***Weld Boathouse Charles River***

NPOV

Ana and I arrive together for our first practice. We are both 'newbies' and we are also extremely competitive. I know that Ana is a little nervous but I think she is ready to get out on a boat to cox and I am more than ready to impress the team as well as the coaches with my skills. I've improved my feathering technique thanks to Ana. She has a great eye for observing the smallest of things and making me a better rower. I really want to make stroke seat but I won't let the crew know because I don't want to overstep my position since I am a novice on the team.

Ana and I get lucky as we are immediately assigned to the first 8-boat. I think word has gotten out about 'The Kid' and her strong coxing skills. I cannot help but beam with pride as I look at my beautiful girlfriend.

There's a lot of testosterone on the dock and I can see that Ana is getting plenty of admiring looks from the crew. I don't mind at all, let them look!I know she is mine.

I don't have a worry in the world! Everyone knows that Ana is my girl with the exception of one jerk who tried to hit on her. He was subsequently kicked off the team for excessive partying and not having a strong commitment to the team. Apparently he was more interested in hooking up with the girls rowing team.

Once we are out on the water Ana does her usual 'hand dip' as she tries to get a feel for the water. I wait for her to make her exclamation.

I know she's freaked out about being out in the water but she hides her fear very well. Nobody knows about Ana's problem and I prefer that we keep it that way until we can figure out how we are going to address the issue.

"The water feels good today guys!" Ana shouts as we position ourselves. "It feels like victory!"

"Yeah it does!" I shout in return hoping to the team fired up.

"Ok crew, let's show them that this crew and this coxswain is the Olympic caliber 8-boat!" Ana shouts.

I hear several outbursts of, "Hell yeah!" "Let's do this!" "This is the team!" And then I'm completely surprised when the crew yells out, "Team Ana!"

I wish I could have seen Ana's face. I'm sure she was shocked but happy upon hearing that shout out. I was placed in the sixth seat which isn't bad especially since I'm new but sixth isn't good enough for me! I will make the stroke seat, I have an advantage. My girl is the coxswain and once she evaluates everyone's strengths and weaknesses, she will be able to tell me how and what I need to do to improve my chances of moving up!

Ana makes her power calls and the crew is confused, they aren't familiar with Ana's way of racing. They will become accustomed to it once we race and then we will blow everyone out of the water! This is going to be a blast!

CPOV

I watch from afar as the little Firecracker coxes the 8-boat. She's in absolute command of the crew and the boat. It's very awe-inspiring and I cannot help but feel the smallest twinge of regret for quitting the 8-boat I could easily be sitting right in front of her and gazing on her beauty.

Whoa! Where the fuck did that come from?! Shit!

I can hear the crew shouting and getting pumped up as they glide across the water in what looks like record time! The little Firecracker has plenty of pop! She makes them work that boat in a way I've not seen...ever! She's not only coxing, she's evaluating, taking mental notes in her head. She looks adorable with her headset on, shouting her commands out. I have to speak to her...

APOV

"Ok everyone, great job!" Coach Bowness shouts out. "You were all impressive today but I do sense that some of you are rusty so everyone and I do mean everyone, including the coxswains will do a 2K on the ergs first thing tomorrow."

I hear a collective groan from the crew and then Mallory asks, "Why do the coxswains have to erg Coach Bowness? We don't row."

"Because we work out together as a team." Coach Bowness replies sternly. "Ok, let's get these boats rigged so we can call it day!"

Everyone disperses to get the boats rigged and to start putting the oars away. I see Noah approaching when I hear someone call out, "Hey, Golden Boy! Come give us hand with 8-boats!"

"Ana, I'll catch up with you later this evening?" I smile and give him a quick kiss.

"Of course. I'm going to help with the oars." I say as I walk towards the dock.

"Oh hey!" Team Captain Tik yells out. "Before everyone goes their separate ways, remember we have karaoke night. It's a great way to get to know everyone on the team and have some fun!"

I grab my oars and walk back towards the boathouse when I hear someone say, "Need a hand with those oars?" I turn quickly and lose my balance.

"Take it easy Firecracker, those oars are heavy." The walking tree says as he flashes me a smile.

"Yes, I know they're heavy. I'm quite familiar with how to handle and carry oars." I say as I turn back around and intentionally attempt to swipe him with the oars.

"Hey!" He shouts back, "You almost hit me!"

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry. I need to meet my boyfriend." I say frustrated that he's slowing me down.

"Boyfriend huh?"

"Yup!" I say as I pop my 'p.'

"Here, let me take those for you." He says as he lifts the oars on his shoulder.

"Thanks," I say as I grab another set of oars and we walk back to the boathouse together in silence. Everyone else has left.

"Any time Firecracker." He says as he puts the oars away.

"I told you, my name is Ana!" I shout unexpectedly.

Why am I so ansy?

"What's your name anyway? You've not properly introduced yourself." I say with my hands on my hips.

"I apologize Ana, my name is Grey. Christian Grey." He says as he extends his hand.

"Well Grey. Christian Grey, it's nice to meet you." I say as I shake his hand and I'll be damned if I don't feel a pulling sensation when we touch. What the heck is that all about?

Wait a sec? Christian? Christian Grey? He's the one that the girls were talking about in the dressing room. They said he was dark and brooding and full of himself. They were spot on. I think they also said he's somewhat of a bad boy or trouble maker of some sort. I need to get away from him. I don't want him getting in the way of my hopes and dreams.

"Thanks again Christian, I have to go now!" I say as I practically run to make my escape.

"Hey Firecracker, are you going to karaoke tonight?" He asks as he runs to catch up to me.

