Wandering child

Disclaimer: I do not own P.O.T.O.
Christine's eyes fluttered open and she looked next to her. Erik had his arm wrapped around her waist and he was smiling. Christine smiled and kissed his forehead. He opened his eyes and looked up at her.

''Good morning, darling.'' he said.

''Good morning darling.'' she replied. They both got up and made the bed. Afterwards, Erik wrapped his arms around Christine and rocked her back and forth.

''Erik.''

''Yes?''

''We should get dressed.''

''Alright.''

Erik left and got changed in his room, while Christine picked out a dress and put on a small ammount of perfume. When she emerged, Erik was sitting at the organ and looking through some of his music. When he saw Christine, he motioned for her to come over and he handed her a sheet of paper.

''Today, we're going to have your lessons for much longer.''

All day Erik gave Christine singing lessons and showed her some new pieces of music.

''Oh my goodness!'' Christine gasped after she was done singing one of the pieces of music. ''I have rehersals today!''

Erik took her up to her old dressing room and she ran off. He sighed happily and snuck into box 5.

''There you are, mademoiselle.'' Mme Giry said. She pulled Christine over and showed her where she was to stand. Then, she told the girls to get into their positions. They started and the rehersal went by quickly. Christine was so happy to be singing in the lead!

Raoul couldn't take it anymore! He needed Christine back in his home even if he would have to do it by force. He grabbed his coat and ran out to his buggy.

''You will come back, Christine Da'ae.'' he said to himself. He continued down the road until he was outside the opera house. He jumped down and ran inside. He reached the auditorium and looked for Mme Giry. When he spotted her he ran over.

''Mme Giry!'' he yelled. She turned around and her eyes wnet wide. He ran up to her and his face was red with anger and frustration.

''Where is she?'' he asked. ''Where is Christine Da'ae?''

Mme Giry started to talk, but Monsieur Andre stepped in.

''Ah, miss Da'ae. Yes, she returned to us some time ago. She is starring in our production of Hannibal.''

Raoul shoved past them both and ran into the girl's dormitories. Some of the girls eyed him as he ran through, searching for Christine. He grabbed a girl and shook her by the shoulders.

''Where is Christine Da'ae?'' he demanded.

''I think she is in her dressing room, monsieur.''

Raoul dropped her onto the floor and down the corridors. When he reached Christine's room, he burst thedoor openand found Christine talking to Meg. They both stared at him and got out of their chairs.

''Raoul, what are you doing here?'' Christine demanded. Meg backed away alittle.

''I want you to come back home.''

''This is my home, Raoul.''

''You're coming back with me, Christine.''

''No, Raoul. I am happy here and I've moved on.''

Raoul ascended toward he, but suddnely, the mirror opened and Erik came out. Punjab lasso in hand. He had heard the conversation from behind the mirror. Raoul backed up, but then he pulled a pistol out from his coat pocket. He moved over and grabbed Meg by the arm. He pulled her to him and pointed the gun to her head.

''Don't move or I'll kill her!'' he yelled. Meg whimpered and hereyes went wide with fear. Christine's face went white and she reached out her arms. Erik held her back and thought of a plan. He suddenly looked at Christine and grabbed her neck. He threw the lasso around it and held her to him.

''Let her go or I'll kill Christine.''

Raoul's eyes went wide with astonishment and he looked from Christine to Meg. He smiled and pointed the gun at Erik.

''No, you won't.'' he said as he shot Erik in the chest. Erik let go of Christine and stumbled backwards. He fell to the ground and let out a cry of pain. Christine let outan ear piercing scream and fell to her knees next him.

''Erik.'' she sobbed. ''Don't leave me.''

Meg caught Raoul off guard and grabbed the gun. She kicked him to the ground and pointed the gun at him.

''You disgust me.'' she said right before she pulled the trigger. A loud gunshot rang through the air and Raoul was dead. Meg dropped the gun and stared at Raoul. Had she just killed someone? She turned and looked at Christine. She was sprawled over Erik's chest and stroking his hair.

