AN: Gosh.. I have a new laptop! But I don't have Microsoft Word installed on it yet. This sucks. So yes, if you see a spelling mistake, or a grammar mistake, even though I'm doing my best, could you tell me? lol.. then I'll revise it when I have the time. :D. So yeah, sorry this took so long! I really am.. But everything was hectic this week and the one before; I had two tests, each 2 or 3 days long in French, a math test, a bunch of English quizzes, a stupid social studies project that we're still working on, and then with me getting my laptop, two choir concerts, one of which I was at for 2 hrs and 45 min.. plus all my homework, I had zero time for myself. Oh! I was also reading a really good book. All PotO phans should read it. It's got a sort of phantom plot line, it even says so in the author's note at the end! lol.. the book is called Redemption, by Annee Cartier.

Quickie review answers:

Emily singing reflection: Yeah.. I hate this. Everyone I know (that doesn't live in my town) gets off like 3 weeks earlier than me! SO annoying.. But it's 4 weeks now.. 3 weeks, really, since the last week we're not doing anything at all.. :)

Bumble0Bee: Really? I don't think it's too good.. lol, but thanks!

ChristineErik: It's an update! Yay! But only if you take Andrew from under the ice cream. That's just... ew. Lol.. but leave Erik! Yumm.. that's what got me.. :P

New chapter time!

Christine sat back in the carriage. She thought of Erik, her angel. How could she have just left him like that, without a fight? she wondered again. She looked back on all those memories of him and the Opera Populaire, giving her a happy moment for a small amount of time. Those times before he had shown himself to her.. those were the best times of her life. She would never trade anything for those years, with her Angel of Music. Then, her thoughts turned to Raoul, as she reached the point in her memories where M. Lefevre had retired.. and Raoul had become the patron of the Opera House. Did she love him? No..'You would have stayed with him if you did." Christine reassured herself. Taking in a deep breath and closing her eyes, she set to work on blocking out all sad thoughts of her past.

In the front of the carriage, Herman was also thinking. He could probably get Christine to tell him where she was planning on going, and then, what if she did tell him? He would tell Raoul, of course. It was easy to tell that his master, and friend, was in love with the girl, but it was easier to tell that she didn't want much to do with him. Nobody in the household dared to tell Raoul that, the fear of being fired much too strong. They couldn't risk the chance. He snuck a peak through the opening behind him at Christine. Her eyes were closed, and she appeared as if she were sleeping, but he knew she wasn't. Her thinking was probably more jumbled than his. Sighing, he turned back to the road, focusing on getting to the Gare de Paris.

"Raoul? Your things are ready.. they're in the saddle bag of your horse.." Herald told Raoul, who was standing outside, arms crossed, eyes blank. "..Raoul?" he waved a hand in front of his face.

Raoul shook his head and looked at Herald. "Thank you.. Herald.. Do you think I should be worried for her?" he questioned.

"I don't think so, Raoul. She can take care of herself." Herald answered, regarding Raoul with a curious look. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm not sure.. not sure if I should follow her.. I mean, she'll eventually come back to Paris, right?"

"I don't know.. But I think it best that you do not wait to find out, but go see where she is going, first. That way.. you'll always know where she is.." Herald said carefully.

"You're right.. Thank you.." Raoul said, smiling a little towards his friend. Seeing the horse being brought up to the two of them, he stepped forward and said, "I'll send a letter as soon as I figure out where she's going.."

"Alright.." Herald answered, moving towards the house. "Have a good trip.." he said, as Raoul rode off. "I jsut wonder if this is the right thing to do.." he added to himself, before shaking his head and going into the home.

Christine opened her eyes again and looked out the window at the passing estates. They were all big.. but she knew none would compare to Raoul's in size. She shuddered, thinking about Raoul. She realized now more than ever that she had made the mistake of allowing Erik to push her away like that. She needed to get back to him. 'But now is not yet the time.' she told herself. For now, she'd find refuge elsewhere.

Christine laid her head back, her eyes still focused out the window. She passed by this one home, it reminded her of her childhood home by the sea. She felt a tear escape her eyes and down her cheek, but did nothing about it. Leaning her head against the window, she sighed softly. Feeling tired, she slowly wiped the tear away from where it had travelled to her chin, then called to Herman. "Excuse me, Herman."

Herman slowed the horses down a little before answering, "Yes, Mademoiselle Daae?" he asked cautiously. "I'm going to rest.. a little. Please awaken me when we arrive at the station.." she answered, closing her eyes.

"Yes, ma'am." Herman answered. 'She must be feeling horrible right now...' he thought to himself as the horses gained speed again.

Christine leaned back against the seat again and fell asleep slowly, banishing all thoughts of a certain Vicomte. All she needed now was peace, and a more detailed plan of what she was to do.

Now Herman didn't know what to think. Christine was such a nice girl and was so innocent. How dare he help the Vicomte! He sighed, shaking his head, and continued driving the carriage through the village. He didn't pay much attention to anything except not to run anything over.

A little ways down the road, behind the carriage, a figure rode closer and closer. He went unnoticed by anyone in the carriage; Christine was asleep, and Herman was too preoccupied with his thoughts. A few minutes later, the horse and rider were just behind the de Chagny carriage, and Herman's attention was finally caught. Hearing a separate set of hoofbeats, he leaned over the side of the carriage, and was surprised to see a familiar figure riding up next to him.

"Good afternoon, Herman.." Raoul said as quietly as was possible, for Herman to hear, but for Christine not to hear, yet over the noise of the horses.

AN: Well, there you go! A real chapter. :) Hope you enjoyed it. As you can see, Raoul is nice towards his 'workers', because he's friends with them. And they are caring, and kind, and stuff.. like Herman towards Christine? Yeah..

Also, I'd like to thank Haley soooo much for helping me out with this. It would have never been up if it wasn't for her.. Thanks a bunch, Hales.. I love you for this. :)

AIM: Ange de Fantome - ChristineErik -- I lost your screen name. I Xed out the window before I saved your screen name, so yea.. IM me again sometime... lol :D

Yahoo: EriksMusic

Review plz!

-Sandra-