APOV

Today is a new day meant for new beginnings and I am feeling really good because our race was cancelled. That will give me more time to face my fear. I cannot wait to get in the water. I can't believe it! I am actually looking forward to finally facing this ominous feeling. That has to be a good sign. I call Noah and again to let him know that I'll be meeting with Christian at the dock so that he can help me with my fear of the water, Noah's cell phone goes directly to voice mail.

I don't bother to leave a message. I wonder what's up with my boyfriend. I check my phone and realize I have some missed calls. Of course they are from Noah and that's when I realize that I have a voice mail message.

"Ana! I'm sorry I had to leave without saying good-bye in person. I got some really great news. The Olympic rowing recruiters have asked me to row at a regatta in Prague. They're holding the World Championships in Prague next year! Isn't that great? Anyway, I'll be back in two weeks. I've already got the ok from my professors so I can make up my missed assignments. I'm not sure about cell reception out there but I'll try to call or text. See you soon! I Love you Ana!"

Great! Now what am I going to do? I'm going to be alone, my boyfriend is out of the country for two whole weeks and I'm here. Perhaps I can hang out with Holly or Carolyn? I feel lost without Noah.

I attend my morning classes and I feel as though as part of me is missing, which it is, a huge part...Noah. We don't have any classes together but just knowing that he is not on campus leaves me feeling bereft. I go through the day in a daze but I still manage to maintain my focus in all my classes, my favorite being my literature course.

I eat dinner on my own, Grey's Hall has a huge dining area with all the comforts of home...a home that is empty without Noah.

Geez, I really have to learn to quit being so dependant on Noah. I need to be a strong woman. Mom and dad would expect that of me, I've let them down enough already...mom and dad...Not a day goes by that I do not think of them or my God Parents.

I lose track of the time and I notice my phone is vibrating. I reach for it quickly in the hopes that it's Noah. I don't recognize the number.

*Meet me at the boathouse and be ready for practice in 30 minutes-Christian

Oh shoot I completely forgot about that! What the hell is wrong with me? I'm losing my focus. This morning I was so looking forward to this but now...I just don't know. I go to my room and grab my pink bikini and then I freeze. I put it back and grab a swimmers bathing suit. It's much more conservative. Ordinarily I wouldn't think twice about wearing my bikini but...I shake whatever thought was in my head and dress for swimming.

CPOV

Christ! I thought this day would never end. I've had the little Firecracker on my mind twenty four-seven.

I cannot wait for her to show up! Just thinking about her here with me gets my cock twitching. I hope she wears her pink bikini because she looks so fucking hot in those little triangles.

Oh fuck!

Maybe it would be better if she doesn't wear it or else I'll have to explain my massive hard on. I then think of the memory of her with Noah together! I want to see those pretty pink triangles and then I don't want to see them for fear that 'The Big Guy' will make his own personal fucking salute!

Fuck!

It doesn't matter what she wears my fucking dick has a mind of its own and right now it wants in between Ana's legs in the worst fucking way! Why didn't I jack off before I got here?!

Oh fuck!

Here she comes now. Easy there 'Big Guy,' stop twitching you stupid fucker! Remain calm, don't think about her in that pink bikini and don't think about her beautiful breasts being covered sparingly by those little pink "triangles."

She looks so hot and she doesn't fucking have a clue. She's wearing those way too short cut off jean shorts and a simple tank top. How I would love to lift those shorts up and just grab and squeeze her curvy little ass!

Shit! 'The Big Guy' is twitching again. Easy there fucker! I'll take care of you tonight, like I have every fucking night since I've held the Firecracker in my arms. I swear to God I'm going to sprain my damn wrist if I keep jacking off as hard as I do!

The good news is that Shepherd isn't accompanying her. I wonder where he is and why he's not with her? I suppose that works out best for me because it would be totally fucked up for me to make a move on her right in front of him...not that it would stop me but it still wouldn't be right!

APOV

I approach the dock and see Christian wearing swim trunks and a tight form-fitting tank. His sculpted body is amazing. I've seen many fit bodies over the years because of rowing but looking at his body does something to me. He has a huge smile on his face and it makes me feel warm all over. I guess I'm feeling that way because I'm grateful for his help.

"Hi Christian, thanks again for doing this. I really do appreciate it." I say as I put my bag down.

