A/N Sorry about the long wait, but here's the next installment of Breaking Down! Oh yeah, and I don't own anything…

Breaking Down

Chapter 6: Through the Rain

It seemed like hours since Erik had left her standing alone in the music room. Christine now found herself outside, her head and heart racing with emotions and thoughts.

Erik, meanwhile, stood in his room watching her below. He grumbled to himself, afraid that he had made a massive mistake. He could tell she was upset from the frantic pacing she was doing. He watched as she began to walk away from the house, just as it started to rain. He knew that if he didn't stop her she would end up lost. It was dark, raining and she didn't know the terrain very well, and he wasn't about to let her wander out there alone.

Forgetting his cloak he hurried down the stairs and out the door. The rain sent sheets of water against his skin, completely soaking him from head to toe. Following the direction he had seen her go in, he ran after Christine. By now it seemed as if the heavens themselves had opened up as the rain continued to pour down upon Erik's head.

"Christine!" He yelled.

"Erik?" He heard the soft voice coming from his right.

Making his way towards her voice he found her, sitting on the ground in the mud.

"I twisted my ankle," She stated when he gave her a quizzical look.

"What were you doing?" He asked as he grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

Crashing into his chest, Christine leaned against him, noticing that they were both drenched.

"I was upset," She whispered. "I needed a walk."

"Can you walk?" He asked, this time more gently.

"Let me try."

Taking a step away, Christine bit her lip as the pain shot through her leg.

"Here," Erik stated as he put his arm around her waist. Bending down he quickly scooped the petite woman into his arms.

"Erik, I can walk." She stated quickly.

"Barely. I'd like to get to the house before we drown." He said, blinking as he tried to get the drops of water out of his eyes.

Erik carried her back to the house and up the stairs to her room. Placing her on a chair he went and grabbed a towel and handed it to her, along with some dry clothes.

"You need to get out of those or else you'll get sick. I'm going to change as well and then we'll take care of that ankle."

Turning around he headed out of the door, shutting it behind him. Taking her dress off, she gently pulled on the black nightdress Erik had handed her. Grabbing her robe, she quickly pulled it over herself and began drying her hair. A few minutes later she heard a soft rapping on the door.

"Come," She stated.

Erik opened the door and stepped in, holding a bowl with bandages in his hands. He was wearing a dark pair of trousers with a matching billowed shirt. Christine couldn't help but notice that his shirt exposed his chest and she turned her gaze away, afraid that he would notice.

"Let me see your ankle," He commanded as he pulled a chair in front of her.

Taking her ankle in his hands he took a look at how badly it was twisted.

"This will heal in a day or two."

Reaching into the bowl he lifted a small piece of cloth out and placed it on her ankle.

"That's cold!" She gasped.

"It'll help with the swelling," He replied, trying to hide the smirk on his face.

Pressing the cloth against her leg he started to massage the muscles. He watched as Christine closed her eyes, obviously enjoying the sensation. He grabbed a length of white fabric and began to gently wrap her swollen leg. Tearing the end of the fabric, he tied a knot and lowered her foot.

"Thank you," Christine smiled.

"You could have gotten lost," Erik replied.

"I'm sorry I just needed to go for a walk."

"You could have seriously injured yourself, you don't know the terrain!" He became more upset.

"I know," She sighed.

"Why must you act like a child!"

"Because you still treat me like one!" She yelled back.

Both were taken back by her sudden outburst, but she wasn't about to lighten up, she had too much that she needed to talk about.

"For the last year I've seen the way you look at me. But you still treat me like the child I was when I first arrived at the Opera House. I am a woman, not a child, and yet you see me as both." She continued.

"Christine, I…" Erik began.

"No, let me finish. You may not realize it, but I can see your loneliness. I can feel it too. You're afraid to get hurt again, I can understand that. But I'm afraid too. I'm afraid I've lost the only man who truly knew me, and who I truly cared for."

Erik was about to respond when a loud bang came from the door downstairs. Frustrated Erik rubbed his temple with his fingers.

"Who could that possibly be at this hour?" He grumbled as he made his way towards the door.

Pulling her robe tighter around her, Christine carefully wobbled after him, standing at the base of the stairway as he opened the door.

"Where is she?"

"Raoul? What are you doing here?" Christine asked.

"Did you really think I could just stay at home and wait?" He replied as he walked past Erik.

"Please, come in." Erik stated sarcastically.

"Raoul, please, I told you…"

"What happened to your leg? Did he hurt you?" He asked sharply.

"No, I fell in the mud. Please, Raoul…"

"I don't know why I left her here with you; I should have known you'd never change! You were a monster then as you are now!"

And with that, Raoul slammed his fist into Erik's face

A/N And that is another chapter! Hope you guys enjoyed it! Leave some love!