A/N: Here is the next chapter…sorry it switches POV's a lot, I hope you like it! And I would like to thank everyone for the reviews! Also, in case you don't know who Luciana is; in the book Phantom by Susan Kay, she tells the story of Erik starting with when he was born, and Luciana was one of the many people described. It's not in publication anymore, although it is excellent. I strongly recommend it for any Phantom phan to read, if you can get it!

Christine paced restlessly around the lair. Erik should have been back by now. Trying to calm herself she attempted to do more cleaning. However, as she looked around hopelessly, Christine realized there was nothing left to clean. Terrible thoughts whirled within her head. What if he had been captured? What if…. no, she quickly dismissed the thought, Erik was smarter than that. Christine sat down on Erik's organ bench, running her hands over the keys. The keys, which had composed some of the greatest music of all time, and she waited.

XXXXXX

Afraid of drawing more attention to himself then necessary, due to his strange behavior, Erik immediately searched for, and ducked into the nearest alleyway. Slowly, he slid down to the ground and pulled his knees to his chest. Luciana…after all this time the memory was still painfully clear. He tucked his head in his knees, seeking a position he had been in often. He felt as if his world was colliding on him, he would never be able to escape from his past…Christine! He suddenly thought of her pacing the lair restlessly waiting for him to return. But he couldn't, not in the state he was in; there were so many things she didn't understand. Would she doubt her love for him now that she was alone again? Fear rose up within him, and he knew he had to get to Nadir's. Perhaps from there he could send her a message.

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It was getting late and Christine had still not heard from Erik. Rationally thinking, Christine knew she shouldn't leave the lair in case he came back. Yet, when she was down there by herself, she felt like a trapped fox. She couldn't even begin to fathom what it must have been like for Erik. All those years in solitude, with the world hating you. Silent tears started to flood down her cheeks, at the thought of what events had made him who he was. She wanted to know his past, and just to simply understand. Erik hardly ever told her about his past. He probably wanted to put it all behind him so that he could love her. Erik meant the world to Christine, and all she wanted was to give him the best life she could. She could never make him forget his past she knew that. That didn't mean however, that she couldn't help his future.

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Nadir opened the door quickly, letting Erik inside. After all, he hadn't seen his friend for a while. The pained look on Erik's face caused Nadir to fear the worst. What had he done?

"Nadir…" Erik muttered in a hardly recognizable voice.

"Erik what have you done?" Nadir asked. Silently trying to figure out the things that would be necessary. Just in case he needed to leave. Yes, he had heard about the hangings and such, and Nadir hoped it wasn't more than that.

" You always assume the worst in me, don't you?" Erik managed a snicker.

"I am not in the mood for your games Erik, by Allah's name what bothers you?"

"Luciana…" he replied. While his eyes glassed over, as he stared into nothingness.

"Luciana?"

"I saw…her…today…at the shop…such a painful memory…"

" Erik, have you started on the morphine again? That's impossible you know, she's dead." Nadir stated.

"I know but…but…for a second I swore…" Overcome with anguish he collapsed into one of Nadir's couches.

" Erik I know it was a shock for you but you have to move on again." Nadir was for once at a lost for words. Then suddenly a look of concern crossed Erik's face.

"Christine! We must send a message…tell her I'm ok…."

"The young ballet girl? I thought you let her go."

" She came back Nadir, she wanted to be with me, she… loves me." A brief smile escaped onto his lips.

"Very well we will write a message at once… "Nadir replied, hurrying off to find a parchment and quill.

"She came back…" Erik whispered to himself silently.

XXXXXXXXXXX

My dearest Christine,

For reasons beyond my control I am not able to return to you yet. However, do not fear, as I am safe, and staying with a close friend. Christine, my angel, I love you; there are so many things that need to be said. I cringe at the thought of causing you worry. I just ask one thing. Christine when I return, will you marry me?

Love,

Erik

Christine clutched the letter next to her heart, wishing she could be wherever he was to hold him, to kiss him, and to tell him yes, she would love to be his wife.

A/N: I had to put that mushy part at the end, for I felt the story was getting too angsty…sorry little lemon I know you had your hopes up…and since I love fluffy E/C romance I couldn't resist…do not worry for there will be plenty more to come!