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.

17. Chapter 17

Just Breathe Chapter 17 – Before Moving In

Thank you for the over 500 readers who favorite my story, plus the PMs, reviews and readers!

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.

Sabine Falco is a character of my own making (Avenge or Revenge). Her story line is tweaked a little to work in this story…so be aware that Avenge or Revenge has its own storyline and it does not mesh with this story…YET.

XXXXX
Saturday evening, July 9, 2011
Escala
Ana's Journal:

The BIG issues page:
GP – calendar my review dates, calendar Hannah's review dates, will Robb provide procedure manual for her and HR training?
Jack – ask Carrick status
Elizabeth – is the fallout over this situation really over – or will it explode when Jack goes to court?
Leila – When is Leila's ninety-day assessment over? Will I be contacted by the court?
Elena – I believe she's going to try something. Investigate Elena?
Three – will he show up once I'm in the press, will he try to sell my story to the tabloids, can Christian's security guys find him and figure out what he is up to?
Carla
Ray
Frank Lambert – where do I go to find information about him?

Moving in with Christian Page

To Do:
Cast off – check calendar, warn Sawyer, tell work

Tell Ray
Ray – water tank and furniture, gun, batch cook for him

Tell Kate
Lady Parts Doctor Kate referral?
BC Shots monthly injections or quarterly injections
Schedule BC Shots for next twelve months in Blackberry Calendar
NDA for Doctor's Office
GP Insurance not current yet, use Ray's insurance
Salon Kate?

Kate – moving boxes from our move
Buy lingerie online; have delivered to Escala
Tell Gail about undies delivery

Find out Mariners Dates from Theo
Where are places to grocery shop around Escala?
Gun
Security
Home gym

Hard Limits:
Pictures, contracts, NDAs, security videos, reports, etc. re submissives be eliminated
Work on the mood swings (both of us?)
No rules, no punishments, no contract
Elena – no contact
CG learn boundaries
CG learn empathy
give me space to think and breathe
learn to let me touch CG
When can't talk face to face, text
No visitors in bathroom unless I'm in the shower or tub
No encouraging or financing Carla
No giving Ray any kind of grief
I get to wash my underwear
I cook/I clean
I pay my student loans
I pack my stuff for moving
We find a charity for both of us
No decision making for me before discussion unless it's a matter of immediate personal security
No screaming, no yelling, no cursing, no being verbally abusive

Security:
No one in my office or conference room when I'm working
No one follows me into the bathroom
No bugging my office
No bugging my work spaces
No bugging of any kind – especially not GPS trackers on my phone
no one follows me into a dressing room when I'm shopping
NO CCTV in the bathrooms here
IT people can weed out emails, messages
Security can weed out mail and packages
Security training: why can't I exit the vehicle before they open the door?
No going to lunch at places they haven't had a chance to secure
No shopping at places that aren't vetted (Use Christian's personal shopper!)
female security guard

John Questions – Mason jar conversation starters/strip questions
Do you throw up when drunk?
Do you get drunk a lot?
Does he know how much you make an hour?
Do your morning schedules clash?
Is Ana responsible for setting an alarm for you?
Are you responsible for waking her?
Do your night schedules clash?
Do your weekend schedules clash?
Do I have something to do when Christian's being a workaholic? (work, read, cook)
Ana's personal space in your penthouse? (my home office in library)
Are you music habits compatible, are your TV habits compatible?
Are your exercise habits compatible? (we both like running)
extended weekend with children…all ages and all stages before we decide to have children
Is Christian going to be the kind of father who changes diapers?
Is he going to hire a nanny?
Who is going to be in charge of washing dirty sheets and towels?
Who will be the disciplinarian?
How about pets – the children will want pets.
What kind, how many, who cares for them, who takes them to the vet?
Who buries them in the back yard?
Are you always going to have a cook?
Do either of you have food allergies? (I don't)
Likes, dislikes, habits – other than Christian nagging at you to eat. (I think tapioca and liverwurst are disgusting)
You have to talk about holidays – Christian hates celebrating his birthday.
Do you have traditions? (angel ornaments on my tree which is decorated in white and gold)
Do you know how to deal with one another's obnoxious relatives?
How do you feel about having sex at his mother's house, her mother's house?
Are public displays of affection allowed or encouraged?
Is he snoopy?
Is she snoopy?
Can you hide a present in the house without it being found early?
Can you shop for a present without getting found out?

