Chapter 4

Erik moved down the hallway, both happiness and dread filling his heart. Christine was here. She had returned to him. He replayed the events of the previous night. She had been willing to give him his heart's desire, but he could not accept it. Not like that. If they were to be one in body as well as mind and soul, it had to be the right way, through marriage. Marriage. What of that? Who would marry a monster to an angel? If they were fortunate enough to find someone who would, then what lay in store beyond that? They couldn't hide here forever. The conditions, although suitable for him for short stays and correct to protect Claude and Antoinette, were not favorable as a long- term residence, and would put them all in danger should he and Christine stay there indefinitely. He had money far beyond what he could ever spend, but it would be no help to him if he was forced to flee. And Claude and Antoinette, what of them should he leave with Christine? He had paid them well for their services over the years and was indeed thankful that they had kept his confidence, but what would they do when he was gone? Business had never been brisk and now, with the disquiet in the city, fewer travelers stopped in the city proper overnight.

Claude had replaced the water in the tub. Erik rarely let his guard down when away from the Lair, but these were new circumstances and the tub looked too inviting for his aches and pains. Sleeping in a chair is not the best idea for comfort, he thought as he removed his clothing and stepped into the warm water. He still marveled at the thought that his angel had returned to him. The thought that she risked harm at any moment tempered the joy it brought to his heart. Justified or not, his deeds marked him as a wanted man. Alone, he could travel at his own pace, in the dark. Staying to the shadows afforded him the secrecy he needed and the ability to move swiftly. But Christine could not travel that way. He needed an alternate plan from the one he had devised years ago when he was so sure he would always be alone. His mind began working things through as his body relaxed in the warmth of the tub.

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Christine sat at the table stirring a cup of tea that had long ago cooled beyond palatable. What would they do now? Where would they go? She understood that they could not return to the Lair…or could they? Perhaps if they waited a time, it would be safe to go back. Yes, no light penetrated the place. Dark, mysterious…but now, that she'd found her heart at last and knew that it belonged with him, no matter where they were, they would never be in the dark again. Yes, she thought, as long as it is with him, I can live anywhere…

A soft knock on the door startled Christine. Unused to this room or the sounds the building made left her on edge. She looked through the crack to spy a girl, about her own age, on the other side. She realized it must be Antoinette as she had the same twinkle in her eyes as Claude. Christine opened the door and allowed the girl to enter.

"Madam, I have brought clean sheets and towels for you." Her eyes were alight with wonder. She was a very pretty girl, with long blonde hair and a heart shaped face. Her eyes were very large and round and as blue as the sky on a cloudless day.

"You must be Antoinette. I am Christine. Please don't call me madam. I am no different than you." She watched Antoinette's face as a confused look came over it. "Antoinette, what is it you see? Why do you look at me that way?" The expression on Antoinette's face unsettled Christine as if she were taking stock.

"I am sorry, madam, but I have never seen anyone with Monsieur before. I have heard him speak of his angel to my father, but didn't realize how pretty she – you would be." Antoinette blushed with her statement and looked down.

"Antoinette," Christine said smiling, " I am not madam to you or anyone. I said, I am just Christine. I hope that we can be friends."

Antoinette raised her eyes to Christine and a brilliant smile crossed her face. "Oh madam, I mean Christine, I would like that very much! I am glad Monsieur Erik finally has his angel with him. He seems so much happier now." Christine wondered if Erik would ever be truly happy.

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Erik had spent more time in the tub than he anticipated, but didn't realize the aches he felt ran so deep. When he rose from the tub, most of the aches had dissipated. He had devised a plan for them to leave the city. With much help on Claude's part as well as his own ingenuity, it might just work.

