A/N: I would just like to remind you from the previous chapter that at first, Erik had fully planned on going to Christine after the production. Then, the more he thought about it, the more he wavered, wondering if he should maybe just alert her to his presence, then leave the decision of whether or not to see him up to her. In the end, his desire to see her overcame his insecurities, and he turned up in true Erik fashion. But just remember, he did, in the first place, plan on seeing her tonight. That will be important later on. Also, I have included the last line from the previous chapter since this one is a continuation of it.

darklady5289: Thanks! Glad you liked it. More EC fluff and Erik phantasies for you all.

phantomann: You are the world's most awesome reviewer! (Oh, and Jema of course.) Paying long distance internet charges from your beach vacation just to give me a review – Wow! I am so humbled by your devotion. I feel my muse returning now that I have heard from you once again. If you liked the romantic stuff in the last chapter, you will be able to swim in the fluff of this one!

Kagome1514: Don't apologize. You are among friends. We are all EC dorks here, your friendly author, perhaps most of all. And I plan to read your fic, I just have to finish writing this one first.

Hearts Aflame: Cookies...Yay! No, I had better not accept them. I am trying to keep my girlish figure so that someday when Erik finally realizes I am the one for him, I will be ready for our heated love scenes. (Slaps self in face to return to reality.) Okay, I will never have him. Hand over the cookies.

eternalcelestial: Glad you are loving it, much more EC fluff to come.

Twinkle 22: Wait no longer. Just look at the chapter title and you will see.

erikfan: I love your description of Erik: A devote dark lover with a domestic side. Ooooh. I love that "dark lover" thing. Can I quote you one that? I could use it in one of the next chapters...(Grins wickedly like Erik.)

draegon-fire: The answer to your question will unfortunately not come in this chapter, but perhaps in the next one. Never fear, all will be revealed in time. But Erik will get the reassurance he is seeking in this chapter.

xxphantomphanessxx: Here is a tissue. Don't worry, check out the title of the chapter – all will be well. (At least for a little while.) And of course you won't stop. You are an addict like the rest of us. Be proud.

Captain Oblivious: Togetherness is good, but you had better go and clean up that confetti. Erik has a bit of an obsessive-compulsive disorder and that will mess up his universe. And how is this for a promise, they will never willingly leave each other's side again. (Of course there is a slight loophole to my promise. Please don't take out the sword, though.)

MadameOG: Hurray! You are back. You make me blush with your faith in my writing skills. I guarantee that you will not cry for a while and I won't kill off Christine prematurely this time. Does that reassure you?

Pertie: Where are you, dear? We miss you.

Dark Wolf Girl15: Sorry for the evil cliffie, but I am glad you laughed instead of cursing me. Don't worry, this chapter picks up right where the other left off.

ilustgerik: I hear you. Sigh.

Jema Moda: Everyone needs to check out Jema's infamous "toast" review. I honestly burst out laughing when I read it. Erik is indeed so hot when he is arrogant. Okay, he is pretty much hot all the way around. And Jema, I am now releasing Erik from "Pause" mode. Although if I was Christine, he could stand there breathing in my ear for as long as he wanted. Hugs for all your encouragement in my melancholy over the weekend. I will email you tonight regarding your fic, but I have got some stuff I have to do first after posting this.

Sabrina Fair: sorry. i am evil.

dramatic-singer: Thank you! Welcome to the fic. Glad you like it!

Abby Kovac: Welcome aboard. We won't find out the story behind Christine's stage name in this chapter, but perhaps the next one. But yes, she did indeed choose it on purpose.

At the close of the last chapter, we left our hero and heroine right about here...

All at once, she felt the gentle touch of leather on her cheek, brushing away her tears. Her eyes flew open wide. There he stood in all his dark glory and masculine grace. The striking blue-gray of his eyes met her own with the same inner fire that she remembered so clearly. Christine's breath caught as Erik drew closer, leaning his mouth down to her ear. Her blood leapt at his familiar scent and warm breath against her skin. She trembled visibly, awaiting eagerly the touch of his lips, but instead he whispered softly, "Can I assume from your reaction, Signora de Renoir, that you have missed me in my long absence?"