XXXXX
Sunday evening, July 10, 2011
Escala
Ana's Journal:

Having security is Christian's way to keep me safe…and keeping me safe is a way of expressing affection. Do I think having security is extreme? I don't have to ask to see some of the mail and emails he gets. It's one of the reasons the court has Leila under lock and key. He can prove he's been stalked by women and men before. After Jack, he can prove he has stalkers now. I admit…it is kind of hot having a close protection officer. After seeing all the women at GP lust after Sawyer; I feel a little guilty about telling Christian to shut up with the men wanting in my panties remark. Do I think his background check was invasive – hell yes – but he considers background checks normal for doing business? It's all a matter of how we lie to ourselves about our personal safety, isn't it?

XX

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Journaling," I said. "Organizing thoughts. Have you started yet?"

"Journaling, no. Organizing thoughts, yes. So that you'll start communicating with me; the next time we make love, you're going to have to tell me exactly what you want in fine detail." He closed my journal and lifted me out of my chair. He sat down and pulled me into his lap. "So, where here do I start first?"

"Show me two journal entries…one for yesterday and one for today. I think the thought of getting ink stains on your fingers is sooooo sexy." I peeled myself off his lap; picked up a book and my journal and went to the great room to read.

XX
Sunday evening, July 10, 2011
Escala
Christian's Journal

Entry for July 9: Where do I start? I don't want to do this right now. Right now I want to be chasing Anastasia's pert little ass around my penthouse. I've thought about this a lot. Before, I didn't have sex during the week unless I was scheduled to be out of town on the weekend. If my submissive was available, we had scenes during the week. Otherwise sex was relegated to weekends. If there was time during the week, I might think of a scene and choose the toy, the furniture, the body position. My sexual congress really was rote…first scene; oral sex; second scene: vaginal sex; third scene: anal sex. If there was a fourth scene, it was usually a combination of the three: oral sex to get me hard, vaginal sex to make my submissive needy and craving release and then anal sex to force her have a massive climax that was both pleasurable and painful enough to send her into subspace. Once she was in subspace, I would carry her to her room, see to her aftercare and walk away; sleeping the sleep of the dead myself. But after seven years, it was repetitive, even with different submissives. I think that's partly why I wasn't eager to get a submissive after I terminated with Susannah.

With Anastasia, all I have to do is see her; smell her; touch her, hear her voice, think of her – then I'm aroused and all I want to do is bury myself in her for as long as possible, as often as possible, in every room of my home, on every piece of furniture, up against the walls and someday in the elevator. Not one of those fantasies has included the playroom or its toys. The truth is, the moment my bedroom door closes at night; I just want to take her in my arms, kiss her into submission, undress her and loose myself in her all night long. I never needed this before. Anastasia is like air, food and water. I need her; I don't want to be a day without her. I can bury myself in business, but she's always there in my head - tempting me away from the organized, controlled, empty life I once led.

Entry for July 10: Romantic weekend? All I can think of is Anastasia's blue eyes. I could take her to a luxury hotel with a spa, a good restaurant and a proper wine cellar. Maybe I could get tickets to a symphony, a ballet or live theatre? Maybe I could take her to Napa for the weekend. Would she like walking around a winery? Does she like horseback riding? I have to find these things out. We could go fishing, but the thought of staying in a camping trailer by a river for two days makes me feel claustrophobic. However it would solve John's task to travel for hours at a time in the same vehicle. Maybe we should go gliding, but what after? Sailing – two days of sailing on the blue ocean under a blue sky. Where? If we sail to the San Juan Islands, she can watch the orcas and wildlife. I can watch her. We can shop for groceries, which solves one of John's tasks. Maybe I should arrange for a candlelight dinner on the boat Saturday night, with dancing and making love to Anastasia under the stars? If we sail back to Anacortes Island Harbor, we can get a taxi to the hospital. Maybe a donation to their air ambulance service would allow Joe to set Charlie Tango down on their helipad and load us up. We could have an evening helicopter tour – different from our first one. She likes flying with me. Mac could fly in with Joe and take the boat back to the slip. However, we have to return to Escala before six o'clock so I can feed her and she can do whatever she needs to do to get ready for her work week.

XX

I close my journal and walk into the great room. An hour has passed because I had to think and write and make travel plans. "Do you want to read it?" I show it to her. I'm standing back so that she can't see the words but can see the paragraphs. She smiled and set her book aside.

