Chapter 14

The small room was stifling with the combined heat from the oil lamps and the people within it. Christine lay unmoving under the blankets while the physician examined the wound. Satisfied that the new sutures were holding, he wiped the sweat from his brow, then turned and quietly instructed his assistant. Collecting his bag, he left the room paying little heed to the guards posted outside the door.

When Raoul returned to the room later he found it much the same, save for the now slumbering assistant. Not that the Vicomte blamed the man for falling asleep-it had been an extraordinarily long night, and the sun was now well over the horizon. He nudged the sleeping man awake with his foot.

At the man's confused look Raoul informed him, "Go, get something to eat, rest a bit. I will stay with Mademoiselle Daae for now."

Slowly evicting himself from the cramped chair he nodded. "Gladly, Monsieur le Vicomte. Thank you."

After the man had left the room, Raoul quietly pulled the vacated chair beside the cot. He sat silently, taking Christine's limp hand in his own.

"Hello, my love." He whispered softly. "I am so sorry I had to be away from you. It was an important errand."

Very important, Raoul thought bitterly as his jaw tensed at the memory of the activities of the past few hours. The gendarmes had torn through all accessible ares of the lower cellars, yet found no trace that the Opera Ghost had returned anywhere near his previous dwelling.

You can't have just disappeared you bastard...you are flesh and blood. Bleeding flesh, he corrected himself. I will find you. I will destroy you. He looked at Christine and the thought of the portfolio of nude portraits flashed in his mind. Raoul felt his blood run cold. I will destroy you.

His dark thoughts were interrupted as he felt Christine's hand pulling under his. Raoul quickly released his tight grasp formed upon her hand, instead lightly caressing her forearm.

"It is alright my love." He tried to keep his voice in a soothing tone. "I am here."

The shifting shapes and shadows of her pain and drug induced unconsciousness began to slowly seep back as Christine heard a familiar voice speaking. A tight grip upon her hand assured her that she was indeed not alone. Christine gradually worked her eyes open, instantly regretting it as the lamplight attacked them. Closing them back, she tried to move her hand to shield her eyes from the probing glare.

"Christine?" The voice called again. "Love, can you hear me?" Feeling the touch upon her arm, Christine moved it in response.

"Open your eyes love. Look at me little Lotte."

But it hurts to open them. I want to go back where it's dark. Where my Angel is.

"Please love. Oh God I have been so worried."

Relunctantly Christine opened her eyes once more, squinting in an effort to focus on the face now above her own.

"Oh God, Christine." She felt his kiss upon her forehead. "I am so happy you are awake."

Christine blinked, trying to reduce the number of Raouls in her field of vision. That accomplished, she moved her gaze from his face to drift slowly around the room. The surroundings were familar, but she knew the room did not belong to her.

Why am I here? What has happened? Think Christine think. Her mind jumbled through her questions until the answer came to her suddenly. Silly silly girl...ask Raoul. He will tell you.

Christine formed her question in her mind, wanting to be coherent. She felt her lungs inflate, felt her lips move to form the words, but no sound escaped as she was racked with a rush of pain. Raoul looked at her and she recognized pity in his eyes. Heart racing, she took a breath and tried again...no sound...only pain.

What has happened to me?

Her teary eyes flashed to his, desperate for an answer. Raoul tried to calm her, brushing his fingers along her hairline.

"Christine my love...I am so so sorry." She looked at him in confusion.

"That monster is to blame for this. You were caught in the crossfire and injured my love. But he will pay...that I swear to you."

TBC