Chapter Fifteen

November Parliamentary recess was over, and today Ana was returning to Westminster for the first time since that horrendous PMQs when she'd embarrassed herself in front of the country having a major breakdown on the BBC. She was ready. She'd been in therapy now for a good few weeks and she was already feeling a lot stronger. It helped that she was physically stronger too. She still had a visible cut on her head, her arm had a lot of healing left to do and would be permanently scared too. Plus, her shoulder was still very sore. However, her feet were in much better condition now meaning she could manage to put on a pair of heels and feel like herself once more.

"Sure, you're ready?" Christian asked as he joined her in the full-length mirror. She looked incredible in a pair of grey trousers with a mint green blouse and white jacket and heels, she looked like his Ana again.

It had been a rough few weeks for Christian. Ever since the bombing he'd been unsure how to be around Ana. He knew it was his responsibility to be her emotional crutch, to be by her side through it all which he had been. However, they had a very strong D/s relationship and to have to put that to one side was hard. It wasn't because he wanted to constantly be in control of her, the truth was he couldn't have done that even in their regular relationship. It was just that was what came naturally to both, yet they'd naturally put it aside. He was never sure if she was responding to him because she wanted to or because she was behaving submissively since the bombing.

"Are you ready?" Ana teased cocking her eyebrow towards him. Christian shook his head, a small smile on his lips. Yes, it was true, while Ana might have been ready to go back, Christian wasn't necessarily ready to see her go yet. Though she was a grown woman and he had to let her go if that's what she wanted. He kissed the side of her head and her eyes fluttered close. His touch had been so few and far between since the bombing, only when she instigated it and she was so ready for that to end. She needed him to touch her and be himself with her.

"They're swearing in the two new MPs today." Ana sighed softly. There had been no by-election for Islington North and Islington South, instead, no other political party put a candidate up for election, meaning that once the statutory timescale for the candidates to submit their names was over, the two Labour candidates had been automatically elected. It had been done as a mark of respect but also because no one wanted to run a by-election this close to an actual election, no one could afford it, especially not in seats that had been Labour red for decades.

"That will be tough." Christian said, seeing it written all over Ana's face. She nodded softly before rubbing her head softly into his shoulder. She wasn't sure if she was ready, but if she wasn't now, it was unlikely she ever would be.

Taylor drove her to Westminster. She took the hour drive in the car to go over her portfolio because it had been so long since she'd last looked at it and now it was really time to get back to work and make John and Doug proud of her. Put everything they had taught her to the test and try and make Britain a better place for all.

Kate met her in the car park and as soon as she was out of the car they shared a warm embrace. Kate had missed her friend but understood why Ana had been keeping a low profile. With all the funerals going on the media had been going on and on about the bombing and Ana was obviously wanting to put it behind her. However, there were still mass protests outside the Palace of Westminster and Downing Street because of the lack of acknowledgement from the PM and Cabinet still about the bombing.

"It's good to see you." Kate smiled as Ana pulled away.

"You too." Ana replied. "Right I am going to get my papers and go into the Chamber for the swearing-in." Ana said.

"You're then to go to Portcullis House for a PLP meeting."

"Parliamentary group meeting?" Ana asked, she hadn't heard anything about this, though she hadn't checked her email yet today.

"I think it might have something to do with the leadership contest." Kate explained quietly, knowing it wouldn't be something Ana wanted to hear, she gave a small nod before making her way for the Chamber. It was already turning into a very long day and it hadn't even started yet.

Ana remembered her own swearing-in after her first election win. That was after a by-election, so the procedure was a little different to the swearing-in after a General Election, which she'd been a part of the last time around. It was nerve-wracking being the only one being sworn in, at least today there would be two of them to share that with each other. Ana had been completely alone. Of course, both times she'd been sworn in as a member of the Conservative Party, she'd not been sworn in under the Labour banner yet. Though, she was hoping that would change after the 2020 election.

