*Disclaimer: Although I own the rights to this fanfiction, I do not own the characters (even though I truly wished I owned Christian Grey lol) and I do not own the books, etc.

*Synopsis: (AU) – Anastasia Steele (24) is swamped in student loans and college costs and is at the verge of being dropped out of her classes, nearly graduating. Her long time friend, Jose Rodriguez (27) suggests his aunt Elena's exotic BDSM themed night club and helps Ana to get the job as a bartender. When one of the main show girls, Leila Williams (25) gets fired, Christian Grey (26), is left without a partner. Elena is then forced to approach Ana to take the slot. Will Ana take Elena's offer? Or will she run for the hills? OOC/HEA.

A/N: Dear God, y'all blow me away every single time. Thank you so much! Without y'all, I wouldn't be able to continue, so I am truly grateful for every one of you. Okay, so, I'm glad that no one decided to kill me for the cliffy in the last chapter (lol). I'm truly sorry about that. If you haven't guessed it already, I'm a huge cliffy fan lol. I just can't help but leave a little suspense behind to keep your mind going for what's to come. Sorry that it has took a little while to get this chapter up. I've had a lot on my plate lately and haven't had the time to finish the chapter. Plus, I got stuck a couple of times. I hope you enjoy the outcome of this chapter. I don't know what the bar mentioned below fully looks like, i only went by photos from the internet, so if i have any details wrong, please just overlook it lol.

Forgive me for any errors or mistakes that may be swimming out there in this chapter. I did a lot of changes, and may have overlooked some areas because my time right now in my life is very short for things like writing. I truly am sorry about that ahead of time.

Special thanks to MF79! Your help totally made it easier for me to write when I did find the time to do so, and for doing so, I am sooooo grateful. Your ideas were amazing and I can't wait to share them in this story. Love ya darling! XOXOXO!

Again, thanks to you all for your reviews. Keep them coming ;)

(Second A/N at the end)

-Chapter 17—Saying Goodbye-

Ana POV

You know that moment in the romantic movies where the main girl or guy make a choice that completely takes them away from each other, and you scream at them, wondering what in the living hell is wrong with them?

Well, this is one of those moments.

I'm sure that you're cursing at me. Yelling at me to call Jack back and tell him I'm not going to New York. Hell, I'm sure you even hate me at this point. But, there is nothing keeping me here.

Nothing at all.

And besides, this is my dream. I've always wondered what it was like to work for the amazing Jack Hyde ever since high school. His publishing house is the best in the US. How would that make me look if I turned the job down for nothing? I'd be a complete idiot if I walked away from the opportunity.

Sadly, a part of me knows that if Christian were to tell me that he wanted a life with me... If he were to tell me that he wanted the same things that I did, that he wanted more, I'd stay in a fucking heart beat.

But we all know that that will never happen. He's not capable of more. Which is why I'm wondering why I'm still sitting here, watching him sleep. I've sat here for hours after I got dressed into a pair of his red plaid pajama pants and white t-shirt.

Now, don't judge me, but, I wanted to take something to remind me of him when I move to New York. So, I decided against dressing back into my own clothing and took his instead. They smell just like him. Clean with a hint of sandalwood, and just plain out Christian.

He looks absolutely peaceful right now. When he groans in his sleep, turning over onto his back, a whisper of a smile tattoos my face. I wonder what he's dreaming about.

Is he dreaming of me?

Is he dreaming about us?

I sigh. A lone tear silently trails down my cheek.

I'm truly going to miss him. His company alone meant so much to me. Even though we never took that next step in our relationship, we sure were a great pair. And whether he knows it or not, he's become one of my dearest friends in the end. I will never forget him. Ever...

Another tear falls, and then another.

God... Why does it have to be so hard to say goodbye?

I wipe away my tears, coming to a stand. I take one last lingering glance at him before I pick up my purse and force my legs to move in the direction of the night stand next to the bed. I pull out a folded white piece of paper, sitting it onto the table. I hope that he sees it, because it's probably going to be the last words I will ever say to him again.

If I were to talk to him after this, it would make things awkward and hard for me to cope with. It's hard enough saying goodbye, much less, keeping in touch with him.

Besides, he'll most likely have a new womanin his life the moment I walk out of it. That's just how he is. He will probably forget about me as time wears on and I'll more than likely be trapped in thoughts of how the richest, sexiest, most eligible bachelor of Washington State stole my heart.

I'll probably never date once I move up to New York. Hell, I'll probably never have sex again. Christian has completely ruined me for having any future with a man. Even if I were to try, I know for a fact that I'd compare every man to him.

I went into this whole relationship blind and dumb. I should have known that my heart would be in danger of being broken the moment I first laid eyes on him in front of Floggers when I first received the job there.

The way that he looked at me should have made me run for the hills. That primal animosity; the full-fledged hunger that oozed from those beautiful grayish-blue eyes was enough to warn me away. And at first, I tried so hard to ignore my body's reaction to him. I tried to stay away as far as possible from him after the first touch from him when we danced for the first time. I knew it was a path leading to destruction when the sparks flew every single time he was near.

