Chapter 14

As Erik listened first to Christine, then to Antoinette, sometimes both talking at once, he realized the adventure they had shared and knew the bond that held them would remain strong throughout their lives. Christine had no family other than the Girys. Though he knew she and Meg were close, until they were safe away and could send for Meg and Brielle, Christine needed a friend and had found a close one in Antoinette.

"Erik, M Legard will be able to help us! He was so willing to see us safely to the inn. He has daughters of his own you see. I know he would be willing to take us wherever we want to go. Perhaps to even help in other ways." Christine seemed especially excited with the prospect of contributing to their plans.

"Christine, that is all well and good. He was willing to help both of you, yes. But what will he think when he knows he must include Claude, and me as well? What of his thoughts regarding me?"

Christine looked at Erik, her eyes full of devotion. "Erik, I cannot imagine any one who comes to know you not caring about you as much as I do."

Erik gave her a rueful smile and shook his head. "You think not, Christine? No one has ever loved me…as you do, nor seen me as you do. To others, I am still a thing to be feared."

A cloud passed over her face for a moment as she considered his words. "No Erik, the man they thought to fear does not exist. Together we will show the world that to know you is to know true beauty, born of the inside." As she finished speaking, she gave him a smile so breathtaking, he could almost believe her.

Claude had been in another part of the lair, and upon his return he learned of M Legard and realized that he knew the man by his given name.

"Oui! Jacques has been a resident here for some time. He has two daughters of his own. I cannot imagine him not helping. He is a kind man and completely discreet. I am sure he would be more than willing to assist in any way."

"Papa, how is it I had never seen him before?"

"He lives a block or two over from us. Moved here five or six months ago after…losing his wife." His eyes grew momentarily sad. "I met him at the stable some time ago. We share…a common bond."

Antoinette rose and went to Claude, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"It is all right Papa, I still miss her, too. I always will."

Erik watched as the two shared an intimate moment of grief before Claude stood and began to clear the table.

"Erik, Christine tires. Perhaps she should return to bed for the evening. Antoinette and I will see to things here. Tomorrow, we shall visit M Legard and see how willing he might be to help us."

"Yes, perhaps you are right. I shall return in a while to discuss further plans." Standing, he turned to Christine and, before she could resist, had lifted her gently into his arms to carry her back to her bed.

The lair was a rabbit's warren of grottos each running away from the central room that bordered the lake. Though Antoinette and Claude seemed to have become somewhat acquainted with the various areas, Erik knew Christine would need to be back on her feet to explore before she would feel the same. He watched her expression as he carried her, but knew she was no more familiar with the way than when he had led her to the table earlier. Arriving back at the area he had deemed her 'room' he laid her gently on the bed.

"Erik, I should like to remove my robe before sleep tonight. Could you help me please?"

Erik's insides clenched at the thought of once again, seeing her so vulnerable.

"Christine, perhaps it would be best if I bring Antoinette…"

"No, Erik. It really would not be best." As she rose from the bed, he stood rooted to the spot, watching her approach. Oh, Christine. What are you doing? I don't know how much longer I can remain strong for you. He held his breath as she drew near and stood toe to toe with him.

"I won't break. Just hold me a moment. Please"

"Christine, I… I held you. I carried you in here." He ran his hand over his hair, knowing he could not escape her desire.

"Yes, you did. But that was borne of necessity, not need. I need you to hold me now. I cannot be apart from you any longer." Her eyes invited his arms to surround her.

"But we are not apart, Christine. And we will never be again. I promise you that."

"Oh Erik," she turned to pace in front of him, frustrated. "We are together, in this room, in this place you once called your home. But we are strangers once again. So much has happened, we haven't had a chance to be us. To be one in heart again." Stopping in front of him once more, she leaned her head against his chest. He felt the pounding of his heart and was sure she did as well. Time seemed to stand still as he waited, afraid to hold her, afraid not to. He watched as she lifted her face to him, her eyes a reflection of her love for him.

"Erik, I asked you not to make me wait too long. But I need to feel you. I need to feel your lips against mine, your arms around me, not from necessity, but because you still love me…because you're…please, Erik."

