1 Doctor and a Billionaire Grey's Anatomy & 50 Shades of Grey

Chapter 2

My heart is pounding. The elevator arrives on the first floor, and I scramble out as soon as the doors slide open, walking light but quickly on my feet I ace for the wide glass doors, and suddenly I'm free in the bracing, cleansing, damp air of Seattle. Raising my race, I welcome the cool, refreshing rain. I close my eyes and take a deep, purifying breath, trying to recover.

I couldn't understand it. No man has ever affected me the way Christian Grey has, and I cannot fathom why? Is it his looks? His civility? Wealth? Power? I don't understand my irrational reaction. And I don't want to understand it. I want to put as much distance between me and Christian Grey as I can. I shake my head. My heart steadies to its regular rhythm, and where I can breathe normally again I head for the car.

AS I LEAVE THE city limits behind, I begin to feel foolish as I replay the interview in my mind. I'm just over-reacting to something that's not even there. Yes, he's very attractive, confident, commanding, at ease with himself - on the flip side he's arrogant, and for all his impeccable manners, he's autocratic and cold.

Why am I even thinking about him? I don't need a man in my life. I need to focus on my future and my job.

While cruising toward Interstate 5, my mind continues to wander. I'm truly perplexed as to what makes him so driven to succeed. He was adopted yes, but at least it was into a good home,

I know I want to succeed to prove everyone who said I was nothing wrong, and to make Elizabeth and David proud. I want to succeed so I can continue to help people in different ways.

But some of Grey's answers were so cryptic - as if he had a hidden agenda. And Kate's questions - ugh! I hit the steering wheel. The adoption and asking him if he was gay! I shudder. I can't believe I said that. I can't believe Kate didn't take that question out!

I check the speedometer. I'm driving more cautiously than I would on any other occasion. And I know it's the memory of those penetrating gray eyes gazing at me and a stern voice telling me to drive carefully. Shaking my head, I realize that Grey's more like a man twice his age.

Forgot it, Hestia, I scold myself. It's been a very interesting experience, but I shouldn't dwell on it. Put it behind you. I never have to see him again. I'm immediately relieved by that thought. I switch on the stereo and turn the volume up loud, sit back and listen to thumping indie rock music as I press down on the accelerator. As I hit Interstate 5, I realize I can drive as fast as I want.

WE LIVE IN A small community of duplex apartments close to the Vancouver campus of WSU. I'm lucky - Kate's parents bought the place for her, and I pay peanuts for rent. Even though Elizabeth and David both told me they wouldn't mind paying for my rent, they were already paying for medical and regular school. I could at least pay my own rent, even if it wasn't much.

It's been home for four years now. As I pull up outside, I know Kate is going to want a blow-by-blow account, and she is tenacious. Well, at least she has the digital recorder. I really hope she won't make me elaborate much beyond what was said during the interview.

"Tia! You're back." Kate sits in our living area, surrounded by books. She's clearly been studying for finals - she's still in her pink flannel pajamas decorated with cute little rabbits, the ones she reserves for the aftermath of breaking up with boyfriends, for assorted illnesses, and for general moody depression. She bounds up to me and hugs me hard.

"I was beginning to worry. I expected you back sooner."

"Oh, I thought I made good time considering the interview ran over." I wave the digital recorder at her.

"Tia, thank you so much for doing this. I owe you, I know. How was it? What was he like?" Oh great, the start of Katherine Kavanagh Inquisition.

I struggle to answer her question. What can I say?