Alright. I know… I haven't posted for… two months? Something like that? BUT I HAVE AN EXCUSE! You see, my dog ate my chapter. Well actually it wasn't my dog, because I don't have a dog. It was technically my fish who ate my chapter; buuuuut like anyone's going to believe that excuse. Summer vacation's here and I have LOADS of free time on my hands, so I promise from this day forth that I shall post a chapter a week. PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE! Seriously.

For not posting in so long, I'm going to make it up to you. Maybe not this chapter… or the next… but I WILL! Lots of hot E/C-ness coming your way. (But don't kill me if there's some R/C first –sighs-)

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The Darkest of Deep Obsessions

Chapter Two: A Game of Telephone Tag

She washed her hands in the cracked sink, her mind elsewhere. A million thoughts ran through her head, each more bizarre than the last. She closed her eyes and turned off the taps, trying desperately to clear her mind. Who was he? Christine shook her head simply and let her eyes flutter open once more. In the water-stained mirror in front of her, two dull blue eyes stared back, set atop a pale face which was framed by stray curls that had come loose from their holdings. Brushing them briskly behind her ears she couldn't help as a smile spread across her lips.

She wasn't entirely bad looking as she had thought earlier. As she studied herself closer in the mirror, she let her eyes glance across the high cheek bones that were slightly red with the cold to her nose which was small and pert. Her lips weren't as full and daring as Meg's, but that wasn't a problem. Her eyes… Glancing up at them in the glass her grin widened. While Meg's had a slanted and slightly almond shape to them, Christine's were large and wide- almost like doe eyes she realized.

Rounding her shoulders back, she stood up straighter and began to smooth out the creases in the material of her sweater. The passed over the pockets and her face suddenly fell- her smile disappearing for good. Where is my cell phone? Swallowing thickly she stuffed her hands in her pockets, but she found nothing besides her house keys and two folded twenties.

"Oh dear… oh dear!" Christine whispered, pushing the door open, almost knocking over a girl who stood behind it. Hissing a quick apology she stood at the edge of the food court, her eyes searching frantically for Meg and Raoul. Spotting them chatting at a table near by she half-ran to them.

"Chris what's wrong?" Meg looked up at her friend with a look of concern on her face. Christine shook her head.

"My cell phone! It's gone! I can't believe it!" Meg's eyes boggled and Raoul said suddenly spoke.

"What do you mean it's gone? Did it drop out of your pocket? Wouldn't you notice?" Christine groaned and covered her face with her hand.

"No… I don't know… Maybe-" She stopped suddenly, her eyes growing large. "It was him! He took it! He had to!" Meg stood up quickly.

"Who took it? If you know who it was then we should go tell security." She said seriously. Christine's brows knitted in thought.

"Remember that guy that we saw earlier when we were coming in?" She queried. Raoul cleared his throat.

"Umm… what guy?" He asked, his voice sounding a little on the edge. Meg put up her hand.

"Not now Raoul. And yes I do remember him. But we were in the car at the time! How could he have gotten it out of your pocket?" Christine shook her head.

"I bumped into him on my way to the bathroom. I almost toppled over and he put out a hand to steady me. He probably slipped it out of my pocket." Meg nodded, considering all the facts.

"Probably. He did look kind of… shady. Alright, come on. The information booth is just this way." Gathering up the tray laden with French fries and hamburgers, Meg began to lead Christine towards the exit, dumping the tray in the garbage as she went. Raoul let out a cry of protest.

"You just threw that all out?" Meg and Christine both spun on their heels, Meg's face contorted with anger.

"Raoul honestly, there are more important things right now! Like Christine's cell phone!" Raoul's mouth flew open but he shut it quickly. "Come on Chris." Christine began to follow her friend numbly; just barely aware that Raoul's hand had somehow latched onto her wrist. Her earlier questions about the man with yellow eyes had been ignored, and her feelings of awe had been replaced with a feeling of hatred and pure furry towards him. Why me? Why this of all days? I suddenly see a friend for the first time in a while, and I'm upset while I should be elated! Her thoughts were broken suddenly by Meg's clear voice ringing in her ears as she spoke to the security officer who sat behind the desk with a giant "I" above it for information.

