Hey everyone! Happy New Year! And here's the first chapter of 2010. Sorry it took me a while to update, I had parties and work, along with just holiday stuff…so I'm back now!

Erik's POV

The following morning, I lied there consumed in a heap of sweat. Breathing was the hardest thing to do, and it pained me each and every second I had to do it. Forcing myself to sing hadn't been the dumbest thing I'd ever done, but it was close to it. I had always been a stubborn man, and now all my years of stubbornness had finally caught up with me. After lying awake for what seemed like hours, Christine finally came walking into my bedchamber carrying a steaming drink of some sort. She placed it down on the nightstand, and reached over to lift my body into a sitting position.

"Please Christine." I begged. "Don't make me sit up. If anything, I'd be in less pain lying down."

"I made you a drink. It won't taste very good, but it will help." she replied handing the cup to me.

The smell alone coming from it was enough to heave last nights supper up, and I didn't dare placing my mouth anywhere near it. After a few moments, Christine forced it up to my mouth.

"If you want to be able to sing next week, I suggest you drink every drop of that."

I wanted to sing, how badly I wanted to sing…but singing came with a price…this horrible liquid.

"What is it?" I asked.

"While I was out this morning, I stopped at the doctors and asked him if there was anything to help. He gave me a recipe, and what you're holding is it…now do as I say and drink it."

I would have held out a few moments more, but I couldn't handle the smell any longer, and drank every last drop. It tasted worse than sulfur, but if it was going to help me sing faster, then I'd drink ten cups of it. When I handed the empty cup to her, she lied me back down and removed my mask. I grabbed back for it, but she moved away too quickly.

"No Erik, you must keep it off."

I was tired and in the least bit of mood for such child's play.

"Oh and what if Gustave walks right in here? I'm sure he'll enjoy the very mere sight of me."

Christine placed the mask down on the nightstand, and took a seat beside me. Her fingers began to twist and twirl within my hair, and traveled down to the side of my neck as they danced a dance that sent warmth and tingles throughout my body.

"You should just show him Erik. He won't run, I know it. He's going to want to see what you truly look like sooner or later."

"No Christine, you are the only one who will ever be able to accept me. How can I possibly show myself to a ten year old boy? He'd be frightened for life, and because of me."

"The longer you wait to show him, the longer his curiosity will grow."

With that, Christine walked out and left me lying there in complete agony….

Christine's POV

I left Erik to sleep all day. The doctor said that he needed his rest, and so I made sure he got it. For the remainder of the day, I sat in the main room and played a quiet board game with Gustave. I couldn't help but notice that he seemed bored without Erik. He asked me several times over the course of the day if he could go in and visit him, but I didn't let him. If Erik was going to make a full recovery, he needed his rest, and with Gustave being in there with him it wasn't happening. For dinner, I made Gustave a pork sandwich, and stood there watching him eat. When he was finished, I cleaned the dish and sent him off to bed.

"It's not that late mother." he argued.

"Nine O clock is very late for a boy your age." I laughed as I finished cleaning the dishes.

My son never argued for too long, and after a few minutes, he kissed me goodnight and went away to his bedchamber. Once I was sure he was asleep, I began to cook a late dinner for Erik. He hadn't eaten yesterday, and I wasn't going to let him go on another day without eating something. The broth I had made him yesterday went to waste, and I knew it was because he hated broth. Tonight however, I prepared sausage and sauerkraut, with a side of mashed potatoes. When everything was done cooking, I turned around to see Erik standing in the door way. His hair was disheveled, and his mask was off. I didn't mind of course, I was just concerned that he was out of bed.

"You're supposed to be in bed." I said, sounding like a mother ordering around her five year old child.

"Well, you try lying there on your back for a whole day."

His breathing sounded better, but it still sounded as if it pained him to speak.

"I made you dinner."

Erik stumbled over to the table, where I tried to pull out a chair for him, but he held out his hand to stop me.

"I can very well do it on my own, Christine."

I didn't listen to him, and pulled out the chair completely, and when he sat I pushed him in. I then turned around towards the counter once more, and poured him a glass of water before grabbing his plate and turning to place it in front of him. Erik glanced at the cup of water as if it were poison, and swished it around for a few seconds.

