You may hate me for this chapter too. Sorry! (runs away from rabid reviewers)

Erik

"Kiera, no!" I reach out to her, but she's already too far away. "Kiera..."

"Christine, how could you do that?" Meg asks. "She's done nothing to you." After this, she hurries off to find Kiera.

"Don't worry about her, Erik, mon chere. You know you really love me." Christine puts a hand on my shoulder. "And just think, now things can go back to the way they were with her out of the way."

"Get away from me!" I pull away. "Things can never go back to the way they were, Christine! You're married to the Vicomte, and I'm married to Kiera. I love her more than I could ever love you. You've done nothing but hurt my wife and me. I had a wonderful life with Kiera until you came back into the picture, but now, my wife has slapped me, called me a monster, and ran off to God knows where! Madam de Chagney, I bid you farewell...FOREVER! And I promise you, should you ever rudely intrude into my life again, you will recieve much more than a thorough scolding."

"You can't do this to me, Erik! I loved you before she did, and you know it!" She yells after me, her voice cracking.

"No! I met and loved her long before you! Good day, Madam." I walk away in the direction Meg and Kiera went.

I find them both sitting under a willow tree. Meg is holding Kiera's hand and patting it, obviously trying to calm her down. I keep hidden and watch them. However, they are talking too quietly for me to hear, and the angle I see them from isn't good enough for me to read their lips.

Kiera

"Meg, what am I going to do? I've no where to go...no where to turn. The only thing I can do is go back to wandering around the country."

"Haven't you any friends or relatives in the city you can stay with? What about the lady at the inn you talked about over tea last week? Can't you stay with her again?"

"She's Erik's mother. I can't go there. I have no relatives; they're all either dead or don't know I exist."

"Friends?"

"No one at all, and what's worse is..." I pause. "I think I'm pregnant."

"Are you sure?"

"I've been sick to my stomach the past several mornings and my cycle stopped nearly three months ago. Meg, what will I do if I have a baby and we've no where to live?"

"Kiera...you'll have to stay with Erik. I know you'll find a way around what happened earlier. You should talk to him; I have a feeling that Christine kissed him...not the other way around." Meg sighs and then says nervously, "The baby is Erik's, isn't it?"

"How could you ever think something like that, Meg? Of course Erik's the father. He's the only one I've been with, but he doesn't want children," I retort.

"I'm sorry, Kiera. Still, I think it would be best if the two of you talked this out...for your baby's sake." She stands up. "I'll let you be alone for a while. I'm going to have a word with Christine."

Erik

Once Meg is out of hearing range, I come out of hiding. "Kiera..." I sit down beside her.

"Please, go away." She starts to stand up, but I take her hand and pull her back down. "Erik!"

"Allow me to explain what happened between Christine and me?"

"You'd better make this good. I won't sit here and listen for long."

I nod. "She came up to me and said she loved me. I tried to explain to her that I didn't feel the same way toward her, but she kept cutting me off. The next thing I knew, she was kissing me. It happened so fast, I wasn't sure what was going on at first. When I did realize that she was kissing me, I panicked on how to deal with the situation. Should I push her away or just wait until she stops? Then I saw you and broke away. Kiera, ma cherie, I would never hurt you. How many times must I say it? I love you with all of my heart," I explain.

"Look me in the eye, and tell me the truth. Do you still love her?"

I gaze directly into her black eyes. "No. She means nothing to me."

For a moment she simply stares back, searching my soul for whatever it is she needs to see. "You're a very good actor and liar. How can I believe you?"

My heart stops temporarily. "What? You've always believed me. I'd never lie to you."

"That was before I watched my husband kiss the woman that he constantly denies affection for." She stands up and walks towards Persephone. "I never thought I'd have to say this to you, but I feel I must. Don't come home tonight. Return to the Opera for the time being." She pulls herself up onto the saddle and without another word, she rides off towards our house.

I am still for a moment, but then the anger welling inside me starts to circulate faster and begins it's accent up my throat. I clench my fists and jaw, my eyes shut tightly, and my entire body begins to shake. Just as I feel I'm about to explode, I release my fury. "No!" I shout in a voice that contains none of the qualities of a well-trained tenor. I drop to my knees and pound the ground with my fists until I can feel a warm substance between my fingers and a tingling sensation throughout my hands. I look at the torn, blood-covered flesh and then fall forward in a sobbing heap of nothing more than a devastated man. "Kiera! Kiera!" I cry into the grass and dirt. "Kiera, please, forgive me!"

"Erik, perhaps you should leave the site for the day," Meg suggests. "I can't help but believe that you truly need some time to yourself."

"Meg, I'd rather stay here and try to keep my mind occuppied. If I go to the Opera...I might do something drastic. Please..."

"Monsieur, I..." She sighs and rubs her arm. "Very well. If that's what you want."

"Yes. It is." I stand to my feet, desperately attempting to regain my composure and dry the tears in my eyes and on my cheeks.

"First, however, I'll clean and bandage those cuts on your hands. You're no good if they get infected and you can't use your hands."

