A/N: Sorry for delay in updating - the next few chapters have been a struggle to edit and fit together, especially as I am not at home at the moment so writing is a bit disjointed! Anyway, hope you will enjoy - things are getting a bit more exciting over these upcoming chapters!

As always, thank you so much to everyone who has commented or messaged me - I appreciate all your feedback tremendously xxx

"You terrible, foolish man. I love you and I will not live without you again. I don't care what happens or how it is to be managed, but we must be together now. Do you understand?"

Monday

The afternoon unwound around them as they sat together in the cemetery, sheltered beneath Erik's large umbrella which afforded both protection from the weather and a measure of privacy. Not that anyone noticed them: they seemed to fade out of the everyday world to exist only within each others' gaze. The rain's percussive rhythm upon the umbrella joined the music of their heartbeats and breath as they sat pressed close together on the wooden bench, Christine leaning into Erik's chest, huddled within his encircling arms.

Christine's words rang in Erik's ears. He had no wish to deny her demands: He wanted her as much as ever and to be in her presence again, to be welcomed by her, was like breathing sweet, fresh air into his lungs after holding his breath for six years. He simply had no strength to leave, no will power to resist. So, whatever it took he would find a way to stay with her, even if he must always be in darkness and shadow. He would take whatever stolen moments he could and he would do everything within his means to make her happy.

"As long as you wish it, my dear, it shall be so. For the moment... I can arrange safe places for us to meet, I can even visit you again at your home - discreetly, of course. Just until I can formulate a suitable long-term arrangement. Presumably… I assume you do not wish to disappear into thin air without the young Vicomte?" Erik shot an enquiring look at Christine, briefly wondering how attached she was to de Chagny's offspring. She had seemed quite fond of the boy from what he could tell at the child's party…

"I love my son very much, Erik. You are quite right – I will not go anywhere without Charles. For the moment, yes, we can meet secretly. As long as I know you are nearby – as long as you come back to me, I am content." Christine squeezed him tightly, a lump in her throat.

Erik kissed her head before raising a different topic of conversation. His voice light, he asked in a curious tone, "My darling, who is 'Marcel Gravier'? I do not wish to pry, but I did happen to notice you had left a letter addressed to him in the hall…"

Christine wondered if he had read the contents of the letter. His voice and expression gave away nothing but this was Erik and she knew him well enough to think it highly likely. She shifted her position on the bench so she could look at him, knowing that it would be best to tell the truth. "Erik, I have written to Monsieur Gravier requesting a meeting to discuss Raoul's debts. It seems that Raoul had run up a rather large marker with him through gambling - to pay it off in full will mean I will have to sell the house. Phillipe seems to think Gravier is an unscrupulous type but I thought it was worth appealing to his better nature… perhaps he might feel some guilt or pity and agree to waive the debt or at least receive it in smaller instalments…" Christine's voice tailed off as she saw Erik's horrified expression. He did not look as if he thought well of her decision at all.

"My dear - what on earth were you thinking of? This is utter lunacy. The kind of man who preys on others to accrue gambling debts is not the sort who is likely to respond to requests for mercy and I hardly think it appropriate for you to go anywhere near such a man. I forbid it." Erik's eyes blazed with worry and he clutched her shoulders hard.

Christine laughed lightly. "Erik, you are not in a position to forbid me. Do you not see? Phillipe is determined to sell the house and have Charles and I live with his family. I will have no freedom there at all. I cannot stand idly by and do nothing."

Erik narrowed his eyes and hissed, before giving her a tight-lipped smile. "I strongly suggest that you forget whatever scheme you have concocted regarding this man, my love. I will think of a more suitable way of dealing with this situation."

Christine knew better than to argue with Erik so she said nothing further on the matter. She would bide her time. Instead she smiled and pulled him to her for another lingering kiss till his tense expression cleared.

They did not have long together - as always with such things, the time passed far too quickly. They made their arrangements to meet again, then Christine hurried back to the main gates of the cemetery where a brougham was waiting to collect her and take her home. Erik watched her from a distance as she walked to the carriage and was driven away.

Friday

Monsieur Gravier had replied promptly by Tuesday's afternoon post, suggesting she call on him at his office after the end of the working day on Friday at half past five in the afternoon, which made her a little uneasy as she would be going alone and there would clearly be few people about at that time. However, needs must. The week had passed faster than she expected and before she knew it Friday had arrived.

