I don't know what it is with this story, but it is forcing me to write chapter after chapter, even when I want to write a chapter for one of my other stories... so here is yet another new chapter...

Oh, and like I've said before, this will be the last appearance of Christian for a while...

Ana

The cops stopped by to talk to me, but I couldn't tell them much as I still can't remember what happened. At least now I know that I got the concussion when Jack hit me. He is still in police custody and refuses to make a statement. Roach called me and apologized over and over for letting me go on a trip with Jack, it actually makes me think that he knew that Jack is a creep and that he is just scared that I am going to sue the shit out of SIP. I probably should, but I still want to work there, so as long as Jack won't return to work I am fine.

Kate has landed about an hour ago, she wanted to go to my hotel and get my belongings for me. I called the reception to let them know that Kate was stopping by. I have to stay at the hospital until tomorrow because I am still dizzy and my headache is killing me, so they want to make sure that I am better before I leave. At least I don't have to worry about the hospital bills or how I am going to get back to Seattle, because Roach has already promised me that SIP would pay for a new plane ticket and everything else.

If I wasn't feeling so poorly I would have loved to call my mom, if Gideon is right, she has lied to me about not having a family and I am wondering why. I mean, she struggled to make a living for us after my father died and before she met Ray. If she had living relatives, why wouldn't she ask her parents or her sister for help? Well, maybe they have disowned her after she got pregnant with me and married my father, that would be a reason why she never talks about them, she doesn't want me to feel like I am the reason her family doesn't talk to her anymore.

I decide I will call her once I am back in Seattle and that I won't contact Gideon until I have heard my mother's site of the story. I mean, yes, Gideon seemed like a really nice guy, but if recent experiences have taught me anything, then it is that I can't trust my instincts when it comes to men. I mean Jack, Christian, José... they all seemed to be nice guys and turned out to be creeps and assholes, so this time I am going to double-check everything before I allow anyone new into my life, family or not.

When Kate arrives at the hospital she gasps when she sees me.

"Oh, that rat bastard, shit... that must hurt" she hisses and takes a look at the bruise on my temple.

"It's okay, it doesn't really hurt, though I have taken some meds, so I can't really tell. Thank you so much for coming here, Kate."

"Hey, it's okay, I was worried sick thinking about you all alone in a hospital in New York. I have also talked to my dad, he knows some good lawyers and..."

"Kate, please. I don't need a lawyer, the state of New York is going to deal with Jack, and I am not going to sue SIP."

"What? But Ana..."

"No, look, I want to continue to work at SIP, so lets just talk about something else."

"Fine, so I we can fly back tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, SIP is going to take care of my ticket and I will give you the money for yours back."

"Don't be ridiculous, Ana. My dad paid for it. It's cool, I would have asked Christian if he would take us back to Seattle in his private jet, but he is going back tonight and since he was such an ass at my birthday I really don't want to see him."

"He is here?"

"Yes, some fund-raiser he had to attend, he arrived yesterday evening. The bastard, Elliot called him to tell him what happened to you and he acted like he didn't even care... oh I am sorry, Ana. I shouldn't have even mentioned him." Kate looks at me apologetic and I shake my head sadly.

"I don't care anymore, Kate. He has moved on, so I have to do the same."

"Good, let's just never talk about the bastard again." and as Kate says those words all I can think is: easier said then done...

Four days later

Okay, Ana you can do this, this is your work place, now put on your big girl panties and go inside!

I have been standing outside of SIP for at least 10 minutes now and I have this sick feeling in my stomach. Maybe coming back here was not a good idea. But it is my workplace and I love my job. So, I take a deep breath and go inside.

"Hey Ana, I hope you are okay, I've heard what happened... you know with Jack. He is such a creep, no wonder he never had an assistant that stayed for more than three months. Oh, and Roach wants to see you in his office." says Claire who works behind the front desk.

I stare at her for a second trying to comprehend what she just told me.

"Wait, what do you mean none of his former assistants stayed for more than three months?" I ask and she looks around if anyone is listening before she speaks.

