Thanks for all the reviews you guys! They are so nice to come home to! For those who complained that Erik would never rape Christine…I agree with you 174. You show me the part where Christine is raped, and then I'll listen to your argument. For the questions asked about whether Christine really wants to stay with Erik, I think she does. It is often pointed out that she could easily leave or show resistance, but she doesn't.

Ok, we've got lot's of E/C goodness in this chappie. I couldn't bear to keep him angry anymore. Our old buddy Raoul is back, and a new friend (whose name I totally pulled out of the sky, and hopes it sounds French-y) joins the cast.

Chapter Eleven

Erik tightened each lace on the dress, so it would fit Christine properly, but not hurt her. He couldn't believe he was putting this holy dress on her beautifully shaped body. What's more, he couldn't believe she wasn't running away from his touch. He knew he had been so cruel to her, and yet here she stood, without flinching once. Why? Perhaps she wanted to marry him. He hated the thought of forcing her to stay with him, if that was not what she truly desired. When he witnessed her interactions with Raoul, it's true, he was very perturbed by it, but part of it reinstalled hope. Christine could have easily left with him. He offered to take her to his home, but she refused. Why would she if she didn't want to stay with him? Erik knew he had to have these questions answered before another step was taken. He dropped the laces and gently turned her to face him.

"Christine, I must ask you something. And I beg of you, be honest with me. I can't go on filling my mind with false promises anymore. When the Vicomte offered to take you away, what was the reason for your rejection?" He bit his lip waiting for her reaction.

"Well, for one thing, I knew how you would react if I left. I thought you would hunt us down and kill him-"

"Oh. I see. You're frightened of me.", interrupted Erik.

"But. You…..you do something to me Erik. I…I can't even put it into words. No matter what you do to frighten me, I can't seem to want to leave. The things I feel when I'm with you…no one can match them. Not even Raoul. You touch something deep within me. And when you do, nothing could make me want to leave your side. Nothing."

Erik cleared his throat. Was he actually hearing these words? If he was dreaming, he prayed he would stay in this heavenly slumber for eternity.

"I see.", he calmly replied, as tears welled in his eyes.

"Oh Erik! Don't you believe me? Don't you know that if I wanted to leave with Raoul, I would have? If I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't." She softly kissed his checks, letting her lips lightly feather against his, wanting her touch to reassure him of her feelings. She pulled away hoping she had settled his mind.

"Oh Christine!", he wept. "Christine, I love you! I've loved you since the moment I heard your glorious voice fill my spirit. And then I told you I was your Angel! Your Angel of Music. When it is you, you Christine are the only Angel to walk this earth. I am nothing but a man. You know that, don't you Christine? I love you so much Christine, I've waited so long to tell you the truth. And now look," he pulled her wrists up, "look, I've hurt you! See what I've done to you Christine! You know I am not the Angel of Music. I wasn't sent to you from the heavens; although I think you knew all along. I am no Angel."

Christine leaned forward and whispered into his ear, "You're wrong. You are an Angel. As a living man, you are my Angel."

Erik swung both arms around her body, and smothered it against his. They both cried into each other, out of sheer happiness. After weeks on misunderstandings, they had finally revealed their feelings to each other, and it was the most liberating experience either could have imagined.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Christine? Marriage, I mean?"

"Yes, Erik. I think the sooner we marry, the more secure I will feel."

Christine knew she was in a serious predicament. She loved two men, and now she had to choose. She couldn't continue stringing both of them around; a decision had to be made. She tried to picture how a life with Raoul would have been. Yes she loved him, but to become a member of the upper class, she didn't know how she would handle it. The thing that scared her the most was the possibility of being forced to leave her singing. But with Erik, she could love him, be herself, and sing with him, until sound refused to escape her lungs. Yes, she knew now, it was with Erik she belonged; who she was meant to be with.

And then Christine whispered the four words Erik had prayed he would hear all his life. If he could only hear hre speak those words, he would gladly die at that moment and spend an eternity in Hell.

"Erik, I love you."

And with that, they both giddily prepared to make their way to the boat, to find a church that would bless their union.

xXxXxXxXx

"I'm not quite sure I understand, sir. Who do you want to me arrest?

"You heard me," answered Raoul. "The Phantom of the Opera! He's real, I tell you! He's a living, pathetic man, and now he's got my fiancée! I know he's got her, trapped and tortured her. I want you to arrest him, or shoot him for all I care! All I know is that by the end of this night, I want Christine safe, in my arms. I can give you clear directions to his home, for lack of a better word. Go there tonight, do as I say, and you will be handsomely rewarded.", he said, as he threw a bag full of francs on the table.

"Yes, sir." Captain De'Luncrque greedily responded, as he took his leave.

"By this time tomorrow Christine, you'll be safe with me, and we'll no longer be in Paris.", Raoul confidently said to himself.

xXxXxXxXx

"Christine, will you hurry up! What are you doing? You're beautiful as you are, don't bother with cosmetics!" yelped Erik, as he was getting the gondola ready to leave the lair. He was only joking with her of course; she could take all the time in the world. As long as she agreed to be his wife, without any hesitation, that was enough to make him happy.

"I'll be out in two minutes! At least let me look decent for my wedding!", she joked.

"Of course, dear."

Erik laughed to himself, until he was hit over the head with something absurdly heavy, and he collapsed into the boat. He was then quickly carried out of the lair by three large men.

A few minutes later, Christine exited her room, in her full bridal array. "Alright! I'm ready, I just couldn't get the veil to fit right……Erik? Erik, this is not the time to play!" Christine looked frantically around the lair. He was no where to be seen. Suddenly, as she turned around again, a man, elegantly dressed was standing on the shore.

"You must be Christine. My dear, my name is Captian De'Lancrque, I'm here to take you to a certain Vicomte."

"But Erik…where's Erik? What have you done with him?"

"Calm down, now. Calm down. It's been taken care of. That's all you need to know. It's not uncommon for victims to defend their kidnappers if they've been brainwashed enough. Now please, your fiancée speaks of nothing but your safety. I have strict instructions to take you to him."

"No! No, I want Erik! Erik? Where are you? Help me Erik! Their taking me away! Erik!" She continued screaming, praying he would show up and save her.

The captain grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her into the boat.

"There's a good girl. Come on now, there's a good girl. Sit right there, everything will be fine, you'll be alright. There we are."

Christine continued screaming Erik's name into the warm darkness, growing more terrified with every inch she came to sunlight.

Oh, betcha didn't see that coming, huh? Hehehee.

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