No author's note this week. Just read and enjoy this chapter. It's actually quite long. Big surprise coming from me! I was just writing and it got away from me…WOW!

Summary: See Chapter One

Disclaimer: Read the previous chapters!

From Chapter Ten:

"You just took the words right out of my mouth Christine because I think that I am falling in love with you too."

Chapter Eleven: Moments

"I've never felt this way before...about anyone. This is all new to me," Christine said, looking into his eyes.

"You've been in love before haven't you?"

She shook her head. "Not like this. I thought I was in love before, but I was wrong. This is a whole new feeling for me."

He held her close to him, caressing her hair, taking her scent in. "It is isn't it? But I'm not going to complain. I rather like it."

"I do too."

Christine smiled, and lay her head against his chest, her arms around his waist.

"I don't suppose you're up for a voice lesson," he said, chuckling a bit.

"No, I'm not. I just want to stay here, in your arms. That's all I want. I've had the most terrible day."

"Oh?"

"Yes, Raoul asked me out the other night..."

"Raoul de Chagny?" he interrupted, pulling away from her.

"That's the one. He told me that he liked me a lot and asked me out to dinner tonight. Then, after school, I was waiting for Meg and she was late and ran out of the school like a bat out of hell and the proceeded to tell me that Raoul had come on to her and kissed her in the hallway after school, telling her that he was using me to get to her and that he never wanted me in the first place."

"He said what?"

She nodded. "Yep, that's exactly what he said. I was so pissed. And then, I told Meg about our kiss the other night and --"

"You told Meg about our kiss?"

"Uh, yeah. She's my best friend. I tell her everything."

He laughed. "I see. Go on then."

"So...before I was so rudely interrupted, I told Meg about our kiss the other night and told her that I thought I had feelings for you and she told me to go for it. Soooooo, she was helping me pick out this dress and while I was in the shower, our friend Ashley called my cell wanting to know what was going on with Raoul. Apparently, Meg had told Ashley all about her run-in with Raoul and Ashley was calling to find out what I was going to do."

"Wait a minute? Who's Ashley?"

"Ashley Hunter. She's been our friend since we were freshman. She's used to the finer things in life. Her dad has stock in de Chagny enterprises or something like that. I'm surprised that she doesn't know Raoul."

Erik thought for a moment. "Does she drive a blue convertible?"

"Yeah...last I checked. Why?"

"Well, I was coming home from running a few errands earlier today and I passed by the de Chagny mansion on my way and saw a blue convertible pull into the driveway. A girl was behind the wheel, about your age."

Christine paled. "You saw a blue convertible pull into the de Chagny mansion earlier?"

"Yes, I did. Is that a bad thing?"

"No, I guess not," she said, after thinking a moment. "I guess she does know Raoul. I'm just worried that she went over there to give him what for."

He shrugged. "Well I don't know what she was over there for but she was over there. I didn't think anything of it."

"Well, I'm not going to worry about it too much. I don't want anything to do with Raoul de Chagny anyways. He's an arrogant bastard!"

"Aw come on now Christine. He's not that bad," Erik joked.

"Not that bad? Erik, he's been on me ever since my dad died. Every time I turn around, he's there, telling me that I've done something wrong or that I'm moving to fast or something. God! He's so freaking annoying!"

"Well, don't worry about him. He's not worth your time."

"You're right, he's not."

She looked at him. "I really don't want to think about him right now Erik. All I was is for you to hold me and tell me you love me."

"Well then my dear, your wish is my command."

He returned his arms to their place around her waist and held her close. "Is this what you wanted?"

"It's exactly what I wanted. It's exactly what I need."

"Oh I don't think it's exactly what you need."

"You don't?"

Chuckling, he shook his head. "Nope, there is something else that you need, but only I know what it is."

"Is that so?"

"It is so. Would you like to know what it is?"

"I would. Tell me!"

"Okay, but instead of telling you, why don't I just show you?"

She looked at him, confused. "Show me? I don't understand."

"Then just close your eyes, and you'll find out in a moment."

"But--" she started to protest but was silenced by his finger upon her lips.

"No buts Miss Daae. Just do as you are told."

