A/N: Hi everyone! I'm off today, so here is a bonus chapter of the story. If you haven't already, PLEASE don't forget to review Chapter 26 as well as this chapter as I love to hear everyone's thoughts. Thanks! Enjoy! The next chapter will be on Saturday as usual. Enjoy.

Title: FSOG: From Heartbreak to Happiness?

Chapter 27

***The Next Day***

(Both Kate and Ana have never called in to work before and they were nervous that their jobs would be on the line. Especially being they technically weren't sick. However, the flu was going around. They needed time to deal with their personal issues. Kate knew if her boss knew the real reason why she called in, her ass would be grass. As for Ana, she hoped Christian wouldn't go fishing for details)

(Thankfully, Kate's boss knew the flu was going around, so she was safe regarding her job. She told her boss that she would be in the next day. As for Ana, she didn't want to call Christian and hear the worry in his voice that she wasn't sick. But, she was scared to death that her personal life was making her sick. So, she called Courtney at the front desk)

Courtney: "Mr. Grey's office. Courtney speaking."

Ana: (nervously) "H-Hi, Courtney. It's Anastasia Steele. Please let Mr. Grey know that I will not be in today as I have the terrible flu that's going around. I will return to work as usual tomorrow morning."

Courtney: "Sounds good, Miss Steele. I will let Mr. Grey know. Thank you for calling."

(The call ends. Ana sighs a bit in relief that it was one less thing to deal with. Now, her and Kate could worry about what to do regarding Jose and Jack)

Ana: "Ugh. I truly feel that I'm going to be sick, Kate. Not only lying to Christian, but what those assholes are doing to us…?"

Kate: (sighs deeply) "I wish I knew what to do, Ana. We don't have $25 million." (scoffs) "Fuck, I don't even have a thousand dollars to my name and they want that kind of money?"

(Ana shudders with anxiety at her problem. What the hell were they supposed to do? One thing Ana absolutely refused to do was take money from her crush. Yes, he was loaded. That's not what she loved about him. She needed to figure out another way to deal with her blackmailers)

(She knew Christian would want to help. Ana looks at the photo of the man she adored in her phone. Christian posed for the camera. He didn't exactly like having his photo taken. He could never turn down Ana's pleas for one, though. He was in his gray business suit and leaned against his desk with his hands firmly on the edge of the desk. He stared into the camera with a hint of a smile)

(Kate and Ana, who were sitting on the couch in their apartment, looked ahead. Kate noticed the photo on Ana's screensaver and sighs softly)

Kate: "You love him, don't you, Ana?"

(Ana looks at her friend, who pointed at Christian's picture on her phone)

Kate: "You love him, don't you, girl?"

Ana: (raises her eyebrows) "Am I that obvious?"

Kate: (smiles) "I think it's sweet. From what I have seen or heard from you, he treats you right…even though he's your boss. I wonder how he feels about you?"

(Ana shrugs in defeat as she sighs deeply)

Ana: "Probably nothing more than an employee."

Kate: (tilts her head) "Are you sure about that? You've admitted that he cares about you."

Ana: "Kate, there's a big difference between caring for someone and loving them unconditionally."

Kate: (smiles) "Maybe he does and just hasn't told you yet. The same could be said about you. I'm going to guess that you haven't told him how you feel about him..." (smirks) "….Despite the fantasies you've had about him."

Ana: (puzzled) "How did you know? I don't remember telling you."

Kate: "My friend, how long have we known each other? I know more about you than you think." (winks)

Ana: (rolls her eyes) "Yeah, okay." (scared face) "What are we going to do, Kate? Oh, God. I wish I knew."

Kate: (nods in nervousness) "I hear ya. We have today to think of something."

***Grey Enterprises***

(Courtney walks to Christian's office and knocks on the door. After hearing a 'come in', she walks in. Christian is sitting behind his desk going over a few files when he briefly looks up at his trusted secretary)

Christian: "What can I help you with, Courtney?"

Country: "Hello, Mr. Grey. I just wanted to let you know that Anastasia Steele won't be in today."

(Christian's head immediately shoots up in alert to Courtney)

Christian: "Oh? What'd she say?"

Courtney: "That she has the flu and wouldn't be in today. She'll return to work as usual tomorrow morning."

Christian: (nods) "Okay."

