Here is the next chapter! :) I hope you are all enjoying the story so far. Thanks to those who have reviewed/favorited the story. They genuinely mean a lot to me. Please keep reviewing your thoughts on how the story is going. :)

Paige: Thanks for the lovely review. :)

Erik's Guest: Let me just say that just because that has happened, does not mean it is anywhere near the end. I have lots planned for this story so it shall still not be simple from here. ;) But that's all I shall say haha. Thanks for the lovely review though and I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

Erik'sAngel70: Thanks for the review. :) I think the reason why she was so harsh to her is because she didn't want to see him get hurt if Christine changed her mind. I also think they are a lot closer now too so perhaps the thought of her staying was what annoyed her a little too... Not saying anything more. :P What do you mean by strange? Is there anyway I can perhaps make it better? If you have any ideas, don't hesitate to tell me. :) Thanks for the lovely review though, I hope you enjoy this one too. :)

Final Decisions

As we heaved our way back up the stone steps, I cleared my throat to announce our presence before moving towards the small oval entrance. I peeked around the curtains, offering a timid smile as Christine and Erik both glanced towards me.

She was sat on the rug besides him, where I had been sat. He still had his mask on, though there was still a sense of vulnerability lingering between them. I breathed a sigh at the slight smile that Christine offered me.

"Is everything alright?"

Christine was the first to nod. "Yes, we have had a discussion about…things. Is it alright if I talk with you?"

I nodded, moving back towards the lair. Raoul eyes flickered between us as she followed behind me, his forehead creased in curiosity. I turned when I got to his side to see her chewing on her bottom lip.

"Are you ready to return to the dormitories?" Raoul asked.

She frowned a little before shaking her head. "No, I realized that Charlotte was correct, he does need someone here for him." She glanced towards me. "I know you wish to remain here but I want to too. I cannot leave when he is in such a way because I know he would do the same thing for me."

I nodded at that, because it was true. He would have done anything for her; she didn't even need to ask. She was so fortunate to have such intense affection.

"Yes he would but are you certain that staying here is a good idea? It is just that if you changed your mind again, it would cause him so much more hurt than it has tonight."

She nodded. "I realize that but I couldn't endure leaving him. I shouldn't have taken his mask from him either." Her head dropped as she admitted that. "But yet he is choosing to be unbelievably forgiving yet again. I fear that I do not deserve such kindness but that is why I wish to remain here. It is the least I can do."

I nodded. If anyone was able to cause Erik's happiness, it would be Christine.

"Then I think I should be the one to leave. We cannot both stay and your presence would be the most required."

She glanced back up at me. "Well only if you are certain? You have already been such an incredible friend to him and I do not want you to feel as though I am taking over. It is just that I care greatly from him and I would like to at least attempt to be there for him."

"He will appreciate you being here for him." I insisted with a nod. "Perhaps I could talk to him first, before we left?"

As soon as Christine gave her permission, I moved round the tapestry curtains to see that Erik was still sat on the rug. His uniquely mismatched eyes met mine and I could tell from his expression that he had been listening to our conversation.

"So you will be leaving soon?" He enquired quietly.

"I think that's the right thing to do." I offered a smile. "I told you that Christine would return. It is good to see that she has come back so soon though. You deserve happiness more than anyone."

He rolled his eyes. "I do worry that you flatter me too much."

My smile widened into a grin. "Well I'm certain that Christine shall offer you the same gratitude. But if either of you require any assistance, then you know where I am."

"Thank you."

I raised an eyebrow at his thanks. "I believe that is the second time you have offered me your thanks, not that I am counting or anything."

He offered another roll of his eyes as I moved back towards where Christine and Raoul were still stood. My eyes instantly moved towards him and my breath caught in my throat. I shivered at his sweet gaze, feeling my cheeks flush as I glanced towards Christine.

"If you need anything, you both know where I am."

She smiled. "Thank you, I appreciate that."

I found myself reluctant to leave the two of them, despite knowing that they would both be alright in each other's company. I reluctantly followed Raoul over to the parked boat though. Christine had allowed us to use it back but I was still uncertain on whether leaving them was the best idea.