Defeated, she sighed and closed her eyes. Slowly, he leaned in and kissed her lips gently, wrapping his arms tighter around her waist. She deepened the kiss, holding him close to her body, her hands snaking up around his neck, her fingers entwining in his hair. His tongue demanded entrance into her mouth. Opening her mouth slightly, she complied with his demand, their tongues entwining. His hands moved up her back, sending a shiver down her spine. She trembled slightly and Erik broke the kiss and looked into her eyes. "Christine?"

She stood there, eyes still closed, not knowing what to do. A million feelings rushed through her and her mind raced to try and sort them out.

"Christine? Are you all right? Did I do something wrong?"

"No...Of course not. You could never do anything wrong in my eyes Erik. Everything is perfect...completely and utterly perfect."

"Then, if everything is so perfect like you say it is, why are your eyes still closed?"

"They are? I hadn't really noticed," she replied, laughing.

"Open your eyes Angel. Let me look into those beautiful eyes."

Slowly, she opened her brown eyes and saw his green eyes staring into them. "There we go. That's much better."

Christine blushed and pulled away. "You're too kind Erik."

Looking up at the clock, he saw that it was getting late. "Christine, as much as I don't want you to go, it is getting rather late. I don't want you being late for school tomorrow."

"Don't make me go. Please --"

Her phone ringing interrupted her. Digging into her purse, she finally came up with the offending object and looked at the caller id, seeing that it was Raoul. "Oh joy, my most favorite person. This will only take me a minute." She flipped her phone open. "Hello?"

"Where the hell are you?" Raoul practically yelled on the other end of the line. "You were supposed to meet me at the restaurant almost two hours ago!"

"Well hello to you too Raoul. It's so good to hear from you."

"Cut the crap Christine. Where the hell are you? And if you tell me that you're over at Destler's place I swear I'll..."

"You'll what Raoul? You'll do what? Use me to get to my best friend? You're so full of shit. I can't believe I actually agreed to go on a date with you."

"What the hell are you talking about? Use you to get to your best friend? I would never do that!"

"Bullshit! That's complete and total bullshit Raoul. Meg told me everything! She told me that you came on to her in the hall...pressing her up against her locker, kissing her...God! It makes me sick just thinking about it! You're just a lying bastard! A arrogant lying bastard!"

"Christine, listen to me--"

"You know what Raoul? I'm done listening to you. Ever since Dad died, all you've been telling me is what I shouldn't do. All I've heard come out of your mouth is 'Don't do this Christine', 'Don't do that Christine'. Well you know what Raoul? I'm sick and tired of it! Stay the hell out of my life!"

"I'll be waiting for you when you get home Christine. Don't you dare think that this is over! It's far from over. I'll be waiting for you when you get home."

"Get over yourself Raoul. You come anywhere near my house and I'll call the police."

"You can try Christine...you can only try. I'll be--" Christine didn't even wait to hear what he had to say. She closed the phone with a resounding snap.

"What was that all about?" Erik asked.

"Oh, did I forget to mention that I totally ditched Raoul tonight? He was calling to ask...no, he was calling to demand where I was. I'm totally sick of his games."

"But what was it you said about going near your house?"

"Oh, it's nothing. He just said that he was going to be waiting for me when I got home. But I could care less. I'm not going home," she replied. "You're not going to make me go home are you?"

He shook his head. "I'm not going to make you do something that you don't want to do Christine. It's obvious that you don't want to go home so I'm not going to make you."

"Thank you. I really don't want to see him...that lying bastard...that lying...arrogant bastard! I want nothing to do with him! Ugh! He makes me so mad!"

"Well, Christine, that lying, arrogant bastard isn't here. But I am."

"I'm glad you are here. I don't know what I would do without you."

Erik laughed. "You would probably be going insane."

"True," she replied, giggling a bit.

"While I won't make you go home, I will however suggest that you go home. You do have school tomorrow and all of your books are at your house. Your clothes too for that matter. I can't afford to have you missing school. You need to keep your grades up."

She sighed. "As much as I don't want to admit it, you're right. I've actually got a big lab in chemistry tomorrow. It's supposed to count for half my grade.

But I don't want to go there if Raoul is going to be there. I want to stay as far away from him as possible. The further, the better."

"Well...No...That would be improper..."

"What? What would be improper?"

