Disclaimer: I do not own Fifty Shades Trilogy

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I can take you down

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Christian- Ana. The protector - The scientist.

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So no, he definitely didn't deserve her trust. She was too pure, and he was too damaged, his heart pitch black, and beyond repair.

"Christian?" he heard her say, her voice soft and kind.

He looked up, and saw her standing in front of him." You OK?" she asked, while grabbing his hand.

As their eyes locked, blue meeting gray ones, he got so lost. He wanted to get up, and run. But his legs weren't cooperating at all. No, no, no. He's been compromised! As Ana closed the gap between them, he held in his breath. He wanted to tell her to stop, but the words refused to leave his lips.

He hadn't realized that a tear had rolled down his cheek, but Ana had. So she wiped it away." What's wrong?" she asked softly.

He wanted to say.' I'm so sorry I let your father die, Ana... and believe me, when I say that I regret not being able to protect him that day. I don't deserve anything good in life.'

But he was unable to say so.

Instead, he sat there like he was paralyzed. Her pretty eyes still locked on his, while her warm fingers caressed his cheek.

"Why do you look so sad? What are you thinking about, Christian?" she asked, as her warm hand squeezed his.

"I... I, erhmm, you shouldn't look at me that way, Ana..." he finally was able to say. "I don't deserve..." he continued, but she gently cut him off.

"What are you talking about? You've been keeping me safe. You saved my life twice already. You're one of the good guys, Christian..."

In response, he gave her a sad look." No" he uttered, and closed his eyes." I'm not"

"Yes, you are." Ana insisted, making Christian open his eyes." There's literally nothing in the world you can tell me to convince me otherwise... and you might think you don't deserve compassion, but you do"

He shook his head in response." No. You're so wrong... you don't know how wrong you are, Anastasia"

If only she knew what had happened seven years ago, and if only he had the guts to tell her about it...

The ballroom where the party was held seven years ago, had a camera in every angle. And so after Ray Steele's assassination, the FBI had the footage of those fateful hours. As Ana looked down at him, eyes full of compassion and kindness, it tore at his heart and soul, because he really didn't deserve it.

At the time, Christian had re-winded and replayed the footage of the young Ana, sobbing at her father's side. He was so disappointed, and disgusted by himself that he didn't shoot the assassin in time.

Christian had MISSED his target! He fucking MISSED, and when he took the second shot, the assassin had already moved...

That day, he failed her and the man he was supposed to protect. How the fuck can he ever forgive himself for that?! How?!

"What do you mean by that?" he heard her say, taking him out of his thoughts." How am I wrong? Explain, please?"

He didn't have the heart to answer her question, afraid that she would hate him for it.

Ana boldly cupped his face in a gentle, but firm manner, wanting to show Christian that she was being very serious." Look at me, please?" she asked.

When he looked up, and saw the way her eyes were locked onto his, it became too much for him." Please, don't." were the words that tumbled from his lips.

At that very moment Ana didn't know what came over her. It was like something had taken over her mind and body. The man in front of her had been so good to her, doing his best to keep her safe and did things for her to make this damned red, brick house feel like a second home. She assumed that he has been through a lot in his life. You don't get to walk around with so many scars on your body without having a colorful history. Apart from the living, breathing ruthless criminals he fought against in his daily life, she knew that he had his own demons he fought against, every single night.

"I am here, Christian" she began, while letting go of his face." Whenever you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate. Just tell me what's bothering you. Even if you don't want me to say anything back, it's OK with me. I'm a very good listener"

He immediately missed her warm hands on his skin, and let out a deep breath." Thanks" he whispered.

"You're not alone, you know" She insisted, and then grabbed both of his hands, as her heart rammed against her rib-cage.

Usually, at this point her mind would tell her to stop! But not this time... this time her mind did what her heart told it to do.

"What do you fear?" she asked.

Christian wasn't ready to go there, so he shook his head in response." No. I cannot, Ana... don't."

Ana's eyes welled up, knowing that there was nothing she could do for him. She could only help him, if he was willing to let her in.

