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.

Phanatic: Quoi? I apologize. I studied German in high school. Will have to beak out the translator for that one. All the same, I am glad you are reading and are not "offended." :sigh: I just LOVE Erik.

Silvermasque: Ice cream sounds awesome. Chocolate and caramel? How could you know they're my favoite! Scariness. Nice to know I am not the only ones that enjoy a little "playtime" with Erik! Thanks again!

Chapter Six

For the first time she could remember, Christine slept peacefully. She awoke to find Erik softly kissing her lips. "My dear, we should go soon," he said softly, his voice resonating against her skin. He was playful, nipping her occasionally with his teeth. Christine's happiness spilled out with a hearty laugh. She was relieved that there was no awkwardness from their interlude the night before. Her delight produced a genuine smile from her lover.

She pouted, "You would end this now? When I am at my most vulnerable?" Christine walked her fingers up his chest. "It saddens me that you wouldn't take advantage of this opportunity," she said, frowning slightly before flashing him a seductive smile.

"Or perhaps we CAN stay here for a just few minutes longer," Erik said mischievously. He returned her sly grin and took her in his arms again. They frolicked in their love bed, exploring each other's bodies trying discovering ways to intensify their pleasure. Like two giddy young lovers embarking on a new romance, they did not care for nourishment or the world outside the room.

Erik soon grew weary again and fell asleep beside her. Though she, too, was exhausted, Christine's excitement pulsed from her veins. She did not know that she could feel like this. She was empowered by her sense of belonging and began to plan how she would escape with Erik. Pangs of guilt would fill her when her mind wandered to Raoul and Jean, but the thought of leaving her passionate lover made her sick with heartache. Her inner voice screamed for her to stay. Christine knew that Raoul would worry when she wasn't there when he returned and send out a search party for her. But at this moment, she couldn't bear the thought of returning to the home she found no joy in. She was here with Erik, the realization of a dream she had spent years fantasizing over. She kept justifying that her happiness was important, too.

Engrossed in her thoughts, Christine jumped as Erik kissed her shoulder. "I didn't mean to startle you, my dear," Erik whispered. "You let me fall asleep. How unfair of you."

"Sorry, my love, you were so exhausted. I didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful." Christine ran her fingers through his hair. She had not been lying when she told him he was beautiful. Although his face was marred, his prominent features were perfect. His eyes were obviously his most striking quality. They glowed as jaded crystals, luminescent with gold vivacity. His jaw line was strong. Christine traced along it with her finger and wiggled the cleft of his chin playfully. She ran her thumb over his right brow, staring intently.

"What are you looking at, little one?" Erik asked, laughing. "You look so absorbed. Even your brow is furrowed! What are you thinking of?"

Christine began ask him what his plans were, but thought better of it and stopped. "I was . . . well, what I mean is – oh, never mind. It's silly, really." Erik smirked at her. Christine brought her knees to her chest. "What's to become of us?" She stared nervously at him. "I know that you say we'll escape, but how? Where does this go from here? I don't see it as possible." Looking at the floor, she confessed, "To be honest, I only expected to be here for a few days. No one had seen or heard from you. I thought I would reminisce while taking one last look around the building. This place is my life." Christine smiled. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. When I saw you – I had to know what I turned away from. Raoul will be back in three weeks." She met Erik's eyes. "I can't stand the thought of going back there. Not now – not when what we shared feels right." Christine felt disgusted with herself for admitting this. "I don't want to go back."

Erik held her close. "Christine," he sighed, "I would do anything for you. That should be obvious. If you are truly unhappy, you have the power to make it better. And if you decide that your happiness lies with me, well, nothing would please me more than to have you here by my side forever." Erik leaned in and kissed her forehead. "We will find someplace to hide. Somewhere where they can't find us." He held his hands up. "This is the only place I know. I had nowhere else to go. I didn't belong to anything. But," Erik interjected, "If you are earnest, I have no fear whilst you are near me. We will find a way. I promise I will find a way."

