Chapter 13

"Erik don't do this." I say. "It's too soon…" He shrugs, "What difference will it make whether it's now or years from now?" I stare at the ring on my finger, "But it will make a difference, Erik. It will."

He sighs, "I can't wait forever, Christine. I'm tired of waiting; I've been denied this for too long. I'm not complaining though, you see. You've made it worth it, Christine. This whole time… I was only waiting for you. For you, Christine. I knew, from the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one who could love me, who could save me. You came so willingly, so eager. In your mind you were only learning music, but really you were learning me. You were growing accustomed to me… to my mask. And now… you don't even see the mask. You don't. I had only to sing to you and you fell under my spell. And now, now can't you see how we're meant to be together. We have the same soul, Christine."

I stare at him horrified. We weren't the same. We weren't. He covers my hands with his, "Come Christine. It's time." I draw away from him, "Time for what, Erik? I want to go now. I told you. I want to go to my room." He says soothingly, "Shhh, Christine. It's all right. Don't look so worried. Trust me." Panic rises inside me, and I feel sick. I stand up suddenly, ready to leave. He stands up too, "No, no, Christine. Calm down." I push against him, "Let me go, please. I have to… I need to leave."

He wraps his arms around me, crushing me into his chest. I want to push him away but I find myself clinging to him. He was my protector, he wasn't supposed to let this happen. He wasn't supposed to be the one doing this. I wanted him to take me away from this, not to it. I realize I'm crying. I barely notice when he lifts me into his arms. I sob into his shoulder and let him carry me. I don't fight him when he lies me down on his bed.

I let him kiss my cheeks and eyes, as though he's trying to kiss away my tears. It's not until I feel his own tears dropping onto my face do I open my eyes. His mask is gone, he must have taken it off. He meets my eyes with his, and all I see is sadness staring back at me. His hand brushes over my forehead then down over my eyes gently forcing them closed. I feel the warmth of his body draw closer. His lips graze over my forehead, over my eye, across my cheek, then settle softly on my lips. Surprised I nearly jerk away. Before I can his lips are gone, replaced with his cheek.

"Forgive me, Christine." He whispers, his voice cracking through his tears. "Forgive me." He turns his face to kiss my lips again. I can't stop from trembling. "My wife. My beautiful wife." He whispers. The words float in my mind. Everything seemed foggy. Push him away. Push him off of you. His eyes, his sad eyes. I feel his tongue slide across my bottom lip. I move away, "Stop, Erik. Please, I don't want to… do this."

I try to sound strong, forceful, but I my voice sounds weak and shaky. He says, "Don't think, Christine. Give into it. Just give in. Let yourself be free." Fresh hot tears run down my face, and I can't stop them. "We don't have to do this now, Erik. Let's wait, please let's wait." He says firmly, "But it's our wedding night, Christine." I shake my head sadly, "But we're not married, Erik. We're not married." He rests his hand on the side of my face, "But we are, Christine. Husband and wife, we are, you and I. Together forever. You have a ring; I pledged my love to you… That's all a wedding is, Christine. Say you love me. Say it so we can truly be one."

I look down and put my face to my hands. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. It couldn't happen like this. "Don't cry." He says softly. He draws me to him, trying to comfort me. I push him away, "No, I don't want you." My weak protests can't keep him away. He holds me to him, "There's no one but me, Christine. Only me." I whisper, pleading, "Please, Erik. Not tonight please. I'll stay with you. I'll do anything else. Just not this."

He pulls away from me and takes my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him, "But why, Christine? Why?" I whisper, "Just give me tonight, Erik. Please. Just tonight, and every night after can be yours. I'll be yours." His eyes bore into mine. His mask is still gone, yet his deformity doesn't even stand out to me. He leans in, closing his eyes, and kisses me again. I keep my eyes open, not moving, and try to control my rapid breathing.

He says softly, "All right then. Not tonight." He pulls away, and I breathe a sigh of relief. He drops his hands from my face and sighs. "I'll take you to your room."

Phantom's POV

I see her to her room. She's quiet, nervous. So young… too young, maybe. I don't dare leave her alone tonight. I would watch her. She would no doubt try something. I bid her goodnight, with the same promise I would return in the morning. She watches me with sad eyes as I leave.

Only minutes later she emerges from her room, a shaky hand holding a candle. I follow her silently. To my surprise she heads not to the exits but to the rooftop. I take a risk and fall behind, opting for another route. I doubted I could follow her so silently up old, creaky stairs. I easily catch up with her again. The Paris air is bitterly cold. I have the urge to step out of the shadows and wrap my cape around her, but I remain hidden. She rests on her arms on the balcony edge, staring out into the empty streets.

A soft sound reaches my ears. It takes me a minute to realize she is crying. I want to go to her. I want to comfort her, but I don't dare reveal myself. I see her fumble with something in her hands. I inch closer to see that she has taken off her wedding ring. She stares at it, turning it round and round. Then she holds her hand over the edge and lets it fall from her palm to the streets below.

