Chapter Five-

The Deception of a Man


Christine awoke the next morning and felt as if a dead body was on top of her. No wait, there was no dead body, it was breathing!

She squirmed to look at the figure holding her and both a smile and sigh of relief were released from her mouth as she recognized him. She rolled him off of her so he was on his back against the bed, and rested her face in his shoulder.

"My Erik, my love.." She mumbled, yawning. He stirred beneath her and she heard his breath catch.

His hand came up and timidly rested on hers, which was resting on his chest, she smiled, shifting her head to look at him.

"Hello, my love." She said softly, her smile groggy but her eyes full of love.

His own drowsy eyes softened and he brought her up for a kiss, then settled her face back into his shoulder. "Did you sleep well?"

She chuckled. "I did, waking up, however, was somewhat a challenge."

"Oh, why is that?" He was absentmindedly stroking her hair.

"Because I had a body on me." She made sure she sounded casual.

He froze, his voice was cold and homicidal. "Body?"

She purred. "Oh yes, a big, strong masculine one, handsome he was..."

"Christine!" He said, bolting upright, bringing her with him, his eyes shown with fury and pain.

She giggled. "Yes, you know Erik, I think, I should be the one to sleep on top from now on..."

He settled again. "You had me worked up."

"You should know I would never do that, I wish you'd play along rather than go into hysterics." Her tone was still playful.

He fell. "Well, was this man, in good shape?"

She purred again. "Oh yes, very sturdy and soooo desirable..."

He chuckled. "How about end..."

Before he could finish a knock sounded on the door. "I hope that whispering is plotting a way to get away from the gendarmes that'll be in these parts in a couple of hours!"

Erik groaned. "Daroga, you never cease to spoil good moments, do you?"

"Oh pity if I do, hurry up and get downstairs, breakfast has already been served."

Christine giggled and pressed Erik to the mattress, a hand holding each of his arms, her thighs on his legs, her body pressed tightly to his. He stared at her mischievous eyes and chuckled as she leaned in to kiss him, then she trailed several kisses down his jaw and throat. "I hardly think we can hurry this up, darling."

Christine sighed. "I wish we weren't here." She got off of him, then stretched, glaring at the wrinkles in her dress. She went to get a new one, not shy of him watching her now. She teasingly slipped from the other one, then into the fresh one, she brushed her hair and washed her face, finally looking at her fiancé.

He shook his head, finding his own clothing, then dressing. He set his mask in place and escorted her to the door, unlocking it, then leading her down the stairs and into the dining room, where the Daroga patiently waited.

They discussed several distractions in case they were met by gendarmes before they wanted to, and soon Nadir was seeing the couple off.

"Don't do anything stupid." he called after Erik as the coach rode away, Erik's hand appeared out the window, waving off his comment.


Meg Giry finished her stretches, then went to get her bag to change. She looked up when she began to walk to her dressing room and gasped as the doorway was blocked, by the Vicomte de Chagny.

"Good morning, mademoiselle." he said cheerily, looking her up and down. She blushed, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Can I help you monsieur?"

He laughed. "No, not really, what are you doing tonight?"

She shifted her footing. "Nothing."

He paused. "Have dinner with me."

Her eyes widened and her blush deepened. "Dinner monsieur?"

He laughed lightly. "Oui, may I come get you around seven?"

She looked at her feet. "Yes monsieur."

He smiled with pity and reached out, touching her red cheek. "Adieu."

"Adieu." She watched him go. Something was not right.


"Monsieur le Vicomte, why have you asked me here?" Meg asked unsteadily, shifting in her seat.

He laughed. "All right I'll tell you, Meg Giry I fancy you, I always have and now that Christine has run off..." His voice trailed off and his eyes met her own surprised ones.

"You... Fancy me?"

He grinned, raising his hand. "Check, please."

Meg stared as he payed the bill and then helped her from her chair, he took her out into his carriage, telling the diver to take them somewhere.

"Meg, you cannot be so modest! You're beautiful, smart, talented. What is there not to fancy?"

She blushed. "I don't know," She looked at him, trying to make conversation. "You are very handsome."

He chuckled, leaning in, pressing a kiss to her set mouth. "In many places, too."

Meg blushed furiously, turning to look out the window, surprised to be pulling up to his home. "Monsieur le Vicomte?"

He shook his head. "Call me Raoul."

"Raoul," She tested the name like a sweet. "Why are we here?"

He grinned, helping her out. "Why else?"


Erik helped Christine from the coach, drawing her onto the cobbles, then closing the door. Taking her hand possessively he led her into the small cottage, then turned and paid the driver.

Christine ventured in, it was indeed small, one hallway separating all of the rooms. She moved about to see it had two bedrooms, the small sitting room, a dining room and kitchen.

Sighing she returned to the living room, where Erik sat, resting. She smiled, sitting next to him and kissing his unmasked cheek.

"It's perfect."

He smiled. "For now at least, while we are away. I am worried though,"

She looked at him. "About what?"

He sighed. "I just hope that foolish Vicomte doesn't try and use anyone for information on us. They don't know where we are save the Daroga, and they don't know him, we are safe, but I fear he will harm our Giry friends because they cannot give information..."

Christine sat there in silence. She had not thought of what Raoul would do to Meg, or Mme, she had only thought of getting away with Erik. She swallowed. He looked at er and sighed, taking her hand and kissing it. "I'm getting you worked up, I am sorry, darling."

She shook her head. "No, it's all right. I'm fine." She stood, going to ride one of the horses in the stables here. He must have really planned in advance!

She chose a black mare, with a white stripe going down it's nose. Saddling it and attaching it's harness and bridle she mounted it, and rode around the many acres. How fast and graceful was this creature! Reminding her greatly of Erik.

"Phantom," She whispered, dismounting. "I shall call you Phantom."


Ok, thats it for now. Gimme some ideas!