Erik: the Vampire Hunter
Episode 24: Changes
By: Elektra
Christine was sleeping soundly, having cried herself to sleep with worry once again.
It had been a week since Madame, Meg, and herself had returned to Ravelle, and none of them had heard from Erik. Christine was starting to have the most horrible dreams about what could have happened to him. She couldn't even concentrate on her studies, especially Vocal Techniques III.
Giry's reassurance that Erik was fine did not help. If he was fine, why hadn't he contacted her? Didn't he know she'd be worried?
Currently, Christine was between sleeping and waking. She heard quiet shuffling in the room – Erik's room, specifically, beneath Residence. She had taken to spending her nights there ever since school returned.
As if that would bring him back any faster.
She was sure she felt something depress the bed, heard the rustle of sheets, felt a body slide in beside her.
Christine was startled fully awake when she felt strong arms around her, pulling her against a firm chest as a mouth descended hungrily upon hers.
She quickly slid a hand up and felt a face – a very distinct face – then melted eagerly into his embrace, tears of relief spilling down her cheeks.
The warm mouth moved from her lips, kissing away the tears before speaking.
"Did you miss me, angel?"
Christine could only sob out Erik's name before burying her face against his chest, not stopping to think why Erik was suddenly acting so forward with her. She could only presume that he had missed her as well.
"I will take that as a yes then…" he replied, then brushed his lips against her neck, bringing forth a pleasant shudder from the petite dancer. "And I am so very happy to see you…" he murmured.
Christine was enjoying Erik's attention, even the feel of his long graceful fingers against the bare skin of her back.
Wait a minute…
"Erik?" she whispered, realizing his hand had slid beneath her tank top.
"Mmmm… yes, angel?" He whispered as he continued to kiss her neck, his lips trailing to her shoulder, then her collarbone as his fingers traveled beneath the material, over her sides and brushed against her stomach.
Christine's heart began to pound as his physical attentions sent a rush of heat through her…
… but his behaviour was completely out of character!
"Erik, what… what are you doing?" She asked. He didn't answer. "Did… did something happen?" She should probably be worried about where his hands were wandering, but for some reason, it didn't really matter at the moment.
Erik remained silent, still touching, kissing. "Erik?" Christine repeated as she attempted to calm her quickening pulse. "Please talk to me…" she gently grasped his hands and met the glowing orbs that were his eyes. "You've never acted like this before."
"There is really nothing to talk about. I missed you very much, that is all." His lips found hers yet again.
She didn't even realize his fingers had slid from her grip until she felt strong hands grasping her backside, pressing her full against him.
Christine quickly pulled away from the kiss, eyes going wide. He wasn't kidding when he said he was happy to see me!
A low primal growl escaped Erik's throat as he slid his mouth over the pulse in her neck, nipping ever so lightly as his fingers slid just beneath the waistband of her sleep pants.
"Erik!" Christine yelped. She quickly slid away from his wandering hands and sat against the wall, hugging her knees to her chest. "What's gotten into you?"
She felt him move, a lamp flickering on beside the bed. "I have missed you." He smirked as he reclined back on his elbows.
"I can see that, but…" Christine put a shaking hand to her chest, meeting the golden depths that perused her body from beneath a thick curtain of ebony hair - hair, she noted, that had grown longer over the summer. So much so that it brushed his bare shoulders.
Christine silently cursed herself for thinking about his long hair and lack of a shirt at this time. Back to the issue at hand – Erik is acting very… un-Erik-y… she reminded herself.
She studied him, ignoring the way her pulse quickened and her stomach fluttered. She took in his wretched corpse's face… his beautiful golden eyes… his incredibly appealing form...
Stop it, Christine! She silently scolded herself. Try to figure out what's changed! She took a deep shaky breath, and… "Oh god!" she gasped as she finally realized what she saw before her.
It was her Erik –without his restraint!
Gone was his polite façade. Instead, he was reveling in the primal darkness she always knew he kept hidden just below the surface.
"Christine?" He reached a hand out to her, but she resisted taking it. He raised an eyebrow, lips quirked into a half smirk. "I thought you wanted me to touch you, angel. Why so shy now?"
