Note from the Author:
FAST update! I felt like it was deserved, because of my last short chapter. Which was actually written the day before I posted it, so it was not to get a message out to anyone. Just FYI! That is a mistake. And this chapter is long. First of all, I would like to thank everyone for what you've said, and for the Emails that I've received. I really can't thank anyone enough. On to more important things! The mask. Okay. I was unclear on it because...Erik has more than one. His face is only half deformed. It's like ALW. Only he DOES wear a full mask in the first scene. This is like a Charles Dance, "hm what mask should I wear today?" type thing. Only the different mask in the first scene was partly because of what happened before he met up with Chrissy, which might or might not be revealed later in the story. And yes, the dogs always know best...Midasgirl-if you would like to do Betareader I would most certainly appreciate it. I am definitely interested. FF.net is letting me replace chapters, and today I was going to fix what Riene has mentioned, but if I could fix everything at once...whatever the Betareader picks up, that might be better. Thank you so much for the suggestion. My poor grammar skills! =) Oh, Susette--I messed with the syntax, because you were right about that and I had hardly noticed. This chapter it's improved a bit, except for places where I found it necessary. Narsil-I do not think that I have the energy to keep Erik as all powerful, or that he would be able to for very much longer. Christine kind of weakens him a bit. You'll see what I mean in the upcoming chapters. I'm glad that you guys like the Nadir! He'll come back, I promise. I'll be happy to answer any further questions! Thanks for reading!
~*~
A day did not pass peacefully or without tension between Christine and Ray. Whether it was over the exact color that she should use for her new painting, where they should have dinner, or whether or not chickens could actually fly, the little fights always ended with Christine sullen and Ray in a worse mood than before. Ray used to let her win the old arguments, with good nature, and back then they had been pointless and silly, but...they were over the same things as they were now. Something in their relationship was changing, and Christine found herself arguing more vehemently after he insisted that they take the 'E' train in the subway one eventful night.
"Christine, this one will get us back to your apartment faster." Ray announced this for the third time, but still as calmly as if it was the first.
With her lips pursed together and her eyes roving the area for the hopeful 'D' train, Christine did not respond.
"Christine-"
She looked at Ray impatiently, and realized for the first time that perhaps she was the one who was being different, rude, and short with him... These were not things that Christine ever was before nor would ever want to be, but...why did he have to argue about everything? "Ray, I have taken the subway several times. I know the fastest way back to my own apartment."
"You're going to be late for your appointment."
"No, I'm not. Besides, it's leaving now."
They made quite a pair! Christine's arms crossed and her eyes distant, and Ray lingering behind her in a helpless, unsure way that made it clear that he had no idea what to do. His forehead was creased, his eyes as distressed as a lost puppy dog, and he looked at least five years more his age. Ray hated not knowing what to do, and Christine was driving him close to his wits' end.
The image that people would see before the man called "Erik" had misshapen them was a gentle, sweet image. They were two lovebirds holding hands and not seeing anything but themselves and each other...young, innocent love. The world is blind to true love...as true love is indeed blind! But there was no love-glow now, or at least none that was seen by anyone who would happen to pass by.
When the 'D' train arrived Christine boarded ahead of Ray. Usually he went behind her and either took her hands from behind or whispered something in her ear to make her laugh, but now he simply followed and took a seat by the window. Christine remained standing, her pale hand curled around the post as she watched the station blur around them.
The subway was nearly empty, save for one person in the last seat. His clothes were torn, brown, and the coat he wore was far too tight. The homeless man scrunched at the far end, as if he was trying to disappear into himself, and his hat hid the whole of his face.
Christine found herself watching him as she pondered different things, for she believed the man to be asleep, and that it would not be impolite to stare if he was unaware that she was doing so. Perhaps things in her life weren't so bad after all...
"Christine. We need to talk."
When she turned, she found Ray looking up at her with a look in his eyes that was sad enough to make her heart give...for a moment. Only after remembering his harsh words to her and about Erik did she feel it harden a little again. But then... wasn't he correct, in a way?
Still. A subway was no place to talk. She looked at him with surprise, glanced around, and found her gaze on the homeless man again. He may be asleep, but she would hardly want anyone overhearing them. "Here?"
