Just Breathe

by Mother of Pearl Fetish

What happens when Christian and Ana don't meet at the interview? What steps will he take when he first sees her at graduation? What will change when he inadvertently injures her before he can introduce her to the Red Room of Pain? 2015 Nominee - Fanatic Fanfics Multifandom Awards.

8. Chapter 8

Just Breathe Chapter 8 SIP, obstacles, wardrobes, listening devices, a pissing contest and the military alphabet
Monday 6/20
Christian's POV

Seeing Ana running around this morning convinced me she has to move into Escala with me. Although we coordinate – I shower, she makes breakfast and her lunch, we eat and she showers while I dress. I make calls while she dresses. It's more of a time crunch than either of us has dealt with and we didn't even run this morning. The best thing that came out of this morning – well, other than making love to Ana before dawn – was finding out my baby has a head for timing and logistics. It must be a learned response from running track and field in high school and college.

I need to clothe her and Mrs. Jones needs to feed her. My bathroom is big enough to share; Ana's is not. Even with staggering our showers, I suspect her last few minutes in the shower were graced with cool water. She doesn't complain; but her skin was chilly when I grabbed a hug as she went by.

I loved watching Ana dress. It was probably a stupid thing to do. Hell, I may have given my company away while I mindlessly gawked at Ana in her underwear and stockings. She is a vision today in an ocean blue summer dress with navy accessories. She wears gold hoops and a classic gold watch. I brush her hair one hundred strokes, feeling its softness slide through my fingers. "I don't know what I like best about you – that gorgeous blush you have, your blue eyes that remind me of the sky when I'm flying or gliding or sailing, your curls or the way you giggle. Maybe it's the whole Ana package I love." Fuck, did I say love? I flash a panty-busting smile and wink lasciviously. She blushes and seems to have missed my declaration of love. God, I have to talk to Flynn today! I finish brushing her hair into three sections. One begins at her crown, another at the back of her head and the hair at the nape of her neck; holding all of them in place with navy hair ties. Of course, I have to stop and nibble on that neck, which makes us later than it should.

Yesterday afternoon, Ana enlisted my help to clear the spare bedroom. We emptied the bed and closet of Kate's clothes so Ethan has a place to sleep. Then we clear Kate's closet in advance of the build out. Everything lands on Kate's bed. It was three feet deep in clothes across the bed. This morning while Ana showers; I take a look at her closet. I've never seen a closet this tidy or this sparse before. Granted, Mia's closet rivals Kate's bedroom; but there's a lot of empty space in Ana's closet and in her dresser. What woman only owns a baker's dozen pair of shoes, when three of them are for running? I contain my laugh when I spot the apple-green pumps.

When I have time this morning, I'm calling Caroline Acton at Nieman Marcus and ordering a thirty-day work wardrobe and casual wardrobe for Ana complete with shoes, purses and accessories. I want Caroline to create a binder for Ana – complete with different looks so that she can flip through it and find something to wear without a great deal of contemplation. I want to buy her the entire summer collection of La Perla, Victoria's Secret and Agent Provocateur. Caroline needs to find at least three complete ensembles Ana can wear to the Coping Together event. She needs to arrange matching opera length gloves out of stretchy material to cover Ana's cast. I need time to acquire coordinating jewelry. Then I'm calling Cartier and ordering a classic jewelry collection Ana can wear to work.

My work wardrobe is easy, not as easy as Albert Einstein's; but still easy. I wear grey, black and navy blue suits; always white cotton, linen or silk shirts; plain, not patterned ties; grey, black or navy boxers; and grey, black or navy socks and shoes. I have three dozen matching sets of cufflinks, tie tacks and watches, all coordinated in a valet armoire. I just reach in the drawer; pick out a set of jewelry for the day and am ready to go. Mrs. Jones coordinates it all well for me. Gym clothes and casual clothes have separate sections in my closet. However, my gym clothes are all grey, so there's no need to play mix and match there either. I have lots of black t-shirts and black jeans for hanging out at the house.

When we're alone, I have to talk to Taylor about the brunette at the bus stop. I'm taking the R8 back to the Escala garage and Taylor is following me. Then he will take me to Grey House. Sawyer is taking Ana to work. I introduced, or rather, reintroduced her to Sawyer this morning. She needs to feel comfortable around him as he will lead her close protection team. I had to explain the need for her to have a CPO to take her to and from work and to be available if she needs him; especially if Leila is following her.

Ana's POV

"Ready to do some real work, or do you need time to wake up? You are barely here on time." Jack sneers. He gives me a once over, frowning at my apparel. I am modestly dressed – everything is covered. He can frown away, I don't care. "I took the liberty of throwing your dead flowers away. They didn't look work appropriate on your desk."

So, I'm not the only one who has the life sucked out of them in this place. "Good morning to you too, Jack. I'm delayed getting to my desk because I stopped to fill the copiers with paper and stopped in the kitchen to make coffee well before my anointed hour to begin work. Can I get you a fresh cup before we finish the PowerPoint presentation?" My failure to rise to his jib makes Jack surly.

He thrusts his coffee cup at me and sits at my computer, finding the presentation on the server. "I finished the presentation this weekend. You will need to ensure the appropriate graphics are with the new slides. Otherwise, proof and then create the brochure and get it to New York before noon today. You need to stay until I leave for the airport on Thursday so I have everything I need for the conference. Since you are not allowed to work overtime, you may leave at three on Friday. That should make your CEO boyfriend happy!"

"It will make my father happy; he's coming to town to check up on me and my new job." I can't help myself, I snark back at Jack.

