Pouring himself a finger of whiskey from his crystal decanter, Christian stares out at the storm roaring outside. The streaks of water running down his apartment windows give the city lights an ethereal nature, opaque, but warming. Above the ambulance sirens and beeping horns, the downpour prevails. Christian frowns.

On this day, 28 years ago, the crack whore brought him into this world. One may say that he has made it a long way since then, but only Christian knows the extent to which his past haunts him. It has been 24 years since Grace saved him and he still felt just as lost as that little boy waiting next to his mother's corpse. After struggling for so long, he came to the conclusion that it was impossible to recover, but managing the emptiness and finding distractions… that was something he could do.

He nursed his whiskey, and plopped onto his armchair. He had a lovely dinner at his mother's house. She made him beef roast and potatoes, one of his favorites. They laughed as he opened their presents to show their appreciation of him: family photos, tickets to a concert for a band he loved, and ridiculous socks with hamburgers on them. He loved them all, but something was still missing.

Absent-mindedly, he takes another sip only to discover his glass is empty. He really didn't want to get drunk on his birthday, best to stop now. He returns to his study to check his emails, what was supposed to be a quick task turns into an hour of responses.

His head of security, Taylor, knocks on the frame of Christian's door to alert his boss to his presence. Christian waves him in.

"Mr. Grey, Ms. Steele is down in the parking lot. She has come to see you. May she enter?"

"Of course Taylor, what are you waiting for? Let her in." Christian is perturbed he had to ask for permission. Sure, Anastasia rarely visits Escala — but surely Taylor knew that she was the closest thing he had to a best friend. Sure they may currently not be on the best of terms, but she still meant a lot to him.

They had been on the rocks lately, he was sure when she didn't show up at Grace's today that she was still mad at him. He made a pass at her a month back and she did not respond kindly. She accused him of all sorts of things… and maybe she was right. He did not have a good record when it came to breaking hearts. It hurt her to think that she could possibly be next and that he was willing to risk that. He insisted she meant something more to him, but she didn't believe him.

"I'm sure that's what you tell them all." She had said, "I love what we have Christian. Please don't ruin it."

It hurt, but she had every right. He chastised himself after she left. He couldn't help himself, they had just come back from an opera he was forced to attend. While discussing the dreadful event he caught her laughing with her head back, lips painted with red, and her delicate chin. For that split second he felt whole again. He pressed his lips against her's but she froze. She was angry. She told him to leave and he did. They had a few calls and texts since then, but she never mentioned that night again and kept turning down his invites. He tried to bring it up, but she kept changing the subject.

And now she's here, at his elevator.

"Ana." Christian smiles lightly, bringing her in for a brief hug, "I wasn't expecting company."

She steps back nervously, removing her wet jacket, "It's pouring out there, but I needed to see the birthday boy."

Christian sees it now, she's holding flowers and chocolates. His eyes comb over her form, she is every bit as radiant as he remembers — albeit a bit wet from the rain.

"How did you get wet?"

"Wanda broke down a week ago, I had to catch a bus here and trek — but it's just a few drops of water."

He reigns in his anger for a moment, picturing her on public transport and walking in the rain, in high heels no less! "You should have told me Ana, you know I could've arranged a ride. I told you that death trap was no good. I'll get you something else."

"I don't think so Christian. It's your birthday today, let's focus on that." She smiled as she handed him her presents, "Happy Birthday you big oaf."

"Flowers and chocolates? Am I a damsel in distress?"

"You might as well be."

Christian smiles and winks at her teasing, "Thank you my knight in shining armor, you know you didn't have to." He sets the flowers and chocolates down on his kitchen counter then gently guides her by the small of her back to usher her to the living room's sofa "Please come in, would you like a drink, something to eat?

"No thank you. Just wanted to stop by and wish you well. I hope you had a good birthday, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to Grace's. Jack has been up my ass about my schedule."

"You want me to do something about that? I'm sure I could find a way to fire the asshole." He never liked the way he looked at Ana anyways. The prick.

"Little Ana can handle herself, but thank you for the offer. I have to admit, some days it is tempting." She swats him playfully and seats herself on his leather ottoman, enjoying the heat from the fireplace.

"You just say the word and I'm on it."

Sitting next to her, he fidgets, "You sure you don't want a drink?" He's happy she's here, but not quite sure how to approach her given their current circumstances.

"I'm sure." She presses her hand on his thigh for reassurance, then starts, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm great, why wouldn't I be?" He lies instinctively, but she sees him wince at the inquiry.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you Christian." Ana looks down at the floor, then hestitantly back into Christian's eyes. He's confused.

