History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.
-Napoléon Bonaparte 1769-1821
History was coming back to haunt Erik. He had hoped it would have been quite some time before he had to deal with the actions of that fateful night. Erik closed his eyes, trying to shut out what he was hearing. His music, his love, and all of his emotions were laid out for everyone to see. His body shuddered with each passing note. Small tremors flooded every nerve, causing him to clench his one fist tightly. A slight wave of nausea and dizziness washed over him. The music Don Juan Triumphant continued to play.
"Erik?" Marie-Christine had placed her hand on his arm, seeking his attention. He did not give it. His mind was elsewhere at the moment. He bowed his head and thought of . . .
That fateful night . . .
Christine in all of her beauty . . .
The power the music gave to him . . .
The sway he had over Christine with his music and his voice . . .
He wanted that control once more . . .
"Erik?" Marie-Christine again sought his attention. He was now ready to give it.
"Yes?" he answered. A chill was present in his voice. Erik did his best to control his emotions but the music, correction his music, did not make the task any easier.
"Shall we sit down? Or did you want to . . .?" Marie-Christine hesitated in finishing her words. Erik assisted her.
"I think I should like to dance," he informed her. She arched an eyebrow in response.
Slowly, Marie-Christine and Erik made their way to the center of the floor. They had been off to the side, but now Erik seemed to want to start from a different location. Marie-Christine followed, unsure of what was to come. She watched as Erik took her into his embrace. This time though, things were different. There was a look in his eyes that Marie-Christine had not seen before. His eyes seemed to pierce her inner being to the core. Her thoughts were broken as pulled her even closer so that her legs were directly in front of his. Their bodies were now a mere fraction of an inch apart. Erik would control every step she took. She would respond to his every touch.
His every touch . . . in his mind the words seemed to come alive . . .
Past the point of no return . . .
No backward glances . . .
Our games of make believe are at an end . . .
They started with a simple basic step. On the close of the eighth beat, Erik would use his left leg to "push" or rather guide Marie-Christine's right leg to close. Such close contact caused her to have a small hitch in her breath. Erik would smile, but again, things were different. It was almost as if he were playing a role. The two of them would then continue, slowly making their way around the room.
Past all thought of if or when
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend
Marie-Christine followed Erik's lead, allowing his body to guide hers as they danced. Each movement on his part produced the appropriate response from her. Their steps, although simple, were in perfect unison with one another. Little by little, people on the dance floor took note of this unique couple. There was something quite unusual in their steps. There was a definitely sense of . . . passion.
What raging fire shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?
What sweet seduction lies before us?
The passion people began to speak of occurred when Erik would lead Marie-Christine into a promenade. He slowly leaned her back into a check and quickly brought her up, her head snapping to the right. Marie-Christine's left leg was firmly attached to Erik's, following closely, feeling the energy that emanated as they took their forward steps. They finished with a simple fan, that while most people would simply do, Erik and Marie-Christine actually felt. As she would step to the left of his body, her right foot forward, Erik seemed to relish the power he had, turning her back to him, allowing her to trace her left foot along the floor. Their feelings for one another became more and more apparent; each stolen glance into the other's eyes, almost primal in nature, the power that Erik wielded as he led Marie-Christine around the floor and the smiles the crept into each of their visages. All elements combined made one thing clear for many on the floor; these two souls were actually one . . . one being . . . one . . . life . . . one love.
Past the point of no return
The final threshold
What warm unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point of no return . . .
Then, Erik did something unexpected. He led Marie-Christine into a double turn, stopped and stepped back, leaving a space between the two of them. Marie-Christine looked into his eyes. It was as if he were . . . challenging her. The question was . . . to what?
You have brought me
To that moment where words run dry
To that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence . . .
Marie-Christine then realized that Erik was re-enacting his final encounter with Christine from Don Juan Triumphant. This time though, she knew things would be and had to be different. Erik needed to see that this joining would soon lead to so much more. Slowly she moved toward him, much like a lioness stalking its prey. Now that she was, but a mere inch from him, Marie-Christine made her first move.
I have come here hardly knowing the reason why . . .
In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining
Defenseless and silent -
And now I am here with you -
No second thoughts,
I've decided, decided . . .
Her decision was made. Marie-Christine brought her right hand up to caress his left unmasked cheek. Erik closed his eyes in response. She drew him closer to her until their lips touched, brushing ever so slightly against each other. At that moment, the world simply stopped. Neither saw the others. Neither saw how many people began to stop their dancing. Both held their breath until Marie-Christine broke contact.
Past the point of no return -
No going back now:
Our passion-play has now, at last, begun . . .
Erik was taken aback, unsure of what would come next. Marie-Christine began to walk in a circle around him, allowing her nails to scrap gently across the opening of his bare chest and eventually over his back. A hiss escaped Erik's lips. She was playing with fire and he wondered if she knew that she would get burned. Her eyes never broke contact with his. She met his challenge and now it would soon be his turn once more.
Past all thought of right or wrong –
One final question
How long should we two wait, before we're one . . .?
When will the blood begin to race?
The sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames, at last, consume us . . .?
As she completed her circle, Marie-Christine took up her position once more in front of Erik, extending her right hand out to join his, her breasts lined up at the center of his chest. Her touch was electrifying for Erik, arousing a passion in him he'd long thought lost. She looked into his eyes and smiled. Erik understood her cue and they continued their dance. As they moved, something strange occurred. People began to exit the dance floor, choosing instead to watch this extraordinary couple that was clearly in love. Little by little, members of the ball looked on in fascination and curiosity at how the intensity of this one couple's passion seemed to increase as the music neared the end.
Past the point of no return
The final threshold -
The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn . . .
We've passed the point of no return . . .
As the end came, Erik made one final move. He began with a simple basic step and continued with a fan, allowing Marie-Christine to trace her left foot along the edge of the floor, her body never breaking contact with his. She expected Erik to finish with another basic step, but instead he led to an open break, their connection held only through their fingertips. It was as if he wanted proclaim his love for her to the world. Finally, Erik pulled her in with an inside turn and held her close, much as he'd done before with Christine, guiding her one hand upward towards the hollow of her neck. The other remained firmly in his grasp at her waist.
Many started to applaud when the suddenly realized there was more . . .
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime . . .
Lead me, save me from my solitude . . .
Erik turned Marie-Christine to face him. She looked into his eyes and saw something she'd never seen before . . . his heart.
Say you'll want me with you here beside you . . .
Anywhere you go, let me go too . . .
It was then she realized he was making a plea to her as he'd done to Christine. It the short time they'd been together, something had changed in both of them. If they were not careful though, all would be lost. As Erik made his final entreaty, leading Marie-Christine into a dip, she realized there something she needed to do, no matter that it would be for everyone to see.
Christine, that's all I ask of . . .
She . . .