mother to follow, I hope.

"We're all going to Escala to introduce you to your new staff" Grace smiles at me. Staff my ass; I already killed that bullshit. I don't need babysitters and nursemaids.

"Anna; it that or move back into Grey Manor" Carrick says serious and lawyerly. Asshole!

"bullshit; I'm going home and fire them right now!"

"Anastasia Steele! We have decided that you need a CPO and Housekeeper. As your Parents! You need them and we aren't budging." Ray barks. I shake with anger and knowledge that I will have to put up with them and their over-protectiveness. At least for a while. I wish my man was here. The man I can never have. I couldn't bear the burden of destroying his life and future; I bring ruin to all I love.

"Fine! Let's go. I need to get some real work done." We head to my new as of yesterday, Penthouse apartment in the most secure and best building in Seattle; Escala.

I feel that strange vibe. The electric pulse in the air, that can only be him. I look around not seeing him. I should see him. He always shows me he's there. My dream boy; I hate him and love him. Today he doesn't show himself; maybe he's over me. Or is this prelude to 'A Taxi Driver' moment? I need a good shot of whiskey and a nice classical English tome to relax and be me.

The uptight, miserable twenty-four-year-old virgin pining for what she denies herself, the man who she loves. The only one to touch me, overcome my Haphephobia. I must get a new hobby than flagellation myself over hard decisions; I've made for others to have a happy life.

Still those daydreams of us at the lake, fill my car window on the way home. Still I wish I could reverse myself and have no regrets, no doubts I did the right thing. His face from the Star & Stripes article haunt me.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I meet my new housekeeper Gail Jones & new Head of my personal security Jason Taylor. Both hand-picked by all three adults. I pout till they leave and dine on Gail's salmon rice dinner. I'm definitely keeping her. The CPO I'm not sure of. I watch the big wheel and the ships ply the Sound. I watch unable to do anything else. Just stand here sipping my whiskey, waiting for my life to begin. Can anyone love me with the scars on my body and mind. No one can love me! Even after five surgeries to lessen the scars, I see them vivid and bleed still. I still see the scared girl; I see the inner me. The monster waiting to unleash. Again!

After two teleconferences and four hours of proposal and emails. I head to bed. I need a vacation and at least a lover. What bullshit is floating around my head. I'm twenty-four and a virgin. Who's stuck; trapped at by the trauma of #3 at eight: An giving up on him in Summer Computer Programing Camp when I was eleven. Will I ever be normal? Mom's new shrink for me is a British ex-pat, he thinks I need to be more goal based to overcome my phobias and self-loathing. Less trapped by my past. I take three fingers of 101 wild turkey and lay down in my large, comfortable but lonely bed. Dreaming of him, he keeps the nightmares of Vegas away.

I'm stuck in this bed; in my head with my boyfriend. Why do I resist calling him to be with me? Make a life together. Tomorrow I'll double check the videos of the ground breaking; hopefully he's here. I wonder where he was and why he hates me. Why he didn't show himself?

Stupid girl, after the last time at Harvard, did you think he'd still wait for you to get your head out of your ass and take him as we are. Not the Noblesse Oblige sacrifice for one's soulmate happiness without you.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Grace-pov

We just left Ray and Sarah at the restaurant. Anna is being stubborn about everything. She has been on overdrive since she came to live with us. I worry about her not having a life outside of work. She became more reclusive every year, every monetary milestone. Success drives her deeper into the lonely bitter Haphephobia girl I hate with all my heart. How do I get the sweet girl back? How do I stop this slide into hell? The nearest to happy and content comes with her sailing one of her boats on the Sound. I worry she may be gay; she's never seen with a boy in public; or private for that matter. Nor a girl for that matter. It wouldn't matter if she was gay, I just want the lonely girl to be gone.