Courtney: "If I may add, Mr. Grey?"

Christian: "Yes, Courtney? Go on."

Courtney: "During the brief conversation, she sounded nervous in her voice. Not sure if it was because she was ill or that she had to miss work." (puzzled) "Has Miss Steele missed work since she's been here? I don't recall her missing a day."

Christian: "No, she hasn't. Thank you for the info."

Courtney: (nods) "Yes, sir."

(After Courtney makes her exit, Christian's eyes move from left to right without moving his head. He then rests his elbows on the edge of his desk and puts his hands together like he's praying)

Christian: "Granted, the flu is going around and it's not unusual to miss work on it here and there..." (sighs softly) "…I can't help but wonder if something is seriously wrong with you that doesn't involve the flu. I know these last couple of weeks since you pretty much started that you've been going through hell in your private life. Especially with the blackmailers, it's been harder on you. You won't let me truly in. While I respect the fact that you don't want to let me in because I'm your boss, I think it's time we get it all out on the table." (sighs) "You need to let me in, baby. That's the only way I can help you."

(Christian calls Courtney from his desk phone and informs her that he is not to be disturbed. She says okay and then he places another call to his trusted bodyguard and friend)

Christian: "Taylor, it's Grey. Please come to my office ASAP. We need to talk. Thanks."

(Christian tells Courtney that a guy named Taylor will be coming and to let him through. She says okay and about thirty minutes later, Taylor arrives at Christian's office. As directed, Courtney lets him in after Taylor says who he is. Taylor knocks and then goes inside the office. After shutting the door behind him, Taylor goes to the chair across from his bosses and sits down)

Taylor: "Everything okay, boss? It sounded urgent on the phone."

Christian: "You're right. It is urgent. Maybe it's nothing, but I need to make sure before I dismiss it."

Taylor: (nods) "Go on."

Christian: (sighs) "You know that Anastasia has been going through hell lately from what I've told you."

Taylor: "Yes. These two dumbasses are making life hell for her. After a bit of persuasion, she agreed to open up about it. It was definitely sad that a pretty young woman like Miss Steele is facing that. The delivery guy who brought you that package…I did look into it."

Christian: (tilts his head a bit) "And?"

Taylor: "There wasn't much to go on. Every database I went on showed nothing. I asked countless delivery places and showed the picture that was on the surveillance cameras and no one recognized him. Which means…"

Christian: "It was indeed a disguise." (sighs) "Fuck."

Taylor: "If I remember correctly, Miss Steele said she didn't know who the guy was on the tape?"

Christian: "Yes."

Taylor: "Now, unless I misinterpreted it, she looked very nervous when you asked her if she knew who the guy that was on the tape. Is it possible that she knew the identity, but kept it to herself?"

Christian: (puzzled) "Why would she do that?"

Taylor: (shrugs) "Simple. Because she doesn't want you in danger and so she can handle herself, as she says. Hasn't she made it clear to you in the past that she wanted to handle it herself?"

(Christian scoffs as he leans back in his desk chair)

Christian: "Yeah, but Taylor…what if she's in that much trouble? There's nothing wrong with asking for help."

Taylor: (raises his eyebrows) "Unless she wants to fix it herself." (nods) "I believe she's trying to do that. Is it right? Probably not. But, to her, it is."

Christian: (moans in frustration) "Ugh! I wish that she'd just fucking open up! If she'd just let me help her…!"

Taylor: "I get the feeling that there's more to the story that she's not telling you. I mean, you almost had to force out of her what you already know so far. I respect the fact that she wants to fix it on her own."

Christian: "Taylor, it's not like her to call in. Maybe she is sick, but I have this urging feeling it's something more."

Taylor: (nods) "You feel that something happened to Miss Steele since the last time she was with us?"

(Christian pulls his hands apart and tilts his head in exasperation)

Christian: "Don't you?"

(Taylor raises his eyebrows and speaks in a serious tone)

Taylor: "Truthfully?" (nods) "Yes. I think Miss Steele is holding something back. Her and her friend who is her roommate."

Christian: "Her address should be in her file."

Taylor: "I'll also look it up incase we have any trouble."

Christian: "We need to see, once and for all, what's going on." (serious tone) "Money is no issue with me, so I want to find the fucker who is causing her trouble."