"Sorry? I'm sorry Ana. I overstepped. I didn't mean to make you think I didn't care."

"I never thought you didn't care Christian. I'm just afraid of what could happen."

"I understand."

"Do you?"

"I would never do anything to hurt you intentionally Ana."

"Oh? Did I not meet your submissive standards?" The mirth in her eyes tells him she's joking.

Christian blushes. Ana knew about his lifestyle and teased him endlessly about it, "Ana, you are in a class all by yourself."

"Glad to hear it." She chuckles, removing her hand from his thigh. He immediately felt the absence.

After her laughter dies down they stare at each other for a beat. The tension between them hangs in the air.

At a loss, Christian asks yet again, "Are you sure you don't want a dri—"

Ana cuts him off by smashing her lips into his. He's stiff against her for a moment, then his consciousness kicks in. Ana is here, with her luscious lips, and she's kissing him. He wants to give in, but confusion prevails.

He pulls away, brushing her sideburns with his thumb, "Ana?" She rejected me, why is she making this so difficult?

"Don't you want me?" Ana's voice nearly breaks, she leans into his hand. He lets it rest in his palm.

"Did something happen?" Worry drips from his tone, she seems sporadic and torn.

She moves away from his hand then, looking the other way.

She's upset. Christian reaches out, but she flinches. He drops his hands. He doesn't want to mess this up again, so he answers her question. "Ana, you know that I want you, but I would never force you to do anything."

Ana looks back, her eyes pouring into his. She looks almost doubtful, but his words are encouraging enough. She slides her hands up his pants then, "Then have me tonight." She leans in for a kiss again, letting her lips rest against him. Waiting for a response.

With hesitation at first, he pulls her to him, accommodating her kiss. If she wanted him, he would not question it.

Slowly, their tongues roam each other's mouths, giving way a low groan from Christian's chest. He feels her desperation as her hands claw at his shirt to take it off. Her hands roam around his back as their fiery exploration increases in tempo and urgency. Without a word, Ana removes her tongue from his mouth, presses one more light kiss against his lips, and begins unbuckling his pants. He's already panting from the makeout session, struggling to keep up, but willing.

Once his pants and boxers are down to his ankles, Ana reaches under her dress and drops her underwear in one fell swoop. Christian's breathing accelerates, he could not believe this turn of events. Who would have thought he was the luckiest man in the world? His heart nearly leaps out of his chest as Ana straddles him. Her hands grip at his abs for stability and he feels her then, her folds sliding against his cock, teasing him.

Ana moans quietly, playing with the friction. The man beneath her was a sight to behold. Smoldering grey eyes, lost in her's, unruly dark copper hair, sweat already accumulating on his body.

Christian wraps his arms around her waist to steady her as she slides against him. He arches his hips to press harder against her, but she backs away — toying with him. She moves back sensually now, painstakingly rubbing her pussy on his length. He's simpering and she loves every moment of it.

His patience runs out, she sees his jaw tighten then, he holds her still with his hand and uses the other to line up his cock with her entrance. Then brings her down to take in his member. He lets out a breath then, the relief from finally being in her is monumental, but it's short-lived as both lovers want more.

He tugs off her dress now, and marvels at her beautiful body. Ana is too impatient to wait for him to remove her bra, she begins bouncing up and down. Christian gasps, leaning back and watching her pleasuring herself on his cock. He was pleased with how well he filled her pussy. More than pleased. Groaning at the thought, he leans forward and gently removes her bra. Watching her tits bounce as she rode him would definitely be something he would never forget.

He wants this to last forever, but he was coming close. He held her hips to stop her, moving in to kiss her again and fondle her breasts. She began grinding herself on his cock, but he stilled her again.

Through his heavy breathing, Christian begged, "Baby, let me fuck you from behind."

Ana paused, giving him a questioning gaze, then relenting. She stepped off of him, feeling empty after he left her body. The moment didn't last long. Removing himself from the sofa, rolled her onto her front and thrusted into her from behind. He fucked her with wild abandon, hands exploring her breasts, waist, and asscheeks. Hearing her incoherent mess of moaning tumbled in with his name, drove him mad. When he was close, he looked down at their meeting point, watching her plump ass as his cock slid in and out of her pussy. That did it, he came with a loud grunt, leaning forward and fondling her breasts as he thrusted through it. He stilled after it was over, reveling in the feel of her naked body against his. He released her then and slid out his limp cock.

After stepping out of his pants that were still pooled at his ankles, he joined her on the sofa and cuddled her from behind. His heart was full and his dear Ana was satisfied.

She blinked sleepily at him then, "Happy Birthday, Christian."