Christine placed her head on his chest. "Oh, Erik." She faced him and asked, "You would do this for me?"

"Of course." He kissed her. "Of course. Now, come, let's hurry. We have to get going." He wrapped a blanket around himself as he retrieved his clothing. "Unfortunately, we'll have to get past her to leave. And, believe me, it will be no easy feat."

Christine laughed. "Meg? With you here, how will she stand a chance? You know this opera house better than anyone!" exclaimed Christine.

"I don't think you should underestimate the depth of her madness. Though she may be small, she is more powerful than she seems." Slipping his pants on, he continued, "I have told you already, Christine. I am not the same man I once was. My strength is not what it used to be.

"After that night I left this place in the hopes to start a new life somewhere else, to find a way to repent for my sins." Erik strapped his boots on. "I didn't know how hard it would be. Luckily, I found a church that took me in without question. The priest there led me to a path of salvation. Father Rapier showed me mercy and forgiveness. He helped me see the errors in my way. Most importantly, he showed me how to forgive myself.

He found me a job digging graves for the cemetery on the church grounds. I've never had so much space. I tried to keep to myself, but it was inevitable that I would have to make contact with others – nuns, congregates. It became too much to bear. There were too many people that asked too many questions. I couldn't," he paused, "Adjust." He pulled his shirt over him. "I only lasted a few more months before I decided to return. Luckily, the theater house was abandoned." Looking at Christine, he said. "Our story lives in infamy, my dear." There was a slight smile on Erik's face. "I guess the tales of my treachery kept everyone away. I never knew how powerful my hold was over this town." He collected Christine's clothing and returned it to her.

"I only leave here some nights to pick up food, firewood, and oil that Father Rapier gathers for me. All he asks is that I continue making donations to the church. It is a small price to pay. I suspect he knows that I am staying here. I occasionally find small novelties right outside the passage I use to get outside.

"I lived here for two years in solace. One morning I arose from my chamber to the sound of feet above the stage. 'They must have sold this place to a new owner,' I thought to myself. I quickly collected some necessary supplies and made it to this room. My lair was now widely known and easily accessible. Later that night, I left to see if anyone was still remaining. That's when I found her."

"Meg?"

"You would not have recognized her. She had grown thin. Her eyes were sunken into her head. She was in my lair. It was depraved. She found my collection of old food scraps and gorged herself on them. I didn't want to bother her. She seemed so relieved to be here. I understood where she was coming from. This place never leaves you, right?" Erik smiled at Christine.

"I had never seen anything like it. Day after day she visited each room, learning secrets of the building's structure. I kept to myself. I didn't want to face anyone, so I lived in seclusion in this room. I thought she would leave eventually. She had a routine, so I knew when she fell asleep so that I could go find something to eat. One day I found her on the stage when she was normally asleep. She had found my music box. It was like watching a child play with a brand new toy. She was enthralled by it. I was taken back, however, when she pulled my mask from her vest, placed it on her own face and began to dance to the music.

"Everyday she slept less and less and started talking to people who weren't there. At first it was her mother. Then you. I became her everlasting obsession. I would hear her call my name and hear her having conversations with me when I wasn't there. She started pulling out old costumes and props to give impromptu performances to an empty audience. As I was watched her one day, I mistakenly placed myself in her line of vision. I have been hiding from her for two months now. When I tried leaving a week ago, I discovered that she set traps and lures along my hidden passage. Christine, I'm afraid that there might not be a safe way out of here." Erik walked to Christine and took hold of her hands. "I have seen her at the height of one of her episodes. If she is looking for you, she will not stop until she gets what she's after. We need to get you out as soon as possible."

"I don't know what could have happened to make her like this. As children, she was so sweet and demure, the epitome of protocol and refinement," Christine said, puzzled. "I would never have imagined she would turn out this way. Does her mother know where she is?"

"I do not think Madame Giry would have waited this long. She would have come back for her by now."

