APOV

I'm in heaven, feeling his soft kissable lips on mine. I've missed them and I've missed Christian's touch. I never let myself admit it. I didn't want my weakness for him to blind me. I was on a mission for myself and for my loved ones. I needed to succeed in the business world. I was desperate to prove myself and to be an example of strength for my...

"Ana, oh baby," Christian moans.

His voice brings me back and I react at once. What the hell am I thinking? I can't do this! He left me! He left...

"No! No!" I shout as I pull away from the man who nearly destroyed me. "Stay away. You can't hurt me anymore. I won't let you," I say as I back away.

CPOV

I grab Ana's arm, desperate for her to hear me out, "Ana, wait. We need to..."

"Get your hands off of her!" I hear someone shout as he knocks me to the floor.

"What the fuck?! Get off of me dammit!" I shout as I try to fight him off. He has me on my back, my arms in a vise grip that does not allow me to move.

"No can do, asshole. I'll need to get security to escort you out, idiot."

"Do you know who I am?!" I shout, annoyed at the words that I've just used.

"Yes, you're the idiot who tried to assault my boss. Now relax and do what I...what the fuck?!"

Next thing you know I feel his weight being lifted from my body and I hear a scuffle.

"No, please stop! Both of you!" I hear Ana shout as I quickly get to my feet and see Taylor going mano a mano with the fucker who had me on the floor.

Taylor is just about to give him the death-blow when he freezes.

Taylor and the fucker that bum-rushed me are staring at one another in shock.

"Sawyer? Luke Sawyer?" Taylor says.

"Taylor?" the fucker says. "Holy shit! It is you! What the hell is going on, man?!"

Taylor extends his hand and says, "Not much, just working personal security. Looks like you're doing the same."

"I am," the fucker says as he smiles at my woman.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," I say, trying to contain my anger. "I don't mean to break up this reunion but you are both on the clock."

"Luke?" Ana says as we all turn to her. "Will you please take me home? I think I've had about enough for today."

"Of course, Ana," Luke says as he takes her by the arm, touching the small of her back. That fucker!

They walk past us. Ana doesn't look at me but the Sawyer bastard looks to Taylor and says, "Let's catch up soon, Taylor."

Taylor nods and manages a small smile as they leave her office, Taylor and I follow, a few steps behind them.

What the hell do I do now?

"Sir? What's your next move?" Taylor asks hoping that the show isn't over. He's enjoying this. The bastard!

"Watch," I say as I go after my girl, chasing them out to the parking lot.

"Ana! Wait!" I shout as Sawyer turns quickly, ready for any type of move that I might make.

I put my hands up, "Take it easy Sawyer, I merely wish to speak to Ana."

"That's Miss Steele to you," Ana snaps at me.

She looks to her bodyguard and gives him a small nod.

Sawyer looks surprised. That's right fucker! Beat it! She wants to talk to me, you bastard!

"Are you sure, Ana? I can stay here in case he tries anything funny."

"It's ok, Luke, I'm sure I'll be fine. Go catch up with your friend over there," Ana says as she points with her chin.

"Very well, I'll be right here, Ana."

"I know, Luke, thank you," she says as she smiles warmly at him.

That fucker!

Sawyer walks away and I immediately insert my foot in my mouth. "Do you think it's wise to be so...friendly with your...bodyguard?"

"Cut the crap, Grey, and get to the point. What do you want?" she asks as she crosses her arms. Chest heaving, looking sexy as hell. It's only now that I take in her outfit.

She's wearing a fitted short-sleeved black button-down blouse with tapered sleeves, a pencil skirt, and a black crystal twist bracelet but what really rocks my boat are the sky-high peep toe black patent leather Jimmy Choos.

Wow! She looks so damn hot! I instantly imagine those Jimmy Choos wrapped around my neck!

"Hello?! Grey, I'm talking to you," Ana says with her hands on her hips...oh those amazing hips. How I've missed them! Dammit, I need to focus.

"Grey! Answer me!"

Fuck, she's calling me Grey.

"Sorry, Ana, what was that?"

"What do you want?" she asks again.

"You," I say matter-of-factly.

"Not gonna happen. If that's all you want then I'll be leaving now," she says as she turns to walk away from me.

"Lunch!" I shout.

She stops to look at me. She can never resist a good meal.

"Lunch?" she asks.

I'm feeling hopeful.

"Yes, how about a good ole burger and fries?"

A smile spreads across her face.

"A Mr. Bartley's burger would hit the spot right about now," she says as she gets that look in her eyes. She is hungry, pity it's for food.

"I've got just the place, Ana, it's no Mr. Bartley's but I'm sure you'll love it," I say as I stand there, wagging my tail like the love-sick puppy dog that I am. Come on, baby, please, say yes.

Ana furrows her brow and says, "Do they have good shakes?"

"The best, come," I say as I take her by the hand and feel it. Yup, it's still there, not that I ever expected that jolt to leave. What Ana and I have is special and I plan on doing everything in my power to convince her to take me back.

We continue to walk towards my car when Ana stops. I look to her and my heart sinks. She's confused. Is she going to change her mind? Will she come to her senses and say just forget about us? I can't take all these thoughts running through my mind. Say something!

"What is it, Ana?" I finally ask.

"We have to take separate cars," she says quietly.

I really want us to ride together.

Pick your battles, Grey, you're lucky she consented to sharing a meal with you after you left her, you idiot!

"That's fine, Ana. Where's your car?" I ask.

"It's over there," she says gesturing in the opposite direction. "I'll have Luke follow you."

"Sounds good," I say as I get to my car. I see Taylor waiting.