She has never expressed an interest in boys or girls since she has lived with us. I wonder about the locked box in her closet. Inside her box of past memento is her diary. The Diary: Locked leather-bound book; Mom gave her when she came to live with us. Something about those four stapled pages I saw years ago haunts me. She never talks about #3, the time in the Children Psychiatry Ward or computer camp. I know she came home early with a broken leg; supposedly crashed a mountain bike from Computer Camp. But the Camp director seemed to imply an older boy might have pushed her off the bike. Seems they had words the first day of camp. She denied it, and refused to say anything at all about her time there. Or what happened.

Hours later:

My children; I watch the lights on Lake Washington. Elliot my builder, clown, and protector. Mia my fashionista's and culinary mastermind, caring nurturing sprite. Carrick cousin, our business mogul and recluse, Anna; Quiet strength, fearless and determination with a sensitivity old soul.

I can remember the horror on Cary's face when a lawyer friend inquired about his cousin Frank Lambert estate and daughter. Abandoned to the system; group homes for almost a year. Then three months in a Children Psychiatry Ward; for nearly killing an older boy who tried to assault her.

Once here I was able to assets her physical and mental issues. She was underweighted with terrible scars, and severe touch issues. Haphephobia so severe the specialist didn't think she could ever overcome it. Seems that bastard #3 got his rocks off burning; My sweet angel with cigarettes and cigars. She rages violently if her chest or back is touch. Blood curling nightmares nearly every night. I suspect those were the issue at camp. Yet she came home with the nightmares nearly gone. She could take careful hugs that didn't touch her no-go areas. She could be calm in a crowd. I always wonder what happened in those six weeks.

I feel my man, shift holding me. We go to bed, it's strange with only Mia in the house. Elliott is sleeping with someone at his half build dream home in Kirkland. Carrick quips about his man-whore license; I just wish he would find a girl to settle with. I wish Anna would find anyone.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

The phone rings. I'm going to kill whoever is ringing at six o'clock on a Sunday morning. This better be an emergency or worse!"

"Yes?"

"Taylor here! I need to speak to Carrick. Now!" He barks in that military way. I hit Carrick with the phone. And turn back to bed. I feel the bed shake as he bolts awake and out of bed, pacing the room holding the phone with one hand and pulling his hair with the other. Agitated doesn't even begin to explain the rage rising up. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S GONE, FRIGGING DISAPPEARED FROM HER BEDROOM ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE MOST SECURE BUILDING IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. Find her, NOW!"

I'm awake and staring had him. "Anna been kidnapped, no note or contact yet. But she disappeared from her bedroom sometime last night." He tells me, sobbing uncontrollably into my arms. How the hell could this have happened.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

1300 pm Escala

We wander aimlessly in the great room waiting for information. On how and who has my daughter. I watch Ray and Welch walk into the room; Taylor follows looking shell shocked.

"We know that about 0200 last night Anna's helicopter, stolen from Boeing Field, auto rotated onto the roof. Silently landing. We found fresh rappelling marks on the window washing stanchion. We suspect from the limited video we are dealing with one person." Welch tells us.

"where are they now?" I demand. Worrying about that nagging thought in the back of my mind. The diary? Why does it haunt me right now; does it have the answers to this kidnapping. Do I dare look?

"They dropped off the radar shortly after taking off. No-one's heard the take off. It required an expert pilot, not something a regular pilot would even know how to do." Welch says, lost in the thought.

"This Afternoon, next to the Evergreen speedway the helicopter turned up at Monroe First Air field. Witnesses reported a man carrying a woman got into a car and drove away. Barney and Fred are searching traffic cameras to try and figure out where they went." Carrick states.

"Do you have a picture of him?" I ask Taylor; shows us a picture. Tall, well build, copper haired with a wicked scar on his cheek, piercing Eyes; intense and haunting. "I saw him at the groundbreaking." That sends them back into Security room.

I stand and walk into Anna's bedroom, into her walk-in closet and find the locked chest of her youthful memories and horrors. I enter the combination, it still works: I'm surprised she didn't change the lock combo. I take the diary out and return to the great room. Gail has followed me. "Gail, I need a knife?"