Ray shrugged, and a self-depreciative tone crept into his voice. "You hardly talk to me anywhere else, unless we're fighting about something. I'm tired of it, Christine."
Sudden fatigue, whether brought on by Ray's request or by the day crashing down on her, overcame Christine and made her sigh. "Can we talk about it later? Please?"
"Later! Christine...this is you and me...doesn't that even matter to you anymore? I feel like you're hardly here. Even now."
What he said was true. She wasn't. That idea alone was not something that surprised her. It frightened her, to an extent, that Erik seemed to have control of her thoughts even when she was not in his presence. Christine leaned her head against the pole and watched Ray as he spoke to her...but as he spoke, his words began to drone on, and she began to picture Erik's voice in place of his. His perfect, melodious voice...the flawless tenor she sometimes even heard in her dreams...
When he began to sound irritated again, it broke the dream, and she blinked as Ray said: "See what I mean?"
"I'm only tired, Ray. I'm sorry." Christine sighed and left the pole to sit next to him. She moved her hand and took his carefully, as he frowned and kept his eyes stubbornly downcast. "I know how I've been acting, but... You must not keep me from seeing Erik. He is my friend, and that is what has made me resent you so much...surely you know that."
Ray looked up at her eyes, and she saw the doubt but did not feel hurt by it. He had a right to doubt...because she doubted. "Just a friend? Nothing more than that?"
It was just as well that she looked away then, for Ray would have seen the look in her eyes, or perhaps he did not have to. This time she chose to answer honestly. "I do not know."
The pain in his eyes was difficult to bear, and Christine kept in mind that she had only been seeing Ray for a few months. Really, it was her first relationship with anyone...perhaps having love spoken between them had been a mistake. She felt sadness too, but...it was not as though...
"Maybe we should take a break, then." It took a lot of will for Ray to say it, but she could see how much this was getting to him, and for the first time her heart did not skip at the idea of being without him. What could that mean?
She felt sadness, regret, and the continuous thought that it would have been better for them and less complicated if she hadn't ever met Erik, but her emotions felt strangely dull. "Take a break?"
Ray smiled, and it was forced, but his tone was still light. "It's easy...we're getting too tired of each other, that's all. Sooner or later, we'll get back together. I'm betting more sooner than later."
Somehow, Christine had the feeling that he missed the point. "Ray..."
"I mean...I love you. We love each other...and people that love each other never separate permanently. God doesn't allow it."
Christine bit her lip, but she could hardly argue against that. "You're right about that, but..."
"And you need to get your work finished for the Public Art Show next week...it'll be a good time for you to do that. I've been taking up a lot of your time, I know."
"Not so very much..."
"Today we hardly left each other's sight!" Ray spoke with delight now, obviously pleased with himself for finding the "problem" in their relationship. "We'll be missing one another by noon tomorrow. You'll see." At his new idea, Ray was also eager to put it into action. "I'll get off at the next stop. We can't really accomplish more tonight with just spending more time together...obviously...I'm sorry that I've been crowding you. If I'd realized sooner I would have..."
There was no meanness in Christine's heart that could tell him otherwise. "It's all right, Ray."
As the subway stopped Ray stood, and took her to stand with him. Christine looked up at him, awkwardly, but then suddenly gave him a tight hug. Somehow, she had the feeling that she would not be seeing him for a long time... and she clung to him for an extra long moment, frustrated for not understanding her feelings or being able to discern them from what they were. She knew what it was to truly hate a part of herself. She hated her indecisiveness and childish fears, and she hated what she'd gotten Ray into...and Erik, as well. It was unfair, and it was all because she couldn't make up her mind and-- as usual-- had no idea what to think.
"I'll call you." Ray grinned at her in his charismatic way that always made her smile. Then he was gone, and she sat on the row of seats by herself and with her purse on her lap.
It was then that Christine remembered the card. A small fraction of light was shining from the subway station and onto her bag, and she thought, rather humorlessly, that it was almost like a sign. With shaking fingers, Christine unzipped her purse and carefully picked out the card from where it had fallen in between a tube of lip gloss and her keys.
