From Angel's Eyes

Chapter Seventeen

"That was just… I mean… wow." Christine said, walking around Erik's living room with a glass in one hand and a smile on her face. "I can't believe how well it went! And we didn't mess up once. And everyone liked it and it was so much fun!"

Erik watched in amusement from his chair as she chattered like a schoolgirl. Eventually she sank into an armchair lying across it so her head was on one arm and her legs draped across the other. She grinned up at the ceiling. Erik smiled.

"Are you quite done?"

"Yeah."

"Good." She looked over at him and stuck her tongue out.

"Oh, come on. You try and tell me that you've never felt this great!"

"I would, but it would be a lie." Erik admitted. She stretched and swung her legs around so she was sitting straight. Erik smiled at her lazy happiness.

"And I didn't hear you complain once about the costumes. Bravo."

"Stop being so sarcastic." She told him, not sounding like she meant it for a second. Erik lifted his eyebrow as he sipped his wine and then set the glass down.

"And you get to do it all over again for the next six nights."

"I know… ah!" She squealed, jumping up, crossing the room, sinking to her knees and hugging him tightly. "Thank you so much for giving me the part!"

Erik laughed and lifted her face to his.

"You're welcome." He said, kissing her. She smiled, resting against the arm of his chair and looked at him with large brown eyes. Erik had to admit, if there were any part of her that he adored most, it would be her eyes. They captured light and danced and showed everything in her soul and in her heart. So caught up was he, in thinking about her eyes, that he didn't even notice that she'd asked a question and was waiting for a reply.

"I'm sorry?"

"I asked if you were going to go back to doing actual theatre work after this. I know working with a group of immature students can't be very fun for you."

"Perhaps. If the chance comes my way, I'm sure I'll take it." He admitted. Christine smiled.

"Oh, you'd better. You're getting on, you know, Erik. Your youth is fading."

Erik looked at her and she smiled sweetly. He couldn't help smiling back.

"You're very rude, Christine Danes."

"Maybe."

"Definitely." Erik told her, kissing her again. She put her arms around him, drawing herself up to him. He looked down at her and said seriously,

"You were perfect tonight." She smiled happily, pressing her face into his neck.

"Yours is the only opinion I really care about." She admitted. Erik stroked the soft curls of her hair and said quietly,

"You could have chosen Max Hodges. I still don't understand why you didn't. He's closer to your own age; you have a lot in common and…" His voice trailed away.

Christine looked at him, her eyes fixed on his. She shrugged and said in a careless, isn't-it-obvious tone,

"I couldn't have chosen Max."

"Why not?"

"Because. I already love you. And besides, he could never make me sing like you do." She said. Erik smiled.

"Is that why you stay?"

"Yup. And also…" She looked around, as though checking to make sure that no one else was listening and leant in to whisper to him. Erik leant forward, bemused. "Also… I'm not sure I should tell you this, since it'll probably just make you really full of yourself…"

"Why not risk it?" Erik smirked. Christine smiled and whispered conspiratorially,

"Also… you're really hot."

Erik stared at her blankly. She burst into giggles at his reaction and settled back on her knees. But Erik caught her and pulled her back, capturing her mouth in a kiss. There came a knock at the door and Christine settled onto a chair as Erik called,

"Yes?"

The door opened and Nadir's head peered around. He smiled.

"Sorry, I didn't realise you were here, Christine." But she jumped up, ran across the room and hugged him.

"Oh my God, Nadir, did you see it? It was so great! It was so fun and everyone was really good and I didn't screw up!"

"Has she been like this since you left the theatre?" Nadir asked Erik who nodded. Christine hugged Nadir again tightly and Erik cleared his throat. She pulled a face at him.

"You've had plenty of hugs, now its Nadir's turn."

Nadir hugged her quickly and then turned to Erik.

"We've got the theatre from twelve onwards."

"Excellent. Care for some wine?" He gestured towards the open bottle and Nadir poured himself some as he and Christine sat down.