''Don't leave me.'' she sobbed. Tears ran down her face as she smoothed back his hair. Mme Giry came running into the room and didn't know who to worry about more, Erik or Raoul. She ran to Erik and asked what had happened. Christine pointed to Raoul in disgust.

''He shot him.''

''Then he killed himslf too?''

''No, maman.'' Meg's voice cut in. ''I killed him.''

Meg sank to her knees and sobbed uncontrollably. Mme Giry helped Christine get Erik onto the bed and they called for a doctor.

''Christine.'' Erik whispered. Christine sat by him and stroked his hair some more.

''Erik, don't leave me. You don't have to go yet.''

''I won't leave you, Christine. I love you.''

That last part rang through Christine's ears. She managed a weak smile and rested her head next to his. The doctor came rushing in and asked for Christine to open Erik's shirt. The doctor examined the wound and looked up at Christine.

''The bullet has just grazed the skin on his side. Christine managed another smile and looked at Erik.

''How?''

''I was too quick for him to hit me. I guess it just barely hit me.''

Christine threw her arms around Erik and kissed him. The doctor fixed up the wound and Erik was ok. The doctor told him not to stretch that part for at least a few days until the wound healed. Mme Giry payed the man and he left. Then, she pulled out Raoul's body from behind the dressing screen and they tried to decide what to do with him.

''I'm so sorry.'' Meg wailed. Mme Giry assured her that it was ok and that she had done it for self defense. Meg stopped shaking and settled down. Christine comforted Erik some more and they made sure that Meg was ok.

''Meg, it's going to be ok. He was trying to hurt me and you shot him.''

''No! It's not going to be ok, Christine!''

Meg ran from the room and down the corridors. Christine ran to the door to stop her, but she was already gone.

Tears stung Meg's eyes as she ran away from Christine's room. She ran back into the stage area. Suddenly, she ran right into one of the stagehands. He grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and she could smell his breath on her face.

''Well well, what do we have here? Shouldn't young girls like yourself be practicing they're dancing?''

Meg pushed him away and continued down the corridors. She stopped when she reached a small storage room. She ran inside and cried her eyes out. She stayed like that for a while until she heard someone come in. It was Christine. She sat down next to Meg and looked at her.

''Meg, it's ok. You panicked. I would have down the same thing in your position. Now, come out of this storage room and let's go. We have rehersals. I know you're upset and you don't want to talk about it.''

Meg nodded and they both got up and left. When Christine returned with Meg, Mme Giry grabbed her by the shoulder and smiled at her. Everyone had rehersals and then they went back to their rooms.

It was the night of the production and Christine was a nervous wreck. Mme Giry helped her with her costume and she walked out to get ready for opening night. She walked out onto the stage and they started. Christine looked up and saw Erik sitting in box five. She smiled at him and took a deep breath. The show was a huge sucess and afterwards, Christine ran backstage to her dressing room to find Erik. He wasn't in there so Christine sat down and waited for him. A few minutes later, he showed up in the doorway and reached for her hand. She took it and he led her up the spiral staircase.

''Where are we going, Erik?''

''You'll see, Christine.''

They reached the roof and Erik took Christine outside. It was lightly snowing and Erik led her over to the edge. They looked down at all of the people leaving.

''They came for you tonight. To hear you sing.'' he told her as he gestured towards the people below. Christine smiled and looked at him.

''I couldn't have done it without my teacher.''

Christine wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Then, she pulled back and looked down at the people. Erik made sure everyone was gone and then he took Christine back inside. He took her down the flights of stairs and into the corridors. He led her onto the stage. They were at centerstage when he got down on one knee and pulled out a small box. He opened it to reveal a glittering ring.

''Christine Da'ae, will you marry me?''

''Yes, I will!''

Christine flung her arms around his neck and kissed him again. He held her in his arms and they both wished that moment could last forever.