A/N: GAH! The Phantom movie was AWESOME! Gerard Butler… was very sexy as Erik (Grins innocently)! Thank you for all your FANTABULOUS reviews!
Oh, and AngelMusic, (sniffle), I had fun being your beta reader, but I'm glad you found someone who isn't so busy! (And hurrah for Michael Crawford being able to read your phic?! That's awesome, hehe! Email me and fill me in on that! ;-)) MERRY CHRISTMAS, y'all! :-) Oh, and I'm so sorry about the Louise-Phillipe room – now that I think about it, it was Christine's room! But for the sake of the story… I hope no one minds that I just use it as the music room? (Innocent smile)
Oh, and a special thanks to jlauren1224, who helped me with ideas as I wrote this chappy! :-D
Erik's POV
That night I thought I had truly lost Christine. After I disposed of those disgusting men, I turned around to find her eyes wide and filled with terror. I would never forget that look – it was engraved in my mind forever, and when I initially saw it, it tore at my heart. She finally calmed down, however, and I read her what seemed to now be her favorite book: The Nightingale and the Rose.
"It's such a lovely story…" Christine had murmured, her voice trailing off, as her eyes grew distant at the sound of my voice.
And it was a lovely story.
Almost as lovely as her.
When she had ultimately fallen asleep, I carried her to her room and gently placed her on her bed. Brushing a strand of hair from her beautiful face, I merely watched her for a few moments. She truly was an angel. Her golden curls lay about her head, and her face was aglow with comfort. My eyes scanned her face, settling on her closed eyelids; they hid those gorgeous blue orbs that caused my body to tingle every time they rested on me. With a sigh, I returned to the living room and sat in front of the fire. The flames burnt gently, giving off a faint crackling sound that seemed to comfort Christine earlier.
Closing my eyes, I thought back to what she had been saying in the rain before those men had interrupted my piece of Heaven. When she had spoke of her father, I could see the hurt in her eyes. I saw the tears that journeyed down her cheeks when she attempted to hide them in the rain. I emitted another sigh and massaged my temple. We had been so close… our lips were mere inches apart.
After a good hour or so of torturing myself by thinking of the cherub that lay a few feet away from me, I decided it was best to retire.
But I knew sleep would not come to me so easily…
Christine's POV
I awoke that morning with a terrible ache in my neck and shoulders. Somehow, during the night, I had rolled into a strange and uncomfortable position. I rubbed my neck for a moment, but to no avail. Groaning, I swung my feet over the bed and shuffled into the shower. Perhaps a hot shower would make me feel better.
Even though the steaming water woke me up, my neck remained in pain. I quickly dried my hair and opened the closet. I simply slipped on a cobalt dress that fell a bit past my knees, having the feeling that we wouldn't be leaving the house. Sighing, I inched down the stairs, still rubbing my neck.
"Good morning, Christine." His voice came, causing me to actually smile despite my sore neck. For some reason, I was peculiarly giddy this morning. I found myself rather jittery – especially when he said my name…
"Good morning." I replied, taking a seat at the kitchen table.
Looking up, I watched him place a plate in front of me, but he soon stopped his actions with a frown.
"Are you all right?"
"Oh!" I jumped, nodding. "Yes, I'm fine! I slept in an odd position last night, so I'm just sore – that's all." I assured him with a small smile, while I continued with my pitiful attempt to rub the pain from it.
"Here," He said softly, as I felt him approach me from behind.
Holding my breath, I felt his graceful hand push my curls to one side of my head and begin to massage my shoulders. I closed my eyes and said nothing, permitting him to continue. His fingers gently worked their way up my neck; it was as if magic were coming from a simple motion of his hand. After a few moments of this wonderful feeling, his hands unfortunately came to a halt, simply resting on my bare shoulder. I could hear him sigh, as he withdrew his seemingly enchanted hands. And as if it truly were magic, my neck was no longer sore.
My eyes that had gradually began to shut rapidly shot open. I gingerly turned around to meet his gaze. "Why did you stop so quickly?" I whispered, partially not able to believe what I was saying.
I could faintly hear his breathing, as he merely stared at me. I could tell he was becoming rather uncomfortable, and I felt my cheeks grow warm.
"I'm sorry." I began to apologize hastily. "I-"
But his enticing voice interrupted me. "No, it's quite all right, my dear." He hesitated. "Would you… Would you like for me to continue?"
"Yes… very much so." I answered, lowering my eyes. "But only if you don't mind."
"Christine," Erik murmured, approaching me from behind once more. "Of course, I don't mind… Whatever makes you happy…" His voice trailed off, as I felt his slender hands resume their position on my shoulders.
Breathing extremely quietly, I closed my eyes, as his fingers rubbed my skin. I released a soft sigh, which only gave assurance to his fingers. His hands not only massaged my shoulders – they worked their way up my neck again. Soon, Erik's fascinating fingers were entangled in my hair, as if they were memorizing the feel of my ringlets.
"Erik…" I heard myself murmur.