His voice made Christine's breath catch.
It's not that she didn't know his voice was beautiful - she had heard it enough times - it was that she didn't know his voice could sound like… that. Rolling over her skin like an electric current, making her ache just a little.
This was the part of him that he had warned Christine existed deep inside. The part he feared would drive her away.
Christine had to force herself to look away from those golden depths. He was not hiding the hunger he had for her. She had only seen a glimmer of it once before, and he had quickly covered it up then.
This time, however, he wanted her to see it. And she wasn't sure whether to be flattered or afraid.
Christine let out a startled shout as Erik was suddenly in front of her. His arms were on either side of her body, palms flat against the wall to prevent her from moving.
He lowered his head, nuzzling his face against her neck. "Mmmm, you smell wonderful." Christine closed her eyes a moment, silently cursing herself for enjoying his attention.
Yes, it was what she had wanted… but what he was expecting was far more than what she was ready to give him. Not to mention that his behaviour would have been far more comforting had it not appeared out of nowhere. Had Erik not disappeared for two weeks after facing his worst enemy.
She suddenly pressed her hands against his chest, trying to push him away as she attempted to speak. Her voice was no more then a croak. She swallowed nervously and tried once more. "Please… Erik… I think maybe… I should … go back to my room."
Erik lifted his head and met her eyes. "And I think, maybe, you should stay here." He was pouting! Of all things…
Christine raised a hand to his face, voice soft. "Do you know I've been waiting for you every night since you went off to face the Leader?" she asked. "I was so worried. Afraid-" she swallowed back a sob, "afraid you'd never come back. I'm so relieved to see you, Erik. I spent almost every night worrying about you! But… your conduct… while really flattering… is making me a bit nervous right now."
"Why?" He demanded as he pushed away from her and rocked back on the balls of his feet. "Because of this?" He put a hand to his face. "Would you rather I put my mask back on? Is the very sight of me disgusting you!"
"NO! Erik, that's not it at all!" Christine protested. "Mask or no mask, I still enjoy your attention. I love it when you touch me and kiss me and hold me. But…" she swallowed hard. "But this isn't the right time to-"
"…to give yourself to a freak?" he growled.
Christine shook her head, eyes wide. "What's gotten into you? You were never like this before!" She then realized something. It should have been clear after her own run in with the Leader. "What did HE do to you?"
"He woke me up!" Erik answered harshly, knowing of whom she was speaking. "My real nature has been sleeping far too long!" He cocked his head, glaring at her, "You knew this was inside me, angel. I TOLD you it was! You had even seen hints of it yourself! And yet… you still wanted me. You cared for me!"
"And I STILL want you! I STILL care for you! It's just that… your behaivour is-"
Erik interrupted her words with a cold chuckle. "I see now. You thought you could heal me." He started. "Make it all go away with your sweet little kisses. With your good intentions. With your declarations of love!" He stopped. "Oh wait now… you never DID say you loved me…"
"Neither did YOU!" Christine shot back, getting more then a little angry with his disturbing mood swings.
"Very well." He hissed. "I LOVE you! I am IN LOVE with you! I have been for a long time. I have never had the courage to tell you until now. I was afraid it would frighten you away!" His voice cracked with emotion.
Christine's heart skipped a beat as she met Erik's eyes. She knew. She knew he had meant every thing he had said.
He grasped her face in his hands, his amber eyes darkening with desire as they bored into hers. "And there is something else you should know, angel." He began. "I desire you. I desire you so much, my entire body aches with it!" Christine averted her eyes, cheeks flushing.
"Christine..." He cried out, "Don't you understand what you've DONE to me?" He suddenly pressed his hungry mouth against hers once more, parting her lips as his tongue fervently met hers.
He quickly released the embrace before she could push him away again. "You've made me need. You've made me want! How does it feel to know a damaged man loves you? That he dreams… perhaps… one day… when you are a few years older… you may consider him a possible husband?"
"Erik..." Christine wasn't sure what to say. He wants to marry me? She had never realized the depths of his feelings for her.
