Ana runs into Mr. Roach at work. They say good morning to each other.
"I couldn't sleep after the meeting," he admits. "I had to keep thinking about everything that had been said."
"Well, you could have used the opportunity to read some Hemingway again."
"That's exactly what I did!"
They chuckle, then fall silent and go their separate ways to avoid drawing attention.
"What was that about?" asks Hyde later. He is doing his best to hide it but Ana's senses (both physical and mental) reveal that he is angry.
"What was what about?" asks Ana, faking befuddlement. Let's see how he responds to the provocation.
"You and Roach. When did you two become chummy?"
"I wasn't aware that we were. Do you have a point?"
Hyde stares at her for a moment.
"Carry on with you work," he grumbles finally.
Ana mentions the whole thing to Christian that evening.
"This Hyde seems like a piece of work," comments Christian.
He shares what Welch has learned about him (public information only at this point).
"Lawyers won't be done with a draft for a few more days. Than I'll get in touch with Roach again," he continues. "It's unlikely that he'll give us the information we want till that time."
"He could make an exception for me," muses Ana. "I'm not an outsider. I could deal with this as an employee. Not necessarily in person, of course."
"I'll try to propose that."
Roach proves hesitant even with that but agrees that it is a digestible option. He promises to give them the records as soon as the pre-contract agreement is signed.
Leila still doesn't show up and Welch is still digging. With what's going on, Christian doesn't get around to spending time with Ana outside of the city. This is the longest time he has ever maintained a casual relationship. Come to think about it, it is probably the only time. His relationship with Ana gives a new meaning to delayed gratification. On the other hand, this is perfectly normal for Ana. However, she can sense his tension.
"Would you like a little camping trip?" she asks him.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You can't spend next month worrying about Leila all the time. We can take the truck - it won't be harmed by... you know what." She blushes and struggles to contain a chuckle.
Oh joy, thinks Christian. Is she going to be that way all the way to the... wedding? He flees from the thought quickly.
"The truck is shielded from EMP?" he asks.
"More or less. There's nothing in it to be fried anyway. We can't use it for you know what though. I'm sure it would mind an EMP going out inside."
"Not to mention that it would be weird!" Christian has no intention of trying anything inside the truck. Moreover, he felt like the truck was watching him a few times. He doesn't think it likes him very much.
"Amen. So let's just pack some things and fly to some secluded spot in the mountains. We can be back next day morning."
They make a plan to leave at Friday evening and return at Saturday morning, perhaps later. Christian has already asked Ana to accompany him to his parents' charity ball but there will be plenty of time to get back and prepare. It doesn't surprise them when various things get in the way of their plans again.
Mr. Roach signs the agreement - that one was expected. Christian gets access to the financial records and Mr. Roach sends Ana the last known contact information of the three assistants. He has the wherewithal to send it to her personally rather then delegating the matter to Morgan. On the other hand, he has requested the information from Morgan and he uses SIP e-mails.
At the end of the day, Hyde asks Ana in passing whether she is going to the bar again.
"Sorry, I've got errands to run," she makes an excuse.
"Come on, it's Friday," he laughs but there is something behind the laughter.
Suddenly, Ana spots a familiar face on the street outside.
"Excuse me," she tells Hyde and runs to a window. Yes, there is a woman who looks like Leila. She notices Ana and runs.
"I have to run," she tells Hyde, turns her computer off and hastily gathers her things.
"What's going on?" he asks but Ana is already running out of the office.
Outside, she finds a scent that could possibly be Leila's. She tries to pursue but looses the trail.
She calls Christian right away.
"So she's still in Seattle," he comments.
They meet at his place that evening and agree to cancel the trip.
"You know, we could just try it the other way around," proposes Ana.
"I beg your pardon?"
"As much as it goes against my beliefs, you know how to touch a woman already. On the other hand, I have no experience with this. Perhaps you could teach me. I understand you don't want to be touched but you know what I mean."
Christian ponders that for a moment. "You know, that's not really my thing," he answers slowly. He tries to remember whether any of the previous girls have ever touched him. Elena slapped him but that was when he was her sub. "I'm the one who serves, not the one who receives."