"Will he meet your concerned citizen," Jack scoffs.

"Probably; they are both ex-military and have a great deal in common. They'll probably eat my homemade lasagna and talk about their gun collections. We may go target shooting this weekend." I try to send a not-so-subtle shot across Jack's bow. I want Ray's opinion of quitting SIP and applying for a GEH internship, despite Christian and my relationship. I'm going to tell Ray about Captain Space Invader. Before Christian comes over for dinner on Friday; I have to tell Ray that we're... dating? Well, we have had three dates and his mother asked him to bring me to a charity event and a family barbeque. We haven't been together that long; and we haven't had the 'are we or aren't we in a relationship' conversation. Truthfully, we don't have too much conversation...especially when we're in bed and he's telling me how good I feel and how hot I make him. I'm too busy moaning to form a coherent sentence.

The presentation is polished to Jack's specifications before first break and saved to two flash drives for him to take to New York. The brochure for the presentation is completed, proofed and approved by Jack before noon and emailed to the New York printing company. The printed brochure delivery is guaranteed no later than nine o'clock Friday morning at Jack's hotel suite. I check work email and handle the few action items there.

Jack offers to pick up lunch for me when he goes to the deli. I decline, explaining I'm running home at noon. My roommate's brother, Ethan, is moving into the condo this weekend when he returns from Barbados. I promised to check deliveries for him. I catch the metro area transit bus to take me home. I realized I forgot to take my birth control pill this morning because Christian and I were lunatics trying to get dressed and ready for work in the main bathroom. Thank god I don't take the time sensitive mini pills! Although, after this morning, I need to get a birth control shot. I will feel safer if I do. Christian makes my mind melt...and I don't dare miss a pill. Especially not when we haven't defined if we're in a relationship or not. If I got pregnant; he would feel betrayed and I would be mortified.

Sawyer's POV

What the hell is she doing? She's taking the bus back to her condo. Did she forget I'm here and supposed to be driving her where she wants to go? That's not a happy face I see on her. At least I don't see her boss hanging around her when she leaves. I manage to keep up with the bus and I observe Miss Steele as she exits and walks to her condo. There are no paparazzi in the area and I have a clear line of sight to the front door of the building. Should I go up to the condo and offer to take her back to work? Should I let her go back by bus? I look around to see if I can spot Leila; but she is a no show. Twenty minutes after coming home, Miss Steele walks back to the bus stop. She doesn't watch the people around her. Taylor and I have to discuss this and arrange security training for her. As soon as the world knows she's with Christian Grey; she won't be able to come and go as she pleases.

Ana's POV

I made a list to things to do while I was on the bus: shot, bus debit card, finish unpacking crates when Ray is here, shop, etc. I ate my lunch I packed this morning and quickly picked up the condo. I packed a small suitcase of clothes for tomorrow if Christian asks me to stay the night with him. We have slept in the same bed since Friday night. It was nice having him stay last night, but there is a difference in sleeping by myself in my double bed, sleeping with Christian in my double bed and sleeping with Christian in his king-sized bed. I catch the metro area transit bus and go back to work. On the way back to work I email Christian and explain I'm out of contact this afternoon because of work; but will return emails after work.

XX

At break time I walk over to Fifty's Sports Bar for an icy strawberry lemonade. I turn my cell phone on long enough to see if I have voicemail, email or text messages. There are, but I will not take time to handle them. I turn the phone off and drop it into my purse.

Jack comes to my desk after last break and we begin researching speakers at the conference. He is all over the program. Instead of taking an orderly approach, researching seminars he plans to attend from beginning to end; he jumps from one listing to another. We are pulling information on speakers, writers, books. I write down thoughts and questions as he goes, but I can't keep up with his random thoughts. He's clearly frustrated about our lack of research when it is time to go home.

I hear the elevator ping and look. Sawyer steps off and starts to speak but I shake my head no. He steps back into the elevator and holds the door for me, staying out of sight of Jack. I close work and the computer; heading for the elevator. When we exit the elevator, I shake my head no at Sawyer again. I'm not about to introduce Sawyer and run a gauntlet of questions. When we finally reach the SUV, we talk. I explain I can't discuss anything personal inside the building because Jack is too eager to know what is going on in my life.

Sawyer explains Mr. Grey is out of town. He apologizes for the unexpected trip and explains Mr. Grey's communication will be intermittent. Sawyer offers to take me back to Escala to eat and spend the night if I don't want to be alone; but I demur. I claim I need to clean the condo before Ethan and Kate return home. I ask Sawyer to take me to work an hour earlier in the morning. Sawyer is not happy about it, but agrees to pick me up when I tell him I can order a cab or catch the bus. I order Chinese food and respond to voice mails, emails and texts. I research the conference. I print the program listed online. I cross through the sessions which are offered twice through the weekend. I research each speaker, their publishing house and their bibliography from the beginning of the program. I make it through the first two sessions of the seminar and put each speaker in their own file. I cross reference those files by name of publishing house. I take a fast shower and instead of drying my hair, I braid it and drop into bed.

Christian's POV

I repeat Ana and my conversation from Friday night to Flynn when we talk via Skype. I've gone to California for an emergency meeting and have to miss our session.

"So then she went home?" Flynn asked.

"No, then we watched a movie and made out," I said.

"Made out?" Flynn asked.

"You know – third base," I said.

Flynn stared at me like I was fifteen and just discovered sex; which I guess is really what happened.

"You showed her the playroom?" He asked cautiously.

I nodded.

"You showed her a contract?"

I nodded.

"She told you her sexual history?"

"Well, lack thereof until this weekend," I grinned.

