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

Tea Time

Christine's eyes fluttered open the next morning, feeling sore between her legs. She leaned over and noticed Erik was gone. She put her underwear on and an oversized t-shirt. She yawned and walked into the kitchen. She looked at the counter and saw a note from him, saying he would be back later. She smiled and decided to go explore. She put on a summery dress and white flats, grabbing her bag and phone. She was in awe of the beautiful town. As she walked, she watched boys run past a middle-aged woman, knocking her groceries out of her hand. Christine rushed over and bent down to help her pick everything up. The woman thanked her and introduced herself as Madeline. Christine smiled and began to walk off.

"Would you like to come to my house for tea?" She smiled.

Christine looked at the time, she should be telling Erik where she was.

"I think it should be alright for a little bit." She smiled.

They walked to the woman's house, talking and laughing. When the woman opened the door, she saw two men sitting inside her house.

"Charles, who is this?" She asked.

A masked face turned with an angry expression, which softened when he saw Christine.

"Erik?" She asked, confused.

"What are you doing here?" He stood, walking to her and taking her hand.

"I'm just here for tea. Madeline invited me. What are you doing here?" Christine looked into his eyes, seeing him averting his gaze. She glanced at Madeline who looked pale.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Christine asked nervously.

Erik nodded and took her hand, leading her to sit down in the chair.

"Christine, this is Madeline and Charles."

Christine racked her brain to remember where she'd heard those names before. Then it clicked.

"Your...parents." She looked at Erik, who was fiddling with his hands.

Christine looked angrily at the couple in front of her.

"Erik, we're leaving." She stood and grabbed his hand.

"Wait-" Charles started.

Christine whipped around and pointed her finger into his face.

"You have no right to speak to him. You lost that right from the moment he was born and you didn't appropriately love him. " She snapped.

Erik said nothing, just staring at the ground. Madeline ran in front of the door, blocking it.

"Please, stay." She begged.

"Move out of the way. He has nothing to say to you." She took Erik's hand and squeezed it.

He squeezed it back, making her look up. His eyes spoke volumes. He wanted to stay. Christine took a deep breath and sat down, resting her hand on Erik's thigh. They all sat in silence for what felt like years. Christine inhaled and spoke up.

"So what exactly do you want with my husband? To abuse him again?"

"Husband?" Charles asked.

Madeline and Charles stared at Christine.

"You're beautiful." Madeline breathed.

Christine sat silently, looking quickly at Erik, his leg shaking.

"Your name is...Erik?" Charles asked.

Erik looked up, nodding slowly.

"Where have you been?" Madeline said, through tears.