A/N: As I was preparing this chapter, I noticed today, December 27th is the one year anniversary of the story's first chapter being posted. I'd like to thank everyone who has read and supported not only the story but me as well. It means a lot. There have been times when I've had moments of doubt, but then I'll get the push I need to continue. Writing is something I've always enjoyed and even more so in recent years. It along with reading is the perfect escape from the craziness of the world. As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

"You're seriously going to meet with Bob? Why would you do that?" I'm standing in the middle of the bedroom, watching Christian change shirts before he heads to Bob's hotel. When he got home, I informed him of Bob's revelation to my mom about owing money to a guy who threatened violence if not paid.

"It's not how I envisioned my first time meeting Bob would go, but I'd like to hear him out and get some sort of an idea of what's going on."

"What's going on is Bob claims to have gotten himself in a bind and needs my mom to help him out. The guy could be making up the debt excuse so he can have the money for himself. It wouldn't be the first lie he's told. He told my mom he missed and wanted her back, only to admit he really needed money." Christian starts snapping the buttons on his shirts, closing off my view of his sculpted abs. Why can't he hold off a while longer? "Damn you.", slips off my tongue. He stops and cocks his head in confusion. "That wasn't intended to be an angry "damn you." It was a "why must you button your shirt damn you."

"I may be one of the most powerful people in the world, but I still have to wear clothes.", he teases. "Ana, I'm not taking up for Bob. He could be lying and only wanting money for himself. He could however be in serious trouble. I want to find out more about that Brad guy who he got the money from. Loan sharks aren't the friendliest and most understanding people. They're not afraid to resort to hurting people or worse." My mom's life would be much better without Bob, but I don't want him hurt or killed in the process. "I don't think your mom wants any harm to come to Bob."

"Of course she doesn't, and neither do I."

"Which is why I'm going to get answers." With the last button done, he steps closer to me and kisses the tip of my nose. "I'm not sure what time I'll be home so go ahead and have dinner." I huff and tap my foot against the floor. "You're cute when you're pouting."

"I'll go ahead and have dinner, but I'm going to make sure I'm still awake when you get back. I need to know what happend before I can go to sleep."

"I'll give you a run down."

"I had just pulled into the driveway when you called." Mia plops down in the oversized arm chair across from me in the living room. I listened to Christian and ate dinner, but with him still gone, I became restless and called Mia to come over.

"Mia, you should have told me you were already home."

"I'm glad you called me. The last thing I wanted was to be home alone before nine on a Friday night. You did me a favor.", she giggles.

"Where are your parents?"

"They're at a gala which won't be over until late."

"Have you heard from your movie theater friend?", I ask as she twists the bangle bracelet on her wrist. "You have. How did it go? Are you going out with him?"

"Easy there. You're starting to sound like me. Not that I'm keeping things from Christian, but when you called you said he was gone because of a work issue. Is he going to be returning anytime soon? It's a little embarrassing having my brother overhear me talking about the hotness level of a guy." I wasn't sure what to tell Mia so I told her Christian out taking care of something for work.

"I'm not sure when he's going to be back, but we'll probably hear the elevator when he does arrive. Back to Nicholas." Hearing about Mia's dating life is a more than welcome distraction from all that's going on at the moment.

"I called him last night, and we talked for a little over an hour until I started yawning. I was afraid he thought he was boring me, but he assured me he understood the concept of being tired and that he was getting that way himself. I woke up this morning to a text from him with only a smiley face. That one smiley face made me smile and got my day off to a good start."

"Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest impact."

"I'm starting to see that. I replied to him with my own smiley face. He texted me around noon and asked if I'd like to have dinner with him next week. He would have asked me to go out tomorrow night or even Sunday, but he doesn't want to rush me into anything."

"He certainly sounds like a standup guy."

"So far he does.", she shrugs. "I could be wrong again and have another Will."

"Mia, don't. Remember what I told you about not letting Will's cheating ruin your future relationships."

"Right. Has Christian started the background check on Nicholas yet?"

"He actually hasn't said whether or not he has, but you and I both know it's only a matter of time if he hasn't already." The clock on the wall shows it's already nine, two hours since Christian left. I would've thought he'd be home by now or at least called, but there's been no word.

"I understand Christian being a workaholic at times, but I thought he was getting better with not working late especially with Oliver coming."

"He has been doing better, but the reason for him not being here now is important and needed to be dealt with.", I reply. "I still think I should call and check on him. I'll be right back." I get up and grab my phone from the coffee table on my way to the kitchen.

"Hey. I was about to call and let you know that I'm leaving the hotel. I still need to get Welch to do a search on Brad, but I'm about a ninety-nine percent convinced Bob's telling the truth. He made a mistake and went to the wrong person for help. Luckily for him, I'm the opposite and a good guy who's willing to get him out of this mess. Hold on a second baby." I hear Christian talking to Taylor briefly. "Sorry about that. Taylor thought he saw someone following us to the car."

"I guess you're going to give Bob the money."

"I feel it's the best thing for everyone. Ana, loan sharks have been known to come after not only the borrower but also people close to them. Brad could have gone after your mother or even you. I'm not willing to take that risk." The severity of the situation is finally starting to register.

