A Sleepless Night

By KaitlynRose72

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

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Flames danced all around her. She ran and she ran but couldn't see any way out. "Raoul! Raoul where are you?" she cried. The heat was getting closer and the smoke choked her.

"Christine."

"Raoul! Raoul, help me!" She continued to run, looking for him desperately, but he wasn't there. She was alone. A hand clamped on her shoulder and she turned around expecting to see her beloved. The face that greeted her was not that of her love, but one that wore a mask.

"This is the point of no return," the Phantom said calmly as the flames came closer. "We will be together for all eternity."

Christine screamed and screamed.

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Strong arms shook her. Someone was calling her name, but still she saw his face.

"Christine! Christine it's only a dream. Christine!"

Finally her eyes shot opened. Raoul was there. He looked so worried.

"That's right," he said softly. "It was a dream. It's over now."

She opened her mouth to speak but didn't even know what to say. Instead she simply began to cry.

As Raoul tried to comfort her he could feel her trembling. He was shaking a bit himself. He had been in a dead sleep and woke to the sound of her screaming. For a moment he thought the Phantom had returned. Her dream must have been truly terrifying. For the longest time he couldn't even wake her from it.

A shadow passed over the room and Raoul looked up to see his father standing in the door way. "Is she all right?"

"Yes, it was a nightmare. I'm sorry if your sleep was disturbed," Raoul told him.

"It's not a problem. Should I fetch her a glass of brandy to calm her nerves?" Philip asked.

"Please," Raoul agreed.

Philip stepped out and Raoul finally pulled Christine's face from his shoulder.

"Raoul, I'm so sorry," she said with a small hiccup. "I didn't mean to disturb you or your father."

"I'm not surprised," Raoul said. "After everything you've been through, and now to be sleeping in a strange place, it's only natural that you had a nightmare. Do you want to tell me about it?"

"I was lost in the fire. I tried so hard to find you, but then he was there. He wanted us to both burn in the fire. He said we would be together for eternity. I was so frightened. He's always been there, singing songs in my head, but now I want him out. I don't want to hear his voice in my dreams anymore. Do you think he will ever go away?"

"Once you realize that you are truly safe and that we are truly free you will have pleasant dreams again. It may take time, but it will happen," Raoul soothed.

"Here, this may help." Christine jumped when she first heard the voice, but then realized it was Raoul's father.

"My apologies for waking you, monsieur," Christine offered.

"No apology needed. These things happen," the comte offered. He handed her a small glass with an amber liquid inside. She took the glass and smelled it.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's brandy. It will help to clam you down a little," said the comte.

Christine took a small sip of the liquor and gave a loud cough as it burned her throat going down. Mme Giry had never let the young ladies have anything other than wine. She noticed that a warm sensation was spreading inside of her. She handed the glass to Raoul, who set it on the bedside table.

"I guess since we are all awake I might as well introduce myself. I am Comte Philip de Changy, Raoul's father. You may call me Philip. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you. I am Christine Daae. I am sorry to impose upon you, and for causing such an awkward introduction."

At this Comte Philip actually gave a chuckle. "I can see why my son fancies you so much. You are very charming, and very beautiful. However, now that you are calmer and the crisis is over, I believe I shall return to my room. I bid you both a good night."

"Good night," Christine and Raoul both replied.

"You're father seems to be very nice," Christine said.

"He can be when he wants to," Raoul replied.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"Nothing." He took her small hands in his own and squeezed them tight before raising them up to his lips and kissing them gently. "Are you truly all right now?"

Christine wanted to say yes and not be a burder, but truthfully, she was still shaken by the images in her head. "Must you leave?" she asked timidly. She knew it was very wrong of her to ask him to stay in her room, but she didn't want to be alone.

"If you need me then I will not leave you," Raoul told her. He stood and walked across the room to the long chaise lounge. He dragged it over and set it down about four feet from her bed. He took the extra blanket from the bottom of her bed, and then tossed another log onto the fire.

"There now. You go back to sleep and I will be here all night. Nothing and no one will harm you any more." He kissed her cheek before fluffing a pillow and throwing the blanket over the lounge. He kept his robe on and made himself comfortable before finally returning to sleep himself.

Both were deeply asleep when Comte Philip came back to the room thirty minutes later and poked his head inside. Part of him had still hoped that this match wouldn't take place, but the sight before him spoke volumes. Raoul would not give up this girl. After everything the two had gone through, he really couldn't blame them. He decided right then and there he would not fight his son on this.

He had managed the family money well over the years, making good investments. Raoul didn't need to marry a rich woman. It would have been nice, but it wasn't necessary. He stepped out into the hall and closed the door behind him. He walked over to the picture of his late wife.

"Well, Caroline, it looks like our son is in love. I think you would be happy. She is beautiful, like you my dear. I know you will watch out for them from heaven. I dare say you were guarding them last night. Good night my sweetheart." He blew the painting a kiss and then returned to his own dreams.