Disclaimer: All originating characters and storylines belong to their respectful owner. This is mostly a continuation of ALW's work, but I do throw GL a couple of good nods. All new characters and sub-plots are my original work and are not to be used/reproduced without my expressed permission. Enjoy the story and shoot some feedback my way if you can! Thanks for reading.

Author's Note: I, being a romance novel reader myself (I'm not too ashamed to admit that,) felt that Erik needed SOME type of compensation for all the hardships he has had to endure. The following chapter does have some, shall we say, intense, parts and are not for the timid of heart. However, I have out into consideration that some people don't appreciate that type of narrative and have blocked off the story using those nifty divders. If you are one of those who would rather not read some racy material, please forward ahead to the second ruler and continue the story. For all you raunchy peeps like me, please enjoy. I had a lot of fun writing it. (I mean, come on! With Gerard as my inspiration, I have some obligation to act out some fantasies until he comes to his senses and marries me, right! I have a sad, sad life.- t
Phanatic: Yes, praise is justly given because without people like you I would never have the confidence to share this story!

Silvermasque: Your comments are always so nice and I appreciate everyone of them sooooo wholeheartedly!

Han Solo666: Welcome along for the ride. I am glad you are enjoying it!

Chapter Five

Erik kissed her forehead tenderly after their long embrace. Resting his chin on top of her head, he whispered, "I did not think that I would ever be able to repay you for the kindness you showed me that night. In that one moment, you changed my life forever." Burying his cheek into her hair, he said softy, "I love you so, Christine." He pulled away and smiled at her. "I hoped every day that you would return. I wanted you to see that I am trying to redeem my treacherous ways." He picked her hand up and gently kissed her knuckles, one at a time. He continued, "I need you to be proud of me." Staring at her for a moment, his brow furrowed, "But you are not supposed to be here. Why – why would you come back here?"

Christine was slightly stung by this last comment. Perhaps it was her naitivity, but she would not have imagined Erik questioning her motives. She thought that he would welcome her joyfully. "It doesn't matter, now. I'm here," she answered slyly, hoping that it was all Erik needed to here. Erik dropped her hand and rose from the bed. He turned his back and walked into the shallow corner of the room. Her smiled faded. "I thought you would be happy to see me." Faced with his rejection, Christine's eyes began to water. She told herself that she shouldn't be upset over something this trite. As she spoke, her voice trembled. She tried to stop herself from crying. Before embarrassment got the best of her, she sobbingly asked, "Are – Aren't you – even relieved to see me here?" Tears erupted and Christine covered her eyes with her hands as she sobbed.

"Yes, yes, of course, my dear. I have already told you." Erik quickly came down to her. He firmly grasped her hand to look her in the eyes. "I could not imagine a greater joy than you being here with me." Cupping her face, Erik wiped away her tears with his thumbs. "Christine, please, stop crying." Erik pulled Christine's head to his chest. "I cannot even begin to show you what it means to me that you are in my arms right now. But you have to understand, I let you go. I wanted you to go." He smiled at Christine. "You needed to see the world outside of this wretched place. He . . ." Erik paused. "He offered you a life I could never have given to you." He rose again. "You deserved the best." Erik turned away from her. "Besides, you chose him. You wanted to leave me." His body slumped as he whispered, "I told you to leave."

Christine stood up and walked to him. She caressed the small of his back. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, she buried her face into the back of his shirt. "I didn't know what I was leaving until it was too late," she said softly. "I never meant to hurt you." Her breath was warm against him. Erik turned and embraced her in his arms.

"I know you didn't, little one. You can't blame yourself. It was never your fault – any of it. It hurt you. I was – " He fought to find the words, "A monster." He paused. "You were my weakness. I adored you." Erik held her tighter. "I still do. I always will." He returned to face the empty wall. "My obsession drove you away. It took control of me. I committed such horrible acts that I didn't even know I was capable of doing. I will never be able to forgive myself of what I did to you, to Madame Giry, to . . . everyone."

"You are not the same man, Erik. I can see it," Christine called out to him. "The man I knew before never would have repented. He would never admit to fault." She absentmindedly began to twirl her hair between her fingers. "I hope you know that I don't hold any of it against you. I doubt many do." Erik simply nodded his head once. "It's been three years."

"Not long enough," Erik hoarsely whispered. He let out a huge sigh before asking, "Why are you here Christine?"

Her eyes started to well up with tears again. She answered before she had a chance to get overly upset. "I couldn't do it anymore." An exasperated sigh escaped her mouth as she sat herself on the floor. "Everyday is the same as the last. I've become boring and complacent. I look in the mirror and can't recognize the person staring back at me anymore." Putting her head on her knees, she croaked, "I – I don't know what is wrong with me. I shouldn't complain, but I need . . . passion, excitement - some feeling that I haven't felt in such a long time. When I would go to sleep, you were all I could think about. I found myself daydreaming of you during the day." She looked back up to Erik. "I relive that night everyday and wonder if I made the right choice." Christine's eyes pleaded to Erik. "I was only sixteen. I didn't know. Raoul was safe, familiar. It was comforting. He made me feel safe and secure. In the beginning I thought about how happy my father would be, knowing that Raoul would be there to take care. My father was so fond of him. I didn't know Raoul would take me away from everything I have ever loved." The oil lamp flickered. "How could I know what I would lose? I love you, Erik. I may not have known it then, but I know it now."

