Chapter Fifty-Three: An End to Running?

A/N: Hello everyone. There is a link on my profile that will show you the beautiful drawing of Anthony that was done for me by my friend Ani, go have a look!

"Who are they, Mother?" Meg Giry wondered. Her mother said nothing as she prepared their breakfast. Meg sighed and began to fidget with her skirt. She had always been a curious girl and she was more than anxious to see who the people were that Monsieur Khan had brought to stay with them. She had heard her mother and the Persian speaking in soft tones late into the night but whenever she would sneak to the door to listen the talking would stop. She knew Nadir could hear her very easily and it was frustrating! Meg could only imagine the reason why the two had to stay with them! What mystery! What excitement! And her mother was ruining it by not telling her why they were there or who they were! Meg looked excitedly toward the kitchen door when she heard someone coming down the stairs but frowned when it was only Monsieur Khan.

"Are you that happy to see me this morning, Meg?" Nadir asked with a laugh, seeing the disappointed look on the young woman's face. When the Persian sat down at the table Meg took his hand, looking into his eyes pleadingly.

"Monsieur, please tell me who they are!"

Nadir glanced at Antoinette who shook her head. The Persian smiled and shook his head and Meg stomped her foot, letting out a snort of indignation. Nadir smiled again and shook his head. He thought of Meg as his daughter, like he was beginning to think of Christine, although he had no right to claim either. His only son he knew nothing about but he had seen Meg grow up and turn into the beautiful woman who sat before him. She had a mass of thick blonde curls that fell down her back and shoulders and framed a face like that of a little porcelain doll, her features flawless. Her blue eyes were always sparkling with mischief. Her body was supple from years of dance. Her mother had once been a ballet instructor and she had taught her daughter the art. Meg made a dart for the kitchen door when she heard someone coming downstairs again and Nadir grabbed her around the waist, laughing.

"Be patient, child! You do not want to startle them so early in the morning!" the Persian said, continuing to laugh. Meg failed to see how any of this was funny!

"Come help me carry everything into the other room, Meg," Madam Giry said. Meg sighed and did as she was told while Nadir went into the other room. When everything was ready Meg nearly ran out of the room in her haste to see and meet her new house guests. The couple before her was not what she had expected. In all actuality she did not know what she had expected. The woman was sitting in one of the chairs and the man was standing behind her. He was a tall and imposing figure dressed all in black and the mask that covered the half of his face was something Meg could not take her eyes off of. There was an immediate sense of danger and it was rather frightening. The woman, however was the complete opposite. Meg had always considered herself a rather attractive girl but next to this woman she felt very inadequate. Her dark curls, blue eyes and what looked like beautiful body made Meg feel very self-conscious. Who were they and why were they there?

"Meg, this is Erik and Christine Desslar," Nadir said. The woman, Christine, smiled charmingly while the man stayed silent and unmoving.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Meg," Christine said. Meg nodded and said the same. The young ballerina was suddenly very intrigued with the young woman and her husband.

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"It feels like it is getting colder by the minute," Raoul growled, rubbing his arms up and down vigorously. They had been driving none stop in the carriage, trying to get out of Rome, and they were not all in the highest spirits. Anthony had not talked much, only to Sienna, and they whispered about how in the world Erik could be alive, and how long had Christine known? At the moment however Sienna was asleep in Anthony's arms, Gustave was snoring in the corner, which left Raoul and Anthony to talk to one another.

"Perhaps we should not have separated ourselves from Erik and Christine," Raoul said, the thought having been on his mind for a few hours. Anthony nodded; he had been thinking the same thing. How would they get in contact with them? How would they know when it was all over? He did not know how it had been possible that Erik was alive after everything but he did know that the masked man would not let anymore harm come to his wife and unborn baby. He seriously wished things could get back to normal, or as close to normal as he could manage.

"Perhaps I should go back?" Raoul said. He did not like running away from the enemy and he wanted to help Christine all he could, because he knew that was all she would ever accept from him, his help. He knew Anthony could not go back, he had Sienna to worry about and as a friend Raoul would never allow the man he thought of as a brother to get hurt. He really was the most logical choice.

"I would not ask that of you," Anthony murmured, looking down at Sienna face, which was resting peacefully in his lap. Raoul shook his head. He would not ask him, but he would think it. He could see the wheels turning in young Daae's head and Raoul knew that he wanted him to go.

"I am going, Anthony," Raoul said. Anthony simply nodded. In truth he wanted someone helping Erik so everything would work out for once.

"How would you find where they have gone?" the young man asked, stroking Sienna's hair.

"Delauney is not the only one with high connections in the city, I will find them, do not worry about that," Raoul said. Anthony nodded and had the carriage pull to a stop. Drastic times called for drastic measures.

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"What does it feel like?"

