Dedicated to Chapucera, HDKingsbury, and everyone else at The Write Stuff!

Story revised Nov. 27, 2010 to enhance clarity.

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Holy Matrimony
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The Persian crept noiselessly along the balustrade, sweat beading his forehead. He knew that Erik would literally break his neck if he caught him, but he had to press on. He owed it to Christine. That poor, innocent girl... what had Erik done to her?

Nadir crept on. Whatever game Erik was playing, he would make sure it came to an end tonight.

The sound of raised voices from within the house halted Nadir in his tracks.

His heart sank. Not only was Christine there, as he had feared, she and Erik were arguing. This, thought Nadir, would not end well for the poor girl. Erik was dangerous even when calm... only Allah knew what he was capable of if he was truly provoked.

Bracing himself, Nadir prepared to crash through the window when-

"This is all your fault! If you hadn't gone and married Raoul this never would have happened!"

Catching himself just in time, Nadir took a few steps back, almost accidentally going over the edge of the railing. Married? What the- ?

"I told you that was a mistake! I realized it as soon as I woke up the next morning!"

"So why did you do it in the first place? It's not like that- that- fop tied you up and forced you to the altar!"

"I wasn't thinking, okay? I was- I was- er, incapacitated. How did I know he would take advantage of me?"

Of course, thought Nadir, it was naïve to think that. Even someone like Raoul wouldn't necessarily pass up a convenient opportunity... although to be fair, he had never thought Raoul would do something like this either.

But that was beside the point. How had he misread Raoul's intentions so badly?

"Come on. You were sober enough to sign the marriage license! So, tell me, how was the boy in bed?"

"I- I- we... Angel, you're the only one I love- could ever love. He doesn't mean anything to me. I don't- I don't want to think about that night. It just- I wasn't thinking- " *sniffle* *cough*

Nadir was still in a state of disbelief. Could Christine really be in love with Erik after all?

"Shh, shh, there, it's alright. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." *sigh* "It's all over anyway."

"Yes, it'll be officially annulled tomorrow. God, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, didn't take care of it before. It just- afterward, I felt so used and stupid- I just wanted to forget- "

"Shh, I understand. It's OK. I'm sorry I yelled at you. It's just- it was an awful shock, to get there and hear from the clerk you were already married, to a man- and not just any man, but Raoul!"

"Christine, please... I'm so sorry- "

"No, no, it's OK. It's alright. I... I still love you, you know that, right?"

"Oh, Angel, thank you, thank you! I love you so much. I promise I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

Nadir grinned. It seemed his fears were unfounded after all. He would have to drop by later, legitimately, and congratulate the happy couple.

Still grinning, Nadir prepared to make a discreet retreat. Just before he could go, though-

"... Could you tell me just one thing right now, Erik?"

"Anything, Christine."

"You aren't interested in Nadir, are you? Because with the amount of time you spend together- "

For only the second time in his life, Nadir fainted.