The Girl Next Door

"Congratulations, Christine." Nadir said warmly at dinner that night. Christine flushed, smiling as they all lifted their glasses.

"Don't congratulate me. These two need the thanks for all that they did." She said, gesturing at Meg and Sorelli, who grinned at each other.

"We are great."

"Fantastic really." Sorelli agreed. Christine laughed and took a mouthful of the food Sorelli had cooked for their special meal.

"You're a very popular lady, Chris. Noel Lefevre, Ubaldo Piangi, the Hawthorns and half a dozen others all called Firmin to insist on you getting your job back." Meg commented.

"And don't forget a certain Mr de Chagny." Sorelli added. Christine looked at her sharply.

"What?"

"Raoul called up too. Said that he'd cut all ties with Populaire if Firmin didn't bring you back." Meg agreed. Christine blinked, astonished.

"But… how did he know?"

"You know how word gets around." Nadir said. "He probably heard it off the grape vine." Christine nodded and said,

"I'm just so relieved. I don't know how I would have managed without my job."

"You might have had to have a social life, heaven forbid." Sorelli teased. Christine put on a pout.

"I have a social life!"

"You mean you go to Club Garnier once a month with me and Meg."

"That's a social life!" Christine laughed. "Besides, I like staying in. I like just watching TV, or playing music, or drawing, or anything like that!"

Meg smiled and said,

"Anyway, we can't wait to have you back, Christine. Work just isn't the same without you."

"Thanks, Meg." Christine smiled. "You really don't know how much this means to me."

She did, actually. But, Meg thought as she smiled to herself, things weren't perfect yet. There were still a couple of things to do before they started celebrating. She was going to sort Christine out, since she seemed incapable of doing it by herself.

Besides -what else were friends for if not interfering in the personal lives of others?

Sorelli and Christine ascended the steps to Populaire Advertising with a certain amount of triumph in their step the next morning.

"This is a little embarrassing. I can't believe you all did that for me." Christine smiled. Sorelli laughed.

"Please, we were only doing what you did for the others. Only on a larger scale. Get in there." Christine went inside and grinned as someone started applauding. Jammes appeared in front of her, beaming.

"Great to have you back, Christine!"

"Thank you so much, Jammes. Sorelli and Meg told me what you did." Christine replied. Jammes flushed slightly.

"No problem. I couldn't let my favourite boss go. Not after what you did for me."

"Ah, Christine, I'm glad you're here," Firmin said, joining them, "I've had the decorating people on the telephone for Hannibal, they want to discuss schemes with you."

The others wandered off and Firmin murmured,

"No hard feelings?"

"I think you're going to have to buy me some cake before I forgive you." Christine smiled, taking a folder from him. Firmin winked and went back to his office. "Good cake, Richard!" Christine called before continuing across the floor to her office. It took considerably longer than usual as she was continually accosted by employees who wanted to tell her how great it was to see her. Finally she reached her sanctuary and closed the door behind her. There was a small pile of work on her desk and she sighed.

"Welcome back Christine. Here's a pile of work." She muttered, sitting down, unwilling to admit exactly how pleased she actually was.

She started on the Hawthorn work first. It was rather strange, she thought vaguely, how she could work on Erik's products and somehow keep it completely separate from him. Even though she unconsciously put more effort into the Hawthorn projects, Christine never thought about how this was directly affecting Erik. And yet, this was his. This was all for him and she wanted to make it her best work, because she knew it would be for him.

It didn't make sense. Everything that had happened with Erik could go down the drain in a simple phone call, but she was still striving to make him happy. Still trying to keep him from becoming sad, or hurt, or upset even when she wasn't with him, couldn't see him. It was unbearable to think of him being troubled, but she was the one who had put him in that position.

It just didn't make sense.

At lunch, Sorelli's head appeared around Christine's door.

"Coming to the pub? A group of us are heading there for lunch."

"OK. Give me a moment." Christine replied, tapping out the last few details for the decorating company. Sorelli wandered in and smiled at her.

"Having a good day?"

"I haven't broken down in tears once. It must be good." Christine agreed. Sorelli laughed and handed Christine her jacket. As they walked across the office, Christine looked around.

"Where's Meg got to?"

"She said she had an errand to run." Sorelli shrugged. "Come on, the others are waiting."

