I tried to get you a little longer chapter this time. But sometimes I am locked into when a scene ends also being the end of a chapter. I hope you enjoy this one. And I am getting a real kick out of some of your suggestions on what Erik and Christine should do or not do, with each other and what you would like to see happen to the Shah and Shahbanu…torture them or beat them with a stick?! Is someone picking up a few of Erik's violent tendencies here?

Well off we go….

Chapter 10

Christine thoroughly enjoyed her day with Nadir. He was a perfect gentleman and an endless fountain of interesting stories and information. She could see why Erik had chosen him to bestow his elusive trust and friendship upon. They had walked through the palace gardens, stopping to admire the roses and the lilies that grew everywhere she looked. There were peacocks roaming wild and water fountains spread throughout.

Occasionally she spied a cat lounging in the sun or stalking a bird, but try as she might they would not be coaxed to come near her. Nadir explained that they were the Shah's pride and joy, the breed being called Siamese. A mated pair had been given him as a gift from the King of Siam and now at least ten of these felines had full reign of the palace. They were considered sacred and no one was allowed to bother or annoy them, upon pain of death. Hence they were not used to anyone trying to approach them so it was no wonder they were not too keen on the idea of being pet.

When the sun began to drop lower in the sky the two headed back inside. Christine wished to make a very special dinner for Erik, to show that she was not upset by his actions last night and to thank him for his gift. As they walked towards Erik's chambers, she looked up at Nadir with questioning eyes.

"Monsieur…" She began.

"I have told you several times to please call me Nadir." He reminded.

"Nadir… could I ask a question of a personal nature?"

"I see no harm in the asking. I do however reserve the right to decline to answer should I choose." He warned, his smile still warm and comforting.

"It's about Erik. How long have you known him?"

"Ahhh, well, I met Erik in Russia almost three years ago." He confessed.

"In Russia? What took you there?"

"Why Erik, of course. I was sent by the Shah and his wife to bring Erik back for the pleasure of the court. His reputation as an amazing magician and performer of wonders had spread to the ears of the Shah. It was said he could design astonishing creations and astound even the most jaded of spectators and it was my job to convince Erik to come back with me to Persia."

"And he came." It was more of a statement than a question, for obviously here was here.

"Yes, much to my infinite joy and sorrow." Nadir's eyes were full of regret.

"How so?"

"Ahhh, here is where I believe I will choose to keep silent on the matter as I warned you I might. I will tell you this however; the infinite joy I spoke of lies in the friendship I have gained by knowing Erik. He is a very taciturn companion at times and as unpredictable as a wounded tiger, but there is no one I would rather have at my back than he. I also believe that he wishes only to protect you and see you are safe and happy."

"I believe that as well and I am eternally grateful to him for that. I just feel there are so many secrets he is hiding and not just that which lies behind his mask." She looked down at her hands, wringing her fingers nervously. "Last night I saw the scars he carries on his back and chest. When I asked him about them he got so terribly angry and refused to talk about it. How could anyone have done such dreadful things to him, Nadir? How could such atrocities not have scared his heart as well?" She once again felt a tear run down her cheek at the thought of the pain that had been inflicted on him.

Nadir stopped and looked at the weeping girl and gave a sad smile as he wiped her tear away with his fingers.

"The fact that a gentle spirit such as you can weep for him proves that his heart is still salvageable. Erik is a very fortunate man indeed to have stumbled upon you at such a critical juncture in his life. There may be hope for him yet."

"Critical juncture?" She questioned.

"Again I shall choose to hold my tongue. These are questions for Erik to answer, should he so desire. But tread lightly, dear Christine. When one wishes to free a swarm of bees, they may not all thank you for the kindness. Some may sting you out of confusion not realizing you meant them no harm. Do you understand what I am trying to say?"

"Yes, I do Nadir. And thank you for the advice. I will try not to get stung."

Erik was much later returning than he had planned, the sun had set hours ago and the moon was already high in the sky. Again the progress had been slow and frustrating; more complications arising that needed his constant and painstaking attention. At least the revisions would not cost them as much time as he had originally feared and the palace should be completed in a month, two at the very latest. Erik was anxious to see it finished and leave Persia, especially now that he had Christine to worry about as well. His own safety had never really bothered him before, he felt pretty secure in his abilities to protect himself. If he could not fight himself free of a situation he could certainly think his way out of it. His hands were instruments of death, but his mind was his deadliest weapon. He had proven that a hundred times over from the Gypsy camp to his service of the Shah and the Shahbanu as their Angel of Doom. But now all he wanted was peace, to forget his past and all the pain that went with it…oh and yes, he wanted Christine!

