AN: Thank-you for all of your reviews for chapter 3. I appreciate every single review, favourite and follow. If you didn't read from last chapter, I'll be updating every 12 hours (give or take an hour or two).

BETA: Halo140 and pusher Stargazer93

CHAPTER FOUR

"YOU EXPECT ME TO SLEEP… on that?" I pointed at the sofa in question, "I don't have any option, do I?"

Mr Grey shook his head, "Other than the bathtub, but I wouldn't trust the spiders," he shivered, "My property. My rules."

I rolled my case, groaning at its weight plonking it on one of the sofas, and then dashing to the other. My ass planted deep within the sofa, as I began to sink into the upholstery.

Well fuck you, Mr Grey, I hope you're happy.

GT came up to my makeshift bed, curling up on my feet. If I were home the temperature would be perfect for this scenario, but I'm trapped in Satan's playground of detesting heat. Mr Grey's face seethed anger and utter rejection, which made GT's warmth a little more bearable.

"As you can see the sofas belong to GT," He crossed his arms. I assumed he was telling me, 'woman sleep on the floor.' But I wasn't going to give into his taunts.

"I'm not complaining," I treated GT as one of my teddy bears, snuggling into her while petting her crown, "it's perfect."

His arms remained crossed, as his glare tore me limb from limb.

My dreams were only eyelids away, as my arms whipped around my belly to dull the hunger pain. It groaned louder, no matter how hard I willed it to stop. For some reason, I wasn't the only one who heard my insides eating themselves.

A slam of a plate and cutlery scraping against one another pricked my ears. What the hell was he doing? The gurgling and growls continued to build, reminding me, cheese and pretzels were not sufficient meals.

Throwing my head into the cushions of the sofa, I wanted to hide from the world.

"Being marooned wasn't my plan you know," I bellowed the reminder even though I was suffocating on the sofa. "I want to be in Seattle, my work… ok, so Luke can cover for me, but…" I stopped flicking my head up for fresh air.

It was clear he had no interest in me. Why would the words of a useless little reporter even matter?

A large plate pushed into my chest, "You should have considered your urgent need to be in Seattle prior arriving here, Miss Steele." At this point, I didn't exactly care. All I knew my insides were eating me alive and a primitive form of sustenance was on a plate.

Not bothering to see my offering, I sank my teeth into the crusty white bread. It was fairly stale, but edible. As I swallowed the first bite, it was most definitely a required taste. Salty, and an unknown condiment to my palate.

"Oh don't give me that look, Miss Steele. My supplies are low, and it's late. A Vegemite sanga is all you're getting."

Sanga? There he goes again, slipping into an unknown language.

I grimaced with every bite as I finished my Australian delicacy, possibly my last meal with Mr Grey. Immediately he trudged into a room, assuming the bedroom, returning with a pillow and a sheet. Without words, he handed them to me. Our fingers touched again, and unlike before we didn't pull away.

"Thank you," I kindly acknowledged his gesture and like that our little connection was broken again.

He may have the personality of stone but there was no way I'm allowing this to affect me.

Ok, who was I kidding, of course, he was affecting me, and there is no reason to dwell on the situation, scenario… event. Fuck, damn it I am. Fuck you, Mr Grey.

As I made my bed, profusely apologizing to GT, she continued to wag her tail, probably excited to have a snuggle buddy, since Mr Frosty over there presumably never allows it.

Lying down, curling up my legs so they weren't hanging over the edge, GT leaped to my feet, snuggling my lower extremities. Although I was exhausted, my mind continued to race, "He's not going to give me the interview," I whispered to the dog.

The poor thing probably has never been spoken to this much in its life. Rolling onto my back staring at the many patched paint jobs on the ceiling, I asked her another question. "Would you like to be interviewed GT?" I pet her head. She rested her chin against my thigh, and sighed, "Well I'll take that as a yes," and her slimy tongue licked my hand, "Good. GT, tell me what is it like living with Mr Frosty," GT tilted her head, staring. "Ok, what's it like living with Christian Grey? The esteemed best selling romance author of Beaten with Love."

