Eric guided Christine up the steps into the Smiths home. Marge Smith emerged from the kitchen gasping at the sight of Christine. "Put her in my room." She insisted opening the bedroom door.

Eric nodded silently laying Christine who was barely awake on the soft warm bed. "Sleep well" he whispered pulling the covers up on her shoulders. He watched her sleep for a moment before exiting the room.

"My God." Was all Mrs. Smith could say, Eric collapsed onto the couch with a groan. She gave him a cup of tea and sat down beside him. ?" Marge looked at the bedroom door unable to ask what happened. Eric's face told it all.

"She needs you now more than ever." Mrs. Smith explained.

"What do I say to her? How can I make it better?" Eric cried his voice wavering.

Marge rested he old worn hand on his arm, "you don't need to say anything, just be with her help her overcome it."

Eric sipped the hot tea tasting a little brandy in it.

The door was pulled open slowly her face was solid bruises tears streaked her cheeks.

Eric jumped up and embraced her, "I see him each time I close my eyes." Christine choked into his shirt. "I can't stop seeing him."

Eric pulled her tighter nestling his face in the crook of her neck. "I'm here nothing can harm you." He whispered to her. "Now have some tea." He insisted with a forced smile.

A few minutes later Christine and Eric sat down with a cup of tea and some sandwiches. Eric kept a careful eye on Christine as she picked at her food.

A familiar squeak and "uppa" sounded above them descending down the stairs.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Rosa giggled crawling vigorously to them. The two smiled at the toddler, Eric stood up to pickup the child. There was no need for her to be neglected because of their problem.

"Tea!" She cried reaching out for the cup. Eric cracked a worn smile at her, "no, no grown up tea." Eric told her getting up to pour more brandy in the drink.

Rosa pouted and climbed off of his lap to Christine's. Eric jumped up and grabbed the child, "how about some milk?" He asked walking into the kitchen. Rosa nodded.

Marge walked into the kitchen, Christine sat in the chair staring at the white wall her face emotionless, Eric tried desperately to keep Rosa distracted, but he was leaning against the wall his face flushed still feverish.

"You two are impossible," she announced sickened at how the couple looked, "both of you go to bed, I will watch Rosa."

Both Christine and Eric jumped at her voice being taken out of the dark state they were in.

Rosa forgot about the milk reaching for Mrs. Smith. After handing the baby off Eric gently grabbed her arm leading her to the downstairs bedroom.

Christine crawled into bed with a pained groan, Eric thought about giving her a kiss, but the condition she was in he didn't want to risk hurting her again.

"I'll be upstairs" he told her turning to the door.

"Eric?" She asked her voice tired "stay with me, he can't hurt me if you are here."

A lump formed in Eric's throat he couldn't say no to her.

He sat down on the opposite side of the bed stiffly laying down, suddenly he realized how tired he was.

Christine snuggled up to him using his arm as a pillow hugging him closer. She looked up at him with her dark brown eyes and reached for his mask slowly removing it.

"I love you Eric." She whispered before falling asleep.

Eric clung to her words no one could love him. Even his mother couldn't. His arm fell asleep in the awkward position he was in but he didn't dare move.

He could hear Rosa playing in the next room banging on a pot and singing. A smile cracked across his lips as he listened to the racket she was making.

"You will never amount to anything, no one could ever love a monster like you." His mothers voice rang in his head. Quickly he shook her face from his mind and thought of Christine and their potential future.

Christine slept soundly for about a half hour till she started tossing and screaming.

"Christine." Eric cried trying to wake her up. Pins and needles stung his arm. "Christine wake up, I'm here." She shot upright then collapsed into his arms sobbing.

"He's won't leave, don't let him hurt me again!" She wept into his chest her tears soaking his shirt.

"Christine listen to me," Eric sternly told her, his rich powerful voice making her feel safe and again. "He can not hurt you again."

Christine curled into his lap as Eric's arms wrapped tightly around her. He hummed softly running his long lean fingers through her chocolate ringlets.

"Christine?" He asked suddenly, she lifted her head revealing her tear streaked and bruised face. "Never mind." Eric murmured pulling her back onto his chest, "It was nothing." His heart was pounding out of his chest blood flowing to his cheeks. "I can't ask her." He thought to himself while playing with her hair, "She would never want to be with me."

Poor Christine she is barely holding together, and I wonder what Eric was trying to say.

Please let me know how you like it,

Misha