Erik was going to soak his telephone in acid. It had been ringing for the past two days, at all hours of the day. It woke his angel up three times, and made her look at him confusedly because he wasn't answering it. It woke Christiana up. Disturbing her was unforgivable to Erik. Yes he could just answer it, but usually he was in the middle of something. Like helping Christiana do something after she said she didn't need help. His angel had just been stabbed. She needed help.

   Erik knew he had started to have 'one of those weeks.' Every so often, his behavior would slightly change. Generally due to some major event. His angel was a major event. And he knew his judgement of normal things was slipping. It was not normal to watch her sleep. Nor to want to dip his landline in acid. Nor to contemplate burning his opera for five whole minutes every half hour.

   But he just ignored it. His nerves had taken worse before.

   However, nothing had prepared him for the rudess grand gesture at all. Christiana had just managed to walk up the stairs on her own, and he was praising her, when a very loud banging echoed through the house.

   Erik was puzzled over what was going on. Christiana merely said that someone was knocking on his front door.

  Flying into a rage at such an intrusion Erik left her side and flung open the door, livid.

     Khan was standing outside, in a pleasant mood as always.

   "Good morning Erik."

   "You damned man, get away from my damn house! Damn you!" Damn was Erik's favorite curse. He felt it suited him. His soul was probably damned after all.

   "It's nice to see you too - ah, who is this lovely young - oh my god." Khan was gaping at Christiana, whom he just caught a glimpse of as she peered over Erik's shoulder, balancing on her toes to do so. This was a bad idea as her muscles stretched a bit too far and she stumbled in pain. Erik reached out his arms to steady her. His body was no longer shielding hers from view, though he thought he had left her upstairs, and now see was in full view of Khan.

   The fact that Erik had another person in his house was shocking. The fact that the aforementioned person was female made Khan's heart skip a beat. The concerned, adoring look on Erik's face as his arm drifted behind the girl's back and his hand wrapped around her arm nearly gave Khan a heart attack. Introverted, coldhearted, uncaring, irritable, angry Erik was lovingly helping a woman.

   Khan had to be dreaming. Maybe he crashed his car and this was a messed up dream.

   Did she live with him? If she lived with him how is it posaible he had not killed her in a cold rage already? Was he on drugs?

   "Go away Khan," Erik snapped.

   "Erik," said Christiana, soothingly. Erik, needless to say, grew - begrudgingly  - calm.

   Silence followed, and Christiana decided to be amiable.

   "Hello, I'm Christiana," she said, extending her hand to thr stranger at the door.

   "Khan." Khan choked on his name.

    "Erik," Christiana looked at him with raised eyebrows. She did not want to invite Mr. Khan in since it was not her house, but the man seemed like a nice fellow, and with every second the front door stayed open, heat went out and the icy wind went in.

    Erik had to think about what she would do before stepping aside and letting Khan come in.

   "Nadir Khan, this better be important," he snapped.

   "Certainly, it is."

    The trio stood in the hall and Christiana, feeling tired from the excitement, slumped against a wall. "Should we tale Mr. Khan to the living room... your study?" She had no idea where the living room was, though Erik had mentioned a parlor, and she had seen his study once.

   "Yes," he smiled at Christiana before glaring at Khan. "Tell me what you want on the way." He paused, looking at Christiana once more. "Do you need assistance, or would you like to go back to your room?"

   "Which would you prefer?"

    I wish to see you at all times. "Whichever you desire."

    "I guess I'll come. No assistance needed though, thank you."

   Oh, they're both indecisive! Khan chuckled at the thought.

   Christiana and Khan made small talk while Erik sulked. When they arrived in the living room, Erik pulled Christiana over to the sofa, so she would be closer to him. She was his angel, and knowing Khan, he'd try to talk Erik out of whatever it was he was doing with her.

   He tuned in to what Khan was saying.

   "So in summary, they'll sign the contract if you can make an appearance. It would be a wonderful chance for you! Just think, one appearance, and you'll get free rein with your composing for the next fifteen years, no deadlines, no restraints. And the world will know your name."

