Author's note: So much kind response already, thank you. As usual, I'll reply directly where possible. Where I cannot, I'll stifle my disappointment and silently but gratefully receive your words.

Chapter Three

With now no reason to go into SIP, Taylor insisting on packing for her, and Christian busy catching up on work before they leave, Ana finally has time to explore his impressive library of vintage and new books by predominantly American authors. She's revisiting To Kill a Mockingbird for the umpteenth time, a gloriously intact first edition, when something alerts her to a presence and she looks up to see Christian leaning on the doorframe, arms and legs crossed, his lips curved slightly in amusement and love shining from his eyes. Blushing at being the object of study, Ana says, "How long have you been here?"

Gracefully unfurling his limbs and moving towards her, Christian gestures to the piles of books surrounding her where she sits, cross-legged, on the floor, and he says, "I think the more pertinent question is how long have you been here?"

On glancing at the time, Ana notices that she's somehow lost three hours and it's fast approaching the time when Christian said they'd need to leave, so she says, "God, I'm sorry, Christian. But I'd kill for any one of these books and you have all of them."

Helping her stand, closing the book and putting it aside as he does so, Christian embraces her and points out, "We have all of them." When Ana's eyes nearly pop out of her head as his words sink in, Christian smiles and declares, "Oh, I love you, Anastasia." He's the one to eventually end the resulting, passionate kiss, and then he tugs on her hand as he says, "Come on; just time for a bathroom break before we leave."

Ana pulls her hand from his grasp as she says, "But, the books?"

"Don't worry; Gail will very tenderly put them away after we're gone."

"Can I take a few with me, if I promise to look after them?"

With a bemused expression, Christian says, "Baby, they're yours. You can do what you like with them."

Embarrassed that she could have so quickly forgotten that she now co-owns the magnificent collection, Ana blushes again and says "Oh, right," before quickly choosing a few of her favorites, and shaking her head when Christian silently offers to carry them.

She's practically caressing the books as they head to their bedroom and Christian says, "I hope you're not planning to read for duration? Much as I love your mind, I have some very specific plans for the rest of you."

Ana smiles at the absence of concern in his voice, because it means he trusts her even in this; their mutual desire for each other. But she nevertheless hugs the books to her chest and jokes, "Well, I dunno, there's some pretty good stuff here." And then something occurs to her and she asks, "Have you read any of them?"

Something in her tone alerts Christian and he eyes her quizzically as he asks, "Worried that I'm one of those people who think expensive books are ornaments?" Ana had been thinking exactly that, and blushes yet again that he's apparently read her mind. Christian stops her with a gentle hand on her shoulder, and touches the spine of The Sun Also Rises as he says, "Maybe if you found out how to live in it you learned from that what it was all about." A frown appears on his brow when he taps Breakfast at Tiffany's and quietly relates, "You're afraid and you sweat like hell, but you don't know what you're afraid of. Except something bad is going to happen, only you don't know what it is." With a quietly triumphant smile, he then places his hand on To Kill a Mockingbird and quotes, "It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived." At the awed look on Ana's face, he declares, "You kind of want to fuck me right now, don't you?"

Recovering somewhat, Ana closes her mouth and manages to say, "Maybe."

Christian kisses her over the books and says, "Too bad. We have to go."

They're in the car on their way to the airport, arm in arm, Taylor and Prescott in the front seats and the luggage safely stowed when Ana asks, "What's your favorite?"

After only a moment's hesitation, Christian reveals, "The Old Man and the Sea."

Ana nods her understanding of his choice and quotes, "A man can be destroyed but not defeated."

With a nervous glance towards his staff, Christian quietly says, "Actually, it's the one about the turtle's heart."

Ana scans her memory for a moment and then says, "A turtle's heart will beat for hours after it has been cut up and butchered. But the old man thought…"

When she doesn't continue, Christian smiles and quotes, "I have such a heart, too."

Her chest actually aching with love for him, Ana puts her lips by Christian's ear to whisper, "Okay, now I want to fuck you."

Christian takes one, trembling breath and then kisses her temple before saying, "Soon, baby."

With both of them horny as hell, the short ride to Sea-Tac is interminable, but they're eventually heading up the steps to the company jet. At first shocked, Ana quickly gets over her surprise when Christian swings her into his arms to awkwardly cross the threshold of the small doorway, and Ana says, "Are you going to insist on doing this with every vehicle we own?"

