(a/n) Hey guys, I know it's been a while, but here is at least one reason for my delay. My art muse attacked my writing muse, and held it hostage until I drew something.If you are interested it is up onDeviantart under the name DreamsofBeautyI love all my reviewers oodles, but I am too tired to respond to you all now. I could have waited, but I figured you would rather have the chapter. I adore you guys!
So the half mask won hands down. I am rather glad, because I really had given him too many expressions to cover him up now.
Enjoy(a/n)
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Christine
The paper seemed to grow blurry before my vision, and for one minute I felt at a total loss. Then, throwing the paper down, I rushed out of the house in pursuit of Erik. But as soon as I turned the way I had seen him go, I realized I didn't know where he was headed. Frantically, my mind flew from one possibility to another, until finally I settled on the only place I could think of: the de Chagny town house. I had been there just once, and I believed I could find my way there again; I hadn't thought Erik knew where it was, but this was my best option.
I briskly walked through the streets, blindly brushing past people, my thoughts in a whirl. What could Erik be thinking? Was he going to find Raoul? Suddenly I felt extremely guilty, once again Raoul would be embroiled in my affairs. I knew I should have told Erik about Belle already. I knew it, and yet I hadn't wanted to destroy the tenuous balance of our relationship. Well, now I had made things even worse. I was a grown woman; I should never have indulged in such games of make-believe!
Suddenly, I realized I had turned down a wrong street in my hurry, and muttering unladylike words under my breath, I turned back. I had to concentrate! Finally I reached the house, but as I stared up at its intimidating façade I was unsure of how to proceed. The house was lighted, but I could see no signs of the kind of altercation Erik excelled at.
As I stood there in my indecision, I heard raised voices emanating from the house—male voices. Summoning my courage, I mounted the stairs and knocked loudly, and when after few minutes, maybe just seconds, there was no answer, I recklessly opened the door, and almost immediately I came across a limp form in the hall way, probably the butler. I dropped to my knees before him, hastily grabbing his wrist, and felt for his pulse. Feeling a steady throb, I breathed a sigh of relief; he wasn't dead, just unconscious.
Hearing raised voices again; I raised my head, and noticed a young maid standing back up against the wall. She appeared petrified.
"Where are they?" I asked abruptly.
She stood there mutely, and with an impatient sigh, I walked over to the nearest door and put my hand on the knob.
"You can't go in there!" she burst out.
"Don't worry I know this man," I told her, "Oh, and it would be better for you if you left the hall."
With that, I flung the door open, and drew in a shocked breath. Raoul and Erik I had expected, but what in the world was Max doing here?
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Erik
I leisurely leafed through the paper, trying to get a hold of Paris' current political situation. The damned city was just so volatile. Having read through all the articles of substance, I reflected that I had no desire to emerge into a flurry of cleaning females, so I decided to look over the society announcements. My eyes scanned the words carelessly, and I was about to close the paper when I saw de Chagny's name. Immediately my customary feeling of anger and resentment reared its head, and only increased as I read the words. The boy, who had discarded Christine, was now getting himself a fine aristocratic mare to breed with.
Fury clouded my mind as I dwelled on the sins of that scurrilous blackguard. I had given Christine over into his care, believing him to be an honorable young man that truly loved her. And this, this had been the result! My misjudgment and his perfidy were responsible fore everything she had had to endure! I reflexively clenched my fists, crushing the paper within my grasp. Shoving the chair back, I rose and strode out of the house. His crimes would not go unnoticed!
I knew the way to his house, had been there before. I still bore the scar from my last visit, when that boy had tried to shoot me in the back. I gritted my teeth, I should have known then he had no honor!
I continued to reflect on the evils the Vicomte had brought down upon Christine, replaying everything I knew over and over again in my mind. By the time I reached his street, I was a seething mass of hatred. I did not even have to search him out; he walked right out his house, directly into my waiting hands. Damn him! He was just as sickeningly handsome as ever. I viewed the fear and surprise on his face with relish, taking it for guilt, and before he could retreat I was upon him, my hands about his throat. But I did not kill him, was not even sure what I planned to do, instead I dragged him back into his own house.
