Author's Note: I am done with my exams; I was extremely busy, so sorry it took longer than I expected but I have more than one chapter written and I will try and get more out in a hurry.

Disclaimer: Now the only thing I own is a picture of the Phantom, YEAH, but still it is not the same as the real thing.

Wounded Wings

It had been four days and Erik was getting restless. He couldn't stand just being in bed and not doing anything to help in the process of finding Christine. He was always in a foul disposition, cursing and screaming at anyone who came into the room.

"Julie, go and give this meal to Erik" The servant girl's eyes widened as she gazed at Madame Giry. Madame Giry noticed her reluctance, and gave her a stern look.

"Please Madame, no offense to thee. It is just that, I don't think Master Erik likes it when I bring him his meals, he wants to speak with you." She said softly, she had enough experience with Erik to know that this time would be no different.

"No Julie, I will not be going up there because I know what he wants but he is still not well enough. Just tell him that if he wants to be of any help for Ms Daae that he needs to get his rest."

The servant girl grabbed the tray table and trudged up the stairs, murmuring the whole way. When she got to the door, she timidly knocked on the door; praying that he wouldn't say anything so she could just go back down stairs.

"Come in" said a firm voice on the other side of the door. Julie took a deep breath before opening the door. The strange man was sitting on his up on his bed. His back was propped up against a pillow, and he seemed to be looking out at the window thinking. He turned when she entered the room, his white mask covering one side of his face. Madame Giry told her explicitly not to stare at his face or say anything about the mask.

"Please sir, Madame Giry sent this meal up for you and she desires you eat it so you may gain your strength." She said this while placing the tray next to his bed. She tried not to look at his face, taking her by surprise he grabbed her arm forcing her to look into his dark eyes.

"Tell Madame Giry that I shall not eat one bite till she comes upstairs to speak with me," Erik stated between clenched teeth.

"Sh-e, ss-aid that you w-w-would want h-her to come up, b-but sir" the young girl was very nervous and scared of the masked man. Erik's eyes narrowed cutting her statement off in mid sentence.

"I WILL NOT BE ORDERED AROUND, YOU TELL HER THAT I WANT TO SPEAK WITH HER AND I WILL BE HEARD!" Erik's temper was rising, he was about to throw the tray again like this morning when someone spoke from the door frame.

"Erik, put the tray down and release Julie. I am here now, so what is it that you wanted me to speak about." Madame Giry said firmly, Erik whipped around releasing the servant who hurried out of the room.

"It is about time you came up here. I am sick and tired of playing these games, I am ready to get out of this dang bed and do something."

Madame Giry could hear the frustration in his voice and knew she needed to choose her words carefully.

"Erik, these are not games that we are playing but precautions; you have been shot and it has barley been two weeks, and I don't think you are strong enough. If you are to save her you need all your strength, so eat your food and get some sleep."

"I AM FINE, I CAN DETERMINE MINE OWN FEELINGS AND I HAVE NEVER FELT BETTER." His breathing quickened and pain was etched in his features; having exerted more energy than he had available. "I just feel so useless; I need her here beside me."

"Yes I understand Erik, but you must be patient, and please stop threatening my servants and throwing things at them." Getting up, Madame Giry left Erik alone with his thoughts and his food.

Christine walked by the shore, watching the sun sink slowly below the horizon. Another day had died, and she felt that another piece of her heart die with it also. She couldn't decide on her feelings for Raoul either.

He had been so kind and considerate to her. Then again he did kill the man she loved, she wondered what Erik would have done to Raoul if she had not decided to go with him that day. Erik was driven by his love for her, blinded just like Raoul. Her dear childhood friend thought that she needed saving and wanted her in his life just like the Phantom did.

Erik probably would have killed Raoul if they had met when he came down to save her. She would hate him instead of her childhood friend. In her heart she also knew that if she went with Raoul, she wouldn't have been as happy. Raoul didn't need her as Erik did, he didn't yearn for her as much. Erik was her second half as much as she was his, she knew this. She had felt such passion and love for Erik, more than she had ever felt for Raoul. For him all she really felt was just a tender sweet love, not the love that made her burn like Erik, she never knew that she could love someone so completely, so ardently. He made her soul take flight, made her have wings. Now those wings were wounded and broken; the only person who could possible heal those wounds was far away.

Raoul had taken her to the house by the sea, where they had played together as children. This was the place where she had some of her happiest moments, and now all this place brought was pain. She really appreciated the effort that Raoul was trying to put forth, trying to make her happy. But without the other half of her soul, she felt like a shell. She wished her father was here to comfort her.

Looking back, she remembered when she wanted her father back beside her. She had been confused as to what to think, Raoul and her where engaged then, but she felt so guilty because she had betrayed the Phantom. She was frightened, and felt so alone. She didn't know who to turn to, there was no one to talk to and tell her what to do. She was so used to having people tell what to do and think and for once she was torn between two people. Two people, who wanted different things of her, both wanted her love and she had to decide between the two. Sighing she continued along the shore line, knowing that Raoul would becoming to look for her soon. Reaching into her pocket she pulled out a beautiful ring, with gorgeous diamonds. Raoul had given this ring back to her the other day. He said that he found it beneath the opera house. It had been their engagement ring the first time, and then Erik used it too. She had completely forgotten about it when she was escaping, she must have dropped it.

Raoul found it and now ask for her hand again. She knew that he would take care of her and love her, but was that what she really wanted. She thought a long time ago that, all she wanted was to be Christine De Changy, but know. Closing her eyes she tried to ward off all the feelings that were rushing through her body.

"Oh Papa, what am I to do. I am so confused; Erik was my life but now he is gone. My heart is dying slowly I can feel it. How can I go on without him beside me? I never knew how much I needed him till now, and Raoul, dear sweet Raoul. He killed father, he just shot him." She spat out the last statement with venom. Tears slowly falling down her face, "But he did it to save me, or least her thought he was saving me. I think Erik would have done the same, so I cannot judge him to harshly, can I?" shaking her head, she put the ring back in her pocket. "He has asked for my hand in marriage father, I think I will accept. The only life I can live now is with him. I hope that Erik can understand, please make him see. I feel so alone, I feel like once again I am betraying my angel. My heart hurts Father, and maybe by marrying Raoul it won't hurt so badly. I just don't know." She buried her face in her hands, and sunk to the sand crying.

Review time, I will have the other chapter up in a few days once I get some reviews, tah-tah.