"You didn't take her into the playroom?" Flynn asked.

"No," I said soberly, "I told her we wouldn't go in there until her arm was healed and until she felt she wanted to be in there with me." I told him about our weekend together. I don't think he believed me, until he heard the story of making out, sleeping together, soaring, sex, meeting my mother, more sex and then the semi-argument about the contract, leaving her door unlocked, Sawyer, Leila, her smarmy boss, more sex in her room and staying in her apartment overnight.

"You told her your sexual history? All of it?" Flynn asked

"Yes, I told her about Elena and my introduction to the BDSM lifestyle. I answered all her questions about submissives. It was not an easy conversation Sunday. She asked questions and I did my best to answer." I looked at the amazement written across his face. "Why are you amazed?"

"Christian, in the length of time I have known you – this is the first normal weekend you have experienced."

"And your cautionary words are…?"

"Do you want this experience again? With Ana?" Flynn asked

"I want to be with Ana, yes." I said slowly.

"So…what do you have to do to be with Ana?" Flynn asked.

"Work on my need to control everything," I said slowly. "Reconsider what gave me control before will not give Ana pleasure. She is developing her own list of hard limits as she researches and we go forward with this relationship. Ana is not a submissive; she won't put up with me telling her how to live her life. I need to clear some obstacles."

"Such as?" Flynn queried.

"I bought the company where she works. Grey House is in need of a publishing firm so we don't have to vet companies each time we use them for publishing. I'm going to fire her smarmy boss, Jack Hyde." I tell him Katherine's conversation about Ana's boss. I tell him the reservations my security staff has about Hyde. "We have to work on her close protection detail. She's not happy about being followed 24.7. Plus, Leila is back in town and has been seen in proximity to Ana. I need to have a conversation with Elena. She's urging me to contract with a submissive she knows. She's asking way too many questions I'm not comfortable answering. Also, Ana and I need to discuss how my past affects my fear of touch." I said.

"Well done, grasshopper," Flynn beamed. "Now, which obstacle do you want to concentrate on first?"

"I'm wondering if it should be the conversation with Ana about touch. We spooned together this weekend naked, her back to my front and I had no issues. We stood side by side when I introduced her to mom. She was tucked into me, my arm around her and I didn't have touch issues. She asked me restrain her during sex because she didn't want to inadvertently touch me." I pause and struggle for words for a minute. "Yes, I think that's the next thing Ana and I have to discuss. But it is not a conversation I want to have via Skype or email. It will have to wait until I return to Seattle. I don't know if it will happen this weekend. Ana's dad will be in town." I grimace.

XXXXX
Tuesday 6/21
Gail's POV during a phone call with Mr. Grey

"You did what?" Mr. Grey sounded confused.

"I overstepped my authority, approving a purchase. Mrs. Lincoln was at Nieman Marcus purchasing a gown to wear to the Coping Together event. Miss Acton called because Mrs. Lincoln exceeded her purchasing limit for the fiscal year. Miss Acton wanted verification it was alright to charge Mrs. Lincoln's purchase to your account." I knew explaining this over the phone would be an issue.

"It's a dress for a charity event," he said. "I can live with it. I'll talk to Elena. Was Miss Steele's wardrobe delivered?"

"Again; I should have discussed this with you before I took action. I received Miss Steele's wardrobe late yesterday." Since I've hung up a lot of new wardrobes and since I've washed a lot of female clothing that's floated through Escala; I'm fairly certain I can recognize trash when I see it. "I packed up the whore's drawers delivered by Nieman Marcus and sent them back to the store first thing this morning."

"Whore's drawers?" His voice reflected the fury of his question.

"See-through blouses, too-bare, not-there underwear, frontless-backless, low bosom-high thigh wardrobe malfunctions in harlot red, prostitute purple and bitch black." I heard him gasp, but I'm not worried about Mr. Grey bursting his buttons. "You can fire me if you want. I called Caroline Acton to order an appropriate work and leisure wardrobe for Miss Steele. She assured me she will reinstate your original order. It will be here before dinner tonight. Additionally, the order for the Coping Together ensembles for Miss Steele was cancelled. It has been reinstated and will be delivered today also. I will unpack both wardrobes when they arrive and place them in your closet as you asked."

"Thank you," Grey said.

"Miss Acton desires a conversation with you. She says this delivery is nothing like you've ever ordered before. She has a few things to say regarding your personal assistant changing your order; thus creating the need to return everything to stock and start over. Some of the wardrobe was acquired from other sources as those pieces aren't normally carried by Neiman Marcus. Miss Acton is unsure about their return policy."

"What personal assistant changed my order?" He barked at me.

"Miss Acton said your assistant. She did not give me a name." I am very calm, surprisingly.

"Do you have an idea who it was?" He ground out the question.

"Who I suspect and who I can prove are two different issues. Miss Acton wants to speak to you." I believe Mrs. Lincoln interfered with your purchases for Miss Steele.

"Mrs. Jones, what would I do without your efficiency?" He asked.

"Sir, I can guarantee Miss Steele would have fled in terror after taking one look at the wardrobe that was delivered." I said. "She is a beautiful young woman. The replacement wardrobe will do her justice."

"I'm glad." His voice dropped a bit. "By the way, we won't be using the playroom for a while. You don't have to clean in there until further notice, but please insure it remains locked."

"I'll take care of it, sir." I wish him good day and hang up. I'm sending Jason a text to call me the MOMENT he is alone and can talk.