Ch. 15 – The World is Made Right

Erik held his breath. He had taken an enormous chance in voicing his assumption at the meaning of her tears. He searched her face, waiting for some sign that he had been right. At first, Christine only stared at him as if unable to believe he was real. Then, she lowered her head, her shoulders beginning to shake. God in heaven, what if he had been wrong once again?

He laid his hand alongside her face, lifting it gently so that she was forced to meet his eyes. "Christine, I am sorry if I frightened you. I obviously made a mistake." His blue-gray eyes were pleading as they fought desperately to see what lay behind the tears in her soft, brown eyes.

"Forgive me," he said quietly, his voice breaking slightly. "I've no wish to cause you any more pain. I shall of course leave at once. I promise that you won't see me again." He lowered his hand and turned to leave, his battered heart dying slowly inside his chest as he strode towards the door.

"No! Oh God no, Erik, please don't leave!" Christine's voice, when she finally found it, would only come out in an anguished sob. He turned in surprise and nearly stumbled backwards as she threw herself headlong into his arms.

Christine clung desperately to the front of his shirt, grabbing fistfuls in her tiny hands as if to physically prevent him from leaving. She buried her face in his chest and began to sob desperately. "Oh Erik, please don't ever leave again. I...I couldn't bear it. I would surely die if I lost you now that you have finally come back to me. Please, please..."

Erik stood motionless for a moment, wondering fleetingly if he had heard her correctly. He had sensed that perhaps she had missed him by the way she had reacted to his rose. But he had never dreamt that she may have longed for him as desperately as he had for her over the past eight years. Instinctively, he raised a gloved hand to stroke her head. "Hush, Christine. It is all right. I won't leave if you don't want me to." He continued to hold her until her sobs ceased and she raised her face at last to his.

She blushed and suddenly seemed shy, as if she had just noticed that she was hanging on to him for dear life. "I am so sorry, Erik. It's just that I have been waiting for you so long. I...I didn't know where you had gone, and I had so much that I wanted to tell you." She leaned her forehead against his chest. "I was just so afraid you would disappear again where I could never find you," she whispered helplessly.

Erik was touched by her uncertainty. "Far be it from me to complain when a lovely lady wishes to throw herself into my arms," he said with an amused grin. In truth, he was ecstatic that Christine had come to him so willingly. The single tiny seed of hope that had brought him to her dressing room after all his noble efforts to stay away was multiplying a thousand times over every moment she remained in his arms.

Erik leaned his chin down to rest on the top of her bent head, luxuriating in the scent of her hair, pulling her as close to him as breathing would allow. They stood there many long moments, saying nothing, each reveling in the comfort of the other's arms.

Christine felt she must surely be in heaven. Her Angel was here at last, strong and solid in her arms. The intoxicating exotic scent of him was making her vaguely dizzy and she felt a distinct heat spreading through her body at his closeness. She was no longer the innocent that she had been before the night of Don Juan Triumphant, and she at last knew what it was her body was screaming for every time she felt the touch of his hand or heard his rich, deep voice.

She pulled back from him slightly, enough to look up into his face. Her brown eyes searched it lovingly, taking in every feature from his strong jaw to his striking eyes which were burning with the same fire she felt coursing through her veins. Even under her hungry gaze, Erik remained motionless, lest any movement might frighten her from his arms. In the end, it was Christine who could resist no longer and curved an arm around Erik's neck to bring his wide, sensual mouth to cover her own.

At the contact, the years of pent-up longing burst forth, the sparks of electricity that had always passed between them igniting at once into a raging blaze. Their bodies pressed into each other with wild abandon, craving one another after so many years apart. His careful control slipping away, Erik's one hand tangled in her hair, forcing her mouth harshly against his own. He felt it open beneath the pressure of his own and his tongue dipped inside to explore the sweetness of her mouth. Christine moaned softly, and the sound invaded his senses, urging him onward, but a tiny voice reminded him that although every fiber of his being called out for him to have her at last right here on the floor of her dressing room, such a thing was hardly romantic and he wanted their first experience together to be worthy of her. Besides, there was far too much to be discussed first. He needed to understand the past before he could think about the future.

