Though the Snow Falls

Rooftop scene following Carlotta's 'croaking' onstage.

Joseph Bouquet was dead. Christine could hear the screams, feel the pandemonium. She loved Erik, but this…this was an unforgivable sin. He had murdered in cold blood! Sighing she tried to contemplate why he would need to murder, but her head began to hurt. Somehow her dainty feet had led her to the Opera rooftop. Deciding to lessen her stress, Christine turned inward and found solace in the complexity of her own mind. Staring out from her perch, she smiled faintly and brought a delicate hand to her abdomen and lightly stroked her midsection. Wearily, she recalled a conversation two weeks prior with Madame Giry:

"Madame, I don't understand what's wrong with me! In the mornings I am unwell, I am moody and have not had my cycles in two months!"

"Tell me Christine, have you…been intimate with anyone?"

"Well…I…uh…I…yes, once…"

"Who?"

"Erik…"

"My child, I must congratulate you."

"Whatever for!"

"You're going to have a child."

A sudden voice snapped her from her thoughts and she turned surprised to see Raoul standing several feet from the rooftop door. Trying to keep cordial, Christine smiled lightly and spoke.

"Raoul, What brings you here?"

"Christine how can you be so calm! For God's sake, a man just DIED!"

"I'm sure there is a plausible reason for this Raoul, perhaps an accident-?"

"An accident! Damn it Christine, did you not hear that insane 'Ghost?' That dimwitted madman is probably the reason behind this! How can you simply sit there blind to the facts!"

Christine had her chin resting upon her neck and she sadly shook her head before speaking again.

"Raoul, I will not deny that it is possible the Phantom could have done something, but I'm not sure we can merely place all the blame upon him. Maybe Bouquet had something to do with-."

"Something? SOMETHING! For Christ's sake Christine the man is DEAD!"

"I understand that Raoul, but you can't just keep a closed mind to-."

"Christine, I'm not keeping a closed mind, I'm just concerned, for you and all the other's safety. I love you Christine, I want to protect you."

Christine had been getting a bizarre vibe from Raoul and sighed as she realized what the vibe was.

"I know Raoul, thank you…"

Clutching the rose Erik had left for her in the dressing room, Christine gathered her courage and continued.

"Please leave me Raoul, I'll be okay…I just need to gather my thoughts."

"But Christine-."

"Please Raoul…"

Sighing angrily, Raoul left in a huff, the back of his tailcoats the last Christine saw. Collapsing, Christine began to weep at her helplessness and inability to cease this war between Erik and the Opera cast. Gently, two warm arms surrounded her form and a mystic voice whispered in her ear.

"Don't cry mon ange, mon amour, please, shh, don't cry, I am here…"

Hugging closer to his body, Christine sighed into his neck and whispered softly back.

"Please don't leave me Erik, please…I love you."

Erik drew back and looked deeply into her eyes. An adoring look crossed his face as he saw tiredness and weariness in his loves' eyes. Softly he spoke to his dearest.

"I love you too mon ange, now then, you're very tired so come and I will take you back to your room."

"Erik-."

"Shh, relax, your angel will always be here to watch you."

Deciding to consent, Christine allowed herself to doze as Erik easily lifted her and carried her off to her room.

End Chap. 2

A/N: Please review, I worked very hard and it would be helpful if I got some feedback. Thanks…