With a kitchen paring knife, I cut the lock off. Carrick and Ray walk back in. They are horrified I'm going to violate Anna's trust. "Grace are you sure you what to do this?" My loving husband asks me.

I turn to the stapled pages. Breaking the staples carefully; I open the first page. Computer summer camp when she was eleven; I knew something more happened. I look at the first picture. Stunned by what I see.

Photo#1: Anna is smiling at the camera; working a computer. Her tongue is out and she is goofing. Two people beside her chair, who look familiar, goof with her at the camera. A sign on the side of the computer has A Darth Vader mask draw with Team Vader under it. We've never seen her like this. The note below the picture states this was day four of camp.

Photo#2: Anna and an older copper headed boy about fifteen maybe, at a swimming area. Anna on his shoulders laughing. Having the time of her life. Day six of camp. Anna has written 'Team
Vader! Christian and I win the Camps Chicken Fight contest. My sexy, hottie bad boy.' The scar on his face tells me he's the one from the surveillance video. Why now?

Photo#3 a picture of the boy in a shaded remote part of the lake, naked, looking at the camera. Smiling. The scar on his face is very pronounced as are the ones on his body; just like Anna's: burns from cigarettes and cigars. The grey eyes lock one in time; the intense of the look and boy is scary, even horrifying. This boy will never give up what he believes is his. My Daughter Anna. 'The one, only one for me. My Christian, My World.' Anna has written for day twelve of camp

Photo#4: Two of them, naked laying on a plaid blanket, she is laying across him. He is touching her chest and back. Laughing as she holding his Argghhh? What was going on at that camp and where were the adults, or counselors. That boy molested my daughter; I'm killing him. Why didn't she say anything? An what the frigging hell did she mean having written below 'never dare me to do something I dream to do every moment of my life. My Christian, my one, my happily ever after, forever and day!'

A how could he touch her, make her look so happy? Why has she never told me about this boy? Why has she never dated, if she was this healed; Healed that much. What really happened there that summer? A why doesn't he just come to the Door and ask her out. Is he some stalker, obsessed pervert hunting my daughter? my sweet innocent daughter.

Photo#5 The boy with the scar, stand about the ruin of four other boys and at least two girls. Battered and bloodied he sneers at the camera. Day 44 noted on the picture. The day before she broke her leg. The day before I flew in and picked her up.

She written 'The older rich mean kids clique encouraged by Hyde, jumped me this afternoon. Little did the realize that Christian was waiting for me, so we could go explore each other's bodies. SOME MORE! My perfect bad boy summer boyfriend. Spoiled our fun. Jealous about me, us, Team Vader taking top prize and having the hottest bad boys in camp as our boyfriends.' She crossed out summer boyfriend, writing 'soulmate' over it. An what did she mean by Us? And Our Boyfriends?

She wrote on the last page before she stapled them shut. She realized she shouldn't have forced Christian to be with her; she always ruins the people that love her. She wishes he would forget about her. Go find someone to make him happy; she has destroyed his letter without reading them, two painful. I am in tears after the short paragraph. To save him she shunned him from her life. Why? The pain of her self-loathing and self-imposed misery hurts my heart. My poor sweet girl!

"Welch find out who that boy was! There couldn't have been that many Christian at that camp." Carrick barks. He is in more pain at the sexual nature of the photos. Reminders of his youthful horrors of a bi-polar mother and abusive drunk father. He spent more time with his cousin the Lamberts in Louisville than Cleveland. Making Frank more a brother than a cousin. Anna has always been a daughter, never a niece.

I scan the diary; I find an entry when she was a Harvard. Before she dropped out. 'Christian in his uniform stopped by, painful to see him; he still wants us to be a couple. But I can't let him ruin his life with me. The albatross around his neck, ruining his life and destroying his chance to be happy. I weep and prayed about his deployment to Kipling dusty hills. Thank You God; for bring him home safely. Even if I can't have him.' Kipling dusty hills, Afghanistan? He was in uniform, a soldier?

