Lisa Maxwell's POV – 19 July 2011
I had waited a long time to see Christian again and once I found him, I kept tabs on his career through the news but I never knew how I could approach him. It was purely by chance I was in the area when the call came in about an issue at SIP and to see him again as he was cradling his beautiful broken girlfriend after Hyde had attacked her, I saw what I was hoping I'd see, a man with a loving soul shining through as he tried to comfort his girl. I have no doubt that the mess that Hyde was in was due to punishment meted out on him by Christian and I was glad to finally see a little retribution.
I wanted to talk to him after that incident but didn't want to drag on the meeting as I knew he wanted to get back to his girl and after what she'd been through and how distraught he looked, there was no way I was going to be the one stopping him. All through that meeting he kept looking at me like he remembered me but couldn't place me which warmed me and I thought, once everything settled down I might ask for another meeting but then the glider incident happened.
I was off duty and heard about it on the news and was devastated that he was presumed dead and I may have missed my chance to tell him so went racing into work to see if I could help find him. By the time I was allocated, his security team had found him so I made sure I was part of the investigative committee, I did not believe for a moment that it was just a rookie pilot accident despite that being the official line. I have been keeping tabs on Jack Hyde for a long time, a very long time, waiting, just waiting for the final pieces of the puzzle to fall into place and then to strike so that he was locked away forever. I shake my head because even with my vigilance, he slipped through and managed to cause the death of an innocent trainee pilot and nearly that of Christian and his girl.
I can't believe the luck of his girl when I was called to that incident by Welch, she is amazing and I'd happily have her on my team but more importantly I saw that her love for Christian is the same as his for her and I am happy, ecstatic even. Despite everything that happened, I walked away from that incident pleased that finally Christian had found his place, that he was loved and obviously able to love and that he will never be abandoned again and I walked with an extra spring in my step, determined that those that seemed intent on damaging this wonderful union would not succeed.
At my meeting today with Christian and his team I will be able to tell them our findings from that investigation but more importantly that with what happened at the bank, what we have found from the glider incident and including his initial attack on Miss Steele, Jack Hyde will never be a risk to anyone again. As to the other clowns in the bank attack, I am hoping that Christian's crack team can provide some insight so that we can lock them all away forever as well and then if the time is right, I can see if Christian remembers me.
Gently packing the one thing that I hope will jog his memory into my briefcase; I can feel the tears well as I run my hands along it, knowing it will finally be with its rightful owner.
.
.
Ana's POV – 19 July 2011
My poor gorgeous man, he's had so many years where he believed he was to blame for all the wrongs in his life, was told he was a monster, that he was an aberration, that he didn't need love and worse that he didn't deserve love so simply hates himself and blames himself for everything that is wrong. I have been with him just over two months and I can see that it is patently untrue, the good he does in the world, the wonderful, caring and loving man that he is and can be, that we who love him can see but I know it is going to be a long time before I can change his internal view of himself.
I don't think I will ever be able to find the people that did the initial damage to Christian, much like those that did it to me but Elena is another story, I just wish I could get my hands on Elena to punish her for all the damage she did to Christian. I wish it had been her instead of her sister that I threw because she wouldn't have landed so comfortably and there would have been some broken bones preferably important ones but no, she sent someone else to do her dirty work, again.
As Taylor pulls into the Escala garage, I tap Christian's arm, "Christian," and I wait for him to look at me, his eyes troubled, his face set in a worried expression which he tries to school back to his impassive look, "I love you, I'm not going anywhere and we will face any news together. Ok?" I look at him willing him to understand, dipping my head and cocking it to the side, "You don't have to wear any of this shit like a hair shirt anymore, I want to know exactly what you found out today, I don't want to be "spared" the details," using the air quotes he hates. "Ok?"
"I want to be right there beside you to help put this nasty stuff behind us so that we can start with a clean and happy slate. Will you promise to let me be there for you so you don't carry any more of this alone? Actually, help it go away so you aren't carrying it anymore, it's not your rubbish." He looks like he is about to disagree so I add, "It will help me clear up my own mind so that hopefully the nightmares go away. I want them gone by the time we are married. I want to enjoy our honeymoon … completely," I finish emphatically.
