Chapter 3. Taking it in Strides.

True to her word, Christine was done the dishes quickly and immediately raced to the music room to find Erik. She was excited to spend time with him.

"I'm finished." she said happily, coming into an empty room. "Erik?" she called. A feeling of dread entered the pit of her stomach as she scanned the room and did not find him. She left the room in a quick pace, looking for her masked man. A few tears slid down her cheek. She opened every door she came upon.

How many rooms are in this house? So far she'd been in at least four bathrooms, three bedrooms and three libraries. Eventually though, she came upon a door that was slightly ajar. She entered the room to find Erik sitting on the bed, his back facing her. He appeared to be looking at something intently.

"Erik?" Christine called. Erik's head shot up in obvious shock.

I'm going to have to fix that. Christine thought as she came over to him and sat down next to him. Erik couldn't believe she was sitting next to him, on a bed no less! Did she realize what she was doing?

"Those are pretty." Christine commented on the drawings Erik was holding. They appeared to have been drawn by someone with obvious talent; most likely Erik.

"Thank you." Erik said softly. Christine smiled brightly.

I could get use to her smiles... Erik thought as he flipped through some of his drawings. He blanched though as he came across a drawing of Christine. She will surely run now. She must think I am an obsessed stalker.

"Wow, it's beautiful." Christine said softly as she lightly put the padding of her fingers on the drawing and traced her face. She wasn't sure how to react. She was flattered but a bit shocked. She realized that at one point in her life, if she had seen that, she would have turned in horror.

"It doesn't compare to the real beauty." Erik silently kicked himself wanting to take back those words. Now she'll run! He hadn't meant to sound too forward. It had come out before he even realized what he'd said.

But to his utter shock and relief, Christine smiled genuinely. "I don't know about that." she looked down embarrassed when his gaze was on her.

Before he even realized it, he caressed her cheek and the nape of her neck. Shocked, he was about to pull his hand away, till Christine leaned in and put her hand on his, stroking it gently. It was such a sweet and sensual feeling… but what was he thinking?

Erik stood abruptly. This was too much for him. The fact that she was accepting his touch over the Vicomte was beyond him.

Christine looked at him and figured he still wasn't ready yet. We'll have to take it in strides.

"Would you like a tour of the house?" Erik asked, trying to cover his embarrassment and shock.

Christine was about to say she had pretty much seen the whole house when searching for him, but decided to let him show her. He obviously wasn't ready for such attentions... so she nodded. They both stood and Erik showed her the house, describing every little thing about each room.

xoxo

Christine hardly heard what Erik said throughout the whole time he showed her the house. She was too distracted by his mouth moving. One thought seemed to linger on her mind… I wonder if it'll feel as passionate to kiss him now, as it did before. She blushed.

"Do you understand Christine?" Erik asked. "Christine?"

Christine looked up sheepishly. "W- What?"

"Do you understand that you can use anything in the house, anytime? You don't ever have to ask me."

"Oh, yes. T- Thank you." she smiled, looking down embarrassed. During the whole time he spoke, her thoughts were filled of dreaming about him taking her into his arms.

"Would you still like me to play for you?" Erik asked. He noticed Christine was quite distant during the time he showed her around. He'd give anything to know what she was thinking… a penny for your thoughts.

"That'd be wonderful!" Christine exclaimed, trying to cover up the fact that she wasn't paying attention.

Erik made a beeline to the music room with Christine at his heels.

"What would you like me to play?" he asked, sitting down on the piano bench.

"Pachelbel Canon. And after will you play something you've composed?" she asked.

Erik nodded and began to swiftly move his fingers across the piano. Christine went and sat down on a chaise nearby, listening intently. He was wonderful. She wondered what it would feel like to have his expert fingers do that to her… Christine blushed at her thoughts. She couldn't think this way, it was inappropriate.

Several minutes later, Erik finished Pachelbel Canon and turned to see Christine, but saw that she had already fallen asleep.

He went and fetched a blanket and laid it on top of her petite body to keep her warm. He gazed at her for a few moments. And then out of no where, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly. Not sure what came over him, he stood up sharply. He felt disgusted in himself for touching her without her knowledge.

