A/N: First of all, this took forever! I hate broken fingers. Second of all, this is a load of pages! You owe me a REVIEW! A lot of songs, because I'm leaving over Spring Break, so I felt I owed you a long one. And in this chapter: "I'll Cover You" and "Will I?" from Rent; "Learn To Be Lonely" from Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack; "One More Night" from Phil Collins; "I'm Not That Girl" from Wicked: A New Musical. breathes hard Wow, that's all lot.

Dedications Go To:

AngeMusique

Sarah

Honorable Mention Go To:

Indara-Rose

Congrats to all of you!


Light filtered into the room she was staying in. Christine had a large amount of money still left from her Prima Donna days, and she had purchased room and board on the coast, enjoying the sea breeze. The two weeks she had spent on the beach were miraculous, and she had gone boating almost everyday. She even had a tan, which was most improper, but she did not even care.

She took Raoul's carriage back to London grudgingly, looking back sadly. She never realized that someone rather special was driving the carriage.

Erik was in pains. He had absolutely no idea what to do. Christine would be here in a week, and he had no idea of what was going to plan. Finally, he just took the first idea that popped into his head, and began designing an evening gown for his love. The next day, the gown was finished, Erik both satisfied and exhausted. It was a gorgeous blue and white gown, almost medieval style. It had a bodice of white, and the blue cloth hanged from around it. It wasn't low-cut, but showed enough skin to drive a man insane. He smiled and then went up and bought two tickets for the opera.

Raoul was very proud. His sister's plan to take Christine to the country for some archery and hawking lessons was a wonderful one. He had disguised himself as a carriage driver, and drove the big box all the way to his country seat. His prize sat in the vehicle, not ever suspecting that she was not heading towards Paris, because it was raining hard in the countryside. Finally, the clouds cleared upon entering his mansion, and Christine walked out of the carriage. She looked around bewildered, and upon seeing Raoul, she nearly screamed.

Raoul brought her inside and told her to change into the new hawking outfit he had made for her. She was thrilled upon seeing the falcon he extended to her outside later underneath the sparkling sun. They released their birds, and when Christine called her back, it came with a large rabbit enclosed in its talons. Certainly, it's horrifying a beast would do such a thing, but it's the only way it will survive. This is wonderful, being out in sun, doing things Erik would never dare try… she thought sadly. However, Raoul would have none of it. He later brought her into a new room in the house, and told her to change into yet another outfit. This time, she began the weirdest class she had ever taken. Raoul taught her how to pull her arm back close to her head so she could see the target. She released the string upon which the arrow had been put on, and it flew over Raoul's head, nearly shooting into his brains had he not ducked.

Christine gasped, and began to run towards him, but he started laughing so hard at her poor aim that she was tempted to throw another arrow at him, not that she would get him, she'd probably get the bulls-eye, knowing her luck. Finally, she told Raoul she was exhausted after shooting all her arrows onto the target. Raoul smiled and brought her hand up to his face. She began to sing:

Live in my house, I'll be your shelter,

Just pay be back with one thousand kisses.

Be my lover, I'll cover you.

Open your door, I'll be your tenant,

Don't got much baggage to lay at your feet.

But sweet kisses I've got to spare,

I'll be there, and I'll cover you.

I think they meant it, when they said you can't buy love,

But I know you can rent it, and a new lease you are my love, for life.

Be my life!

Just slip me on, I'll be your blanket,

Wherever, whatever, I'll be your coat.

You'll be my king and I'll be your castle!

You'll be my queen and I'll be your moat!

I think they meant it, when they said you can't buy love,

But I know you can rent it, and a new lease you are my love, for life.

All my life!

I've longed to discover, something as true as this is,

So the thousand sweet kisses,

If you're cold and you're lonely,

For the thousand sweet kisses,

You've got one make up lonely,

I'll cover you with a thousand sweet kisses,

When you're worn out and lonely,

I'll cover you, with a thousand sweet kisses.

When you're heart has expired.

Oh lover! I'll cover you. Yeah!

Oh lover! I'll cover you!