Taylor: "I don't blame you. Whoever is threatening Miss Steele and her friend means business. That needs to come to a stop and I'll help you with that."

Christian: (smiles appreciatively) "Thanks, Taylor. I appreciate it. And by the way, you know you CAN call me Christian. I know it's professional to call me 'Mr. Grey', but you can call me by my first name once in a while."

Taylor: (chuckles) "I've been calling you Mr. Grey for years that I'm used to that. Thank you, though. Who knows? Maybe sometime I'll surprise you."

(Both men share a laugh before they get ready and find Anastasia's apartment)

***Ana & Kate's Apartment***

Kate: "I know that neither of us had the flu."

Ana: (snorts) "Yeah, or our ass would be grass if it was revealed that we called in for this." (nervously) "I wonder what'll happen if Jack and Jose don't get their money."

Kate: "I know that you don't want to go to Christian for the money."

Ana: "You're right. I don't. I'm sorry, but I refuse to ask him for a handout."

Kate: "I highly doubt my mother would help me. I haven't spoken to her in years and we grew apart. One time years ago, she asked me point blank if I was accusing Julian of hurting me. I asked her if she'd believe me and she said she's never known Julian to be that type of person." (scoffs) "I guess that was my answer."

Ana: "I can't believe that she didn't believe you. What kind of mother doesn't believe her own child? Young women, no matter the age, don't usually lie about stuff like this."

Kate: (raises her eyebrows) "She thought I did."

***About An Hour Later***

(Christian and Taylor believe they found Ana's place. They doublecheck the address and nod that it's the one. The ladies are caught off-guard by the knock at the door. Ana goes to answer the door and is shocked to see it's Christian and Taylor)

Ana: (stutters) "C-Christian? W-What are you doing here? Taylor? This is definitely a surprise."

(Kate goes by Ana and looks at both men and is shocked, too)

Ana: "I-I don't…I don't understand. How did you find out where I lived?"

Christian: (chuckles) "Aside from the fact that your home address is in your file at my company…" (sighs) "Besides, I know that you're not sick." (tilts his head) "Anastasia, why did you lie about being sick?"

(Ana and Kate look uncomfortably at each other briefly before Ana speaks)

Ana: (stutters a bit) "I-I am sick. The flu is going around."

Kate: "Y-Yeah, we feel bad that we had to miss work."

(Christian smiles at Kate and offers his hand)

Christian: "I don't think we have officially met. I'm Christian Grey."

Kate: "I'm Kate Kavanagh. I'm Ana's best friend since we were young."

Christian: (nods) "Nice to meet you, Kate."

Kate: "You, too, Mr. Grey."

Christian: "Please, call me Christian."

Kate: "Okay….Christian."

(Christian turns his attention back on Anastasia with a tender yet serious face)

Christian: "I'm going to ask you a question, Anastasia, and I'd like an honest answer." (sighs softly) "Do you know the guy who was on the surveillance camera that brought the package to me?"

(Ana's eyes are a bit wide-eyed and her nerves are getting the better of her)

Ana: (shakes her head) "No." (clears her throat) "I don't know him."

(Christian sighs and momentarily looks down before facing Taylor. Both men knew that Ana was still lying, especially given her nervous state. Christian faces Ana again)

Christian: "Ana, I-I don't understand. Why are you lying? Who are you trying to protect?"

(After continuing to look at her nervous state, he starts to get the picture. He remembers earlier conversations with her in his office where she admitted that she could handle it on her own as she didn't want to involve him. He nods as he faces Taylor. Taylor faces both ladies and speaks)

Taylor: "Miss Steele, Miss Kavanagh…I know that you want to handle this on your own. Believe me, Christian and I understand. However, we can't help you unless you tell us the whole story. We have the resources to help you out. Please, let us."

Kate: (sighs in exasperation) "Don't you guys get it? It's not your mess to clean up. Do we want help? Yes. But, you don't deserve our mess of a life. You two barely know us. Why would you want to help us, anyway?"

(Christian and Taylor sigh at each other. Christian tries one last thing in an effort to get through to the love of his life. He looks at her and takes her hands in his and speaks sweetly)

Christian: "Ana, do you remember what we last talked about when we were in my office and this subject was brought up? Do you remember that I said I would do everything in my power to help you because I care about you? That I have the means and the resources to help you? I'm NOT worried about the money. You KNOW that." (lowers his head a bit) "Do you remember all of this?"