"Excuse me; we'd like to report a theft?" Meg said calmly. The officer nodded and pushed back her glasses to study the three.

"Was it something you saw in a store, or something that happened to a shopper?" She questioned.

"Actually, it happened to my friend Christine here. Someone stole her cell phone out of her pocket a few minutes ago." The brunette replied. The officer looked skeptical.

"Out of her pocket? Wouldn't she notice?" Meg shook her head.

"Well… no she-" Christine interrupted suddenly, stepping up to the desk.

"I bumped into him and almost fell. He wrapped his arm around my waist to help me retain my balance and I'm almost positive that was when he took the opportunity to take my cell phone from my pocket." She explained. The officer stared at her for a moment before nodding once more.

"Alright. Let me radio in someone to take you to the security office. Hold on one moment please." Christine turned to Meg and Raoul.

"You're positive it was him?" Asked Meg. Raoul stared blankly at her.

"Well obviously she's sure! Why else would she say that if she wasn't?" He retorted. Meg rolled her eyes.

"Jeepers creepers, calm your hormones! No need to get so defensive you know. I was just asking!" The officer at the desk cleared her throat and all three turned to look at her and the arrival of another security officer.

"Miss, if you'd come with me please?" He said. Christine, Meg and Raoul began to follow him through the increasingly crowded shopping mall as he lead them down the stairs and though a door that stood between a clothing store and a popcorn stand. Meg and Christine sat down wordlessly in the chairs in front of the desk while Raoul stood behind them, his hands on the back of Christine's chair.

"Alright, if I could have all your names please?" It was more of a statement then a question.

"My name's Christine Daaé, this is Meg Giry and Raoul Chagny." The officer wrote their names on a piece of paper and then looked up at them.

"I'm going to need a statement of what exactly happened. From the beginning." He said. Christine looked at him nervously.

"When's the beginning?" She asked.

"The first time you saw him." Nodding silently, Christine glanced up at Raoul who gave her a reassuring smile, to Meg who sighed and nodded once. Looking back at the officer whose pen was poised on the top of the sheet of an official-looking document she began.

"Okay… well… my friend Meg and I first saw him when we parked Meg's car in the parking lot of the mall. He was getting out of the car across the lane. We both kind of watched him for a bit and then when he left we too left our car and went into the mall. Raoul and I had arranged to meet each other in the food court because we hadn't seen each other in a long time because Raoul doesn't live in Ontario." Her story was cut off by the man looking at Raoul.

"Where do you live?" He asked. Raoul shifted uncomfortably before answering,

"I'm actually in the process of moving… I've bought a house on the other side of town and am waiting for my things to arrive, so I'm currently staying in a hotel not far from here. I originally lived in British Columbia." The officer raised his eyebrows.

"B.C huh? Why such the big move?" Raoul shrugged.

"I just needed a change." His answer was flat, and Christine had a feeling he wasn't telling the exact truth.

"Okay, continue miss." The officer made a gesture at the singer and Christine started again.

"Well, Raoul and I haven't seen each other in a while, and Meg was over at my house this morning, so I decided to take her along. We met up with Raoul in the food court and we talked for a bit. We decided to have something to eat, since Meg and I hadn't eaten breakfast this morning and were both quite hungry. Raoul and Meg went to go by something because I wanted to go to the bathroom. I guess I wasn't watching where I was going and bumped into him. Like I said before, he put his arm around my waste to steady me." She felt her cheeks grow hot at the memory.

"And that's when he took your cell phone." Interjected the officer. Christine nodded.

"Right." He sighed and studied what he had written before looking up at her again.