His eyes clear as I say that and even as he taps his lip with his finger, a wicked gleam appears in those impossibly grey eyes and he nods, "Baby, I would love to keep these horrid people and their actions out of your brain but somehow, I think they are already there in the shadows." He stops and looks deeply into my eyes, "And maybe if we shine the light on them, they will recede or disappear completely, it's the only reason I can even think about telling you what we've found." He still looks unhappy about it but then that gorgeous lopsided, only for me, grin appears, "Oh, and I intend for you to enjoy our honeymoon…..completely."
With Taylor having parked the car and with Sawyer leapt out to security sweep the carpark, his arm pulls me in close and he crushes his lips onto mine, taking and giving succour, a moment of our own, a moment of peace before goodness knows what.
With my hand held tightly by Christian, my tight skirt is making it difficult to walk so I am struggling to keep up with him as we leave the elevator and he starts striding towards his office, as he notices my predicament, he simply slows down and in one fluid motion, before I figure his intention, I am clasped tight in his arms, my feet wriggling in the air. He nuzzles his face in between my breasts for a second and then places a quick kiss on my lips before I can even start to pout, "It'll be quicker and just for a second and I love you, so there," all stated in one breath and I just shake my head and lean against him. Why not? I snuggle and am rewarded with a small chuckle.
Less than a minute later, he is sliding me down his body gently, smoothing everything down and after standing for a moment, his forehead resting on mine, he kisses my nose and taking my hand, we walk into his office, his CEO demeanour restored except for the tight grip on my hand, only I can tell that he is extremely nervous about what is about to be revealed.
Watching Officer Maxwell, I see the look she gives Christian, unlike many women who look like they want to jump him without caring that I am right next to him, it is a look of love but of the kind seen in Grace, Gail or Mia's eyes, it is familial and I relax, wherever she fits in the picture, she is a friend and not a foe and I know I am ok with her. I let out the breath I didn't even know I am holding and it is a genuine smile that I give her and feel returned, her eyes shine as she looks between Christian and I and I strangely feel peace when she looks directly at me and thanks us for allowing a meeting at this time.
I sit on Christian's left so that I can keep holding his hand under the table or at least rest my hand on his thigh so that he can feel me and he launches into the meeting, "Officer Maxwell, the floor is yours, I have my senior security team here and Alex Lia who is part of my legal team, the only person available on short notice and you remember Miss Steele, Ana."
"Mr Grey, thank you for meeting me on short notice, I would like to state that the reason for the meeting is that we are finalising charges against all the miscreants at the moment and would appreciate any assistance from your security team that is available, will you assist?"
Christian nods and she continues, "From my review of all the material we hold, I would like to say Jack Hyde will be locked away for life, the list of charges from the incident at the bank alone include DUI as he was drunk at the time, assault on Mrs Jones and Dr. Trevelyan,, kidnap and the obvious escape from custody under false pretences should have him put away for a number of years but adding in the earlier assault on Miss Steele and ..."
And Christian lifts his hand, "Assaults on Miss Steele," he clarifies, "He had assaulted her on the Friday before the office attack and Officer, we have a substantial amount of evidence linking Hyde to a number of assaults on personal assistants and other staff at SIP, including Elizabeth Morgan and Kay Bestie."
"Will you be prepared to hand over any evidence?" The officer sounds very eager for the information.
"Absolutely, we have already handed over the material in relation to Kay & Nicole Bestie being willing to kill Hyde and Elizabeth Morgan. We have the material from my house in Aspen identifying Elizabeth Morgan and Hyde who had set up video cameras throughout the house. We believe that was to do an expose on my lifestyle," and Christian suddenly stops and I know he doesn't want to mention the BDSM.
"Do you think there would have been some sort of blackmail claim?" Curiosity oozes from the officer's face.