A two year later she writes: 'Christian is demanding we try. I can't: he's selected for flight school. They'll make him a Warrant Officer after he graduates. He looked so good in parade dress. The eyes pierce me even in print: They threaten to break my resolve.' An officer, Mom's Cousin Henry was a Warrant Officer Helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Is that the flight school? Could that have given him the talent to dead stick autorotate down on a roof in the darkness, and fast take-off from the roof before people realized he'd did it. Possible, very possible.

Three days ago: 'I felt him at the groundbreaking. I know he is near. I fear he will end me, forsaking him all these years. Why didn't I let him love me, even if it destroyed him; me. Why didn't I marry him?'

I shake at her self-loathing words and broken dreams. Why didn't I see her inner frustration and turmoil? I want my daughter home. I want her safe; if this boy loves her, why has he kidnapped her?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

1500pm

"We have information." Welch says

"Alright, what have you got?" I demand; held grounded in my husband's strong arms.

"Originally Christian no middle initial (NMI) Martin. Changed his name before joining the Army at seventeen to Christian no middle name Grey. Father unknown. Mother was a drug addicted prostitute, OD'd when he was four. After three days locked in a closet with his dead mother; her pimp discovered her dead; decided to get rid of the only witness. The boy killed the pimp with a pencil. In and out of the system till age seventeen. Twice in Juvenile detention for violent attacks; IQ in the 1% range, scholarship to the computer camp after graduating high school at fifteen: Princeton masters in computer and mathematics at seventeen, minor in business while deployed."

"Military?" Ray asks.

"Three consecutive tour in Afghanistan from 17 to 20 years of age. Silver, Bronze Stars, Purple Heart twice. DSM nomination got him selected for Warrant Officer training and helicopter flight school. Honor grad in every class he took from basic onward. After flight school at Fort Rucker, he did a tour in Iraq. Followed by tours in Germany and Italy with NATO and SETAF. Volunteered for Afghanistan; Last tour ended after seven months, three months ago, wounded: fourth purple heart, nominated for second Medevac Flying Cross. In the last mission, he had two Blackhawks shot out from beneath him getting a trapped Special Forces team out of a valley. He dead stick autorotated from two thousand feet in a full moon, thru a dozen heavy machine guns onto a landing pad half the size of Escala Pad. Two other Blackhawks crashed attempting the rescue before he even tried in day light, one with total casualties. Saved twenty lives. Wounded nine time during the mission. Did two months at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Honorable discharge two weeks ago from the Mt Vernon VA up north of us. He was there two months. Whereabouts unknown. Friends none, family none. Electronic trail none. This guy was well trained and taught."

"I remember him from the Ranger's Trials, first person to cross the finish line, honor grad. Seemed intense and driven. A little too driven. He turned down Delta." Ray says grudgingly admiring the boy.

We all sit and wonder what is going on. Where are they?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

0700am Sunday: Ernie's Grove WA: End of Moon Valley Road on The North Fork of The Snoqualmie River.

A-pov

I wake to a bright sunlit room, with beautiful flower scents, about me. My mouth is cotton balls and I have to pee. I wonder where fr##k I am. I roll over to the worse and best sight in my pitiful existence. He's here, where ever here is. I wonder have I died and gone to heaven. He sits in a chair staring at me. Just like he used to do.

"Christian?" I croak like a frog. I see the orange juice on the side table. I drink. Looking about; he points. I rush to the bathroom. I pee and notice the door has no locking tab. I need a shower.

He walks in naked, just like when we were kids, in summer camp. Starts the shower and pulls me into his arms. Just like I remembered; safe and loving.

Washing each other we float into bed, making love. The first time I've made love. We're lost in the dreamscape of the moment. Hours later we snack on spam and hard-boiled eggs. We're connected and I will never let him go again. I can't bear not having him in my life. Everything I denied us, wasted time, and misspent pain and misery. I look into his eyes, leaning in. This is heaven in my soulmate's grey eyes. Everything is turning golden.

