The Match

Chapter 24

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the POTO characters. They belong to Leroux, Kay and ALW, from whom I have borrowed in order to write my story. However, the plot and the characters of Léandre, Gaspard, Etienne, Pierrick, The gendarme Captain, and Dr. J. Morel are mine.

A/N: Well this is one of the longest.

Erik kept his eyes everywhere trying to anticipate an attack that could come from behind trees, a clump of bushes, or large rocks. Although to the few passersby they met on the road he looked harmless. Erik was armed to the teeth. He carried his sword, several daggers, two pistols and his Punjab lasso made of cat gut. Inside the carriage there were more armaments including a rifle with extra ammunition and a blow gun he had acquired during his travels, along with poison darts. Today, he felt more nervous than the day before. He had not been able to get more than a few hours of sleep since they left Paris. His face looked strained.

He stopped the carriage near a farm. Their provisions we running low and need to be replenished. Steeling himself for the encounter he walked up to the door and knocked. The door opened a crack and shut again with a bang. He could hear voices inside. Erik knocked a second time. Christine walked up behind him so that when the door cracked open again they saw her as well. Now the door was opened wide and they were allowed to enter. From past experience Erik knew that if he had been alone he would have had to steal the provisions he needed. It had always been the same. Christine whispered "Oh good they're friendly" The farmer and his wife were gracious enough but kept glancing at his mask. He felt tense and didn't speak much. She was invited to the kitchen by the farmer's wife. She kissed his cheek before she left him. This solicited a curious look from the farmer. "You might as well sit then". Erik sat down feeling the old man's eyes on him. Not a word was spoken between them.

After a while Christine returned with an arm load chatting contentedly with the farmer's wife. "Jonas, you didn't offer our guest a drink! What will I do with you" Still with out a word Jonas poured a glass of wine and placed it in front of Erik. "Christine here has been telling me that her husband is a famous composer." Erik shot a look at her. Husband? Christine shrugged her shoulders. "I wish we had some sort of instrument so you could play for us". Erik prayed that Christine would not mention they traveled with a violin. He drank the wine in one gulp. The old woman shot her husband a dirty look "We seldom get company so he's forgotten his manners" She refilled his glass herself. "Drink! You must be a wonderful husband because all your wife talks about is you". "Does she?" He saw Christine turn pink and look away. They were able to get fresh provisions at a good price and Christine secured them permission to stay on the property for a meal and rest as well as a feed for the horses.

They lay out a blanket and both drank fresh milk greedily. He cut them thick slices of ham and freshly baked bread spread with homemade strawberry preserves. After their meal he lay down with his head on her lap. She ran her fingers through his hair then bent over and gave him several tiny kisses on the lips. Filled with wine and food he was so relaxed he fell asleep. Erik had no dreams and slept peacefully for the first time since they left Paris.

They cleaned up and as they were preparing to leave Erik took her in his arms and gave her a deep kiss. He pulled back remembering the farmer and his wife. Still he held her in his arms for a few moments and she molded herself to him. His heart stilled and he slowly sighed. Christine turned in his arms and looking up at him reached up to remove the object that impeded her seeing his entire face.

As soon as she took off the mask she looked into his eyes and smiled. He pushed her away from him. Christine tried to step back and keep her balance but she fell on her bottom. This was no accident, he really pushed me. She saw the look on his face as he extended a hand to help her up. Ignoring the hand she picked herself off the ground. She still held on to the mask.

"Christine…"

"Don't you touch me!" She shoved the mask into his chest ignoring his pleading eyes.

"I did not mean to…it is instinct!" He said anxiously.

She had her hands on her waist in full combatant pose. "Did not mean to push me? Did not mean to hurt me? Your instincts Sir are very dangerous to my well being"

She looked fearsome and Erik lowered his eyes. "I…am sorry love"

"Not good enough. Take me back to Madame"

"Do not act like a child. I truly am sorry" He was beginning to get annoyed because she wouldn't accept his apology.

"I want to go back!" her voice more determined.

"No! We are not going back. Whether you like it or not, we are not returning to Paris"

Tears of frustration run down her face. This was not her Erik! All she wanted now was to be with normal people, people who did not yell, and did not push her. She wanted someone whose 'instinct' was to kiss her.

"You just want to go back to your vicomte" he accused.

"I would be safer!" She remembered Raoul's protective arms around her and his promise to guard her.