In a resigned tone, Christian says, "I think yes, there was going to be a blackmail attempt, my desire for privacy means that everyone knows that I don't like my private life available to all and sundry, more for the security of anyone close to me but also because I don't think it's anyone's damn business what I do and that plays into the hands of anyone that takes an interest. In this case though I believe it was to keep my past out of the news to effect some sort of pressure on me to reduce the charges against Elena Lincoln, I have no doubt that Elena was behind that action, she may have promised to help Hyde but it would have been as a means for her to leave custody and her delusional idea that she was still an important part of my life and I have no doubt, she would attempt to remove Ana from my life… permanently. I was instrumental in having her arrested and she played a very big part of my life for a very long time, I have no doubt she is still delusional so I want to ensure that she is never released if possible, I have a member of my legal team here for this very reason."
I can see the thoughts ticking over in the officer's mind and it looks like she is hesitating to ask a question and Christian knows what it is as he drops his shoulders and looking down, putting his head in his hands says, "I have made some lifestyle choices in the past which while all consensual, all stemmed from introductions by Elena and it would not look good for someone in my position if this was broadcast to the world. I believe all of the miscreants in custody know about it so I am surprised that it hasn't made it out in the news yet, we keep a very close eye on this sort of news and generally are able to squash any indication of a news break, I don't believe that Elena would say anything as she started it all when I was fifteen."
Lisa Maxwell lets out a strangled gasp and her hand flies to her mouth and I am amazed at the hurt in her eyes as he says how old he was and her tone is hard and upset as she interrupts, "I will explain later why I have been tracking Jack Hyde for years but needless to say, I have been trying to gather evidence to put him away and preferably for good" and she looks so angry, "For the last few years he has had an unhealthy obsession with the more violent aspects of BDSM and I am aware of the relationship between himself and Elena Lincoln, along with that is the relationship between Elizabeth Morgan and Elena Lincoln," Christian cuts her off, his head still in his hands.
"What? Was there a relationship between Elena and Elizabeth too? My god, wherever there is something bad, there she stands!" Pure exasperation and anger drips from his voice, "She appears to have been the lynch pin for all BDSM activities in Seattle and surrounds, I know now that I wasn't the first she introduced to it and despite the early start and what I did while learning, when it appears I met Elizabeth, although I don't remember her, once I knew the right way to act, I did. Never, not once was anything I did not consensual, never, not once did I defile a sub or not follow contracts and I see what Hyde did and I am sickened. I see what Elena has been doing now and it makes me sick to my core."
He finally lifts his head to see Lisa Maxwell, person, not officer looking at him, such sadness in her eyes and it stops him, "Why do I know you? I know I do but …"
"May I call you Christian?" Lisa asks tentatively to which Christian nods.
"Christian, I lived with you when you were temporarily fostered with the Collins, I loved you like my little brother, in fact, you were just like my little brother." Her voice almost breaks as she says, "I wasn't able to save my little brother from my mother's pimp, nor was I able to save myself from Jack Hyde who had repeatedly attacked me before you arrived and while I was able to save you from the worst of Jack's attacks, once I realised what he was doing, I couldn't save you from all of them. He would wait until I was at school or in another room and he would pick on you. The attacks got worse after the Greys came to visit and it was obvious that you were being adopted and he once again was being left there. I don't know how many times I had to pull him off you during the night, he kept stealing your blanket and the one and only book you kept clutched to your chest and he made a point of always trying to touch you. We all knew that you couldn't be touched and as soon as the Collins were occupied, he would be trying to touch you and you would shrink further and further into yourself, at one point I thought you would disappear."
As she's speaking, Christian is holding my hand so tight I think he is about to break it but I can feel the shaking and I can feel his body shaking next to me so I rub my hand against his leg and he seems to realise and releases it a bit, his eyes though are trained on Lisa's face as he tries desperately to keep his emotions in check, Lisa on the other hand is dissolving into tears as she speaks.
