~~~{~@ I know y'all are anxious, I've been cramming for exams, and then there's
homework, and I'm writing 3 other fan-fics, do forgive me.
~Lady Serenity @~}~~~~
Down Once More
By: Lady Serenity

Chapter Two: I Remember...

Christine was confused, "What? To save me?"
Meg nodded, "I'll explain."
"I wish you would!"
"You see, Erik came to me one night, asking for your address. I said
that I didn't know it offhand. He said that he would come back every night til I
did. He was true to his word. Every night for four days he came back, asking
for your address. I finally got up the nerve to ask him why. He told me that he
wanted to write you, ask you something."
"And you gave it to him?"
"No, I asked him what he wanted with you. I threatened to turn him
into the police if he didn't."
"What did he do?"
"He just laughed and told me his plan. He was going to find where
you lived, murder Raoul, and take you for himself."
"What?"
Meg nodded, "Yes. I was so mad, I could have slapped him!"
Christine knew how calm Meg usually was, so she must have been
quite mad to have wanted to slapped Erik.
Meg continued, "Well, I asked what it would take to stop him. He
looked confused and asked what I meant. I asked what I could do to stop him
from killing Raoul. He laughed at me. He laughed maniacly. I said that he
could take me for a wife instead, if he wished. He stopped laughing. And he
said..."
"Yes?"
"He said, 'You would marry poor, lonely Erik just so your friend
wouldn't lose her precious Raoul?' I said, 'If that is what it takes.' He paused and
thought it over, 'Why?' 'Because I know that without Raoul, Christine would die
of sorrow.' I answered He paused again, staring at me with those intense eyes.
Then he asked, 'What is the bargain?' 'I become your wife, you leave Raoul
alone.' "
Christine was on the verge of biting her nails, a habit she had gotten
rid of a long time ago, "What did he say?"
"He said, 'Very well, pack your things. I shall come for you
tommorow night!' "
Meg heard the rattling of a tray being carried and stopped talking.
Erik walked in carrying a platter of fruit and wine, "I thought that you might
something to eat, my dears." He set the tray down on a nearby table and walked
out of the room again.
It seemed strange to Christine, seeing Erik acting like a host instead
of a monster. She supposed there was a softer side to him, a sweeter side. Never
the less, she wasn't about to forgive him for conspiring against Raoul.
Erik stopped outside the room to listen to Christine and Meg. How
he had longed to hear Christine's voice again. For once, just once, he would like
to hear a loving tone in her voice when she spoke of him. He would try to do
what he could to make her love him again.
In the living room, Meg continued her story, "I packed my things
and the next night he came for me. When we explained to Maman what was
happening, she started to cry. 'What about your promise?' she asked. Erik
stiffened, 'That will happen, Madame,' he answered. I was confused and asked,
'What promise?' Maman looked at Erik, then back at me. She sighed, 'Long ago
Erik promised me that you would be empress.' 'Me, an empress?' Erik nodded,
'Oui, an empress. But do not fret, madmoiselle, madame. All this will happen
in time. Meg, I shall get your things and we'll go.' "
Christine took Meg's hand, "Meg, that was a very brave thing you
did for me. Merci, mon amie."
Erik re-entered the room, "I trust you two are finished?"
The girls nodded.
"Christine, it was very nice seeing you again. I hope you may visit
me again. Perhaps next time, you will bring your daughter?"
Christine shuddered at the thought of Meagan meeting Erik, "We
shall see."
Erik nodded, "I will show you to the door."
"I know my way out, but if Meg will walk me, I should much
appreciate it," Christine took Meg's arm and the two of them walked to the door
of the lair leading to the lake. There, Christine hugged Meg, "Be strong, Meg. I
will get you out of this."
Meg managed a weak smile, "It's all right, I don't mind it here. He's
very kind to me."
"I'm returning tommorrow, I'll see you then."
Christine left and headed back for her house.
~~~{~@ ~*~ @~}~~~
Raoul was waiting at the door when Christine came back, "It is
nearly 6:30, where have you been?"
"Nowhere."
"Where?"
"With Erik," Christine answered simply.
"WHAT?!?!?!" Raoul's face turned bright red with rage.
"He wants to meet Meagan. I'm bringing her with me when I go back
tommorrow."
"Back? Why? Are you insane?"
"Raoul, Meg has married Erik."
"WHAT?!?!?"
Christine explained breifly what she had heard, "That is why I must
go back tommorrow."
Raoul gave her a questioning look, "But why bring Meagan?"
"Do you really want to anger Erik?"
"No, not especially. But, Christine, I love you. I don't want to lose
you, nor Meagan," Raoul embraced Christine.
"Oh Raoul, you won't lose me. Of that I'm sure."
~~~{~@ ~*~ @~}~~~
The next day, Meagan and Christine set off to Erik's house. Being a
Saturday, Meagan had no school.
When they arrived, Meg was at the gate waiting for them. She took
Meagan by the hand and silently led them to Erik.
Erik was in the living room. He stood up when he saw Christine,
Meg, and Meagan, "Hello, Christine, is this your lovely daughter?"
Meagan stepped up and offered her hand, "Bonjour, monsieur. I'm
Meagan, you are Monsieur le Fantome, oui?"
Erik took the little girl's hand and kissed it gently, "Oui, enchanted
to meet you, ma chere. Would you like to see a magic trick?"
Meagan jumped up and down and clapped her hands, "Oh yes!"
"Well, you must not clean behind your ears, because look what I
found!" Erik reached behind her ear and produced a franc, "Voila, for you," he
smiled and handed the coin to Meagan.
Meagan squealed with delight, "Oh la la!"
Meg whispered to Christine, "He does seem to do well with
children."
Christine smiled, "Yes, he does. He does..."