Ace follows through on his promise. A driver is waiting to take us to the airport promptly an hour later. Ace brings his own luggage. He notices me eyeing his suitcase.

"I'll need to stay the night in Seattle while they refuel the Jet," he explains.

"The jet?" does everyone have a jet.

"Yes I- we, my family, there's a jet," he manages tripping over his words.

I decide to not ask any questions. Whatever gets me back to Seattle.

"Clarence do you have everything from the hotel?" Ace asks the driver.

"Yes Sir," Clarence hands Ace a plastic bag that he hands to me.

"Some of your stuff from the hotel room,"

"Oh, yeah thanks," I say shoving it into my suitcase.

We are driving towards the airport. I am lost in thought, hoping to have a new normal. I am setting up my new phone. Entering a text to Kate, my mom, and dad.

"Busy time in New York. I am okay. And Heading home and will talk to you all when I am back" I text to all of them. I hope they aren't panicking wondering where I am and what's going on. I look out the window and realize a few black cars following us.

"Ace there are people following us" I gesture behind us.

"Yes, it's our security. We just want to make sure Jack doesn't get close to us"

"Why isn't Jack in jail already? Ace sighs.

"Our legal system is terrible. Innocent until proven guilty. He was arrested from the hotel but posted bail this morning. When the hearing happens between you two he should be forced to serve more time,"

"So I'll have to see him again..in court" the realization makes my head spin. I don't want to see him ever again.

"I am afraid so, but you'll have a lot of support. We have a few witnesses, you won't be alone," he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.

We are boarding the jet. I am apprehensive of being on a jet this size for the duration we have to be on it. I think of Christian and take the first seat. A comfortable leather plush chair. I am waiting for Ace to climb in with me but he climbs in the cockpit instead.

"Jesus you fly this?" I yell at him. He turns to look at me.

"Yes, I flew in the military. I took much scarier trips than this. Don't worry I am an incredible pilot,"

"You were in the army?

"Royal air force" he hands me a headset so I can communicate with him.

"Are you royalty?" He snorts and throws his head back in laughter.

"No, Ana. It's just what we called our air force," I stare down embarrassed.

I save my questions for when we are in the air. Take off makes me nervous. The small jet fights with gravity before soaring into the air. Since we are traveling back a few time zones the flight remains in a constant state of sunrise. Pinks and oranges dancing across the sky. It's an incredible feeling, being stuck in time. Watching the sunrise again and again as we are suspended in the sky. It's so beautiful it doesn't even feel real. I am curious to read more of the emails Christian tried to send me but I know it will only break my heart further. He must think I hate him. I am scared of his reaction.

"Ace how old are you?" I ask trying to distract myself.

"I am 32" he answers over the headset. I knew he was a bit older than me. I just didn't know how much older.

"How old is Iris? There is a pause of silence.

"I- am not actually sure. I'll need to ask her." I find it odd how he doesn't know how old she is.

"How long have you known her?

"Ah, Ana. I knew the questions would start sometime" he is chuckling over the headset. He communicates with his co-pilot as the Jet gently bows to the left. Veering us into the thick of golden clouds.

"I've known Iris for a little less than a year, she's my sister. We have the same mom but not the same dad,"

"How did you not know about her?" the curiosity is getting the best of me. The whole situation seems confusing. Ace clears his throat, a long pause follows.

"We weren't told about each other. She got adopted out. My mom went missing. She never contacted my dad again. I never knew her" he answers honestly.

"Oh, I am so sorry… is your mom alive?

"We're still trying to figure that one out actually."

"Ace, I have a weird question about the Jack situation"

"Yes?" his voice is full of curiosity.

"When I was sleeping last night, uh or this morning I guess. I had a nightmare about what he did to me. It's like my memory is starting to remember what happened. Why can't I just remember what happened?"

"I'm sorry that is happening to you but it is normal. Sometimes it's drugs or alcohol or your mind does this thing called dissociate. You block out things that happen when they are bad enough. It's your mind's way of protecting you," I take in what he is saying to me.

"Is that why I have been feeling so off? I feel like it's hard to feel, well anything"

"Yes, that is why. It goes away though" he answers his voice sounds so sad. I say my next question before I can stop myself.

"Has this happened to you? Your mind blocking out bad things that have happened to you?"

"Yes," his voice is ice cold as he answers me. I end my questions there. I feel like I am asking too much of his life. I don't want to upset him.

I lean my seat back and pull a blanket from under me. I doze off in my chair with sweet thoughts of reuniting with Christian filling my head. I wake up, turbulence rocking the jet. I wake with a jolt, feeling like I am falling. Ace hears my gasp.

"Just flying over the Cascades, don't worry," he says to me.

I look out the window. It looks like a winter wonderland. Mountains as far as I can see covered in white snow. Right below us Mt. Rainier in her towering glory.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

"Gorgeous" I answer.