"On the day the Grey's came to get you, they couldn't find you anywhere and Jack told the Greys that they would need to take him instead of you as you had run away and I don't know what Mrs Collins were saying to stall the Greys because Mr Collins was running around frantic asking us all to look for you. I was so scared that he had killed you but I found you tied up in the cupboard in Jack's room, because you couldn't talk you didn't respond when everyone was calling. Anyway, having found you I brought you to the bathroom and gave you some clean clothes but then you were upset about something else and I realised that you didn't have your blanky. You refused to move until you had it and I didn't dare tell anyone that I'd found you in case they took you away without it so turned Jack's room upside down and I found it stuffed under Jack's pillow. The sheer gratitude in your eyes has stayed with me but I couldn't find your favorite book and it took me a couple of months to find it and I didn't think to ask the Collins how to get it to you so I kept it hidden away determined to give it to you one day, I had the dream that I would be adopted soon and find you and give it to you."
Christian is up and out of his chair heading towards her as she is sobbing now but she holds her hand as if to say, "let me continue" and she does as he stops in front of her, "I wasn't adopted, I was forced to stay there with Jack and he started raping me soon after, he was angry that I'd found you and blamed me for the Greys not taking him, for taking you and I was too scared to tell the Collins because I thought they might make me go away and that was the most stable place I'd ever lived."
Christian doesn't wait for her to say anymore, he pulls her up into his arms allowing her to sob into his chest, so many years of anguish finally being unloaded and the shock in the room is palpable. Welch, Taylor and Alex Lia look as shocked as I feel, it is Taylor who recovers to make the first move, he and the others leave the room while Christian leans against his desk with Lisa in his arms, his head resting on hers, the tears coursing down his cheeks too. I go to leave but he grabs my arm pulling me up and I know he needs me there.
"I'm sorry, I thought I'd dealt with all this," Lisa finally sniffles and I pass her the tissues, as Christian snorts and finally unclenches his jaw and dashes his hand across his eyes.
With an unsteady voice he says, "I remember you Lisa, oh my god now I remember, I had completely blocked that time. It was only recently that it was brought to my attention that I had spent that two months with the Collins, I was shown a picture with the Collins, Jack and I and I just couldn't place them until Mom explained that I'd had that period in foster. As you started speaking though, I started to remember, remember how you used to sit on my bed until Jack went to sleep so that I'd be safe and you would read the book, "Are you my mother?", oh that explains it." He turns to me shaking his head, "That's why he was calling me "Baby Bird" that's the character in the book." He hugs Lisa back in tight and I can feel his pain pulsating as he remembers that time but at the same time marvel that he is hugging her, that he is able to now, saying "Thank you" with his actions.
"I'm sorry," and he falters, shaking his head, "I'm sorry that you were subjected to him and hurt even more because of me."
"It wasn't your fault and don't you dare think it was," Lisa responds pulling herself away and putting her hands on his shoulders, "He was evil and is even more evil now and I will make sure that he is put away for ever, I'm just sorry that he's had the opportunity to hurt more people before I was able to do that. I couldn't save my brother and I couldn't save you or myself or these other girls or Miss Steele or the pilot that was killed but no more. I could never find evidence to stick to him, but this last month he has finally overstepped and he will die in jail."
Gail knocks bringing in a tray with tea, coffee and liquor and places it on the table without looking at anyone and departs and Christian motions to it before saying quietly what his body had said earlier, "Thank you."
Taking a shaking breath he says, "Thank you for then and for not forgetting and we will provide every shred of evidence we have, you can work out how to make it legal so that all of them, including Ana's mother are put away forever, never to see the light of day." The steel and determination in his voice is reflected in her stance as she nods her head and I know we have added a powerful member to our team as Christian pulls me against his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
The three of us with mothers who allowed pimps to ruin the starts to our lives and now standing together against those that are threatening our futures.
"Before I forget, I have something for you," Lisa says, opening her briefcase and turning and handing Christian a tissue wrapped parcel.
As he unwraps it, his eyes soften and it looks like he'll break again, there in his hands is that precious book she has kept safe for 23 years, "Are you my mother?"