Her words cut through him. And he silently agreed with her. As much as it hurt him he couldn't blame her for feeling this way. Since they left the city he had done nothing but torment her. He didn't want to do it but it was beyond his control to stop the banter with her. By now she had to hate him.

"You would rather be with him?"

"I want to go back to Madame"

He took her by the shoulders and made her face him. "I am asking you if you would rather be with him than with me."

She heard the menacing tone of his question and at that moment all she could think of was to hurt him as he was hurting her. "Yes!" She saw his eyes widen in shock.

Erik looked into her eyes and couldn't tell if she meant it or not. He had to go by her words. This was it. The truth at last! Christine was willing to admit her true feelings. His heart broke. He felt as if he were choking and staggered back a few paces.

"You have had a good laugh at my expense dear. Never mind others have too. I hope you enjoyed it"

"I did" Christine could see that she was hurting him deeply and she was starting to feel badly about it. He had been hurt by so many people in his life that she did not want to add to his scars. "Erik I…"

He brushed her aside. "So you did want the pretty boy, his title and noble friends after all. Pity he is dead! The cotillions you will miss" The venom in his voice was palpable.

"Liar!" she shot at him he heart beginning to beat faster. "You're a liar Erik! Why would you say…?"

"Wouldn't we have returned together from the jail? Do you think your vicomte would give me his horse and return on foot?"

Her mouth opened but no sound came out. She ran into the forest. Branches tore at her dress but she wouldn't stop. Christine heard him just behind her. She knew it was futile to try and run from him but her legs continued to take her forward. He grabbed her arm. "Poor Christine, now you are stuck with a beast in the middle of nowhere" Defeated she let him lead her to the carriage. She knew she was alone now. No one would come for her. She would remain in the grasp of this madman forever. Her childhood friend dead! In trying to save Erik she had sent Raoul to his death. Too tired to walk she let him carry her back to the carriage.

She saw Erik securing the doors from the outside so she would not be able to escape. As he confined her she took her rosary out and began to pray. She saw him looking in through the window but refused to meet the eyes of the murderer who held her hostage. She would not allow herself to cry in front of him. "Poor Erik, who thinks he owns my heart because he holds me captive" she spat. Christine looked at him and when their eyes locked she saw such sadness in them that she regretted her last words and wanted to run into his arms. The moment passed and she remained sitting alone in the carriage that had now become her prison. Raoul dead! This I cannot forgive. Once she felt him take his seat at the front, a sob escaped her lips then pleadingly she called to her murdered friend "Raoul, Raoul!"

The wind carried both her cries as well as the hated name of his rival to Erik's sensitive ears. It chilled his heart to hear call for the boy. He wondered what the vicomte's reaction had been to the death of his cousin. Had he sent the Gendarmes after them? Or had he been secretly glad for the death of that piece of scum? "Amen" he heard her end her prayer with another sob. Had she never loved him? He recalled the early days at the Chagny Manor. She had loved him and cared for him with her natural sweetness. He had squandered, stepped on her most precious gift

Two days later they stopped in a protected area by the side of a lazy river to bathe and rest the horses. Despite several stops and meals along the way she had not spoken to him since his confession of murdering Raoul. Christine gathered her clothes and towels and headed for the riverbank. She felt his eyes on her before she saw him. He was crouched behind a tree. He is loosing his touch! She gave a side glance his way as she entered the water in nothing but her chemise. A flash of white around the tree trunk told her she was right about his presence. Let him watch what he can't have. And if he wants me it will have to be by force. She didn't want to admit it but it excited her that he was watching. Christine stood up knowing full well that her chemise clung tightly to her curves and begun to wash her hair slowly facing him but keeping her eyes away from where he hid.

Hiding behind a tree to watch her he felt like a lecher. He wanted to tear his eyes off her but when she stood up in the river's edge her chemise clung to her as it had done in the pool at their cavern. Memories of that day flooded back to him. She is so soft. He loved her and wanted her. All he wanted to do was to wade out to her and make her his. Erik cursed his luck that she no longer loved him.

Using the same bar of soap she began to cleanse her body. Christine heard a low groan from the tree. She continued her cleansing routine feeling her own excitement grow. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as he skulked away from the tree and crawled into some closer bushes.

He felt his body respond to every movement she made in the water. His accelerated heartbeat felt as if it would choke him. He felt the heat rising and spreading. Both sides of his face were covered in sweat. He did not want to watch anymore knowing there was no possible relief, yet his feet would not allow his escape and his eyes remained glued to her form. He stayed where he was until she was finished and walked out of the river. Erik leaned back against a tree trunk exhausted by his unfulfilled desires.

