The accident

I do not own P.O.T.O

It had been a month since Christine had become an opera singer. Today, she had a performance. She was so excited! Erik and Ralph would be there, along with Meg and her mother and hundreds of other people. Christine put on her silky white dress and pinned a white rose hairclip in her hair. She put on some red lipstick and headed out the door. It was past 7, now and she would be a few minutes late. Everyone else would be there already. She drove down the street and stopped at a corner. She could see flashing lights ahead and she pulled over to see what had happened. She got out of the car and ran over. There was a policeman standing there and two cars that were smashed up. She walked up to the officer and asked him what had happened.

''Sir, what happened here? Is there anything I can do?''

The policeman looked at her sadly and sighed.

''No, but there was a car accident. One of the guys looked like he was going somewhere important. Poor guy.''

''Is he alright?''

''I don't know. I'm waiting for the peramedics to come. The other one was driving on the wrong side of the road. He was drunk. He hit this guy and now he's going to jail.''

''Oh my gosh. I can't believe that.''

Yeah, but the other one has this strange feeature about him. He's wearing a mask.''

Christine's eyes went wide with fear and concern.

''Erik.'' she whispered.

''What was that?'' the cop asked.

''I know him! Please, let me see him!''

''Alright, but he's in bad shape, miss.''

''I don't care. I just need to see him!''

The cop pointed over to the man laying on the grass. Christine ran over to his side and dropped to her knees.

''Erik.'' she whispered. He didn't wake up. She looked at the wounds and then bit her knuckles. She brushed back the hair out of his face and kissed his head. His eyes opened and he let out a quiet moan.

''Christine?''

''It's me, Erik. I'm here. You're going to be alright.''

''You're supposed to be at the performance.''

''They'll wait. I don't care about it right now.''

''Christine, go to the performance. I'll be fine. You can come after.''

Christine tried to hold back her tears. She could hear the distant sirens and she leaned down to kiss Erik again. The ambulence pulled up and some people got out and pulled a stretcher from the back of the veichle. They rushed over and lifted Erik onto it.

''I won't leave you.'' Christine told him. He reached up and carressed her cheek.

''Go.'' he whispered. Her eyes filled with tears as she watched them carry him off. She walked back to her car and drove off, watching him in the mirror until he was out of sight. When she arrived, she got out of the car and ran inside.

''You're late!'' the man said.

''I know!'' Christine replyed as she ran backstage. The announcer saw her and the lights dimmed.

''And now, miss Da'ae.''

She heard several cheers coming from the audience. She wiped the tears from her face and walked out onto the stage. She stood in the spotlight and peered out into the audience. Then, she began.

''Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem''

She felt the tears come back as she continued to sing.

''Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu''

She tried to hold them back, but it was so hard.

''Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem''

The chorus sang out their part and Christine waited patiently.

''Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei''

Christine took another deep breath and sang again.

''Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem''

She looked out into the audience once again, but this time, she saw Erik standing in the doorway. He was leaning on a crutch, but he was still there. He smiled at her and their eyes met. She smiled back and waited for the chorus to sing.

''Dona eis requiem''

She sang out her part.

''Sempiternam ''

''Dona eis requiem''

''Sempiternam ''

Then, she sang her solo again.

''Requiem...Sempiternam.''

The audience cheered and stood up. Christine bowed her head and then ran offstage. Ralph ran up to her with flowers.

''Christine, you were wonderful!''

''Thank you, Ralph, but I have to go see someone.''

She took the flowers and ran down the hallway. Erik was waiting for her with a red rose. She took it and kissed him.

''Oh, Erik! How did you get here?''

''I wasn't that badly hurt and I needed to see you sing.''

She put her arms around him and kissed him again. She didn't see Ralph standing there. He walked away and sighed to himself. Christine saw him and ran over.

''Ralph, where are you going?''

''I'm leaving. Christine, you didn't tell me that you were dating him. You said that he was just a friend and nothing more.''

''I'm so sorry, Ralph. I thought he was jsut a friend, but he's more than that. You're my friend, but nothing more. I shouldn't have lied to you. I'm sorry. But, my friend Meg is looking for someone. I could introduce you to her.''

''Ok, I'd like to meet her.''

Meg came rushing over with her mother behind her and Christine introduced Meg to Ralph. The two started talking and Christine made her way back over to Erik. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. The rest of the audience came rushing out and gave Christine flowers and complimented her on her performance. Then, she took Erik back to her apartment and let him spend the night.

''Christine...did you really mean it when you said...that you loved me?'' Erik asked her. She walked over to him and kissed him on the head.

''Yes.'' she replied. She sat down next to him on the sofa and he kissed her. They both cuddled on the sofa for a long while until they grew tired.

''I'll sleep on the sofa.'' Christine told him.

''No, it's your bed, you should be able to sleep in it.'' Erik replied. He motioned for Christine to go sleep in her bed.

''Erik, you're still recovering. You should sleep in my bed. And I won't have it any other way.''

With that, she crossed her arms and watched as he sighed and gave up.

''Alright, I'll sleep in your bed.''

Christine smiled with satisfaction and helped him get off the sofa. He walked over to her bed and she turned out the lights. Then, she made her way towards him and kissed him on the head.

''Goodnight, Erik.'' she told him as she walked over to the sofa and layed down.

''Goodnight, Christine.'' he replied as he drifted off to sleep.

In the middle of the night, Erik woke up and looked around. Christine was sleeping on the sofa, but she looked cold. She started to shiver and moan lightly. Erik slipped out of the bed and walked over to her. He gently lifted her off of the sofa and carried her over to the bed, laying her down and tucking her in. Then, he slowly started to walk towards the sofa, but someting grabbed his hand.

''Don't go.'' he heard Christine whisper. She had woken up. He turned and looked down at her. She smiled at him and he sighed. He walked to the other side of the bed and slid under the covers. Then, he leaned over and kissed her head. They both drifted back to sleep peacfully.