"Did he say anything to you?" He asked. Christine hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

"Not really… I just told him how sorry I was, and he said that it was alright. We… we didn't say anything else. I went my separate way and he went his." She said. So it's not the complete truth… but why bother telling him what that man said? It's not like it matters right? She stole a glance at Meg while the officer wrote something down. The brunette dancer was staring at her with an expression of curiosity on her face. Christine swallowed and looked down at her hands.

"Could you give me a description of the thief?" Christine winced as she felt herself clamming up inside. Come on Chris, give him a description. What's the big deal anyways? He's a thief. He stole your cell phone. Remember? Christine spoke up, her voice shaking slightly.

"Um… he was tall… clearly taller than six foot. Maybe six foot four or something. He was really tall. He was wearing all black. He has um… black hair. It's kind of shaggy and it covered the right side of his face. But you could still sort of see his eyes… which were yellow. Well- not yellow. They were hazel but they looked yellow in a way. His skin was really pale looking. But… he had this feeling around him. Like he was important and powerful, and he moved with such gracefulness. And his voice… It was so powerful and deep and commanding… melodic. It sounded like music, even though he wasn't singing." Her voice was weak at first, but grew stronger as she recounted what he looked like. She couldn't stop herself as she spoke of his voice, and found her cheeks burning once again. Oh God. What am I doing? What if he didn't steal my cell? What if it did just fall out of my pocket?

"Thank-you. If I could just have all of your phone numbers then?" The officer said. Christine and Meg recounted their own while Raoul gave his cell phone as well as his new phone number. "I'll phone you as soon as something comes up." He shook Christine's hand firmly and suddenly she felt like she was condemning someone for something they didn't even do. She dully heard Meg give thanks on Christine's behalf and Raoul talking with the officer for a moment before Meg took her casually by the arm and began to lead her and Raoul out of the office, through the mall to outside where it had begun to rain.

"Raoul it was really nice meeting you. I wish we could stay and talk more, but I think we're going to go home now. Right Chris?" Meg said. Christine looked up at her friends' concerned faces.

"Oh… uh… right. It was nice seeing you again Raoul. Call me tomorrow and perhaps we'll do something okay?" She said softly. Raoul stepped forwards and wrapped his arms around her. He smelled like oddly like toast and butter. Returning the hug quickly, Christine pulled away.

"Alright. Well, I suppose I'll see you soon Little Lotte. Have a good day then alright? Don't worry; I'm sure they'll catch that guy soon." He said. Christine felt her stomach churn.

"I know." With a quick grin, Raoul lifted his hand above his head to prevent the rain from soaking him and dashed out into the parking lot to get his car. They both watched as he leaved before Meg suddenly turned to Christine.

"Chris are you alright?" She queried. Christine shook her head and put her head in her hands for a moment.

"No! Why do I feel as though I've completely messed up?" She confessed. Meg wrapped an arm around her in a comforting way.

"Don't worry; it's not all that bad. Stay here while I get the car. It's all the way at the back there… there's no sense in both of us getting completely soaked right?" She said firmly. The blonde shrugged. Meg quickly began to walk down the isles and was soon out of sight.

Sighing deeply, Christine backed up against the wall and folded her arms across her chest, watching from under the little sheltered area along the building as the rain splashed down upon her feet, making dark spots in her black sneakers. Somehow I have a really bad feeling about this whole situation. A really, really bad feeling. First of all, who was that guy? He was really strange but at the same time extremely interesting. I would have loved to get to know him, but now I'm not so sure. Christine looked up just in time to see Mrs. Giry's battered white car pull up in front of the walk. The blonde looked around quickly before running across and wrenching the door open, climbing inside quickly.

"Well, that wasn't pleasant." Commented Meg as Christine fastened her seat belt. Christine looked over to see Meg completely drenched from head to toe, her loose chocolate coloured hair sticking together in clumps, her mascara leaving dark marks under her eyes. Christine couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh shut up. Like you've never seen me wet before." Meg cried furiously as she exited the parking lot. The singer continued to laugh.