His voice then grew low, dangerous. "And how does it feel to know a MONSTER hungers for you? Writhes with need of your innocent little body? Aches to touch your skin, to feel you?"
He released all physical contact, studying her with narrowed eyes. "I am very aware of the effect my voice has on people. Women especially. If I did not want YOU so much, I could easily go out and find another. She would not have to see my face, you understand. All it would take is my voice and she would be mine!"
He leaned forward. "Would you like me to do that, Christine? At least my attentions will be off you that way. Of course, whenever you are ready, I will be eagerly waiting for you!"
Christine's hand flew before she even realized it, connecting soundly with Erik's skeletal cheek. She put that same hand to her mouth. "Oh... God... Erik...I... I'm sorry..." she was shocked at her own response, amazed how deeply his words had hurt her. The very thought of him with another woman was like someone ripping out her heart.
"Oh my, angel!" Erik began with a smirk, a hand caressing the cheek she had just slapped. "You are quite the fiery little thing, aren't you?" He shrugged, "But then I have known that for a while now. I remember how feisty you were the first night we met. It intrigued me. It's one of the reason I could not hide from you. You woke something in me that night..."
He reached out and traced his fingers down her cheek, her neck, his voice growing husky. "Such a passionate girl you are. I can hear it when you sing. I desire you almost as much as I love you!"
Christine had no words.
What happened to the Erik who had been happy with the affection she gave him? The Erik who acted reserved when she wanted to offer him more then a few shy hugs and kisses?
She met his eyes once more. He was still her Erik… but… he was also very different. His inhibitions were gone. His uncertainty was gone. He knew what he wanted, and he didn't appreciate being rebuffed.
And he's in love with me… Christine recalled.
Erik reached out to touch her again, but Christine shook her head.
Erik is in love with me! And I'm… Oh god…
She suddenly pushed past Erik and jumped off the bed, running out of the room in tears.
Khan residence
Nadir sat in an armchair as he stared at the woman rocking back and forth on the bed before him. He had given her the extra bedroom in his apartment, not wanting to send her back to the halfway house without a proper explanation for her behaviour. No doubt they would think her insane and lock her up. It was bad enough they believed she broke her parole.
Madeline wasn't insane, however. She was currently suffering a nasty bout of nightmares at the moment. It would take some time for them to wear off properly. The Leader had certainly done a number on her.
The Leader.
Erik's father.
Nadir should not have been surprised, really. All the signs were there. The physical similarities, the meetings with Laura.
"Monster… I'm a monster… Momma hates me."
Nadir was startled from his thoughts by Madeline's mumbling. He wasn't sure whether to pity the woman or condemn her for the ill treatment she had given her son. These dreams had been haunting her for the past week. Perhaps even longer, as Nadir had not known what had gone on in the house on Laramie drive prior to barging in with Erik.
Erik.
The guild's detective was rather concerned for him. After he had passed out from whatever the Leader had done to him, Nadir had sensed pure ice flowing off the boy. He had not even bothered to see if Madeline was ok. He simply told Nadir to 'bring her', and the three were allowed to leave.
Just like that.
When an enemy allows you to leave his home unharmed, it does not usually bode well.
"I love you, Momma… why do you hate me? Why?" Madeline muttered. She could not tear her eyes away from the mirror on the wall beside the bed. "Monster in the mirror… ugly reflection… no one will love me. No one…"
Nadir suddenly felt a cold stab in his chest. He had overlooked something. A very important something.
While Erik may have at once thought no one would love him, that did not stop HIM from loving another.
Christine! Nadir realized. He closed his eyes and silently prayed to his god. Please… do not let him harm her. Do not let him treat her with the same indifference as he treated his mother. Allah please! Let his heart still remain the same, even if his disposition has not.
He only hoped someone was listening.
Dean Giry's Office – the next day
Giry was startled from her seat when she heard the silky voice in her ear.
"Antoinette… I am back…"
She looked high and low for the source, but the room was empty. "Erik?"
A chuckle echoed off the wall, "You did not fear me for dead now, did you?"
