Raoul's head pounded mercilessly when he awoke. The sun had barely begun to rise and yet the light was blinding him through his open window. His mouth was cottony and he desperately wished for some water. The scene that played out last night still lingered murkily in his head. He was not so drunk to forget all the words he said to Christine. Even as he regretted them, the scorn he felt at being denied his childhood love for a decrepit lecher still stung his heart painfully. His bed was irritatingly too soft and his legs were tangled into the sheets after a few hours of fitful sleep. He barely remembered stumbling back to his room at the chateau last night. He groaned and rolled over in bed trying to remember every painful detail of the encounter.

"You owe Christine an apology," a deep voice sounded from the chair in the corner.

Raoul shot out of bed, "Jesus Christ!" he swore as he fumbled for his pistol upon seeing Erik in his room.

"Oh, don't bother, I've already removed your ammunition so unless you plan to club me with it it's rather useless," Erik said smoothly.

Raoul fearfully looked at Erik sitting calmly before him; his hand shook as he dropped the pistol onto the bedside table. "How did you find me here?" he asked.

"The same way you found out Christine was here. I asked around," Erik said dryly. "It's not that difficult to find out where a handsome young Vicomte is staying in town. I hope you don't mind but I helped myself to some of your cognac. You were asleep longer than I expected."

Raoul edged around the bed nervously, keeping his body facing Erik, who had yet to move from his chair. He thought to call for help, but some deep seated instinct in him told him it would be foolish and he may be dead before anybody even heard him.

"What do you want from me?" Raoul asked, swallowing a few times to clear the stickiness from his throat.

Erik cocked his head, "I already told you. You owe Christine an apology. Although whether or not she forgives you is entirely up to her. You did, after all, call her my whore," Erik's voice was laced with hatred as he reminded Raoul of the wrong he did and that the insult applied to both of them.

"I called her that?" Raoul seemed genuinely shocked.

"Yes. Do you also not remember spitting at her before you stormed out?"

Raoul thought for a moment then indeed recall the affront. He moaned and rubbed his hand over his face. "Yes, I remember." He cautiously stood at the foot of the bed.

"Do you intend to kill me?" Raoul gulped. Erik's lax body before him reminded him of a panther about to pounce.

"Hardly, although you must know I came quite close last night. Had you not left when you did…" Erik let the sentence trail off suggestively. Raoul knew he wasn't lying.

"Then why come here?"

"I came to insist that you crawl back on your hands and knees and beg Christine's forgiveness for hurting her. You see, I would do anything for her happiness however it was not I that injured her so. I cannot apologize for you."

Erik was determined to remain calm. He kept telling himself over and over that he was with Christine and had already won so this little fop was of little threat or consequence to him.

Raoul stood there waiting for Erik to continue. When he didn't he said, "Trying to be good guy here I see."

Erik gritted his teeth before replying, "I'm attempting to be a proper gentleman and give Christine all she deserves."

"She deserves better than you," Raoul accused, gaining a little courage.

"Perhaps she does, but I do not intend to give up so easily. I did not begin our relationship as I would have liked months ago, but since bringing her here, I have made amends and have been a gentleman to her. I asked her for permission to court her and she has granted it. I would expect a fellow gentleman to respect her decision in that and behave honorably," Erik said quickly.

Raoul felt affronted to be placed on equal ground with Erik by his referral to him as 'a fellow gentleman'. "And do those amends include taking her into your bed?" he accused, taking a step forward.

Erik defended his words and stood to face Raoul, "I have done nothing of the sort. As Christine stated last night when you were not so keen to listen to her, we have done nothing. Yes, I've lain by her side when she needed me but I have no intentions of stealing her precious virginity until our wedding night, should she decide to accept my hand in marriage." Erik felt himself blushing by his adamant statement, knowing it was not entirely true. He lifted his chin high, daring Raoul to oppose his words.

"You intend to ask for her hand?" Raoul asked, abashed.

"Yes, eventually. Although I'm sure you suspected I had other plans to take her away and do vile things to her then leave her when the 'monster' has had his way," Erik sneered. "Does that come as such a shock to you that one such as I could have normal aspirations for happiness and a future?"

Raoul did not answer his question. He felt sick listening to Erik speak of Christine in such a way. "And should she refuse? What then? Will you take no for an answer? If she decides she wants to be with me will you come after me as well?"

"Oh sit down I'm not here to hurt you." Erik ignored his remark and resumed his place in the chair, "Should she refuse I will accept it and move on. I feel blessed that she has granted me the chance to win her heart and that has been more than I could ever dream for," Erik said honestly. He dreaded such a day should ever come, but he meant what he said. He would not force Christine into something she would regret forever. "If she refuses my request for her hand, I would accept it, just as you will need to accept it if she says yes."

"I love her," Raoul stated simply, still standing in defense.

"I know you do," Erik said plainly, "or else we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"I have always planned to marry her," Raoul continued, not knowing why he bothered relaying such information to this man.

"Sorry to ruin your plans," Erik jeered with a cruel smile. "Until she refuses me, when and if that ever happens, you have no say in the matter." He stood once again to face Raoul evenly. "You may no longer be on the playing field when it comes to her affections, but she still needs her friend. Consider that before you do anything rash." Erik turned toward the window to leave.

Raoul seemed at a loss for words. He should have felt outraged by this encounter, but he suddenly realized that however he hated this masked man, Erik had spoken the truth. Christine deserved his respect, even if it did not extend to her choice in a partner. He watched Erik drop out of the open window to the ground one story below.