Chapter 4-

Masquerade!


Christine stood looking at herself in the mirror of her dressing room. She was indeed admiring a costume, but not one for an opera. This costume was for the masked ball held tonight. The masked ball Erik would escort her to.

She sighed, sitting down, awaiting his arrival. Before long the mirror swung open and he stepped out, causing her to gasp and begin to laugh.

He smiled beneath the mask which covered his entire face, beneath it hung some silver pleats, cascading down to his collar, his red fedora included a couple of feathers. The complete outfit was red, the shoulders puffed as were the knee length trousers. His red cloak was trimmed in black and red and the rest was covered in black and red sequins in an intricate lined pattern. Christine smiled, her violet skirt flowing as she stood, he admired her costume as he watched her move toward him.

It was much like that of one of the ballerina's, only the skirt was more limp, and long. Several areas also had scattered sequins, and on her arms were two puffy detached sleeves. The torso was much like a corset, decorated much more elaborately though.

She lifted the mask from his face and pressed a kiss to his lips, uncaring of the scarred side. "You look great." She whispered.

He brought her closer, holding her in a possessive manner. "You look wonderful." He kissed her again. She giggled.

She sighed and nuzzled his right cheek with her left one. "When do we leave?"

He chuckled. "Well, I have a proposition to make to the managers, and if it doesn't go well soon my darling, very soon."

She quirked an eyebrow. "What sort of proposition?"

"It has to do with your singing, and we can have Raoul caught for murdering Buquet at once. They know he did it."

She sighed. "Erik,...."

"I know, I know, don't do anything stupid and I won't." He kissed her cheek and brought her to look him in the eyes. "But I'll need your help."

She melted in his beseeching gaze. "You will always have it."

He smiled, unable to keep from kissing her again, then pulling on the mask to hide his face again. He extended a palm. "Come."

She took it, marveling that it was un gloved. He squeezed her hand tightly, then led her from the room, and out into the foyer and the staircase.

They gazed out over the people, dancing and laughing and she felt Erik exhale deeply. She smiled, for one night, he could be a normal man. Madame Giry and Meg, of course, knew who he was. Christine was surprised not to see raoul, but she shrugged it off. Glad he was not there. The managers and everyone else were very curious as to whom she had brought, and it would only be polite to introduce him, but he shrugged away.

"Not yet, let's dance." he murmured. She nodded and fell into his arms, and they danced, it was a waltz at the moment, so it was fairly easy. Soon enough they could feel every pair of eyes on them, and then a new pair of eyes.

Christine flinched under Raoul's leer. She was grateful when the waltz ended and she gestured for Erik to come sit with her and Madame Giry. The three talked for a while, she was still aware of his eyes on her, but Raoul said nothing, he stared in jealous hatred.

She nervously smiled at one of Erik's jokes, and was surprised when he asked Madame to excuse them suddenly. He pulled her away and leaned to whisper. "What is wrong?"

"He won't stop staring at me!" She growled moodily. He sighed and led her to sit then he approached Messieurs Firmin and Andre`, she anxiously watched as he handed them a thick manuscript, both looking terrified but nodding in understanding.

Christine watched as raoul clenched his fists, erik moved back to her but froze stiff when Raoul shouted. "Since when are murderer's invited to these gala's?" He asked.

Christine stood to shout but he continued. "You know Christine, I never thought you'd sink so low as to sharing a killer's bed."

A hot blush spread over her cheeks and she narrowed her eyes. "I mean, you were once so good and pure, and now you've resorted to being the whore of a monster? You wear his ring and plan to wear his name? The man who killed Joseph Buquet?"

Gasps surrounded her and people inched away from both her and Erik. Only Madame and Meg Giry stayed near to them. Christine growled in a low, heated voice. "I would give every embrace from you just for the hem of his cloak to touch me by accident."

Raoul's face was red. "Oh, and what of me would you give for him to 'make love' to you?" he sneered.

"Anything."

Erik finally spoke. "I must admit, sinking to the low to blame me for your murdering Buquet is quite desperate, so how much are you paying these poor managers to conceal your secret?"

Raoul hissed,"Somebody escort him out of here!"

Several gendarmes entered, moving towards Erik, Christine ran up to him, and he wrapped her into the embrace of his cloak, and they disappeared.

Gasps were emitted from the crowd and Raoul cursed out loud. "FIND THEM!"


"What do we do now?" Christine panicked as they entered his home.

"We must leave, but only for a little while. Not far."

She curiously looked at him. "Where?"

"My friend Nadir has room for us in his home." he informed her. "Here, I've packed you some clothes. We best go out to the Rue Scribe."

She nodded, grabbing the bag and following him from the building.

He flagged down a coach, throwing their bags up in the front, then assisting his fiancée into the carriage. He hopped up into it, closing the door and giving the driver some instructions through the open window.

Christine sighed wearily and leaned her head against his shoulder, his arm coming around her protectively as they rode.

Perhaps two hours later they arrived at a slightly above average sized home. It was dark inside, but Erik ushered her forward, gently guiding her by her hand. He then knocked loudly on the door and several minutes later a short, darker skinned man with a black moustache and a turban answered.

"Erik! This certainly is a surprise!" He exclaimed.

"Forgive me Nadir, I realize it's early in the morning, but we had to go..." His look completed the thought. Nadir nodded. "This is my fiancée mademoiselle Daae`. Christine, this is Nadir."

Nadir smiled sleepily. "A charm, mademoiselle."

"Thank you monsieur," She said politely. "It is a charm to meet you too."

Nadir showed them both to a bedroom, and Christine didn't even bother to change before falling into the elegantly spread bed. Erik laughed.

"Good night, darling."

She sighed and kissed him. "Goodnight, Erik."


Raoul swore as he slammed his bedroom door. Vanished. They had vanished from the face of the earth. They had spent hours combing Paris, but it had been to no prevail. He threw himself into bed, thinking on her and how angry his words had made her. She was so beautiful, even though she was boiling with anger.

He began to imagine the monster being replaced by him, making love to her, and having her enjoy it. But quickly his face was wiped away, and the monsters replaced it. He had been planning for six months his way of getting her back, and he would not allow him to destroy it.

The Phantom was a worthy opponent, and he knew he must find them before they were married. He had to get her back before she shared his bed ever again.

He hissed at this. She probably was right now, a victory roll in the hay. They had gotten away, and they had angered Raoul more. He realized at this moment that keeping calm and cool may be the only way to get her back now. He may have to play it cool, he may have to pretend to have moved on. But with who.

Oh, of course! He grinned, falling asleep, only one young woman would do, one young woman that supported the two. He wondered if the ballerina knew where Christine was right now.


"Do you think they're ok?" Meg Giry asked her mother.

"Yes, I've known Erik for many years, he will take care of her." Madame insisted.

Meg sighed slipping under the covers. "I hope so, Christine's so happy with him."

Madame smiled. "Could you blame her? He's smart, talented, handsome..."

"Handsome? Momma you know he isn't ..."

"My dear, you have not yet seen the side of Erik I've seen, when you do, you will understand." She kissed her daughters head.

"Goodnight, Momma."

"Goodnight, Meg."


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