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.

22. Chapter 22

Just Breathe, Chapter 21 – How to fuck with Ana's 23rd Birthday
Saturday, September 10
Washington State Convention Center (WSCC), Seattle
Ana's POV

"The third gown we showcase this morning is named Enchantment because every bride will feel like a princess in this gown," Celeste commented. "This gown is a column strapless gown created in ivory satin with a lace embroidery overlay skirt. The dress features a dipped bodice with a satin bow inspired design. The lace skirt is embellished with floral embroidery. Floral embroidered lace is very hot this year since the marriage of Kate and William. I designed Enchantment with a court train. The back detail is lace-covered buttons which match the lace embroidery overlay skirt. As you can see; the overall details of the gown do not overwhelm a petite figure. This gown is perfect for hourglass, pear, average, tall or petite figures. Should you choose to wear a veil, we offer a veil in elbow to fingertip length of ivory tulle, embellished with floral embroidery lace. The veil is secured by a comb which repeats the satin bow design of the bodice."

"Who's your model?" One of the paps called out.

"Anastasia Steele, fiancée of Christian Grey. Anastasia agreed to model for me as long as I announce THIS IS NOT HER BRIDAL GOWN…so don't report that it is; you will be wrong. She was not picking a wedding gown when she was spotted with Kate at the shop. She was getting fitted to model for me today. Miss Steele authorized me to announce the couple is considering a destination wedding, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, June 2012." Celeste announced and was promptly ignored by the paparazzi doing physical damage to one another to get pictures of Ana in "the" dress.

XX

"We've got a lot of ground to cover,' Kate announced looking at the vendor map. "Section 4A – where we are – bridal gowns, bridal accessories, attendant clothes, tuxes."

"Accessories," I said.

Kate circled the vendors for bridal accessories on the map. "Section 4B: flowers, invitations/paper items, wedding favors, attendant gifts." Kate said, pen at the ready.

"Covered," I said.

Kate crossed out all of Section 4B. "Section 4C: honeymoon destinations/travel agencies; rehearsal dinner venues; wedding venues; bachelor/bachelorette party venues." Kate read.

"Covered," I replied.

Kate marked off all of Section C. "Section 4D: personal services: hair, nails, makeup, massage, spa, etc.; photographers, caterers – some of them are selling lunch! Bands, musicians and DJ services; staffing: bartenders, servers, etc. for home/private venues."

"Lunch!" I exclaimed. "Definitely lunch!"

"French, Polynesian, Jamaican, Oriental, Cajun?" Kate asked. "Or we can go play taste-the-cake at several different displays."

"Lunch – somewhere away from the Esclava Salons booth," I rolled my eyes.

"That leaves us Oriental or Polynesian." Kate decided.

"Polynesian," I suggested. "Let's be brave! Once we have lunch in 4D, we can return to 4A to look at bridal accessories. Then we're close to the north service hall so Ryan can bring the SUV up to the loading dock via the truck ramp." I turned to Prescott and announced our plans. Prescott contacted Sawyer. Once they checked out the vendor; Kate and I were able to get lunch.

Paparazzi reported Anastasia Steele was taste testing menu offerings at a Polynesian chef's booth; leading to 'confirmation' the Steele-Grey destination was island bound. Extra reporters were placed in section 4C near travel venues offering destination wedding packages in case Miss Steele visited them.

XX

A black Audi SUV slid to the curb. "That's us," Kate started for the SUV.

"Wait," I said.

"For what?" Kate laughed. "Don't tell me Sawyer gets out with an umbrella on inclement days so you don't get wet?"

"No, but I have my orders to wait for Sawyer to open…" I started to explain protocols to Kate.

"Get in the SUV," something poked me in the ribs.

"What?" I look over my shoulder and catch a glimpse of someone…a brunette with a gun. "This," I thought to myself, "This is the reason Christian insisted on you learning security protocols. He feared something like this might happen. Of course, this could also be a test of how well I learned. Well, Mr. Grey…I'm not a Summa Cum Laude graduate for nothing."

"I'm not getting in the SUV and neither is my friend," I said. "I refuse to facilitate a kidnapping."

"Get in the fucking SUV or I will shoot you," the voice ordered me.

"Shoot me then," I replied calmly, "because I'm not going anywhere with you." A flurry behind me alerted me to the fact we were not alone. I took two steps towards Kate and managed to get away from the gunwoman before Sawyer had her on the ground, disarmed and restrained with handcuffs.

Another SUV screeched to a halt, blocking in the original SUV…the one I refused to enter.

"Ana get back inside the convention center NOW…and take Kate with you! Where the fuck are you Prescott?" Sawyer yells in his communications device. He stops the woman from struggling to get away. "Miss Martin, I will beat you within an inch of your life if you don't stop fighting me." Sawyer tightens her handcuffs to the point she whimpers. He pauses and listens to whatever information is coming through his earpiece.

"Is she a real kidnapper?" I asked, astonished. Before Sawyer answered, the sound of shattered glass distracted us. The driver of the SUV had been dragged through the smashed driver's window by someone I can't see. I can hear sounds of scuffling and blows being exchanged. Momentarily, the driver was bodily thrown to the back of the vehicle. Taylor was immediately on top of him, handcuffs at the ready. Before the driver could quit whining, Taylor had him up and handcuffed to the back rear door of the SUV. The driver was wearing a black suit…but not as nice as Taylor's or Sawyer's usual attire. Stun me! The driver almost resembles Christian. He's not a tall or as lean. His hair isn't the right color bronze, but the planes of his face, the long fingers…someone hoped if I saw him at a distance; I would mistake him for Christian.

