Disclaimer: If you recognize it from somewhere, then it's not mine.

A/N: Thank you reviewers :) You guys rock my world. Enjoy the next chapter! And Christine does not run once, lol.

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By the time the carriage had brought them home, Christine was flushed with anger. And Raoul claimed he didn't understand what had angered her! She stormed out of the cab as it stopped without waiting for Raoul to help her.

Raoul caught up with her before she walked through the door. He caught her arm and turned her around. "Christine, what is it? Why are you angry with me?" he said in bewilderment with a touch of frustration.

"He's not a monster Raoul!" she fumed.

Raoul sighed. "I'm sorry Christine."

Christine didn't respond. She walked slowly up to her room and sunk into the chair by the window. Her despair from earlier that night had faded with her anger at Raoul's inability to understand. But…it wasn't his fault. He couldn't know. He had no way of knowing. His first and only encounter with Erik hadn't exactly been under the best of circumstances.

She was going to sit and she was going to think. She wouldn't collapse in to tears, she wouldn't. She had to stop running away from this. What did she want…truly? She thought of Raoul. She was sorry she had yelled at him. He couldn't understand.

She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. She saw Erik. She saw him in her room, standing tall and majestic. He walked toward her and held out his hand. She smiled at him and took it. Suddenly they were transported to the Paris Opera. They were at the top of the grand staircase. People stood at the bottom smiling, as they slowly descended arm in arm.

Christine smiled in her sleep. A dream of Erik, a dream that didn't end in heartbreak. When she woke up the next morning she felt at ease. And she went to talk to Raoul.

She found him sitting at the dining room table. She felt strangely calm although this promised to be an extremely difficult conversation. Silently, she sunk into the chair next to him. He didn't say anything.

"Please don't be angry with me Raoul," Christine said quietly.

Raoul's features softened. "Oh Christine, I could never be angry with you. I'm just upset that we fought the way we did last night. I'm so sorry," he finished, taking her hand.

Christine smiled at him. "I'm glad you're not angry. But Raoul…it's really me who should be sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. Running away to Paris alone… She swallowed hard. "I was so frightened."

"I know you're afraid Christine, but it will be all right. Time will heal the past."

"Raoul, I need to talk to you," she said quickly. "I've been thinking. I know what a mess I have been, but I'm not now, I've thought this out quite rationally. Raoul, I want to go back to Paris. Please Raoul, I know you say time will heal the past. But what happened in that opera house isn't something that can just be forgotten! I need to come to terms with what happened and accept it. I can't stay here and hide from it. I need to go back."

Raoul gaped at her for a moment before answering. "Christine…there are so many bad memories there…"

"But there are so many good ones as well! Please Raoul, I need closure for all of this. I feel like I'm denying everything by staying hidden away in this house. Raoul, if I can survive in Paris then I know everything will be alright."

She paused and felt tears stinging her eyes. "I love you Raoul, but…if you don't want this…I understand."

Raoul knelt down next to her chair and took her hands in his. "Christine…I would do anything for you, if you want to go back to Paris, then we will, together. And we'll get past all of this together."

Christine let a small cry of happiness escape her lips as Raoul rose to embrace her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered, "Thank you Raoul."

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Within two weeks, Raoul had found a house for them in Paris. Now all that was left to do was last minute packing and arrangements for the maintaining of the house that they had been living in.

The days seemed to fly by for Christine. Her heart had never felt lighter. They were going back. She wasn't exactly sure why it thrilled her so. By all means it really shouldn't have, but it did. She knew that deep down, she felt as if she were going back to Erik. As if simply moving to Paris would solve everything. This was her fantasy. Reality can never be easy.

Raoul and Christine moved into the house shortly after Raoul had found it. It was beautiful, smaller than what they had been living in, but by no means small. It was two stories high and painted a pale blue with white trim. Christine smiled when she saw it. It was perfect.

They were settled into the house within a few days. Christine felt better here. She was no longer running away. She was here to face her past and hopefully to find some closure for the chaos of that night at the opera house.

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Christine studied the front of the Opera Garnier. She felt a lot better than the last time she had walked toward it she knew. This time there was no frantic running, no flaring emotions, no pouring rain. It was a beautiful peaceful day. Christine knew there would be rehearsal that day. And that meant she could see Meg again. She had missed her so much in the last few weeks. It was terrible being so far away. But today, she would see her.

She opened the door quietly and heard muted music playing. She walked into the auditorium and stood near the back so she could watch.