I should have just protected my heart from it all from the very beginning. And now I'm paying the ultimate price for it. I've fallen so madly and deeply in love with this man that it nearly chokes me to death.

And with that last thought up in the air, I finally leave Escala. I don't allow myself to cry. Honestly, I doubt that I could even muster another tear. Pulling out of the parking garage, I watch as Escala becomes smaller and smaller in my rear view as I drive down the main road towards my apartment. It isn't until it fully disappears that the tears start all over again. Only this time, the sobs shake my body.

It would be easy to just turn around and go back to him. Trust me, the thought ran through my brain a million times as I walked away. But that doesn't mean that he wants me to do so. It doesn't mean that he wants me to stay.

Christian is the type to tell it like it is. He holds nothing back, especially if it's on his mind. If he wanted me here, to stay with him, he would have said so. Even though he has no knowledge of my departure from Washington is in a matter of hours, he still knew that I was leaving for New York by the beginning of the week. He said absolutely nothing to indicate that he wanted me to stay.

And besides, this isn't like in the movies. This is reality. People in real life don't get a happily ever after. At least, none that I've met. We live in a world where all good things come to an end. And it's officially now our turn for the ending.

"Oh my God. I am so sor—" My voice trails off as my eyes slowly trail up his body. He's broad. Muscular. Long-fingered. Luscious lips. And as my eyes reach his, my breath hitches as my body shudders to the most beautiful, piercing gray gaze staring back at me.

"Christian Grey."

"A-A-Anastasia S-Steele."

More tears run down my face. My nostrils flare by how hard I'm fighting the tears as the memories of how it all began between Christian and I flash before my eyes.

"You should be, Mr. Grey." I turn on my stool, facing him. "That was highly unprofessional, especially coming from you." I add.

"The background check, or the kiss?"

The first time he ever kissed me, took me by surprise. I'll never forget the way he kissed me. His lips, soft. His kiss, gentle. But his touch... Oh, dear God. The way he touched me, nearly made me melt into a big blob of goo. Every single time.

He grabs the back of my neck, pulling me forward until his forehead is pressed against mine, gazing into my eyes as he whispers softly to me in a shaky breath, "Come, Anastasia." he thrusts even harder. "Ah, fuck! Come with me, baby."

But then I think about how I had told him I loved him during the throes of our passion, yet, he never said anything back.

I hit the brakes.

I'm forced to pull over because I can no longer see for my tears. I scream out, beating my steering wheel because I feel so conflicted about what I should be doing right now. I desperately want to turn around and go back.

Instead, I take the few minutes I have alone to get all of the pent up anger and sadness out. I hate Jose for talking me into working at Floggers. I hate myself for ever getting involved with Christian in the first place. I hate him for making me fall so hard for him. I hate Jack for giving me a job across the damn continent. I hate that Christian didn't ask me to stay. I hate that I've given up so much of my independence for a man whom will never love me.

Hitting the steering wheel one last time, I wipe away the tears and get a grip of myself. Sniffling, I shift the car into drive and take off once again in the direction towards my apartment, where I will pack then prepare to say my goodbye's to the rest of the amazing people I've spent time around.

When I arrive, I take my time walking up to the apartment. As much as I truly love the fact that I have the job of my dreams, I'm sad that I have to leave everything and everyone behind. I unlock and open the door to find Jose sitting at the kitchen island, eating a bowl of cereal. I'm shocked that he's even up at such an early hour of the morning. It's just not like him to do so.

Apparently he can tell that I've been crying, and instantly the tears build up again. His expression softens and he instantly wraps me into his strong arms. "Oh, honey. What's wrong?"

I hiccup a sob, rubbing my eyes with my fingers. "There's been a change of plans." I mumble through tears and sniffles. I pull back so that I can look him dead-on. "I'm leaving this afternoon, Jose. I'm going to New York." I shrug, walking away towards my bedroom.

Jose follows behind me. "That's great, Annabelle! I'm so happy for you. You're finally getting to live your dream."

Pfft! It's not the only thing I've dreamt of coming true...

I fall back on my bed, covering my face with my hands as I begin crying once again. Sheesh! I'm such a fucking baby, aren't I?

"Anastasia?" Jose says, kneeling in front of me. "What the hell? I thought this is what you wanted? Living the dream working for Jack fucking Hyde. In New York, for God's sake. You've known about this for quite a while now, so please, enlighten me. Tell me what's got you so upset."

I shake my head, growling as I twist my body over until my face is pushed into the mattress. "It doesn't even matter anymore. The decision has been made and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it now." I mumble, raising my head to look at him.

His brows furrow in confusion. "Babe, I have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. Hello? I've been kept in the dark due to your frequent absences lately. Fill me in."

Okay, here goes.

"I'm in love with him, Jose. I never meant for it to happen, but, I just couldn't stay away. And... and it really sucks because I know he doesn't feel the same way."