In a while, I'm about the site again, checking how things are coming, and my hands aren't quite as sore. The rest of the day drags by slowly, each passing moment spent only thinking of what Kiera is doing and trying to grasp what she is feeling. I suppose that she feels exactly the way I felt when I saw Christine and the Vicomte on the roof of the Opera...betrayed and furious.

When I arrive at the Opera, I lead Caesar down the corridors, to the stables where I had kept him. Continuing on to the lake, I stop at the shore and stare into the black water at a man I thought I'd never see again. A man who is utterly alone in the world; his face is tear stained, his hair unorderly, a frown of sorrow displayed upon his face. "Kiera," I sigh, still looking at my reflection in the lake. A tear falls into the water, rippling my image. A fit of anger comes upon me; I draw back and hit the water with all of my might, sending waves of cold liquid in every direction.

In the old abandoned house, I sit solemnly in the black arm chair and gaze longingly at the sofa, wishing Kiera was sitting in her normal place, smiling at me. Fresh tears find their way down my cheeks. Having grown sick of the view in the den, I move on to the music room, hoping that a bit of music will take my mind away from all of the day's events like so many times before. For a brief moment, I am content, but then I begin to play one of the many tunes Kiera played with me on countless occassions. It's no use! Everything here reminds me of her and the pain I've just caused her! I let my head crash into the keys of the piano and sob again. "God, I love her so! Why did you have to bring Christine back into my life? I was happy! For once in my life, I was honestly happy! Is this the cruel punishment I must endure for what I've done in the past? I have to lose the woman I truly love?" I lean back and scream towards the heavens.

"Erik." A hand falls on my shoulder.

"Antoinette?" I turn about and stare at her sad face. "Why are you here?"

"Meg told me what happened today. I'm sorry. I should have known Christine was up to something. Especially after the conversation we had after you left that day."

"What do you mean? I don't understand."

"She got angry because you were married and wanted nothing to do with her. We tried to explain to her that you didn't love her, but she wouldn't let it go. When she asked us where you and Kiera lived, we refused to tell her. Apparently, she wanted to make Kiera stay away from you. Then, she asked why you were there. Unfortunately, we didn't see the possibility of her coming to the site; so, we told her. It's partially my fault. My apologies, Erik."

"I don't blame you; I blame myself. I should have walked away from Christine. Instead, I stayed and didn't do anything until I saw Kiera standing there in shock. Antoinette, I love Kiera with all of my heart and soul. I feel...empty and completely alone without her. She's my world." I bury my face in my palms. "How could I let all of this happen?"

"That's how love goes, mon ami. You have your ups and downs...and of course, the occassional, unavoidable, normal spats. In a few days, I believe things will be back to the way they were. You and Kiera will be happy again, and Christine will be forgotten. Now, I'm going to make some tea to settle your nerves a bit."

"You think of Christine as a daughter. How can you..."

"Defend you against her? Simple. What she did was wrong. Since she left with Raoul the night this place burned, you have done nothing to her. Not to mention, I think of you as a son, also." She puts the kettle over the fire.

Once the tea is done, she pours two cups and hands one to me. "Thank you, Madam." We sit and drink the tea in silence. "It's nine o'clock, Madam; you should be getting home."

"No. I'm not leaving you here alone."

"I'll be fine, Antoinette. Go home."

"Very well." She takes a few steps towards the door. "And, Erik, I believe Kiera is expecting a child. So, before you decide to do yourself harm, think about that baby." She disappears through the door and into the dark abyss.

I am speechless. That would explain why she hasn't been feeling well. "Who in their right mind could imagine the Phantom of the Opera as a father? Oh, God, I need to sleep on this." I stagger to my feet and head to the coffin. When I lie down, though, it feels different. After nearly nine months of sleeping in a soft bed with Kiera at my side, going back to sleeping alone in this thing seems so foreign. I try to sleep, but it's no use. So, I get out and drag myself to the guest room where I let myself fall onto the soft mattress and soon fall asleep.

Kiera

"Oh, Erik, why did this happen?" I lean against the window of our room and cry. "I know you were telling the truth! I know you were, but the sight of the two of you together made my heart ache terribly. I didn't know what else to say. It seemed right that I should tell you to stay away." I slowly shrink to my knees.

After several minutes of self-loathing, I come to my feet and go behind the changing screen to change into my night gown. As I am pulling the night gown down over my stomach, I stop and run one hand across my slightly swollen belly. It isn't too apparent yet, but it is enough that I can tell. "And I haven't even told your father about you, little one."

I crawl into bed a few minutes later and slide underneath the covers, shivering at their cold temperature. As it is January, it's still quite cold outside and being the only one in the bed doesn't help matters. I draw my knees upward, trying to keep warm until my body heat has warmed the surroundings. This process didn't seem to take so long when Erik and I were together, but now that I am alone, it seems to take an eternity. However, after some time, the sheets and covers are warm enough that I can settle down to some extent. It takes some time for sleep to find me, but it at last arrives, taking me into a wonderful world of blissful darkness.

