A/N: Don't own anything, but I hope you enjoy the story enough to leave me some love! Sorry it's taking so long to update, I've only got a month left of school, so updates will be more often I hope! Leave love and I'll give ya a cookie!

Breaking Down

Chapter 5: His Song

After Erik had walked back into the mansion, Christine decided it was best to keep to herself for awhile, so she continued her walk through the gardens. It was dark now and she enjoyed the quiet for once. Living in Raoul's home she never seemed to have a moment alone, whether it was the maids coming in to ask her if she needed help, or if it was Raoul coming to ask her to join him for some state affair get together.

But even though she was enjoying the silence, she knew she had to talk to Erik. She couldn't leave things as they were, not even for one night. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and headed back to the house. As she turned the corner, she came face to face with Raoul.

"Raoul," She gasped. "Sorry, you frightened me. I didn't think anyone was out here."

"Is everything ok? Did you get your chance to talk to him?" He asked. Christine could tell that he was tired by the look on his face.

"Yes, but not nearly long enough. I have to go finish our conversation."

"Don't you think you've done enough talking? We should be heading home, Christine. We've got to get back and explain why we weren't at our own wedding."

"I can't go back." Christine sighed. "At least not yet, not until I figure things out."

Raoul turned his head and began to walk around the garden. Running his hand through his hair, he turned back to the brunette standing behind him.

"What else can you say? What else is there to figure out? What could he give you that I can't?" He asked.

"I don't know!" She cried. Taking a deep breath, she realized she was getting too emotional and had to calm down. "I…I just think that maybe, you should go ahead and leave. Go home for the night, get your affairs in order, do what you must. Right now, I have things to work out with Erik. And you're not making it any easier being here, Raoul."

"Is that what you want?" He asked, looking her straight in the eyes.

"Yes, I think it would be for the best. You can come back afterwards. I just don't think having the two of you under one roof is wise."

"Fine," He stated. "If that's what you want."

"Raoul," Christine yelled as he stormed towards the carriage. She watched as he pulled her trunk off the back and placed it in front of the house, then climbed into the buggy and rode off. "Raoul."

"He left in a hurry," A voice came from behind her. "Hope he wasn't too upset."

"I believe he was," She murmured.

"Come," The all too familiar words rang from his mouth. "Supper is waiting at the table, I'm sure you must be hungry after a long day."

Following Erik into the house Christine's mind was busy with different things, and it was beginning to give her a headache. Walking into the dinning room, the table was set, with her sitting at the other end of the table. After he pulled the chair out for her, Christine sat and waited for the first course.

"Who made the meal?" She asked. She hadn't seen any maids or butlers since she had arrived.

"A young woman; Madame Giry had hired her to cook for me." He replied as the same young woman came in to serve the soup.

The couple ate in silence, slowly sipping at the potato and carrot stew. Once the plates had been removed, Christine suddenly decided she didn't like being at the end of the table. She felt very alone and needed to talk to Erik about earlier. Grabbing her utensils and napkin, she pushed the chair back and stood up.

"Christine? What are you doing?" He asked a little puzzled at the woman's actions.

"I detest sitting so far from my company." She replied as she placed her things next to his at the other end of the table.

Erik wasn't used to this kind of treatment, especially not from other people. Yet he somehow welcomed the closeness, it had been far too long since he enjoyed another person's company at dinner.

"Thank you," She smiled at him.

"For what?" He asked.

"For letting me stay, for not throwing me out," She replied. "And for the rose."

Erik wasn't sure how to respond, so he quickly dove into the next course of roasted lamb. For the next hour Christine kept trying to get him to talk, whether it was about the weather or about his life. Nothing seemed to open the man up, and she was becoming rather annoyed.

They had just finished dinner when an idea came into the singer's head.

"Let us go to the music room," She stated as she gently took his hand. "I long to hear one of your compositions."

"Christine," Erik started to refute.

"Please, humor me."

The two walked into the music room, and Erik sat at the piano as Christine stood by the fireplace. She looked about the room, noticing the music pages scattered here and there, and also noticed the dust on some of the furniture. She began to walk around, picking up pieces of paper here and there to take a closer look.

Meanwhile, Erik placed his fingers on the ivory keys, and taking a breath, began to play. It was soft and light, and brought a smile to Christine's face. She recognized the song, had thought about it many nights, and soon began to sing along.

Nighttime sharpens,
Heightens each sensation.
Darkness, stirs and wakes imagination.
Silently the senses abandon their defenses.

Slowly, gently
Night unfurls its splendor.
Grasp it, sense it,
Tremulous and tender.
Turn your face away, from the careless light of day!
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling nights.
And listen to the music of the night.

Before she knew it, Erik had stepped away from the piano and was slowly making his way towards her. She couldn't help but notice the way he moved, like he used to, and she also noticed that she couldn't move herself.

Softly, Deftly,
Music shall caress you.
Hear it, Feel it,
Secretly posses you.
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight,
The darkness of the music of the night.

She knew what was coming, and when he moved beside her, she didn't deny what either one wanted. She could feel his breath on her neck as he wrapped his arm around her waist, feeling the way her breath moved in and out.

Floating, falling
Sweet intoxication,
Touch me, trust me
Savor each sensation.

Christine closed her eyes as she leaned into his embrace, taking in his warmth and the feel of his pulse against her back. As he continued with the song, the words seemed different this time, more meaningful, and it sent shivers down her spine. She then realized that the only sound in the room was the fireplace, and she didn't care.

"I almost forgot what this was like," Erik whispered into her ear, causing her to shiver even more. "Are you cold?"

"No," She stated, "far from it."

The glow of the fire gave the room a show of lights and shadows as the two stood still, enjoying the moment.

"I've missed this," Christine sighed as she turned to look at the masked man behind her.

"It has been too long," Erik smiled.

"I've missed you as well."

"Christine," He reached up to touch her face, gently brushing the curls away from her eyes.

Christine's skin seemed to warm up as his fingers traced a line down her cheek and under her chin. He tilted her chin up and gazed deeply into her eyes, noticing a slight blush on her cheeks. Ever since that night months ago, she had thought back to that kiss that they had shared, and now, she was hoping it was about to happen again.

Christine leaned towards Erik, her hand resting on his arm, as he pulled her closer. Just as she was an inch from his lips, he pulled back slightly.

"Remember what you asked me earlier?" He whispered. "About my feelings."

"Hmm," Was all she could muster out.

"I meant it," He couldn't help but smile at her, the way she was leaning into him. "But I can't take the chance of getting hurt again."

And with that, he let go of her chin and walked out the door.

Mwahahaha! Ooooh so close! Leave some love and we'll see what happens next! Thanks!