A/N: A little heads up, I'm going to be taking a small break from the story. It'll only be a week or two and will be done so I can focus on my other stories which I feel have been neglected. I promise I'll be back soon with more of The Pursuit. As always thanks for reading.

C POV

"How's Ana doing?", Elliot asks. I ignore his question and take a bite of my steak. We're seated at a table in Rafferty's Steakhouse during my lunch break. Today's my first full day back at work. "That bad?"

"She's doing well physically but emotionally...I don't know. She's kind of short with her answers and is moody."

"Dude, no offense, but mood swings are to be expected after a life threatening event or at least that's what often happens in movies or television shows." He takes a large drink of water and narrows his eyes at me. "What about you? How are you doing with the aftermath of what took place?"

"I'm ok.", I shrug with a less than convincing voice. "Fine. I'm not ok. I've been extra worried about Ana. I get antsy when she doesn't answer me right away. I know she feels like I'm suffocationg her, but I can't help it. I almost lost her, and I feel the need to be even more protective."

"I realize things might be difficult now, but it'll get better.", Elliot says as I nod.

"Another thing that upset Ana was my suggesting that she go into business on her own. I see great potential in her and thought it would be best for her to put that potential into her own advertising firm. I even found a location for her." Elliot shakes his head and winces. "You think it's a bad idea as well?"

"I'm not saying that, but not everyone wants to be their own boss. Some people are content with working for others. She might change her mind down the road, yet she might not. The best thing for you to do is support her decision." I set my fork down and smile.

"Try not to get a big head when I tell you that you're pretty good at giving advice."

"Why thank you.", he laughs.

"So...how are you and Kate doing with the living together?", I ask.

"It's going well so far although I've got to get used to having her there. I was half asleep this morning when I walked into the bathroom and accidentally knocked over her hair straightener. She ran in there and started freaking out like I had just hurt one of her friends. Luckily the thing still worked. We went grocery shopping for the first time together last night. I grabbed Captain Crunch which has been my favorite cereal for years. Kate eyed me and said I need to eat something healthier. She then placed some kind of organic cereal crap in the cart."

"Some of the organic stuff is delicious."

"If you add a lot of sugar to it.", Elliot scoffs. "It's ok though. I'm stopping by the store when I leave here, and I'm buying my Captain Crunch. I might have to hide it, but I'm buying it."

"Hey.", Ana says upon answering my call. Elliot and I finished lunch, and Taylor's now driving me back to GEH. "How was your lunch with Elliot?"

"It was good. I'm on the way the back to the office, but I can swing by Escala if you need me."

"That's not necessary. My mom made some soup which was delicious." She goes silent for a second. "This apartment used to seem massive, but it feels so small now."

"It's because you've been stuck inside", I say softly. "But you'll be able to get out and about soon."

"Soon.", she mutters before yawning. "I think I'm going to take a nap."

"Rest well, and I'll see you this evening. I love you."

"I love you too."

A POV

"Mom, I appreciate you being here, but I'll understand if you want to go home and spend some time with Dad." She waves her hands in dismissal at my suggestion.

"I'm staying here.", she says. "Besides your dad is busy with his plants." I pad over to the bed, stopping before I pull the covers back. "Ana, are you ok?"

"Yeah. No.", I say as I try not to cry. "I feel bad for making people change their plans around for me. Christian missed work several days, and you and Dad have redone your plans." I ease on to the mattress and blow out a deep breath while she sits down next to me.

"You shouldn't feel bad about that. All of us are so thankful that you're here, and we don't mind readjusting our lives to help you. Sweetheart, when I heard about you being shot, I screamed louder than I've ever screamed before. I looked up at the sky and just belted out my feelings. I pleaded and prayed for you to be ok, and I wasn't the only one. Everyone who loves you asked for you to stay with us." She wipes a tear with the back of her hand. "Our prayers were answered. Moving schedules around is only a small sacrifice." The depth of what she's saying slowly sinks in.

"I haven't exactly been the easiest person to get along with.", I sniffle. "I never thought I could have so much anger inside of me."

"No one can blame you for being angry. I'm angry too."

"But I've been directing my anger towards the wrong people. I've been so hostile and bitter, and that's not who I am."

"Of course it's not. You're a sweet and kind hearted person who was dealt a devasting blow, but you're strong and soon that anger you're feeling will no longer be there. I'm glad you're opening up to me. Have you done the same with Christian?"

"No.", I answer.

