A/N:

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What Love Gave Us

by

Ava LeBeau

Three

"No," his voice jolted her upright.

Grumbling, she stirred and looked around, confused for a moment before she realized that they were still in the garage in the middle of the night.

Anastasia moved to stretch out her legs. She had tucked them up when she'd cuddled up under the blanket that she'd found in one of the boxes.

"No…," he muttered again, sounding tormented even in his sleep.

The light was low now and she reached out to stroke Christian's bare forearm when she noticed him tossing and turning on the swing that was creaking eerily.

"Shh," she whispered, moving closer to try and calm him.

Unsure whether to wake him or not, she caressed his flushed cheek with a careful hand, mumbling, "It's okay, Christian."

But he wouldn't stop talking in his sleep, sounding alarmed, upset, and his devastation was very palpable and hard to be witness to. Anastasia lowered herself to her knees beside him, gently taking his hand in hers.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," she whispered softly as he slowly came to, inhaling a deep breath, fixedly staring at her, his pupils wide.

"Are you okay?" Ana said and worry was resonating in her voice while ocean eyes scanned his features.

Christian lifted his head a little, nodded slowly and shifted in what could only be interpreted as a quiet plea for her to lie with him, a sheen of sweat covered his furrowed brow.

Only for a moment, she told herself, until he drifts off again. It was not like he was taking advantage of the situation, or so it would seem. In fact, to Ana, he looked visibly shaken and his eyes were full of hurt.

She grabbed the blanket and slipped onto the swing beside him, snuggling up to him ever so slightly in an attempt to comfort him, he released a heavy sigh, his body feeling tense against hers.

"I'm sorry," Christian whispered when he'd found his voice again, it was raspy and somewhat shaky, his pupils were still wide, tingeing his eyes darker than usual.

"Don't be. Sleep now," Anastasia said soothingly, tucking the blanket up around them.

"I'm really sorry," he said again drowsily, a deep crease had appeared between his eyebrows, and he was glancing down at her when she lifted her head to look up at him.

"It can happen to anybody, Christian," Ana said, unsure why he was still dwelling on the situation. She had had nightmares before, really nothing to write home about.

He nodded quietly, shifting again.

Meanwhile her gaze wandered to his bare chest.

She'd noticed it earlier but even in the twilight she could still make out the small round marks on his clammy skin.

Without giving it much thought and with her fingertips hovering only inches over his flushed skin, Anastasia blurted out, "Are those burns?" and their gazes met again.

Christian's mouth twitched and she wondered if he'd just flinched a little, worried that she'd touch his chest, the scars.

He cleared his throat, "Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. Not anymore…," his voice broke, "... but I had a rough start in life."

"What?" Anastasia's lower lip trembled as recognition dawned on her face.

"I'm one of the lucky ones," he gave a half-smile but it seemed like his eyes glistened.

Anastasia's eyes widened and she opened her mouth only to close it again, lost for words. Who'd hurt someone like this?

Christian reached up to stroke a strand of hair behind her ear before the pad of his thumb brushed gently over the corner of her mouth, his face was only inches from hers.

"I wish I could kiss you," he whispered, "I'm sure your lips taste sweet… like strawberries."

He sure had a talent to gloss over unpleasant moments. Ana had to give him that.

With a long thorough glance at his chiseled torso, Anastasia said in a quiet voice, "I doubt you're a sucker for sweets."

"Touché," he laughed, draping his arm around her to pull her closer, his eyes still glossy.

"Sleep now," Anastasia's voice was barely a whisper and she reached up to caress his cheek again before she rested her head against his shoulder.

Stirring, blinking all bleary eyed, she glanced down at one hundred and eighty something pounds of chiseled perfection by the name of Christian Grey that were sprawled over her to some extent.

His head was resting against her chest, his muscled arm greedily snaked around her waist and she could feel a telling bulge against her hip that had absolutely nothing to do with the bunched up dress around her waist or tangled board shorts. Anastasia found herself trapped in place under the buff mass of Christian's tall frame.