"Situation?' Taylor yells at Sawyer.

"I've got her restrained. Will you please tell Ana and Kate to get their asses back into the convention center and find Prescott? Convention center security called 911; we have police and ambulance incoming. Prescott has been shot. By the way, we're going to need a second ambulance. I may have broken Miss Martin's ribs and hand."

I finally get Kate back inside the convention center. Once she realized it was a genuine kidnapping attempt…the ace reporter was unleashed. She takes pictures for the Seattle Times and I couldn't stop her. Six convention center security guards point their guns at Prescott…who has restrained Elena Lincoln. There is a terrified teenage boy lying on the floor with his hands stretched above his head.

"Prescott!" I let out a yelp and run in her direction. The convention center security tries to stop me, but Kate intervenes and I slip through their line of defense. "Prescott," I kneel down. She has a knee in the middle of Elena's back; gun drawn in her right hand. Her left hand holds a zip tie which is firmly fastened around Elena's hands.

"WTF, Prescott? I thought you were behind me?" I said. "I would never have left the building if you weren't."

"I had a…feeling…which made me halt and observe the crowd behind us. I dropped back to a display and watched. I saw Mrs. Lincoln and that boy. She told him you were going to get schooled for fucking with her life. She promised him if he was good; he would get to watch her punish you. I tried to arrest and subdue her but she attacked; trying to wrestle my gun away from me. We fought for my gun, and I got shot."

"Drop the fucking gun!" The convention center security yells at Prescott again, but Elena's string of profanities overpowers their commands. Prescott rips a handkerchief out of her pocket and gags Elena instead of using it to stem the blood dripping from her leg. She punches Elena in the face for trying to bite her. Ryan appears out of nowhere and attempts to talk sense into the convention center security. Prescott's blood drips on the floor …Elena's mutters profanities through the gag. Prescott informs Elena that her face is going to get bounced off the floor if she doesn't shut up. Sawyer is back inside, dragging a petite brunette who he forces down onto the floor at Ryan's feet with a snarled order to keep an eye on her. Sawyer whips out a knife and cuts the seam of Prescott's pant leg to above the wound.

"Needs pressure," he commented.

"I can't take care of it right now," she winced.

He rolled up her pant leg to even with the wound, layering as much material on it as possible. He pulled off his tie and wrapped it twice around her leg and tied it off. "That should help until we get some EMTs for you."

"Good field dressing," she looked down at it and concentrated on Elena Lincoln.

Everyone shouts and draws weapons. I just pick a bench against the wall midway in the hall. If I decide to run away I've got an equal shot at getting to the loading bay doors or the doors back to the convention hall. Can I get lost in the convention center? If I make it back to the main elevators, I can get to the first floor, and maybe get out the front door and get to the street? I look back at those doors and shake my head. Convention center security barred paparazzi from entering the north service hallway. They took pictures of the whole mess before convention center security started moving them away from the entrance so they can secure the doors. I seriously want to hide…I want to get into a vehicle and drive until I'm in Emmett, Idaho where no one knows me. No, wait...some actor is from there...which means incessant media. I need to go to a town where no one has internet, media or time to read tabloids.

Kate abandons her shopping bags and high heels next to me. She is a blonde dervish taking pictures, pictures and more pictures and emailing them as fast as possible to Seattle Times and to her father. She circles…snapping pictures about twenty feet from the action…running laps from the loading bay doors to Prescott. One of the convention center security makes a grab for her…but she must have ESP because she feinted and sprinted in the other direction before he can stop her.

Before the convention center security can get anyone to cooperate; the loading bay doors admit a dozen members of the Seattle SWAT team.

"Everyone shut up!" The SWAT captain announces their presence via a bullhorn. He confirms the convention center security cleared and sealed the north service hallway doors to the convention center. Paparazzi shout and pound on the doors; adding to the general cacophony. One guy is assigned to me. He stands next to me, arms crossed against his chest, surveying the bedlam. "I think you might be the only sane one here," he commented. Kate's convention center security collided with the SWAT guy assigned to capture Kate and get her settled. They both land on their asses on the floor but Kate dances out of their reach…shooting pictures and emailing as quickly as possible.

Prescott's convention center security screams in tandem with the SWAT guy assigned to her but she ignores their orders to drop her gun. Sawyer ignores men assigned to him; Ryan ignores his team also.

The ambulance comes for Prescott, but SWAT won't let them enter until they have Prescott under control. She won't budge until one of the SWAT guys takes her statement. She refuses to holster her gun and continues to subdue Elena. DCS is called for the teenager, who refuses to talk. The convention center security supervisor shows up with camera footage on a tablet to show to SWAT captain.

I'm in a state of shock. I think I must be in shock. My smart phone trills Your Love is King over and over again. Christian is calling. He didn't appreciate my threat to assign Who Can It Be Now by Men Down Under as his ringtone. I never know which shade of Christian is calling…I thought Who Can It Be Now was appropriate. I had considered Meatloaf's I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) but I think the irony would be lost on him. I pull the smart phone out of my purse. Crap! Instead of voice mail; Christian texts he is sitting outside with Welch and wants to know if I need him. Oh yeah…I need him like I need this current headache to become a full blown migraine. I look up at the SWAT officer standing next to me. He keeps me in a 20-foot protective bubble.

"When you are ready," he said, "I need a statement."

I put my head between my knees and laugh hysterically. My laughter is only broken by the continuous ringing of my phone. I hand him the phone. "Please tell Mr. Grey I am fine, unhurt and unable to talk to him or see him until you get a statement and release me. He needs to quit calling right now and handle the situation outside."