"Care for a shower?" She said in a husky voice. "I need to help you wash the ink off your fingers."

"I don't have any ink on my fingers; but you can put a smile on my face," I said, tossing my journal down and scooping her up, throwing her over my shoulder and caressing her ass while I head for the master bedroom.

XX
Ana's POV

"Do you feel like some strip questions while we get ready to shower?" He asked.

"Yes, but not serious questions," I say. "I've got five pieces of clothes if you count my socks and shoes as one piece."

"I've got four, lose your socks and shoes and we'll start." He puts towels in the towel warmer. He reaches for new bottles of my favorite shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.

"When did you get those?" I nodded in the directions of the bottles while slipping off my socks and Converse.

"Mrs. Jones had a good time shopping this week. She laid in a supply of your favorite tea, fresh fruits, yogurts and toiletries." He looked down at my bare feet. "Ready? I'll go first. Do you like horseback riding?' He asked.

"No…it's one of the Brownie/Girl Scout badges I could never earn. Unless the horse is safely tucked away in a pasture and I can admire from afar, or unless it's pulling a carriage or sleigh, or unless it's in a parade…I don't want anything to do with horses. I don't even like watching westerns…which makes Ray crazy, but…" I shrug. "There you go. I know it's supposed to be a romantic thing, riding horses, having a picnic…it just never appealed to me. That was probably more information than you wanted to know."

Christian laughed and took off his shoes and socks.

I admire his feet. "Did you know that you have very sexy feet?"

"I never thought of them as sexy, but if they make you horny, I have no complaints. Is that your question?" He smirked.

"Well, it wasn't but I'll make it count." I slipped off my jeans. "Your question."

"I know that you didn't drink much because of your scholarship, but have you ever done a wine tasting tour in Napa?"

I laughed. "No; did Kate give you suggestions for a romantic weekend? She's the one that loves Napa and horseback rides. Kate says there are some great bed and breakfasts in Napa."

"No, I didn't ask Kate about you," He took off his shirt. "That should count as a question."

I shrug and take off my shirt.

"When we ate lunch at the Heathman, did you like the champagne?" He asked. "The pink Bollinger reminds me of your blush," he said.

"I liked it very much. The white wine was very nice also," I said.

He strutted a little when he took off his jeans. He watched my reaction and gave me a panty-dropping grin.

"I know macaroni and cheese is your favorite food; but do you ever eat it with extra ingredients? Like the macaroni and cheese we ate at Sassy's?"

"Usually I like it by itself. That macaroni and cheese at Sassy's was tasty, but spicy. I might like it better if it wasn't made with pepper jack cheese – just some good Monterey Jack,"

"I liked it because it had some Tex-Mex in it. However I like making it as a pasta salad, with spicy Ranch dressing – the shell macaroni, the southwest vegetables and just chunks of whatever cheese I have on hand. I'll make it if we barbeque some time. I think you would like it." I slowly unfastened my bra and dropped it on the pile of clothes.

"John says I need to learn to cook one meal. I can't rely on microwavable meals. Will you teach me to cook something? He asked.

"Absolutely," I enjoy watching him strip off his boxers.

"Do you like to barbeque? It's one of Ray's favorite things to do. I know your dad was barbequing the day after the Coping Together event." My question rolled out quickly to cover some of my embarrassment.

"I never really thought about it. Elliott always seemed to enjoy bantering with Dad and Grandpa. I would go to family meals and spend my time with mom, Grandma and Mia. Mostly Mia - she seemed to need someone to listen all the time. I could do that and not really have to share myself." He admits. "I think I will like family barbeques, meals and events more when you are with me at them."

"I am sorry about last time. I ruined your birthday party," I sighed.

"No," he pulled me up into his arms. "Don't apologize. That mess is all on Elena, not you." He stroked my broken arm from shoulder to cast. "I'm just glad you didn't reinjure yourself and that you took Sawyer with you when you fled."

I turned my back to him. "Give a girl a helping hand? That's my last question"

"Gladly," he knelt and removed my panties very gently. He handed me my cast cover. He stepped into the shower and turned it on, adjusting the temperature and spray. He held out his hand and pulled me into the shower, closing the door.

I never thought I would like to shower with someone, but there's a difference between the quick showers I used to take after a track meet with a couple dozen girls in a locker room…and the hands-on pleasures of showering with Christian.