His left hand caressed my cheek, turning my head to look up at him. His other hand traveled down my hair, evoking goose bumps from me and tenderly grasped mine. Slowly, I rose, as Erik led me from the room. It was very strange – it was as if I was in a trance-like state. I could see him, and I knew what was occurring; yet it was as if I could do nothing but obey his silent commands. He guided me across the house, his steps cat-like and dark. He seductively pulled me into the Louise-Phillipe room, where he regrettably released my hand and took a seat at the piano.
His fingers that had previously danced upon my skin now danced across the ebony keys, producing a glorious sound. But, of course, it was glorious – nothing else could be expected from him.
"Christine…" He whispered softly, but loud enough that I was able to hear him. "Sing… for me…"
Still feeling like I would do anything he asked of me at that moment, I parted my lips, as a melody fled from them. It was quiet at first, but gradually grew in volume. Furrowing my brow, I continued singing to his music – it was a song I knew, of course. I recognized it from the moment he began to play, and I had sung it before – in fact, it was from a musical that I greatly enjoyed! However, I had never heard myself sing it like this before. It was filled with such emotion and passion that I was surprised with myself.
"Kiss me too fiercely… hold me too tight… I need help believing you're with me tonight." I sang fervently, my eyes glazed over. "My wildest dreamings could not foresee lying beside you with you wanting me… And just for this moment, as long as you're mine, I've lost all resistance and crossed some borderline. And if it turns out, it's over too fast… I'll make every last moment last as long as you're mine…"
I held my breath for a second, as I anticipated the next line. Would Erik sing? I prayed to God he would, for his voice was so entrancing… so tantalizing… It was pure bliss to even hear it whisper my name – let alone sing with me.
"Maybe I'm brainless… Maybe I'm wise," He began to sing to my absolute delight. His voice wrapped itself around me, it being the only thing that held me up. "But you've got me seeing through different eyes… Somehow I've fallen under your spell, and somehow I'm feeling it's "up" that I fell…" Taking a breath, his eyes strayed from the piano keys that he was caressing and locked with mine, as our voices morphed into one.
"Every moment… as long as you're mine… I'll wake up my body and make up for lost time!"
"Say there's no future for us as a pair…" He sang, his volume dropping, as something in his face changed. For a fleeting second, I truly believed I saw a tear glint in his eyes.
We continued with the duet, as I found myself moving closer to him – I could no longer control my actions. "And though, I may know, I don't care! Just for this moment, as long as you're mine, come be how you want to… And see how bright we shine! Borrow the moonlight until it is through… And know I'll be here, holding you – as long as you're mine…"
The song came to an end, as Erik's playing gradually slowed. Our voices still echoed throughout the house, ricocheting avidly off of the walls and back to our ears. He finally stood, his gaze remaining on me, and glided towards me. Erik placed his mesmerizing hand on my cheek, running his thumb over my lower lip. Barely breathing, I brought my hand up and rested on his that stroked my cheek.
"Christine…" He spoke my name softly, delicately. But to my surprise, I heard my voice disrupt his sentence and plead something of him that I never thought I would.
"Kiss me." I pleaded quietly.
"Christine…" He repeated my name
"Please…" I whispered, my voice now scarcely audible; I yearned to feel his lips meet mine – I longed for it… only for a brief moment…
I could feel his hands trembling, and I'm sure he could feel my body quiver as well. His hands slid down to my waist, as he gently drew me to him and pressed his twisted lips to my waiting ones. At first, he was hesitant and unsure, but as the kiss continued, he became more confident. I wrapped my little arms around his neck, pulling him into a deeper kiss. Erik's grip around my waist tightened, but was still tender. One of my hands roamed his mask, while the other remained around his neck.
The kiss lasted for a long time, and when we finally parted for air, we could only stare at one another. His hazel eyes blazed hotly with passion, as he buried his hands in my mass of curls.
Erik's POV
I watched her face for a moment, as our voices that had united earlier still rang throughout my head. Christine's lovely blue eyes were half-closed and shimmered with what seemed to be rapture. I leaned closer, kissing her a second time – this time, the kiss was more ravenous, but still filled with passion and adoration.
Suddenly, I gently withdrew my lips from hers, before I wouldn't be able to stop myself. We were both panting; I cupped her perfect cheek in my hand, but something caught my eye. I turned my head to look at the window. Yes, it was closed as always, but a small ray of sunlight could be seen. I furrowed my brow, but she followed my gaze and smiled at what she saw. Then, I remembered how different we were… I was the nightingale. She was the rose. We were from two completely diverse worlds… yet we had kissed – we had shared this astonishing moment of intimacy! I sighed, my warm breath passing over her face. She deserved so much more – she deserved the sunlight she was born in… I had plucked her from it and stolen her away to my world of darkness.
I lowered my eyes, while hers retreated from the light and rested on me. She was so young… only eighteen years old… And I – I was thirty-six! My beloved Christine was still a child… She needed the light, and she belonged out there beneath the warmth of the sun.
"You should go and eat breakfast, my dear." I finally spoke up, returning my gaze to her. "Then, I shall play something for you afterwards."
Still dazed by the previous act that had just transpired, she quietly nodded and slowly emerged from the room. When she reached the door, Christine threw a glance over her shoulder… Her gaze made me tremble. I sighed again, resuming my seat at the piano.