Disclaimer: Nope. These characters definitely don't belong to me.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait guys. It wasn't even entirely my computer's fault. My muse was refusing to cooperate earlier this week.

Guys…I loved your reviews sooo much. Thank you! They truly made me so happy.

There is no such thing as a fluff overload. There is no such thing as a fluff overload. There is no such…. lol, thanks Midasgirl

Diva Mama: E/C eventually, I did indeed REALLY mean it, lol.

And as requested by Midasgirl…more Madame Giry! hehe

Meg Giry sighed as she pulled off her ballet shoes. Her feet were unbelievably sore. Her mother had been harsher on the corps then usual it seemed. Meg had lost track of how long they had been forced to repeat that same routine, over and over… If she had to do it again she'd scream. But of course, she would have to, but at least for now she could complain in her head and no one would know.

She sat for a few moments, massaging her feet, when there was a knock at the door. With a sigh she rose. If that was her mother she would slam the door in her face! Meg laughed at this thought, she would never actually show such impertinence, but it was amusing to picture herself doing something like that.

There was another knock; obviously the person on the other side was very impatient. With a sinking feeling that it really would be her mother Meg hurried to the door to open it.

Meg let out a sigh of relief when she saw Christine standing in the doorway.

"Oh Christine, come in! I was afraid you were my mother, we just had the longest rehearsal…"

Christine cut her off, "I told him Meg."

Meg felt her stomach drop. "You…told him?" she repeated faintly.

Christine nodded in affirmation.

Meg shook herself; it was not a good time to go falling apart. "Oh Christine sit down. When did this happen? Oh what happened? What did he say?" She narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Did he hurt you?"

"Meg please, don't bombard me like this. But no, of course not. I've told you this before, he would never hurt me. I know you refuse to believe that…but it is true." Christine said.

"I'm sorry Christine, I do believe you, I just…worry about you sometimes. But Christine, what happened?"

"It was almost a week ago…" Christine began.

"A week ago? And you're just coming to tell me this now?" Meg asked indignantly.

"Oh please Meg, I came as soon as I could, do you want to hear this or not?"

Meg because silent instantly and Christine continued, "Erik came home that night, and your mother was with him."

Meg's eyes widened slightly at this, but she said nothing. She knew that her mother and this Erik were friends, but she had a difficult time imagining her mother in his lair…

"She told me that we had to tell him…Oh Meg, it was horrible. I had no choice, I knew I had to tell him, but…I wish I could have put it off longer. I'm a terrible coward Meg. I was so frightened! I had no way of knowing how he would react to this. So…I told him, I couldn't look at him after I said those words, I couldn't. Meg…I have never seen him so angry, never. It was terrifying. And then he left, he just left, I don't know where he went or what he did. I just pray that no one crossed his path that night." Christine finished.

She was trembling and Meg wrapped an arm around her shoulders comfortingly. "Are you all right Christine?" she asked softly.

Christine nodded, "I'll be all right. I suppose it is better that he knows…it was torture to hide it from him…but I was so afraid. I thought that he…that he would be repulsed by me. How could he stand to be near me ever again?" Christine felt tears welling up in her eyes and made no attempt to stop them. "That thought was what kept me from telling him…I couldn't bear to think of Erik unable to even look at me. But, he didn't send me away Meg. I was so certain that he could never love me after this. He always loved that I was so…" she choked on the words, but managed to continue. "so…innocent, he always said that, oh God Meg!"

She fell into her friend's arms sobbing. Meg could do nothing but hold her until her cries subsided. She did not know what else she could do for Christine, it killed her to see her friend like this, but…she had no experience with anything like this.

"Oh Christine…it will work out in the end…" Meg said, trying desperately to ease Christine's sobs.

Christine sat up, trying to compose herself. "Perhaps…but we can't know that for sure."

She took a deep breath, her composure returning. "Do you know what he said Meg? He said that he loves me, he still loves me Meg! I couldn't see how he could possibly still care for me, but he does! Oh Meg, I would have died if he had sent me away."

"Christine, if he loves you as much as Mama says, I don't think anything could ever change that."

"I suppose you're right, but I didn't see that. I just had this horrible fear that this would just end everything. But even now, even though he still loves me…nothing will be the same after this, I know it," Christine sighed.

"Do you love him Christine?" Meg asked suddenly.

Christine sighed, "Meg, I've told you before, please don't ask me that."

"Why Christine? Why? That's all you ever say! Why can't you just answer me?"

"Meg…I can't answer that…"

Meg stood angrily, "Why not Christine? Just now you said you would die without him! Isn't that love?" She turned away from Christine. "Do you not trust me?"

Christine stood and placed a hand on Meg's shoulder, turning her around. "Meg, stop this. You know that isn't true. I trust you with everything, you know that. It's just that…it's…complicated with Erik."

Meg sighed. "I'm sorry Christine. I know, I don't know what came over me… Please don't be angry with me."

"I could never be angry with you Meg… I promise, when I have an answer, you'll be the first to know," Christine said.

