I just wanted to take a moment here to credit the original creators of these characters and past story lines used to build off of, Gaston Leroux, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Susan Kay and for the lyrics to "Masquerade", and "No One Would Listen", lets see, that would be Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe, and anyone else I may have inadvertently forgot to mention, who helped write any of the characters or lyric's I am borrowing for this trip through another of the Phantom of the opera's possible lives.

I also wish to thank Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum and Patrick Wilson, whom created the faces I see when I write this, as well as the personalities I used to imagine how this would play out.

I only let my imagination capture what I think could have possibly happened. Thank you for the inspiration to let my imagination run wild and spend some time with the wonderful characters you created. MaryKate65

Chapter 5

What is happiness?

They had finished eating the food she had ordered at the front desk when she registered. She garnered funny looks at ordering so much food for one small lady, she said that she would save some for later, she had been traveling awhile and was hungry, no doubt would want to eat more after resting, as well. They believed it, simply because she was a stranger with a Parisian accent, and they could tell she was weary and hungry.

There was no way to say exactly what they had eaten, however, as they were both so lost in thought there was no registration of thought for taste or substance. Occasionally they would look at each other distractedly, once Erik tried to talk, but instead choked on the roll he was eating. After that, they descended into uncomfortable silence, the enormity of where they had been and where they were heading was overwhelming their travelweary minds. They needed to sleep, however they were not sure how that was going to be accomplished right now, shyness was trying to overtake their passions. Suddenly, when Erik could take it no more, the time was now, he was going to turn over this new leaf, he stood up and strode to Christine's side. He reached for her andshe slowly stood up, pushing aside the remainder of her food.

"Erik, I am so scared, I feel that Raoul is still searching for us, I cannot shake the feeling and I fear him now as I once feared you!"

"I know, Christine, I have been thinking about what we shall do next. If we are lucky we can buy some time with the Gendarme, if the mask I dropped perhaps makes Raoul suspect to any foul play. I think that it is time for me to send a note to the Gendarme, to add suspicion to Raoul's motives, and perhaps detain him thusgiving us more time to escape."

"What are you planning to write Erik? How can you buy us time with a note?"

"Wait until I have written it then ask questions. I must have writing supplies, Christine, may I ask you to go and get these for me? I will wait here, if anyone comes to the door, I shall bid a hasty retreat."

"Yes, I will go, I shall get you sealing wax and a stamp for the wax as well." Smiling wryly she added, "...though I doubt is shall be as elaborate as the one you used at the Populaire!"

"Thank you, Christine. We will be free soon enough, but we must be tolerent, things work out when patience is exercised. I believe that was how I was blessed with you, no?"

As Christine turned to leave the room, Erik retained his hold on her wrist, he pulled her back to him and said; "Please be careful, my watchful eye will not be upon you to keep you safe. Not only is this a chance for danger to find you, it is your opportunity to run from me, know that if you do it will kill me, for I shall be powerless to stop you this time, my heart is too full, it would burst before I could leave this room." The fear that gripped him stemmed from his realization that she had not had an opportunity to flee from him prior to now, and the fear that he felt now was something he could not keep from her. Nor could he keep his feelings from her of what he longed to do with her any more. He grabbed her and kissed her deeply, she responded by closing the gap between them and kissing him back more passionately then she ever had before. He was totally aghast by this, and abandoned himself to the desires he had kept reigned in for so long. A silent tear streamed down his face as he reached for her and began to caress her slowly and tenderly. He picked her up; still kissing her deeply, moved to the bed and gently laid them upon the bed. He began to undo her bodice and as soon as he found it, he caressed the flesh he had desired for so long and been unable to do more than dream of feeling. This sent him into an inferno of thoughts and desires for her that he had only imagined until this moment. As he worked to finish undressing her he realized there truly was no turning back this time, she was his, he was hers, and there would be no more doubts as to that fact. He had truly won, Raoul lost his Christine, she was nowhis Angel of music, forever. Christine reached for him and helped him to shed her clothes the rest of the way followed by his now unwelcome clothing, noticing how beautiful he was everywhere she gazed. She felt a little self conscious, hoping she did not look too childish for him, he seemed to feel her uncertainty and whispered in a husky voice "You are the most beautiful and perfect angel in all the heavens, a blessing I stopped praying for long ago out of despair,sent to earth for me. I thank God for you." They began their loving tryst, uncertain of what to expect, yet sure they must continue to its conclusion, whatever the consequences later. This love was all they knew and it fuelled their hands and their bodies to its inevitable conclusion.

When they were spent, they stayed where they were, just holding on to each other; all thought of their pursuer and the note momentarily erased from their memories. All they could do was marvel at the intensity with which they had come together, the deep release they had finally felt at completing the one soul they made up together. There was no doubt, they were two halves of one soul which needed to be fused back together, to heal all the wounds they had both known so long. The daylight faded while they lay there basking in one another, forgetting what dangers may lie in wait for them tomorrow, and the tomorrows thereafter.

