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

Trial

Christine shivered on her way into the courtroom. The large, brown doors were opened and Christine walked in along with her family, friends, and her lawyer. She sat at one of the benches with her lawyer and he opened his briefcase.

"Ms. Daae, are you positive about this? You want to drop charges? They kidnapped you."

"We've been over this, Mr. Brown, trust me I know what I'm doing. This is what I want."

He nodded and sighed. Gustave, Antionette, Meg, Raoul and his mother, and Joseph and his mother all sat in the benches behind them. Christine's stomach churned as she knew that she had to say it was James who'd raped her, and she didn't even want to think about how Joseph and his mother would react.

"Ms. Daae, are you alright?" Her lawyer was looking at her.

"Mr. Brown, I'm just nervous because you remember how James Buquet's wife and son are friends with my dad and I? Well they're here." He and Christine looked behind them at Joseph and his mother who waved and gave reassuring thumbs up.

"Everything will be alright Ms. Daae, just make sure you don't talk about how you're in love with Erik Destler because that won't help your case."

"Good call."

Just then, Erik and Nadir walked in with their lawyer. Christine smiled at the sight of them. She felt like things were hectic, not bad, just hectic. Seeing Erik and Nadir instantly flushed her nerves away. They made eye contact and smiled at each other. Erik was happy to see her. Everyone became silent when the judge walked into the room.

"That's the man you're in love with?" Christine's lawyer whispered.
"Shut up, Leo."

The judge sat on her extremely high pedestal and cleared her throat.

"We are here today before the state of Oregon and before God himself. Erik Destler has been charged with unlawful transportation. Nadir Khan has been charged with being an accomplice. Let our session begin. Will Ms. Christine Daae come up to the stand please?" The woman said.

Leo nudged Christine and she quickly stood. Christine pulled her pants up slightly and smoothed down her green blouse. In a matter of seconds Christine was touching a bible while standing in a court full of people. Once she was finished she gulped and looked at the judge.

"Ms. Daae, I've gone over your case but will you describe the important factors of your situation?" The judge asked.

"Yes ma'am. I was sitting at school alone, waiting for my father to pick me up. I saw Erik Destler walking towards me so I moved but he caught up to me and took me. I woke up in a bed, a very normal bed. Three men came into the room, Erik, Nadir and another man. This third man was also the man who raped me in the shower, impregnated me, and knocked me unconscious." She spat out that last sentence. "Nadir performed an at-home abortion which went smoothly, and from then on we lived our lives. Eventually, Erik took me home."

"I have a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind my asking."
"Not at all, ma'am."

"Why did Erik Destler and Nadir Khan return you home?"

"Well, we had a conversation one day and he told me that if I really was unhappy with him then he would take me home. I wasn't unhappy, but I think he discovered that what he did was wrong and he wanted to somehow repay me."

"Clever answer, I must admit. But is it accurate?" The judge raised an eyebrow.

"I suppose we'll see." Christine raised one back.

"I have one more question for you Ms. Daae."

"And what is that, your honor?"

"What was the name of the third man? The one who raped and impregnated you."