Thank you for the kind reviews, friends!

This is a long one; not too much action this time, more talking and discussion. I felt that the characters needed more understanding of one another. Please let me know what you think.

So, yes! Phanty belongs to Leroux and Lloyd Weber... and himself.

Chapter 12!


Footsteps drew near. Christine had covered her mouth with her hand so that it would not betray her and make sound. She could almost hear her own pulse and she could feel Erik's heart beating a mile a minute. Perhaps she should speak? If it were Raoul then surely he needed to know where they were... but what if it was someone else. Could someone else have been watching them? Erik held her tightly, as if willing her not to make a sound. Every muscle in his body was rigid and he kept his breathing shallow... she guessed that he was probably quite experienced in this field; hiding.

The anticipation was almost too much to bear and part of her wanted to cry out, if only to end this anxiety. Thankfully though the voice that spoke was a familiar one.

"Christine?" Raoul whispered. "Where are you?" They both audibly exhaled. Christine looked up at Erik as he loosened his grip slightly. His eyes questioned her.

Do you think he is alone?

"Christine, I got you a horse..."

Reading Erik's troubled mind, Christine mouthed the words that he needed to hear.

Yes.

Despite Erik's reservations about the man, Christine trusted him. She trusted him with her life. Slowly she stepped out of the alcove to see Raoul's expression change from panic to overwhelming relief. He too must have been wracked with anxiety the entire time; fearing for her well-being, wondering whether she would still be there upon his return or whether any more harm would befall them in his wake.

"Christine. Thank god." He smiled and moved to embrace her when Erik stepped out behind her; overbearingly tall and looking as dangerous as ever. Raoul hesitated and looked to Erik.

"You are safe. Good. I brought the horse that I promised you." He gestured to a large white stallion a few feet behind him. Erik followed Raoul's gesture and looked behind him. Upon seeing the horse that Raoul had chosen, he too changed facial expressions in seconds.

"Caesar!" His face lit up at the sight of the animal and he pushed past the bewildered Vicomte to reach it.

"Caesar?" Raoul questioned, looking at Christine.

"His horse." She said, looking over to Erik who was now patting the large animal and whispering to it affectionately. She smiled. This was another side of him she had not yet seen; it was truly wonderful to see him with Caesar. His eyes had taken on an unusual softness and there was a senseless, child-like grin upon his face that made her heart swell with happiness. His horse seemed equally pleased at being reunited with Erik; nuzzling his master and trotting about aimlessly.

"His horse? I brought you his horse? He has a horse?"

"Yes, I have a horse, boy." Erik spat behind him; the flabbergasted Vicomte was no doubt in wonder at the Phantom's keen hearing. "My parents did not buy it for me though, as I expect yours did."

"Erik... Raoul's parents aren't alive." Christine spoke, trying to put a damper on Erik's temper and cool the situation down before it became heated again.

"No, you only stole it." Raoul spat back, ignoring Christine.

At this, Erik spun around to face Raoul and began walking up to him. Raoul stepped back involuntarily, slightly threatened.

"Stole it? Oh, I suppose you would know all about that, Vicomte." Erik spoke venomously. "Do you make a habit of stealing the affections of women, women who had already promised themselves to others...or was I special? And please, Christine, I feel no compassion for Raoul's family situation. Neither would you if you knew of mine..."

"Erik, please just stop." She said.

"How can you act like this when I just performed for you another favor?"Raoul reasoned.

"Favor? You brought me my own horse, boy!" Erik towered over Raoul but he did not budge. "Tell me, did you buy Christine that ring or was it previously owned as well...? Perhaps it was already hers and you simply re-gifted it?"

"Oh, and I suppose you stealing that very same ring and giving it to Christine is another matter entirely? Do remember that it is mine!"

Erik grabbed Raoul by the collar. "Do not dare to tell me what to remember you impudent fool. I warn you, do not push me..." He growled.

