-1Disclaimer: We own none of the characters from Phantom of the Opera.

Chapter Two

Christine groaned, although it seemed much more like a growl. Well, at least it wasn't that damn cat. She looked down into Erik's eyes and smiled sadly. So close! They were finally becoming somewhat familiar with each other's brazen ways and the Persian man who claimed to be a friend had ruined it. She stroked Erik's arm. "Perhaps later, my love. Can you get out of the bed?"

Erik looked up at Christine, an irritated expression on his face as he slowly began to sit up. "Yes, I'm sure I can, my dear." He insisted, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and sucking in a deep breath as he slowly stood. Almost immediately he hunched over, and nearly fell to the ground as he clutched his chest.

Christine gasped and lunged over to him, grabbing his shoulders. She put an arm around his waist and then his arm around her shoulders, to help him steady himself. "Erik... perhaps you should stay here in bed and Nadir can come in here." She was more than concerned for the man she loved. Idly she thought of when they had made love, when he'd still been in pain. Was he ever going to get better? Live for me, Erik, she thought, with tears in her eyes. Gasping for breath, he could only nod painfully as Erik allowed her to help him back into bed. Once comfortably laying in the bed once again, his eyes slid closed and he sighed in relief, reaching over to take Christine's hand in his. "I'm sorry for worrying you, my dear..." He said softly, bringing her fingers to his lips and brushing a kiss over them. "But you are right...Nadir will have to come in here."

Christine nodded and squeezed his hand before releasing it and moving to the door. She cracked it open and popped her head out. "Nadir," she spoke wearily, "Erik cannot move from the bed. You must come in here with us." She left the door open and moved back over to her husband. There was a chair nearby and she pulled it to the side of the bed, and sat down, taking his fingers in hers again.

Nadir stood and moved to the doorway, still flushed slightly from the scene he had so innocently walked in on, and he entered, closing the door securely behind himself and clearing his throat awkwardly.

Erik looked to his long-time friend with a smirk. "Hello, Nadir...why, you look quite red in the face. Are you feeling quite alright?" Nadir looked away with an embarrassed chuckle, running an hand through his thinning hair.

"Well, my friend... it is not every day I see such...such a sight... especially when you are ill..." His voice held a note of concern, which Erik waved away with his hand.

Christine blushed at Nadir's concern. He was right! Getting Erik excited like that was a mistake, for it could harm his health. She stood and looked between the two men. "Anyone thirsty?" she questioned, leaving the room before they could answer. She really had to think about this! Prudence would do her well, if she wanted Erik to live.

Erik watched Christine go with disappointment, and gave Nadir a hard look. Great. Just great. "Are you, Nadir, just trying to drive me insane?" He asked, a rough look on his face with only a small measure of amusement.

Nadir chuckled, shaking his head lightly and standing up. "My friend, it grows late. I must be returning home, and you must be getting some sleep. I will return tomorrow to check on your condition. Do try to... get some rest?"

Erik nodded briefly and shook Nadir's hand, a look of gratitude on his face as he bid his friend farewell. "Until tomorrow, then."

Christine frowned in confusion at the sound of the door closing. Had Nadir left when she'd just made him some tea? First he interrupts us, then tells us we shouldn't be making love, and now leaves abruptly. She grumbled and made her way back to her room, carrying the tray with her. She entered with a frown on her face and made her way over to Erik. "I made three cups, so you'll have to drink two. You need fluids, anyway."

Erik nodded vaguely, reaching out to take the tray and set it on the bedside table, he then drew Christine into his arms and settled her against his body. "Now my dear... where were we?" He asked with a smirk, lowering his lips to her cheek lovingly.

Christine's frown didn't go away, and she tried to push away from him. Nadir's words were all too fresh in her mind and she had no desire to let Erik harm himself. "Erik, you'll hurt yourself." She stood and reached out for her teacup, thinking if only she could remain aloof he wouldn't be any trouble. Physical love would have to come to a halt until he could walk into the next room, at least.

Erik sighed, cursing his Persian friend beneath his breath as he reached for his own cup. "Christine, please come sit here beside me?" He entreated, patting the spot on the bed right next to him. "I promise I will sit here and behave properly." Erik smirked, arching his eyebrow.