I nearly give myself away. What was she doing? I hear her say softly, "Erik. Oh, Erik." I watch horrified as she begins to climb over the edge. I don't hesitate. I rush to the side and pull her back over, "What are you doing?" I roar at her. I know I've scared her, she tries to pull away. I hold her tightly, "Christine. Christine, what were you going to do?" She sobs, "Leave me alone! Leave me be!"

I drag her away from the ledge, "You were going to jump!" She falls to the ground. I keep a hold of a her wrists, "Get up, Christine. Get up!" She cries, "No. Let me go. Please." I close my eyes, trying to control my temper. "Oh, Christine." I whisper. I open my eyes and kneel down in front of her, dropping her wrists. She scoots back, away from me.

I shake my head, "So it's come to this, Christine? Has it really come to this? You would rather die than be with me." I look down. "Am I so bad, you would rather be dead than my wife?" She's shaking. I stare at her, not wanting to believe my words. "Say something, Christine. For God's sake say something." She opens her mouth, but nothing comes out.

I sigh, "Perhaps death can be arranged, Christine. If you welcome it so dearly… Yes, perhaps…" I trail off. I wanted to frighten her. I wanted her to beg me for life. I wanted to make her realize the full implications of the release she sought. Her eyes widen, "No, Erik, no. I… wasn't going to… I mean, I was, but I changed my mind. I was frightened that's all." I nod, "And you're going to be frightened some more."

She backs all the way into the railing, "Don't talk like that Erik. Please, it scares me." I stand up; "Do I scare you, Christine? Why? You invited death. You went searching for it. Go ahead then, jump. Get away from me. The ledge is right there." She shake she head, "No, I don't… I don't want to, Erik." I frown, "You don't? But, Christine, don't you remember? You were just there, so close to letting go. Remember, Christine?" I gently pull her up to stand before me. I move behind her, and nudge her towards the balcony edge, "Go on, Christine. Don't you hear the night calling you? Go join it. Dive into it."

She backs up against me, trying to get away from the edge, "Erik, stop. Please, stop. Let's go back. It's cold, Erik." She's trying to distract me, trying to make me take pity on her. I wrap my arms around her waist; "We're so close, Christine." I lean down and whisper in her ear, "So close." I feel her shudder against me. I swiftly push her forward, closing the distance between the ledge and us.

She struggles against me. I hold her close, petting her, trying to calm her. "Look down, Christine. Look down." She tries to turn around to face me, but I hold her firmly. "You must face it, Christine. You could only a moment ago. Go on, look down." I stroke the front of her neck, soothingly, "It's ok, Christine… I, the one who you run from, who you'd die to escape from… I'll protect you. I won't let you fall."

Her breathing is rapid, panicked. I sigh and relent, guiding her away from the ledge. I let her turn to me and bury her face in the folds of my cloak. I stroke her soft hair, "Don't you know, Christine?" I tilt her chin up, so she looks at me, "Even death cannot part us." Her face is tearstained and tired. She nods slightly and looks down. I trace the outline of her face.

I let her hug me again. "I'm sorry, Erik." She whispers. I don't answer, instead lift her into my arms. I slowly carry her back to my lair. She doesn't say anything, doesn't protest. She lets me lie her down on my bed. I wash away her dried tears with a wet cloth. She doesn't resist me even when I begin to remove her clothes. I leave her in her underthings and return with a nightgown.

She calmly lets me dress her, lets me tuck her in. I sit beside her, stroking her hair and face. Her eyes are half closed as she struggles to stay awake. I lean in and kiss her. I could never tire of the feel of her lips on mine. She doesn't shiver, doesn't even move. I pull away reluctantly and lie beside her, gathering her to me. I place her hand over my heart and cover it with mine.

"Erik." She murmurs. I hold her closer to me. "Erik, I wouldn't have let go." I sigh, "I know, Christine. I know."

A/N: Ok, well, that was Chapter 13. It's getting harder to write/update now as I am currently in the middle of moving (fun). I hate doing A/N's cause I feel they kind of obstruct the story, but anyway I'm sticking this one at the end of the chapter so I don't mess up the flow of things…

This story should be wrapping up in a few chapters unless the characters take me on a ride (as they often do) and then it will be longer. Anyway, when I do complete it, I wanted to go back and do a fairly major rewrite. I would be changing things as well as adding things. (i.e. filling in chapters for when Christine was younger, since there is quite a big gap.) Also, I may add a few Leroux elements in… full-face mask, coffin, etc.

But since I will be adding/revising anyway, and then posting the new story here - is there anything you would suggest putting in or taking out? I also want to thank everyone for their reviews. It's always nice to hear people enjoy your work. I don't thank you as often as I should, but I do appreciate your comments!

Until next chapter…And let me know if you have any suggestions for the rewrite. Thanks again.

- Sarah