He sighed and left. He didn't know what he was going to do.

xoxo

Christine woke up a few hours later. Rubbing her eyes, she stood up and glanced out the window. There was a beautiful garden out amongst the many acres of land. She suddenly began to wonder where they were. She hadn't even really asked Erik. The only thing she remotely knew was that it was outside of France.

Where is Erik? She thought as she realized that she was alone in the room. She immediately went in search of him. She checked his room first, but noticed he wasn't there. Why do I feel like I am always searching for him?

She grew agitated and stomped her foot in frustration. The way he acted was frustrating. One moment he was passionate and trying to win her from Raoul, the next he was quiet, and became a stranger. She knew almost nothing about him! He refused to open up to her no matter how much she tried to convince him she loved him. She felt like she had been patient enough and that she had already made it clear to him that she wanted said attentions.

Suddenly Erik reappeared, like a ghost. "Oh, you're awake." Erik said happily. Christine glared at him. One minute he was here, the next he wasn't. This act was growing old.

"Would you like something to eat?" he asked. "You must be famished."

"No."

"Something to drink?"

"No."

"What would you like?"

"To know why you always disappear and hide." she said stubbornly.

Erik was taken aback. He noticed she seemed annoyed. "W- What?"

"Why do you always disappear and hide?" Christine asked again, taking a step closer to him.

"You fell asleep. I thought I'd leave you be… simple as that." Christine made no response. Instead a few tears slid down her cheek. Erik made a move to wipe them away, but Christine caught his hand in mid air.

"Do you still like me?" she asked in a whisper, voicing a thought that she had begun to wonder.

"Of course I like you!" he said uncomfortably. That fact that he loved her was the problem. Why was she questioning this?

"Then why do you act like a stranger?" she demanded.

"Christine,"

"Answer me!" she was practically yelling now.

When Erik made no response, Christine turned and fled from the room. She ran down the stairs and outside. She kept running across the many acres of land till she could run no more.

She collapsed in a heap by a big oak tree, tired and breathing rapidly. She finally let all the tears she had been building up from his lack of interest, and began to sob. I guess he doesn't care. Her thoughts taunted, which caused her to cry even more.

xoxo

Erik slowly came up to her and sat down next to her, without her knowledge, and pulled her into his embrace. She didn't pull back, to tired and upset to argue. He had followed her. Truth be told he never even realized he was acting like a stranger till Christine pointed it out. He wasn't use to being around another person and caring for them… especially Christine. He was scared, and he admitted that. He loved her, but didn't want to ruin the mutual respect that two had built, with his desperate love for her. He was scared that he'd lose her again to the Vicomte if he pushed to hard. So he stepped back. He obviously was missing her signs.

The silence wore on. Christine had finally stopped crying and began to realize that she was in Erik's arms.

"I'm sorry." she muttered, making a move to leave, even though she really didn't want too. He felt nice and comforting when his strong arms were wrapped around her. "I won't act out again. Thank you for taking me into your home."

"Christine," Erik held onto her and she looked up, "don't apologize."

"But -"

"I'm sorry. I've been acting foolish. Forgive me. I'm just so scared." he said softly, running his fingers through her curls absentmindedly.

"Scared?"

"I don't want to lose you again." he admitted. He bit the side of his mouth, waiting for her response. Now it was him who was opening up his can of worms.

Christine looked up in shock. "Erik, you won't -"

Erik cut her off. "I can't see you everyday, only to see you run back to your Vicomte." he spit out. He immediately felt guilty for turning nasty. "I'm sorry."

"I won't leave you Erik." Christine spoke, caressing his cheek. His eyes looked into hers, almost pleading.

"Christine -"

"I promise you Erik, I shall never leave you." she declared. I would never leave you. I love you so much, I'm dieing! Her mind screamed.

Erik smiled at her. I wish I could just tell you I love you and that I want to take you and ravage you.

It was a start. But perhaps it was a real start of a new beginning. The two both stood up and began both their long journey back to his home and to each other's hearts not realizing that one of the journeys had already been completed.