"Erik, let him go! This is ridiculous!"

"You warn me? You are just as loathsome as they make you out to be. Put me down or I shall..."

"Shall? You shall what, Vicomte? You may have bested me with your sword that frightful New Year's day in the cemetery, but what now?"

"So, you will not admit it?"

"Admit what you arrogant clod?"

"That the ring is mine."

Erik smirked. "Oh yes. The ring is yours... but Christine is not."

At this, Raoul threw his fist into Erik's side, intentionally hitting his injured rib. He immediately dropped Raoul and with a yell of pain keeled over onto the wet cobblestones.

"Erik! Are you alright?" Christine rushed to him and knelt down by his side. "Raoul! Why did you do that!? You could have really injured him!"

"I am not at fault here, Christine. He will live... unfortunately."

"Raoul! Oh why can't you two just get along!? All I ask is for you to be civil to one another! You are like two old women! It is incredibly frustrating!" She turned to Erik who was in a considerable amount of pain. "Can you sit up?"

"...Not yet..." He looked at Raoul with a pained expression on his face. "...Blockhead!"

"Monster." Raoul retorted.

"Just stop!" Christine yelled into the night air. Slowly, she helped Erik rise. He held his side and looked at her.

"Let us go." With great discomfort he walked to his horse; shooting a hostile glare at Raoul as he pushed past him.

"Christine, please contact me as soon as it is safe." Raoul said to Christine, his hand affectionately on her arm. "And do try your best to improve that temper of his, if only for your sake."

She smiled. "I will do my best." She knew that this was goodbye... certainly for a while and possibly forever. She didn't know where her journey with Erik would take her, if it would ever be safe to visit him or if it would be safe to be in France at all. She was dreading having to make eye contact with him but when she did, she did not find what she expected to. There was no hate in his eyes, no blame, and no guilt... just affection. Somehow though, this was worse.

"Raoul... I... I am sorry for everything... I will try to write to you to explain myself but I just feel like a terrible person. You were nothing but fair to me and I have been nothing but awful to you. It seems that no matter what I do I am hurting someone."

"Shh.. It's alright, Christine. Well... if I am being honest... I would rather that you hurt him." He gestured to Erik was standing by his horse, glaring at him. "But do not feel bad, please. The heart wants what it wants. Just be safe. That's all I ask..."

Christine smiled at him, tears welling up in his eyes. She hugged him. Erik would have a problem with it but at this moment, she did not care. Raoul still meant a lot to her and it did not feel right to part any other way.

"Keep her safe." He shot at Erik.

"Of course." Erik replied without his usual input of sarcasm and venom he usually saved for interaction with the Vicomte. His response was simple and honest. He would keep her safe; he would protect her with his last breath.

"I will find a way to contact you soon, to let you know that I am alright. I owe you that at least..." Christine said before looking down despondently.

"You owe me nothing, Christine. But yes, I should like to hear from you. Perhaps to visit after a... suitable amount of time has passed... No matter. For the moment, get yourself somewhere safe, deal with... everything else later."

She nodded, knowing exactly what he meant by 'everything else'. There was so much that she needed time to think on but the priority was finding refuge off the streets and away from danger. As she walked up to Erik and Caesar, Erik gave her a sympathetic smile. He knew how hard this must all be for her; how draining this night had been and it was not yet over. He helped Christine up onto Caesar's back and with some difficulty, mounted the horse himself and sat behind her. He gripped the reins; this was it, he was holding freedom in his hands. Perhaps it was this thought or the fact that the smooth leather was cooler than he had expected but he shivered slightly. Freedom from the law, from the prison he had built around himself, freedom from solitude...

"Are you strong enough?" Raoul asked him.

"I will be for this; for her." Erik answered in a surprisingly civil tone. Raoul nodded curtly.

Erik turned Caesar around, preparing to leave. He had had enough of this boy's smug face and they were running out of time.