XXXXX
Monday, midmorning, July 11, 2011
Grey Publishing, Grey Annex
Ana's POV

Claire called up from reception. "Carrick Grey to see you."

I texted Sawyer: Carrick, lobby

Within a few minutes, Carrick was delivered to my office by Sawyer. He closed the door and stood outside so we would not be disturbed.

"Carrick," I rose to greet him with a handshake, but it morphed into a hug.

"How are you Ana?" He asked.

"I'm great…unless you are here to tell me that Elena Lincoln is pressing charges and you're accompanying me to SPD to turn myself in before a warrant is issued for my arrest." I grimaced.

"No, not Elena," his voice saddened. "Elizabeth Morgan actually. Christian called me after Robb Loeder called him. There's a video-conference with Elizabeth's family, HR from Grey Publishing and legal from Grey House in fifteen minutes."

"Just breathe," I told myself. "Just breathe."

"I can see you're a little freaked out; so let me tell you what is going on." Carrick explained. "Elizabeth's family started talking after her funeral. They decided to hire a personal injury lawyer and sue SIP/GP for failure to provide a safe work environment. They named Christian, Grey House and Grey Publishing in their lawsuit. They are seeking damages of $10 million."

"What is Christian going to do?" I asked.

"He's not going to fight it. I am. I have a class-action lawsuit drawn against Elizabeth Morgan's estate for six interns and you. Any monies received by Elizabeth Morgan's family will be attached by the seven of you and split equally. If the three other young women come forward, we'll include them in the lawsuit. It charges Elizabeth Morgan with being an accessory in the sexual assaults of Jack Hyde, failure to document sexual harassment in the workplace and failure to provide a safe work environment by not firing Jack Hyde. I would have been here sooner with your paperwork, but I was waiting for signatures from the other six. As backup for our lawsuit; we have copies of SPD's paperwork to charge Elizabeth Morgan as an accessory. Leila killed her before SPD activated the warrant for her arrest."

I shook my head. "It feels like bad karma, Carrick."

"I understand your feelings…the other six said the same thing. I don't believe it will happen. I think showing we have seven people ready to attach everything the Morgan's lawyer tries to bilk from Grey Publishing will make them back off. They will have the option of taking her insurance settlement from GP and her estate to keep her out of the news; or we'll go public and reveal her involvement in Jack Hyde's serial sexual assaults."

"Do I have to be there?" There's timid Ana, my subconscious snarks at me.

"You don't have to be there; but as the person who blew the whistle on Jack's actions…." Carrick suggested.

"It would be stronger case if I appeared?" I interrupted.

Carrick nodded.

"Alright; let's get paperwork signed and go talk to the lawyers." I reached for one of my favorite pens to sign the paperwork.

XX

"Well," I said when we returned to my office. "He was …"

"Vile," Carrick said. "I believe the word you are seeking is vile. He's worse than an ambulance chaser."

"Hearse chaser?" I quipped.

"I think so," Carrick said. "I think her family is fairly decent. He saw Elizabeth's obit and parlayed a twenty-minute web search into a $10 million dollar lawsuit possibility. If he did it for the standard one-fourth to one-third of the settlement; he was looking at serious money."

"I don't think her father likes Jack Hyde, that's for sure," I commented.

"Ana, nobody's father likes Jack Hyde." Carrick noted. "Are you up for lunch if Christian doesn't have any plans? I was going to meet Grace at Capital Grille. Please join us," Carrick asked.

"If Christian's free to join us, I'd like that," I smile.

XXXXX
Early morning, Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Seattle

******* Seattle Nooz *******

Reliable sources spotted Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele at the Capital Grille yesterday having lunch with Carrick and Grace Grey. Sources say the group was lively and laughing…which must mean they weren't discussing pre-nups, weddings or babies. Everyone hugged when they arrived and left, so a lunch date with the parents must have gone well for Miss Steele.
******* Seattle Nooz *******

XXXXX
Thursday evening, July 14, 2011
K, E and A condo
Ana's POV

"Kate," I paused while stuffing things in a trash bag. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, roomie," she jumped on the bed to join me.

"Christian asked me to move in with him." I explain.

"HE WHAT?" She fell off the bed.

"Please don't ask me to repeat myself," I blush.

"OMG … this is so perfect!" She's up off the floor and doing a Kate bounce.

"What's perfect?" I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm for…something?

