Chapter 13 Into Madness

Christine had confidence in Raoul. He loved her. He would accept her-- condition. She was sure of this. She had not yet confessed to him however, hoping to be forgiven and collected again by her Phantom. As the days went by she lost hope. She had been weak and lost him. She begged Meg and Antoinette to talk to him, but Mme had decided in her heart that this was what was best and warned Meg to not approach him. She did not believe Raoul would accept the situation…but did not tell Christine her thoughts. She remembered herself in a very similar situation years before with Meg. She would take care of Christine she thought. They needed no men.

She had found him, after the masquerade, singing gently of his love. Respecting his privacy, but feeling the need to warn him of Raoul, she whispered across the water after he had finished. "Erik"

He had pulled the lever dramatically and trod back to his table where a bottle of champagne awaited. " Come…please," he motioned to the bottle. She noticed the extra glass on the table. He saw her glance. " This was to be a celebration tonight, yes."

She sighed sitting down. "Christine will be guarded again," she said.

"That hardly matters. She made her choice."

"I had not known she still had one," she said, eyebrows raised, "you will abandon her then?"

He frowned at her. "When the Opera is done-- I will leave. The plans are already in motion, I have my travel plans made--I have already shipped my collection of music to a house in Germany. I will wire an offer of an extremelylarge sum of money to the surgeons tomorrow. I would like it done quickly." He looked at her, angerclouding his eyes, "maybe there will be someone who can accept me-- once I am 'presentable'. I want to leave for America as quickly as I can and forget this life."

"You must leave sooner," she said, picking up the glass he had poured her. "Raoul is going to the authorities. He has some power, Erik. They will respect his position."

" I will never own this work and it is my best so far. I have worked on it off and on for years-- you know that. I cannot leave until it is done."

" I know why you cannot leave," she said, even if you don't. But you have made your choice as well it seems. We will care for her, Meg and I. You will stay in contact with me whatever happens," she said firmly. "Perhaps you may come back someday to collect what is yours." She said this implying the opera, but they both knew what she truly meant.

"You must warn them away from the lair Mme," I want no more blood on my hands." His anger was dissipating with the wine and the calming presence of his only friend.

"I will do my best. I will inform you of any plans they make. I think they fear you too much to blunder down here. Raoul also seems to understand Christine's feelings for you, he will not attempt to harm you while he is betrothed to her. He makes himself believe he fears for her safety, but what he fears is her feelings towards you. He knows nothing still, she will not tell him of the child until the night of the performance-- after she is a 'star'. I am sure of it." There was nothing else she could do or say now so she left. He knew she was right and quietly started to sketch some set designs.

Raoul had taken up guard in front of Christine's room again, as the operahouse swung back into full operation. The easily spooked had left, those remaining uneasy, but happy to partake in the amazing work presented. Rehearsals were long and grueling as Erik had presented an impossible deadline. He wanted it done before she started to show, and before they could organize enough to take him. He haunted every secret pathway of the building overseeing the production and keeping abreast of any organized attempt against him.Don Juan Triumphantcame along extraordinarily, all complying with the respect and hard work he demanded-- and received.

The morning before the performance saw his opportunity. The graveyard. He was simply planning to abduct her from the stage, something easily done, as the expert stage hands had placed his carefully thought out set design exactly to the measurements he required. He had known from her prayers she wished for his return desperately but he would not allow himself to contact her. He could not allow her to have second thoughts. This was what was best for her. But-- even if it went as smoothly as possible, he knew there would be great destruction to the opera house.He also did not want to take chances injuring her. The net he had prepared would protect them physically, but he was not sure about the shock--and the baby.He had been searching for any other way. He knew she would visit her fathers grave before her performance. He felt this was his only true power over her still--his connection to her father. Although she knew he was no ethereal being, he knew shestill believedher father had sent him to her, nonetheless. It was not honest or fair he thought, but it was what must happen.

He knew he would not have much time before Raoul pursued them, therefore he made haste. Seeing her there cold, sadly singing, tore him inside. It had been another reason to avoid her. He could not resist her. It was time now though. He had set up the tomb days before for his 'magic', and picked up the violin he had learned to play expertly,years ago. She was ready. He knew she would come to him now, leave with him tonight, willingly.

Raoul was there. Rage suddenly flooded him once again and he fought him with fury. He came to his senses as he saw blood. His promise to Christine loomed in front of his mind as he calmed…he had promised to not harm Raoul. He would not.

Humiliated in front of her his mind quickly formulated another plan. He had been willing to allow Piangi to absurdedly play the part of Don Juan, but his last bits of sanity drained as he thought of how she had looked at him just now. He would give them an opera tonight to remember him by. She could not resist him, under the spell of his music. He would turn the tables, she would be bait and Raoul would be prey. He would leave alone tonight yes, but he would not allow her to be rejected and humiliated. She would hate him-- but better she hate him than know the pain and rejection the shallow creature would inflict upon her once he knew of her relationship with the 'monster' whose child she would bear.