My usual author notes will be at the BOTTOM of this chapter.

eep!

-Nico

Erik looked completely different to her now.

Now, she understood the darkness that tainted his golden irises. She understood the grim line of his full lips. She appreciated the smooth skin that was in place of gnarled, twisted flesh…not because it was more pleasing to look at, but because Erik's stigma had finally been removed.

Charles watched as his daughter moved closer to Erik. He watched as Erik's breath caught in his throat.

"How is it possible," Erik whispered to Christine as she drew near, "that you have not run from this room screaming?"

Christine smiled sadly. "I ran from you once," she said. "I will never do it again."

Erik's eyes slid closed. The closure he had needed since Christine left him alone in the lair and allowed Raoul to row her away had finally come.

Christine's demeanor had instantly changed. She seemed worldlier, more full of experience. She turned to face her father.

"I want things to go back," she said bluntly. "I want Erik and I to return to the other life."

Charles's brow knitted together. "It's not that easy, darling," he said gently. "All that life is now…is memories."

It was Christine's turn to be frustrated. "Why would Erik be given a second chance if it meant more struggles for him? It's not fair!"

"Dear child," Charles soothed. "Anything worth having comes requires a fight," he said, wishing he were able to wrap his arms around her.

"Erik's whole life has been a fight, Father," Christine said, sounding angry.

Erik's chest swelled at Christine's defense of him. He was overwhelmed by what was happening.

She knew. She knew his past. She remembered how things were between them. She remember standing on the stage, raising her voice with his during Don Juan Triumphant. She knew that he had killed for her…that he had manipulated her…lied to her…

That he was actually a rotting corpse, rather than the handsome nobleman he appeared to be now.

Almost involuntarily, he reached out and grasped Christine's small hand, folding it within the largeness of his palm. "Don't be angry," he said to her. "This life…this second chance…without it, I would not have been able to see you again." He brought her fingertips to his lips. "To touch you…to have you look at me with trust and love, rather than fear and repulsion."

Tears sprang to Christine's eyes. "I was never repulsed by you, Erik," she said, sniffling softly. "I was frightened of myself when I was near you," she confessed. "I was frightened of choosing a path of uncertainty and peril…I was young…stupid…you were so powerful…so intense…and I was just a little slip of nothing powerless to love you the way you deserved."

Erik grasped her other hand, holding it tight to his chest.

"But now I realize that nothing matters to me but you," she sobbed. "You, who was there to comfort me when Papa died," she looked over at the ghostly image of her father, who was watching the scene with silent eyes. "You, who trained me to sing like an angel…who thrust me into the limelight, when I would have fallen into the shadows. You, who protected me…loved me…even after I chose Raoul."

Erik's hands tightened on hers at the mention of Raoul.

Christine leaned into him, resting her cheek on his broad chest, listening to the thudding of his heart. "I made the wrong choice in that life, Erik," she rasped. "I choseRaoul over love. And for that, I am eternally sorry."

Erik took her by the shoulders, looking down at her tear-streaked face. "But we can fix it, Christine," he said, his eyes a bit wild, his black hair falling into his eyes. "We have each other! We have each other now, here!"

Christine shook her head. "Don't you see? It's not that simple, Erik," she said, echoing her father. "There are others involved now. And if we don't resolve our problems now, they will haunt us forever."

Athena stalked around her bedroom, anxiously wringing her hands.

Erik had gone out just after supper and now, it was nearly two in the morning.

Fear and irritation swept through her. What if he had already fled with his precious Christine?

She should have killed him when she had the chance.

Her hand went subconsciously to the small syringe of poison filled in the folds of her skirts. It had been difficult to convince the doctor to give her the needle, but a few hundred pounds had silenced his protests. She pulled it out and gave it a test squirt, squinting her eyes at the liquid inside.

And as the door closed downstairs, a small smile spread across her lips.

Erik was home.

Athena hurried to the top of the stairs, prepared to appear the doting, concerned wife.

Erik'sstern, sober face and his hesitation to come any further into the house, however, caused Athena to stop in her tracks, her skirts swishing around her ankles with the abrupt halt of movement.

"Erik!" She squeaked, her eyes wide. "Where have you been?"

"Athena, I must discuss something with you," Erik said smoothly, indicating that she should come down the stairs.

Swallowing the bubbling bile of rage, Athena did her best to look composed as she descended the steps.

When she reached the bottom, she placed her hand in her pocket, once again feeling for the cool needle of poison.

"Athena," Erik said, his voice cold. "We both know that this marriage is nothing more than an expensive charade."

"You don't mince words, do you?" Athena chuckled uncomfortably.

"Not when getting to the point is my intention," he told her. "I'm leaving, Athena," he said. "If left up to my own devices, I would have left without telling you. And while I don't feel as if I owe you an explanation…the right thing to do is to take care of my responsibilities."

"Your responsibilities," Athena scoffed. "You've never been responsible a day in your life, Erik. Why start now?"

"Because you are carrying my child, and I at least owe that child the best opportunities in life," he replied. "I don't want anything from you. Take all my money…the house…everything. I don't want it. Bring the child up comfortably. See that he has he best education. The finest clothes. Anything his heart desires. Marry again quickly, and this time, find a better man than me."

Athena suddenly tossed her head back and laughed. "Your money?" Her voice shrilled. "You haven't a dime that hasn't already been spent," she spat. "Everything is mine."

Erik blinked. This was a development he had not been prepared for.

"Then I suppose, everything works out in the end," he said slowly after a few moments of silence, "and we have nothing left to say to each other."

He turned to leave.

"That's it?" Athena yelled after him. "You're just going to walk out and leave your wife and your child alone?"

Erik turned. "You have a large family and many friends, Athena," he said. "And don't pretend that you haven't taken a lover or two behind my back as well. I am certain you will be well cared for."

"What will I tell people?" She asked, turning him by the shoulder. "I will be disgraced…shunned…you don't know what you're doing!"

Erik sighed. "Perhaps my decision has damned me, Athena," he said softly. "But I would rather burn in hell for eternity than remain with you in this house for one more moment."

Athena's face drained of all color. He turned his back to leave, but a piercing shriek caused him to turn back around.

He barely felt the needle as it entered his chest.

"You Bastard!" Athena screamed as Erik fell to his knees in disbelief. "You unthinkable bastard!"

Erik pulled the syringe from his chest, horrified that whatever had been inside was now burning a path through his veins.

"Burn in hell now, Erik!" She yelled. "And I'll tell you something else, darling," she hissed, leaning down to face the man who was quickly loosing consciousness. "There is no baby," she said evilly. "Did you think I would stoop so low as to actually fuck you, Erik? Oh no…there's enough street trash to take care of that little deed for me…so you see…you didn't have to come back…you could have left with a clear conscience. But I had to have you come back, Erik. I had to send you to your precious hell!"

Erik felt his awareness slipping.

The last thing he saw was Athena quickly picking up the syringe and tucking it within the folds of her billowing skirts.

Okay. Everyone breathe. This isn't the end. Don't worry.

Please don't get so mad that you don't read the rest. ;)

Gives everyone a milkshake and a punching bag. ;)

-Nico