Perfect, Christine thought. The corps de ballet was rehearsing. Christine watched the girls dance and watched Madame Giry command them for about a half an hour. They stopped and spread out and Christine assumed Madame Giry had given them one of their rare breaks.

Christine didn't really want to attract the attention of the entire corps de ballet so when it looked like Meg was looking in her direction she waved. Meg squinted through the bright lights at her. She couldn't see who it was so she hopped off the stage and moved towards Christine. Halfway down the aisle she let out a shriek and took off at a run. She hurtled into Christine's open arms laughing with glee.

"Oh Christine! Is it really you? Oh you look wonderful!" Meg told her pulling away from the embrace.

Christine smiled, "It's so good to see you Meg. I have missed you."

"I've missed you as well, now quick sit down here and we can talk before my mother catches us! Now you really must tell me all about Raoul! How is he? Is he well? Wait…you haven't told me! What are you doing here? Not that I don't want you here of course."

Christine laughed a little. Meg was always so full of energy. "Raoul is quite well thank you. And Meg…we've moved back to Paris!" Christine was filled with the same energy Meg radiated as she said that last phrase.

Meg squealed with delight. "Oh Christine! That's wonderful! We'll be able to see each other again and talk whenever we please!" Meg brought her voice down lower and looked at Christine seriously then, "Are you coming back to the opera Christine?"

Christine stared at her. Go back to the opera? Well, of course she would love to return to the opera. But, it really wasn't the best idea. It would hurt Erik she knew…to be so close to her, but unable to have her. The idea of hurting Erik yet again… She couldn't come back.

"I can't Meg," she said quietly. "I would love to, but I just can't."

"I understand Christine," she said placing a comforting hand on Christine's arm.

"Meg Giry!" a stern voice called out.

"Sorry Christine I must go," Meg said quickly and hurried back to the stage.

Christine stood up as Madame Giry approached her. She smiled uneasily, "Hello Madame Giry."

She didn't answer, she took Christine's arm and led her out of the auditorium, no doubt so the ballet rats couldn't hear whatever she had to say.

"Christine, why are you here?" she asked immediately.

"Because…because Raoul and I have moved back to Paris," she said confidently.

"Do you really think that wise?"

Christine didn't know what to say so Madame Giry continued. "You were here before. You saw him."

Christine choked. "How did you know?"

"I saw you, I spoke to him. Do you really want to hurt him again Christine?"

Christine turned away to avoid Madame Giry seeing the tears in her eyes. "I didn't want to hurt him the first time. I didn't come here to hurt him. I came here to…" she stopped and turned back to her. "I need some conclusion in this. I think it would help both of us."

"The both of you?" she asked.

"You think I haven't been miserable everyday I've been away from here? I know what I did to him! I know! And I've been feeling that pain and guilt everyday!" She turned away again, even though it was quite obvious she was crying.

Madame Giry softened and touched her shoulder. "I'm sorry Christine. Just…just be careful with the decisions you're making. And remember how much he loves you."

Then she was gone. Christine heard the music start up again and knew rehearsal had resumed. She composed herself, then turned and left the opera house. She walked home. It was not very far and it was a wonderful day. She arrived there in what seemed like no time at all. She sat down on the small bench on the porch and put her face in her hands. Madame Giry's words still echoed in her head.

"I'm sorry Erik."

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Claude Myrtil sat on his balcony, enjoying the pleasant afternoon. He watched the people in the street below. Children chased after one another, couples strolled arm in arm, men in suits hurried down the street, carriages drove past. It was a pleasant scene. One that was made even more pleasant when he spotted Christine.

He leaned forward in his chair to make sure it was here, and indeed it was. She looked rather upset. He watched her until she rounded a corner.

Well, well, well, he thought. So Miss Christine Daae has returned to Paris. I shall have to pay her a visit sometime.

He was roused from his thoughts by a loud knock at his door. He opened the door. "You're late Jean. You know I hate it when you're late."

He stepped aside and let the man enter. "Well? Did you get the money?" Claude implored impatiently.

"Of course I did," Jean responded. "I wouldn't be here if I hadn't."

"And did he cooperate?"

"Well…not exactly. He needed a little persuasion," Jean grinned evilly.

"Well the blood is on your hands this time not mine."

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A/N: OK, you might be thinking that Christine's attitude changed way to fast…but look at it like she had an epiphany, which she did in my opinion. She's going to try to put her life back in order. So yeah…I'm boring you sorry. Lol, anyway if you liked this story, hated this story, or just thought it was ok, please review!!! I love all compliments and all constructive criticisms! Thanks guys :)