He reached for her tentatively, not wanting to hurt her, but she never gave him the chance to be gentle. She wrapped her fingers behind his neck and pulled him into a sweet embrace, her lips meeting his as if it were the first time once again. Erik could stand it no longer, enfolding her, holding her fiercely, praying he wasn't hurting her, though he could not stop. Hungry for each other, they tasted and explored, each trying to reach the other with an act stronger than words could convey. The faintest 'mmmm', purred deep in her throat, breaking his resolve. Half carrying her to the bed, unaware of any hurt he may be causing her shoulder, he laid her on it, never releasing her lips from his, she, never taking her hand from his hair. Lying next to her, he pulled her closer still, until he thought they would meld together, finally becoming the one soul they both knew they truly were. Moving her hand to his face, she ran her fingers along the edge of his mask, but he no longer cared if he wore it or not. She had seen him at his lowest point, broken, ashamed, his face a raw map of emotions. It no longer mattered to him as she removed it, dropping it to the floor. Her lips left his long enough to brush fragile kisses over the marred side of his face.

"I love you, Erik. I know now… I've always loved you." Her lips sought his again as she sighed into him drinking in as much of him as she could. He raised his hand to her cheek, kissing her deeply, roughly, wanting her to know he returned her love ten-fold. Finally breaking the kiss to catch his breath, he caught the look in her eyes, shrouded, sensual. He attempted to forestall the burning desire in his own heart.

"Christine, I will never leave you. I promise you with all that I am." No matter how many times he spoke it, he prayed she would never tire of hearing it.

He'd worn a white shirt to dinner, casually open in the front and she now placed her hand on his bare skin. The heat she felt amazed her but she did not remove her hand. She needed to feel him, solid and alive. She'd waited far too long to touch a living angel and did not want it to end.

Running his hand down her slight form, Erik knew that to lose her would be death itself. He had told her once before that he would never dishonor her, but her closeness overwhelmed his senses. Once again, he fought with all control to rein in his desires. How much more difficult this could be he did not know, but he did know that one more time such as this and there would be no stopping. Ever. He pressed her cheek to his chest, cradling her in his arms. Slowing his breathing, he fought the war that raged within him. When he felt once again, that he had some control over his emotions, he took her chin in his hands and looked into her eyes.

"Christine, I told you once before I would not dishonor you. That is another promise I fight to honor every time you are near me." He took a deep breath and held her gaze. "When we are away from here, I wish to…I…I told you once before that…" He hesitated as she watched his face.

"Erik, what is it you're trying to say?"

"You told me, our first night at the inn, that you wished to be joined with me as one. I wish that with all my heart as well, but joined first in honor, and only then in body. When we are safely away, Christine, will you…will you consent to be my wife?"

"Oh, Erik." Tenderness filled her voice and caress. "I wondered when it would finally cross your mind to ask." Overcome with the emotion she showed him, he pushed on in his quest for her heart's commitment. But he knew she must realize what she faced should she agree.

"It will never be an easy life, my love. I will always be feared and shunned. I have known this since I was a babe. But you must understand that you as well, will be shunned because of me. You must consider this, Christine. It will be hard to accept at times. Your love must be strong enough to withstand it. If it's not, and you left me because of it, I should die. I want you to consider carefully before you answer my question. It is a commitment upon which I am willing to stake my life. Can you do the same?"

Once again pulling his lips to hers, she answered him in the language she was certain he would always understand.

As difficult as it had been, Erik had extricated himself from Christine's embrace. Though he was loathe to leave her, he knew it was imperative before things went beyond his control. He had helped her out of her robe, struggling with himself the entire time, gotten her settled and said goodnight. As he returned to the table, he saw Antoinette and Claude deep in conversation.

"Plotting and planning without me, are you?" Antoinette squealed in surprise as Claude jumped from his chair toppling it behind him.

"Erik, must you always approach with the stealth of a cat? It can be very disconcerting!"

"Ah, Claude. You know I must practice my skills whenever the opportunity presents itself." He righted Claude's chair and bade him sit. Taking a seat as well, he watched them, as he smiled, like a mischievous boy with a frog in his pocket. Claude and Antoinette exchanged a curious glance as they looked at the stranger at their table. Erik's smile faded, replaced once again by a serious expression.

"I have noticed something these past few days that I find refreshing but a bit confusing." He watched Claude give him a questioning look.

