Erik's Flashback

From behind the curtain, standing beside Piangi's body, Erik watched Christine slip upon the stage. He waited, smiling to himself, while she sang a small aria.

"…no dreams within her heart, but dreams of love!"

"Master?"

Erik was ready. He opened his lips and sang, sending Passarino away. As the others left the stage, Erik knew it was time. Time to show Christine his flame of passion for her, his undying love, for he was Don Juan Triumphant!

"Past the point of no return…"

The music soothed his soul and grew at every moment. Christine's eyes widened with realization as he crept toward her. Without her warning, he grasped her throat and pulled her against his chest. Erik could feel her heart pounding with from fear and thrill. She followed his hands as they caressed her body.

"…You've past the point of no return!"

He finished the solo and stood back, studying Christine as she opened her mouth to sing. Once, she glanced toward Raoul.

"You have brought me, to that moment where words run dry…"

She moved, almost floating toward the stars, as he followed her movements. They climbed together as he watched, and she sang.

"When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last consume us!"

Erik grabbed her waist and caressed her body. They were together in that moment, sharing his music once more, and almost one.

"…we've past the point of no return!"

The final note lasted for a second. Erik played gently at Christine's tresses and began to sing Raoul's words of love to her.

"…Anywhere you go let me go to! Christine, that's all I ask of…"

Dawn

I awoke to Erik's weeping. He moaned softly as tears flood down his eyes. Shakily, I twisted to face him, my leg quivering from pain.

"Erik, are you awake? Erik, wake up," I cooed, shaking him gently.

Slowly, his eyes fluttered open and found hers.

"Christine… I'm sorry. I was just having a terrible dream…" Erik mumbled.

"You were crying, my darling…" I whispered.

"It's nothing, merely a nightmare."

Not satisfied, I pressed on.

"Tell me what the matter is."

There was a long pause.

"Christine, sometimes I feel as though you should have stayed with Raoul. Maybe he would have turned out all right, I believe somehow I destroyed your relationship," Erik explained, staring deep into my eyes.

Oddly enough, I had been contemplating the same thing. Of course I loved Erik, but what if the reason Raoul had become abusive was because he'd felt threatened by Erik. This wasn't of very good reason to harm me, however. I had loved Raoul once, in the beginning. The memory of the rooftop slipped into my mind.

"Let me be your shelter, let me be your light…"

He'd loved me too, but I'd become more of a possession.

"Please don't say that… I love you too much and I… I could never go back to… to him…" I whispered, close to tears.

Sensing the sorrow and confusion, Erik changed the subject.

"We best be leaving soon, unless your leg has any objections."

"I'll be fine," I replied, observing the shallow hole under my bandages.

Sighing contently, Erik stood and stretched.

"We leave by noon."

Later

A carriage awaited the lovers at noon. They boarded it, in hopes of leaving any trace behind. Erik became extremely nervous as the weather worsened. Thunder clouds formed as rain pelted the top of the carriage. It was terrible traveling conditions.

"Erik, we can't go on in this sort of weather. It's really horrible," Christine exclaimed, drawing back the carriages curtains around nightfall.

"No, darling, we can't stop now!" Erik said, becoming irritated.

Christine sensed his annoyance and was hurt by it.

What is the matter with men?

"Sorry, Erik, I was only worried… I wouldn't want you to be harmed," she whispered softly.

What she had once dreamed, she now dreaded. Erik was ever growing to be like Raoul. She couldn't bear to lose one more love.

"Erik, kiss me! Just kiss me, please!" Christine cried, tears flooding her eyes.

Throwing herself upon Erik, she began kissing his lips deeply. He did not pull away, but wrapped his strong arms around her waist and caressed her hair. They kissed for what seemed like forever, sharing the passion that had been kept inside both for so long.

"Christine, Christine, hush it's all right," Erik murmured softly as he broke the kisses.

"I want you to be mine forever," Christine whispered, holding him close.

For the first time, Erik realized Christine was sharing in the pain he'd once felt. Her eyes gleamed brightly with sadness and confusion, while her cheeks dulled with concern.

"I'll never leave you, my Angel, never," he said, trying to comfort her.

"Say you love me every waking moment. Turn my head with thoughts of summer time…"

Christine sang quietly, laying in Erik's lap, and traced his palms playfully.

"Say you love me…"

"You know I do…

Late That Night

Raoul's breath came out in smoky puffs as he sped quickly along the side road. The night was growing ever colder and ever fiercer with the constant rain. If he did not find shelter, he would surely die of hypothermia.