Hello readers!

Sorry it took me so long to update today... The site was not working properly and, well, I just could not upload my chapter. It was very frustrating actually. So, was last week's chapter not to your liking? Yeah, I know, I left you with a cliffie, but you know how I am. I like torturing my readers sometimes! :D You know you like it! lol

Okay well, here's your chapter for today (or rather tonight since it's now passed 9pm...)

Enjoy,

Kaya

Chapter 52

-"No, wait!" Reinhardt yelled, grasping Catherine's arm

Her eyes drifted to his hand gripping at her tightly. Anger replaced compassion and sadness. His expression also changed, as did his breathing. She did not like it and she looked at him with daggers in her dark brown eyes.

-"Did you come here only to torment me…? Or did you come for…something else?" Friedrich asked, his voice husky and not only from the alcohol he absorbed

-"I came to rescue a dear friend who was drowning himself in whisky." She retorted firmly

The young duke closed the space between them, trapping Catherine against the wall. He placed his hands on either side of her, making it impossible for her to escape. This time, the tears forming in her dark eyes were not compassionate, or angry, but fearful. Catherine never thought Friedrich would ever act like this. She hated him for that change.

-"I need you, ma petite fleur." He whispered, pressing himself even closer to her, if possible. "Leave that freak, stay with me. Oh, I need you so much…"

Catherine truly felt threatened by his strange behavior and she tried to push him away as he pressed his tearful face in the crook of her neck, but it was in vain. Even drunk, Friedrich was much stronger than her. She gasped in horror when she felt his tongue on her skin, then bruising kisses. She truly made a huge mistake by coming there to see him. Now he was pressed against her, pawing at her lustfully. She attempted to escape once more, but he pushed her roughly back against the wall, her head hitting it rather hard.

-"P-please, Friedrich, no!" She cried, hoping someone in the house would hear, though she doubted Mireille would risk herself

Instead of stopping, Reinhardt continued, only more forcefully. With one hand, he grasped both of hers and held them firmly above her head, ignoring her pleases and cries as his free hand tried to hike her skirts up. The young duke needed to relieve some of the pain and frustration he had felt these past few months, and only his beloved petite fleur could do that for him.

Catherine's fear merged with horror and anger as she felt Friedrich's hand on her legs. This could not be happening! He pushed against her, she could feel him try to free himself from the confine of his trousers.

-"STOP IT!" She screamed on top of her lungs. "You're hurting me and my baby!"

The young woman clearly heard the duke gasp. Was he finally realizing what he had been about to do? Apparently it was indeed the case, for he loosened his grip on her, quickly turning away. Reinhardt's shoulders were quivering, he was weeping. Yet, Catherine could not find it in her to feel pity for him, not this time, he had gone way too far.

Straightening her skirts quickly, wrapping her arms as protectively as she could around her belly, Catherine fled the study and ran out of the mansion as fast as her legs would allow. She kept glancing over her shoulder, scared the duke might follow her and it came as little relief when she realized he would not.

Catherine soon arrived in a park, some three streets away from Reinhardt's residence. She sat on a bench, out of breath, her legs shaking. She had run for more than ten minutes and she was conscious now that, in her delicate condition, it was the most intelligent thing to do. But how else was she supposed to react? The duke almost raped her! Her emotions became too much to handle at that thought. Hiding her face between her shaking hands, Catherine cried without any restraint, not caring she was in a public area.

If only Erik could be there… She so needed him by her side right now. Yet, part of her knew that, if he saw her in that state at that moment, there was no doubt he would want to know what happened and he would kill the duke without hesitation. Though she hated Reinhardt for what he did to her, she did not want her husband to have his blood on his hands.

About fifteen minutes or so later, Catherine rose from the bench, conscious many people around her witnessed her outburst. Slowly, she walked back to the street to find a coach. The rational part of her knew she had to go to the old Opera Populaire to find her husband, so he could take her home.

-"Mademoiselle Le François?" A voice called from behind her. "I mean, Madame Lavoix!"

Catherine turned in surprise, only to see Monsieur Jean, the manager of La Rose Bleue. His old eyes widened when he noticed her obvious pregnancy and did not waste time, congratulating her immediately, though a bit sadly. She knew what he was thinking. The baby meant she would be unable to work for him and it truly saddened him, more so counting the fact they had problems at La Rose. But then, after he had observed his sadness long enough, he finally noticed her state of distress and he got concerned.

-"What is wrong, mon enfant?" He asked in a fatherly way

-"I…I am very tired." She whispered simply

It was not a lie, but she truly did not feel like explaining to him that one of his patron tried to force himself upon her half an hour ago. Catherine was glad Monsieur Jean did not seem to want to have more information. He simply nodded, giving her the kindest of smiles.