"I'd like a glass of red wine, if that's not too much to ask."

Oh how Erik loved his wine, but I couldn't give it to him, not while he was in his condition.

"I don't think it be such a good idea. The doctor's orders didn't involve alcohol."

"I don't think one glass will kill me."

I placed both hands on my hips, and shook my head.

"Do you want to sing again or not?" I questioned angrily.

Without another word, he lifted the glass to his deformed lips, and drank the water without further argument. There were dishes that needed to be cleaned, and so without another word to him, I turned to the sink and began to fill it with water.

"Well, aren't you going to sit with me?" were the next words I heard.

I turned to face him once more, and shook my head.

"I need to finish cleaning these dishes.

"You're not my maid." he said. "I'll help you with them after I eat, now please join me."

I dried my hands on a hanging towel, and took a seat across from him. His plate was still full, and I couldn't help but feel his eyes burning through my skull.

"Did you eat?" he asked kindly.

"I'm not hungry."

Without another word Erik stood up and walked over to his cabinet and took out an extra plate before dividing up his dinner, and placing half of it on the other plate. When he took a seat again, he placed the other plate in front of me.

"Now eat."

"Really Erik, I'm not hungry."

"Don't argue with me Christine, just eat."

I smiled, and began to eat the delicious food that was on my plate. I loved having dinner with Erik more than anything in the world. When we ate together, it was like there was no other care in the world. After a few moments of silence, I began to hear the horrid sound of Erik's coughing. I glanced up to see him hacking his head off while holding a napkin up to his mouth. I quickly shot up from my seat, and filled his empty glass up with water and handed it to him.

"Drink this Erik."

The coughing continued even after Erik drank every drop within the cup. When the coughing finally seized, he gasped for air and sat there exhausted.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

The coughing had worn him out so much, that he couldn't even speak. Instead he just stood up from his chair and grasped his chest.

"I'll…I'll be in my room." he replied.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

Erik continued walking towards the doorway and nodded.

"I'm…I'm going…to take a…take a bath."

When I was alone once more, I cleared the plates, and began to wash them. I felt so sorry for him. He was in misery and it was all because of me. I wanted him to get better so badly…so badly that I would switch places in an instant. He needed fresh air, and I knew how he could get it. After cleaning up, I threw on my cloak, and rushed to his bedchambers to see him lying beneath the sheets.

"Get up, Erik." I replied softly.

He glanced at me as if I were crazy, and coughed slightly.

"What are you talking about?"

"You need fresh air."

Erik just pulled the covers over his head, and coughed once more.

"I'd rather not."

Quickly I pulled the covers off him, and handed him his cloak.

"Come, it will make you feel ten times better."

After a few moments, Erik got up out of bed and I tied his cloak tightly around him. As we were about to leave the lair, Erik pointed to Gustave's bedchamber.

"What about the boy?"

"We won't be long." I replied.

With that, we entered the dark, cool streets of Coney Island to a destination certain to make Erik well again….

Erik's POV

I was outside, somewhere I didn't want to be. It hurt to breath, let alone to walk the streets. My chest felt as though it were going to explode, and there was Christine, pulling me along. I also wasn't wearing my mask…this bothered me. I could only thank God that Gustave didn't awake and want to join us. The last thing I wanted was for him to see what I really looked like. It took several moments to reach the marina, but when we did I was confused as to where Christine was taking me.

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.

Christine didn't answer me, and just pulled me closer to the water. When we reached my row boat, I knew exactly where she was taking me….or so I though. I stepped into the boat, and sat down on the other end as Christine picked up the oars.

"I can't let you row." I argued.

"Well neither can you." she replied back.

Without another word, I sat there as Christine rowed us towards the statue of liberty. How she expected me to climb all those stairs in my condition was beyond me, but I couldn't tell her I wasn't going to be able to…not now. When our row boat hit land, I tied it to the shore, and Christine helped me out. I began to walk towards the door of the Statue of Liberty, when she stopped me.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Aren't we going to go to the top?" I asked.

Christine shook her head.

"Oh dear God no, that would be the death of you. There are some benches down by the water and I thought we could sit for a while."

I agreed, and followed Christine to a vacant bench. I hardly made it there when my coughing started again. When I took a seat, Christine patted me on the back repeatedly until it seized. Afterwards I took a few deep breaths before turning to face her.

