A/N: She's gone, and now Erik acts! He's not going to be very happy, I must warn you...


Disclaimer: I own nothing but the hell I cause the characters.

He'd known her plan the moment Christine had searched his eyes. When her hand clumsily rummaged his pockets that intuition had merely been affirmed. Instead of stopping her, Erik allowed this to happen. Not moving, keeping breathing regular, he actually worked at his game of pretend. Do you want to leave so desperately, Christine?

Can you blame her, something inside seethed, when she's never wanted to be with you from the start?

He felt her still as she felt something in one pocket that she hadn't expected. Yes, Christine, I still carry that. She paled, and her trembling hand had put it away in her skirt. After that, her eyes didn't look at him anymore, only the task at hand.

Is she even more disgusted now? She's so eager to just run out that door... but I won't let her go so easily.

She found the keys, and moved away without another glance. His heart beat loudly in his ears, but he could still hear her fidget with the keys. Against his darker judgement, his lips parted a little, and he called out to her. "Christine," he whispered with tenderness. Don't do this...don't make this choice... All hope, all delusions he might have had of her affection, shattered as the lock clicked open.

Will you let her go unharmed? Maybe to the police?

It's her choice to go now... The door slamming shut signaled her departure. Erik stood, anger evaporating any trace of drunkenness from his body. I know where she'll go...

But she will suffer. For the hurt you feel, she needs a proper punishment. Erik could not find it in himself to disagree with his darker half. For all he'd felt, for all she'd taken, Christine would not go unscathed. Paradise was taken from Adam and Eve, yet they lived for each other. What would happen if Adam were taken away, too...?

He walked to the piano and moved a hand under it. He pulled open the wooden panel, and removed the extra keys. With his coat in hand, he left his apartment in search for Christine. The difference in their gaits would make it easy to catch up to her, and she'd probably be combing the city for the only man she could possibly turn to now, never knowing she'd be leading him right to Raoul. Then, having the upper hand, Erik could dole out an appropriate end for their childhood romance.

"Now, let it be war upon you both..."


She ran without looking back, until her lungs burned and she was forced to stop beside a café she'd recognized. She'd come here a few times to read and drink something warm. Turning around to assure herself she had not been followed, she sat down at one of their outdoor tables. It would only be for a moment, but she needed to look around and get her bearings.

No one noticed her. She was overwhelmed by the sea of strangers, but they hardly thought she merited a second glance. How sad this is...did I feel so lost before? How had she existed out here before? Had she simply ignored the emptiness that life in this city filled her with?

She wanted to laugh at her stupidity. How can I expect to suddenly be recognized? I was never anyone's close friend here, I never stood out. Then why was she so disappointed? I've just become so used to being someone's focus...I was his sole student, after all. Had that really been it, though?

"Miss, are you going to order?" Christine looked up to see the pretty waitress impatiently looking at her. She was much in need of a warm cup of tea, but knew she had no money. I didn't have any use for it with Erik. He always took care of me-

"No." She shook her head soundly at both her thoughts and the waitress.

"Well, if you're not going to order, you can't stay here." It seemed that all Christine could do was deepen the frown on the waitress' face. She stood and gave a small smile.

"All right. Thank you." With that, Christine walked on, unaware that her break had given someone enough time to pester passers-by and catch up.

I have to go to my apartment. It was her sole plan. Not to harm Erik by going to the police, but to figure everything out in the comfort of her room. But how am I going to get in? I've been gone so long...is my apartment still mine? She slowed a moment, considering this. It was true, she'd be almost a full year behind in rent, and she hadn't been living there. But she hoped, foolishly, for understanding. Surely, if she showed up at the complex, the manager would help somehow. Christine placed all her hope on this, and continued on, even as the rain began to fall.


Nadir opened the blinds to look at the rain pouring outside. He cursed his insomnia- he'd have to be up and at work early tomorrow, and here he was still up. And worse, his stumbling in the dark had managed to wake Antoinette, who was now preparing a cup of tea for her husband.

"Dear, why aren't you able to sleep?" His thoughts were interrupted when his wife brought a cup of tea to him. "It's not like you- you're usually a sound sleeper."

Nadir took the cup and smiled half-heartedly. "Perhaps the rain?" His response earned an arched eyebrow from Antoinette.

"You could sleep through hurricanes. No," she concluded, "this is about something that's eating at you." He'd never mentioned anything, but Mrs. Giry wasn't a stupid, kept woman. She'd overheard things, and pieced them together fairly well. Now, it seemed as if something related to what she knew was bothering her husband. "Did you and Erik quarrel?"