She blushed, and Raoul brought her into the house, where they had a soft, candlelit dinner before retiring to separate rooms. The next morning, she was in the carriage with Raoul discussing a book they had both read. Erik was at her house, when she finally arrived. He took her hand and nodded to Raoul. Raoul then abrublty left. Christine found herself immersed in Erik's gray eyes. They were sad, but had a twinge of jealousy in them. She smiled, and gave him a hug. "I missed you, my love,"

"As did I. Come, we must hurry. You have only an hour to get ready, my love,"

"Are we going to see La Carlotta sing?"

"Unfortunately I have heard she took vocal lessons and is much better," Of course, he didn't mention he was the tutor. He couldn't stand the voice of that woman so untrained.

By the time they arrived, Christine was yawning, but gorguoes. The sets were in Box Five, and she became haunted with his presence. The opera started. It was divided into two scences. The first was of a woman telling a young boy to fell alone, knowing he would have trouble socially because of a physical deformity. The second scene was of the boy finding love, and singing to her. In the end, they get together. Christine had a feeling that Erik had something to do with the opera, which had been recently rebuilt. The first verse of the song began, and Carlotta was seen with a small boy, holding a mask upon his face:

Child of the wilderness,

Born into emptiness,

Learn to be lonely,

Learn to find your way in darkness,

Who will be there for you?

Come flirt and care for you?

Learn to be lonely.

Learn to be your one companion.

Never dream that out in the world,

There are arms to hold you.

You've always known, you're heart was on its own.

So laugh in your loneliness,

Child of the wilderness,

Learn to be lonely,

Learn how to love life that is lived alone.

Learn to be lonely, life can be lived, life can be loved, alone.

A ballet came and then the boy had grown up into a man, who lived a life of crime and darkness. He met this one girl in an alley, and saved her from death. He takes her home, and falls in love with her finally. He finally confesses his love when she is on her balcony of her home. (A/N: Is there any other way? Thanks Shakespeare!)

One more night,

One more night,

I've been trying for so long,

To let you know,

Let you know how I feel.

If I stumble, if I fall,

Just tell me then,

So I can make you see,

Please give me one more night,

Give me one more night,

One more night, because I can't live forever.

Give me just one more night,

Ooh, just one more night,

Oh, one more night, because I can't wait forever.

I've been sitting here so long,

Wasting time, just staring at the floor.

And I was wondering "should I call you?"

Then I thought, maybe you're not alone.

Please give me one more night,

Give me one more night,

One more night, because I can't live forever.

Please give me just one more night,

Ooh, just one more night,

Oh, one more night, because I can't wait forever.

Give me just one more night,

Ooh, one more night, because I can't wait forever!

Like a river to the sea, I will always be with you,

And when you sail away, I will follow you,

Give me just one more night,

Ooh, just one more night,

Oh, one more night, because I can't wait forever.

I know there'll never be a time,

You'll ever feel the same,

And I know its only words,

But if you change your mind,

You know that I'll be here,

And maybe we both can learn.

Give me just one more night,

Ooh, just one more night,

Oh, one more night, because I can't wait forever.

Give me just one more night,

Ooh, just one more night,

Oh, one more night, because I can't wait forever.

Christine liked the opera, but it just couldn't compare to Raoul and his lessons outdoors. She thanked Erik and went home in his carriage, only to sit down in a chair. She sang a few songs to clear her mind. When she thought of Raoul being as good as Erik, and wished somehow they could be the same man, she sang softly:

Don't wish,

Don't start,

Wishing only wounds the heart.

She began to weep, from strain of choosing the man she would spend for her entire life, when she had so little time to live. She had no idea how long life would be with that man, but she wished Erik was there with her. She suddenly began singing amidst her tears, and heard Erik making the melody more haunting in her mind. He came and gave her a hug from behind as they sung the same melody.

Will I lose my dignity?

Will someone care?

Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare!

Will I lose my dignity?

Will someone care?

Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare!

Will I lose my dignity?

Will someone care?

Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare!

She needed him so much in her life. He was her ultimatum. No one else was right for her. It wasn't fair that Raoul was taking time away from her. She leaned into him, then turned around, and wept for hours on him, while he held her close. The sun came up, and she finally slept. Raoul came in softly, and noticed the way she was hiccupping. Raoul's eyes flashed in anger at the way Erik held Christine. He stalked out, and nearly woke up Christine with his slamming of the door. Erik put his love down in the next room. He kissed her cheek, and lay next to her, making sure she slept well.