"Christine, I must try to focus on this letter, we must get it written, I messed up and let my emotions get the best of me, I could no longer keep away from you, my love, I apologize. When this is all over, I shall make an honest woman of you. Though in truth I feel we have been married already, so long has my love for you burned."

"Erik, I know you will, I feel this way too. I no longer am confused about my feelings, they are so deep, I feared them, now I embrace them, I shall for all time."

There was no longer any doubt in his mind as to Christine's sincerity, it had been proven to him unwittingly, through the intensity of their emotional union, never once did she turn her head from his gaze, she really did love him as he did her. Christine rose from the bed and began to re-dress herself, making a decision, incredible for the emotions yet coursing through her.

"I shall go to the Mme who checked me in and inquire as to whether they could get the writing supplies for me. If not, where I may be able to obtain them might at least be known. Wait here; I will be right back, Erik."

"My dear Mademoiselle, where do you presume I would be going? I have no where to go but by your side, and I am not dressed for that right now. My point is, don't worry, I will be here when you return, perhaps more properly attired, but still here!"

Christine blushed furiously over this statement, somehow talking about the fact that Erik was beneath the sheets undressed was so intimate, it begged her to stay by him and kiss him yet again. Could this truly be normal? Maybe she was a woman of questionable morals, finally released, never to be reigned in again? She resisted the urge to return to him, instead going to the wash basin and rinsing her burning face. Christine then picked up the towel and wiped her face. When she turned around, Erik was there, standing in front of her, smiling down at her.

"Well, I could not let you go without one last kiss, could I?"

"You might be standing before me a bit more modestly, dear Monsieur; I may get the wrong impression!"

"Oh, make no mistake; there is no wrong impression to get here. Every impression you make is exactly right!"

Sidebar inserted here, no pun intended, but those of you who have read or seen interviews with Gerard Butler know that this is much more a Gerry statement than Phantom Erik statement, but then again, this never happened in the POTO story, so all I can do is assume that this would be the way it would go, right? Forgive me my indulgence here, I am a humorous person who tries to write serious, sometimes it is hard.

Christine smiled and turned to leave the room; Erik dragged her to him and kissed her before allowing her to go. She was breathless when she left the room. Thoughts of him swirled around her head, she was so thankful that she had gone with Erik, whatever happened she knew there would never be any regrets for what they had done today.

Leaving the room, she began to muse the day. Feeling a bit guilty for that fact she also felt that Erik was perhaps just what her father wanted, after all he was sent to her by her father, she was sure of that, somehow father had arranged his arrival, he filled all the emptiness in her, and more. How could she have been confused about Raoul, he was no where near what Erik was, there was nothing of the feeling she had for Erik. She prayed Raoul was not harmed, but began to feel that if it happened, he brought it on himself.

Arriving at the front desk she approached the counter, "Excuse me, Mme, would you happen to have writing supplies? I must write to my family and let them know I have arrived and not to worry. I am so weary yet, and do not wish to travel outside anymore tonight."

"Oui, mam' selle, I can help you there, one moment, if you please."

"You are most kind, thank you!"

"Of course, anyone can see you are exhausted. A good night's sleep shall restore you the rest of the way, mam'selle. Ah, yes, here we go, this is what I have; I hope that it works for you. If you need more parchment, let me know, I have more in the back. Do you need a seal and wax, too?"

"Oh yes, I am afraid I do. Thank you for your kindness, Mme."

The Mme of the Pension brought the wax and seal to Christine and Christine turned and walked back up to the room. When she approached the room she heard Erik singing to himself, she paused outside the door to listen to his beautiful voice, she could not make out the words at first, then she heard the line he was singing;

…I alone could hear the music

Then at last voice in the gloom

seemed to cry I hear you,

I hear your fears, your torment

And your tears…

She saw my loneliness

Shared in my emptiness

No one would listen

No one but her,

heard as the outcast hears.

No one would listen

No one but her

Heard as the outcast hears.

These words seemed to touch her soul, she opened the door and walked through, tears in her eyes, she put the supplies on the table and ran to Erik, burying her head in his shoulder to release her tears away from his curious eyes.

"Hey hey, what's this? Are you alright?"

She pulled away, tears spilling down her cheeks;" That was so beautiful, Erik, it moved me to tears, whenever I hear you sing it moves me beyond words. I had to weep at your words while reveling in the beauty and simplicity of your melody, what do you call that song, what is it about?"

Erik pulled her close again and replied;" The song is called "No one would listen", and it is about how I felt until I found your love."

"You must sing it for me. I want to fall asleep in your arms while you softly sing to me, let me feel secure with you, hold me close and whisper that all will be alright."

"First I must write this letter, I want to get the plan worked out in my head, we must set a trap for Raoul, that will require some time, this letter is to be the instrument to buy us that time."