"And if I do exactly as you say?"
Christian thinks for a moment again. "Imagine you come into a restaurant owned by a chef who takes his trade really seriously. He wants to treat you to his best meals and you tell him that you'll cook yourself and ask him to give you exact directions."
"Sounds like an interesting business model to me," japes Ana but gets serious quickly. "Just consider it."
"I will. Are you staying tonight?"
"Well, if we aren't going camping then I can just as well do some chores at home. A dress for the ball has arrived from Alice. I'll come on afternoon tomorrow."
"Will it even fit with the mask I've got for you?"
"Don't worry, it will be fine."
"Sir, I've got some news concerning Leila," announces Taylor.
Christian turns to him.
"John Black found out that she attempted to purchase a revolver."
Christian closes his eyes for a moment. That was two things he didn't like in one statement: an idea of Leila with a gun and the governor going through his dirty laundry.
"Attempted?"
"Well, there's the unresolved incident with her cutting herself."
That's right. She was rushed to a hospital, told a doctor that she was merely crying for help and didn't really want to kill herself, and then she disappeared.
"The bad news is that her actions are putting her on the radar of the authorities," concludes Taylor. "Let's hope we can find her before she gets in real trouble."
Later on, Welch shares the information he has learned about Leila - her leaving her husband with another man and her lover's death in a car crash.
When Ana arrives, she comments on the attempted purchase right away.
"You know, she can still buy a black powder gun," she reminds him. "Six shots are six shots, regardless of whether they make smoke or not. And she doesn't need that many to begin with, she needs just one or two. But to do what?"
Since her brother shared what he had learned, Christian shares what Welch found out.
"Do you reckon that she returned here because she wanted another chance?" she muses. "And now she doesn't know what to do since you aren't available?"
"Maybe she isn't sure what she wants."
"Very well, let's think. What are the things that she could possibly want? Do you think she hates you? Enough to shoot you? Perhaps not dead, just to injure."
"I don't know. She's the one who left. And she didn't indicate anything in her last e-mail. I didn't even know that she had left her husband until today."
"Well, it's an option. Another one is that she plans to shoot herself. Publicly, in hopes of drawing attention of tabloids to you."
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
Ana furrows her brows. "Am I?"
"She could shoot you."
"Well, thanks to laws of this country and state, she can't buy anything that would be dangerous to me. At least not legally. But let's not assume this possibility to be more likely just because it's convenient."
Christian groans internally.
"However, it would be difficult to explain if such a thing happened in public, that's a valid concern," admits Ana.
Speaking of public appearances, they move on to the topic of Ana's dress. It has come from Alice and Christian has to admit that it isn't entirely bad. Not as pretty as the one he has picked but nice enough. It also fits with the mask, more or less.
When it is time, Taylor drives them to the Greys' house. Ana almost does a faux pas when Christian exits the car and she opens her own door. She remembers herself though and waits for him to help her out of the car.
The affair proves as dull as Ana expected. However, she does meet Christian's therapist, Dr. Flynn.
Later, Ana notices that there is a woman watching them.
"Who's that?" she asks.
"Who?"
The woman is gone by them. Ana describes her to Christian.
"That's Elena. I didn't know she was coming. She's probably curious about you."
"Why?"
"I'll explain later. I'd better go ask what she wants. And tell her to stay away."
Christian beckons to Taylor to keep Ana company. He is probably afraid that Elena might get around him. Or that Ana might want to follow him. Ana considers asking Taylor but she doesn't want to put him in a awkward position.
Towards midnight, Christian dances with Grace and Ana with Carrick.
"Mr. Grey..." starts Ana.
"Call me Carrick, please, Ana."
"As you wish."
She produces a check from Edward and adds, "I don't know what's the protocol here but my grandpa sends you a little something."
She hands him the check. If Carrick is surprised by the fact that a grandfather of the current governor is still alive and kicking, he doesn't show it.
"That wasn't necessary," he assures her and takes a look.
Edward Cullen. Carrick knows about Esme's organization, of course. After all, that's how John Black became popular. The number on the check is high but nothing the Greys aren't used to.
