A/N Hi thank you for your continued support by following, fav'ing and posting comments. It means the world to me.

Also sorry, I've got a couple chapters that will be closely not quite back to back but will be posted pretty darned quickly.

Boo :-)

Walking out of the lobby into the awaiting cab I dial the Fairmont hoping for availability. Checking in I'm feeling rather high-maintenance asking that when the Health Club opens in the morning if they would drop off a one piece Speedo, ex-small, a set of goggles, a pair of sandals sized 6.5 and to leave it hanging on the door-knob. Also leaving a note that Ms. Kavanagh has access to my room. Feeling terrible for asking so much I slide Janice a $20, she didn't want to accept the tip, forcing it down her throat. Sending Kate a couple of texts while making my way to the room.

I can't believe Anastasia walked out. Yes I was pushing her buttons acting like an insufferable ass...Then Ana told me her story I was taken aback. Watching as she looked at her arm and hand, embracing her past. Thinking she would turn the other cheek when it came to my attitude, I knew she was not going to let it slide, hell I wouldn't have. In my own form of apology, showing her my scars, I was left standing.

I keep staring at the elevator door not knowing how much time has passed, waiting to hear a ping with Ana coming back. You fuckhead, stop kidding yourself she's wiped her hands of you.

Making my way to the office, grabbing my laptop I walk toward the security station where I see Sawyer manning the helm. Before saying anything "Sir, I've been tracking Ms Steele's phone, she's at the Fairmont." Taylor trained him well

nodding "Load the software" handing over my laptop " give me a quick tutorial."

Wading into the pool, feeling like a zombie, knowing I'm not capable of many laps this morning. Dunking my head, my legs pressed against the wall launching off the wall. I'm hating myself how I treated Christian. I should have not walked out. Normally proactive rather than reactive, I behaved poorly, leaving him in a lurch. His look, so pained, very real. All I could so was sympathize with the pain yet found I couldn't stand to be in the same room with him. Steele you should have stayed, if only to show compassion to another soul... I promise that I'll call him later today, apologizing. The last thing I want is for him to think he can't trust people. Yep it was a bone-head move saying that Christian would sue me,it's apparent that he went above and beyond trying to earn my trust.

By the time I get back from my morning laps Kate's in the room waiting.

Running and hugging tightly "Steele, thanks for the texts. I had no problem finding your spare key hidden in the Cafe Bustelo tin. So I kinda raided your closet, brought up a few things, thinking we might stay overnight and drive back to Vancouver tomorrow. We can stay at my parents house. I also noticed that Christian had sent you a couple days worth of flowers, not one."

The thought of staying with Kate's parents... No fucking way, I can't stand her father... ignoring her comment as the one also directed at Christian "How was the drive?"

"Smooth, must have timed it right there wasn't much traffic."sounding bitchy. "It must of not have went well with Moneybags if you're staying here and not in his bed. Told you he was an asshole."

I am sick of Kate's comments "Jesus Kate, I don't know what your issue is with Grey and don't care but after your meltdown last night the only thing I'm willing to discuss with you is why you've been acting like a bitch."

"Ana" watching as Kate's eyes spring with tears "You were right about the Q&A I did with Grey. You questioned the validity when I asked if Grey was gay and said it didn't fit within the scope of the article, that you found it catty and low-brow? Well I submitted the article to Lorraine, the editor of the Seattle Times. She personally called telling me that I was not the caliber of journalist they they were looking for and that I should lend my talents to the Nooze."

looking at her dumfounded thinking to myself Your Dad OWNS the Times then it hits me "You think Christian had something to do with this..."

"Of course Ana, it had to have come from him. My Dad may have power, but even I know Grey has far reaching hands and against these two powerhouses Grey will get his way."

I'm not out to defend his 'Honor' but this just doesn't sound right "Wait, let's talk this out. Did you email Christian a copy of the article with a release form for him to sign, giving permission to publish?"

nodding "Yes of course I did, that's basic."

