A/N: The description of Erik from Christine's perspective is something Amber will recognise. It was something she said to me about the contrasts making the character…thanks Amber.

'Pride can stand a thousand trials,
the strong will never fall
But watching stars without you,
my soul cried.'

Chapter 19- Appearances

Christine slept.

Christine slept in bed.

Christine slept in his bed.

The rise and fall of her chest under the covers had mesmerised him for hours and only her turning to her side had made him flinch away and glance out of the window. Darkness had fallen and he had not even noticed.

The day had been terrible for Erik, it had been terrible for both of them. Erik's temper had been under control until he had seen Christine, until he had spent today with her. She had always made his emotions bubble to the surface and on more than one occasion boil over. He had frightened her earlier and his only explanation was that he wasn't sure how to react to her being there and with the news about Madame Giry his patience had been small. With an apology she had accepted she had crept into bed fully clothed and slept for the rest of the day.

He couldn't tell her that if to kill Raoul meant to kill Christine then it was a task he would never be quite up to.

Poor Christine had been shattered and after she had fallen to sleep he had left to gather information. He knew enough now to find Raoul but he also knew that they were on the move, heading further north to pastures new. He did not, however, know if Raoul was alive.

Whilst he was out he had attempted to collect more clothes for Christine but the place was covered in police and he had had to steal some from Meg Giry's wardrobe so that Christine would have clean clothing for her journey.

When he had returned to the room to find Christine still soundly sleeping he had sat down by the bed and watched her sleep. Occasionally she murmured in her sleep and he watched the way her lips moved when she whispered. He couldn't hear what she was saying and he didn't care to, seeing her there so peaceful was enough to satisfy his mind.

As her eyes opened she stretched her arms out to her sides and her shoulder clicked roughly back into place. She reached over and rubbed it gently, noticing that the room was dark and that the cover of night was now theirs. She wondered briefly why Erik hadn't woken her but she soon realised that he too was sleeping and as she sat her she allowed her eyes to take in his full figure for the first time since they had met again.

He had changed on the outside although he still wore the mask. His face was much darker than it had been, he had always been so pale but now his face was showing signs that he had approved it some moments of sunlight. His arms were still strong but somehow seemed stronger, when he had grabbed her his hands were warmer and when he had tended her wound they were softer.

She wondered how he had kept his time, what he had done for the last seven years. It had been the first time she had let herself think about his life since she had left him years ago. Had she thought about it over the years she was sure that slowly she would have lost her sanity. Her eyes drifted back over his chest and up to his face and she stood up keeping her eyes on him.

God had been so cruel to the man in front of her.

One side of his face was almost perfection although he didn't realise it. His jaw was strong, smooth, his cheek masculine and powerful. His eyes held a beauty that no man she had met in her life could rival. Yet the other side was sinister and dark. It was as ugly as anything she had ever seen, puckered and scarred, it was a mess of pure evil. The contrast between the two sides were harsh and the splendour of his left side was as magnificent as the horror of his right was repulsive.

With a soft hand she touched his mask and her mind flew back in time as she remembered the first time she had removed it. His anger had been vicious and pure.

She stroked the mask with her fingertip, over the lines and around the edge. She slid her finger along his jaw under the mask and then around to his ear, for a moment she stood there with the same temptation as many years ago. To remove it. But she resisted and dropped her hand to his shoulder squeezing it hard enough to wake him gently.

'Erik…' She whispered and the sound danced on his senses. He refused to open his eyes in case he was dreaming. She stroked his neck. 'Erik… wake up? Is it time?'

She looked at him and moved her hand slowly around from his skin. He opened his eyes and glanced up at her with a nod. He cleared his throat and began to sit up.

'Yes.' He said, his voice rough and dry. 'It's time.'