a/n: I hope you're enjoying this so far, I'll try to get the chapters out sooner… For my two reviewers I leave you red roses with a little black ribbons around them in appreciation (thank you!):

Tex110

Angel or Demon

Disclaimer: I do not own the phantom of the opera, but I wish I did.

Chapter 2

"Goodbye my dear, I'm off to get bread for tonight." Christine planted a swift unnoticed kiss on Raoul's cheek. "mmhm.." he murmured fixing his hair. She pulled on a soft blue shirt and Blue skirt and went to grab money from the table when Raoul strode in. "Ah! Christine, I caught you before you left, now. I'm going to be out on business for the rest of the day, so if I'm not home before dinner, do not stress." He gave a pert wave than left her without any further details.

"Hunh? Raoul, wait!" He stopped and turned around, obviously irritated. "Yes Christine, what is it?" Huffed Raoul sullenly. "Where are you going, you said you had the week off?" Raoul played with a blonde curl for a moment than stated, "As a lady and future wife, I would ask you to stay out of my business affairs. Luckily for you though I am not as uncaring as some husbands, so I will tell you some since it would be unnecessary to tell you all the details... I don't think your pretty self would care about the architectural monstrosity anyways. I'm going to a bank at the other end of the city to discuss the way we will be building the new opera house." Christine frowned, offended by his tone that one might use with a stubborn child.

"Now Lotte, I will be leaving, Buh bye." He strode down the hall leaving Christine feeling a little aggravated and childish. Why can't you treat me like an adult? You're not that much older than I. She sighed and grabbed her cloak, walking out and saddling her favorite chestnut mare, Clover. She nuzzled his head, petting his ears, than hopped on making her way to the city.

"When will he realize that I am more than interested in the things he does? The things that usual high class woman do is incredibly dull, I mean, would you want to quilt, read dismal novels on romance, and tend to flowers?" She confessed to her quiet horse.

"The bad thing about our relationship is that I don't think my thick headed spouse will realize this quickly." Sighing, she looked up into the grey sky's. Letting Clover lead the way, she tipped her head back and let her mind wander. I love you Raoul, but I need to feel like I've passed the age of 13...Erik probably would have treated me like I was…NO! I cannot let myself divulge in to this dangerous subject matter. My dreams try to deceive me in the most merciless of manners, trying to convince myself that I'm in love with him!

They wound along a small path that led to a the entrance of the city. Maybe it's not your dreams who deceive you, but yourself by denying the fact that Erik is still kept locked away in your heart. Teased a nagging voice in the back of her mind. Closing her eye's she tried to argue with it. If I was in love with Erik, I would have chosen Erik! She told herself firmly while ridding to town on a chestnut mare named Clover.

How could I be as stupid to even believe I did! Why I felt like I yearned for him when I left his lair is a mystery to me… Erik murdered the innocent and tried to kill Raoul. I could never love a man who gave so little thought to the lives he took. Her dark auburn curls bounced slightly, catching small rays of sun and reflecting them so she had an almost red glint in her hair. Not even Erik's voice would make me feel that way… She felt it then, a sharp pang in her heart, a pang of desperate longing.

Her breath caught in her breast, she knew she lied to herself when she thought that love no longer existed for her fallen angel, although as stubborn as she was, she would never admit it. Her thoughts trailed off as she thought of Erik. Everything about him was a mystery to her, from his intoxicating voice, to his distorted face. She could almost hear him as she passed the ruins of her old life as a ballet dancer.

In fact, she did hear him! Faintly at first, but than as she drew closer, the musik of the night overwhelmed her, poisoning her decisions. Christine stopped clover mid-trot, listing to the notes that seemed to rise out of the blacked hell, which used to be her home. She felt her soul rise with the soothing words along with her racing heart. A warmth from deep down inside erupted and seemed to consume her in soft flames.

In a trance she walked Clover into the opera house listening and hanging on to every seductive note. Such sorrow, so much pain.. She left Clover at the door and walked deeper and deeper until she had reached the entrance to the phantom's lair. Standing outside the gate listening to Erik sing once again, she let her lids droop and arms fall to her side. Erik's booming voice echoed through out the tunnels, letting every melodic sound soak into her wilted soul. "I love you my angel…" She whispered to herself falling into his musik.

At this point, Christine was willing to admit that she had feelings for Erik. Though it was small, it seemed to be growing steadily faster by every sing-song word that Erik sang. Melting on to a rock, Christine let the beautiful musik slip itself in to a permanent spot in her heart. The last words of Erik's song faded from the ruined mass of charcoal building and an icy cold bit Christine ruthlessly in the gut. It spread through out her body, making small shivers dance up her spine.