"That's very generous," he comments. "Though we would hate `Coping Together` to steal donations from your organization."
"Oh, don't worry, they've got plenty of contributors and volunteer workers."
Ana's tone isn't accusatory (many small supporters versus a handful of rich ones) and if Carrick is hurt, he doesn't show it.
Midnight comes. There is unmasking and fireworks. Ana asks Christian whether they could leave.
"So, who's Elena?" she asks during their drive back.
Christian explains.
"Well, that's weird," comments Ana when the story is over.
"I was older back then than you are now," Christian reminds her.
"Not in wolf years but that's not the point. It's the image. I'll have to think about that every time I kiss you."
Ana expects some witty response but Christian is silent. She realizes that it is dark and he can't see the hint of a smile on her lips. Seeking to rectify the situation, she uses her telepathic abilities to communicate the sentiment. Christian is startled a little.
"Sorry," whispers Ana.
"We'll have to practice that some time," he remarks. It is new and strange for him but he is thinking about the possibilities it opens. He is being careful though because he doesn't want to develop an aversion to it like he has to being touched.
They reach the garage. When Ana gets out, she stops for a while. There is a hint of a scent which could be Leila's. However, it is difficult to tell with the smell of all those cars around.
"What is it?" asks Christian.
"Nothing. Would you mind if I stayed here tonight?"
Christian assumed that she was going to.
When Ana emerges from the bathroom, she finds Christian sitting on his bed in a lotus position.
"Is it some time already?" she asks and mirrors his position.
"No, not yet. However, if I asked you to send me one thought or image that's easily digestible, would you know how?"
"I think I can do that but you have to work with me."
Christian nods.
"Imagine you are jogging through woods..."
Christian does his best to calm his mind and bring up the memory. It is early spring and trees are dripping with water both from a light rain which ended an hour ago and from precipitation of the fog floating above the wood. It is so peaceful.
Gradually, the memory is no longer his own. He is off the road and he is picking up speed. Trees are whooshing past him but he isn't afraid of hitting anything because the speed is natural for him.
"That was beautiful!" he praises Ana when he comes out.
"I hoped it would be," she grins.
"Is it always like that for you?"
"Pretty much. It can be that way for you too, just on two legs only." She laughs at the last bit.
They go to sleep afterwards.
"You know," says Ana as they are falling asleep. "We'll have to talk about your mother at some point."
In a corner of his sleepy mind, Christian wonders whether that means they haven't found out everything about him already.
"Later," he murmurs.
Some time later, Ana is awoken by a combination of three things. The balcony door opens, there is a sharp fragrance of black powder, and Ana can smell Leila's scent.
There isn't enough time to wake Christian up. Ana slides out of the bed silently. Leila is still blinded by the city lights so she doesn't notice her. Keeping to shadows, Ana slips behind her. The smell of black powder is coming from a pocket of Leila's hoodie. Judging by the shape printing under the fabric, it is probably some kind of a single-shot pocket pistol.
Ana awaits Leila's next move but she doesn't do anything. She just stands there and watches Christian sleep. Truth to be told, it starts getting rather weird after a while. Ana starts thinking about possible ways of alerting others about the intruder. Maybe she could get to her cellphone somehow and send a message to Taylor. No, that's too risky.
In the end, she decides to keep it simple and try to wake Christian gently and hope that he won't let Leila notice anything. She slinks to the balcony door and tries to close them first. While they are quite silent, it becomes apparent that it can't be done absolutely noiselessly. She goes ahead and sends Christian a thought that Leila is in the room and that he shouldn't let her know that he is awake. Christian immediately jerks awake and sits up. Whether it is because of Leila or because of the telepathy is up to debate. At the same time, Ana closes the door and moves so she doesn't have the window behind her before Leila turns to run.
Christian switches on a bedside light. Leila sees Ana and screams, completely startled. Feeling a social obligation to reciprocate, Ana screams as well. The balcony door is closed, after all. However, she hopes that it will alarm Taylor.
"Leila!" exclaims Christian, getting out of the bed. "We've been looking everywhere for you!"
