A/N: I am so sorry for the late update. I have been having a lot going on at work; that coupled with an angry bout of writers block made this chapter a little rough and a lot late. But hopefully things are bck on track now :) Please let me know what you thought and I promise the next update will be much sooner this time :)
Ana knew Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey before the woman introduced herself. She recognized the elegance with which the woman walked when she came toward them; it was the same elegance with which Christian carried himself. She also knew because she felt Christian physically relax when the woman made her way toward them.
Dr. Trevelyan Grey was a pretty woman with kind, amber eyes; her auburn hair was pulled into a neat, prim bun. Her face lit up when she saw Christian and Ana couldn't help but smile.
"Christian!" She took her son by his arms and he gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you for seeing us, Mother, I know you are busy."
"Nonsense. I will always take the time for you, Christian."
Ana felt out of place while the two exchanged familial greetings, sitting in the wheel chair Christian had insisted on when all she wanted to do was stand and look semi-presentable to Christian's mother. Dr Trevelyan-Grey turned to her then and beamed at her with a wide comforting smile. Ana blushed.
"You must be Anastasia. I am so glad to meet you. I was beginning to think my son was a hermit." She laughed softly, putting Ana at ease. "Now, Christian tells me your ankle was caught under a particularly heavy rock. Let's get you x-rayed and I can get a better understanding of what's going on in there. Sound good?" She smiled again and Ana found herself smiling back.
"Sounds good. Thank you Dr."
"Please, Anastasia, call me Grace."
"Thank you, Grace." She smiled, and Christian's mother beamed at her, taking the reins of her wheel chair and moving them toward the elevator. Christian followed.
"Christian dear," Grace addressed him then, "Why don't you go ahead and wait in the waiting room. We won't be long." Grace smiled and Ana looked up to see Christian scowling like an errant child. It was adorable. Grace caught Ana's gaze and grinned at her conspiratorially, "Besides, it'll give us a chance for a little girl talk." She winked at Ana as a look of horror crossed Christian's face. Ana couldn't help but giggle at the sight.
Ana sat on the edge of the patient exam table, fretting, her leg propped up. She was alone in the room, the x-rays having been completed. She was waiting for Dr Trevelyan Grey to return and admiring the wall-paper giraffes and elephants that paraded in a border along the wall of the room. It made her feel even more young and awkward to be sitting on a pediatrician's exam table. A pediatrician who's son she'd slept with for the very first time only the night before.
Grace returned to the room, a pleasant smile on her face. She shut the door be hind her and sat down on a little stool that faced Ana.
"'I've received the x-rays back Anastasia," She began without preamble "And the good news is your ankle is not broken. " She paused, and the way she said it immediately made Ana wonder what the bad news was. "You did however, manage a pretty bad sprain." She paused and her warm hands touched Ana's injured ankle tenderly. "The swelling is still pretty bad but I'll prescribe an anti inflammatory which should help with that. It will hurt for the next few days, and I certainly wouldn't recommend you go running any marathons for a while, but I think you'll be just fine." She smiled and Ana smiled in response. That was great news.
"Thank you so much, Doctor, " She grinned, relieved.
"Please, call me Grace." Dr. Trevelyan Grey insisted again, and Ana flushed at the woman's familiarity.
"Tell me, Anastasia, How long have you known my son? Forgive me but I was quite surprised when he called asking if I would see you." Grace smiled at her disarmingly and Ana felt a little wary. This was the awkward part of conversing with Christian's mother that she'd hoped to avoid."
"I er… " Ana paused, hesitating on how to best answer the woman's question. She couldn't very well mention the sex dungeon Christian had shown her, or the contract, or the deal he'd made to take her on dates as long as she considered his other offer. "Well, we met a couple of weeks ago, I interviewed him for the WSU school paper, Christian was giving the commencement speech." She explained. Grace's eyes widened.
"Oh, you're a student?" She asked, "What are you studying?"
"I erm, was a student. I just graduated actually. English lit. I've been interviewing at publishing houses here in Seattle." Grace nodded in approval, and gestured for Ana to hop down off the exam table and back into the wheelchair.