As he approached the door to his chambers he wondered if his late return had prompted Nadir to take Christine back to his apartments for the night in order to protect her. Figuring perhaps Erik had chosen to sleep at the site like he had done so many times in the past to get an early start the next day. But the faint sound of Christine's voice told him that she was inside and the thought of seeing her face seemed to ease his fatigue. He leaned in closer to hear her golden tones once more before entering and his heart fell in his chest as he heard her words.

"Please come closer, I just want to touch you." Christine said in the most gentle and seductive voice.

Erik's breath froze in his throat. Who was she talking to? Was there someone in there with her…some man? Where the hell was Nadir and why was he not protecting her like he promised?

"Keep talking, Christine. Your words are having the desired effect." Came the next voice that unmistakably belonged to his now dead friend Nadir.

"You are so handsome and sweet, my darling. If you just come a little closer I promise that you won't regret it. I will cover you with kisses and make you purr." She promised.

Erik had heard enough! With blind rage he burst through the door, ready to forcibly separate the two lovers and then kill Nadir! It would be a slow and painful death, he decided. The torture chambers he created for the amusement of the Shah would be child's play compared to the dark and sinister forms of suffering he would conjure to inflict on the Daroga for daring to touch his Christine! But as his eyes took in the scene before him, his anger turned to confusion.

Christine was sitting on the edge of the chaise looking towards the balcony while Nadir sat in a chair at the far end of the room, nowhere near the girl. When they heard him rush in, both turned to look at him with surprise, but no sign of guilt on either of their faces betrayed any wrongdoing on their part. He did see a flash of something sprint towards the balcony and Christine leaped to her feet as she ran to follow.

"Wait…come back!" She cried as she disappeared out onto the terrace.

A cat! She had been talking to one of the Shah's blasted Siamese cats! A mixture of absolute relief and utter foolishness washed over him as he turned his gaze to Nadir.

"Welcome home, Erik." His friend greeted him as he slowly rose to his feet. Nadir tipped his head as if trying to make sense of something, looking from Erik's expressive eyes to the door and then to where Christine had just left. A wave of understanding seemed to spread over him and he crossed his arms in front of his chest in an almost satisfied manner. "You certainly do know how to make an entrance, Erik. I believe you will be owing Christine an apology for destroying all her efforts in getting that ridiculous cat to allow her to pet it. She has been working at it for almost a half an hour."

Erik said nothing, simply removed his cloak and laid it over the back of the lounge, steading himself with his hands a little as he let the last of his rage ebb away.

"And perhaps you might need to offer me your regrets over the apparent demise you had been planning for me as well." Nadir added, raising an eyebrow as if he could read Erik's thoughts like an open book. "Honestly, Erik, did you seriously think I would betray you like that? If our friendship had not been enough to override any thoughts of sampling the girl's favors, fear of your retribution would certainly have done the trick. I mean, had they actually been willingly offered…which they were not!" He added quickly.

Christine walked back into the room just then, the disappointment on her face quite evident.

"Well, he is gone." She lamented, but seeing Erik standing there caused all thoughts of the standoffish feline to leave her mind. "I am glad you are back, Erik." She told him, suddenly becoming shy once more. "Nadir and I have already eaten but I saved a plate for you. It will only take me a moment to reheat it for you." Christine scurried off to the kitchen before Erik had a chance to respond.

"You best eat every bite too, if you know what's good for you." Nadir threatened. "She worked very hard and made the dish especially in your honor." When Erik failed to make any response, Nadir tipped his head in an amused manner. "Aren't you going to say anything, Erik… or has the cat got your tongue?"

Erik did not like being teased and his previous idea of killing Nadir resurfaced, but only briefly.

"I thank you for your pains in keeping Christine safe today." He muttered, the words tasting bitter in his mouth.

"It was not as painful as I had anticipated; in fact I found it quite enjoyable. You were right, Erik, Christine is a delight to talk with and much more intriguing than any other girl I have met in a long time. I would be more than happy to keep her company again tomorrow if you have need of it." Nadir knew he was treading on thin ice, but he just couldn't help it after seeing how Erik had acted when he had thought the worst of the situation.

"Enough, Daroga!" Erik warned. "I will give you only so much latitude before I tire of your game, and that limit is just about reached."