Leila is stuck and doesn't know what to do. She tries to stammer something.
"It's all right," continues Christian at a calmer tone. "We know what happened. We'll help you. Your parents are worried about you, they would like you to return to them when you feel better."
Taylor barges into the room at that point. He doesn't even have a tie.
"Sir? Miss Williams? Miss Black."
His wooden reaction seems like from a British sitcom.
"Everything is under control," utters Christian.
Taylor's eyes go to Leila's pocket.
Ana clears her throat and raises a point. "Begging your pardon, may I inquire what was miss Williams going to do with the gun that is printing in her pocket?" Just like Taylor, she doesn't call her Mrs. Reed because she has left her husband.
Leila's eyes flick down to her side. "Nothing," she croaks. "That's just..."
"Are you sure you weren't going to shoot yourself after opening your veins failed?"
Leila doesn't answer. Christian holds his hand out and Leila gives him the gun after a momentary hesitation. It is a modern double barrel muzzle loading percussion pistol. Holding it in two fingers, Christian passes the gun to Taylor who takes the gun from him carefully, fearful that Christian might cause an accident. He opens the gun and removes the primers.
"Could you please call Dr. Flynn?" Christian tells him.
"At once," responds Taylor and leaves.
At that point, Leila finally collapses and starts sobbing. Ana gives Leila a hug, beating Christian to whatever he was going to do. Christian raises his hand and opens his mouth as if to say something but then he closes it again. It is Ana who breaks the relative silence.
"Begging your pardon, when was your last shower?"
Next few minutes are a little bit chaotic. Christian and Ana agree that Leila needs to get cleaned up but their opinions differ in the question which one of them should help her with that. Ana argues that it will be weird if Christian helps his ex bathe and that she should do that. Leila doesn't say anything but she seems to be horrified by her idea. Christian puts his foot down and asserts that such a thing would be even weirder. He tells Ana to tell Taylor to buy Leila some new clothes (and tells her the sizes) and to fix Leila something to eat.
"OK, as you wish," surrenders Ana. "But I'll need to change those bandages afterwards."
Christian keeps their interaction to minimum. He is mostly worried that Leila might still decide to kill herself somehow. They don't talk.
Taylor is back with new clothes by the time she is done. When Leila walks out, Ana is waiting for her with a simple meal and a first aid kit.
"You'll have to excuse my cooking, I'm on a special diet," she says. "Sit down and let's take a look at this."
The scar is livid but it didn't go bad luckily. Ana disinfects it with a rubbing alcohol and puts a new bandage on it.
"Eat before it gets cold," she tells Leila.
As Leila eats, Ana starts getting an impression that she wants to say something. She didn't hear any voices from the bathroom so she knows she didn't talk to Christian much.
Ana gives Christian a quick look and tells Leila, "We won't see each other again so if there's anything you want to ask, now is the time."
First, Leila looks at Christian who raises his hands in surrender and goes to talk to Taylor. She mules over what she wants to say for a moment.
"Why you?" she asks finally.
Ana shrugs. "Maybe it's because I was raised in a different culture and thus have a different attitude. Maybe he's simply tired of finding new girls all the time and wants something permanent."
Leila is confused.
"My problem with his contract was that there were exit clauses," continues Ana. "I told him that I want forever or nothing. He's leaning towards the forever, I believe."
Leila has no comments for that and stays silent for a while.
"That old red truck is yours?" she asks finally.
Ana laughs.
Christian returns and announces that Dr. Flynn will be arriving soon. He tells Ana not to wait for him and go back to sleep. She wants to comment that she could go to Kate's apartment instead and feed her rabbits but then she decides to keep her mouth shut.
Taylor stops by as well and dryly mentions that he will mail the pistol to her parents after she returns to them.
Flynn arrives with a nurse and they take Leila to his private clinic. Christian and Taylor follow them to make sure that everything is OK. Also, Christian wants to talk to Flynn afterwards.
When Christian wakes up that morning, Ana is up already, preparing to leave. She gives Christian a good morning kiss and tells him to call her if he wants to make plans for the day. He doesn't try to stop her but he can't deny that he is getting annoyed with Ana's need to constantly run off to Kate's place to feed the rabbits.
