Okay! We are here for the fight! And here it is! I particularly really really enjoyed writing this chapter so please please leave a review! You'll find that some of the dialogue is a bit…familiar. ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own PhofOp.

Rescue

It took two more days until they were able to pinpoint where Erik was being kept. Two whole days that were more torturous than the previous days. Knowing that Erik was being drank from brought forth a rage in Christine that she has never felt before. Her vampire self was demanding that she find Carlotta and rip her to shreds for daring to lay a hand on her human mate much less drink from him. Christine knew that Raoul was going through the same. He had less control over his instincts, causing his fangs to temporary become a permanent feature. Christine had tried to help calm him enough for them to go back but soon gave up. The stress was getting to both of them and they needed Erik to make it go away.

When Christine was finally able to figure out the location, she immediately wanted to rush in but forced herself to stop. Instead, she went and informed everyone. Mr. Khan and Mme. Giry were persistent in trying to go with them, but Christine wouldn't allow it. They were going against vampires that had no quarter of harming them. If they felt wary being around Christine and Raoul, two that wouldn't harm them because of their human mate, the instinct of a predator around would be all that worse around vampires that didn't have the same limit. It took a long time for Christine and Raoul to convince them of that but thankfully, they were eventually able to do so. Christine had been tempted to compel them to agree but she didn't want them to hate her after, plus Erik would be disappointed with them as well. She knew that it was a hard thing for the two humans to do, they obviously cared a great deal about Erik, making Christine all the more appreciative and determined that their acceptance would not be in vain.

Christine really hoped that Erik would be able to see that they did the right thing and see his friends again.

Christine and Raoul left at dusk that same night. Carlotta had a flare for the dramatic as she is the biggest diva Christine has ever met and enjoyed playing up their kind's stereotypes. One of her favorites being that vampires can only go about at night to do their dark deeds. Christine usually didn't care for her dramatics but she was going to try everything to make sure that Carlotta would be in a pleasant mood that'll keep Erik alive and safe. Christine could feel Erik's life through their bond, said bond demanding her to go to him, but it was weaker than it's ever been. She didn't want to think about the implications of that and hurried with Raoul to the outskirts of the city.

They didn't bother with transportation, choosing to use their full speed and ran all the way until they came across an old abandoned warehouse. The scent of apple and parchment was thick in the air around the aged building. The smell made Christine cringed because it was mixed with blood, telling her that Erik's blood had been split who knew how many times. On top of that were multiple scents that Christine recognized all too well, and ones she had hoped she would never smell again. She could feel her mouth water as her fangs tried to descend from her gums but she was able to keep them in. She turned to Raoul who had his fangs poking out from behind his lips, his gaze focused on the building.

"Ready?" she asked.

Raoul gave her a side glance and gained a weak grin. "Let's go get our mate."

She nodded and took off, Raoul following right behind her. They entered the building as soundlessly as they could, however, Christine knew that Carlotta would know they were there. The inside of the warehouse was filled with rusted and broken down construction equipment. Christine glanced around and noticed a number of floors above them, each having their own set of doorways that led to separate rooms. Erik's scent was everywhere and Christine was unable to tell where he was being kept.

"Wait! I think, my dear, we have guests!" a voice Christine dreaded hearing spoke from ahead of them.

Christine glanced to where she heard it and sprinted towards it. She had to get through a few paths of equipment but when she got out she came to a stop at the back of the warehouse where a large area was cleared out and in its place held a large cushion chair that was set up like a throne. Sitting on top of it was a woman who appeared to be in her late thirties, her skin pearl white and her red curly hair appeared like fire as it draped over one of her shoulders.

The woman smiled with all her teeth, her hands clapping together in glee, her fangs gleaming in the dim light. "This is indeed an unparalleled delight! You came sooner than I thought you would, didn't I say it would take them longer?"

The woman stated the last part to a large man with a neatly trimmed beard. He stood by her right arm next to the chair. The man nodded.

"Carlotta, Piangi." Christine greeted slowly, walking further into the area, Raoul following right behind her. She used her eyes to look for any others but didn't see them, not that it mattered since she certainly smelled them.

"I had rather hoped you would come tonight! And now, my wish comes true, you truly made my night!" Carlotta exclaimed cheerfully.

Christine stiffened at that, stopping about 10 yards away from Carlotta. "Why do you say that?"

Carlotta waved her hand dismissively. "Our food source is getting too weak to handle much more drinking. I would guess maybe one more day before he was drained. That would've been no fun."

Christine couldn't help the growl that escape her throat, this time not fighting back her fangs from coming out. She felt Raoul shift behind her as if getting ready to attack.