"Of course not," Giry replied, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the disembodied voice that surrounded her. "I know you are far more resourceful then that," she answered. "Does Christine know you are here? That you are safe? She was horribly worried. Cried herself to sleep every night."
She heard him scoff. "She knows. Last I saw her, she was running from my bedroom in tears."
"Why? What happened?"
There was a pause, then he answered. "I went to my basement hovel and found my beautiful angel laying in my bed - looking rather tempting, I might add – but when I tried to show her how delighted I was to see her, she ran off crying!" Erik growled.
"Please TELL me, Antoinette…" he continued, "Is it really too much to ask that my woman demonstrate how glad she is that I am alive?"
Giry felt her blood freeze. "What did you do to her, Erik?" she asked the invisible voice apprehensively.
"Nothing. She would not let me!" he hissed. "Devil knows I tried!"
Giry's hand went to her chest, a feeling of foreboding filling her. "Erik, are you well?"
"I am QUITE well!" He answered angrily. "SO damned well that my body spent most of the night in agony thanks to my pretty little ballerina!"
Giry jumped at the sound of a fist hitting metal. Her eyes turned upwards. The air ducts. Of course. Where else would Erik be hiding?
"Do you know, Antoinette," he began suddenly, "that if I ever chose to, I could seduce a woman with my voice alone? I just never found the courage to USE it in such a manner!"
His tone then grew angry. "All these years, I could have easily had any number of pretty little ballerinas in my bed! There are women who like masked men!"
"ERIK!" Giry was astounded at the way he was speaking. What on earth had happened to him? She was quite sure the Leader had had something to do with his personality change.
She would have to inform the guild of this. Immediately. He could be dangerous…
"Oh do not be so shocked, Antoinette!" Erik responded. "I do not dispute the fact that I am an ugly bastard, but I will not deny that my body is in decent form! Many woman would find IT, along with my VOICE, rather appealing!" He was silent a moment. "And yet, I used both on Christine last night and neither worked!"
"While I will not condone your new outlook on life, Erik, I should ask why you did NOT take another woman to your bed when Christine left - if that was all you wanted." Giry's disapproval was clear in her voice.
"Because I wanted HER in my bed, damn it! Another woman would have meant nothing!" he hissed angrily.
Giry found that rather interesting. Whatever else the Leader had done to Erik, he had not changed the man's heart where Christine was concerned.
"I have things to attend to Antoinette. Do you have something for me?" Erik's voice was weary as he spoke.
"Nothing at the moment, Erik." Giry replied. He did not say goodbye, but she knew when he was gone.
The ballet mistress glanced over at the folder on the table. It was a special assignment the Guild had asked her to give to Erik upon his return.
Under the circumstances, however, Giry was quite sure it would have been a bad idea.
Rehearsal Room – air ducts (two hours later)
Erik watched Giry's ballet class through the metal grate beneath him, feasting his eyes on all the scantily clad girls that were currently in the process of twisting and turning every which way.
His eyes instantly shifted to the petite brunette currently stretching out her slender legs.
Christine…
He watched her every move, his eyes slowly tracing the planes of her body, the gentle curve of hips and breast. He admired the smoothness of her slender neck, the long dark ringlets she had tied back with a white satin bow.
He couldn't stop his breath from catching as he was rewarded with a glimpse of Christine's beautiful blue eyes. Eyes that were currently echoing the smile on her lips.
Warm soft lips...
Erik clenched his right hand into a fist, remembering how sweet those lips had tasted last night. If she had only stayed...
A low growl involuntarily escaped his throat as he watched Christine arch her little body backwards. He had a brief image of that same little body arching beneath him.
Erik was startled from his thoughts as he felt something wet trickling over his wrist.
He quickly unclenched his hand, seeing that his nails had dug four bloody half-moons into his flesh. "Shit…" he hissed.
While the damage wasn't enough to concern himself with, he was astounded that it had even happened in the first place. His tongue quickly darted out, licking the blood from his palm.
Stop trying to restrain yourself and just GIVE IN to your nature! A voice mocked.
Erik grimaced at the unpleasant metallic taste that invaded his mouth. What on Earth had possessed him to do that?
What has my father done to me?