"Look, Hyde is a creep, Roach threatened to fire his ass a couple of times, but he couldn't prove that Hyde harassed any of the girls that worked for him before you. They all started happy to have landed the job here and then you could watch how with every day here they looked more and more like zombies, just lifeless and depressed. Everyone here knows that Jack is a creepy bastard, but no one ever had the balls to say it out loud."

"I see, well let's see what Roach wants." I mutter and make my way to the elevator. He knew it, Roach knew all along that something was wrong with Jack and he didn't do shit to protect me, instead he let me go to New York with him. And now it is also obvious why he not only called me while I was at the hospital, but also stopped by when I came back home on friday with a huge gift basket and flowers. He is trying to safe his ass. This is it, I have had enough. I can't take anymore shit or I am going to drown in it.

I storm towards Roach's office as soon as I reach his floor and his secretary waves me through.

"Miss Steele, please have a seat. I hope you are feeling better." Roach says and I sit down.

"First, I want to say that I've tried all I could, but what I have to tell you is a direct order from the new owner of SIP. The company was sold about three months ago, but we have kept silent about it, until the company has undergone some changes. Sadly, with the departure of Mr. Hyde, the new owner has decided that Courtney and Linda are going to take over his clients and responsabilities. Seeing that they both have an assistant..." I zoom him out I know what he is going to say next, so I hold my hand up to stop him.

"Mr. Roach, you don't have to fire me, because I quit. I have no desire to work for a company where the boss knows that one of his editors is in the habit of harassing his assistants. Furthermore, I am going to sue SIP. So, if you'll excuse I have to go."

I get up and walk towards the door ignoring Roach who is trying to plead with me not to sue the company. I storm into the elevator, but Roach gets in with me.

"Please, Miss Steele, think about it. SIP can't afford lawsuit, the new owner might sell and..."

"I don't care. You knew that Mr. Hyde harassed his former assistants and you did nothing to warn me, it was sheer luck that he didn't rape me and I've had enough!" I hiss. I am a good person, and I think I can deal with a lot, but at this point I feel that if I am not going to do something, I will spend the rest of my life being someone else's doormat.

When the elevator finally stops I storm out and stop dead in my tracks when I see none other than Christian standing in the middle of the lobby.

"Miss Steele, please re-think ..."

"Is he the new owner, Christian Grey?" I interrupt Roach and he nods.

"You know what, Mr. Roach. You are right, I don't need to sue SIP; I know something that is going to give far more satisfaction." with that I start to walk towards Christian, never breaking eye contact with him and when I reach him I slap him not only hard enough to turn his face, but also to give him a bloody nose and lip.

He stares down at me in utter disbelieve and I am sure I have steam coming out my ears by now, I am so mad.

"I don't know what the hell your problem is Christian, but at this point I don't care anymore. You are one fucked up son of a bitch and once I have left this building I really hope that I don't ever have to see you again." and with that I leave the building, hail a cab and when I am in the backseat I take my phone out of purse look through my contacts and dial a number.

"Alice Brinkley?"

"Mrs. Brinkley, this is Anastasia Steele speaking. We've met at the book convention in New York last week."

"Of course, Miss Steele. I was wondering when you would call. Have you made your decision?"

"Yes, I want to take your job offer."

"Well, that is wonderful. How soon can you arrange your move to New York?"

"I'll be there by the end of the week."

"Perfect, I'll expect you here next Monday at 8:30, our offices are on the 21st floor of the Crossfire Building."

"I'll be there, thank you so much, Mrs. Brinkley."

"You're very welcome, Miss Steele, I have a feeling that we are going to work perfectly together. So, I'll see you Monday." she hangs up and I sink into the backseat of the cab.

Oh my god, I really did it. I, little Ana Steele from Montesano will move to New York to work for one of the most famous publishing houses in the United States.

I ask the cabbie to take me to the bank first, so I can cash in the check Mr. Grey gave me. I won't need a car in New York, so I can use the money to buy a computer and pay a hotel until I've found a new apartment... well most likely a room, as I am sure I won't be able to afford a nice apartment in Manhattan. And for the first time in my life I don't care. All I know is that I have a great new job waiting for me and I am sure I can figure out the rest once I am in New York.