"Well that's just wonderful." Grace continued to beam at her. "Lets not keep Christian waiting any longer. Shall we? Poor dear is probably tearing his hair out by now. I keep telling him he's going to go prematurely bald if he keeps that habit up." Grace was poised but friendly when she spoke and Ana found herself giggling at the image of a balding Christian.
Christian was pacing the waiting room. He was agitated. How long did it take for an x-ray anyway? His mother knew he hated to wait, yet she'd sent him out here alone to stew. It was….frustrating.
He heard the door to the waiting area open and he looked up to see his mother wheeling Anastasia back into the room. Both women were giggling. Ana looked up to see him as he ran a hand through his hair, her eyes widened, and she clapped her hand to her mouth as fresh giggles erupted. Was she laughing at him? He glared at them both and Ana looked contrite, though his mother was clearly still amused.
"How long were you planning on hiding miss Anastasia here from us, Christian, honestly. You two must come over for dinner this weekend. I'll invite Elliott as well. "
Christian ignored her demands.
"How is Anastasia's ankle."
"It's fine, Christian." Ana attempted to placate him. He nodded at her politely but looked pointedly at his mother who sighed in exasperation.
"She's got a nasty sprain, dear. But nothing was broken. She should be able to walk just fine. Just try to go easy on it okay dear?" She turned back to Ana who nodded in compliance. Christian frowned. It was his fault. At least it wasn't broken…but it was a 'nasty sprain', and it was his fault.
"Thank you so much for your help Dr. Trevelyan, erm, Grace, I really appreciate it." Anastasia thanked his mother again and his mother smiled at her indulgently.
"Come, Anastasia. Let's go home." He took command of Anastasia's wheel-chair from his mother .Belatedly, he realized that when he'd said home, he meant his home, not Anastasia's home. Catching a knowing glance and smile from his mother, he knew that she had heard his faux pas as well.
Ana had thought Christian meant to take her back to her home, but when he insisted on taking her back to Escala she protested.
"Christian. I need to go to my home.I need to get some of my clothes together. I don't have anything to wear tonight or tomorrow for that matter. " She tried to explain, but Christian waved her off.
"I've had my personal shopper pick up a few things for you." He offered by way of explanation. Ana let out an exasperated huff and he turned to look at her briefly, a confused expression on his face.
"Christian. You don't have to keep buying me things. I have clothes. I just needed to go home and get them."
"Ana, I can afford it" He dismissed her.
"That's not the point though." She tried to explain. I don't want to feel like your Mistress…or your whore. She thought to herself, and blushed at the thought. That was silly. He didn't think that way…she was almost certain he didn't think of her that way, so she shouldn't think of herself that way…logically, she knew that, but emotionally, she couldn't shake the feeling.
It was Christian's turn to sigh in exasperation.
"Anastasia. If you would like to pick up some things from your home I will take you there. I would like you to stay with me tonight though. After today, I don't want you on your feet too much, and I know my mother prescribed some medicine for you, I don't want you to be alone should you have an adverse reaction to it."
There he was again. Being logical, being sweet in his own way. He was offering to look after her. How could she refuse? She leaned over in the car as he drove and gave him a light peck on the cheek. His eyes widened, his expression was priceless, but he kept his focus on the road and Ana had to stifle a giggle.
"Okay, Christian." She acquiesced. Then added as an afterthought. "Thank you."
Christian was being an absolute gentleman. He had insisted on carrying Ana up to his pent house when they'd arrived in the parking garage at Escala, even though Ana had tried to insist she could walk. He had sent Taylor to fetch the perscription of anti-inflammatories. He'd checked the kitchen for food before announcing, with an air of embarassment, that he feared his cooking would only serve in making Ana sick as well as injured before he ordered some take out from a Thai place Ana had never heard of. He was waiting on her hand and foot and Ana had never felt more awkward.
It was like a Greek God praying to a farm girl. And she found herself equal parts embarassed, and pleased.
When taylor returned with the medications Christian made a show of reading over all the labels thoroughly before he handed her two pills and a glass of water.