"Perhaps bringing you out here wasn't such a great idea after all." she replied.

"Nonsense, I needed the air." I stated.

After a few moments of silence, I felt Christine caress my pale hand and smile.

"Erik, I know you will take great care of Gustave."

So many thoughts ran through my head, even second thoughts of keeping the boy with me.

"I am a man of my word, Christine." I said softly. "But I am not a cruel monster, not anymore."

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Years ago I would have kidnapped Gustave without a second thought, but I can't. For the past few weeks I've had feelings. I've never felt anything towards another person besides you and when you left me, those feelings died. After you came back, my heart felt again, and even for Gustave. By taking him away from his mother makes me no different than the monster I was ten years ago."

Christine quickly squeezed my hand, and stood up in front of me. Then before my very ears, her sweet sounding voice sung once more.

"Years ago I would have thought

You to be a monster left to rot.

I often thought I could not see

Us together

You and me

But then an angel spoke

Saying you shall see…

When I came to you again

I never thought I'd be your friend

Now look at us

And look at you

You've changed through and through..

I thought ten years would make you hate

The sight of me

With such a wait

How could you live without me and still love….

Your love for me had never died

And all these years I've lived a lie

I've made my choice and I know it's right.

I've lived with him for ten long years

It's felt even longer with all those tears

I've cried every night

Hoping to see life's light…."

I cleared my throat, and tried to sing as well…

"I've spent ten long years locked up tight

Waiting for you to return life's light…."

Before I could sing another word, Christine placed her finger over my lips to stop me from singing.

"Don't sing a word

I already know

You care for me even so…

That's why tonight I've made my choice…

Years ago I would have thought

You to be a monster left to rot.

I often thought I could not see

Us together

You and me

But then an angel spoke

Saying you shall see…

Now I know what I want

What I need and what I got…

We shall stick together

You shall see…

Just you and I just you and me…."

Christine's song was so beautiful and at the moment all I wanted was her…I wanted her to stay with me forever, but I knew she wouldn't. Quickly I stood up, and turned away from her with tears in my eyes.

"You're free Christine, just go. I can't hold you against your will any longer…"

I began to walk off to only have Christine pull me back.

"Erik, what are you talking about?"

I wiped my eyes, and shook my head.

"I can't keep you when you love someone else. I'm a monster Christine…and no one will ever love me. How am I to keep you happy? Making you happy is the only thing that means the world to me and keeping you will only make you sad."

Christine smiled at me, and laughed sweetly.

"Oh Erik, you do make me happy. Being with you has made me the happiest I've ever been in ten years."

I sighed, and cried a little more. God how I loved this woman. What happened next sent my heart into immediate shock. Seconds after I stopped crying, Christine took a step away from me, and pointed to the ground.

"Erik, kneel down on one knee." she replied softly.

I did as I was told, and knelt down on my left knee. I wasn't sure what she was doing, and after a few moments, the look on her face went blank and she turned away. I stood up and caught up to Christine, full of such confusion.

"Christine, what's wrong?" I asked. "What was the reason for me kneeling?"

"I can't do it, Erik." she cried. "I can't ask it of you…"

"I don't understand, what did you want me to do?"

"Nothing." was the last thing she said to me that night. She rowed us back to New York in complete silence and I couldn't help but wonder what Christine wanted me to do… She seemed to become cold towards me, for she didn't sleep beside me that night. The following morning, I was still coughing, but I needed to visit Madam Giry. I hadn't seen her in days and I also needed to speak with Meg. Before Christine awoke, I left the lair unnoticed. The last thing I needed was for her to awake and see me leaving. I wasn't supposed to be out of bed, but I needed to speak with Meg. What I found when I arrived at the Giry household explained a lot about Christine's actions the night before. I was about to knock, when I heard yelling coming from inside. It sounded like Madam Giry and a man. I snuck around the corner of the house, and peeked in through my old bedroom window to see Raoul throwing a bunch of his clothes into a small suitcase, while Madam Giry stood frightened in the doorway.

"I'm sure she's just confused DeChangy." she replied assuringly.

Raoul continued to throw his clothes into the suitcase in an angry rage.