"Wait... Raoul, what is the time?" Christine asked.

Raoul checked his pocket watch and with a puzzled expression on his face, answered.

"Five o'clock."

"Almost dawn." Erik said quietly. "We should go."

"Yes..."

"Good bye, Christine."

"Good bye, Raoul." As they rode away and Raoul faded into the distance, she could not help but feel that a piece of her faded with him; her childhood perhaps. This night had matured her more than most of her time at the Opera had and she feared that soon, Raoul would be nothing but another memory from her past, her childhood that she could look back on fondly.

Raoul had been one of the few people to have known her father... so was saying goodbye turning her back on him? No, she had chosen her Angel of Music; her father would have wanted this... No, she had to stop living in that childish dream. This was a real man; this night had taught her that. She had made her choice like an adult. No more memories, no more fantasies or illusions.

Erik regarded Christine silently. She had not spoken since they had departed Raoul's company.

"I will keep Caesar at a walking pace until we are out of Paris. They may be watching for this sort of thing so I don't want to make too much noise." As soon as he had spoken he cursed himself for making such small talk. There was no sound but that of Caesar's hooves on the pavement; this seemed to intensify the stagnant atmosphere.

"...Alright." She said quietly.

"Christine I... know this must be difficult for you, I know that you cared for him..."

"No it... isn't that." She looked down.

Erik shifted uncomfortably then began again. "Well... if you are worried about... our living arrangements... I promise that I have nothing but honorable intentions... You needn't fear..."

"No..." She laughed slightly. "It's not that either." She could tell that he was uncomfortable with this topic and felt the need to stop him before he embarrassed himself further.

"Well... something is wrong, and do not insult my intelligence by trying to deny the fact. I have known you for a long time..."

"Yes. Well... it isn't Raoul. That is to say, it isn't that I do not want to leave him. It is more about what he represents. Leaving him is leaving this whole world. The only one I have known besides my father. And Raoul knew my father... so, in a way I am feeling a sense of loss..."

"But... you do not regret..."

"No! I told you. I do not regret my choice." She placed her hands over his in front of her and she thought that she felt him jerk slightly.

"It is just a big step for me, you see."

For a moment the sensation of her hands on his prevented him speaking. Did she even have the smallest understanding of the power which she had over him? Would she ever?

"...I understand... perhaps more than anyone. I have lived there longer than you, do not forget."

"Yes." She smiled.

"If it is your wish, you shall see him again. If you choose to stay with me, there will be no rules. Not this time, Christine. As much as I dislike the man, I too would do anything for your happiness."

"...Anything?" She smiled.

"Well... within reason?" He wondered what was on her mind.

"Would you... consider being my teacher again?"

"Teacher?" He laughed. "I... Well it does feel like an eternity since I have allowed myself the pleasure of music... but I... just don't know about that. I have reservations about it because of everything that happened. I want this to be a fresh start... and the relationship we had was built on nothing but lies and I fear that if... we start that again..."

"What...?"

"Well... If we start that again... you might be reminded of everything that I... how I acted and... change your mind."

"But you wanted me to return to you... remember? You mentioned it at the Bal Masque..."

"Christine, please. Let us not dwell on those times." He said curtly.

She sighed. She could tell that he had closed himself off and that this conversation was not to be continued as it was so she tried a different tactic.

"Well... I can understand your apprehension but the truth is that I am in need of a tutor... I had hoped that you would fill that position but if you are not interested in the role then I shall simply have to seek out someone else..."

"What?! You would not dare." He retorted seriously. "Who else could possibly measure up to your standards... to mine? Who else in Paris possesses the musical skill and knowledge required for such a task? I have not come across a better musician in my time and I doubt that..."

"You haven't left me any choice, Erik."

"But how...? How could you possibly subject your voice, your instrument to a sub-standard... I will take up the position."

"So... you will do it?!" She turned around as much as she could and beamed at him, eyes wide.