The Vicomte stood himself in the boat first, holding out a hand for me to take. I froze, glancing between him and his hand. I wasn't used to this and a part of me still wanted to remain stubborn and not take his offer but then I realized that I needed to start trusting him more. He had certainly proven himself in the last few days. I forced my gaze to remain locked with his as I timidly lifted my hand to his. I bit down on my lip to hide the gasp that almost slipped at the feeling of his skin against mine. I still wasn't used to that. I doubted I would get used to it for quite a while.

I took a seat opposite him, reluctantly dropping my hand from his as we began to sail away from the lair and asked him instead; "Why the sudden change of heart?"

He rolled his eyes. "If you still believe I was untruthful about what I said earlier-"

"I was talking about the sudden change of heart about Christine."

"Oh," he blinked. "I already realized that she was happier with the Phantom. And after talking to her, I feel that she will be safe with him."

"Yeah but…you seemed so calm about it."

"Well I was hardly going to begin hurling insults at her when she was choosing honestly from her heart. I realized that I needed to follow her example."

I flushed at his words, biting down on my bottom lip as I tried to hide yet another smile that was desperate to appear.

The journey back was a little awkward. It was because I was walking ahead of him, and the air seemed much frostier than before, given how soaked we both were. We remained silent, which only made me feel more awkward in his presence given how we normally bickered with each other. Now, I found myself uncertain on what to say. So much had happened already tonight between us. My cheeks reddened at the memory of his sweet kisses. The Vicomte's jacket was still wrapped around me, my only source of warmth given that it was only slightly damp now.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I only just heard a slight squeaking noise coming to the left of my feet. I shrieked, stumbling backwards against the wall as I spotted a rat, running backwards from where we had just come.

"What's wrong?" The Vicomte asked.

I turned to glare at him as he began to laugh.

I could feel my cheeks flaring with even more color; feeling utterly embarrassed to know that he was he laughing at me.

"Well I did not realize you were afraid of rats." He snickered.

"Yes, well that was a big rat. And I don't like being laughed at." I gasped out.

He smirked at that, stepping forwards. "I apologize, I wasn't laughing at you. It is just pleasant to realize that behind the resilient façade you hide behind on a daily basis, there is still a sense of vulnerability."

I didn't correct him on his decision to call me vulnerable this time. I was still feeling too embarrassed.

He suddenly reached forwards to fold a loose curl behind my ear. I could feel my skin growing hotter under his touch, finding myself unable to move away. My gaze was still locked with his as he paused for a moment. Reluctantly though, I pulled away. It wasn't that I didn't like his touch. It was the complete opposite; I just wasn't used to feeling in such a way.

"W-we should get back," I stammered unconvincingly.

I knew that his engagement to Christine was definitely over for good and that I didn't have to feel so guilty about my feelings. Both of them had obviously not been happy together. But I was also nervous. Nervous about what might happen now that there were no more restrictions or excuses in the way. Of course there was still Marcel, but I knew I didn't feel that way about him. I could not continue to see him anyway, not after my embrace with the Vicomte. It wouldn't be right.

There was still a small part of me though; the self-conscious part that doubted Raoul's feelings. I tried to ignore it but it was something I had felt for the majority of my life.

He nodded, dropping his gaze quickly and I internally cursed myself for being such a coward as we continued onwards. Why couldn't I just be brave for once in my life?

The mirror was still open ajar, creating a small pathway of light to guide us along with the candles. I stepped through first, welcoming the warmth that surrounded me as soon as I had reached the other side. I moved out of the way, watching as the Vicomte stepped through too, sliding the mirror back in place. As soon as he had turned, I managed to peel away the jacket from my skin, holding it out for him.

He rolled his eyes, retrieving it to hold across one arm as he finally looked back to me for the first time since we had both left the lair. He opened his mouth to say something before closing it again, seeming as lost as me on what to say.

"I suggest you have a hot bath before you retire to the dormitories, before you contract pneumonia." He advised with a curt nod before he began to head towards the dressing room door.

"Seriously, that's all you have to say to me?" I scoffed.

It seemed we were both as bad as each other. It seemed easier when we had been in the lair.

He turned back from the doorway, his face unreadable. "What would you wish for me to say?"

