A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

C POV

"Wow Elliot, do you want some potatoes to go with your gravy?", Mia giggles in reference to the abundance of gravy in Elliot's plate. Ana and I are having dinner at my parents'. Mia, Sawyer, Elliot, and Kate are also in attendance.

"I happen to like a lot of gravy. Not only does it add to the taste of the potatoes, but I like dipping my rolls in it. See." He dips one of my mom's homemade rolls in the gravy and takes a large bite. "Yum."

"Our entire drive here was spent with him talking about how he couldn't wait to eat gravy covered rolls.", Kate sighs.

"I've done that before, and it's pretty good.", Ana tells him, getting a shocked look in return from me. "Try it." I give in and lightly dip my roll in the gravy. "What's the verdict?" I chew on the roll and savor the taste.

"It's good."

"Everyone eat as much as you'd like.", my mom says with her eyes drifting around the table. "I'm not going to get sappy, but I'm going to say it's nice having all of us together. Recent events have proven you need to cherish time with your loved ones." She smiles softly at Ana and Sawyer. "Luke, how's the physical therapy going?"

"It's been tough, yet I'm going to push myself through it.", Sawyer replies.

"You've got some great help at your side.", my dad says in between bites while Sawyer winks at Mia. "Ana, how have you been feeling?"

"Good. The pain subsides a little more every day. I've been slowly getting back to a normal routine although I'm also making sure not to over it."

"She's got something exciting to look forward to once she's back to a hundred percent.", I say proudly. Mia looks as if she's been told she won the lottery.

"Really? That something exciting wouldn't have anything to do with walking down an aisle in a white dress, would it?", Mia asks.

"It has nothing to do with a wedding.", Ana laughs. "It's a fairly recent development. In fact I only came to the decision yesterday. I'm going to open my own advertising agency." Everyone grins although Kate's also looking surprised.

"You're not going back to the Nelson Agency?", Kate asks Ana.

"I'm not. I plan on telling Mr. Nelson tomorrow."

"I heard about Nelson putting some other girl at your desk. That's uncool.", Elliot says to Ana as my parents, Mia, and Sawyer look on questioningly.

"I went to say hi to everyone at the office, and Mr. Nelson had placed a new girl at my desk. He said it was only until he could rework the seating. I don't think he realized it would upset me, but it did. My emotions over it slowly seeped in, and I came to the conclusion that I should no longer work there."

"You're making the right move.", my mom says, raising her water glass. "Your boss was nothing short of being disrepectful."

"Ana's nervous, but I have the utmost confidence she's going to succeed.", I say.

"Of course she is.", Mia replies. "Ana's going to rock it."

"I've been doing some thinking." Ana whips her head around to the sofa where I'm sitting. We arrived home from my parents' only a short while ago. "Starting your own business is going to be very time consuming and a lot of hard work."

"I'm aware and accept it. Wait..." She studies me. "Have you changed your feelings and think I shouldn't go into business on my own?"

"I still believe you should go out on your own.", I reply as I pat the empty sofa cushion next to me. She cautiously pads over and sits down. "Once you get started working on getting things up and running it's going to be a lot of long hours so you need to be as rested as possible."

"I'm pretty sure I'll be well rested. Continue."

"Perhaps I should just come out and say what I need to say instead of going around it. You're going to the doctor next week for a checkup. Hopefully the doctor will give you the all clear to travel."

"And if that happens then you want to go ahead and go to London.", she says.

"Yes. We can leave as early as the day of your appointment." I clasp her hand with mine. "Baby, I think getting away from Seattle will be just what we need. We can go and get reenergized before the hustle and bustle of the new business starts. What do you think?"

"I think it's a great idea. London shouldn't be put on hold any longer, and I agree about needing to get away from Seattle. In addition to the shooting you've been busy with work and taking care of me. You're burnt out."

"We're going to have such an amazing time in London.", I tell her. Her smile is short lived. "What is it?"

"I've got London to look forward to, but I'm not in the least bit looking forward to telling Mr. Nelson I'm leaving. Other than the othe day he's been a great boss, and I'm kind of scared of how he'll react."

"What's he going to do, fire you? He might be surprised, yet he might very well be supportive. Bosses want their employees to excel and better themselves, and that's what you're going to be doing with your own agency." Ana sits and takes in what I'm saying. "My schedule for tomorrow morning is clear so I can go with you to tell the news." Ana raises a brow and laughs.