"Ana, how are you doing?" Emma asked quickly standing and hugging her in greeting.

"Yeah." Ana smiled awkwardly, she didn't want to say she was fine when she wasn't yet fine but then she didn't want to say she wasn't either. She was doing much better and she hoped everyone could see that but she still had a way to go.

"I'm glad you're here today." Emma said giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "New blood." She winked as Ana took the steps up to the second bench, everyone giving her arm a rub as she passed in greeting.

"How are you Ana?" Lucy the Shadow Foreign Secretary asked as Ana sunk into the bench beside her.

"Getting there." Ana replied, she couldn't be as open with Lucy as she could with Emma even though she felt as though she and Lucy had become decent friends over the last couple of years. Lucy was much older than Ana, a seasoned politician who had become hardened to the ways of Westminster. Ana found that unnerving at times.

"Good." She smiled and nodded her head, turning her attention to the Speaker who was calling the session to order.

"Will the members wishing to take their seats please come to the table."

They were flanked by two witnesses, other MPs from the Labour Party, the new additions Aisha Dajani and Kashif Osmani. They were two British born Muslims who had been born and bred in Islington. Ana had met them at Labour Party Conference having been introduced to them by John and Doug. Ana thought it was brilliant that they had two new Muslim Members of Parliament, the numbers of ethnic minorities going into politics was still relatively low. Plus, it was the biggest fuck you to the terrorists who had been right-wing extremists with racist views. Seven had been arrested now and the stuff that was coming out on the news in relation to them was frightening, these men were truly wicked.

The cheers erupted from the Labour benches as the two made their way down between the benches to the table at the front of the Speaker's chair.

"Which Holy text?"

"The Qur'an." Kashif replied, he was going first as the older of the two.

"If you'd like to pick it up." He was told quietly.

Ana was aware that a non-Muslim was not to touch the Qur'an, they would not be considered pure in the eyes of Allah. It was nice for Ana to see that every aspect of one's religion was being respected at this swearing-in as always.

"I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God."

The Qur'an was immediately passed to Aisha, saving putting it back on the table and as Kashif signed the book Aisha swore the oath. While Aisha was signing, Kashif walked down the side of the table to shake the Speaker's hand, they shared a few words and then Kashif moved aside to allow Aisha to do the same.

"Don't scare her away already Mr Speaker!" Ana joked from her seat making the whole House laugh. Everyone knew she was doing it in memory of John Flynn, because it was the exact thing he'd done when she was being sworn in all those years before. It made her heart ache to think he wouldn't be around to make his jokes from a sedentary position from here on in. He'd always been able to unite the House in laughter. Emma turned and gave her a sad smile, she knew what Ana was doing, keeping John alive in their memories.

Once Aisha and Kashif were seated on the backbenches the business of the House was started, everyone stayed for the introduction of the business before finally, they all started to move, Ana knew that the Labour lot were making their way to Portcullis House for a meeting, one she really wished they wouldn't have to take.

Portcullis House lay on the opposite side of the road to the Palace of Westminster. It housed the backbench MPs of the leading party and the MPs of Opposition. It had been done when the number of MPs outgrew the number of offices in the Palace. It was a lovely place, far more modern than the Palace was. If anything, Ana like many, found it a more comfortable place to work in than the dreary offices inside Westminster.

Ana followed the crowd through the underground passage, under the road, over to Portcullis House but on the other side she was bitterly disappointed, to find Kate wasn't waiting for her in the main atrium. She'd hoped to have had a break before going into the meeting, even a coffee maybe. However, instead, she carried on following the other Shadow Ministers to the conference room where they'd all be squished inside because it simply was not big enough for all of them.

When Ana arrived in the vast conference room she was ecstatic to see that they had put on tea and coffee for them. She dumped her bag and coat at one of the tables knowing as a Shadow Minister and one recovering from injury she wouldn't be denied a seat today. Normally, she was quite happy blending into the back wall but she knew better than to spend too long on her feet, especially in heels.