"Well yes but not looking like that." She confessed breathlessly.

"It's rain Christine. Obviously it's going to be wet." Meg said haughtily. Christine tilted her head back, her chest shaking in her mirth.

"Yea but your so… so… wet!" She exclaimed. Meg rolled her eyes.

"It's not that funny." The dancer muttered. Christine closed her eyes and bit her lip, trying to compose herself.

"It is if you're someone who's had a somewhat stressful day so far." She confessed. Meg shrugged her shoulders.

"What ever you say hun." She said softly. Christine sighed and let her head fall against the window.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Meg queried.

"Don't bother. It's stupid." Christine retorted. Meg chuckled.

"Well considering I have nothing better to do at the present and I'm not aloud to sing…" She trailed off and Christine chuckled, recalling their earlier conversation in the car. Watching as a rain drop hit the window and began to make its way along the glass, she shrugged.

"That guy who stole my cell phone. I know it's incredibly stupid of me, but somehow I feel almost bad for reporting him." She confessed. Meg thought for a moment before answering.

"It's not wonder. He was so hot and gorgeous. It's obvious why you feel that way. How could some one with looks like that ever be so evil?" She said wisely. Christine wondered how it was that even though Meg was the younger of the two, it was most often that she was the more mature one.

"It's not just hit looks though. God help me, I think I'm loosing my sanity here, but I somehow seemed drawn to him. His voice is just so…" Meg smiled.

"Hot?" She supplied. Christine shook her head.

"No… Powerful, strong, commanding… It sounded like music." This made Meg's smile grow.

"Ah. So what do you recon he is? Tenor or Baritone? Or is he a bass?" Christine considered this. His voice was low, but not low enough to be a bass.

"Probably a Baritone. Though somehow I think that he'd probably be able to hit higher notes." Suddenly she couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up in her chest. "This is so stupid! We're talking about the guy who stole my cell phone here! Not some cute guy!" Meg giggled at the insanity of it.

"Well he IS cute. But I don't think it's incredibly stupid. Did you get that weird feeling he sent out?" The dancer asked. Christine nodded.

"He was weird alright." Her brow knitted in thought. "He said something really strange to me… He told me not to trust the intentions of my friends because some people are not always as they seem." Lifting her head off the glass she stared out the front window at the road as the pulled onto her street. Beside her Meg gave a strained laugh.

"Wow. That is weird. Really weird."

"Hmm…" There was silence for a few moments and Meg drove up into the driveway of the small bungalow. She parked and turned to Christine.

"Look, don't trouble yourself about it anymore. Go inside, change clothes, have some lunch even though it's only," She glanced at the luminous clock on the dashboard. "Well, close to eleven. Then practice that dancing. And maybe some singing. Don't think about him alright? You'll just make yourself sick. What happened happened. It's not your fault he was a stupid jerk who stole your phone." Christine sighed and unbuckled her seat belt.

"Right. Sorry for not making up for ditching you. Although… I'm pretty sure that technically those pants make up for that night and many more to come." She confirmed. Meg laughed.

"I'll return the shirt when I come over sometime this week. We need to practice again, and you promised to help me with my singing. Don't forget, auditions are in a week." Christine groaned.

"How could I forget? You're still driving me right?" She asked. Meg nodded.

"Sure. You and a few other people. Don't worry, you'll do fine!" She said as Christine prepared to get out of the car.