"Christian." he whispers. It's not a question. He's not dumb by no means. Of course, he has to know.

I nod.

"How do you know that he doesn't have feelings for you? It sure as hell didn't look that way the other night, eh?" he says, bouncing his brows with a smile. I know he's trying to make me feel better, but, I don't. And I probably won't until I finally get to New York.

Shaking my head, I sniffle. "I know he doesn't." I whisper. "I told him I loved him. He never told me he felt the same. I mean, yeah, he told his sister last night that I was his girlfriend. But what if it's just a cover-up to make himself look good in front of his family? Which, we had dinner with last night, too. I just don't understand how he can act loving and passionate one minute, then shut-off and cold the next." I shrug.

"Oh, sweet-pea. It's not the end of the world, 'ya know. There will be plenty of hot, sexy men up in New Yor—"

"None like Christian. He's ruined me, Jose. Completely fucking ruined me." I roll my eyes, wiping away my tears. "Ugh, I'm such a hot mess." I whisper more to myself than to my roommate. I sigh. "I just need to forget about a future with Christian and move on with my life. And your right, this is my dream, and I'm going to fly to New York with my head in the game, full of pride, and I won't allow any distractions to enter my life never, ever again."

Jose smiles, nudging my shoulder with his as he sits next to me on my bed. "That's the Anabella I know."

I smile back and take a look around my bedroom. "I'm really going to miss this place. And you, of course. You've been the best, Jose. Just, promise me that you will call me every day and keep me posted on everything here, okay?"

He nods, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him as his lips press onto the top of my head. He gives me a kiss then hugs me tightly. "I'll sure as hell miss you, too, babe. It won't be the same here without you, 'ya know?"

I nod. "I know." my voice is very low at this point, and shaky with even more tears. I swear I'm going to need a dam built under my eyes if I continue to cry like someone died.

"Welp," Jose says, slapping his knees, standing. "I'll leave you to it. When you get done, we'll go out for a coffee. Just you and me." he smiles, cupping my face one last time.

But before he exits the room, he turns to me and sighs. "Ana?"

"Yeah, babe." I sniffle, wiping away tears.

"As long as I've known you, Ana... if I weren't gay... I'd marry you in a fucking heartbeat. Any guy that would pass up an opportunity to be with an amazing, wonderful woman like you, is damn stupid."

I laugh, standing and walking over to hug him once more. "Thanks, Jose. I love you so, so much."

"Forever and always?" he asks, lifting his pinky up to me.

"Forever and always." I link my pinky with his. It's a childish gesture, but it's so us.

Turning towards the room, I sigh heavily then grab my suitcase from my closet and begin packing.

Christian POV

Karen Marie Moning once said: Some people bring out the worst in you, others bring out the best. And then there are those remarkably rare addictive ones who just bring out the most. Of everything. They make you feel so alive that you'd follow them straight into Hell, just to keep getting your fix.

That is exactly the way I feel about Ana. I would do just about anything for her as long as I had a place in her life. After this past weekend with her, I want to share everything with her. Remind her everyday for the rest of my life why I love her so dearly.

I want to wake up every morning to the sight of her beautiful face. I would take her sweet, sexy smell with me everywhere with pride, which would linger on my clothes from her being in my embrace. I want to go to work with her taste on my lips, because I left the penthouse after kissing her senseless.

I want to fall asleep knowing that she's right there, in my bed; in the safety of my arms. I want to remind her every single night how much she means to me, whisper innocent words of passion into her ear while we make the most intense, sweet love together. I want to give her the world; anything she wants, and everything she needs.

I want Anastasia Rose Steele to marry me...

But I never get the chance to express how I feel because I wake up to a cold, empty bed.

"Babe?" I call out to her. But there's no response. I call out again, throwing the duvet off my naked body and rise out of the bed. Again, no response.

I grab a clean pair of black briefs, frantically pulling them on as I head towards the door. My heart begins to race when thoughts of her leaving come to mind. But I shake those thoughts, because that's completely impossible. She wouldn't leave me. Would she?

I race down the stairs, calling out to her again.

Nothing.

Its unnerving by how quiet it is. I head for the kitchen. Entering I come to a halt, calling out once more. "Ana?!" Fuck... this is beginning to gut me.

I'm beginning to panic. Its been years since I've had an episode, as far as panic attacks go, but I can sense one slowly emerging. My mind is racing with the million of places she could be.

Where are you, Anastasia?

I look all over my penthouse. Search for her. Call out to her. Only to get the same results.

Absolutely nothing...

Running both hands through my hair, I'm exasperated. Worried... And heartbroken...

Why would she just up and leave? Did I do something wrong? Perhaps I said something that upset her in my sleep?

Hell, I don't fucking know anymore.

I walk back into my room in the hopes that I may find something—anything—in there that may give me a clue as to why Ana left me.

Oh, fuck... The words nearly destroy my aching heart.

Ana left me.

The words literally crush my freshly mending heart. The heart that Anastasia helped me to find. The heart that once cold and dark, full of hatred. I shake my head of those thoughts. My eyes land on the end table and my heart stops.