Meg smiled then, "While I appreciate that remark…perhaps it would be best to let the man you love know first."

Christine laughed. "Yes, I think you may be right about that."

Just then there was a loud knock on the door.

Meg sighed. "I knew she'd be coming after me."

She opened the door, then stood aside so her mother could come in.

"Are you ready to leave Meg? We have two hours until you must be back here for the performance tonight," she said at once, then noticed Christine. "Good evening Christine," she greeted.

Christine smiled weakly while Meg stared at her mother in disbelief. "You mean…I can go home? You're not bringing me back to rehearsal?"

Madame Giry tapped her foot impatiently, "You heard what I said, are you ready?"

Meg grinned, "Yes of course. I'm sorry Christine, but I must go. I will see you tomorrow?"

Christine smiled faintly, "Yes, that would be nice."

She couldn't help but notice the difference between her and Meg at that moment. Meg remained a happy child, but she, Christine, had been forced to grow up and she didn't know if she could bear it.

Meg led the way out of the room. As she turned the corner, Madame Giry caught Christine's arm gently to stop her.

"Are you all right Christine?" she asked seriously.

Christine nodded slowly. "I suppose so."

"How has he taken it?" she pressed.

"He's…I'm not sure. He's quiet. Sometimes he seems to think I'll break at the slightest touch," Christine said softly. "This has hurt him so much…" Her throat tightened painfully as she spoke. "And it's all my fault, I didn't mean to cause him more pain. Maybe I shouldn't have told him."

"Christine stop," Madame Giry said, placing a hand comfortingly on her arm. "Listen to me, this is not your fault, I don't ever want to hear you say that again. Erik was hurt, of course he was. You are the most precious thing in the world to him, but you mustn't blame yourself. If you plan to keep living with him, which I assume you do, he had to be told. You know that."

"Yes, I know…" Christine said resignedly.

"Now, I must go after Meg, who knows where she's gone off to by this time. Have a good night Christine."

"Yes…goodnight Madame Giry."

Christine returned to the house on the lake quickly. She knew that Erik didn't want her out of his sight for very long.

She unlocked the door and prepared to push it open when a wave of dizziness struck her. She closed her eyes and leaned against the door, waiting for it to pass. It went as quickly as it had come. She shook herself. That was odd.

She pushed open the door and found Erik waiting for her just inside. He must have hated that she had left, but she had to see Meg. She hadn't been able to stand being in the house any longer.

The last week had been difficult for both of them. It had been so uncomfortable. For Erik, to look at Christine and know what had been done to her. For Christine, to know that he knew. His anger had faded however. For that she was grateful.

"How was your interview with Mademoiselle Giry?" Erik asked lightly. Personally he was rather impressed. A conversation with Meg that did not end in tears.

Christine smiled at him. "It was rather…pleasant," she finished.

Erik smiled sadly, not really believing her. Christine stepped forward and laid a hand on his cheek. "I'm fine," she said softly.

With her hand on his face, she was much more aware of the mask than she usually was. She pulled it away.

"Well I'm going to go freshen up a bit before dinner, I will return shortly," she said and went into her room.

She closed the door quietly. She sighed and leaned against it. How she was growing to despise that mask. It was such a horrible barrier between them. Christine would have liked to ask him to remove it, but doing so would cause a great emotional upheaval that neither of them could handle at the moment.

Erik raised his fingers to his face where Christine's hand had been. He too had become more aware of the black mask that covered his face at that moment. How he longed to feel her touch on his bare skin. Her fingers, soft and warm. But it was a dream that could not be. He wouldn't subject her to the monstrosity that he had the gall to call a face. She didn't need that, now or ever.

He turned and sank into a chair wearily. The last week had dragged and had been an incredibly hard one. Sometimes he could hardly bear to look at Christine. His mind would wander and create horrid images that he would be forced to watch played over. He'd shut his eyes, cover his ear, try to block it out, but they were always there, penetrating his senses. It became unbearable.

Erik knew that it would hurt Christine to see how deeply it had affected him. She was the one who had to suffer through this wasn't she?

He sighed. His anger had faded during the course of the week. The strong rancor he had felt was replaced with an incredible ache. He couldn't understand why something so terrible had to happen to Christine.

Christine didn't deserve any of this. And Erik could barely find the courage to comfort her. He wanted to hold her in his arms, take away her pain. She wanted that too. He knew that. She had thrown herself into his arms many times. She wanted it too… But he was still hesitant.

Erik sat up abruptly as Christine's door closed behind her. He stood as she entered the room and was relieved that her eyes were dry. His heart couldn't handle her tears mingling with his tumultuous thoughts.

Erik took a deep breath; he needed to talk with her. He needed to ask her something that he had meant to ask her a long time ago…but something had always seemed to prevent it. Perhaps he was afraid of her answer.

"May I speak with you a moment Christine?" he said, holding out his hand.

Christine frowned at his tone, but took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the divan. They sat and Christine searched Erik's eyes, wondering what was the matter.

"What is it Erik?" she asked softly.

"Christine…why are you here?"

Christine's brow creased in confusion. "What?"

