Author's Note: Perhaps this chapter is not the kindest to post on Christmas Eve, but It's been a full week since my last new chapter, I can't put off updates just because of bad timing. The truth of Christine's past is revealed here, not happy, but at least the wait is over.
Upon laying eyes on Christine, Erik had felt tormented, upset, and helpless. This beautiful, delicate creature, who had been so mistreated by the world. His urge to protect and keep her became stronger than ever as he pulled out a chair for her.
Christine turned to take her seat, presenting him the sight of her bare back. The dress was very becoming, and very black. He liked it, the dress suited her well. Erik took his seat across from her and thought that they could make a good match, if only she agreed tonight.
Erik made a wine selection, a strong Cabernet, and the waitress went off to fetch the proper bottle. He looked down at the menu, but he could feel Christine's eyes on him. "Erik?"
He looked up to see the girl so forlorn and apologetic that his very heart might have broken for her. His exposed features softened. "Yes, Christine?" He asked.
"I'm sorry for-"
Erik reached out and took her hands into his, enveloping her tiny paws. "No, no, Christine, please. There will be time for all that later. Tonight is meant to be special. Please, I want you to enjoy yourself. Enjoy the meal, and my opera. We will talk later,"
Sighing slightly, Christine nodded and looked down at her own menu. Erik had tried to reassure her, but the tension in her chest remained strong.
The food came, and the meal was perfect. Christine preferred Erik's cooking above all else, but the chef at 21 was posing as stiff competition. There was a small in-house band setting up to play, but to Christine's slight disappointment, they could not stay to dance.
Erik shook his head, "I'll take you dancing any other time that you wish, but the opera awaits, my dear,"
Christine smiled at his frequent use of the endearment, as if she were somehow special to a man like him. He might take me out to dinner and to his opera, but I can't let myself believe in any of this, she thought with a slight pang.
Erik stood and held his hand out to her. Without hesitation, Christine put her hand into his and allowed him to guide her to the front of the building. All throughout, Erik never once touched anything other than her hand, her shoulder, or the small of her back when he lead her. He was as respectful and gentle as he ever had been, as if nothing had happened to upset the balance in their tentative relationship.
He stepped out first and showed Christine to the curb, where a large black car awaited them. Erik opened the door for her and followed her into the back. He had a quick word with the driver and then settled beside her as the car began to move down the icy streets of New York.
Christine looked out the window, bracing herself in case Erik went back on his word and confronted her about the last time that they had met, when she had accused him and suffered the breakdown in his arms. Erik didn't say anything about that night, however, he only took her hand into both of his and spoke of the opera.
"You haven't been to the Metropolitan opera, have you?" He asked.
Christine shook her head, "No, but I walk by it every once in awhile. It's a beautiful building,"
"Yes, it is," he said, "But beauty truly does lie beneath the surface. The interior is magnificent, the auditorium divine,"
She shrugged, happy to talk to Erik about anything other than the topic that filled her with numbing dread. "Well, you would know better than me, Erik. I'll take your word for it,"
Their conversation continued on for several blocks, but then the car pulled into the front square of the building. Erik stepped out and took Christine's hand to assist her out of the car. He knew that, despite wearing the coat, Christine was wearing far too little underneath; he guided her quickly into the grand entrance of the building, up and out of the cold.
They entered the building and joined the crowd already assembled inside. Erik presented the tickets and handed over his coat, as Christine did beside him. Finally, there were able to relax a bit before the doors were opened to the eager audience.
"This is a wonderful turnout," Erik said to her, his bright eyes taking in the number of people flowing into the building.
Christine nodded, "Do you know anyone here?"
Erik shrugged and smiled warmly, "Several people I recognize, but I only have a few friends. Most of the people here are acquaintances,"
As if on a cue, an older couple started towards them. Erik looked up and smiled. The Shermans were a very friendly family, and also very generous. More out of obligation, Erik had no choice but to play to their eagerness.
"Gloria, David," he greeted, shaking the hand of the older man and kissing the cheek of his wife. "I'm so glad that you could come,"
David, a handsome man already well into his sixties, smiled at Erik. "Great to be out and about, son. I heard this production was giving you hell, but it seems you've pulled off quite a show,"
"Don't get ahead of me, now. The opera hasn't started- it could be terrible, for all I know."