"Language! Do you kiss your beautiful fiancée with that mouth?" My SWAT officer snaps into the phone when he accesses the call. I hear a lull in Christian's yelling outside and over the phone. "I'm Officer Heaton. Miss Steele is fine, unhurt and unable to talk on the phone until I get a statement from her and she is released." He listens to Christian's yelling again, "Sir, you cannot come in. She cannot come out. She requests you deal with the situation outside. I'm warning you in advance, SIR, I'm hanging up and shutting off her phone." He does and I hear silence outside the building followed by the sound of a cell phone bouncing off the outer doors. Another smart phone bites the dust.

"Temper, temper," he snaps in the direction of the outer door. He hands my smart phone back to me. "Ready for that statement?"

I put my head between my knees and laugh hysterically.

"Are you in shock?" Heaton asked. "Do you need to see a doctor?"

It hurts to keep laughing this much. My ribs hurt, my breaths feel tight. My head floats... I straighten up and control myself. I'm only prolonging the agony by not talking to Heaton.

The EMTs enter – Taylor and Welch restrain Christian from entering with them. They flow past us. Prescott hands her gun to the SWAT guy assigned to her. He bags it as evidence. Prescott is finally on a gurney and getting checked by EMTs. Ryan assumes her position, with one knee in Elena's back. His gun is not drawn. He argues with a SWAT guy over Elena.

"Why were you here today?" Heaton asks me.

"My friend and I came to the Bridal Faire to support her mom who is a vendor." I point out Kate, who takes pictures of Prescott being wheeled away by the EMTs.

"We're going to have a conversation about tweeting your location, Katherine Kavanagh!" Prescott yells as the EMTs roll her away.

I look at Kate, dumbfounded. We were already surrounded by paparazzi. What was she thinking?

Kate successfully ditched her assigned SWAT officer again and races around shooting pictures of everyone. She's too busy taking pictures and texting to pay attention to Prescott's threat. This does not bode well. Her SWAT officer yelled at her to put down the cell phone. She didn't listen to Prescott, what makes him think she'll listen to him?

I hear yelling outside through the door…yes, sir; that's my baby…screaming at the EMTs about Prescott.

I just sit in a pile of shopping bags, watching the door…waiting for Christian to enter and have a nervous breakdown. Instead, he's outside; yelling at Taylor, the handcuffed SUV driver and Welch while yanking his hair out by the roots.

I look up at the SWAT officer guarding me. "If we don't let him in here, and sit him down, he's going to have a nervous breakdown, or an anxiety attack…then you'll need a second ambulance.

"No can do," Heaton shakes his head. "I'm ordered to prevent you from talking to anyone until I take your statement. The SWAT officers outside are trying to get statements from all of them. What is in the water you people drink?" He shakes his head.

There is a flurry of activity outside again. Two SWAT guys move the handcuffed SUV driver to a SWAT vehicle. SWAT guys question Taylor, Christian and Welch.

There is a flurry of activity inside. SWAT has Miss Martin on her feet and moves her toward the loading bay doors. She fights her SWAT officer until he hears something through his communication device. He stops, yanks out his Taser, releases her arm and Tasers her. She is knocked on her ass in seconds. He leans down, grabs her by the waist and hoists her over his shoulders. I watch as he carries her outside and lays her down on a gurney manned by a new round of EMTs. When he handcuffs her to the side rail; it dawns on me; she's wearing clothes similar to mine and her hair is arranged like mine.

The next gurney out of the ambulance is used for the SUV driver. They pat him down, and he winces when they touch one of his knees. He's not pleased to be handcuffed to the gurney and lets out another yelp when one of the EMTs touches his face.

Before the door closes; I look out and see Christian yelling into a phone…who is he yelling at? Whose phone did he commandeer since he smashed his?

The teenage boy is on his feet, being pulled aside by a SWAT officer who is waiting for DCS before he interrogates the boy. Sawyer submits to a pat down by SWAT and is questioned. He gives them the gun with silencer presumably intended for use on Kate and me. He refuses to relinquish his weapon which is a point of contention until the SWAT officer gets Sawyer's credentials out of his pocket.

I observe as Elena is dragged to her feet in preparation of being relocated also. The SWAT officer is an idiot; he removes her gag. "I'm going to sue you for false arrest," she screams at me. "This is false arrest," Elena yells at her SWAT officer. She starts kicking at her SWAT officer. He's less patient than Miss Martin's escort. He already has his taser in hand. The moment he releases her with his left hand, his right hand applies the Taser to her ass. She goes down and there is no change in the expression on her face because of her Botox dependency. The bitch is sans panties and flashing her naked pubes to the world. He swears quite loud and long about how disgusting his day has become. Kate laughs hysterically while taking pictures of Elena; sans panties. Where the hell is she posting that picture?

I put my head between my knees and laugh again as the SWAT officer throws Elena over his shoulders and hauls her out of the building. I catch a glimpse of Christian's face and he is furious. His SWAT officer detains him from confronting her. She is dumped into a SWAT vehicle. The vehicle is closed; Elena is caged for transport. Her SWAT guy pounds on the roof and the vehicle departs. He walks over and joins the SWAT guy talking to the faux SUV driver. The loading bay doors close. I finally catch my breath. I look up at my SWAT officer and shrug my shoulders.

"Now that we're clearing the area, do you feel ready to answer some questions?" He asked gently and sits beside me.

