A/N: I am working six days this week so please be patient. I will try to make sure that I update at least once a week. Enjoy and please review it's energizing!

Rook to Queen's Bishop's level 4

Erik walked into the parlor. He was taken aback by the fine furnishings and rich tapestries, which adorned the wall. The room was bathed in the warm afternoon light. A scent of roses stole in through the open windows. He walked into the room in awe, his fingertips barely touching the furniture with reverence. Most of the furnishings were Louis III with the rich glow of dark woods and soft ornate lines. He stopped to admire a small Chinese vase sitting on a small table, the porcelain so translucent it gave the illusion of transparency as the sun shone thru. The room was a living museum. He loved being surrounded by such beauty.

Erik walked to the spinet piano. The cabinet was adorned with mother of pearl inlays and gold leaf. He opened the cover displaying the ivory keys and played a scale. The instrument was well tuned but he could tell it had seldom been touched. He proceeded to play a light piece from Chopin. As he played, he imagined Christine sitting on the settee having tea with a young socialite discussing the ball they had just attended. Both girls giggling over delicate teacups about the latest gossip in the Époque. Christine what am I doing to you? Where will my obsession lead you? If you remain with me, there will not be Balls or teas with noble Ladies. This life with all its beauty and light will be forever closed to you. I can only give her darkness and she will wither.

Erik knew that wherever he went he would have to be hidden, in the dark. The deadly combination of his repellant face and his criminal acts sealed his future above ground. Eventually he would need to crawl into another hole. How could he drag her down with him. As little as he knew of the subject, he was certain that love did not do that. What am I any way, but a fugitive? A criminal who killed God knows how many people by throwing a fit of temper and bringing a Chandelier down on their heads. He felt completely disgusted with himself and at that moment, he decided to leave her behind at the Chagny Manor to fulfill her destiny. He had no right to destroy her life with the same slight of hand with which he had so carelessly thrown his own away. Erik caressed the ivory keys once more then closed the piano, took one more look and turned his back on the parlor.

Christine sat reading on the smaller of the chairs. Her legs tucked under her.

She looked up at him. "Erik where were you?"

Her voice intoxicated him and his name on her lips was the sweetest sound. Even when he was in a poor mood, she lifted him to a higher ground.

"Was that you playing?"

"Yes, I was in the parlor. That instrument… it is magnificent" he said and sat on his haunches in front of her.

She gave him a little smile and said, "It doesn't sound as good as your organ"

"Christine it is an early---'

"Oh…are you hungry"

To Erik, Christine had the most irritating way of dismissing items of value. With a scowl, he said, "We were talking about the piano and you ask me if I'm hungry!"

"I just wanted to give Cook instructions for your meal," she said caressing his exposed cheek and lightly kissed his mouth. Before she could deepen the kiss, Erik stood up and sat on the other chair. Being that close to her would cloud his mind and test his resolution.

He saw the look on her face. She got up and sat on his lap. Resigned to suffer he accepted her and wrapped her in his arms. All of a sudden, he remembered his resolution in the parlor and he began to miss her form against him. She fitted so well in his arms. Her head fell just at his shoulder. He didn't have to bend over too much to kiss her and she could reach up and pull him down with ease. He was sure she had been made for him. And she is mine. How can I deny her this opportunity? He would not let her miss this opportunity to have riches, a title, and an influential name. Erik, had always been a selfish person, he recognized this. Selfishness had helped him survive. He took pride in his numerous abilities and felt himself above others. Not counting looks, most people were decidedly beneath him. With few exceptions, he didn't value their lives or desires. What was good for him was always most important.

During difficult moments like these, memories of his mother's words, returned. He could almost hear her melodic voice. "Look at your face boy. It is repulsive. I'm sorry, but you can't expect me to kiss you. Can you?"

"No, I guess not" He had shaken his small head. She was right, with a face like that, he expected to be shunned not kissed.

"May I sit by you Mother?"

Nevertheless, young Erik still hoped for a little affection from his mother. Not a kiss but maybe a caress or she would allow him to sit by her.

"If you must but…not so close"

With that memory fresh in his mind he remembered how truly worthless he was. Erik held Christine feeling he was committing a crime. Me, a monster, holding an angel. It was a travesty and he knew it. He had no right to touch this woman. How inconceivable it was that he should dream of keeping this beauty in his arms. He wanted her with every fiber of his being; needed her to maintain his desire to breathe. For once in his selfish life, he would consider what was best for her over his own needs or wants. Christine you saved me and now for you, I condemn myself to die

Shortly after dinner, Christine crept up on his bed as she did every night. She bored her way into his partially open arms and waited for him to wrap himself around her. They kissed a little, not daring to do much because both of them knew the built up desire would quickly overpower their will. They never spoke about it but neither wanted their first time to be at the Chagny manor. She slept in his arms that night a little frightened of the future but certain of her total love and commitment for this man. Christine lay with her head on his chest and looked up at his unmasked face sighing and tenderly stroked his cheek.

"Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die and be buried."

Christine pledged in a whisper into his chest. He was not sleep but so deep in his own thoughts and bathed in such total misery, that Erik failed to hear her.

Ruth 1:16-17