Gloria shook her head and turned to Christine, "He says that, but this man is a visionary, you know. I once saw a production of his performed in Rome, and it brought tears to my eyes," she looked at Christine and then frowned, "I'm terribly sorry, but I don't think that I know you, dear."
"Oh! I'm sorry, that was rude of me, I'm just so used to coming alone," Erik started. "David and Gloria Sherman, this is Christine Daae, a personal friend of mine," he introduced.
Christine shook the friendly David's hand and nodded politely to Gloria. "It's nice to meet you,"
"Lovely to meet you too dear," Gloria said, her eyes narrowing on Erik as she looked at the pair of them. "You're a sweet girl,"
"And lovely too," David laughed, sending Erik a just-between-us-guys smile. "She's a great catch, you rascally dog! Adele will be out of her mind with jealousy,"
Erik grimaced slightly at the mention of his former mistress. He swallowed, embarrassed. "I don't think- I haven't seen Adele in months,"
"Well, you'll have your reunion tonight then, Erik. She's only just returned from Perth last week." Gloria informed him helpfully, her jeweled bracelet twinkling happily.
Erik furrowed his brow, wondering why Adele hadn't announced her return home to him.
The Shermans were called away by another couple, and Erik turned to Christine. "I'm sorry about that- David has a peculiar way of complimenting young ladies,"
Christine smiled and shook her head, "It's all right, I don't mind being your great catch for the night," she teased.
Erik felt his pulse begin to race, and he tightened his grip on her hand. "Tonight, and many other nights, I hope," he said softly.
Christine's lovely face took on a slight flush that he found both charming and more than a little erotic. Erik had a way of disarming her with his words and his ambiguous intentions. She was always left to guessing games with him. "Erik, can I ask you who Adele is?"
Erik stilled at the question; he could not simply tell her that Adele was a mistake from his past, but he also did not care to go into details. "Adele…she was once a part of my life, but that has since ended,"
Christine raised a brow. "Ex-wife?"
He smiled and laughed a little, relieved that Christine's candid sense of humor would help him through the night. "No, not her. We weren't so involved as all that. No, no, Adele and I were…"
"Exclusive lovers for a few magical months earlier this year?"
Both Erik and Christine turned to the sudden intrusion of a third voice. Erik blinked curiously. Is this…Adele?
The woman before them was a truly stunning vision in a gown of emerald green, the sleek silk of her dress hugged the curves of her body, the neckline plunged low enough to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage, yet remained modest for the occasion. Her fiery hair was let loose to flow down her back.
Clear, clever eyes the color of jade gleamed at Erik, her gaze hungrily taking in the sight of her former man attired in a fine Italian tuxedo. Her lips curved in a smile. "How've you been, Erik?"
Startled at her confrontation, Erik blinked and tried to find his voice. "I've been…I've been all right. The production opens tonight, I'm hoping that it does well,"
Adele nodded and smiled, crinkling her eyes only slightly. "Well, if the opera is anything like your other performances, I'm sure that this will be a night to remember," she said smoothly.
Christine stood off to the side, feeling a bit like an outsider as the two former-lovers reunited. Automatically, Christine picked up on Adele's double entendre, and she felt the cool hand of jealousy sweep over her. She was also forced to admit that she herself was excessively lacking when compared to this other woman.
Adele, while perhaps fifteen years older than Christine, was strikingly beautiful. Her face was lovely, the skin so white and smooth that she might resemble a perfect Venus. The woman's coloring was of such a bold nature that Christine suddenly saw herself as being plain- a common pigeon cannot compare to the splendor of a peacock in full bloom.
Erik felt heat on the back of his neck, but he chose to ignore Adele's loaded comment. "Thank you, Addie. Please, allow me to introduce you to Christine Daae," he replied smoothly, though Christine wished that he had forgotten to introduce her as he had with the Shermans.
Christine stepped forward, and held out her hand. "Hello, it's nice to meet you,"
Adele gave Christine's hand a firm shake, and she felt thankful that she did not see any animosity in the woman's cool jade gaze. "Pleasure, Adele Landry. So, have you two known each other long?"