"You really were very good tonight, Christine." Nadir commented with a smile. Christine grinned widely, squeezing Erik's hand.

"Everyone was. Oh, I'm so excited! I can't wait until tomorrow night!"

"Well, you'll have to." Erik told her. She smiled and drank some of her wine. Erik looked at Nadir.

"We're going to have to have more programmes made."

"I put in an order after the show tonight. We can keep some spare if all else fails. Did you all get the flowers?" Nadir said, looking at Christine. She smiled.

"Yes. Whose idea was that?"

"Nadir's." Erik smirked. She smiled at the embarrassed man.

"We all loved them."

"Glad to hear it." Nadir said. He looked at his watch. "Well, I'm going to turn in. Big day tomorrow."

"Goodnight." They said as he drained his wineglass and disappeared.

Erik looked at Christine.

"We should try and get some sleep as well."

"I suppose you're right." Christine replied, finishing her wine. She looked across at Erik and smiled slightly.

"I mean it, Erik. Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome." He said quietly and held out his hand to help her to her feet. She stood and hugged him. He rested his head on her dark curls and then said,

"Bed?"

"Hmm. I'm a little sleepy." She admitted. Erik smirked.

"I'm not surprised. Running around a room shrieking for an hour will do that to a person."

"I was not shrieking. I was simply expressing myself in a cheerful manner." Christine said haughtily. Erik couldn't help laughing at her pride.

"To bed. I'm tired as well."

"And I need to get home fairly early tomorrow. Trister's by himself." Christine said as they went to the door. They began to head up the stairs and Erik asked,

"Christine, may I ask you a question?"

"You may."

"If you had to choose between me and Trister, who would you choose?"

"Trister, of course." She grinned.

"Right. Just checking." He said, amiably.


"The Bridge is crossed! So stand and watch it burn… we're past the point of no return…" Christine and Max sang, Max standing behind her, his hands over hers.

The music played and slowly changed to the tune of All I Ask Of You. Christine had her eyes closed and Max began to sing quietly. She opened her eyes and turned to face him, lifting her hand to touch his cheek.

"Christine! That's all I ask of-"

Right on cue, she pulled off the mask. And then she screamed. Because it wasn't Max and his prosthetic face underneath, it was Erik and he was staring at her in horror, and everyone was screaming and pointing at him and she had done it to him. And he didn't speak a word, but his eyes were boring into hers, saying Why, Christine? Why have you done this to me?

Christine woke with a gasp. She sat up sharply, perspiration on her face, sticking strands of dark hair to her skin. She pushed it back, breathing heavily and jumped as Erik sat up too.

"Christine? What's wrong?"

"Nothing… nothing, it was just a bad dream." She said and she realised that she was shivering. Erik frowned and brushed her hair back to rest his head on her shoulder, his arms slipping around her.

"What was it?"

"I don't remember." She said in a not-very-convincing voice. Erik looked rather cynical and she rubbed her face with one hand.

"I was… I was performing onstage, with Max… we were doing The Point of No Return. And he began to sing All I Ask Of You and I pulled the mask off and… and it wasn't Max underneath." She whispered. Erik kissed her shoulder softly, comfortingly.

"Who was it?" He asked gently.

"…You. It was you." She said, her voice choking. Erik lifted his head to look at her but she couldn't meet his eyes, tears blurring her vision. "Oh God, Erik, and you were looking at me and everyone was screaming and you looked like you hated me and you couldn't understand why I'd do that to you…"

Emotion overcame her and she lifted her hands to her mouth to smother the rising sob. Erik turned her face towards him and pressed a kiss to her cold, damp forehead, holding her tightly.

"Don't cry. It was just a dream." He said quietly, kissing her gently. "You haven't done anything wrong."

"It was so real…" She sobbed.

"Christine… if you had known that it was me, would you ever have taken the mask off?" Erik asked and she shook her head vehemently.