Christine shook her head fervently. "I don't trust you to behave properly, Erik. You can see me here just as easily as you can see me there." She sipped at her tea and squinted her eyes at how much she had butchered his Russian tea. She watched him from the corner of her eye, wanting to see how he would look after his first sip.

Erik feigned a look of sadness, tilting his head slightly. "You don't trust me? Christine, I'm hurt." He breathed, patting the spot again. "Please? Just let me feel you next to me at least..." Raising his cup to his lips, he took a sip and only his extreme good manners saved him from spitting it back into the cup again. It tasted... well, not like tea. However he forced himself to smile at his beloved, and took another sip. Knowing what to expect helped, and he was able to swallow it down without a single betraying look.

The interest Erik seemed to take in her brutal tea lightened her mood a tad, and she stood, moving towards the bed. She sat down next to him, and crossed once ankle over the other. She sat rather rigidly, wondering if Nadir was just a paranoid little Persian man that didn't now anything. Of course, anyone could see by the sight of Erik that he was not well, but she so wished he was. She looked down the cup into her tea with disgust. This stuff surely wasn't helping to heal him.

Erik smiled in relief, reaching out his hand to brush a few curls from her face. "Thank you, my dear." He took another long drink of his tea, finishing it off and sitting the cup back on the tray. He gave a small yawn then, laying back against the bed and taking Christine's hand in his. "Nadir will be here tomorrow..." His eyes slid closed, and he sighed, giving her hand a squeeze. "I'm terribly sorry, mon ange, but I can't stay awake any longer... you will... stay here with me tonight?" He asked, his eyes opening and looking up at her beseechingly, almost as if he were afraid she would leave him in the night.

Christine settled herself lying down beside him, and propped her head up on her hand, while her other hand stroked his forehead. She smiled and caressed his face. "Of course, mon amour. You'll never sleep alone again." She let her head fall to the pillow and cuddled up close to her husband. "Goodnight, Erik." She reached up to touch his face again. "I love you."

Erik smiled broadly, his eyes closed as he reached over to extinguish the only candle in the room. "I love you too, Christine." He breathed as he slowly removed his mask, which he had put on before Nadir entered the room, and set it aside. In the darkness he knew she would be unable to see his flesh and he felt strangely disappointed and relieved at once.

The next morning came, and Erik woke before Christine, contented to look down through the darkness at her peaceful face, hair mussed slightly and a few locks over her cheek. He gently brushed them back, tucking them behind her ear, before he moved her from atop him and experimentally began to move. Although he was a bit stiff, the rest and knowledge that he had something to live for had done him good. Slowly he stretched his muscles, before swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. Cautiously he stood up, placing his hand on the bedside table and resting quite a bit of his weight there, he hunched over and caught his breath. A smile of triumph stretched over his face when he was able to stand up straight, and he was only a little dizzy. Cautiously he moved toward the door, using the wall to help keep his balance as he left the bedroom and made his way through the sitting room and to the kitchen. Once inside, he began some tea, then rested against the tabletop for a few moments. She will be so surprised! He thought with joy, forcing the exhaustion he was feeling throughout his body away. Quickly he began to prepare things for a nice breakfast.

Christine stirred, stretching and yawning like a cat. Where was that cat? She hadn't seen Ayesha anywhere! Well, it wasn't exactly her loss, but she knew Erik would want the cat taken care of. She turned and reached out to touch Erik, but he wasn't there. She sat up quickly, alarmed, and shrieked. "Erik!" she called desperately, looking around. She threw the covers off her, and they fell off the side of the bed. "Erik!" she called again, looking around wildly. Tears of helplessness shone in her eyes and she threw herself at the door. "Erik!"

Erik heard Christine calling to him and immediately scolded himself. Oh yes, she'll be so surprised... after she thinks you've disappeared in the night! As quickly as he could, Erik moved through the room and to the doorway, leaning on the casing, he called to her. "Christine! My dear, I'm in the kitchen!" He called, hating himself more and more every moment... and that was when he realized he had forgot to don his mask that morning. Turning his head from the doorway he covered the side of his face with his hand, wincing.