Dean Giry's office – an hour later
Erik quietly dropped down from the air ducts into Giry's empty office. He had seen a folder on her desk earlier while he had been lurking and speaking to her, but she had denied having an assignment for him.
He knew better.
Erik grabbed the folder and rifled through it.
It seemed another execution was needed. "Why did you not give me this earlier, Madame? Were you concerned for my state of mind?" he asked the empty room.
Erik smirked coldly. He was certainly in the mood to work out his frustrations in some manner. This was as good as any.
Checking that he had his rope with him, Erik jumped back up into the air ducts and headed off to find his victim.
Eaton and Bay – wooded area (1 hour later)
Erik looked down at the unmoving form at his feet. The sixteen-year old boy had been attempting to call forth some demon-or-other with the pitiful little flaming pentagram he had created amongst the trees.
The boy would have succeeded - if not for the fact he had found a rope around his neck before he could finish the incantation.
"Tsk tsk, Antoinette. Your unwarranted concern for me almost caused us problems," he sighed as he wound his rope up once again.
He knew whatever the boy had been attempting to call up was one of the weaker creatures. Something the hunters could have easily taken care of. Maybe the boy could have survived too – if he was lucky.
But no matter. The assignment had still been requested of him, and he was glad to oblige.
He stopped coiling his rope for a moment when he noticed something silver and shiny sticking out of the boy's pocket. He bent down to pick it up, and smiled at his find. "Ah! Nintendo DS. I have always wanted one of these."
He quickly slid the hand-held game player into his duster, his thoughts fondly going back to the days when he would often steal from others – before he could actually afford to buy that which he wanted.
Today, however, that logic did not seem to matter. It's not like the boy would be able to use the toy anymore anyway.
Erik heard a light clapping behind him, and spun around to see the Leader smiling proudly.
"That's my son! A nice clean kill. No regrets. No remorse. No worry about tainting pretty girls with your touch." He raised an eyebrow, "Speaking of which – did you enjoy tainting her?"
Erik frowned, then turned his attention back to his rope. "My woman was less than forth-coming with her affections."
"Really? What happened?" The Leader seemed eager for details.
"The girl ran from my room in tears. She thinks I am quite the bastard now, I imagine," Erik replied.
Shay furrowed his brow. "And did you let her running stop you?" he asked.
Erik slid his rope into the pocket of his duster. "What would you have had me do, Shay? Chase after the girl and force my attentions upon her?" he asked.
"Well, if she is going to be difficult-" Shay could not finish his comment as a blur of black velvet found him pinned beneath his son's body, a strong hand wrapped hard around his throat.
"You sick bastard!" Erik hissed. "How can you even SUGGEST I do such a thing?"
Shay's golden eyes went wide as he stared up at his son. "Did I not TELL you to give in to your true nature?" He barked angrily.
"My true nature still LOVES her!" Erik growled. "That is not something you – in all your infinite power - can ever change!"
Shay smirked. "We shall see in time then…" he said. "You will grow tired of her refusal soon enough."
Before Erik could respond, he found himself thrown several feet away. The Leader disappearing into the shadows before Erik could pounce again.
Christine and Meg's Dorm
Christine and Meg walked into their room, book-bags in hand after returning from their afternoon classes. Christine gasped as she saw the single red rose on her bed, a note stuck to it with tape. She simply stood there staring at it, afraid to pick it up.
"Is Erik leaving you little love notes now?" Meg asked cheerily, Christine having told her the College ghost was back in town – though leaving out the details of their encounter.
"Considering the way he acted last night," Christine began, "It's probably some lewd thing…"
Meg blinked at that. "Say what? HOW did he act last night, Chrissy?"
Christine blushed. "Let's just say he was… um… really happy to see me…"
Meg was shocked for a minute, then smirked. "Isn't that a GOOD thing though?" she asked. "It means he's NORMAL!" A pause, "Well, where it's important anyway," She winked.
Christine shook her head. "I could have done without his wandering hands."
"WHAT?" Meg choked. "My god, he's turned into RJ!"
Christine glanced back at her friend, her voice growing quiet. "It wasn't funny, Meg."
