Chapter Two: Breaking the Ice

Christian Grey had always felt like his office was a sanctuary. Though he was in charge of the entire building, in that room, he was able to get away from the meetings and the numbers and could simply stare out into the city that was peeking out from the clouds here and there. On particularly rainy days, he couldn't see anything from the window at all; on those days, he felt like he was flying.

At the moment, however, Christians normally quiet and solitude place was overtaken with wedding magazines, checklists, and a very frazzled looking bride-to-be, Katherine Kavanagh.

For the time that Christian had known Kate, she was normally put together, calm and collected in her demeanor. As a journalist, she wasn't exactly organized, but from what he learned about her, she was a planner; currently, all of her plans were in disarray, which explained her sudden fit of despair.

"Christian, listen." She began, pinching the bridge of her nose and blowing a blonde curl from her face that had escaped from its clip. "Please assure me the bachelor/bachelorette party is going to be according to plan, and that the rehearsal dinner is still-"

"Exactly what we agreed on. I'm handling my part of the party, and my crew on The Grace is already prepped with the menu and seating arrangements." He said in return, leaning back in his office chair. "Kate, you still have three weeks until-"

"When's the last time you checked on that though?"

He let out a long sigh. "Just before you came, when you informed me you were going to be dropping in. Which, might I add, as much as I love you, future sister-in-law, I could have had meetings."

"Andrea said you had no meetings." she said confidently.

"Hm." Christian's brows raised. She was in contact with Andrea?

Kate sat in one of his oversized chairs that sat across from his desk. "What about Ana?"

He paused and pursed his lips. After clearing his throat, he said, "Taylor will be picking her up from the airport, probably right about now."

"That's not what I mean, Christian. I mean that she's my maid of honor and you're Elliot's best man. I really still don't understand what happened between you guys, but as the selfish bride, if we could maybe just...squash that for the next three weeks that would be great. Then, you know, go back to hating each other or whatever." She paused, "Although actually no, if you guys could really just figure it out, that would be preferred. I'd really love it if my best friend could be a part of my life."

"It will be squashed."

Kate narrowed her eyes at him before deciding she was satisfied with his answer. "It better. Okay, I want to go over all of the plans for the rehearsal dinner-"

"Again?"

"Yes, Christian. Again. Listen... I... know I'm being annoying. But after everything that happened, with Elliot and the accident, I'm just really happy it's almost here."

Christian nodded, chagrined. "Understandable."

"Also… you still have a plus one. Are you bringing Leila?"

He spun around in his chair slowly, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. "Leila..." he said softly, drawing out the syllables in the name. "Probably not."

"Because of Ana?"

Maybe. "No. Because we're on a… break. Also... maybe because of Ana."

Kate stood and walked to the office doors. "I won't pry any further. So, as I was saying, I want to go over the plans, but I need a coffee first. I'll be back!"

As he watched her leave his office, he spun in his chair, thinking more about Kate's question, and about Leila. What had started as a fling had unfortunately turned into more, but not by his choice and now he was dealing with the consequences.

So stuck in his thoughts, he barely noticed when the door began opening but he jumped with shock when he saw a flash of brunette hair as someone fell into his office. He jumped up and began to run toward her as she leapt to her feet, mumbling something to herself.

She looked only a little different since he had seen her last. Her brown hair was longer, a bit darker and now hung in waves over her shoulders. Other than that, it was the same Anastasia he remembered, and as if they were back in high school, she wore a T-shirt, jeans, and a pair of old Converse. She was never one for fanfare, or expensive clothes, and it was something that had drawn him to her from the beginning.

"Hello Anastasia," he said and after that, he was unsure of what to say aloud. His mind and his heart, however, were racing.

How are you? Have you missed me? I've missed you. Do you hate me? I would hate me.

She took a deep breath before letting out a breathy, "Hello, Christian."

Hearing her voice sent a flood of memories through his brain, all the ones he had simultaneously tried to hold onto and to forget.

Her words were followed by silence and they both stood there, each unsure what to say to one another; him with his hands in his pockets and her with her arms crossed over her chest. After what seemed like forever they finally spoke, at the same time, their words jumbling over one another's.