He looked at her thoughtfully. "Well...I could come and stay at your house tonight. Just to keep Raoul away from you. Is Meg staying at your place tonight?"

Christine shook her head. "No, I sent her home before I came over here. I didn't know what was going to happen so I sent her home so she wouldn't have to be by herself."

"Then that settles it. I'm going to stay with you tonight. I don't think that it's safe to be by yourself tonight. Not with Mr. de Chagny awaiting your return," he said. "Is that alright with you? I don't want to impose."

"Oh now you want to ask?" she said with a laugh.

"I'm sorry. I should have asked before I just invited myself over."

"Oh no...It's alright," Christine replied. "I was just giving you crap. Throw some stuff in a bag and let's go."

"Okay, give me a minute."

"I'll wait outside."

Before he could answer, she walked out the door and down the stairs into the kitchen. Walking over to the fridge, she opened it and grabbed a bottle of water, opening it and taking a drink. She was excited at the thought of Erik staying at her home. It was like he was protecting her...no, he was protecting her. Raoul had obviously flipped his lid. It wasn't safe to be around him alone. It was good thing that Meg had gone home earlier. If she saw Christine bring Erik home, she was going to ask a million questions...questions that Christine didn't want to deal with tonight. Leaning against the counter, she took in her surroundings. The massive kitchen had marble countertops, and all the latest appliances. Beautiful Spanish tile lined the floor.

"Christine? You ready?" Erik called out as he descended the stairs.

"Yeah...I'm ready."

Christine walked out of the kitchen and into the entryway where he waited for her. "There you are," he said, kissing her gently on the cheek.

"I'm sorry. I needed a drink. I hope that you don't mind."

He shook his head. "No, of course not. Shall we take my car or yours?"

"Well, since my car is my only mode of transportation, why don't we take both? That way, while I'm at school tomorrow, you can go wherever you need to go and not have to worry about finding a ride."

"Sounds like a plan then. So I'll meet you there?"

She nodded. "Yep, see you there."

They walked out of the house together, Erik leaving strict instructions with his staff not to let anyone in the house while he was away. Christine walked over to her car and got in, starting the engine. Music blared out of the stereo and she leaned over to turn it down. Looking up, she saw Erik looking at her.

"Sorry," she said, blushing. "I forgot that I was listening to one of my favorite songs when I pulled up."

He laughed. "It's quite alright. I'll see you there."

Getting into his own car, Erik started the engine and waited for Christine to pull out of the driveway before putting his own car into gear and following her out of the driveway.

She drove along the city streets at a normal speed, keeping an eye on Erik's car in her review mirror. Stopping at a stoplight, she saw that he was right behind her and smiled. The light changed and she continued on towards the Daae home.

Erik kept a safe distance behind her. He didn't want to scare her, but still wanted to keep an eye on her at the same time. He was about to pull out into the intersection to follow her when another driver cut him off. Stopping suddenly, he waited until the other driver had gone ahead and then continued on his way. He looked out into the distance for Christine's car, but didn't see it. "Damn it!" he said out loud. He continued driving, hoping to find her car eventually.

Christine pulled on to her street, and immediately groaned out loud upon seeing Raoul's car in her driveway. "Well I have to say that he's true to his word," she said to herself. Pulling her car into her driveway, she turned off the engine and got out of the car, keeping her keys in her fist.

Raoul, upon seeing her pull into the driveway, got out of his car and approached her. "Well, it's nice to see that you are home now Christine. Home where you are safe."

"I may be home Raoul, but I'm not safe just yet. I'll give you till the count of ten to get your ass off my property before I call the police. One."

"Oh come on Christine. You can't be serious," he protested.

"Two."

"You're being stupid Christine. This is stupid."

"Three."

"Go on, continue counting. I'm not leaving."

"Four."

He stood there, arms folded across his chest staring at her.

"Five."

"Give it up already Christine. You're little game isn't going to work."

"Six."

Erik turned on to Christine's street and saw Christine and Raoul standing in the driveway, staring at each other. "Oh this can't be good," he said. He pulled his car up next to the curb and got out. "Christine? You alright?"

"Destler! What the hell are you doing here?" Raoul said, turning to face him.

"Seven."

"I'm here because I was invited Mr. de Chagny, which is more than I can say for you," Erik replied. "Christine, are alright?"

