A/N: To the guest who left a review suggesting Kate needs to be more of a submissive, and Elliot more dominating with her - I completely agree so I've added the beginning of a conversation to get the ball rolling for later in the story.

This chapter is not the most 'eventful' but I wanted to include it to delve deeper into the different facets of their personalities. Even though Ana is more confident now in business and her relationship - she still has the odd random feelings of doubt about her image. She sometimes finds herself struggling to balance being a good wife, mother and friend. As for our Fifty, he's as mercurial as ever.

Chapter 22.

APOV.

"Do you want me to come with you Kate?" I have just finished up a phone call with Flynn, he's happy to see Kate at 9 am.

"I think I will go by myself Ana, but thank you for doing this." She smiles shyly.

"Anything to get you better Kate." I wrap an arm around her shoulder and pull her in to me."

"So, what was with the stilettos in your bed last night." Shit. Kate came up to our room last night and lay in bed with me while we talked some more and chucked a movie on. I forgot I had taken my stilettos off and left them on the bed, thank goodness I hadn't left my purple friend on the bed. Christian would bust a gasket if he knew Kate was in our bed, I'm hoping he won't find out.

"Don't ask." I giggle.

"Don't worry, I think I have a fair idea anyway. I want to get that back." She shrugs.

"Get what back sweetie?"

"That spark that you and Christian have. I want to be playful again, I want to please Elliot."

"You will Kate. Nothing a pair of handcuffs and some Ben and Jerry's won't fix." I laugh. Fuck did I say that out loud.

"So you and Christian still…. Do that stuff?"

"Kinky stuff you mean?" I smile.

"Yea, BDSM, don't think I've forgotten that you married Seattle's most eligible Dominant."

"We play around and keep things…. Interesting." I smirk, my mind drifting back to last night.

"Will you tell me about it some day? You know… give me a few pointers. I see the way Christian looks at you, he can't keep his eyes off you, it's borderline uncomfortable to witness." she laughs. "I want Elliot to look at me like that again." she bows her head and starts playing with her fingers.

"Kate, he does, your just to fragile right now to see it. But yes, I guess I can talk to you about it when your feeling better, no specifics though. Christian would spank me into next week if he knew I was talking to you about our sex life." She gasps, but looks at me puzzled. I have a huge grin on my face.

"You actually like being spanked." she looks up at me incredulously.

"Hell yes honey. But lets talk about this another time. Come, I need to get to work, and you need to get to Flynn's."

Sawyer drops Kate off at Flynn's office, I walk up with her and wait till John calls her in , then leave when she is inside the closed door. I needed to know Kate would go through with seeing him, for my own piece of mind. Sawyers arranged for Prescott to meet her after the appointment and take her to work.

"To GP now Ma'am?" Sawyer asks as I slide into the SUV.

"Can we swing by Grey House first please Sawyer."

"No problem."

We pull up outside Grey House. I hardly visit here. I feel like a monkey confined in a zoo when I do- on display for all the staff to point at and stare. After 3 years of marriage most of the female staff still look at me like they don't know what he sees in me, it makes me feel uncomfortable, hence the lack of visits. This was a pre-meditated visit however, so I dressed prepared today. I'm not sure how Christian will react to today's outfit. I look like I'm headed to a fashion shoot, not a day at the office. I am wearing my Alexander McQueen Dragonfly lace - black and white wool blend mini dress with crew neck and capped sleeves. It is slim fitting and feels gorgeous on. I have paired it with a pair of black suede armadillo pumps. I have my hair braided loosely to one side and my black brass Marc Jacobs 'Stam' bag hanging from my elbow. When did I become so obsessed with what I wear because of other women's opinions? Shit, too much black? They'll think I'm in mourning. Who gives a fuck Ana.

Hopefully Christian is available. I have bought the letters Kate showed me last night. I am hoping Christian can get Welch to look into it. I know I could have asked Alby, but I don't know him well enough to disclose this kind of personal information to him - yet.

