A/N Thank you to two very special readers, who refused to give up on me! This chapter is for you, G and T.

Thank you, also, to my friends and betas, Mandy the O and Musique et Amour. I don't know what I'd do without y'all.

Erik followed Christine into the interns' house and Rafe eagerly pounced on her, demanding to know what had happened, where had she gone, was she all right.

The emotions of the day were too much, and Christine snapped. "Good Lord, Rafe, I'm fine I'm sorry you were inconvenienced and concerned when I wasn't here yesterday, but really! You drop in unannounced, and expect me to drop everything to free my weekend for you? Sorry, but you are not my 'boyfriend' and you don't have the right to expect that."

Although he was gloating as she ripped into the younger man, Erik did his best to hide his smirk. It was true that their relationship had undergone a major change that day but she was still a first-year intern working for his firm. From what he had seen of Rafe, he would not have been surprised if Rafe tried to convince Christine to file a sexual harassment complaint against him.

"Thank you for the ride home today, Mr. Leboeuf. I am sorry to have caused so much trouble."

"It was no trouble at all, Ms. Davies," Erik replied smoothly, "I am relieved that security found you, none the worse for wear."

Christine bit the inside of her mouth as laughter threatened to erupt. My, what good actors we are! Meg looked a little confused by the formality, but did not want to get Rafe worked up all over again, and so she said nothing.

Rafe was not sure what had happened, but he understood. Christine thought of him as a friend and nothing more. He wasn't sure what he would be doing the following weekend, but he knew he would not be in Charleston with her.

Erik left, and Christine excused herself. "I need to take a shower, shake this weekend off, y'all."

Meghan followed Christine to her suite. "Christine, I can't believe how nasty you were to Rafe. The poor guy spent two days worried sick over you and …"

"I know, Meghan," Christine sighed. "I should not have ripped into him like that."

"Well, I think you owe him an apology."

Christine looked at her friend, not bothering to hide her curiosity. "Seems to me, Meghan, than you are more upset than the situation warrants. Hm...maybe..."

Meghan angrily cut her off. "Look, Christine, I realize that you're used to coming and going as you please, not answering to anyone, but … Rafe believed you when you told him y'all could spend Saturday together."

Christine had the good grace to blush. "That's true, Meghan, I did tell him that. And I meant it at the time."

"What happened, Christine?" Watching Christine's face, she changed her mind. "Oh, just forget it," she snapped, "I don't want to hear your lies. I'm going back downstairs to keep your guest company."

After she showered and changed, Christine returned to the kitchen. Rafe and Meghan stopped talking as she walked in, and she laughed uneasily. "Don't you love it when you walk into a room and the conversation stops?"

"I was really worried about you, Christine," Rafe began.

"I know, and I'm sorry, Rafe, I really am. I can't talk about this weekend … please believe me when I say that I did not mean to stand you up yesterday. But, it's better if you don't try to contact me again," she added.

"Better? For whom? I am your friend, Christine. I care about you. I don't know what's going on, but you can call me any time. As a matter of fact, I was hoping we could spend next weekend together."

Christine could not hide her alarm. "No, Rafe. Please, try to understand."

"Understand? You're not making any sense, Christine. Why are you so afraid? Who are you protecting?"

"Don't be ridiculous," she laughed shakily. "I'm not in danger and I'm not protecting anyone."

"Christine, you're the one being melodramatic!" Meghan exclaimed. "Don't push this off on Rafe."

Understanding dawned as Christine looked at her friend. She nodded slowly, then stood up. "I'm sorry, Rafe," she said as she left the pair.

"You really shouldn't be so hard on her, Meghan."

She stared at him in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? You're defending her, after what she did to you this weekend?"

"I am more convinced than ever that she was kidnapped! It's not all that uncommon for victims to fall for their captors, which would explain why she's protecting him. Why else would she say she can't talk about it but she didn't mean to stand me up? And that last remark about it being better for me not to contact her again " Brooding, Rafe began pacing the floor. "And I'm willing to bet that her boss knows more than he's saying."

Suddenly comprehending, Meghan jumped up. "That's it! He's behind her strange behavior, somehow. You should see them together, Rafe. During her singing lessons …"

"You've seen them together? Other than today, I mean?"

"Oh, yes! He's been giving her vocal lessons for weeks. She asked me to accompany her, because … ohmigod, Rafe! She asked me to go with her because she's afraid of him!"

"Well, that makes sense. He is her boss, after all. And a freak to boot. Did you get a load of that mask? I bet he thinks it makes him look like some damnromantic!"

They stared at each other, horrified. "Rafe, do you think Mr. Leboeuf was behind Christine's disappearance this weekend?"

"I don't know, Meghan, but I think we should find out. I will be back next weekend. In the meantime, promise me you won't let Christine out of your sight."

Nodding her agreement, Meghan saw Rafe to the door. "Call me if anything odd happens" he said as he left.

"Christine, can I ask you something?"

Turning to her friend, Christine nodded.

"Did you spend the weekend with Mr. Leboeuf?"

