Christine had never felt comfortable surrounded by admirers,and now she was once again a star at a gala performance . She knew it was strange for a performer to become self-conscious following a show, but she had never desired to be centre stage and until Erik had become her tutor she would aviod the after show celebrations in favour of her own bed.

She had been happy to remain in the ballet chorus, but once Erik had begun to tutor her she became increasingly confident. Erik not only strengthend and honed her voice, he had made her believe she belonged centre stage; his persistent words of encouragement and continual adoration of her voice had made her feel more self-assured and deserving of the lime light. However, she didn't seek the adoration of others, as prima Donna's like La Carlotta did, there was only one person whose opinion mattered: Erik, her Angel of Music.

Throughout her time at the Populaire she had become increasingly enamoured with her tutor, finding both his voice and music enticing. Her main aim became to please him; if it meant practising until the early hours of the morning then she did, if it meant lying to Meg then she did, but once Raoul became a feature in her life everything changed; she didn't want to disobey her Angel, but she couldn't deny the feelings she had for her childhood sweetheart.

The months Erik had been absent from the Populaire had been some of the happiest in her life, not due to his absence but due to the uninterrupted time she had spent with Raoul. They had dined, danced, taken strolls and had picnics. During this time she had felt care-free, and recalled happier times when her father was alive and she and Raoul were children. Like the majority of the company Phillippe had assumed they were lovers, and although they had come close on several occasions Christine had remained chaste, and Raoul had never acted ungentlemanly towards her. It had been a joyful time full of daylight.

Once Erik had returned her life had been thrown into turmoil. He had an allure she couldn't explain, and their connection was profound. When he played or sang for her Christine would often find herself weeping due to the overwhelming flurry of emotions that would embrace her. His music permiated her very soul, it drew her to him like nothing she had ever experienced. His music had raw passion that simply couldn't be matched, but was emotionally and physically draining. Christine had felt that passion when she had performed earlier that night, and now she felt exhausted.

She stood by the wall waiting for Gilles to bring her a drink while she watched the gala attendees. It had been easy to forget the things Erik had done when they had danced together; the controlling behaviour, the atrocities he had committed in the name of love and his most recent ill-treatment all faded away when she was in his arms. In his presence he captivated her, they conversed easily and she was swept away in the familiarity of his voice. As she watched Erik aviod various patrons and female cast members she reminded herself of the severity of his past behaviour; the years of lying and manipulation, dictating who she was able to socialise with, and finally and her abduction had left her in a fragile state. For months after the confrontation in Erik's home Christine had woken distraught from her memories, particularly being forced into a wedding dress, often reaching for the laudenum when she was unable to return to sleep.

It hadn't been fear that plagued her dreams, it had been confusion. Erik had created a persona of an angel and for years he had been one of her only friends; she hadn't realised he loved her romantically until the final night under the opera house. She had known he was obsessed with her, but once she had discovered he was a man and not an angel she believed his interest in her was paternal. It had been the wedding dress that had made her realise..

When Christine had first been taken down below she thought she'd dreamed the mannequin with the wedding dress, clearly exhausted and overcome with emotion, but as she stood in his lair buttoning-up the bodice of said wedding dress she had began to cry. It hadn't been a dream, it was the product of a dangerous obsession and he was going to force her to be his wife. She became frantic with worry and fear that he would rape her, having been driven to the edge by Raoul's plan and the obvious inability to find a priest who would force a woman to marry someone who dragged her to the Chapel. It had been at that moment she'd decided to be strong; she had done men's bidding enough, and it was time for her to stand her ground.

Erik had seemed genuinely horrified when she had asked him if she was to be pray for his lust for flesh, and although she did feel pity for his childhood experiences, she refused to let that pity dictate her actions. She loved Raoul and would do anything to save him, so she made her choice. The whole affair had been exhausting, yet she had never felt more fatigued then she did now.

She was certain that part of her exhaustion was caused by Raoul's new exuberance. Since the Firmin incident he had become more assertive and the new found freedom from his mother's and Phillippe's influence had brought a change in him thay she found quite appealing. It had been Raoul's energy that had driven them round the dance floor, causing her feet to ache and her body to cry for her bed. She had been relieved when he had offered her hand to Gilles, as she knew the manager did not like to dance.

Once he returned the pair stood back and observed the guests, Christine catching sight of Meg speaking with Simon Tennason before she left the room and Gilles watching Richard Firmin with a guarded curiosity

"Meg's earrings and necklace are beautiful", she chirped with a knowing smile as Gilles handed her a flute of champagne. She hadn't had the opportunity to speak with Meg that evening, but she had caught sight of the deep green emerald pendant and matching earrings that complimented her dress exquisitely, and were clearly a gift from an admirer.

"Are they? I can't say I pay particular attention of women's jewellery", Gilles stated, clearly slightly confused by the statement.

Christine immediately felt embarrassed. She had assumed the set had been a gift from him as Raoul had told her that Gilles had romantic inclinations towards her. She would have normally have verbalise such an assumption, and hadn't intended on making the observation aloud. The onky justification she could think of for her faux pas was that she was fatigued and it was getting the better of her.

"Oh - I thought they were a gift from you. "

"No - it is inappropriate for a man to give a lady gifts when one isnt courting her", with a worried expression spreading across his face, "is she courting someone?"

"I thought you were courting", she lied.

"No. I haven't asked her. I was going to ask her to write when she goes to Russia," he said with a wistful smile before turning to her with a sombre expression , "is she courting someone?"

