Once again, I do not own the main characters of Leroux' story. I do own the plotline. Yada, yada...

Thank you all for your great reviews. What a rush for someone who's not a writer!

Chapter 9

Claude studied Erik for a moment as he tried to collect himself.

"Monsieur Erik! You are all right. I don't understand. They had to drag you. I thought you would be out for hours…" As he continued to stare at Erik, realization hit him and he laughed.

"Monsieur Erik! You played the great joke on our captors. How long were you aware of what was happening to…" But Erik interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

"We don't have much time, Claude, before they come looking for the information they want. And they want something or they would have left us where we were. I don't think they were searching for us."

Claude thought for a moment

"I think I know Monsieur! They must have been searching for Mademoiselle Christine. But why would they be looking for her? She has done nothing!" He watched a multitude of emotions play across Erik's face.

"Monsieur, what has happened that they should be so concerned for her? I thought you told me she had followed you. If this is so, why would they be looking for her?"

"It is true she was with me because she had followed me, yes. But…she is betrothed to another. A man who's family is very powerful. If anyone seeks her, it would be him. I would matter little to him whether she left him freely or not. He will not be happy until he has her back. Killing me in the process would be an extra delight. I fear, Claude, that is the reason they search for her."

"But Monsieur Erik, we can just explain…"

"Explain Claude! And how would you explain me? A man with half a face. What do you think they would do? No, Claude. For now, my being unconscious and bandaged and you're playing deaf will only help us to better eavesdrop on their plans. And keep me unknown to them. Then we will know better how to proceed. More importantly, did you see Christine? Or Antoinette? I know they were not in the immediate area or the gendarmes would have found them. Do they live? Christine must live!"

Claude watched the strongest, most intimidating man he had ever known, reduced to sorrow and despair in his worry over his Christine. He understood the emotions as he worried over Antoinette as well. Not in the immediate area or the gendarme would have found them…

"Monsieur Erik, they were not found, it is true. Perhaps they were tossed from the carriage some ways back and managed to get away."

"Where would they go?"

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The little carriage pulled up at the end of the alley. The coachman descended to open the door to his passengers, and helped Christine and then Antoinette to the ground.

"Mlles, it is quite dark. I do not feel right leaving you here. At least let me accompany you to the door."

"Non, monsieur" Antoinette said, "you have already been too kind. We will be fine. It is a short walk from here and I know this area well."

"But mademoiselle, you are both hurt. You limp and the other young lady has a bad shoulder. You could not protect yourselves should the need arise!"

"I know you are concerned for us. You have already been so kind." She replied. "But we really will be just fine. We thank you for your kindness and your help. We would still be walking if not for you."

"Or worse mademoiselle. I could not leave you on the road alone. I have daughters of my own." He smiled, his love for his daughters evident on his face. They suddenly understood his keen interest in their welfare.

"My name is Jacques Legard. I live but the next block over. If you should need anything…"

Christine and Antoinette returned his smile and walked down the alley. He watched them for some time, wondering what they walked away from, or might be walking into.

Antoinette opened the back door to the inn and peaked around it. Although Claude had told the guests they must leave the day before, it was not unusual for squatters to move into a place that looked deserted. They had had enough excitement for one day and she wished only for a hot bath and sleep to renew her for what lay ahead. Helping Christine, she made her way down the hall. Their luck held and they were alone. Stopping at Christine's door, Antoinette opened it for her and helped her to the bed.

"Christine, we must get your dress off. I need to see your shoulder. If it is dislocated, we will need the doctor to put it back in place. Monsieur Erik could do it but he is not here." She realized immediately that she should not have mentioned him as she watched Christine's eyes fill with tears.

"Oh Christine, I am sorry. But we know that at least for now, they still live. After a night's rest, we will be able to figure out what to do. I know we will." She watched as Christine gazed at her, sorrow filling her eyes along with the tears that now fell down her face.

Antoinette helped Christine out of her clothes, doing her best not to disturb her shoulder any more than she had to, but it was impossible to do it pain-free. Once undressed to her undergarments, Christine lay back against the headboard and thought about the events of the day while Antoinette went to start the water heating for the bath.