He placed his cloak around him. Gathering two pieces of stale bread, he offered one to Christine. "You ate the last of my food supply. This is all I have left. I know you are used to finer foods by now. I am sorry that this is all I have to offer you." She reluctantly took it. "It will help keep up your strength. Hopefully I will be able to confiscate some more later." He searched around the room for anything he might have missed. "Are you ready, my love?" Christine nodded and took his hand.

Erik pushed in three protruding stones. The wall snapped open. He made sure that Meg was no where to be found before shutting the door again. They rapidly started back down into the depths of the cavern. Erik was traveling fast, and Christine found it hard to keep up to his pace. "Follow me and stay close," Erik whispered. "We have to move quickly if we hope to avoid her." Christine wrapped her arm around his. Fear came over Christine again as she remembered the cold stares her friend have given her. She knew if Meg found her, she would not let her escape with her life.

Erik spread his back to the wall as closely as possible. He began sliding across the perimeter and instructed Christine to do the same. She was not as diligent as he was and her feet grazed the huge stones that made up the walkway. Erik whisked Christine back from stepping directly on them. "Better not to touch anything that might give. She could have implanted a door or trap." Erik said softly. "You wouldn't want to end up like this?" he joked pointing to his face.

She stopped him. "Why do you say such cruel things about yourself?"

"It's the way of the world, Christine. I say it so others won't have to. Forgive, I have forgotten the company I am keeping." He smiled back at her. "It is nice to know that not everyone sees me as a monster. We are wasting time again. Come on, we have to hurry." Erik pulled Christine closer to him. They made their way to a narrow passageway.

Erik and Christine squeezed their way down the hallway. The stone was wet with mildew and Christine started to gag from the stench. Her coughing echoed loudly.

Erik placed his hand over her mouth to suppress the noise. It was too late. "Come out, come out where ever you are!" A piercing voice echoed, not far from them. "I knew you couldn't escape me!" Erik pulled Christine down the passage as fast as he could.

As he made it through, he shouted at Christine, "There is a room at the end of this that will lead outside, to the stables. Come on, run, but careful!" He grabbed her hand and started bolting to the door. Christine was not careful enough. She stepped on a stone that sunk into the floor.

"Oh no! Erik!" Christine pointed to her feet. They tried to move out of the way but the heavy net was too large and it landed on top of them causing them to crash to the floor. It snapped, wrapping around them and pulled them up. They were suspended like two rabbits tied in a sack. "What have I done?" Christine lamented. "Oh, Erik, I'm sorry!" Erik continued to pull on the cords trying to free themselves.

"It's no use. You can't escape!" Meg cried out from the shadows. As she emerged, she chastised her prey, "You stupid, silly girl! Did you . . ." She stopped suddenly , her eyes wide. "It's you," she said looking at Erik. "You are here. With her!" She circled them. "She deserts you and you come to aid her escape!"

"Leave her alone! She has done nothing to harm you! Set her free!" Erik cried out defiantly. "Take me instead. It is me you're after."

"As enticing as that offer sounds, my love, I'm afraid I'll have to pass. You see, if I let her go, she would learn nothing from this. She needs to be taught a lesson."

"Please, I am begging you, let her go," pleaded Erik.

"Oh, you poor creature. You think that she has come back to save you? Do you think that you will leave here and start a new life together with her?" Meg laughed viciously. "Certainly you do not think that you two would ride off into the sunset and live among the rest of us, undetected. Normal, even. What kind of life can you offer to someone like her?"

"Stop it!" Christine cried out at her.

Not listening, Meg continued to speak to Erik, "She has been spoiled with her wealth and privilege. Society balls, galas, holidays around the world. How can you compete? It's not like she would hold her head up proudly with you at her side, showing you off for the world to see. Do you think she would give all that up for you? More importantly, do you honestly think she will leave her distinguished husband and child just to be with you?" Meg jeered at Erik.

"Child?" Erik asked in disbelief. He turned to Christine. Christine could only stare wide-eyed at Erik as he asked fiercely, "Is what she saying true! You didn't say anything about a child . . ."