We get to spend some more time with Raoul in this chappie, oh joy. I really do like Raoul (wow, my nose just grew 8 inches), but Erik and Christine need an obstacle to overcome. And Raoul's just sittin' there, so I'm using him. Hooray 

Chapter Twelve

After what seemed days, Christine and the Captain finally arrived to their destination. It was a lovely home, high on a hilltop. Christine figured it must have been Raoul's summer home away from the city that he had always talked about.

"This is our stop, my dear.", announced the Captain.

Christine wearily stepped out of the carriage, still in the wedding dress Erik had given her, although now it was crinkled all over, and looked less than flattering. She had taken the veil out on the long ride and she now clung to it with one hand. She and the Caption walked into the house, where they stood in a large foyer, with was decked with marble and gold trimmings.

"Monsieur!", shouted the Captain through the halls. "I have something you've been looking for!"

Suddenly from the top of the winding staircase, Raoul burst through a door. He giddily glided down the stairs, smiling the entire time. He finally reached the bottom, as Christine stared at him in aw.

"Christine! My darling, your back and safe now. What are you wearing? He forced you to wear it didn't he? The monster."

Christine began crying into his chest, but not for the reason Raoul thought.

"It's alright. Sssshhh. It's going to be alright now. You're safe. We're going to live here, together, loving each other forever."

With each word he spoke, Christine's cries grew louder and harsher. Raoul simply believed they were cries of fear for his safety, and out of happiness she was finally saved. He stood holding her in his arms; thanking God he finally had her back.

"Come, you must be hungry. I've had the cook prepare you a lunch."

Still, weeping, she walked into the dining room by the guide of his hand and sat down at the dining set, still in an utter state of shock.

I should be pledging my love to Erik right now.

Raoul sat at the chair next to her, wrapping an arm around the back of the chair.

"After you finish, perhaps you would like to take a nap? You must be exhausted; I know I always am after making that long trip."

Christine turned her head to face him, and it was of amazement. He spoke to her as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Who did he think he was? Taking her love, sending someone to bring her to him and not even explaining the events of the past day? Didn't he know what she was going through, being tossed from man to man?

"Raoul?"

"Yes, Darling?", he answered.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"What I mean," she explained, "Is why did you send that man to take Erik away from me and then bring me to you?"

"Dear I wasn't taking him from you, I was taking you from him. You remember him right? The man you kidnapped you? The man who wouldn't allow you to leave? The man who wouldn't let you see me? Don't tell me you enjoyed that!", he joked.

"Well, no, not at first. But things have…I don't know, things have changed. The feelings I have for Erik have matured into something I've never felt before."

"Fear, no doubt", he scoffed.

"No, not fear. It was…it was….", she paused. She didn't dare tell Raoul her and Erik were in love; she was too frightened to witness his reaction.

"…..just know that things have changed, that's all."

"Hm, I see.", he looked at her suspiciously. "Well my darling, you're here now. If you don't want to take a nap, perhaps you'd like to change out of…ahem…that."

Christine abruptly stood out of her chair. She walked to the door, leaving Raoul at the table, looking dumbfounded.

"Christine?" Where are you going?"

"To sleep."

Raoul was left sitting at the table, content with they way things were turning out.

xXxXxXxXx

Christine collapsed on the bed in a guest bedroom, not believing she was with Raoul, in his home. She cried; cried until her eyes were bone dry, not able to excrete another tear. She still wore the wedding dress. She couldn't bear to take it off. It was the last thing she had to remind her of the moment she and Erik exchanged, moments before he disappeared and Captain De'Lancrque appeared in the lair. She fell asleep, praying that when she awoke, she would be in Erik's arms.

Christine felt the curve of Erik's body press up against the back of hers as she lay on her side in bed. His arms traveled up her thigh, her hips, and traced her shoulder line. Finally they stroked her hair. He pulled it behind her, so it wrapped around her neck. His fingers grazed her neck, as if he were prepping it to be kissed. He then delved his lips into the side of her neck. Christine moaned from pleasure, and rolled over as to kiss the lips of her lover.

"Raoul!"

"Yes, it's me Christine," he said, as he began kissing her lips.

"No…", she began brushing his lips away from hers and jumped out of the bed. "You can't do this, Raoul! You can't just kiss me, and expect that I'll forget everything that's happen. It can't work like that."

"What are you saying Christine?"

"What made you think that I ever wanted to leave Erik in the first place? I never, ever, asked you to come and "rescue" me."

"Christine, how can you say that? Excuse me for thinking that you would feel better being with you fiancée instead of your kidnapper! What was I thinking?", he shot back.

"Raoul, please, just tell me where Erik is. I've been so worried about him."

Raoul looked down, to afraid to make eye contact with Christine.

"Please Raoul.", she begged. "Please."

"Erik was killed Christine. I'm sorry."

DUN DUN DUN…….(just in case you guys haven't guessed by now, I'm an E/C shipper. So I wouldn't fret too long)

I'm going to Florida in a few days( I'm freezin' my a off here in Michigan), so I may not update for more than a week. On the other hand, if I get lots and lots of reviews, I may squeeze an update in before I go to tie you over….hint hint.