Disclaimer: If I close my eyes and click my heals a coupl'a times, I'll own the Phantom of the opera! "I wish I could own Poto, I wish I could own Poto, I wish I could own Poto.."(click, click, click…)

Hours later…

Damn. I still don't own the Phantom of the Opera.(massages raw heals)

Chapter 11

Five days later…

I faced him again, waiting for some sort of sign, anything. Anything would do, just speak! I sighed sadly, sitting at the base of my father's statue. Ever since my first dream came to me, I've been having the same one over and over again. Always the same too. I fall out of the darkness into the field of deaths roses, or so I've named it and have come to my Father's marble statue.

Though it still hurt to look in to his lifeless eyes for long periods of time, I can still face him. Long enough to talk to him and fully explain my current situation. It's comforting, though I know he can't hear me. There's really no one else left in my world to help me through it.

I plucked a violet colored skull from the ground and spun it between my fingers. I placed this one behind my ear, plucking a bright white one from the earth. My stomach weaved in and out of a never ending maze as I gazed deeper into the simple flower… that seemed so familiar.

Than it hit me.

Erik.

I was an idiot not to notice it before, he always seemed to impress upon my dreams, even in the smallest of ways. He was always there. "I don't think I'll ever forget him, Papa." I told him sorrowfully. 'And something says I don't want to either.' I told myself secretly.

I hate to admit it, but he became a part of me in my years at the opera house. Only but a pleasant memory now.. My heart skipped a beat with his memory and I shivered, from the cold stone or my Angel, I dare not ponder to far into the matter for fear of the undesired answer.

"Oh if only you could speak to me! If only you could help me with this empty void that I can't seem to fill. Perhaps maybe you could understand." I felt the tug of reality pull me back from my little dream world and with a mournful smile, I vanished.

Christine lifted her head from her perch next to a snoring Raoul. How I managed to fall asleep is beyond me.. She thought as his loud droning snores echoed throughout the room. She put a cool hand to his head to test his temperature, only to rip it away frightened. He wasn't burning with rapid fever, of chilled to the touch, no. He tossed this way and that, murmuring things that only he could hear, a cold sweat drizzling down his brow.

"Shhh, mon cheire! I am here." She placed a soothing hand on his arm, trying to wake him from his fit full sleep to no avail. Frowning, she started to sing. At the sound of her voice, his movements slowed and he began to settle, though he still quivered slightly.

"Meg, mon amour…" His words slapped her in the face harshly, sending a dull ache throughout her body. The lullaby stopped, but she kept her hand on his arm, feather light, until he drifted off again into a peaceful slumber. Tears grew behind her icy eyes as she turned her back on him. I need someone to talk too. I don't care anymore, I need help!

She slipped into a deep violet dress, one Raoul especially hated for it took away from her noble status by it's regularity. After quickly tying up her rebellious hair, Christine made her way to the stabled, remembering something that sent a smile to her face. I'm not completely alone in this world, how could I be so ignorant. It had been quite a while since she had visited Madame Giry and today she was supposed to visit her. She ran in to the living room, spotting the large old grandfather clock pushed up into the corner of the room.

11:01.

She gasped and zoomed back out to the stables. She would be late if she didn't hurry! She jumped on an incredulous Clover and kicked off towards her destination. The sun blazed high up in the skies, raining down warmth upon the city of Paris. It was about 20 minutes later, that she came to the lake which surrounded the secluded neighborhood in which Madame Giry resided.

Little waves of gratitude washed over her as she secretly thanked her old friend who was as dear to her as a mother. Minutes later, she arrived at the antique grey house. She lead Clover to the stables, running slightly and handed him over to one of the waiting stable boys. Christine fought to keep a grin off her face as she greeted the butler. "Ah Mademoiselle Daae! What a pleasure it is to see you again! We've missed you here, us servants! The Madame always seems to be kinder… well less snappy when you or the younger Madame is here."

Guilt bit at her mind as she thought of Meg. I'll have to talk to her sooner or later… I'll ask Madame if she knows where I could find her. "Jonathan! It's been a while, hasn't it? Oh well, it's lovely to see you again. How've you been?" He took her cloak merrily, a slight bounce in his step, which wasn't unusual for the cheerful butler.

He was a tall and lanky man with messy blonde hair that he kept in a tight knot at the back of his head. Nothing could dampen his spirits, which is one of the reasons the Madame had hired him. Madame Giry always had an eye for excellence. She thought casually, brushing an escaped lock out of her face.

"Oh very well, my dear lady! Quite fine indeed! The Madame's new doctor arrived just a little while ago, but I don't think she'd mind if you were there while he was, you're so close anyways. You can help her err… keep from losing patience with him again. Which seems to be doing a little more often than the old one, you see." Christine shot him a questioning look before he continued.

"Oh yes! I forgot you haven't been here for all the drama! Well, the old doctor, Monsieur Martineau, had been diagnosing her wrong this whole entire time! She did not have Chronic Bronchitis like he had said, no, no, no! Far off!" He paused guiding her to an oak staircase, worry entering his voice, "You might want to sit down for this," he directed an perplex Christine to an old arm chair.

Panic rose up in her heart, bubbling away inside her stomach. "Well, see, I'm sorry to say, but the Madame has a minor case of tuberculosis. Just a small one mind you, very petite." Christine turned pale and not just pale, she turned death white. A layer of ice caught her in a tight grasp and she struggled to speak.