I waited, pretending to listen to GT's answer. All I received was another head tilt, "So am I hearing correctly, you enjoy spending countless hours with such a grumpy master?" I paused, "What do you mean he really isn't a big bad asshole I've assumed? I think we need to set a bar here GT because that's a tad unbelievable." GT barked, and I couldn't help but laugh, "Of course, you're right, Christian Grey has shown me a lack of everything, especially conversation. I know it's unfortunate we haven't reached any form of agreement, but GT, it's only a matter of time and I'm out that door."

As I pointed to the front door, a strained laugh came from the bedroom. Gotcha Mr Grey I knew you would be listening.

"Yes GT, of course. To you he's wonderful, feeding you snake and these lodgings are amazing." I stated as I waved my arms around me, "Unfortunately for me… how can I put it… he's rude, arrogant, and an egotist. Yes, I realize that's a big word for you girl. Basically, it means he's hung up on himself."

For the second time, a sound came from Mr Grey, which was a sure sign he was listening to my interview.

"Please go ahead. Ask any question you have…GT surely will answer for me," Mr Grey called from his room.

"Like I explained earlier, these readers are interested in learning what they can about the author of these amazing novels. They see C Grey as this mysterious marvel, but oh boy if they could see him now." I scoffed at my own words.

Clearing my throat I projected a little louder, "Oh you want to know how I found him GT when others had failed? Mr Taylor asked that very same question. He told me a handful of reporters have tried to bribe him to help locate Mr Grey, but he could never betray his friend. 'Brutha's of Oth-da Mudda's,' were his exact words."

I fell back onto my make-shift bed, yawning as my sleepy head was clouding my thoughts. I'm two days past my bedtime.

"Answer the question," Mr Grey stood in his bedroom's doorway, stretching his arm over the top of the frame. "I'm curious. How did you convince him? He's a good friend, and I know he doesn't sway easily."

"Really? Well, it didn't take much swaying on my part," Mr Grey continued to glare as I sat upright, wrapping my arms around my bent knees.

So this was how the man was going to open up, hit him with the reality of the truth.

"If you must know, I mentioned your mother."

"What? Grace?" Christian yelped, "She has nothing to do with this." While waving a hand in-between us.

"I spoke with her and—"

"You hunt down my mother?" His voice strained in what came across as anger.

"Well, yes… I mean I didn't exactly stalk her or anything malice. I Googled her, she was listed in the white pages and I ended up on her doorstep." Thinking it through it was stalkerish, "give me credit, so have others, but unlike the others, I convinced her to speak. Grace and Amelia—"

"Mia? Oh fuck this gets better and better." He retorted with a tight-lipped smile.

"Your sister didn't approve—" with a single hand raised, he brought my words to a halt.

"I'm sure she didn't," his anger continued to seethe through his tight mouth.

"Well your mother and I had a good chat, and—"

It only took two large paces, for his towering body to stand in front of me. Mr Grey braced his hands against his hips squeezing tight as his teeth gritted together. A deep growl roared from his chest while he stared as if I were the lowest of the low. I wanted to censure him for intimidation, but I barely had the energy to stay awake, let alone provoke him further.

"You spoke with her, my mother?"

"Like I said."

"I don't care what she said. I want nothing to do with her."

I sighed, feeling wretched for Grace when all she wants is a connection with her lost son.

"She told me that you'd probably react like a buffoon if I mentioned her name." I jeered, as I waited for him to beat his chest like a great ape.

"She was the one who pushed me away, made me run…"

"Mr Grey—" I tried to explain but his interruptions continued.

"For the love of God, stop with the formalities. Call me Christian."

"Well, Christian you must know she loves you, I don't know all the details—"

"Good." He murmured crossing his arms over his chest.

What the hell is going on?

"Listen, Miss Steele," his lips melded together as air flushed through his nose, "This is none of your business. And stay the fuck out of it." He marched back to the bedroom and slammed the door, causing everything in his home to shake.

For all, I care he can shrivel up and die!

Lying back on the uncomfortable sofa, GT warmed my feet, "He really has mommy issues, doesn't he?" I told her, lowering my voice to a whisper.

"I heard that Miss Steele." a deep voice roared through the walls.