After the breakfast, he makes a few calls and reads his e-mails. Slowly, he realizes that for once, there are no immediate emergencies requiring him to be on standby. He calls Ana and asks whether she would like to do something that day. She agrees, as expected.
"Very well. I'll pick you up at half past ten."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Surprise. But we'll start with a lunch so don't eat anything."
He picks her up as agreed and heads towards the marina where his boat is docked.
"How's Leila doing?" asks Ana on the way.
"No news there. I called Flynn this morning but she was still sleeping. He's letting her to sleep it off after what she's been through."
"I don't know. I've read that extensive sleeping is a sign of psychological..."
"Ana," interrupts her Christian. "She's just tired."
They pull up in a parking lot opposite a vast marina.
"I'll open your door," he reminds her.
Is this for the almost faux pas last night?
Christian leads Ana to a large seafront bar.
"They are not accustomed to serving fish almost raw but they know me long enough to accept a special order," he comments.
He explains about Ana's special diet to the barman. As it happens, they do have some freshly caught fish in store. Christian orders the usual for himself but instead of beer, they get mineral water.
After the lunch, they go to the marina. Christian leads Ana to a huge catamaran.
"I thought we'd go sailing this afternoon. This is my boat."
"Very nice," commends Ana. "Built by your company?"
"That's right," affirms Christian and launches into describing its features. Ana does her best to keep up with him.
"She looks mighty fine, Mr. Grey."
"That she does, Miss Black."
"What's her name?"
He pulls her to the side so she can see the name: The Grace.
Ana is surprised. "You named her after your mom?"
"Yes." He cocks his head to one side, quizzical. "Why do you find that strange?"
"It's just that you always seem ambivalent in her presence."
"I adore my mom. She saved my life. I owe her everything."
"So... this is your way of telling her how you feel about her?"
"Yes."
"For as long as she's happy. Personally, I prefer a hug."
Christian leads Ana up a gangplank. He introduces her to Liam. Christian gives Ana a quick tour.
"You're the first girl in here," he tells her. "Apart from family," he smirks. "They don't count."
They cast off. A small crowd gathers to watch their departure. Children are waving. Ana's first thought is to hide because she doesn't want to see any headlines reading "The governor's sister seen on an expansive yacht". However, she doesn't see any cameras so she just waves back. She comments on her thought later on.
"You worry too much," states Christian and pulls her in front of himself. "Grab the wheel."
After they switch to sails and Liam takes the wheel, Christian broaches a new subject with Ana.
"Look, these rabbits of yours. How much trouble are they exactly? If you don't count feeding them and such."
Ana narrows her eyes.
"That depends. Why do you ask?"
Christian experiences a weird sensation. Maybe because it is another first.
"I was just thinking whether it would be possible to move them to Escala."
"Well, we could put their hutches on the roof. What are you implying, Mr. Grey?"
"It's just that it's terribly inconvenient for you to have to run off all the time to take care of them. If we are to work together on this SIP and other business, this should to be resolved."
Ana grins and flushes.
"Well, Mr. Grey, that sounds like a good idea. I see two hitches though."
"Such as?"
"Well, somebody, my father for example, could find it inappropriate for a young lady to move her rabbits to a home of a gentleman she barely knows."
"That's alright, I'm not a gentleman. And the other problem?"
"Well, this doesn't solve our little problem with electricity."
And you want to talk about inappropriate, thinks Christian.
"Any suggestions?" he asks.
"Besides building a small lodge in mountains and moving there? Nothing that would be even remotely convenient for you. The problem is that in this time of unprecedented population density, it's very difficult to find a place like... like that one over there."
Christian turns around. "What place?" He doesn't see anything special. Just a few villas. Still too many people to fail to notice an EM pulse of any larger scale.
"Well I'll be damned," declares Ana, surprised. "A magical house right at the edge of Seattle."
"Excuse me?"
"This isn't London. Or Europe, for that matter. Oh, you mean you still can't see it. Come here, I want to try something."
