Apologies

Christine prayed that the curtain blocked Raoul, or better yet, that he had left. She wasn't even sure how he had managed to get up the wall. Another light knock came from the door and she swallowed and took a steadying breath before sitting down at the vanity again, picking up the hair brush.

"Yes?" she called, "come in."

The door opened slowly and Christine turned to see Erik standing, head bowed so his eyes were focussed on the ground. He seemed to take a deep breath before looking up. Christine offered him a very weak smile and put down the brush.

"I came to, uh…" he trailed off.

"Say good night?" Christine offered.

"Yes…what is wrong with your wrist?" he asked, noticing that she was holding it.

"Nothing," she replied, looking away, "good night."

Erik frowned, "Did I hurt you?"

"No…its just a little bruise."

"I apologize," he muttered, stepping into the room as if to look at it, "I did not mean to…why is it so cold in here?"

"What?" Christine asked, watching as his eyes flicked towards the window and narrowed.

"It is cold in here," he repeated, "and it should not be."

"I just…I just opened the window," Christine said, "for a bit of fresh air."

"Fresh air?" he repeated, striding towards the window, "it is freezing outside, why would you want fresh air?"

Christine's heart hammered against her ribs as Erik pulled back the heavy curtains and peered out into the night. She nearly gave a sigh of relief when she saw that Raoul had listened and left. But Erik still stared into the darkness, and even opened the window to keep the glare from clouding his view. With a small thoughtful noise he closed the window again and turned back to her.

"Did you enjoy your visit?" he asked suddenly.

"My visit?" she repeated, "oh…of course, it was lovely. I'm so relieved that my father is alright. Thank you again."

"You are welcome, Christine."

"I'm a bit tired though, from the trip. So if you don't mind…"

"Of course," he murmured, "good night."

Christine watched as he left the window and strode gracefully across the room. He gave a small bow before closing the door. She finally released the breath she had been holding and rushed to the window to look out. There wasn't a sign of Raoul there at all.

She smiled and sat at the vanity again, picking up the hairbrush for a third time to wrestle with the tangles in her curly locks. She finally gave up and put it down before getting changed for bed. She really did feel exhausted. Both emotionally and physically.


The next morning she awoke to the sun streaming in through the window. She gave a groggy moan and stretched. The sun felt good and she pushed back the heavy comforter before sitting up and getting out of bed. She knew that she would be expected at breakfast and got dressed as quickly as possible and pulled a brush through her hair before tying it back.

She looked walked out into the hall and sighed before making her way to the dining room. She opened the door and looked in, surprised to see that Erik wasn't there. She opened the door the rest of the way and entered, sitting down at her regular seat.

"Good morning," Meg said cheerfully, walking in and pouring her a cup of tea.

"Good morning," Christine replied, "umm, do you know where Erik is?"

"Master?" Meg asked, setting the teapot down, "no, I do not. But I'm sure he will be down soon. I'll leave his tea here."

Christine nodded, "Thank you, Meg."

A few more minutes passed before Erik entered. He paused at the door before entering and taking his seat. He picked up his cup of tea and took a small sip, all without even acknowledging Christine.

"I apologize," he said after setting down his cup, "for being so late."

"Its alright, really," Christine said.

After breakfast Christine made her way to the library. There were still hundreds of books that she hadn't read, and today she wanted to finish one that she had started. So she found it on the shelf where she had left it and curled up in one of the comfortable armchairs in the large room.

She read for a few minutes before she found herself thinking about the night before. Raoul had said that he loved her. She couldn't help but give a small smile. He had always been very kind to her, ever since her and her father had moved to the small town. He had always been there to play with her, or comfort her when she scraped her knee. He had even fetched her scarf when it had fallen in the pond in the farmer's field. And now he had tried to rescue her, he had risked his life riding through the woods and she had sent him away. She brushed her fingers across her lips, he had kissed her, and for that brief moment she had felt something. What did love feel like? Could she love the little boy who had fetched her scarf so long ago? It all seemed so complicated now.

"You seem deep in thought."

Christine looked up to see Nadir smiling at her, "I was just…thinking."

He gave a light chuckle, "Is that so, Mademoiselle?"

"I'm sorry, I guess I'm a little distracted…I was thinking about the visit last night."

"Ah, I had a feeling that might be it. Master meant well by that, though I have a feeling that it just made you homesick. Am I correct?"

"Homesick?" Christine repeated, "oh, yes a little I guess…it was very kind of Erik though."

"Hmm, yes, oddly so actually," Nadir said thoughtfully, "it is not like Erik to do something of that nature. I think that he is quite fond of you, Mademoiselle Daae, even if he does not let on…well, I must be going. There are things to be done."

Christine nodded and glanced back at her book. She hadn't realized just how much she missed the outside world until this moment. But at the same time she didn't want to leave the castle. It felt like home as well, and despite everything she felt that she would miss the castle.

She put the book aside and stood up, deciding that maybe a walk on the grounds would be good. It would give her the chance to get some fresh air, and perhaps clear her mind. On her way she walked past the music room and heard a softly repeating melody, then the clank of keys. Frowning slightly she pushed pen the door to see Erik leaning against the organ, elbow resting on the keys.

"Erik?" she asked gently.

His eyes snapped up from the instrument and he sat up, "Christine…where are you going?"

"I was going to go for a walk. Would you like to join me?"

He paused for a moment before giving a small nod, "I would be honoured."