Title: Muse
Author: kire evoli
Pairing: ErikChristine (because Raoul thinks hes soooo cool. )
Rating: PG-13 –R (slowly but surely, its getting there..)
Disclaimer: Sadly, and how ever much my little heart may break everytime I say this, I do not own 'The Phantom of the Opera' or Erik or Christine or anyone else...-- sigh If only I did...
Warning: Raoul-bashing, abnormally cranky Raoul. I don't really fancy the Vicomte so it may look like he's going to get some love but bah.
Genre: Romance/Drama
Summary: Raoul goes mad when he finds out that Christine, his fiancé, still yearns for the love of her phantom. Takes place a few days after the happenings in the labyrinth.
Author's Notes: To all of you who thought I was going to kill off Erik! HEAVENS NO! I adore him! I would never even think of killing him! The reason I had him wounded was so Christine could be closer with a half naked Erik! Who wouldn't want that? Really, it was just to bring that closer. Raoul's going to get it, this fight is not over, Looks like Raoul won that one but that was by luck. And people like Raoul only get luck once. And the quotes and comments on the best part of chapter five were great! I was laughing hysterically. Wonderful people. Well, I must admit, this chapter is shorter, the reason being, I wrote it New Years Eve! Actually, I wrote it right through the New Year so HAPPY NEW YEAR! I even work on holidays for you people! Don't worry, next chapter will be longer. Honest.

Muse: Chapter Six

The click of the door wasn't enough to assure Christine that they were barricaded from their enemy. She turned the key again and jolted the doorknob with both hands making sure that the bedroom door was securely locked. She gripped the key tightly. Her knuckles turning white. That key seemed like an extra guard against the madness that laid unconscious downstairs, and she was almost afraid to put it down. "Erik you must lay down!" She said nervously, scurrying over to him and now having the courage to set the key down.

Erik leaned up against the wall, his wound stinging with every breath he took.

"Everything's going to be alright Erik." Christine whispered soothingly, helping him remove his already opened suit coat. "I need to clean it." She slowly fumbled with the buttons of his vest and attempted to take it off without brushing up against his laceration. She looked up at him now knowing that she needed to remove his torn and bloodied shirt.

Erik dropped his hand from his chest giving Christine free reign over his apparel.

A bit flushed, she unbuttoned his shirt, slipped her hands underneath the shoulders and let it fall onto the floor. Christine stared at Erik's half exposed body, her cheeks glowing ever redder when she realized she enjoyed it.

"Christine." Erik grunted again, drawing his hand back up to his chest.

"Oh! Yes, come!" She spoke frantically, remembering his situation. Carefully she led him to the unmade bed and helped him in. "I'll be right back." She comforted as she propped a pillow under his head making sure that he wasn't uncomfortable. Standing up she looked around for anything to clean the wound. The porcelain washing bowl on the vanity had been there since last night but it was the only thing available. Grabbing the bowl and the small hand-towel that rested near it, she hurried back over to Erik, being careful not to spill any of the water. "It might sting." She warned as she wrung the towel out over the bowl.

Erik clenched his teeth as the water stung his torn flesh. He pressed his head back hard against the pillow, his breaths becoming shallower.

"Shh." Christine calmed, brushing a few strands of his normally well kempt hair out of his face. "It's not very deep, it'll just be sore for a few days." She rinsed off the cloth in the bowl as best she could and proceeded to wipe the remnants of blood that remained on their hands. "There." She said, a way of telling him the job was finished. She hung the cloth over the edge of the bowl and set it down on the floor.

Erik's breath finally slowed, a sign that his pain was easing. He looked up to her, his eyes opening slowly. "I'll kill him." He muttered.

Christine, not particularly caring about Raoul at all leaned down, he face so close to his she could feel his breath. "Erik." She smiled, still unsure of how to respond to his bare chest.

Erik lifted his head up, his lips lightly touching Christine's as he whispered. "Will you promise to only wear that ring?"

Christine closed her eyes and nodded. Her lips followed Erik's in unison as he spoke, making sure not to break the connection. "I promise."

He sat up a bit, not minding his injury. He adored the way Christine's skin shivered when he touched her neck, the way she subconsciously held herself closer, the small pleasurable sounds she made, all for him. Never did he think that he could make her feel this way, and when she responded so quickly he had to pursue. "I love you Christine."

She opened her eyes to look at him, her heart fluttering with nervous bliss. "I… I love you too." She whispered as their lips gently locked together.

The kiss was slow at first, distant, as if both were shy of the other but as Christine moved herself closer, the kiss deepened. Christine's hands rested on both sides of Erik's face, stroking his cheeks as if the mask never even existed. She wished that the kiss in the labyrinth had felt like this one. The passion that overflowed this kiss burned like no other, and a feeling extreme happiness and belonging rushed over them both. Christine broke the kiss and pulled back to breathe, staring at Erik, her chest beating up and down with her pants. She said nothing, no words needed to be exchanged between either of them as she lay down beside him and allowed his hands to roam where they pleased. "Erik…" Was the last thing her voice could make out as she felt his fingers push down the sleeve of her dress and his lips on her neck.