Ana
That was a quick job at least I will get home early for a change. When I got to the crime scene I identified the victim as a 25 year old women with multiple wounds all over her body. It also looked like someone had taken a whip to her lately. The welts were clear all across her back and abdomen. I decided to bring my evidence file home to work on it while Kate is still at work. I label all my evidence and write-up all the paper work and head home. Looking at the time I realize I still have time to hit the gym at Escala and still have enough time to make dinner.
I ride into the underground parking garage and am surprised to see two men standing next to my parking space. What the hell do they want? The one has a military buzz cut and by the looks of him he is the security because the second guy is non other than Christian Grey, Dr. Grace son. I park my bike and dismount making like I don't see them. I don't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself. I grab my work folder from under my seat and just as I pull it out the hand on my shoulder startles me and triggers a memory of Morton beating me and I retaliate with a swift spin kick to the stomach winding my perpetrator and dropping him to the floor. The next thing I know I am being held back by buzz cut and I snap out of it. When I realize what has happened I am mortified and trembling. How the hell did I let my defenses down like this? It has being years since I have had a flashback like that.
"Oh... No. What... have... I.. done? I am so sorry." I am trembling a little and my voice is shaky.
"Ms. Steele what happened?" I can hear the buzz cut asking. I know I have to explain my reaction. I take a deep breath and try to calm myself down. He is still holding me close to him.
"I am so sorry. He...He touched me. You can't just do that. It was a trigger. I didn't mean to. I promise." As I mention it being a trigger buzz cut steps back from me with his arms raised in a surrender stance. Something in his expression tells me he knows all about triggers.
Christian
What the fuck just happened? I reached out and touched her shoulder and the next thing I was on the floor struggling to breathe and she was in Taylor's arms apologizing. I picked up bits about me grabbing her being a trigger and it makes perfect sense to me. I can't be touched because it triggers bad memories for me. I can see she is still startled and it makes me feel like shit knowing it's all my fault. She must suffer the same thing. I remember her file been sealed. I pull myself together than get up and walk over to her.
"Ms. Steele. I am the one that should be apologizing to you." I can see she is shocked and very confused by this and Taylor looks just as stunned.
"I should not have grabbed your shoulder without making my intent clear. It triggers bad memories for you just like me. I am not able to let anyone touch me because it brings bad memories back for me." Fuck that kick must have really messed me up in the brain because I just reveled some very personal information to a women I don't even know. Taylor looks just as shocked as I feel. I glance down and gasp at the photo. Without even thinking I whisper.
"Susannah" She looks down and realized all her crime scene photos have fallen out of the folder.
"Mr Grey you know this women?" She is in full work mode now and Taylor gives me a serious look and shakes his head. I take a better look and lie.
"Oh no sorry she looked like someone I knew but I was mistaken." I can tell she does not believe me but lets it slide. She collects all her stuff and excused herself very quickly. When she is in the elevator and gone Taylor turned to me.
"Sir what the fuck was that?"
"I don't know. I saw the photo and did not realize I said her name out loud."
"Ok lets just hope Ms. Steele believed your sorry attempt to cover that one up. I will investigate what happened to her. Are you ok?" I give him a firm nod and we walk together to go up to my penthouse.
"Taylor what the fuck triggered Ana to react like that when I grabbed her shoulder?"
"Sir I will show you her file when we get to my office."
"No let's go for a run so I can clear my head then we can talk."
"Ok, I will be ready in 5." I walk away to go and change into my running gear. Why the fuck can't I get Ms. Steele out of my head? There is just something different about her that I am drawn to.