*Ana's POV*

I'm trying my best not to get to upset about going to Grey House today. I am upset with myself, upset with Elizabeth, and worried as can be about how my Christian is going to react to it. If I would have allowed Christian to just fire her when he wanted instead of begging him not to interfere, I wouldn't be in this mess. I was really hoping that if I proved myself to Elizabeth that she'd become more at ease with me. We had a good relationship in the beginning until the news spread about the baby and my relationship with Christian.

I try to busy myself with cleaning my already clean kitchen, worried that Dr. Trevelyan will judge me on my housekeeping skills. Christian is sleeping soundly in bed, which is a relief considering I've almost thrown the bell out the window this morning, but I find the quiet more unbearable than his incessant ringing. My mind wanders too much with the quiet and I find myself checking on him constantly to make sure he's breathing.

I stand at the doorway and watch my handsome boyfriend sleep comfortably. His face and body are relaxed and it calms my worry. The thunderstorm that is Christian Grey has let up a little, letting some calm sunshine through. The stoic, intensely dominant business man I thought I knew is just becoming more complex the longer I know him. I once thought that he was pretty two-dimensional, but the depth I've seen from him has squashed that. His hot and cold moods are beginning to mix with fifty temperatures in between... but I'll take them all. Each piece pieced together creates the incredible person sleeping in my bed.

I see the corner of his lip raise into a smirk. "I can't sleep with you staring at me."

"Just making sure you're still breathing." Plus I want to commit every second of him to memory.

Turning his head, his gray eyes make contact with my blue ones and I see they're light today. The storm is gone for now.

"You just going to stand there?"

"I haven't decided."

"I'll get the bell." His warning has me moving closer to him. "I thought that might work."

Climbing into the bed, I curl up to him and wrap my arms around his right arm, letting him grip my thigh. His nose nuzzles mine and I feel his body relax again. I know he's still tired, so I let myself relax too and let my eyes close, succumbing to sleep.

I wake to a knock close by and I turn my head to see Dr. Trevelyan standing at the open door to the bedroom.

"Dr Trevelyan!" I whisper, doing my best not to wake the sleeping man beside me.

"Shh, it's okay. I'm sorry to startle you, Anastasia. Taylor and I tried to knock but there was so answer and we got worried. He let us in. I hope you don't mind." Her voice is soft and calm and I know she isn't angry with me.

I slide away from Christian, only making him groan in his sleep before his head turns and he becomes still again. I sit up. "Of course, I don't mind. I didn't mean to sleep so long."

"It looked like you needed the sleep as much as he did." She gives me a soft smile and reaches up to calm my bedhead, a motherly touch that brings out more emotion than I want to admit. "Are you okay, Anastasia? You also went through something traumatic. Everyone has been so wrapped up in Christian that I feel like your trauma has been put on the back burner."

Frowning, I shrug. "Christian is more important right now. He's alive and he has to get better. Nothing is more important than that."

The look of concern on her face tears at my heart and I have to look down.

"Anastasia." She takes a seat on the bed beside me and takes my hand. "Christian is a strong man with a strong body. I have no doubt he'll get better. Especially with your help. It'll take time and patience, but he'll get there."

"There are so many things that can still happen. What if I'm not good enough and something happens to him? How can I face you? Face Teddy? Nothing can happen to Christian. It just can't. I can't survive that."

"God." She pulls me to her and hugs me tight, rocking us. "You have so much on your shoulders, sweet girl. Everything will be okay. You are enough. He's got this. He isn't as fragile as you think he is. Just loving him and being there for him will heal more than anything. He loves you so much, Anastasia, and he would hate if he knew how much pressure you're putting on yourself."

I find myself crying on her shoulder, but she is patient and holds me as long as it takes for me to find my composure. Finally, I find the strength to sit up and she wipes my eyes, giving me a smile.

"Thank you, Dr. Trevelyan. I'm sorry I unloaded this on you." I pull a tissue from its box to blow my nose.

"Please call me Grace, sweetheart, and there's no apologies needed. I'm so thankful for this relationship with you. You love Christian, you take care of him... and I'll take care of you. I want to be a mom to both of you, Anastasia."

"God, stop making me cry!" I laugh as my tears start again. "And please call me Ana. Anastasia means I'm in trouble."

There's a groan behind me and we both look behind us to find Christian stirring.

"Ana, angel what's wrong?"

I laugh and sniffle. "Nothing is wrong. Just the pregnancy hormones, ace." I lean down and press a kiss to his mouth. "I'm headed to work, your mom has come to see you." Sitting back up I cock an eyebrow at Grace. "Do NOT give him the bell on the chest of drawers unless you want to be driven insane."

