CPOV

Sometimes The Grey Name and Grey money come in handy. Of course the fact that Carrick and Grace donated all the funding to build and furnish Grey's Hall helps as well! It got me all the information that I needed on my little Firecracker. She's a young thing, just turned seventeen years old today.

Is she too young for me? I'm nineteen going on "stay the fuck away from me if you know what's best for you!" She's extremely bright, which is why she started here at Harvard one year early, like Noah...her boyfriend, both Noah's and Ana's parents were killed in an auto accident. I feel sad for Ana and Noah as well, losing their parents like that. The crack whore creeps into my thoughts and I quickly push them out.

I sit in the back of the room in a low lit area where I will not be disturbed, but I can still see everything that is going on around me.

The Golden Boy arrives holding hands with the little Firecracker and I am consumed with a strange feeling. I can't explain it. Am I jealous of the Golden Boy? Is that possible? Do I care about the Firecracker? What the fuck is happening to me?!

Suddenly the entire room breaks out in song, they're singing 'Happy Birthday' to the Firecracker. She's blushing and she's fucking adorable.

Whoa what? Did I just say the word 'adorable?' Christ I sound like a love-sick puppy or something! This is ridiculous!

Oh fucking brother, they're going to start the fucking karaoke now. I'm getting the hell out of here before I scream from sheer boredom!

"Everyone? May I have your attention please?" The Golden Boy announces as he takes center stage.

Fuck this! I head for the back exit so I'm not spotted.

"Today is Ana's birthday and..."

I stop dead in my tracks. What the fuck is he going to do? I'm curious, I have to see this.

"I would like for Ana to start this year with a clean slate, starting with her seventeenth birthday. Ana, I love you and this song is for you." Noah looks to the karaoke guy, clears his throat, then the music plays.

I look to Little Miss Firecracker. Her beautiful blue eyes are alight, she has a perfect smile, showing all the love that she has to give and for the first time in my pathetic life, I find myself wanting and craving another woman's love. I find myself wishing that I was on the receiving end of her gaze showing nothing but love and admiration. That lucky bastard. I hate him!

What fucking song is this? He can't sing for shit! It's that Bruno kid. He's singing something about loving her just the way she is! Nice song fucker! Well played, that is until his voice starts cracking! Ha! This is great! The joke will be on him! The fucker can't carry a tune!

Wait! What the fuck is happening? The entire team is cheering him on and The Firecracker is still smiling at him! Can't you hear him? He sucks! I don't get it?

Is this what you do for the one you love? Are you so blinded by love that you do not realize that the fucker can't sing? They must all be deaf! What the fuck is wrong with these people?!

"I love you Ana." Noah says as she slowly walks up to him...tears in her eyes. Fuck! She does love him! I feel a sharp pain in my chest. What the fuck? Am I having heart attack?

The entire teams erupts in applause and cheers. I'm fucking out of here!

APOV

Oh my God. I cannot believe that Noah, my Noah is doing this! I know this song, it's Bruno Mars singing "Just The Way You Are."

Oh, her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her tryin'
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday

Yeah, I know, I know when I compliment her, she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look okay?
I say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are

Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh her laugh, she hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday

Oh, you know, you know, you know I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for, then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay
You know I'll say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are

The way you are
The way you are
Girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are

After Noah's performance is over he says, "I love you Ana."

I walk up to him with tears streaming down my face and I say, "I love you Noah."

He takes my hand and we slow dance. It's the perfect ending to a perfect birthday thanks to my wonderful boyfriend who I love so very much.

CPOV

"Hey bartender, hit me again!" I say as I motion for another drink. I need to get numb. I need to rid myself of this feeling of...of...Fuck! I don't know what the fuck I'm feeling. I only know I need to get that little Firecracker out of my head!