Waking just as the first grey light of dawn is filling the air, I scramble from bed to dress. I must go to the Opera. There's not much telling what Erik will have done to himself. He's so hard on himself. I dress quickly; pulling on my wool gloves, and wrapping a thick, warm shawl around my shoulders, I hurry out to Persephone and saddle her with great haste. With no time to spare, I start her in the direction of the Opera Populaire.

Arriving in the alley, I guide Persephone down the corridors to the stables where I also find Caesar. He whinnies with excitement at the sight of his love. I've no need to worry about them wandering off; they're quite loyal. Then, I run towards the lake, searching frantically for the familiar dock and boat. Yet, when I finally stop on the dock, the spare boat is gone. "Dear God, how do I get across now?" I calm down and sort through my options. I can swim it and risk getting too cold and drowning, killing myself and the baby...or I can find a way around the lake. Though, to the extent of my knowledge, no such way exists.

I scower the walls on each side of the lake, hoping to find some trap door that will lead me to the other side. To my dismay, I find nothing. I must swim across...despite the risks. I strip down to nothing more than the wool dress I wear under my clothes. Unfortunately, it will weigh me down; I tear off the skirt at midthigh and dive into the water. I can't waste anytime.

At first, I do quite well, but then my limbs start to grow numb. I can't even feel my toes or fingers. I can see a faint light at a distance. "I...I...I'm...al...m...m..m..most...th...there." I kick faster, desperately trying to reach the light, but I cannot. My legs and arms give out. "Erik!" I scream with the little breath I have and succomb to the dark, freezing water.

"Kiera!" Someone calls my name just as a light appears above the water. I reach out to it as I slip further and further into the blackness. Suddenly, my descent is reversed; I'm being pulled up, and someone has hold of my arm. "Kiera, hold on!"

All I can see after a moment is the glow of a lantern, and I can feel the warmth of several blankets chasing away the chills that have overtaken me. "Where am I?"

"Hush," a gentle, soothing voice says. "Save your strength. We're almost there."

Only a short time passes before I can feel myself moving. My rescuer is carrying me somewhere. I do not know where, but I do know that I'm glad to be out of that horrid lake. The room quickly warms to a splendid level. Whoever is carrying me sets me down on a soft bed and begins to dry me off, wringing my hair out with their hands and wiping away the water from my skin. Next, this person begins to remove my dress. I smack their hand. "Get away from me, you pervert!" I cannot see them clearly as my vision is still quite blurred.

"You'll catch your death if you don't get out of these clothes. Besides, it's nothing I haven't seen before." They continue to try to rid me of my clothes.

"Stop! I shall do it! Go away, whoever you are!" I order.

"Very well. Your dry garments are here on the bed, along with some more towels. I suggest that you lie down and get some rest once you've changed. You need it."

Once I've dressed, I lie down in the bed and sleep for a bit. I wake a few hours later, perhaps, still in the place I had been. My vision has improved greatly. "Hello?" I call out, opening the door to the room. "Is anyone here?"

"Glad to see you awake. I was so worried." I man robed in black, wearing a white mask appears.

"Erik? Mon chere, is it you?"

"Who else would you expect to find you in the lake? Of course it's me."

"Oh, mon chere, I'm so happy to see you!" I squeal, rushing into his arms.

"As I am to see you." He strokes my hair and kisses my forehead. "What were you doing? Why in the world were you trying to swim across the lake? Even I can't make that journey with the water at the temperature it is." He leads me to the sofa and sits down beside me, handing a warm cup of tea to me.

"I was trying to get to you. The boat wasn't there. I was scared you had...well...you know what I mean. And I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday."

"Your actions were appropriate and expected, Kiera. I can't blame you. Besides, I'm the one who should be apologizing...well, not even that. I should be grovelling at your feet for forgiveness. I should have reacted faster than I did to the incident."

"Let's just drop what happened yesterday. We both know the other is apologetic, and that's all that matters. Am I right?"

"Yes." He looks down at his cup of tea and seems to be mulling something over. "Kiera, might I ask you a question?"

"Of course," I reply.

"Are you..." He pauses. "Madam Giry came by last night to check on me and said that she believed you were...expecting. I suppose I'm wondering if it's true. Are you?"

I take a deep breath. "Yes. I'm sorry."

"Sorry? No, cherie, it's perfectly fine. Besides, I've actually changed my mind about being a father in the past months; it's a role I've yet to play. I've been a murderer, musician, magician, lover, fiance, husband, criminal, and soon I can add 'father' to the list." He embraces me warmly, sitting his tea aside. "I'm glad."

"Erik...I...I don't know what to say?"

"Maybe this will help with your answer." He pullls me closer to him and brings our lips together. "Now what do you say?"

"No other woman in the world is as fortunate as I am." He gives me a questioning look. I take his hands and kiss each of them. "I'm married to a man with more heart and soul than any other person on the planet, and the man I love more than life itself is the father of my child. What more could I want or need? I am happier than I have ever been in my life."

He smiles faintly and turns away. "Kiera..."

"Erik..." I turn his head towards me and meet his gaze. "Love doesn't lie. I would never tell you anything short of the truth."