"Sorry, honey," Meg apologized. "But let's face it – the guy hasn't been touched by a woman in over thirty years. Those hormones have been raging for a long time."
Before Christine could respond, Meg shook her head. "Not like that's an excuse, of course. But it might help explain it a little." She indicated the note still sitting on Christine's bed. "At least see what he left you. Maybe it's an apology? Maybe facing that creepy guy didn't go very well and he needed some TLC?"
Christine slowly picked up the rose, hands trembling. "He… he said he loves me, Meg…" Her voice was barely a whisper. "He's IN LOVE with me. And that he's felt that way for a long time."
Meg put a hand to her chest. "Oh Chrissy! What I wouldn't give to hear RJ say that." Her eyes were a mix of fascination and envy.
Christine nibbled her lower lip. "I don't know what frightened me more – his behaviour, or that confession." She sunk down on the bed, lifting the note from her pillow but not yet reading it.
"There was something wrong with him. He wasn't acting right." She glanced at her friend. "Does that make me a bad person? That I ran away from my own boyfriend?"
"Oh honey, don't think that way!" Meg put a hand on her shoulder. "If Erik's behaviour changed so drastically, you have every right to be nervous around him."
Christine blinked back the tears and slowly unfolded the paper in her hand, reading it aloud. "Angel – I meant everything I said last night. I will not apologize or beg forgiveness for my behaviour…"
"He calls you angel?" Meg replied as she sat down beside Christine. "That's just… so sweet!"
Christine blushed a little, then continued. "We need to talk. In person. I will be home all night as I do not have anyone to make plans with, considering you are the only one who will ever be of any interest to me. With love: your resident ghost."
"Okay. Pardon me while I die of envy," Meg muttered. "RJ never leaves me roses and notes…"
"Come with me?" Christine asked suddenly. Meg seemed unsure. "Please, Meggy? I don't know if I can face him alone."
Meg let out a soft sigh. "Oh fine. Where does he live?"
Christine offered a small smile, "In the cellar…"
Residence cellar
"I had no idea he lived down here," Meg whispered softly as Christine found the hidden alcove that provided her access to Erik's door.
"No one does… and it needs to stay that way, Meggy. You already told RJ he was the ghost." Christine scolded.
"I'm sorry. I was just annoyed mom was keeping secrets from me."
Christine nodded and grasped Meg's hand, walking into the candlelit room as the door shut with a quiet woosh behind them.
"Uh… candles?" Meg began. "I don't think I should have come with you…"
"No no… he prefers it this way. It doesn't mean anything more then that." Christine explained. I hope… she added silently, then turned her back for a moment to pet Odin, who had decided to curl his tail around her leg. "It's his eyes…" she continued as she scratched behind the little cat's ears. "They're used to the dark."
"Used to the dark?" Meg responded. "Chrissy, sweetie, can I just tell you that your boyfriend is really-" Meg's voice suddenly caught, her next words coming out hoarse. "wet…"
"What?" Christine spun around to see Erik standing in front of his bathroom door wearing only a pair of sweat pants and his mask.
"I wasn't expecting you so quickly, let alone with company," he replied harshly as he raised a small towel to dry his dripping hair. "Be lucky I heard Little Giry's voice - or else I would not have grabbed the mask!"
He glanced over at Meg, golden eyes reflecting the fire off the candlelight. "Trust me, it would not have been pretty."
"Well… if you don't mind me saying, Erik - the rest of you is pretty enough!" Meg replied, unable to tear her eyes away.
"Hey!" Christine snapped at her friend.
"Well, it's true!" Meg replied, indicating the man before them. She then gently shoved Christine towards him, whispering in her ear. "You're on your own here, honey!"
"Wait! Meggy, no!" Christine gasped, but Meg was out the door and long gone before Christine could grab her
"Why did you lead her here?" Erik demanded as he stepped closer to Christine. "She will be telling her boyfriend and her little ballerina friends about my whereabouts in no time!"
"No! She said she wouldn't!" Christine insisted.
"Just like she didn't tell RJ about me being the ghost of Ravelle?" Erik accused.