"Elliott wants me to move in with him, but I don't want to live where a bunch of skanks have lain up in his bed all night. So if you move out and Ethan moves out, Elliott can move in here. It's close to where we both work!" She's doing a booty shimmy now to go with the bounce. "You are so lucky, being the first girlfriend; you don't have to worry about slutty women in the Escala penthouse."

"Yeah, right…" My inner bitch snarks. "I don't have to worry about them in his bed…I don't want to think about that damn playroom."

"Ethan's thinking of moving out?" My voice squeaks.

"One of Ethan's classmates has a place closer to campus and it's like ten minutes from his condo to the campus. It's located near the building where's he's taking classes and the hospital where he's doing his psych rotations." Kate finished the booty dance. "So, what's the favor?"

"Well, I can't exactly take a trash bag of my funky undies, worn-out t-shirts and jeans and ratty sweats down to the trash dumpster here because of the damn media. I was wondering if you could put them in the trunk of your car and maybe lose it in the dumpster at work, or at your parents' house." I catch my breath. "I'll have Ray install a tankless hot water heater so you and Elliott can take lots of long hot showers with one another."

"This is so cool…so what else can I help with?" Kate asked. "It seems like I'm getting the best end of the deal."

"I need a new salon and I need some girl dates while the guys are at the Mariners' games." I sigh and look at my manicure. "I'm desperate for a manicure and pedicure this weekend."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Mom uses the Elaia Spa at the Hyatt. They are a great full-service salon and spa. I've been thinking about going there since we moved to Seattle. They are open noon to eight during the week and from nine to nine on Saturday and Sunday. So you aren't going back to salon slut's place?"

"Not for love or free salon services. Grace and Mia aren't going there anymore either. Christian's terminating his business relationship with her. Will you go with me on Saturday when the guys have another man date?" I ask.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll make reservations for us and pick you up at Escala. You don't have to get dressed up, but you'll blend better in a summer dress and accessories." Kate said. "What are you doing with your furniture?"

"I'm getting my cast off on the 29th. Ray's coming up. I promised to make lasagna to eat and for him to take home with him. I'm moving in with Christian on the 30th. Ray will stay overnight at Escala on the 30th and 31st. Then he will take my furniture back to Montesano on the first unless you need it?" I offer.

"Can I keep the kitchen armoire? I think I'm turning Ethan's room into my office and dressing room. Elliott can use your room for an office and use the closet for his clothes, so I don't have to share my closet." Kate sounded hopeful. "Elliott's crew can move Ethan and Elliott that weekend and shuffle things around here. I can find out what Elliott's bringing with him and furniture shop for the rest of what we need."

"You can keep the kitchen armoire and contents if you give me a referral to your gynecologist. I need to get birth control shots. I've been on the pill for years, but I forgot one day when you were in Barbados. I came home at noon and took it, but if my schedule blows up again, I don't want to worry about taking the pill." I said. "Also, I need backup on the nights that the Grey men have man dates. I want to go to a salon, I want to go to movies and I want some quality quiet time."

"Seriously, Ana," Kate grimaced, "If Christian Grey doesn't treat you right, don't wait for him to change. Ditch his billionaire butt and find someone who will. You've waited this long to do the deed; you don't have to tie yourself down to him. First loves rarely work out. Give a nice guy a chance."

"Christian is a nice guy." I am affronted.

"He's a control freak," Kate said, walking out of my room.

"Says the girl who demands answers to her nosy questions," I yell after her. "Or did you forget the 'Are you gay, Mr. Grey' debacle?"

XXXXX
Early Morning, Friday, July 15, 2011
Seattle

******* Seattle Nooz *******

Reliable sources spotted the Grey men (Theo, Carrick, Christian and Elliott) at the Mariners versus the Rangers game last night. They watched the Mariners lose 0-5 to the Rangers. There was no sighting of Katherine Kavanagh or Anastasia Steele. Was it a girls' night out somewhere and we missed it?

******* Seattle Nooz *******

XX
Elena's POV

'So, it sounds like they are going to take advantage of Theo buying those Mariners' tickets,' Elena thought. 'I just have to check the calendar and be at the private entrance at least thirty minutes before the games if I'm going to have an opportunity to see Christian. He doesn't realize the mess his little bookworm has created. Half of the appointments at the Bravern Center have cancelled because Grace is going to a different salon now. I seriously can't afford to lose any more business – it will put the chain in jeopardy! He has to put a stop to this! The first step to solving this would be getting rid of Anastasia.'