Christine had a growing sense of foreboding as her carriage drew up outside Gravier's business address. Monsieur Gravier was a tradesman: a tobacco importer, purveyor of fine cigars, cigarillos and snuff. He dealt with high-end clientele and mixed with the monied classes, however, his 'Regency Square' address sounded far more impressive than the shabby little office building actually appeared.

She pulled her veil down firmly over her face before alighting from the carriage, only too aware that she should not visiting this man unchaperoned. Her heart was beating too fast, she felt nervous, but it was too late to back out now.

Christine walked briskly up the steps and opened the main door into a small reception area. The concierge desk was empty but a man with dark, slicked back hair and a moustache stepped forward to greet her, introducing himself politely as Marcel Gravier. He wore a smart three-piece suit but Christine's sharp eyes noted several stains upon his lapels. His clothes and shoes were clearly expensive, but he did not quite match them - somehow he made the fitted, tailored suit look as if it had been stolen from someone else. His eyes were beady, she felt he was assessing her from the moment she stepped through the door. However, he smiled in a welcoming manner, ushering her across the reception area into his own office, offering her a seat opposite his desk.

"Well, Madame de Chagny, what a delight it is to meet you. Please accept my condolences upon the sad loss of your husband. Raoul was a fine fellow, we were all very sorry to lose his good company at the club." His voice sounded sincere but his eyes were like a snake's and fixed on her, watching her closely. As she sat down he leaned against the edge of his desk.

Christine nodded graciously. "Thank you for your kind words Monsieur. It is always pleasant to meet a friend of Raoul's."

"How exactly may I help you, Madame? You said in your letter you wished to discuss your husband's debt? Would you like me to show you the ledger I keep with his markers in?" Gravier raised his eyebrows questioningly.

Christine took a deep breath and decided to give her best attempt at persuading this horrid man to do the honourable thing. "As a friend of my husband's I am sure you realise that it was very out of character for my husband to gamble, he was normally such a temperate man. I am so surprised that he would indulge at all - he really was suffering quite badly with his nerves towards the end, you know. He was not a well man, Monsieur Gravier, not in his right mind at all. Our doctor can attest to that. This debt that he has accumulated with you, it will mean the loss of our family home – if you would perhaps be willing to accept a smaller sum, or accept the money in instalments over a longer period of time, or-"

Gravier interrupted her smoothly. "Ah, Vicomtesse. I am deeply saddened by the tragic tale of your husband's illness. It really was a terrible shame - as I said. However, he was well aware of the nature of the agreement we had between us, I can assure you I would never take advantage of a fellow in that way. Regrettably, he did lose a large sum of money at the gambling tables and he owed that money to me – I am simply a humble businessman and while I do like to help out my friends – those debts need to be paid. I only wish there was some way I could help you… but then again…"

Gravier rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then smiled sympathetically at Christine, his eyes taking her in shrewdly. "I am of course very reluctant to give up on a debt or the interest due – we all have bills to pay, Madame - but I'm sure we could find a way to make it worth my while to give you a hand in this matter. It would be a shame for you to have travelled all this way for nothing and you seem to be a delightful woman, I hate to think of you suffering for your husband's misfortune... You know, I do think I would like to get to know you better, Madame – to become friends. I am always happy to help my friends, you see…" Gravier smiled broadly, cocking his head to one side. Christine stared at him impassively as he continued.

"I understand – you used to be an actress, isn't that so? Before the Vicomte married you? Mmmm. Well I have to say Raoul was a man of taste… you are not a disappointment…" Gravier's gaze slid up and down Christine, leaving no mistake as to what he meant.

He leered unpleasantly at her. "Now, if you and I were to get well acquainted with each other, it would certainly help me to forget about some of those little marker slips your foolish husband kept putting my way. I'm very interested in the arts, Madame… Perhaps some private performances might be in order – you know – one favour for another?"

Christine was horrified. Despite her stony expression her face glowed pink with embarrassment and anger, but she kept her composure as this vile man insulted her and her dead husband with his filthy suggestions.

Seeing the colour rising in her cheeks, Gravier gave an amused laugh but his eyes stayed cold and calculating. "My dear Vicomtesse! Please don't pretend I've shocked you. Why else would you be here? You can't have thought I would give up all that money without taking something in its place. Now, let's see how friendly you can be, eh, Madame? What say you?" He took a step towards her and grabbed her arm with a lecherous grin.

Now Christine saw how naive she had been to ever think that such a man could be reasoned with.

Phillipe had been right.

Erik had been right.

This man was the worst kind of monster.