The world tilts as I kiss him, deep without reservations. Our lustful embrace and work the kinkiness of our minds into reality. I make love free and abandoned; all thoughts on our bliss. Sliding down I take his main brain in my lips and mouth, just like I threatened all those years ago in computer camp. This time he moans and hold my head for deeper, harder suction. I burst into motion, like the magazines taught, thank God for Cosmo, Redbook, Glamour, Mademoiselle and Ladies' Home Journal. My sneak friend and confidante, Andrea's is always leaving one with my Wall Street Journal. Trying to break my will and take Christian back sooner. It didn't work, but now the advice and thoughts rev my engine and make a certain copper-haired man scream my name.

I leave my exhausted sleeping wolf, hunger has driven me from our blissful, horny-body exhausted repose. We've slumber like the dead. I make some food, notice is nearly 1700pm. Everyone is probably worried about me. Christian still hasn't said how we got here. I suspect it's bad and illegal. I see the phone on the wall.

Picking it up, I get a dial tone. I call Grace, no one is home at Grey Manor. I try Ray's cell phone. He answers.

"Hi dad." I say unsure of words.

Xxxxxxx

Escala

The room erupts as Anna calls Ray; why didn't she call me! I check my phone; SHIT THE BATTERY DIED. Ray puts the phone on speaker an on the dining room table. We crowd around.
"you're on speaker, where are you? Who has you?" Ray barks. I cringe

"I don't know, and I should not tell you who I'm with." She dares back. I need to put this to rest right here and now.

"You're with Christian, ex-Army Warrant Officer Christian Grey. The boy from summer camp." I demand in my best motherly voice. I feel my mother wrap an arm around my throat to choke me out before I get to out of control.

"Violated my trust, opened my diary! We will have words later Grace Grey. Yes, I'm with Warrant Officer Four Christian NMI GREY! My Soulmate! Yes, he liberated me from my-self imprisoned castle in the clouds. Called the Feds already?" Anna yells.

"No, we have not. Where are you!" Carrick yells over her and me.

"I don't know. Christian?" Anna says to us, then the boy.

"We're fine, still in state. Anna will be back in the office on Wednesday for her M&A meeting with the shipping company. Don't bug us. Go home." The boy barks back at us.

"First return Anna, then we will decide if we press charges kidnapping her." I scream as I feel mom's sleeper hold, fading me to blackness.

Waking at home, I look at my parents. They seem very happy. "What?"

"Well after you passed out, you really need to get that mamma grizzly bear under control, Gracie. We came home. Anna called me; we talked the whole trip home. She's making them dinner. Before you ask, the phone is VOIP and untraceable. The boy seemed nice and worthy of our granddaughter." Mom smirks at me.

"He changed his name to ours; doesn't that raise concerns?"

"He didn't. He changed his name to his Princeton mentor; Professor Issacs Walden Grey, Classical English Literature. No relation to us. He kind of adopted the young prodigy, before he died; right before Christian entered the Army. The only true father figurine in his life. He left Christian his entire estate. Even encouraged the boy to join the army." Dad says

"Ok, why didn't he step forward earlier?" I ask, stupidly already knowing the answers. Her fear of commitment.

"What do we know? And what do we do NOW?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Grace-pov

I sit watching the morning sun break the water becalmed twilight. Monday morning; Everything I've read so far on Detroit born Christian Grey leads me to two radically different conclusions. One, the soldier: honorable, responsible and trust worthy. The other a ruthless killer without remorse or restraints driven only to what he wants and desires. The two sides of the coin are now spinning in my daughters' hand.

Carrick and I agree there must be a mole helping him in … We called Barney last night to start the mole hunt, he refused as did Fred. They have never refused a request from us, or Welch. They stand firm. We both took a pill to sleep.

Still I'm up and restless at dawn. Two more days till Anna returns; at least that is what she believes. Whether the boy will let her leave is a different matter. I worry as Carrick brings me my morning tea. We sit silent and still with the conflicting emotions and negative thought.