"Well Ana, rumour has it you're going to be the front runner in this race." Timothy smiled a crooked grin towards her, she wasn't sure if he was happy with that idea and gave him a tense smile in return.

"I don't want to be a candidate, I'd only be put forward out of sympathy." Ana replied dryly, she had no intention of becoming the Leader of the Party this early into her career, she was still so young and had so much left to learn.

"So, you'd turn it down if you received the nominations?" Timothy gasped, he looked truly horrified at the thought.

"I guess." Ana shrugged, she hadn't really thought about it because she didn't think it was likely to happen anyway.

"Oh, Ana you can't do that, if you get nominated it means people want you in the role, the least you can do is accept the nomination to be polite." Timothy replied. "I mean, it would be rude not to run."

Ana made herself a coffee with Timothy's words ringing in her ears. She didn't want the job, so why would she accept the nomination? Wouldn't it be rude for people to nominate her if they knew she didn't want the job? Maybe she could rule herself out to the press as soon as the meeting had finished so people wouldn't waste their nomination on her. That sounded like a plan to her and as she took to her seat she felt like she could relax a little again, she wouldn't be a candidate for leader.

"Ok ladies and gents please gather round!" The Chief Whip called from the front of the room, bringing everyone to silence. "First let me say thank you all for joining us. I'd also like to extend our welcome to our two newest members Aisha and Kashif."

A small round of applause rippled around the room while the two newbies gave very nervous smiles from where they were stood together against the back wall.

"Ok, so we all know why we are here. As difficult as it is for us all we cannot go any longer without starting a leadership contest, especially as we're in an election year. Douglas would not want us to be wasting precious time worrying about being disrespectful to his memory, he'd want us to get on with the job so that we could fight the austerity measures of the Tory's." Murmurs of agreement rippled around the room, but Ana bowed her head, she wasn't ready to pick someone to take Douglas' place.

"For those who don't know, nominations open today, if you wish to put your name forward or put the name of anyone else forward you will need to get the support of thirty-five MPs. Nominations must be brought to me before five pm on Friday. Husting's period will then begin on the eighteenth of November. The ballot will open on the tenth of January, results will be announced by Special Conference on February the eighth. Voting will be by the one member one vote system that Douglas introduced. Does anyone have any questions?"

The Chief Whip scanned the room looking for anyone who may have been trying to get his attention, no one was which meant everyone was happy with the timescale he'd just given. At least there wouldn't be a replacement in any time soon, they had a good three months to go before they'd know who the was the new leader.

"Just to make you all aware I have received one nomination this morning that has reached the requirement of 35 MPs for one Miss Ana Steele Member for Chesham and Amersham…"

Ana's mouth dropped open, she'd only heard that this was happening when she'd arrived in Parliament this morning yet here she was being told she was already eligible to be a candidate if she wanted to. Her plan to rule herself out via the media was out of the question though, she couldn't say no now when someone had gone out of their way to get signatures to support her.

"Anyone wishing to add their name to Miss Steele's nomination can do so before Friday but I thought I'd make you all aware before it was leaked to the media." The Whip glanced over at Emma Phillips and Ana scowled, she'd told Emma she wasn't interested at John Flynn's wake, but it was clearly her that had gone and got the signatures for her nomination. Damn she felt so confused now, she didn't want the job yet she was going to have to run if what Timothy said was right.

Thankfully the room started to empty but Ana's plan of ducking out quickly went to pot as everyone stopped her to shake her hand and congratulate her on the nomination. She smiled tensely at each one of them, muttered her thanks while inside her head she was screaming.

When she finally got out of the conference room she shot off a text to Taylor, glad to have been able to get a new mobile over the recess. She needed to get out of there now and have space and time to think and breathe.