Christine looked up from the clothes she was cleaning to look across at Meg, who was sitting doing some clothes as well. She and Erik had been there for a total of seven days and Christine had found that Meg was quite the curious young woman. She never ceased to have something to say and while Christine found it quite charming Erik found it beyond annoying. Although he would never say anything of the sort. This woman and her mother were the only reason they were safe at the moment and he was grateful beyond belief for that.

"What does what feel like?" Christine wondered, unable to help the smile that came to her lips. She could only imagine what Meg wanted to know now, she had asked everything imaginable and Christine had answered to the best of her ability each time.

"Making love."

Christine looked at the pretty blonde in startled amazement, unable to believe she had just been asked that! That was not proper talk for any lady but she knew that Meg did not have a sense of propriety. She did not answer immediately, trying to figure out how she could answer the question without giving away too much. Had she once not asked Susannah about such a thing? It was perfectly logical for a young woman Meg's age to want to know such a thing. But Christine knew that she would never be able to explain what it felt like to be that close to someone they loved, it truly was indescribable.

"Do not answer that, my love."

Both women turned to look in surprise at the sound of Erik's voice. They had not heard him come in. Christine glanced at Meg, who was suddenly blushing profusely and looking down at the floor. Christine contained her small giggle at the sight and brought her gaze back to her husband, once more noticing the rigid way he held himself. Something was wrong, something had been wrong for the past few days. He did not sleep well at night and he always seemed to be immersed in his own thoughts. Sometimes in the night she would wake up to find Erik not in bed with her. She would go downstairs to find him whispering softly to Nadir in the darkness of the late night. He did not know that she knew he left the bed, she always pretended to be asleep when he got back. She had tried listening to the conversation but their voices had been to low and she had been unable to recognize anything that was said. Christine did not know if she wanted to know what they were talking about.

"Curiosity, mademoiselle, is a trait that could get one killed," Erik said to Meg, who blushed a deeper shade of crimson. Christine shook her head at him.

"Do not say that! We were having a private conversation that you interrupted!" Christine said, her eyes twinkling. Meg looked at Christine in horror, not believing that she would speak to her husband that way. But of course Meg had noticed that Christine and Erik were not the most common couple and it was something she liked. However at the moment she was completely embarrassed and wanted to get out of the room as quickly as possible. She stood up, brushing her skirts off and not meeting anyone in the eye.

"That is quite alright, monsieur, I needed to go and help my mother with something!"

Erik watched in amusement as Meg darted out of the room as if a rabid wolf was at her tail. He chuckled and shook his head while his wife stood up and shook her head, wiping her hands on her skirts. He really was impossible, and it was something she loved about him. Christine smiled when he came to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands cupping her rear provocatively.

"Monsieur! How could you be so bold!" Christine teased, resting her hands on his chest. He grinned and kissed the top of her bosom.

"You, mademoiselle, are far too tempting, I cannot help but be bold," he playfully murmured. Christine's eyes fluttered shut as his mouth explored her neck and chest, taking great liberties.

"What would you say?" he asked, pulling her against his already straining arousal. She made him needy and hungry just by being in the same room with her for a few moments.

"Say to what?" she asked. He was making it hard to concentrate with his mouth running all over her skin.

"How does it feel to make love?" he asked. Christine smiled when he kissed her passionately. She moaned softly against his mouth when he pushed his need against her, trying to relieve some of the pressure built beneath his waist.

"I would say..." she began, running her hand down his chest.

"That it is..." Her hand was at his stomach.

"The most incredible feeling..." Her hand grazed the bulge in his trousers.

"Imaginable..."

Erik groaned when her hand squeezed his need, nearly sending his knees buckling. Christine kept her hand there when he pulled her to the floor, kissing all of the skin he could reach. She smiled against his mouth. She really loved this man.

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Erik slowly let go of Christine as he eased himself from the bed. He looked at her as he dressed and knew that she had to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. He smiled at the memory of making love to her in the foyer. She had whispered to him that anyone could walk in at any moment but that was what made it all the more enticing. She knew how to take his mind off of things for long periods of time and today he thanked her for that. He had had too much to think about for the past few days and she always knew how to make him feel better even if she did not know that she was doing anything of the sort. With one last glance at her he went downstairs on silent steps. Nadir was already sitting in the foyer, drinking a glass of cognac and staring into the flames of the fire. He said nothing while Erik got himself a drink and settled himself in a chair.

"Have you decided what we should do?" the Persian wondered. He did not think this was a good idea but it was not his place to say so. Erik needed to do this if he ever planned on living in peace.

"I am going to have him meet me somewhere and we will end this," Erik murmured. Nadir did not like this idea, liking it to running into a battle blind. They both knew what Michael was capable of.

"And where would you have him meet you?" Nadir asked. Erik shrugged, he had not thought that far ahead. Nadir sighed, this did not put his mind at ease at all.

"It is going to be me or him, this will end it forever, no more running," Erik said. It had been on his mind for the past few days. He knew Christine knew there was something wrong, but she did not ask, which made things easier. He was doing this for Christine and their baby, nothing else mattered to him.