"I hope so." Lifting the latch she waved quickly bolted up the porch steps, her hands quickly fumbling with the keys. Overhead, the sky seemed to laugh at her as she fought to get her key in the door and got inside. Sighing, she made her way into her bedroom, throwing her keys as hard as she could at the far wall. They hit with a satisfying bang and fell to the floor. Throwing open her wardrobe she pulled out the long t-shirt and tight fitting black pants that she had worn that morning and began to peel off her wet clothes. There was a ring from the kitchen and Christine's eyes went wide as she struggled to pull her pants on. It's probably Meg or Raoul. The phone rang again as she grabbed her t-shirt off the bed and ranked it over her head, setting off at a half run into the kitchen. Pulling the phone off its cradle she placed it to her ear.

"What do you want?" She stated.

"Are you always so to the point when answering the phone?" Christine nearly dropped the phone. It's that guy from the mall!

"N-no!" There were a number of things sitting on her tongue that she wanted to say to him, but she instead just settled for, "How did you get my number?" There was a slight chuckle from the man on the other end.

"It was on your cell phone's speed-dial. Under "home"?" He said calmly, somehow sounding clearly amused. Christine rolled her eyes. Who does this guy think he is?

"Yes, about my cell phone. Why did you take it? And why are you phoning me?" She demanded, anger starting to boil in her veins.

"I didn't take it. You dropped it, and it was on the floor, so I picked it up. I was planning on giving it back to you, but I couldn't find you in the food court. So I left. While looking for some sort of identification as to who you were, I found this number." He explained. Christine wanted to die right there on the spot.

"Oh… umm… oops?" She said weakly.

"I suppose I shouldn't return to that mall for a while?" He asked. Christine laughed nervously.

"If it were me, I wouldn't." She expected to be yelled at, but instead he just laughed.

"I don't often go there, so it's not as though it's a tragic loss in my life." Christine sighed, a faint blush forming on her cheeks.

"Well sorry about that anyways. Umm… you don't suppose I could have my phone back sometime soon, do you?" She asked quietly.

"Of course my dear! Would you like me to drop it off at your house?" Christine's mouth went dry. Him? Here? At my house? Oh dear… I should say no! I don't even know this guy, let alone want him to know where I live! A voice argued that point. Oh come now Chris, what's the worse that could happen? He seems really nice, such a gentleman. She hesitated. He could end up as some weird stalker or worse! And yet… He doesn't seem the type.

"Oh… right… If it wouldn't be any trouble." She said against her better judgment. I really should be saying no.

"No, no. It's not any trouble. I'll be there soon then." Before Christine could say anything, the phone clicked off. She sighed and leaned back against the counter. Such an odd man. About to put the phone back on the receiver she froze, an odd realization running through her.

"He didn't ask for my address! Oh dear!" Dialing her cell phone number quickly she waited for it to ring through, but there was nothing but a monotonous buzz. Apparently he had turned her cell phone off. Probably so that nobody phones him. But how is he going to find my house if he doesn't even know where I live? Putting the phone back down she entered the living room.

"Unless he already does." She reasoned aloud. The words echoed in her head and a funny feeling fell upon her. She shivered at the though. Don't be silly. You probably put it somewhere on your phone, just like your number. Trying to push the issue aside, she stood in the middle of the room, her thoughts twisting in a million different ways. She grinned as one of those thoughts happened to turn into a song. Why not use this time to practice singing? A grin beginning to seep across her face, Christine took a few deep breaths, licked her lips, and opened her mouth.

"Caught up in your wheelin' dealin' you've got no time left for simple feelin',

I thought I knew you but I didn't know you at all." She recalled the last time she sung the words of the song that had often troubled her mind. Taking a step back, she placed her hands on her hips, pretending she was on the stage in front of a grand audience.

"Trapped inside your world of worry, you miss so much when you always hurry…

Well slow down baby you'll only get hurt if you fall!" Christine felt her eyes slip closed, but behind her eye lids, an adoring audience called her name.

"Well you told me one time that you'd be somebody,

That you weren't working just to survive…

But you're working so hard that you don't even know you're alive." She let herself float across the song, concentrating on every vowel as it formed on her lips. Taking a quick step to the side, she let her arms fly into the air.

