Um...yeah. You know last time I said that I wouldn't leave huge update gaps...I kinda lied. Sorry. I've given you another double update. And this gap isn't as long... I hope

OK, you're going to get an R/C chapter and and E/C chapter. I do know who she will end up with in this... unlike 'Backstage' where we had to have a vote.

Kat097: Geeze...you've practically written a whole fic inbetween my updates...which I have to add is very good. Next chapter for E/C

Mizamour: I'm glad you like it. Thanks for the novel support. My English teacher is betaing for me and it's sooo embarrasing. After all this time I only have the first part done!

Wandering-Phantom: Don't worry about reading the chapters in the wrong order- as long as you know what is going on. Erik temper is fun to write...

anotherblastedromantic: (blushes) yeah...um, it's been a while hasn't it. I'm very happy that you can see the pro-Raoul part of this. I like Raoul too! Yay!

you'llbemyangel: Glad that you enjoy... sorry for the wait...

hisinspiration: Um...I updated?

Anon: Sarah: Sorry for the wait... I hope these make up for it.

Angel of the Opera House: I can't complain about long update gaps really can I?

OK guys, enjoy...

Chapter 10

Christine was in quite a fluster when she returned to her flat. Everyone she passed on the street seemed to resemble Erik in some form or another and his voice repeatedly played in her head like a broken record. As a result, Christine found it almost impossible to concentrate on getting ready. She discovered that she had put on weight so her evening dress stretched over her stomach, forcing her to adopt some large, rather ugly hold-in underwear. Apart from that, the dress, although it hadn't been worn for a while, and was not the most fashionable item on the market, looked quite presentable. Scarlet had always been Christine's colour. She was doing the final touches to her make up when the doorbell rang. Christine leapt to her feet and headed hastily for the door where Raoul was standing holding a bouquet of flowers.

'Christine,' he muttered in an embarrassed voice. 'You look beautiful.'

Christine turned the same colour as her dress as she let Raoul into the flat, her heart skipping a beat. Raoul looked stunning. He had done something to his hair to make it look smarter and his suit was pressed to perfection. Christine hastily threw the dirty plates in the sink and placed the washing up bowl on top in an attempt to make the kitchen look reasonably tidy.

'Are you ready?' Raoul asked after standing silently for a moment, obviously unsure of what to say.

'Ur, yes. Of course,' Christine replied quickly, taking Raoul's arm and following him out to the car.

Raoul did not just have any old car. It was a top of the range limousine, complete with personal chauffeur. Christine, slightly embarrassed tried to get in as quickly as possible in order that her neighbours would not see her. She would have hated to be gossiped about.

The drive to the restaurant was uneventful. Both sat in silence, looking out of the window, unsure of what to say to one another. Christine was starting to wonder if agreeing was a bad idea until she pulled up outside the Aria restaurant. Raoul helped her out of the car and guided her towards the entrance, obviously having been there before. Christine was speechless once she saw inside. The restaurant had been designed to look like a posh dining room of a rich Victorian family. If it wasn't for the contemporary clothes of the patrons, Christine might have believed that she had been whisked back to 1890.

'Do you like it Christine?' Raoul asked.

'It's beautiful.'

The food was exquisite and before long, Christine and Raoul were talking again as if they had never been parted.

'Mr. Andre has given me a recommendation to Populaire publishing for Hannibal,' Christine said, repeating what she had heard left on her answer phone that morning.

'And so he should!' Raoul exclaimed. 'It was fantastic. Far better than that drivel we get from Carlotta.'

'You think so too?'

'Dear Christine, everybody thinks so.'

Christine couldn't help but giggle as Raoul sipped his wine.

'Have you called Mr. Andre yet?'

'No,' Christine admitted. 'I guess I'm just nervous. What if he says no?'

'Why would he?'

'Everybody else has.'

Raoul fell silent for a moment.

'Has your writing style changed since you met this teacher?' Raoul asked, trying to sound casual.

'Raoul, please don't ask about him.'

'But, this guy must be a genius. How long has he been teaching you?'

'Raoul. He doesn't like me talking about him. He's very strict.'

'Is that how you got the bruise on your cheek?'

'Raoul!'

'Is it?'

'Shall we dance?' Christine asked trying to change the subject.

Raoul did not protest out loud, but sighed and let Christine lead him by the hand to the dance floor. As a slow song picked up he held her gently as if she were made of glass. Christine could have sworn her heart stopped beating when she pressed against Raoul. It was just like being 17 again. She felt the same excitement and thrill as when Raoul touched her then. At that moment, Erik was the furthest thing from her mind.

'Are you alright?' Raoul whispered.

'Hmmmm,' Christine replied, her head resting on his shoulder.

'I missed you Christine,' Raoul whispered in her ear.

'Shhh,' Christine murmured, placing her finger on his lips. 'Don't talk, just dance.'

Raoul obeyed and the pair swayed gently to the music, Christine with her eyes closed allowing her partner to guide her. She felt Raoul's hand run up and down her back in a relaxing, massaging way and breathed a deep sigh of relaxation. Christine opened her eyes again and turned her head towards Raoul. He was looking down at her and smiling. She smiled back but out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of something that made her heart pound. For a split second, mixed within the crowd, she saw a masked face with eyes boring into her like hot coals. Terrified, she wretched herself out of Raoul's grip. Raoul looked at her questionly as she looked back with wide eyes.

'Can we go?' she asked breathlessly.

'Of- of course,' said the stunned Raoul.

Raoul paid the bill and took Christine home. He was concerned about how jumpy she had suddenly become but chose to say nothing. When he left Christine at the door Christine still hadn't calmed down.

'Christine,' Raoul said. 'What's wrong? Tell me. I thought that it was going so well.'

'It was- I- It's not you Raoul.'

'Is this the brush off?'

'No! Please don't think that. I just- I'll tell you one day.'

'When?'

'Just one day.'

Raoul was dissatisfied but chose to accept this, not wishing to pressure Christine into something she did not want to do. He bent down and kissed her cheek, leaving Christine at her door. Holding back the tears at the thought of maybe loosing Raoul again, Christine entered her flat and leaned against the wall.

'Damn you Erik!' she cried