"Mr. Grey.", I hear a guy's voice say on Christian's end, but it's not Taylor's. This voice sounds almost sinister. "Come with us please."

"Back off.", Taylor orders.

"Not until Mr. Grey comes with us." My body crashes into the chair behind as an unsettling feeling wirls in my stomach. "If you value your life, you'll do what I say."

"Christian, what's going on?", I stammer. "Christian, please talk to me and tell me you're ok." Tears fall while I wait for him to answer.

"I can't.", he says softly before I hear two loud bangs.

"No!", I scream. Mia runs into the room to see what's going on.

"Ana, you're pale as a ghost." I try and stand, but my body won't let me. "Don't get up. Is your call to Christian to blame for your mood change?"

"I think Christian's in trouble."

"Ana, he's going to be ok. You have to stay calm.", Grace says.

"How am I supposed to stay calm when my husband, the father of my child has been shot? Answer that for me Grace." After my call with Christian came to an unexpected end, I called Taylor who didn't answer his phone. Worried, I called the police with my concerns and asked for them to go to the hotel where Bob's staying. It seems they were already on their way there after a call came in about a shooting in the parking lot. The two victims, Christian and Taylor. Both were transported to Harborview Medical Center where Sawyer drove Mia, Gail and I. Since Carrick and Grace's gala was nearby, we arrived almost the same time as them.

"I'm not going to stand here and tell you that I'm not internally trembling on the inside because I am, but I'm doing my best to hold things together for the family."

"Emotions are running high, but we're a family who needs to pull together.", Carrick says.

"You're right, and I'm sorry for snapping at you Grace. You were only trying to help."

"Ana, there you are." I turn and see my mom, Kate, and Elliot tearing towards us. "How are they?"

"I don't know. We haven't been told anything."

"I'll find out what the hell is going on.", Elliot snarls.

"This is my fault.", my mom whispers to me. "I'm the one who brought you and Christian into the Bob debacle. I should've handled it on my own."

"This isn't your fault. Bob, however, does have a hand in the blame." What exactly happened in the parking lot is a mystery, but my gut tells me it had to do with Bob. A tall, gray haired doctor, appearing to be in his late fifties.

"Mrs. Grey?", he asks.

"Yes."

"I'm Dr. Millborn, the doctor treating your husband and also Jason Taylor. A bullet grazed your husband's righ shoulder. He was lucky. The aspect of his condition that mostly concerned me was a head injury. It seems he fell and hit his head on the aspalt of the parking lot." Grace and my mom are on each side of me with their arms supporting me. "Fortunately, I haven't found any sign of serious brain damage. He's groggy and irritable."

"Being irritable isn't new for him.", Kate laughs nervously.

"He's going to make a full recovery.", the doctor adds. "You can go and see him now."

"What about Jason?", Gail asks. "How is he?"

"His injury was more serious. He suffered a gunshot to the chest which barely missed the heart. He's in surgery now." Sawyer puts his arm around Gail. "I'll keep you posted."

"I'm going to see Christian.", I tell everyone.

"Hi.", Christian says once he sees me standing next to his bed. "I'm sorry I was gone later than expected." He looks frail in his hospital bed. I gently place my hand on the side of his face amid tears.

"I was so scared when I heard you over the phone. I had no idea what was going on. All I knew was you were in trouble."

"Taylor was right about us being followed. A guy stepped out in front of us and then another behind us. The one in the front wanted me to go with them, but I refused. He pulled a gun and pulled the trigger. It all happened so fast. The bullet grazed my shoulder before I felt Taylor pulling me out of the way and taking the bullet himself. Ana, he saved my life. How is he?"

"In surgery.", I sniffle. "What happened next?"

"The guy who shot Taylor was about to fire again when I heard someone shouting for him to stop. He and his partner got scared and took off."

"Mr. Grey, I'm sorry for interrupting." Christian and I look at the door and see a guy standing with a notepad in his hand. "I'm Detective James Davis. I'd like to discuss what happened."

"Can't you see my husband is recovering from a potentially life threatening incident?", I scoff. "You can talk with him later." Christian settles his hand on mine.

"Now is as good of a time as any."

"We've talked with a Bob Adams who said he's your step father-in-law." I can't help but roll my eyes. "He said you had met with him concerning a money issue."

"A money issue that landed Christian in the hospital.", I spit out.

"Ana, please calm down baby.", Christian begs me. "Detective Davis, I met with Bob to help him with a situation he got himself into. It involved a guy by the name of Brad Anderson. Brad threatened to hurt Bob if he didn't pay him fifty thousand dollars. I told Bob I'd give him the money and hoped things could go back to normal."

"After you left his room, Mr. Adams got a call from Anderson who raised the stakes. He believed he could get more money if he took you hostage until you met his demands."

"So he was the one behind Christian and Taylor getting shot.", I reply. "Any idea where he is now?"

"Not yet, but I've got a team working to find him. Mr. Adams is being held in our custody for his safety. I'll let you get some rest, but I'll be back to speak with you later." As swiftly as he came into the room, the detective leaves the room.

"What if Brad Anderson decides to finish the job?"

"I'm going to make sure he doesn't.", Christian says. "You and Oliver are going to be safe."

"Oliver and I need you safe as well."