Summary: Set in the climax of the 2004 movie by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Joel Schumacher, though I got some of my information from the book. What if, after the kiss, Erik still forced Christine to make her choice, and she picked him? Can she learn to love the man behind the mask? Or will the Christine the world knows perish with the monster?
E/C-Romance-A Different Path-Chap. 1
a/n: Okay, this is my first fanfic, so I'm kinda nervous...please send me feedback; constructive criticism welcome, just please don't be too harsh! if i get at least 2 reviews i'll publish the next chapter (i've already started on it!)
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Phantom of the Opera (duh); I am just a HUGE fan!
A Different Path
Christine took Erik's face in her hands and led his lips to her own. At first he was too stunned to respond, but seemed to realize what was happening soon enough and began to kiss her back. It was no small peck; they stayed in each others embrace just long enough for Christine to wonder whether or not it was appropriate. But then, what was appropriate about this situation? And something about his lips sere holding Christine in a very different way than Raoul's ever had. It was Erik who finally pulled away.
"Christine," he whispered quietly. It was so quiet, Christine thought maybe she had imagined it. But how could any human being imagine something that sounded so filled with longing, and desperation?
She gazed up into his endless blue eyes. "Yes." There was a pause, as the two stopped breathing. Even Raoul, as he labored which each breath that might be his last, stilled completely. "Please, Erik, let Raoul go, and I shall stay here with you."
"Christine, no!" the Vicomte rasped. "My life is not worth it! Do not give in to him!"
Christine ignored him and addressed Erik, who was gaping at her in shock. "Please."
"Very well." His voice had lost all of the torment and longing it held earlier. He spoke brusquely, as if discussing business affairs, not sealing Christine's fate. "I shall free your precious Vicomte de Chagny." He sneered at the title.
And so Raoul was finally freed of the constricting Punjab. Christine rushed to him and embraced him tightly as he gasped for air. "Christine, I beg of you, do not throw your life away for me. There is no worse fate!"
"Shhh," she soothed. "Just knowing you are living, free, in the world above, will get me through this nightmare."
"And just knowing you suffer here in agony will destroy any life I attempt to live."
"Raoul, dear Raoul." She smoothed his hair lovingly. "There is no other way. You must go now, but promise me you will live your life to its fullest, without me."
"I can't, Christine, I-"
"You can, I know you can. Remember that I love you." She kissed him quickly and began to walk away, watching as he exited through the rising gate.
"You will tell no one of the events that transpired here. No one. Madame Giry will take care of all….loose ends. Heed my warning, Vicomte, and do exactly as I say." Erik let his eyes linger over Christine, sending chills down her spine. The threat was clear. "Now go."
"I will never forget you, Christine." He seemed close to tears as he held his cheek where Christine had bestowed her kiss.
"Go!" Erik boomed, loudly enough for Raoul to flee, eyes wide with horror. Then Erik turned to Christine. She still stood in the murky water, her fine wedding gown soaked. She was trembling faintly, but Erik knew she was not cold. "Do not worry, I would never hurt you, so long as I live. But your ex-fiancé does not have to know that. While he thinks I am a monster, I may as well utilize it."
"You are a monster," she said, pointedly defiant. "I see no Angel before me. Only a phantom."
"If it is the monster you seek," he hissed, "it is the monster you shall have!" Suddenly, she was pressed against him. She struggled to break free, but Erik's arms may as well have been iron bars. Forearms placed on her stomach, he held her securely, right where he wanted. His gloved hand slid up her ribcage and rested just next to her breast. "What's the matter, dear? Frightened of the monster? Alas, this is what you chose, and your darling Vicomte cannot save you now!"
Christine turned to face him. "Ah, but that is where you are wrong. Just thoughts of him shall keep me alive. For even apart, he is the one I love, and he alone."
Fury burned in Erik's eyes. Fury….and pain. He was stung, betrayed. Christine felt remorse kindle in her heart, but she brushed it away. Erik would receive no pity from her. She focused on hardening her expression. I hate him.
"You say that now, but I wonder whether I cannot change your feelings." His voice conspiratorial, he yanked her closer to him and buried his face in her hair, taking in her scent. She gasped in surprise. He trailed up her neck and along her jaw line, his lips resting at her ear. Hot breath grazed her earlobe.
"Erik…"
He held her face closer, unbearably closer, until she had to take as shallow breaths as possible, or he would kiss her ear. "Touch me, trust me." His velvety voice wrapped around her as the familiar lyrics pervaded her mind. He leaned even closer. "Savor each sensation." Erik's lips pressed against her temple, the softest kiss she'd ever received. Christine fainted.
7777777
Erik caught Christine as she fell. Holding her in his arms, he began to feel guilty for harassing her. Damn you, Erik! How can she learn to love you when you treat her in such a horrid way? She was precious, as valuable and delicate as the white lace on her gown. He hoisted her legs up and carried her to bed, much like he had during her first visit to his home. Her tiny figure was lost in the folds of rich velvet. He brushed a few stray hairs from her forehead and settled at the edge of the bed.
Christine, sweet, beautiful Christine, his angel, was now actually his. His bride once she awoke, to spend eternity with him in his underground home, their underground home. He had finally won her, and soon she would learn to love him. Soon she would give her gentle heart to him completely. Soon she would forget that idiot Vicomte and be happy with him, would remember her Angel. He would give her everything she could ever want, and she would love him. Erik gripped her hand tightly. He hoped.
7777777
Raoul was pacing nervously and about to knock again when Madame Giry opened the door.
"The Vicomte de Chagny!" Her eyes widened as if she'd expect a dead man to stand at her doorstep before Raoul. She placed a petite hand on her hip. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Madame," Raoul bowed deeply. "I am afraid I must again request your assistance. You see, Christine-"
"Hush!" Madame Giry cast an anxious glance down each end of the hallway. "Do you not know better than to speak so openly of private matters?" Sighing, she pulled him inside her clustered little room. "I am already aware of dear Christine's situation."
Raoul rubbed his neck sorely where Erik's Punjab had been. He had been made to rest for the past two days in his home, but he had finally gotten the opportunity to get out. He went straight to the Opera Populaire. Various people had stopped him many times to express their condolences about his fiancée. He could hardly stand it.
"Please, we must…we must-"
"What exactly do you propose we do, monsieur?"
"Anything! The man is mad, Madame, purely mad. He will hurt her, I know he will!"
"While I do not know as much about Erik as I'm sure either of us would like, I am absolutely positive of one thing; he would never harm Christine."
"But, that night, he…"
"He would never, and that is my final word on it." She pursed her lips drily.
"What-what did you tell everyone, about Christine? Where do they all believe she is now?"
"Gone. I told the constable she had left because the traumatic experience proved too much for her. Of course, it would be more believable if you, her fiancé, were no longer present."
"I'm afraid, Madame, that I cannot do as you suggest. I will not be leaving as long as Christine is here, in the hands of that monster."
"Monsieur, I do not know how you plan to get Christine back. Did you believe that Erik would have a change of heart, and return her to us? Perhaps he is not the only one who is a bit mad."
"…I believe I have an idea as to how we may get her back. But I will need your help." He paused a moment, as if unable to go on.
"And what is it that you need my help with?" Madame Giry asked impatiently.
"We must go down there and rescue her."