They mimic their position from when Christian was showing Ana how to steer, just reversed.
"Do you see that villa there?"
"Yes."
"And that villa over there?"
"Uh-huh."
"Now look between them."
"What?"
"There's a large property with an old overgrown house."
"What are you talking about? There's nothing between... What a hell?!"
Christian has to look away to avoid being nauseated as the hillside shifts. Of course, it isn't really shifting - visually or otherwise. Christian's brain is merely playing tricks on him as something that was previously unseen is now perceived.
"Well I'll be damned," comments Ana. "Then again, I shouldn't be surprised."
She is talking about the fact that Christian can see the area and that her imprinting strongly suggested that there is something special about Christian.
"What kind of sorcery is this?" exclaims Christian.
"Oh come on, this you find strange? I hoped that I was the most unusual thing you had ever seen."
Christian looks at the place again. He doesn't have Ana's eyesight but he can see that there is a building. He turns towards Liam and means to head over to him but Ana stops him.
"Don't. Don't try to show it to him. Best case scenario, he'll think you're making fun of him. Worst case, he'll develop a nasty tick in his eyes. The only way he could ever see it is if you blindfolded him and led him inside the perimeter."
Christian nods and turns back to the hillside.
"So, there are magical people living there?"
"It looks long abandoned. Strange. But it might be just another layer of protection."
There is a moment of silence as Ana ponders over something.
"If it's important to you, then yes, I'll move in with you," she says finally, answering Christian's original question.
"Great."
"I can move some things this evening and the rest at Wednesday. Kate's brother Ethan is coming this Tuesday and I don't know if he has got a key so I'll have to be there."
She tries not to think about what would her father say or what would her brother John think (John would never presume to usurp his parents' authority and castigate his siblings in their stead). Then she notices that Christian is smiling, as if he is dying to say something very satisfying to him.
"Where's the canary?" she prods him.
"Now that you are moving in with me, I think it's time for you to return your magical truck to your family."
"The truck is very convenient. To keep up the facade."
"Do you know what provides even a better one? The Audi I'm going to get you. With all due respect to the truck's ability to fly, you need something more presentable to park at Escala."
"Huh? Talk about taking a mile."
"Hm. You are right, we need to compromise. I'll let you pick the model."
"But what if somebody sees me in that car, connects me to John, and snaps a picture? Me riding in an expansive car could damage his public image."
"Well, aim for utilitarian rather than expansive. But please, do remember that I've got standards and image to uphold too."
"You know, I was just fine with a bicycle before I borrowed the truck."
"There are no bicycle stands in Escala's garage."
"Very well, as you wish," surrenders Ana. "The new car will stay in the family anyway."
"Ouch," jokes Christian.
"There's one thing about the truck which an Audi can't replace."
"And that's is?"
"Ever since we moved from Vancouver, the truck served as my mobile gun safe and an armory."
"What? Is it even legal to keep guns in a car?"
"Cops are welcome to search the truck. For as long as they get a house search warrant first, because the inside is as big as a small house, and for as long as the truck doesn't bite their heads off."
Christian closes his eyes and sighs. "Very well, you can leave your gun in Taylor's safe."
"I can't go through Taylor every time I want to access my weapons. And yes, I do possess more of them. I'm going to need my own safe."
It is as if they have not just discovered a magical house. Christian recoils with annoyance and asks Ana why she needs guns anyway which prompts her to tell him that yes, she does need guns. The house is not forgotten but it is out of sight and out of their conversation.
Taylor picks his phone up. It is John Black, according to the number.
"Taylor? This is Black."
"Mr. Black," answers Taylor, remembering not to call him "sir".
"I've got some good news. That is, if you are interested. You've been cleared to participate in a demonstration slash tryout of a certain piece of secret equipment. It's unlikely that you'll be issued one, as it would be impractical anyway, but you ought to know what it can do."
"Very well, I am interested. However, your tone suggest that there's a catch."
"Indeed. The bad news is that the honors will be done by my dad."
"I beg your pardon?"
"He has promised mom to keep his nose out of Ana's relationship for now. That includes staying away from Christian Grey. However, it does not include asking an old comrade of mine a few questions."