Christine's heart leapt out of her chest and she ran towards the sound of his voice. Relief flooded through her as she saw him, and she laid a hand on her rapid beating heart. She saw him wincing and immediately became concerned. "Erik?" She approached him carefully, reaching out to caress his unmarred cheek. "What's wrong?" She smiled and reached for the hand that was on his marred cheek. "Don't worry, mon amour, you'll make much better tea than I do!"

He chuckled despite himself, slowly removing his hand and instead using it to cup her cheek. "I apologize, my dear... I hadn't realized what you would think upon waking alone..." He said softly, stroking his thumb over her temple lovingly.

Christine raised an eyebrow. "Why did you leave? Are you planning to make something glorious for me?" she asked playfully. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "And good morning to you, too," she exclaimed, pecking him teasingly on the lips and then pulling back to gaze at him lovingly.

Erik smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her close. "I'm afraid I'm not much for cooking... but I do have some biscuits cooking...I left more to see if I could." Gently he brushed a kiss over her forehead. "I want to be out of bed... I couldn't stand another day lying there and making you worry."

Christine bit her lip and started to move away. "Erik, if it's because you think I don't like it that you're in bed, I want you to go back. There's no use hurting yourself because you're thinking of what I want. What I want is for you to be okay." She cupped his face in her hands and looked him straight in the eye. "I want you to be careful."

Erik smiled so softly then, as he leaned forward and placed his lips over hers lovingly. "Christine, I'm out of bed because I can be... I assure you, my dear... I am quite all right. I am being careful, because now I have something-someone, to be careful for."

Christine smiled so widely that her eyes squinted and her nose crinkled. "Perhaps when you're feeling a lot better, we can go up to the roof, or out to the park. I imagine some fresh air would do you a lot more good than my tea." She laughed and hugged him tightly. "I'm glad you're okay, though. I'm proud of you for being brave and getting out of bed."

Erik was about to reply when a soft electronic ping came, and he turned to look at the oven. "Ah yes, our breakfast is ready, Christine." He offered his arm laughingly, prepared to escort her to the table.

Christine giggled and accepted his arm. "When is Nadir going to make an appearance?" she questioned, looking back at the door.

Erik led Christine to the table, pulling out her chair for her, and once she sat, pushing it in. "I imagine Nadir should be here soon...there you are, mon ange..." He said softly, turning and pulling himself via the counter top to pull the biscuits from their tray and setting them on the table. Just as he sat down and began to butter one, a strong knock came to the door. "Ahh, that must be Nadir, speak of the devil." He said warmly. "Let yourself in, my friend!" He began, "We're in the kitchen!"

Andre turned to his business partner and frowned. "Doesn't sound like a monster to me. The Viscount has exaggerated before, perhaps we should not be here!" He shook his head firmly and made to move from the door. It was dark and he wasn't comfortable with doing this in the first place. The man might not be a ghost but he had to be great to do the things he had did the past few months.

Firmin grabbed his partner's arm, pulling him back. "Andre! He has caused us one hundred problems too many! And now we have reason to believe he has Christine Daae fooled into staying here with him! Why would she choose to spend her life with a hideously deformed man who lives below ground instead of a kind, good and wealthy fellow? Think, my friend. We must rescue her, and put an end to this Opera Ghost once and for all!"

Andre's frown did not recede, but he nodded and pushed Firmin forward. "I'm no hero. You go first." He still didn't like the idea of this. Perhaps if Christine stayed with the man, he'd stop all of this Opera Ghost business. Well, it was too late now.

Christine looked worriedly over at Erik. "Why isn't Nadir coming in?" She strained her neck to try to see the door. "Nadir! Come in now!"

Firmin took a deep breath, and pushed the door open, beckoning Andre inside after him. "Mademoiselle Daae! We have come to take you back above ground!" Firmin insisted, rushing to the kitchen. He gasped in shocked disgust at Erik's unmasked visage, and called quickly. "Andre, come fast! He really is a monster!" Quickly he surged forward, grabbing Christine by her upper arms and tugging her to come with him. "Hurry, Mademoiselle! I know you don't realize right now, but he's hypnotized you, or something! The Viscount is sure of it!"

Andre tried to keep up, but fell behind to look at the house. Who would've thought somewhere underground could look this pleasant? He saw his partner grab Christine and hurried over to him. He gazed over her head at the creature before him, and yelped. Death's head, indeed! Joseph Bouquet told his stories true!