I walk through the large doors into the lobby, Sawyer is trailing close behind. My phones buzzes. I stop and check it because I know it'll be Christian, he hasn't wished me a good morning yet. If he tells me he's in a meeting I won't waste my time going up.

I can hear the gasps and whispers but choose to ignore them as I sit down on one of the leather chairs in reception to check my phone.

*Good morning beautiful, missed having you next to me when I woke XX. C*

I quickly hit reply.

*Missed you too handsome, busy morning? XX A*

*Just got out of meeting, sitting in office looking at your gorgeous face on my wall. XX C*

I still cringe at Jose's photos on Christians office wall. He refuses to take them down, I just don't like myself being on display for anyone that goes into his office to see.

*Click your heels and count to 100, I may come to life ;) XX. A*

*I wish baby, I wish. XX. C*

Rather than text him back I decide to call him.

"Well hello there wifey, I clicked my heels and I'm at 34." he chuckles.

I walk to the elevator, and enter.

"34 already? I think you're cheating."

"What are you up to baby?"

"Oh, just thinking about my husband."

"Seriously baby, what are your plans this morning, are you free for lunch? I don't think I can wait till tonight to see you."

"Sorry, I have a lunch meeting." I have nearly reached the top floor.

"Fuck it."

"There goes that potty mouth. What number are you up to now?" The elevator pings and I step out into Christians reception area. I place a finger to my mouth letting Andrea know I don't want him to be buzzed so 'Keep quiet'.

"91." he chuckles.

"Okay, I want you to try something for me. Walk over to your sofa and lie down, close your eyes and count to nine really slowly, lets see if this magic shit works."

"And you call me potty mouth?"

"Just do it Christian."

"Okay."

"I'll know if your lying." I laugh.

"Sure you will baby." he scoffs.

"Are you on the sofa?"

"Yes."

I very slowly push his door open, I know if he is on the sofa he won't be able to see me enter. I poke my head around the door and see him standing by his glass wall looking out over the city.

"Promise." I whisper, trying to suppress a laugh.

"Yes."

"You're a horrible fucking liar Christian Grey." I push his door open and cut the call as he turns around to see me standing at his doorway. "I bet you didn't even click your heels." I chuckle.

"Sorry baby, I have to go, the most gorgeous fucking woman I have ever laid eyes on just walked into my office." He playfully speaks into his phone that was still at his ear, looking me up and down as he spoke. He chucks his phone on his desk and stalks over to me while loosening his tie. He puts one hand on my ass and the other behind my head, and kisses me passionately as he backs me up against the wall. His tongue massaging mine slowly. After thoroughly exploring my mouth he pulls away and plants feather like kisses all over my face, along my jaw and down my neck.

"Happy to see me?" I smile as he backs up, taking in my attire in more detail." He nods his head with a huge grin on his face.

"Did you come here to make it up to me - over and over and over again?" he raises an eyebrow and brushes his bottom lip with his thumb, back and forth.

"Mr Grey, you have a one track mind." I sigh.

"Did you expect much else, turning up wearing….that." He points to my dress and sweeps his finger up and down through the air.

I walk up to him and wrap my arms around his neck. "As much as I'd like to show you just how much I love you right now, I actually came to see if you could help me with something. But if you're a good boy, I'll see what I can do after." I kiss his lips then pull away.

"Sure baby, what's the problem. He sighs, slightly deflated.

"I was hoping you could check these out, see if we can trace the sender down, get some background information, you know, stalk her essentially, I know how you love to stalk." I smirk. I walk over to my bag and take out the bundle of letters sent to Kate. "Maybe Welch could look into to?" I hand them to Christian. He flicks through them. I'm a bit taken back when I see his expression turn from curiosity to absolute rage.

"What the fuck Ana? Who is this bitch? There's one here dated from well over a fucking month ago and you are showing these to me now? What the fuck." He is pacing back and forth behind his desk and running a hand through his hair, the vein in his neck looks on the verge of rupture and I'm sure I can see steam wafting from his ears.. "All this fucking time, I can't fucking believe it. How could you keep this to yourself for over a month, a fucking month Ana. God fucking help me." He slams the papers down on his desk.