"Free him!" she growled, taking a few steps closer. "Do what you like, only free him."

"Have you no pity?!" Raoul growled, coming to stand by her side.

"Oh! What a passionate plea!" Carlotta gushed in fake enthusiasm. Her eyes flashed red with her smile. "Is this because he's blind? And that face! You two sure know how to pick them! I suppose the taste of his blood makes up for it!"

"We love him!" Raoul hissed. "All you say means nothing! Show some compassion!"

"The world showed no compassion to me!" Carlotta suddenly bellowed, standing from her chair with fury in her eyes. "You took away everything! I lost everything!"

"Erik. Erik!" Christine called out, hoping that he would hear and give away his location. Her worry growing from Carlotta's statements. "Let's us see him!"

Carlotta smirked cruelly, taking on a calm exterior. "Be my guest."

She clapped her hands twice and Christine could hear a struggle taking place a floor above them. She quickly glanced up and after a couple seconds a saw a sight that made her take in a sharp inhale, Raoul doing the same next to her.

"I know he's not in the best of shape, but blame him. I tried to take care of him as I do all my pets, but he's a stubborn one!" Carlotta stated as if scolding an animal for creating a mess.

"You…" Christine didn't know how to finish her sentence, her rage cutting her off.

Erik was being held by another vampire, Firman, who was holding his hands behind his back. If it wasn't for Firman, Christine was sure that Erik wouldn't be able to stand upright. Her human mate appeared to have lost 20 pounds in the course of a week, his clothes loose fitting over him. His skin was sickly pale from having a lot of blood taken away without being given enough time to regain it. His eyes were dulled with no trace of their usual spark and had almost black circles under them and his hair was ruffled and consisted of oily stands.

Christine allowed her instincts and rage to transform her into her vampire self, her nails extending into claws and all her teeth to sharpen. As they did, she crouched to attack.

"Now, now, don't be getting all huffy with me." Carlotta squinted her eyes with disapproval. "Blame yourself. He's just paying for the sins which are yours. I'll even give you a chance to buy his freedom."

Christine paused but didn't straighten from her position. She knew Carlotta too well to think she'll give up killing Erik easily.

"It's not really a choice, more like options and either way I win." Carlotta confirmed. She began to walk towards them as she spoke. "Fight me, one on one. Your lover boy behind you will fight my Piangi. Refuse me this, and I'll send your other boy to his death. I'm sure Firman will love having the last taste of his blood."

Christine understood Carlotta's game. They both knew that Carlotta was the better fighter of them and Piangi was the same with Raoul. Carlotta wouldn't kill her but keep her alive long enough until Piangi killed Raoul, thus breaking their bond and crushing Christine. However, if she refused, Carlotta would have Erik killed and the loss of a mate would tear Christine and Raoul to shreds.

Carlotta was right, either way she would win and Christine would lose a mate. Carlotta would allowed the shattered bond take Christine's life, which is considered the worst way to die as a vampire.

Christine glanced up at Erik, weighing her options, none having a preferred outcome.

"Let's fight them." Raoul suggested softly.

Christine turned to him in surprise. He shrugged.

"If we don't, Erik's going to die, that's a given, but if we fight, there's a chance we can all survive."

"A very low chance." Christine whispered back.

"Yeah, but look at it this way, if we die, Erik lives. Carlotta would have no reason to kill him anymore. He's human so our deaths won't affect him nearly as much as losing him would to us. He'll be able to move on." Raoul explained.

Christine thought about that for a second and saw the benefits of it. What Raoul said was true. Erik could live without them, but they couldn't do the same.

"Alright." Christine agreed, turning back to face Carlotta. "We'll fight, but swear to me that Erik will go free no matter the outcome."

Carlotta grinned smugly. "You have my word."

It wasn't much, but it was all Christine was going to get.

Christine nodded and Raoul moved away from her to head towards Piangi. Their eyes met for a second before they began to fight. A second later, Carlotta lunged forward and Christine did as well. She was able to dodge the first blow and reached out to take out Carlotta's eyes but the older was able to dodge.

They went back and forth for a while but then Carlotta pulled a feign that Christine fell for and got thrown back into one of the metal equipment. It hurt, but Christine forced herself to get up and continued. She tried to focus solely on Carlotta but it was hard with her worrying about Raoul with Piangi and Erik who probably could only hear the faintest of their fight because they were moving too fast.

Christine was able to grab Carlotta's loose hair and used it to pull her head back before slamming it into her knee. Carlotta cried out and black blood gushed out of her new broken nose. The fury in her eyes increased and she lunged again.