Opening her big brown eyes, she realized where she was and muttered dark swears under breath. What in gods name is wrong with me! Coming down here and staying! If Raoul were to find out, he would have my head on a platter… Fool! What if he had seen me? Of, god forbid he heard me…her thoughts trailed back to the 3 fateful words she had said, her heart fluttering. This time, he wouldn't have released me. Either that, or I'd have to lie and break his heart into a finer pieces.

Silently, she made her way to Clover, who had busied himself with a area of rouge grass. Why would you lie though, you love him, you know you do. Said a little voice in the back of her head. Christine bit her lip bitterly, trying to deny the voice, but to no avail. Taking out her money, Christine stopped at the bakery for the bread she was to be picking up. Clover led the way back home, where Christine stumbled up and flung herself onto her bed. Within seconds, she had fallen into an uneasy sleep, the bread laying beside her small form.

She dreamt that she was soaring over the ocean, the sea breeze blowing her auburn curls wildly around as she stared delightedly at the sparkling blue water below. Great white angel wings spurted from her back moving gracefully through the clouds. Christine was twirling through the air when suddenly dark storm clouds rolled in and began pouring down dark heavy drops. It was exciting for her at first, gliding through the the heavy air, getting soaked to the bone, washing away her cares, when her wings that she was flying with became too wet too fly in and without warning, she began to plummet to the icy sea below.

"Help me!" She cried out to know one at all. With a loud splash, Christine hit the ocean surface and slowly began to sink. Flailing her arms this way and that, she looked for some way to reach the surface, losing precious breath by the second. Her now useless wings, were dead weights, pulling her down to the graves of the ocean. Raoul, in giant red bubble came by shaking his head in frustration and anger shouting.

"How dare you betray me! I loved you and you went back to Erik!" He glared, malice flashing in his usually calm eyes. "Raoul please! I didn't mean to, nothing happened! He didn't even see me, help me!" She tried to say but was not heard because of the water streaming down her throat.

Another bubble, this time blue in color, came up behind and engulfed her. Coughing and spluttering, the water that had leaked own into her lungs was now out. Looking up to see who her savior was, found herself gazing in to a pair of enticing eyes.

"Erik..." Christine breathed and found tears coming to her eyes. "My.. My angel.. Th-thank you. I-I.. Please forgive.." Erik silenced her with a soft, but cold finger to her lips.

"There is nothing to forgive, nothing to dismiss. Sweet Christine, I swear to you, I will always be there for you. Never would I let anyone harm you, I love you." He swept her up in a tight embrace, letting her tears fall and disappear into his shirt. Than, to her dismay, she woke up with a light headed, joyous feeling.

A smile edged at the corner of her lips, until it was a full grin. That's it. I can't stand it anymore. I still love Erik. Though just a tiny bit. A giggle escaped her lips as Raoul strode in. Raoul knocked at the door and came in. "Hello Christine! How are you on this fine day? Was that a giggle I heard?" He said all too cheerfully. Christine smiled and felt small pangs of guilt in her stomach,

"Hello, err.. You heard a giggle? Your mind must be playing tricks on you. What time is it?" Christine replied smiling. "Around 11:00 my dear, I was surprised to find you awake at such a time, it's not very lady like. Otherwise, I bring good news! I've become the new patron for the soon to be opera spectacular." he said proudly going to change. A strange scent, one of lavender and roses wafted through the air as Christine smiled happily, "Raoul, that's wonderful!"

She got up and gave Raoul a quick hug. She kissed his cheek and smelled it again, that bittersweet smell of too much perfume. Her heart sank and skipped a beat. Was Raoul with another woman? Christine wondered miserably pulling away and going to her vanity where she began to brush her hair uneasily. He couldn't be! He's not mainly enough to betray me. Although he is sweet and adorable, despite his long hair.. (a/n: I'm sorry if this part makes some of you gag, but it needs to be like this) He could get any woman he wanted. It's probably m imagination. He loves me and would never do that to me. Grotesque scenes appeared in her mind of Raoul sleeping with another woman, touching her, kissing her. It sent horrid shivers down her spine.

Raoul began undressed and Christine watched him strip in front of the mirror. He was fairly muscular and very pale. He turned around unbuckling his pants and caught her staring. Grinning, he slipping on his pants calling softly "Hey! I saw that." Her blush deepened as he walked over and kissed her without feeling. Her paranoia fading, she started kissing his neck, sliding her hands over his chest. She tasted honey and something like flavored beeswax and pulled away gently looking at where she kissed.

Her heart lurched into her throat, at the sights of dark red lip stick all over his neck and parts of his chest. Insides rolling, tears stinging her eyes, she said the only thing she could think of, "I'll be right back, I'm feeling a bit queasy.." There was another woman! Christine's mouth went dry and her eyes grew heavier.