Christine screeched and shook her head furiously. "Let me go!" she screamed, and struggled. "Erik!" she cried, twisting back to look at him.

Erik leapt up, rushing forward as best he could, and a look of pure rage came over his features. "Unhand my wife this instant!" He exclaimed, reaching out to grab at Firmin's arm and twisted it behind his back, so the man only held Christine by one arm now. Viciously he twisted Firmin's arm, thirsting for the sound of his bones breaking.

Firmin cried out in agony, throwing back his head and calling to his partner. "Andre, do something!"

Christine broke out of Firmin's other hand and rushed forward to Erik, throwing herself on his arm. "Erik! Don't hurt him, he's only misunderstood!" She tried to pull away his grip on the manager, tears streaming down her face now. "Erik, please!"

Andre's eyes went wide and he grabbed the closest thing he saw: a violin case. He swung it fiercely, hearing the whoosh as it cut through the air and connected with Erik's head.

A choked sound escaped the back of Erik's throat as his grip on Firmin went slack, and he crumpled to the ground, landing on his stomach.

Firmin massaged his arm, wincing and trembling from fear, before he quickly grabbed Christine, ignoring the sharp pains in his arm from the movement. Swiftly he pulled her toward the door, calling to Andre. "Come quickly, before the beast wakes!"

Christine tried desperately to pull away. "He is not the beast here! You cannot just come into our home and do this! I'm his bride! We've married! We've... Oh God!" And she fainted. Andre came up behind Firmin and caught her other arm as she began to fall back in her unconsciousness. He looked worriedly over at Firmin and silently inquired Christine's words with his eyes.

Firmin's eyes were wide, and he sputtered for a few moments, trying to come up with a rational reason for her words. "Hypnotized, I tell you Andre! She isn't in her right mind. Let's take her up to a new dressing room, away from that mirror. Then we'll come down and finish taking care of this monster."

Andre nodded and helped carry her along through the door, and out into the darkness. "This pitch black atmosphere is no good. I don't see how an angel of light could live down here, and especially with that monster! Did you see his face!"

Firmin nodded vigorously. "Yes! Who could believe such a creature could exist, and under our very opera as well!" He grunted under her weight, and continued to move forward.

Little did they know that Nadir had been on his way through the labyrinth when they had just left the underground home. Of course, they were bound to cross paths. Nadir heard the strange voices before he saw their owners, and his body stiffened. When he heard the two men begin to talk about 'his face', Nadir's stomach dropped. Oh no. He ran forward, his lantern bobbing beside him as he rushed along, and then there they were. He was shocked. Firmin and Andre! The managers! "Hey! You there!" He cried, rushing closer he noticed they carried an unconscious Christine. "What have you done!"

Andre let Christine rest against Firmin as he stepped in front of the two, as if to protect them. "Mademoiselle Daae was taken against her will, hypnotized, and we are taking her back into the light and away from the monster. Be gone, I warn you, he kills!"

Nadir looked on in shock, and shook his head. "No, monsieur... that is where you are wrong. He is no monster... just a man. A man who I fear you may have hurt more than any weapons could do, by taking is wife from him. Christine Daae loves him, allow me to assure you. There is no hypnotism in their relationship, just love... please... you must understand, they have been wed, she has left the Viscount de Chagny!" Nadir exclaimed, moving forward as if to take Christine in his own arms.

Firmin glared, turning to hold Christine further from Nadir's grasp. "Now listen here, you. How do you know any of this at all? How can we believe a word you're saying?"

Nadir frowned, sighing sadly. "I have known Erik for a very long time...that is all I can say. Did Christine not tell you of her love for him? I imagine she would have..."

Andre huffed and glared at the man. "Christine does not love... that. How could she?" He shook his head and moved forward, signaling for Firmin to follow him. "We don't care for your words, sir. We are taking Mademoiselle Daae to safety and that's the end of your concern!"

"Do not force me to take her from you!" Nadir exclaimed, surging forward to stand before them again. "She is his wife! Did she tell you that? He is no monster! Looks are not all to a man, and inside he is nothing as he appears! Do not ruin two lives by your foolishness, and allow me to take her back!"

