Chapter 10 Plans

He made his way down to the lair. He would meet with Antoinette later, leave a note in the baskets. The baskets. He was perfectly capable of taking care of himself now, he thought in mild annoyance. He would also include this in the note. His urge was to go straight to the organ, but his feet took him to his bed where he fell exhausted

Mme read this note and shrugged. He may be fine now physically, she thought, but when writing, he needed her aid. She left a note telling him she would bring them down in a few days instead of leaving them at the top of the stairs.

Picking up the note he grumbled and decided to simply go talk with her. The Opera house was quiet, almost empty as the employees had left for unplanned vacations until the next Opera was announced. It was unnecessary to use the back passageways. Some of these were already there when he had first arrived, some he had simply connected together, one way or another. He also knew the activity of the opera house so well as to avoid most contact, and knew how to become 'invisible' when needed. It was another skill he had developed, necessary for survival. He knocked on Mme's door. It was very early, she was there.

"Antoinette," he said, after sitting down with her. Meg wanted me to make contact with Christine. It seems she has not been allowed to speak with you or Meg"

" Of course you did go." Mme raised her eyebrows slightly. She knew him too well. " Could you not have resisted Erik?" She looked at him and sighed. "Of course you could not. Well what is it?"

He did not know how to say it in a civilized manner. " She is with child Mme-- mine." I did not take her in force Mme, you know that-- it happened that first night. It should not have happened, I know. I will see the doctors Mme, whatever it takes…" He sat looking down, his hands folded." I was so afraid of losing her."

Mme felt weak. This child she had vowed to a dying man to protect... It was her fault. She would deal with this situation as she dealt with everyone and everything inside the Operahouse walls. "What of Raoul? He will not understand and simply leave."

"She wants me. Raoul is a friend-- one who has fallen in love with her. She will break off the relationship after some time, saying nothing of our relationship. We shall continue for some time here until it is safe. Then we will leave before she starts to--show. The money I have saved for the doctors-- it is more than enough for us to live on comfortably for a good while. I have been thinking of America for some time. There are good doctors there too Mme, the kind you wish me to see."

"The surgeons are in Germany," she said, and closer. I would like it if you stayed here at least until the baby is born, with me. You have enough money to live comfortably and have the surgeries for years at least, then America yes. You could compose there-- a new man. I would need your absolute promise to seek the psychologists there to heal your inner scars as well. Before we talk further I must speak with her." She stood and threw a shawl over her shoulders. She turned and grasped his arm, something she rarely did as he shied from touch." It will be all right."

He slipped quietly back the way he had come, this time following the secret paths, not for fear of being discovered, but in shame. "What have I done?" he thought, feeling ill at the way Mme had looked when he told her.

Mme reached Christine's room where Raoul was in watch, once again. " This must stop," she thought to herself. She knocked on the door.

"What has happened?" Raoul snapped instantly into awareness.

"I will speak to Christine if I need to" she said, freezing him with her gaze. You are our Patron and we appreciate your concern but you do not own your prize…yet."

" He is a real man Madame, this I know, he said almost shouting." You cannot keep deluding the Christine and the entire opera house about this man that you are protecting. He will harm Christine…"

Christine, hearing the commotion ran to unlock the door. Antoinette looked at him sadly, " you could never understand Monsier." She turned to Christine smiling, but with tears in her eyes, " we must talk, dear girl." She entered the room, then turned to shut and lock the door.