a/n: wow! that many reviews deserves an update! .
NightmareFX: of course, always a happy ending... usually... and i don't know how much you'll love this chapter if you like happy, but it always is worse before it's better, right! And if you don't like Christine, you'll love the phanfic in progress that I'm currently working on! One that i... haven't posted...
Loserella : if you don't like Christine, you'll love the phanfic in progress that I'm currently working on! One that i... haven't posted... but will! after this one!
Tay-kun: With Christine... everything is spite... other than that i have nothing to say, except thank you!
babygrl258: thanks!
Mizamour: Thanks! Glad you like!
ERIK POV
I abruptly silence my lesson as I listen to my alarms go off. This is far too early for Raoul to be back! It's barely been an hour!
I watch as Madame Giry walks out into the main room and comes back with a fuming Raoul.
"Raoul, what is it?" I take his hand but he pulls it angrily away.
"That lying bitch!" he screams.
I draw back, "Who, Raoul?"
"Christine," the name is growled at me.
"What did she say?" I take his hand and he clenches mine, but it seems to calm him slightly so I let him.
"We were fighting and she yelled to me 'You are no better than that monster by the lake'. I was ready to kill her Erik!" he takes my other hand.
I pull a hand to my lips and kiss his gently, "It's okay. It means nothing coming from her."
"I know, but she had no right to say it," he counters.
"Hush," I whisper, "She has no power."
PHLIPPE POV
I hear a knock at the study door.
"Come in," I call.
"Sir, this letter has just arrived," my maid sets it on the table in front of me.
"Thank you," I say as she walks out.
Opening the letter carefully I read it.
The contents are an outrage! Raoul, running around with another man? That is out of the question! There is no way a Chagny would be caught going around with the other sex. I would prefer he marry a chorus girl than this! He has only dropped further in the ranks.
My brother, Raoul, why do you do this to me?
Running out, I head for the stables and jump onto my fastest horse bareback. Riding off to the Opera House at break neck speed I find my anger rising. How dare he?
Once I reach the Opera House I enter and head to Madame Giry's room, knowing that if anyone will know where he is, she would be the person.
Knocking on her door there is no answer. I open the door to see her exiting a path through her mirror. Praying she has not seen me I close the door and knock again.
She answers it, "Bonjour, Monsieur Comte, what can I do for you?"
I barge in past her; "I must see my brother."
She seems to panic a little, "He can not be bothered!"
"By his own brother?" I question.
"I'm sorry, Monsieur," she answers, dropping her head.
"What's behind this mirror?" I turn to it and push.
"Nothing!" she exclaims, horrified.
"I just saw you come through, now what's back there?" I demand.
"That's my business, Monsieur," I ignore her, picking up a candlestick and smashing the mirror, finding a hallway behind. They must be down there, hiding.
I storm down the path without another word.
The halls are long and dark. I follow the faint sound of voices from the far end. That has to be then. And then there is a laugh, and I recognize it as Raoul's. I start to sprint.
Finding my way to the end I run into a lake, but there is a boat, so I hop inside.
Rowing my way to the other side I see my brother standing out, as if expecting me.
"Philippe?" he hides no shock.
"Hello," I hide no anger.
"What are you doing here?" he demands.
"I got a tip from a friend that you are seeing a man!" I yell into his face.
He glances back to a room and I storm into the room, past my brother and see a man in a bed.
"You!" I yell and storm over to the man.
He almost cowers, "What do you want?"
"I am Raoul's brother, and you are not to see him again!" I scream.
"What? Why?" he seems so lost.
"Because, it is disgracing our name," I answer as calm as possible.
When he moves to grab me I grab his wrist and throw him to the ground.
"Erik!" my brother yells from behind me but I catch him before he can take another step towards the man.
I kick the man in the side and then drag Raoul back into the main room.
I throw him to the ground as well, "I should disown you for this!"
"For following my heart?" he asks incredulously.
"To a man?" I demand.
"I love him, Philippe. He's hurt already. I only meant to be a helping hand in healing him, and I fell in love," he confesses.
"Raoul…" my anger begins to subside.
"I'm sorry, Philippe, but I love this man!" he screams at me.
"Would you give your life for him?" I ask.
He stops dead, "Yes."
"I'm sorry," I answer.
He doesn't seem to understand.
"Raoul, go to him," I answer his silence.
He does, tentatively raising himself from the ground and walking past me.
I hear him drop to the ground by that man and I follow him.
I see Raoul holding that man, Erik apparently, tight in his arms. Erik is out cold, and Raoul is crying onto his back.
I kneel next to him, "Is he okay?"
"Erik will be fine, but he's hurting bad right now. He just passed out as you came in," he continues to hold Erik protectively.
"I'm so sorry, Raoul. I don't know how many times you've heard me say that, but I want you to know every time I do that I'm asking myself to forgive me too. I can not forgive myself for how I treat you, but my anger still gets the best of me," I bow my head in shame.
He turns to me and I think of something that might help, "Do you know a way out of here that leads straight outside?"
"Of course," he answers.
"Show me," I demand.
He lifts Erik back on the bed and shows me the way.
"Have Erik back here in two minutes," I turn and leave, on my way to hunt for a carriage.
I find one with ease and direct them back. I find Raoul holding Erik and I motion for him to get into the carriage. He does and I smile.
I hop in and direct the driver to our mansion, then turn to Raoul, "What are Chagny's when we do not show hospitality to our close friends?"
He laughs, and rubs Erik's arm.
As Erik starts to come to half way there I move over to allow them some room.
"Where are we?" Erik moans.
"On the way back to my home, Erik. You're coming to my home," he answers.
"No, I can't! I must stay at the Opera House! No one can see me there!" he panics. Then I really notice the mask for the first time. This man is very mysterious.
"I'll go back for our clothes later, but you must come with me now," my brother coos.
Erik looses his battle with consciousness again.
"Well that went well," my brother complains.
I wrap an arm around his shoulder, "I'm sure he'll enjoy being there more when he gets settled in."
"I hope so," we arrive and he instantly takes Erik to his own room.
Laying him on the bed he sits next to him, "This bed is big enough for five people, it can fit us, right?"
"Of course," I smile and leave the room. At least here, no rumors can be spread.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
a/n: please review!