Andre glared at the man and hissed, "Never! Step away!" He heard Christine stir and pushed forward, his shoulder hitting Nadir's. "Hurry, Firmin, before she realizes what's going on!"

Firmin nodded, and rushed forward, throwing the strange Persian man a glare. "What a foolish man." He exclaimed beneath his breath.

Andre took hold of Christine's other arm and helped hurry her forward, but he felt Christine rouse and looked down. She stared up at him in the dim light from the Persian's torch, and he smiled down softly at her. "Don't worry, Mademoiselle, we'll have you out of here in no time."

Nadir gasped when he heard the words, and called out quickly. "Christine!" He rushed forward, stepping before them once again. "Come Christine, we must get back! Allah only knows what they have done to him!" He exclaimed, worry clouding his eyes.

Firmin gave an angry scowl, striding forward to shove Nadir hard against the wall. "Listen here monsieur; we are taking her above ground, and you will leave now or we shall call the authorities!"

Christine came to fully and stood straight, and stepped up behind Firmin. She glared at his back and tapped on his shoulder. "Let him go! Is this any way for civilized men to act?" She grabbed Firmin's arm and pulled him back, and looked to Andre. "This is ridiculous. The two of you should know I am fully capable of making my own decisions! The Viscount lied to you. I told him we were done, and I meant it."

Firmin shook his head. "How could that possibly be! Have you looked at the man, Mademoiselle! He is hideous, clearly a monster! And the way he attacked me, why it was like a common creature who's possession has been taken! Even if you do love this thing, it is impossible that he loves you, or feels any emotion at all!"

Christine slapped him hard across the face. "That man is my husband! His possession was taken! He loves me more than anything in this world, unconditionally, something no mere man could understand! Besides that, he's a genius!" She stepped forward with a pained expression and touched where she had slapped Firmin. "I'm sorry. But, Monsieur, if only you could hear him! You, you would appreciate it so much!"

Nadir stepped forward, resting his hand on Christine's shoulder. "Madam... we must go... I fear something is wrong with Erik... otherwise why wouldn't he be here by now?" He gave Firmin and Andre a hard look. "You have heard from Christine herself. She wishes to stay with Erik."

Firmin glared at Nadir, and then his gaze softened as he looked to Christine. "I do not understand, mademoiselle... but I see your heart is set to go to him. I insist that you bring him to our office. We will not take him from you, but we will press charges against his crimes! Thievery of our money, extortion! These crimes must be punished!"

Christine's eyes widened and she looked at Nadir. "No, please... he... he's not known any better! He'd had a horrible life. Please! Please just forget!" She knew it was impossible to ask that of anyone. Tears began to stream down her face and she turned to Nadir to sob into his shoulder. "I want to go back to Erik," she whispered into his ear, continuing to choke on her sobs.

Nadir stroked her back gently, giving this time a very sad look to the two managers, before he began to guide Christine through the passages and back to the home. "Shhh... Christine..I'm sure Erik will think of something. I will not allow him to be taken from you, or you from him. He deserves joy now, and I will do my best to make sure the rest of his life is as happy as it can be." They reached the stone door, and Nadir sighed. It had been left open, and he helped Christine inside, then gasped at what he saw. Erik lay on the floor of the sitting room. It was obvious where he had first fallen by the trail of blood he had left in his wake. He must have pulled himself this far and fallen. Nadir realized, and he quickly dropped to his knees beside Erik. The side of his head was bleeding, although not so bad any more, and he was quite obviously unconscious once again.

Christine gasped and quickly pulled as much of Erik's upper body onto her lap as she could manage. "Nadir! What can I do! Oh God!" She stroked Erik's forehead, moving hair out of his eyes. "Erik," she said softly, leaning towards his face. This couldn't have been good for him, and she started crying again, her hot tears dripping onto his face. She leaned down more and kissed all over his forehead, and on down his marred cheek. "Erik, my angel, please wake up for me..." She whispered so delicately, feeling broken and her heart contracting in worry for him.

Nadir quickly jumped up, moving to the bedroom. He emerged a few moments later with the bed sheet, which he began to tear into strips. He handed a large one to Christine, and made his way to the kitchen for water. "Press that to the wound on his head, and find a way to elevate his feet!" He exclaimed, before exiting the room.