The sound of him snoring softly made her grin and her plump lips brushed against his lush hair while he slept deeply. Anastasia noticed that he was holding her hand, their fingers interlaced as if they were so much more than simple companions in fate, both of them locked out from Kate's party of the year, passed out on the Kavanaghs' porch swing.

The party, she thought and stirred again, trying to sit up now.

Surely, they were already looking for her? Or him… or probably both of them?

Christian let out a small grumble when she moved, making her gasp when his big hand came to rest on her right boob possessively. Grabbing his wrist she placed his hand back on her hip. Better.

"Mmmh," he rumbled.

"Morning, you," Anastasia said when he blinked up at her, grinning wryly as he raked his fingers through his hair only for it to fall back into place to perfection.

"Good morning," he glanced down and then back up at her to meet her eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching, "We didn't do anything stupid, did we?"

"God, I hate you, Christian," Anastasia rolled her eyes, provoking a husky chuckle.

"Shame," he teased while Anastasia pushed against his shoulder when he tried to snuggle closer, that bulge still blatantly pressing into her left hip. Her move was strangely conflicting with a sudden strong desire to have him near her just the way he was. How odd.

"Kiss me?" he said, tilting his head a little, groaning all of a sudden, then a grumble, "Fuck."

"What?"

"I have a splitting headache," Christian squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment before he nuzzled back into the crook of her neck as if that were to help with the hangover.

He wasn't expecting sympathy from her, was he?

"Sorry to hear it," Ana tried to sound convincing but failed miserably, shifting again. She wouldn't reward him for making bad decisions.

"We need to get out of here, Christian. If you let me—" his hair was tickling her jaw.

"It's only five in the morning, Anastasia…"

"Exactly, time to get up, I'm pretty sure wealthy businessmen are up by five. Busy morning routine, scheming world domination, early morning runs and such…no?"

His only answer was a deep drawn groan while his strong arm pulled her closer, apparently he was perfectly content with her being his pillow or whatever.

"Not today," he finally mumbled against the soft skin of her neck, his warm, moist words making her skin tingle.

"Christian…"

"What?" he didn't bother to look up.

A buzzing sound cut her off, delaying her answer. Instead her mouth fell open, "You had a phone on you the whole night?"

All of a sudden Ana was wide awake, gasping when he thrusted his hips forward to free the phone in his back pocket, grinding his undoubtedly impressive junk further into her hip in the process.

"Christian…," she warned.

"What?" he'd answered the phone and the caller's voice was so loud that Ana could tell it was Kate, his answer leaving Anastasia confused if he was talking to her.

Shifting back into his place Christian handed Anastasia the phone, mumbling, "For you," before he rested his head back against her shoulder, long dark lashes fluttering as his eyes drifted shut.

"Ana, where have you been? I was worried," Kate said.

"Of course you were. I was missing almost the entire night," Anastasia chuckled.

"Yeah, I know. What is he doing there?"

"He who?"

"Christian. Have you guys, I mean…?"

"No. Of course not."

"Of course."

A moment of awkward silence ensued. How dare she even think that…?

"That's weird," Kate said after a while.

Anastasia rolled her eyes when she felt Christian snuggling into her side again, seemingly relishing the whole situation.

Talk about cringey.

"Where are you guys? His car's still out front."

"The garage."

"The garage?"

"Your garage, Kate."

"Oh…," she chuckled, "The door's a pain."

"I know."

"You do?"

"Ask me how I know."

Kate laughed and all of a sudden Ana heard her voice in stereo.

"Christ, Ana…," Kate gasped and her mouth fell open when she saw her boyfriend's younger brother, butt naked save for a pair of low hanging board shorts, white board shorts for that matter, languorously sprawled out over her best friend, "Oh. My. God."

Kate's eyes were wide and she bit her lip, clearly biting back a big grin.