Christian lets her feet touch the ground, even as he nods a greeting to the smiling flight attendant, and he says, "Just the ones with beds."

The attendant does her spiel, offering them solicitous greetings, showing them to their seats and then asking when they'd like dinner served. Christian opens his mouth to answer and then looks at Ana to ask, "Did you skip lunch?"

She considers lying to him, but only for a second, and explains, "I like books."

With a slight frown at her carelessness, Christian then tells the attendant, "Soon as you're ready."

Everyone finds a seat for takeoff. Nervous about Christian's mood, now that they'll have to wait a while before making love, Ana silently offers him her upturned hand. He readily accepts and kisses it before saying, "We're okay. But you need to look after yourself, baby, or I'll have to do it for you."

Her anger rising immediately at the implication that she needs to be coddled, even as she silently acknowledges that the criticism is possibly well-deserved, Ana says nothing. After a while, the feeling that she's somehow failed Christian gets the better of her, and she says, "I'm sorry."

Without looking at her, Christian shakes his head and says, "I would rather your cooperation than your contrition."

Again quiet for a while, Ana then explains, "I'm doing my best, but I'm not used to anyone caring what I do."

That gets his attention, and Christian shuffles in his seat to face her when he asks, "But you like it?"

Ana manages to keep a straight face when she answers, "No." As the concerned frown appears between Christian's eyebrows, she smiles and says, "I love it." And then quickly adds, "But I'll probably still react with outrage for a while yet."

Visibly relieved, Christian smiles and says, "Fair enough."

The attendant reappears soon after that, to offer drinks and announce that dinner will be served almost immediately. By the time the entrée is put in front of her, Ana is very hungry, and easily finishes three courses before sitting back and rubbing her belly in appreciation. Christian is, of course, beaming at her and she fondly says, "Shut up." When her impertinence brings a sudden, lustful gleam to his eyes, Ana protests, "And how do you suggest we manage that without me losing my dinner?"

Christian laughs and says, "Inelegantly but succinctly put, Mrs. Grey. How about you read one of those books while I get some work done?"

"More work? I thought this was our honeymoon?"

With a shrug, Christian says, "I'm doing my best, too. But a week is a long time in my business, and the sharks are already circling since the word got out that I'm spending less time at the office."

"What? You mean that someone is trying to take over your business?"

With a rueful smile, Christian reveals, "Not someone; everyone." As Ana's concerned frown deepens, he adds, "It's okay, baby, I was expecting this. They smell blood in the water because they have no idea why I'm easing off. Things will settle down soon enough, but I'll have to fend off a few takeover bids in the meantime."

Mystified, Ana says, "But…how? It's only been a few days."

"Like I said; a week's a long time."

Not worried about the money, but only what it would do to Christian if his business failed, Ana says, "Well…should we go away at all? Maybe we should head home, so you can deal with this."

Christian takes Ana's hand across the tiny dining table and guides her out of the seat and onto his lap. Once she's comfortably nestled against his chest, Christian says, "First of all, no fucking way am I missing our honeymoon. And, second; imagine what it'll do to the fuckers who are attacking me when it looks like I don't give a damn about their efforts."

Nothing about his tone indicates that the subject is open for further discussion, so Ana slides one hand inside his shirt enough to draw comfort from his skin before saying, "If you're sure. But please let me know if there's anything I can do?"

Holding her a little tighter, Christian's voice is unusually weary when he says, "You're already doing it, baby. Just being with you makes everything else seem less…just less. If you were my world, I'd want for nothing."

When she says nothing and doesn't lift her head, Christian silently hands her a napkin for her tears. When she's calmed down enough to speak, Ana lifts her gaze to his and says, "Then how about, when you're finished work, I be your world?"

With a blissful smile, Christian says, "Sounds good, baby. Thank you."

Finally, it's done, and he wearily scrubs at his eyes with one hand while he closes the laptop. Of course, Taylor is watching over him, and Christian says, "Get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

"It is morning, sir."

Christian glances at his watch to see that it's after one. As he lurches to his feet he says, with a grin, "Then I'm probably in big trouble with the missus."

Not falling for it, Taylor says, "If you say so, sir. Goodnight."

"Night."

Of course, Ana is asleep, curled up under the covers like a miracle. With a quiet smile, Christian sheds his clothes and takes care of essentials before joining her, only to find that she's clutching Harper Lee's masterpiece to her chest. Though he tries to be gentle, his attempt to extricate it from her grasp wakes Ana and she blinks at him in confusion, even as she automatically clutches the book. With a smile, Christian says, "Sorry, baby, but this cost me twenty thousand dollars, and I don't think you want to drool on it."