Taylor was waiting for her in the car park and said nothing as she dove in through the door he was holding open. He could tell that she was upset and that worried him, though he knew coming back to work was tough for her too and figured it was just probably overwhelming.

Ana's leg bounced the entire way home. Her mind was racing, and her heart thumped loudly in her chest. Why had they done this to her? She was far too young to lead the party, they were setting her up for a very public downfall as she'd never get the support required to be the leader and she didn't want it anyway. Yet, Timothy had basically made it very clear that she couldn't reject the nomination because it would be rude to all those who wasted their vote on her. This was a mess, a very hot stinking mess.

When they pulled up outside the house Ana dove out, not giving Taylor the opportunity to open the door for her, she rushed in through the front door and figured Christian would be working in the study. She ran upstairs, needing to be close to him.

The door flew open and Christian spun in his chair, his eyes wide at seeing a clearly upset Ana. She rushed across the small room and collapsed to her knees in front of him. This needed to stop, she wanted to not think anymore. She was fed up of being strong and holding it all together.

Christian sat there in shock. Ana was on her knees, her legs open, head bowed and palms up. She was submitting to him. This was a sign that she was tired of being in control, tired of being strong and that she wanted to escape.

His hand went to her hair and he stroked her softly, she relaxed immediately under his touch, sensing that he had accepted her submission and was taking the role as her Dominant.

"Wait here." He ordered as he stood. Knowing Ana needed this, he would take control and allow her to escape into her submission.

He went through to their en-suite, one of the most modern spaces in their house. Ana loved this room, especially the wide fluted bath that was in the corner. He quickly went over and ran the water, Ana needed to be taken care of and he would do that. What he couldn't figure out was what had happened to cause this, he always had on when he was working and he knew Ana had planned to be in the chamber. He had seen the swearing-in of the two new MPs and then he had seen that she along with the majority of the Labour Party had left. He didn't know why or where they had gone, though he would ask Ana when he felt she was ready.

Once the bath was done, he went back to the study. Ana was still there, kneeling. He gently stroked her head once more and she purred into his touch, she had given herself to him completely once more.

"I've ran you a bath." He told her. "Come." He offered his hand to her for her to stand, which she took and rose gracefully. He led her through to the bathroom and she stood there, her doe eyes looking so lost and hurt, she allowed him to remove her clothes.

He helped her into the water and she wrapped her body around her knees and sighed contently. Whatever had happened, it had taken a lot out of her and she needed to let it go. This was where she felt at her best, giving every part of herself to Christian. In the car on the way home, she'd realised that was what she had missed since the bombing, her ability to let go and give herself completely to Christian. That was when she realised if she was going to be Dominated again she had to show her willingness to submit first, show that she was ready. Christian had accepted her submission without hesitation thankfully, she had worried that he might have hesitated, but he didn't, not for a minute.

"Now would you like to tell me what happened?" Christian asked as he ran water down Ana's back, she had relaxed so completely, her eyes were closed a soft smile played on her lips.

"I've been nominated for Labour Leader." Ana replied trying not to become upset by it again.

"Bloody hell." Christian was surprised, he hadn't expected that at all.

"I don't want to be leader." Ana explained. "But I have to accept the nomination."

"Why do you have to accept the nomination?" He frowned, if she didn't want it all she had to do was say no right?

"Because at least thirty-five MPs have nominated me, it would be rude to reject the candidacy because they would have wasted their votes on me then." Ana explained, thinking about what Timothy had said.

"Right but being candidate doesn't mean you will be leader right, I mean you could still lose?"

"Yes." Ana nodded, though being a candidate also meant she could win.

"I think you'd make a great Labour Leader." Christian mused making Ana's eyes spring open, her surprise palpable. "What?"

"I'm too young."

"I think young blood is what politics needs." Christian smiled gently, why couldn't she see she was more than capable of being a leader? She was an amazing politician and she had the biggest heart. The public adored her especially after the bombing and all that she had done to take care of people. "Will you believe in yourself a little Ana? You'd make an amazing leader."

