Here's the chapter you've all been waiting for! Actually, it's rather short. It's just meant to tie up a few loose ends before we get into some new plot twists and exciting scenes... The good stuff's not far off! Please just bear with me, keep reading, and review! Oh, and by the way, I do happen to be an E/C shipper. Will this be an E/C fic? Well... I guess you'll just have to keep reading and find out!
XxXxX
Raoul was standing in the kitchen sipping some hot tea when Christine came home. He noticed that she looked rather frazzled.
"You're home early, aren't you?" he asked.
Christine nodded, not meeting his gaze, for fear that her eyes would give away the crime that she had just committed. "We ended lessons early today…"
"Is something wrong?"
"Ah, no! Erik… he… he wasn't feeling well!"
"Is he alright?"
"Oh… I'm sure he will be. He just needs some rest."
Raoul set his cup down and moved over towards Christine. "Darling," he said slowly. "I must admit that I am concerned… You're over there everyday. I hardly see you anymore."
"I know, Cherie," Christine sighed. "I just didn't want to leave him helpless. I promise, when he's learned enough to not need me anymore, we will leave and then we can marry."
Raoul smiled gently, leaned down and kissed her. Christine smiled, but in the back of her mind, a small, taunting voice haunted her, whispering, "It's not the same as Erik…"
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Later that evening, Christine sat on her porch alone, pondering the events of that morning. Why? Why did she do what she did? Why on earth did she kiss Erik? Why, when it was Raoul who she truly loved? Of course Erik was a very special man to her… Her teacher… But why! Why did she feel so… strange? Erik hugged her. How does a hug turn into…?
Christine sighed. How stupid she was! The poor man just wanted a comforting hug. How she led him on! He was going through enough. His whole life has been turned upside-down. The last thing he needed was some street trash like her to go about confusing him!
Christine's thoughts were interrupted by a soft noise…
Tap… Tap… Tap… Tap…
What was that?
Tap… Tap… Tap… Tap…
Whatever it was, it was getting louder. Christine stood up and looked out into the darkness. Erik, using his cane as a guide, was slowly making his way up the walk.
"Erik!" she cried, rushing out to meet him. "What are you doing here? You shouldn't be wandering around in the dark!"
"Is it dark?" he asked, surprised. "I apologize. I thought I might make it here before it got late. Perhaps I should go."
"No! Stay!" Christine led him up to the porch and helped him sit. She was glad to see that Erik, for the most part, looked like his old self again. He was dressed in his best eveningwear and flowing black cloak, with his white mask set perfectly in place. His injuries form weeks ago were gone. Even his hands looked normal. The manner in which he carried himself when he walked – even with the cane – gave an air of confidence. Yet, despite this, Christine noticed that Erik looked very unsure of himself as he sat there beside her. Nervous, really.
"Christine, I–" he began.
"How did you find this place?"
"What? Oh. Madame Giry told me how to get here."
"And you walked here all the way from her house?"
"Well… yes."
"You must be exhausted! You should come inside–"
"No! Christine–" Erik exhaled deeply. "There is something I wish to tell you… I wanted to say… I wanted to apologize for my behaviour this morning."
"Erik, I–"
"Please. Let me finish? You desired only to embrace me as one would a dear friend or student. And I… behaved like an animal instead of a man. You are the Vicomte's fiancée, and it was irresponsible of me to let my… feelings… get the better of me. I sincerely apologize, and if you wish to cease our lessons, I understand. But I hope that you would give me a chance to redeem myself."
Christine's heart ached for him. He really thought she wanted to leave him? She reached out and put her arms around him. He did not return the embrace.
"Erik, there is little you can do that would make me leave you now."
Erik's voice was void of all emotion. "Thank you, Christine. Then I shall await you for lessons tomorrow morning. But now, I should return to Madame Giry's."
"Oh, no you don't!" Christine said, grabbing his shoulders as he went to stand up. "I am not letting you walk all the way back again! You're coming with me in my carriage!"
Taking his hand, she led him away, making a mental note to tell Madame Giry not to let Erik wander around so late at night.
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Aww... Poor Erik... Check in tomorrow for updates! Oh, and this is not going to be a Raoul-bashing fic. Don't you just hate it when we turn the poor fop into a wife-beater, or cheater, or insane guy, or gay guy, or alcoholic, or some other negative image? I mean, in the actual story he DID risk his life for Christine. But anyway, I'm not exactly sure what I'm gonna do with him in this fic. He might just stay where he is!