"You make it sound like we're having a love affair, Antoinette. We're not, be assured."

"Of course not. You both can hardly be in the same room with each other." Mrs. Giry smiled at her husband's odd humor. "What I mean is, did you have a falling out?" Her hand slid to his, and her concern showed in her face. "Nadir, it would not do to alienate him. Not when we know so much."

"We know so much, and so little," he sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if there really is a soul to save anymore."

"We cannot afford to lose hope," she replied firmly. His surprise made her want to elaborate. "He's not an evil man. I know it. But the way they lived, he cannot help the way he acts."

"You give him too much credit." Nadir sighed. Would his wife understand if she knew of the most recent victim? "Erik's done something terrible again. He-"

"The girl. I know." Her face remained the same as he turned his surprised eyes to her. "I overheard a few things. But he is still the boy I rescued, Nadir. A genius...and a fool."

"Why do you insist on believing in him? Even when he does not deserve it?"

"Because I knew the terrible life he led...I knew, and I did nothing." She looked at her hands. "In a way, I am guilty, too. And it will remain that way until he changes." Silently Nadir's hand lifted her chin, and their eyes met.

"Then we're all guilty. And I can't let you bear it alone." His lips felt hers for a moment, and they spoke no more.


The rain drenched her, but there she was...in front of her apartment complex. Modest and freshly painted, it looked so warm and inviting. She sighed and wiped at her eyes. As she began to walk, she thought about what she'd say. No key, no identification of any kind...there was nothing she could use to prove any story to the owner. "What will I do?" With every passing second, she wanted to turn and run back, praying that Erik had not yet come to. No, I can't go back.

She and her shadow walked on. As she was about to open the main door, she drew a deep breath.

"Hello, Miss? Do you have a moment?" Her hand flew back from the door handle as if it were on fire. Had someone just called out to her? Slowly she turned to the voice.

"Miss? I was wondering if you've- Christine?" He spoke as if he knew her. Her eyes shot up and met his surprised gaze. With a sudden move, he dropped his umbrella and rushed to her. "Christine!" She found herself in his arms, being held tightly. Who is...wait!

"R-Raoul?" She felt him pull away to look at her face. His features were manlier, but it was Raoul. It had to be. This sheepish smile couldn't be anyone else's! The tears fell freely at her realization. "Raoul!" Without another word, she allowed herself to collapse into his arms. He laughed in his relief.

"Christine! I can't believe you're all right. You had me worried sick- but you couldn't know that, could you?" He smiled as she sobbed lightly. She was not composed enough to answer just yet. I'm safe. It's going to be all right. There was no relief at this, just a great happiness at being reunited with her past. "Christine," he whispered, "you're apartment's been let out, but I live nearby. Walking distance. Would you like to go and have something hot to drink? You're soaked." Whether she thought this was wise, she was cold and ill and wanted a cup of tea more than anything.

"All right."


With what agony he watched the boy rush to Christine! Erik would have liked nothing more than to reveal himself and strangle the childhood friend, but he held back. Until Christine leads me to his home... Everything was going according to plan, even if Christine was being so...tender with Raoul. Heartbreakingly tender...the story she told was just a lie to try to appease me. He felt such betrayal at her actions. It was a good thing he did not have his wire to tempt him further.

I will take her back, and I will not forgive this boy for his mistake. With this, he followed.


"Make yourself comfortable," Raoul told her as he handed her a towel. "Dry off while I make something."

"Thank you." Christine dried off her hair as she looked around the living room. It was expensively furnished, with a leather sofa and lush Persian rug. And atop the mantle above the fireplace rested a violin. Is it...? She flew to it and carefully picked it up from its stand. Turning it over, she saw the carved inscription. Closing her eyes, Christine knew she'd found her father's violin. Raoul will give it to me, I'm sure. And then I'll-

What she'd do actually escaped her. She had no home now that she'd left Erik's apartment. But was that my home? Her father's violin had spurred her to leave, but now she felt unsure.

"I don't care if you'll never forgive me, if you'll never choose to stay willingly, but I want you...here..." his breath burned on her exposed wrists, "...with me."

She still felt his touch on her wrists. But what had he meant? How important could her voice be to him, that he would not let her go? That he'd cried out? God, I'm going to cause him pain...his eyes might actually shed tears. Self-important as it might have sounded, Christine thought he might be saddened. That rose was proof of some attachment, wasn't it? Why had he been so thoughtful, nurtured her and worried about her, if not for that? And this was how she repaid him, by running away at the first chance she had.