Christine shrugged, "I don't think so", she replied as she ran her finger along the lip of the glass. "You should ask Meg if you can court her. She deserves a good man"

Gilles smiled broadly before finishing his champagne. The Vicomtess was truly lovely and he fully understood why both Raoul and the Opera Ghost had fallen in love with her. Not only was she beautiful, with luscious curly hair, large eyes and a flawless complexion, she was also kind, generous and compassionate. He was about to thank her when he saw her watching her husband across the otherside of the room.

"Leave them be Madame. Your husband is only concerned for your safety"

Christine gave Gilles a side-eyed glance before shaking her head. "I have told him before; he doesn't need to protect me from Erik. Erik would never hurt me. He loves me"

Gilles took hold of her arm causing her to turn and face him, "that is why he wants to protect you. Surely you can understand he is concerned for your wellbeing?"

"Of course I do. But I can protect myself", she asserted - she had done it before when she had offered herself in exchange for Raoul - even if the men didn't believe she could do so. Gilles was about to speak but Christine cut him off, seeing the perfect opportunity to distract Raoul's friend and enable her to find out what her husband was doing.

"Oh Gilles, Monsieur Firmin looks ready to make a speech!", and upon hearing those words the manager darted in Firmin's direction to avert an ill-concieved monologue.

--xxx--

Raoul had followed Erik out of curiosity and mistrust. He would never fully accept or believe that the Phantom did not have designs on his wife, and he wanted to make sure he was not creating an elaborate plan to steal her away.

As he had followed Erik into the storage areas of the theatre he had hoped the Opera Ghost would confront him, allowing for a more througher conversation about Christine, but instead he had merely acknowledged his presence and signalled for him to stay back.

Once Erik had disappeared into the prop room and then there was a load thud Roaul was about to run into the room. He may have had a deep mistrust for Erik but his natural instincts kicked in: he didn't want Erik hurt.

There was a slight tug on his arm, and he turned to see the face of his wife.

"Lotte, what are you doing here?"

"I followed you because I thought you were going to hurt Erik."

He let out hefty sigh. They would need to have another conversation about her feelings towards that man.

"Raoul, lets not argue. I love you, but Erik is very important to me."

"Shhh", he replied as he guided her to stand behind him before speaking a whisper, "we shall talk about Destler later. Right now I need you to stay behind me and remain out of sight"

--xxx--

When roaul opened the door he was greeted by the sight of Meg Giry sitting on the floor and Destler tied to a chair, with his brother standing proudly behind them.

The moment Meg realised her friend's husband stood in the doorway she tried to stand calling out his name, but quickly lost her balance and returned to her awkward positioning on the floor.

"Phillippe, what is going on here?" Raoul asked approaching Meg with an out reached arm. He noticed Destler appeared unconscious, but rationalised the man was more then capable of.looking after himself, whereas Meg Giry would need his assistance.

"That man", Phillppe gestured wildly towards Erik, "and the harlot you married to have been intimate. You were lied to dear brother"

"That isn't true", Raoul stated in a matter-of-fact tone, having forgotten his intention to help Meg.

"He is a known seducer of women, wouldn't you say so?" Phillipe directed his question towards Oliver who eagerly agreed.

It was upon hearing Oliver's voice Erik opened his eyes. He had intended to feign unconsciousness for the duration of this conversation while formulating a plan to enable him and Meg to escape safely, but the surprise of hearing Meg's former fiancé's voice had caused him to alter his plan.

"Not only that, he is a murderer" Poole added, "and will pay for his crimes"

"But whether his latest tart pays for her crimes is upto him", the Doweger Comtess laughed from the shadows. Raoul wished he could claim he was surprised by his mother's presence, but he wasn't. He suspected this entire thing was her idea.

"Monsiour Destler, Phantome de l'opera, Mr Opera Gost, here is your choice: sign this stating you have had intimate relations with the Victomess de Chagny both before and after her marriage to my brother, and your little friend here", Phillppe gestured to Meg, "will not face punishment for her crimes"

"Mother - please - this is ludicrous" Raoul exclaimed, hoping his mother would see sense, "you know Christine was chaste when we married"

Erik's mind was racing. He had interfered with Christine's life for years;, tormented her, confused her, and toyed with her emotions. When they had danced earlier that night she seemed happed, and over the last three weeks when he had watched her interact with the Vicomte she was joyful and clearly in love. Could he destroy her world? If he signed the document then she would be homeless and shamed, but he could support her. He could be her knight in shining armour who came to her rescue. But is that what he wanted? Did he want to tear her world apart to suit his own desires?

On the otherhand Meg had sacrificed much for him. She had accepted him, travelled across the world to support him. Lied for him. She had helped him. In her presence he felt safe and like any other man.

Poole had handed Erik a pen and the document. He faced an awful dilemma: lie and destroy Christine's life, but save Meg. Tell the truth and destroy Meg's life, but save Christine's.

"Don't sign it Erik", Meg's voice interrupted his thoughts, "Christine deserves better".

Meg was right, Christine does deserve better. She deserved better than the Vicomte's family, but she also deserved happiness, and she seemed happy with her Vicomte. Meg also deserved happiness, he had treated her badly and wa scertain he was the cause of her pain. He couldn't subject her to time in prison and living a lifetime in its shadow.

His conundrum ended when Christine appeared in the doorway

"I'll sign it" she said firmly