A/N: Nadir and Philippe are only in the novels, not in the 2004 movie. When I was thinking about Raoul, I was wondering who would be his 'nurse' and help him recover. That's how Philippe came to mind, and helped me out with the planning of a plot. As for Nadir, I just like him, and wanted to put the Persian in here.

Rose Rouge

Chapter XIV: Reunions

March 3, 1873

I took Christine back to the surface today. She seemed content, not over excited, as I thought she might be. After all, unlike me, she does have her friends. There is no doubt in my mind that she has missed them.

I handed Christine her bathrobe and watched as it perfectly enveloped her body. It framed her curves and I found myself envying the robe. Personally, I think I might have been jealous! Can you even be jealous on an inanimate piece of clothing? If I have any sanity left in me, it was lost along with these thoughts.

After I escorted Christine to the bath, I managed to catch a glimpse of a man, standing alert and watchful, on the Opera's steps. I knew this man, very well. His skin was ebony and his hair graying with the coming of age. The Persian, Nadir! Why hadn't I recognized him sooner?

You might ask, why are you writing in a journal? Yes, Journal, my good friend. It's not a diary. Diaries are for woman purposes. A diary is what I gave Christine. No, this is not a diary.

Nadir saw the newspaper article a while back. He thought its headline was somewhat of a cover story for what really happened to the viscount. I laughed at such a boldly stated assumption. Apparently, Nadir does not think I have given up my days as a torturer. Is torturer even a word? Well, if it is, I was never really a torturer, more of a master murderer… but that's beside the point.

I told him that Christine had come back to me on her own accord, and that she wished to live the rest of her life, by my side. I daresay, he looked amused by that. What by god was so amusing? Perhaps he didn't believe me…

I was a good liar as well.

Nadir simply handed me a little black book, the one which I write in with a trembling hand. He informed me that if I feel the lust to kill, I simply must write down all tantrums, all rage in this bloody journal of mine! I have a strange feeling he is trying to give me some sort of therapy.

Fine, I will write in this ridiculous thing, but only because I want to!

I wait patiently for Christine to come back. God did something odd when he created the woman. He made her have an obsession with water, and having such an obsession, they bath for hours.

Literally, I've been waiting an hour!

And I don't expect us to return to the cellars right away. I expect she wishes to visit some people first. That is, if her strength allows it.

Erik

Erik tucked the journal away behind his cloak, now unseen from view.

"Daroga, all ready I see that you have no intention in giving me a mere friendly visit. I have written in the journal, so why not leave? Christine should be out in a matter of moments. I think she would be confused to find me engaging in conversation with a man she does not know." Erik responded coldly.

"I'm sorry Erik, but I just don't know what to believe. I don't know if I can trust your words."

"I am your friend, isn't that reason enough?"

Nadir smiled. "It is good to see you Erik. But, if you really have no grudge against the Viscount de Chagny, than you will have no problem with what I'm about to tell you." An ebony hand hastily placed itself upon Erik's stiffened shoulder. "I have heard that Raoul's brother Philippe wishes to take him back to the Opera. And if you wish Ms. Daae to take her place back in the chorus, that is, once she is better, expect the Chagny to be here daily."

"Why? Why is he coming back now?"

"He wants to get out, Erik. Who wouldn't want to start over? If what you say is true, he is probably looking for his next love. People our days die young, Allah knows they die young! When you see love, you simply must grab onto it." Nadir paused, "That's why I congratulate you on your success with Ms Christine Daae."

"Thank you, Daroga. Your words touch me."

"Then you will have no trouble with Raoul?" He was persistent in asking again.

"Oh, I'm sure I will, monsieur, but I shall record all my madman thoughts in this!" He pointed to the fabric which concealed his bounded pages.

Nadir laughed.

"I really must design a bathroom for my home, Daroga. My dear has been in there for quite some time."

"Then perhaps you would like me to stay with you?"

"No need, my friend. I am a patient man." Erik stood cross-armed against the walls. "I will ask the management for my twenty thousand francs, in advance. I do have my expensive tastes, Nadir. You of all people should know that."

He raised his shoulders, shrugging at the thought that Erik still received money from M. Andre and Firmin. "Yes, I know you do. …And how long will it take you to construct this room, Erik?"

"When I am motivated, I say only a few weeks. It will be beautiful: s marble bathroom, with a comforting feeling! No lingering fear of corpses showing up unexpected on a shore… they have a nasty way of coming back. Christine can relax in a bath! If I have to take Christine up here every other day, I might as well go mad. I prefer if she could stay within my constant view, especially since the fop will be returning. My home is now hers."

"I see…" Nadir said dully. "You don't plan to keep her down in the dark forever, do you?"

"I am a gentleman, I would not think of caging her up like that. She has the Opera to attend to."

Nadir nodded his head in understanding. "Well Erik, you seem to have thought everything through. Now, I must take my leave. Your lady seems to be waiting with a little blonde girl." He bowed to the Phantom, and walked off down the staircase.

………

March 3, 1873

That Giry child! She talks as if I were not there! Why, I was standing right next to Christine when Meg made the conclusion that I was adorably handsome. I suppose I should not be offended, and yet in an odd way, I am!

Would she still have the courage to look at me, if I were to rip my mask off on the spot? Somehow, I highly doubt it.

If a deformed man is handsome, mademoiselle, I would be very curious to find out your thoughts on a face like Raoul de Chagny's!

"Erik, this is the first time Meg's ever had a good look at you." Christine whispered softly in my ear, as she leaned against me for support of her aching body. I realized an hour of good standing was causing her fatigue. I wanted to bring her back to bed right away. But something desperately held to my arm.

God, Meg Giry would follow Christine off a cliff if she desired to. She explained to me that if Christine disappeared for another two weeks, she wouldn't know what to do! Christine was her best friend and the only one she could talk to about anything.

I could relate well to that.

So I let them have their girlish chatter.

And here, I wait…

Again.

Raoul is here, I see. His brother is wheeling him about in a wheel-chair. Poor boy. But I must not pity the enemy. It would be rather bad if I did. In fact, I find this quite funny. Yes, I'm actually very giddy now, chipper, if you will. And the thought that Christine was not even aware of Raoul's sudden, handicapped presence, made my day!

She ignored him! Completely. Did not even glance in his direction to give a remorseful look! I can only guess that with the attempt to kill me, Christine has lost all feeling she'd once had had towards her old husband. Sadly, I can not believe this!

What if she only fears my reaction to her going over and saying hello? There's nothing wrong with that…right?

No, she doesn't fear me. I know she doesn't. I just finally have the power I've been looking for. I'd been called a thief in the past, and now I have stolen the only thing of which I pathetically longed to possess.

I have finally stolen her heart.

Erik

………

Christine: I love writing these 'Erik Entries!'

Erik: …

Christine: What is it, Erik?

Erik: If I had not known any better, I'd have guessed it was I writing the entries…

Christine: (laughs) I'll take that as a compliment!

Erik: (takes me into his arms) No one likes a debtor, it's better if my orders are obeyed!