Ana's POV

Sawyer drops me off at work an hour early. I wear pants and a short-sleeve shirt so I can bend, stretch or walk as needed today. I think someone has searched my desk. Everything looks like an earthquake shifted everything just off from where I left it yesterday. I find a listening device. I take pictures of it to email to Ray. I drop the device into my tampon purse pack. If someone's desperate enough to search my purse, I hope to make them uncomfortable. I turn off my cell and drop it into my purse. When I go out at lunch, I'm emailing Ray to bring me a taser and an electronic tracker device from his weapons stash when he comes up this weekend. I still feel like I'm being followed, but I haven't seen the brunette again.

I go to the kitchen to make coffee and do a preliminary search of the kitchen cupboards, tables, chairs and the refrigerator. I don't find anything. I go to Jack's office to find his coffee cup and clean it. I go back to my desk and start working. I pick up researching each speaker, their publishing house and their books where I left off last night. At nine when Jack comes off the elevator, I have two more sets of speakers done. I slip their information into files and add cross references for publishing houses. I slip them in the top drawer of my desk along with the files I completed last night.

At break time, I take my purse and tote to the women's bathroom. I spend my time searching the bathroom and sure enough, I find two more listening devices; one by the sinks and one by the door. I remove them when I find them. They are cleverly concealed white on the white sink and a knothole on the wooden door up by the hinge where no one would look. I stash them in my tampon case. Then I put both ear buds for my iPod in the tampon case, turn the iPod to static, turn it to low and rubber band them together and shove them in a zippered compartment of my purse.

We're back to work on the program. I pull the paperwork I've completed and give it to Jack. He moves his ass off my desk and sits in a chair, reading as I continue to research and print. I'm able to keep way ahead of him on this project. At lunch time, I go back to the break room and search again. I find a listening devise stuck to the back of the refrigerator. I leave it, cognizant that I will not discuss anything personal in this room. I sit quietly, eat my sandwich and drink my tea. I update my list of things to do, groceries to buy, meals to make for Ray, etc. Also on my list is to thank Christian for my helicopter ride. I also have to find a birthday present for him. I wonder if I can find a toy helicopter or glider to use as a decoration when I wrap his gift. What to give a billionaire? I put my list in my tote and run to the powder room very quickly.

I'm working when Sawyer arrives and I am glad to be leaving at the end of the day. Again he offers to take me to Escala but I explain I need to call Ray and Carla. When I check the mail, our driver's licenses and car registrations have arrived. Tomorrow I'm taking lunch at the King County Courthouse and updating my conceal carry permit. I lay out the devices and take a picture. I email it to Ray and tell him where I found them. I ask him to get back to me when he can. Until then, I put them in an empty canister in the cupboard. I'm freaked out by this. I prop a chair under the front door handle, draw all the drapes and fire up the computer. I know where I left off with the conference program and I continue the research. I can't believe that right before SIP is getting sold; Jack is wasting time like this. The programs have paragraph vitae of all speakers. While I'm not sure our research has value; I finish researching everyone in the program and complete the printouts.

I take a shower but break down and cry before I'm done. I don't know who to trust. I want to talk to Christian. I'm utterly miserable at SIP and hope he will hire me. To hell with publishing; I am willing to work in PR, Marketing or Communications for GEH. I miss Ray. I miss Kate. I miss José. And tonight…I miss my mother. Eventually I sleep.

XXXXX
Wednesday 6/22, noon
Ana's POV

I call for a cab to take me to the King's County Courthouse. I lucked out and it was a slow time. In thirty minutes I applied for my updated conceal carry permit, had my picture taken, been fingerprinted and paid my fees. I received a sticker to put on my old permit that notes my change of address. My new permit should arrive at the condo within two weeks. I manage to hail a cab and get back to SIP in my allotted lunch hour. While I'm in the cab, I search online for toy helicopters and gliders. My inner goddess howls with laughter as I try to pin down a search for what I really want on Amazon. I need a glider model that Christian can assemble or a remote controlled glider which would give him more things to do than try to in his down time than discuss that contract with me. I finally find and order a Solaro Solar-Powered Models Building and Learning Kit. I order it and it will be here before the weekend. He can build a solar powered glider, helicopter and four other models with the kit.

Sawyer's POV

What the hell is she doing? She's in a cab and off to the King County Courthouse. Of course, by the time I park, I've lost her in the building. I go back to the SUV and fire off a text to Taylor. Mr. Grey needs to have a conversation with Miss Steele about my providing transportation and close protection detail. I don't know what's going on, but she's got surveillance and it's not Jack Hyde. I have to think about when, where, how, why I've seen the guy following her before. I manage to get his license plate and send it off to Welch to investigate. Is he the reason she feels she's being followed?

Ana's POV

Jack is livid he didn't catch me before I went to lunch. I don't know where he was, but he was nowhere to be found when I left. Before I left for lunch; I sent him an email that I haven't seen him in thirty minutes and don't know where he is because there is nothing on his calendar. The email explained I'm going to an appointment and will be return in one hour. The good thing about having to pick lunch up for him at the deli is that I can get something to eat at break time. The bad thing about going to lunch late…I still feel like I'm being watched. There are still a lot of people out at that time so I can't tell who is watching me. As I leave the deli, a car horn honks. Everyone looks in the direction of the car horn. It's a car slowing down to allow me to cross the street. Only it's not me. It's the bus-stop brunette, dressed similarly to me. Weird. Profoundly weird. I can't think about how profoundly weird it is. I can't stay and figure out what's going on. I have to get Jack's lunch back to SIP.