"Um… are you quite finished?" I ask puzzled, angry and quite frankly hurt.

"No! What the fuck were you thinking Ana, you could have been in danger, I mean fucking hell what's the dam point of paying for security when you don't fucking use them when you should - which, was one fucking month ago." He pauses for a moment so I jump in.

"Finished now?" I hiss.

"Are these all of them?" He takes a deep breath and finally looks at me.

"As far as I know." I snap. What the fuck is his problem with me?

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean 'as far as you know' either this is all of them or it's not. What address were these fucking letters sent too? All our mail is monitored?"

"Kate's work."

"Why the fuck is Kate receiving your mail? Good fucking grief Anastasia."

"She's not, they were sent to her."

"But it is addressed to Mrs Gre….Oh." Ah, the letters are addressed to Mrs grey and talk about Mr Grey, he assumed they were targeted at me.

"Okay." He mutters apologetically. "I'll get Welch onto it, Does Elliot know about these?" How the hell can he go from raging mad man to concerned brother in law in a matter of seconds without batting and eyelid?

"No." I huff, still reeling from his outburst.

"Does Kate know who Kimberley Lorsen is?"

"No, I think maybe she might be the tramp who left her panties in Elliot's room." I glare at him.

"Okay, leave it with me." he picks up the papers, and strolls over to me. "I'm sorry baby, I shouldn't have shouted at you." he kisses me softly.

"No you shouldn't have." I kiss him back hesitantly. "But I can understand why you did, I should have told you they were Kate's letters rather than assuming you'd know, it didn't occur to me. Sorry." My voice betraying my apology which was laced with anger

He folds the papers up and slides them into his pants pocket. His strong arms pull me into an embrace. "My bed felt so empty last night baby, I never want to sleep away from you again." he squeezes me tighter. A single sentence eradicating my anger. How does he do that?

"I missed you too." I reach up on tip toes and kiss him softly on the lips.

"How long have you got." his twitching mouth evolves into a boyish grin with desire written all over it.

"Long enough." I roll my eyes, fully aware of the repercussions of the eye rolling and his intentions.

"I'm pleased to hear that Mrs Grey, I don't think my heart would cope if you were to walk out of this building wearing that dress without getting a fix of you." he grins.

"Oh, you like then." I smile and twirl for him.

"Very much." he licks his lips. "You look positively….. edible." He stalks closer and holds my face in the palm of his hands. He rubs the tip of his nose down mine then lifts his face to gaze into my eyes. "I'm one lucky son of a bitch." he groans before his lips attack mine. His lips are soft, full and commanding. He grabs the back of my neck and places his other hand on my ass and yanks me into him. He bends his knees slightly and rubs his straining pants against my hip so that I feel how happy he is that I'm here.

"Mmmm," he moans into my neck. "you smell soooo good." he whispers before kissing behind my ear.

"Sit." he points to his desk. I turn to walk towards his desk. As I turn he yanks my dress up my thighs so that it is sitting just above my backside. "Oh fuck me." he groans from behind me. I am wearing a pair of Victoria secret pale pink lacy cheeky panties. He slaps my ass.

"Ow." I cover my behind with my hands. "what was that for?"

There is a knock at the door. Fuck. I quickly try to pull my dress down as Olivia strolls in unaware that Christian had company. She looks up as I am mid dress fixing. The expression on her face tells me she understands exactly what she has interrupted.

"M…Mrs..G..Gg. Grey." She stutters. Poor girl, Christians going to go nuclear on her. I look at her in sympathy and glance to Christian. His fists are clenched and he's staring daggers at her.

"When the fuck have you ever had permission to enter my office without waiting for approval."

"I'm sooo…sorry." her eyes scanning the floor, looking for a hole to jump into. "I didn't realize.."

"Answer the fucking question." Christian booms.

"Christian." I admonish.

"Well?" he ignores me.

"Never Sir." she chances a look up.

"What was so damn important that would make you completely disregard my wishes."

"Ros sent me Sir, we have a situation." she clears her throat.