Oh Erik, I know everything that has happened is my fault. I made so many mistakes. I should have gone back with Raoul and told him my feelings. I could have made him understand somehow and left him freely then. But I would not have known how to find you and I couldn't bear to be parted from you again. Those three months you were gone made me realize how much a part of me you are. I thought you were gone forever and then to see you at the Masquerade. My heart began to sing again. But Raoul made me think you wished me harm and that he was the right choice. I was so sad and confused. And I should never have let him talk me into exposing you to the world. Why you don't hate me for that I do not know. And now what? What do I do? I'm so tired. I just want you here, with me, holding me. Erik…Erik…

Antoinette knocked softly but got no response. Opening the door, she saw Christine, propped against the headboard, sleeping. She looks so peaceful. Perhaps I will let her sleep for a bit. I don't think it will make much difference to her shoulder right now. It can't possibly hurt any worse. She slowly closed the door and returned to the bath. Stripping her clothes, she climbed into the tub and immersed herself in the hot water trying to soak away the pain in her badly bruised hip. Just a little soak, and then the doctor. Just a little soak…She closed her eyes and fell into a fitful doze.

Christine woke to a throbbing pain. Her shoulder ached much more than when she first laid down. Opening her eyes, she saw a man's face hovering over her own. For a moment she thought she was dreaming. But when he smiled and spoke she remembered where she was and how she was dressed. Or actually - not dressed. She tried to sit up, but the pain in her shoulder made her head swim and she lay against the bed.

"Please mademoiselle, lay still. You are appropriately covered with the blankets, not to worry. I am not here to harm you. My name is Dr. St. Aubrey. Mlle Antoinette brought me to look at your injuries. They are minor for the most part, but your shoulder is dislocated as she feared. I will need to put it back in place Mlle, but it will be very painful. I will not hide this fact from you. Do you feel you will be able to stand a second's pain for immediate relief?"

Surely the pain she felt now could not get any worse. She nodded weakly, knowing it would be much worse for him to mention it.

Antoinette brought a glass to Christine's lips, allowing her to sip some of the brandy it contained. Its sweet taste warmed her as she swallowed.

"This will help you Mlle, with the pain you will feel. Please drink as much as you can."

Christine was not a drinker, and although it was sweet, it burned slightly as well. But she managed to drink a little more. She closed her eyes and waited for the doctor to begin, dreading what was to come and wishing the brandy would work faster.

"Now Mlle, I want you to tell me why your shoulder is in such a state."

He spoke to her with an authority she could not dismiss, but she was surprised that he asked. She assumed Antoinette would have told him what had happened. As she began, he interrupted her, telling her to look at his face as she spoke. She looked into his eyes and started again. As she sank into her story, her mind wandered back to the events of the day and she began to tell him what had happened.

The doctor held her eyes while he prepared himself for what he must be do. Years of experience had taught him the best way to set her shoulder was to keep her mind on something else, and to set it as quickly as possible. He placed one practiced hand at her shoulder and another at her upper arm, almost touching, but not quite. When he felt sure she was engrossed in her story, he quickly pushed her shoulder with one hand while twisting her arm with the other. In a moment, he had finished the job, eliciting a small yelp from his patient, more from her surprise than pain. Watching her face, he saw her astonishment, then her relief that the majority of the pain had gone. As he placed her arm in a sling, he spoke.

"Well Mlle, that should heal in two weeks or so, but you will have to keep your arm in a sling during that time and promise that you won't use it at all. I'm sure I can rely on Mlle Antoinette to make sure you follow doctor's orders."

Christine thought for a moment that his stern orders sounded very angry, then realized that his eyes twinkled as he spoke them. Antoinette smiled at him.

"Oui doctor, I will see that she follows your instructions completely!" Winking at Christine, she led him out the door.

Christine looked questioningly at Antoinette as she approached and then sat on the edge of the bed, and smiled weakly.

"Antoinette, what if the doctor puts my story together with the events of the past few days? I'm not even sure what I said to him. The pain was terrible." She didn't want to acknowledge the brandy loosening her tongue as well.

"Do you think he would go to the authorities?"

"Non Chère, he has been our doctor as well as our friend for many years, since my grand-maman was ill. We can trust him. I am certain of that."