Flushing, Christine snapped angrily. "I told you, Meghan, I simply cannot talk about this weekend. Please don't bring it up again."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm your friend, Christine, and I'm worried about you. I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong."

Sighing, Christine turned away. "Nothing's wrong, Meghan. But, thanks for the offer. And, I am sorry I worried y'all this weekend. I would have called you if I could have."

"Well, Rafe thinks ..."

"Rafe thinks what, Meghan?" As the silence stretched, she repeated her question. "What does Rafe think? If it has to do with me, I think I have the right to know."

"Well," Meghan began with obvious reluctance, "he thinks … he thinks Mr. Le … Erik! … kidnapped you this weekend!" she said in a rush.

At the shocked look on Christine's face, she continued, "I know, I know! that is ridiculous. I tried to explain to him … about the singing lessons and all … but that just seemed to agitate him more."

Christine's head was swimming. Rafe suspects Erik kidnapped me? And Meghan told Rafe about my singing lesson.! Dammit, Erik, what a mess you've created!

Meghan continued, but Christine was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn't hear a word the other woman said.

Meghan accompanied Christine to Erik's office Monday afternoon, determined to scrutinize their behavior and report back to Rafe. But, from what she could tell, Erik and Christine's relationship was exactly what they claimed: he was her music teacher. He greeted them both pleasantly enough, then immediately began the warm-up exercises. The lesson went well, and saying good night, the women left.

"Rafe, I'm telling you, there's nothing to tell. Mr. Leboeuf treats Christine like she's his student, she treats him like her teacher."

"Well, they wouldn't be the first teacher/student duo to fool the world with their innocent-looking relationship," he retorted darkly.

Meghan sighed. "Rafe, you're just going to have to trust me on this. Look, when a man and a woman are 'involved' with each other, they give off little clues … touch each other, however briefly, meaningful looks, double entendres, inside jokes that only the two of them get. There was none of that, and truthfully, there never has been."

"Perhaps you don't pay close enough attention," he suggested. "You miss the … clues, as you so aptly called them."

Rolling her eyes, she merely said, "Perhaps."

"He may think he's clever and debonair and all that, but he doesn't fool me. He has plans for Christine beyond her debut at Spoleto. It's up to us to see that he doesn't hurt her."

"Fine, Rafe. I'll pay closer attention during her lesson tomorrow."

"I certainly hope so. I'm depending on you, and Christine's safety may, also. You're her best friend, and she needs you right now."

Meghan forgot to take along any reading material, and so she watched Erik and Christine closely during Tuesday's lesson. I hate to disappoint you, Rafe, but …nothing is going on between these two, other than innocent singing lessons.

Christine was aware of her friend's intense scrutiny, but she shrugged it off. I'm about to make my singing debut in front of a rather large crowd …I may as well get used to being watched.

Erik, too, noticed Meghan's unusual interest in the lesson, but dismissed it as unimportant.

Once Christine's voice lesson was finished, he gave her a book, mentioning that there was some information within it that may be of interest to her. Christine thanked him politely, and the two young women left his office. Christine waited until Meghan was in her car to open the book. Inside was a folded slip of paper with a cell phone number on it.

Christine was smiling as she left the garage.

"I'm telling you, Rafe, if those two are having a fling, it's the most tepid one I've ever seen."

"Surely you don't think I think Christine is capable of a … fling, do you?" he asked, horrified.

Meghan rolled her eyes. "Rafe, she's just another student to Mr. Leboeuf, and just another red-blooded American girl. I wouldn't be surprised if she's already had a fling or two." At his shocked silence, she added, "I never would have pegged you for such a prude, Rafe."

"I'm not a prude, as you so snidely put it. I just happen to know women better than you think, and Christine's behavior has always been beyond reproach. I respect her immensely, and should think that you would, too."

"Well, if your respect for her is tied to her virginity, it's not worth much."

"I'm beginning to think you're not the person I thought you were."

"Thank God for that, then! Wake up and smell the coffee, Rafe. Christine is not interested in you, and it's not because she's being seduced by her boss/music teacher." Punching the button to disconnect the call, she missed having a telephone receiver to slam down into its cradle.

Rafe sat there, dumbfounded, as the realization that Meghan had hung up on him sank in. Well, you may not think Christine needs me, but I know better. And I'm coming back to Charleston on Friday whether either of you like it or not.

Erik had to cancel Wednesday's lesson, so Christine and Meghan decided to stop at the Cougar's Den on their way home from work. Jacqueline was at her corner booth, and she beckoned the younger women over. "Are you meeting others?" she asked, "or would you care to join me? I must confess, I'm quite curious to hear how things are working out for you, Christine."

She looked at Meghan, who shrugged. Christine slid into the booth first, then Meghan sat down also.

"There's not much to talk about, Jacqueline," said Christine. "I lead a very boring life, I'm afraid."

"That's not true!" exclaimed Meghan. "Christine was kidnapped over the weekend ... Mr. Leboeuf rescued her and brought her home."

Coloring slightly, Christine averted her gaze. Dammit, Meghan! Aloud she merely said, "Meghan is prone to exaggeration, I'm afraid. Although she is correct in that Mr. Leboeuf brought me home, safe and sound, Sunday evening."