My phone vibrates and I see that my 'date' is here. I've been a regular customer of Esclava's since I've been at Harvard. Esclava's a very high-class 'escort' service which is just a fancy way of saying that I pay for hookers, yes I pay to fuck. No strings attached, no heartache and no drama. I learned my lesson after fucking Bree. She didn't understand why I wouldn't let her touch me but she wanted to fuck me in the worst way so she let me tie her up. No more dealing with that shit.

I go upstairs and meet my fuck partner in the hotel room that I have pre-paid for during the school year. I have my own place off campus but I don't like to fuck there, you have to play it safe in case you get a hooker who goes "fatal attraction" on your ass. When I'm rich I'm going to have some sort of clause that my fuck partners will have to sign so they know what they are getting into when I fuck them.

APOV

"No, please. I'm sorry, I'm sorry...Mommy, Daddy...NO! NO! NO!"

"Ana, Ana. Wake up hon. You're ok, come on now. It's just a dream." Holly says as she gently brings me out of my nightmare.

"Oh Holly, I'm so sorry. I forgot to warn you that I get...nightmares." I say as I wipe the tears from my eyes.

"I know Ana, tonight wasn't the first one that I've heard." Holly says as she hands me a glass of water.

"Thanks," I say as I take a drink. " Sorry, I hope I haven't been too much of a bother with my nightmares. I...well, Noah and I both lost our parents and...and..." The tears start falling again.

"Hey, hey...you don't have to tell me anything ok? If you want to talk about it, I'm here but if not, I understand ok?" She hugs me and says, "Go back to sleep now. We have an early morning practice."

"Ok and Holly?"

"Yes?" She says before she turns out the light.

I smile and say, "Thanks."

She smiles and turns out the light.

***Weld Boathouse***

Charles River

APOV

I get to the Charles early because I like to see Noah warm up. The mean girls are there as well, perhaps they have the same thing on their minds. Hmmmmmm...

"Hi Ana!" Carolyn says as she approaches me.

"Hey Carolyn how are you?" I ask.

"Great, the team and I came to check out the fellas. They are sure looking good aren't they?" She says with ardor.

"I wouldn't know." I say as I see Noah row by on a single. "I only have eyes for my boyfriend."

"Hi baby!" Noah says as he passes by.

I smile and wave, "Isn't he gorgeous?"

"Oh yes, he really is." Carolyn says with a little too much fervor. I think she realizes how she sounded because she quickly recovers and says, "Well, I'm going to check out the talent with the girls. Care to join us?"

"No thanks, I actually have to get ready to cox so you'll see me floating by. Wish me luck. There are six other coxswains out there and they have more experience than I do." I say nervously.

"You'll do fine Ana, just relax and show'em what you got!"

Since Noah and I are new to the team, we've had to keep quiet about making our positions. I've already been told that I'm going to cox the lead 8-boat and Noah's already made stroke seat. This needs to be kept quiet until the coaches figure out who would work best with Noah as stroke seat and with myself as the cox.

Carolyn walks, actually she 'struts' back to the viewing area with the girl's team. She's confident...but in a quiet kind of way. She may have eyes for Noah but I cannot help but like her. She's the only one aside from Holly who has been nice to me. I thought the coxswains would be kind to me but since I am their competition, they ignore me. Hell, they're not even nice to each other!

I sigh and wonder quietly if I really do belong here. I quickly kick those thoughts out of my mind and join the boys.

"Ana!" Noah shouts as he gets out of the boat. "How did I do? Am I ready?" He asks as he hugs me.

"You're ready Noah, just remember, your feathering technique. Don't over think it, just do it! Remember to make your strokes sharper and quicker and you'll be fine."

"Thanks baby!" Noah says as they prepare to seat race.

CPOV

The Golden Boy is looking good out there, he has a solid form and technique. He shouldn't have any problem making one of the top seats. Hell, that fucker can probably make the stroke seat if he puts his mind to it.

I was planning on watching from a distance but I don't give a fuck. I may as well check out the action up close.

"Hey Christian!" One the crew members yells out. "You thinking of trying out?"

