Chapter 21

A/N: I was first a fanfiction reader long before I decided to take on writing a story, so I understand the frustration felt when a story you are enjoying isn't updating as fast as you would like it to. Ask showdog, greytosteele, lilithblood, and Wordrunner how persistent I can be when I am waiting on an update. Notice I said persistent not rude. Those of you who choose not to continue reading because I take too long to update, well, I'm not sure what you want me to say….do you expect me to beg you not to go, do you think announcing your departure is going to some how change my speed….to you I say, farewell. I'm not stacking chapters, once I have one ready for post, I post it. I told luvsfiftyshades a couple of weeks ago that I was getting anxious to post but the chapter was not ready. Unfortunately, I am not in the situation where I can sit and pump out chapter after chapter, I would love nothing more. There are only 24hrs in my day, those of you who have more hours in your day, please feel free to share, otherwise I have to work with what I have. And I do feel guilty about not being able to give you guys at least a chapter a week, again, I would love nothing more, but that is just not going to happen right now. Thank you to all of you who are sticking with me despite my tortuously slow writing, it means the world to me. I didn't mean for this to sound like a bitchfest, I just wanted address some of the reviews and pm's I had received regarding the update pace.

~oo0oo~

Recap & Narration: After a wonderful weekend with Teddy, Christian gets news that his sister and his former mistress have an altercation at a Labor Day party. Mia recounts her eventful evening.

~Christian~

Taylor's eyes suddenly stretch wide and he steps toward me saying something, and try as I might I cannot hear because all I hear is the staccato beat of my heart, and the phrase 'that bitch' ringing in my ears on repeat, stamping out all other thoughts. I watch as Taylor pulls a box of tissues from a drawer in my desk.

"Your nose is bleeding Sir."

"What." I ask shaking my head trying desperately to clear my senses.

"Your nose…it's bleeding." He repeats firmly while pushing a wad of tissues into my hands.

Dabbing my nose several times I draw back the bloody tissue and become even more enraged. I need to calm down. I think my blood pressure is through the roof, and I am going to stroke out if I don't get a handle on my temper, because at this moment I could literally kill someone. My frustration and anger fueled by the fact that I only have myself to blame, but, be that as it may, this bullshit with her stops now. Taking the seat behind my desk I pin Taylor with a steady gaze, nose still bleeding.

"It's time for her to go away." I say pinching the bridge of my nose, not letting Taylor out of my glare.

"What are you suggesting Sir? He asks hesitantly.

"Relax Taylor, I'm not…suggesting…anything illegal, or should I say deadly, but it's time she leaves Seattle, better yet the country."

"Before we go spinning wildly out of control, let's get on the ground and find out exactly how this happened."

"I don't give a flying fuck how it happened. I don't care if this was an accidental chance meeting, which I highly doubt, or if she planned everything up to and including getting punched the fuck out by Seattle's resident social pixie; Paige Dennison is done in this hemisphere." Taking steps to rectify the situation has given me direction; hence, I feel more in control. My blood pressure must have stabilized, because my nose finally stops bleeding. As I crush the bloody wad I think of Grace, she would be all over me if she ever found out about these symptoms. Fuck, that is all I need right now.

"If this was somehow just a case of showing up at the wrong party that makes my point even stronger, "bumping" into her is bound to occur again, and I can't have that. This shit is escalating and we don't want to know what the next chance meeting will bring. You have to see that."

Taylor sits examining me for an extended moment.

"I agree Sir. Miss Dennison has no boundaries and appears to be on a downward emotional trajectory; this could easily explode into a monumental cluster fuck. I'll get with Welch on what measures we could employ, and reach out to a couple of buddies whose skills might come in handy, if necessary. I'll get coverage for your parent's home and someone to keep an eye on Miss Dennison so that Price and Colton can meet us at Sea-Tac the moment we land."

"How long do you think it will take you to get Paige's ass out of town?

"I can't say right off the top of my head, there are a lot of factors at play here…." I cut him off.

"I want my mother and sister out of harm's way. Mia is not a problem, dangle an all expense paid trip and she'll happily head wherever I ask, but my mom will present a big problem; without a time frame, there's no way I will get her away from her practice or patients." I state while rubbing my forehead. "But I want them out of Seattle while she's still there."

