Chapter Eleven

At one point in the pleasant evening, when Ana returns from the bathroom, she sees Christian in a heated conversation with Grace – Carrick apparently mediating – to one side of the auditorium. Since it's clearly a private conversation, she resumes her place at their table and chats with Kate in the meantime. When Christian returns, alone, his expression is dark. Confident that he'll tell her what's going on, in his own time, Ana merely slips her hand in his, offering what comfort she can. Suddenly, they're walking. Christian only stops when they're alone in one of the many corridors.

Imprisoned against the wall by his body, her arms stretched above in his vice-like grip and his mouth hard on hers, Ana struggles to keep a clear head when everything in her is screaming for closer contact with him. When he permits enough space between their lips, Ana gasps, "Christian, wait, please. What's going on?"

Trapping both her wrists in one of his hands, Christian undoes the side zipper of her dress with the other and slides it inside, pulling her hard up against his body as he says, "I need you, baby...need this."

It's the same avoidance behavior that he's practiced since before they met. Confident that he's ready for a different method of coping, one that will ultimately be better for his mental health than fucking his troubles away, Ana ignores her body's desperate need for his and says, "Please, just talk to me. What happened with Grace?"

Bringing himself almost under control with a deep, shuddering breath, Christian releases Ana's hands and spreads his palms flat against the wall either side of her head when he says, without meeting her eyes, "I fucked up."

The strain evident in his voice confirming that he's very upset, Ana gently cradles his face and brings his gaze to hers. "I worked that much out by myself. How did you fuck up?"

With a grimace, Christian reveals, "Mom doesn't want me to fight. I explained that it's just a demo; Pretorius and I aren't stupid enough to really go at it without armor. But I guess she's patched me up too many times, and…maybe she has a right to be wary of my temper. She's insisting that I'll lose control and someone will end up injured. You're not worried, are you?"

Only half joking, Ana reveals, "I am now." But she remembers to have faith in him and quickly continues, "No, not really. I trust you to stay safe, if only because you know that I couldn't abide you being hurt. You said something to Grace that upset her?"

Suddenly pushing himself away from her, to lean against the opposite wall with arms folded defensively across his chest, Christian bleakly intones, "This is exactly why I don't fucking tell you stuff."

At first confused, Ana soon guesses that he's quoting. Then comprehending where Grace's thoughts would have turned, given her bottomless guilt over her then teenage son's sordid affair with one of her best friends, all she can think to say is, "Oh."

Christian breathes a humorless laugh and says, "Yeah. She didn't even say anything, just stared at me for several seconds before storming off. But I swear that, in her eyes, I saw something break."

Christian's voice cracking on the last syllable tugs at Ana's heart. Struggling to put herself in his position, when all she feels is empathy for Grace and sympathy for her scared little boy husband, Ana suddenly understands that it's not necessary. Forcing a cheerful tone, she asks, "Do you trust me?"

Clearly baffled by the question, Christian is frowning in confusion as he says, "You know I do; only you."

"Then stay here, okay?"

As she heads off on her self-appointed mission, Christian says, "Uh, baby?"

Worried that he's not brave enough after all, Ana turns back, ready to defend her case. When he only motions doing up her zip, her face is bright red as she complies and says, "Thank you. Back in sec."

Of course, Grace being the lady she is, the Trevelyan-Grey's are still saying their goodbyes. Ana approaches them and begs, "A quiet word?" When there are no inquisitive ears nearby, she addresses them both, "Christian is torturing himself over what he said to you, because he's only ever wanted to please you, and feels just awful for causing you more distress. In the past, he would have avoided facing those feelings and expunged his guilt through..." A flush rising in her cheeks as she wonders how to phrase it, Ana settles for, "…physical activity, of one sort or another. But we've been doing a lot of work with John Flynn…a lot, and I think Christian is ready to face…" Their impassive stares finally eroding her courage, Ana trails off and pleads, "Could you just give him a chance to apologize? I know you love him. And he needs your help, or he'll live forever in fear that one day he'll do something bad enough to destroy that love."

Apparently genuinely horrified, Grace exclaims, "I could never stop loving Christian."

Resisting rolling her eyes, idly wondering if Christian's aversion to that trait has cured her of the need, Ana says, "Yes, I know that."

Ana marvels that she can actually see the moment of comprehension in Grace's eyes. Suddenly, she's in a warm embrace and the older woman says, "How have we been lucky enough that you found us? You're the best thing that's ever happened to this family."