I shouldn't be here. In her mind, the music Erik had sung to her suddenly rang out.

"I shouldn't be here," Christine murmured.

"So you've recognized your father's violin?" He emerged from the kitchen with a tray.

"You've taken such care of it," she smiled. "Do you still play?"

Raoul smiled and shook his head. "After leaving your father's school, I never had the time to really take it up again. My music studies ended that summer, when we parted. Once I make some time, I plan to, though."

"Music's not some pastime to pick up when you feel like it." Her tone was serious, annoyed at his answer. "It's dedication and determination and natural talent-" Erik's words...In an instant, she was herself again, and remorseful. "I'm sorry, Raoul..."

"You're your father's daughter, all right." Raoul placed a cup of coffee in front of her and sat down, patting the seat next to him. She shook her head free of her thoughts of Erik and replaced the violin.

"So...you've been searching for me?" She sat beside him and looked down at her coffee. The bitter taste of coffee had never agreed with her, but Raoul could not have known her aversion to it. She drank a small sip, trying to humor her host.

"Yes. I was worried," his childish smile hadn't changed. "When I discovered you were in the city, I was desperate to find you. But...everyone said you'd just left. I know you better than that, though. You wouldn't give up on your dreams so easily, Christine." There was sincerity in his voice, and attraction in his eyes.

"Raoul..." She was surprised at his boldness. "You haven't seen me since I was a little girl. I might have changed." She gave a soft smile. "Time does that to people." It was true. She could give one example, at least... he'd showed her so much with his new music- as a guide to see through the darkness and into him. Into him? Yes, she realized. He'd let her in, as she'd wanted him to, even if only a little. But what had she found?

'Close your eyes and let music set you free!

Only then can you belong to me...'

Her mouth opened unknowingly for a second. She knew what it had been, and couldn't believe she hadn't noticed it before. It's a love song...he sang for me-

"Not to Little Lotte," Raoul sighed. He move across the small space between them to place his hand atop hers. Everything about him was smiling. "You're as beautiful and sweet as I remembered."

She looked at her hand, then into his face, but it wasn't Raoul she saw. Her eyes looked hard for a light scar down the hairline, for crystal in his eyes. But there was no hint of the man she couldn't get out of her mind in Raoul. She looked down at her coffee, knowing what she was going to do next might be stupid, even fatal.

"I shouldn't be here." She gently took her hand back.

"What?" Raoul was surprised, but naturally so. He'd expected their reunion to be...not this. Christine smiled brilliantly, trying to hide insecurity.

"I'm... returning to Paris tomorrow..." she took a breath, "I'm not going alone." The look of realization made her well up with guilt. "I only came to see my old apartment again...then I found you, and I got so excited-"

"Oh..." Raoul nodded dumbly. "So, you really have changed, Lotte." In a small hurt voice, he added, "I never imagined you'd give up on your dream for a man."

She kept her smile on, trying to say goodbye in a happy manner. "No, I've never given up my dreams, Raoul. I'm just sharing them with someone now." She set her drink down and stood. "You were my favorite childhood friend, Raoul. I'll love you forever because you remind me of those days with my father." There was so much pain in what she was about to say, but her smile remained. "But those days can't return. I can't live in fairy stories forever."

Raoul watched her quietly for a moment, then finally smiled too. "Take the violin, then. One more memory of your father. Think of me when you're playing on the streets of France." As a final thought entered his mind he stood as well. "And I'd like to meet your boyfriend, if you're both ever in town."


He didn't need to stay any longer. Erik knew where the boy lived, and knew the girl wouldn't leave for the moment. Now all he had to do was return home and prepare his revenge. He did not begrudge Raoul his time with Christine, because he'd unknowingly shortened his life span years for every caress he'd give. Erik would make sure of that.
She ran, bathed in the lights of the city, violin case clutched to her. A goodbye present from Raoul. She'd told him she was leaving for Paris with another man, but he'd understood in the end. He knew his affection had been a child's for their favorite plaything. She was as much a reminder of happy times to him as he was to her, one last link to the past that had to be severed in exchange for a future. She ran. Towards death or salvation, she didn't know but Erik would be there to make that choice.

"Erik."


A/N: Eek! What will happen now! Big showdown coming soon! Review and it'll come even sooner! ALthough, I'm hitting a heck of a writer's block... :(