Christine sat in the sun brushing her tangled hair dry. She was getting aggravated so she put her brush down and took a walk. She came upon him unmasked and shirtless washing further down the riverbank. He was on his knees with his back to her. Before she had time to turn and walk away she saw his back. The vivid marks snaked across his back.

"Erik, your back!" He looked up surprised to hear his name.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She walked up to him and touched his back.

He pushed off the ground. "There is nothing to tell" He didn't shrug her away but bent down and picked up his mask but did not put it on.

"What did they do to you in that jail?" She turned him around and took him in her arms. Christine fully expected him to push her away but he did not. In her embrace he slid down to the grass pulling her down with him and began to weep on her shoulder.

He sobbed and said a few incoherent things. She did not ask and just let him cry and shudder in her arms. When he was spent she kissed his forehead and left him on his knees.

"Wait here"

He was too weak to move. Erik sat on the ground letting the breeze fully dry his skin before putting his mask on. How could she find it in her heart to be kind to him when he had done nothing but hurt her since they had begun their trip. The worst had been the lie about Raoul's death. It pained him that the vicomte's supposed death had hurt her so deeply.

A few moments later she was rubbing a salve into his back. It stung but her warms hands on his back felt sublime. To his surprise this drew a fresh set of tears. He was being cared for again. She was willing to care for him even though she believed him to have murdered her childhood friend and former fiancé. Maybe, just maybe there was still some love for him left in her.

"Christine?"

"Yes Erik?"

After his confession she had never addressed him again until minutes before. He knew how angry and disappointed she was with him and yet she was caring for him as gently as ever. He wished for her kisses again. He wanted the warmth of her body against his.

"He is alive"

"What?"

"Your…the vicomte…he lives" He was glad not to be facing her. Actually, he fully expected her to dig her nails into his wounded back, to slap him or hurt him in some manner. Erik braced himself.

She walked around him so she could see his face fully.

"Raoul?" He is…why did you tell he was dead?"

He shrugged and looked away. "Because I'm me…and I was hurt when you said you wanted to be with him"

"Oh Erik!" With the back of her hand, she stroked his cheek.

"I'm sorry Christine. Tomorrow at dawn, I'll take you back. You should be with whoever you want to be with. I do not deserve you"

"Thank you for telling me the truth" She went back to applying the salve to his back and shoulders.

He was confused by her reaction. If not a physical attack he had at least expected to feel the slash of her words to rip his soul. Christine had done neither. Her soft hands sought to soothe his ailing back. On top of that she thanked him for telling her the truth. She was an angel and he, should not be with her. He would die without her of course, but that was his fate. The world would not miss him. His angel would shed a few tears when she heard about his death but that would be all. He would not be around to hurt her again.

Once they were fully packed he took a hold of the lead horses and turned the team around by hand since they were in a tight area. His heart as heavy as it had ever been.

"Why are you turning the horses around Erik?"

"We're heading back to Paris"

"Why?"

"You asked me to"

"That was three days ago. You truly are a foolish man!"

"But…"

"Let us go now. I want to get to my new home" She gave him a quick kiss on his unmasked cheek and entered the carriage. From the corner of her eye she caught his grinning face.

"Erik, be more careful and avoid those rough spots on the road, it's not easy sitting in here all day!"

He picked up the reins again and turned the carriage to the East. Erik jumped on to his seat and with a lurch the carriage was underway. A moment later he stopped the carriage jumped down and opened her door. He pulled her out and enveloped her in his arms. "I love you Christine. Thank you" He pressed his lips against hers. The tip of his tongue begged entry into her mouth. Willingly she let him enter and responded in kind. They held on to each other as if the world had ceased to exist.

He broke their embrace and asked, "Husband?"

"What?

"When we were at the farm…Did you tell the farmer's wife I was your husband?"

"Aren't you?" She asked looking up at him.

"We are not married, Christine!"

"True, but don't you take care of me?" She put her arms around his neck

He held her by the waist. "Yes"

"And aren't we going to live together and make love every day?" She asked nuzzling his neck.

Erik closed his eyes. "Happily"

"Then that is what a husband is to me" She nipped his neck and put her head on his shoulder.

"I fully agree my wife" Erik claimed her lips in a deep kiss.

A/N: We still have the epilogue to go. I am uploading another story this week. Black Despair, this story has a much darker Erik.