I tried my best to ignore him since he was doing mighty fine job pretending I didn't exist.

"His heart must be struggling to survive being Mr Frosty in this blistering heat." I said rather loudly.

"End of conversation, Miss Steele." his voice grated.

Oh, I ignored that remark too and I continued to interview GT.

"Misunderstandings take place all the time, but this is deeper. I'm not going to let a small-minded bigot destroy my image of the author C Grey." he laughed at my weak analysis.

"You think you're clever, don't you?" he muttered, "Yet Miss Steele, you don't know the half of it," he added.

"I did graduate from Harvard, with a 4.0GPA."

His words groaned out, "Would you stop!"

"Of course you were Beaten with Love. You just didn't know how to accept the love you were given, and mistakenly ran in the process." The silence between us was loud as now I could hear the insects singing outside.

The skies rumbled in the distance, and a cool gush of air blew through his home. For the first time since arriving in Australia, I was embracing the cool weather, and grateful GT was snuggling me. Christian Grey should thank his lucky stars I wasn't writing the article this moment. I'm a genius with of unflattering comments. My career has made it an art form, making readers turn off celebrities with a single phrase. If he keeps pushing I wonder how big of an asshole I can make him.

…..

I COULDN'T SLEEP as the adrenaline persisted to pump through my veins. Fuck you, Mr Grey, getting me worked up. It doesn't help the change in the air caused everything to electrify as the sky rumbled in the distance. My bed, the dismal sofa was appalling. No matter how much I thumped it, the comfort never improved.

"He hates humans, doesn't he?" I said keeping my voice low. My only reply was a subtle snort and a twitch of her paw as GT slumbered.

"Not all." I jumped, surprised to see Christian up, "Just three in particular and one is dead," he confessed.

The man stood in his bedroom doorway again, filling it with his bulk, wearing a small pair of boxers covering his… modesty.

"Your mother? Father? So who's the third." I speculated.

Please, please, please don't Anastasia Steele.

"Did she tell you this, or is your Harvard intuition kicking in?" his brow furrowed.

"Neither," I shook my head, "Christian, I'm aware something has hurt you deeply. Your mother is very sorry about the whole ordeal."

"How can someone be so sorry while they allowed it to happen?"

"What exactly?" I stood up lowering my voice. My eyes remained on his as I patiently waited for an answer.

"She brought him to Dad's… funeral." His arms dropped, and eyes watered.

"Christian who did she bring? Tell me."

He was breaking at the seams as his grey eyes were shattering into fifty pieces. I was concerned with what happened all these years ago.

"I couldn't believe it, after everything I told her. Everything he had done. She still brought him." Christian paced the room obviously distressed by the whole memory.

"Who?"

"Jack!" he screamed.

I flinched at his aggression. Taking a deep breath, trying to remain calm, I step forward towards him, hoping he wouldn't shut down.

"Did Jack have an affair with your mother?" was the first thought which popped into my mind.

"No," he shook his head, "you have no idea." he laughed.

Walking closer to him hoping he would give me eye contacted, GT remained by my side, "Christian, you can tell me as Ana your friend, not the reporter."

He looked at me with crazy eyes, fighting an inner battle. It was apparent he was hurting and needed whatever it was out.

"Grace is sorry… Hang on," I dashed to my suitcase grabbing the hardcover encased with the handwritten note, "she gave me this… for you," with a shaky hand, I passed him the novel. "I promise I haven't read it, she was adamant you read this." and I pushed it further into his chest.

Christian brow furrowed as he stared at the book. He slowly opened the cover yanking his head back allowing a shaky breath to escape. Lowering his eyes to the page Mother Nature imitated the tears which ran down his face. A large rumble and in quick succession a flash of lightning brightened the room. While I distracted by the light Christian ran outside, dropping his book to the floor. GT waited for permission, as I gave her a nod of encouragement to follow her distressed master. Collecting the book I opened the handwritten message.

To my sweet baby,

For years I was misguided by my friend. I can't believe he was a friend. You weren't the only one Christian, there were others, many others and Jack is gone for good. I took the word of a pedophile over my own child. I hate myself for it for many years.

I see you are doing well, and I am proud of you. So proud.