    "No. No appearances, I will not see anyone."

   Christiana had been listening and guessed that Khan was a sort if agent and friend to Erik. The offer he was discussing seemed like an immense sacrifice to the company who created the offer. It was a great deal, why wouldn't Erik make an appearance?

   "I think you should," she said. "I know I shouldn't pry into your business, but you should."

   "Oh Christiana, you can ask or say anything, anytime."

   "Why won't you make an appearance?"

   "Except that. Just don't ask that. It's because of reasons I do not want you to understand."

  "How vague you are, Erik. Mr. Khan, when does this offer expire?" Christiana had no clue what Erik meant by that, but found him amusing anyway. She liked his drama.

   Khan started laughing, "Next month, December ninth."

    "Oh," that was actually her father's birthday.

    "Well Khan, I think it is time for you to go, I'll walk you to the door. Christiana, please stay."

   Erik was so ignorant of the world outside of his mind, mostly due to his current inner demand of caring for Christiana, that he completely missed the way her face fell at the mention of the date, nor did he notice her thin arms wrapping around herself. But Khan did.

   And Erik knew he had to have a discussion with Khan, who would not leave, he assumed, for at least another hour. But figuring that Christiana would not appreciate being spoken of while she was in the room, decided to have the conversation elsewhere.

   As soon as Khan had come, Erik whisked him away, and Christiana was left with her own thoughts.

                            🌹

   "You know what we have to talk about," Khan said, as Erik led him down a few halls.

   "Yes, why do you think I have not taken you to the door or killed you if we still had things to discuss."

   "Namely a little pretty caramel haired blonde sitting in your living room."

   The two men entered Erik's study. Khan watched as he locked the door. There were only two reasons for Erik to lock a door. Murder and interruptions.

   Khan nervously tugged on his collar. Why did it seem a little tight? Erik smiled maliciously as he crossed to his desk and sat down. "I won't hurt you Khan. Not unless you try to take away the "little pretty caramel haired' girl sitting, as you say, in my living room. She is mine. I shall die without her."

   Erik never broke his word, so Khan sat down, his joviality coming back. "Well, I think death is a bit extreme, but I  understand how you must feel. You've never been in love before."

  "And I'm not." Liar. Oh great, he thought. The voices are back. Well, let me talk in third person now. He scowled to himself.

    Khan could see what he was thinking about. "Is she safe with you?"

   "Her mother stabbed her. I need her, and will kill anyone who hurts her."

   "So she's physically safe with you. But mentally? What if she were to love you too? You tend to push people away. You say her mother stabbed her? Is she emotionally damaged? Because you are damaged too, so please think about whether or not two damaged people would be good for one another."

   "She is perfect, and even if she were damaged, like belong with like."

  "Like belong with like? Erik - according to you, you are nothing like a human, you've said so all along, your entire life. 'I'm a monster. ' 'I hate everything.' You insist you are lower than humans. You degrade yourself, compare yourself to the dead. Like belongs with like, eh? And yet here you are, sitting in front of me. Sitting next to her earlier. You've grown a heart."

   "Khan. I will hurt myself before I hurt her."

   "That right there is not a safe frame of mind," Khan pointed out.

   "Please. I'll consider the business prospect if you just give me time to sort out... everything regarding her. Please, I just want to be around her."

   Khan regarded his friend for a long time. Erik had the craziest life. Both in a good way and a bad. He deserved this happiness. Khan could only hope that it was not at the price of another's.

   "Alright Erik."

    Half an hour later, the two men were saying goodbye.

   Khan decided to add in one last thing. "Oh, and maybe don't treat her like a possession? She's not something to buy -"

   Erik closed the door in his face.

   Author's Note.

  Whew. Can't believe that happened. Any thoughts on the subject? Please vote and comment! Also, I'm interested in seeing what my readers write, so if you want me to take a peek at something, let me know!

   Thanks my fellow Phans for supporting Eristine/Erikstiana.

   Alexa