Sawyer's POV

Damn, damn, triple damn. I am Luke Sawyer, CPO to Miss Anastasia Steele, the current woman in Mr. Christian Grey's life. Those three things I know for sure. Everything else is a mystery. Why did Miss Steele go to the courthouse? Why is she going to the deli after her allotted lunch hour? Thank you God for the driver of the car who honked at Leila. I managed to get pictures of her and email them to Taylor. She is following Miss Steele. Why she's dressed similarly to Miss Steele I do not understand. I can't get into SIP to see if Leila was in there; dressed as Miss Steele. Barney is going to have to pull video outside SIP to see what Leila is up to. Taylor texts back to stay on Miss Steele. We'll discuss this at tonight's meeting.

Ana's POV

I get back to SIP and give Jack his lunch. The driver is confirmed for Thursday to take him to Sea-Tac. The driver is confirmed in New York to take him to the conference hotel. I have his itinerary updated, printed and ready for him in a travel folder along with his online plane ticket and printed boarding pass. I start on the presenter/author database for the conference. My PBJ mini bagel and banana in my purse will have to wait for break. Although, as Winnie the Pooh would say "There's a rumbly in my tumbly." My day is spent updating the database with the speaker information from the program and with the information Jack and I researched online. He wants the database downloaded to a flash drive he can take to New York. I don't know if he researches this thoroughly for everything he does and it scares the hell out of me. What is online about me that he could learn? At the end of the day, I am almost done with the database. The elevator opens at 5:30 and Christian steps off it. I'm surprised to see him; I didn't think he was returning until tomorrow.

"Hello," I don't recognize my voice. It's too soft, too vulnerable. It makes Jack's head snap up from reading over my shoulder.

"Good afternoon, Ana," Christian's baritone voice is low and warm.

"Christian Grey, this is Jack Hyde," I remember my manners. "Jack, Christian."

"I'm the boyfriend you've been asking her about," Christian observes Jack's reaction.

I'm blushing. This is so NOT how I thought this would happen.

"I'm the boss," Jack announces, shaking hands with Christian. "So, you answer the question about why my girl can't work overtime."

"MY girl; YOUR assistant. I have nothing to do with overtime; that's a management decision. Ana doesn't discuss her private life. She's taciturn; like her father. It's all right, I like making shy Ana blush." Christian smirks which makes me blush on cue. "Are you ready to go?" He asks me softly, ignoring Jack. "We have plans."

"I'm sure you don't mind Ana finishing up a task." Jack asserts.

"Afraid I have to insist we go," Christian says smoothly.

"I can drop her at her home when we finish," Jack says stubbornly.

"Sorry, we are running late. I'm sure the task can wait for morning; when you've had a chance to reconsider and look it over again. Good business decisions are not made when you are tired and pushing yourself. It's better to give such projects a fresh look in the morning light." Christian's dominant voice surfaces.

I save the document to the server and send Jack an email with the file location. Since he's looking over my shoulder, I won't send a copy to my personal email. I just save it to my desktop. I shut down the computer and turn to stare at Jack. He gets the hint and moves out of my way. I pick up my sweater and purse, pushing my chair to under the desk. Christian drapes his arm around my shoulder in a seemingly casual display of affection. However, I know differently. He is staking a claim and on this occasion, it's very welcome. Softly he kisses my hair. I can't help but feel relieved, safe and excited with his arm around me. He walks us to the elevator. I don't look back to see what Jack is doing.

Inside the elevator, Christian pushes me up against the wall. He holds my hands down by my sides. He kisses both corners of my mouth before giving me a passionate kiss on the lips. "If I didn't have a prior commitment, I'd take you to Escala and ride the elevators all night, kissing those lips. Did you get lunch today?" He looks at me, his grey eyes gleaming.

"Yes and an afternoon break." I don't tell him they were at the same time. "I'm sorry if you called and I couldn't call back. It was a busy day. I'm trying to remember not to use the SIP wifi like you said."

"Hmm," is all he says until we've cleared the building.

"Why did that feel like a pissing contest?" I ask Christian as he opens the car door for me.

"Because it was," he murmurs and gives me an enigmatic smile when he shuts my door.

"Hello, Taylor," I say and our eyes meet in the review mirror.

"Miss Steele," Taylor acknowledges with a genial smile.

Christian slides in beside me, clasps my hand, gently. "I don't think you're happy at SIP, Ana."

"It's been a long day and I'm tired." He has plans and I don't need him dropping everything to play dragon slayer for me.

"Too tired to Skype with me later tonight, or run early in the morning?" Christian asks.

"Yes, sorry. I just want to go home, take a hot bath, eat a bowl of cereal and go to bed. Tomorrow is a busy day; no time to run. Jack is leaving town for his conference. Ray is coming into town to drop off some restoration work. This is the weekend he will build out the closets in the condo. I just want to get through the rest of this week."

"Just cereal is not a good dinner," Christian frowns.

"I'll eat vitamin-fortified whole grain flakes and put fresh fruit on it. The carbs will make me sleepy." I reassure him.

"I have a prior dinner appointment or I would take you to Escala and feed you." He squeezes my hand.

"I hope rescuing me doesn't make you late," I murmur and as I look up, Taylor has a very annoyed look on his face. I feel guilty, rescuing me infringes on his time too. "If it's a late night for you, I can take a bus or cab to work in the morning."

"Sawyer will pick you up and take you to work." Christian offers.

"Would you like to go in early Miss Steele?" Taylor asks.

"No, regular time and I'll just use the front door. I think my back door entrances are being watched." I shift in my seat.

"Why do you say that," Christian asked.