"Very well, I concede." He said with a laugh and reached out to pat Erik sympathetically on the shoulder, his actions producing a look of discomfort from the reluctant recipient. "I shall not torment you further when it is painfully clear that this had become a matter of the heart."

Erik looked over at Nadir in shock.

"I am not…" He began, unable to even voice the words aloud, let alone entertain them in his own mind.

"You most certainly are, my poor friend and I truly feel for you over the matter. A wise man once said that 'we cannot choose where we will love' and I learned that lesson myself when I was a younger man. It is time that you too allow such words to touch your life and I believe that Christine could possibly be the one with whom you can find happiness." He couldn't help but add, "That is as long as your damnable temper does not get in the way and ruin everything for you." He then walked over to the chair and grabbed his jacket and turban and headed to the door. "So will you be requiring my services in the morning, old friend?"

Erik was slightly stunned by what Nadir had just said and it took a few seconds to register what he had asked.

"What…no, I have it taken care of. I spent a few hours today interviewing some men and I think I found one I trust enough to sit outside in the hall and guard the door. I think the money I promised him, as well as the amount of pain I threatened him with should he fail, will keep him honest and alert to danger well enough." He said.

"Fine. Then I will perhaps see you tomorrow when I make my rounds through the city. Until then, Erik, have a pleasant evening, and do tell Christine I bid her goodnight as well." He gave a polite bow and left Erik to continue contemplating this newly discovered information.

Erik was still standing in the same place when Christine came out of the kitchen with a dinner tray.

"Where is Nadir?" She asked walking to the table.

"He went back to his chambers. He asked me to tell you goodnight for him." Erik answered watching her face carefully to see if he spied any signs of affection she might be concealing for his Persian friend.

"Your friend is nice. Thank you for asking him to be my guardian today." She told him, but she quickly forgot all about Nadir as she placed the plate of warm food on the table in front of his chair. "Please come and sit down, I made you something special." She almost pleaded; her eyes full of anxious anticipation.

"Christine, you didn't need to do that." Erik argued, but felt drawn to comply with her wishes and began to walk slowly towards her.

"I…I wanted to." She said quietly. "I only hope you like it. I only know how to cook a few French dishes and I have to admit that I had to improvise a few of the ingredients. But Nadir seemed to like it and it tasted quite a bit like how I remember it should."

Erik was now intrigued and he came over to the table and looked at the delicious smelling dish in front of him.

"You made Ratatouille?" He asked in amazement. Erik could not remember the last time he had tasted a dish from his homeland and the sight and aroma made his mouth water in anticipation. Oh, it was literally going to be painful to lie and tell Christine that he was not hungry right now, then sneak back later to eat it when he was alone. But before he could begin to form the words she stopped him.

"And please don't tell me you are not hungry or you will have it later. I know why you avoid eating with me and I completely understand. You cannot comfortably do so unless you remove your mask and you already told me that is something that will not happen. And thought I wish for nothing more than to spend a pleasant evening with you while we both share a meal, I will not press you for that privilege when I know you are currently unable to grant it. In the meantime I will leave you to dine alone while I get ready for bed." She turned to leave but then stopped short, swiveling back to meet his stunned gaze. "That is unless you don't like Ratatouille. If not, I can certainly fix you something else."

"No!" His abrupt response made her jump. "I mean, no, I enjoy this dish very much, it is one of my favorites. It smells delicious and I predict that it tastes even better." He assured her.

He was rewarded with a large smile for his praise and without another word she left the room so he could eat.

Erik took his time and savored every bite. It was a simple dish but the flavors and textures brought back so many memories. It shocked him to realize that the memories were not horrible, like so many of his others were. They were not memories of people or places but of intangible things like sounds and feelings; the feel of rain or the smell of summer as it approached his homeland of France. He had left it so long ago and under less than pleasant circumstances, but suddenly he felt the urge to go back.

Erik wondered if there was still time to attach himself to the project of building the new Opera House in Paris. Would Christine like Paris? Would she even stay with him once they left Persia and she was no longer bound to him by law or the need for protection? He shuddered to think of her leaving him. He had met her only four days ago, four short days, and yet in that time she had become so dear to him, almost as important to his survival as water or air. Could he now live without her if she were to abandon him? Before Christine there had been a hole in his life but at least he had been blissfully unaware of it. Now…now she had filled it so completely that he feared it would rip away flesh and bone should she be removed from that spot.