"One might almost think you had become a member of staff here, if you keep showing up like this." Erik commented wryly as Meg appeared at his elbow. She smiled brightly.

"I'm just here to do you a favour."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, really." She sat down in one of the theatre seats and eyed him. "I want to know what's going on with you. I mean… it's obvious that you love Christine. Otherwise you wouldn't have been quite so eager to help her out. She got her job back, by the way."

"So I've heard." Erik said, writing in a notebook.

"So, why aren't you back with her? You've been separated for nearly two weeks. Haven't you had enough time to think?" Meg demanded. Erik looked at her flatly.

"I don't see how it's any of your business."

"It's not. But I'm not leaving until you tell me, even if you do get all huffy." She said lightly. Inside, however, she felt a little nervous. Erik Destler was an intimidating man and she was being rather… cheeky, really. But this was ridiculous, the way they were denying each other their presence.

Erik closed his notebook and turned to her, filling with resignation.

"Miss Giry, you are quite right. I do love Christine, I have had time to think and I am becoming, as you put it, huffy."

"Well, what are you going to do about it?" Meg asked. Erik settled back in his chair and rubbed his chin.

"To be perfectly honest, I wanted to make sure that she was settled in her job before trying to talk to her again."

"That's stupid." Meg said frankly. Erik glared at her and she shrugged. "Well, it is. She needed you more than ever these past few days. But no, you had to be Mr Aloof. Erik, she's still waiting. She'll always be waiting. But it isn't fair to make her wait. So I suggest you get off your finely toned arse and go to see her."

He stared at her and she gave him a cheeky grin. Thoroughly flustered at the unexpected compliment, he cleared his throat.

"I… we'll see. I need to… yes."

"Am I making you feel awkward?"

"Incredibly so."

"Good." Meg said decisively, "It might inspire you to do something. She finishes at four-thirty today and she's not going to go for the whole flowers-and-chocolates gig either."

"How about some chilled wine?" Erik muttered. Meg shrugged, not getting the inside joke.

"Sure, if that's your thing. Just be honest with her, OK? Give her the truth, give her the wine and give her whatever she needs to pull herself back together." She told him. Erik looked at her closely for a moment.

"You're a good friend for her, Miss Giry."

"It's Meg. And yes, I am. But, then again, there are not many guys that would call their love's ex-husband in order to help them get their job back."

It took a moment for this to reach Erik's brain. He looked at her in astonishment and she smiled slightly.

"Don't worry, I won't tell her. In fact, I'd better be on my way." She got to her feet and he followed suit.

"Thank you… Meg."

"I'll see you at around four-thirty then." She said. Erik held up a hand.

"I didn't say that I-"

"Oh, please. We both know you'll be there." Meg said, a little cynically. Erik didn't reply but she smiled at him. "See you later."

Erik stared after her and then turned back to the stage, thinking furiously. Could he go to her today? Was it the right time?

Well, Erik thought wryly, there wasn't ever going to be a right time. What he had to do would never be easy. And the longer he waited, the worse it would get, the more unbearable it would become to stay away from her in the first place. God, he wanted to be with her right now! It was torturous, to have thoughts and memories of her in his mind. Her smell, her touch, the sensation of her skin on his, her hair against his cheek…

Erik glanced at the clock. One-thirty. He sighed heavily.

Only three hours to go.

"Where were you at lunchtime?" Christine asked as Meg appeared by the coffee machine at mid-afternoon.

"Oh, just doing a couple of things. How's work?"

"I can't believe how much of it piled up in just two days." Christine replied, stirring a sugar into her coffee. "I might stay a bit late just to finish it off in time for the weekend."

"No, you won't." Meg said sharply. "You're going to go out and celebrate your triumphant victory over Carlotta."

"Or I could finish this work and then enjoy my weekend." Christine pointed out. Meg scowled and pushed her shoulder.

"Then work hard and finish at your usual time. You're not spending your Friday night working."

"Fine, I'll try and finish in time!" Christine laughed. "You really don't pass up an opportunity to celebrate, do you?"

"I live life to the full." Meg agreed with a smile.

Christine carried her coffee back to her office and took her seat at the computer, reaching for the telephone so she could update Nadir on her progress and organise a meeting. He picked up after just a couple of rings.