"Workin' so hard to be someone special, not working to survive…

Well your special to me babe, but what I don't see babe,

Is where you go once you arrive…

Where we go once we arrive…" The last note died on her lips and she counted three beats in her head, about to begin the next verse when suddenly she felt something on her shoulder. With a shriek, she spun around and tripped on the carpet. She reached out for something to steady herself with, and in succession, landed up pulling someone down on top of her. For a few minutes, she lay on the floor, her chest heaving, her legs and the back of her head aching dully. Pulling herself to rest on her elbows, she looked up to see the "mysterious man" from the mall lying across her legs.

"Umm…" He looked up at her and the glanced back down at her legs, and for a moment, Christine could have sworn that the colour had drained from his face completely. He scrambled quickly to get off her, then stood and offered a hand to help her up.

"My dear, you have no idea how sorry I am!" He exclaimed. Christine bit her lip and took his hand, letting him pull her from the floor.

"Oh lord… No I'm sorry!" It seemed at that moment, her knees decided to give out on her, and she reached out to grasp his forearm to prevent herself from falling once again. In return, he wrapped his arms around her waste. Her eyes wide, Christine looked up, her breath catching in her throat. Two glowing yellow eyes stared back at her- entrancing her. She felt she couldn't look away from the odd look that they fantomed. She tried to swallow, her mouth feeling quite dry, but couldn't find the ability. Her lips parted on their own accord as she stood there like a rag doll in this stranger's arms, her body weight supported only by her now seemingly-weak grip on his arms, and his strong hold on her waist. Suddenly the trance broke- perhaps it was his blinking that did it- Christine stumbled back, her mouth forming a small "o". She pulled herself free from him and backed up against the wall unit, wrapping her small arms around her to keep off the chill that had settled beneath her skin. Outside, the distant roll of thunder signaled a coming storm.

"Perhaps… Perhaps I should give you back your cell phone?" He breathed, and Christine just barely nodded. He pulled it out of the pocket of his dark coat and placed it on the end table just beside the couch. Christine swallowed thickly, trying to calm her shallow breaths.

"Um… how… how did you get into my house?" She asked timidly. And more importantly, how the hell did you know where I live? Pushing her rude thoughts aside she watched him carefully as he answered.

"The door was already open. I knocked twice, but you never answered. I heard singing from inside, and guessed that you were listening to a radio… Apparently not." Christine felt a faint blush rise to her cheeks. The stranger seemed to find humor in this, for he smirked.

"Why be embarrassed, my dear, when you have a lovely voice?" Christine's cheeks turned crimson.

"It-it's nothing! I've heard better. I was just practicing… y-you see I'm trying out f-for the local theater chorus. W-we need to audition with a song and dance." She cursed herself mentally as her tongue stumbled over words that she usually said with quite ease. The man's brow creased.

"The chorus? Why not audition as a singer? I'm sure you would rather be acting in a larger role than be hidden in the chorus?" He quried. Why just the chorus? Because I lack the voice to sing a much larger part. She wanted to say. But instead, Christine looked at her feet and sighed.

"Oh no, I could never hold a large role! I've always dreamed of being a chorus girl!" She lied. She expected the man to say something more, but he hummed softly, and Christine looked up to see him studying her with great curiosity.

"You're not putting enough emotion into it." He said simply. Christine blinked.

"Excuse me?" He sighed.

"Your voice. It lacks something, and at first I couldn't put my finger on it. There's no emotion when you sing. Of course, it's good enough for a chorus girl, but if you wanted to make it, and get even a tiny part, it would need much work." He commented. Christine placed a hand to her chest feeling slightly hurt and taken aback. Who the hell does he think he is? Just walking into my house, than making fun of me? She felt like yelling at him, but instantly bit her tongue.

"What are you? A singer? A vocal coach?" She spat furiously. He chuckled.

"Among other things, yes." Christine's face dropped.

"Oh." He smiled warmly and took a small step towards her.