"Yes, well…" He had found himself hesitating often since their ordeal began; a new experience for him and one he was still exploring. "You have taken to calling me 'Erik'. Not Monsieur, or Monsieur Erik, simply Erik. I should like to know when this change occurred to you. Not that I complain, it just sounds so…different from what I have become used to." Claude searched his face, once again covered by the mask. His gaze made Erik uncomfortable, something he had never felt around Claude before. Waiting in silence, it seemed forever before he saw Claude beam and the twinkle in his eyes play wildly. Laughing, he reached across to Erik, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Why, Erik," sobering, he winked as he continued, "it is what true friends do, is it not?"

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Raoul paced the floor in the library of his town home, the brandy in his glass tossing precariously from rim to rim. He couldn't understand what would make her want to stay with a man who was a known murderer. With a monster like that! Had he not been a killer, at best he could never give her the kind of life she deserved. He had no visible means of support, lived underground for God's sake! How could she love a man like that? Why couldn't she love me like that? His heart and mind had been at war since leaving headquarters. The Phantom's deeds demanded justice and that commandant d'idiot! All he was looking to do was further his career. What guarantee was there that he would follow through and arrest the man that almost cost Raoul his life? And cost him Christine…Once again, the memories flooded back. The water, the wind, her scarf, his days with her, at her father's feet, in the attic as they told each other stories. So many memories. But now, that was all she would remain – a memory. No. I cannot believe she truly wants to stay with him. He held her in his spell before. Surely that must be the reason she stays with him now.

The commandant had told him of the inn, that Christine and the other girl had gone there but the gendarme had found it empty. Where would they have gone? How could they leave and not be seen? A thought had been taking shape in his mind all night and he now raked his hand through his hair in an attempt to bring it into focus. Not there. How could they not be there? They could not have left by the doors or windows. Someone would have seen…Suddenly, Raoul's eyes widened with the revelation he'd been trying so hard to discern.

Working for two or three hours, he managed to get through most of the rubble, and had reached the spiral path that led down into the bowels of the Opera House. So much destruction by one man. He knew, somehow, in some way, the inn must be connected to this place. Christine must have used that connection to escape the inn without being noticed. And there was only one…man…who could have made that possible. Hoping against hope that he was not too late to stop what he knew the Phantom was capable of, he started down the path, to what end, he had no idea. He just knew Christine was at the end and he must do something to save her. Quite possibly from herself.

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Christine stood at the water's edge, studying the iron gate and remembering. So many things had happened that night. She still felt Raoul's pain acutely. She'd seen it in his eyes when she pushed the boat from him. I'm so sorry to have hurt you, Raoul. But I am exactly where I belong. Perhaps someday you'll understand. Her mind had wandered and she was only seeing those events replayed when she heard a noise that brought her focus sharply back to the gate. He was there, on the other side! For a moment, she thought her memories had come to life. Then, he spoke. And she knew once again, it was all too real. Raoul!

As he once again approached the gate, he thought for a moment that what he was seeing was a dream, a memory of that night, nothing real. She did not speak; just looked at him and the pain in her eyes was all too real. He was sure now, that she was here, against her will. Why would she be in so much pain otherwise? He grasped the gate to lift it but it would not move. She watched him, wide eyed, as he struggled to open it.

"Christine!" Still, she stood, unspeaking, simply staring.

"Christine! Are you all right? Please, Christine. Say something. I've come to take you home."

"Raoul, I…no, Raoul, leave. Now. Leave us alone. I don't want you here. I don't want you hurt any more." After their scene at the cemetery, she thought never to see him again. As devastated as he was, she knew he would never forgive her for not choosing him and she did not want to face him again, knowing his pain would never fade.

"Christine. I must help you. I know you don't mean what you say. It is a spell, cast by that demon, to hold you against your will." Raoul was getting desperate in his pleas. This was his last chance and yet, she still refused to listen to reason.

"Open the gate. Pull the lever, Christine, and open the gate. I will help you and together we can leave this place, forever."

"Raoul, I'm not strong enough to pull the lever. I can't open it"

"She is right, Monsieur. But I can."

Two sets of eyes flew to Christine's right as Erik came around the corner of the Lair, eyes ablaze at the sight of Raoul once again violating his domain. Quickly, Christine moved to him, putting her arms around him in an attempt to forestall the inevitable.

"Erik, don't. Please don't do anything. Leave it closed. He will go. Please, my love, please."

"Christine, we have a guest at our door. Surely you don't want to be a rude hostess and deny him access to our humble abode." With that, Erik pulled the lever and the gate began to rise.