"This is a big office," She had said.

"Do you want a glass of water?" He had said at the same time.

After they both awkwardly chuckled, Christian decided to break the ice. "I was asking if you'd like a glass of water."

"No thanks. I was saying this is a big office. Is it just you in here, or?"

"Yes. Um, how's Miami?" This is painfully awkward.

"Warmer than here. Getting old. How's... here? Seattle, I mean." She looked around the office. "Also, where's Kate?"

"Here is... here. Nothing has really changed." Everything had changed. "She's getting a coffee from the break room. Would you like a glass of water?"

"You already asked me that."

Shit, I did.

Christian sat in one of the chairs and motioned to the other one for her to sit. She did, but he could tell it was begrudgingly. He took a moment to think of how to broach the subject of their long-standing feud, but as he stared at her, he was unsure of what to say.

Eight or so Years Prior - Anastasia's Graduation Day

The flash of the camera blinded her momentarily in contrast with the cloudy and dreary day, but as it cleared up, Anastasia could see her loved ones around her, interacting with one another. In between pictures, her father Ray was chatting with her mother Carla, a shock to see since they hadn't been together or gotten along for years. Her stepfather Bob was speaking with her best friend Kate's father, while Kate was joking with her brother, Ethan.

While she loved those that were surrounding her, she couldn't help but feel a bubble of excitement in her stomach when she finally saw Christian Grey walking up to her. With a squeal of excitement, she leapt toward him and into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"I did it!" She said, and she could feel him laughing.

"I know, I saw. You did it." He said in response and as she let go of him, she could see him beaming with pride. "That math ended up not getting to you, huh?"

"Thank you, because if I wouldn't have passed those math classes, I probably wouldn't have been able to walk across that stage."

"Or get into the University of Miami."

"I mean, it's no Harvard, but yeah. So, thank you again."

Since originally meeting Christian in that auditorium, their relationship had solidified into a solid friendship, and she couldn't be more grateful. Of course, there was plenty of confusion from the classmates around her, since Christian Grey was known as being standoffish, rude, and cold toward anyone, but she had never felt that from him. In fact, one of her funniest memories of high school had been when she had attended his senior prom with him, as friends of course.

While they had nothing but fun, Anastasia had been grilled by his fellow seniors while he had been in the bathroom, looking for some kind of answer as to why he would spend so much time with her. Unsure of what to say, she was saved when he eventually came out of the bathroom and ended the conversation with a simple, "I like her, I don't like you guys."

"So, when I leave for Miami, you're going to come visit me, right?"

Christian shrugged, "I don't know. It sounds warm."

She shoved him, rolling her eyes. "Promise you'll visit."

"I promise."

Present Day

As Anastasia stared at Christian, she concluded that he hadn't changed much physically since they had last seen one another, but his demeaner was different. Their last interaction hadn't been a pleasant one, but he had changed. She remembered how they had joked together, how they had felt so carefree with one another; but now, they couldn't even figure out what to say to each other. She finally understood the quote, "Tension so thick, you could cut it with a knife."

Finally, she let out a long sigh and then spoke, hoping to break the ice. "Okay, so... can we just agree to move forward a little here, so we don't ruin this wedding? Like, let's just... be cordial."

"I agree. But, Ana, I'd like to -"

Her heart dropped a bit as he called her Ana. "Don't... call me that, please. Also, I don't want to talk anymore about it right now, okay? I just want to be the dutiful maid of honor and you be the best man and let's just be there for these two people that we love. After these couple of weeks, we can just back to our lives, okay?"

Clearly chagrined, he leaned back and nodded. "You're right. Okay." He paused, "Did Kate tell you about dinner tonight?"

"Dinner-"

Any further conversation between them was broken off when the door suddenly swung open and Kate came stomping in, already speaking.

"Ugh, Christian, the drama never ends! My - oh my gosh, Ana! You're here!"

All of the dread, the anxiety and awkwardness she felt suddenly dissipated as her blonde hair friend ran towards her. She stood and they wrapped their arms around one another tightly. They had always been complete opposites; Kate was vivacious and cool while Ana was reserved and kept mostly to herself. As best friends should have, they brought out the best in one another.