"I could help you, you know. Your voice has so much potential to it. It would be a true waste to let such a gift fall on the wayside." He said, a tone of seriousness echoing in his voice. Christine felt her blush returning to her cheeks.

"Well…" She began. Say no Christine! Turn him down and tell him to get out of your house! He's a stranger, remember? You don't know him. He took another step towards her, and suddenly Christine was afraid. He grabbed her chin and brought to look him in the eyes.

"Don't tell me you dream of being a chorus girl, when a Prima Donna is really what your heart yearns to be." He said softly, his voice low. Letting go of her chin he took a step backwards. "You've been waiting your whole life to do this. Why not do it right?" Christine's mouth went dry as she fought for a breath. Because I'm scared! Because I'm not good enough! A million reasons flew through her brain of why she didn't, but each one wasn't a good enough reason. She had no choice. If she didn't take the help from a man she hardly knew, she would wonder her whole life what if? But if she did…

She let her eyes fly back to his own sparkling yellow ones, the one eye partly obstructed from view as his hair hung elegantly over it. They glared back at her mockingly, daring her to take up the challenge. Don't Chris. He could be some rapist or murderer… you don't know who this guy is. You don't even know his name for God's sake. Her better reasoning cried. And if I don't? If I say no, and he walks out of here, I'm going to regret it. Maybe not now, maybe not this month, but when I'm up on that stage and I'm dying to sing the role of a Prima Donna, I'm not going to be able to do it. She thought seriously. And if he's lying? What if he can't help you? What if he's not a singer, but just using the excuse to rape you or something? Christine sighed and closed her eyes. Her parent's faces glowed on her eye lids. What do I have to loose? Meg's just about the only one I have. She asked herself. There's also Raoul. A voice said. Christine, this is crazy. Just say yes and get it over with! Ending her inner-turmoil Christine opened her eyes to find him staring back at her still.

"Help me." She asked quietly. He raised an eyebrow and grinned. Reaching out, he grasped her hand and lifted it to his lips, placing a feathery kiss on her knuckles. Christine's heart skipped a beat.

"Why, certainly my dear." He let her hand drop and took a piece of paper out of his coat. Bending down, he placed it on the end table as he wrote something quickly, and then handed it to her. "My address is written on that card. Tomorrow at five then?" He asked. Christine nodded.

"Until tomorrow then." He said softly. With that, he turned on his heel and made his way down the hallway and out the door. Christine regained her senses long enough to run down the hall, pulling the door open to yell out to him over the steady beat of rain,

"Wait!" She watched, her pulse pounding in her neck as he froze from opening his car door. He raised an eyebrow. Christine smiled. "What's your name?" He chuckled.

"Why Christine, I thought I had already told you? Erik Destler, at your service." He said with a grin before getting in the small black car and closing the door. She watched as he pulled out of the drive way and down the street, and then made her way back inside, making sure that this time she locked the door.

Her head buzzing, she walked into the kitchen, feeling a little dazed. Pulling the bottle of aspirin down from the shelf, she grinned slightly. Well, it seems like this is becoming somewhat of a routine then? Popping the pills into her mouth, she wandered back into the family room to practice her dance routine. As she bent down to flick on the CD player, a thought hit her and she instantly froze, her body turning numb.

He knew her name, and she had not told him.

-

Thanks to all the lovely reviewers out there who make my day!

It seems that some people are confused with the whole hair colour thing. I know that in the Movie (and I believe Kay's book as well) Christine is a brunette and Meg is blonde. Buuut I am a big fan of the Original book by Leroux and I think that blonde hair, sometimes, gives a vision of purity and innocence. For this purpose, and others that I'm not going to explain or else it would spoil the whole plot, Christine shall be blonde and Meg will be a brunette.

And, like I said before, Chapter Three will NOT come in two months time! I'm half done now, and I suspect it'll be out within the week! Cheers!