At this point his hair had fallen in his face, so she brushed it away. As her warm hand connected with his face, his eyes fluttered shut once more. "Ana... " he uttered, his voice so desperate it broke her heart into tiny pieces." Don't press the matter, will you?"

.

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... Three weeks Later ...

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At the moment, Christian was sitting in a chair in their 'private gym'. He was resting a bit and was watching as Ana hit and kicked the punching bag, just the way he had taught her. He had been training her mercilessly, and was satisfied with the way she was improving. Bit by bit, she got stronger, and faster. He wanted to keep it at six hours of training daily, but she insisted on training in the afternoons and evenings as well. Daily it became a nine, sometimes a ten-hour training session with Ana. The last week, her movements became more precise, and a bit more fluent. He watched, as she wiped away the sweat from her face, and how she punched and kicked the bag. She was very flexible indeed.

Flexible? Ana?

'Seriously, Grey?!' he scolded himself, and wanted to clobber himself for thinking of the package in that manner.

However, it was easier said than done to ignore the visions that were going through his mind, the gorgeous brunette in them.

The way she was kicking the punching bag, and the way she sparred would make anyone think that she was a seasoned fighter. It wouldn't even cross their mind that she was quite new at this. The thing is, Ana was very determined, and gave her all.

The last few weeks, she even woke him up instead of the other way around. They also had gotten even closer, but Christian still hadn't told her about his past. The reason for that? Well, he didn't want her to hate, or worse, be afraid of him. That's the last thing he wanted.

As she trained, Christian watched Ana closely, very satisfied about her improvements. Not that he would tell her though.

"What time is it?" he heard her say, and so he threw a glance at his watch.

"It's time for a break... Ana, why don't you rest a bit." he suggested." Then you can freshen up, and we'll have a bite to eat."

At hearing that, she turned around and locked eyes with him." No, I'm not tired yet. Five more minutes."

"Come on, Ana. It's enough for today. It's almost 9 PM." he scolded her." Look at you, you're completely out of breath."

"No, I'm not." she said stubbornly, while letting out deep breaths.

"Don't act so stubborn." he replied, his face stern.

"Fine" she said, and yet she took a fighting stance.

"Seriously, Miss Steele?" he countered, when she began moving around him, and punching him softly.

"Come, one" she chuckled, still moving." I bet I can take you down, Mr. savage"

In response, he smiled from ear to ear." You're so silly"

Ana kept moving and punching, very surprised that he had a full-on smile on his face right now.

'Was that my doing?' she wondered.

"Stop it, Ana"

"Nope" she insisted, and kept punching him.

He then made a straight face, and began to react to her movements." Okay, you think you can take ME down?" he said, with a twinkle in his eyes." How can you, newbie, take me down... THE master"

In response, Ana charged at Christian, and of course he anticipated her first attack. Well, he was her teacher after all. After ten minutes, laughter was heard coming from the gym. She had taken the opportunity to punch him on his jaw.

"Yes." She celebrated, but then he took that opportunity and they fought harder, taking Ana's breath away.

He was charging at her, and she knew what he had taught her, knew how to avoid that specific attack, but she messed that part up, and there she stood with her right hand injured.

Christian immediately stopped, and stood with a worried face in front of her.

"Ana, are you OK?"

Tears welled up in Ana's eyes, while whimpering softly. She was in utter pain." No, my hand." she told him, her voice a whisper.

At that moment, he knew that the pain she was in was excruciating." Hopefully it's not broken." he said worriedly." Come, let's take a look at your hand."

He grabbed her hand gently, and inspected it very carefully." It hurts real bad, Christian..." she said, while tears pooled in her eyes.

After a minute or two, he let out a sigh of relief." Fortunately it's not broken... you've sprained it though" Christian said." Next time, don't be so stubborn, will you?"

"I am not" she still insisted.

He gave her a stern look, and said." And no training for at least three days!"

Note: Thank you for reading my work, and the feedback. :)

Till the next one,

J