(Ana sighs as she stares deeply into her hopeful lovers' eyes. She finally, at long last, understood. She had been afraid this entire time of telling the whole story. Yes, she told the story about the accidental murder. But, she still kept secrets from Christian when she shouldn't have. She nods as she speaks)

Ana: "Yes, I remember."

(As if she already knew what to do from the way he was looking at her…It's like he was telling her she's always been truly safe with him. They nod at each other and Ana goes to Kate. She places her hands on Kate's shoulders and speaks in a serious tone)

Ana: "I know you're afraid to tell them everything. So am I, Kate. I've been afraid all of this time to truly open up because I thought it'd bite me in the ass. But Christian and Taylor…"

(She looks at both men and they nod as she looks back at Kate)

Ana: "They helped me see that we can end this shit of a mess right now. We don't have to give Jose and his accomplice the power they obviously want and crave. While I do see your point that we haven't known them long, they've never failed us yet. I believe they can help us. Do you trust me?"

Kate: (nods) "With my life." (sighs deeply) "If you trust them, so do I."

(Both Kate and Ana nod in determination as they face the men)

Ana: "We're with you."

Kate: "Just tell us what we need to do."

Taylor: "First of all, do you know who the guy is that's on the surveillance tapes?"

Ana: (nods) "Yes, I do. His name is Jack Hyde. He's a detective here in Seattle."

Christian: (to Taylor) "Interesting. Someone from the police department who thinks they know everything."

Kate: "We've met with the blackmailers, too."

Taylor: (puzzled) "Who are they again? You said Jack Hyde? Who's the other guy?"

Kate: "Jose Rodriguez. We've been friends with him for years." (scoffs) "Or were friends with him."

Ana: (nervously to Christian) "Remember the first day you and I met on the sidewalk and you said it looked like I was in pain? That I looked like I had been crying?"

Christian: (nods) "Yes. I felt bad for you because you were sad. I wasn't having the best day, but seeing you changed that."

Ana: "That day, I found out that my so-called boyfriend had cheated on me because I wasn't ready to sleep with him."

Christian: (scoffs) "Let me guess. It was Jose?"

Ana: "He felt I should forget about it because he still loved me and that the next guy would probably have to wait forever to be with me."

Christian: "Well, let me make it clear that the asshole didn't deserve you. I'm glad you didn't sleep with him because he's not worth your time."

Ana: (snorts) "Trust me, I'm glad too."

Christian: "Okay, the next question is…why do Jose and Jack feel that you did them wrong? What did you supposedly do?"

Ana: "With my situation with Jose, he wanted sex and got pissed off when I wouldn't sleep with him. He made it sound like it wasn't a big deal. He said he'd feel sorry for the next guy I'm with because I probably wouldn't put out."

Christian: (raises his eyebrows) "Sounds like the asshole didn't know how to take 'no' for an answer. In my opinion, it's a dumb reason on his part because it's not up to him who you sleep with." (to Kate) "And you?"

Kate: (rolls her eyes) "I'll admit that in my teenage years, I was a flirt. I didn't think I was that bad. Ana felt I was a little, but she didn't hold it over my head. She felt it was a part of growing up. When I was 16 years old, I'd flirt with other guys." (sighs) "One of them was Jack Hyde. I flirted with him and he flirted right back. However, it became clear, when he'd put his hands on my ass and said there's things he'd love to do to me, he wanted sex. When I realized he wanted sex, I immediately put on the breaks. I told him I wasn't ready for that. He got mad and accused me of playing around with him. I then told him to leave me alone. He started following me around. My mother noticed this, too. I threatened to file sexual harassment charges against him if he didn't leave me alone. Word got around about it and his reputation ended up getting tarnished. He vowed payback someday, but I didn't think he meant like this."

Christian: "If he didn't like how you were acting, he could have just walked away. Yes, you may have been a bit flirty. But, you were only 16 years old. You were still discovering the world."

Kate: "Yeah, I was. I didn't think what I did during my teenage years would come back to haunt me, though."

Christian: "Don't worry, Kate. Taylor and I will handle it." (smirks) "The dipshits may think they've won, but they have another thing coming."

Taylor: (smiles) "Before they know it, they'll be out on their ass."

Chapter 27 Done

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