"Uh, I don't know. I'll check with my boyfriend Noah. See ya!" I say as I smile and run for my life.

CPOV

I am...I don't know what I am other than in shock, figuratively and literally! That damn little Firecracker is getting under my skin. I don't understand what the hell is happening to me!

Shit!

She most certainly looks like a nice piece of ass but there's something...more to her, something different and I cannot explain it, I knew from the moment that I saw her and when we touched I fucking felt it! There's a feeling that went through my body, we connected. I have to see her again. I have to know what's going on with this boyfriend of hers and find out if it's serious.

I'll go to the fucking karaoke party in the hopes that she will be there. I hate those stupid team comradery things but perhaps it will allow me to gather some information on the little Firecracker.

That's another rule I will have when I'm rich. I will hire someone who will be available to me at anytime to do background checks. That way I don't have to waste my time doing this shit myself!

NPOV

I wonder if Ana is playing dumb or if she completely forgot that it's her birthday today? I know it's been tough for us but I want her to be able celebrate her birthday again. I will do it tonight! Hopefully I don't make too big of a fool of myself.

Knowing my Ana, she will take it all in stride.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Noah, it's me. Let me in!" Ana shouts and my heart skips a beat. I wasn't expecting to see her until later this evening.

I run towards the door and open it and she launches herself at me.

"Ana, what's up baby?" I say as she pushes me towards the bed. "Did you hear the good news?"

"Good news? What good news?" Ana asks as she starts to undress me.

"I made stroke seat Ana! Can you believe it? Me! My first year and I made stroke seat!" I shout still not believing the good news.

"Oh Noah, that's wonderful!" Ana shouts as she pushes me down on the bed.

"We must celebrate now. I want you Noah. Watching you row and seeing you in your uni...you looked so hot! Come on, let's fool around." She moans as she kisses me and lifts off her shirt.

"Well you don't have to tell me twice baby." I say as I unhook her bra and get undressed.

"I love you Noah..." Ana moans as I kiss her neck and we proceed to get lost in each other.

***One Hour Later***

NPOV

"Ana, wake up baby." I say as I gently nudge my beautiful girlfriend as she lies on my chest. God I love feeling her, skin on skin, my chest against her beautiful breasts. I could lay like this forever.

"Come on Ana, I want to take you the karaoke party tonight."

"Mmmm...give me a minute." She says as she kisses my chest and starts to stroke my cock.

"Don't start again Ana or we might not leave my room tonight." I say as I caress her back and then squeeze her perfect ass.

"So, you do want to go to that thing tonight?" Ana asks.

I smile and nod.

"Well, in that case I better leave." Ana says as she rolls off of me and stretches out. I love to look at her perfect body. So beautiful.

"Why do you need to leave?" I ask.

"Oh geez, look at me! I need to change my clothes and fix myself up."

"Ana, you look fine baby. You're beautiful. Don't you know that?" I say willing her to understand.

"Oh Noah, you're just saying that because you are a wonderful boyfriend and that's what you're suppose to say to me." Ana says as she kisses my nose.

"Ana," I grab her hands and make her stop to look at me. "I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. You are amazing just the way you are. Please believe it, please believe me baby."

APOV

He tells me every day, not a day goes by that Noah doesn't say 'I love you' or that I look beautiful but today is different. The way he said it, he's pleading for me to understand how beautiful I really am. He's wonderful!

Noah and I arrive at the party together holding hands. That's right bitches, he's mine so you all better recognize! I notice some of the girl's faces fall when they see us together. I'm sure more than one of them was ready to get their claws in my man. Sorry, not gonna happen!

I notice one the girls approaching Noah and myself.

Wow! She's absolutely stunning! She reminds me of my two of my best friends from middle school. Lynn and Erika with a dash of Rihanna and Naomi Campbell with out the anger issues I hope!

"Hi, my name's Carolyn. You must be Noah and you must be Ana." She says as she extends her hand.

"It's nice to meet you," Noah says as he shakes her hand and then he nudges me as my jaw is agape.

"Oh yes, it's nice to meet you." I say as I shut my mouth. "Forgive me for staring but you are...beautiful and very exotic looking."

Carolyn smiles and says, "Thank you, I've never been greeted like that before. Welcome to Harvard and welcome to the team."

It's then that I recognize her voice, she's the nice voice from the pack of mean girls.

"Thanks for the nice welcome Carolyn." I say as I smile and notice the other girls are scowling.

"Yes, thanks Carolyn. If you'll excuse us please? Ana, let's sit over here." Noah says as he guides me to a table with a large cake and before I know it, the entire team breaks out in an out of tune version of 'Happy Birthday.'

I look at Noah and I smile, he whispers in my ear, "To new beginnings. We will now start celebrating again, celebrating life, celebrating us and celebrating my love's birthday. I love you Ana, always."

A/N

An erg is a rowing machine that can keep track/pace of your stroke rate.

Carolyn is named after my lovely reviewer Fluffy Empress Carofenn!

Coach Bowness is named after the beautiful Missreadingfool who is a reviewer and author as well. Check out her story Fifty Shades of Sisterhood on this FF website and my personal fave of hers is "Submit To Ana" which is deemed "too hot" for this website, which means it's REALLY good!

Guest 2/28/13 . chapter 5

Jasper, Jack, James, Bree are from Twilight! -_-; but i love your stories/

^^Guest Reviewer, I seriously had no clue about the names! Ha! Ha! :D

Ana's birthday celebration will continue in my next update and guess who is there watching it all play out?

Keep Reading, Keep Reviewing and Keep Smiling!

Rosie :D