Forget Me Not: Chapter 13

Sorry for the wait. I hope it's worth it.

I do not own the Phantom of the Opera. Shut up, Raoul, and no one will realize I've stolen you. That's a good Victome.

Oh, and our dear Nadir makes his first appearance in this chapter. I just finished the Kay book, so hopefully I have his personality down. I'll do my best.

Side note: For Erik's lair, I've combined Leroux and ALW versions. I don't particularly like his hole in the wall ALW home, but I started the story before I finished Leroux and I'm too lazy to go back now XP So it's basically the hole, but Christine's room is the Louis Phillipe room, and it does have a door. I do like the black veil around the bed, so that stays. Also, Erik has his own room with a door and a coffin. I realize this makes no difference whatsoever, but I just thought I'd put that in.

PS AGAIN: This has nothing to do with the story. But I found a bit of lyrics that seemed to fit Erik perfectly:

I only wished to become something beautiful

Through my music, through my silent devotion

-Nightwish, Oceansoul

I know that was random. I just felt the need to put that in. Okay. On with the story.

Christine lay in his arms, her eyes wide open, her mind a blank. Only one thing registered in her mind, only one awful thing.

I've done something bad…

He ran a hand through her hair, his heart pounding wildly against her ear. Every time his heart beat, it seemed to add to her guilt. Once she was able to think clearly, she would hate herself, hate him…

He took advantage of her. Yes, it was his fault! He took advantage of her, that awful man! It was his fault, all his fault!

No…no…it wasn't…she'd begged for it, encouraged him…he'd wanted to stop, she'd pleaded for more…

She couldn't deal with this. She had to fall asleep, where the memories couldn't hurt her…and she had to get out of this embrace! But how would she do it without hurting him?

She shut her eyes and allowed her breathing to deepen. After a few moments, she rolled over on her back, praying her little act would convince him. It did. Too well, in fact. He rolled over with her, kissing her brow lightly. She suppressed a groan. If she rolled over anymore, they'd both fall off the bed. He'd won. She sighed, allowing them to stay in each other's arms.

This was so wrong.

Erik, however, seemed to have other things in mind. He shook his head, then climbed out of bed. Christine hadn't noticed she was holding her breath, and let it out softly. Those who slept did not hold their breath.

Erik gave her a long look, then began to dress. He picked up yesterday's garments, putting away her gown, corset, and other garments lovingly. He walked out, leaving one last glance at his 'sleeping' angel.

She sat up. Was he leaving her? For his music, no doubt. She tried to see through the thick dark veil, as she heard no music. She did however, hear his footsteps coming back, and she plopped back down immediately, closing her eyes. She heard footsteps, moving to the table beside the bed. His mask, no doubt.

"I can't…"

"Erik, if you trust me, you'll let me see your face. I will not kiss porcelain."

Her eyes closed, she could only rely on two senses: sound and touch. She felt his leather-clad hand on her cheek, then felt him jerk it away, swearing at himself. She heard his footsteps walking away, a long sigh, then the gentle click of the door closing behind him.

She got out of bed quickly, patting down her hair. She placed a hand on the door knob, then stopped herself. She really should dress…

Once she'd done that, she tried to open the door. No luck. No…he wouldn't…she tried the other way. It wouldn't budge. No. He'd locked her in!

She sat down on the bed, suddenly feeling very dizzy. No way out. Alone. Alone with the guilt…

She could think clearly now, and the truth of the matter began to dawn on her. She was an adulteress. In all rights, she was still bound to Raoul…a note did note cut the twine, she was still tied to him in law, and in mind. She didn't think of Erik, of the mixed signals she was giving him, no. She thought of Raoul, poor, sweet Raoul…who'd never lay a hand on her, never so much as raised his voice at her in anger…

Words began to consume her, dance around her mind as though they were part of a cruel opera condemning her to Hell…Slut, Filthy, Whore, Wanton, Tramp…

No! She did not belong down there! She did not!

She was drowning! She was drowning! She could not swim!

She vomited, her body shaking as unimaginable guilt poured over her like tidal waves, threatening to consume her.

Raoul…!

Erik stared at the door knob for only a moment. He so hated confining her, but there was simply too many things that could harm her if he left her alone. No, he couldn't let anything happen to her. Not now that she was his. And, besides, he wouldn't be gone long. She would most likely stay asleep.

He poled the boat across the lake, watching the ripples but refusing to concentrate on them. No, he had much more important things on his mind. He could see the figure on the other side, gradually growing larger as he neared his destination. The figure stood close to the shore, a bundle in his arms. Erik climbed out of the gondola, approaching the man with a small grin on his face.

"Nadir," he took the bundle from the man's arms.

"I've brought you the food, and the gowns," the man indicated each object with his index finger, and Erik could hear the disapproval on his voice. "All in her measurements."

"My thanks, Nadir," he replied, not meeting the man's eyes. He could feel the strange look Nadir gave him, and immediately felt as though he were under an incredibly bright light.

"You're hiding something," Nadir said finally. It wasn't a question.

"No," Erik frowned, preparing to leave. "I am not!"

"Yes, you are, Erik," He grinned, almost triumphantly at the fact he'd made the masked man as uncomfortable as he so clearly was. "I've known you long enough to know when you are hiding something important."

"Even if I am hiding something, which I am not, why would I tell you?" Erik cried, shaking off the discomfort and regaining control. "You have no business in my personal life, Nadir!"

He turned his back, putting the bundle into the boat.

"So you remember her?"

Erik froze, one foot in the boat.

"You asked for all the dresses in her size. My memory isn't gone completely."

Erik turned around to face him, a look of sheer rage on his face.

"If she has returned, my friend, it is not your place to say whether it is right or wrong!"

"Give it up, Erik," The look on Nadir's face was almost pitiful, and Erik's ire only grew. "Just tell me the truth and I will give you this," He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small packet. Erik stared at the small treasure, not blinking. He finally shook his head.

"You know I don't need that anymore. Don't tempt me,"

"I don't think this is what you think it is," Nadir commented, opening the packet and looking inside. "Is your memory gone, my friend? You gave me exact instructions last week on what to buy…tell me the truth and then you can tell me if it lives up to your expectations."

Nadir pulled out the content of the packet. Erik stared at it, his eyes wide behind his mask.

"I could kill you, you know," He eyed Nadir carefully. "But that would be terribly inconvenient. So I suppose I have no choice."

Raoul de Chagny paced the floor of the police station. No, no, women did not just disappear into thin air. She was with him. There was no other logical explanation.

But why would she go with him? How could she betray his trust like that? She promised him…she promised him…

"You saved me in ways you can't even imagine…"

She promised him…

"I owe you my mind, body, soul, and heart…they are all yours…"

And he couldn't STAND the thought of her promising herself to another man! Especially not him…

"I'm sorry, Monsieur, but no one saw your wife leaving last night," the chief of police said, a sympathetic tone in his voice. "I'm afraid we have no leads on her disappearance."

Raoul left the police station, his eyes threatening to tear. No, this wasn't over. He would find her. And he would bring her back, no matter how big the dragon was he had to slay. He had to.

I was going to make this all one chapter, but I've decided to make a new chapter with the rest of the content. So evil -mwahacough-