Pursuit of Your Deepest Urge©
Chapter Ten: Warmth
By Genevieve Lee

Zeeksmom: I swear I shall kill my spell check and my dyslexia! Hehe, thanks for pointing that out.

AnimeKitty47: The plot has to thicken! (: What fun would it be without it?

Eyeplayclarinet: Do not fret over this chapter but I cannot make any promises for the future.

Ms. Polly Pocket: I cannot believe you made an account just to review my story! Haha, I love you! And come back to California! It is dreadfully boring here without you! I think Jonathon is about to kill Mr. Puss 'n Boots. You better hurry!

Scorpionorchild: Yay! Thanks (: I'm glad it doesn't look like I've lost too many readers.

POV- Erik

Warmth (noun)
The quality of being close and attached.

It was a strange feeling; one Erik never thought he would have the chance to have. It seemed that the moment he had met Christine, he was working for one goal and one goal only. And that was to win her affections. It was all he ever did, and besides his music, it was his obsession. He was always thinking of ways to please her or impress her; things that would simply get him into her good terms. He had never thought of a time when Christine would return his affections and simply love him. It had always seemed a far off dream; never to be in his reach.

Yet, here they were.

She loved him. She loved him despite his face and she had proved it to him. The night she could have gone with Raoul after he had sent her away, she did not. She was waiting for him. Not Raoul. It was a splendid feeling, really. One he could never completely get used to, though. Now that Erik had her willing, he felt almost like he would not have anything to do. It frightened him that he may not turn out to be everything Christine thought he might be. What if he could not make her happy? What if he let her down like the de Chagny boy did? He would not be able to live with himself if she left him again. He knew deep down it would not happen though. He wouldn't let it happen. He had taken it upon herself to make Christine happy. It was his responsibility, and he would not fail. He promised himself; then and there he would not disappoint her.

Yet the doubts still clung to his mind.

He let out a long sigh as he stroked the petals of the rose he was holding. After he efficiently had removed every thorn, he tied a delicate black ribbon around its stem. The ebony contrasted beautifully with the blood red color of the rose. After making sure it was to his liking he quietly returned to Christine's bedchamber. She was still asleep, as she had been for many hours. He watched her slumber for several minutes. A stray curl had found its way in front of her mouth and every time she breathed in, the ringlet drifted back, only to be blown back by her exhale. He sighed at the sight of how content she looked, and he eventually moved the curl and tucked it behind her ear, which brought a smile to her rosy lips.

When Erik felt like he could no longer stand it, he set the rose down next to her and left her in peace. Shutting the door quietly, he made his way to his library where a fire burned in the fireplace. His mind was blazing with thoughts and he could not seem to calm down. He was restless, and all he wanted was to talk with Christine and hold her in his arms. But he did not want to wake her. He had considered for a moment to crawl into bed with her, just to hold her for a few moments. But the thought was quickly cast aside. What would she think if she woke up in a monster's arms? Plus, it was not decent in the slightest. He took in a shuddering breath and willed his unshed tears away. Why had he cried so much as of late? He knew all the tears were for Christine, but he could not think he would be crying now; when she was here with him of her own free will. Staring blankly at the divan in the corner, Erik spoke softly.

"Christine…what will become of us?" He asked in a sad voice. He opened his hand and there laid the gold band he had bought for her before the Victome had come into the picture. He had wanted to give it to her, but then he found out about her and the boy's engagement. He shuddered as he studied the ring quietly.

"Erik?"

Hearing Christine's bell like voice, he quickly pocketed the ring before she could see. He then turned to her to see what she was doing up. He only hoped she had not heard what he just said. To Erik's surprise, she gave a sweet smile and came forward.

"Oh, Erik, everything is going to be fine." She then did something that surprised him in the greatest. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. Erik stood still for a moment before slowly letting his arms come around her waist to return the embrace. Ashamed, he realized this was one of his first real hugs in his life. He rested his chin atop her curls and rubbed her back slightly.

Finally, not being able to stand it he drew back and held her at arm's length his eyes pleading as he said, "Say it again Christine." She gave him a puzzled look and he grabbed her arms more urgently. "Please Christine. I…I need to hear it again." Finally a look of realization crossed her face and she took a careful step forward.

"I love you, Erik."

The next thing he knew, her lips covered his and for once since this whole ordeal began, he did not have a doubt in his mind.

-----X

"So you have played before?" Erik asked her sweetly as he began setting up the chess set.

Christine nodded eagerly. "Oh, a few times with Mama Valerius, but not many times as of late." She admitted, although she seemed to have a twinkle in her eye. Erik shrugged it off though as they began their game.

"So the opera house has begun to be rebuilt." He said carefully, waiting for Christine's reaction as he took his second move.

"That's splendid!" She replied with all honesty, as she moved one of her pieces. "Check."

"Yes, well I thought once it is rebuilt, you could perhaps be the diva again." He replied, hoping her answer was yes. But if it brought back too many memories, he would understand. Regardless though, she would continue to sing, if only for him.

"Of course! I should love to be apart of the opera again!" She contemplated Erik's last move. "Check."

So on it went, Erik babbling on about her lessons and future as the diva again, and Christine gave very brief answers as if she was thinking of something else.

"Christine, are you even listening to me!" Erik demanded after a short while.

"Of course I am listening Erik!" She reassured before looking down at the board and making her final move. "Check mate!"

Erik stared at her dumbfounded. "What?"

Christine gave a small smile before averting her eyes. "I said check mate."

Erik glanced down at the chess set with disbelief in his eyes. He had never loss a game of chess before! He had played many people during his travels and had enjoyed the game with Nadir quite a few times. Never once had someone beat him. But studying the board, it seemed that Christine had broken the streak. "'A few times'?" He asked, raising his one visible eyebrow as he looked back up at Christine.

"Perhaps more than a few times. I may have stretched that a little." She said blushing, as she looked down, quite embarrassed at her little white lie.

Erik merely smiled and gave a hearty laugh, which caused Christine to look up in shock. Immediately feeling self-conscious, Erik abruptly went silent.

"I am sorry Christine. That wasn't kind." He said, feeling like a fool.

"No Erik! It isn't that, it's just…" She trailed off and for the first time Erik noticed her eyes were glowing with happiness.

"Well, what is it then?" Erik asked softly, now very curious.

"That was the first time I have ever heard you give a sincere laugh." She answered truly, looking quite chum about it. Crimson splashed her pale cheeks and she looked down.

"Does my laugh make you…happy?" He ventured cautiously.

Christine's head shot up and with a smile she nodded. "Oh yes. Very much! I like to see you happy."

"Then I shall laugh more often if it makes you happy." Erik said decisively.

"Yes, I believe I would rather like that."

Genny's Note: I made this chapter kind of short, just because this was a kind of awkward time for Christine and Erik. Next chapter they will explore their feelings a tad more and finally be content. Think of it as the calm before the storm. Well, please review!