Ana is awoken by a sound of a piano playing. Dawn is coming already so she dresses and goes to join Christian in the big room.
She listens silently as he plays. He isn't as technically perfect as her grandfather Edward but being a human player gives his performance a special flavor.
"I see you are an early riser," she says when he finishes the song.
He turns around.
"I couldn't sleep."
"I see. Well, sun will be rising soon. Do you want to go back to bed or are you prepared to continue?"
"You'll be exhausted in the morning."
"No I won't," states Ana plainly and quickly, without making any pauses between the words. "And technically, it's almost morning."
"As you wish. Where do you want to do this? My office? The library?"
"The library will be perfect."
Christian makes himself tea, Ana gets a glass of milk.
She tells him a lite version of the history of dragons, their (near) extinction, and the formation of dragon colonies after the rise of humans. She mentions goblins only briefly and says as little as possible about wizards. For the moment, she doesn't elaborate about herself.
When she finishes, Christian sits silently, staring at a random book in a bookcase. Ana waits for him to say something.
"Well, let's get some breakfast," he states after a while and stands up.
There are no rabbits running around and Ana doesn't wish to be seen hunting pigeons on the roof. She has to improvise. Raw eggs mixed in milk, some vegetables, some fruit. Christian still picks at his muesli when she is finished.
"Why do you need people like me and Kavanagh?" he ponders. "Don't you have enough of your own scientist and engineers?"
"There are some scientists in dragon colonies. No engineers though. And no CEOs like you."
Christian stays silent.
"Look, the thing about people like me, we are content to live our lives without technology," continues Ana. "Now sure, there are various people working on various things already. For example, two of my brothers are working on FTL technology - but you haven't heard it from me. We need people like you working on ordinary things for ordinary people. A lunar base for example or farming on Mars."
Christian stares back at her, his face void of any emotion. He doesn't even bother to mention that Martian soil is toxic.
"But, let's not worry about that at the moment. For now, just keep doing what you are doing. I sponsored your invitation into this for personal reasons, after all."
"Why? You said you Quileutes have a nose for this but what does that mean? And how could you possibly know that from the moment you entered my office?"
So he was listening yesterday.
"It's exactly that - a sense of smell."
Some suspect that some light subconscious telepathy is involved as well but Ana doesn't delve into that now.
"Do you know that scientists found out that siblings stink more to each other?" she asks.
"Yes, I think I've read that somewhere."
"It's so they can locate each other easily but also to discourage incest. That's especially important in a small community like ours."
"So you like me because I'm not related to you? How does that make me different from almost every other men in United States?"
"Well, it's more than just not being related. It's also a matter of genetic compatibility."
Christian can't believe that they are talking about such things. Last night, she hinted at a marriage. Now, she is talking family. And they haven't even kissed proper yet.
"I think you want things from me which I can't give you," he divulges after a moment.
"Why? Is there something wrong with you?"
Christian remains stone faced in response to her jape.
"Look, I'm not asking for much," she continues. "I don't want to go for a dinner - I'm on a special diet after all. I don't want to go see a movie, it's all crap anyway. Can't we just, I don't know, stay at home and watch Twilight Zone?"
All in all, that sounds rather digestible to Christian.
"Well, why not," he answers slowly. "I would have to send Tyler to find such a retro DVD somewhere."
"No need," laughs Ana, waving her hand. "No need to waste money, I already have..." she falls silent at the sight of Christian's expression. "No matter, I guess it doesn't matter much to someone like you."
As they carry on the conversation, Christian keeps wondering exactly how experienced she is. After all, she is only fourteen years old and it seems that her kind mates for life. For all he knows, maybe she has never known a man. He broaches the subject delicately.
"Excuse me?!" exclaims Ana. "Unlike some, I don't sleep around with everybody who walks around. Now, I mean no disrespect to my roommate, she has been through a few guys, but that's her way of searching for the right one. Speaking of which, I really hope that your brother..."
Christian tunes the rest of it out. He can't really say that he is surprised by her revelation. However, as he remembers her awkward attempt to kiss him, another terrible thought dawns on him.
"Have you ever been kissed?"
"Well, I do have several aunties. All of them found me very adorable as a baby. Speaking of which, now I know why you slipped and kissed me in the helicopter even without the paperwork."
"Yeah, I hate to speak about it in front of a child but sometimes, I would really love to bind and gag you."
