Ana woke up snuggled next to Christian. His arm was cradling the upper half of her body, like she was in danger of breaking at any moment. She scooted up towards where her pillow was to get a better look at him. God, he is so breathtaking. He was such a beautiful man with so many secrets. Ana's mind drifted off, imagining what his darkest secrets could be. It would have to be something really out there for him to think she would leave over it…

Christian must have sensed her stare because he began to stir. "Baby? How are you feeling?" Christian wrapped his other arm around her and kissed her hair. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ana tickled beneath his arms. Christian immediately dropped his arms to his side and scowled.

"Seems like someone is a little ticklish," Ana giggled as she tried to scoot away. Of course, it did no good. Christian was on top of her quickly and he smirked as she tried to struggle.

"Feeling better are we, Ms. Steele?" he grinned at her feisty wake-up call. "It seems like someone is going to end up playing hooky today."

Oh no! Ana struggled to see her clock. Maybe there was still time to get some work done… Christian easily read her mind. "Ana, I was joking. You were a hot mess this morning, so you should probably take it easy for the rest of the day anyway."

Ana batted her eyelashes. "Well if I have to take it easy that means that you have to go easy on me and completely agree to all of my easy demands for resuming this relationship."

Christian had to grin at her playful behavior. Where was this coming from? "Baby, you'll get me to agree to anything if it means I can get you back."

Flushed by his admission, Ana sat up straight on the bed and composed herself as best she could. "It has come to my attention, Christian, that you have recently decided to start washing your ex-subs in my bathtub." Christian looked ready to protest, but Ana held up her hand to stop him. "Let me finish. I want to be clear that for as long as I am your girlfriend there will be no bathing subs in my tub or in any tub. And I do not want you talking to that bitch-troll Elena about me."

Christian looked surprised at the last part. "Oh… you did that too, huh?" Ana asked, in a much less authoritative voice. Christian just shrugged his shoulder slightly, which clearly indicated that he was as guilty as sin. Ana was on a roll, though, and more than anything, she did not want to fight anymore.

"Fine. From this point on, no more Bitch-Troll and no more sub washing, got it Fifty?" Christian nodded slowly. Ana felt immensely pleased with herself, until Christian spoke up.

"I still need to contact her about business, Ana."

"Well, fine," Ana snapped. "But I am not her business, so it better not have anything to do with me." Christian looked relieved and agreed to the conditions. "Also, Christian, I am a grown woman. I can make my own decisions and I will be utilizing this right from now on, starting with what car I drive, what technology I do or do not own and where I live. Understand?"

Christian nodded slowly, watching her closely as he spoke. "I can't promise that I will be hands off in any decision that involves you, but you are not my sub, Anastasia. As long as it doesn't have to do with your safety, I think I can defer to your better judgment. Please remember, though, that this is new for me. You can't just run every time I cross some invisible, arbitrary line."

Ana furrowed her brow. "Do you think I would be talking with you if I wanted to run? I love you Christian." It was true and she meant every word. Her admission made Christian smile and she buried her face in his chest again.

"Oh, and one more thing," she added, looking up, eyeing Christian carefully. "I exchange for your, um… willingness to give me what I am asking for… I am willing to agree not to go drinking with any male friends alone from now on."

She might as well have told Christian that Christmas was coming early. He gave her a 100 watt smile and kissed the inside of her wrist. "Well, now that that is over, what do you say we sign on the dotted line?"

He pulled her down, so that he was covering her completely with his body and made a trail of small, sensual kisses along her jaw line. Ana was getting lost in the moment until she heard the banging around in the kitchen. "Oh!" she squealed. "Ethan is back early. Come on, Christian, we can't do this now. Imagine how awkward it would be if he could hear us. I mean, this apartment is really small…"

Christian's face made an undistinguishable transformation before her eyes. Gone was the playful man and in his place was a predator. Trying to laugh it off, Ana pushed against him until she was sitting up again. "Geez, someone is sex starved," she gave a playful nudge. "Although if you weren't I might have to question your activities when you were gone on business, Mr. Grey."

Ana stood up quickly and stretched. How was it possible to feel this good, this fast after puking her guts out? She sent a flirty look at Christian. "If you can't catch me, maybe I'll end up going to work after all." With that, she look off down the hall and out of sight.

Christian must not have been expecting that because there was a slight delay before she heard his footsteps behind her. Panicking that he may catch her before she made it to the kitchen, she sped up her pace. Ana glanced over her shoulder to see him a few feet behind just in time to collide into Ethan, making both of them fall to the floor.

"What the fuck are you doing, Ana?" Ethan was laughing, despite the fact that the sandwich he had been eating was now strewn about the room. The two of them had become closer friends over the past few days, what with Kate so busy with work and Elliot. Ethan's good humor had been what had helped her make it through the breakup.

Ana's laughter raked though her body. God, it felt so good to laugh! So liberating. Ethan helped her to her just as Christian showed up by her side. Ana frowned at Christian's expression, but giggled as she came to terms with the frustration he must be feeling. "Christian, no one is hurt, so wipe that frown off your face. Ethan has had to endure more traumatizing behavior from me than that while you were gone."

"She is one piece of work. I might be sending you my medical bills, Grey, since it seems like you two are back together." Ethan nudged her playfully. Ethan's careless jabs seemed to fuel Christian's fire. He looked ready to take Ethan to the floor, so Ana stepped in to defuse the situation.

"Come on, boyfriend. You owe me a romantic weekend," Ana smiled bashfully at him. Christian blinked as his gaze shifted to her. She could physically see him shifting gears from warrior to lover. Do your worst sex god!

Christian narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you sure you are feeling up to it? This side of five hours ago I was peeling you off of the bathroom floor."

Ana grinned at his worried tone. "I feel divine, Mr. Grey. Silly man, always living in the past."

Christian glanced over at Ethan, who appeared to be searching for the television remote. "You have no idea, baby."