Ana smiled, hearing that from Christian allowed her to believe in it a little. If he'd have been against it then she would have spent the next few days trying to figure a way to reject the nomination.

"I think you should be honoured that at least thirty-five MPs believe you're capable of doing the job too." Christian said smiling, he thought it was amazing that her colleagues believed she was capable of doing the job. While it was easy enough for some, to have thirty-five people agree was something else. She was right she was young and if she was to get the job she would be the youngest Labour Leader ever. That would be a hell of an achievement, especially in a General Election year when things seemed to be swinging in Labour's favour. The public was still screaming about the Prime Minister's lack of response to the bombing.

"I guess it is nice that some of the others think so highly of me." Ana sighed softly, a small smile appearing on her lips.

"Right let me get you some towels and get you out of her." Christian said. A bath was always a sure-fire way to help Ana relax.

Once Ana was out of the bath, Christian took the time to dry every inch of her. He stopped by every mark that was on her body from the bombing and kissed it. She still had a long way to go with healing both physically and mentally. Her once perfect and flawless skin would forever show the scars of that day. Though to him, each and every mark was special, it showed how much of a survivor she was and, to him, they were flawless just like her.

By the time he was finished, Ana was panting softly. She was needy, desperate for him now to dominate her sexually. He grabbed her silk dressing gown from the back of the door and she almost groaned thinking he wasn't going to touch her when she so badly needed his touch.

But he knew what she needed. There was a blush on the top of her breasts that rose up her neck to her cheeks. Her eyes were glowing with arousal. The soft pants were music to his ear, one of his favourite sounds. He took her by the hand and led her out of the bedroom. They walked up to the third floor and Ana's belly did backflips as she realised where they were headed.

He keyed in the code for the electric door that sealed their playroom from prying eyes and Ana felt her core clench as they stepped into the dimly lit room. It felt like forever since they had been in here. Of course, Christian had no intention of doing anything overly strenuous or Dominating. He just wanted her to feel cherished and allow her to continue to submit to him like she clearly wanted to.

Taking her over to the bed he sat her on the edge and went over to the restraint wall. He chose his tools carefully, wanting this to be all about her pleasure and not about pain. They had wonderfully soft cuffs, and he grabbed those before returning to Ana.

First, he removed her silk dressing gown and then she allowed him to lie her down and she grinned as he wrapped the cuffs around her wrists and ankles. He hooked her up to the four corners of the bed so that she was spread eagle then he went over to the hooks that held all their spanking implements. He chose a long black peacock style feather; his intention was to just wake up her skin before taking her.

Ana writhed and moaned as Christian awoke her skin with the feather. The touch lit her on fire, bringing each hair on her body to stand on end. By the time he was finished Ana was a ball of desperate energy struggling in her restraints as she wanted that physical contact. Christian didn't waste time. He tugged his rock-hard erection from his trousers, climbed onto the bed and slowly slipped into Ana's hot, wet core.

She moaned loudly and tugged at her wrist restraints, she wanted to badly to hold him and pull him to her chest but she couldn't. Christian littered kisses down her neck and chest before taking one of her pert nipples into his mouth, sucking and nibbling at it making Ana call out in pleasure.

He could feel her insides tightening around him, milking him as she came close to her release. He leant into her ear, his hot breath tickling her.

"Let go for me Ana." He told her, not waiting for her to ask for permission this time.

Ana shook and vibrated, her voice calling out in ecstasy as she came apart. This she had needed and wanted and finally, she'd had her wish. Christian came soon after, calling Ana's name like a siren till he collapsed in a heap on her chest. Ana giggled softly, happy in the afterglow of their little scene.

"I love you so much." Christian breathed. "You are my world Ana."

"And you are mine." Ana replied lifting her head as much as she could so she could drop a kiss onto his hair. She meant it, without Christian her life would be incomplete. He was her everything.