"Not on your fucking life! I just came to see if I have any competition." I say casually trying not to look at all interested. The irony of that statement is not lost on me. Fucking Golden Boy!

Ah, there's the little Firecracker. She turns as she hears me approaching.

"Hello Christian." She says as she smiles.

Damn, the little Firecracker is so beautiful.

"Hello Firecracker, how are you?" I ask as I give her my best smile. I think I hear her gasp. Do I affect her?

"I...uh...I'm fine thanks. You?" She asks as she looks away. No doubt, she's looking for the Golden Boy.

"Not so good. I didn't get much sleep last night." I say surprised that I actually am sharing that information with her.

"Really? Neither did I." She says and she looks surprised that she shared this information with me. Hmmmmmm...

"Why didn't you sleep well Christian?" She asks as she looks up at me with her brow furrowed. There's a little "V" that appears on her forehead. Oh how I would love to kiss it.

Fuck Grey! What's wrong with you? You don't kiss foreheads! You like to eat pu...

"Christian? Did you hear me?" The Firecracker asks.

Shit! I that's what I get for having my mind in the gutter, though I prefer to think of myself as more of a skin savant. It sounds...classier.

"What was that?" I ask

"Why didn't you sleep well Christian?" She asks again.

What should I say? That I constantly dream of my birth mother the crack whore? That I blame myself for her death? Or better yet, should I tell her that I couldn't cum last night with my fuck partner because all I kept thinking about was you?

I go with, "I just don't sleep well, that's all."

"Oh...I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'm going to head out closer to the dock. It appears as though the girl's team is helping to cheer on the boys and I don't want to miss Noah's time. See ya!" She says as she walks away.

I feel sad, I want her to stay with me. "I'll join you." I blurt out before I can stop myself.

She turns and smiles, "Ok." She says as she runs without looking forward and shouts, "Hurry up. I don't want to miss anything!"

Some of the girls are heading back from their practice. They've got their hands full carrying oars back from the dock.

I see Bree talking and laughing with Carolyn and Mallory. It happens in slow motion, right before my eyes.

Bree turns quickly, my little Firecracker doesn't see her and she gets hit hard by the oar and she falls in water.

"Ana!" I shout as I run towards her and jump in the water. I don't hear a thing, I only hear my heart racing as I try to get to Ana.

By the time I jump in the water my senses have returned. I hear someone shout, "Ana, relax! Don't panic!"

I hear Ana saying, "No, no, let me go! I'm sorry! Mom, Dad, I'm so very sorry!"

Mallory shouts out, "She's taking Carolyn down with her!"

"Someone help!"

I reach for Carolyn and push her towards the dock. Mallory helps her up and I hear Holly shouting, "Christian, she's panicking! Be careful!"

I reach for Ana and I'm shocked at how strong she is. She tries to stay above water by pushing me down. I was not expecting that as I go under. I swallow and choke on some water. I get my bearings, float to the top and hold the Firecracker from behind.

Ana's arms are flailing.

"Easy Ana, it's ok." I say as I attempt to regulate her breathing by holding her tight against me, her back to my front. Her body is rigid and I can hear her whimpering.

I squeeze a little harder, "Easy, easy..." I say softly.

Her arms stop flailing. "That's right little Firecracker. Just breathe."

I feel her body start to relax, "There you go, you're fine sweetheart. No one is going to hurt you. You're safe with me."

I feel and hear Ana attempt to suppress a sob. Poor kid, I wonder what brought this panic attack on?

"Listen sweetheart, I'm going to turn you around so you can face me ok?" I make to move my arms and she tenses up.

"No, don't let me go. Please." She begs me.

My fucking heart is splintering listening to my little Firecracker. I've not heard her voice sounding so...broken, so frightened.

"I won't baby. I'm just going to have you face me ok? Can we do that sweetheart? You'll be strong won't you. You won't panic."

"Yes, I'll be strong." She says in a timid voice which does nothing to convince me.