"Drink the whole glass. The food should be here shortly and I dont want those pills making you nauseous." He commanded. Ana obliged, smiling as she put the glass to her lips.
The thai food arrived shortly after that, and Ana had to admit again that Christian's taste in restuarants was exquisite, the flavors were delicious and it wasnt too spicy.
After dinner, Ana sat on the sofa in the living room with her leg propped up on two throw pillows. Christian sat next to her, sipping coffee. He'd foregone wine tonight, he hadnt wanted the alcohol to react with the pills Ana had taken and decided it would be best if they both went without for the night. Ana still thought the whole thing was ridiculous, she was fine, it was just a sprain, and she didnt need this lavish attention (though she certainly didnt mind it). It was...nice. Christian was more than nice...he made her feel special, and cared for, like no one else ever had, not even her mother. And that made her feel... bad. This was not what he had presented himself to be when they first met. He wanted her to submit to him, to be his...sex slave, or submissive, or whatever. And she had a sinking feeling that this was not the kind of thing he did with his submissives.
I don't do relationships, Anastasia...
I don't want to be your boyfriend...
I want to be your Dom...
The thought mader her frown deeper.
Anastasia's mood had shifted, and Christian had no idea why. The girl was sitting next to him, seemingly deep in thought, her brow furrowed, her leg propped up. The frown on her lips was particularly upsetting and Christian felt an unease wash over him.
"What's wrong, Anastasia? Are you in pain?" He asked.
She shook her head, taciturn. He hated when Anastasia went taciturn on him. He could never get a solid read on her and it made him uncomfortable. He didn't like feeling uncomfortable.
"Then what is troubling you?" He persisted, keeping his voiice deliberately soft. She looked away from him briefly and he was annoyed by her reluctance to answer him. "Anastasia..." He said her name in warning.
"It...it wouldnt be like this. Would it?" She asked, softly, still not looking at him. He felt his own brow furrow. What was she talking about? What wouldin't be like, what?
"Anastasia, I do not know what you mean." He said in response, still trying to work out the puzzle behind her words. She turned to look at him again and he almost thought he saw tears in her eyes. Shit. What was making her so sad?
"I mean." She started...then stopped again. She squared her shoulders and looked at him again "I mean...this." She gestured to his living room, to him and to herself. "All of this...if I...agreed to your contract...it wouldnt be like this...would it? It would be like..." She trailed off, but her gaze shifted to the upstairs where his playroom was set up.
"Have you read the contract yet, Ana?" He asked her, already knowing the answer. She shook her head. "Have I pushed you to do so before you were ready?" He asked and again she shook her head. "Do you think I would do anything that you would be unable to handle?" He further prodded, his own mood shifting.
"I dont even know what I can handle." She retorted. She sounded exasperated. "I...I like this." She was lamenting the loss of something she hadnt even lost yet and it angered him.
"You are not giving me fair credit, Miss Steele." He shifted his approach, adopting a more formal tone. "We would work together to find out just what you could handle. It would be new for both of us. I asked for compromise, Miss Steele. That means that both sides would give a little. I believe I have shown you in good faith I am willing to give on certain things when it comes to you...I am not a patient man by nature, but I will afford you the time you need to consider my proposal, and I would, if you agreed to my arrangement, afford you the time you needed to train properly with me as your Dom."
"But it wouldn't be like this...you know, picnics, dinner, love-making..." She trailed off again and Christian felt himself growing more agitated. He'd told her what she could expect from him, he as doing his best here, and she was only looking at the down side.
"It would be different. Yes." He agreed. "In a compromise, both sides have to bend a little to find harmony."
"But what if I break...?" She whispered sounding again on the verge of tears.
"I would never let that happen, Ana." He answered, surprised by the honestly of his own admission.
She tucked a stray strand of hair back behind her ears and began worrying her mouth over the skin of her thumb. It made her look that much younger, that much more vulnerable. It made Christian's protective instincts kick in. He could not help himself when he pulled her gently to him on the sofa, tucking her body against his, careful to keep her injured ankle free and elevated on the pillows. She relaxed against him but continued to chew her thumb, another nervous habit.