"I appreciate your offer, but I don't need you to hold my hand. I'm going to walk in the office and be strong."

A POV

"I can't believe you're leaving.", Kate says in a hushed voice as she and I along with Julia stand by the door outside the main office. I arrived and learned Kate had already told Julia who swore to secrecy.

"Me either.", Julia murmurs. "I was looking forward to seeing you back at your desk, and now I won't get to see that."

"I'll miss working with you guys, but we'll still see each other." I glance at the door. "Is Michelle still at my desk?"

"No.", Kate answers. "Through some rearranging she's now at a desk which is next to yours. She seemed nice at first, but I'm starting to think that was a front. I was on my way to get some coffee earlier when I accidentally bumped into her. I said I was sorry, and she responded with, "I should hope so."

"I overheard it, and the bitchiness was flowing from her.", Julia adds. "Apparently she's starting to show her true stripes."

"Well, I might as well get the show on the road.", I sigh, opening the door. I see Michelle's eyes on me as soon as I walk inside the office. She smiles although it seems to be fake.

"Ana, hi.", Mr. Nelson says after stepping out of his office. "Please come in." I walk ahead of him into his office. "Have a seat." I sit down in one of the chairs as he settles behind his desk. "I must say I was surprised when you called and said you needed to meet with me. Is everything all right?"

"It is. I'm grateful for you giving me the chance to work here. I've learned so much as well as developed some wonderful friendships."

"It's been nice having you here. You're hard working and always on the top of your game." He leans back in his chair, going silent briefly. "But there's more to your visit." This is the moment of truth.

"I'm quitting and going to start my own agency.", I say without pause.

"Is this because Michelle was at your desk?", he asks. "I sensed you were a little upset, but I thought you understood when I said it was only temporary."

"I was upset. I also felt it was disrespectful. It was almost as if you didn't expect me to return."

"I didn't mean to disrespect you, Ana. I should've been been thoughtful to your feelings, and I'm sorry." He appears and sounds sincere.

"Thank you. However, it was through that instance that I started realizing that starting my own agency is something I want to do."

"I see.", he replies. "You're going to be missed here, but I'm sure you're going to do great." I nod and stand. "Good luck to you."

"Thanks.", I say while shaking his hand. I leave the office and walk over to my desk to get gather my things. Luckily I'll be able to get all of my things in the large tote I'm carrying. Michelle once again fake smiles. "Hi."

"Hello.", she says, observing the gathering. "What are you doing?"

"Quitting. I'm going to open my own agency." I grab the pencil holder my mother gave me when I first started and drop it into the tote.

"It's not going to be easy." I turn and give her my own fake smile.

"I'm up for the challenge. I pick up the photo of my parents and then the one of Christian. In the corner of my eye I notice Michelle's eyes bouncing from me and the frame.

"I've seen that face in the papers. It's Christian Grey." I tilt my head and see her grinning at the photo.

"That's him, and he's my boyfriend.", I smirk as I put the frame in the tote. Her face falls flat.

"He's very good looking."

"I agree although the real thing is much better tha the photo." I zip my tote. "Enjoy working here." I saunter away from her and to the door, stopping to look at the office one last time.

"You've been quiet tonight.", I say during dinner.

"I'm sorry.", Christian mutters. "It was a long day." He resumes eating without elaborating any further.

"Would you like to talk about it?" He shakes his head and takes a bite of his pizza. "Remember how we were going to start doing better with being honest?"

"I got a call this morning from Tom Rawlings. A vandal struck the dealership last night. Five cars had their windows broken and hoods beaten in."

"Oh my gosh.", I sigh. "That's terrible. I'm sure Tom Rawlings was upset."

"He was as was I." He pushes his plate away. "The security camera only captured someone in dark clothes taking a bat to the vehicles early this morning at three. We're working with the police department to find the person responsible although I'm almost certain I know who the bastard was."

"Samual Donovan?"

"Yep. He's been laying low lately, but I don't think he's done with his bullshit. It's also why I was hesitant to tell you about it. You've had enough on your plate, and the last thing you need is hearing how Donovan is still lurking around."

"I can handle it."

"We're finally getting past one roadblock, and now we're at another.", he growls. I stand and pad to him, easing on to his lap.

"It's not a roadblock. It's a bump, a small one which we'll get over."