"No!"

"So don't worry about it anymore. It was just a dream." Erik said soothingly. Christine nodded and they lay back down. Erik drifted off quite quickly, but Christine lay awake for some time.


Nadir joined them for breakfast and said,

"Christine, we'll drop you off at home and then we need to get to the theatre to set up for tonight. Is that alright?"

Christine didn't reply. She was picking silently at her toast. Nadir glanced at Erik who reached across and took her hand.

"Christine?"

"Hmm?" She looked up and then blinked. "Oh, sorry."

"I'll go and have the car brought around." Nadir said, rising. Erik waited until he was gone and then looked at Christine.

"Stop thinking about it."

"I can't help it." Christine mumbled. She dropped her toast into her plate and looked at him. "You think I'm being stupid."

"No. You're just… upset. It's understandable."

"No, I'm being stupid. I know it as well." Christine said frankly. She sighed and shook her head. "OK. I'm going to just forget about it. I need to get into show mode."

Erik smiled.

"That's a good attitude."

"I do my best. OK, I'm going to go home, walk Trister, relax for a bit and then get to the theatre and make it even better than last night!" She said firmly.

"And perhaps you'll even manage to stop squealing afterwards."

"Let's not push it." She smiled.


Trister was sleeping on the sofa when she got back. Despite many attempts to train him not to jump on the furniture, he'd remained stubbornly disobedient. Christine wasn't that bothered though. He leapt off and went to greet her as she came in. She dropped to her knees and he rubbed his head against her.

"Hey Trister. Aw, I've been neglecting you, haven't I?"

There was a beep and she realised that there was a message on the answer phone. She played it.

"Hello Christine, its Trisha. Just wanted to hear how the opening night went! Call me back."

Christine let Trister into the back garden as she dialled.

"Hello?" Trisha answered.

"It's Christine."

"Oh, hi! How did it go?" Trisha said cheerfully. Christine smiled.

"It was fantastic! Everyone was perfect and we didn't mess up at all. Everyone loved it."

"Oh, I just can't wait to see it! The girls are excited too. I called last night, that's when I left the message, but I suppose you were out celebrating?" Trisha teased. Christine lifted her eyebrows.

"Something like that. Anyway, I've got your tickets. Great seats, quite near the front."

"Wonderful. We'll drive over on the Friday. What time to you have to get to the theatre?"

"I have to be there at four but it starts at seven. Hey, do you remember Mark Austin?"

"I think so… wasn't he in the orchestra at your parent's theatre?"

"That's the guy. He's our conductor."

"You're joking? What a small world!" Trisha said.

Christine laughed and looked at her watch.

"Trisha, I've got to go. Trister hasn't been walked, I only just got in."

"Where on earth have you been?" Oops. She hadn't meant to say that. Christine winced.

"I was… with a friend."

"A… male friend?" Trisha asked innocently. Christine could have kicked herself.

"Well… yes."

"Oh really? Who is it? Someone in the show?"

"Hmm. It's, um… It's Erik Destler."

Silence. Christine wondered if her aunt had passed out and silently apologised to Melanie and Kelly for leaving them motherless. Then Trisha said,

"Oh… well… he was very nice."

"He is. We've been going out for a few weeks now. Are you going to give me a lecture?" Christine asked. Trisha laughed slightly.

"No, dear, I won't inflict that on you. I trust you to make your own decisions."

"Thanks Trisha. OK, the dog looks like he's going to explode. I'd better talk him."

"OK, sweetie. I'll see you on Friday."


Erik stood in the theatre and called to a stagehand to move a prop slightly to the left. Attention to detail was vitally important. He had picked that up a long time ago and it hadn't failed him yet,

"Erik Destler?"

He turned and was confronted by a man in an expensive looking suit and an American accent. He shook Erik's hand.

"Phil Connelly. The New York Opera House."

"Of course." Erik said. Phil smiled.