He kissed the back of her head and held her to him.
There was still so much she didn't know; about his past, about his phobias, about why he needed to control. She thought he was going to break her. Would he break her? Was what he needed too much for her? The darkness inside of him was hissing at him in anger and dispair. He held onto Ana even tighter and they sat together quietly.
This was never going to work. But he could not force himself to let her go.
She slipped out of the service elevator and into the parking garage. She felt dejected. She'd been hoping Master would come to the playroom. She'd waited like a good girl there for him, just the way he liked. He'd brought the interloper home. She wouldn't have even minded if the interloper had joined them, if it meant showing Master how good she could be.
But Master did not come.
She had heard them though; Master, and his new plaything. The stupid girl had apparently gone and hurt herself and now Master couldn't even use her properly. She would never be so careless. She always kept herself healthy and in shape and ready for Master.
She felt so betrayed. The cold metal of the gun was little comfort to her tonight. She could get rid of the interloper. She could get rid of herself. She wanted to show Master her devotion to him, and maybe then he would love her again. She sighed, not knowing yet what she wanted to do and exited the parking garage out onto the streets outside Escala.
There was a man watching her.
He stood on the sidewalk about 20 yards away from her, staring in her direction. He had a broad stance, and she turned to let him know she saw him. He stepped forward then, under the light of a street lamp, and she gasped.
It was Master.
It was Master, but it wasn't Master.
"Hello Leila." He knew her! He must have known Master too. Cautiously, she approached him, still clutching the gun tightly for support.
Leila Williams moved with a kind of drunken grace. She swayed like a will-o-the-wisp when she moved, as if she was about to be blown away on a breeze at any minute. He knew he would find her here, sneaking out of Christian's apartment. This was not the first time she'd done this, and it would not be the last, she had ways in and out that even he did not know. She was rash, and impulsive. She could be volatile, but he was sure that, with the proper approach, he could control her.
"Hello Leila." He greeted her, stepping into the light. She approached him. He saw the glint of her gun, but he was confident that she would not be using that on him, or anyone for that matter.
"How are you, this evening, Leila?" He continued, feigning interest in her well-being. She smiled uneasily at him. She was a waif of a thing. She looked down at the ground pitifully and shook her head.
"Not so good…" Her voice had a lilt to it and when she looked up at him again her lips were pursed into the perfect pout. He feigned displeasure.
"Did your Master disown you?" He asked, in mock shock. She looked at him quizzically, as if assessing him, before looking to the ground again and nodding her head.
"That was very foolish of him." He continued. And he took another step forward, towards her. She did not back away. "You would like to get your Master back?" He took a soft approach. She sulked and nodded her head sullenly again.
"Yes Sir…but…but Master has found a new girl."
He knew she was talking about Anastasia Steele. She was not pleased that the young woman had managed to turn Christian's head.
"But the new girl is not a good submissive pet like you, is she Leila.." He replied knowingly. She shook her head again.
"No Sir." She affirmed.
"I know what your Master needs, Leila…I think you do too. Do you know what your Master needs?" She nodded sullenly.
"But Master does not want it any more." She pouted.
"I think he does." He replied. "I think he's just forgotten…"
She looked up at him hopefully then. And he knew he had her,
"Would you like to help me remind your Master of what he needs, Leila? "
"Help…?" She sounded lost. "Master?"
"Yes…" He affirmed, grinning. She nodded again.
"I want to help Master remember, Sir." She spoke softly, melodically. Even her assertions sounded wistful and docile. And a not-so small part of him wanted to watch her eyes widen in fear, watch her try to assert herself while his hands were around her throat…squeezing…controlling her life force with the slightest of pressure….but he tamped that thought back down. She was off limits for now. There was another, he had in mind to tame his inner demons. Leila was safe with him, for the time being.
"Come Leila." He held out his hand to her and she complied, placing her smaller hand in his. He squeezed it softly and kissed her knuckles. Her cheeks turned rosy and she averted her gaze modestly.
"Yes Sir."