"Just a few weeks," Erik said, taking Christine's hand in an unmistakable gesture of possession.
Adele's lips quirked slightly. "Well, Erik. It's good to know that you kept yourself busy while I was away. I must go, James is seeing about our seats,"
Adele quickly excused herself, the lady in jade swallowed into the crowd of black tuxedos and even blacker dresses. Erik turned to Christine to explain, "When we parted, it was not on the best of terms,"
She raised her brows at him again. "I can tell! Why'd you have to go and break her heart, Erik?"
His brow furrowed. "I never promised her anything." Glancing around, he realized that the auditorium was open and people were taking their seats. Erik put out his arm, "Please, it's time."
Christine looped her arm through Erik's, and they quickly found their places.
The opera, a chilling tale of the Pygmalion legend, was truly superb. Christine could not have asked for more in the night's experience. When the final curtain had been drawn and the final bows taken, she was fighting back tears.
For his part, Erik was only glad that everything had come together as it should have, and there were no major mishaps. His music and the vocalists had been in perfect unison, a perfect opera. Several times throughout the performances, he had stolen a glance at his companion, only to find Christine completely absorbed into the story; at one point, he had watched as she'd mouthed the lyrics to the main aria, A Love Entrusted To Thee.
It is a success, then…he thought to himself.
Erik led Christine out of the auditorium and into the main lobby once more. "Did you enjoy it?" he asked.
She smiled at him, "Oh, yes, very much. Erik, it was unbelievable! I need to use the bathroom before be we go," she said as he began moving towards the doors leading out. "I was trying so hard not to cry because I didn't want to ruin my makeup," she explained.
Erik smiled, he could see the tears in her eyes. "You didn't ruin anything, you're as beautiful as ever,"
"Erik, stop it, you'll make me cry even harder," she teased as she glanced around in search of the restrooms. She also noticed that several of the audience members were gathering around. "Besides, I think I can leave you with your fans for a few minutes,"
He rolled his eyes slightly as he caught sight of the Shermans cutting a line straight for him. "Go, Christine, save yourself while you still can,"
Christine smiled and started down a hallway, heading toward the ladies room. She quickly stepped inside and moved toward the nearest sink. No tears had escaped her carefully made-up eyes, but it had been a great deal of effort to keep her emotions under control. The opera had been brilliant. So powerful and moving that she had been moved near to tears. She took several calming deep breaths and tried to settle herself.
Wasn't there something that she had once read? Beauty is the greatest pain of all…?
Yes, the pure and true beauty of Erik's work had pained her, twisting her inside and demanding her confessions with such power that she had nearly risen from her seat to shout out her lies and betrayals. She glanced down to see her hand shaking slightly, and she smiled a little at her own foolishness.
"You enjoy the show?"
Christine looked up in the mirror to see that Adele had just stepped inside. She tensed at the sight of the woman. "Yes, I did. It was, well, words can't really describe…it was brilliant,"
Adele nodded, "Yes, he's always taken his work very seriously. Works round the clock on his operas, of course, and then there are his other hobbies. The medical research, the city planning, his side businesses...It used to drive me mad, the only time we were ever able to see each other was usually sometime past midnight. I've been away for awhile, Christine. Tell me, is anything different?" Adele asked as she took the sink beside her and began to reapply her lipstick.
Feeling herself flush, Christine cleared her throat. "Oh, no. He's still the same old Erik,"
Adele nodded and sighed heavily. "I was afraid of that. I confess, I went to Australia to get away from Erik for awhile. The man is a closed book, I should have known better than to get involved with him from the beginning, but as usual I listened to my heart instead of my head."
Christine didn't know what to say.
"I came back because…well, I don't know why, exactly. I suppose that I'd just wanted to see if maybe there was something between us, and there is. There's you, Christine. I was with him for months, and never, not once did he ever look at me the way he was looking at you a few minutes ago." Adele's voice lowered to an earnest, almost threatening tone. "I want you to think about that the next time you're giving some other man a lap dance at Mama V's."
Adele turned and left the restroom, leaving a devastated Christine in her wake.
Erik stepped into his apartment with Christine in tow. His heart was fluttering deep within his chest, pulsing with anticipation and dread. It had been a wonderful night, Erik would not hesitate to claim it as being the best night of his year.