"I was a model for Couture by Celeste in section 4A this morning. Katherine Kavanagh came with me. When I was done modeling for Celeste Kavanagh; Kate and I had lunch." I nod in her direction. Her SWAT officer finally cornered her and demands she email him a copy of all the pictures she took. Then he escorts her to a bench opposite me. "After lunch we wandered around the bridal fair and did some shopping. But we were being overrun by the media. I couldn't look at a glass of water without being questioned if I was shopping for glassware; or if I preferred still or sparkling water. I told Kate I had enough. I notified my CPO Prescott, the one they just took out in the ambulance, that we were ready to leave. She contacted Sawyer, my lead CPO. He called for our SUV to come up to the loading dock to pick us up. We were getting ready to leave when a black Audi SUV pulled up. Sawyer," I point him out to the questioning officer, "told me never to get into an SUV unless one of the security team or Christian opened the door for me."

"Christian Grey?" He asked.

"Yes, he's my fiancé," I proudly show off my ring. "I thought Sawyer exited the building before us to get to the SUV we used today. I thought Prescott was behind us. Anyhow, Kate and I exited the building and stood by the stairs to the loading dock when someone came up behind me and put a gun in my ribs. She ordered Kate and me to get into the SUV waiting for us."

"Since your security didn't open the door to the SUV; did you suspect something was wrong?" He asked.

"I didn't suspect anything," I lied. I wasn't about to say I thought it might be a test of my protocol training. That would not have gone over well. "I was waiting for Sawyer to appear and hold the door open. Before that happened, someone shoved a gun in my ribs and ordered me to get into the SUV."

"So why didn't you get in the SUV?" He asked. "She had a gun on you?"

"After I refused to get in the vehicle, and before I could defend myself…there was a scuffle behind me and I turned to see what was going on. Sawyer tackled a petite brunette, disarmed and handcuffed her."

"Where did he come from?" Heaton asked.

"I don't know. You would have to ask him." I replied.

"Then what happened?" He asked.

"Sawyer yelled at Kate and me to go back inside and find Prescott. He said she had been shot. But before we could enter the building, Taylor pulled up and blocked the wrong SUV from leaving."

"And then?" He asked.

"Taylor fought with the SUV driver from the wrong SUV. Kate took pictures. We came inside. Prescott had subdued Elena Lincoln and some teenage boy. I checked with Prescott. She told me to go sit down. I sat here with our shopping bags and Kate ran amok taking pictures of everything and everyone."

"Do you know how Prescott got shot?" He asked.

"No, I didn't hear gunfire and the only gun I saw was the one in my ribs."

"Do you know the person who tried to kidnap you?"

"No," I'm not about to reveal she might have known Christian.

"Do you know the woman who was restrained by your CPO Prescott?"

"Yes, she is a business partner of my fiancé; her name is Elena Lincoln. She owns the Esclava Salons. She had a vendor booth at the bridal faire this weekend. I never saw the booth, but she's on the list of vendors." I handed him the Bridal Faire program.

XX
Sawyer's POV

WTF? A bridal faire? Ten thousand people in 100,000 square feet of space; 300 vendors and staff that I have no time to vet. I understand Ana wanting to help her friend's mother, especially since Mrs. Kavanagh agreed to sell one of her couture gowns to Ana for the wedding. Prescott followed her into the dressing area. I stood watch outside. What is it with women? Every single female between the ages of puberty and pre-menopause has hit on me today. Several of them asked if I rented myself out as an escort for weddings. Granted, I'm wearing a nice suit; but I'm not The American Gigolo. Taylor owes me an extra time-off bonus. There's not enough money in the world to pay me for doing this today. Jera and I haven't had a moment to text or email since Grey announced the engagement…forget about kissing, touching or fucking. I think I'm going to be a lonely boy if I keep working for Grey. The problem is; I like working for the guy despite the fact that he's a monumental pain in the ass sometimes. I like being Ana's CPO. She's normally easy to guard…but today is an exception!

WTF! What is Susannah Martin doing here? Why is she observing Ana in couture wedding finery? Why is she doing dressed like Ana in her street clothes this morning? Is she trying to media prank Ana again? I alert Prescott we have a doppelganger observing Ana. Before I can get to her; Martin disappears. I access the list of vendors – yes; just as I suspected, Esclava Salons is in section 4D. I will keep Ana out of that section somehow – even if I have to tell her Elena is in there. Crap! Now paparazzi take pictures of Ana in that wedding gown. They aren't interrupting Mrs. Kavanagh's show; but you can tell they are jackals waiting for their feast. Prescott alerts me about the paparazzi she recognizes. I alert Taylor and tell him about the paparazzi. Our schedule is out of here and home to Escala before three o'clock. Taylor communicates he informed Grey about Ana's departure. He confirms Grey changed his plans and will intercept her at the convention center; ETA about 2:30. He sent her a text that he's done for the day and will pick her up. I explain we will depart via the north service hall to the loading dock, level four. I text Ryan about SUV logistics for departure.

XX

Finally, Ana and Kate are ready to leave this fiasco! I alert Prescott I will conduct a sweep of the north service hallway to the loading dock. I head in that direction and note I've picked up a tail. Martin! I duck into the security office and flash my credentials. I watch their screens and notice Martin exited through the north service hallway out onto the loading dock. Convention center security shows me how to access the loading dock through a staff walkway. Martin will not see me approach her from behind. I use their hidden access and watch for her.

Prescott communicates Steele and Kavanagh entered the deserted north service hallway and head to the loading dock. She says there is a situation but does not elaborate.