"Do you have proof he prevented you from getting the position at the Times?" shaking her head as tears stream down her face

"Kate" he's a jerk but this man is a stickler for rules "he's not going to bother getting hot under the collar about this. Plus if wanted, he would have refused, killing the article in the process unless his demands were met. Grey is too busy making money to be plotting the demise of college student's career before it begins. He's a business man first and when he attaches himself to any sort of paperwork, be it a Q&A or multimillion dollar deal" or sub contract he'll honor the code. He wouldn't be where he is today if he signed something then went back on his word. For him a contract is bound by the words governed and he'll stick to them unless based on fraud or ill will. Then he would bring in his gaggle of attorneys instead of personally going after you."

staring me in the eyes. "You really think so Ana?"

nodding "Yes I do."

"Steele you always keep a clear head and should have spoken with you. Its just everything kinda snowballed... Isaiah and I broke up on Sunday then on Monday morning I sent the PDF to Lorraine and by the afternoon I received her call. Then Grey starts sending you flowers. I jumped to conclusions with my mind running amok with conspiracies..." in a hushed voice... "I thought he was trying to get back at me for the gay question by chasing you and was scared that with his looks and money he would exact out some sort of extended revenge and hurt you. And its not that I think you don't deserve flowers, hell if anything you should have suitors lined around the block. Just so we're clear, I'm not homophobic I just lashed out because..." sounding resigned "Ana I'm really sorry and feel like a should be given some sort of Double Dumbass Award."

I can't help laughing at Kate making a partial Star Trek reference nerd joke just for me Part of me is shaking my head in the audacity that Kate has. She must think I'm stupid and considers herself oh so important. Sure she's valedictorian and at times she's thinks herself a legend, yet it's all in her own mind. All I know is that life is taking us in different directions, we're growing apart.

"Sweetie, I get it. Thank you for opening up with me, next time let's save our-self this type of hardship? Promise that we talk things out... okay?" trying to lighten the mood "So I know how you are about 'roughing-it'... hear me out... I'm thinking instead of staying the night at your parents or the hotel we should go to Bed Bath and Beyond pick up an inflatable mattress, some toiletries, order a pizza while we sit on the floor, breaking-in our empty apartment, after all it's technically ours. Then we can play dress-up, grab some dinner and hang out with Ben. We'll make a night of it. Whatcha think?"

"Sounds like a great fucking plan Steele. Now get your ass cleaned up, then let's blow this popsicle stand!"

Grinning like a couple loons. Things are moving toward normalcy... Thank goodness

On the way to the apartment we picked up some essentials and a few food staples. Stopping off at the management office we pick up our keys and unload our stuff.

After a lovely dinner at my favorite joint, the Wild Ginger, which Kate gave me shit "Steele, there are so many places to eat in downtown... is this your default restaurant?"

grinning from ear to ear, taking the bag of leftovers "What can I say...I love the food here." I'm feeling at ease that Kate and I are back on common ground. As we make our way to the bus stop, she takes my hand as we walk.

"So are you going to talk to me about your time with Grey? I guess you're still a virgin... What happened?"

I knew it was only a matter of time before she drilled me "Kate, you really should stop obsessing over my virginity."Cracking a wry grin "Christian and me, not much to say other than we are like bulls that lock horns."

"Come on Steele, why did you end up at the hotel. Did he try something unbecoming of a gentleman and you needed to leave?"

"No Kate it wasn't like that. He was a gracious host, I just felt more comfortable on my own."

sounding a bit put off "Fine Steele don't talk to me about it."

realizing I don't want us to take a step back "Kate, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be rude but there's really not much to tell. But I'll break it down for you. We had dinner at his place, by the way he has a gorgeous penthouse. At first we seemed to get along then things, well, just fell apart. Bottom line, we are two very different personality types."

"Ugh, okay Steele, I'll let it go and change the subject. Why the doggie bag? We're not going to our apartment so why lug it with you?"

catching a glimpse Kate's beautiful side profile, it seems at times she's opts to forget my past, knowing this is not the first time she's heard me uttering the words "There's always someone hungry somewhere along the way."