"Nadir Khan speaking."

"Hi Nadir, its Christine. I just wanted to sort out a meeting time to finalise plans for the opening night." With the opening of Hannibal now just over a fortnight away, tensions were running high.

"Of course. Shall we say for first thing on Monday?"

"Excellent. The decorating people are willing to start at nine on the actual morning and spend the day doing everything. I contacted the caterers from last time, that's all sorted and the invitations are ready to be sent to you, so you can pass them on to your particular patrons." Christine said, trapping the phone between her ear and shoulder as she scribbled a memo.

"That's wonderful, Christine. I expect I'll see you this weekend at some point."

"Very probably." She smiled. "Bye."

With that sorted, she turned towards her final pile of editing. As it turned out, a lot of it just needed a quick glance through before being returned to their creators. Jammes caught up with her as she was returning to her office.

"Christine, can I organise a time to speak to you about the Lefevre project you put me on? I just wanted to show you what we've done so far, just to make sure you think it's alright." She asked hopefully. Christine smiled and nodded.

"Sure, no problem. Say, Monday afternoon?"

"Thanks, Christine."

Firmin was waiting in her office. Christine laughed dryly.

"I've had more people in this office today than the past two years here." She noted. Firmin chortled and settled into the chair opposite her desk.

"I was just going to say that Guidacelli Tech is sending their new envoy to us next Wednesday. I thought you might like to show him or her around."

"…You are, of course, joking." Christine commented. Firmin held up his hands, although he was secretly pleased at exactly how amiable she was being. He had to admit, he had expected a great deal of hostility from her – apparently though, she seemed to understand why he had done what he did. This didn't completely deplete Firmin's feelings of guilt, which he (at least in his mind) rightly deserved.

"No. I just thought you might like the opportunity to inspect this one thoroughly, so as to prevent any future problems." He said pointedly. Christine rolled her eyes.

"Fine, but if it all goes pear-shaped, I will be having words, Richard." She said, waggling a finger at him, good-humouredly. In truth, she felt that just about nothing could ruin her good mood right now. Firmin smiled and then glanced at his watch.

"Well, it's nearly time to go. Enjoy your weekend, Christine." He said.

"Shall do." She said absently, turning back to her computer to check her emails before leaving. There was only one, from Ubaldo Piangi, and a couple of junk mails. She deleted those quickly and turned the computer off. People were heading home, ready and full of anticipation of the weekend ahead. Some were making plans to meet that night, others were talking of their own arrangements. Christine listened through the open door, smiling at the simple humanity of it.

Maybe things weren't all great in her life. Yes, her heart still ached unbearably at the merest thought of Erik, yes she still wondered he was thinking of her, if he had chosen yet, if he ever would. She was still for a moment, contemplating that situation before shaking her head and putting her things away.

Not now. Not when she was so happy, would she consider that. For this day, for this weekend if possible, she wanted to be happy with what she had, to remember that she still had a great job, wonderful friends and a future.

Even if it wouldn't have Erik in it.

Meg and Sorelli materialised in her office door.

"Hey, you coming?" Sorelli demanded, carrying her jacket under one arm. Christine nodded and picked up her bag.

"Let's go. You coming back to Sorelli's, Meg?"

"Thought I might." Meg said. "We've got a few things to gossip about."

"Oh, really?" Christine smiled. "I can't wait, it sounds like wonderfully stimulating conversation."

They crossed the office floor, saying goodbyes to a few stragglers and went outside. They began to descend the steps and Christine turned to say something to Sorelli, but the words never made it from her lips. I'm sure you can guess why that might have been.

Erik was standing awkwardly nearby, tie removed in the warm weather and top button undone. Sorelli and Meg exchange a grin as Christine stared at him. He looked at her, his green eyes perfectly solemn.

"Erik." Christine said, a little blankly. "You're… here."

"I need to talk to you." He said. Christine glanced at Meg and Sorelli, who were both watching with big grins, and then looked back at Erik. They moved a little way off, much to the irritation of Meg and Sorelli, who had been counting on this event to provide the aforementioned gossip.

Erik looked down at her and was about to take her hand, but changed his mind. Too soon, perhaps, for that, although it took all of his self-control not to simply seize her, kiss her and then carry her away. Instead he swallowed hard and began to talk quietly, fixing his eyes on hers.

