Author's Note: Chapter 2! Thanks for all of the reviews and remember I don't own anything! Love ya!

Breaking Down

Chapter 2: Confrontations

Walking around the water's edge, Christine searched everything and anything for a clue. As she pushed things around, a flash of white caught her eye. Reaching under a pile of paper, she pulled out the all too familiar object. The mask; the representation of Erik's darker side. It had been the one thing that had truly separated him from her. If she hadn't removed it that night, she might have ended up giving herself to him. And now she was fully regretting her actions.

"Where are you?" She asked aloud, tracing the lines of the porcelain piece in her hand.

"I could have asked you the same question," A voice behind her stated, making the hair on her neck crawl from the surprise.

Christine knew even before she turned around, whose voice that belonged to.

"Raoul," She sighed, "How did you…"

"Find you?" He asked as he walked closer to her. He seemed worn out and tired, a few strands of hair fell loosely around his face as he looked at her. "There was only one place I knew you would go."

Christine knew he was right, it's not like she had any family to run to or any home to stay at. The only other sound she could hear besides the lapping of the water was the sound of their breathing. She really couldn't tell if he was mad, upset, or both.

"I know you, Christine. Just as you know me. We belong together, and you leave me the day of our wedding? Christine, why? Why?" Raoul asked.

She had heard those words before, she realized, in this same place, but under completely different circumstances. She could feel the pain in her chest as she saw the expression on the face of the man before her.

"I believe you know why, Raoul. I have to understand and decide what I want, how I feel. There are just too many things that are going through my mind right now." She sighed.

"Do you love me? Or do you love…him?" He asked, afraid of her answer.

"I…I don't know. I thought I loved you, I know I did when we were younger. But we were kids, Raoul. Just children, we've changed so much in the past years, that I'm not sure if I want the same things that I did when I last saw you." She replied truthfully.

"I see," Raoul murmured. Pulling a small envelope out of his pocket, he handed it to her. "This was on the organ when I first got here. I wasn't sure if I wanted to give it to you, but if it will help you understand better, then take it."

"Thank you Raoul." She whispered.

She could understand how upset he was, this was the second time she had hurt someone close to her. She was just hoping that she wasn't going to make another mistake.

Turning the envelope over, she pulled out the letter and read over it. All it said was Christine – 1462 La Rue Circle. Nothing more, no signature, and she didn't recognize the handwriting. But she did recognize the address, couldn't remember where she had heard it before, but she knew it. Christine wasn't really sure who had left the note, but she wasn't going to take the chance of ignoring it.

"I have to go," She stated in a matter of fact tone.

"I'm coming with you," Raoul remarked as he turned to leave with her.

"What?" Christine asked. "Why?"

"I deserve an answer to my question earlier, so I'm going to be there when you find him. Not to mention I'm not letting you travel alone, especially in the streets of Paris. You could get robbed, attacked or worse."

Christine couldn't help but smile at his genuine concern for her. He really did love her, and she hated being stuck in the position of not knowing if she loved him back. But she wasn't about to marry him only to find out that she really didn't.

"Raoul, I can take care of myself. And besides, I don't think it's a wise decision to go with me and face him, especially after the last time you two came face to face." She remarked.

"You can't talk me out of it, Christine." He firmly stated.

She knew he was right, even if she denied him, he'd only follow her anyway. It was better to keep him as happy as she could, considering the situation. It was then, she noticed he was staring at her neck, and up until that moment, she had forgotten about the ring on her neck. Her face flushed as his brow furrowed and he turned his head away. Taking a deep breath, she turned to leave.

"Let's go," She sighed.

Christine and Raoul found themselves on a quiet and empty street in Paris. They found the address as was written on the note, and now were facing a small building, with a single wooden door and no windows. It was a breezy afternoon, and Christine then realized that it was only 30 minutes until their wedding was supposed to have happened.

She swallowed the lump in her throat before she knocked on the door. She could hear soft whispers as the pair waited patiently for the doorway to open. The wind whipped strands of her curly brown hair across her face and she wrinkled her nose as it tickled her nose. Smoothing out the small crease in her blue dress she continued to wait for an answer.