"Of course Firecracker, it's my pleasure. I'm glad our race was cancelled today. It gives us more time to help you to confront this issue you have with the water."

"Cool, are you going to go in and should I follow you?" I ask anxiously as I want to get this started.

"Well, if it's ok with you Ana, I'd like to start by asking you some questions first. Do you mind?" He inquires with a very soft voice.

Geez, what's he going to ask me?

"Uh, sure. I guess that's ok." I say as he extends his hand for me to sit on the edge of the dock with him. I strip off my shorts and tank top and I dangle my feet in the water as does Christian. No pulling sensation, so far so good.

"I'll start with the obvious. Can you swim?"

"Yes."

"Are you a good swimmer, a strong swimmer?"

"Yes."

"How old were you when you first started to swim?"

Oh, these are easy questions to answer. I was scared for a moment or two.

"I really don't know. My parents loved the water and they wanted to be sure that I was 'water safe' and I was enrolled in swimming lessons as an infant. I've been in the water ever since I can remember." I say surprised at how much I'm opening up to him. I suppose it's necessary if he is to help me.

"I see." Christian says as he takes a deep breath. "When did you start having these panic attacks or this fear of the water?"

Now I'm angry, what business is it of his?

"Christian, are studying to be a shrink or something? I'm not your little pet project you know! Why are you asking me these questions? Why aren't we going in the water?!" I shout.

"Easy sweetheart, I'm just trying to understand what's going on with you before we get in the water. I'm trying to figure this out." He says as he pats my thigh and I feel a jolt of heat rush through my body. I'm taken aback by this feeling and I hear myself gasp. I need to get in the water now!

CPOV

I'm glad I'm able to focus on my questions. I'm fucking grateful and disappointed at the same time that she is wearing bathing suit that is meant for swimming. It doesn't matter, she still looks hot and ready to be fucked!

I didn't expect Ana to get so upset about my questioning her fear of the water. I immediately tried to put her mind at ease and without thinking I gently touched her thigh. I felt a warm jolt shoot through my body and I hear the Firecracker's breath hitch. The next thing I know I see Ana lunging in the water. I immediately jump in after her. I reach for her, steeling myself for the moment that she panics.

She's treading water and I can see the look of fear in her eyes. She's waiting too, waiting for the feeling, waiting for the fear, waiting for the panic. I try to ease to her mind.

"You're doing fine Ana." I say in a soothing voice.

She still looks scared, unsure of herself, but she is doing this on her own.

The tears start welling up in her eyes as she looks at me, "Christian, I'm scared..."

I'm right in front of her and as much as I want to touch her, I did promise that I would help her. Regardless of my ulterior motives, I find that I really do want to help her in any way that I can.

"You're doing fine sweetheart. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you, just take deep cleansing breaths ok?"

She nods and starts breathing deeply and she looks down at the water.

"That's great sweetheart, you're doing great."

Ana looks up at me with the biggest smile and says, "Christian! I'm doing this! I'm not going under!"

"I know, how does it feel? Are you ok?" I ask feeling very proud of myself even though I haven't done jack shit to help her. I hope she doesn't realize it as well. I could do with some appreciation from the Firecracker.

"I feel great! Do you think we can go for a swim?" She asks sounding like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Of course, you set the pace and I will swim right next to you." I say sounding happier than...well just sounding fucking happy. This shit is all new to me.

Ana swims with a very strong and determined pace. It's as if she's daring what ever was troubling her to come and bring it! She is most definitely a Firecracker in every sense of the word. She takes long commanding strokes with her arms and legs, she's breathtaking. Just simply poetry in motion as she glides above the water.

"Ya know when I was little, I wanted to be a mermaid in the worst way!" She shouts as she turns back, swimming towards the dock.

Fuck!

Why is she doing this to me! Christ! She's killing me! I can so see The Firecracker as a mermaid. Her crystal blue eyes, her long beautiful hair just covering up her creamy white breasts and those nipples, those beautiful nipples in the prettiest shade of ...pink.

"Pink."

"Christian, what did you say?" Ana asks as she reaches for the dock and lifts herself up. "Pink? Pink what?"

Holy fuck! Did I say that out loud. Did I say everything about her out loud? What the fucking hell?!

"I uh...was thinking we're going to turn pink if we don't put some sunscreen on."