"Are you sure you two haven't? I mean I know how E is…"

"Perfectly sure," Anastasia cut in before Kate could continue, "He had a nightmare and I—"

"A nightmare, right," Kate giggled and arched her eyebrow while Anastasia stirred again to wiggle out from under Christian's confining grip for good, eliciting another groan from him.

The man sure was possessive.

"Where are you goin'?" he reached his hand up for her to take, most certainly unaware of Kate's presence.

"I'll be right back, Christian," Ana said softly, giving his searching hand a gentle squeeze, her thumb stroking across the back of his hand.

"Promise me," he mumbled into one of the pillows, not bothering to look up.

"I promise," she chuckled while she used her free hand to smooth down the dress, in vain but she still tried.

Then she ended the call, looking down at the phone in her hand.

His phone.

The back of it felt like soft leather and to be honest it looked rather expensive. Anastasia wondered about the confidences that it probably held, but quickly reminded herself that he had trusted her with it implicitly. And that she was not one to ever betray such trust.

Carefully she placed the phone down on the seat of the chair, that she had slept in last night, before he'd beckoned her onto the swing, before he'd enticed her into his strong arms, before he'd enveloped her in the most possessive embrace, sleeping like a baby on her shoulder, every now and then mumbling soft words she didn't understand.

Ana glanced back at Christian and smiled, he was snoring softly again.

It's only five, she heard his husky voice in her head again.

"We should probably just let him sleep it off," she said and followed Kate out of the garage.

"You're back," he said, his voice still throaty.

Lickling his lips Christian looked up at her only to let his head fall back into the pillows again.

"I am indeed," she smiled and placed down a tray with a glass and a small plate on the chair's seat, carefully pushing his phone to one side.

"I have the worst fucking headache," his voice was muffled against the pillows, "Kiss it better?"

Christian lifted his head again, red rimmed eyes were searching her gaze.

Anastasia grinned and kissed her fingertips before she leaned closer to touch the pads of her fingers to his lips.

"There you go," she said, pulling away when he softly kissed her fingertips in return, mumbling, "Thank you," making Anastasia smile again.

"Breakfast's ready when you are, Christian. Out on the patio," she made sure to sound cheery.

"Thank you," he grumbled, stirring again.

"See you outside," Anastasia said and left.

Kneading his temples, cursing under his breath, Christian sat up, the swing making another screeching sound.

A smile ghosted across his face and softened his features when he noticed the tray.

Eat me, one of the small handwritten notes said, perched up by a small plate that held what looked like a Tylenol.

Drink me, the other note read, leaning against a big glass of orange juice, that stood next to a bottle of water.

Rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, Christian looked down at the note in his hand, the pad of his thumb brushing across the flourish that he suspected to be her handwriting.

Another small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he reached for the pill and the bottle of water. He liked how caring she was and tried to recall what had happened last night as the cold water trickled down his throat, invigorating him.

"Ana," Elliot said and beamed at her when she returned to the patio, "There's your savior, broski."

Christian cleared his throat and shifted in his seat, turning to look at her.

"Feelin' better?" she said and smiled at him.

Christian nodded quietly.

"Come, sit with us," Elliot spread his arms, gesturing for her to join them at the table.

"Thanks, Elliot, I just wanted to say goodbye," Anastasia said, a hint of pink tingeing her cheeks when she caught Christian's silvery gaze again.

"What? Why?"

"Work stuff," she lied.

"On a Sunday?" Elliot arched his eyebrow, glancing at Kate who was standing right behind her best friend and was gesturing for him to stop grilling her.

"You're going to make it far," he said lamely, giving her a little wink.

"I know," she said, looking down at her feet, praying for Elliot to just stop and let her go.

But Christian beat his brother to another remark.

"How are you getting home, Ana?"

"Taxi?" she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

"I can drive you if you like," he said.

"Sure," she shrugged, chewing on a cuticle for a moment, quickly letting her hand fall to her side again when she noticed his observing look.

Elliot glanced at his brother and grinned before he searched Kate's attention and winked at her, unnoticed by the others.

Christian drained his cup of coffee and got up from the table.