Erik took another deep breath to calm his nerves. This was not a conversation he was comfortable having, but he couldn't bear not knowing what was to become of them any longer. He had to know what she was thinking, even if he had to pry it out of her.

"You've been here, living in my home for almost three months now Christine. And please don't look at me like that. I…well I shall speak frankly for a moment; I love having you here, so please, don't look as if I'm about to send you away. You are more than welcome here. But…you have chosen to stay Christine. Why? There is nothing to keep you here. You may leave whenever you wish."

Christine stared at her hands, refusing to look at him throughout this entire speech. The whole thing seemed so unlike Erik…and now he was going to force a response out of her; which meant she would have to sort out her feelings before he grew impatient and possibly angry.

"I know that…" Christine whispered.

"Then why do you remain?" Erik pressed.

"Because…because…" Christine faltered. She stood suddenly. "Oh why are you doing this to me Erik?"

"Doing what Christine? It's a simple question," he said as he stood as well, fighting to keep his voice calm.

"No it isn't Erik, you know that!"

"No I don't know that Christine!" he said, his volume rising slightly. "Answer me!"

She whirled on him, her temper flaring, "And what gives you the right to demand that of me? You brought me here. Invited me to stay, didn't you?"

Erik bit back a harsh remark, realizing that this would get out of hand if it didn't stop now, and besides…all of this stress couldn't be good for her.

He ran his hand through his hair resignedly. "I did… I'm sorry Christine. But…I wish to know. Please, I humbly request an answer. Why are you still here?"

Christine felt her heart drop. His "humble request" had hit her hard, especially when she didn't have an answer to offer him.

"Because Erik…" She paused, biting her lip in apprehension. She turned her back on him as tears began to cascade down her face. Because I love you… Say it Christine!

"What is it Christine?" Erik pressed, resolved to get some response from her.

Christine looked at him fearfully as new tears formed in her eyes. "I can't do this, I can't…I…I…" she trailed off, and with a last look at Erik, turned and ran for the door.

"Christine, wait!" he cried.

She had opened the door, but turned at his voice. "Erik I'm sorry, I can't do this now. I will return…I promise."

Erik opened his mouth to speak again, but she was already gone. He turned slowly and sunk into an armchair. He looked down at his hands and saw that he was shaking.

He attempted to comprehend what had just happened, but his mind was spinning… He dared not think about what he had subconsciously been wishing she would say… She doesn't love you Erik! Stop this nonsense! If she had meant to say that she wouldn't have run off…

She ran off! Erik stood up abruptly, temporarily replacing his jumbled emotions with sheer concern for Christine's safety. He hurried out the door and saw a place up ahead of him where a few footprints marred the shore of the lake. She had gone out to the Rue Scribe. He followed the path she must have taken and up to the door. Here he stopped. He couldn't go out there, not now, it was still daylight, the sun had barely begun to set…

As he was contemplating what to do next he heard a small noise to his right. He peered through the darkness and saw Christine collapsed on the ground.

"Christine?"

She cried out, startled. She hadn't heard him approach at all and there wasn't much to be seen in the darkness. But she calmed as she slowly recognized his voice.

"Leave me Erik. I can't do this…"

"What Christine?" Erik said softly, crouching down beside her.

She turned her tear-streaked face up to his. "Erik, not three months ago, I was engaged. It's not even been three months… I'm not ready for this Erik. Nothing can be…between us…not now, please…not three months." Christine buried her face in her hands and began to sob. Erik crouched beside her silently. He let her cry. There could be nothing between them… He sighed inwardly. He had known that of course, accepted that fact long ago, it was embedded in his common sense. But if it was such a concrete fact…why did he feel such a horrible blow of disappointment?

Christine looked up at Erik after a few minutes. "Now what happens?" she whispered.

Erik stood up, "Now, we get you out of this cold, damp cellar." He extended his hand to help her up.

As soon as she was standing Erik began to release his hand, but Christine held fast to it. They began to walk together; Erik stared down at their clasped hands, in wonder, but accepted this contact without a word. He felt a warm tingle travel up his arms, as the warmth of her hand seemed to heat his entire body.

"Well I'd hate to know what Raoul would think if he knew I was down here," Christine said lightly.

"I dare say he wouldn't be pleased," Erik responded.

Christine let out a short laugh. "No, he wouldn't be would he?"

"But…" Erik began, stopping her. "I think he would have wanted you to be safe."

"I don't think he'd exactly consider this safe."

"But you are safe here Christine, you know that don't you?" Erik said seriously.

Christine stared at him for a moment. "Yes I know that."

They began walking again. As they entered the house, Christine turned to Erik.

"I'm sorry."

A/N: All right, all right, I can hear the collective groan already, but please don't get mad at Christine. She's been through a lot and she's got those rampaging hormones to deal with remember.

Please, if you have any constructive criticism, tell me. I would love to hear it.

Also, if in the next few chapters, if anything starts to drag at anytime make sure to let me know.

And now, as always, please review! I love reading your thoughts, it's truly the highlight of my day. :)