I had just pulled him through the door, when I came smack up against a man I took to the butler. I had no patience for this! Removing one hand from Raoul, I delivered the hardest punch I could under the circumstance, but it worked only too well, and I heard the man crash back against the hall table. I dragged the boy into the nearest room and, placing myself between him and the door, thrust him into the middle of the room.
"I wonder," I said silkily, "If you can give me a reason I should allow you to continue your pitiful existence?"
"What! What have I done?" he cried, bewilderment in his voice.
"It may seem like nothing to you," I growled, "But, trust me, I think it very serious."
"What? What!" he demanded, a little wildly.
"Don't play innocent with me boy, did you think you just throw her aside like used goods?"
"Who are you talking about?" he asked, his voice frustrated.
"Christine," I spat out.
"What the deuce? Christine returned to you! She left me the very next day."
For a minute I was stunned. Could it possibly be true? But no, I could no more believe that than believe I resembled Adonis himself. This was a foolish ploy to try and save his life.
"You lie," I stated implacably, my voice low, "Don't think you can escape your actions."
"By God, release this man!" declared a new voice behind me. I whirled to see a gentleman of dissipated looks, a weary determined expression upon his face.
I stepped back, still careful to watch Raoul out of one corner of my eye. The interloper entered, closed the door behind him, and stepped to the side—the better to see the both of us I suppose.
"Why, my dear sir, are you interfering in what is none of your concern? I suggest you leave now." I told him, my voice dangerously soft.
"I saw a man nearly strangled on the street. As a gentleman I could not simply pass by," he said, in a tight voice.
"Monsieur, I repeat, this is none of your concern. It will better for you if you leave now."
"Or what? Shall you kill me?" he demanded.
Before I could answer the door opened and there stood Christine, still dressed in cleaning clothes, her hair tied up in a handkerchief. She accepted the presence of Raoul and I fairly calmly, but at the sight of the interloper her eyes filled with shock.
"Welcome my dear," I said, "Perhaps you can clear up some of this mess, and persuade this fine gentleman to leave."
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Max
I had been lurking around the house all morning now, and had already seen the man embark on one harmless expedition. But this was different, I was stunned by the expression of fury contorting the half of his face I could see. I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I immediately emerged from the shadows of the tree I had been lounging behind, determined to follow him. His pace was rapid, and I was hard pressed to keep him in my sight. Once I thought I lost him, but I quickened my steps and he came back into view. As we traversed the streets, I soon noticed that we had entered the most affluent part of town. I frowned. Where exactly was he going?
I was answered sooner than I expected, I had vaguely noticed a young man exit a house, but my attention was caught by the look of surprise and fear that crossed his features. Everyone was a little afraid of the masked man, but this young man's reaction was extreme. Almost immediately my man strode up to the other, grabbing him by the throat. I started forward. I could not let this happen to some other innocent young man! The mask practically dragged his victim back into the house that he had come from. Quickly, I determined that I too would enter the house and save this young man if I could. Surely this incident proved to me that this was just the man I had been looking for!
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Christine
"Max! Why are you here!" I exclaimed.
To my surprise he answered me in a cold, stiff voice, "I might ask the same of you Madame." I saw then that he looked and acted utterly unlike the charming Max of old, and I wondered only briefly what had changed him, before his brother's death sprang to mind. I felt a pang of remorse for Max, but I was not sorry Reggie was dead.
I realized then just how dangerous this situation was, and I was almost sick at the thought. Did he know that Erik was his brother's killer? I dared not think it!
Drawing on my inner resources I managed to reply in a calm voice, "I happen to know both these gentlemen very well. Can you say the same?"
At the same time Raoul exclaimed, "Madame?" the question clear in his voice.
Erik quickly asserted, "Madame Elise Carpentier, Vicomte; yes, she has been married since you last saw her."