Though his body berated him inwardly, Erik at last broke the contact of their mouths, gently turning her head so that her cheek once more rested against his chest. "I am sorry my love. I did not mean to take such liberties."

Christine looked up at him, her eyes still clouded by desire. "Please don't apologize, Erik. I have wanted this since before I understood what it was." She raised a hand gently to the unmasked side of his face, her gaze falling on his lips. "I think we have waited long enough," she whispered and stood on tip toe, intending to kiss him again, but he placed a finger gently over her lips to still her.

Erik stepped back from her with a dashing bow. "Milady, though there is nothing on earth that I would enjoy more than making love to you," he smiled wickedly, taking in her swollen lips and delightfully mussed hair, "I have made other plans for us this evening," he said mysteriously, smiling at her obvious disappointment.

Christine could see the unmistakable gleam of mischief in his eyes and found she could not be angry with him even for a second. Not after all the time she had wasted at it before. Laughing brightly, she smiled up into his face. "Why good sir, what did you have in mind?"

"How do you feel about a late night adventure, Signora?" His eyes held a note of challenge, as if waiting to see if she truly trusted him enough to place herself entirely in his hands. "My horse is waiting outside. There is something I would like to show you."

He held out his hand. Without hesitation, Christine placed her hand in his. "Lead on, Angel. I will follow anywhere you lead," she said softly.

Erik drew her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it softly as he led her out the door. She reached for her cloak with her other on the way out, wondering what sort of adventure Erik had in mind. Her heart raced at the thought that whatever it was, it was sure to be unique and exciting, just as he was.

The alley was quite deserted when they emerged from a hidden side door of the Teatro Comunale. Christine wondered briefly how Erik had known of it, but then gave up the effort, accepting in the end that Erik would always be Erik and his mysterious knowledge would never cease to amaze her. In the mist of the late hour, a large black horse stood pawing the ground. Erik whistled softly, and the powerful beast stepped forward. Erik paused to give his nose a gentle rub, then turned to Christine. "Would you like help getting up?"

Christine smiled at his sensitivity in asking her whether she wished for help rather than simply assuming it as Raoul had always done. It had annoyed her to no end that he had never felt her capable of doing anything on her own, always treating her as a child. "No thank you. I can manage it." She raised her foot to the stirrup and pulled herself up, settling herself side saddle and arranging her skirts around her.

Erik looked amused. "You may want to reconsider your current position, my dear. The hills are very steep and we will be traveling relatively quickly." He patted the horse's flank fondly. "Demon is a well tempered animal, but high spirited. It would perhaps be safer if you rode in a less lady-like fashion."

Christine nodded and swung her left leg over the saddle. In truth, she did feel far more secure. When Erik swung his powerful frame up behind her, her breath caught. Would she ever grow used to the sparks that shot through her every time their bodies came into contact? She hoped not. The feeling was delicious, like a promise of something thrilling to come.

Erik reached for the reigns with one hand and wrapped his other securely around her waist. He clucked something to the horse and the animal took off at full gallop through the alleys behind the opera house. Christine found it difficult to breathe in her excitement. She had never been allowed to ride at anything past a canter with any of the horses in the de Chagny stable. Raoul had always instructed the stable personnel to prevent her from it, arguing patiently against her protests that he would not allow her to come to any harm.

Now, flying with abandon through the back streets of Florence with the dark man behind her who was not bound by the same chains of propriety and social convention, Christine had never felt more alive.

After a time, Erik turned the horse to a steep path that seemed to lead high up onto one of the many hills surrounding the city. Their pace did not slow, even though the path had now reached a startling incline.

Finally, the ground began to level off and Erik reigned in the horse at last. They seemed to have reached an open cobbled square. In the moonlight, Christine could make out what appeared to be benches and trees. Erik swung down and raised a hand to help her as she stepped from the horse.

Christine smoothed a hand over the wrinkles in her skirt while Erik removed a pack from the saddle bag and tied Demon securely to a fence. As Christine raised her eyes to look around her, she noticed a number of what appeared to be small open-air cafes, all obviously closed for the night with the chairs put up neatly on the tables.