"Really? Because that's not what she told me Madam. Christine, my own wife told me that she didn't want to be with me any longer."

Christine! Of dear god what had she told Raoul now? She didn't want to be with him anymore, but why? Christine told me that she loved him with all her heart, even after he drank and abused her…

"She needs time Monsieur, I'm sure she'll be with you again in a week's time." said Madam Giry as she tried to pull the suitcase out of Raoul's hands.

Raoul snatched back, and closed the suitcase.

"Really? Did she tell you she was going to ask that monster to marry her?"

As soon as I heard this, my heart stopped. That explained why I was on one knee last night…she wanted me to ask her to marry me. Christine loved me…she wanted me to marry her…

"I'm not staying in this shithole any longer Madam. I'm being deported next week and for the remaining time, I shall be staying at an inn."

"You can't hold Christine back from what she wants in life.."

"No, I can't, but I can make her pay for it.."

"How will you do that?" she asked.

"I want you to make sure Christine doesn't marry him. I want you to become Erik's worst enemy."

"How can I possibly do that? Erik is my…." Madam Giry stuttered on the word.

"Friend.." replied Raoul putting the words straight into her mouth. "If he is your friend, then why does he abandon you? Does a friend make a fool out of you? Look what he did to you back at the opera house in Paris. He used you to get his letters around…tell me one thing he's ever done for you?"

I watched as Madam Giry stood there, not knowing what to say.

"You have him underestimated Monsieur, he is a good man. He may like to be alone, but Erik is a good man."

"Do you think he deserves Christine?" he asked.

"No, I don't. I don't believe he deserves anyone from what he does to get it. Maybe you're right, maybe he hasn't been such a great friend, but I will not meddle in he and Christine's affairs."

Raoul turned to her with that same sleazy look I grew to hate.

"Why did you move to New York?" he asked.

"Because the opera house burnt down."

"And why did the opera house burn down?" he asked.

"Because…of." Madam Giry paused, and Raoul began to put more words into her mouth.

"Because of Erik, because of that hideous beast! If not for Erik, you'd still be in Pairs, teaching girls how to dance, and still close to being assistant manager of the opera house. Instead you're here in New York, doing what? Nothing! When Erik burnt that opera house down, your successful career went with it."

I watched as Madam Giry paced around the room, her eyes full of tears.

"Now you see what I mean." replied Raoul as he picked up his suitcase. "You should hate him as much as I do…he's ruined all our lives."

With that, Raoul left the house, and hurried down the street with his suitcase in hand. I quickly ran to the door, and knocked. This nonsense had to stop, and now. When the door opened, Madam Giry stood there in the doorway with tears in her eyes.

"Madam…I.."

Before I could even say another word, she slapped me in the face, causing my mask to land on the cold ground beside my feet. I reached for it, and dusted it off.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Erik. What man has the right to steal another man's wife?"

I placed the mask right back on my face, and crossed my arms.

"I Madam, did not steal anyone's wife. Christine came onto me…you know me better than that."

"I don't want to see you anymore Erik. You're a monster…Raoul was right."

"What about our long friendship Madam?" I questioned. "I've been your friend since I was sixteen years old…You hid me from the gypsies and for that, I am in your debt until the day I die."

"Really Erik? Name one thing you've done for me since the day I saved you? You've made me your slave, you've made me your post man. I run errands for you, take care of you like a baby. You say you owe me your life, but what have you done to make it better?"

I stood there looking at the ground, not knowing what to say.

"You've ruined my life, and my career. You're all about yourself, and it shall always be that way."

"That's not true, I would do anything for you Madam."

"I should have left you in that cage….that's where you belonged."

The door closed hard in my face, and my heart ached. Madam Giry had been my only true friend, and now she was gone. I coughed the whole way home, and couldn't help but ask myself "What had I done to help Madam Giry?" absolutely nothing…this woman saved my life, and I never did a thing to thank her for it…perhaps I was a monster. Christine wanted me to propose to her, and I know I should have been happy about it, but I couldn't be….not today anyway…and I knew when I arrived home, an angry Christine was going to be there waiting for me….

Ok long chapter for you…I shall update as soon as possible. Work has me working morning hours now…ugh! Let me know what you think guys…