"Why didn't Ros come to me herself." his voice slightly softer. If Ros sent her, it must be important.

"She is otherwise occupied Sir, she ask me to inform you that it is important and she needs you down in her office immediately. .Sir."

"For fucks sake." he sighs, running a hand through the cooper mess on his head. "Would you please inform Ros I will be there soon."

"Yes Sir." she nods and practically runs out of his office.

"I'm sorry baby, if Ros needs me it's usually when shits hit the fan somewhere." he shrugs apologetically.

"Hey, don't apologize. I'll see you after work." I grab my bag from desk and sling it over my forearm.

"I'll walk you out baby." he tugs my dress and pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"We'll finish this tonight." he kisses me passionately, coaxing my lips apart, his tongue stroking mine softly. I moan quietly into his mouth. His kiss becomes more urgent, his lips pressing against mine harder, in desperation of something more.

"Ugh." he pulls away hesitantly, knowing if he keeps it up I won't be going anywhere anytime soon. "Come," he takes my hand in his and leads me from his office and into the elevator.

"Where's Sawyer?" he asks as the elevator jolts into life.

"He said he'll meet me in security." Christian grunts, obviously he doesn't approve of me entering the security quarters.

The elevator stops on the ground floor. Still clasping onto my hand Christian pulls me from the elevator and turns left, leading me past the curious eyes in reception. He is walking like a man on a mission

"Christian, slow down." he looks back at me. "Jesus baby, I'm wearing heels, pull me any faster and I'll be flat on my face." He grins and wraps his arm around my waist.

"Sorry baby." he kiss the top of my head, his hand glides down to my ass. "Don't want anything happening to that beautiful face of yours." he grins and we make our way to security headquarters at a slower pace.

We walk through the large glass double doors into the security suite. I look around but can't see Sawyer.

"Sir." a young blonde man dressed in a black suit with white shirt and ear piece nods at us.

"Where's Sawyer." he snaps

"I seen Sawyer enter the men's room a few moments ago sir." he says looking uncomfortable, his eyes on me scanning my dress. Christian nods and pulls me over to a black sofa and pulls me onto his lap.

"Incompetent fucker." he mumbles, his hand rubbing circles on my back.

"What did he do to piss his highness off." I chuckle playing innocent.

"He was looking at you." he grumbles.

"Christian, he was not." I try to diffuse the situation .

"Ana, he was undressing you with his eyes, in front of me."

"Christian." I sigh

"He fucking was, fucker better watch himself or his ass will be on the sidewalk."

"You'd fire someone for looking at me? Christian people look at me all the time."

"Well that's because you're beyond beautiful." he smirks trying to lighten the mood in complete contradiction of himself.

"Whatever." I growl. "If you fire him for looking at me, I'll use my power as half owner of your empire and fire every girl that works for you who's ever eye fucked you. Which I might add is ninety nine point nine percent of all your female staff on a daily basis, the only exception being Ros."

"Mmm. Ana, do you have any idea how sexy you are when you're jealous." he pulls my face down to him and kisses me softly.

"Mrs Grey." I look up to a grinning Sawyer. "Sir." he nods at Christian. God it's like bobble head central here.

"I'm ready to go Sawyer." I smile back.

"I'll walk you to reception." Christian lifts me off his lap and rises to his feet. We stop in front of the elevator doors in reception. I scan the reception area and see a group of about 7 girls gossiping at the reception desk, they are giggling, pointing and chatting while looking at us. "You okay baby?" he asks grasping my chin and turning my face to look at him.

"I'm fine." I mumble. "I just hate the way women stare at me when I'm here." I sigh. "One of the perks of marrying you I guess. They notice everything, one hair out of place and I'm not perfect enough for you." I muster a fake giggle, hoping to mask my annoyance. Christian doesn't buy it. He looks over to the group of women huddled at the desk then looks back down at me grinning.