Jacqueline sat quietly, processing the information that she was receiving from the two women. It's unfortunate that Meghan is here. I will just have to sift through all of this on my own tonight … a lot of extra work, when I would rather be using my energies to help Christine…

The server came and took their orders. They had nearly finished when the rest of the interns came in and spied them. Carlene came over and invited Meghan and Christine to join them at the new place in Jamestown. Meghan accepted instantly. Glancing at Jacqueline, Christine decided she did not want to go. Once Meghan was certain Christine did not mind, she excused herself and the noisy group left.

"Well, that worked out well," Christine said wryly.

Jacqueline laughed softly. "Indeed. Christine, you know I will not ever do anything to intrude upon your privacy, don't you?" Once Christine nodded her assent, she continued. "I had very, very strong feelings about you … late Friday night, most of the day Saturday. I couldn't help but feel you were being held somewhere, against your will. Now Meghan mentioned something about you being kidnapped … I'm worried about you, Christine."

Christine could not hide her grin. "Oh, Jacqueline, there's nothing to worry about! Erik did surprise me Friday night, and he took me to his home. It's fabulous! You wouldn't believe the suite he set up for me … the clothes … okay that was kinda creepy."

"How was that?"

"It was like he knew everything I had bought here in Charleston, and replicated my purchases. Only, he bought even more than I had … " she stopped, unable to prevent the blush that stained her cheeks. "And, you would not believe the lingerie, Jacqueline!"

"So, tell me more about your weekend, Christine."

"Well, Erik surprised me Friday night, and he took me to his home."

"Wait. What do you mean by 'surprised' you Friday night?"

"Well, I had gone out with the other interns … Rafe was here, also. Most of them went to that new club in Jamestown … the one they went to tonight … but Rafe and I did not. I was tired, and the smoke was getting to me, so I asked Rafe to take me home."

"And he did?"

"Yes. I was just on my way upstairs when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it, thinking Rafe had forgotten something, but …"

"Yes," Jacqueline encouraged. "Who was at the door, Christine?"

"Erik. He … he grabbed me and pulled me outside … then propelled me to his car. Once we were inside, I started to question him, but ..." blushing now she finished in a mumble, "he pulled me into his arms and started kissing me."

"What happened then?"

"A short while later, Peter – his driver – parked the car. I was surprised to see that Erik lives in a subdivision in North Charleston."

"Do you know where he lives? Could you find his house again?"

"No," she admitted, rather embarrassed.

"Could you have left at any time?"

"Well, I didn't know where I was, and I didn't have a car …"

"Do you hear how this sounds, Christine? Anyone listening could think you were kidnapped and held beyond your will."

"But it wasn't like that!" she protested. "Erik was the perfect host, the perfect gentleman … until, well, we had a bit of a fight Saturday night. But on Sunday, we talked, and Jacqueline, I finally realized what you meant."

"Oh? And what was that?"

Feeling more than a little annoyed at Jacqueline's unenthusiastic responses, she answered, "About choosing him."

"Christine, please listen to me. You may not like what I am going to say, but please hear me out."

"What?" she asked, suddenly alarmed.

"Erik's behavior has been very manipulative, Christine. Search your heart, and ask yourself, 'If I could choose any man, would it be Erik?' Don't answer too quickly … I want you to really think about your answer. He has manipulated you, sexually, mentally, physically, emotionally. Can you forget that? Forgive him that?"

"You're right, I don't like what you are saying, Jacqueline. Erik may have been manipulative in the beginning, but not any longer. He even told me so on Sunday. He told me that I could walk away from him, and my future would be bright." She closed her eyes against the pang, then taking a deep breath, opened them to look directly at the other woman. "I chose Erik, Jacqueline. I could have left him – Peter would have driven me home – but I chose to stay with him. He hasn't made any promises, but I'm not looking for any. I'm not deluding myself … he will continue to drive me crazy. But, I love him." She continued to look steadily at Jacqueline as the other woman studied her carefully.

"All right, then Christine," she finally said. "I am glad that you recognize that this relationship will continue to be challenging. I wish he wouldn't have carted you off on Friday, but … you seem none the worse for wear."

Christine laughed. "Carted me off? You make him sound like a cave man."

"That cave man is alive and well in men today, Christine. He felt threatened by Rafe, and he dragged you off to his cave."

"I don't get it, Jacqueline," she complained. "First you tell me I need to choose Erik, then, when I do, you're not happy with my decision."

"Are you happy with your decision?"

Christine's smile was her answer.

Promising to keep in touch, she said good night and left.

Jacqueline frowned thoughtfully at her retreating figure. Perhaps she is right. Perhaps she did, in fact, choose him of her own free will. Still, she could not rid herself of the feeling of foreboding.

Thursday evening, Erik lent Christine another book. She waited until she was in her car before opening it. She could hardly believe her eyes as she read his note.

I have business in Savannah this weekend, and would like you to accompany me. I plan to leave mid-afternoon on Friday; please make the necessary excuses so that your friends do not feel compelled to report you missing.