A/N: Here we go! As always, thank you for the wonderful support and a special shout-out to mochici-chan for making this story #25 on the favorites. It is now tied with my story The Butterfly. Thank you!
Well, as you know, I am an evil person but I do deliver on my stories. I can't help it with the cliffhangers, but this is a fair warning for what will come. Hee hee.
DanceDance- the reason Nadir did not hypnotize Christine when they first met was the fact he did not have enough time to do so. Plus, he wanted to gain her trust first before he does something like that. That way she was willing to do it rather than being forced to.
Chapter 28
That night Christine did sleep somewhat better and she was feeling like her old self again. She supposed she had to thank the Persian for clarifying things up for her. At least, it made her choice easier to make.
She ran her hand over the healing marks and she felt the slight rise of the skin to know the scar was coming in. As she touched it, a shudder went over her body. Yes she knew what she had to do and it was time to settle things.
When she opened the door, she had to be careful as the men were sleeping in the living room. The curtains were pulled and it was still dark out so she made sure not to accidentally step on Raoul as Nadir took the couch. But when she lifted her eyes she saw that Raoul was already sitting at the kitchen table. The light from microwave above the stove was on just to provide some light to move around.
As she approached the table, she saw his face was grim and the bags under his eyes were dark and puffy. One look and she knew he didn't get much sleep. He had a mug of coffee in his hand, but it was still full.
Christine went to the counter and got a mug from the cabinet and poured herself a cup. Then she slid into the seat next to him.
"Morning Raoul," she greeted softly.
Raoul jerked awake, noticing her presence and gave her a thin smile. "Morning. How'd you sleep? I see the marks are better."
"Yeah," she said, rubbing the spot again. "I slept all right, but you don't look so hot."
Raoul chuckled bitterly and took a sip of his coffee. "I couldn't sleep. I had so much on my mind."
She looked down, knowing exactly what he meant. She remembered what she said and though she was ashamed to say it aloud, she hated that Raoul had to find out that way. Of course, she would have preferred if he never found out at all, but c'est la vie.
"Raoul—"
"Fuck Christine, where did you meet him?" he asked a pained tone in his voice.
"It happen Raoul. I know it was hard for you to hear that. Believe me… I didn't realize the kind of details I would have given under the influence. If I knew, I would have…"
"Sugarcoat it? Or not say at all? Thanks Chris, but as much as it tortured me to know what that thing did to you, I know now. At least I didn't have to keep wondering like I did ever since I knew Erik was the one I'm after."
"I am sorry you had to hear it."
"Me too," he said quietly and rolled the coffee in his mug. "I can't get it out of my head. I close my eyes and I see him hurting you… and I'm standing there and there's nothing I can do."
"It's not your fault."
"Isn't it? I pushed you away when it was the last thing I wanted to do. I wasn't there when you needed me. And what I said to you about your career… I was such a dick! I don't know why I said those things, there's no excuse, but that's not how I feel. I know you will be discovered. How can you not? You have an amazing voice."
Christine smiled. "You're right. You were a dick and so you know… I did have some offers but Angus chased them away so he could keep me longer."
Raoul winced. "We're both dicks, huh?"
"Yeah, well, you're not the only ones. Even the undead variety can be dicks too."
That earned her a laugh from him. "Boy, you know how to pick them."
"Tell me about it." She rolled her eyes. "But Raoul… if things were different… Well, to be truthful, I don't know. Even if we had worked it out and were together I think Erik would find a way to come into my life."
At this his look hardened. "That's obvious. Since he thinks you're his dead girlfriend."
"I don't think that's why. Maybe a little… at first. But not now. Erik said I'm not like her."
"And you believe that? Christine, that thing is not a man."
"Of course I believe it," she shot back. "That much is true. And both you and Nadir can say what you will, but Erik is a man. How can you be so quick to dismiss that he could be? You used to have an open mind."
"I do have an open mind, but this is different Christine. He's not normal."
"I'll grant you that. But so what if he's different? He's exists, doesn't he? Shouldn't that be enough to make you wonder that maybe not everything is black and white? There are shades of gray."
"I know that. You don't have to tell me."
"Then why are you acting like it isn't even there? Your job is to look at the evidence on both sides and determine if the guilty is guilty."