The name was the same that she remembered. Nathan Radford. Of the FBI. She remembered when he spoke those words to her and smiled faintly. It was all so strange...more and more she felt as though she was in the middle of an actual movie. Until now, she had almost successfully forgotten that the man existed. She chose this moment to puzzle over the situation, while turning the card over in her hand. A cell phone number was written on the back of it, in ink.
Because it had only been two days since her encounter with both Erik and Mr. Radford, Christine hadn't spoken to either of them since. The idea crossed her mind to go to the Plaza Hotel, but instead she found herself lingering below by the front steps, either too scared or nervous to enter the dream with only her own will to guide her.
A rough voice suddenly came from the shadows, and Christine nearly spilled the contents of her purse all over the floor. Her shock subsided when she realized that the homeless man was indeed awake, and was now watching her with dilated pupils.
"D'you need a place to stay for the night?"
"No...thank you..."
The man grinned, and the missing teeth made Christine more sad than disgusted. "I saw you fight with your man. I have an extra box, or you're welcome to share mine."
~*~
When the subway finally did come to a stop at her station, Christine was all too relieved to be on her own block. She walked very quickly down the dark street, almost as if she was being pursued...and perhaps she was. As she neared her door a voice from the side caught her attention, so suddenly that all of her breath seemed to momentarily leave her.
"Christine." The name was quiet, deliberate, a beautiful ring of syllables... No one had ever said her name that way before.
She steadied herself quickly as she felt her face burning a hot shade of pink.
The man who spoke came forward, and gently led her to stand closer to the building, away from the street. Christine moved her hand and held his fast as she looked up into the eyes that no longer gave her any fear. They were bright, and as his hand rose to cradle her cheek she met them completely.
"You came...to see me?"
From what she could see of his mouth, Erik actually smiled at her gently, and his cool eyes surveyed hers with the most infinite gentleness that made her shy away from meeting them. "My world is quite bleak otherwise."
For some reason that answer made her blush even more, and she felt shame for what she told Ray only about an hour before. Again, the fact that this was not fair to him was in her mind, and her smile faltered. "Ray and I are fighting."
"You've been fighting." Erik's long fingers curved for a moment the shape of her face, and then lowered as he moved back from her thoughtfully. "Tell me, my Innocent, do you care for him with nearly the same depth and energy as he cares for you?" Christine started to speak, but his eyes alone were enough to stop her. "Don't answer that quite yet. Do you believe that he can possibly care for you as much as he says that he does?"
This startling new conviction shocked Christine into silence, and she took a moment to consider the idea. It did not hurt her as much as it would have weeks ago...days, even...but it did nonetheless, and she looked at Erik helplessly.
The last thing that Christine expected was to ever see the softer aspects of his eyes, without the sharp and calculated look that she always attributed to his stare. He looked at her now with what seemed to be concerned pity, and when she met his gaze it became even more mellowed...almost reverent. "This will come as a relief to you when you begin to understand, Christine. He would be no happier with you than you are with him."
For a moment Christine's eyes were locked completely on his, seeing and yet not understanding all at once. It was horrible to see the truth in all its form and then see what could have been, or still could be, and if it is a lie then she would have to live a lie...if her relationship with Ray was a lie...or if what she felt for Erik could be the lie. After all, she hardly knew him... Christine realized that he knew so much of her and yet she did not know if he even possessed a last name.
Erik's next words made her heart nearly stop in her chest, for it rang the truth that she could not deny. "He will crush you, the little spirit that you have left." Though the words could be deemed as insulting, Christine did not take them that way. They scared her, for she had thought the same thing many times... after giving in to Ray's ideas and desires... She was losing herself with him, and in a very different way than how she lost herself with Erik.
Erik's voice lowered a little, and he kissed her forehead like that of a gentle father or friend, but his words meant far more than innocent simplicity. "Though I fail to understand the possibility of not being happy with the way that you are now, my Christine... You have very much to think about. Especially now that my friend has taken it upon himself to call on you."
This took all of her attention! Christine's eyes snapped up, with surprise, but Erik's gaze was, as ever, composed. "Nathan Radford?"