Waking up properly, Ana releases the book as if stung and says, "How can it cost so much?"

Putting the book aside, Christian then says, "Because of people like us, baby. No matter how many eBooks are made, I think there'll always be those of us willing to pay whatever it takes to hold such a prize." At her obvious amusement, he asks, "What?"

"Oh, it's just that sometimes you sound much older than your years."

Drawing her into his embrace, Christian wearily says, "Sometimes I feel it, too."

Resting a hand on his chest, leisurely threading her fingers through the hairs, Ana says, "Did you punch their gills?"

It takes him a second to understand that she's talking about the "sharks", and he says, with a laugh, "And poked them in the eye. With some luck, I might actually be able to relax and enjoy our honeymoon. Oh, but I'll have to leave you alone for a few days when we get back. You're welcome to come with me to New York, but you'd be on your own there, too, as I'll pretty much be in meetings the entire time."

Ana is quiet for a few seconds and then says, "I'd better not take any more time off work. It's going to be weird enough when they notice my name now matches the sign on the front of the building, and I'm suddenly promoted. I don't want to make it worse by acting like a part-time boss."

Christian's heart thrills when he realizes that she's truly accepting his wishes about her career, but limits his praise to a tender kiss on her forehead. Of course, she sees through him and says, "You're so proud of yourself right now, aren't you?"

"Well, it's not exactly what I wanted, but it's close enough."

Ana is quiet for a while and then says, "I think we're getting better at compromising."

It's almost a question, so Christian says, "We must be. I can't recall the last time I felt really angry with you."

He feels Ana's smiles against his chest before she says, "I bolted from the car."

Remembered fear making his heart beat a little faster, Christian says, "That wasn't anger. It was sheer terror at the thought of you roaming Seattle at night, alone and without any resources."

"Oh. Then finding out that I had ignored Sawyer's advice earlier that night was the last time we saw angry Christian."

Recalling how he'd felt on receiving the text that Ana had defied the security detail, after promising to cooperate, Christina can't keep the flinty edge from his voice when he says, "Yes, that was anger."

"Because you were worried for my safety?"

"Yes." Wanting only honesty between them, Christian then adds, "And because I'm a control freak."

Ana idly caresses his chest, sending delicious waves of pleasure through his body, even as she dreamily murmurs, "My control freak."

His dick finally coming to life, Christian nevertheless recognizes their need for rest and says, "Always. But it's time for sleep."

Ana lifts her heavy-lidded gaze to his and says, "You don't want to fuck?"

Grateful that she'd consider it, when she can barely keep her eyes open, Christian tenderly kisses her and says, "Of course, but I don't think my ego could take it when you fall asleep half way through proceedings."

With a sleepy, lop-sided grin, Ana says, "I think you underestimate your ego."

Christian laughs at her appraisal and says, "You're probably right. But go to sleep."

Returning her head to his shoulder, Ana says only "Yes, Sir," and is asleep within minutes. But Christian is awake a while longer, worried not about the attacks on his empire, rather how to keep his marriage from becoming a casualty of the upcoming battle. Eventually, the warmth of Ana's body drags him towards sleep.

Ana wakes feeling wonderfully rested. She turns over, fully expecting to see a gap where her husband used to be. But, for once, he's still in bed and fast asleep; flat on his back with one arm draped over his eyes in a subconscious bid to delay the dawn. Resisting the urge to touch him, she can't stop herself lifting the covers from his body to really study him. He's still too thin, but then they've only been back together about a week, so she knows that he'll put the weight back on soon enough, especially with his injured ankle still limiting his workouts. His flaccid penis looks strange to her, and she's trying to remember if she's ever seen it in this state when it suddenly comes to life, swelling and straightening as if with a will of its own. Ana's gaze flicks to Christian's, to see that he's now awake and peeking at her from under his arm. With a grin, he reaches for her and puts her astride him, his wakening erection between them, and he says, "Morning, baby."

With a joyful laugh, Ana says, "Wow, you wake up fast!"

Still smiling, Christian says, "Well, you were looking at my dick like you wanted to devour it."

Smiling her love for him, Ana slides down his legs as she says, "What a wonderful idea." Just then there's a knock at the door. Ana reaches up to stop Christian's curse with a hand over his mouth and says, "Yes?"