Christine had been resistant at first, he'd seen the worry in her eyes when she's come to him at 21. She had started to apologize, but Erik had warned her off. "Later," he'd said. The opera had come and gone, Christine had been moved by the performance. Once she'd returned to him after clearing the upset from her eyes, Erik had not wasted anymore time meeting with the eager opera fans.
The performance had been a success, there was not a man alive who could contest that truth. Erik had gathered Christine and guided her back to the chauffeured car that would take them back to his apartment. It would be their first time truly alone since the night that Christine had first collapsed against him, and then fled his home in the night.
Erik set his keys on the kitchen counter and reasoned that, for what was to follow, they would both need a cup of courage. He turned to find her looking out at the view from his wall of windows.
Beautiful woman.
"Would you like a drink, Christine?"
She turned to look at him, Erik could see the tension and fear in her eyes. She suddenly looked very young and very lost. "I'll just have whatever you're having,"
He nodded and then slipped into the kitchen to pour them both a cognac. Erik thought it was fitting for the occasion. Upon returning to the living room, he crossed to the fireplace and set flames to add more comfort to his home. Christine liked the fire, Erik wanted her to feel safe enough in this space to finally, truly talk to him.
She had not moved from the windows. Erik watched her for a few moments; she was shifting her weight from one foot to another. "Are you uncomfortable?"
Christine turned around to take her glass from him. "It's just the shoes, you don't know what pain is until you've spent all night in heels," she said with a teasing smile. Erik looked down at her feet, encased as they were in stilettos.
He reached to take her arm and gently led her over to the sofa, her usual place before the fire. Christine sat down and Erik knelt before her. She watched him with careful eyes as Erik removed her shoes. He took one stiletto, then the other, and set them both to the side. His hands cradled her feet. They were surprisingly strong, not the dainty paws that he'd once imagined.
Her physical form only proved what he'd read in her file to be true, these were a true dancer's feet.
Her toes had been painted in the manicure style, and Erik smiled to see that Christine had a tiny tattoo on the inside of her right ankle, a simple black star, no larger than a penny. He felt transfixed as he knelt before her, letting his fingers roam over her arches, her insteps, the delicate bones of her ankles.
"You have beautiful feet," he said softly.
Erik looked up to find Christine studying him with intense eyes. He was drawn to her, all else fell away. The warm hands cradling her feet began to move up as he rose to meet her. His fingertips feathered over her bare calves. Christine shivered slightly as she felt Erik's hands begin to trail up her legs, forcing heated blood to rise in a flush over her chest and neck.
Warm hands, so large, moved up her legs and cupped over her knees. Erik's face was very close to hers, his eyes moving from her lips to her eyes, pleading for her permission. Christine gave a tiny nod, all that Erik needed. His mouth descended upon her, his lips soft and seeking. His hands moved from her knees to cup her face; his kiss was tender and gentle, but steadily gaining confidence.
Christine felt numbed by the simple pleasure of his kiss, so enchanted that she could hardly protest once he took the kiss deeper. Erik held her, thrilled with masculine satisfaction as he heard the soft whimpers of longing escape her throat. She wanted him, as he wanted her. Christine's hands rose to his shoulders, and then moved inward toward his neck. Her fingers fumbled as she loosened his tie and slipped it from his collar.
The girl came alive in his arms, taking the pleasure that he'd bestowed, and returned it to him. Erik thrilled as he felt her nip at his lip- she did not fight him, there was no battle of wills here. It was Erik's preference that his women remained submissive when they kissed, he wanted them docile, all the better that he could be in control- it appealed to his pride to have a woman relent to him, and allow themselves to be pleasured by his hands, mouth and body.
Christine moved her hands to Erik's shirt, working the buttons and pushing the jacket down his arms. She moved her mouth over him, pressing a kiss to his cheek, nipping at his earlobe before moving down to his neck. There was heat between them, flaring too quickly.
Erik felt the scrape of her fingernails on his chest, and his eyes flew open. It was going too far, too fast. "Christine," he breathed, "Stop, stop, enough," he took her hands and pressed her back, just enough so that he would be able to stop himself when the temptation to take her would return to him.