"I saw the performance last night. I'm highly impressed. You've done some astounding work here."

"I can't take all of the credit. I wasn't the one performing."

"No, but to take a group of university students and put on a show like that… well, I was astounded Mr Destler."

Erik nodded and said calmly,

"I don't mean to be rude, but I've got a lot to do before tonight's performance."

"Of course, I'll be brief. It's very simple really. We want you."

"I'm sorry?" Erik frowned. Phil grinned.

"The Opera House wants you to produce their next show. Someone mentioned your name and they sent me to watch the show and tell them what I thought. There's no doubt about it, you're a genius. We want you."

Erik stared at him. This was… he blinked.

"What show?"

"It's an original one; I've got a copy of the score here. I reckon you can interpret it and work your magic with it. The only problem is, I need your answer ASAP." Phil said, "Tonight if possible. All expenses covered, we'll get you a place to live in New York."

"How long?"

"Six months planning and rehearsal time. Another three running the show itself. If you say yes, we'll fly you out straight away. Well, Friday night. I spoke to the folks in New York and they agreed that if you wanted to stay to the end of this show running, you can."

Erik couldn't believe what he was hearing. He looked at Phil and then said,

"I'm going to have to think about this. It's a big decision."

"I know. Here, take the score and here's the number of the hotel I'm staying at. I'm in town until Friday, I'll personally be flying you out if you agree. We'll have a contract drawn up and you can sign in New York. If we meet your standards of course." He winked. Erik took the card and the book.

"I'll let you know as soon as possible." He told Phil who smiled and nodded.

"You do that. And congratulations again on the show."

"Thank you." Erik said, somewhat dazedly. Phil shook his hand again and left.

Erik went to the office and sat down with the score. He flicked through, his curiosity and excitement peaking. This was it. This was his chance to return to the world of theatre and opera. Everything he had wanted was at his feet. All he had to do was dial the number and say yes.

But obviously, it wasn't that easy. It wasn't as if he cared about the house and his business here. That all meant very little to him, if anything it was simply something to keep him busy. No, there was only one thing of any importance in England. And that was Christine. How could he just leave her here to pursue a dream?

But… just last night she had said to him that he should take any chances that came his way. Erik considered the situation and then pushed everything to one side as Nadir came in, looking flustered.

"Four fuses just went in the chandelier and one of the back screens has fallen over."

"Very well. I'm coming." Erik said, pushing the score and card into his case.


That night, once again, Christine stood before the audience in her gala dress, smiling beautifully as she sang Think of Me. Tom's part came and as the attention of the audience turned to him, Christine risked a quick glance towards the sound box, where Erik was sitting. His eyes were fixed on her and her smile widened slightly as she began the final verse.

There was only one moment where things almost went wrong, and that was during All I Ask Of You, when one of the statues that Max was hiding behind almost got knocked off of it's pedestal. Luckily Max managed to catch it and straighten it before anyone noticed, but Christine saw him go incredibly pale at the thought of sending one of the props crashing to the floor whilst she and Tom were serenading each other.

Other than that, the evening was a complete success. Once the curtains were drawn, she turned to Max and Tom and said happily,

"That was awesome, guys!"

"I know, we rock!" Tom said excitedly. Christine hugged both Tom and Max and then stretched her arms above her head, smiling satisfactorily.

"Well, I'm going to go home and sleep. I was so excited last night, I hardly slept at all."

"See you tomorrow, Christine." Max smiled.

Erik was waiting in the hallway for her. She smiled at him.

"Well, maestro?"

"Perfect. I wouldn't expect anything less from you." He told her, with a kiss. She smiled and said,

"Well, I'm going home because I'm knackered. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Indeed." He said. Christine smiled and kissed him. And then she paused.

"I know I said this about a thousand times last night, but thank you. We couldn't have done it without you." She said solemnly. Erik examined her serious expression and then nodded. She smiled.

"Tomorrow." She said, kissing him again before she left.