Christine gulped and did as she was told, placing Erik's head down gently before leaping towards the settee for a pillow. She quickly placed it under his feet and then went back to his upper half, and laid his head in her lap as she pressed the sheet strip against the wound on his head. She sniffed and cradled him carefully. Ever so tearfully, she began to sing softly to him.

Erik was aware of nothing but a strange floating sensation. He knew that there was something wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on what. Just when he was becoming very frustrated, he heard a gentle voice singing. Forcing himself to follow the voice, his eyes fluttered open, and he was greeted with the tearful face of his wife. "Chris...tine...?" He breathed, wincing at the sharp pain in his head when he tried to sit up.

Nadir rushed into the room with a dish of water and the rest of the sheet, and stopped short when he saw Erik's eyes were open. Instead he stood silently to see what would occur next.

Christine gasped and pushed him back down gently, urging him to stay there. She continued to sing, continuing to stroke his forehead and holding the sheet to his head. She trailed her hand down his deformed cheek and on down to his chest, and then back up, in time with the gentle lover's song. She smiled down encouragingly at him, and leaned down one last time to place a kiss onto his head.

Slowly Erik raised a shaking hand to brush against her cheek, tears filling his eyes. "I thought... thought that you would... be gone forever..." He whispered, a tear spilling down his cheek. "How did you... get away?" He asked, grasping her hand in his and clutching it tightly in his own.

Christine took hold of his hand and squeezed, as if reassuring him that she was there with him and she would be always. "Nadir found us in the passage," she whispered, gazing into his eyes and bending to kiss away his tears. "The managers are out to get you, mon amour. We cannot stay here." She seemed to sense Nadir had returned and looked up at him. "Come, how do we clean this wound?" she questioned, nodding to Erik's head.

Nadir dropped to his knees, dipping a bit of the cloth into the water, and then began to gently dab it against Erik's head. "After it appears clean enough, we will need to wrap it." He said, looking up to Christine, then back down at his friend. "And you need to get away from here as quickly as possible. Allow me to do this, and you go fetch what you both need to travel... you shall stay at my home until you figure something out. To stay here would be suicide for you both."

Christine looked down sadly at Erik and stroked his head. "I'm sorry, Erik... I've caused nothing but trouble for you," she said quietly, passing her thumb over his eyebrow. She sighed and looked up to Nadir. "Do you need other sheets to wrap his head?" she asked, feeling that if she could help in any way, she must.

Nadir shook his head, a look of compassion on his face. "No, Madam... right now all you must do is prepare both of your things for travel. I promise, I will not let anything happen to either of you." He insisted, and he gently rinsed the cloth and pressed it again to the wound.

Erik's eyes opened and he looked at Christine lovingly. "You've caused me no trouble, mon amour." He breathed, brushing his lips to the back of her hand. "Go quickly and get our things."

Christine nodded and she slowly slipped from underneath him, and grabbed a pillow for his head to rest on. "What do you want me to pack for you?" she questioned, looking down at her husband.

Erik looked thoughtful for a moment. "Some clothing and my medicine should be sufficient, my dear." He stated, nodding to himself.

Nadir pulled the cloth back and smiled to himself. Gently he took some dry strips and began to work them around Erik's head, mindful not to tie them too tight.

Christine hurried to Erik's room, and ran around like a crazy woman. She picked out two of his suits, because suits were all that he seemed to possess, and grabbed his medicine. She stormed out and flew to her room, grabbing her favorite dresses and her hairbrush. She made it back in record time, smiling broadly. They must've thought her mad, but she couldn't bear to be away from Erik for a moment.

Nadir chuckled, and motioned her over. "Good... now I'm going to have to leave the two of you to flag down a hansom...wait here, and I'll return for the two of you very soon." He said, before hurrying out of the house and through the passages.

Erik smiled up at Christine, slowly sitting and groaning at the pain in his head. "Christine..." He said softly, holding out his hands to her. "Help me to stand, please?"

Christine frowned at him and shook her head. "There's no need to, Erik. I'll help you stand when we're ready to leave. You mustn't over-exert yourself!" she told him passionately, running a hand over his hair and throughout the short strands.