Turning to me "Ana Shit I'm sorry, I sometimes I speak before thinking. I didn't mean to have you think about your past."

"Arggghhh... Damnit Kate stop staying Sorry...and stop fretting."

KPOV

Glancing over at Ana, our history unfolds itself. How we met and are still the perfect Odd Couple. The over-privileged rich bitch-slut that has no female friends and the introverted girl that had no friends at all. We became close, very quickly. Over time she told and me showed me her scars hidden beneath band-aids and opened up to her time in Southern California. I love Ray; he's what they call a straight arrow. During breaks sometimes Ray convinced my parents to let me travel with them or when she went to Europe staying with her family. Then one day poof she went away moving to San Francisco attending Berkeley, I missed her desperately. We kept in-touch as much as possible then she suddenly was enrolled at WSU-V... I should have thought before I spoke. I know about some of her preexisting issues, though not all of them. Cutting a glance again at Ana, I feel the warmth of her hand entangle with mine. I see this wisp of a woman, who is so damned independent. The smartest girl I know. Multi faceted, tolerant of others and scarred. Ana's not one to sit on her laurels, accomplishing more by the time she reached 20 than I have in my entire life. I still don't know her entire scope of talent and people she knows. One thing about Steele, she is not a kiss-n-tell sort of gal and loves flying under the radar.

Hopping on the bus with her doggie bag. Sitting behind the driver she chats about his day and her hopes that the rest of shift goes well. He seems genuinely happy to have someone talk with him. Reaching our stop people are stepping off the bus with us last. I see the driver take her hand shaking it...telling her to be safe. I catch myself thinking that' s fucking weird. Yet to know Ana, this is par for the course. Steele is warmth and sincerity.

Stepping off the bus, we're half a block from the Tiki Lounge when someone that's obviously homeless is panhandling. Offering our left-overs which she's more than happy to accept. Then I hear Ana say, "Take the free-zone bus to Second and Yesler, walk up to City Hall Park, across the street, the Mission there might still have cots available."

Lost in thought while making our way I hear someone shouting AnaBanana. Glancing up I see Ben and standing alongside him is this incredibly hunky, slightly wild haired blonde man, looking delectable wearing a dark blue dress shirt with a few buttons undone and a pair of black slacks.

Not taking my eyes off him, I whisper to Ana. "By the Hammer of Thor... that guy standing next to Ben is drop-dead gorgeous." I can't make out the expression on Ana's face yet know I've earned Steele's famous eye roll. Looking a bit harder..."Is that who I think it is, is that Elliot Grey? Shit Ana he's better looking than the photos I've seen of him in the gossip columns. He's fucking caliente. Quick, quick tell me what's he like?"

Looking over to Ana I see her giving me a teasing half-glance while raising her eyebrow, trying desperately to keep a straight face and failing miserably... gawd I love this girl...." I've only met him once. He comes across as a bit flirty, funny, and if Ben's hanging out with him, he must be an okay guy. Now Samantha keep your panties on, at least until proper introductions are made." I can't help swatting Ana on the ass, partly due her smart mouth and my excitement.

EPOV

When Ben and I planned on going out tonight I knew we were going to hang with the Theater Crowd, what I didn't expect, was to see Ana. Given that Christian and I have spoken a few times this last week he must not know she's in town cause I'm sure he would stalking her ass. I gotta send a text letting him know that's she's in Seattle. Hell maybe he's given up, not having once uttered the name Ana since last weekend. I won't know unless I send something out... maybe even teasing a bit, seeing if he'll bite. Though right now all I want is to be introduced to the cutie Ana's walking hand-in-hand with. Just my type, long blonde hair, hourglass figure, wearing a tight short dress. Quickly walking over to Ana, planting a kiss on her cheek she introduces me to Kate. And one smile from her is all it took. I'm totally, utterly fucking smitten. Man, there's something to be said about Instant Attraction and by the way she's looking at me, the feeling is mutual.

A/N Samantha is a character from Sex in the City.