The past has been written but we have a blank page for the future, and as your mother, I will watch you write it. I will be waiting, loving you so much and forever.

Your apologetic mother,

Grace Trevelyan Grey.

My hand flew to my mouth. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I shouldn't have, they weren't mine to read. Shit, and I was pushing him for information. This was so much more than an affair. How could I be so stupid?

I placed the book on the kitchen table and walked outside, the smell of the rain was divine, as the cool air hitched in the back of my throat. The little light which was shining from the house focused on Christian.

He kneeled, rocking back and forth as the rains continued to fall from the heavens, the home of Tale's ancestors. I could only hope it was washing away the pain which Christian had held for years. The reporter in me wanted to document every moment, but the compassionate woman won over the self-centered idea.

Barefoot sinking into the soil, I ran to him. Wrapping my arms around the man, I hugged Christian as hard as I could trying to comfort his broken soul.

"Are you happy now?" he mumbled within my hold.

"No, not particularly. Come Christian, lets head inside. We're all wet." I felt a slight smile push into my neck, "Come on you lump," I giggled trying to break this deep moment, as I pulled apart my arms. For once I was thankful he listened, following me into his small home.

Entering his bedroom, he refused to let go of my hand, like a child seeking comfort from their mother. Searching his drawers I found a towel and dry clothes, pointing to the bed, he sat at the edge and I huddled behind. Rubbing the towel over his damp hair, eventually, he leaned into my hands grabbing them giving a single kiss on each.

"O-kay, that's enough. Time to change mister." I patted the pile of clothes next to him. "I'll wait with GT."

It hit me like a tonne of bricks, Grace Trevelyan-Grey.

"G.T. are your mother's initials. See, you've always loved her," He looked back, with tears in his eyes, quickly wiping them with the towel. "Shut the door behind you please." I nodded as no words were needed as I clicked it shut.

…..

I ADMIRED GT, her breed stumped me but that made no difference to her trusting and very forgiving nature. As my ass found the floor by my makeshift, I encouraged GT to huddle in my lap. She skipped over and returned her love by licking my face.

"Easy girl, your tongue is like sandpaper," I giggled enjoying the affection.

He was stealthy, as I never noticed Christian entering the sitting room. With no warning, he lumped himself onto my sofa.

"Hey! My bed!" disappointed by his choice as there were a plethora of seats he could have chosen. I groaned at the realization my bed was only becoming bearable and now I was back to square one. Ruined. "The equilibrium of cushion and lump was perfect, and you mess it up! Gaaah!"

"Oh shut up. It's on death's doors. I can't believe you lasted the few hours you did."

"Christian," I pushed GT off and knelt in front of his lap. Soothing him by rubbing his knees, looking up at his face. "Talk to me," Please, "What happened was real and you need to discuss this, or at least don't shut down."

He looked down at me, crinkling his worried brow, " I would be much more comfortable if you were not kneeling."

"Oh sorry," I stood and began pacing the room. "So… tell me," I panted, panicking not sure what to say.

"Sit," he patted the sofa, GT barking at his command, "sorry GT not you, rather this lady." he smiled.

By gosh, Christian Grey called me a lady.

"Anastasia," his head fell onto his lap.

"Ana," I said.

"Ana." He turned his head, and we smiled at each other.

"My life has been a challenge, ever since birth."

Holy shit, he's opening up.

"My birth parents were less than desirable to reproduce, " he spoke to his open palms, and I moved closer, ensuring my voice remained low and calm.

"What happened to your birth parents?" I encouraged him to continue.

"My mother died of an overdose, and my father is missing. The PD assumed foul play relating to the case, no body was ever found."

"Christian these people don't define you." I tried to get up, but he held my hand refusing to let go. So I relaxed within his hold, and let him continue.

"I didn't know them. Grace and Carrick were wonderful parents. They adopted me, just like Amelia and Elliot. We were all difficult cases, me the most testing. I had been abused, neglected and forgotten."

"How could you be forgotten?" I honestly asked.

"I loved Grace and Carrick… Mom and Dad. They tried but never believed me. I was given opportunities most children could only ever dream of, but they felt the need to discipline me after I was caught skipping school. Possibly they felt that I was going down a similar path of my birth parents." Christian said, as tilted his head towards me.