"Yes. Rather annoying, isn't he? He enjoys tracking me down wherever I go. I would not have a hard time being rid of him, but...it amuses me, you see... and we do go back a long way."
Christine felt a coldness, and she looked at Erik rather suspiciously. "Be rid of him?" The words were harsh, and they unnerved her. She wanted him to be reassuring that the FBI had no true reason of seeking him, not remind her that he was being sought for murder.
With a small, almost wry smile, he was. "Of course I did not mean to be rid of him in that fashion. I have no idea what made you think such a thing about me." His offended pretense almost made her laugh, but then she remembered herself and gave him what could be deemed as a "look."
But she was also curious. "How far back?"
Erik shrugged, lightly, and offered her his arm with the gracefulness that he always maintained. She took it without hesitation, even though she had no idea where they were going. "He was...a colleague."
This only succeeded in confusing Christine all the more. "You went to college?"
For the first time since she met him, Erik looked thoroughly amused. "No, not that sort of colleague."
She blinked, and looked up at him with a small frown. She hated it when she felt like he was telling her stories...he did tell her a lot of stories...or he did, before the party. Before everything. Christine could never discern the truth from the fiction, but the stories had never been about himself anyway. "What other kinds are there?"
There was a moment of silence in which she could gather that he was trying to decide whether or not to answer her question truthfully and fully. Christine had already begun to realize that she hardly possessed Erik's trust, and she also knew that there was no one on Earth who actually did. In fact, she though tit more than likely that she was the only person that he truly conversed with...but she ceased to believe that she was after Nathan showed up.
"We worked together in an industry...rather like your father's. The expectations there turned, and Mr. Radford left. I did not."
This new information left Christine breathless, and rather excited. "You work for a music industry?"
"It was not a music industry. And it was years ago." Erik did not say anything further, whether he merely worked for the industry or actually ran it, or what sort of industry that it was were the questions that continued to race back and forth in Christine's mind. The note of finality in Erik's voice, however, made her refrain from asking them.
"Would you mind if I spoke to him?"
Erik looked at her for a moment, or rather looked inside of her as he had the habit of doing, but he spoke carefully and not without suspicion. "Why?"
"Because..." Christine could not come up with a good enough reason for this. It was, of course, that she wanted more information and had the idea that Nathan Radford knew far more about Erik than Erik was willing to tell her. She was curious...
"I would rather that you did not. I do not want his theories and moral implications to burden you. As I said, you have much to think about. Mr. Radford..." Erik had a strange way of saying the name. Christine could sense a certain quality to it that could almost be mocking. "...tends to confuse people into submission."
"Submission to what?"
Somehow during the course of their talk, they had arrived at the Plaza Hotel. She was not surprised at this arrangement, because she knew now that he stayed there. Though she was rather tired and realized that she must walk all the way back to her own apartment...again.
"You are very inquisitive tonight. And there are many things that Mr. Radford's talent of manipulation can gain." Erik's eyes stayed so steadily on hers that she felt herself begin to see nothing else. It was that familiar sensation. His voice was a gentle lull, and she had no idea now how she could imagine hearing it when the actual sound was far too beautiful to hold in a memory... "You need to stay far away from him. And to be sure that he does not come to you..."
Half aware that she was doing so, Christine nodded. There seemed to be little else that she could truly do...
Erik touched her face once more and she felt herself turning her head so that it was leaning more against his hand. This time she was far more in her senses, as her eyes were shut for the sensation and no longer were locked with his. "You will stay with me for a few days, until he has satisfied himself and has gone elsewhere to ask his questions."
There seemed to be something bigger to consider in this, but if there were any complications in this situation, Christine could not find them at the moment. Except... "The dog. And my cat..."
"I will take care of everything." His words, as smooth as velvet, put away her doubts for good. Erik moved back and took her hand in his own. The coldness of his elegant hands jarred her, but instead of pulling away she only tightened her fingers around his. How could he be so cold? It did not frighten her at all but...it almost made her a bit sad, the same sort of sadness that she felt for the homeless man. In silence, Christine watched Erik's profile as she followed him into the elevator.