The gate buzzer rings, could Elliott be coming home this early? We wait our oldest son. Shocking when Barney and Andrea walking in. The two most loyal people to Anna, her friends for years. Why are they here?

"Barney? Andrea?"

"Carrick, Grace, Mia come down from the steps and join us please" Andrea says.

"Coming to explain your refusal to find the spy in Steele House? The one who helped kidnap my daughter!" I bark impotent rage

"Grace, there is no spy in Steele House." Barney says

"Someone leaked the access and security codes to Christian. Someone notified him of Anna's schedules?" I bark back; must be calm and reasonable. I feel the control slipping away.

"Grace. Shut up." Carrick speaks to me harsh. I stare at his rebuke

"You two are the most loyal to Anna, the oldest employees. Her oldest friends! How could you betray her?" Carrick speaks, hurt, and pained.

"They're the moles?" I ask incredulous.

"We are not moles or spies. We are THEIR most loyal friends and have been since Computer camp." Andrea speaks. Smacking us back. They were at camp with Anna. The two familiar teens goofing with Anna in Photo number one.

"I would have asked the stupid question who took most of the shots in Anna diary. Several couldn't have been Anna or Christian." Barney says. Andrea sits next to me and pulls a tablet out, accessing more pictures of Computer camp:

Photo 1# shows Andrea, Barney and Anna eating at a table. "Day one dinner, Anna was the youngest, with Barney second. I was thirteen. Christian took the picture."

Photo2# The four of them with a sign, crudely drawn Vader helmet 'Team Vader' they are laughing; Anna's holding Christian hand on her shoulder. "Day two; we sectioned up into teams. No one wanted to be with us, around us or even be our friends. We just sort of meshed. The four of us named ourselves Team Vader. We all loved the Dark side. Cookies or not." Andrea says with a strange longing on her face.

"Cool name." Mia laughs sitting on the arm rest.

"I have a shirt with 'Come to The Dark Side We Have Cookies' on the front and 'Join the Rebellion! Freedom! Free Cheesecake for all' on the back" Andrea laughs.

"We must get copies for Star Wars nights at the movie theater." I laugh. The first time in days.

Andrea scans to the next photo. Which shows the Anna, Christian and Andrea laying naked in the sun on blankets. Smiling at the camera. "Day four, I took the picture of us about two miles around the lake, sunbathing. It was my idea. My family been sun-worshipers since the Grands escaped to Woodstock." Barney says.

The next photo is most shocking. "That's day six campfire movie, it was Caddyshack. They publicly announced their relationship that night. Christian and I both staked out our soulmates." Barney speaks as the next picture show Barney holding Andrea in his arms while the movie plays, identical to the Anna and Christian shot. Her touch issues don't seem to exist with this boy.

I flip back and stare at Anna held in this boys' arms, he's touching her back and chest. How did that occur?

"They from the first day on the bus, they had this weird mad connection; she literally tripped and fell on him in the bus. They both had serious Haphephobia, yet they could each touch the other without pain or fear. It was spooky to see how in sync they are." They exchange knowing glances.

"We didn't see the other Anna till we reconnected at Comic Con before she when to Harvard. Moody, self-loathing Anna never existed that summer." Andrea says. I look at her face, happy and content. I want my daughter to be like that again. I need to curb My Mama Grizzly and work towards a neutral ground.

"The broken leg?" Carrick asks. Andrea flips thru a couple photos till an Awards shot.

"That's Team Vader winning the Camp Project contest. The assholes looking skunked are the ones who jumped Anna and me. Tim Cotton, Mike McConnell, and Sarah Playne. The older kid with eighteen-year-old Jack Hyde, Camp counselor, an all-round scumbag. Luckily, he spent the most time in the Director cabin with his wife. I have some great porn, pedophile shots of them, and his rape of Sarah Playne and Liz Morgan. He's one of the ones who jumped Christian, breaking his arm and leg the day after the first fight. It was during Anna and my escape that Sarah and Liz ran Anna off the road. I managed to stop and fight them off. By the time we got help. Christian and Barney were in Ambulance. Hyde and four other attackers also when to the hospital." Andrea has tears. We hug her.

