AN: for clarification purposes: I have said that my initial plan on how much the x-over characters are used is going to be less than originally planned. That being said, I originally had planned for them to be the catalyst for C&A reuniting and still needed them to fulfill their role. In the upcoming chapters they'll be there for support. The story will be going in a different direction due to feedback and will have a couple more AC characters instead of the x-over ones.

No, Christian was not married. Manni is married to Elliot; their son is named Christopher for something that Christian did while she was pregnant with him (his middle name is Carrick).
I fwd. a week from when Ana left NY for CO. I tried to show that in the first couple of paragraphs of the last chapter. Christian spent a week in NY and was given the run around by Gideon and Alex. They want him to find her on his own as a way to see if he'll fight for her. Neither Gideon nor Alex are involved in the club, Ana met the owners at an engagement party. The owners will be connected to Taylor.
The backstory will continue to be revealed through Ana's writing of her novel, as well as conversations between her and Christian, and later an important one between her and Elliot and/or Carrick.

I do want to make it clear that I do appreciate all feedback and try to answer questions when they won't entail spoilers. That being said, please try to make it constructive. I do take the time to consider it and how it might enhance the experience of both of us.
Also, if you PM me, don't be surprise if you get one back. I like to see what you are getting from the story because then I know whether or not I'm clear in what I am trying to express. I strongly believe the only stupid questions are the ones not asked.

Sincerely,
MissDevon

Chapter 8

Taylor fought back irritation as he talked to Welch on the phone while trying to keep up with his boss. Christian Grey, hard nose business man, was worse than his eight year old daughter at a dance competition! "Welch, are you shitting me?" Taylor asked as he stopped in his tracks. "Repeat again what type of club… No way in hell would Ms. Steele be at a… Welch, she wasn't a… Fine, text me the coordinates," he finished tiredly, hoping this wasn't some wild goose chase where the boss's emotions would pay the price (and in turn so would all of they).

Coming to the rented black Audi SUV Taylor frowned as Christian turned towards him after stowing his suitcase in the back. "I'm going to try to get this last report done so I have time to focus on Anastasia when we get to that club."

"If she's there," Taylor muttered as he threw in his own gear.

"Why wouldn't she be?"

Taylor closed his eyes, wanting to block out his boss's bemused expression. Of course he heard that, the blond thought as he slammed the hatchback shut and headed around the driver's side. "Taylor…" Grey started in a warning tone.

"You do know that tone doesn't work on me, right?" Taylor asked as he looked over the hood of the car and at Christian. "You want to intimidate me, get your impression of Gail down."

"Taylor…"

"Fine," Taylor sighed. "The… type… of club that this is doesn't gel with what I know about Ms. Steele."

"I don't understand. Welch said it was a private club. That we were meeting with one or more of the owners to get in and that Ana would be there."

"Boss, it's a… an alternate lifestyle club."

"Why would Ana… and why wouldn't Welch have told me…"

"Boss, really?"

Christian's brow furrowed and Taylor could see realization dawning on his face as his jaw worked up and down: "Already told Welch she wasn't one of your subs and I don't think she'll be there. That being said, whoever has her phone might be able to tell us where she is. I also have Sawyer working on getting information on where Ray was moved. Since I'm the alternate… we'll get answers."

"She better be safe…" Christian said as he yanked opened the front passenger door. "I honestly don't know if I'd prefer for her to be there or not… I want to see her, but the thought of her…" he cursed as he threw his briefcase onto the backseat. "Let's get there and find out what's going on…"

Kate tapped her foot as she waited for the elevator to her penthouse. She so didn't want to have to deal with life at the moment. She was not supposed to be working at this point- hell she should have never had to to begin with, but her father had insisted that she get her degree. So, good daughter that she was, she got one. Then he had insisted that she not only use it, but to work to get to the point that she needed to in his conglomerate. As if!
No, she had carefully recruited former professors to make her look good in her daddy's eyes. That these professors were the same ones that she had slept with to pad her GPA and recommendations list didn't hurt. She still led them around by the dick, and now the pay cheek as well.
The only person she hadn't been able to control completely in the scenario was Ana Steele.

Sweet, perfect, annoyingly innocent Ana Steele had been a thorn in her side for years now. She had become friends with her to keep up appearances. Later it was to keep the hounds at bay. Ana was in many ways too smart for her own good. She read and comprehended things that Kate didn't care to focus on. Instead, Kate made sure that Ana's supervisor feed her information to keep Ana from usurping her one day. Ana was in many ways the daughter that her father wished he had. Oh, he liked that Kate was tenacious, but that was it. He wanted hard working and reserve. He wanted behind the scenes and happy with a pay check and no allowance. He wanted what Kate couldn't and wouldn't be.

Sighing, she got off of the elevator and headed to her door, only to stop short when she saw someone waiting at it. "Mom, what are you doing here?" she asked.

Leslie Kavanagh smiled at her daughter: "I had to come into the city to get something's ready for the upcoming fashion show and thought we could catch up. I was sorry I missed you at the office…"

Kate plastered on a smile: "I had a meeting with Vidal about PR for one of his bands. You know how I live for work…"

Leslie smiled at her daughter indulgently: "I know you wish you didn't have to. That your father was more understanding…"

"Its fine, Mom. I like it," Kate sighed as she unlocked the door and let her mother precede her into the apartment.

"I heard Ana left Kavanagh and moved from your father. You must be lonely without her."

"She needed a change. You know how hard the last few years have been on her," Kate deflected as she put her things down. "Should we order dinner or would you prefer to go out?"

"Here would be fine," Leslie said as she sat and smoothed out her skirt. "I wanted to let you know I heard that woman is in town."

"Mom…"

"I don't like that she told you our dirty laundry and pulled you into the middle of some old revenge scheme."

Kate rolled her eyes: "she didn't. She just shows up on occasion to play mind games. I can handle her."

"If you're sure."

"I am. Now tell me about your plans for the show…"

He watched the movement of the two women from the window. Although the frosting hid most of the view, he could tell where she was and hungrily drank her in.
Soon… soon she would be his as she should've been all those years before.

Taylor sat in the chair in the owner's office with a perplexed look on his face. As Adam picked up the papers Christian had signed he looked over the rim of his glasses at the man who had served with him: "Go ahead and ask, Taylor."

"None of my business, Sarge," Taylor shot back.

"Really, because I find it interesting that you take orders from Doms so well," Adam shot back as he placed the signed NDA on his blotter. "So, Mr. Grey, how did you hear about the club? I'm guessing it's not from Taylor or any of the contacts we have in common."

"Actually, one of my other security personnel suggested we come here," Christian started.

"Oh? And he knew about us how?" Adam asked. "I mean, I've noticed that you didn't fill out an application…"

"Like I told you we're looking for information," Taylor squirmed.

"Place like this there's a lot of information to be found."

"I'm looking for a woman," Christian started.

Adam narrowed his eyes: "we're not that type of establishment."

"No… she's someone I know- loved," Christian corrected. "We tracked her to here…" he started as the door opened.

"Adam…" Ana started, then immediately changed her tone and looked towards the floor as Grant had instructed her to do as the men automatically turned towards the doorway. "Mistress Grant sent me with the inventory for the bar for your approval," she got out in a rush as Christian got shakily to his feet: "Anastasia?" he somehow managed to get out.

In what seemed to him to be slow motion, he watched as she tensed and raised her head. Ana's eyes found his and they widened as she paled slightly in recognition. Her reaction set him off and he couldn't help but bellow, especially as he caught sight of the color encircling her neck: "what the hell have you gotten yourself into?"