A/N: Wow, so many reviews. Did I say in the first chapter I think this might get steamy? Not yet… no… but I think it will. Fair warning to you all! This is nothing like my first story… well, I don't intend it to be anyway… but I am a creature of habit…

Amber: As always thank you so much for the reviews! And your work is too good NOT to quote!

Modesty: So good to have you back, have you updated yet? Thanks!

Elizabeth 2: Thank you for the kind review. I hope you stick with me.

Seylin: lol, thank you for the review… real Erik coming soon, I'm biting my fingers to stop myself from putting him in too soon.

AngelofMusic: I think Nadir will go… I think I have no choice but to kill him now but there may be scenes which refer to him later… possibly descriptions of the fire if they still happen to be relevant. I wasn't a fan of the Persian in Leroux's book so I was hoping to give him more depth. I think I have succeeded in that by allying hi with Erik ;)

Spike: Continuing right now, thank you so much for the review.

A.D. Chandler: Thank you for the review, I will be recommending your story to my friends and fans of 'something a bit different'. As for Nadir helping Erik, I think it is totally in his nature and wanted to give something a little off the wall for an early twist.

Mystery Guest: Well, thank you ever so much for your more than kind review. It is reviews like that that encourage writers to continue. As for Christine changing her mind, I think it suits her, I like her as a character but I truly believe she has serious faults. She hadn't thought about what she was doing and as she stood there I think she realised she was out of her depth.

There will definitely be E/C in it, strongly I imagine but I don't know if it will turn out that way, you'll have to wait and see ;)

Chapter 8- Confrontation.

Christine felt sick as she reached the rear door of the Giry house. The cold had hit her chest hard and made her breathing awkward, she leaned against the wall for a moment to catch her breath. As she did she closed her eyes and pictured the Persian, Erik's friend… Raoul's ally… She had been shocked at his appearance, almost as much as she had been shocked at Erik's disappearance. She let out a long, languid sigh and as the warmth of her breath hit the cool of the night her vision misted in its condensation.

She fit the key Meg had given her carefully into the lock and turned it gently. With a click the door opened and she stepped in, pushing it with her hand and trying to adjust her eyes to the blackness of the room. She turned and pushed the door shut behind her, locking it again and removing her cape. A shiver crept slowly up her spine and trickled back down and she folded her arms around herself to shield her from the cold.

'Are you satisfied?' Came the voice from behind her and Christine jumped towards the door, her heart pounding in her chest, beating like a drum, only to her it seemed twice as loud. 'I said, are you satisfied now?'

'I'm not sure…' Christine began, swallowing hard.

'Don't treat me like a fool.'

'I'm sorry,' she said as Madame Giry lit the candle in her hand and walked toward Christine. 'Madame…'

'No,' Madame Giry said firmly.

'You didn't hear what I was going to say.' Christine said as the ballet mistress handed her a blanket to wrap over her shoulders.

'You were going to ask me if I know where he is.' She said, smirking at Christine's puzzled expression. 'The answer is no.'

'How did you know?'

'Because I know you well, child.' She said and ushered Christine out of the kitchen. Christine was glad that it was dark, that the flame of the candle didn't allow much light to be cast onto her face. Her embarrassment was barely concealed otherwise.

'I must know if he is alright.' Christine said as she slowly climbed the stairs ahead of her friend's mother. Christine heard the contempt in Madame Giry before she even said a word.

'You must leave him alone,' she said decisively. Christine opened her mouth to object but Madame Giry grabbed her wrist and spun her around so that they were looking at each other. Christine almost felt herself cower away as the candles lit the steel in Madame Giry's eyes. 'Listen to me.' She said and Christine simply nodded, frightened to open her mouth, scared to speak and make the situation worse. 'You will leave him alone. You have done enough.'

'It wasn't my fault,' Christine murmured, not quietly enough, as the Madame pushed her hard against the wall.

'It wasn't your fault that he fell in love with you, no. You are absolutely right.' She said. 'But tell me this Christine, did you never feel anything for him? Did you never show him an affection which he could confuse for your love? Did you never lead him astray with your words or actions?'

Christine said nothing.

'Child, he is no idiot.' Madame Giry continued. 'He is not stupid, he isn't a boy. He isn't like Raoul.' Christine swallowed back the lump in her throat. She felt suddenly very hoarse. 'He has known women before you Christine, don't fool yourself into thinking that he hasn't, that he couldn't judge your actions.'

'But…'

'Shush,' She said, raising her hand to Christine's lips. 'I won't hear it. You will let sleeping dogs lie, do you hear me? You know he is alive, you know he won't hang, let it go.'

'Madame Giry, how can I?' she asked earnestly.

'You made you decision.' She said, her tone cool. 'It's time to grow up. Sleep in the bed you have made.'

And with that she entered her sleeping quarters leaving Christine stood, pinned against the wall, pulse racing wondering what exactly had just happened.