From the other side of the door, Taylor's voice says, "Twenty minutes out."

This news is met with Christian's muffled expletive, and Ana is trying not to laugh when she tells Taylor, "Okay, thanks."

Christian is now teasing between Ana's fingers with his tongue, sending jolts of pleasure straight to her groin. Before they both get carried away, she removes her hand and says, "Not enough time."

"For you, maybe." Even as he says it, Christian is helping Ana from the bed, so she knows he'll cooperate. They wordlessly get ready, occasionally kissing or caressing each other as their paths intersect within the small bedroom and smaller en suite. Ana is surprised when she's actually okay with the door between them being open as she pees. At first certain that he hasn't even noticed, given that he can't actually see her, she only blushes when Christian then teases, "Good girl."

As she washes her hands, Ana complains, "Not nice, Grey."

Christian chuckles and says, "Yes, so we've established."

As they take their seats for the landing, Ana asks, "So, where are we?" When Christian says nothing, she adds, "I'm about to find out, anyway."

Christian considers a moment and then reveals, "The US Virgin Islands; St. John Island, to be precise…or we will be after a short hop by seaplane from St. Thomas."

Smiling at his cleverness, Ana says, "Virgin Islands, huh?"

With a wide, proud grin, Christian says, "It seemed appropriate." And then he loses the grin to explain, "Our beach is pebbles rather than sand, but it's private and clothing is optional. Plus, there's an excellent reef just offshore, so we can go snorkeling together. And the bay is pretty enough to have featured in some movie."

When he then prompts Taylor for the name, it's Prescott who answers, "The Big Blue."

Nodding his thanks, Christian then looks at Ana. She realizes that he's waiting for her approval, so she smiles and says, with genuine feeling, "Sounds absolutely perfect."

They land safely and transfer to a waiting car for transport to the nearby seaplane base. As they board the plane, Ana says, "I've never been in one of these."

"Scared?"

Smiling, Ana says, "No, just excited."

With an answering smile, Christian says, "Good. Hold that thought for the next few days."

Beaming at each other, they hold hands as the plane smoothly takes to the air. Ana eventually releases Christian as she eagerly puts her forehead to the window, just marveling at the sights as they skirt Mt. Thomas Island. When another, slightly smaller island comes into view, Christian explains, "St. John."

All too soon the ride appears to be over, as the plane circles around a large villa on a rocky cliff above an impossibly blue cove. Their pilot expertly sidles up to a small jetty and Taylor leaps out to secure the plane before offering his hand to assist Ana. When she and Christian have exited, Taylor says, "Cynthia is waiting for you. We won't be long."

With only an answering nod, Christian takes Ana's hand and leads her towards white, wooden stairs heading up the cliff, and she asks, "Cynthia?"

"She's our Mrs. Jones for the duration, and will share the other villa with Taylor and Prescott when she's not cooking or cleaning for us."

Stunned into immobility, Ana says, "We'll be alone?"

Forced to stop one step above her, Christian smiles down at Ana and says, "Yes, baby. It's our honeymoon." When her lip starts quivering, he says, "Oh, no. No crying. We just got here."

Scrubbing a hand over her mutinous eyes, Ana says, "Sorry, it's just…it never even occurred to me that I might actually get you to myself for a while."

"Then I sincerely hope they're happy tears?" Without waiting for an answer, Christian tugs her hand, saying, "Come on. I'm told that the view from our bedroom is spectacular."

Letting herself be led, Ana asks, "You've never been here?"

It sounds like he's teasing her when Christian then says, "No, baby, this is a place for lovers, and I've never had a lover before."

Catching his jovial mood, Ana says, "Nor been one."

With an apparently permanent smile, Christian glances back to say, "True."

They soon arrive at the house, and are greeted by a middle-aged woman with perfect dark skin and a delightful accent, who stays only long enough to introduce herself and show them the breakfast she's prepared. When she's gone, Ana says, "Can we take her home with us?"

Christian laughs and says, "No room in the seaplane. But I'm glad you like her, because we'll see her every day." With a grin, he adds, "Breakfast or tour?"

Her eyes alight with excitement, Ana says, "Tour."

They explore together, to find that there are three bedrooms, each with a stunning view, though the master is the best and has a balcony overlooking the ocean. There's even a spa bath on the balcony off the living room. At Ana's delight on seeing it, Christian says, "Later." They're almost done when there's a knock at the door. It's Taylor and Prescott with their luggage. Despite sweating with the effort of hauling suitcases up those stairs in the heat, Taylor is still wearing his suit jacket, though Prescott has removed hers, and Christian says, "For fuck's sake man, you're in the Caribbean, loosen up a little."