"Mom doesn't have to worry about that cause she won't leave my side like some people."

I roll my eyes. "Only because she only has to deal with you for a few hours." I make my way into our in-suite bathroom and comb through my hair before I dip down, giving Christian another kiss. "I love you."

He grins. "I know. I love you, too."

My grin matches his. "I know." I peck his lips once more and leave them to it.

XxXxXx

I watch Taylor from the backseat of the new armored Audi that they ordered upon Taylor's request. I know he's suffering with some of the issues I am from that day and I know killing a man just pours a whole other mack truck of stress on top of it. Stoic as ever, though, he drives through the streets of Seattle, his eyes glancing everywhere, listening to everything.

"Taylor?" I get his attention and his blue eyes meet mine in the mirror. "How are you coping?"

"Coping, Ana?"

I roll my eyes. "Taylor. Don't play dumb with me. Someone you consider part of your family almost died in front of you. You saved me from dying, too. If you hadn't been there, we'd both be dead." I close my eyes and shake my head. "I can't imagine the hell fire that is going on in your mind, Taylor. I worry about you."

"It's not your job to worry, Ms. Steele. It's mine to worry about you."

"Don't you call me that Jason Taylor! Not after everything we've been through. I think of you like a second father. You remind me so much of my own. Please don't brush me away with that Ms. Steele shit." I thought we were closer than that.

"Listen, Ana. You and Christian are mine. I take care of what's mine. I would kill that fucker over and over again if I had to. Your safety means everything to me. The only regret I have is not reinforcing that God-damned door."

I give him a sad smile, knowing he's beating himself up over it. "Have you been over there since...?"

He clears his throat and I realize he's getting emotional. "No. Not since the crew cleaned it up."

"Christian can't stay there." I tell him, but I'm sure he already knows.

"Neither can we. Gail and I are looking-"

"No! Not away from us, right?" We slip into the garage of Grey House and it's hard to see his face in the mirror.

"Ana, listen we can still-"

"Does Gail not feel safe close to Christian anymore? We are looking at houses! Real houses and you guys don't have to be stuck with us under one roof. We can find one with two houses or we can build you guys one of your own! One way on the other side of the property or on another property close by if Gail doesn't feel safe." Parking in Christian's spot, he begins to get out and I fling my door open, too. This conversation isn't over. I'm panicking. I don't want them to go away. I don't want it to become an hourly commitment just for pay.

He catches me as I try to scramble out of the SUV and I throw my arms around his middle hiding my face in his chest. "You're family. You can't go. Even if you don't want to work with us anymore, you have to stay close. We need you close. Teddy needs to know you."

"Oh, Ana..." He hugs me, rubbing his hands up and down my back. "We love being close to you two. We aren't going anywhere. We just can't live in a hotel for ever."

Looking up at him, I shake my head. "It won't be. We'll find something soon. I promise." I rest my head on his chest and squeeze him one more time. "Thank you for everything you do for us, Taylor. I love you."

He chuckles. "As do I, Ana."

He escorts me to the elevators. "I've got to head up to my office for a few minutes. I'll meet you back down in Grey Publishing."

I try not to look relieved, but I am. I don't want him to have to watch what's about to play out. He drops me off on Level 14 and continues up to the 20th himself.

You got this, Steele.

I straighten my shoulders and find my stride as I wave to the receptionists. I get random waves from people at work and it's bittersweet that the acquaintances I've made might not matter soon. Savannah sees me as I make my way towards her.

"You're back!" Jumping out of the chair that used to be mine, she hugs me.

"Not for long..." I murmur.

"What?" Holding me at arms length, she looks alarmed.

"Elizabeth gave me the can."

"Is she stupid?"

I laugh. "A little." Looking over my desk, I frown. Savannah left everything exactly how I left it. "I'm sorry you had to deal with my stuff all over your desk. I'll pack it up today." I pick up my picture of Christian and I and smile.

"I didn't mind being able to look at that face all day...your boyfriend is hot." She gives me a wink, making me giggle.

"I can get you a picture of just him if you'd like."

She snorts. "I don't think Elizabeth would appreciate that."

"You're right. I'll make sure to get you two."

She eyes me and I know what she's thinking. "I'm okay, Savannah. We both are. He'll be back in a few weeks and I... well, I'll be somewhere." I shrug, trying to make light of the situation.

"Does he know?"