Erik nodded, looking down at his hands and appearing a bit disheartened. His body began to tremble, and he forced himself to keep silent, but it was no use. A sob broke free, and he lowered his head further, ashamed at his tears but unable to stop them.

Christine cried out and grabbed his face within her hands gently, stroking the tears from his cheeks. Her own tears threatened to fall, but she forced them back, determined to not breakdown on her husband who was having problems, himself. "Erik, what's wrong? Please tell me... Trust me..." she whispered, looking deeply into his eyes.

This only caused him to cry harder, and he pulled Christine against his body, burying his face into her hair. "I couldn't protect you!" He sobbed, running his fingers through her hair and holding her so very close. "They took you away, and I failed you... how can I call myself your husband, when I cannot protect you from two inept managers?"

Christine breathed deeply into his shoulder, and stroked his back comfortingly. "You did not fail me, Erik! You've been unhealthy for some time now, how can you except to be able to fend off two full-grown men while you're ill? Besides that fact, Monsieur Andre snuck up on you!" She pulled back and held his face, telling him sternly, "You did not fail me, do you understand?" She wiped at his tears. "We're together now and we're going to get away from here, okay?"

Erik's eyes slid closed in shame. That he had shown her such weakness... But that shouldn't matter... He opened his eyes and blinked back the last tears, before leaning forward to kiss her gently. "I love you, Christine..." She held his head, mindful of the bandages, and kissed him deeply, urgently, showing him just how much she cared for him. "I love you, too, Erik." She caressed his cheek and smiled. "We'll begin anew, and never have to worry of any of this again."

Erik sighed, and rested his forehead against hers, letting his eyes slide closed. "Yes, we will stay with Nadir until everything dies down... then return here." He was silent for a few moments. "Right..?"

Nadir chose that moment to enter, and he quickly moved to grab their possessions. "Come quickly now, the hansom is waiting." He exclaimed, and motioned for Christine to help Erik up.

Christine's eyes did not leave Erik's, and she told him very well with her eyes the answer of his question, but said nothing. She stood quickly and placed his arms around her shoulders, and she placed hers around his waist. Carefully she tugged him from the floor, and grabbed blindly for the bag she had packed their belongings in.

Nadir got to the bag before her. "I will carry this, madam. You concentrate on keeping Erik upright." He joked, guiding them from the house. They were about to leave, when a pitiful mew was heard.

Erik's head whipped around, and he saw Ayesha. "There you are!" He cried, and bent over, smiling as the cat ran into his arms. "Okay, now we are ready to go." He stated, smiling at Christine, then down at his cat.

Christine tried to smile at the appearance of Ayesha, but the cat seemed to shoot daggers at her with her eyes and she was suddenly glad the feline had not been in the room when she and Erik had made love. God forbid the cat would come up to her and try to scratch her eyes out while Christine was deep in her desire. She lifted her head to look at Erik, and helped him along, following Nadir.

It wasn't long before they reached the hansom, and Nadir placed their things inside, then helped Christine and Erik in. Quickly he told the driver the directions to his home, then climbed in beside his friends. "It shouldn't take but a few minutes to get there, and rest assured... you will be most safe."

Erik smiled gratefully at Nadir, then turned and put his arm around Christine, drawing her close and resting his head atop hers. The pain had actually gone down quite a bit, and he was quite sure that his head wound was only superficial. After all...wounds on the head often bled far too much...

Christine sighed and welcomed his embrace, although she looked wearily down at Ayesha. What a pest. How would she ever be close to Erik when the feline hated her? And she wouldn't make Erik choose... She just wished she could get along with the little feline, and help it to understand that they both loved Erik.

It didn't take too long before they reached Nadir's home, and he quickly paid the driver and helped his two friends into his home, carrying their bags in his arms. Once inside, he settled them into the guest bedroom. "Do you need anything?"

Christine glanced up at Erik. "I can't think of anything. What about you, my love?" she questioned, rubbing his back lightly as she settled him onto the bed, evading Ayesha as much as she could.

Erik shook his head, involved in petting Ayesha gently. "No..nothing, thank you Nadir." He said distractedly, and scooped his cat into his arms.

Nadir nodded and left the room, closing the door behind himself. I'm so glad they are both okay... things could have been a lot worse. He thought to himself as he moved to his bedroom, eager to get some sleep.