Disclaimer: Yadda-yadda-yadda. I don't own Christine, Erik or Raoul, but I do own Marguerite and Frederick.

A/N: I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaackk! Long time, no read, huh? Well, I'm settled in New York now (go NYU!) and I just set up my computer today, so I used this opportunity to update! Yay! This chapter is short, I know, but I don't really like writing the Raoul-part as much as you all don't like reading it. I love Marguerite and Christine's relationship, though, and you'll be seeing more of that, so hopefully you do too! Read on!

Hope

Christine rolled over and opened her eyes. Raoul lay next to her, unconscious in sleep, and completely unaware of the turmoil that coursed through his wife's body. For days she hadn't slept for more than an hour at a time. If she opened her eyes and founder herself in Erik's house, she would shut her eyes tightly until she awoke in her own home. Raoul had no idea that, for almost two weeks, Christine had lain awake with only her thoughts for company as he slept peacefully by her side. She hadn't seen Erik since he had described the history of her dream-life. It wasn't as if she didn't want to see him--she did! She missed their talks, their singing lessons, the look in his eyes that could comfort her even if she was about to be executed…. She just had no idea what to say to him. How could she ask questions about such an awful past which hurt him to remember? But how could she carry on without recognizing it? So she stayed in her own world and went without sleep.

The clock in the hall chimed the hour and Christine stepped out of bed. Even though she had slept very little, she was considerably energetic this morning; it was Saturday. Raoul was going hunting with Frederick, who was back from Paris, and Christine and Marguerite would have the entire afternoon to themselves. Christine was eager to find out if Marguerite had heard back from Meg. With everyday she did not see Erik in the dream, she grew more anxious to know his real fate. He was her only addiction; she had weaned herself off of him once, but he had entered her life again, and this time she did not think she would be able to break the bond. She had constant visions of fleeing to Paris and running into Erik's open arms, declaring her unending love for him. But Raoul kept her here. She still loved him, and her feelings for him would never change, but it wasn't fair to him that she harbored an even greater love for Erik. That is why she had to know--if Erik was dead then she could go back to the way her life was before the dream, repressing all thoughts of Erik and devoting her energy entirely toward Raoul. But if he was alive… Well, Christine didn't know what she would do. Even though she loved Raoul, she didn't want to live in a world anymore where both she and Erik were alive and not together. It was just too heartbreaking.

A few hours later, Christine and Marguerite kissed their husbands goodbye and wished them a safe hunting trip. Once the men had left, Marguerite grabbed Christine's hand and hurried her into the parlor.

"Did it come?" Christine asked, although she already knew the answer from her friend's demeanor. Marguerite didn't reply; she just pulled an envelope out of a desk and handed it to her, smiling. Christine took it slowly and sat on the sofa. She let her fingers memorize the feel of the paper envelope and trace the curves of the seal. This is what she had been waiting for; the course of her future depended on what was written in this letter. Christine felt slightly short of breath and while her brain mocked her for it, he heart understood.

"Well," Marguerite finally said, interrupting her concentration, "aren't you going to open it? It arrived two days ago and I've been in utter agony waiting to know what it said!" Christine laughed at her frankness and tore open the envelope.

My dearest Christine,

I sit here full of happiness that I have received word of you after all this time. My dear, dear Christine, how are you? I have missed you more than you could imagine! The Opera has been so tragically mundane without you here. And my friendships with the other girls cannot compare at all to the friendship I shared with you.

Your letter only enhances my otherwise happy lifestyle, as mundane as if may be. I am engaged presently to a M. Charles Adams, an American novelist who has moved to Paris, and who delights in the fact that I am a dancer and never wants me to stop! We are getting married next month and, oh, I would be absolutely delighted if you could attend! I would offer you a part in the wedding party, but it wouldn't be right as you are already married and (as Mama points out everyday) I have handfuls of unmarried cousins!

Please forgive my ranting, Christine, in my excitement I had almost forgotten the reason for your letter. We speak little of the Opera Ghost nowadays, he is no longer actively frightening the staff and patrons. However, I know for a fact that he is still alive--or dead… He is a ghost, isn't he? He still comes to the Opera and Mama is still the intermediate between him and the managers. Is this what you wanted to know? I hope I have helped you in some way. Please keep in touch, my address is enclosed.