When Erik got back to his house, he went to the living room and pulled out the card in his case. After looking at it for a moment, he picked up the phone.

"Hello?" Said the American accent of Phil Connelly.

"It's Erik Destler."

"Good evening, Mr Destler." He said, perking up immediately. "Come to a decision?"

"Yes, I have." Erik said and then hesitated. "…I'll do it. I'll go to New York."


The next morning, at the theatre, Nadir knew something was wrong. Erik had been staring at a prop for fourteen minutes and still hadn't done or said anything. He tapped his employer on the shoulder.

"What is bothering you, Erik?"

"Nothing." Erik said sharply. Nadir looked sceptical and Erik sighed. He already knew it was no good to deny it. He took Nadir into the office and sat down opposite him.

"Yesterday I was approached by someone from the New York Opera House. They want me to produce their next show."

"Really? Well, that's excellent! It's your chance to break back into the business." Nadir said enthusiastically. Erik nodded slowly.

"Nine months. They want me to stay in New York for nine months."

Nadir stared at him as realisation dawned. He asked quietly,

"When do they want you to leave?"

"Friday night. After the show."

"Good God… what are you going to say?"

Erik lifted his eyes to meet Nadir's and he realised the answer.

"You've already said yes?"

"Last night. I want you to sort out the house. Obviously I'll need it when I come back, but you can stay there. Unless you want to come to New York."

"It will take me some time to sort things out here, but I'll fly out when I've finished." Nadir agreed. And then he touched the more sensitive issues.

"What does Christine have to say about all of this?"

Erik didn't reply. Nadir stared at him.

"You haven't told her? Erik, what are you thinking?"

"I will. But… not yet. She needs to concentrate on the show."

"And when do you plan to tell her?" Nadir demanded. Erik slammed his hands on the desk.

"I don't know, Nadir! I've barely had it to think about it! But don't say a word to her about this. Not yet."

"I won't." Nadir said quietly. He was not happy about this. He had become very fond of Christine and the idea that she could get hurt did not appeal to him in the least. But it was not his place to interfere.

Nadir sighed and stood.

"I'm going to do sound checks."

"Go ahead." Erik said tiredly. As Nadir left the office, he prayed that Erik knew what he was doing.


When Christine got the theatre, it was just before four. Tom and Max were already in their dressing room, so she simply called hello and went to the dressing room. Rebecca was there, pulling on her Carlotta outfit. Christine smiled briefly before reaching for her own outfit. Once dressed she put on her own make-up whilst June applied the lavish colours to Rebecca's face. Kirstie and Tracy arrived together, dressing quickly after being scolded by June.

"Nervous?" Kirstie asked Christine, who shook her head.

"No. We've done it twice now. I don't need to be nervous."

"Really?" Tracy asked. Christine grinned helplessly.

"No, I'm lying. I'm terrified."

There was a knock at the door and Max looked in, fully dressed with his mask.

"Christine, warm up is in five."

"OK." Christine smiled and then Max grinned.

"Oh, and I've got something for you."

He handed her several enormous bouquets of flowers. Christine stared at them.

"What the…?"

"From people who saw the last two performances. One girl sent Tom a lovely pair of silk boxers." Max smirked. Christine laughed and put the flowers on her chair. There were also several wrapped boxes for her.

"Ooh, presents!" She said happily. Kirstie and Tracy joined in opening them with her, Max watching curiously. Chocolates, stuffed toys and other gifts tumbled out, with letters and cards of congratulations.

"I can't believe people actually bothered to send all this stuff." Christine said, looking at a packet of luxury bubble bath mixes.

There was a shriek and they looked at Kirstie who was laughing hysterically, staring down at the contents of a box.

"What is it?" Christine asked. Tracy looked in the box and gasped, slamming the lid on it.

"Oh my god!"

"What?" Max asked curiously. Kirstie laughed,

"You know how someone sent Tom boxers?"

Christine stared at her in horror.