I saw Raoul's look of surprise, but knew he would not give me away, and then to my surprise he promptly collapsed upon a sofa, with the air of one who has given up. It was an action totally unlike the old Raoul, he would have stood there stiffly like a bewildered bull terrier.
Max then replied to me, "I know neither of these gentlemen, but I saw the one," he gestured toward Erik, "take hold of the other's throat in the street, and I hastened to the rescue."
"I thank you for your concern Max," I said, "But I believe neither gentleman shall be hurt while I am here."
He eyed Erik suspiciously, "I cannot be sure of that," he told me, "What could you do to prevent it?"
"Max, this is not your concern, I can hardly divulge all my private affairs to you, go lurk outside the house if you please, but leave this property at once," I replied sharply, the annoyance seeping into my voice.
"Oh, go on man, you need not worry, this lady has saved my life once, and I will trust her with it again." Raoul inserted, and once again I sent a surprised glance his way. He had indeed matured.
Max reluctantly gave a shallow bow, and left the room. I breathed a visible sigh of relief.
"Now," requested Erik coldly, "Please inform this young villain of his sins."
"But Erik, I cannot, you see . . ." I exclaimed, but got no further.
"What? Do you defend him? Do you love him even now after he abandoned you?"
"Do you Christine?" Raoul asked, half flippantly, half seriously, and I felt an urge for hysterical laughter. Was he trying to sign his death warrant?
My eye saw Erik's quick movement, and in fear I blurted out, "Erik, Raoul is not Belle's father!"
Erik's hand fell to his side, and thought I saw shock and hurt briefly flash in his eyes before he shuttered his expression, responding with a terse, "Indeed."
"No," I said, my voice low.
"Then I must ask you Madame, if this gentleman has ever caused you any harm?"
"None at all," I said.
"I hope, I very much hope you are not lying to me. You do realize you will be required to concoct a suitable explanation."
"I hardly need to concoct anything Erik, since I have one readymade at my fingertips," I retorted, stung by his attitude.
"Indeed," Erik said again, and I felt unaccountably irritated by that one word. "We will now take our leave of you Vicomte, I apologize for the inconvenience."
"Yes, I am terribly sorry Raoul," I told him.
By now he was up, and he approached me with a wary smile, "You must talk to me soon Christine, you seem to have . . . done much since I last saw you."
I sighed, "Perhaps I will," I replied, sending a glance Erik's way but deciding to ignore his forbidding profile. At this moment he probably did not care what I did with myself.
"Goodbye," I said, and regally preceded Erik out of the room.
Once on the street Erik offered me his arm, and I stiffly took it.
"I must inform you that you look positively ridiculous Christine," he told me in biting accents, "You still have a kerchief tied up on your head."
Consternation flooded though me, obviously any attempt I had been making to look dignified had been a complete sham. But the other two gentlemen had been too polite to question me on my appearance. However, I did not betray my dismay to Erik, merely replying, "I am walking with a man in a mask, I hardly think my kerchief will be noted."
After that a frigid silence reigned for the rest of the journey home.
Once we entered the house, Belle almost immediately emerged, and ran up to me.
"Why mother, have you been out? And wearing a kerchief?" she gave a giggle.
I forced my features to relax into a smile, "Yes, and very careless it was of me too. Now where is your aunt? Will you fetch her and tell to come to the parlor?"
"Yes mother," Belle answered, and skipped off to do my bidding.
"I will be right back," I informed Erik, "If you will await me in the parlor."
"Certainly," he replied, turning and leaving.
I sighed wearily, at the very least I would be dressed for this encounter. I needed better clothing than this to boost my spirits.
When I returned down stairs some minutes later, I walked up to the parlor and, mentally marshalling my forces, entered the room. Antoinette and Erik were inside, she was sitting calmly on a divan, but he was leaning forward against the wall, his back to me and one hand supporting his form.
"Antoinette," I said, "I think Erik and I need some time alone, and we must be assured that there are no interruptions. Will you take Belle out to the park, or on some errands?"