XX

WTF? Steele and Kavanagh exit the building without Prescott. A black Audi SUV, not one of Grey's fleet, pulls up, coming to a stop in a way that Ana cannot see the driver. Martin slips behind Ana…with a gun. Christ, I hope Ana remembers not to enter the SUV. I come out from my access point and tackle Martin to the ground. I think I broke a couple of her ribs then I took her down. I think I broke her right hand removing the gun from her grasp. I yell at Ana and Kate to get back into the building and wait for Prescott.

I disarm and restrain Martin with a pair of handcuffs. The driver of the SUV has not seen me subdue Martin. He nd is surprised when another black Audi SUV blocks their departure point. Taylor exits Grey's SUV and runs to the driver.

Prescott's voice comes in over my earpiece; she's been shot with her own gun during a struggle with Elena Lincoln. She's bleeding but she restrained Elena Lincoln and a teenage boy with her. Convention center security filmed the shooting. They call for SWAT and EMTs.

I hear Taylor break the window on the faux SUV. I can hear thumps – obviously the driver is fighting back. That driver is a stupid shit – obviously he doesn't know he's dealing with Taylor – decorated Marine, improvise, OVERCOME, adapt. Hoorah.

Kavanagh takes pictures of the melee and ignores my orders to get back inside where it is safe.

Shortly I hear the sound of handcuffs. I can see the driver handcuffed to the back door handle of the SUV.

"Situation!" Taylor snaps at me.

"I've got Martin restrained. Will you please tell Ana and Kate to get their asses back into the convention center and find Prescott? Convention center security called 911; we have SWAT and EMTs incoming. Prescott has been shot. By the way, we're going to need a second ambulance. I think I broke Martin's ribs and her hand."

XX
Taylor's POV

WTF? I hear Prescott's voice in my earpiece. She's been shot. I hear Ryan announce he left the SUV in parking and is on his way up in a security elevator. He'll be on the fourth floor in minutes. Where the fuck are Ana and Kate? If they've been hurt, the boss is going to own someone's ass before the end of the day. As long as he's not chewing my ass; I can maintain. The SUV hits the top of the trunk ramp and I see a black Audi SUV sitting by the curb. I know from the plates it is not one of ours. I angle the SUV I'm driving to block the other SUV from leaving. I yell at Welch to keep the boss in the SUV.

I head for the driver when shock registers on his face. He's blocked in and can't escape. He stupidly locks the driver door to the SUV…LIKE THAT COULD KEEP ME OUT! I have my gun drawn and use the butt of it to break the driver's window which shatters into accident safety crystals instead of shards. I could care less if the window shatters all over the fucker. I knock the rest of the glass free from the frame, holster my weapon and try to haul his ass out of the SUV. The stupid dumb shit is wearing his seatbelt. I have confirmation, he isn't one of ours. My men are trained better. I don't see Ana or Kate, but I will subdue this fucker. No one is kidnapping those girls today…not on my watch…no fucking way. I unlock the door and undo his seatbelt to haul him out of the SUV before he recovers from the shock of the broken window.

He fights and it gives me great pleasure to break his nose…break his Hollywood sunglasses…and perhaps break a rib or two when my knee connects with his torso. He tries to fight back…what a laugh…I think Miss Steele could inflict damage on this wimpy fucker. I duck his well-telegraphed swing and bounce his ass off the side of the SUV. He catches his breath and comes back for another swing at me, but my fist connects with his jaw. He lets out an oomph sound and attempts to head butt me. REALLY. HEAD BUTT ME; YOU STUPID SHIT…NOW YOU HAVE A BROKEN NOSE! I dodge; get both arms around his torso and throw him to the back of the SUV. He bounces off the bumper…ooooh…that's gonna leave a contusion on his left knee. I'm on him before he can stagger to his feet. I whip out my handcuffs, shove him against the SUV, bouncing his head off the back window. I have one hand cuffed before he can shake his head and focus. The other arm tries to take a swing at me, but I connect a solid punch to his shoulder blocking the swing. I grab for his free arm and close the handcuffs on him. He looks a great deal worse for wear, and is sporting my handcuffs threaded through the top handle of the SUV's tailgate.

"Situation!" I bark at Sawyer.

"I've got Martin restrained. Will you please tell Ana and Kate to get their asses back into the convention center and find Prescott? Security called 911; we have police and ambulance incoming. Prescott has been shot." Sawyer yells. "By the way, we're going to need a second ambulance. I think I broke ribs and her hand."

Fuck me… Sawyer has Susannah Martin on the ground and in handcuffs. What the hell was she planning?

"He's going to need EMTs too. His nose broke when he tried to head butt me. I'll bet you next week's bar bill that I broke ribs." I said with a certain amount of satisfaction. Our primary and secondary are unharmed – and the enemy has broken bones.

XX
Christian's POV

Who the hell is in that SUV and why is…WTF? What is Sawyer doing? Ana stands on the loading dock…unprotected…where the fuck is Prescott? Taylor slams on the brakes and stops our SUV inches from a parked SUV. It looks like it belongs to my fleet. I know it is not one of mine because the driver didn't exit to open the door for Ana. Taylor screams at Welch to keep me in the SUV. He's out of the SUV heading for the driver. He breaks the window to the SUV and opens the door…it looked like he tried to yank the driver through the window but the dumb shit is in his seatbelt. That's how I know he doesn't work for me…my security staff doesn't wear their seatbelts. My eyes don't deceive me – the driver is Isaac Reynolds, Elena's longtime submissive. Where the hell is Elena?

I ask Welch what is going on when he holds up his hand to block my question. I'm ready to punch the fucker out. Who the hell does he think he is – shushing me!