"I was punished over summer when I was 14. Hard physical labor. Gardening, cleaning and slave work. His name…" Christian hesitated, blinking rapidly I guess to hold back the memories. "Jack. He had been a friend of my parents for many years. At the time, I didn't see anything wrong. He gave me the attention I was craving. Ana…" he gripped my thigh, "you need to understand, I was a child, a hormone driven teenager, lost in the world where he only gave me attention."

"Don't stop," I placed my hand over his, hopeful he wouldn't.

"I flirted with him. The crazy thing is, I'm not gay, or even remotely bi-sexual. But he had an aura about him. Well spoken, feeding my ego. I thought I would just play, be that asshole kid, but it went further. Jack… touched me." He paused swallowing and regulating his breath, "At first I enjoyed it. It was our little secret, and he even started paying for 'my efforts,' as he called it. Within a few weeks, I was a few grand richer and slave labor for his playroom." I gripped his hand, willing him on.

Please keep going Christian.

"When he started to hurt me, refusing to listen to my cries of pain, I knew it had gone too far. I told my parents but they never listened, yet they continued to welcome him into our home." He said.

"You could have gone to the police."

"It was years ago Ana, and at the time I couldn't think beyond my own bubble. I was lost. When I moved to the other side of the country, I felt free. I was an adult and finally, I could do things for myself. Stability was the key, having a girlfriend."

"Oh."

Christian frowned looking at his lap again, "In the end, he followed me all the way to college, and I needed to escape. So I left."

"Christian did he…"He nodded.

"Yes, I can say it. He molested me for almost five years."

"Your past doesn't define you. You may have been dealt some shitty cards, but there is a whole deck waiting," I jumped into this lap hugging him. "There is nothing wrong with you. Understand this, you are perfect." And that very moment I believe every word I said. He was perfect, he needed to see it.

"But it hangs over me like a dark cloud."

"Christian," I nuzzled his neck. "Maybe it's time to do something about it. For the time being, I'm here and listening."

"Thank you." we pulled back and stared at each other. The storm was still in full force, and so were his eyes.

"Why are you standoffish to… women. I felt it when I arrived, and especially about your mother." I said.

"Women have been an issue for me. For years my mother was problem number one, and Leila wasn't much far behind. It was a huge lesson I lived through." he moved closer, brushing my shoulder, up my neck.

"I understand why you hated Grace, but who's Leila?" I pulled back, tilting my head like GT anther master. "Was she too much like your mother?" I chuckled.

"Don't even start," he mumbled shaking his head, suddenly stopping staring at my face.

"I think you have passed that bridge about 30 minutes ago. When we were in the rain." Before I could suck in my next breath, Christian's face was two inches away from my own.

We were practically nose-to-nose. If I could have backed away, I would have fallen to the floor, so I had no option but to stay on Christian's lap. GT was at his feet, barking madly and he ignored her, and I tried my best too but it was a challenge with two grey eyes locked on me.

"Fine," he released his standoff, pulling back. "She was my college girlfriend,"

"College? Ah, the girlfriend." I whined.

"Focus Miss Steele." he snapped, and I straightened. "Was is the operative word. And I'm the one talking, so no interruptions." Christian tapped his finger on the tip of my nose, causing my cheeks to flush.

"Yes, Sir." I saluted, but his glare continued to stare.

I lowered my head, instantly he put his hand under my chin pushing it up, so we were looking at one another.

"Leila and I were together while I was studying. As most people in my life, I thought I knew her being my upmost everything. I loved her."

"Let me guess, she—"

"No interruptions Ana!" he tapped my nose again, "I learned she favored sharing. So, in the end, she didn't care about me, it was a mirage, a show. When I needed her the most, she was off fucking the rest of the campus. So I had given up on my family, Leila… women… and especially Jack…" he sighed. "So there it is. I've been fucked over. Life has always fucked me over."

His distilled anger seemed to absorb all the oxygen in the room until the small hairs on the back of my neck began to bristle. He lifted me off with ease, as he left the room as if he couldn't get away from me quick enough.