I shake my head. "I'm waiting until this weekend, after his checkup with his doctor. I don't want to piss him off."

"You know he's going to fire her, right?"

I sigh. "Yea, I know."

"Will you come back?" She looks at me, hopeful.

"Anastasia!" The sea witch's voice echos and I turn go greet her.

"Hello, Elizabeth."

"My office. Now."

Taking a deep breath, I follow her in and have a seat as she shuts the door behind us.

She has a seat with a folder in front of her. "Now I have all your paperwork together for you. I just need to see your badge and keyfob so I can verify the numbers and have you sign some things and then I'll have Max escort you out."

I watch her. "Why are you doing this?"

"I told you, breach of contract."

I shake my head. "No, I mean treat me like this. In the beginning, we had a good working relationship and then when you found out about my private-"

She snorts, cutting me off. "There is nothing private about it, Anastasia. I'm not stupid! You've got your eye on my job and you took great lengths to try and get it, but I'm good at what I do and you failed. I'm not about to let some spoiled young girl take what I've worked so hard for." It's so personal for her. It actually makes me sad.

"Elizabeth... I never expected to take your job and I don't want it. I made it extremely clear to Christian how important it was to me that I work my way up myself. After the way you treated me, Christian wanted to get rid of you and I begged him not to. I begged him to leave my workplace alone... to be a silent owner and let our managers deal with things."

"You can't sit here and expect me to believe that I only have a job because of you."

I shake my head. "You have your job cause you've worked your ass off and you deserve it. I wanted him to leave you alone cause I was hoping that if I showed you how driven I was and how good I could be at the job that it would make our work relationship better, but it didn't."

"So you just expect me to pretend I never fired you and kiss your ass?"

"No, what's done is done. But I can't control what happens from here. I haven't told Christian because of his present state, but I am going to tell him... and once he knows, you won't have much longer."

"Fuck you! I did everything by the book! I made sure to cross my T's and dot my I's! With you gone, my job has never been safer! Give me GPs belongings before I call security to do it for you."

I eye her, but don't say another word. I throw my keyfob and badge on her desk. "No need to call Max. Taylor will walk me out."

I stand and she tries to grab my hand, but I yank it from her grasp. "We're not done here! There is paperwork-"

"I don't give a fuck about your paperwork. If you have an issue, take it to Mr. Grey." Yanking her door open, I step out and immediately collide with the navy blue button down of the head of our Art's Department.

"Sorry, Jesse." I step back and try to make my way around him, but he stops me.

"Come with me, Ana." He shuts Elizabeth's door for me and escorts me to his office. I'm so confused, that I don't bother asking what is happening until we're sitting.

"Are you okay?" He looks worried.

"Yea, I'm fine."

Sighing, he reaches into his desk and places something in front of me. A keyfob and new name badge. Anastasia Steele Executive Assistant- Arts Department Grey Publishing

"Jesse..." I'm confused. He already has an assistant named Beth.

"You're good at what you do, Ana, and you won't be going anywhere. Grey House has your FMLA paperwork on file, meaning your time off is excused. Without that, all we have is a write up for your email usage."

"Then... then why didn't you tell Elizabeth? I mean... I love the arts department but it's not really-"

"I know. But I also know how miserable she is making you and honestly everyone around her. You being my interim executive assistant to help Beth will keep you here until Mr. Grey fires her. I have no doubt you'll be moved back to your other spot after that happens. This just gives you time. And... I get to watch Elizabeth throw a fit when she sees you're still here." He grins.

"So, Elizabeth doesn't know?"

He shakes his head.

"Oh, I like this."

His head falls back in a laugh. "Then we won't tell her. Do you know when you'll return?"

"Hopefully next week...depends on Christian's doctor's appointment."

He nods and hands me his card. "Text me when you know and welcome to the arts team!"

Feeling a million times lighter, I shake his outstretched hand. "Thank you, Jesse."

The door opens and a moody Taylor stands there. "Ms. Steele." He's annoyed I'm in Jesse's office. He knows how Christian feels about me getting too cozy with men and I know he doesn't want to be yelled at because he wasn't here.

I give him a smile and pretend that I don't notice his warning tone. "Hey, Taylor!" Grabbing my new badge off the desk, I stuff it in my pocket before he can see. I want Christian to be the first to know. He deserves to know before I come back to work.

Taylor escorts me out with a hand on the small of my back. "Can you tell me why Ms. Andrews has all of your belongings in a box?" His voice is low, making sure not to grab anyone's attention.

"I'll tell you in the car."