"Perhaps you could talk them into a trip to Savannah under the guise of visiting Ana and Teddy until we get this situation in hand?"

"That's an excellent idea, I'll present that to them tonight."

"Very well, Sir. I'm going to speak with Gail briefly, then, I'll come back in here to start coordinating coverage and fill Welch in on the latest." He rises and leaves the office with a scowl fixed firmly on his face.

I feel the black cloud of self-hatred descend; I don't try to fight it, because I deserve it, I let it swirl around me, through me. The cold, hard truth is I brought this on myself, worst of all my family, Teddy and Ana. When I tip my head back I not only feel but taste the last droplets of my nosebleed trickle down my throat. Nasty…fitting.

~Mia~

I finally make it to my bedroom after an hour long grilling from my mom. She is beyond disappointed and pissed with my behavior this evening. My dad wanted a full accounting of what happened, who started what, did I approach her, were there witnesses, yada, yada, yada. Of course he's looking at this from a legal point of view. Maybe I could have handled the situation differently, but I couldn't stand there and allow that bitch to continue to talk shit about my family. And though my right hand is killing me, it felt so damn satisfying to sock that whore right in her nasty mouth, despite my mom's disappointment I'd do it again. I have to bite my cheek to keep the smirk off my face as I recall the look of absolute shock on everyone else's face as blood gushed from Paige's rapidly swelling lip. Adjusting the ice wrap my mom gave me to help with my own pain and swelling, I let the memory steal my attention from my aching knuckles.

"Oh….shit," Shay mutters, "Isn't that…" she trails off as her focus drifts over my shoulder.

Lily, Allison, Kayla and I follow her line of sight to the two girls stepping through the French doors. At first I don't recognize either of them, then the taller one swings her head toward us as if she can feel all of us watching her. She scans our faces briefly and hones in on mine, her expression is impassive, but her stare is creeping me out. Fucking Paige Dennison. We hold each other's glare until I turn when Lily stage whispers in my ear…

"What the fuck is she doing here, and who is that she's with?"

"I'd like answers to both those questions myself." I find myself growling like my ever ill tempered brother, as I catch the tail end of the smirk riding Allison's lips. "We're fine as long as she stays the fuck away from me."

Just then Allison's mom points in our direction and waves over to us. Shit.

"I'm going to head this off, don't worry Mia." Allison steps away from us to turn them toward the buffet table.

The rest of us stand there speculating on who the other girl is and exactly why they are here until Alley comes back, and then my girls are all over Alley like a bad rash.

"Did you invite them?" Lily

"How do you know her?" Shay

"Is there going to be some drama?" Kayla

"That's Traci Yinger, she's in my Medical Law and Ethics class. I invited her and she asked if she could bring a "co-worker/friend" with her and I said it was no problem the more the merrier. As for the last question, I don't know." And she turns to me, "Mia, is there going to be any…drama?"

"Like I said, as long as she stays the fuck away from me I'm good." I repeat taking a sip of my mojito. I have the fleeting thought that I should alert Price but I don't act on it.

An hour later and I get the distinct impression that this bitch is chasing me around the backyard. Every group I am laughing or talking with, she and Traci magically appear and try to get in on the conversation. It seems to me she's angling for a confrontation with me.

"Hey Mimi, you want to get out of here?" Lily asks. "The vibe has changed; I can't imagine you are having a good time with Skankarella chasing you all over the yard."

"You noticed that too, huh?"

"It's pretty obvious to anyone looking." Shay adds.

"If anyone should leave it's her, I refuse to let that ho run me from the places I belong, she's the one who doesn't belong here." I say, doubling down on my resolve not to be chased any longer.

"That's all well fi….." Just then Jimmy Ritter barrels into Lily and Shay, slinging his arms across their shoulders. Lily is thoroughly annoyed but Shay has had the hots for him for as long as I've known her.

"Hey you fine mamcitas!"

"Damn Jimmy, are you drunk?

"Not yet, but I'm working on it." He says smiling down at Shay. "I wanna send the summer out with a bang, know what I mean." He sends a playful wink Shay's way. And as if it were scripted Shay blushes bright pink. Hmmm, things are getting interesting.

"Get off Jimmy, your beer is sweating all over me. And why are you talking so freakin' loud."

"Aww Lily, be nice for once, I'm just having fun."