"Don't forget dinner tonight, broski. Mum texted me earlier, telling me to make damn sure you're there," Elliot laughed.

"Christ," Christian groaned.

"Don't you dare disappoint her, man," Elliot pointed his index finger at his brother.

"How could I?" Christian put on his Aviators before he reached for his phone and wallet while his brother got up as well.

"Thanks for having me," Anastasia said and hugged Kate when they'd reached the front door.

"I want you to be careful, Ana," Kate said, her voice stern.

"Of what?" Ana's gaze darted over her shoulder, the men were still nowhere to be seen.

"Guys like him," Kate said and nodded.

"Okay…," Anastasia gave a half-shrug, her lips curving up into a strained smile when the Grey brothers joined them.

"Talk later?" Kate said.

"Sure," Ana nodded and hugged her friend again.

"Elliot," another swift hug before Anastasia turned to leave, watching Christian as he bade his goodbyes. Save for that rugged stubble, he was back to his normal self, dressed immaculately, not the slightest hint of hungover.

Slipping out of Kate's embrace, Christian shot a quick glance at Anastasia, who was already standing outside, absent-mindedly picking a lint from her sleeve and not noticing his look.

"Well then," he said, twirling the car key between his fingers, "I'll see you guys later."

"Bye, Christian," Elliot said and kissed Kate, who playfully slapped his arm in an attempt to shrug him off.

"Ready?" Christian laughed and glanced at Ana who nodded and turned to follow Christian to his car.

Anastasia looked surreptitiously at him as he steered the impressive Audi onto the freeway back to the city, his slender left casually grasping the topside of the steering wheel while his right elbow rested on the center console, only inches away from her arm.

She let her fingertips dance over the leather-upholstered armrest, admiring the stitching, wondering if all this was custom-made.

Christian, who must have noticed her glances, said, "Thank you for the little pick-me-up earlier."

"Don't mention it," she smiled to herself, not looking at him, staring out the window instead as the scenery was flashing by.

It wasn't long before they'd reached the city, the roaring sound of Christian's sports car attracting the pedestrians' attention. Unlike Anastasia, he didn't really seem to care but was instead expertly navigating the R8 through the narrow cobbled streets downtown, difficult terrain for a car like this.

"Let me take you out tonight," Christian said all of a sudden, drumming his fingers on the leather-covered steering wheel, waiting for the traffic lights to turn green.

"Your mother would be beyond disappointed if you didn't show up tonight, Christian," Anastasia looked at him, "And E would make sure you'd never be able to live it down."

He grinned, tapping his brow as if he had forgotten about tonight's engagement, but he recovered quickly, "You could accompany me, you know."

"I don't know," Ana chewed her bottom lip, staring straight ahead again, "I don't think that would be—"

"Let me guess… appropriate?"

She let out a small chuckle.

"I'm sure you'd like my mother and my sister. She's only back home from Paris, you know."

"Your mom?"

"Mia. My sister."

"I see. But still…"

"Alright, what about tomorrow?"

"Working late. Deadlines, you know."

"I could pick you up after work."

"That won't be necessary, but thank you anyways, Christian."

"Quick coffee around lunch?"

"I don't drink coffee. Sorry."

"Suit yourself," he sounded miffed.

"No need to get all salty with me," Anastasia laughed and gently nudged his elbow with hers.

He grinned as he pulled up to the curb when they'd reached her house.

Patting the front of his jacket, he smiled down at her, saying, "Give me a call if you like."

Christian handed her a business card, leaning closer to peck her cheek.

"Thank you," Anastasia said, looking down at his card in her hand, her fingertips touching her cheek where he'd just kissed her.

"Anytime," he said, reaching over to open the door for her, making her chuckle.

"What're you doing?"

"Just tryin' to be nice?"

She laughed, "Bye, Christian, and thank you again."

"Bye," he said, smiling, glancing up at her as she slammed the passenger door shut, waving him off.

A/N: Thank you for reading the new chapter. Happy Holidays!