Erik shook his head, forcing such unpleasant thoughts to dissipate as he finished his meal. He quickly cleaned up and doused the lights before he knocked and tentatively entered the sleeping chambers. He found Christine sitting cross legged on the bed absent mindedly playing with the covers as if she were waiting for him. He also noted that his pillow and blanket were already back on the couch, waiting for him. When she heard him enter she looked up with expectant eyes and his heart skipped a beat at the sight of her apparent pleasure to see him. Oh how he would miss that look when the day came that she would leave him.

"I thought you would be asleep by now." Erik told her as he slowly crossed the room.

"I wanted to know what you thought of the dinner." She explained, searching his eyes for any clue.

"I enjoyed it very much. I even think it was better because of the changes you made to the recipe. You will have to write down exactly what you did so I can make it for myself one day." He hated himself for phrasing it that way, almost as if he was pleading with her to contradict him on the assumption that she wouldn't always be around to fix it for him.

"What?! Reveal my secret recipe?" She said in mock horror. "A chef of my caliber never gives away her secrets!"

This made Erik laugh and the sound seemed to wash away all his tension and he felt himself relax for the first time today. Things were easy between them again, like they had been before he had messed things up last night. He cleared his throat and began his long overdue and much practiced apology.

"About last night, I wanted to say how sorry…" He began but Christine stopped him short.

"Please, it is I who should be apologizing to you. I had no right to pry into your personal life and you had every right to be angry with me. I deserved it."

"No! You most certainly did not!" He argued, taking a few steps closer to her in shock. "I was out of line and should have never treated you like that, it was deplorable. I am ashamed for my actions and I promise I will never do that again."

The two of them stared at one another, not sure what to say next. Finally, a slow smile spread across Christine's lips.

"Then why don't we not speak of it again and pretend it never happened?" She suggested. "Water under the bridge."

"You are far too generous with me. I fully expected to be held accountable for my actions and rightly so. I cannot fathom why you so willing forgive me my transgressions." Erik admitted, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Because I know you didn't mean any of it… and because you bought me undergarments today. Thank you very much for them." Christine couldn't help but blush slightly at her words but she wanted him to know how grateful she had been to receive his gift this morning.

Now it was Erik's turn to smile, remembering how he had deliberated over his choices for a long time at the shop. He had been waiting at the door when the owner had opened this morning and he was more than sure that the man had told everyone he knew that the Angel of Doom was in selecting ladies undergarments that day. His reputation may have taken a hit, but he didn't seem to care in the slightest. It had been a very interesting, as well as entertaining, task; one he found he could certainly enjoy repeating should she require more.

"You are more than welcome." He told her. "However, as long as we are on the subject of apologies, I am sorry that my abrupt entrance frightened away the Shah's cat. Nadir told me that you had spent a long time trying to coax it to come near."

"That's all right. I will win him over yet, just you wait and see." She told him with a determined tilt to her chin.

"I have no doubt of it." Erik said, knowing that no one, man or beast could resist her. He certainly knew he couldn't. "Now, we should get to bed." He told her as he made his usual rounds of turning off the lamps.

"Will I be spending the day with Nadir again tomorrow?" Christine asked as she climbed under the covers, darkness settling over the room.

"No, I hired a guard today. He will sit outside the doors and protect you from anyone entering." Erik informed her as he too lay down on the sofa.

"Oh." Was all she said and Erik could not tell if she was hurt, angry or disappointed, but she certainly didn't sound happy.

"It is for your protection, I assure you. After what happened last night I am sure you see that the Shahbanu is capable of anything. And I am not positive that even my threats will stop her for long." He explained.

"I know and I thank you for going to all this trouble on my account." Christine didn't really care about the guard per say, she was only saddened by the prospect of spending the day cooped up in the apartment all alone with no one to talk to. But she was not about to voice her concerns to Erik after all he had done for her. She was sure she could find something to occupy her time. "Good night, Erik."

"Good night, Christine."

Erik had shut his eyes and was about to drift off when once more that sudden wild thought popped into his head, making his eyes open with wide alarm. Was Christine at this very moment wearing the undergarments he had bought for her? If so, which one? For some reason the thought was almost more erotic than thinking of her without any on at all…which he scolded himself for even imagining! Oh there were so many levels of hell!

Yippeee, they are back on speaking terms…how long do you think it will last? Bets anyone?

So what did you think of the whole "cat mix up" thing?

And Nadir sure loves to poke the bear…er..uh…sleeping tiger.

Thanks to all for their votes and suggestions about the French dish. As you can see I went with Ratatouille. And surprise, surprise…Erik liked it! (wink)

So spill, what did you like?