"Convention center security called SWAT and EMTs." Welch communicates with Prescott.

"Who's hurt?" I scream at him. Ana had better not have a scrape or a bruise or I'll kill someone.

Welch snaps at me, "Kidnapping attempt, Sawyer has one, Taylor has the driver, and Prescott was shot by the third." Taylor, using his best DI voice, bellows at Ana and Kate to get back into the building which drowns out anything Welch attempted to say. What is Kate doing? Oh hell and damn! Inquisitive Kate Ace Reporter Kavanagh has surfaced. She's taking pictures. I email Cynda Howard, head of GEH Communications Team, that all hell is breaking lose and get ready to quash pictures and news stories.

Ana and Kate retreat inside the building, Sawyer has his kidnapper up off the ground with her gun – FUCK ME – it is Susannah Martin. What the hell is that bitch doing trying to kidnap my Anastasia? I reach for the door handle but Welch is in my face telling me not to exit until the situation is handled. Of course – I fire him immediately.

Welch ignores me and listens on his earpiece. "Sir, Prescott reports that she subdued kidnapper number three and an additional person who was with her. You're not going to like this – Prescott subdued Elena Lincoln."

I let go of the door handle immediately and call Roz before Welch answers his cell which rings steadily.

"Roz, it's Grey. Call Franco de Luca right now. Send security for him. I want him at Grey House within the hour. Assemble the Legal Team. I want Elena Lincoln's shares in the Esclava Salons chain frozen under article five of our partnership agreement. I want the paperwork in place for me to reclaim her shares. She's about to be arrested by the police and I will be damned if she's going to bankrupt that chain to pay her legal fees. I want you to process paperwork selling Franco de Luca all my shares in the six Esclava Salons effective now, three p.m. today."

I listened carefully to what Roz was saying. "If all the bank loans and outstanding bills cleared on Wednesday, if GEH was removed as a creditor on the company charge cards and charge accounts; if we have the business appraisal; then yes – I want to sell my partnership to Franco. Sell it to him for $100 per salon; claim everything as business loss. I want out from under the salons before Elena gets arraigned. Get the signature cards from the banks for the accounts and get Franco's name on them and take Elena's name off. Bring me the paperwork and a notary so I can sign off today. I want Franco's check for the six salons deposited TODAY. Why? Why am I doing this? That miserable bitch tried to kidnap Anastasia! Contact Carrick – and tell him to meet me at Escala – and bring my mother. This is a monumental fucking disaster." I hang up the phone and am out of the SUV running toward Taylor when SWAT and an ambulance arrive.

Before we enter the building and before I find Anastasia; SWAT intercepts us. A dozen of them enter the building and when the doors open; I can see Ana sitting on a bench, surrounded by shopping bags. I don't know who put her there without security but I'm going to fire someone.

XX
Prescott's POV

Thank god we finally leave this place. I'm talking to Taylor. This is bullshit, allowing Ana to attend open events like this; over 10,000 people in a 100,000 sq. ft. area. Concerts, opera, theatre, sports events where she is sequestered in a private box – fine. Open events like this – NO WAY. I don't give a damn how friendly my primary is with the Kavanagh family. I don't care if she's been used to going where she wants to go and doing what she wants to do. The moment she started dating Grey, her life changed! My effectiveness is compromised by the sheer number of people. She wasn't able to relax or enjoy lunch because the paparazzi were everywhere except her dressing room. I threatened the lives of a dozen creepers because they breached the Steele bubble. I communicate with Sawyer…primary and secondary are headed back to 4-A. Ana looks like she doesn't want to be here; but is trying to hang out with her friend who seems to bask in being photographed and followed. SOME PEOPLE NEED TO GET A GRIP! Grey's messages he's coming to pick her up. It's time for us to exit. The paparazzi ratchet up their attention, questions, and shouting. If we keep moving at this pace…Kate and Ana will hit the north service hallway doors in less than twenty minutes.

Sawyer, ahead of us by 20 paces, veers off with no warning. Where is Sawyer going? He's not headed to the north service hallway. Kate and Ana don't follow him but continue forward to the north service hallway. There's no convention center security anywhere in a 30-foot 360 circle of us. Are all those Saturday and Sunday Smurfs taking tea at the same time?

Ana and Kate enter the north service hall. I don't see anyone near the doors. My intuition kicks my ass. I drop back to a display to watch what is going on. WTF? What is Elena Lincoln doing following Ana? Better yet…who is the teenage Christian Grey doppelganger at her side? I circle the other way around a display and end up in the hall behind Lincoln and Steele. I hone my hearing on Lincoln.

"See that bitch," she purrs at the boy, like a mangy cougar. "She is going to get schooled for fucking with my life." She stops to stroke the boy's arm, and purrs again. "If you are a good boy, you can watch me punish her."

"Will I get to fuck the blonde?" He asks eagerly.

Before she can reply; I tap her on the shoulder, my gun drawn, "Stop right there Lincoln!"

Ana and Kate exit the loading bay doors before I have a chance to stop them. I radio Sawyer they are at risk and to get them back in here.

Lincoln backhands the kid. While I'm watching her right hand; her left claws sunk into my gun hand. Why am I fighting this bitch for my gun? I should just blow her ass away, but I need to contain the situation. Contain my fucking ass. That bitch is fighting me for my gun and it discharges. Instead of shooting hot lead in her cold heart – she shot me. The boom startled her and she let go, but the bullet has done its damage. I can feel my upper left thigh screaming with pain and burning like I'm in hell. Fuck…I haven't been shot in over five years. That twat just ruined my safety record.

