A/N - I don't own any of the classic POTO characters.

This is a shorter chapter, but it's mostly a bridge to the next exciting thing. So enjoy it :). Also, I've been thinking of a few things I'd like to tell you.

First, I think my Erik is a bit more dark and perhaps 'cruel' than some others. He's not a very fluffy guy. First of all, if you read Leroux (I can't afford Kay) then you'll see that Christine really was the first and only 'bright spot' in his life, apart from music of course. And even then, that didn't end very nicely now did it? Also, in my personal history of Erik post-Christine (aka, my other fic which I will eventually post) he has a horrible experience with the second woman in his life. Nicholas' mother. So at any rate, he's been all alone for at least 15 years with nothing to do but brood on the past. If he seems a little harsh to Elizabeth, or even Christine at first, give him time. He'll warm up.

I forget the last thing. I'll remember later.

Please review, it makes a world of difference :)

Nicholas rubbed his eyes. It was nearly two hours after their scheduled meeting time, and Elizabeth had not arrived. She had never missed one of their rendezvous, even if she had been a little late. Never this late, his mind chided. He stood from the cold earth and stretched languidly. Perhaps she had been prevented from coming, it had been getting increasingly difficult to sneak away. Perhaps she's busy with him, the thoughts again taunted. His fingers curled into a fist and he growled against the torment of his own mind. He roughly pushed his way through the brush, toward his horse. He would go home, and sleep. She would meet him tomorrow, and then he could ask her what had happened.

"She's gone!"

Raoul groaned, trying to pull the pillow over his head to stifle the voice of his wife.

"Raoul, wake up!" She insisted. Finally, the sort of panic in her voice roused him. He turned to his side, blinking wearily up at her.

"Who, Christine? What? Can this not wait until morning?"

Christine was in a frenzy. She seemed overcome with both fury and fear all at once.

"She's gone with that insolent boy I am sure! We must find her, Raoul. She'll become with child and then be unfit for a marriage to DeGent. She'll be unfit for any marriage!"

"Christine, calm down .." Raoul began, in a soothing tone. Christine continued to rail.

"Christine!" Raoul snapped, bringing his hand into smarting contact with her jaw. She immediately went quiet, and looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Finally, the girl he had fallen in love with had resurfaced. Only for a moment, however, and the eyes glazed over with the disgust she obviously felt.

"Elizabeth is gone?" Raoul surmised, as he brought himself to a full standing position.

"Yes," Christine muttered cooly.

"Then we will find her." Raoul pressed a kiss to the forehead of his wife, and then stepped about her - hurriedly dressing.

"You wait here," he instructed calmly. "In case she returns."

Christine opened her mouth to protest, but Raoul silenced her with a glance. She held her tongue, and began to plan her own search.

The road which led Nicholas toward his humble lodging wound it's way, inevitably, past the DeChagny estate. On any other night it would have been dormant and dark. Tonight as he trotted towards it, many of the rooms were alight and people scurried about - even in the gardens. They all seemed to be calling out for someone, but who could they lose in their own estate?

Nicholas slowed his horse near the gate, just as a servant pulled the heavy iron wings open.

"Pardon, Monsieur.." Nicholas spoke, attempting to sound as formal as he could manage. "Is something amiss with the Comte?"

"Oh no, Monsieur." The servant was obviously nervous, having undoubtedly been roused from his sleep and sent on this mission. "The Comte's daughter is missing again. Sleepwalking I presume, but they never ask our opinions." The man grumbled, and went to continue about his work.

Fear gripped at Nicholas. "His.. Daughter? Elizabeth?"

Now the servant seemed annoyed. "Yes, Monsieur. He only has one daughter." With that, the stout man disappeared into the estate once more and finally Nicholas could make out the name they were calling. Elizabeth.

If she was not with him, then where could she be? William, perhaps? No, the man was not that foolish. He had already assaulted the lady once, and she now held him within her power. He would not be so foolish to attempt it again, especially since she would belong to him in two short months.

Nicholas turned his horse to leave, but heard a familiar voice behind him.

"You! Wait!" He turned to find Elizabeth's mother racing after him.

"Where is she?" A curt and vicious tone demanded, making Nicholas recoil. He was on horseback and could surely escape this interrogation.

"She is not with me, Madame.." He assured her, in his most sincere tone. She was not convinced.

"Then what have you done with her!" Christine was now wagging her finger in his direction, and in any other situation the scene would have been comical.

"I assure you," he began again, but the tears that began to fall along Christine's cheeks caused his words to falter. She may pretend to be so strong and angry, but it was obvious that beneath it all she did love Elizabeth, and must be worried half to death. Nicholas lowered his voice to little more than a whisper.

"She did not meet me, Madame, at the appointed time. She ..." Should he be divulging this information? He hesitated, but finally chose to continue. "She always comes. I am concerned as well. I promise you that, should I find her, I will bring her home at once."

Christine did not seem comforted by his words, but he turned anyway and fled down the darkened road. He had an idea of where to start his search.

Little did he know, however, that Christine was determined to accompany him on such a venture - and had quickly called a servant to fetch her own horse. Within moments she had caught up with him, though she trailed from a distance. He did not even detect her presence as he wound his way toward the ruins of the old and abandoned opera house.