"My job is also to protect and serve," he retorted. "He doesn't have much sympathy from me."
"Maybe that's what's wrong," she said calmly. "You don't see him. You see the actions. Yes, it was wrong and it was a crime, but there's more to him Raoul. You have to understand where he's coming from. This wasn't his decision to become this."
"How do you know?"
"I just have this feeling. He regrets killing Christiana. Her death made him lose the music in his soul. And after he met me… he got it back. If you could only hear his songs, then you would know what I'm talking about."
"Christine, he still killed. I don't care if he was the biggest philanthropist. The fact remains he committed murder and I swore an oath."
They both stared at each other and neither was going to back down on this. Finally, Raoul broke away and said, "This has to the most we ever argued. And over a vampire too." He started to laugh, and Christine chuckled as well.
"You're right. I guess it's something you never thought you would say."
"That's true." Both were smiling while Nadir let out a soft snore. "We should try to keep it down," Raoul said while she nodded in agreement. The last thing they wanted was a third wheel to join the conversation. And they knew where Nadir stood on the issue of Erik. "But seriously," Raoul added. "What went wrong?"
"That's the million dollar question, isn't it?" she answered. "Even if Erik wasn't in the picture we were heading down that road."
Raoul shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. If we did, then we would have worked it out after I did a lot of groveling and making up."
"Oh yeah," she admitted. "Lots and lots. At least a year's worth."
"Could we?" Raoul said.
"Could we what?" she repeated.
"Work it out. I don't mean right now, but after?"
Christine sighed. She had a feeling it would lead into this. Perhaps in a different time she would have considered the option, but she knew that she and Raoul would never have worked out. Even if she never met Erik, Christine knew in her heart that eventually she and Raoul would have broken up. She saw that now, but he didn't. "Raoul…"
"We should at least try. Seven years is a long time to put into a relationship and to walk away could be a mistake."
"Yes it is Raoul but you need to understand. I love Erik."
"No you don't," he said abruptly. "He compelled you to think you do. It's not real."
"I thought so too but now I know it's not. He loves me Raoul. Not Christiana, but me Christine. I love him. It's all me not mind control."
Raoul shook his head, fist clenching. "No he compelled you. Don't you see? He hurt you and you came running to me. Obviously, you knew something wasn't right, otherwise you would have gone back to him."
"That's what I thought, but Raoul I had plenty of time to think about this. I did it the first night I came here and after Nadir hypnotized me. I remembered everything now. Erik never compelled me to love him. He could have, but he didn't. I fell in love with him. I'm sorry but you need to hear it. I love Erik and that's not going to change."
"Christine, he drained four women and how many countless others?"
"I know," she admitted softly. "I agree it's wrong and I wish I could say he had remorse for that, but he doesn't. It's survival for him. But that doesn't change how I feel. Is that wrong? Yes I will agree and I don't like that he did kill, but I'm thinking I could somehow help. Erik bit me and took my blood, but he didn't kill me. He stopped. He can control himself. He just needs some guidance and I'm sure I can get him to stop murdering anyone else."
His brows disappeared into his hair. "Christine, don't you hear yourself? You're suggesting being his personal blood donor to learn control? You have to face reality. That might work well in the movies, but this is the real world and he could just as easily forget who you are and the next thing you know you're dead."
"I can try!" she exclaimed, her voice rising as she forgot about the Persian who was feet away. "I know he can do it. Don't you see? If I can help Erik, then there's no need for you or Nadir to hurt him. We can all part friends. Or at least amicably."
"Christine you're not being reasonable. I get you want it to work out perfectly, but let's face facts. He is a vampire and he will kill. It doesn't matter how much you help him or how much you want to believe he can change… if he doesn't then what? You're dead or worse… you could become like him."
"So what if I did? If I was happy, wouldn't that count?"
Raoul blanched. "You want to be like him?!"
She sighed. "I don't know Raoul. Maybe. But I seriously don't know if I want to be a vampire. It won't be easy with Erik, but I'll be happy. And I do love him."
Raoul stood from the table, scraping his chair against the floor. He lowered his head as he shook it slowly. "You're not thinking clearly. He's putting these thoughts in your head and you're confused. You think you're making the right decision, but the Christine I know wouldn't accept this. She wouldn't accept a murderer let alone love him."