FAST update! I felt like it was deserved, because of my last short chapter. Which was actually written the day before I posted it, so it was not to get a message out to anyone. Just FYI! That is a mistake. And this chapter is long. First of all, I would like to thank everyone for what you've said, and for the Emails that I've received. I really can't thank anyone enough. On to more important things! The mask. Okay. I was unclear on it because...Erik has more than one. His face is only half deformed. It's like ALW. Only he DOES wear a full mask in the first scene. This is like a Charles Dance, "hm what mask should I wear today?" type thing. Only the different mask in the first scene was partly because of what happened before he met up with Chrissy, which might or might not be revealed later in the story. And yes, the dogs always know best...Midasgirl-if you would like to do Betareader I would most certainly appreciate it. I am definitely interested. FF.net is letting me replace chapters, and today I was going to fix what Riene has mentioned, but if I could fix everything at once...whatever the Betareader picks up, that might be better. Thank you so much for the suggestion. My poor grammar skills! =) Oh, Susette--I messed with the syntax, because you were right about that and I had hardly noticed. This chapter it's improved a bit, except for places where I found it necessary. Narsil-I do not think that I have the energy to keep Erik as all powerful, or that he would be able to for very much longer. Christine kind of weakens him a bit. You'll see what I mean in the upcoming chapters. I'm glad that you guys like the Nadir! He'll come back, I promise. I'll be happy to answer any further questions! Thanks for reading!
~*~
A day did not pass peacefully or without tension between Christine and Ray. Whether it was over the exact color that she should use for her new painting, where they should have dinner, or whether or not chickens could actually fly, the little fights always ended with Christine sullen and Ray in a worse mood than before. Ray used to let her win the old arguments, with good nature, and back then they had been pointless and silly, but...they were over the same things as they were now. Something in their relationship was changing, and Christine found herself arguing more vehemently after he insisted that they take the 'E' train in the subway one eventful night.
"Christine, this one will get us back to your apartment faster." Ray announced this for the third time, but still as calmly as if it was the first.
With her lips pursed together and her eyes roving the area for the hopeful 'D' train, Christine did not respond.
"Christine-"
She looked at Ray impatiently, and realized for the first time that perhaps she was the one who was being different, rude, and short with him... These were not things that Christine ever was before nor would ever want to be, but...why did he have to argue about everything? "Ray, I have taken the subway several times. I know the fastest way back to my own apartment."
"You're going to be late for your appointment."
"No, I'm not. Besides, it's leaving now."
They made quite a pair! Christine's arms crossed and her eyes distant, and Ray lingering behind her in a helpless, unsure way that made it clear that he had no idea what to do. His forehead was creased, his eyes as distressed as a lost puppy dog, and he looked at least five years more his age. Ray hated not knowing what to do, and Christine was driving him close to his wits' end.
The image that people would see before the man called "Erik" had misshapen them was a gentle, sweet image. They were two lovebirds holding hands and not seeing anything but themselves and each other...young, innocent love. The world is blind to true love...as true love is indeed blind! But there was no love-glow now, or at least none that was seen by anyone who would happen to pass by.
When the 'D' train arrived Christine boarded ahead of Ray. Usually he went behind her and either took her hands from behind or whispered something in her ear to make her laugh, but now he simply followed and took a seat by the window. Christine remained standing, her pale hand curled around the post as she watched the station blur around them.
The subway was nearly empty, save for one person in the last seat. His clothes were torn, brown, and the coat he wore was far too tight. The homeless man scrunched at the far end, as if he was trying to disappear into himself, and his hat hid the whole of his face.
Christine found herself watching him as she pondered different things, for she believed the man to be asleep, and that it would not be impolite to stare if he was unaware that she was doing so. Perhaps things in her life weren't so bad after all...
"Christine. We need to talk."
When she turned, she found Ray looking up at her with a look in his eyes that was sad enough to make her heart give...for a moment. Only after remembering his harsh words to her and about Erik did she feel it harden a little again. But then... wasn't he correct, in a way?
Still. A subway was no place to talk. She looked at him with surprise, glanced around, and found her gaze on the homeless man again. He may be asleep, but she would hardly want anyone overhearing them. "Here?"