There were a few more hushed tones before they heard the latch on the door turn. As the entrance opened slowly, a woman's head peered out at the strangers.

"Oui?" She asked.

"Uhm, yes, I received a note with this address on it, my name is Christine Daae." She stated, smiling in hopes to get some sort of answer as to why she was there.

"Christine?" A voice came from the back of the room.

The middle aged woman opened the door further, allowing light to flood the rest of the room. There, sitting at a table, was a familiar and welcoming face.

"Madame Giry?" Christine asked, very surprised to see the woman.

The older woman still had her hair pulled into a tight bun, but her face seemed to have aged more than the last time she had seen her teacher. But no doubting it, it was Madame Giry, her old ballet instructor.

"Christine, ma chere," She opened her arms to the young brunette, embracing her in a tight hug. It was then that she noticed Raoul standing in the doorway.

"I was always hoping that you would find the note, but I was not expecting him as well." She remarked, her French accent making the words appear more exotic than normal.

"Neither did I," Christine whispered into her tutors ear.

"Please, come in, have a seat." The Frenchwoman turned towards the woman who had opened the door earlier. "This is my friend, Michelle. And this is Christine and Raoul. Such a wonderful surprise, isn't it?"

"Oui," Michelle smiled.

For the next couple of hours Madame Giry told Christine what had happened to Erik. She explained the condition he was in when she had finally seen him after the fire. She continued by mentioning the family estate that she had offered him, and how he had finally accepted it. She was also pleased to announce that he had written to her a few times, saying that he was well. Though he did find the silence unnerving at times.

"Is he still at your family estate? He hasn't moved away, found a new place to keep his music alive?" Christine asked.

"Yes, poor thing is still staying at the chateau. He keeps to himself, locked away for the last month or so. I can give you directions if you'd like. Feel free to stay here for the night since it's already getting dark. It is better to leave in the day while you can still see the road. You'll want your rest for the trip."

"Thank you, Madame." Christine smiled. "For everything."

"I only wish Meg was here to see you again," The woman stated.

"Where is Meg?" Christine asked, suddenly realizing that she never realized her friend was missing. "I had received several letters from her, but not in a few weeks. I hope everything is ok."

"Oh yes, she's fine. She's away right now, visiting some friends in Normandy. But I know she would have been happy to see you again, after these long months."

"Excuse me Madame," Raoul said, "But is there a washroom I might use?"

"Of course. Michelle, show him to the washroom, and then we'll have some supper."

Christine and Madame Giry watched as the others left the room. Only when she was sure they were alone, Giry turned back to the former opera star.

"Why is he here?" She asked concerned.

"He wouldn't let me go alone, and said that he wanted to see me make up my mind when I saw Erik again. I don't think he's going to give up easily, Madame. I'm scared of what will happen when we get to your estate, how he'll react, and more importantly how Erik will react."

"Ma petite fleur, as long as I have known Erik, he does not let things go easily. He loves you, he has for a long time, and that is something that he hasn't known very much of in his lifetime. Although, I must admit, he might still be very upset." She noticed the glassy stare of Christine's eyes as tears began to threateningly appear. "Do not worry, Christine. You must do what is best for you, and if that path leads you into Erik's arms, then so be it. Fate has a funny way of leading you off path until you reach your destination."

Soon they were sitting around the table, talking of the past months, the weather, and the happy nights they had known when Christine had first started ballet. By the time Christine's head touched her pillow she found herself to be asleep. Throughout the night her dreams kept bringing her to the thought of seeing Erik tomorrow. Turning over in the bed, a slow breeze crept across the room. Her dreams would be filled with candles, music, and dancing for the rest of the night. Raoul, on the other hand, would have no moments rest for the thoughts of the following day.

So there we go, Chapter 2 is up and done! Hopefully I can add another chapter tomorrow, keep this going! Thanks again for the reviews, I love you all!