"Perhaps she just grew up and realized that you were not the man for her," Christine retorted and not flinching when Raoul's expression turned to pain. "I'm sorry Raoul. It was a mistake for me to come here."
She rose from her seat, but Raoul moved around and grabbed her wrist. "You're not going back to him."
"The Hell I am!" she cried and pulled her wrist, but Raoul squeezed it tightly. "I know Erik won't hurt me. Thank you for everything, but I'm done here. Now let go of me!" Christine yanked her arm away when Nadir lifted his head from the couch to look over at the quarreling couple.
"What in the name of Allah are you two fighting about?"
Christine closed her mouth, but Raoul glared at her. "Guess who decided the monster might have a heart."
Nadir looked at her in disbelief, becoming wide awake as he left the couch to come into the kitchen. "Miss Daaé, I know how you must feel, but going back is not the solution. It will—"
"Will you stop with the preaching?" Christine interrupted. "I appreciate what you and Raoul did, really I do. But this is my decision to make, not yours. I thought long and hard about this and if something should happen to me it's because it was my choice. I'm not yours to protect anymore. I'm going home."
Nadir blocked her from moving away. "Listen carefully to me young lady. This is not a romance with a happily ever after. He will inevitably kill you. It's the nature of the demon."
"Then if it is, so be it." She lifted her chin and stared back into the Persian's eyes. "But I'm not staying here."
"Christine—" Raoul started but she whirled around and narrowed her gaze. "Not another word Raoul. I'm sorry we didn't work. I wished things could have been different. But this is the path I'm choosing. It will always be Erik. I hope we can be friends, but I don't know if it's something you will ever be happy with."
"Miss Daaé…" Nadir said and she turned around. "I know you want to believe his humanity is intact, but it's a trick, a façade. He wants you to believe there could be something good in him so you will go to him."
"How do you know his humanity is not there? How can you pass judgment on him and decide he has to be soulless because every vampire you ran into seems to be?"
"Because I have seen too many people die in the arms of a vampire thinking the way you do!" Nadir yelled which caused her to start. "He's not human! They are never humans anymore! They are devils who want to destroy life! You are being a foolish woman ruled by her heart! You will die!"
This last statement caused Nadir to breathe heavily as he looked upon the woman who was the spitting image of the opera singer from so long ago… and knowing he was going against the same creature his ancestor wanted to protect. She had no idea what she was doing, just like in his great-grandfather's diaries. The first Nadir Khan thought he was doing his old friend a favor by letting him be, but he allowed his heart and friendship to rule him. Now, Nadir knew she would be going down the same road that Nadir Khan did and he felt powerless to stop her from making this grave mistake.
Christine looked from him to Raoul and said, "I'm not going to change my mind. Don't you dare blame yourselves either. I'm going back and that's final." With that said, Christine went to the bedroom to pack her belongings. She was going to leave now and if either of them tried to stop her… so help them… she would do what she had to, to leave.
While she was gone, Raoul shot the Persian a look. "I don't know what you're going to do, but I'm not letting her walk out of that door."
"I agree," Nadir said, nodding. "I'm afraid there is no other choice in the matter."
xxXXxx
Christine busied herself and double-checked to make sure she had everything she had brought with her. She was stalling before walking out of the door and getting Van Helsing. Not because she was having second thoughts or she was worried what the men might say to try and persuade her… No, she was thinking about her future with Erik. It wasn't going to be smooth-sailing and she wasn't sure if being a vampire was what she wanted…
Would it make things easier with Erik? Yes. She wouldn't age for one and she would be able to better understand him. But could she take another human's life? Could she drink the blood of the living?
That was the part she struggled with and thought she would have to see how things turned out. Of course, once she was with Erik, she knew there would be no going back. Not with him and not with the demon. Loving Erik meant loving the demon and leaving for good would be death.
However, she didn't seem concerned about that. She felt lighter, free. Knowing it was her all along who loved Erik and not his power… it was liberating. And she was making this choice of her free will and not from any outside influences.
She blew a piece of hair out of her face and grabbed her bag. "Time to get Van Helsing."