There's a folded white parchment with my name written in beautiful cursive. I already know whom its from.

Ana...

I rush to the table, picking up the paper. I'm still standing when I open the folded parchment with a racing heart and begin reading it aloud to myself...

My Dearest Christian,

I'm sorry that I left without saying goodbye.

Honestly, I didn't have the heart to.

Saying goodbye to you is like saying goodbye to an important piece of my heart. Like I'm closing off

a piece of my life.

I didn't want to leave things between us in a bad way, so I left without a word.

Plus, you looked so full of peace while you were sleeping, I just couldn't disturb you.

I hope you understand how hard this is for me.

My heart is aching with every word I write down onto this paper.

If you're wondering why, it's because I've fallen so hard for you, Christian Grey.

I am so irrevocably in love with you.

I can't seem to help myself, ya' know? You're a very lovable person, whether you know this fact to be

true or not.

I think I loved you for quite some time now.

I'm just now realizing how much.

And it hurts, because we can't be together.

Ever.

I hope that one day we can meet again. I would love it so much if we could be friends.

But I understand if that's not something you want.

And I will respect your wishes, no matter what.

By the time you read this letter, I will no longer be in Washington State.

I'm scheduled to fly out to New York this afternoon.

I'm so sorry I left so abruptly.

I do love you, Christian.

You're truly the most wonderful man I've ever met in my entire life.

Live life to the fullest. Don't live it like I did, full of regrets.

Love Always, Ana.

I raise a shaky hand up to my cheek when I feel something sliding down it to find that it is wet.

Am I crying?

I've never cried.

Not since I found my crack whore of a mother lying lifeless in a pool of her own blood when I was four.

Suck it up, butter-cup. You're Christian Grey. You don't do tears.

Well, that's proven to be a lie. I'm living proof of it. Right here. Right now. And it feels surprisingly... good.

Looking back down to the parchment in my hands, I read the letter for the third time in a row. She loves me. No, correction. She's in love with me.

It's obvious, now. Dammit, the realization hits me like a bullet train. She's leaving because of me. Because she doesn't think that I love her. There is nothing holding her back.

I shake my head, wiping the tears away. I'm a huge fuck up. What have I done? I can't allow her to leave me like this. Not thinking the way she is. Things can't end this way between us. I won't let it. I can't. I'm in love with her, too. So fucking much that it hurts. She's my life. My whole fucking world, and so much more.

More...

Anastasia Rose Steele, is my more.

Mine...

She's my present. My future. She's my heart. My soul. Hell, she's all I think about anymore. She's slayed me—from day one the moment I laid eyes on her, standing in front of Floggers—in every way imaginable, and I just can't live without her.

She's mine. All mine. And I'll be damned if I let her leave without a fight. Not without knowing how I feel, at least. I know that I'm pushing it by telling her at the very last minute. But what have I got to lose, now?

She'll either choose to stay here, in Washington, at Escala... with me. Or, she'll follow her dream and go to New York. If she leaves, I will follow her. I would go anywhere with her just to be with her. I know that sounds slightly stalker-ish, but I've never felt this way about anyone.

Not even Leila. And, once upon a time, I had thought that I'd love that evil bitch at one point in my life, too.

Boy, was I wrong about that one... dead wrong.

My love for Anastasia is real. My feelings for Leila were built in pure fascination. An obsession. She introduced me to a lifestyle that showed me I could be in control of all things. At first, I loved it. I loved how easily I could make a woman get down to her knees and beg me to make her come. I loved the control. And in the end, I had believed that I loved Leila because of what she gave me. But mastering control isn't everything. I realized in the end that Leila was absolutely nothing to me at all.

But, Ana...

God. Have. Mercy!

She's so different from all of the other women I've met. In a very good way. Ana's full of life and knows exactly what she wants.

Her down to Earth, happy-go-lucky personality radiates and touches merely every soul that comes into contact with her. She's smart. She's beautiful... no, I take that back. She's fucking gorgeous. Absolutely stunning. So sexy, it should bring every man to their knees, drooling. I nearly do every fucking time I see her. And I'd be completely idiotic to just let all of that go.

Sure, I could just let her go to New York, never see or hear from her. Never look at that beautiful face of hers again. Never touch her.

Never. Ever. Again.

But I can't do that. I just. Fucking. Can't! She means too damn much to me. I'm too involved now to just let her go.

For anyone else, though, it would be so easy to just let go. But not many women have ever consumed me to the point of owning me. Of owning my heart...

Mind...

Body and soul...

She's the first to ever take down my walls. The first to ever rock my world. Which is why I must do something about it, and fast.

Before I'm too late.

Clearing my face, I lay the letter down onto the bed. At the same time, I'm calling Taylor on speed dial. He answers on the second ring.

"Sir?"

"Call every airport in this city and find out which one Miss Steele will be using for her departure. I also need to know what time her flight leaves this afternoon. I want you to get back with me as soon as you have the information." Without another word, I hang up, looking over at the clock that sits on my night stand table. It's a quarter past ten.