"Do I even want to do this?"
"You would be missing a lot if you didn't. Take or leave."
"Very well. When?"
"Today."
And so it happens that Taylor arrives to a half-empty parking lot, wondering what he has gotten into again. He is early so Jacob isn't there yet.
A minute before the set time, a black SUV pulls in. It doesn't need green masking pattern for Taylor to recognize that it is a military model. Well, at least he doesn't have problem recognizing his ride. He gets out of his car and walks to the SUV.
"Mr. Taylor?" calls Jacob, rolling his window down. He has recognized him from a photo John has given him.
Taylor doesn't have any problem recognizing Jacob either, his resemblance to his former CO is obvious (with the exception of his complexion). What is startling is his youth - he doesn't appear to be any older than his son. In fact, there is even a hint of carefreeness which John, burdened by worries and responsibilities, doesn't share.
"Mr. Black. Pleased to meet you."
"Ditto. Get in the car."
"What's this about?" asks Taylor when he sits next to Jacob.
"You are about to shoot the sweetest gun you've ever shot. If you can call it a gun, it's more like a flamethrower in its function." He gets the car moving and adds, "And I'll ask you some questions."
"You know I'm under an NDA."
"I'm sure this NDA doesn't prevent you from telling Ana's father whether this Grey is a creep or not."
Taylor tightens his lips in consternation. Creep is exactly how an ignorant person might describe Christian Grey.
"It isn't a black or white matter," he answers carefully. "It's a gray matter. Pardon the pun."
Jacob laughs. "I like puns."
"For all it's worth, I believe your daughter is exactly what my employer needs in his life. I do hope you won't try to get between them."
"Oh, don't worry. I wouldn't do that even if wasn't for my wife. That doesn't mean I'm not going to have a serious conversation with the guy. As soon as my wife lets me."
"I have a bad feeling about this," sighs Taylor.
Jacob grins.
"Aren't you supposed to brief me about this new weapon?" asks Taylor.
"Sure. It isn't new, it's been around for a while now. They still haven't made it any more convenient for deployment so it's used only in special cases."
"Why?"
"It's too heavy and its fuel cells are still a little unstable. They want to fix the latter before improving the former. Alas, it's not entirely impossible that you won't ever see it deployed on your own eyes. Hence this briefing."
They are driving through a dirty, rusty area with few buildings and almost no people. Warehouses, workshops, electrical relay stations, wild shrubbery between that.
Jacob hits a button on his phone and tells somebody that they have arrived. There is a nondescript L-shaped building with a concrete panel wall forming a U with it and a rusty gate closing the last side.
"Could you help the guy with the gate, please?" asks Jacob.
Taylor gets out of the car and walks to the gate. He hears a padlock being opened and rattling of a heavy chain.
He half-expects to see broken bottles and crushed cans inside but it is surprisingly clean and orderly in there. The "guy" is an old soldier with a prosthetic leg. They say good morning to each other. Taylor briefly considers telling him where he served and asking him the same.
Jacob drives in and they close the gate again.
While the old soldier goes inside, Jacob opens the trunk and takes out two heavy cases - a cubical one and a long one. They follow the soldier.
They find him sitting at his security station, watching CCTV feeds. He eyes the two cases with some curiosity but he doesn't ask what is in them.
"IDs, please," he requests.
They show him their driver's licenses and sign themselves in a book of visitors.
"Have fun," utters the guard and points at a door.
Interestingly enough, he doesn't (and can't) buzz them in. Jacob has to insert a card and punch in a PIN. They go downstairs.
"What is this place?" asks Taylor.
"A range."
"Are you in the military?"
"No."
"A contractor?"
"A contractor would take money."
They reach the bottom and go through another door. There are no cameras down there.
Jacob opens the long case. There is a plasma infantry cannon inside. Despite wishes of Emmett and many others, it still hasn't been renamed to abbreviate to BFG. Of course, it isn't the prototype which John Smith introduced decades ago. This model is modern, sleeker, sturdier, and a little more compact. The most important part is that while magic is required in its production, it doesn't require it to operate.