"Does Christine know?" the Persian asked. He did not want there to be any arguments between the two after they had barely found each other after what could have been a very tragic incident.

"No. I am doing this for her."

"You should talk to her about it, Erik, it affects both of you, you are a family," he said standing. Erik remained sitting there long after Nadir left the room. He was immersed in his own thoughts. He would have to think this out so there was no way that he would fail. Christine needed him to much, and he wanted to watch his child grow up. For to long the Delauney family had ruined his happiness as well as the happiness of all the people he loved. He would not take it any more.

"Please do not do anything foolish."

The soft voice interrupted his thoughts. Christine was standing by the door, dressed in his robe, her arms wrapped around her stomach. The look in her eyes was foolish. How long had she been standing there? He said nothing and she simply stood there, not going to him. He had no idea what it would do to her if she were to lose him a second time, the first time she had almost killed their baby...

"I could not bare it..."

Erik stood and went to her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. He whispered again and again that he loved her. She had somehow figured out that he was going after Michael, although it could not have been that hard to realize what he wanted to do. However he did not like seeing Christine upset for any reason and he did not want her to be now. He wanted to spend what time he could with her before he was forced to face Delauney. His hand went to her stomach, like it had been doing for the past week. He could not get over the fact that his baby was growing inside of his loves stomach...it had to be a miracle. They broke apart when the felt a pounding on the door. Erik immediately pushed Christine behind him, thinking the worst. Antoinette came out with a candle, frowning, followed closely by Nadir who came from downstairs. It seemed that Meg was a heavy sleeper for she did not come down. Antoinette went to answer the door but Nadir gently got in front of her, fearing the worse.

"Evening!"

"Raoul!" Christine gasped. Erik muttered several curses under his breath when his wife rushed to the young man and embraced him, very happy to see him alright. Erik felt his fists clench and he looked away for a moment. Deep breaths, he told himself. She thinks of him as a brother, you're the one who makes her moan in pleasure. These thoughts did little to quell the jealousy that he knew he should not be feeling. Christine got a worried expression on her face.

"My family..."

"They are fine, sweet, they sent me here to help your fine husband," Raoul said, happy that he was with her now. Christine glanced at Erik, seeing the scowl that was written on his face. She knew Raoul was not the best person to put in the same room with her husband but she had hoped they had gotten passed that.

"I do not need help," Erik said. Nadir rolled his eyes at the obvious jealousy he heard in the masked mans voice. Nadir knew that Erik held a certain respect for Raoul for him coming with him that faithful night, but as long as he was married to Christine he would be jealous of any man going near her that he believed posed a threat.

"Ah, I did not say you did, but two heads are better than one," Raoul informed him. Christine's eyes found his, pleading with him to accept Chagny's help. Erik found it as an insult. He did not need some boys help, he could do just fine without him. However he knew that Christine would feel a lot better if he simply said yes and so he reluctantly nodded. The things he didn't do in the name of love!

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Meg had not wanted to rush down in her undergarments at the sound of the loud knocking so she rushed to put something decent on. By the time she managed that Erik, Christine, her mother, and Nadir had already went back to their rooms. She had heard another mans voice, a deep, handsome voice, and she wanted to see who it belonged to. She raced down the stairs and stopped when she reached the bottom, listening for any sort of noise. She heard someone moving around in the foyer. Whoever it was he must have been staying over night. Interested Meg opened the door as little as possible, trying to get a look at the man inside.

There was a fire blazing in the fireplace but whoever it was he was not standing near enough to the door for her to get a good look at him. Meg suddenly gasped when she saw him walking towards the door and before she could scramble back he had opened the door and she had tumbled into his arms...

Very strong arms and a chest that had no shirt to cover the bronze muscle. Meg looked up in embarrassment into the most handsome face she had ever laid eyes on. Blue eyes looked down at her with some interest and perfect white teeth showed in a charmingly boyish grin. She was extremely aware of the heat radiating from his bare chest. He was extremely well built, with a hard stomach and thick arms. He helped her stand up and Meg looked away, blushing, perhaps her curiosity was not a good thing!

"Well, good evening, mademoiselle," he said with a small chuckle.

"I am sorry, monsieur, I was only curious to see who you were," Meg said, seeing no point in lying. His brow rose in question. Raoul admitted that he had not expected to open the door to have a beautiful young girl tumble into his arms. And he did find her very attractive.

"I am Raoul de Chagny, mademoiselle, it is a pleasure to meet you," he said, holding out his hand. Meg slipped her own hand into his and allowed him to kiss the pale flesh.

"Meg Giry."

"Your mother is the woman who owns this house?" he asked, wanting to make a conversation with her. She nodded.

"Please, sit down, I for one cannot sleep," he said, offering her a chair. Meg sat down and he sat in front of her, not bother to put on a shirt, something she did not fail to notice. Did he have any idea how handsome he was?