VII

Christine stared out the window of the carriage as it jostled to the theatre. Strange, it seemed that she did that a lot lately, staring out windows. The window of her room, the window of the parlour, the window of the carriage. She felt Raoul's hand touch hers and smiled at him.

"Thinking?" he asked.

"I guess so," Christine replied, "are you sure it isn't a problem?"

"What isn't a problem?" he asked.

"Taking me here everyday," she clarified.

"No, Christine, I love you. I'd do anything for you. Including taking you to the theatre to practise."

"The performance is tomorrow night," she said, "you'll be there, right?"

"Of course," he replied, kissing her, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Christine smiled and climbed out of the carriage after it jolted to a stop. Making sure she had all her things she quickly went around and entered through the back of the theatre and met Meg, who waited by the door everyday.

"You're late," Meg scolded teasingly.

"I know," Christine replied, "I just have to get changed, then I'll be ready to start."

"Tomorrow," Meg reminded her.

"I know," she laughed, "come on, lets get to the change room."

Meg giggled and the two hurried to the change room. Meg stood by while Christine got changed and they both hurried out to practise. It was strange though, unlike the rehearsals they were all used to these ones were short and uncrowned. It was only the dancers, going through a few dances on the stage by themselves.

"So, they say there won't be any operas performed until after the new year," Meg sighed as they began to get changed, "it will certainly be boring around here until then."

"Call it boring," Christine said, "but I would call it less hectic…oh, how is Carlotta?"

"Fine," Meg said, sticking her tongue out and rolling her eyes, "apparently it was nothing too damaging, just emotionally scaring. She's doing a private performance in two weeks."

"Really?" Christine asked, "well, that's good I guess. I'm glad she can still sing."

"I'm not," Meg groaned, "think of all those poor people who have to listen. You should be giving private performances and public ones for that matter."

"I don't know," Christine said softly, "maybe it wouldn't be that wise, after all it wasn't very fair for me to get on stage…"

"Don't say that," Meg said sternly, "none of that was your fault. Don't blame yourself, Christine, you deserve it as much as anyone."

"Oh, is our little scandal back?" another dancer asked as she brushed past, "how nice."

"Be quiet," Meg shot back.

"What does she mean?" Meg asked.

"Oh come on," the dancer replied, "you can't say that you haven't heard. Its all over the papers and all around this place. Oh, not that you'd know, you're never here."

"Go away," Meg said.

"Honestly, Christine. You disappear for a night and then, the very next day you run off with the newest patron of the theatre. The incredibly handsome, Vicomte de Chagny," she continued, "tell me how is his house? Is it lovely and big? Oh, and how is his bed?"

"Oh be quiet!" Meg said angrily, "how's are the new managers' beds? I know that you and your friend have been in them!"

The other dancer sniffed and turned away from both of them, meeting up with her friend and leaving in a huff. Meg turned back to Meg and shook her head is disgust.

"Is that really what people think?" Christine asked, "they think that Raoul and I are…you know?"

"So what? You aren't, Christine," Meg said haughtily, "just ignore all of them, you're just staying with him because of everything that happened."

"Still, maybe I shouldn't be staying with him. I could always come back," she said, "everyone says that the ghost is gone and you and Madame are here. Maybe it will be better."

"Christine," Meg said, taking her friend's hands, "don't come back just because of what they're saying. Its your choice, Christine. Remember that."

"I know, but it would be better," she said, "I know his parents don't approve of me living with him. It will be best for all of us. I'll still see him, it will just be easier."

Antoinette sighed as the dancers all returned to the change room. The performance was the next day and the Christmas break was fast approaching. And then she would watch everyone go away, to see their families until after new years.

"You look deep in thought," Monsieur Reyer commented.

"Just thinking about the holidays," she admitted.

"Ah, thinking of going somewhere special?" he asked.

"Well, I'd have to be back for the masquerade, so I cannot go anywhere too far away," she sighed, "but perhaps, somewhere not far from the city."

"What about home?" he asked, "have you ever thought about returning to your home town?"

"Hmm, I have not been there in many years," she sighed, "not since Meg was five. I have to admit. My parents were not very happy when I had her. I suppose I was a bit young."

"So no one to return to," Monsieur Reyes said, nodding his head, "that is a shame."