I jump her, pushing her down. She is on her front and I press a knee into the flat area of her back under her shoulder blades along her spine. I dig a zip tie out of my pocket to restrain her when the doppelganger gets antsy. I point the gun at him and demand he lay down. My thigh is dripping blood onto the hall floor. The kid has gone wide-eyed and I expect him to pass out at any moment. Lincoln struggles with me but I restrain her. I relieve some pressure off my thigh by leaning into her. It cuts down on her air supply and prevents her yelling obscenities.

Convention center security yells at me to put down my gun. Are they fucking nuts? Cinderellas, you came to the ball a little too late. Security yells at me again. I concentrate on Lincoln and the doppelganger and ignore them. Minutes pass and my radio is quiet…like it took a hit instead of me.

Ana and Kate return inside the north service hallway. Ana sees me on top of Elena Lincoln and runs toward me. Convention center security attempts to stop her, but Kate intervenes and Ana slips their clutches. She apologizes for leaving the building without me. When convention center security staff order me to drop my gun again; I ease off Lincoln and let her bellow obscenities at all of us. Ana concentrates on me. I order her to go to a bench in the middle of the service hall and wait there until Sawyer, Ryan or I can safely move her from the building to Grey's SUV. Then I calmly reach in my pocket, remove a handkerchief and use it to gag Elena Lincoln. The bitch tries to bite me and I relish giving that Botoxed bag a good face punch. She's not as plastic as she looks; her left eye is going to be bruised. I got her good. "Shut the fuck up," I yell at her. I heard she likes to restrain and gag teenage boys…it's your turn, bitch!

Ryan appears with more convention center security and attempts to contain the situation. They act like they'd love to shoot me…which panics the doppelganger more. I want to keep him under control and threaten Elena that I'm going to bounce her face off the floor if the kid don't shut the fuck up, lay down and wait for the police to question them.

Sawyer enters the building through the loading bay doors; god knows how. We're surrounded by SWAT and the convention center keystone cops. He drops a young woman on the floor at Ryan's feet. She vaguely resembles Ana…was she a ruse? Meant to take Ana's place while the kidnappers got away? She's dressed like Ana, down to her shoes and hairstyle. She's an inch taller and a good fifteen pounds heavier. Her hair is obviously a bad dye job to resemble Ana's mahogany hair – and the length is all wrong. Her complexion is too sallow – it's nowhere near as fresh as Ana's. Additionally; that bitch has either had a hard life or she's got a handful of years on Ana. Taylor would fry our asses if we were fooled by that snatch. Having turned his protective duty over to Ryan, Sawyer cuts my pant leg and examines the wound. After he rolls my pant leg up as a bandage, he whips off his tie to secure. God that pressure feels good on it. I'm thankful it's not a sucking chest wound where I would have to keep a finger in the bullet hole while trying to steady my gun on my captive.

Ana sits on a bench like she's found safe haven. But she shakes her head back and forth between her doppelganger, Elena Lincoln and occasionally observes Grey's doppelganger. That's a stunned face. I know she's trying to maintain…but any SWAT worth his badge is going to surmise there are issues here that fueled a kidnapping attempt.

XX
Welch's POV

Fired? Did that temperamental asshole just tell me I was fired? My people just stopped a kidnapping attempt of their primary and secondary charges. Go ahead, Red, tear your hair out. We have more pressing issues than worrying about buying you Rogaine or hiring a Bosley-approved surgeon before the wedding.

XXXXX
Later that Day

"You were warned about screaming," the Seattle Police Department guard Tasered Elena. "You had your one phone call; your lawyer chose not to come until one hour before you are arraigned. You will await arraignment in solitary confinement since you can't keep your mouth shut. Once the morning shift change occurs and we will notify the oncoming staff where you are." He called out for another guard and they transported Elena to solitary confinement; wearing a bright orange jumpsuit that clashed with her bleached blonde hair and red nails. It accented the orange in her fake St. Tropez tan.

While one guard was escorting Elena to solitary, a SPD van pulled up with a medical prisoner. She whined about being in pain to the driver.

"I suggest when you get your phone privileges tomorrow that you call someone who cares." He snapped at her, helping her down out of the van. "Medical says your breathing may be compromised by your bruised ribs. They won't give you any pain killers for your broken hand. We've got aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprophen in the infirmary."

"Do you think the court might release me on house arrest?" She asked quietly.

"I've never seen anyone who attempted a kidnapping with a firearm get released before." He shrugged. "Prisoner for the infirmary; women's side," he spoke with finality into the communication box at the back entry.

XX

"Prisoner for the infirmary, men's side." A guard held tight to Isaac's arm, taking him to processing. "Broken nose, cracked ribs, bruises."

"Can I get my phone call?" Isaac asked the detective observing the booking process.

"When we're through questioning and processing you; I'll see what I can do. You want some free advice…it sounds like you will be charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. If you tell us everything we want to know, we'll put in a good word with the DA to go lighter on your sentence. You've been Mirandized; let's talk." He led Isaac to an interrogation room. "Did you eat?" He asked kindly.

"No," Isaac replied.

Detective Clark texted someone. "Hamburger, fries and coke okay?"

"Thank you, yes please. Can I ask a question?" Isaac asked.

"I don't know if we'll answer it." Detective Clark responded. "We just got back from Mr. Grey's penthouse after questioning his fiancé, her best friend, the chief of security and three guards. One of their guards was shot and taken to surgery."