The city was experiencing more unrest among it's own people every day. The workingman prepared for an upheaval beyond anything Paris had seen since the beheading of Marie Antoinette and Louis, XVI. Perhaps he could use this unrest to his advantage. People had been fleeing the city for weeks. Even the nobility living in the city were beginning to make other arrangements to retire to their country estates. If Erik could time their escape, he and Christine could flee the city with the other evacuees and not be stopped. The only question was would Claude and Antoinette go with them? He would need them as part of his cover as no one would be looking for three to accompany the Opera Ghost. They would be looking for the Ghost and Christine only. Once they were away from the city, Claude could be Erik Debussy, his eyes, ears and hands. But for Claude, that would mean leaving everything here behind and Erik did not know if Claude would be willing to do that, no matter how well Erik paid him. He would have to speak with Claude before he could finalize things in his mind.

There was a small area of land between the Seine and Villejuif, just far enough outside of Paris to be safe for them all, and still close enough to the civilized world to live comfortably. They would still be able to afford the luxury Erik was accustomed to but live in relative anonymity.

They could travel by night with Claude driving the carriage and Erik, Christine and Antoinette riding inside. He could fix a secure area under one of the seats in which he could hide should they run into trouble. His plan hinged on Claude's willingness to help as much as fate, which had not always been kind to Erik in the past.

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When Erik reached the door to their room, he heard voices on the other side. Christine laughed with Antoinette and it lifted his spirit. He loved the sound of it, like the tinkling of rainwater bells after a summer storm.

He entered the room without knocking and Christine jumped from her seat. Antoinette looked at Erik and smiled. She whispered to Christine not to worry, Monsieur could move like a cat, making no sound. Erik overheard and it made him smile.

"Antoinette, - I take it you have become aquatinted with Christine?"

"Oui Erik, and she is lovelier than you described." She winked at Christine and left the room.

As Christine sat back on the chair she smiled after Antoinette. The sight took his breath away. He loved her smile, the way her face lit up and her eyes twinkled. But now was not the time to allow those thoughts as they would lead to others best left asleep.

"Christine, I think I have devised a way to escape the city in safety. But I must speak with Claude before I can give you specifics. Just know that I am doing my best to protect you and get you away." He sat at the table and watched her brows furrow in thought.

"But, could we not return to the lair in a week or two?"

"No Christine." He sighed. "I am afraid we may never be able to do that again." His heart ached for the only safety he had known and wondered the same thing.

"Right now, I must get us as far from the authorities as possible. I will speak with Claude tonight and we will begin to make our plans. If all goes well, within a few days we should be well away from Paris and the danger it holds. But I must ask you something Christine, and I need your answer now."

Christine looked to him as if he would ask her once again, to leave him.

"I will go with you wherever you wish. Please Erik, don't send me away." And her face took on a terrible sadness and fright that he had not intended.

"I am not going to ask you that. If you leave me, it will be of your own free will." He hoped that day would never come. "What I ask is that you not leave this floor without me under any circumstances. Do you understand me? You must not leave alone! This city has too many eyes and ears that would love to receive the bounty on my head should they be able to turn me in to the gendarmes. I cannot afford that happening, for then…" and he stopped speaking. His speech caught in his throat as he tried to give voice to the only real fear he'd ever had. Losing her.

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Erik's insistence struck a fresh chord of unease in Christine. She had been so sure they would be free once they left the opera house but now, she wondered. She hadn't thought about those who would turn in their own mothers for offered rewards. This was not a game! This was their future he spoke of and it suddenly became very real to her. Erik stopped and she waited for him to continue. When he said nothing more she said,

"I understand and I will follow your instructions. I do not wish to bring all of Paris down upon us. Not now, when we at last have our chance at freedom, together." She watched Erik's face fill with sadness.

"Erik, what troubles you so? I have no fear of my future as long as it is with you. I know my place now, where I belong. I will not leave you." A look of disbelief crossed his face. Did he not believe her? Could he still not see the love in her eyes when she looked at him? Or hear it in her voice when she spoke to him? She reached to him and touched the unmasked side of his face. She felt him lean into her hand as she caressed his cheek, trying to tell him with her touch how much she loved him. I will never leave you my love. Nothing will take me from you. She raised her face to him, willing him to kiss her. Needing him to kiss her, to verify the love she knew he felt for her as well.