"My advice is to talk to him. You need to let him know how you're feeling."

"You're right. He and I have been good with expressing our feelings and being honest so I shouldn't start keeping things now. I'm going to rest a while." She kisses the top of my head and stands.

"Sweet dreams.", she says.

"You scared me.", Christian laughs after I sneak up on him in the living room.

"I'm sorry. I thought I heard you in here." I pad across the floor to where he's standing.

"Is your mom still here?"

"I persuaded her to go home about thirty minutes ago." He loosens his tie and extends his hand which I take. Sitting on the sofa, he wraps his arms around me. "How was your day?"

"It was good. I had a conference call with Gil Hanson. We went over more details of the phone we're developing. He asked if we had made plans for going to London. I told him we had planned to go next month, but the trip might be a little delayed."

"Did you tell him why?", I ask.

"I did.", Christian murmurs as I lay my head on his shoulder. "And he sends his get well wishes."

"The trip might not happen at the same time we had planned, but it'll still happen." Christian grins at my positivity. "There's something I need to talk about with you." He immediately tenses up and starts looking up and down my body. "I'm not in any pain. It's about my recent attitude. You've been wonderful with taking care of me and making sure I'm ok, and I've been ungrateful along with hostile. I get pissed off at the smallest things."

"Ana, there's nothing to apologize for."

"Yes there is. I've always tried to be easy going and calm person, but the shooting left me with so much hatred and anger for Elena, Leila, and Craig Monroe. Those feelings have ended up being bounced on to those around me especially you. Christian, I see the look on your face when you walk into the same room as me. It's as though you're walking on egg shells, scared of saying or doing the wrong thing."

"All right, you might snap a little, but I understand."

"There shouldn't be any snapping for you to understand." I turn my body around and lace my fingers with his. "I'm going to start being more grateful and less angry."

"I've got a confession of my own. I've been overbearing, even more than usual.", he chuckles. "It stems from almost losing you. I had never been in love before you I met you. I had never experienced anything remotely close to love, and I know I won't ever have it with anyone else. I just don't want to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me. I'm here."

"My fear of losing you played a big part in me pushing you to open your own business. It made me think I should help you live life to the fullest by encouraging you to branch out on your own." The reasoning behind Christian's suggestion is admirable although I still don't want to open my own agency.

"I understand you more in why you wanted me to have my own business, and it's sweet. I'm not closing the door on being my own boss at some point, but for now I'm happy with being at the Nelson Agency."

"I know which is why I'm not going to pressure you any more.", he says as my stomach growls. I cover my face in embarrassment. "It sounds like someone is hungry."

"My appetite is slowly making a reappearance.", I giggle. "Do you think we might be able to go out for dinner? I'm asking because I want to get out of here."

"Sure. I think it would be nice to have dinner out."

C POV

"Not that this place isn't nice, but it's not what I thought you had in mind when you said you wanted to go out. I was under the assumption you meant actually going into a restaurant and sitting down at a table.", I tell Ana. She and I are seated in the backseat of the Escalade which Taylor drove to Sonic Drive In of all places.

"Technically we are eating out.", Ana laughs, picking up a chili cheese fry. "It's been forever since I've had food from here, and it's soooo good."

"It certainly is." I pick up my burger only to have mustard drip from it and on to my dark blue long sleeve shirt. "Shit." Ana hands me a napkin. "Thanks. I remember when Elliot first got his drivers license, and he begged my parents to let him borrow one of their cars since the car they had bought for him wasn't ready yet." Ana crinkles her nose. "Elliot wanted a special sound system put in the car.", I say, answering Ana's unspoken question. "My mom finally relented and let him borrow her car but only if he took Mia and me with him. Anyway he drove us to Sonic where he saw the car of a girl he liked. He parked next to her and immediately started a conversation during which he offered to buy her dinner for her. She happily accpeted. She ended up driving off as soon as she got the food. Elliot said he found out the next day she had a boyfriend who went to a different school, yet she liked flirting with guys so they'd buy her things."

"That's not cool at all. Poor Elliot.", Ana sighs.

"The girl ended up getting dumped by her boyfriend who learned what she had been doing."

"Elliot's with a wonderful girl now. Kate loves him very much." Ana goes back to eating while I take the paper from my straw. I wind it around in the shape of a ring. I then reach for Ana's left hand. She cocks her head, no doubt wondering what I'm doing. I take the paper ring and slip in on her left ring finger.

"Perfect fit."