DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own anything from Phantom of the Opera. However, any original character is indeed mine (duh).
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! Love them! Anyway, here's the next chapter. Sorry for the wait and I hope you enjoy!
Just to clarify: bold italics means that it was in the movie, bold means dream, italics means thoughts. Hope that helps!
Chapter Three
"Anywhere you go, let me go too. Christine, that's all I ask of-" Erik could not finish, for Christine had ripped his mask off of his face. He looked into the crowd. The men's faces grimaced at the image and women looked as if they were face to face with Satan himself. He looked to Christine and her face did not hold fear or sorrow. She had a large, sick grin. She was laughing at him. All the pain he had endured in the past came back upon him. Before he could react, she pushed him against the rails of the platform. They gave way under his weight and he fell into the inferno.
Erik woke with a start. His heart was pounding, his breaths were short, and his body glistened with a sheen of sweat. He monitored his surroundings and found that Christine was still sound asleep. Her head was resting upon his chest and her arm was still wrapped firmly around his waist. Her skin had an angelic glow from the sun's first light pouring in from the small window. "Beautiful," Erik thought. He admired his treasure for a few moments more before gently pulling himself away. Christine groaned a little at the loss of contact but settled down quickly.
After putting his shirt on and straightening himself out, Erik ventured down the stairs. Navid was waiting for him in the lounge. "You look like hell," he laughed. Erik smirked at his friend's playful jab. Very few people could survive such a personal insult but even the infamous Phantom could handle it in the presence of a true friend. "Don't I always?" he joked. They shared a smile and Erik sat down across from his friend, ready for the inevitable conversation to come.
Navid leaned forward and asked, "Now, why are you really fleeing? Your girl is a great story teller, but a terrible liar."
Erik sighed heavily and put his face into his hands. "Of course she is. Innocence isn't corrupted so easily. I fear being in my presence too long will ruin her. She'll share my cursed fate."
"That doesn't explain what is going on. Why is she doomed to the same fate you have?"
Erik met his gaze and started the story. He began with the singing lessons and ended with the encounter in his lair. Navid looked at his friend with wonder in his eyes.
"She swears she is here for me. But, I can't help but have doubts," he clenched his fists in anger. "She's tricked me before. I swore never to be fooled again."
Navid allowed his friend a moment to calm himself before continuing.
Erik took a few deep breaths then started again. "I know I have a right to be wary but I curse myself whenever the doubts surface in my mind," he let a small smile escape. "Every time I look into her eyes, I don't see malice. I've seen fear and wonder, but not malice."
Navid smiled. "Perhaps she really does like you. Nothing is impossible."
Christine eyes fluttered open. She felt a chill and pulled the blankets around her. It wasn't until then that she noticed that she was alone. She sat up and looked for Erik. A feeling of panic struck her. "Did he run off without me? Why would he? He couldn't have-"
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. Erik was at the door with a tray in his hands. He smiled at her and set the tray down on the bureau. "I thought you would like something to eat," he said nervously before making his way towards the bed. "Are you alright? You looked frightened."
"It was nothing. Just… a bad dream," she stuttered.
Erik raised an eyebrow. "She's a worse liar than I thought," he thought to himself. He sat down next to her and pulled her into a warm embrace. He kissed the top of her head and said, "Now tell me what was really bothering you."
Christine settled into the embrace, lying wouldn't help now. "When I woke up, I- I thought you left me," she said softly. Erik cupped her cheek and his eyes bore into hers. "I would never abandon you," he said lightly. His eyes held nothing but truth. Christine smiled before kissing him softly. After they separated Christine's eyes darted to the tray. She hadn't eaten since before the opera the night before. Erik followed her gaze and chuckled. He got up and retrieved the tray for her. The meal was modest, a slice of bread and some fruit, but it satisfied the couple.
After the meal Christine stretched out on the bed, clearly still tired. Erik smiled and lied next to her so they would be face to face. Christine got a good look at Erik. The deformed side of his face was up; it really wasn't too frightening. The flesh was a reddish tone and had a kind of shine to it. There were white scars webbing across his face, much like he had been burned. The area under his eye was slightly drooping and had a deeper red color. But his eyes were the same. They were deep blue in color, with a touch of green in the center. Christine reached out to touch his face. He shuddered a little but allowed it. His skin wasn't slimy or cold, but was soft and warm to the touch. She mapped out every detail with her fingertips until she found his lips. She ran her thumb along his bottom lip before kissing him softly.
"You're perfect," she said after breaking the kiss.
"Hardly," he retorted.
Christine acted disappointed, earning her a kiss. Erik pulled her to him and held her close. Christine rested her head on his chest once again. She listened to his heart beating. A steady drumming played inside his chest. "I knew you were human," she thought.
"We need to leave soon," Erik said, breaking Christine's concentration on his heartbeat. "I'm sure the authorities will be starting to search for me."
"Wouldn't they just go through the opera house first?" Christine asked.
"Indeed they will. But we should get a head start for when they begin searching outside of Paris. Navid is a great friend. I do not wish to bring harm to him and his family."