Good...

There's still time.

I walk into the bathroom, running the water for a quick shower. When I get out, I dress quickly and casually into a pair of worn-out blue jeans and a black V-neck T-shirt. I slip on a pair of socks, then my white Nike's and hooded jacket.

I pace my living room like a madman awaiting Taylor's call, thinking about all of the things that I could have done differently while in Ana's presence. For one, I should have opened up to her. Told her more about myself that hardly anyone—including my family—knew about me.

I should have told her how every single time I'm around her, she makes me feel weak because she literally owns me. Or maybe I should have just swallowed my pride and told her how much she meant to me, and that I love her with every fiber of my being. I did none of those things... and that's exactly why I'm being punished with the suffering of losing her.

Even if I were to fly out to New York, right this second, how am I to know that she wouldn't just turn me away because I waited until it was too late?

I'm such a fucking idiot!

By the time my phone does actually ring, it seems like it's been a damn lifetime; merely an hour tops. "Taylor, did you find anything?" I snap into my phone, both relieved and pissed.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Grey, sir!"

"And?" I fall back onto my bed, glancing over at the letter from Ana.

"Her flight is scheduled to leave at 14:30 PM from Sea-Tac International. Check-in is at 14:00 PM. Upon your request, I booked you a first class flight for New York. But when I changed Miss Steele's seat to first class, they asked me if I was Mr. Jack Hyde."

This piques my interest immediately. I push a button on my phone, putting Jason on speaker as I lay the phone down onto the couch beside me.

Jack Hyde...

"There's more, sir." he sighs.

"Go on."

"Well, it appears that Mr. Hyde had made purchase of her ticket with his own personal card, sir."

"Why would Jack buy her an airline ticket using his own personal card, and not the company's? None of this makes sense!"

Something isn't right about this. If Ana's going over to New York, upon NYIP's request, then it's only right that the company pay her way over there, not Mr. Hyde.

Where does that name sound so familiar?

Then it hits me. "He works for Olivia Blackwater." I say, sitting up straight. "She owns the NYIP. I was over there a few months back when she wanted to sell, but, she became ill during the last minute and I was unable to meet with her. In fact, Mr. Hyde was the one who had met with me at the publishing house instead. Jack had rescheduled the meeting for..." I trail off trying to think of my upcoming meetings in New York.

"Next month, I do believe." I add. It explains why Ana is going to New York. The publishing house. That has to be where she received the new job at. Perhaps I need to give Miss Blackwater a call. "Thank you, Taylor. I'll be ready to leave in about thirty minutes."

"Yes, sir."

I hang up then scan through my contacts, hitting the call button when I find the person I want to speak with. "Miss Blackwater, hi. I hope that I haven't caught you at a bad time."

"Christian, it's so good to hear from you. I'm actually going through emails in the comfort of my home office."

I take my phone off speaker and walk up to my bedroom to grab my duffle bag and a few articles of clothing for my trip. "I was actually wanting to give you my reference on one of your new employee's. An Anastasia Rose Steele." It's a lie, but I need information.

"Uhm, let me check. The name doesn't seem to ring any bells. Just one moment." I can hear several clicks, which tell me she's typing. "Uhm... no, I don't have an employee by that name. I'm sorry. Are you sure she was hired with NYIP?"

The moment she said I don't have an employee by that name, all of the color drained from my face. Something is definitely not right. It's so quiet that I can hear the blood rushing into my ears.

What the ever loving fuck?

"I'm sorry, but I must have heard wrong." I mumble when words finally come to mind. I needed to think up a lie to cover my mistake. "You see, one of your employee's, Jack Hyde—"

"Ha! Jack spoke with you? What a joke, that one is. A little over three months ago, I fired him because he had been caught stealing from the publishing house. And you know me, I don't take kindly to stealing. Especially when it's from me."

This explains why Jack purchased the airline ticket with his own money and not the company's. But it still doesn't make any sense as to why Jack is even involved with her in the first place. Oh, but I intend to find out.

Ending my call with Olivia, I race for my laptop and type out a brief email to Welch about getting more information on this Hyde character.

Why would he lie about employment? Why is he so desperate to get Ana to New York? What does he have to with any of this?

I've got to warn her. I've got to get to the airport before he takes her away to do God only knows what.

"Taylor, have the R8 ready. There's been a change of plans. But I need you and Sawyer to meet me at Sea-Tac International. I have full reason to believe that Anastasia is in danger."

Ana POV

I've cried, and cried, and cried until I ran out of tears. My body hurts. My heart is aching, beating rapidly with every gesture that pulls me closer to my departure. Jose has held me through it all, murmuring how everything will get better with time. That I'll forget all about Christian once I've begun a fresh start in New York.

But I honestly don't see how that's even humanely possible.

The pain is only becoming worse as the minutes pass by. I'm slipping deeper and deeper into a harsh depression. Perhaps I've made a mistake. Maybe I'll feel better if I just say goodbye to Christian in person. Hold him. Kiss him. Even if just for a few minutes longer.