He remained kneeling before her, and rested his hands on her thighs. Erik breathed deeply for several moments, attempting to regain his calm. Christine rested her hands over his. "Erik? What is it? Is it me?"
He shook his head and stood up, standing away from her and running a frustrated hand though his hair. "Yes. No. We can't do this…I can't do this, not with the ways things are," he said, almost muttering to himself.
"Erik?"
Erik looked at her. "Christine. I want to ask you a question, but I don't want you to answer me until you know everything." He paused and took a deep breath. "Christine, I've done things that I am not proud of- I'm sorry. I didn't know, you told me, but you were so upset. I couldn't understand what you'd been trying to tell me until after Maddrox brought me the files."
Christine frowned and stood up from the sofa, she came to him but Erik gripped her wrists. "Erik, who's Maddrox-?"
He cupped her face and kissed her. When they parted, Erik breathed his confession. "Christine, when you left me, I hadn't been able to understand anything you'd told me that night, so I took things into my own hands to find the truth."
He watched as her eyes widened, and realization began to dawn.
Erik nodded. "You see Christine, I know. I know that after your father died, you mother remarried that…thing. Michael Downs." Erik growled the name, "I know what he did to you-"
Christine tore her hands from his grasp and took a step back. "You don't know anything, Erik!"
He would not be put off. "You're wrong, I know it all. You were a real dancer once, months away from earning a full scholarship to Manhattan Ballet. I know that he broke your leg, destroying your future. I know that he-"
Christine felt the burning sting of salt tears in her eyes. She blinked and felt wetness course down her cheeks. "No," she whimpered.
Erik stepped closer to her and brushed the tears aside with the pad of his thumb. He held her so that she could not turn from him. They could not back down out of fear now. "I know that he raped you," Erik growled, the words poison on his tongue. "He…he was caught out afterwards, when-"
Her eyes were empty as she finished the story for him, sparing Erik from recounting the whole of her miserable life. "When I called the police. It was a week after he did it. They caught him, he's in a Miami federal prison now. There will be an appeal soon, they need me to testify. They caught him, but not before he almost beat my mother to death with a hammer. She's been in a coma for months. I came here to get better care for her, but her chief doctor told me that she's only slipping deeper."
Erik cradled her body against his. "Then why do this- torture yourself every night to pay the bills? She brought that man into your home, she didn't protect you from him." He said, feeling the oily rage of contempt slide over him. How could Christine go to such lengths for a woman who had sold her own daughter?
Christine pulled back slightly. "She's still my mother, Erik. She has no one, what would I be if I left her now?"
Erik leaned forward and brought his lips to hers, hungry for just the smallest hint of her affection. Christine did not pull away from him. He held her. "You are a better person than I, Christine. You're either very good, or very foolish."
They shared a soft, painful laugh at this.
"Maybe a little of both," she said, drawing comfort and relief from the man that held her. There were no more secrets between them, it was over now. She sobbed against him with relief. Erik knew everything now, but he was not turning her away.
All the dread, all the misery, gone, gone...
Erik embraced her, with all respect.
"You had a question for me, Erik?"
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment to gather his strength. "Christine. There is something between us that has been troubling me for weeks, perhaps since the night that you first came to see me." Erik paused a moment and turned from her, struggling over how to best express himself to her.
He went on, "I know that when you first came here, May had convinced you that all I'd wanted was to use you for sex…to use you in such a way, I'm not like them, Christine, and I know that you still struggle to believe in me. I don't want sex, I want more than that. I want you, just you. Let me help you, let me take over your mother's hospital care. Be with me, I'll give you everything,"
Her eyes widened, "Erik-"
"I promise, you have nothing to fear of me. You have my word, I wouldn't…but I would have expectations: you would stop dancing immediately, of course, and come to be in my home, my life. I would have the guest room prepared. I would only require that you remain loyal to me without question, and grant me a fair chance to earn a place by your side, as the man in your life."
Christine stared at him, disbelieving and unsure.
He met her eyes and continued, "I don't want your rejection over the way I look, and I don't want your acceptance out of some sense of…of obligation, or pity. I can't take pity!"
Christine moved to him and brushed her lips against, pressing her body to his, perhaps for the last time.
"No, Erik,"