Perhaps she's in shock.

I turn her around slowly and there we are, face to face. Her arms wrapped around my neck, my arms around her waist. There's that pull, that feeling that draws me to her. It's like we are both under one another's spell. I bring her closer against my body. I want to feel her. I want to be inside her. She's a siren and I...

"Ana! Oh my God! Ana baby! Are you alright?" The Golden Boy shouts.

Great timing fucker!

"Noah!" Ana shouts breaking us out of our trance as she turns to face her fucking boyfriend. "Noah, help me up."

Noah quickly reaches for Ana and she starts to cry as she hugs him.

"Oh baby, I saw what happened and I got here as fast as I could." The fucker says as he kisses her all over.

The fucker turns to me and says, "Hey thanks a lot buddy, I'm Noah, Noah Shepherd."

Fuck!

Now I have to be human which is difficult since my cock is rock solid. I stay in the water to keep my dick under wraps so to speak.

"Grey," I say as I extend my hand. "Christian Grey."

"Thanks again Grey, please join us tonight. I'm taking my girlfriend out to dinner and I'd really like to thank you again. I'll even buy the drinks." The fucker says with a lightening white perfect teeth smile.

"Thanks but I'm not sure I can make it." I say back to him.

"Well, please try. It's the least I can do, since you saved me girl." He says as he kisses the Firecracker once more.

"I'm sorry Noah, I...I panicked." She says as she squeezes him tight.

I stay in the water like some sort of dumb ass love-sick fool waiting for Ana to throw me a bone.

Hello?! I saved you! Remember me?! The dumb shit that is still in the water? The one that's trying to hide his massive cock that is aching for you!

"It's ok baby. We'll come back tonight and figure this out ok? Just you and me." He says as he kisses her hard on the lips.

Ana kisses him in return and now it's me that wants to go under the water.

"Oh Noah, I love you so much!" She says as she runs her fingers through his hair.

"Here Ana, I brought you a towel." Bree says as she wraps Ana in the huge towel.

"Thanks Bree." Ana says as they walk away.

She loves him, she fucking loves him. The worst part of it is, he seems like a decent guy.

Shit! I need to do some digging. Perhaps he's a serial killer or something? If he turns out to be the real deal I am fucked!

Fuck me! Fuck my life! I think to myself as I go under water for a bit.

When I float back up to the surface of the water, I'm surprised to see Ana standing there. She is smiling a most beautiful smile at me, she gets on her knees and says, "Christian, I forgot to say 'thank you' to you."

She kisses my cheek and I hear her gasp. She felt it! I know she did! Her eyes go wide and she jumps up quickly and runs back to Noah. He's smiling at her as he extends his hand. She quickly takes it and he brings her in and wraps his arm around her waist.

APOV

I run back to my boyfriend and I feel safe in his arms. I kiss him full on the lips and I am grateful that I am ok. I'm not sure what would have happened if Christian wasn't there to help me.

"Ana, we'll come back tonight. We will get through this together baby." Noah says as he holds me in his arms.

"I'm scared Noah, I'm not sure I can do this." I say as I feel myself tremble.

"I believe in you Ana, you can do this. I will be there to help you. You will swim again!"

I'm not sure I can, since our parent's passing I've had a fear of the water. I've always been an excellent swimmer but now that I'm rowing here at Harvard it's a must that I conquer this fear.

Noah is right, I need to do this once and for all!

CPOV

I wonder that Noah meant when he said that he and Ana will figure this out tonight? Could this be the reason why she had her little panic attack? I may have to return and investigate for myself.

A/N

Have any of you read Darkness and White? If not, your missing out. It's a great story, unlike any of the FSOG stories that are out there. Give it a shot. I'm sorry if I'm nagging about this story but I just really love it and it makes me sad that this story doesn't get the recognition that I think it deserves. Ok, I'll shut up now!

Keep Reading, Keep Reviewing and Keep Smiling!

Cheers,

Rosie