"Hey who's that guy that came with you?" I step in before Lily loses it.

"My boy Will, you interested Mia? I could hook up an intro if you'd like," A shit eating grin playing on his lips.

"I think I….," And I'm interrupted as Alley, Traci, and Paige crash our conversation.

I give Alley a side long glance, why would she bring them over here? I want to know what the fuck she's playing at. I am brought out of my thoughts by Jimmy's loud realization.

"Oh snap," He says eyeing Paige. "You're Christian Grey's side piece, the…" Shay elbows him hard in the ribs.

"Jimmy!"

"OW!" His eyes bug with the force of Shay's elbow and his social faux pas.

I'm staring daggers at Jimmy when I hear the troll sneer. "Pardon you, but I was far more than his side piece. I…."

"No you weren't," I cut her off. "You were less than a side piece…you were my brother's whore, that's all."

"How the hell would you know, I never saw you around when we were together."

"Because, you dumb bitch, he was hiding you. Not just because he is a married man, as you well know, but you are far beneath his usual taste. Ana is beautiful, sweet, strong, brave and accomplished. You don't hold a candle to her; you can't even stand in her shadow. You are dog shit on the bottom of her shoe." Our little show is drawing a crowd. Shit

"You don't know what you're talking about, he's not in love with Ana," She sneers her name, "and if it weren't for that fucking brat…."

And that's when it happened. The earth dipped, the lights went red and before I knew it I was smashing my right fist into her still moving lips, and she found herself on her ass in the grass, and I was still ranting as I loomed over top of her.

"You can thank my brothers for that fat lip, they're the ones who taught me how to knock a bitch OUT?" I feel arms trying to pull me backward.

"Mia stop." Lily

"Oh my God." Shay

"Who's that girl?" Unknown

"Christian's mistress." Unknown

"Get the fuck out of here." Unknown

"Damn, I missed the whole thing." Will

"Hey Slugger." Elliot slides onto the end of my bed with a slow lopsided smirk. I can't help myself, I let my grin become wide and simply say…

"Elliot."

"Now, why don't you tell me whatever you weren't telling Mom and Dad." Elliot comes off as goofy and unobservant, but he is far from both.

"What do you mean? I told them everything that happened." I say playing dumb.

"Mia, don't try to shit a shitter, you were leaving something out. Spill. Now, before your brother with no sense of humor arrives."

"Shit! Is he stopping by tonight?"

"Yup, should be here shortly after mid-night. Your guy, what's his name…, Price and some other dude are going to meet him and Taylor at Sea-Tac for a bedtime story on the order of a Grimm's fairytale. Stop trying to evade, just answer my question."

I regard him for several seconds and decide to give him my thoughts.

"It's just that while mom was lecturing me, I was thinking that this could have been avoided. I had thought about going to tell Price that Paige was there but dismissed it just as fast as I thought of it. Then I was thinking that maybe I wanted to have a showdown with Trampzilla, she was certainly itching to have a confrontation with me." I say looking up without lifting my head.

"Why do you say that?" He asks playing with the fringe of my throw blanket, trying to appear unaffected.

"Well, like I said downstairs, she and her friend would come over to any group I was in and try to get in the conversation. Oh, and that's the other thing, I have a strong feeling that Allison set the whole thing up. It's just a feeling but there was a look on her face when they arrived, then she asked me was there going to be any drama, and then she brought them over to where we were talking with Jimmy Ritter right before everything blew up. That's what I didn't share with mom and dad." I finish with a little shrug of my shoulders, feeling every bit of the little sister right now.

He just continues to comb the fringe, saying nothing, but the bunch and release of his jaw muscles tell me he's not as cool as he appears.

"What is it El," I ask, real concern lancing through me. He gives me the same contemplative look I gave him not five minutes ago. "Tell me," I press.

He takes a long pull of air through his nose and lets it out through puffed cheeks.

"I want to give Christian the same fat lip you gave to his girlfriend." He mutters half angry half sad. I flinch at him referring to that whore as 'his girlfriend'. "Part of me blames him for bringing that bitch into our lives. Then, I think the dumb fucker made a huge mistake, and I can't blame Ana if she can't find it in herself to forgive him. But this shit going on with the bunny boiler….

