Disclaimer- NOT MINE

…

Christine awoke with her eyes closed. She felt Erik's warm cape around her, and heard only the whispering of silence. Her shoulder throbbed painfully as her memory returned. Surprisingly, she didn't feel scared- simply numb. It was impossible to be scared when Erik's cape is around you, she thought. Christine opened her eyes to the fuzzy darkness of the catwalks.

Christine turned her head to look at Erik. His eyes were open, but weren't fixed on any particular point. Erik looked at Christine. His eyes were tired and seemed distant. He turned his head back again, his eyes lost in the darkness.

Suddenly Erik glanced up. Christine's gripped his arm. He seemed to be listening to something. Then Christine heard it too.

"It's Raoul," Erik whispered. Quickly he and Christine stood up and followed the sound of Raoul's voice to the edge of a catwalk. The catwalk looked onto one of the stages of the Opera Populaire. And there on the stage was Raoul. Christine felt her heart swell with joy with the sight of him.

"I never thought I would be glad to see you Raoul," Erik laughed, a friendly smile on his face.

"I agree," Raoul shouted back up, "Christine, are you alright? Will you come down?"

"She can't go down," Erik cut in, "it's too dangerous. You know it is."

"So it is," Raoul admitted, "but how is she going to get out?" Erik thought for a moment.

"Raoul, can you get yourself out of here?" Erik asked. Raoul nodded. "Listen- you get yourself out of the Opera Populaire, and I'll get Christine out."

"What about you?" Christine asked Erik.

"I'll be fine," He assured her.

"Alright," Raoul agreed unwillingly, having heard none of this. Without further adieu, Raoul sped off. For a moment, Erik and Christine watched him go off.

Then in the distance she heard soldiers. Christine gasped in fear and looked around. Erik gently grasped her shoulders.

"They're on a higher level and they're not to close," Erik assured her, "don't worry. But we do have go." Erik took Christine's wrist and began leading her through the catwalks at a brisk pace, every so often glancing up.

As time progressed, Erik began looking up more and more often, quickening his pace as he did. He started taking sharp turns. Soon Christine could hardly keep up with him.

"Erik-" Christine began when a gunshot rang out. Christine whirled around in fear. Erik was right there beside her, holding her and draping his cape over her simultaneously. Looking up, Christine saw a soldier holding a gun in the air.

"This is a warning!" the soldier shouted, "Hand over Miss Daae now and neither of you shall be harmed!"

"Oh really?" Erik shouted back.

"Oh yes!" The soldier called, "your reward will be great!"

"I'm afraid your bargaining is with the wrong man!" Erik yelled, "Only Monsieur's André and Firmin would sell Mme Daae to you, unless they wouldn't profit! So save your francs and buy your own soprano!" Erik turned around and bolted with Christine.

"You're making a mistake!" the soldier roared, but Erik ignored him. "Ready? FIRE!"

Suddenly Christine's leg's ceased up as gunfire filled the air. Her legs gave way, and she fell to her knees.

"Christine!" Erik cried.

"I can't move them!" she gasped in fear, holding on to Erik's arms. Erik looked between the approaching landing spots of the bullets and Christine. Christine could hardly breath as she watched the bullets tare up the catwalk closer and closer to her-

Erik made his move. He scooped up Christine and threw the Punjab Lasso. He leapt off the catwalk with Christine with bullets dancing at his feet. Catching the Lasso the lasso and yanking it, Erik and Christine flew up to a small passage in the wall. Erik ran until he rounded a corner, then set Christine down.

"Are you alright?" Erik asked.

"I- I- I'm sorry Erik!" Christine sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks, "I tried to run but I just couldn't!"

"It's alright," Erik said gently, stroking Christine's hair, "It's ok." Christine nodded, but her flow of tears continued. "Christine, what's wrong?"

"I- I don't know," Christine said, sniffing, "I just can't seem to stop crying. I was really… scared…" Christine felt her body trembling with tears. She felt sobs welling up in her throat. I can't break down now!

Erik brushed Christine's tears away. Christine looked up into his eyes.

"We're going to get through this, don't worry," Erik said firmly, "I won't let them take you." Christine nodded, still staring into Erik's eyes. They seemed more of a dark indigo than black. They studied her softly, lovingly. Then he said, "We have to keep moving. Can you walk?"

"I think so," Christine said quietly. Erik nodded and got to his feet, extending his hand to help Christine. She took it and got to her feet unsteadily, balancing on her legs shakily. Suddenly gravity worked its wonders on Christine and her legs gave way beneath her. Erik quickly caught her.

"It appears this is not so," Erik said, "But we still can't stay. I'll carry you." Christine nodded. Erik slid his hands beneath Christine and picked her up. He started jogging down the dark passage way.

Erik wondered if he had missed his last chance to win Christine. If all went according to plan, everything would fail all over again.

…

After note: a whole chapter without any references to Pirates of the Caribbean! Impressive! Chapter name suggestions welcome as usual. Reviews however are still preferred