"Christine, you told me to make a choice. You said that… that I couldn't have both of you. I couldn't have both you and Anna. I understand why you said that. Anna was… she made me who I am, she gave me everything that I was led to believe that I could never have. She loved me and she accepted me for who I am, she looked at this face without shaking. And when she died, I thought that every chance of happiness had died with her. I don't think that you quite understand what you did for me, Christine."

Without meaning to, his hand lifted to touch her hair, capturing a few silken locks between his fingers as his eyes flew over her face.

"You gave me everything again. You gave me back my life, my happiness… you made me whole. You made me everything that I never got to be with her." He murmured. "I've said my goodbyes, I've gotten closure, and I've cut my ties with Anna. That part of me is over. Christine, I just want you back in my life, because it isn't a life without you in it. It's just… empty. I didn't even realise what you were to me until you weren't there anymore. I… I don't think I'm explaining this particularly well…" He stopped again, inwardly cursing himself for his lack of competence. Why was this so hard? It was so simple, what they wanted. Why couldn't he just say it? Why did he have to keep blabbering on and putting off what he really wanted to say?

Christine just listened, not saying a word. It was… astonishing, how incomprehensible he had become, how hard these words were for him. It was if he couldn't even think of the right words to say. He took a breath and carried on, fumbling over his words as he had done before, no sign of his usual elegant and precise speech.

"I don't know what else to say. I need you more than anything. More than music, or air, or light. I don't know if it's too late. Maybe it is." His hand lowered and his frown clenched painfully. "I… I don't know."

She had to speak. Had to say something. She had waited so long for this and he was just… all of the love she felt for him intensified in her chest, every feeling she had ever known was screaming for her to help him, to let him know that she wanted him too.

"Erik, why don't you just kiss me?" She said, suddenly. He stared at her.

"What?"

"You're supposed to be so intelligent and good with words and all that stuff. But you just come here, bumbling like an idiot and all I wanted you to do was kiss me. It's not that hard. I don't want a big romantic speech and I don't want you to explain how and why. I just want you to… kiss me" She said, feeling half-annoyed that she had to explain it and half-overjoyed that he was here and saying these things. How could someone so brilliant be so… dense?

But apparently, he wasn't as dense as he was acting because the next moment he had given in to his first instincts, pulled her close to him and kissed her before she had even a moment to react. But, when he did not release her, she slipped her arms around his neck, reaching up on tiptoe to make herself closer to him, savouring his touch and warmth. How had she denied herself this for so long? How had she lived without this? It didn't seem feasible.

Eventually they separated, but did not pull away from each other. Erik was appalled to see that her eyes were watering. She noticed his worried glance and smiled helplessly, shaking her head.

"Happy tears. Really." She assured him. "I just…"

There were no words. She pushed her face into his chest and clung to his shirt, hardly able to believe that he had chosen her, that he was here, that he wanted her and that there was nothing in their way now. He was holding onto her just as tightly and she could hear his quick breaths in her ear.

"Ten out of ten for romantic reunion effort." Sorelli called to them and they both looked up.

"Definitely." Meg grinned. "I guess it's just you and me tonight, Sorelli. See you later, Christine."

They strolled off towards Sorelli's car, glancing back at the pair with large smiles and the occasional giggle. Christine bit her lip and looked up at Erik. He was watching her closely, gauging her reaction.

"I think I'd like to go home now. We need to talk." She whispered, with a tiny smile. A ghost smile touched Erik's mouth and he nodded.

"As you wish."

There were things to talk about, issues to discuss, a thousand and one topics that needed their attention.

But they could wait.

A/N: Once again, I don't like this chapter. I mean, I like what goes on in it but I think I could have done it a lot better. Having said that, I went back to look at some older chapters today and whenever I've thought 'Hmm, that was a pretty good one' I've looked at the author's note and seen that I hated it at the time! Lol, so there you go.

Don't worry – there are still a few obstacles to go on this one. Angst all around.

EDIT: OK, so as I said, I REALLY wasn't happy with this chapter. So I've edited it, added bits and generally done it over. I've never been so dissatisfied with a chapter so as to go this far before, but there you go. I hope you prefer this version!

Lotsa luv

Katie