"Carrick, see what can be done about those evil shits!" I say thru my tears. Thru the pain of failing my daughter, failing to protect her from evil; we will do a better job.

"Grace, we will make sure no others suffer at their hands. One way or another." Carrick says.

Andrea flips to a photo of Anna as she is right now, she seems younger in the photo, loose blouse, flour smudge on her nose. Christian laughing at her pout. Arms around her. When was this taken?

"We took this last night, we stopped in to check on them. They are safe and protected. Making a go at their relationship, finally after all these years." Andrea smiles at us.

I look for any signs she is under duress; I can't find any. I have to accept they are in love and will try despite or in spite of the family. They deserve a chance to make a go at it. The sooner I accept it the better the war will go.

"Breakfast is ready" Calls our housekeeper.

"Barney, Andrea please join us."

Sitting next to Andrea I ask for the address. "Never mind Grace, I have it. Ray and I stop by late last night to check in on them; as well. After you took the sleeping pill. A NO you're not going. They need time as do you. So, we'll see about lunch or dinner after her meetings Wednesday." Carrick says.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wednesday: return to work.

I walk into my company current headquarters in the Russel building below the Stadium. Soon, seven months according to Elliot, we will move to the new building downtown, just blocks from my penthouse. I feel happy, and elated to be here with Christian on my arm; Supporting me.

He'll work with Barney till he decides what to do. He's thought about completing his doctor in Literature and teaching, possible at the local Community College. Or maybe working for a local think tank on higher number theory. He's already scheduled to teach Helicopter advanced flight and instrument rating down at Boeing.

He laughed when he told me he stole my helicopter because he couldn't bear to damage his precious EC155 B1 Copter. He's taken Issacs inheritance and parleyed it into a couple of million dollars, nowhere near my billions, but enough to own a helicopter and a twin engine Piaggio Avanti. He can't wait to fly my new corporate jet Embraer Lineage 1000E.

The light and airy window-filled cabin with a 42-inch television, dining room and lounge, and a queen bedroom with ensuite, complete with the largest shower with a breathtaking view. Is to die for; its 5,00-mile range at 650mph makes me horny just think about my man driving it and then coming in the back to our queen size bed to make love to me, and make me an official member of the mile-high club. Must plan a trip soon to get my mile-high freak on. Can't wait for my private elevator at home to molest my soldier boy. I skip a step onto my floor.

The day is bright with my man here. The meetings go better than I thought. Roz is a little shaken by Christian dominating ways. He just fills the space and dares you to disturb it. I French kiss him into submission before lunch. Dad called, were meeting the family at my place downtown the Mile-High Club. We walk into a private dining room to everyone shock and surprise.

I calm my inner voice and hug each one deep and true emotions burst out. Grace cries in my arms, she was always most concerned about me and my touch issues. Desperately wanting to express her love to me. Make the monsters go away. Like a true mother should be. I let Dad and Ray carry her to a seat. I just sit next to my man. Rubbing my toy under the table to get him to relax.

"Who's First?" I ask, afraid of the questions. Maybe afraid of the answers. I feel Christian arm around me. I am safe and loved. I am worthy.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

0000 Monday morning: Ray-pov

I walk with Carrick to the cars. Grace is out for the night with a sleeping pill. Neither speaks. We're lost in thoughts about the boy. "you know Barney and Fred are in on this?" I ask. Carrick just nods his head. Their refusal is incriminating. How do we deal with this, her closest friends? How and why are they doing this.

We swing by Fred's Southside Condo overlooking the water in Des Moines. He is waiting for us, unafraid or surprised. We sit for a bit sipping coffee laced with Bushmills 21year single malt. "Well?" I'm the first to break.

"I trust my partner Barney and Andrea. They known both Christian and Anna; for years. You have to let the two most stubborn people in the universe work this out. Andrea tells me Anna's never seen or met anyone who could outshine Christian. So, let it be."

