A/N: I know it's been awhile since I updated and I'm sorry, I've been at my grandma's out in the country... not internet... So I was going crazy! Then I had to get some other stories up, I want all my ideas out there before band camp... any way I have some good ideas for this story now so here I go.
Chapter Four: Say You Love Me
Lotte watched silently as Christine performed, she was good any fool could see that. Lotte glanced up at box five, wondering if Erik was there. She touched her fingers to her lips, remembering his kiss. That kiss had awakened an unfamiliar emotion in her. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but it was strong. Lotte sighed, longing for the safe feeling she had whenever she was around Erik. His obsession with Christine was growing dangerous and Lotte was beginning to fear for him. She remembered the pain in his voice when he had screamed at her to leave him, it had frightened her. Lotte decided to go into Christine's dressing room and wait for her, since the show was over, Christine was liable to go to the chapel anyway.
About ten minutes later Lotte was on a couch watching as the Viscount De Chagny and Christine reminisced about their childhood. Well, at least knew who had given Christine her nickname. Lotte watched as Rauol practically ignored Christine's refusal for dinner. What a fop.
"Insolent boy, this slave of fashion, basking in your glory!" Lotte jumped as Erik's powerful voice filled the room. "Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!"
"Angel I hear you speak, I listen. Stay by my side guide me... Angel my soul was weak forgive me, enter at last master." Lotte cringed; did she have to be so subservient? Surely Erik couldn't be attracted to that?
"Flattering child you shall no me... see why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside!" Lotte was distracted for a moment by the pain that filled Erik's powerful voice... wait did he just say Christine had flattered him?
"Angel of music, guide and guardian, bring to me your glory!" Lotte looked up as Christine sang that song she taught to Lotte. "Angel of music, hide no longer, come to me strange Angel!" Lotte could see Erik in the mirror; he was so...so indescribable.
"I am your Angel of music, come to the Angel of music... I am your angel of Music, com to the Angel of music..." Lotte watched Christine take Erik's hand and was surprised at the stab of jealousy that tore at her heart. She decided she would follow them. She could hear them just ahead of her singing.
"In sleep in he sang to me... in dreams he came... That voice which calls to me and speaks my name and do I dream again for now I find, the Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind!" Lotte shook her head, why didn't Christine bother to learn his name? He was a person too after all.
"Sing once again with me, our strange duet! My power over you grows stronger yet... and though you turn from me to glance behind, the Phantom of the Opera is there... inside your mind!" The power of Erik's voice washed over her and all else was forgotten. She followed them and watched as they took the boat across the lake.
"I have brought you, to the seat of sweet music's throne, to this kingdom where all must pay homage to music, music. You have come here, for one purpose and one alone! Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me to serve me, to sing for my music, my music..." Even across the lake Lotte felt the power of his voice. Lotte began to wade across the lake as he sang to Christine.
"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation, darkness wakes and stirs imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses..." Lotte felt overwhelmed by that wonderful, powerful voice, she felt drawn to him. "Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor, grasp it sense it tremulous and tender. Turn your faces away, from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light, and listen to the music of the night..." Lotte felt as though she were floating, she felt her self succumbing to the darkness, just as she could tell Christine must have felt. "Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dream, purge your thought of the life you knew before. Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar... and you'll live as you've never lived before..." Lotte felt something, something she'd never felt before, a freedom from the fear that had haunted her. "Softly, deftly, music shall caress you. Hear it, feel it, secretly posses you. Open up your mind; let your fantasies unwind in this darkness which you know you cannot fight the darkness of the music of the night!" Lotte was there know, she stood in the shadow watching Erik and Christine. "Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world, leave all thought of the life you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be! Only then can you belong to me..." Lotte already belonged to him; she knew know what it was that Erik's kiss had awoken in her, love. She loved him. The realization shocked her; she didn't know what to do next. "Floating, falling, sweet intoxication. Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation..." Lotte wished she could touch him, she longed to feel him holding her the way he held Christine. "Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in, to the power of the music that I write, the power of the music of the night!" Lotte watched as Erik led Christine to a dummy that looked exactly like her, wearing a wedding dress he had designed. He caught her as she fainted, Lotte would have been excited, but then Christine was a bit of ninny... She watched as Erik gently laid her in a bed. "You alone can make my song take flight... help me make the music of the night..." Lotte felt a tear roll down her cheek as she heard the desperation, the loneliness in his voice. He turned around and saw her. "Lotte? What are you doing hear? I... Why are you crying?" He sounded a little confused.
"I... I was in Christine's dressing room... I followed you, I...I couldn't help it, your voice, it... I love you, Erik." Oops, she hadn't meant to say that, she closed her eyes and hung her head waiting, to be reprimanded, or something.
Erik reached down and gently lifted her chin. He was touched by the tears in her grey eyes. Her statement shook him.
"Lotte, I... I don't know what to say."
"Say... say you love me..." Her voice soft, but he could hear her desperation she knew it was pointless.
"I...I can't Lotte, you know I love Christine..." He wasn't so sure that was true anymore, but his obsession with Christine was all he had. Lotte nodded, the tears streaming down her cheeks. She turned silently and began to walk away. "Lotte!" He called after her, she turned and looked at him, the pain in her eyes was almost unbearable for him to see. "You know I do care for you, you're my best friend." Lotte nodded sadly and then disappeared into the shadows. Erik felt a lonely, aching darkness take hold of his soul as he watched her walk away. He sat down at his organ and began to compose as he fought the urge to chase after Lotte. He loved Christine; it was simple fact... wasn't it?
A/N: Well that was depressing. Does anyone else want to cry now? I hope this has a happy ending. I don't know though... The Angel won't say. sighs Well, please review and I will update again soon, I hope.