"But your husband - " Erik tried to reason.

"I told you. I made a mistake. How can prove to you that it is you that I want to be with?" Christine begged him. "My life is empty without you. Would you have me suffer another day without your affection?"

Erik walked to her. He caressed the tendrils of hair framing her face. "Your happiness is my greatest desire. How could I deny you of anything you so wished?" He smiled gently. "I have always been your dutiful servant. You need only to ask."

Christine, joyous at return of her affection, stroked the left side of his brow. When he flinched instinctively, she whispered softly, "Please, don't. You are beautiful. All of you." Her lips met his temple and she slowed trailed her kisses down the side of his face. When she reached for his lips, he pulled back. The look of excitement and anticipation on her face was too much for Erik to bear. Hesitating for a moment, he quickly surrendered and aggressively pulled Christine into his body, pressing his lips gently into hers. Erik traced her back with his hands. Christine was surprised at the strength of them.

As their embrace became more impassioned, she pulled away suddenly, much to Erik's astonishment. He quickly realized what she was after as she slowly unpinned her collar and released her hair from its stately form. After releasing her curls, she looked back to Erik lustfully. The look of desire on her face was obvious. Her forwardness took him by surprise. As Erik stood watching in amazement, Christine beckoned him to her side. Erik was only too eager to comply. He knew what she was asking of him. He yearned for his satisfaction as much as she yearned for hers.

She began to undo the tiny buttons on the front of her chest revealing her petticoat. Christine took his hand and placed it around her waist. Pulling him in, she kissed him vigorously. She savored his taste as he penetrated her mouth with his tongue. Just when she thought she couldn't wait any longer, Erik hoisted her up in his arms. Christine stared longingly at him as he carried her to his bed. He laid her head gently upon a soft pillow. He took in the moment gazing how her hair framed around her face perfectly. Erik wanted to make sure he remembered this moment.

Abandoning inhibition, Erik ripped his shirt over his head and carelessly threw it off to the side. His chest and shoulders glistened in the muted light. Christine flipped him on his back and straddled his waist. Bending down, she began to feverishly nuzzle into his neck, gently biting and sucking. In the midst of his pleasure, Erik slid his hand up her legs and began to undo the clasp of her stockings. His hand lingered on the inside her thighs for only a moment as he peeled them away from her legs.

Erik sat up with Christine in his lap and began to kiss her deeply again. The silk dress slipped off her shoulders. Their skin became moist with sweat. He moved his lips to her ears where he licked them delicately with his tongue. Christine felt her excitement from within and moaned softly to him, "Touch me." Wanting to please her, Erik continued kissing down her neck while stroking her thighs, his hands slowly moving up to her breasts. They were firm with delight. Erik untied the cord and released them from their confines. His mouth made its way down and began to lavishly spoil them.

Christine could feel his pleasure forming beneath her. Her breathing had become deeper and faster. Their excitement fed off each other. Soon, Erik turned Christine back to the floor. Reaching up her dress, he pulled down her underskirt and tossed them to the side. Christine was beside herself with anticipation. She tore off her dress and left it on the floor in a crumpled pile. Her hands had directed themselves to the only thing standing in the way of her satisfaction and she undid his belt. Naked and glistening, Erik nestled himself into Christine's welcoming legs. She sighed as he glided himself into her, finally satisified.

Christine had never known a man's touch like this. It seemed as though he instictively knew how to please her best. He was rough, but his touch was gentle. Erik continued to push his passion inside of her. Moaning, she could not help but relish in this moment. He would bring her to her breaking point, and then slow down, teasing her body. She kept whispering to Erik, "More," and then "Harder." He obliged and her pleasure became more intensified. She found that she could not stop the waves of delight washing over her body. Erik savored in her enjoyment and released himself in her.

His gratification was exhausting and he rested his head on her stomach. Christine stroked his hair, smiling. They sat in silence, basking in the afterglow of their guilty pleasure. After a few moments, Erik rose and began trailing kisses up to her lips. As he did, Christine whispered, "Say this will never end. Stay with me."

"Forever," Erik answered. He kissed her again. "Forever." Breathless, he kissed her forehead. "We'll leave tomorrow. We'll put this forsaken place behind us. We'll begin fresh, no ties left behind." He kissed her shoulder and laid beside her. "It will be a brand new beginning for us both, but for now we should rest. We are safe here."

Christine folded herself into his body. As she closed her eyes, her last thought before she fell to sleep was the happiness she had never felt with anyone else before. She knew tomorrow would be the start of a whole new life and she nodded off with a smile still on her face. Erik waited until he knew she was sleeping and covered her with a blanket. For the first time since that infamous night, he allowed himself thesimple pleasure of surrendering himself into a deep, peacefulsleep.