"Where to, Sir?"

"Dick's Drive-in."

"So what did you do?" Ana asks as I tell her about catching two employees getting friendly in one of the office's meeting rooms.

"I told them that normally I would fire them; however, these subordinates were two of my sharpest employees. I told them to control their urges by blowing off some steam at the on-site gym and if it should happen again, they would both be terminated."

"That's it? That's all that you said? All they got was a slap on the wrist?" Ana asks as she pops a final french fry in her mouth.

"Ana, they're consenting adults. Hell yes, I was angry at them for wasting company time but I think I handled it pretty well."

Ana giggles and smiles and I feel happy, something I've not felt since I left her.

"Tell me about the exploding copy machine," she demands.

"Oh, now that was a doozy. You have to remember my business was just getting off the ground so the machines we had at our disposal were a bit out of date; they still did the job, they just needed some tweaking here and there," I say as Ana leans forward, ready to listen to me share.

I'm not really interested in talking about how I built my business, I'd rather hear about her and how she started her business and more importantly, why the name?

Power One Publishing, also known as 'POP'.

I know the name has to do with rowing but a part of me likes to think that 'POP' reminds her of me and how I refer to her as my Firecracker, so full of pop. Does she still love me? I need to know, I want her back, has she seen anyone else? The thought of another man touching her makes me sick to my stomach. It's taking all my self-control to not drag her to the nearest courthouse and make her marry my ass right now!

"Ana, I don't want to talk about my business. I'd much rather hear about you and how you got started."

Ana's eyes widen, she grabs her phone and says, "Oh goodness, look at the time. I'm sorry, Christian. I really have to go." She stands quickly, motioning for Luke who's immediately by her side.

"Ana, ready to go?" Luke asks as he takes her arm, a little too possessively for me.

"Yes, Luke, thank you."

"Ana, we can't leave things like this. You know that don't you?" I ask, hoping that she'll see there's still so much more for us to say. The more we speak, the more I hope she'll realize that we are meant to be together.

"Christian, there is more to say, only I can't say it now. I have a life that I've led without you and that life doesn't come to a stop just because you decide to show up once more," she snaps. I flinch at her words which are all too true.

"I understand, Ana, but please, just let me know when, when can I see you again?"

"You'll have to give me some time, Christian. I don't know when I can see you again. I have some things that I need to do and when I get everything sorted out, I'll be in touch."

"Promise me Ana, please," I say as I take her phone from her hand. "I'm programming my private cell phone number, along with my land line at my place, my private office number, and Taylor's number. Please, Ana, call me. I'll be waiting."

She's about to walk away when I grab her arm once again. I'm ready to move in case she plans on kicking me in my balls again, though I do deserve it and so much more.

Ana looks at me, seeing through all the bullshit, knowing exactly what goes through my mind. The doubt, the fear of the unknown, will she really call me? Or is she saying that so she can break free from my clutches?

"I said I'll call you Christian, please let go."

Never, never again Ana.

I silently think to myself.

I release her arm and I watch as she walks away from me. She has me, she has my heart, and though I know I do not deserve a second chance at happiness, I hope against all hope that she gives me the chance to make things right.

APOV

It happened. I still cannot believe it happened. I've often wondered what I would do should Christian decide to come back into my life. I've always imagined myself in several scenarios. I would curse him and call him a coward, demanding that he leave, promising never to darken my doorstep again.

In another scenario, I fall into his arms and tell him that I've never stopped loving him, I tell him that my heart is not mine to give to anyone else because he still has it. He tells me that he's never stopped loving me.

Neither scenario occurred, though the feelings of both scenarios are true to what I'm feeling. I don't know how and when I'm going to deal with all of this, but at the moment, I don't want to think about it. I want to get home, home to my happy place.

Speaking of which, I realize I'm home. I live in a lovely quiet neighborhood, very family-friendly, kids playing outside, people watering their lawns, they all take pride in their homes. It's a very close-knit neighborhood but for as close-knit as it is, I do my best to keep everyone at arm's length, not wanting to get too close.

People talk and that is the last thing I need, especially considering my unusual living circumstances. The good thing about my home is that I have a fenced area which allows for complete privacy, there is no view to my front yard. I have a long winding driveway and it keeps everyone, especially the paparazzi, away.

The business media are always wanting to know how I became so successful, especially at such a young age.

"Ana, you're home," Luke says as he opens my car door.

I smile knowing I'm seconds away from true happiness.

"Thanks, Luke," I say as I run towards my home, my sanctuary, my peace, my love.

The front door opens and I see Noah holding my baby girl. She looks at me with a smile that makes my heart soar to heights I never thought possible. Being a mom changed me, it made me stronger, it made me realize that I could love someone on an entirely different level.

"Hi, Ana, good day?" Noah asks as he kisses me on the cheek.

"Unexpected, to put it mildly but I don't care to discuss it, not now anyway," I say as I reach for my daughter.

"How's my baby girl doing today? Did you miss your mommy?" I ask as she smiles and extends her chubby arms towards me.

"Mah...mah meee." I look to Noah and he smiles.

"That's right, baby, that's your mommy," Noah says as we all walk in together. I want to put this day behind me and look forward to spending some quality time this evening with my loved ones.

A/N

Thanks to my girls Nani, Rose, SusieCC and Gwen for describing Ana's outfit. I'm crap at that sort of thing.

Thanks again to my beautiful BETA Ordlas for making my story pretty. Check out her new story Portal. It's got a sort of poltergeist like feel to it. It's really good and very different from all the other stories out that are out there.

Ok, what are you thinking? Please review.

Cheers,

Rosie :D