S is for Safe House

[Dorian Humbert]

He sighed, relieved, and silenced her with a kiss. She didn't need to apologize. He understood. She pushed him away out of fear, he had been doing the same thing ever since his parents died. When you let people in they can hurt you. But Christine was worth the pain.

"I love you, too, darling."

[Christine Montgomery]

She pressed her cheek against his chest and listened to his heart. It calmed her along with his words. She stayed there against him for an indeterminate amount of time before she began to explain.

"I heard you and Lex talking at the hotel." she confessed, "I eavesdropped. It was before that though Dorian. Seeing you almost die...knowing it was my fault. Knowing that your career, everything you've worked for could be compromised because of how we feel about each other. I just...I couldn't be responsible for ruining you. I tried to make you go away, but I can't anymore."

[Dorian Humbert]

He knew his attack had been the turning point in her mood, but he hadn't realized the nail in the coffin was his conversation with Lex. Thinking back on it, she acted even more strange than usual that day. He felt like an idiot for not realizing. "I'm sorry, Christine. You shouldn't have had to see that. But my top priority is you. Always. I will always make sure you are safe, before anything else. No matter what."

He leaned back to look at her tear-streaked face before lifting her chin. He stared into her eyes. "None of this is your fault. You've done nothing wrong. We can't help who we love, and I'm am so lucky to be loved by you."

[Christine Montgomery]

She wiped at her tears, "Merlin I'm so sick of crying." she confessed. She didn't like the person she had become during this whole ordeal. She didn't like the person she had steadily been transforming into since the Hogsmeade attack. Where was the girl he had met in Egypt? Where was the headstrong, brave, take on the world woman who was fearless?

She sighed and turned from him, "I know I'm your priority Dorian, but what about you? Whose priority are you? You were reckless the other day. I may have been pushing you away on purpose, but it doesn't change the truth in what I said."

[Dorian Humbert]

He didn't have an answer for her, not one she would like anyway. Dorian would give his life for Christine, but hearing that would send her over the edge. "Have faith in me, darling. I've got a pretty good track record of making it out alive." 

[Christine Montgomery]

"When you're not distracted." she told him, but she looked over her shoulder at him.

"It's too late Dorian. I have no where to go. I tried running away before. Here we are. I tried pushing you away. Here we are. I love you. I can't stay away from you even for your own good." she told him guilt pouring out of her. Her voice cracked as she asked him, "Can you forgive me? Will you still think it's worth it?"

[Dorian Humbert]

He moved around her and sat on the bed, then pulled her onto his lap. He held her face as she straddled his waist. "There is nothing to forgive. You must stop this now. Don't punish yourself when you've done absolutely nothing wrong."

[Christine Montgomery]

She was through talking. She was selfish again. She had done so much wrong to this man and one day he would realize it. Today would be that day. She would tell him. But before horror filled his eyes and the risk of losing him completely happened, she was going to take this moment for herself.

She kissed him gently. She tasted the saltiness of her tears and vowed to be stronger next time. No matter what happened, what he decided she'd be strong. She was through crying.

She pushed him lightly back on the bed, letting her body make up for their lost time together. She showed him all the different ways she loved him. She begged him silently to stay with her, to love her back, and to forgive her for what she had done, for the things he didn't know about.

[Dorian Humbert]

He held her in his arms, a smile on his face. He had missed her. Not just the tender moments like this one, though he wouldn't deny that he had thought about that as well while they were apart, but he missed the brightness in her. She glowed as she rested against his chest while he drew lazy figure eights on her arm with his finger.

As they lay together, Dorian heard someone clear their throat as if to get their attention. He sat up and looked around. The throat clearing was louder now, and Dorian realized it was coming from the hallway. He grabbed his wand and pulled on his pants, warning Christine to stay in the room. When he stepped into the hallway, the portrait cleared it's throat again until it noticed that Dorian was standing in front of him.

"Oh good, you're clothed. I've a message from the Auror Department Head. You're to return to the office immediately. All experienced Aurors are requested to assist in the capture of the Ministry's Most Wanted."

Dorian blinked. "The serial killer?" he questioned, to which the portrait nodded. There was no time to waste. Dorian summoned his patronus and sent it to fetch Lex. Her "family emergency" would have to take backseat. After the message was sent, Dorian returned to Christine.

"Lex is coming back. I've been called into the office." He pulled his undershirt on, then his shirt, fumbling with the buttons as he tried to move quickly. "Where's my tie?" he asked as he pulled his shoes on.

[Christine Montgomery]

She was laying there in the glow of what they had done, unable to reconcile or forgive herself for keeping herself away from him so long. She knew however that she had to tell him the truth sooner or later, but they had the day...or so she thought.

She waited there wrapping the sheet around her torso just in case. When he came back she was stunned, "Wait, what?"

She blinked, "Well when will you be back? You will be back right?"

[Dorian Humbert]

He turned to her and leaned across the bed so that he could touch her face. "They've got him," he said excitedly. "We're bringing him in. Lex will be here soon." He kissed her and caught sight of his tie behind the dresser. He dashed to grab it as he heard a familiar pop outside. He looked out the window. Lex was rushing up to the house.

He moved again to Christine. "I'll be back soon, darling. And we'll get you out of here tonight." He kissed her before heading out the door and down the stairs. He met Lex in the foyer.

[Christine Montgomery]

She was still stuck on "They've got him" as Dorian was running around the room. She followed him in shock.

She realized she was only wearing a sheet and wasted precious seconds contemplating whether or not to change. Everything was happening so quickly.

"Dorian! Wait!"

She wanted to tell him the truth, tell him everything before he left, but she couldn't get the words out and then he was gone.

Lex had been called in immediately despite her "family emergency" and rushed back to the safe house to relieve Dorian so he could help retrieve the killer. She imagined Christine had told Dorian the truth by now as well, so maybe it was a welcome reprieve.

She was not expecting Christine to follow Dorian down the stairs in a sheet, but neither was she particularly surprised.

[Dorian Humbert]

"Keep her safe," he said to Lex out of habit. "Help her pack."

Christine called for him to wait, and he turned to find her on the bottom stair. He kissed her, not caring if Lex saw, and then pressed his forehead to hers. "Everything else can wait until this is done. I love you, Christine."

As he ran out the door he threw his tie around his neck and and began tying it as he brushed past the protection charms. With a pop he was gone from the street.

[Christine Montgomery]

"But I..." she sank into a chair in the foyer. The sheet started to slip and she grabbed it securely around herself. She was simultaneously overjoyed that it was over, and yet carried a sense of dread. She looked up at Lex.

"I didn't tell him yet. I couldn't. I just..."

"Did you tell him you love him?" Lex asked.

Christine nodded but still looked lost.

"That's what all men need to hear when they go off to fight battles. He'll be back later. You can tell him the rest then." Lex looked her up and down with a cheeky smile, "You may try keeping your clothes on this time.

"Ha ha." she deadpanned before returning upstairs to change.