At home I decide to call Ray first, I would like to go to Montesano to tell him in person, but I don't have a car... maybe he can come to Seattle before I have to leave for New York.

I dial his number and he picks up after the second ring. "Hi Annie, everything alright, shouldn't you be at work?" I haven't told Ray what happened with Hyde, and I won't because he would kill him.

"Hi daddy, everything is alright. When I was in New York last week the owner of Brinkley Publishing offered me a job and ... well, I took it. I'm moving to New York, dad."

Ray says nothing for a moment and then clears his throat. "I always knew that you would make it far, Annie. I'm so proud of you, can I help you with anything?"

"Thanks dad, but I think I'm good. Though I would love to see you before I move."

"I could drive down to Seattle on Wednesday, we could have lunch together."

"Really, oh daddy that would be wonderful, I am going to miss you so much in New York." I try not to cry, but even at almost twenty-two, I am a daddy's girl.

"Now, no tears Annie, you've worked so hard to get through college and this job just shows how well you did. Have you talked to your mother?"

"No, I'm thinking about flying to Georgia for a day and then fly to New York from there, so I can tell her in person." and ask her about Gideon...

"Good idea, listen Annie, I have to go now, I'll see you Wednesday around noon."

"Perfect, bye daddy" I hang up and decide to look through all of my belongings. I won't take my furniture with me, that's for sure, hopefully I can sell it or Kate keeps it.

I spend the rest of the day by looking through everything that I own and make a list of the things I want to take with me. Then I've started to cook dinner and now I am waiting for Kate and Ethan to get home.

"Hey Ana, is that your famous lasagna?" Kate asks the moment she steps into the apartment.

"Yes, I thought we could have dinner together."

"Sure, though I hope you have made a lot, Elliot is coming over and he eats like a horse!" Kate laughs.

"Don't worry it's enough. When is Ethan coming home?"

"Oh, he called he ran into an old flame and he is staying at her place tonight." she answers and I roll my eyes, her brother is a man whore, ever since he stayed here with us, he has been with at least two dozen different woman, and most of the time he can't even remember their names, but if it makes him happy then who am I to judge him?

10 minutes later Elliot arrives and he has the biggest shit eating grin on his face.

"What has you grinning like a loon, El?" Kate asks and he helps himself to a bottle of beer from the fridge before he leans against the kitchen counter.

"Picture this, I had to stop by at Christian's to go over some plans for a building he bought recently, but he wasn't there. So, I stopped by the kitchen to see if Gail had something to eat for me. She gave me a sandwich and I asked her what she thinks about Michelle. Gail had no idea about whom I was talking, I still have no clue who that chick was, but now I know for sure she is not his girlfriend. But that wasn't even the best part, about ten minutes later Christian came in, he looked like he was ready to kill someone and he had a fucking hand print on his cheek. You could see each single finger, so I've asked whom he had pissed off to get slapped like that and he kicked me out. Looks like my bro didn't have a good day." Elliot says and I look anywhere but at the Kate or Elliot.

"Oh my god, Ana! Don't tell me you slapped Christian." Kate shrieks and I bite my lip. "Ana... come on, why did you slap him?"

Oh what ever! "Fine, today when I came to work, I've found out that everyone there knew that Jack is a creep, so I was already mad when I reached Roach's office and then he was about to fire me and I ... I quit my job."

"What... wait, you almost got raped by your boss and now they wanted to fire you, I hope you told them that you are going to sue them, do you want me to call my dad?"

"That's nice Elliot, but you don't need to call your dad. Anyway, I told Roach that I was going to sue SIP and wanted to leave when I saw the new owner in the lobby, namely Christian."

Kate who just took a sip of water splutters it all over the floor. "Are you kidding me? He bought SIP and got you fired, now that's enough Elliot, your brother crossed the line by far..."

"Kate, I wasn't finished, because well, I was so mad... so I decided that there was one thing that would give me even more satisfaction than to sue SIP. Umm... well ... I walked up to Christian and slapped him so hard that he ended up bleeding from his nose and lip." Again I do not dare to look at Kate or Elliot and just stare at my hands.

"Way to go Ana, hah I wish I had seen his face. Did he say something?" Kate giggles.

