(Sorry that took so long...more computer issues...so I made it up to you all by a REALLY long chapter! Enjoy!)

God in Heaven, what had the laudanum done to her mind? Was it possible that she did not remember anything of her marriage to the Vicomte?

Erik tenderly pressed a gloved hand to her forehead, and she relaxed under his touch. His finger moved slowly down her cheek, tracing the graceful curve of her slender neck, her shoulder...

Erik drew back and moved off into the darkness. There were things to be done, and he must move quickly or Christine would be put into danger again.

Christine opened her eyes as a crash echoed through the underground lair. Her body still ached, but she managed to push herself upright into a sitting position. Her eyes found Erik, who was bent over something making rapid movements with his arms. "Erik?" she said timidly, and he turned to look at her. His face, the half she could see, was a mess of scrambled emotions; fear, longing, concern and love. "Erik, what is wrong?"

Erik turned away from her again, and she saw that he was hastily shoving things into a satchel. "We are leaving here." His voice was soft, and Christine could hear his sadness. He had lived here for at least thirty years, perhaps more.

"But why?" She asked loudly, and Erik turned back to her.

"It is not safe here anymore. The Vicomte came down here after you once, he may do it again."

Christine rubbed at her forehead, and vague memory began to return. "Raoul? Coming here? But why would he be after me?" Erik dropped his gaze, and Christine tried hard to remember. Something cold..against her throat; and a gunshot, someone yelling. She shook her head. It was no use.

"I'm only trying to protect you Christine, I swear." Erik's eyes met hers, and she saw the longing there, longing that was being held firmly in check by Erik's strong will. "I will find someplace for you, somewhere safe. I'll give you as much money as you will need to live comfortably for probably the rest of your life, and you have to promise me you will stay there." Erik looked away again. "And then I will leave you alone. You will never have to see me again."

"Erik, why are you talking like this? Why are you leaving me..." A tear dropped down her face. Erik's heart dropped with a crash. He had made these tears, all along. She doesn't remember...she doesn't understand...her memory of me...what is that?

"Christine, please don't cry! When you cry, I die inside."

"You promised...you promised..."

"What? What did I promise, my dear?" Trying to differ her elapsed mind.

Christine held up her finger. There it was. The ring of Erik's love.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Raoul's eyes opened slowly. He grumbled low feeling the pain in his side. He glanced down see the pool of blood beneath him on the floor, and slowly he crawled towards the front foyer door. Agonizing pain drifted across his body.. he could barely stand it. Fumbling he opened the door, just reaching up to grab the knob was pure horror. He would surely find Frederic and kill him, but what was more? He would find Erik and Christine. He cursed them both under his breath. This time he would not fight the ugly creature, no.. he would kill the creatures prized possession. He would destroy what that ugly half human creature loved.

Just then Raoul called out to the coachman sitting on the curb, giving his horse pellets. The man turned and glanced to Raoul, laying on the floor with the door half open. The mans eyes widened, he was shocked to see a man of class and dignity lying on the flooring, looking as if he had been assaulted and almost dead. He made a loud gesture towards the night guardsmen at the corner. Both men hurried to the gentleman that was now clearly passed out, and made way for his transportation to the local hospital.

They both wondered who could have done such a thing... and Raoul lay in a bloody stupor, unconscious, and dreaming of how he would end the little tarts life.

The gentlemen did happen to open the Vicmonte shirt and they began to laugh between the two of them. Unbeknownst to the Vicomte the bullet had only grazed him, a small cut about 4 inches long, and 1/8 of an inch deep. They both knew aristocracy were a bit light on the pain tolerance

Erik stared at the gold band on Christine's finger in shock. She was still wearing it, after all this time. Two years ago she had left him, and she was still wearing the ring as if they had been married this whole time. As if the Vicomte did not exist.

But he did exist, and Christine was in danger. That was what was important right now. He had to get Christine somewhere safe, and then, perhaps, they could sort out what would happen between them.

Erik moved slowly forward and took Christine's hand gently. "We will talk of this, Christine. But not now." Christine opened her mouth, but Erik put a finger gently over her lips. "Please. We must be ready to leave the city by nightfall. Perhaps we can talk of this further when we are on the train."

Christine nodded, and Erik reluctantly removed his finger and started to turn away
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The train to a distant land rolled in silence. There Erik and Christine sat, both lost in thought. Nothing could be said, a perfect subtle of words differing in their minds to one another.
In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
The tears I might have shed, grow cold and turn to tears of hate
.It's in your soul where the true distortion lies
...he'll kill a thousand men...those eyes that burn
Christine, that's all I ask...

Shaking his head, Erik struggled to keep strong. But he couldn't ignore his mind's aching for reality. What I used to dream to come real...is only break in reality...her mind is confused because of a drug...not her own free will...How could she love me? I'm the one who caused her heart to break, her life to crash, her memory of everything to change...it's a drug and that's it...the break in reality
A single tear dropped from Erik's eye, but inside his heart broke into a thousand pieces.