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As she caressed his cheek and raised her face to him, her eyes pleaded with him to kiss her. He had worked at reigning in his desires last night, both before and again while she slept but the attempt had become futile. He placed his hand over hers and lowered his lips to hers. He felt her breath on his face. So soft, so tempting. As she pushed toward him he turned and brushed her cheek trying to avoid the lips he knew could draw him into heaven or hell. His body had never been so difficult to control before. But the touch of her hand reduced him to his most primal needs and he knew he could not win this fight much longer. He removed her hand from his cheek and turned his face from her as he waged a battle within between love and lust. He could not afford another scene like the night before. One more and he knew he would lose himself to lust completely. Love must win this war once again.

"Please Christine, don't ask that of me." His voice sounded raspy to him, he could only imagine how strained it must sound to her.

"I am sorry, but I cannot allow my emotions to control me, and you bring out the most difficult for me to contain."

He walked to the fireplace. He wanted her, had wanted her for so long. What would one small kiss do now? Perhaps just one this time would stem the ache he felt for her each time he looked at her. Just one, not too much to ask for was it? One kiss he could hold in his heart until they were free to take each other into a lover's realm of wonder and bliss. Just one…

His hand crashed down on the mantle with such force that he thought he might tear it from the wall. In many ways Christine was still innocent and had very little idea of what she was doing to Erik's resolve. But he knew. He turned to face her and saw her look of confusion.

"I cannot touch you Christine, do you not understand that? Not like that. I have wanted you for so long…I cannot guarantee your modesty should this continue. I fight my urges each time I look upon you. Please don't make it harder than it already is." He gazed down at her for a moment, turned on his heel and left the room.

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Christine realized with dawning clarity what had just happened. He wants me, truly wants me! But with that clarity also came shame at what she did to him each time she touched his face, or kissed him. I need to stop tempting him like this, she thought, or we may never leave here again! Knowing that he needed to think clearly or his plan would fail, she resolved to leave him alone until he came to her. Though it would be difficult, she could wait for him. He'd waited so very long for her…

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More than an hour had passed and Erik had not yet returned. Christine became more anxious with each passing moment. He wouldn't leave her she knew that now. But what if something had happened to him? It had been close to dusk when he'd left. She knew he was normally more than able to take care of himself as he wandered the streets at night. But he had not left clear headed and her worry grew heavier as the dark night closed in.

She felt a sense of foreboding so strong it set her on edge. She had told him she wouldn't leave the floor, but her concern for his safety pulled her strongly and she felt she must do something. She knew he was right about remaining as invisible as possible and how disappointed he would be should he be all right and find she had disobeyed his instructions. He had said he needed to speak with Claude. But he'd been gone for so long.

Surely no one would see me if I hurry. Just a peek and then back here. I must know he's safe. She rose from the table and looked out the crack in the door. She saw no one but of course she wouldn't. She remembered Erik telling her Claude cleared the floor cleared when Erik came. Even so, she made sure the hall was empty, her anxiety growing stronger as she moved into the hall. Whether it was her worry over Erik's safety or her fear of being found by him she didn't know. But her unease grew stronger with each step. She made her way hastily, following the directions Antoinette had given earlier in the day. When she reached the end of the hall, she descended the stairs and saw two doors. She couldn't remember which door Antoinette mentioned, but decided to try the left one first. She opened the door carefully and looked around the edge into the tavern room. Patrons in various degrees of inebriation, some holding onto what she realized must be a few of the local prostitutes half filled the room. She slid the door shut, so as to make no noise, blushing. It seemed that human behaviour was the same whether it was a tavern or backstage at the opera house. What she saw here however, was much more blatant. She opened the other door, which showed her a private room. Erik and Claude sat at the table in what looked to be serious discussion.

She never saw the eyes in the tavern that followed her as she had pulled the wrong door quietly closed behind her…