She walked out and saw Raoul wasn't around. All there was the Persian who was playing with her cat by holding a string of floss over his head.
"That's cute but we're still going," she said as she walked over and scooped up her pet.
Nadir pushed on his legs to stand and brush some loose hairs off his pants. "Very well. I know there is no point in trying to talk you out of this, but Mr. de Chagny worries for you. If something should happen to you, then he will blame himself no matter what."
"That's not my problem," she said. "I told him this is my decision."
"Yes but he will still feel responsible knowing he could have done more. He cares an awful lot for you, and I'm not intervening, but I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me that you are absolutely sure that this is what you want. Once you leave, then there is no turning back. Choosing it is also choosing the demon and there is no escape."
"I know," she replied.
"Do you?" he questioned and sighed. "Either way. This is not my decision. This is not my life. I just want to make sure that you know what you're getting yourself into."
She smiled. "Thank you. I do know and I'm not scared anymore. Well, maybe a little, but not of him. I love Erik."
He looked at her and nodded. "Yes… I can see that. Well, before you leave, just humor an old man and take this." Nadir went over to his bag and pulled out a slim square-shaped box. He walked back to her and opened the lid to show a silver chain with a tiny silver moon crescent. "It's up to you if you want to wear it or not… but this had belonged to my wife. She was hoping to give it to our daughter if we had one and… well… call me sentimental but I would like you to have it. At least you will know that if you need help, you will know who to go to."
Christine looked up to him with astonishment. "I couldn't—"
"No, I insist," he said, and grabbed the chain. "She would have liked you. You two were quite alike, and I guess, that it explains why I had been so hard on you."
Christine nodded, understandingly. "Thank you." She set her cat on the couch and pulled her hair back so Nadir could fasten it for her. She lightly touched the charm. "It is beautiful."
She hugged the Persian, which he returned and then they pulled back. "I know we hadn't seen eye to eye, but I do appreciate what you've done. But there has to be another way…"
"I know but not everything can have that."
"Try at least," she pleaded. "I love him and I don't want Raoul to go after him. I—" Christine shook her head, frowning.
"Is something wrong?"
"No… I got dizzy but I'm fine now. Man…" Christine shook her head again as dots appeared before her eyes. She looked at Nadir who was watching her carefully and then she realized. "You…" she whispered. "You didn't mean it…"
"I'm sorry Miss Daaé, but this is for your own good," the Persian said as she stumbled and fell. He got her but she pushed him away and she tried running for the door, but the last thing she remembered was collapsing into Raoul's arms when he entered the apartment.
xxXXxx
When she came to, Christine was handcuffed to the bed while her legs were tied together with rope to keep her from kicking out. She was groggy, but she was able to make out the two shapes in the room.
"Y-you drugged m-me," she accused, although her voice was weak. "H-h-how?" Then she remembered the necklace and as realization dawned on her she heard Nadir speaking.
"Yes the necklace. A harmless toxin that makes you unconscious by touch. Don't worry. It is fading and there are no lasting effects."
Christine looked in the direction where Raoul stood silently, her expression full of hatred. "I can't believe you did this to me," she croaked. "I thought I could count on you. I thought you were my friend."
"Chris—"
"No!" she shouted. "YOU BETRAYED ME! HELP! HELP ME ERIK!"
Nadir ran to her and clapped his hand over her mouth. "We have to shut her up! Hurry! Give me something I could stop her with."
Christine squirmed and struggled, but the Persian was strong and kept her pinned to the bed and made sure his fingers would not be bitten. Raoul returned with a cloth and that was quickly shoved against her mouth and tied around her head, her screams muffled for the time being.
xxXXxx
Somewhere… in the darkness… he heard her screams for him and his eyes glowed red.
TBC…
Just a couple side notes on this chapter… One, I tried researching a poison that knocks a person out by touch and I couldn't find one but for the sake of fiction I made it up. If it sounds silly, oh well, but I didn't want them to use chloroform again and have Christine fall for it. I wanted something that was unpredictable so they could tie her up.
Second, yes I mentioned Erik's eyes glowed red while in previous chapters it had been amber. The reason for this… Erik is pissed. The demon is pissed. You would be seeing red too, lol.
Hope that clears it up and don't forget to review!