Unused to such praise, Ana is slightly pink as she extricates herself and makes them all laugh a little when she says, "You'd better be quick. Your second son is not a patient man."

Despite this caution, Ana also has to endure a hug from Carrick, and wait while Grace dries her eyes, before they both follow her past curious stares from several people. When they reach Christian, he's still leaning against the wall, apparently having taking Ana's command literally. On seeing his parents, he stands up straight, his arms held loose at his sides, stoically awaiting the consequences of his actions. Grace practically runs into his arms. His sudden boyish expression of pleasure at this surprise development is almost comical. Carrick saunters over and adds his forgiveness with a much more restrained pat on Christian's shoulder. Wondering if she should stay or go, Ana settles for keeping her distance while the scene plays out. Eventually releasing her son, Grace takes a step back and dries her fresh tears before saying, in an almost stern voice, "Ana said you have something to say?"

Apparently still stuck in little boy mode, Christian literally shuffles his feet a bit as he begins, "Uh, yes. I'm very sorry for what I said, and for cussing. I know that you…love me and have only ever wanted what's best for me. I'm also sorry for ever keeping secrets from you. I trust you'll understand it was done out of fear that was well established before you even found me, and is in no way a reflection of your abilities as a parent. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job than you have. If anything about me pleases you, it's your doing. I'd have been lost without you. I owe you everything." Finally including Carrick in the apology, he concludes, "Both of you."

Glancing at Ana, revealing yet more happy tears, Grace says, "He does have his moments, doesn't he?"

Relieved laughter erupting from her, Ana agrees, "I've always thought so."

Wondering if she's seeing something that's never happened before, Ana's own craving for a "normal" family means that she's entranced when Carrick affectionately ruffles Christian's hair as he murmurs "Well done, son," before kissing Grace's forehead and finally walking over to her. Offering Ana the crook of his arm, he says, "Princess, would you care to dance? I suspect they'll be a while."

As they walk away, Ana hears Grace gently say, "Sweetheart, everything about you pleases me."

In fact, Ana dances with Carrick and then a few formally dressed strangers before she again finds herself in Christian's arms. His smiling face confirms that things went well with Grace, even before he kisses her cheek as they dance and says, "Thank you."

"Uh, you're welcome, but I didn't really do anything. You're not mad at me?"

"Mad at you?"

"You know…for…not…" Helpless how to express "…letting you fuck me against a wall," in polite company, Ana blushes yet again and cannot finish.

Christian laughs, sending a delicious feeling through her body where it melds to his, and says, "God, you're adorable. No, I'm not mad." With a small shrug, he says, "Though Mom still is."

"Not about the fight."

Smiling proudly at her cleverness, Christian says, "No. Not about the fight. Though they're still heading home early, as she's a little tired." Ignoring the established dancing stance to wrap both arms around Ana, Christian effortlessly moves to the music as he murmurs, "I love you, Mrs. Grey."

Resting her palms on his chest, following wherever he leads, Ana smiles and says, "And I love you, Christian."

No one else gets to dance with Ana this night. Even if they weren't deterred by the fact that her feet are sore enough to warrant her husband holding them in his lap as he massaged them for several minutes, not even those guests skilled in martial arts prove brave enough to ignore Christian's death glare every time someone approaches after that, one arm draped possessively over her shoulders. The first time, Ana is surprised. The second, she turns to him and makes a show of moving his increasingly unruly mop of hair off his brow. At his obvious confusion, she explains, "Just trying to find where the 'Fuck off' is written."

Haven't noticed their interplay, Mia giggles and says, "Even when we were kids, he didn't like to share."

Grinning, Christian says, "That's because you'd always insist on putting Ken's clothes on my G.I. Joe, Meow."

Ana splutters laughter at the nickname, even as Mia pouts, "You promised you'd never call me that again."

Looking to Ana, his eyes sparkling with good humor, Christian "seriously" asks, "Does that sound like something I'd say?"

Trying to contain her mirth, for Mia's sake, Ana shakes her head and says, "No, it really doesn't. But perhaps you could now?"

Christian rolls his eyes and says to Mia, "Fine. I won't use that name ever again, unless you laugh at me and tell my wife stories from my youth."

Still pouting slightly, Mia says, "I guess that's fair enough. So, when are we going to see you get your ass kicked?"