The tension left my shoulders, and I realized I was trembling almost uncontrollably in the aftermath of this conversation. Despite everything, I had a soft heart, and I felt sorry for the man. Even the little details he provided about his parents and Leila. I had to believe it must have been traumatic for Christian, especially after the abuse from that pedophile.

"My boyfriend dumped me," I blurted probably a little too loud, causing GT to grunt and get up on all fours.

Christian halted at his doorway, "And I'm sure you got over it." He blunted replied.

I walked into his room, watching him sit with his back to me his cold tone sinking into my bones.

"Actually no, and I'm still far from being over it. I tried to pretend it was a natural parting of ways. It's always difficult removing the image of your roommate." I hissed through my teeth, "now ex-bestfriend's legs wrapped around his waist while he pounded her in the ass." I sat next to him, holding his hand, "I think the words she screamed were, 'fuck me hard big boy like last night.' So it wasn't a one night thing, rather a regular event." I said, "He married her six months later and of all things, I was the maid of honor. Fucked up, right?" I fell back on his bed, laughing at the events now, but it was horrible at the time.

He crawled on top of me, completely different compared to hours earlier. His hands pressed into the mattress causing depressions either side of my face, "Hey do you want a beer?" he brushed his nose with my own, and began to slow his speech, "They are tough to swallow and very cold." He winked.

"God yes please." I squeaked, quickly sitting up.

I think alcohol will be perfect easing the strain in the air. I don't care if it was dirty bath water, as long as it's cold, I'm sold.

…..

HE RETURNED WITH TWO small brown bottles, "Brace yourself, think worse than horrible."

"I'm expecting cold, so no fucks given." I shrugged.

He turned around and looked at me for an extra-long moment, frowning as if to gauge whether I was telling the truth. I held his gaze and didn't flinch before, I took my first mouthful of the alcohol.

"Oh God," I almost spat the beer all over him. It was disgusting, "What is this shit? Ossie, home-brew?"

"Worse, XXXX." we laughed in unison. It was Tale's favorite brew. The only positive was the refreshing temperature and I quickly guzzled it down.

"I think that's why Australians call it piss." Christian cringed with every mouthful he drank.

"Oh, I second that. I'm sure urine tastes better than this, other than being warm."

Somehow our hands were locked together, his thumb stroked my skin sending shivers down my spine. I looked at the man next to me, and he was in a world of his own trying to drink that horrid ale.

"So, we've both been hurt in various ways, but it isn't the end of the world… well, it sort of is, because we are in the middle of nowhere." he snorted, as he drank another large mouthful of beer.

"It's the Outback, Kakadu territory," he said.

"Ok, do you need to correct me constantly?" and I followed suit, drinking again, "God this is rotten but so cold and refreshing." I rubbed the damp bottle over my face.

"Can we put this conversation behind us?" he asked.

"Sure."

I knew deep down I wanted to press deeper. So many questions had been left unanswered, but I was trying to build a relationship with the man if I were ever going to have an interview.

Our grip fell apart, and I felt a little upset that he was pulling away. Instead that very hand, he held out, and I grabbed it and shook it.

"Hi, I'm Christian Trevelyan-Grey,"

"And I'm Anastasia Steele." I smiled and he mirrored my expression, "So what does one do out in the Kakadu for entertainment?" I waved my hands around, hoping he doesn't say drink because I'm going to be drunk very quick.

"Reading, writing, and cards… well mostly online poker, if the satellite connection is strong."

"You got a deck?" I asked.

"Yeah sure." He quickly fetched his cards and two more beers.

As the dawn approached the rains were still falling, and I'm sure Christian snuck a few more beers into my system. I was feeling that drunk buzz and the brain to mouth filter disappears.

"Wanna play strip poker, playing for gumnuts and leaves is kind of a little boring."

He hooked a brow, and then his mouth fell flat. "Are you sure? When was the last time you slept?"

"God I don't know? I don't even know the time," and smart-ass Christian turned his head to his bedside table clock.

"4:47 AM"

"JESUS! Maybe I should sleep, Tales will be picking me up sometime today."

"Don't be so sure of that," he stared out the window and the rain continued to fall.