Protect Her, At All Costs. (Phantom of the Opera AU)

Mourning

Christine opened her eyes and rubbed her bandages. She blinked a few times while looking around the room and she thought for a moment. What did she feel like she was missing? She wracked her brain for answers. Christine lifted her fragile figure from the bed and stumbled to grasp on the wall for support. She bumped into the vanity causing several things to fall loudly on the floor. The clatter continued and every time something new dropped she flinched a little harder. She clung to the wall and tried to push away the burning sensation between her legs. She felt as though she was forgetting something important but she didn't know what. Christine opened the bathroom door and stumbled to the toilet. She sat down on the closed seat and slouched. What was she forgetting?

"Christine?" A voice said.

"I'm in the bathroom. You can come in." She said, her voice hoarse.

Erik peeked in the door and when he knew she wasn't doing her business, he walked in.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

Christine looked around the bathroom with a perplexed look on her face, which Erik had picked up on.

"What is it?"

She glanced at the shower then did a double take. She saw the smallest sign of blood and it finally struck her. All of the memories came flooding back; James joining her in the shower, getting knocked out, waking up with a headache, crying in Erik's arms.

"Oh." She said.

Erik walked closer to her and knelt down in front of the toilet. Her gaze met his and he looked at her with all the sincerity he had in him.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Christine thought for a moment. 

"I'm going to need 24 hours. That's what I always do. I take 24 hours to grieve and in 24 hours I get over it. It's the only way I can get by without staying in bed for weeks."

Erik raised an eyebrow but nodded, "do you want breakfast?"

"No thanks. I'll see you in 24 hours." Christine said with a soft smile.

Erik hesitantly stood and walked out of the bathroom. Christine followed and just before he left, he looked back for reassurance. Christine gave the smallest nod and he returned one. Walking out of the room, Erik met Nadir in the den. Nadir was drinking some coffee and Erik poured himself some Brandy.

"Allah, Erik. It's 9 am." Nadir said.

"She needs 24 hours to grieve which I don't think is going to work." Erik said, staring at one of the bookshelves.

"Who knows, you didn't ever grieve about your...traumas." Nadir said.

He didn't exactly want to mention them since he'd promised Erik he would never speak of them after Erik had been so vulnerable towards him. It was mainly because he was almost black out drunk, but he'd still shared with a sliver of confidence.

"I didn't have time to grieve. I had to be on my toes all the time; one wrong move and I'd be six feet under water with a thick layer of ice on top."

"I suppose. So what exactly will she do in these 24 hours?"

"Grieve."

"I mean besides that."

"No clue."

Christine's fingers grazed over the records and prayed that Erik had her favorite song. It was sad enough that it could help her grieve for 24 hours but also a good enough song that this event most likely wouldn't ruin it for her. Her eyes caught a white record sleeve and she picked it up.