Ignoring his boss' words, Taylor only says, "Okay to fit the panic buttons now?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

When the two bodyguards disappear into the house, Ana asks, "Panic buttons?"

Christian crosses to the kitchen as he says, "It's the only way I could persuade Taylor to leave us alone. I'm afraid you'll also have to carry one whenever we're not in the house."

Following him to check out the breakfast buffet, Ana says, "Small price to pay. But since when does Jason call the shots?" When her question is met with only silence, Ana asks, "Christian?"

"Let's eat. I'm starving."

Sensing a story, Ana leans against the counter, her hands resting on the edge either side of her body, and says, "I'll eat when you tell me."

His gaze darkening, Christian imprisons her against the counter with his body, forcing her hands behind her back and holding them in one of his, and his voice is dangerous when he asks, "You're going on a hunger strike?"

Unconcerned, Ana says, "Yes, I guess I am."

Reaching to the nearby fruit platter with his free hand, Christian selects a ripe peach and bites into it. That sweet, floral scent alone is enough to make Ana's stomach protest it's emptiness. But the sight of the juice running down Christian's chin is a different hunger. She can see that he senses victory just before she licks the droplets from his chin and kisses him, and she's not very surprised when he transfers the portion of fruit to her mouth, but she's beyond caring and swallows it without taking her lips from his. It's becoming more than a game when Taylor's cough announces his presence. Reluctantly releasing her and taking a step back, Christian wipes his mouth with his hand and asks, "All done?"

Looking and sounding weary, Taylor says, "Yes, sir. They're in the en suite, main bathroom, and your bedroom." He has an example in his hand and approaches to show them as he explains, "Easy to use, just push the red button, and one or both of us will be here in seconds." He then peels off the backing and attaches it to the wall by a light switch, saying, "That's the last one. I've already dismissed Prescott. So, unless you need anything else…?"

With a glance at Ana, Christian says, "Just one; my wife is curious about the conversation you and I had after you'd tended that cut on her foot and brought my overnight bag to her apartment."

After studying both of them for a few seconds, Taylor reveals, "I cannot now recall exactly what I said, but it was along the lines of if you ever fucking pulled a stunt like that again, putting Ana in so much danger, I'd wring your fucking neck."

Grinning, Christian says only, "You added sir, I believe."

Also grinning, Taylor nods and says, "Sir."

"Thanks. That'll be all. Enjoy your day."

With a nod to both of them, he's gone, and Ana declares, "I think I love that man."

"As one would a trusted uncle?"

Now truly hungry, Ana explores what's keeping warm in the oven as she teases, "That, too." Wondering why she didn't suspect it, Ana jumps and squeals when Christian's hand then makes resounding contact with her still tender butt. Whirling on him, she protests, "You have a funny way of not punishing someone." When he only smirks at her, Ana hands over the oven mitts as she says, "Fine, you serve breakfast."

With that permanent smile having returned, Christian says, "And I suppose you're going to insist on sucking my cock again?"

Ana knows that she'd gladly do so right now if he wished it, but she jokes, "At this stage you've got more chance of persuading Prescott."

As he slides a couple of pancakes onto their plates, Christian says, "Unlikely. I'm not her type."

Only then does Ana realize and says, "Oh, she's gay."

Without stopping what he's doing, Christian says, "You're not going to tell me you have a problem with that?"

"Oh, no, of course not. It's just…sometimes she seems a little…"

Christian almost drops the pan and angrily demands, "Has she tried anything?"

"God, no. Will you relax? If anything, it's the opposite; she's been very aloof, as if she didn't like me." With a shrug, Ana concludes, "But maybe I misunderstood, because sometimes men are the same with me."

Satisfied that all is well, Christian chuckles and says, "Poor bitch is probably just as in love with you as the rest of us."

Nervous about how to proceed, Ana decides to just go for it and says, "I'd rather you didn't use that word."

At first confused, Christian asks, "Bitch?" At Ana's nod, he says, "Are you fucking kidding me?"

With a shrug, Ana says, "I've never liked it. Women deserve better."

Christian studies her for a moment and then says, "Okay, Ana. Anything else bothering you this morning?"

So that he won't be in any doubt, Ana lets her feelings into her smile and voice when she says, "No, everything else is perfect."