As we approach Seattle the energy in the aircraft changes. Ace and his co-pilot are talking to each other. Concern across their faces. I start feeling nervous.

"Is there a problem?" I finally managed after a few minutes of back and forth chatter.

"The airport isn't letting us land on the main runway. Too much wind. We are low on fuel though. I can't keep circling,"

It's a tense few moments before a voice comes over the intercom.

"One of the private runways has given you permission to land. It's the very east end of the airport. Less wind over there G 99,"

Ace cackles back into my headset.

"Mr. Grey already doing us a favor,"

What? I'm confused until we circle closer to the ground. A runway off of the main airport with a fleet of Grey enterprise jets are below us. I think I spot Christian's car below off to the side of the runway.

"Ace does he know I am here"

"I don't know Ana. I only spoke to air traffic control," Ace is concentrated on landing the jet. Seemingly unconcerned with my love life. I can't blame him. The jet lands with a skidding thud across the runway. All of us sigh in relief.

"Damn ocean winds sometimes" Ace mutters under his breath.

I can't concentrate on anything. My heart is pounding in my head. My lungs force out oxygen as hard as they beg for more. I want to see him so badly, but I can't face him. A million what-if scenarios play out in my head. Ace gets out first. He goes to open the main door so I can exit. The door opens and I step down the stairs. Christian is waiting outside of his car. He definitely didn't know I was here by the look on his face. His eyes are wide with shock, mouth open. He looks incredible. His black suit and gray tie contrasting across the overcast scenery. I am momentarily irritated that he looks so put together. His face falls as he looks down. It looks like it takes everything in him to not look at me.

He thinks I hate him

I ignore every part of common sense in me and run towards him. Taylor is quickly in front of me.

"Ms. Steele, you can not approach Mr. Grey" Taylor's eyes are sympathetic to me. He looks like he doesn't want to hold me back at all. Christian is turning to get back in his car. I do the only thing I can do and scream out at him.

"Christian it was Jack!" I scream it as loud as I can. He hesitates at his car door. Taylor is trying to wave him to get back in the car.

"Taylor please!" I beg as he holds me back. I look down at his hands on my wrists and suddenly they are Jack's hands on my wrists. My breath catches and I freeze in place. My body is refusing to move. Powerless.

"Just let me go, I'll do anything," I say to Taylor but I can't stop seeing Jack flashing in my mind. Taylor's eyes look fearful. My voice is so calm. I feel robotic. He is glancing at Christian and back to me.

"Please just don't hurt me" I plead under my breath.

"Ms. Steele, I-I would never," Taylor lets go of my wrists instantly and they fall at my sides. Taylor is waving Christian back over to me now. He meets Christian halfway whispering into his ear. Christian's eyes flash absolute rage. He bolts towards me as fast as he can.

"Ana, fuck, Ana. What the fuck happened to you?" he envelops me in an embrace. I shudder at the contact against my skin. He immediately lets go of me trying to read my eyes.

"What the fuck is going on. Who hurt her?!" He roars, his fists balled up. I want to tell him something, anything but my voice falters. Christian is breathing hard and heavy, eyes glistening. He starts stomping. He eyes Ace.

"YOU, tell me, fuck, tell me anything!" Ace approaches slowly hands up.

"Ana, do you want me to tell him anything?" his voice is slow and full of empathy.

I nod.

Ace approaches Christian. He clears his throat. I can tell he's trying to think of the easiest way to say it.

"Ana was assaulted by Jack Hyde..." he almost whispers it.

"Did he…?" Christian can't finish his thought, but Ace nods yes to him.

Christian looks broken, his body tenses. His face pales.

"Ana" he manages to say, his voice breaking.

"Fucking Christ Ana" A single tear falls down his face.

"Please baby, at least look at me" he chokes out.

"Christian, I'm sorry," I look up into his eyes. His face flashes with pain.

"Ana, you're breaking my heart, don't say sorry," he pleads with me.

"Can I touch you?" Christian holds out his hand for me.

"Yes"

Christian takes my hand into his. Stroking my arm up and down. I melt into him. Finally giving in and letting him hug me. His strong arms are wrapped around my body like a shield. I break into a sob.

"I didn't do those things, Christian," sobs are flowing through my body.

"Later baby, we can talk about that later" I inhale his scent. Endorphins surging through my body once again.

"I've needed you so much" I bury my head in his chest.

"Me too Ana, me too" My body shakes with a sharp inhale as I cry harder.

Christian is rocking me.

"It's okay, it's okay, I'm here" he whispers to me, kissing the top of my head.

He repeats it over and over until I believe him.

"You're okay, you're safe, I'm here Ana,"

I relax into him. For the first time in two weeks, I feel safe.