All my love,

Meg

PS: Is you friend Marguerite Lenfent the wife of M. Frederick Lenfent? If so, my Charley knows him well and sends his greetings.

The letter fell to the floor gracefully, like a dancer. As it fell, Christine's hand flew to her mouth. "Alive…" she whispered. "I hadn't hoped… Marguerite, I hadn't thought! What am I to do? What am I to do?" Her voice grew louder and more intense with every passing word. "He's alive! Oh, God, Marguerite, I have to leave! But Raoul! Oh, what am I to do?"

"Christine!" her friend yelled, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Stop playing the Opera character and be you! You know what to do--you have always known what to do. You are only succeeding in wasting valuable energy."

Christine nodded. She did know what to do; it was obvious. There really was no choice in the matter. "When will you leave?" Marguerite asked.

"As soon as possible. Meg has provided me with a wonderful excuse. Her wedding is next month--Raoul wouldn't deny my attending the wedding of my best friend. My best friend before you of course."

"He won't insist on accompanying you?"

"He won't be able to get away from work. But you're right--he will want someone to travel with me--perhaps you could, Marguerite! Meg did say that her fiancée knows Frederick!"

"More than knows, actually," her friend replied. "We were invited to their wedding just last week. I hadn't placed Margaret Giry as your friend Meg. We are to go to Paris in three weeks, and if Raoul would allow you to, I'm sure Frederick wouldn't mind escorting you there as well."

"Oh, Marguerite! Do you… Will you…" In her excitement, her thoughts failed to form into coherent words when they reached her mouth. This was what she had been waiting for, and now she couldn't even voice her own feelings: her joys and her fears and…everything! Erik was alive, alive and still at the Opera, waiting for her!

"Could I, should I--of course!" she joked, smiling at her astounded friend. Christine pressed her palm into Marguerite's. Their eyes communicated the intense longing she felt which couldn't be voiced. Erik had taught her to use her voice for every expression except for this one, for this came from a burrow deep in her soul which only now had found its way to the light. The immediate was at hand, however, and the friends had to deal with the present issue first. Christine could worry about what she would say to Erik later; for now she had to concentrate on how to convince Raoul to let her go to Paris without him.

The hours passed as Christine and Marguerite debated over the best way to approach their husbands on the subject. Manipulation was a skill that, should a wife ever want to be happy, a woman must require and practice to great extent. Their plan solidified with each passing hour, until they had a plan to which no husband could object. Unfortunately, Raoul was not an ordinary husband; he had been brought up as an aristocrat and aristocrats were used to getting what they wanted.

"No," was his first response to their case, "absolutely not. What would ever compel you to think that I would allow this? Should that madman even suspect you of being in the city, especially without my presence, what would stop him from kidnapping you once again."

"Raoul," Christine said calmly, for she had expected his initial rejection. "Erik is dead. You must know that. He was almost upon his deathbed as we left him. And if by some small chance that he was still alive, I will not be anywhere near the Paris Opera House. He will never see me, nor know of my presence in the city--that is, if he is even alive, which we know to be untrue. Ghosts cannot kidnap."

"Was he not a ghost before?"

"No, he wasn't. He was flesh and blood, just as you and I am and you know that quite well. Raoul, dear, Meg is one of my oldest friends, second only to you, of course. She was at our wedding; should I not extend the same courtesy and be at hers?" Raoul's eyes fell down; she knew that her words were getting through to him. "Besides," she continued, "I won't be alone there. Marguerite will be with me wherever I go."

"That's right," Marguerite said, coming to her friend's defense. "I will guard her, Raoul; no harm will come to your treasured friend under my watch, I assure you." A glance at her husband sent Frederick jumping to her aid as well.

"Of course she will go nowhere unescorted! My wife and I will see to that."

Raoul could see that he could not win this argument and he gave a shallow shrug. "Very well," he sighed, "if you insist. But I want you to be very careful, Christine."

"Yes, of course," Christine said, beaming. "Oh, Raoul!" she cried as she threw her arms around her husband, embracing him in a way she had never embraced him before.

That night, Raoul observed that Christine slept soundly.

A/N: Like it or hate it? I'll admit, it's not the strongest chapter I've written, but it's a good segue into what Christine is feeling for the end of the story. That's right, the end. The story is almost over! So, please review, it will give me a bigger push to upload the rest ;) Love y'all! Glad to be back!