"I'm just tired and being silly. It's nothing that a hot soaking bubble bath, a good book and an early night can't fix." I shrug it off. This man is going out of his way to get me to and from work. I love seeing him; but once I saw him, I hoped to spend the night. I don't know how Ray being in town will impact time I get to spend with Christian.

Too soon we are at the condo. Taylor holds the SUV door open. Christian walks me to my door and kisses me goodnight. Soft little kisses from one corner of my mouth to the other. "Goodnight pretty girl," he whispers in my ear and gives me a lingering hug goodbye. "I wish I wasn't working tonight. I'd take you home, feed you, love you and share that bubble bath with you. I really want to see you this weekend, so please make time while Ray is here. I'd run the parental gauntlet just to see you smile." He kisses me again and leaves.

Taylor's POV

Grey doesn't have dinner appointment. I sense he feels guilty for lying to Miss Steele. We were in Los Angeles for two days dealing with the Taipei Embassy about acquiring greater port access for GEH ships. He wants to be with her tonight as much as I want to be with Gail. He kept looking at pictures of her on his phone as we flew home. The WSUV picture is his screenshot. Welch wants a late night confab with Grey and the security staff. Welch and Barney have death threats for Miss Steele and Mr. Grey. Hell, we can't connect them to anyone. Barney has 50 IP addresses he's checking because of consistent threats. We discuss Sunday's Twitter feed of Grey being in the vicinity of Pike Place Market. Barney agrees to maintain closer watch on the Greywatch group on Twitter.

Miss Williams was spotted by Sawyer today when Miss Steele went to the local deli pick up lunch for her boss. We can't seem to catch her. Welch and Sawyer interviewed every known associate of Miss Williams. We still have no answer as to why she is stalking Miss Steele. Sawyer suggests it has to do with the WSUV picture of Grey and Steele. Welch reveals Leila Williams has applied for and received a conceal carry permit. Welch announces Miss Steele visited the courthouse yesterday to renew her conceal carry permit. Fuck, this day just gets better. Grey goes ballistic when he learns two women in his life have concealed carry permits. He's so anti-gun that I'm sure Miss Steele is going to hear about this. I don't think Leila should have one…I think she's completely unstable. However, I'd like to question Mr. Steele about Miss Steele's capabilities. I need to know how much self-defense she knows and how well she shoots. It will make assigning her personal protection detail easier.

When Grey questioned Sawyer about Miss Steele going to the courthouse, he explained about the trip at noon to the condo and the trip at noon to the courthouse. We brainstorm about security protocols to be taught to Miss Steele. When Welch asked about the possibilities of keeping Miss Steele inside at lunch time, I think Grey would have gone for it, but Sawyer nixed that. "Miss Steele is sent to the deli to pick up lunch for her boss, Jack Hyde. She takes her work duties seriously. She picks up lunch for other people, but I think it's because she's kind and offers to do so, not because they are taking advantage of her being the newest intern. Yes, she has a broken arm, but it appears she is healthy and healing…so using her broken arm as an excuse to keep her in lock down isn't going to work. Maybe she hasn't had time to run this week, but she will start running again soon. We can't stop her from doing that either."

Grey doesn't like Sawyer's response, but there's no way Miss Steele is going to let him lock her away in a tower. Despite her long hair…she's not going to wait for Prince Charming Grey. She's reserved, but she genuinely likes people. The issue will be explaining how she could be in danger via possible threats against Grey's life.

Security at Miss Steele and Miss Kavanagh's condo is discussed next. Grey says he will talk to Elliott. The windows should be replaced with better glass. It needs a more robust security system installed, especially if Grey is going to spend the night there. Barney will offer options for dedicated internet access if Grey works while he's at their condo. Miss Kavanagh will need to sign an NDA to protect any proprietary information overheard while in the vicinity of Grey.

Welch tracked down information on the P.I. following Miss Steele. He was last seen in the vicinity of the Bravern Center Escala. Grey pales when he realizes Elena Lincoln may be having Miss Steele followed. Welch arranges covert ops on the P.I.'s place of business and orders Barney to hack his computer, check files, etc. Welch pulled his DMV files and he drives either a black Ford Explorer or a black Ford Fusion. Security now has two new vehicles on the watch list. Grey announces he will have a conversation with Elena Lincoln and tells security to stay away from her.

I don't know if he's pissed because Elena Lincoln is having Miss Steele followed, or if he's pissed that Elena's P.I. is watching Miss Steele. It's a tossup which one aggravates him the most…and I'm betting it's the P.I. taking pictures of Miss Steele. He needs to handle it.

Thanks to the HR files from SIP, Welch has background information on the last ten interns who worked for Jack Hyde. He contact and attempt to interview each of them. The investigation of Jack Hyde's background is still underway. Welch has background checks on the upper management team at SIP. We slog through those reports. Nothing seems to be amiss in any of their lives. Other than the ten interns in the last five years; nothing seems remiss in Hyde's HR file. SIP has not hinted at any misdeeds committed by Mr. Jack Hyde. Welch has also investigated clerical staff located on Miss Steele's floor and no issues emerge. Welch explains there are eight editor offices on Miss Steele's floor and each of the editor's assistants is located outside the editor's offices. They are located far enough away from one another that no one hears Hyde being rude to Miss Steele unless he shouts at her; which he has not done. Additionally, they all have authors they work with. Consequently they are usually behind closed doors in a meeting room or offices and are not in the vicinity of Miss Steele for the entire day. Two of the assistants have children, so they work a modified schedule of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to be able to get children to and from school. They may read manuscripts nights and weekends to make a forty-hour week. Additionally, Jack Hyde has a reputation of blasting through interns, so the full-time staff may not invest in work relationships with Hyde's interns.