"You're joking?"

"I'm not!" Tracy passed the box and Max snorted in delight.

"Fantastic!" He grinned.

"That is disgusting! Who the hell would send me something like that?" Christine said, picking up the scarlet lingerie.

"And how did they know your size?" Tracy grinned. Christine pulled a face, dropping it back into the box.

"Oh, that's horrible!"

"I don't think it's that bad." Max grinned. Christine glared at him.

"OK, this doesn't leave this room!"

"Oh, I'm sure there are a few people who'd like to know about this." Max grinned wickedly. Christine looked at him warningly.

"Max…"

"I say we show it around!" He said cheerfully, picking up the box. Christine darted towards him.

"Don't you dare!"

"Where's Mr Destler?" Max smirked and Christine shrieked as he darted from the room. She ran after him, Kirstie and Tracy following curiously.

Christine chased Max, both of them screaming and shouting all the way up to the small studio, where Erik, Nadir and Tom were all waiting. Before Max could show it to them, however, Christine jumped on his back. He spun around with a shout and fell face forwards, Christine pinning him to the floor.

"What the hell are you doing?" Tom said. Christine glared down at Max.

"I warned you, Hodges!"

"OK, I'm sorry!" Max shouted as Christine twisted his arm back. Suddenly they both became very conscious of that fact that Erik, Nadir, Tom, Kirstie and Tracy were staring at them. Christine looked down at Max and then said,

"I'll get you later for this."

"OK, OK… just get off me!" Max said.

Christine climbed off and looked around for the box. It was lying on the floor but before she could get to it, Nadir had picked it up.

"What's this?"

"No!" Max and Christine cried in unison. But Nadir had already lifted the lid of the box. He went very red, very much the same colour as the lingerie inside, and quickly closed the lid.

"Oh… my." He said weakly

"I'll just get rid of that. Someone sent it to me." Christine mumbled, taking the box. She glared at Max.

"This is all your fault!"

"I didn't send it to you." Max pointed out.

"It's still your fault!"

"Could we warm up, please? Erik reminded them. Christine, Max and Tom gathered around to warm up. Nadir took the box from Christine.

"I'll just dispose of this somewhere."

"Thank you." Christine said, throwing another glare at Max.


The first half went perfectly. It was almost ritualistic now and Christine found that instead of being nervous when she confronted the audience she simply fell into character. She wasn't Christine Danes in The Phantom of the Opera; she was Christine Daae in Hannibal. She was singing to the adoring audiences of Paris, France.

The second half began with Masquerade. Christine always enjoyed hearing the intake of breath as Max appeared in his Red Death outfit. It went well and as Christine made her way to the entrance hall afterwards, she heard several comments from the audience.

"They were all so good."

"You'd think they were pros. Especially Christine."

"I actually cried! The guy playing the Phantom was fantastic!"

"I know, especially in the last song when Christine kissed him."

She smiled to herself, making her way towards the doors. Erik was stood outside in the cool night air, his eyes closed. Christine looked at him and couldn't help smiling slightly. He looked so peaceful. After a few moments he opened his eyes and saw her. A slow smile crossed his face. She crossed to him.

"Your verdict, sir?"

"Excellent, as always." He said calmly. There was a pause and just as Erik was about to speak, Christine yawned unexpectedly. She covered her mouth, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry. I'm pretty tired. You were about to say something?"

"No… no, go on home. Get plenty of sleep. I'll see you tomorrow." He said and kissed her softly. She hugged him gently.

"Goodnight, Erik."

"Goodnight, Christine." He replied as she slipped out of his arms and crossed the car park to her car. He watched as she pulled away and then rubbed his unmasked temple in despair.

Erik was torn. For the first time in his life, he was completely at a loss of what to do. Usually, if he was troubled, he turned to Nadir. But Nadir could not help him now. No one could.

