A/N: It's getting there. I am too excited of how this is going to turn out but I am updating because I have time.

Disclaimer: If I owned this, would I be putting a disclaimer?

Chapter IX- Hopes, Desires and Worries.

A couple hours later, Christine returned to her dressing room. She was exhausted from cleaning. She had promised herself that she would restore it little by little, day by day. This was a way to repay all of the time that he spent with her, but also it was out of love also.

She was more tired than what she allowed herself to feel. She didn't even notice the roses that were in her room. Christine fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

A little while later, a knock came from the door. Christine woke up abruptly. She unlocked the door to reveal the worried expression of Raoul de Chagny. He burst in, "Where have you been?"

"In my room, of course. Why?" Clearly she was missing something.

"I knocked on your door a while ago and you didn't answer, and I kept returning ever hour after that, yet still no answer. What is the meaning of this?"

She expressed a puzzled look on her face; she didn't know how to respond. Should she tell him the truth of her whereabouts or not? Eventually deciding against informing him, she spoke, "I was here, I just slipped out for a walk. I have only returned a short while ago, and then I fell asleep. Dear Raoul, do not worry about me so much."

He stared at her, trying to read her eyes for the hint of a lie. Finally he gave up. He sat down in a chair. He admitted, "I was worried that you had some sort of misfortune." In his head, he continued, 'I thought that monster took you away from me again. He shall never lay his hands on you once more.'

"I am perfectly fine but I appreciated the gesture for watching out for me all the same." With this, she ushered him out the door and went back to sleep.

Raoul walked away thinking, 'One of these days, Little Lotte, you will be mine, and mine alone. I know you love me, you said it yourself once, you did.'

He promised himself that he would watch her very closely and that he would not be defeated this time; he would have Christine's love and devotion in the end.

XxXxX

Christine learned her lesson to always slip away to house on Rue Scribe when she knew she would not be missed. She was careful to monitor the duration of her absence. The house was starting to become refurbished closer to its initial glory. She wished every day when she passed it, that she could fix the organ for Erik, but sadly she knew she couldn't. There was no possibility of this and she certainly didn't want to bring someone professional, who could, down here.

Each day, a new memory flooded back to her. She missed him so. He must be so lonely, she thought, but reminded herself that he was accustomed to loneliness, living down here years after years. She often wondered where he could have gone. The newspapers have written nothing on him lately, and it seemed like they had lost their interest. Christine hoped that this would mean he would come back for her shortly.

Erik left very few notes for her. She was worried that he disapproved of her and was distancing himself. From the notes she did receive, he would only praise her performance and advise her of what she could have done better or what she should improve on.

Soon Christine decided that she really must clear her head and that all of these possibilities were just her inventions of the mind trying to scare her. She decided it was time to get away from the Opera House for a while. Maybe to Perros to pay a proper visit to her father's grave. Last time, she went, Christine didn't really have time to mourn due to the battle between Raoul and Erik. Oh those looks in both their eyes, ready to kill each other just to win her love. She never wanted to see that emotion from either of them again. If she hadn't interfered, Erik would have been dead at Raoul's hands. Those events still haunted her in dreams.

Her outfit was changed to a more respectful coloured one and she freshened up her look. She had informed Raoul of where she intended to go. He insistently offered to be an escort and made the arrangement to get a cab ready. She collected several flowers from her room of bouquets that she got for a role in a recent production. She met Raoul with the cab at the gate, and they left for the cemetery.

What Christine didn't see was that a dark, silent observer, was hidden in the shadows.

A/N: Okay pretty soon we are getting to the good stuff. This should be fun…can't wait… Did I mention I suck at making up chapter titles? If you can think of something better… please tell me… Please Read and Review…Thank you.