"The Piazzale Michelangelo," Erik stated simply, noticing the direction of her gaze, "a popular place at sunset, but quite deserted by this time of night, I assure you. Come." He held out his hand once again and she smiled as she took it. "Our destination is just over here." Christine kept her eyes carefully fixed on Erik's broad shoulders, but as they rounded the curve of the hill, she glanced up and stopped abruptly, transfixed by the beauty of the view that met her eyes.

The lights of Florence lay in the valley beneath her, covered in a thin veil of mist. And above them, the deep purple of the sky hung like an elegant cloak, littered with twinkling jewels. "Erik, it's beautiful," she whispered. He nodded, but tugged gently on her hand, leading her through a wrought iron gate to her left. On the warm spring air, she could suddenly detect the unmistakable scent of flowers. As Erik drew aside, she gasped. All around her were roses, as far as her eye could see, every one of them bathed in silver moonlight, and just below them to the northeast, the same enchanting view she had witnessed before.

She stood in awe for a moment, while Erik removed several items from his pack. Turning her attention curiously to his movements, she watched as he spread a blanket on the grass and removed a flask of wine, two glasses, a loaf of bread, cheese, and several pieces of fruit. Finally, he lit a lantern and eased himself elegantly onto the blanket.

"Would you care to join me, Signora de Renoir?" He gestured toward the blanket, a hint of roguishness in his eyes.

Christine arched an eyebrow at his request. Stretched easily on the blanket, his lean, muscular frame was the picture of lithe, masculine grace. The glow of the lamp highlighted the white of his mask, his strong jaw, and the tanned skin beneath his shirt which was open slightly at the neck. She had never seen him without a cravat before, but his casual appearance was even more enticing than his usual formality. Lounging there like some sort of exotic jungle cat, his masculine appeal was devastating. She felt her blood began to warm and a blush colored her cheeks. She broke the heated contact of their eyes and wondered whether he had noticed her frank appraisal.

"For supper, my dear. Nothing improper, I assure you." He gave her a wicked smile, reaching out his hand to her and all resolve melted away. She took it and gracefully set herself down beside him, nervously arranging her skirts. Now that he was so near, she had no idea of what to do or say, and she felt suddenly shy though only minutes before she had been fairly begging him to ravish her on the floor of her dressing room. It had been so long since she had been this close to his sensual, magnetic presence, and so many misunderstandings stood between them. She wasn't certain where to start. Erik poured her a glass of wine and she sipped it gratefully, feeling its warmth spread to her tense limbs and its soothing effect begin to quiet her anxious mind.

"Erik, what is this place?" she asked at last for want of something better to say. Erik glanced up at her. "We are in the Giardino delle Rose. To your right is the Giardino dell'Iris. I visited this place once before in my travels and had always wished to bring you, knowing how much you enjoy flowers." He smiled. "We are fortunate that it is May, for it is during this month that the gardens are at their most magnificent."

Christine studied him for a moment. He had no doubt waited many years for her to come here with him, never knowing if it would ever be. She lowered her eyes in shame. "Erik, I am so sorry."

Erik raised his hand to lift her chin. In the glow of the lantern, she was so very beautiful. And here she sat with him of her own free will, in this place where he had always longed to bring her. He felt as if his heart would burst with the joy of it. "Whatever for, darling?"

Christine would not meet his eyes. "For everything. For all the pain I have caused you, for all the time that we have spent apart, everything." She twisted the fabric of her skirt in her hands.

Erik was quiet for a moment. "Christine, I do not pretend to understand all that has happened between us, but I have certainly contributed to our difficulties over the years as well. I was not a man who could ever hope to deserve you back then, and I proved it beyond a doubt by my actions on the night of the opera fire. I don't blame you for the choice you made," he said softly. As he spoke the words, he knew they were true at last.

At first, he had indeed blamed her, believing that her choice the night of the opera fire was responsible for his continued misery. During the latter years of their separation, however, when he had at last ventured a more honest reflection on the events of that fateful night, he had come to see clearly that it had been his own actions that had ensured his own unhappiness.