"Oh dear lord, are you…"

"Positive, the new doctor confirmed it. I'm so sorry…" She breathed in and stood up abruptly.

"Please, tell me, how is she?" Jonathan straightened, a serene look on his young face. "She is better than she's been in months, mademoiselle!"

"No! Really?" Her spirits rose immediately and the frozen hold on her heart released her. "Well, if she's had enough energy to boss us around and teach us our jobs, while taking care of the little Giry, we think that's a good sign." Christine sighed happily, though not fully at ease.

"Oh yes, another bit of bad news, the Younger Giry will not be around this week. She has taken to London and will not be back for a few days at the most." Christine nodded appreciatively. This made things easier to talk to Madame Giry.

"So who is this new medical practitioner who the Madame finds good enough to heal her. Especially, when the doctor proposes an entirely new theory! She mustn't have gone along with it too willingly in the first place?" asked Christine as Jonathan led her the grand staircase. He chuckled slightly, laughter glimmering in his eyes.

"Actually, the minute he proposed this theory she accepted it! Not an if, and, or but about it. The doctor in question is quite a strange fellow, keeps to himself, not one you'd like to get to know. You'll see in a minute why he is considered so eccentric by us. The mistress doesn't seem to notice it though." Christine frowned slightly as the rounded a bend and stopped in front of the door.

This seems too familiar.. But no.. it couldn't be… not Him.. She fiddled with her sleeve nervously, biting her lip. Now he wouldn't be here now. It's daylight out, he sticks to the shadows. She rolled her eyes at her stupidity, why would he be here anyways?

Her heart fell a little, though she could not tell why. Jonathan opened the door with an air of elegance and announcing her arrival. She walked in behind him, smiling cheerfully. Her smile froze in place, her heart seemed to have stopped beating and the air around her sucked the breath out of her lungs in a greedy haste.

Madame Giry lie in bed, thick lines embedded in her strong cheeks, a smile playing over her thin lips, eyes full of command. Sitting besides her in a large oak chair, sat a rather tall man, dressed from head to toe in jet black. Upon his pale face hung a distinguishing mask.

It's him! The thought exploded in her mind, his name clouding her vision. "Erik," she breathed, a pink tinge spreading across her face. Erik, on the other hand was totally oblivious to her presence, too warped in the mention of her name to look around. Oh god in heaven, I can't believe what I just heard! It can't be her, not my Christine, why would she be here now?

His heart did an assortment of strange acrobatic tricks before he turned his head slowly to face the woman in the door way. There she was. Standing there in all her elegance, her face flushed from, either livid terror or rash excitement, he couldn't tell, but when his deep green ones met her chocolate brown ones, he knew that her mere living imaged burned him to his very soul. The minute she breathed his name, did he step out of his little fantasy world to realize what was happening.

She left him, she did not love him. Most likely, the little vixen was already married to the foppish child. His fists tightened in sheer anger, though he wore a casual frown on his face.

"Er.. Madame Giry.. It's… lovely to see you again." She stammered, trying desperately to not a bigger fool out of herself. She straightened, eyes following Erik's every movement. She quickly remembered that she was supposed to be breathing, right when she thought she would pass out. Questions exploded in their minds, nonstop.

Can he hear my heart? It's loud enough to be heard throughout the house.

Did she miss me? No, probably not.. She has forgotten me as easily as one forgets an acquaintance in the streets.

I can't help it any longer! I've missed him so, how could I have gone for so long without him. But… He probably hates me now.. How could he not? I broke his heart so many times, if only he would let me receive penance for my sins by just… letting me go.

'Under loves heavy burden, do I sink'(Romeo and Juliet for all those who don't know) Will she never leave my ravished heart alone? When will she stop haunting me and let me live? Christine…

"I see you have company, I will come back another.." Erik snapped back to focus on the Christine's words. His eyes never left her lips as she spoke.

"Nonsense child! Erik is a changed man and will be on his best behavior, as will you." Christine's face was grave, a spitting image of Erik's own.

"There are no harsh feelings betwixt you two any more, both have confided in me that amount of information." Christine's blush deepened and she gave a feeble smile, accepting the invitation. Erik on the other hand, stood, his white mask glinting in the sun light which poured through the open windows.

"Alas, Antoinette, I must take my leave. I have things I must be doing in order to…"

"Don't be rude Erik. I will not tolerate this behavior in my household. Sit." Her sharp blue eyes, bit into his, challenging him to go against her words. He flexed his jaw muscles in annoyance.

"Really, Madame, I must go and pick up a few things to make your prescription. Goodbye. Christine." He said icily, bowing his head slightly in Christine's direction.

"Erik I.."

"Erik, I must insist that you stay here. Unless you seem to have a problem with Mademoiselle Daae." Her finger twitched restlessly. If only she could reach out and…. No! Her mind screamed at her, do not fall for him again, you can't!

Oh if only I could go back in time and convince myself not to. The pressure was unbearable for him, the urge to run over and kiss her was too much for him.

Must fight it! He sighed, "I have no problems with the mademoiselle, so I'll stay, but only for a short while." Antoinette nodded, her lips pursed tightly together what they could only guess was satisfaction.

A/N: Oh yes, big chapter up next, roses for my reviewers! They're hand wrapped by Erik so I hope you all like them. Merry X-mas btw.