Don Juan Triumphs

Takes place during Erik's masterpiece (Don Juan Triumphs). Both Erik and Christine are singing onstage and are heading towards the bridge.

Christine was both mesmerized and aroused at the same time. She didn't even know that was possible, but apparently with Erik anything was possible. All of the trepidation and panic she had felt beforehand had vanished under the passionate/loving glow of Erik's amber eyes. They had reached the middle of the bridge and as Erik sang, Christine gasped and recalled her previous fears. Erik could see the sheen of panic cross her eyes and he nervously gazed at her, silently asking what was wrong. Christine watched as Erik gave her a look of concern, but she could not answer for her own gaze was now locked on the three guards poised to fire from the 5th box of the opera.

Erik saw where her look of fear was directed and cautiously, he rose his own towards his box. His pupils widened for a brief moment before narrowing in rage. The end of his song was near and as he locked gazes with his beloved once again he saw a silent plea in her eyes for him to escape. Gently, he took her hand and drew her closer. She accepted and before he could finish, 'Christine that's all I ask of you,' she had pressed her lips vehemently against his own.

Silent tears of panic streamed down Christine's face, but she could feel Erik's strength and courage filling her as he swept his tongue across the seal of her lips. Their kiss was suddenly broken when Christine cried out in pain and collapsed clutching her now severely bleeding arm. Erik's murderous gaze rose to the Vicomte who stood with pistol poised and mad eyes narrowed angrily.

"You little whore! You tramp! Have you no shame!"

Knowing that he stood no chance against a barrage of bullets, Erik quickly gathered his angel in his arms and pulled the lever that would lower them into his world below.

Christine opened bleary eyes to see Erik frantically panting and obviously running.

"Erik…?"

Her voice was weak and pain-filled, but Erik still heard her and his gaze immediately snapped to hers'.

"Erik, what's going on?"

"Shh, it's alright mon amour, I am merely getting you to safety."

They arrived at Erik's lair and he gently set her down on his organ bench before rushing to get medical supplies. Christine waited patiently and smiled lovingly when he returned and began tending to her.

"Thank God," he whispered, "It's only grazed your arm."

Finishing, Erik went off again ordering Christine to stay still while he was gone. Naturally, Christine ignored him and tailed him several minutes later discovering that he was in a flurry of packing.

"Erik? What on earth?"

"Christine! I told you to sit still! You've lost a lot of blood and you need to rest!"

"I don't need anything, tell me right this instant what are you doing!"

"Christine I'm packing your things so that you can escape."

"Escape? Erik what-?"

"Christine you don't have much time, you must leave as fast as you can."

"What do you mean? And why is it only me?"

Erik sighed mournfully and gathered Christine soothingly in his arms.

"Christine, I am a wanted madman murderer and no amount of your pleading will save me from the hangman's noose. My love you must leave…take Caesar and leave."

Solemnly, Erik pressed a kiss to Christine's forehead and cursed as silent tears worked their way into his eyes. A single, bitter drop feel it's way from his pallid cheek and landed on the deft fingers of Christine, whose hand was resting just beneath his heart. Christine's own saddened eyes found Erik's and growing bold, Christine edged forward until their lips met. The impassioned kiss ended softly and drawing only slightly back Christine whispered lovingly against him,

"If we only have now to be together than at least let our souls be as close as possible."

Slowly they kissed and within moments the two lay naked arm in arm with one another. There was no pain, only music…it swirled around them like an early morning fog. They could feel everything, his happiness, her joy, their combined loneliness, and the ecstasy of becoming one. She could feel his heartbeat slowly climbing to a crescendo within her. Then, like the sudden burst of an afternoon thunderstorm, it ended. He lay with her for several moments, panting as she wept quietly in his arms.

"I don't want to leave you…"

He didn't answer her; rather, he merely kissed her again and within the kiss made an oath to himself. He would find her, if it killed him, he would find her.

"You must leave Christine…"

They disentangled and clothed themselves in silence. While Erik gathered the rest of her meager belongings, Christine desperately tried to think up an excuse that would keep him with her. And then, it hit her! The child! The one growing quickly within the safety of her womb would keep him with her no matter what. Turning towards his form she readied to speak when new voices suddenly encompassed the lair.

"Revenge for Pigani, revenge for Bouquet!"

Distracted, Christine gasped in surprise when Erik lifted her up and placed her on Caesar's back.

"You don't have much time Christine, but know that I love you and I swear to find you one day. Until that time leave, leave and forget of this Angel in Hell!"

That being said, Erik brought his hand against Caesar's back and watched as his horse whinnied and galloped off toward a tunnel leading to daylight. Before disappearing completely in the tunnels' darkness, Christine cried out as loud as she could,

"I'll wait forever my love, my Angel of Music!"

End Chapter 5

A/N: Please review. Thanks again to those who reviewed last chapter. Hugs to those who review again! ;)