She flung herself out the door just as tears spilled down her cheeks. Tripping over steps, almost completely blinded by her tears and emotions, she made it to the gardens. Her chest heaved and she lay her throbbing head down at the bottom of a statue of a man and cried. How could he do this too me! I gave him my heart thinking that he would treasure it and keep it safe, only to find it neglected for another! What is wrong with me? I tried to please him, but he denied me! He pushed me away, maybe he truly doesn't want me. He doesn't love me.. I'm just another one of his damned possessions! I can't marry him now. I refuse to be his doll to show off.. she wept, deeply until finally her stomach could take it no more, and she vomited at the foot of the statue.

Her heart felt like it had been beaten and burned at the stake. Betrayal was the Armageddon for their innocent love, the strong passionate bound they had shared was eternally damaged. I hate you Raoul.. Yet I love you so! Why do you continue to torment me with your horrid ways…I've lost hope for you, god I hate you! She pulled away from the putrid smell of vomit to shiver and cry farther away.

The cold seemed to spread to her heart and freeze it over. I can never trust him again. He doesn't love me. She sat there thinking for a while until she returned back to reality. What am I doing? Drowning in self pity? I must tell him that I know of his betraying ways.. Damned bastard, how could you! The thought, the mere image of Raoul made her cringe in disgust.

A dull ache replaced the stinging feeling in her gut. In all of her life, she had never wished so badly to have someone hold her again, love her with passion and desire, treat her like she was more than a toy. In the end, no one is there… she bit her lip, closing her red eyes in anguish.

Blood now mixed with taste of bile, creating a abhorring, lingering flavor in her mouth. Her insides unknotted as sleep took her. Erik.. Oh how I miss you. If only I could see you again. She shifted uncomfortably, groaning slightly. "Where am I?" she murmured opening her eyes. Christine found herself lying on the cold, dirt floor of the gardens. What the hell am I doing out here? What happened… Memories of the previous night exploded in her mind, replaying each heart breaking detail over and over..

Pushing her suddenly aching lids shut, she thought to herself, I must speak to him about this. Now. Before he leaves for his 'appointment' with this vulgar woman. She got to her feet shakily and wondered into the manor. She climbed the stairs, massaging an sore neck, when she reached their room and starred inside the open door.

He's left. Gone to his whore already. A small tear leaked from her eye and she wiped at it profusely until the sight of tears were no longer visible. Rage blossomed in her mind and before she could help herself, she ripped open one of Raoul's desk drawers to find exactly what she was looking for. she got up and went to Raoul's dresser. Yanking the items from the drawer, she brought the letters to her bed and flopped down on them reading:

Dear Raoul,

Last night was amazing! I can't believe it was you who was there at the Opera Spectacular's birthing party. I feel horrible for what I did to Christine, but I love you so much! I know you love me too. Maybe this can last through when your married to Christine. I know you love her more than me, but I can give you just as much, maybe more than her when it comes to love. I'll see you early Friday morning.

Love, Meg

Christine starred in horror at the signature. MEG? My best friend! How could she betray me like this? She loves him, worse he loves her too. He loves me but not much, now that I think about it. She glanced at the date, her face reddening, hatred pulsing through her veins. This has been going on for two months? I hate him. I hate her. They're supposed to be there for me when things like this happen, not the people who cause it! I don't want to love him anymore, I can't... There is no one now. Everyone is gone. Everyone.. Except Erik. Christine thought suddenly.

Her tears stopped and she stood up. Warmth spread through her cold heart, returning it to it's normal, kind and loving status. A softness took over her and she clutched her hand desperately. She dressed up in a blue and white dress and went down stairs and saddled clover numbly. Her heart was heavy and calling for love and her soul was begging for sanctuary.

She rode clover in to town back to the opera house. Back to another twisted complication of the heart. With shaking hands, she tethered clover to a grassy area and walked into the opera house. At first, she strode at a brisk pace, which turned in to a small jog, which turned into all out run to Erik's lair. A tear escaped from Christine's pained brown eyes, she couldn't bare it any longer. Coming to the lake, she found the gondola missing. That won't stop me! She dipped a slender foot into the icy water and began swimming across. The cold bit in to her body, making her heart beat faster than it already did. She came to his cold, rusting gate at long last and panted softly.

Catching her breath, she peered through the bars looking for any sign of Erik. He seemed to be in his one of his rooms. Please say he's here. I need you.. His memory washed over her and she took a deep breath and sang a soft unwavering note, knowing that what ever came next was meant to be. The music stopped and Erik came out and looked through the bars of the gate, a shocked expression plastered to his paling face.. He wore no mask and his shirt exposed his handsomely muscular chest. "Erik" she whispered breathless.