The Usual stuff: Yeah, I don't own these characters; credit there goes to M. Leroux and in this case Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. At least I can manipulate them in my own little world. :) Also do not own Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, merely mentioned characters. (some foreshadowing and comparisons, some I just wanted to bring in another great book, some I needed to give Christine something to do while she waited)
A/N: Again, thank yous to all those who've taken time to review. (I have them saved in my e-mail for when I'm having a bad day).
Alright. Short chapter, my apologies, but it is important. Hope you like it...
Erik had never performed chores with such a cheerful mood. He tidied up his home in an upbeat rush; as he cleared furniture, he envisioned Christine happily strewn out on that couch or lightly placing a book on this table and he even glanced by his bedroom door, forcing shameless thoughts to the back of his mind.
Once his domicile was to his liking, Erik glanced again at his pocket watch and cursed silently; there was still over another hour until he would fetch Christine.
Christine herself felt the anguish of the slow passage of time. After brushing her copper locks, she picked up Erik's book again.
Mr. Darcy cared very much for Elizabeth Bennet but she eschewed him. Christine's heart bled for his crushed spirits, though she understood Elizabeth's basis for anger; if anyone had treated Meg so horribly, she would hold little esteem for that man. But he loved her, did that not redeem him at least in some regard? Christine was just reading about Mr. Wickham's true nature when Raoul came to the door.
"Christine? May I come in?"
"Yes, yes Raoul." She returned his smile as he stepped into the room.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Very much so, thank you."
He sat down on the wooden chair next to her bed. "I was wondering if you felt well enough to join me for supper this evening." His question hung in the air as Christine searched for an answer or rather an excuse.
"I don't know Raoul…I―"
"That's all right if you don't want to strain yourself. I understand." Raoul interrupted her before she could refuse him outright.
"Thank you Raoul, for understanding." Christine felt a mounding guilt in her chest but forced it down with a fake smile. He leaned over and bestowed the coldest unaffectionate kiss she thought possible on her cheek. He left before she said anything more and before he lost his close rein on his feelings; he wanted to beg her to love him again, he wanted to scream at her, he wanted to demand to understand how the nefarious Phantom had ensnared her (be it blackmail or some other heinous crime), he wanted to take her and make her irreversibly his, he wanted to break down and weep in his grief, he wanted to strike the Opera Ghost where he stood, but instead he walked as calmly out of the room as his conflicting emotions would allow.
Christine knew something was truly bothering Raoul but had little time to ponder on it as Erik emerged from behind the mirror. Her pure, radiant smile made his heart skip a beat. "Are you ready?"
She flung back the covers and placed her already shoed feet on the floor. "Let's go. I've been waiting since you left." He laughed at her enthusiasm and Christine found herself lost in the rich, rumbling tones then joining them with her own glee. Her playful demeanor rose to delight when he kissed her soundly and passionately and she pressed into him with equal ardor. Reluctantly, they broke the contact; Erik took her hand and led her behind the mirror to the twisting passageways. Raoul never kissed me like that, she thought guiltily. Soon, her thoughts were only absorbed by their twisting route through dark corridors. Erik held a torch before them but glanced back periodically as if to assure himself that it was no dream; both thought back to that night he had led her down the path to his home after her first taste of stardom.
Soon, Erik reached an unseen door and pushed it open. The last dregs of sunlight littered the sky as the sun set and the moon rose, nice, full, and bright. He led her further to a small area where he had hidden a blanket and a light meal. While he saw to the blanket, Christine unpacked the basket. They talked until the food was gone and their tongues had run dry.
She shivered lightly and Erik immediately placed his coat about her shoulders. They walked about the terrace, marveling at Paris in the moonlight. She pulled the coat closer about herself, Erik's warmth still captured in the material, and then the man himself wrapped his arms about her. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder as he nuzzled his exposed cheek in her hair.
"Erik?"
"Hmm?" He smiled contentedly, rocking back and forth with her in his arms.
"Sing to me, please?"
"As you wish, my dearest. What would you like to hear?"
"Anything, everything." He hugged her to himself tighter.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime."
She trembled slightly as his words saturated her senses. Christine turned in his embrace to stand in front of him still locked in his arms, looking into his face as his eyes sparkled and his lips moved hypnotically with his rich and heavenly voice.
"Lead me, save me from my solitude. Say you want me with you here beside you." He raised his voice dramatically. "Anywhere you go, let me go to! Christine, that's all I ask of―"
Erik never had a chance to finish his song as a rope whizzed through the air and settled gracefully around his neck.
(:laughs darkly:) Alright, I've been on the recieving end of SO many cliffies lately that I thought it was time to dish out a mild one of my own (my apologies if you personally have done no such thing). Poor Erik can never really finish that song... Anyway... I have the next section virtually ready for this one (and other story too for that matter) right here -:waves USB memory key:- I just have this dream of one day reaching 100 reviews... j/k ;) I won't wait that long but I would like to know if people are reading...
Much love, all