But I know that if I see him again, my heart won't allow me to leave. And I can't have that. I can't just abandon my life to wait for him to love me when I know deep down that I'd be waiting a whole lifetime for that. In New York? I can attempt to move on and work away the pain of losing my heart to Christian.

"You ready, chicka?" Jose says from the threshold of my bedroom door. I'd been sitting here on the end of the bed, staring at my packed suitcases ever since I finished showering and dressing. I'm not in a really good mood, so I chose a plain white T-shirt with a pair of my light blue denim skinny jeans with the knees cut out of them, and black sneakers. And to top my lovely I-don't-give-a-fuck-Because-I'm-depressed attire, I yank on my burgundy worn-out WSU hoodie.

I pulled my hair simply into a loose high pony tail. No make-up, because what's the damn point if I'm just going to cry it all off anyways when I finally say my goodbye's to Jose, which has been the one constant in my life since I started at the university. Just like with Christian, it's going to kill me to say goodbye to my best friend.

I sigh, deeply, taking in all of the memories of this place. Of Jose. Of the people I met at Floggers. And of course, my time with Christian. It just doesn't seem fair that we had to end things this way. And I may never see him again. The thought makes my nose burn as tears build in my eyes.

I nod my head, forcing a sad smile at Jose and slowly rise off the bed. Grabbing my bags, I make my way out of the room, forcing myself to not take another look back. In fact, that's what I plan on doing with my life from here on out. Living for what's ahead of me, never once looking back in the past.

Jose drives his car to take me to the airport. Thank God I'm an hour and a half early, else, the mile long walk from the parking lot of the Sea-Tac International Airport, all the way into the building. This place is quite busy all of the damn time. Perhaps I should have had Jose drive me sooner?

Oh, well...

It's too late to think like that, now.

Jose cups my hand and we walk like this, hand in hand, into the airport. He lets go when we stop in the back of a rather large line waiting to be checked into the airport.

That's when Jose breaks down and lifts me off the floor in a tight bear hug, causing me to let go of my bags. My arms wrap around his neck, squeezing as we both begin sobbing into each others shoulders. In all of the years that I've known Jose, never have I seen him this upset before. It breaks my fucking heart.

What's left of it, anyways.

"I'm going to miss the hell out of you, Anabelle." he sniffles, finally pulling back ands placing my feet back onto the floor. His lip trembles and it cracks my heart even more. I cup his face, using my thumbs to wipe away his tears and his body shakes again as sobs take over once again.

"I promise I'll come back every chance I get to visit you. All of you." I whisper, smiling up at him.

"Even Christian?"

I shake my head, my smile instantly falters. "I don't think so. I think it's fully over with us, Jose." I sigh. He smiles. "Regardless, I'll come visit you. I would say that I'd visit my friends at Floggers, but that would be kind of hard for me to do, you know... with Christian around and everything."

He nods, swallowing hard. "So, you've got everything you need for the trip?"

"For now. I'll text you the address of the place I'll be sharing with Hannah so you can send my other things once I get settled in."

"Alright, sweetness. I know it's sudden, but I do have to go. If everything's okay here, then I'm heading out."

I nod, choking back the newly formed tears. I force a smile. "Okay." I whisper, shakily. "I love you, Jose. You better take care of yourself."

A single tear falls down his cheek as he chuckles. He nods. "Always, babe. You know me. I'm always good. You better call me every free chance you get, you hear me, woman?"

"Yes, man, I hear you. I will." I giggle.

He sniffles, wiping his face clean. "Alright. I love you, too, Anastasia. Be good. And take care, babe." He wraps his arms around me in another tight embrace. As he releases me, he winks with a half smile. "Knock 'em dead, sista!"

I laugh. "You're crazy, you goof! Go on, get out of here. I'll be fine. It's not much longer before I'm checked in and ready to board the plane. I'll call as soon as it lands."

"You better." he smirks. He turns on his heels, pulling down his aviators over his eyes while he swags his way out of the airport. I release a large puff of air as I turn to face the desk. There are now approximately twenty or more people in front of me.

Ughhhh!

After a few minutes of waiting, which feel more like hours, I'm startled when I feel a tap on my right shoulder. I spin around and gasp, clasping my hand to my chest. Oh. My. God! "Jack?"

What the hell is my boss doing here in Seattle?

Christian POV

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK!

I push on the accelerator even harder, trying my damnedest to get to the airport before she leaves. I'm running out of time. I've got to warn her about Hyde. I've just got this really bad feeling about this deep within my gut. Thank God that I'm nearly there.

Before I left my penthouse, I received an email from Welch. What I found made the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. Jack Hyde is not the man Anastasia thinks he is. Not only did he personally purchase an airline ticket out to New York for Ana, but he also bought a one way ticket for Derek Steele, both scheduled to arrive in New York with a two hour difference.

I also noticed that dated two months back, Jack had made a rather large payment to Jail Sucks Bail Bonds in Seattle. And guess who the bail was for...