Grey gives us marching orders regarding the SIP/GP move to the Grey House Annex. He hands out the office assignments to Barney to get servers and network drops installed and ready to go. Final mergers and acquisitions paperwork will be signed on Friday, followed by a full staff meeting on the following Monday. Staff will pack up their desks and work areas; carefully marking boxes for movers. Movers are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Four staff members from SIP/GP will be assigned to SIP/GP offices at Grey Annex during the move; including Miss Steele. Thursday, Barney's IT team will set up and test every computer, in addition to the servers. Friday, all GP staff will be interviewed and receive office assignments, security pass cards, etc. Staff not making the move will be terminated, including Jack Hyde. The following Tuesday after July 4th; Grey House PR will announce the acquisition of SIP, renamed Grey Publishing. The move from the current SIP location to Grey House Annex will also be announced. GEH Communications, PR, HR and IT will work closely with GP Communications, PR, HR and IT for the first week.

This whole week is a monumental Charlie Foxtrot. It's almost midnight before we make it back to Escala. Gail is sound asleep and judging from her ankle-length flannel nightgown; I'd better sleep alone in my own bed. Elena Lincoln isn't just a cock-blocker for Grey – she's messing with my love life when she pisses Gail off.

XXXXX
Thursday 6/23
Ana's POV

I dress in a black shirt and pants with black flats and put my hair in a ponytail. You know, it really sucks to plan my work wardrobe around Captain Space Invader. I feel like I'm rotating observable body parts and I don't like it! I've researched sexual harassment and intern blogs on the web and it seems, sad to say, other interns experience this also. Blogs say once they complain to HR, they are either overworked or ill-treated. In retaliation, many of them receive poor work reviews and do not receive recommendations for future jobs. Lord, just let me get through today! Ray will be here tonight and I can talk to him about the situation. Ray will have ideas about those listening devices. Maybe I can take him into the office this weekend and let him observe my work site and offer suggestions.

Sawyer pulls up to the front door. He insists on parking and we talk before he lets me out. "If your father's plans change; please let me know. I can pick you up and take you home. This is my phone number. If anything happens – anything – call me and I will be by your side in less than ten minutes. Keeping Mr. Grey and your boss separate from one another would be a really good idea right now. Although he maintained a cool exterior yesterday, Mr. Grey does not like your boss. He doesn't like the way Hyde talks to you. He doesn't like the way Hyde treats you."

"I don't like it either, Sawyer, but as a new employee …I'm trying to be professional about my first real job. Clayton's Hardware was interesting and it was great to wear jeans." IRL, if I'm old enough to have an adult relationship with Christian, I have to handle other aspects of my life as an adult also. "Thank you for your number. I have to work until Jack leaves for the airport. I've arranged for a driver to pick him up at 6:45. He needs to be at Sea-Tac by 7:30. Ray is supposed to arrive at work by 6:45 to pick me up. We're going out to dinner before we go back to my condo. Ray will probably take me to work in the morning and pick me up at the end of the day. Depending upon how much we accomplish this weekend, he may take me to work on Monday." I explain.

"Understood, have a good day!" Sawyer closes the door and off I go, headed toward the double glass doors of SIP and another day of Captain Space Invader mood swings.

I get settled at my desk before Jack blasts out of his office. He hands me his cup. I have to make coffee. My work pet peeve is staff who leave half a cup of coffee in a pot instead of making a new pot. When the pot has a full cup made, I pour it and run. I also have a pet peeve about people who leave ten pieces of paper in a copier instead of refilling the paper drawers. Seriously…how long does it take to put a ream of paper in the copier, printer or fax? I return to my desk; find and finish the project from yesterday. I save it to the server and email an updated copy to Jack. I sort his mail. I create a database of new submissions this week and send it to him with names of manuscripts with authors and genre. I stack the new manuscripts on the credenza outside his office. Then I work preparing the synopsis of the manuscripts he considered from earlier in the week.

Jack sends me out to pick up lunch again. I feel better about being outdoors since Sawyer and I had our conversation this morning. I walk to the deli, lost in my own thoughts. While waiting in line, I text Kate that Ray's in town tonight and there should be custom closets by Sunday night. After I drop off Jack's lunch…I'm startled when I approach my desk. All the manuscripts which Taylor stacked in neat piles on Jack's credenza and all the new manuscripts I put there this morning are now in a big messy pile on the floor behind my desk. I'm going to have to bend over, pick them up and put them, a few at a time back on the credenza. Since they are situated behind my desk…Jack gets a great glimpse of my ass each time I perform the task.

I tap my foot and mentally recite the military alphabet… Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima…

"Problem?" Jack appears behind me. "Sorry, I was sorting through the manuscripts to take a half dozen to New York with me to read during down times. I was matching them up to synopsizes you have completed."

"No problem; not at all," I lie. "I'm going to lunch before I start on manuscripts." I go to the break room. I don't feel like eating lunch. I don't feel like sitting at my desk. I email Kate and tell her that I've decided to quit my job at SIP. I tell her if GEH doesn't want me; I am going home to Ray's house in Montesano until my broken arm heals and I can return to Seattle. Four years at Clayton's Hardware is a good reference. I won't list SIP as an employer on a résumé so it will look like I took a break after college. I feel better once I've vented in an email to her and pressed send. I turn off my cell and go back to work. Screw not using SIP wifi! I hope they catch my signal and my drift. I'm out of here.