"Yes. Of course. I cannot have some inexperienced buffoon destroying our progress. How could you possibly..."

"Calm yourself. I was not being serious."

"I... what?"

"I would never seek out another tutor." She smiled.

Erik took a deep breath and laughed at himself in disbelief. He was not usually so gullible. "I... good. That is good. You should not be so cruel to your tutor, Christine." He grinned, smugly. She turned back around and did the same.

"It isn't that I did not want to, you understand. The hours of your music lessons were some of my best..."

"Yes. Mine too. It will be fine; just like before only better." She smiled. "So... where are we going, exactly?"

"Ah. I was wondering when you would ask." His voice was warm and comforting behind her. How could one person have so many facets to their character? "I have a small house outside of Paris which I keep for emergencies such as this. It is fully stocked with food and clothes and... I keep some ladies clothing too..." He hesitated. "I always kept it there in case there was a small chance of... well this very scenario playing out. I wanted you to be comfortable."

"How thoughtful." She smiled.

"Yes."

"You had been... thinking of me for quite a while then...?"

"Yes." He thought it best not to disclose the amount of time; 10 years or so.

After a short, awkward silence, she spoke again. "Forgive me but... how do you keep it stocked? Forgive me if this sounds rude but... did you leave the Opera often?"

"Occasionally I would leave at night. Other times Madame Giry would assist me."

"Oh! You two know one another? How is that so?"

"...A long story I'm afraid, perhaps for another time."

"But I would be quite interested to know..."

"Not just now, Christine. Please, just leave it." Again, his character had changed. The Phantom had returned.

"Alright..."

"Erik?"

"Hmm?"

"Would you mind terribly if... I rested on you? It's just that I'm quite tired and..."

"No! Not at all... Of course... you can."

Please do.

With that she leaned back into him. Surrounded by his chest and arms she felt incredibly safe.

"Does it hurt?"

"Not at all. You are keeping me warm, in fact." He smiled. It did hurt, yes, but Christine wanted to lean on him, she wanted to. She asked to. He would of course oblige. The sensation of her hair against his bare skin was heavenly, in a way it was keeping him alert, but he was already beyond exhausted and her other-worldly warmth threatened to put him to sleep... again... Aside from his nap earlier; the nap that landed him in quite a predicament he had never felt so comfortable. He would have to make a conscious effort to stay awake.

They continued on in silence for a few minutes and soon Christine began notice a change in the landscape; Buildings were become increasingly scarce. Soon after she noticed this, Caesar began to trot.

"Hold on." He said to her. Changing Caesar's gait was seemingly the only way to stay conscious under such circumstances.

"The sun is coming up." She remarked as she noticed that the highlights on her surroundings had changed from a blue to a yellow.

"Yes. We shall have to make up some time if we wish to reach our destination undiscovered. Hold on tightly, Christine. We should be there in an hour or so." With that, he moved Caesar into a gallop. By now the ache in his side was maddening; with every motion a fresh jolt of pain shot through him.

Each time Caesar hit the ground he had to remind himself of where he was, who was with him, how far he had come, how far they had come together. They were almost there. He could almost taste his freedom, his happiness. Christine would be his, day and night. They could live together as man and woman; as regular people. Perhaps they would travel together or perhaps they would simply live out their days in mundanity. It hardly mattered to him. It seemed though as though it were too good to be true. It almost always was. Could happiness really be this attainable? He had suffered to get where he was but was it enough? It never seemed to be. Perhaps something would happen. Perhaps the Gendarmerie had followed them, perhaps someone else had. Perhaps it would be a gunshot in the back, or maybe someone would be waiting for them at their destination. With every piece of ground covered he risked it all; his life, Christine's...

Someone like him was never allowed happiness for very long...


The man had watched them sneak into the alley. He had watched their conversation and their embrace. He had seen them mount the horse and he had seen where they went... They would want to know what he had found. He would have to inform them of his findings. He would return later.