"Oh! I've heard about role-playing. Which is all that it would be. I can snap anything that was on sight in that medieval room of yours. Which reminds me, can we go over some of the points in the contract?"
Is she for real? What stipulations does she want to propose? No usage of dragon claws as toys? Her implication of super-human strength doesn't even garner as much of his attention as it should.
Ana runs away and returns with the contract and a pencil. She doesn't whoosh like Sonic or Quicksilver, she just moves really fast.
"Usage of cosmetics and the other stuff. My skin is different, make-up won't stick to it. No shaving, no saloons, my differences would raise questions."
Is this really relevant?
"Animals. I assume you've added that because of my rabbits, in case it wasn't there already. You don't have to worry, they are just food. As for my wolf form, you don't have to worry about that either. Even when both sides are wolves, that's still considered an abomination. We pride ourselves in keeping the wolf separate from ourselves and remaining people even when changed. Than again, that's normal for anybody with this ability. Not as normal for some others."
She is talking about werewolves. It catches Christian's attention.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I'll tell you about it later. Next one will be difficult for you to swallow. Because of my brother's political career, we, I mean my family, have to maintain a certain image. And that image is of ordinary, practical people. That means no extravagant clothing, no jewelry, no traveling in first class, etcetera."
"As I said, I may need you to accompany me to charity events."
"Yes, I remember. There's a middle way. One of my aunts is a fashion-expert and understands what I need. She can give me clothes which should be satisfactory to both of us."
She is talking about Alice, of course.
"Very well, you can wear things from her for ordinary occasions. However, you are the one who wants this to be more official. That means appearing in public together. Special occasions will require dresses picked by me."
Ana shakes her head.
"You have no idea whom am I talking about. Trust me, you can trust her not to let me look bad. It's not just a matter of looks though, it's also a matter of practicality. You know what, let's try it my way and if you are dissatisfied, we'll talk about it. And remember, I can't accompany you to snobbish parties, even if they aren't of the weird kind."
"Arguing about every little thing? You have much to learn about obedience. Though I started to suspect that it was going to be like this when I learned about your wolf side."
"Well, you should have found someone who turns into a dog. You can tame a dog but you can only befriend a wolf."
"Yes, I've heard that somewhere."
Ana smiles. She doesn't wish to talk about her brother John here and now but he has actually managed to successfully raise and train wolf-dog hybrids. Then again, they obeyed him only because they smelled a superior wolf in him. It wouldn't work with a human master.
"Let's not dwell over details," dismisses Ana. "There are two important things left."
"I'm listening," sighs Christian and tosses his hands.
"Where I come from, it's considered bad luck for a man and woman to live and sleep separately. If things work out between us, the sub-room will have to go."
"There are reasons why I don't let anyone sleep in my bed."
"We can work on that. Later. Keep this in mind."
"And the other thing?"
"Those fifteen girls. There are concerns which need to be addressed. Other than their health, I mean."
"That's a matter of their privacy. And mine."
"I'm not fishing for any sordid details. I'm concerned about a possibility that one of them might still have some kind of a claim on you."
"They don't. None of them."
"Well, fifteen is a big number so statistically, there's quite a likelihood that at least one of them feels otherwise. Have all of them left voluntarily?"
"Yes. All of them left of their own accord or per mutual agreement. Some of them never intended to stay for long. Some merely learned all they could from me and then left to become dominants themselves. Others persevered for a while, long enough to realize that this isn't some sick game for me. I have never kicked someone out."
"What was the longest time so far?"
"Three years. It was years ago."
"Where is she now?"
"Married. Not that's any of your business."
"I know, I'm not trying to breach their privacy," Ana defends herself. "My concern is, what if there's one of them with whom your... affair isn't as finished as you think? What if there's your kid running out there somewhere?"
"I took very strong precautions with that. And if that was the case, the mother would have come to demand money."
"Maybe she was too afraid to come to you. It may end up like in 'The Count of Monte Cristo' where Villefort suddenly learned that he had an illegitimate son."
"Not funny."
"Not funny indeed. It's just one possibility. Another one is that one of them might return and shoot you. Or kill herself publicly near you."
"That's why I do background checks!"
"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. You may examine a link and say it will hold but with each additional one the chances of you missing something increases."
"Well, let me worry about that."