"You're right. We should leave immediately."
Erik nodded and the couple got off the bed to head downstairs. In the kitchen sat their hosts. The family all sat at the table to enjoy their breakfast. Navid's wife had their daughter sitting in her lap. "Ah, our guests have finally decided to come down," Navid laughed. "Erik, Christine, this is my family." He motioned to the woman sitting next to him. "This is my wife, Jasmyna and, our daughter, Leila. Say 'hello' to our guests, Leila."
The small child squirmed out of her mother's lap and stood in front of Erik and Christine. "Hi," she squeaked.
"Nice to meet you," Erik said as he knelt down to get to the little girl's level. To his surprise she didn't run away at the sight of his face. She merely got closer to examine it.
"Why is your face all red?" she asked, placing a small hand on his cheek.
"I've always been that way," he explained.
"I like it."
Erik was stunned. Leila giggled and moved to inspect Christine. She smiled broadly before saying, "You're pretty."
Christine smiled. "So are you darling."
The child giggled and ran back to her mother. She looked just as her mother did. They shared thick ebony locks, high cheek bones, and creamy caramel skin. However, Leila's eyes were not her mother's. They were Navid's, deep set and nearly black in color.
"I'm sorry," Jasmyna started. "I'll work on teaching her not to ask personal questions."
"Oh, no. It's fine, Madame. The child's innocent question was not a bother at all," Erik said with a grin.
Jasmyna smiled and resumed trying to feed Leila. "We've decided to depart," Erik started. "Our- my presence will bring nothing but trouble for you."
Navid nodded in understanding. "I understand. But please know that you are always welcome. Perhaps you could visit after all this has blown over."
"I'm sure we will," Christine said.
"I have a few gifts for you," he added.
Erik was surprised. "Oh?"
Navid got up from the table and disappeared up the stairs. When he came back down he held a beautiful midnight blue gown. "For you, mademoiselle," he beamed.
Christine's jaw dropped. "Oh my… I can't accept this! It's too-"
"Nonsense, mademoiselle. It's been in storage for a year now. A bit out of date but it'll still look stunning on you," Jasmyna said, with a huge grin. "Please take it."
Christine took the dress from Navid and thanked him. She and Jasmyna went upstairs to put it on. Navid then turned to Erik. "And for you," he said, handing him a bundle of clothes with a small mask sitting on top. He offered him a new pair of pants and a bold, crimson tunic; much like the one he had worn the night before. The mask was not like his usual white half-mask. This was a black domino mask with silver lining and embroidery. Erik gingerly grabbed the mask. "Thank you, friend," he said, barely above a whisper. "You can change up in my room. First door on the left," Navid offered. Erik made his way up the stairs but was stopped in his tracks by the sight of his angel. The dress was open shouldered which showed off her ivory skin. It clung to her waist before flowing gracefully to the floor.
"Speechless?" Jasmyna laughed. Christine blushed at Erik's inability to answer right away.
"I see you have a new mask," Christine said, hoping to get Erik to speak.
"Oh! Yes, it's best for traveling in daylight," Erik explained.
Jasmyna chuckled and led Christine downstairs. Erik moved into the bedroom to change. He looked very sharp in the crimson and black ensemble. He then pulled his hair back and tied it. "If only I didn't have this curse," he thought to himself as he grabbed the new mask. Erik slowly and gently placed the mask on his face. After tying the strings behind his head he examined himself once more. He made his way out of the room and down the stairs to meet up with his friend.
"Looking sharp," Navid laughed.
Erik smirked and said, "Of course. I always managed to best you in fashion."
They all shared a laugh. When the room grew quiet again, everyone knew it was time.
"I've called a cab for you two," Navid informed Erik and Christine.
"What? But we have a horse," Christine protested.
"I do not intend to burden you with him," Erik added.
"It's fine. We'll watch over him. Besides, he doesn't really seem to be the working type."
"If you insist."
Navid nodded and led the couple outside where the cab was waiting for them. Erik opened the cab door for Christine. He shut the door behind her and looked at Navid. "I cannot thank you enough for this," he told his friend.
"It's nothing, friend. I'm sure I was put on this Earth just to keep you out of trouble," he laughed. Erik scowled jokingly. Navid returned to his house, laughing the whole way. Erik smiled inwardly and turned to the cab driver. "Take us to Rouen, please," he instructed before jumping into the cab. The cab driver nodded and took to the road.
Erik settled next to Christine, who was curiously staring out the window. She tore herself from the window to get closer to Erik. She nestled into his side and rested her head on his shoulder. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll find out soon," he replied.
Christine shrugged and accepted Erik's aversion to speaking plainly.
"You want to know about my past, fair Christine," he thought to himself. "I hope this will satisfy your curiosity."
The couple sat in silence afterward, waiting for what was to be thrown at them next.
Author's Note 2: More of a Christine and Erik understanding one another chapter. But the plot thickens. Just you guys wait for the next chapter! Reviews would be nice!
