One heart's darkness

Disclaimer: I wanna have Erik... pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

Erik: (pats author on the head) Hey, it will be alright. Just remember to take your medication. That'll make it better!

Me: (whimper) Promise?

Erik: Promise!

Me: Ok.

THANKS to my reviewers! I'll respond to a few individuals in the next chapter (I think)

As always, dear readers, REVIEW (please), makes me write faster!

Chapter Three

Madeleine's anger had not dissipated at all on her way back to the upper levels of the opera. She chose another passage up and emerged a few minutes later from a store room, pushing past several people and finally rushing out onto a balcony.

Fury still clouded her vision and so she didn't notice the little rise on the floor until she tripped over it. She threw out her hands, but couldn't catch herself in time before her forehead smashed against the stone railing.

Blackness swirled in front of her vision and she groaned in pain.

That sound alerted two people passing the doors to the balcony.

Jean Des Cars and his sister Suzette, who was a dancer at the opera, rushed over to help the fallen woman.

The young man took her arm and pulled her gently to her feet, but she waved him off.

"It's alright, monsieur, don't bother." Madeleine took a few steps away from them, but swayed dangerously.

"Are you sure?" Suzette asked, concerned, "maybe my brother should escort you home, it would be safer!"

Madeleine opened her mouth to reply, but a voice from the door spoke first.

"That's alright, she's with us!"

Her golden eyes narrowed, but as she was in public, she refrained from any rash actions as she beheld Raoul and Julie standing in the door.

Jean nodded, accepting the Vicomte's explanation and left with his sister after murmuring a few well-wishes in Madeleine's direction.

As soon as they were alone, she retreated to the balcony railing and placed a steadying hand on it so she wouldn't fall over.

"What in the world do you want?" she hissed at the man, who raised a calming hand.

"What would you have me do,… Madeleine, isn't it? Ask your forgiveness? If you are anything like your father, you won't give it to me."

Julie took a tentative step forward from behind her father.

"What is going on here? I think I deserve to know. I am a part of this family, too!"

Madeleine laughed dryly. "So am I. Believe me, they don't care!"

With these words, she brushed past them, but turned back for a moment to look Raoul in the eye. "I hate you, with all my heart and mind, Vicomte! I could have just… killed you! But my revenge is better. If your wife speaks the truth and never knew I existed, then she will hate you now. And you will have to live with that, for the rest of your pathetic existence!"

When she returned to the dressing room, she heard voices through the door, which stood ajar. Her father and Madame de Chagny were speaking to each other. Madeleine crept closer and peered into the room.

The two adults were standing facing each other, Christine reached for his hands and grasped them nervously.

"What are you going to do, Christine?" he asked, softly.

"I simply don't know. I have a daughter with Raoul, as well… and besides, I don't think Madeleine would want me to intrude upon your lives that much."

"You need to give her time! This is as new for her as it is for you! But I, for one… I would like to remember what we shared back then… relive the past. Perhaps we can both get over our fears of getting hurt again."

And then Madeleine beheld a sight that almost tore her heart. Her father wrapped his arms around Christine and, after a moment's hesitation, kissed her softly on the lips. She flung her own arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, despite the tears that were streaming down her face.

The young girl closed her eyes. She felt torn, unable to reach a decision. She wanted her father to be happy, but she wasn't sure that she would be able to develop a sense of trust in this stranger, this mother she had never known. But finally the desire for her father to be happy was overwhelming and she pushed the door open and entered.

The couple sprang apart immediately and Christine couldn't hide the nervous blush on her cheeks.

"I heard what you said. I apologize for spying, father. Madame… Christine, I am so very uncertain as to what to think about you and this new situation. So please, don't ask for my affection. I cannot give you that, but for now, I will offer you the benefit of the doubt. So, by all means, stay with us if you wish, or come by as often as you…"

Pain shot through her skull and, groaning, she pressed a hand to her forehead. When she took it away again, the white satin of her mask was showing a red stain, which was growing quickly. The entire room seemed to be wavering and she blinked, unable to clear the dark spots from her vision. Then the floor seemed to rise up to meet her and the last things she heard were her father's hissing intake of breath as he caught her and Christine's frightened cry. Softly, she murmured "Maman." Then she knew only darkness.

A/N: I know this chapter is pathetic, WAY too short, but I needed a transition. Some parent-child related angst! Next chapter will concern itself with some of Maddy's past. Any particular whishes or concerns? Sorry, if it seems a bit fluffy here, but it's a sort of "calm before the storm" situation. Raoul will be looking for his wife and Julie wants to know just what the heck is going on. And Christine has to make up her mind.

Alright-y, tell me what you think, or in short: REVIEW!

I remain your obedient servant

P.F.A.