When Erik woke the next morning, he was anxious to begin their journey. He thought that perhaps the longer Christine was away from her home, the harder it would be for her to return. He was surprised to find that Christine too was awake, but she had appeared to rise even earlier than he. Everything in the room was already tidied up and she was pulling on her riding gloves.

"Good, you're awake. We should be leaving soon," she said, flexing her fingers within the gloves.

Erik had little to do to prepare for their ride. He made sure his mask was fit in place, straightened out his clothes, and grabbed Christine's pistol. They were silent as they mounted their horses, and remained that way for quite some time. The tension hung heavily between them, causing Christine to shift nervously in her saddle every so often. Erik was not bothered by the fact that he had caused the tension. Quite the contrary, he was rather pleased that his words could cause such uneasiness in Christine. He believed that the seed of doubt he planted within her was flourishing, that she was unable to face him for fear of what she felt. It would be difficult for her to leave her family, he knew this. But she would have no need of Raoul with him as her husband, and he would not deny her the chance to be with her son. Christine glanced over at Erik at saw the victorious smile on his lips. She knew that she had to speak immediately. She cleared her throat.

"Erik, about what you said last night…" she paused, waiting for him to acknowledge her. He said nothing, didn't even glimpse at her, but she continued on. "I felt…rather uncomfortable. I wish you wouldn't speak to me that way anymore. It's simply not appropriate." She looked straight ahead of her as she finished.

"Whatever you wish, my dear," he replied smugly. "We wouldn't want the wife of Monsieur le Vicomte de Chagny to discuss her feelings."

"That's not what I mean, I…" she was a bit confounded, unsure of how to reply. She closed her eyes and thought for a moment, then turned to Erik. "Sometimes I feel as though you're trying to confuse me or… I don't know what I'm trying to say. Whenever you speak of my marriage to him, it's always disparaging. I love my husband more than anything, but when I'm with you he gets…lost. And I can't help but feel that you are doing it on purpose."

"Did you ever think that perhaps your confusion springs from within yourself? Perhaps the doubts that you ignore simply cannot be hidden when you are with me."

"You're doing it again! You want me to doubt what I feel for Raoul!" she yelled angrily.

"No, Christine. I want you to look carefully at your life and decide if it is what you truly want. If he fulfills your heart's desire than so be it. I only want you to be sure," he said coolly.

Christine calmed down immediately. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to accuse you. My emotions have been erratic lately. I don't know what's wrong with me."

Erik looked at her now. She had gone pale and was wavering in her saddle. "Christine, are you feeling alright?"

She suddenly pulled back hard on the reins and leapt from her horse. She dashed behind a nearby building, Erik on her heels. He turned the corner and found Christine hunched over and leaning against the wall. She was retching violently. Erik rushed forward and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Christine, what's wrong?" he asked with concern.

She coughed a few dry coughs and placed her hand over her mouth. After a moment, she was composed enough to speak. "Erik, I need to go home."

"Why? Tell me what the matter is," he was still worried. He had never had much dealing with illness and he was unsure what he could do to help.

She kept her back to him, but he could sense the smile that crossed her face as she spoke. "I'm…I'm pregnant."

Erik's face hardened as he tried to keep his breathing under control. The monster that he had been keeping at bay was howling to be released. Everything that had he dreamt, all that he had imagined was finally coming to fruition. Once again happiness had been in his grasp, only to be torn away by that insufferable Vicomte. With the child that was growing inside Christine, Erik felt that Raoul was mocking him, flaunting what he could never have.

"I shouldn't be out on a horse. We need to find a carriage, something, and soon." Despite her unease about getting home, Christine's voice remained wistful.

"Very well. I will inquire about town. You should find a place to rest," Erik said, his voice lacking emotion.

She turned to him and looked sadly in his eyes. "Erik, I…"

"There is no need for explanations, Christine. I'm sure your husband will be overjoyed," he interrupted her.

She reached out and squeezed his hand before turning back to find a place to sit. As she waited for Erik to return, her mind wandered. She was thrilled to be having a baby, but would Raoul accept her again? She knew the baby was his; he was the only man she had ever allowed to possess her body, but would he believe that? She bit her nails as her fears began to escalate. She imagined returning home, seeing the anger and the pain in Raoul's eyes. In her mind, she saw him turning her away, keeping her from their son. She knew that was foolish. Raoul was far too kind and too much of a gentleman to separate a mother and child. But that didn't mean he had to accept her as his wife. When Erik finally returned she was on the verge of tears.

"My dear, why are you crying?" he asked as he sat beside her.

"I should never have left him. I was so foolish, I didn't think this through. I could lose everything that matters most to me and I'm so scared. Oh Erik, what am I going to do?" she said frantically.

He swallowed hard, preparing himself to speak the words Christine needed to hear, words that he didn't wish to speak. "Everything will be fine. He loves you and he will love this child. Now dry your eyes. Your carriage waits to take you home to your husband."