Ray shrugged, and a self-depreciative tone crept into his voice. "You hardly talk to me anywhere else, unless we're fighting about something. I'm tired of it, Christine."
Sudden fatigue, whether brought on by Ray's request or by the day crashing down on her, overcame Christine and made her sigh. "Can we talk about it later? Please?"
"Later! Christine...this is you and me...doesn't that even matter to you anymore? I feel like you're hardly here. Even now."
What he said was true. She wasn't. That idea alone was not something that surprised her. It frightened her, to an extent, that Erik seemed to have control of her thoughts even when she was not in his presence. Christine leaned her head against the pole and watched Ray as he spoke to her...but as he spoke, his words began to drone on, and she began to picture Erik's voice in place of his. His perfect, melodious voice...the flawless tenor she sometimes even heard in her dreams...
When he began to sound irritated again, it broke the dream, and she blinked as Ray said: "See what I mean?"
"I'm only tired, Ray. I'm sorry." Christine sighed and left the pole to sit next to him. She moved her hand and took his carefully, as he frowned and kept his eyes stubbornly downcast. "I know how I've been acting, but... You must not keep me from seeing Erik. He is my friend, and that is what has made me resent you so much...surely you know that."
Ray looked up at her eyes, and she saw the doubt but did not feel hurt by it. He had a right to doubt...because she doubted. "Just a friend? Nothing more than that?"
It was just as well that she looked away then, for Ray would have seen the look in her eyes, or perhaps he did not have to. This time she chose to answer honestly. "I do not know."
The pain in his eyes was difficult to bear, and Christine kept in mind that she had only been seeing Ray for a few months. Really, it was her first relationship with anyone...perhaps having love spoken between them had been a mistake. She felt sadness too, but...it was not as though...
"Maybe we should take a break, then." It took a lot of will for Ray to say it, but she could see how much this was getting to him, and for the first time her heart did not skip at the idea of being without him. What could that mean?
She felt sadness, regret, and the continuous thought that it would have been better for them and less complicated if she hadn't ever met Erik, but her emotions felt strangely dull. "Take a break?"
Ray smiled, and it was forced, but his tone was still light. "It's easy...we're getting too tired of each other, that's all. Sooner or later, we'll get back together. I'm betting more sooner than later."
Somehow, Christine had the feeling that he missed the point. "Ray..."
"I mean...I love you. We love each other...and people that love each other never separate permanently. God doesn't allow it."
Christine bit her lip, but she could hardly argue against that. "You're right about that, but..."
"And you need to get your work finished for the Public Art Show next week...it'll be a good time for you to do that. I've been taking up a lot of your time, I know."
"Not so very much..."
"Today we hardly left each other's sight!" Ray spoke with delight now, obviously pleased with himself for finding the "problem" in their relationship. "We'll be missing one another by noon tomorrow. You'll see." At his new idea, Ray was also eager to put it into action. "I'll get off at the next stop. We can't really accomplish more tonight with just spending more time together...obviously...I'm sorry that I've been crowding you. If I'd realized sooner I would have..."
There was no meanness in Christine's heart that could tell him otherwise. "It's all right, Ray."
As the subway stopped Ray stood, and took her to stand with him. Christine looked up at him, awkwardly, but then suddenly gave him a tight hug. Somehow, she had the feeling that she would not be seeing him for a long time... and she clung to him for an extra long moment, frustrated for not understanding her feelings or being able to discern them from what they were. She knew what it was to truly hate a part of herself. She hated her indecisiveness and childish fears, and she hated what she'd gotten Ray into...and Erik, as well. It was unfair, and it was all because she couldn't make up her mind and-- as usual-- had no idea what to think.
"I'll call you." Ray grinned at her in his charismatic way that always made her smile. Then he was gone, and she sat on the row of seats by herself and with her purse on her lap.
It was then that Christine remembered the card. A small fraction of light was shining from the subway station and onto her bag, and she thought, rather humorlessly, that it was almost like a sign. With shaking fingers, Christine unzipped her purse and carefully picked out the card from where it had fallen in between a tube of lip gloss and her keys.