Christine sighed, her eyes filling with tears. "Raoul was never the choice of my heart, Erik. Only the choice of my mind seeking an easier future than the one I believed we would have together."

Erik nodded in understanding. It was certainly true that life with him back then would have proved a challenge at best and a nightmare at worst. He looked away. What he would give to take back all he had done in the past so that she might only see him as the man he was now.

Christine looked over at Erik, who remained lost in thought. He looked so vulnerable, suddenly, and she wished once more she could take away all the pain he had endured over his lifetime. After how much he had already suffered by her hand, she sought now to reassure him of her heart.

"I came back, you know." Erik looked up at her words. Christine held his gaze. "Three days after the fire, I came back fully intending to stay with you." Erik's eyes widened. He had not known.

"But you were gone. I cried so hard that night, but deep down I still believed you would come for me. Then I read of your death," at this she closed her eyes remembering the pain, "and a part of me died with you."

Erik closed his eyes. She had come back to him after all. He felt the huge gaping whole in his heart that had been created when Christine had sailed off with the vicomte mended in an instant. There was one more thing that he needed to know. It would be difficult for her to talk about, he knew, but it was the one thing holding him back from making her his once and for all.

Erik raised himself to a sitting position and took both of Christine's hands in his own. Searching her eyes, he spoke quietly. "Christine, there is something I must ask you. I know it will be painful for you to talk about, but I must know."

Christine nodded slowly. Gently, he turned her hands over so that they were palm-up to the light of the lantern. He had long since removed his gloves, and with his thumbs he traced the faint lines of the scars that had haunted him for the past two years. Lifting his eyes back up to her face, he asked softly, "Why?"

Christine sighed, but she did not look away. "There were so many reasons, Erik. I did it mainly because I regretted the choices I had made: for the dream I had given up, for the pain I had caused you, but mostly I did it for the love that I thought I had lost when I believed you had died." Her eyes studied his face, attempting to discern his reaction.

Erik did not immediately respond, but rather seemed to be taking in her words. At last, he spoke, his eyes searching hers intently. "You did attempt to end your life because you feared I would take you away or do you harm?" he asked quietly.

Christine's mouth flew open in horror. "Of course not, Erik. I could never fear you! I have loved you since I was a little girl. You are intense and overwhelming at times, and I know you have a violent past, but still I would trust you with my life above anyone else in the world." Her hand reached out to touch his cheek in reassurance.

Erik felt as if an enormous weight had been removed from his shoulders. His heart pounding, he realized that the last imagined barrier between them had been stripped away by her words.

His relief and adoration showing clearly in his eyes, he reached for her hand that lay against his cheek and kissed its palm. "We are indeed a fine pair. Both of us too proud to simply ask the questions that would have made our lives so much easier." He smiled sadly, thinking of all the suffering they had both endured needlessly for so long. "But in the end, it seems our suffering has served a purpose. We have both changed and grown so much over the years. Perhaps we are at last ready for the journey that lies ahead of us if we choose the road that has been hidden from us for so long."

Tears welled in Christine's eyes and he raised his hand to brush them away once more.

"Come, let's speak of something more pleasant. For example, I saw a most excellent opera this evening. I found the lead soprano particularly impressive." Christine laughed at the sudden playfulness in his eyes. She had never seen him so relaxed and his charm was irresistible.

For a time they were lost in conversation, discussing the finer points of the evening's performance. They finished their meal and the remainder of the wine, talking and laughing late into the night.

At last, Christine felt her eyes began to grow heavy. Erik raised himself up on one elbow and drew her body against his own, wrapping his arms around her. "Sleep for a bit if you wish, mon ange. I will watch over you." Christine smiled as she lay her head drowsily against his chest.

Erik lay gazing at the stars above, Christine snuggled contentedly in his arms. Looking up to the heavens, he silently said a prayer of thanks to the deity whose existence he had denied for so long. He had truly been granted a miracle. He thought suddenly that nothing on earth could ever bring him as much joy as he felt in that moment.

Just then, Christine murmured something into the fabric of his shirt. "What's that darling?" he asked gently. Her eyes remained closed, but she smiled sleepily, "I said I love you, Erik." He had been wrong.