"No, he just looked at me as if he had no idea what just happened." Now I have to giggle too, Christian's face was a real Kodak moment.

"Well, serves him right, and don't worry about your job, I am sure my dad can help you find a new job."

Oh boy, here goes nothing. "I already have a new job... you know, while I was in New York I've met the owner of Brinkley Publishing and she offered me a job. I called her today and accept the job offered, I have to be in New York on Monday."

I look at Kate and if I am not mistaken she is trying hard not cry until the tears spill over and roll down her cheeks.

"Kate, please, this is such a big chance for me, and let's face it, by now I am probably number one on Christian's shit list, so getting a new job here in Seattle is going to be impossible. Besides, you can always come to New York and visit me."

"I know, and I am happy for you, it's just... you are my best friend and one of the few people who can stand to be around me for long, what am I going to do without you?"

"Well, first you have Elliot and then you have to plan a wedding. You have your job and if you quit the bitch act or tune it down just a little, I am sure you will end up with more friends than you ever had before. Come on, Kate, don't make this harder for me than it already is." I beg and Kate blows her nose rather unladylike.

"Okay, so New York... we have a lot to do Steele, first I am going to call my mom's cousin Ellen."

"Huh?"

"She lives in Manhattan, she is divorced and her daughter moved out to go to college, meaning, she has a lot of free space in her home. You will need a place to stay until you've found an apartment, and if you want an apartment in New York, you better not waste any money for staying at a hotel."

"But she doesn't know me Kate and..."

"She is a darling Ana, she will be delighted to have someone at her place. Don't worry, besides, it gives you time to find a place you really like, so you don't have to take the first place you can afford just to get out of a hotel."

Well, she has a point, I really don't have much money, so it's best to spend as little as possible.

"Okay, fine. Thank you, Kate."

"Good, see what's next, oh we need to look through your clothes and..."

"Kate, please, I really don't have any money to spare and I have clothes."

Kate looks at me and shakes her head. "Look Ana, New York is not Seattle, and Brinkley Publishing is like huge, I just want you to fit in. Let me buy you some things, just the basics, you know some nice skirts and pants, a couple of shirts and tops, if you have like 10 really good basics you can match them differently every day and look good at work. Take it as an early birthday gift."

"Kate you know I don't feel comfortable if someone spends money on me..."

"Anastasia Steele, now you'll listen to me, if I let you go to New York I want you to kick ass. I just want you to fit in and it's just some clothes, if you don't want to come shopping with me I'll go and buy it myself, but please, can I do this for you?"

"But I have nothing to give you in return" I murmur embarrassed.

"You have kept up with me for four years Ana, you deserve a medal of honor for that alone, and of course you are still my maid of honor, right?"

"There is nothing in this world that could stop me from attending your wedding Kate."

"Perfect, now lets have dinner and go over the details."

"Sure, just umm... Elliot, I know Christian is your brother, but I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't tell him that I am moving to New York and where I am going to work. After today I am sure he is even more mad at me and I am a little worried that he is going to ruin this for me."

"Don't worry, I am not going to tell him, but aren't you curious why he lied about this Michelle chick and why he is on some sort of personal vendetta against you?"

I look at Elliot and sigh. "Look Elliot, I would lie if I would tell you that I don't want to know why he is doing this, but if I have learned one thing in the short time that I have known Christian, than it is you can't get him to talk if he doesn't want to. I love him, it's simple, but if he isn't even trying to talk to me, than there is not much I can do. And frankly, if I don't move on now, I know I will cling to the hope that he is going to come back to me for the rest of my life. I mean look at me, I have lost so much weight, I have cried so much and waited for three months for him to contact me and he didn't. Now he is going all asshole on me and ... I can't do this anymore..."

"It's okay, maybe one day he'll see what an ass he was, until then you should just enjoy yourself."

"I'll try. So who wants to eat my famous lasagna?" and with that we spend the rest of the evening talking about New York and not mention Christian again.

I know that a tiny part of me will always love him, but I also know that I have to move on. I deserve to be happy and from now I decide that I am going to be happy, I don't want to be this depressed girl anymore, I want to be myself again and maybe New York is going to allow me to find out who I truly am...