The name was the same that she remembered. Nathan Radford. Of the FBI. She remembered when he spoke those words to her and smiled faintly. It was all so strange...more and more she felt as though she was in the middle of an actual movie. Until now, she had almost successfully forgotten that the man existed. She chose this moment to puzzle over the situation, while turning the card over in her hand. A cell phone number was written on the back of it, in ink.
Because it had only been two days since her encounter with both Erik and Mr. Radford, Christine hadn't spoken to either of them since. The idea crossed her mind to go to the Plaza Hotel, but instead she found herself lingering below by the front steps, either too scared or nervous to enter the dream with only her own will to guide her.
A rough voice suddenly came from the shadows, and Christine nearly spilled the contents of her purse all over the floor. Her shock subsided when she realized that the homeless man was indeed awake, and was now watching her with dilated pupils.
"D'you need a place to stay for the night?"
"No...thank you..."
The man grinned, and the missing teeth made Christine more sad than disgusted. "I saw you fight with your man. I have an extra box, or you're welcome to share mine."
~*~
When the subway finally did come to a stop at her station, Christine was all too relieved to be on her own block. She walked very quickly down the dark street, almost as if she was being pursued...and perhaps she was. As she neared her door a voice from the side caught her attention, so suddenly that all of her breath seemed to momentarily leave her.
"Christine." The name was quiet, deliberate, a beautiful ring of syllables... No one had ever said her name that way before.
She steadied herself quickly as she felt her face burning a hot shade of pink.
The man who spoke came forward, and gently led her to stand closer to the building, away from the street. Christine moved her hand and held his fast as she looked up into the eyes that no longer gave her any fear. They were bright, and as his hand rose to cradle her cheek she met them completely.
"You came...to see me?"
From what she could see of his mouth, Erik actually smiled at her gently, and his cool eyes surveyed hers with the most infinite gentleness that made her shy away from meeting them. "My world is quite bleak otherwise."
For some reason that answer made her blush even more, and she felt shame for what she told Ray only about an hour before. Again, the fact that this was not fair to him was in her mind, and her smile faltered. "Ray and I are fighting."
"You've been fighting." Erik's long fingers curved for a moment the shape of her face, and then lowered as he moved back from her thoughtfully. "Tell me, my Innocent, do you care for him with nearly the same depth and energy as he cares for you?" Christine started to speak, but his eyes alone were enough to stop her. "Don't answer that quite yet. Do you believe that he can possibly care for you as much as he says that he does?"
This startling new conviction shocked Christine into silence, and she took a moment to consider the idea. It did not hurt her as much as it would have weeks ago...days, even...but it did nonetheless, and she looked at Erik helplessly.
The last thing that Christine expected was to ever see the softer aspects of his eyes, without the sharp and calculated look that she always attributed to his stare. He looked at her now with what seemed to be concerned pity, and when she met his gaze it became even more mellowed...almost reverent. "This will come as a relief to you when you begin to understand, Christine. He would be no happier with you than you are with him."
For a moment Christine's eyes were locked completely on his, seeing and yet not understanding all at once. It was horrible to see the truth in all its form and then see what could have been, or still could be, and if it is a lie then she would have to live a lie...if her relationship with Ray was a lie...or if what she felt for Erik could be the lie. After all, she hardly knew him... Christine realized that he knew so much of her and yet she did not know if he even possessed a last name.
Erik's next words made her heart nearly stop in her chest, for it rang the truth that she could not deny. "He will crush you, the little spirit that you have left." Though the words could be deemed as insulting, Christine did not take them that way. They scared her, for she had thought the same thing many times... after giving in to Ray's ideas and desires... She was losing herself with him, and in a very different way than how she lost herself with Erik.
Erik's voice lowered a little, and he kissed her forehead like that of a gentle father or friend, but his words meant far more than innocent simplicity. "Though I fail to understand the possibility of not being happy with the way that you are now, my Christine... You have very much to think about. Especially now that my friend has taken it upon himself to call on you."
This took all of her attention! Christine's eyes snapped up, with surprise, but Erik's gaze was, as ever, composed. "Nathan Radford?"