"Antoinette, what of your injuries? How do you feel?"

"The doctor examined me and pronounced me bruised but fit."

Christine looked at her with a shocked expression.

"Antoinette! You let the doctor examine you? Alone? Just him and…and you?"

"Oh Christine, don't be such a ninny. He's a doctor after all! And what was I to do? I didn't want to wake you and it was only my hip."

Christine blushed at the thought of the doctor seeing Antoinette's naked hip. Then thoughts of her first night in this room with Erik seeped into her mind and her blush deepened considerably. She looked up to see Antoinette's questioning eyes, but neither spoke. Finally, clearing her throat, Christine took the initiative.

"Antoinette, I have an idea how to help your father and Erik. I need your thoughts on the matter. I think it will work but we will have to move quickly."

She proceeded to lay out her plan while Antoinette listened in silent surprise.

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Claude had bandaged Erik's head once again and together they sat in the straw throughout the night, heads against the wall, attempting to sleep. While Claude quietly snored Erik's mind raced over the different scenarios that could now arise. They had decided that he would remain 'unconscious' for as long as possible before he aroused suspicion. Claude would play the 'fool' and hopefully, their ploy would buy them some time. But time for what? For once, Erik had no idea what he was going to do to better their situation. How do we get out of here? I can overpower one or two guards, but what then? We would still have to get out of the building. His thoughts turned to Christine. His worry over getting free paled in comparison to his fear for her safety. What had happened to her? Was she all right? God, you know until today, I had given up on you. But please, if you haven't given up on me, please, don't take Christine from me. Keep her safe God. I can't live without her. I thought I could, when I told her to leave, but I was only fooling myself. God, you brought her back to me. Please don't take her from me now…

Erik sat in contemplation for some time considering what he could do when a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

Some time later they both heard the lock turn and the door swung open. Two gendarmes entered the cell. Claude sat with his back against the wall, watching them survey the scene through eyes that looked as big as saucers. Erik had lain on the straw once again, looking the same as when he'd been tossed there. Claude wondered if Erik's guess at their course of action would be correct.

"Get him off the floor! How are we supposed to get the big one off the floor? He looks dead. I don't think he's moved since we threw him in here."

"Well, we must follow orders or we'll end up demoted like Bernard."

"I don't care, he's too big for us to pick up and drag around! Let's take the little deaf one and tell the commander this other was still out. It wouldn't be lying you know."

"Well, let's at least try then, because I for one do not want to get caught in something that would encourage my loss of rank!"

The two officers attempted to lift Erik from the straw. Manhandling him in an awkward two-man lift, they realized it was a futile task and dropped him back with a thud.

Claude had watched it all with a blank stare while on the inside he laughed hysterically.

One officer looked at the other and they turned their attention to Claude. The look of surprise on his face was real because he knew Erik had been right, and what he feared would come next. But he knew it might be their only opportunity. Struggling against them so he wouldn't give himself away, he let the guards pull him on his feet and hauled him out of the cell, locking Erik in.

Erik feared for Claude and knew he must act quickly. Getting up, he concealed a key in his hand and approached the cell door. He had lifted it from the weaker of the two officers as they tried to get him on his feet, guessing the other - the one who liked to be in charge - would be the one re-locking the door when they left. Well, at least something has gone right today… He slowly unlocked the door, being as quiet as possible. Opening it a crack, he pressed his ear to the opening listening for anything that would indicate someone still in the corridor. Though the guards had no idea at the time, Erik had paid careful attention to each area they passed through and filed it for later recall. He recalled each detail now, as he made his way down the hall. The only real problem he could not foresee was finding where they had taken Claude. He had hoped Claude and he would still be together when his chance arose. He knew once the guards were finished with Claude, however, he would be next. His only choice was to take action now and let things play out as they would.

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The little carriage pulled up in front of the de Chagny town home and discharged its passenger. The home's ornate façade was overwhelming, but desperation fueled the need and overcame the fear felt by the passenger. Reaching the doorknocker of the tall mahogany door, the weight of it slipped, causing a resounding boom. When the maid answered she was handed an envelope with one word written on the outside…Raoul.