She had one more trick up her sleeve, but it would take time and the sub-club to pull it off. She pulled up the calendar for the Mariners' and checked the schedule. It was all away games, which would be shown via sports cam until Friday, July 29th. The Mariners would play the Rays Friday through Sunday and play the Athletics Monday through Wednesday. She pulled out the auction list from Coping Together and accessed the information for Safeco Field. Christian was going to talk to her, by god, or he was going to regret ignoring her.

XX
Noon, same day
Ana's POV

"I've got news…" Christian announced as he entered Ana's office. "I ordered lunch to be delivered. Sawyer's going to watch for it."

"Well," I kissed him hello…and for the first time I tasted preoccupation on his lips.

"Carrick called," he said, holding out a chair for me to join him at the small meeting table in my office. He slipped off his jacket and sat down, smoothing his tie…and then ran his hands through his hair. "Hyde had a court appearance this morning. His lawyer filed a Motion to Withdraw Appearance because Hyde told him Carrick Grey offered to represent him pro bono. The judge asked Hyde for the name of his new lawyer. He named Carrick. Carrick stood up and announced he could not represent Mr. Hyde because of conflict of interest. He submitted a copy of the refusal letter he sent Hyde to the court. He offered copies of the contracts for you and the other interns. The court refused Jack's lawyer's request to withdraw. His current lawyer remains as his lawyer since Hyde refused to accept a court-appointed attorney. The judge asked Hyde's lawyer if they still wanted an expedient trial date. The lawyer said yes. The case goes to trial in six weeks on August 29th. There may or may not be paparazzi tomorrow after the story breaks." He paused. "How do you feel about getting out of town? We can pack tonight and go to the marina early tomorrow. We can take The Grace out for two days. I'll bring the rest of my solar kit to build; you can bring a tiny bikini. I'll bring work, you can bring sunscreen."

"I'll pack appropriately," I smile.

"John emailed over a list of therapists. Do you want Welch to vet them?" Christian asked.

"As long as I don't have to make a decision until Monday. Seriously…anything that can't be answered by 'rock, paper, scissors' this weekend won't be answered." I shook my head.

"So, you're not going to badger me all weekend with questions?" Christian asked.

"Furthest thing from my mind," I promised. "But I am going to pack my journal."

XXXXX
Saturday night, July 16, 2011
The Grace, moored at the Anacortes Marina
Ana's POV

"Tomorrow, we'll sail to the San Juan Islands and do some whale watching and then back to the Anacortes Marina. Joe is flying in with Mac on Charlie Tango. We'll fly Charlie Tango home and Mac, with Joe's help, will take The Grace back to her slip. I'll send Ryan down to the slip to bring Joe to Escala and he can take Charlie Tango back to Boeing Field." He helped me take our dishes from the table to the galley. "Sleep or shower?" Christian asked.

"Mmmm, I told you, if it can't be answered with rock, paper or scissors, I'm not deciding," I murmur at him, cleaning plates and putting food away.

"Lucky for you I'm as hard as a rock and know a position called scissors," Christian laughed and threw me over his shoulder hauling me to the master bedroom.

XXXXX
Early Morning, Monday, July 18, 2011
Seattle

******* Seattle Nooz *******
Reliable sources spotted Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele at the Bell Harbor Marina very early Saturday morning. Security escorted the hands-holding pair and their luggage to Grey's boat, The Grace. Let's hope there was smooth sailing for the couple once The Grace left its slip and headed out to sea. They were followed for a short while by a second boat carrying security for the couple. Miss Steele looked very perky in blue overall shorts with a white t-shirt. White sneakers, white shoulder tote and white sunglasses completed the laid-back ensemble! Grey was gorgeous in jeans and a white shirt. Security was dressed in shoulder holsters. Really…do you expect pirates near Puget Sound? There are pictures of the arrival and departure on our website!
******* Seattle Nooz *******

XXXXX
July 18
Grey Publishing
Ana's POV

I ordered a bouquet of Lisianthus in a Waterford vase for Carla's birthday. Between the exotic flowers and the crystal vase, I will make mom points before I call and tell her I'm moving in with Christian. I don't know if she will be happy about that or whether she will be pissed. SIGH. I send Hannah an email to order lunch for three and have it delivered. I want Sawyer and Hannah to have time to become acquainted with one another. I have to explain about Christian and have her sign a NDA.