Ana takes a breath for a rebuttal. She wants to throw in his face his own condition about a submissive not doing anything that would reflect badly on him and tell him that it would be way worse if something from his past reflected badly on her family. However, that's when Taylor enters the room.
"Excuse me, sir. Miss Black. Your mother is here, Mr. Grey."
"Well, show her in."
"Do you want me here?" asks Ana.
"You are the one who wanted a commitment. Meeting my mom is as good as any."
"But what is she going to think?"
"That's her business."
"What if she's going to think that I spent a night here?"
"You did."
"Yes, but not that way!"
Taylor and Grace enter. Taylor gives Ana a glance. It is very fleeting and only she can register it but it seems that he is pleased that she is still there.
"Darling, I had no idea you might have company," exclaims Grace, and she looks a little embarrassed.
"Hello, mother," greets her Christian. "That will be all," he tells Taylor.
"Yes, Mr. Grey," he nods and heads back to his office.
"Thank you, Taylor," murmurs Grace, her eyes on Ana.
"Mother, this is Anastasia Black," introduces Christian. "Ana, this is my mother."
"Mrs. Grey," says Ana and makes a curtsy. Christian notices how shy and blushing she suddenly is.
"Call me Grace," answers the older woman cordially and approaches with her hand outstretched. "Mrs. Grey is my mother-in-law."
Well, that was quick, thinks Christian.
"Ana," echoes Ana and shakes the hand.
Grace looks at Christian. "I was downtown and thought to stop by. I won't disrupt your plans though."
"Oh, I too was in the neighborhood and thought to stop by," lies Ana and blushes even more.
Christian gives her a confused look.
Grace asks how have they met and they make a very short talk about the interview, the WSU address, and Ana's graduation.
When Grace leaves, Ana is sorely tempted to run after her and awkwardly tell her that she hopes that she isn't thinking what she hopes she isn't thinking.
"What does she think about my presence here?" she blurts as soon as she is gone.
"She's very relieved. My parents fear that I'm not into girls. They don't know about my lifestyle, obviously, or any of the girls - and you won't tell them anything."
"Of course. Are you OK with them knowing about me?"
"At this point, it would be strange if they didn't."
Ana makes a "very well" gesture.
"May we resume our conversation?" suggests Christian.
"About the fifteen?"
"No, not that particular topic. I have questions."
"Ask away."
Christian nods. He makes a few paces, stroking the morning shade under his nose.
"I take it that you posses an extraordinary strength, speed, and hearing. Is that a... how do you call yourselves?"
"Quileutes."
Christian gives her a reprimanding look and clarifies, "I mean those of you who change."
"Wolves."
"That's it?"
"Or pack. Because, you know, wolves operate in a pack. However, that's need to know."
"Never mind. Is what I said a wolf thing?"
"Yes, you can say that."
Christian doesn't prod and goes to his point.
"And your good recall and fast reading?"
"Well, that's something from my mother. And my mother is a topic for another day."
"As you wish."
Talk about secrets within secrets.
"Why don't you want me to touch you?" shots Ana back.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You had your question, I have mine."
She didn't even answer properly!
"I simply don't. I don't like it anymore than you would like... thumbscrews, let's say."
Ana wants to pry for details but she realizes that she wasn't entirely forthcoming herself. She decides to offer him something that he is interested in.
"When my grandma was five years old, her foster father tried to, you know... She wouldn't mind me telling you this because she successfully defended herself and killed everybody."
"How?"
"Now that's something she would mind me sharing. Moreover, it's one of those cases when the government wouldn't be happy either. I've told you because I want to ask if you were through something similar."
"No, not that kind of abuse," Christian shakes his head. "Just beating, malnutrition, and such."
When he doesn't continue, Ana comments, "Let me guess, that's a story for another day."
"If I feel you are a person I would like to tell about it."
"As you wish. There's still some time left before I have to go back. Anything else you want to talk about?"
"Indeed. You said you don't age as normal people and that you would like me along. How exactly am I supposed not to die of old age?"
"That's a premature question. It involves my mother, albeit indirectly. I'll make sure to explain in detail. Later."
Christian can't say that he is surprised. Neither side wants to reveal too much this early. They exchange a few more back and forths with similar results. The only straight answer Christian gets is when he carefully asks about Ana's metabolism not being compatible with human anti-conception.