"This looks like something out of those old computer games for DOS!" exclaims Taylor.
Jacob gives Taylor an abbreviated explanation of what he is looking at and explains the controls. Taylor tries its weight and can't lift it. Thankfully, Jacob has attached a bipod to it.
"Well, time to try it out," announces Jacob later, putting his hand on the lid of the other case. "Since they improved it, the fuel cell can hold four shots. No, you can't change the setting on the gun. Make sure to press the trigger a few times after last shot. It won't shoot again but it makes sure that the cell is discharged. This cell is only half-filled. One shot for me to demonstrate, one for you to try out."
He opens the case, the actual container of the cell is revealed.
"There are only two safe places for a cell - this container and the gun itself. I will need your assistance in the loading process."
Jacob puts his earphones on and opens the container. Taylor opens the receptacle in the gun, as Jacob has showed him. Working quickly, Jacob moves the cell.
"OK, prepare to be amazed," he says and lifts the gun.
"Already am," murmurs Taylor, puts his ears on, and steps back.
Jacob fires. The result is one of the things which have not changed over the years.
"Oh my god!" cries Taylor out.
"Your turn."
Jacob unfolds the bipod and rests it on a bench. Taylor steps forward and puts his hands on the gun nervously. Even with the bipod, it is still heavy but he manages to heft it to his shoulder.
"Go on," encourages him Jacob.
Taylor has been told that there is almost no recoil but that doesn't prevent him from having irrational fear of one. He presses the trigger.
"Woohoo!" he rejoices, suddenly feeling like a boy after shooting a .22 LR rifle for the first time (after being able to shoot only air rifles before).
Jacob reminds him to press the trigger again and Taylor does so a few times. Afterwards, Jacob moves the spent cell back into its container.
"Well, that's it," announces Jacob, clasping his hands. "Like I've said, the odds of you being anywhere near this gun being used in anger is slimmer than slim so there's no point in deeper training. And no, Ana doesn't have one of these. As you have surely surmised, logistics connected with this are a nightmare. That, and the fact that it's forbidden, are the reasons why you won't see this used in mundane situations either."
"So, what am I supposed to do if there's trouble?"
"Hopefully, there won't be any trouble. At least of any unordinary kind. Still, do you've got any rifles at your workplace?"
"No, just my sidearm. And it used to be in a safe most of the time."
"Well, do get there an assault rifle of your preference. Or better yet, an SMG and a battle rifle. Ana will provide you with proper ammo for the latter."
Taylor doesn't say anything about Christian's anti-gun sentiment but he is already thinking about how is he going to clear it with him.
"Still, should something happen, watch what's Ana doing. There are two options. Either she will remain human and starts shooting. In such case, open up from an assault rifle or an SMG and hope that Ana will think of something before you run out of ammo. But that's unlikely to happen, we didn't have any trouble of such sort for a long time now."
He is talking about wizards, of course. He has heard that Taylor met John Smith but he doesn't know how much Taylor knows about Smith's nature so he is vague.
"The other option is that she'll change into a wolf. You are aware that we can do that, right?"
Taylor nods.
"If that happens, you'll need a larger caliber and special ammo. You should discuss the strategy with Ana. If it was me and I needed help, I would prefer you behind me but not straight behind me. Slightly to a side. That way, you have a clear line of fire and the enemy can't get to you without passing around me. Whatever you do, don't put a bullet in the back of my daughter's head. That would make us very cross with you."
Jacob closes the case with the cannon and adds in kinder tone, "And remember to ask for a raise afterwards. I realize perfectly well that this isn't what you signed up for. But like I've said, let's hope there's no trouble."
Truth to be told, Taylor signed up for much weirder stuff, at least in his opinion. As strange as it sounds, Ana was the most normal thing that has happened during his employment. In fact, he hasn't felt this normal ever since he left the army.
"Well, let's get out of here," concludes Jacob and they get going.
"Any further questions?" he asks when they are driving away from the building.
"Not at the moment. Still processing."
"Well, talk to Ana if you'll have any. In the meantime, you can answer a few of mine."
Oh dear, thinks Taylor.