Nice thinking Grey only you do realize that...

"Uh Christian, it's dusk. Not much chance of us catching some sun and besides, you have a wonderful tan." She says as she blushes.

Nevermind her blush, what about what you said stupid. There's no sun! Get your shit together and pay attention!

APOV

Oh geez, did I really mention his tan. That only let's him know that I am looking at his body. Shoot! Not really the message that I would like to send his way. I'm only here to overcome my fear, fear of the water!

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that! You felt that jolt run through your body. You can't deny it! You felt it and so did I!

"Thanks so much for helping me Christian." I say as I reach for my bag.

"Whoa, what's the hurry Firecracker? Oh yes, I'm sure you have to report to your boyfriend don't you?" Christian says with a voice that is dripping with disdain.

"I don't 'report' to anyone and not that it's any of your business but Noah is in Prague at the moment. He'll be gone for two weeks as he works out and practices with some of the Olympic team and Olympic hopefuls!" I spit back and suddenly I get that feeling again. That feeling that I got when I found out that my parents died...I'm alone.

All alone, my parents are dead and Noah is in another country. He might as well be on another planet for all I'm concerned!

CPOV

Well this is not how I wanted this fucking night to end! Shit! I've upset her and I can see the pain in her eyes. I've seen that pain...in my own damn reflection! I hate that she's feeling this way and I feel like shit!

"Hey Sweetheart," I say quietly as I approach her. She's looking down at her feet and I cup her chin to look up at me. "What is it Ana? I'm...I'm sorry ok? I had no right to speak to you that way. I'm so sorry."

The Firecracker looks into my eyes and it's as if she can see me...all of me and all of my shit.

"What happened to you Christian? Why the pain?" She asks.

I gasp and feel as though the wind has been knocked out of me.

Holy fuck she can see me and I don't like that one fucking bit! No one is supposed to see all that shit! No how, no fucking way!

"What the fuck are you talking about Ana?" I shout at her.

"I'm...I'm sorry Christian, it's just that I know that pain, I've seen before. It's in Noah's eyes, it's in my eyes. It's familiar."

"Well I don't know what the fuck you are talking about so let's just call it a day and I'll see you tomorrow!" I shout again and walk away feeling my palms twitching in anger.

Fuck!

APOV

Wow! What the heck just happened?

One moment I'm beyond ecstatic that I am facing my fear of the water and the next, Christian is shouting at me. What's worse is he's walking away angry! I hate that! For me personally, that is one of the worse things that you can do. Walk away angry, leaving things unresolved, wishing you could take back the ugly and hateful words that have been spewed.

I see him in his anger and I swear that I can see his palm twitching. Shit! He really is angry. I can't let things end like this! I promised myself, never again. I can't! I can't! I can't!

The anger that Christian is radiating both scares and calls to me and I cannot understand why. I only know that I cannot end my day like this! I will never end my day like this ever!

As these thoughts are running through my head I realize that I am running full force to catch up to Christian. I need to speak to him, I need to let him know that we cannot end our day like this. I can't and I won't do it! I don't care how angry he is! I've made a personal vow! Never again dammit!

"Christian! Please wait!" I shout, he turns to look at me. He walks back towards me, he has a look on his face that I cannot define. He appears to be hurt, confused, angry and something else...what? Determined maybe? Who the hell knows with this guy!

"Firecracker." He says as he reaches for me and it happens in slow motion. He takes my hand, pulls me towards him, wraps his other hand around my waist. The hand that pulled me to him now travels up to my face, he caresses my cheek and I still. I'm not sure what's happening. I don't know what to do. It's like I'm outside of myself and I cannot stop what's happening before me.

My hands stay dormant on my side when I feel it, my eyes close and his lips are on mine. I feel this pull, this energy shooting through my body. It knocks me completely off guard, it's unlike anything I've ever felt before...ever!

He's kissing me and it feels...like heaven. His soft tongue traces my lips and my hands travel up to his hair. His hair feels so soft and I go back to the sensation of his tongue asking for entry into my mouth...oh yes...please...

A/N

Just a gentle reminder that Ana has just turned seventeen years old. She's still a kid, so try not to be too hard on her for this 'misstep.'

Keep Reading, Keep Reviewing and Keep Smiling! :D

Rosie