"Actually…I don't even know why I'm bothering. I should have known that the last few days had been nothing more than a pretense. You obviously realized that playing with my feelings would be the way to get a reaction."

He shook his head. "I knew you would still not believe me."

"Well what do you expect? Given your sudden confident behavior in the lair," I stuttered, my cheeks flushing as I said the words aloud. "And now you have changed again, becoming cold with me."

"Why are you still continuing to question this if you believe I am truly cruel enough to merely pretend that you matter to me?"

"I'm just trying to understand. Because I want to believe you but I am just me, I am nothing special. Christine is though; I can understand why you wanted to be with her. But a small part of me can't help but wonder if I'm like her freaky replacement. Because if I am then I hate to break it to you, but we are nothing alike, despite perhaps looking a little similar."

"Have you somehow developed memory loss? I presume you must have because not only did I end my engagement for you, but I have also confessed my feelings for you several times. I can promise you that this has nothing to do with Christine either."

"It is just that you are you and I am me. We are completely different people and you changed so suddenly after all of these months. After the Masquerade, I knew we needed to stay away from each other. It was best for everyone and then you suddenly apologize to me and it messed with my head again."

"That was why I apologized to you!"

"What, to mess with my feelings?"

"No!" He groaned in annoyance, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes for a moment before trying again. "I was attempting to stay away from you too and then you asked for my assistance at the Masquerade. I would not walk away if I thought you were in trouble. But even that night, I had to direct a sarcastic comment. I enjoyed conflicting with you. But after that night, I needed to speak to you. I could no longer endure any more disagreements between us."

"Why?"

He smiled at my genuine bemused expression. "It is because I love you, of course."

I chewed on my bottom lip, trying to hide the smile that wanted to make its appearance. Was it possible to feel this content just because of a simple confession?

"I expect that I always have, it's probably why you infuriated me as much as you did in the beginning. The truth is that I am still learning how to behave around you. I told you tonight that I had wanted to kiss you for a while and that was the truth, but as you say, you are completely different to Christine. You accept every compliment as though I am actually insulting you."

"I hardly think calling somebody vulnerable is much of a compliment."

His lips curved up a little into a smile. "Well it is for you. You are the most confrontational person I have ever met! I confess that I care for you and you accuse me of deceiving your emotions! I call you beautiful and you stare at me as though I am insane."

I shrugged, flushing awkwardly. "I suppose I am not great at accepting compliments."

"That is an understatement." He teased with a smirk before sighing heavily. "I suppose I should leave. It has been quite a difficult night for us all."

I frowned. "I wish you didn't, but I suppose you are right. Though I have to ask…you're not going to leave now, are you? I know it's silly but I still feel as though you might disappear after tonight."

I flushed as I confessed it. I supposed my insecurities would probably always linger at the back of my mind, even when I tried to ignore such silly thoughts.

"I promise you I will not. Trust me." He smiled, drawing closer to me once again. "Perhaps you would allow me to escort you back to the dormitories though."

I nodded instantly. If it meant that I could spend another couple of minutes with him then I would happily accept.

I fought back a smile as we strolled towards the dormitories side by side. It was only about a hundred yards from the main dressing room but it was better than nothing.

I reluctantly turned towards him as we stopped outside, chewing nervously on my bottom lip. I wasn't very good at saying my goodbyes and the truth was that I didn't want to.

"I promise you will see me again soon. I shall make certain of it." He smirked.

I smiled at that, about to reply when his hand brushed against mine. A gasp slipped free at his touch and I could only watch as he lifted my hand, keeping our gazes locked. I exhaled shakily as he pressed his lips to the back of my hand, feeling my skin warm from his sweet touch again.

"But until then, I shall bid you fair well."

I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything in reply.

I remained frozen to the spot as I watched him leave, trying to process the current events of tonight. It was as though I couldn't properly think whenever he touched me. And as for when he kissed me, well…I wasn't able to think at all!

Once I felt certain that I was able to move, I wondered back into the dormitories to find Meg pasting, chewing hastily on her fingernail before she saw my presence.

"What on earth is going on? I've been going out of my mind with worry about you and Christine-" she paused as I walked forwards, her eyes wide as she saw that it was just me. "Where is Christine?" She hissed in a panic.

I sighed wearily. "I shall tell you everything."