A/N - Writer's block, classes, and etc have deterred me. Sorry!
Two men had already lost their lives. The thought nagged at the haggard mind of Raoul de Chagny, even as he trudged toward these dank cellars. He had attempted to put this place from his mind for twenty years, and now fate was cruel enough to send him launching into it's depths with the same reckless abandon he had felt all those years ago.
Keep your hand at the level of your eyes...
Singsong words taunted his mind, but even still his hand obeyed.
"Careful," he muttered softly to those around him. It was of little importance that he spoke. The men were rightfully fearful for their very lives and could do very little to be any more careful. They had seen the cruel genius of their prey only moments before, when a trick of mirrors had revealed a thousand of him - with the Vicomte dead center. He had not spoken, only moved continuously, until Raoul had become so provoked that he had fired blindly. Not once, but twice. After the second shot, the shadow disappeared and they were left to their cruel wanderings once more, each man desperately hoping that the next victim would not be them.
Christine's face was white. Her entire world was about to crash about her feet. All of the love and hatred and emotion she had felt in her life would be housed under one god forsaken roof. And what would come of it? One of them would surely die. The wounds were old, but terribly deep. This time, there would be no peaceful end. As her mind attempted to sort through the terrible truth of the present, she could hear worried voices in the room.
"Papa?" It was Elizabeth, her sweet voice sounding child-like and naive again.
"Erik, let me take them to him. You must release him." Nicholas spoke, attempting to remain calm.
Erik did not speak. Truthfully, he did not seem to be listening at all. His gaze flickered between Elizabeth and Nicholas, and then fell upon Christine.
Their eyes met. For a moment, the anguish of a lifetime was assuaged and he could simply allow himself to see her. To see her. Injured as she was, she was pale and weak. And terribly beautiful. Erik had known her better than any human alive, and he found that he could still read the emotions playing out upon her face with ease. She was sorrowful. For whom, he could only wonder. For her beloved husband, yet again dashing to her rescue - to save her from his dark embrace? No, Erik could see the pain in her eyes. The silent plea.
Forgive me.
The weight of her glance proved to much for a man always teetering upon the brink of madness, he looked away. They could hear the sounds of feet shuffling and echoing through tunnels so far away.
Suddenly, warmth radiated through his shoulder. Erik withdrew quickly, and upon looking up found that Christine was the one who would dare touch him. She had somehow managed to find her feet, and move to his side.
"Trust me, Erik. Please."
"That's served me well before, hasn't it Madame?" The raw fury in his voice made Christine quiver, but not withdraw.
"I do not have the time to explain my actions, Angel, nor would any of my useless words begin to compensate for the pain I have caused you. Forgive me, Erik. Trust me. I do not wish to lose you."
Erik wanted to spurn her. To think of every anger and bitter word he could create with his tongue to inflict upon her spirit the same pain she had caused him. He could not find it in himself to do so, however. Years ago he had been full of passion, of desire and love and music. Tonight he simply felt - tired. Too tired to struggle with his inner demons, or with this angel. Too tired to hate her as passionately as his soul resonated that he should, or to love her as truly as he always would. He wanted it to end again. He wanted precious, lonely silence.
A simple nod was all that Erik would offer. His submission.
Christine sprang into action. They had precious little time to avoid the inevitable.
"Neither of you will speak. I will talk. No matter how offensive or untrue my words may be, please trust me. All will reveal itself in due time." Suddenly she sounded so strong again, so empowered.
"Erik, can you.. leave? My husb... Raoul is a headstrong man. He may very well insist on trudging down here to face you no matter what I say." Christine could see the anger in his face, his jaw clenching visibly.
"Please," she had continued softly. "You and I are not the only ones to consider now, Erik. Time has passed, things have changed." Christine referred to Elizabeth, and of course Nicholas who currently comforted the former.
Erik could not argue with her reason, even though he felt quite indignant about leaving his own home. With a gruff murmur, he stalked toward a heavy drapery upon one wall. As he pulled it back, Christine could not help but remember entering through that very same door - and seeing Emina in his arms. A flood of emotion suddenly threatened her calm, and she bit it back harshly. She could only watch as father and son exchanged a glance. A sorrowful, worried glance. A look full of questions that would, at least for now, go unanswered.
The Phantom disappeared from their lives.
"We must leave, now.." Christine spoke at last. Nicholas merely nodded. Elizabeth reluctantly released him. He paused, however, to brush his fingers along her cheek and share a secret smile. That did not go unnoticed by Christine, nor the way such a simple gesture seemed to spark both calm and courage within her sweet Beth.
In a motion, Nicholas swept Christine into his arms. She voiced complaint, but he shushed her and had already started towards a random tunnel. Being in his arms was eerie, almost familiar. He was so much like his father. His tone was brusque as he spoke.
"Elizabeth, I need you to remember. You alone know the only safe path from this hell. We will surely intercept your father along the way."
Elizabeth's doe-like eyes widened at the sudden responsibility. She had been in such a state of dreaming! Could she recall? She found courage from the fire in his eyes, and nodded a bit. Tentatively, she stepped out to take the lead.
"Make haste," Nicholas encouraged her, and she obeyed.