"Oh, don't you worry about that," laughs Ana. "When I turn, my clock gets reset. It used to freak women in our tribe out before we understood this."
"Huh. Interesting. Well, it's another article removed."
"Do you still want to go through signing of a contract?"
"Maybe that's no longer necessary. We still need to stick to the rules in it. I have my limits and you have yours."
"Fair enough."
She doesn't remark that it was yet another premature question. This seems like a standard practice for Christian.
Later, Ana calls Kate and agree to meet at an edge of Vancouver.
"Could you give me a lift out of the city, please?" she asks Christian.
"I can drive you back home."
"No need. I need to run. And feed along the way. I can't run through Seattle though."
Christian doesn't comment.
Ana leaves the bag and most things in it in the "sub-room" to be picked up later, if needed. She takes only her dog pack and some essentials.
Christian stops the car near wood. They get out.
"You know, about that thing I did as a wolf," she says.
"Don't worry about it. It wasn't that weird. Considering everything."
"It's just, I can sympathize with dogs for doing that. Though I guess they do it for different reasons and I'm not a dog."
"Uh-huh," murmurs Christian.
"Would you mind terribly if I licked your face? In my human form, I mean."
"Well, that's not something anyone has every asked me. Do you have a specific reason for that?"
"I guess I'm compensating for something. The fact that we haven't kissed yet, perhaps?"
"I don't have your written consent yet."
"Could you make an exception and give me a freebie? To be honest, I would like to see if I can control myself and avoid giving you bruises."
Christian thinks quickly. This is a chance to assert his control.
"Yes, your strength. Very well. You'll have to do exactly as I tell you. Can you do that?"
Ana nods.
"I have very sharp teeth," she divulges. "So no... you know what."
How can somebody who can't even say these things discuss marriage and family? Christian nods and leads her to a tree. He takes her wrists and guides her to put her hands behind her back and join them there. Ana reminds herself to raise her right foot when the moment comes.
"Hold on tight," he whispers in her ear.
He leans her against the tree and kisses her. Even her lips are hard and when she responds, he can feel his own getting bruised. To his credit, Ana forgets the foot thing.
"You. Are. So. Sweet," he murmurs.
"That was nice," she admits when they part.
"It could be so much better, if you would only let me lead you."
"Well, you are the expert," concedes Ana sheepishly.
"But my duty towards my family remains the same," hears Christian in his head, the whole sentence in one moment.
He recoils, startled by the experience.
"Christian?"
"See you at the graduation."
Christian stumbles back to his car.
Oh dear, Ana thinks.
She watches as he turns the car around and drives away. Then she trots into the wood, packs her things, and changes into a wolf.
"Tell us about her!" Grace urges Elliot.
"Mom!" he exclaims, slightly shocked by her curiosity. "Well, you've met her. She's all you would expect from watching her brother. It seems these people really are like they present themselves in public."
"And? Do you think it will work?"
"I don't know. According to Kate, she's as inexperienced as our little Christian. It will be awkward."
"Elliot," admonishes him Carrick.
The lad rolls his eyes and rephrases, "She seems kind enough. And he looks at her as if she was a company he intends to acquire. Does that answer your question?"
Grace huffs but she doesn't prod him any more.
"Sir?" says Taylor as he enters John Black's office.
"Taylor!" greets him John. "Drop the sir, we aren't in the army anymore. By the way, it's great to see that you keep yourself in shape. I met Joe a few months ago. You wouldn't believe how fat he has grown. Do you know what he had to say about that? He has intentionally made himself unfit for service se he can't be recalled from retirement."
"That's not very patriotic from him."
"Well, he can still get a desk job."
"You wanted to see me?" prompts Taylor.
"Indeed. As much as I would love it, I'm afraid this is not a social call."
John puts a folder on his desk.
"When my sister visited you current employer, she gave him this to sign and after he did so, she gave him a very special secret briefing."
Taylor can sense disapproval from his former CO but it is clear to him that there is no dual meaning in what he said. The governor produces a quill and a crystal inkwell.
"If you would be so kind and signed, I'd like to bring you into the fold as well. After all, it wouldn't do for a civilian such as him to know more than you, would it?"
Taylor asks no questions. He has always suspected that there was more to John than met the eye. He dips the quill and signs.
"Thank you. For trusting me. What I tell you now can be repeated to Grey, if he doesn't know it already, unless I say otherwise."