"Get away from her!" Raoul yelled.

"Eight. Your time is almost up Raoul," Christine said.

"I'm not leaving Christine. Get that out of your head. Quit playing games with me."

"I'm not playing games with you Raoul. I want you off my property now. Nine."

"I'd do what she says Mr. de Chagny," Erik said, walking over to Christine.

"Get the hell out of here Destler! This doesn't concern you!"

"Ten. That's it Raoul. I'm calling the police." Christine pulled out her phone and proceeded to dial the local police station.

"Alright, fine. I'll leave. But this is far from over Christine...far from over."

Before anyone could get another word in, he got into his car and sped off.

Christine breathed a sigh of relief. "Boy, am I glad he's gone. I actually wanted him to be stubborn and stay just so I could watch his smug ass hauled off to jail."

"That would have been nice," Erik replied. "Now, it's a little chilly out. Why don't we go inside?"

"Sounds like a plan."

He smiled. "Alright, let me get my bag. I'll meet you inside."

She nodded. "Okay."

Christine unlocked the front door and walked into the house, her first stop being the kitchen to check the messages on the machine. The light was blinking, letting her know that there were messages. Walking past, she pushed the play button and went to get something to eat from the fridge.

"Chrissy, it's me. Raoul just called me and he sounded real mad. He's looking for you Christine. I didn't tell him where you went. I promise. Call me when you get in. I want to hear all about your date! Bye!"

She laughed and took a bite out of the apple that she had found. Reaching over, Christine pushed the button that would erase the message.

"Christine, where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here a half an hour ago...where are you?" Raoul's voice said.

"Far away from you," she said to herself.

"Christine?"

She smiled as she heard Erik's voice call out. "I'm in the kitchen. I'll be out in a minute!"

"Okay, I'll be in the living room."

A few minutes later, she walked into the living room to find Erik walking around, looking at all the pictures that had been hung on the wall during the years that her family had lived in the house. "Who's that?" he asked, pointing to a woman in one picture.

Christine looked at the picture and smiled. "That's my mother. This was taken when she was pregnant with me."

"She's very beautiful."

"Yeah, she was."

"Christine, I know that this is a tough subject but how did your mother die?"

She looked down. "It was a few years after I was born. She got sick...I don't remember what with. Then, all of a sudden, she wasn't there anymore. Dad didn't say much after she died...I almost don't remember her."

"It's alright Christine...maybe we should sit down...relax. You need it after the night you've had." Erik took her hand and led her over to the couch, where they both sat down.

Christine leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed. "I can't believe that Raoul is that stupid. I guess all that money rotted his brain."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so. Well Christine, now that you are home, what would you like to do?"

"I just want to go to bed. I'm tired."

"Alright, then off to bed with you."

She stood up, offering her hand to him. "Come with me?" she asked.

Erik looked up at her, his eyes wide. "Are you sure?"

"I'm not offering to have sex with you Erik. I just don't want to be alone. You can sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag if you want."

"Alright. That sounds better." He took her hand and followed her into her room.

"The sleeping bag is in the hall. I'm going to go and change. I'll be right back."

Picking up her pj's off of a chair in her room, she went into the bathroom and closed the door. Erik found the sleeping bag rather easily and rolled it out upon the floor. Finding an extra pillow, he tossed it on the floor and then sat upon her bed, removing his shoes and socks, and then unbuttoning his shirt and folded it neatly, placing it in his bag. Digging around in his bag, he recovered his sweatpants and slid them on after removing his slacks. Just as he was pulling his sweats over his hips, he heard the bathroom door open and Christine walked out in a tank top and sweat pants of her own. She stopped and stared at him for a moment.

"Is there something wrong Christine?"

She shook her head. "No, but I have to admit, you look really hot right now," she replied, blushing.

"Well thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."

Erik sat down on the edge of her bed and watched her as she brushed out her chestnut curls and then gathered them into a loose ponytail. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," she said, crawling into bed.

He lay next to her, on top of the sheets, and held her in his arms. She laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his upper torso.

"Erik?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Christine?"

Silence.

"Christine? You awake?"

He listened for a moment and the looked down. She was sleeping peacefully. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead gently. "Goodnight Angel."

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I remain your obedient authoress,

Phantomfan1911