"That sounds like an excellent idea to me," Antoinette replied, and as she left, she patted me on the cheek, saying softly, "Be brave."
If only I could! I thought. I glanced over at Erik. He had turned to face me, and his expression was grave, but he did not look as angry as he had earlier. For that I was thankful. Erik was so unpredictable, and I could not tell how he might react, but I at least I would not start this interview with his anger intact.
I took a seat on the divan, but did not ask Erik to sit; I doubted he would, and I was not sure I wanted him so close. We both listened quietly for some time to the sounds of Antoinette and Belle leaving the house.
All too soon a foreboding silence descended and I knew it was time for me to start my tale.
Clearing my throat I started to speak, avoiding Erik's gaze, this first part was actually one of the hardest! "When . . . when you told me leave that night," I began, and we both knew which night I was speaking of, "I was confused, I was tired, Raoul was pulling at me, you were shouting at me, otherwise . . ." I faltered, and I could feel his gaze boring into me, "otherwise I would never have left," I could hear his breathing quicken, but I continued hastily, "In fact I tried to go back as soon as the boat reached the other shore, but Raoul soon showed me how useless such an action would be. The very next day I left and returned to your house, but you were already gone."
I then dared to look up at him and surprised a look of despair on his face. Oh God it hurt!
"Christine . . ." he said, his voice husky, "Why . . ."
I put up a hand, "Erik let me finish, or I am afraid I will never do so." He gave his assent with silence.
"I then lived in your home. I am afraid I was quite the trespasser; I stole your money, and used your house."
"As if I cared," I heard him mutter fiercely, but I continued.
"I . . .had to go up to the surface a couple times, and the second time I was, well, accosted by a robber. He took my money and got me with child." I related baldly.
"Christine!" I heard him exclaim, his voice almost tortured, then he walked over to me and dropped on his knees before me, taking my hands, "Oh God, how you have suffered!"
I averted my gaze from him, tears in my eyes, "Let me finish," I begged in a choked voice. I could hardly bear the concerned expression of his eyes, but I went on.
"I discovered I was with child while still at your house, it was then I sought out Madame Giry. She was my angel, and took care of me all through the birthing and afterwards. But . . . but we needed money desperately, and eventually I met a very nice gentleman. He offered me support, a home, passage to England, and, most importantly, a way out of the poverty I could see looming over my daughter and I. So I took the offer; oh Erik I could see no other way! After that I engaged in several similar liaisons and well . . I have done many things since then I am not proud of."
Erik's grasp on my hands tightened, and he exclaimed, "Do you think I care?" surprising me with the vehemence in his voice. "Oh Christine, have I not done much worse than you? You did what you needed to survive, while I have killed for no reason at all! Much of this I had already guessed, I just named the wrong man." His gaze darkened, "If I could lay hands on him . . ." But then his eyes softened once more as he looked at me, and he rose to sit next to me, attempting to pull me into his arms.
But I shoved him away violently.
"I don't want your pity Erik!"
"You accuse me of pity! Think who you speak to! I, who has known nothing but pity and hate? Christine I cannot believe you would say that! God, I feel sorry for what you have gone through. Even now I despair for what could have been! Oh Christine even as you were living in my home, for two days I lay in a tunnel leading from my house. If only I had returned! Yes I feel despair! I also feel awe that you have endured so much with such strength, but mostly, mostly I feel love for the beautiful, strong, and vibrant woman who even now resists my touch. No! Do not accuse me of pity!"
With that he roughly dragged me into his arms, and I was glad to finally be there, truly in the sanctuary of his arms with no lies between us. Feeling his strong arms about me was blissful, and my body relaxed as I lay there. However, I still choked back my sobs determinedly.
"Cry, cry Christine," Erik urged me softly, "You need to."
I felt the tears of a lifetime burgeon up in me, and clinging to him I finally allowed them to spill over, my body shaking violently with the force of my sobs.
(a/n) Well then there ya go. Review! (a/n)