XX
After dinner; July 18, 2011
Escala

"Mr. Taylor?" The evening doorman at Escala called. "There's a young woman to see you. She doesn't want to give her name."

"Hand her the phone," Taylor barked. He waited until he knew the phone had exchanged hands. "Who is this?"

"Taylor," She turned her back to the evening doorman. "It's Sabine Falco. I need to see you. It's urgent…it's about Elena Lincoln."

"I'll be right there," Taylor hung up the phone. "Sawyer, I have to step out for a minute. Keep an eye on the Boss and his little lady for a few minutes." Taylor headed straight for the employee elevator and went to the lobby. He spotted Sabine standing, her back toward the door and her face turned away from the evening doorman.

"Miss Falco," Taylor's voice sounded gruff. "This way please." He led her to a security office where they would not be overheard. "You are breaking your NDA coming here," he warned her.

"How are you Taylor? I'm fine, thank you for asking," she gently chided him. "How is the lovely Mrs. Jones? Mr. Keyes is fine…he'll be pissed as hell if he finds out I came here."

"Cut to the chase, Sabine," Taylor ordered.

"I'm sorry to break my NDA – but it's better to break it with you than with Elena Lincoln and the sub club."

Taylor groaned. "Do we need to have Grey sit in on this?"

"I'd rather not see him; but he needs to know Elena's newest machinations," Sabine asserted. "Unless, of course, he's still under the impression that she is his only friend in the universe." She accessed a website on her phone and handed the phone to him. "The password is scf1110 – my initials and birth date."

Taylor typed the password into the site and then swore as it came up. "Oh fuck…Grey needs to see this."

XX

"What are you doing here?" Grey roared at Sabine. He gave Taylor a furious glare.

"Good to see you too Grey," Sabine looked him square in the eye. "Don't start that Dominant shit with me; I'm not your sub. I'm not going to cower in a corner and let you browbeat me. I'm here with information for you; so STFU and listen." She ignored the look of anger on his face and fished in her pocket for a business card; handing it handed it to Taylor. "Date, time and place of the next sub club meeting. The URL is for their website."

Taylor quickly typed it into the laptop he brought back to the room. He remembered Sabine's password and accessed the site, showing it to Grey.

"Sub club?" Grey stared at the laptop.

"Yeah…Elena Lincoln decided to play mother hen to your ex-subs, except for Leila, me and someone named Dr. Lottie." Sabine explained. "Your ex-submissives get together like a fan club and discuss the glory days of being with you. Elena encourages them to share their time with you with new potential subs…she calls it training. She's called an emergency meeting of the sub club…details are listed on the card. Also on the card is a url for their website and the password to access it. The sub club goes online and messages one another or blogs about you. The password for the website is scf1110 which is my initials and my birthdate. I imagine it's the same for the rest of the subs."

"How long has that been going on and how the fuck did Barney miss it?" Grey roared again.

"Well, with a title of The Women…my first thought it was a fan site for Norma Shearer movies or homage to Claire Booth Luce. It never occurred to me it might be a blog/site by your ex-submissives. I don't know how long it's been active. I never joined the sub club because I felt it was breaking my NDA. Elena sent Alexia and Krista to my office in September 2007 to recruit me to the sub club. Susannah Martin came to my business today to recruit me again. She gave me the URL and the password. They don't mention you by name on the site. You are either Trey or Red when they talk about you, ad nauseum. Susannah said Elena's paying them to impersonate Miss Steele. She's planning flash mobs and questionable videos. They are going to be sent out to places in a black Audi SUV owned by Elena, driven by Isaac Reynolds. He will be wearing the customary men-in-black worn by your security staff. The submissives will wear sunglasses and pose for the paparazzi. They will be wearing clothes like the ones Miss Steele's been photographed in. Then someone's going to text, tweet, etc. about Miss Steele being spotted at an adult bookstore, or having lunch with someone who isn't you, or seen out at night clubs, dancing and drinking with men who aren't you. Elena's looking for someone to make a sex video impersonating Miss Steele. She thinks the adverse publicity will make you dump Miss Steele."

"So why is she trying to recruit you to help if she hates you so much and vice versa?" Taylor asked.

"Poetic justice," Grey laughed. "Sabine could be Ana's doppelganger – same height, weight, body mass – her hair is a shade darker and her eyes are sapphire where Ana's are sky blue. Their work wardrobes are practically identical. Plus, a woman I chose without input from Elena to impersonate a woman I chose without input from Elena – it's a smart move on Elena's part."