I check my drawers to make sure all of my belongings are packed away and hug Savannah. "Thank you for packing for me."

"Come see me soon."

I smile. "We'll have lunch."

Taylor carries my box down for me and once we're back in the car, he backs out of the space and heads toward the exit. "Okay, Ana. Tell me."

"Elizabeth canned me."

"WHAT?" It's a growl and startles me. I've never heard Taylor lose his cool before. Throwing the car in reverse, he turns his head and stomps on the gas, bringing us back to our parking space backwards. He jumps out of the car making me jump out to stop him.

"Taylor! Taylor! Stop." I grab his hand. "Please let it go for now. Going in hot-headed is not the way. I know that Christian is going to fire her when I tell him, but let's do it the right way. We don't want her suing."

"She fired you." He says it like he still can't believe it.

"Yes, but I was technically breaking the GP contract cause I was stupid and looked through my emails on a personal computer. I didn't mean any harm, but I did screw up."

"That's a write up, Ana, not a firable offense! What did Jesse want?"

I hate having to lie by omission to someone I consider a second father but I want Christian to know first. "He wanted to check on me and make sure Christian and I were alright. He's a nice guy, Taylor... Don't give me that look! I know Christian doesn't like him because of his looks, but it's not Jesse's fault. He can't help how he looks. He has never been anything but completely respectful. You do not tell Christian what happened today, you understand? He's not ready for it. I will tell him myself. Now take me home so I can take care of him."

*Christian's POV*

Ana had my mother remove my bandages and look over my wounds and I'm relieved that my mother tells her that they look great. We are currently in the shower so Ana can help clean me before my mother redresses my bandages.

"How's the arm feeling?" It's resting at my side and she's squeezing and massaging the skin like the doctor explained. It keeps the blood flowing so I don't get blood clots.

"I don't know... a little odd. Like numb and tingly a little but I can feel everything."

She frowns. "We'll ask your mother."

I stand and let her wash all of me even though I really only need help with the right side. It eases her and I don't mind having her delicate fingers all over my body.

I sit on the built in seat while she shampoos my hair and find my eyes rolling back in my head when her fingernails find my scalp.

"That's what makes you hard?"

I can't suppress my grin. "Your hands are magic. You do the same thing when my face is between my legs."

She giggles. "Your mouth is magic."

"You'll be experiencing that magic soon." Just because I can't love her like I want doesn't mean I can't thank her for everything she does for me. My dick can wait. She shouldn't have to.

"Head back." She chooses to ignore me. Pulling the sprayer off the hook, she rinses out the suds. "Mind sitting for a few while I clean myself?"

"Yes, please." I sit back and watch her lather up her body. "Fuck, it's like my own little porn video."

"You never give up." She shakes her head.

I lean over and grab her hand, pulling her the few feet to me. "Stay." My hand slips between her legs and she squeezes them shut, holding my hand captive.

"Christian, you can't."

I give her a pointed look. "I just want to touch you. Open. Now." She releases her thighs and I'm able to touch her. When a moan comes out of her mouth, I slip my fingers into her. "Good girl."

She gets there quickly and I press a kiss to her stomach while she recovers. "I've missed the noises you make when I touch you, Ana. I love that I can pull them from you... that only I have done it. No one has touched you, heard you, tasted you like I have. God, my heart is breaking knowing I can't make love with you."

Her hand finds my wet hair and brushes it off my forehead. "Oh, Christian. You're so lovely. We'll get there. It isn't forever. It'll be so worth the wait."

I sigh. It's not soon enough. Switching gears, I ask Ana if she wants me to scrub her back.

"Mmm, yes, please!"

XxXxXx

I'm back in the damn bed, but I'm exhausted just from the shower, so I guess I should be in it. My mother redressed my wounds and the three of us ate together on the bed before my mother made her exit. When Ana hands me my meds I frown, but I know I need them. I don't like how tired they make me.

"I've got something that will help." Anastasia is standing, holding something behind her back.

"Yea? What is it?"

When her hands come out in front of her, I see my blue blanket.

"Oh, Ana." I'm touched by her thoughtfulness.

She drapes it over my bare chest and the soft, familiar cloth instantly calms me. "I love this, angel, thank you. This is exactly what I need."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she is beaming down at me, happy that I'm happy. My affection for her runs so deep. She is so thoughtful...so selfless. She's everything I could ever want and everything I never thought I deserved.

"Get your cute little ass over here so I can tell you how I'm going to marry you one day." I need some one-on-one time before my meds kick in and I wake up in a puddle of drool later.