Derek. Fucking. Steele.

This was definitely a set-up.

But what business does Jack have with Derek? And how does he even know him?

Ana's walking into a trap, even though none of this makes sense at the moment. But I'll have to leave the rest to Welch and his team of private investigators to figure it all out. Right now, I'm worried about getting Ana away from Jack. I've tried calling her numerous times, but each time I get her voice mail.

I can only hope that she's okay. Maybe nothing will happen since she's in the middle of a camera infested facility; surrounded by Seattle's finest security team. I would know since my employee's came from the same company. And Christian Grey only hires the best.

My phone rings. I'm relieved to see that it's Taylor. "Yes, talk to me dammit!"

"I've got eyes on them. They're inside the Mountain Room Bar having drinks."

I hang up without another word.

I arrive shortly after Jason calls me, parking in front of the airport and jumping out of my car. It's a No Parking Zone, but at this point, I could care less about my fucking car getting towed away.

I charge inside like a raging bull, twisting and pushing through an ocean of people going in all sorts of directions of the airport. My sights are set on the Mountain Room, and from here I can see the pale yellow exterior of the bar from a distance. The blue mountain shaped sign above the wide darkened entrance with the words Mountain Room Bar written in a bright yellow stand out to me. I'm so close, yet it feels like I'm so far away.

As I walk through the entrance, my eyes instantly find her sitting in a corner booth with a huge smile on her face. My breath catches at how beautiful she is. All reasoning for why I'm here shift, and all I can think about is how badly I want to kiss her right now. But then my lips pull back into a snarl when my sight zeroes in on the prick sitting next to her.

Jack Hyde.

And what the ever loving fuck is he doing with his arm draped around her shoulders as if they're long lost friends, reuniting for the first time since high school?

I go to take a step towards them because all rational thought has left me. I was angry to hear that they were here together, but I'm seeing red just looking at them laugh and smile at each other. Yes, smile. Ana's smiling at him, completely oblivious to the fact that he's done nothing but lie to her from the start; oblivious that he has some sort of connection with the one person she can't stand, her stepbrother.

I'm not sure if the smile is genuine or fake, but my heart seems to think it's because she likes the creep. It cracks so hard that I find it hard to breathe. I scoff, rolling my eyes while I look in another direction to keep my cool before I end up doing something I know I'll end up regretting. But then he looks at her like she's his last meal when she stands and begins walking towards the long hallway in the back that leads to, what I assume, is the bathrooms. He's staring at her fuckable ass like a lion getting ready to pounce onto it's prey. And... what the fuck? Did he just lick his lips?

I swear that I'm going. To fucking kill. That motherfucker!

And where in the hell are Sawyer and Taylor?!

I don't have time to think about them right now, and besides, they're here somewhere. I pull the hood of my coat up over my head and head in the direction of my woman. I came here on a mission, and complete it I shall.

I take note of how sexy her ass looks in those jeans, and I nearly trip and fall several times, not paying any attention to where I'm going because I just can't help but stare.

Get a grip, Grey. You've got some important matters to deal with at the moment...

Yeah, like taking her up against a wall, or...

STOP! Focus, damn you!

I shake my head, watching as Anastasia disappears behind the women's bathroom door. I know this is a little creepy, given how I'm following her to the bathroom, but what choice do I have? The bar is not exactly a private place to have a private conversation. And I damn sure don't want Jack to know that I'm here... Well, at least not yet, anyways.

But this isn't just about Jack and what he may or may not have up his sleeve. This has more to do with my feelings for the most beautiful, complicated woman on the planet. And regardless of whether or not I'm too late or not to confess said feelings, she still needs to know that Jack doesn't intend on having her as an active employee. I'm still as confused with this mess as I were this morning when I spoke with Olivia.

The intercom clicks, and a man speaks about how the next flight to New York is beginning to board. Looking left, then right to make sure no one is looking my way, because let's face it, I honestly don't know how it would look if I were to be spotted walking into the women's bathroom, and I don't want to be dubbed the pervert. Then again, I could wait out here in the barely lit hallway for her to come out, but that may cause a scene if she happens to cry out from being startled.

Shit! Fuck it!

Sighing, I finally make a decision, push open the door and make my way inside. Anastasia spins around and her eyes grow wide with recognition immediately. Damn, she looks so fucking hot right now that words abandon me. My thoughts go completely numb and I feel like I'm drowning right now because I'm finding it hard to breathe.

"Christian?! Wha—?"

I don't even give her the chance to finish. Instead, I lunge at her, wrapping my arms around her and crush my lips to hers in a devouring, hot kiss. God, I've missed her. She thrusts her tongue into my mouth, kissing me back at full force and I can't help but to groan. It's obvious she missed me, too.

"Why are you here, Christian?" Her voice comes out harsh in whispering pants between kisses.