"No, I do have a good friend back in that area," she said with a small smile, a priest, of al people."

"And how do you know him?"

"He was a few years older then I and we became good friends when I lived there. We continue our friendship, even though we almost never see one another. Perhaps I will go and visit again. It would be nice to speak with an old friend again. Merci."

"You are welcome Madame," he said with a grim smile, "I will see you tomorrow."

Antoinette nodded and went back to her apartment. It would be nice to go and visit her friend again, after all, she had not heard from Erik since the night of Il Muto. With a small sigh she decided that she would take Meg to visit the small town. After all, she had not been to confession in a long time, and sometimes it felt better to confess to an old friend.

Christine rubbed her eyes sleepily as she went down for breakfast. Raoul greeted her with a kiss and she offered a weak smile, "Raoul, I have to tell you something."

"What Is it?" he asked, brow furrowing at her uncertainty.

"I-I want to go back to the theatre, to live, I mean," she said.

"But, Christine," he argued, "why would you want to do that?"

"It would just be easier, especially once the new season starts," she explained, "and besides…it would just be better that way."

"Is its what you really want," he said quietly, "then that's fine with me."

"We can still see each other," she said with a smile, "you can visit, or I can visit. It will just be-"

"Easier," he finished, knowing very well why she was saying this now, "I know, Little Lotte."

"I'll just, pack my things then. Thank you for understanding."

The performance went well and practises continued. They were to do one more dance before the Christmas holidays in a small mêlée of dancing, singing and orchestrated music.

Christine found that seeing Raoul was more difficult then she had imagined, but they went out for dinner once a week, and he would come whenever he could. Whenever he was there the theatre seemed less frightening and she would show him all of her favourite places. The ones that her and Meg had discovered during their explorations of the theatre.

She took him high above the stage, among the rafters and onto the roof. But she made sure to stay away from the cellars. She knew that Raoul still didn't believe in the phantom, but she knew he was real and she knew where he lived. Bellow the theatre, in the shadows.

Even with everyone saying that he had left, just disappeared, she was still nervous and made sure to stay with Meg or Raoul as much as possible. She jumped at every shadow or sudden noise or movement.

"Come on Christine!" Meg exclaimed on night, grabbing her friend's hand and dragging her out of the dormitory.

"Meg! Where are we going?" she asked as she was pulled through the theatre.

"Just follow me," she said, leading her up through the stories of the theatre.

"Are we going to the roof?" Christine asked, bewildered by her friend's behaviour.

"Shhh, just come," Meg said, pushing open the door the roof and pulling her outside, "look."

"Its snowing," Christine smiled.

"Yeah, the second snow of the year," Meg said, "I thought you'd want to see it. Remember when we were little? We'd always rush outside in the winter, just to see if it had snowed, or was snowing."

"Yeah, after rehearsals, or before lessons. Or right before bed, or first thing in the morning," Christine said, "how could I forget? We always froze because we wouldn't take our coats."

"And what are you two doing up here?" Antoinette asked.

"Maman!" Meg exclaimed, "oh, we were just looking at the snow."

"I see," Antoinette replied, "you should be in bed, no?"

"Sorry," Christine said.

"That is alright my dears," Antoinette sighed, "I admit, it is nice to watch the snow falling at night."

"its just so peaceful," Meg sighed, "we'll go to bed now."

"Good night you two," Antoinette smiled, "sleep well."

Once they were gone she sighed and watched the snow fall on the city bellow. All she could think was that Erik would have loved it. He had always loved the snow. When he was young he always asked if it had snowed, especially near the beginning of the winter.

"It is snowing my friend," she sighed, watching her breath turn to vapour, "and where are you?"

She knew the answer, he was down bellow somewhere, doing something. She wondered what, perhaps composing, or moping. Yes, he had been a very good moper in his youth. But she doubted that he was just moping. Not even Erik could mope for such a long time.

With a final glance at the city she went back inside. Soon enough they would all find out what he had been up to. And if she had any sense as to how Erik acted, she expected him to return at the masquerade, and she expected him to cause quite the scene.

A/N: Wow, this was going to be up like two days ago, but then there were complications. Sorry for the long wait, but here it is, hope you enjoyed it. Please leave a review, love ya all.