"They are just jealous baby, they don't even come close to being as perfect as you." And then he surprises me by wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me up so that I am looking down at him. He slides me down his front slowly, his hands fixed firmly on my ass. He glides his hands up my back , along my shoulders up my neck, then takes my face in his hands. Gazing into my eyes he mouths "I love you." then he leans in and kisses me softly, sensually, pouring all his love into the kiss - giving the women quite a show. When he finally pulls away he slaps my behind. "Fuck them." he whispers. "They have nothing on you baby. Hell perfection has nothing on you." he grins.

"Laters baby." I smile, shaking my head in amusement. I turn and walk towards the doors where Sawyer is waiting, laughing at our little performance.

"Ana." Christian shouts as I reach the door. I turn and look at Christian waiting by the elevator. He has a hand resting on his chest above his heart. "I love you baby." He yells for the whole bottom floor to hear. He winks, grinning like a goof, he did that for me, to put my mind at ease because of those girls. Oh fifty. I blow him a kiss and turn back , looking over at the women as I do. They are standing wide-eyed and shocked.

"Get back to fucking work." Christian booms at them before stepping into the elevator. I watch amused as they scatter in different directions.

At 12pm my blackberry buzzes. Christians name is flashing on the screen.

"Hey babe." I answer.

"Hey." I can sense his smile on the other end of the phone.

"Everything okay?" I think back to earlier this morning and Ros's request to see him urgently.

"Not really baby, I need to fly to New York."

"Oh." I sigh, not really sure how I feel about that.

"Just for tonight baby, I'll be back tomorrow night."

"Okay, what's wrong?" I question.

" Just a merger turning sour, nothing for you to worry about."

"When do you leave?" I try to hide the disappointment in my voice.

"I'm at home now packing a bag, I'll be leaving within the hour." he sighs.

"I'll miss you."

"Come with me."

"Christian, there's no way I'll get home, packed, sort the kids and get to the airport in an hour."

"I'll pack you a bag, Gail will watch the kids, and you can meet me at the airport."

"I don't know Christian, I just took time off, I have a ton of work to get through…." I sigh.

"Please baby, I want you with me, please." he's begging.

"Jesus." I mumble in defeat, he had me at please. "okay, but get Gail to pack bags for the kids quickly, and she can accompany us with them. We've been spending too much time away from them, I want them with us."

"I love you." he chuckles. "The rug rats and me will meet you at Sea-Tac in about an hour."

"See you then. Oh and Christian, if I open my overnight bag and there's nothing but lingerie in it, you'll wish you hadn't asked me to come." I giggle.

"Hmmm, now there's an idea." he laughs before hanging up on me.

I buzz through to Claire immediately and inform her I'll be leaving, that something has come up and I'll be returning Thursday - hopefully.

"Anything I can do for you while your away?" she asks politely.

"Actually there is, I have 3 people I'm considering for the P.A position. I'm happy with any of them, could you please look through their dossiers and hire one of them - I trust your judgement, I'll bring their folders to reception on my way out. Have them start immediately and ensure they are given a NDA, I'll sort an employment contract and job description when I return. I trust you can show them the ropes while I'm gone. Have any important calls forwarded to my cell and reschedule any appointments for next week. I think that's it." I sigh, "Oh, you can contact me if you need to, I will have my cell with me, if I am unavailable just flick me an email."

"Sure, leave it with me. See you Thursday Mrs Grey."

"Thanks Claire." I place the phone back it it's cradle. I scan my office, desperately trying to think of anything that needs to be seen too, acknowledged or dealt with before I head for the tarmac. The rushed fuzz in my head prevents me from thinking clearly. P.A is sorted, Schedule is sorted, nope, drawing a blank. Dam these rushed trips. I retire my tired mind with the belief that if I've missed anything Claire will contact me. I snatch my Stam bag from beneath my desk, slip my feet back into my pumps and make for the door.

"Shit." I palm my forehead. I told Kate I'd meet with her tonight and discuss her session with John. "Shit, shit shit." I can't bail out of NY now, the kids and Christian will be on their way to the airport. I resign to the fact that a phone call to Kate will have to do. Fuck, great friend you are.

I tuck the 3 dossiers under my arm and head for reception. Will i ever work a full week?