"I didn't have anything to do with that," Isaac said. "However, what I tell you is going to require a search warrant, more detectives and a unit from the Special Crimes Unit. Elena Lincoln was caught with a teenage boy, right?"

"Maybe," Clark replied.

"She's grooming him to be her newest sex toy." Isaac explained.

"How the hell do you know that?" Clark demanded.

"Because I'm 24, and I'm too old for her. She likes her boys young and horny. She gets them when they are fifteen or sixteen and she trains them to please her. She's got training tapes and pictures at her house of dozens of boys."

"Do you have anything to do with her acquiring those boys?" Clark asked.

"No, I normally don't see them. I know she has a new boy toy when she tells me my sexual services aren't needed for a while. A few weeks, or a few months go by; then she'll tell me she's lonely and wants to play. It's how I know she's done with the current boy. Elena and I started having a sexual relationship when I was seventeen and too stupid for words. She says I'm too old for her, but the truth is – I've outgrown her bullshit and I'm ready to move on."

"Let's start at the beginning. Tell us everything about the plot to kidnap Anastasia Steele." Detective Clark said.

"Let's start at the real beginning – with Elena being obsessed with her business partner, Christian Grey. She always hoped their business partnership would morph into more. I don't know if you noticed, but I look a little like him, and so did the teenage boy you questioned today. He met Miss Steele in May, and Elena's been aggravated about it…" Isaac was in a mood to reveal all.

XX

Ana's POV

Everyone departed Escala, the police, Kate, Elliott, Welch, Barney, Roz, Franco and a legal team from Grey House. Christian sat in his study, at his desk and nursed a scotch. I wandered through the condo, having showered and dressed for bed.

"That fucking bitch!" Christian threw his glass at the wall, reveling in the shatter of the glass. It relieved a little of his anger. But then he realized I was in the room. He rose from his chair and headed toward me with a certain light in his eyes that I felt was…disturbing.

Before he crossed the room, I held up my hand in a stop motion. "I love you. However, having said that…it's been a hell of a day, I'm glad to be home with you, and I want to curl up in your arms and feel safe. You can homicidally angry at Elena, Susannah and Isaac…but sex with me is not going to be a panacea to ease your fright about my safety. I did nothing to facilitate a kidnapping. You know I did everything I was told by my security staff. I sat on the bench and waited for them to remove my kidnappers. I stayed in my office during my interviews to lessen interaction with overtly interested police officers. Unless you are seeking refuge in my love and reassurance in my arms…you're sleeping somewhere else tonight, or I am. In your parlance…I'm not taking a punishment fuck because your emotions and feelings are out of control. Call John and scream and shout or get drunk… I'm not sharing my body or your bed while you are in this state." I marched out of his study and went to my office.

XXXXX
very early Sunday, September 11
Christian's POV

I stopped and stared at her, reaching for the phone to call John. In Ana's parlance, everything went pear-shaped today. I had planned a birthday dinner for her and planned to introduce new toys to our vanilla with a twist sex life. I had a set of Y-clamps for her birthday, in gold, with her birthstone as embellishments on each of the three clamps. I planned to eat birthday cake off her luscious body, ply her with champagne, attach the Y-clamps, give her a birthday spanking that would leave her wringing wet and then fuck her into next week.

XX

"Bottom line, Christian; don't borrow trouble. Ana is safe. She followed her security protocols. She is not responsible for this. You are not responsible for this. The people responsible have been caught. I agree you now have sufficient legal cause to shut down The Women website. Franco might take on the task of relocating your submissives, but some of them, such as Dr. Charlotte and Sabine Falco, have lives and businesses in Seattle. They have not been involved with the sub club or the website. Have Carrick attend the arraignments and report back to you. If you believe it is a good idea to pay off Isaac and have him gather information for you and then leave town, follow your instincts. If Elena is charged with pedophilia, I will help you tell your mother. Thank you for the invitation, but Rhiann and I cannot attend a birthday breakfast for Ana. If she is having difficulty coping after today's events; have her contact Zann." John listened for another moment. "What do I recommend? Find Ana, carry her to bed, lie down next to her, kiss her good night and just breathe. Don't think, just breathe. You'll fall asleep fast enough."

I carry a semi-coherent Ana to bed. I lay her down and spoon with her, holding her in my arms. I breathe with my nose in her hair. She stretches and then rolls over, her face just inches from mine.

"Are you okay?" She asks tenderly.

I nod.

She takes my face in her hands and says, "I love you," and slowly kisses my mouth, and then she moves to my eyes, my forehead, my nose, my cheeks, and my chin. Her pouty little mouth gently nibbles on my earlobe and I'm lost. I'm swept away with desire for this petite, perfect woman. She nibbles across my jaw and down my throat, pushing me onto my back. She brushes soft, soft kisses down my chest…and I feel fire…but it's not from contact with my chest…it's fire for her. The sensation of her in my arms washes over me like warm sunshine.

I pull her up and kiss her more intensely than I meant to, but she's responding, holding me, her hands planted on my biceps. "I want you," I say as I nibble on her lips, gazing into her beautiful blue eyes.

"I can tell," she said dryly, rubbing her breasts against my chest.

Her attitude disappears when I begin licking, pulling, kissing and sucking her perfect nipples ardently. I keep my mouth busy along with my hands, caressing, massaging, stroking from base to nipple until her body tightens and I feel a gush of wetness on my groin from her release. "Hum, you really liked second base tonight," I tease her.

"I need you," she said.

"Do you want birthday sex, or fast and furious make up sex?" I asked.

"Just shut up and kiss me," she ordered.

A/N:

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

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.