"Yes. Rather annoying, isn't he? He enjoys tracking me down wherever I go. I would not have a hard time being rid of him, but...it amuses me, you see... and we do go back a long way."
Christine felt a coldness, and she looked at Erik rather suspiciously. "Be rid of him?" The words were harsh, and they unnerved her. She wanted him to be reassuring that the FBI had no true reason of seeking him, not remind her that he was being sought for murder.
With a small, almost wry smile, he was. "Of course I did not mean to be rid of him in that fashion. I have no idea what made you think such a thing about me." His offended pretense almost made her laugh, but then she remembered herself and gave him what could be deemed as a "look."
But she was also curious. "How far back?"
Erik shrugged, lightly, and offered her his arm with the gracefulness that he always maintained. She took it without hesitation, even though she had no idea where they were going. "He was...a colleague."
This only succeeded in confusing Christine all the more. "You went to college?"
For the first time since she met him, Erik looked thoroughly amused. "No, not that sort of colleague."
She blinked, and looked up at him with a small frown. She hated it when she felt like he was telling her stories...he did tell her a lot of stories...or he did, before the party. Before everything. Christine could never discern the truth from the fiction, but the stories had never been about himself anyway. "What other kinds are there?"
There was a moment of silence in which she could gather that he was trying to decide whether or not to answer her question truthfully and fully. Christine had already begun to realize that she hardly possessed Erik's trust, and she also knew that there was no one on Earth who actually did. In fact, she though tit more than likely that she was the only person that he truly conversed with...but she ceased to believe that she was after Nathan showed up.
"We worked together in an industry...rather like your father's. The expectations there turned, and Mr. Radford left. I did not."
This new information left Christine breathless, and rather excited. "You work for a music industry?"
"It was not a music industry. And it was years ago." Erik did not say anything further, whether he merely worked for the industry or actually ran it, or what sort of industry that it was were the questions that continued to race back and forth in Christine's mind. The note of finality in Erik's voice, however, made her refrain from asking them.
"Would you mind if I spoke to him?"
Erik looked at her for a moment, or rather looked inside of her as he had the habit of doing, but he spoke carefully and not without suspicion. "Why?"
"Because..." Christine could not come up with a good enough reason for this. It was, of course, that she wanted more information and had the idea that Nathan Radford knew far more about Erik than Erik was willing to tell her. She was curious...
"I would rather that you did not. I do not want his theories and moral implications to burden you. As I said, you have much to think about. Mr. Radford..." Erik had a strange way of saying the name. Christine could sense a certain quality to it that could almost be mocking. "...tends to confuse people into submission."
"Submission to what?"
Somehow during the course of their talk, they had arrived at the Plaza Hotel. She was not surprised at this arrangement, because she knew now that he stayed there. Though she was rather tired and realized that she must walk all the way back to her own apartment...again.
"You are very inquisitive tonight. And there are many things that Mr. Radford's talent of manipulation can gain." Erik's eyes stayed so steadily on hers that she felt herself begin to see nothing else. It was that familiar sensation. His voice was a gentle lull, and she had no idea now how she could imagine hearing it when the actual sound was far too beautiful to hold in a memory... "You need to stay far away from him. And to be sure that he does not come to you..."
Half aware that she was doing so, Christine nodded. There seemed to be little else that she could truly do...
Erik touched her face once more and she felt herself turning her head so that it was leaning more against his hand. This time she was far more in her senses, as her eyes were shut for the sensation and no longer were locked with his. "You will stay with me for a few days, until he has satisfied himself and has gone elsewhere to ask his questions."
There seemed to be something bigger to consider in this, but if there were any complications in this situation, Christine could not find them at the moment. Except... "The dog. And my cat..."
"I will take care of everything." His words, as smooth as velvet, put away her doubts for good. Erik moved back and took her hand in his own. The coldness of his elegant hands jarred her, but instead of pulling away she only tightened her fingers around his. How could he be so cold? It did not frighten her at all but...it almost made her a bit sad, the same sort of sadness that she felt for the homeless man. In silence, Christine watched Erik's profile as she followed him into the elevator.