I sit down, putting my purse away. Then I turn to observe the stack of manuscripts and chuckle to myself. I wheel my chair over to the pile of manuscripts. By doing deep knee bends; I stack manuscripts on my chair as high as the chair back. I wheel them over to the credenza. Five trips; I am done. I'm tired and my arm is achy but the manuscript relocation has been completed without bending over and showing cleavage or ass. I'm so not in the mood to play games with Jack. I don't even stop to assemble the manuscripts in order by receipt date or alphabetize them by author. I just don't care right now. Maybe tomorrow, when I can stand outside Jack's office and not be eye-fucked, I will feel like arranging them in some order.

Four times over the course of the afternoon Jack requests coffee. His requests interrupt my thought process while reading manuscripts. Finally, it is the end of the day. Everyone has cleared out of the building before six o'clock. At six twenty, I gather Jack's itinerary, tickets, etc. and take them to his office. I remind him that his driver will be here at 6:45 to take him to Sea-Tac. I inquire if he has selected the manuscripts he's taking to New York.

He stares at me. "Well, Ana, I think this might be a good time to discuss my concerns regarding your work ethics." He moves, blocking the doorway.

My mouth instantly dries as alarm bells ring loud and piercing in my head. Oh fuck. This is not a FUN predator stalk like Christian cornering me in the kitchen or the hall. "Now might not be a good time for this, Jack. Your driver is due shortly. Please ensure you have all your travel documents and manuscripts." My voice is quiet but hoarse, betraying me.

"I hired you because I thought you had potential. I don't know if it's the broken arm, or the new boyfriend, but you are not the hard worker you were when you were hired. You don't show appreciation for your position. I had to argue with Elizabeth to hire you. She wanted someone older and more established. You're very good at putting on an act." He sneers.

"Putting on an act?" I need to keep him talking. Where is security? I warned them I was working and to keep checking in on me.

He takes a step forward, encroaching upon my personal space. "You probably practiced your little act all through college on professors. How many blow jobs did you give in exchange for your GPA? Trust me; you're not a very bright girl; so that's the only scenario that makes sense. I checked your phone logs. No personal calls except at the end of the day when the chauffer picks you up. No personal emails, texts, or Skypes using SIP equipment or wifi since Monday when Grey warned you about your emails being monitored. Low and behold – today you access SIP wifi to text your roommate and tell her you're quitting SIP and applying for an internship at GEH." He takes a step closer to me.

I'm backed into a corner of his office now and the realization of my situation hits me. "Don't even think about touching me, you slimy, sleazy…"

"I'm no more of a sleaze than your rich, Ivy League boyfriend. We're the same; he and I, except he dropped out of Harvard and I graduated from Princeton. If circumstances were different – I would have what he has – including you. If you are going to spread your legs to get what you want from Christian Grey, then you are going to drop to your knees and give me what I want from you."

"I'm not doing anything to you, for you, with you, near you, under you, over you, around you…etc. Now, get the hell out of my way and let me go home." My voice is loud and firm. Where is that damned security? I try to think of how to get out of his office. Damn! I should have waited for him to approach my desk for the documents instead of coming in here.

"You're not leaving until we come to an understanding. I'm rewriting your job definition. You are going to become my personal assistant before the reorganization takes place. You're stuck with me, bitch! If you behave yourself and do as you are told; I will give you a glowing reference to go somewhere else when I'm through with you." His smile was evil incarnate.

"You're delusional if you think I'm staying here and working for you." I stated as calmly as I could.

"GEH bought out SIP – the final merger documents are signed tomorrow. Did Grey buy the company so he can fuck you at break time? You will do what I tell you to do when I tell you to do it, or you lose Grey and Kavanagh plus the lifestyle they provide you. Do we understand one another?" I'll make sure Grey won't hire you to work at GEH. I'll make him the laughing stock of Seattle. Cuckolded and cockblocked! I'll make sure it's tabloid news for months – that you slept with me to move up the corporate ladder to get to him!" Jack steps closer; I can smell the alcohol on his breath and the sickening sweet stench of his cologne.

"I will go to HR in the morning and I will file a sexual harassment or a hostile work environment complaint." I feel an adrenaline surge through my body. I wait to make my move. Ray taught me self-defense. If Jack touches me—I will take him down. I'm past fright and can't take flight – I'm going to have to fight. Christian's words echo in my head – no touching without permission!

"No you're won't, you prick-teasing bitch. Elizabeth Morgan won't believe you. I have her under my control." He takes a step forward. Reaching up, he touches me where the top button of my black shirt is open and presses his hand above my cleavage, his fingertips brushing the hollow of my throat. "Quit trying to act like a lady – I prefer the little tramp that you are. Admit it, Ana, you want it." He leers at me again.

"I want you to drop dead," I draw back my right arm, ready to smash my cast into his face but he grabs my arm and twists hard. I let out a scream…almost passing out from the pain. He shoves me into the corner of his office and grabs my shirt.

"You son of a bitch!" Ray appeared from nowhere and has his hands on Jack. He yanks him backward. Jack has a good hold on my shirt and it rips as Ray pulls him off me. I kick up as Ray pulls him back and I make perfect contact with Jack's groin.

"Arrgh!" he cries out in pain and surprise, as his knees buckle and grasps himself between his legs. "You fucking bitch!" he half screams, half groans. "You are fucking fired! FIRED!"

A/N:

Thank you for the reviews and viewers; thank you for the messages and questions; thank you for the favorites and follows!

A shout out to wattle for her FSOG fanfiction story Accidentally There. It's a good read!

I do not own Fifty Shades Trilogy or the characters. They belong to E. L. James. My story is the interpretation of my thoughts about how the characters could have, should have, would have acted.