Christian laughs and says, "Never." With a glance behind them at Taylor, who nods and moves away, he continues, "But you'll get to see me kick ass any time now."

Not that she really doubts is, but Ana asks, "How can you be sure Taylor knew what you wanted?"

"Number one; he's good at his job. And, two; he's been dying to see what I can do. I don't mind working out with him, but I've always insisted on privacy when I train. I'm guessing he's been thinking of little else since Dharma suggested this moronic idea." Anticipating her next question, he continues, "It's moronic, because it won't really prove anything. But it'll get people talking, and that's one of the things a new business needs."

Leaning against his shoulder for comfort, Ana whispers, "I'm not sure I want to watch."

Equally quietly, Christian says, "I understand, baby. That's why I haven't asked it of you."

"But you'd like me there?"

"I would, only because it will put me at ease. But it's not necessary."

"You're sure Jacque won't hurt you?"

"I'm sure. Even if he wanted to, Felice would have his balls for it."

Ana laughs and says, "True. Okay, I'll watch. But if you get hurt, I'll kill you."

He kisses her hair and says, "Thank you, baby." As Taylor returns, signaling "ten minutes", Christian eases Ana upright as he adds, "And now it's time for your speech. Did you work out the reason?"

Glaring at him, Ana says, "Other than to torture me? It was to distract me from my earlier nerves. Thank you, bastard."

Christian captures her chin and kisses her anger away, then says, "We'll both stand up. I'll speak first, okay?"

Grateful for that small concession, because she's never spoken before such an intimidating audience, Ana is more sincere when she repeats, "Thank you."

With the traditional method of attracting attention – cutlery on quality crystal – Christian persists until conversation dies down and then says, "Thank you all for coming this evening. You know by now why you were invited. When I first met Jacque Pretorius, I wanted to punch his lights out. But, over the weeks since then, we've talked quite a bit and my attitude towards him has changed somewhat…now I really want to punch his lights out." As the laughter dies down, Christian lifts his glass and toasts, "Welcome, Jacque. You're a cheeky bastard. But I know you'll be of great benefit to our city." After taking a sip, he puts a comforting hand around Ana's waist and concludes, "My wife, Anastasia, wants to say a few words about Felice, and then any of you who care to see me exact my revenge on Pretorius can join us in the garden."

Waiting for the ensuing excited babble to settle down, and thinking that she might have been best going first, after all, Ana nervously glances at the few notes she's scrawled on her napkin and then looks at Felice. Seeing her own trepidation mirrored in her new friend's eyes somehow has a calming effect. Smiling, all trace of fear forgotten, Ana mentally throws her notes aside and says, "Felice, I've only known you a short time. But, in that time, you've become an inspiration to me. You are, without a doubt, the bravest woman I've ever met, and I'm honored to call you my friend." She waits for the applause to die down and holds out a hand towards Felice as she concludes, "Now, could you hold my hand while our men act like boys?"

This elicits some laughter and more applause, though Ana assumes it's for the idea of watching a fight, rather than her speech. Felice is walking towards her with a grateful smile on her face when Christian kisses his wife's cheek and says, "That was well done."

Arm in arm with Felice, as they head towards the garden, Ana says, "They'll be sensible, right?"

Felice pats her hand and says, "Jacque isn't about to risk hurting the backer for his first business."

With everyone focused on the fighters, as they start removing jackets and shoes, Ana quietly asks, "I presume you offered to finance him?"

"Yes. He refused that, too. He has a strange notion that, if he doesn't make his own way, I'll eventually wonder if my money had anything to do with his proposal."

"I'm pretty sure it didn't."

Turning her shining smile on Ana, Felice says, "I'm positive it didn't. But I do admire him for being stubborn about this."

The guys, now clad only in tuxedo pants – which looks so wrong and, oh, so right – run through a few stretches, and Ana whispers, "I'm a bit worried that I'll find this hot."

By Ana's ear, a man whispers, "I know I will."

Ana giggles and smacks his arm, hissing, "Back off, Brit."

Brit accepts her attack in good humor and says, "Chris thought you might need a commentator."

"You know about fighting?"

Even as she asks, Ana knows the answer, and is smiling as Brit explains, "A sport in which two scantily-clad men beat each other until one submits?"

Ana laughs again and says to Felice, "Brit is…uh…"

With a grin, Felice finishes, "I get the picture. We met earlier."

