So I wasn't really too sure where to go with this chapter, since I hadn't planned on writing this. But who am I to say no when asked. Again if prompted I can go on, I'm sure I can think of something. Hope this meet's your expectations guys.
Christine didn't remember falling asleep. Everything was immersed in darkness. She awoke unsure of where she was or how long she had been asleep for. It felt oh so familiar.
"Hello?" Christine called in the dark. Realising she was in a bed, the brunette removed the warm linen sheet from around herself and felt around the spacious room for a door.
Finally her fingers curling around a brass knob Christine opened the door. Candlelight spilled into view. She could see dozens all around the lair, many by the large pipe organ. Sheet music piled over the instrument, and tied off by the sealed portcullis was a gondola resting in the dark water surrounding the grotto.
Swirling mist upon a vast glassy lake. There were candles all around, and on the lake there was a boat.
She had returned, Christine was back in the Phantom's realm of unending night.
She vividly remembered now. There was music, her angel called out for her, there was a carriage.
"Christine," She turned around to see Erik emerge through another door further down.
The brunette backed away, what was happening? Was she a prisoner here? Would he let her go?
But another question pulled on her mind; did she want him to let her go? She came here freely, remembering what happened in the cemetery.
"Please, Christine..." The Phantom spoke, walking toward her cautiously.
As Christine backed up, she didn't realise how close to the end of the grotto she was. Her foot catching, the petit brunette shrieked falling over.
"Christine!" The Opera Ghost shouted, sprinting over to her. Thankfully Christine had only fallen over into the gondola, if she were a few more steps to the side she would have fallen into the lake.
She gasped seeing Erik coming closer and held up her arms defensively. He saw the wide eyed look of fear in her eyes and halted abruptly.
"P-Please don't..." She whimpered fearfully. The sound pained Erik's ears. The fact that she thought he would lay a hand upon her hurt deeply. Much slower he approached the boat.
"Do not shun me Christine." He pleaded, "Please, I could never fathom doing you any harm."
Leaning over, Erik extended his hand to help her out of the boat. Christine glanced at his offered hand and back up at the Phantom. No, he wasn't some frightful spectre. He was nothing but a man. But a man could be just as dangerous as a ghost.
"Christine..." Erik frowned sadly, "I beg of you, come to me, trust me.
Cautiously Christine took his hand, letting him help her to her feet.
"I'm sorry mon ange, you're so scared and confused."
The Phantom frowned. That fear in her eyes, the way her body tensed and shook in his presence.
"I thought you would want to come back. I had thought that after you awoke you would-" He stammered.
Christine's gaze softened. In his eyes, she could see pain.
Those pleading eyes, that both threaten and adore
He wanted her to want to come back.
"I can return you up above Christine," Erik said woefully. "With a face such as this, a face that puts such horrible fear upon you, why would you want to stay?"
Christine's could practically hear his heart crumble with despair. He was a man, a poor unhappy man.
She should have him take her back. Raoul must be incredibly worried for her, her friends in the opera house wondering where she could be. This man frightened her, he killed for her.
But she he didn't just want her, he needed her. In her heart, she knew she needed him. Could she look past the murderous Phantom and find her Angel of Music once again?
When he made to lead her back to the gondola she stopped him, pulling on his arm.
"Wait," The brunette said. Those sad mismatch eyes looked at her with confusion. "Let me stay."
It was not pity that drove Christine to say these words. There must be a reason why she was here. He called for her, she could have refused. She remembered Raoul pleading for her in the graveyard. She had had enough will that she could have stopped and run back to her fiancee.
But she didn't. And instead of being wrapped in Raoul's arms, she was placing hers around the Phantom before her.
Erik shivered at the embrace, his hands shaky as she hugged his waist. His malformed lips trembled.
"I will not shun my angel," Christine whispered.
Erik looked into her eyes and those sad eyes glistened with what she could only describe as wonder.
"Oh Christine," He mumbled, letting his head rest against her mass of curly chestnut hair. "You mean it truly?"
This man needed her, Christine needed her angel. If the Phantom were to send her away, she wasn't sure she'd ever see him again. And while Raoul so very dear to her, the ring she wore around her neck felt more like an obligation.
She loved him, but not as Raoul loved her.
"I do," Christine nodded.
Erik had dreamt of this, but refused to believe his twisted mind could perceive something that was actually possible. But here, Christine was asking him to let her stay. Stay with him.
"Please angel say something," She said, her warm hand caressing his unmarred pale cheek.
"I...I would never refuse Christine. If this is what you want, I dare not deny you."
"Thank you," She smiled. "Please, if I may angel, what is your name?"
"My name...Erik. It is simply Erik."
"Erik, I promise I will stay by your side. Even if you are real, I know my father sent you. That you will always be my Angel of Music."
His pupil, his muse praised him ways he'd never come close to hearing in the thirty four winters he'd endured alone.
And now he no longer was alone.
Erik hesitantly grasped her hands with his.