"The what," I turn my nose up at the image in my head. "Elliot, what are you talking about," And start laughing at his unique use of language. He starts laughing too.

"An 80's movie where this old chick has an affair with a married man; she gets pissed when he won't leave his wife for her, then she goes cuckoo crazy brain and boils the family's pet rabbit.

"Uh" I grunt and make an equally disgusted face. "What's the name of this delightful, family must see?"

"Fuck, Mia I don't know…Silence of the Lambs or some shit." In typical Elliot fashion he has managed to dispel the bad atmosphere. "You're missing the point. My point is, he's given the barracuda her walking papers, but she's not getting the message. As a matter of fact she's getting worse, approaching Mom, then trying to get to Ana, now this bullshit with you, she's pissing me the fuck off, big time."

"Me too." Carrick growls from the door. Shit, not another lecture. "Can I join you two?" He enters without waiting for an answer. The look on his face tells me I am in for it. He takes a seat on my chaise lounge and leans his forearms on his knees, head bent for a long minute.

"Young lady," Oh shit, here we go. Elliot looks as apprehensive as I do. "Exactly who, taught you how…." He lifts his head, "to take care of business like that." Trying and failing to keep the smirk of his face as his eyes dance with mischief.

Wait, what just happened? He's not mad? He's teasing me? I'm so confused, so I just roll with it. I let my eyes go all puppy dog and without looking away from my dad I point my left index finger at Elliot.

Dad barks out a laugh and says, "I thought you were going to say Christian."

"Well, him too," I say laughing along with him.

"What!" Elliot finally gets that I am throwing him under the bus as I am still pointing my finger in his direction. "I did no such thing! What in God's name are you talking about? Don't try getting me in trouble with you." He fake pouts.

"Bet you didn't think I was paying attention when you and Christian use to "babysit" me, then proceed to ignore me, so you could wrestle and play fight. I remember you telling Christian to push off your back foot and throw your body behind the punch, or something like that." I finish with a sugary sweet grin.

"Well shit," We all crack up laughing.

"Sssh, keep it down. Your mother sent me up here to give you a good talking to." Carrick attempts to get serious. "All kidding aside Mia, you could be facing assault charges and a fine if this….woman….decides to file a complaint."

"I doubt Christian will let that happen." Elliot adds getting up from the bed.

"He won't have a say in it." Carrick informs us. "He wasn't there, there were witnesses to what happened, and ultimately it's up to this Paige person."

I have to admit I am a little nervous at the thought of possibly being arrested, but I did punch that ho in the mouth and I will gladly pay whatever fine comes with it. I'm about to tell my dad just that when Elliot informs us that Christian has texted him and they'll be here within the hour.

"Alright then, let's get down stairs, and Mia," Carricks voice takes on a deep, serious tone, "if your mother asks…I gave you a real tongue lashing," He winks.

Grace stands at the island with a cup of mint tea. Watching us as we file into the room she gives my dad a pointed look and he nods imperceptibly. What-ever I think to myself and barely catch the eye roll that threatens.

"I hope your father impressed upon you just how much trouble you may be in." Her voice and demeanor tired.

"Yes Mom, he did. Can we just drop it for awhile; I'll make some snacks for Christian and the security guys, sound good?"

"He and Taylor are on their way from Sea-Tac," Dad states answering her silent question.

"Let me take a look at your hand." She unwraps my knuckles while nodding her head. "As I suspected, you'll have bruises for a few days. Ice them 2 to 3 times a day and take two Advil if they start aching too badly." Once again that disapproving scowl takes over her face as she wags her head at me.

Half an hour later I have a platter of roast beef, ham and swiss, and turkey and pepper cheese sandwiches ready, chips, pickles, and a pitcher iced tea on the table. I am just putting some pilsner glasses in the freezer to frost when a flurry of activity gets my attention. I look up in time to see Christian rounding the island before engulfing me in the tightest bear hug he's ever given me, who am I kidding, the only bear hug he's ever given me.

"Mia."

~oo0oo~

That's what I forgot...have to give credit where credit is due, it was kfoll, rightytighty, and I think Charhamblin who first introduced me to the phrase bunny boiler. But I remember that movie vividly as I was in college and saw it in the theatre when it first came out.

And thanks to Rightytighty and her letting me use the name she coined for Paige, Skankarella...thanks girl!