A/N: I must thank all of you for your support on this story! Here is the next chapter. Enjoy and please R&R! ~J


Raoul's face paled when I opened the door. Just as I thought, he wasn't about to leave me alone and had arrived on my doorstep early the next morning. I was not prepared and was shocked to see him standing there with an armful of flowers. Behind him the day was uncharacteristically beautiful and bright. The lingering storm had passed during the last few hours of darkness. Rays of sunshine bounced of his sandy blonde hair, making it shine gold. The light was kind to his features, making him seem even more vibrant and alive.

I was another story. The long sleepless night coupled with my late excursion had left their mark. My shallow cheeks were colorless, my eyes puffy from crying with shadows as dark as bruises circling them. I felt as ragged as I looked, barely having enough energy to get out of bed. If that is what it would have taken to avoid this day, then I would have gladly stayed under the covers forever.

Raoul remembered himself and softly cleared his throat. "Are you going to invite me in or just leave me standing out here on the stoop?"

"I'm sorry Raoul," I said, shaking my head. My lack of manners was appalling.

Raoul seemed to notice because he said, "A bit distracted this morning, are we?"

I waved him in and indicated that he sit while I went to find a vase for the flowers. When I returned I found him standing by the fireplace, staring into the empty hearth. When he heard my footsteps he immediately turned around. There was a touch of sadness in the way he looked at me.

He handed me the bouquet all the while staring at me intently. I smiled back, trying to lighten his mood, but his penetrating gaze was making me uncomfortable.

"What brings you here so early?" I asked while busily rearranging the display of blooms.

"Christine," he said solemnly, "have you had a change of heart?"

"What?" I said with a brittle laugh.

He looked at me pointedly.

"I had a long night," I sighed, hoping he wouldn't press me for details.

"Obviously. I can tell that you didn't get much sleep."

Suddenly very self conscious about my appearance, I rubbed at my swollen eyes. He gathered my nervous hands in his and led me to the settee where he gently guided me to sit, and then kneeled at my feet.

"I understand that this is a life altering decision," he began slowly, "and you have every right to be apprehensive and scared. But darling, can't you see that it will ultimately be for the best?"

I looked down to where his fingers tightly squeezed my own so that he wouldn't see the turmoil and the tears that were building up in my eyes. How could I tell him what I was feeling when I didn't even understand it myself? I had frozen in terror last night as I stood in front of the open mirror. Instead of confessing my feelings to Erik like I know I should have, I was overcome with the same trepidation he always stirred in me. Rather than confront those fears head on and embrace the dark side of the man I'd grown to understand and even yearn for, I had run with all my might in the wrong direction. Now I am afraid I might have lost my only chance.

Raoul kissed the knuckles on my hand one by one and then swept his hand to my cheek, gently brushing the unruly brown curls away.

"Just know that I will always be there for you in your time of need," he continued, oblivious to my inner struggle. "Together we'll get through this ordeal."

"Thank you," I managed weakly.

He seemed satisfied enough with my answer because he got to his feet and pulled me up along with him. He took a long look around at the condition of my sitting room and then flashed that familiar, charming grin at me.

"Well," he announced as he slapped his hands together. "We have some time. Come, I'll help you gather your things."

He kept me busy for the rest of the afternoon. Because of the suddenness of it all, I hadn't thought much about what I would do with my belongings. Most I wouldn't be able to take with me on my midnight flight out of the city. Deciding what possessions I would bring with me in a small trunk was the hardest of all. Of course, my father's violin and my mother's jewelry were a given, but it caused great heartache to know that I would never see the rest of my things again. Raoul didn't want to jeopardize our future by giving out the location of where we were headed to have my property sent there. It was just one more thing that added to my growing sense of loss.

For the most part during the long afternoon I kept to myself, trying to sort out my decision to go to the opera house – and my decision to run. But every time my thoughts turned to Erik, Raoul would distract me in some way.

Soon my belongings were packed in the trunk and loaded onto the back of Raoul's carriage and it was time to leave for the opera house. With a heavy heart I turned to look at my meager flat and said a silent goodbye. Raoul's hand applied insistent pressure on the small of my back, refusing to let me linger.

In no time at all we reached the steps of the opera house. Dark clouds had begun to roll in, chasing away the unusually sunny skies. The imminent storm threatened to unleash its fury. He ushered me quickly into my dressing room and stood outside the door while I changed into my costume. Inside I did my best not to look at the mirror. The guilt I felt was overwhelming. But it was too late to back out now.

As we walked silently toward the backstage area, Raoul finally noticed my agitation. He wrapped one arm around my shoulder and pulled me to him. But if I thought that he was perceptive enough to sense my regret, I was mistaken.

"Nervous? It must be like this every time you go onstage," he mused, finishing his own question with complete disregard to how I really felt on the subject. "But don't worry, if you get anxious just look up and you will see me in my brother's box."

I nodded dumbly. It was not his box I was thinking about. Would Erik be in box five?

"Ten minutes to show time," someone called behind us.

Raoul placed a quick peck on my cheek before he said, "I will meet you right here after the performance."

I watched him as he turned and walked in the direction of the main foyer.

"I love you!" he called back.

I could not bring myself to return the sentiment.

Normally I'm very good at removing myself from my surroundings and focusing only on my singing and the events happening on the stage. But tonight as I stepped out from behind the curtain I was acutely aware of all the eyes that rested on me intently. Suddenly it seemed that the audience wasn't there for the performance, but to bear witness to my ultimate betrayal. Thousands of eyes riveted on me as mouths turned up in scowls and sneers of judgment.

My palms and brow began to sweat under their scrutiny and my heart was pounding so hard I feared my voice would crack. I needed to get control of myself and soon, or I would completely embarrass myself and botch my final goodbye to Erik all at the same time.

I chanced a look up to Raoul's box and met his face. It was pallid and full of concern. Obviously I was telegraphing my anxiety to everyone in the attendance. Slowly my eyes traveled across the auditorium to box five and my relief at seeing it empty was so great that my voice wavered and I had the sudden feeling that I was going to faint.

Without any warning, not even so much as a flicker, the stage was plunged into darkness. I could hear the cries of the startled crowd as the confusion steadily dissolved into panic.

In a flash as quick as lightning a pair of hands seized my shoulders and pushed me forward, forcing me to walk or else be trampled. The dark was so absolute, so consuming that I became disoriented, not knowing which direction I was being lead. Abruptly those hands let go of me and I faintly heard the click of a latch. Within seconds that hand shot out again and snatched my wrist. I was pulled two steps before being swept up into a strong pair of arms. My heart raced to my throat as the ground beneath us disappeared and we fell suddenly. Instinctively I clung to the person who was holding me.

When we landed the resulting thud echoed hollowly around us. The air was dense and the temperature changed drastically, no longer warm but chilly as a grave. I knew then that this was no kind Samaritan trying to guide me safely off the stage. No, it was much worse. The thought struck fear in my heart. Somehow, some inexplicable way, Erik had discovered our plan and had come for me.