Christine didn't know how long they fought, both getting hits in that left them tired as time went. Carlotta was able to get more, making Christine feel weaker and slow down.

Suddenly Carlotta froze as she was about to hit Christine again. With wide eyes, she gasped brokenly and clutched her hands to her chest in pain. Christine whipped her head around and saw Raoul covered in black blood as he held Piangi's dismembered head in his hands, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"You!" Carlotta screeched in wrath and hatred. "What have you done!?"

She raced to Raoul and knocked him back easily while taking her mate's head in her hands. Raoul was thrown into a wall and collapsed on the ground. He glanced up, his eyes red and panting through his fanged mouth to get air back.

Christine hurried to him and helped him up. She warily watched Carlotta as she stood frozen over her mate's headless body.

"You…" Carlotta whispered softly enough that Christine almost didn't hear her. Carlotta jerked her head up towards the floor above them.

"Kill the human!" She screech in command.

"No!" Christine cried out.

She heard Erik's agony filled cry echo throughout the warehouse and her heart broke. Raoul rushed away from her as she sprinted towards Carlotta in a fit of rage. Carlotta wasn't expecting her attack and Christine was able to throw her into one of the walls. Not giving her enough time to get back up, Christine lunged again and clutched her throat between her hands.

Carlotta choked but didn't fight. Instead she gave her a smug smile.

"Now we both loss something important." Carlotta gasped out.

Tears blurring her vision, Christine let out a cry of rage and crushed Carlotta's windpipe. The former mistress of Spain died and Christine let her go, the body dropping to the floor.

"Christine!" Raoul voice called out to her.

Christine looked up and saw Raoul fighting Firman and his mate, Andre, on the floor above. She gasped when she caught sight of an injured, but alive Erik clutching the bottom of the rail as he hung from the walkway.

"Erik! Let go!" Christine yelled, running to stand underneath where he was hanging. "I'll catch you!"

She could tell Erik heard her by his hesitation, not that she blamed him since he had no way of telling how far the fall would be. After a moment, he let go. Christine was easily able to catch him, however, his too light weight made her concern. She quickly laid him down and clutched his face in between her hands, trying to ignore the fact that Erik's blood was seeping out of his neck wound from where Firman had bit him.

"You're safe, Erik. I need to help Raoul, give us one second." Christine requested with a plea as she watched Erik blink sluggishly.

Erik nodded faintly and Christine quickly ran up to the next floor. Together they were easily able to defeat Firman and Andre, neither of them were much of fighters. When that was done, they raced back to Erik and saw him lying down on his side with his eyes closed.

Fear filled Christine and she kneeled by one side while Raoul took the other. She could feel Erik's life through their bond but it was extremely weak, his heartbeat slow to her ears.

"Erik…" Raoul whispered softly, placing his hand on Erik's cheek.

Erik stirred and cracked his eyes opened, to show that he was aware.

"You're weak, really weak." Christine began softly to not have her voice crack. "At this rate, you won't make it to the hospital. We can help you, but we need your permission. We can bite you and it'll help sustain you long enough to get help. Will you let us?"

Erik had stiffened at the mention of getting bit and for a moment Christine thought that he wouldn't let them. Her fear rose as the seconds grew but then Erik spoke.

"Yes," Erik whispered breathy, like he couldn't get enough air out.

"We're sorry, but this is going to hurt." Raoul apologized, the regret dripping in his voice.

"I know," Erik replied, closing his eyes.

Christine swiftly leaned forward and over Erik to reach his neck where Firman bit. Raoul took one of his wrist and brought it too his lips. Erik flinched at feeling Christine close to his neck but didn't pull away. Guilt filled Christine at the sight of her mate's condition but pushed it aside, she needed to help him.

Gently, she placed her hand on his face and the same moment Raoul bit into Erik's wrist, she bit into his neck.

Erik let out a chocked gasp and Christine immediately wanted to stop but knew that she couldn't. She focused on the wound and her saliva filled her mouth and poured into Erik's bloodstream. She felt Erik's body go limp and knew that he was unconscious. A part of Christine was grateful since he no longer had to feel pain.

After a minute, Christine was able to pull back, Raoul doing the same next to her. Already, Christine could hear Erik's heartbeat get stronger, but not by much. He still needed medical attention.

Christine turned to Raoul. "Let's go."

And there you go! I wonder…how many of you thought Erik would be changed into a vampire from this as you read the chapter? Nope! He was not turned! And I wonder how many of you noticed the little dialogue portions that were from the Final Lair scene? Lol, let me know in the reviews! Next chapter will be in Raoul's POV!

See ya next time!