"Bingo…it would look like the other subs and I were pulling a Leila on you. Elena is anticipating you won't blame her for this and will run to her for advice." Sabine's tone of voice bordered on angry. "Of course, her advice would be for you to dump Miss Steele."

They all stood and stared at one another for a full minute, no one speaking. "Well, this was obviously fun," Sabine said and walked to the door.

"Taylor, Sabine will need..." Grey started to order something but Sabine wouldn't stand for it.

"Belay that order…" Sabine snapped. "I don't want anything from you. I'm breaking my NDA to warn you about Elena…unless I've misjudged the situation and you're still friends with her?"

"I'm extricating myself from her professionally and socially," Grey said.

"Well, how polite of you to extricate yourself professionally and socially," Sabine purred. "BUT, to get the point across you might have considered financial evisceration…or killing the monster in its tracks before it destroyed another boy. Please tell me Miss Steele is the reason for your change of heart regarding Elena Lincoln."

"She is," Grey's calm demeanor surprised Taylor. "Just to keep things clear…Taylor will escort you to your car and off the premises before anyone sees you and thinks you are Miss Steele. He will give you a contact email and phone number where you can reach him if there's any more developments in this situation."

"Do you want me to agree to do a couple flash mobs for Elena? I don't want to do it; but if you know where I'm supposed to be…you can be somewhere public with Miss Steele and stop the paparazzi before they start rumors." Sabine offered.

"Keyes won't mind?" Christian asked.

"Keyes will be pissed, but he can get happy in the pants he got pissy in," Sabine said.

"He's not your Dom?" Christian asked.

"He's my Dom in the playroom. He's my partner in real life." She flashed her engagement ring at Grey. "I don't care to have my real life micromanaged, thank you. I know when I need to sleep, eat, exercise and take my birth control. I can take care of myself." Sabine looked Grey straight in the eyes.

Taylor muffled a snort of laughter.

"Taylor, wait outside," Grey ordered. He resumed speaking when they were behind closed doors. "You still blame me for our termination, don't you?" Grey carefully considered his question.

"You're the one who discussed our intimate contact with your ex-Domme. Elena wasn't my trainer; she wasn't my pimp; she isn't my friend. She had no right to know about anything going on between us. She had no right to give you advice about us or our contract. She had no right to tell you how to punish or control me. She certainly had no right to send Doms disguised as clients to my place of business after we terminated. She had no right to send potential submissives to Aedan at any time." Sabine bit her tongue for a minute and then continued, "She has no right to interfere in your relationship with Miss Steele. Someday, Grey, you're going to wake up to what that woman did to you and you're going to hate her."

He started to interrupt but she shushed him. "I told you…I'm a numbers nerd. No one wakes up and knows what to do in a playroom or dungeon. You have to be introduced to the scene. I believe Elena Lincoln introduced you to the scene when you were a teenager. I believe that conniving, vile, evil bitch molested you. I think your head is fucked up if you think you owe her anything. Please know…I'm as serious as a safe word about this…if she shows up at Locke and Keyes again with another underage kid…she's going to prison. I don't care if I out Locke and Keyes to the world. I will not idly stand by and let her get her claws into another child." She softened. "Look…I know you had surveillance on me; you probably have surveillance on Miss Steele. Do you have security watching Elena and keeping her from blowing up your life and happiness? And if you don't…WHY NOT?"

He stood there silent.

"I told you the night I left Escala…I hope you find what you are seeking. If it's Miss Steele…please make a conscious effort to be the man she deserves. You have that capability. I saw it in you. See Elena Lincoln for what she is. If you believe I came here tonight because I'm jealous of Elena or Miss Steele, then how you became such a brilliant business man, I will never fathom."

She walked to the door and before she opened it, he gruffly said, "Thank you for telling me about this. I appreciate the opportunity to be proactive. Please don't do any of the flash mobs for Elena. I don't want you to jeopardize your relationship with Keyes. However, please let Taylor know if you find out where some of them will occur. We will try to intercept the ladies and remind them of their NDA. You know where to find me if you ever need anything?"

"Back at you, Grey," Sabine said without looking at him. "You saved me. My business is thriving; I can handle the changes and stresses in my life. I hope coming here tonight saves your relationship with Miss Steele. I owe you that." She opened the door; departing the building with Taylor via the staff elevator to the parking level.