Honestly, I've forgotten why I'm here. I'm too damn wrapped up into this fucking kiss. I grunt in response, shoving her back against the wall in between the solid steel sinks and the hand dryer. She whimpers and mewls as I thrust my painfully swollen cock into the apex of her thighs, and God have mercy, she cries out, loud, pulling at my hair with one hand as she claws at my shirt—digging, pulling, fisting it—with the other, while my mouth works her neck.

Bite...

Lick...

Claw...

Mewl...

Suck...

Kiss...

Whimper...

Hair pull...

Gasp...

Thrust...

Groan...

Rub...

I know it's only been—what?—hours since I've last seen her. Since the last time I've buried myself deeply into her pussy. And this whole airport/bar bathroom thing isn't the most romantic place in the world. But in case you haven't noticed, I'm a selfish man.

I want her.

So. Fucking. Badly.

She mewls. Mewls! "Jesus, Ana," I place my forehead against hers. My jaw ticks. Our eyes lock. "I need to be inside of you." She gasps in response, rubbing her sex up against me like a cat in fucking heat. Moan... "Right here. Right fucking now!" I add in a growl through grit teeth. She whimpers.

"I-I..." she stammers, then gives me a little shove on my chest until she manages to squirm her way back to her feet. She walks over to the sink and leans back onto it, circling her arms protectively around herself. She doesn't look at me. Instead, she keeps her eyes on the floor. Finally, after a couple of minutes, she looks up at me. Her eyes dark and glossy with unshed tears.

Great... now look what you've done, Grey!

Ana POV

"Ana—" he starts, but I put my hand up as my eyes close. I'm trying to stay strong here. I can't break down in front of him. I have to be strong and save what's left of my free-will; what's left of my dignity.

"I can't do this. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just... I mean... I have a life, now, Christian. I'm trying to move on and make something of myself. And here you are, distracting me."

He walks, slowly, towards me. His eyes stay focused on mine. "And what if I said that I don't want you to go?"

I shake my head. He doesn't love you. "I'm sorry. But I can't. I'm going to miss my flight if I don't head to the terminal now." I make it to the door, but he grabs my wrist. "Stop. Just, stop it. I can't do this with you. Please... don't make things harder than they already are for me." I mumble, low.

He pulls me to him, and I keep my gaze on my feet. But he cups my chin into one hand, forcing my eyes to his. I nearly die when they do. His gaze holds a pain from deep within his heart. "And you think this is easy for me?"

"Of course, it is." I whisper. "I'm the one who stupidly fell in love. How could it not be hard for me to leave? I have no other reason to stay."

"But Jack gave you every reason to go?" he spits, bitterly, ending it with a huff. "Look, there are things that you don't know about Mr. Hyde. Things I'm more than happy to talk with you about. But, only if you agree to come home with me. Not here. Not now."

I scoff, then laugh, taking my gaze away from him for a brief minute. "And why on Earth would I agree to just go home with you? And why do I get the feeling that you only came here on behalf of your control freak tendencies? Do you hate me that much, Christian? Are you trying to screw up everything in my life? And for what? To be your submissi—"

He shoves me against the door, and I gasp when he pins my hands above my head. His hips are pressed against mine, and you could barely fit a piece of paper between our noses, they're so close to each other. His eyes are are soft; loving. He cups my cheek with one hand, then sighs, shakily. "Because I love you, Anastasia." He's trembling so bad that his voice shakes. He looks so vulnerable right now.

"You don't know what you're saying."

"I do, Ana. I..." he lets go of my hands, now cupping my face with both hands. "Come home with me. Let me show you how much you mean to me. And later, I will explain everything I know about Jack. But please, you must trust me on this. Even if you decide not to come with me... please, don't go to New York with him. He's up to no good, and you're stepbrother may be involved."

I feel it the moment the blood drains from my face. "M-my stepbrother? Derek is involved, how?"

He kisses me, lightly yet lovingly. "Do you trust me?"

"Always, Christian. You know that."

He stands up straight, holding out his hand to me, palm up. "Then come home with me, and I'll explain." I hesitate, and he senses it immediately. "We don't have to do anything. Just talk. Please. Let me take care of you."

Let me take care of you...

How many times has this man said that to me?

A lot.

And he loves me? Christian Grey actually loves me?

I place my hand into his. "I'll need to grab my bags, then." It's a whisper, but he hears me because he smiles that beautiful, bright smile that makes my legs weak.

He bends his head at the same time that he places his hands on my hips, pulling me towards him and kisses me. But he pulls back before it can escalate any further, then pulls me out of the bathroom door.

**Okay, so, I had a lot of issues getting this chapter out. But with the help from MF79, I finally made it lol. Unfortunately, with everything going on in my life, I was unable to finish the chapter until today. I apologize for that and hope that you all can forgive me. So, what did you think of that chapter? I was a little off a certain points because of the fact I had went so long without writing lol. But, I'm satisfied with it, and that's what counts, right? If you don't like it, I'm sorry. If you do, then awesome sauce. Only a couple more chapters left... let's try to get them out for yal quickly ;) Thanks again for your support, and don't forget to review. XOXOXO**