At this moment in time, faced with this particular predicament, he was lost. He knew what he should do. He should just tell her. The fact that he had already hidden it for three days would hurt her. But how would she take it? Erik supposed she'd either be over the moon, delighted for him and insist that he takes this opportunity. Or she'd be furious, beg him to stay and he'd lost his chance to work at one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. He wouldn't be able to refuse her if she asked him to stay.

That was his choice. Christine or his career. And which mattered more to him? Yes, he loved Christine and would do anything for her. She had touched his face, kissed it, accepted it. But he had only known her for a matter of weeks. He had spent years building up his career and this could be his only chance to revive it. And he'd already agreed to go to New York.

It was settled as far as that. On Friday night, after the final curtain fall, he would leave for the airport. There would be not turning back once he'd left the theatre. Either with Christine or without her. He wanted to go. He couldn't deny that. But he didn't want to leave Christine. He was a petulant child, begging for more. But he couldn't have both.

This was the choice. This was his Point of No Return.


Wednesday's performance passed and they reached Thursday. Erik stood in the theatre, considering the stage.

"You still haven't told her, have you?" Nadir said quietly, behind him. Erik turned to look at him tiredly. Nadir closed his eyes with a groan.

"Erik, you leave tomorrow night! When are you going to tell her?" He demanded. Erik ran a hand through his hair.

"I don't know." He admitted.

"The longer you stay, the harder it'll get." Nadir warned. Erik looked at him furiously.

"Harder? Nadir, it can't get any harder! What exactly do you suggest I tell her?"

"The truth, Erik. That's what she deserves." Nadir said quietly, moving past him to go to the sound box. Erik stared after him for a moment and then turned away.


Christine sat in the make-up chair during the interval, thinking anxiously. She was worried about Erik. He had barely spoken to her since yesterday, had avoided looking at her all through the warm ups and hadn't even wished her good luck for the show, something he'd done every night without failure.

"Christine, in your place please!" Nadir called, rushing down the hallway to fetch Tom and Max. Christine hurried backstage, joined a moment later by Tom.

"You OK?" He asked her, "You seem a little down tonight."

"I'm fine. It's sort of just sinking in that we're almost finished." She said. Tom nodded.

"I know. It's frightening."

"Quiet please, microphones are going on." A technician called. Christine and Tom settled down as the orchestra struck up again.


After the curtain went down, Christine looked around for Erik. She pushed her way through the crowd and down the hallway, nodding at people who congratulated her. She went into the entrance hall and looked around, realising for the first time that she was still in her costumer. Several people went to talk to her and she smiled, her eyes still searching for Erik. A moment later, she spotted Nadir and made her way to him.

"Nadir, have you seen Erik?" She asked. He blinked and then said,

"Oh… he's… I think he left already. He has an early start tomorrow."

"Oh… OK." Christine said, somewhat disappointed. Nadir looked like he was going to leave but she caught his arm.

"Nadir, have I done something wrong?" She blurted out. He stared at her.

"Why would you think that?"

"I don't know… I just feel like Erik's… never mind. I'm probably just imagining it." She said reluctantly. "I'll see you tomorrow."

As she went back through the crowd to the dressing rooms, Nadir muttered some rather rude things about Erik under his breath before turning to leave.

A/N: Bet you all hate me right now. Well, as long as you review, I think I can live with that! I told you, I can't let them be happy for too long at a time. It's just unnatural! As for the whole lingerie thing… not sure where that came from. I just felt we needed a bit of comedy in there!

A note about the New York Opera House. I don't know if there is one. I've never even been to America! So if there isn't one, there is now and it belongs to me! Mwahaha! If there is one, I'm borrowing it. Hee hee.

OK, chapter 18 is ready to be psoted. Chapter 19 is still being written. Yup, you've finally caught up with me! And I suspect that the story will be drawing to a close on Chapter 20. As I mentioned in 'Cold, Cold Heart' I have a strange obsession with making my stories end on round numbers.

Lotsa luv 'n' huggles

Katie