Christian beckons Ana over. Not willing to let go of Brit or Felice, she drags them with her, the mostly male crowd making way for them. She can now see that Claude Bastille is officiating, which reassures her a little. She'd noticed that he was here, but hadn't spoken to him and offers him a nod of greeting now. He returns the gesture, adding a wink, presumably to further reassure her that all is well. Noticing that the soft ground is now marked off with a brightly colored ring, Ana wonders how, until they get close enough to see that it's joined electrical cords.

Looking supremely confident and happy as the proverbial kid in a candy store, Christian approaches Ana and pleads, "For luck?"

Immediately wary, because he'd reassured her it was only a demo, she counters, "Which you won't need, right?"

When he only grins at her, Ana knows that he's deliberately messing with her, but he just looks too damn cute at the moment to be angry with. So she kisses him, strangely to rowdy applause and whistles. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Felice surreptitiously shake her head at Jacque, and wishes she'd thought of that.

The "fighters" are both lightly springing on their feet when Claude gestures to Christian and explains, "We have an exponent of American Kickboxing." Then gesturing to Jacque, he adds, "And someone who's trained in Muay Thai, Judo and other disciplines. They've agreed to one round under our kickboxing rules, and one round under UFC rules. Obviously, this is a friendly fight – light strikes only – so no one is leaving in an ambulance, right?" This last sentence clearly being a command, Christian and Jacque merely nod, not taking their eyes off each other. Apparently satisfied with that, Claude steps back as he concludes, "When you're ready, gentlemen."

Ana's heart is pounding loud in her ears; whether it's from excitement or fear for Christian, she doesn't know. Brit murmurs, "They'll slap hands or bump fists and then it's on. Assuming they behave themselves, Claude won't step in. He'll just indicate if one of them wins a point, or would have won the fight."

Grateful that they seem to have thought about this, Ana nods and says only, "Thanks."

Sure enough, the guys touch their bare hands together and start moving around, their guards up in a relaxed ready stance. Jacque attempts a front kick. Even as dodges it, Christian connects with a lightning fast spin-kick to his opponent's ribs; the slap of his foot on bare flesh clearly audible. Jacque dances around a bit, obviously suffering a little from the impact, though his grin only widens. Felice relaxes her grip on Ana's hand, where she'd reflexively clutched it only seconds before. Claude nods his satisfaction and holds a hand out towards Christian, indicating a valid strike.

Brit promises Ana, "If Chris had used his heel, that would have cracked a rib and, if he'd also aimed at his head, this would be over for real."

The rest of the round goes pretty much the same way, with Jacque winning only a couple of points, never being able to land a kick on Christian's body. When Claude calls 'time', the friendly combatants are glistening with sweat and, even in this light, a few darkening marks can be seen on Jacque's torso, while Christian's pale perfection is marred only by his fading scars, barely visible in this light. Despite this evidence of how one-sided the bout had been, the two men cheerfully shake hands and Ana is sure that Jacque says, "You're mine now, Grey."

Again grinning like a kid, Christian laughs and says, "Not quite yet."

Relaxing her grip on Felice's hand, Ana asks, "You okay?"

With a rather weak smile, Felice says, "Yes, though I'm not sure I could watch a real fight."

"Me, neither." Turning to Brit, Ana asks, "Jacque will win the next round?"

With a grim nod, Brit reveals, "Unless Chris has also been secretly mastering Ju Jitsu all these years, it'll be a walk." With a shrug, he adds, "Kind of the point of this demonstration."

"Will that be the choke holds; stuff like that?"

His lips a terse line, Brit agrees, "Stuff like that."

Her heart again pounding, this time in sympathetic fear, Ana asks, "Why are you scared?"

After only a moment's hesitation, Brit quietly reveals, "Unless Claude steps in, Christian will need to signal his surrender by tapping Jacque."

Somehow certain that Christian has never yielded to an opponent, Ana swallows and asks, "Or?"

"Or there's the potential for ligament damage, even broken bones."

"Oh." Staring at Claude until she catches his eye, Ana only relaxes when he again winks at her. Acknowledging his kindness with a nod, she says to Brit, "It'll be fine."

After a drink of water and a rest period, they guys again face each other.

Author's note: If you like that they're fighting topless, your thanks should go to sillie j, for not being too proud to beg;-)