By Rina
~Thanks for the criticism and reviews. Sorry this is short. Things will get moving…sooner than you think… faster than a speeding- uh- chandelier…
Raoul tried to think once he was in the study. It was a strategic environment to let his mind wander in, because this room, or more specifically a certain inconspicuously placed book in an even more concealing drawer, contained most of his "sources" on the Phantom. He also had to meditate on the unexpected obstacle of Christine.
She, of all people! Raoul was in shock. He could conceive her empathy for the creature, but that by no means should override her sympathy for the potential situation of others it might wreak death and destruction on. But Raoul himself did not feel as much cause to fear for others as he did for Christine. Well, if Christine was oblivious to the danger, as she obviously was, that meant he was even more obligated to protect her from the still-present threat of the Phantom. He wasn't afraid, and he didn't have reason to be. Raoul knew he should act quickly, however. The newspaper clippings documenting the infamous disaster at the Opera, and the extensive floor plans of the Opera he had exerted his influence to obtain were not comparable to the value of his memory of the night spent in the Phantom's lair, something far less durable than any paper.
Raoul resolved to act within the week. In the meantime, he would erase the morning's incident from Christine's mind as soon as possible.