-"Come, I will take you back to your home." He said, holding his arm out

-"Oh." She made, shaking her head. "That is very kind of you, Monsieur, but if you could take me to the old Populaire instead, it would be appreciated."

-"The…old opera house?" He frowned, not sure he understood

-"Y-yes. My husband and I were supposed to meet there."

Monsieur Jean nodded and Catherine was grateful he did not ask for any explanation. He led her to his carriage down the street and had her comfortably installed while he told his driver where to go. The young woman closed her eyes and though she wanted to cry, she did not. She had to keep what happened to herself. She was ashamed. No one would ever know what happened that day at the duke's house.

After only a short moment, the carriage came to a stop into the populaire's old court. Catherine had had no idea how close to the place she had been… Monsieur Jean came out first and gentlemanly helped the young woman out of the coach and safely onto the pavement.

-"Take care of yourself, my child. You look tired…"

-"I will, monsieur." She promised. "Thank you very much, for you kindness."

Giving a final bow of the head, the manager got back into his carriage and Catherine watched as it rolled away. As soon as it was out of sight, she entered the old building, making her way through the dark dusty corridors of the burnt opera house towards the Prima Donna's dressing room. She was simply in no condition to take the path of the Rue Scribe. She would take the mirror path to join her husband at the house by the lake.

Glad she had a good memory, Catherine used Erik's trick to open the mirror to the secret passage to his underground kingdom and the mirror slid freely to the right. Catherine followed the walls, her hand pressed to the cold and damp stone. The baby was moving frantically in her belly and it made walking more difficult for her.

Unable to make another step, Catherine sat down, pressing her aching back to the wall, not minding one bit how dirty it must have been. She really did not feel good… She had a hard time catching her breath and her bad leg was hurting and she came to wonder if she did not break it for a third time, though she knew it was not likely.

Knowing she could not stay like this, Catherine took a deep breath and threw her voice loud and clear into the dark tunnels. She made a few vocalizes, thinking Erik would hear her and figure that it would be her. She then sang one of his songs. It was not only to guide him to her location, but also to give herself some courage. She truly did not feel good and she wondered if she was dizzy because she did not sing in so long, or because of everything that happened that day…

After a few minutes though, Catherine had to stop, exhausted, the baby more agitated than ever. Her heart jumped with relief when she heard noises, then clear footsteps. Looking up, she first saw the white of his mask, then the rest of the Phantom's strong form.

-"What a nice way to call upon me." Erik smiled as he knelt by her side

The smile did not last though, and was quickly replaced with a concerned expression. Catherine was so relived to have him there, she threw herself into his arms, searching for his strong, steady heartbeat and warmth to reassure her. As he folded his arms around her, Erik could feel his wife trembling. He tightened his embrace and enveloped her in his cloak, worried now.

-"What's wrong, mon amour?" He asked softly

Catherine could not bring herself to tell her beloved what truly happened and only shook her head as an answer. Erik repeated his question, a bit more firmly this time and she told him she was very tired in a weak murmur. He did not like the sound of that and, without another word, he lifted her from the damp ground and into his arms. The Phantom wanted to take his wife back to his old home, where she would be warm, where she would be able to rest.

Catherine felt lightheaded as she leaned her heavy head on her husband's shoulder. Her back was hurting rather badly and… Oh! The young woman suddenly let out a gasp as pain shot though her violently. Her hands fisted the fabric of Erik's suit jacket and he immediately changed direction, running up the corridors she had taken down moments ago. He knew that pain had something to do with the baby.

-"I'm taking you to you aunt's. Erik decided, feeling her shake more with each passing seconds

-"Oh! It hurts…" She whimpered. "There...there's no time to t-take me to…oh…to aunt Lizzie's home."

Erik cursed inwardly. This was not good! Opening the mirror of the dressing room, he took a quick look around to make sure it was safe, then settled his wife on a dusty couch. Taking off his cloak, he covered her with it, then put a gloved hand on her belly.

-"Everything will be alright, my love." He whispered, trying to be reassuring as beads of sweat pearled on his forehead and behind his half mask. "I'll find a doctor, I'll be right back. Try to breathe calmly and don't rise you legs, don't bent them, and, most important, don't push!"

Catherine nodded, but breathing calmly revealed to be harder than she thought. Erik kissed her forehead and ran outside. He needed to find a doctor, right away, even if going out in the open asked everything out of him. It truly did not matter now. He did not want to lose his wife and his baby. He could not lose either of them! He prayed god to protect them, his first prayer since he could remember. He hoped the bearded divinity would hear his pleases…