"I'm so happy you're here. Did you have a good flight? You're so tan!" Kate exclaimed and before Ana could respond, she continued, "We'll talk more about it later. Christian, I'm sorry, we have to go."

"What's the problem?" Both Ana and Christian said at the same time, both glancing at each other and then back to Kate.

"Well, of course my mother and father got into yet another fight, so my mom is refusing to stay with my dad, and rather than getting a hotel I know she can afford, she's insisting she comes to stay with me for a few days."

"I don't mind sleeping on the couch Kate." Ana rubbed her friend's arm to try and help offer comfort, but her heart dropped even more at the next comment her best friend made.

"Ugh, you shouldn't have to. I'm just hoping everyone in my life can stop fighting and get along just for this damn wedding at least." Kate dropped her face into her hands for a moment before pausing and looking up at them both. "I didn't mean -"

"No, you're right." Christian added. "And to show my willingness to get along... Anastasia, if you get tired of sleeping on Kate's couch, feel free to use my apartment. I have two guest rooms, and frankly I'm mostly here anyways."

And though she was sure his offer was genuine, and the bed in his guest rooms were probably more comfortable than a couch, she said, "Thank you Christian, but I'm sure it'll be fine."

The city of Seattle zoomed past Anastasia and Kate as they drove to her apartment. Since getting in the car, Kate had been more than vocal about the relationship between her parents, and the complexities of their marriage, and while Anastasia was willing to listen, the flood of emotions she had just felt lingered on her mind.

"I'm sorry, you probably don't want to hear all of this."

"No! You're my best friend. Vent! I'm sorry, it's just been a long day so far. Flying really takes it out of me." Ana said with a smile.

"I just don't know why for once, they can't put me first. Like why would my mom not realize that staying with me is going to be so inconvenient? It's a two-bedroom apartment, full of wedding shit! Ugh, anyways. That was nice... of Christian to offer his guest room, right?"

Anastasia could see Kate looking at her from the corner of her eye.

"Yep, it was nice."

"Are you okay?"

"Kate, it's a few weeks before your wedding, don't worry about me, okay?"

"You're my best friend, of course I worry about you." Kate reached over and patted her knee, "In the midst of the drama with my parents, I forgot to check, are you okay to go to dinner with Elliot and Christian tonight? We just wanted to spend some time with you both, since you're the maid of honor and best man."

"Christian mentioned a dinner before you came into his office, dinner sounds good to me. Let me guess, we're going to some fancy restaurant, because I'm sure he had to pick where to go."

"Ana..."

"I'm just... joking." She wasn't. "Dinner sounds great."

"What a long day." Christian murmured as he walked from the elevator to the condo. He loosened his tie and immediately walked into the kitchen, uncorked a bottle of bourbon, and leaned against the bar top sipping it before he had to get ready to leave for dinner.

Though normally calm and collected, seeing Anastasia after so many years had his mind racing. There was too much he wanted to say to her, but he knew he'd likely never get the chance. The moment he had sent her that final text, he knew she would have written him off.

"God you're such a dumbass." He murmured to himself, pinching his brow. His voice echoed in the empty kitchen, a reminder of how lonely he was.

He downed the bourbon and took a deep breath as his phone began ringing and a very familiar number popped up onto the screen.

Christian straightened up, staring at the three letters glowing on the phone. Ana.

"Hello?!" He almost shouted into the phone.

"Christian. It's Kate, my phone is dead, so I borrowed Ana's. Are you okay?"

Christian pinched his brow once again, before taking a deep breath. "I'm fine, is something wrong?"

"Well, I just wanted to see if you could pick Ana up for dinner. I have to leave and get Elliot, and she's still getting ready and frankly trying to avoid my mother."

He paused before answering, "Is she fine with that?"

"She is begrudgingly fine with it."

"Great."

"Thank you Christian, you're the best brother-in-law ever."

"Not your brother-in-law. Yet." He chuckled into the phone and hung it up, reeling at the disappointment he felt that it wasn't Anastasia that had called him.