"We could if we were sure she wasn't there against her will?" Ray speaks, sipping the hot brew. I sip mine, finding the Chicory favored Sumatra Mandheling Double Roast intrigue and soothing. Tasting the bite of the Bushmills with the sweetness, earthy notes, and hint of chocolate of the Sumatra beans mixed with the Chicory's sweet-and-sour chestnuttiness. Mellows the mood and the rage within.

"Listen Barney called just before you came over; Him and Andrea just left the Lovesick duo. Everything is fine. Let me call him, see if he thinks your arrival would work?" Fred ask then goes out on his Balcony, we watch afraid of no or worse Hell No. He returns smiling.

"Anna said ok, Christian said NO. Andrea and Barney said only if you leave the weapons in the car, and don't force them apart. If you both can deal with it. I'll give you the address." Fred says with that serious I'll kill you for my boss and friends. We are at a pivot point in the universe; I look at Ray. He looks at me and nods.

"Ok, we can deal with it: As long as they don't leave the state till she arrives at SEH on Wednesday." We shake as Fred sent the direction to Rays phone. We all shake and hug; this may be a good thing. Anna's friends wouldn't let a craze near her.

Ray cuts east across Highway 516 to south 167 at Kent. We cruise south turning onto Highway 18 at Auburn. Turning on Highway 90 east, stopping at a 24hr Starbuck in North Bend for fuel. Moving up the slow Bendigo Blvd thru town we work are way onto 428th Ave thru Ellisville to get to the house on the South shore of the North Fork Snoqualmie river.

Pulling up we see two of Anna's CPO parked next to a camper in the tree lined driveway entrance. To our surprise Jason walk up to us.

"How long have you been here?" I demand.

"About two hours. The trailer just arrived about ten minutes ago. I had Andrea's SUV painted in Nightglow (paint that shows up under night vision goggles) paint to track by air. Since anything electronic wouldn't have worked."

"Do they Know you're out here?" Ray asks

"Yea, the love birds are ok with security being here. As long as we don't interfere with them. Gail's bring food near seven. How did you guys get here?"

"Fred" Ray states getting out of the car, I follow suite unsure of what is going on. As a copper head man steps out of the shadows. This can only be Christian.

"Anna waiting inside. If either wants a measure? Speak now? Because this is your only chance." Christian says like a condemned man.

"There will be time later if this fails. I will bury you. Understand me kid!" Ray growls low and mean.

"You can try, but if this fails, I'll save you the blood. The world isn't worth breathing without my soulmate." He talks with an edge that I find comforting. This kid is totally committed to our daughter.

"Well, I don't know about you Ray, but my Bladder kicking. Lead on D'Artagnan" I speak, breaking into a smile.

Walking into the house we're assailed by cinnamon and nutmeg in the air. Hints of cardamom filled the house from the fresh baked sweet rolls. Anna in long Shirt, bare legs is dancing icing the two dozen sugar bombs. She looks up. Smiling that bright happy grin, we all miss, since before this it was rare and seldom.

I lead against Ray, as a wall hold him upright. The Perfect girl is before us. All the loathing and self-doubts, the control freak extraordinary are gone. The daughter we hoped would one day; would by some miracle emerge from the nightmares of her youth. Stands before us. I step forward and lightly hug her. Careful to avoid her chest and back.

Ray follows suite, he sits: Christian point down a hall. "Second on the left"

Returning to find Jason heading out with a plate for the crew. Ray munching on his second Roll, I know it. Always hogging Anna's baked good. I sit getting a fresh Coffee and sticky sweet cinnamon roll. She sits while Christian does the dishes. Talking light and unconfrontational. We see this is a good thing and we need to nurture it, not make demands on these fragile people.

After about half an hour we head Back to Bellevue and home. Ray can crash at my place. In the car we discuss and talking out what must be done, in the short term. Long term I believe wedding bells are chiming. This boy is going to be a force to reckon with. I hope Grace can calm her Mama Grizzly bear before she losses Anna.