Christine bit her lip. "I'm sorry. She just got annoyed with all the secrets. But now that she knows, she won't say a word!"
Erik slipped the mask off his face and tossed it to the side, glancing irritably at the nervous girl before him. He took a step closer, and she stumbled back, landing awkwardly on the bed.
His foul expression suddenly changed into an amused smirk. "Well now… that's a good place to start our discussion…"
"Erik!" Christine immediately hugged herself, only to find that he didn't attempt to touch her.
Instead, he knelt before her on the floor, staring up at her with the warmest expression she had ever seen.
Erik took a deep breath and Christine noted that it was somewhat shaky.
"He changed me," Erik said bluntly. "NO - he did not influence me to say or do anything I didn't want to," he explained before she could ask. "Nor will I apologize for letting you know my true feelings – emotional and physical. He, however, is the one responsible for pulling it out of me and bringing it to the surface. He took away my … discipline, so to speak."
Christine didn't need to ask who as Erik sat at her feet and rested his head against her thigh.
She didn't know what to say, instead gently stroking his damp hair in response. To have his mind invaded the way this man had done! As if what he went through as a child wasn't bad enough!
How she wished she could make all his pain go away.
"Do you love me?" Erik asked suddenly.
Christine was started out of her thoughts by his question. She looked down at him and her throat tightened. "Do I… what?"
His golden eyes stared up at her and for a moment, he suddenly looked like a frightened little boy waiting for approval.
Erik… why? Why are you asking me that? Can't you see I'm afraid? I'm not ready...
Christine took a deep shaky breath and offered the best answer she could. "I… don't know." She said finally.
Erik closed his eyes a moment and turned his head away, swallowing hard at her words. Of course she doesn't love you. Why would she? His thoughts mocked him.
"I… I care about you. A lot."
It took Erik a moment to realize Christine was speaking to him again. He looked up at her, hoping she did not see the tears that threatened to slip from his eyes.
"So much that it hurts sometimes," She continued. "That's why… that's why your behaviour the other night upset me."
"Frightened you, you mean," Erik replied, then let out a soft sigh. "At least 'I don't know' is better then an outright rejection. And to know that you care for me gives me hope." Please love me, angel. I promise I'll be good… Erik pleaded silently.
"Erik," she spoke softly. "I don't-" she swallowed nervously. "I don't know if this is right."
"If what is a right?" he asked, pushing aside the ache in his chest.
Christine closed her eyes. "We don't know what happened to you. How much was changed." She whispered softly.
Erik's eyes didn't leave her as he climbed onto the bed and sat beside her. "Christine? What are you saying?"
Christine met his eyes. "I'd be lying if I pretended I was comfortable with this new personality you've developed."
He reached out to touch her face, but halted and brought his hand back to his side. "My feelings for you are not going to change, if that's what worries you." Erik replied.
"It's not that…" she shook her head. "I just think we need to figure out what happened before we take the next step in our relationship."
His jaw tensed, "It seems the Leader had his way after all. He wanted me to run you off." He could not look at her. "If I frighten you, of all people, then I truly am a monster…"
"Don't call yourself that!" she scolded.
"Please leave." His voice sounded detached as he slid off the bed. "Now." He turned his scarred back to her, an icy shield coming over him.
"Erik…" Christine started as she moved to stand behind him.
"GET OUT!" He shouted, rounding angrily on her. "You do not love me! I understand!" he hissed. "So do not stand here and TORTURE me!"
"But that's not what I meant! I just wanted to-"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He roared, heading into the washroom and slamming the door behind him. She heard the sound of a fist shattering glass.
For the second time that week, Christine ran out of Erik's room in tears.
Dean Giry's office
Giry frowned at the folder on her desk. It was slightly crinkled, and she knew she had not done it.
Erik…
The folder had contained orders for an execution. She had purposely avoided giving it to him. His state of mind as of late had been troublesome.
The fact that he had WILLINGLY executed disturbed her greatly. Especially after his constant refusals and hesitation as of late.
She only hoped he did not turn his newfound desire for bloodshed onto Christine.
END OF EPISODE 24