Christine unleashed the dogs and let them roam the apartment. They'd walked through a section of Central Park with Claudette, a new routine born of necessity. Without Erik, Christine didn't wish to walk through the park alone, especially at night. At least with Claudette, there was safety in numbers, not to mention the protection of her enormous Great Dane and the two Dobermans she was dog-sitting for Adele. King and Snow were well on their way to becoming the enormous beasts Erik had promised her, but they were still puppies despite their size.

More likely to try playing with a mugger than protect me from one, Christine thought with a slight smile as they moved off to the guestroom where their toys and chew bones were kept.

Christine sighed slightly as it struck her again how quiet the apartment was without Erik. It wasn't that he was a particularly loud or talkative man, but the loft just felt so empty without him. She had the strange feeling that this was his space, and she was simply holding the fort until he returned.

The castle awaits its king.

With nothing left to do for the evening, Christine continued on as she had for several weeks; she made herself a small dinner, fed the dogs, watched a bit of television or read, and then prepared herself for bed. Quickly changing out of her stylish sweater and jeans, she glanced at the clock. It was early, barely even ten, but there wasn't any reason to stay up late.

I have no one to talk to, and I won't go crazy and start talking to the dogs!

In all the time that Erik had been in the hospital, Christine had slept in his bed. She thought it symbolic, in a way. She slept there, and would sleep there until Erik came back. She knew it wouldn't be much longer- Erik was able to walk, and she could sense that the doctors were growing weary with Erik's determination in proving them wrong at every turn when it came to his care.

He had gone to a lot of trouble just to prove that he could recover himself in a quarter of the time estimated; there were times when it seemed to Christine that he resented the doctors' diagnosis, and had shown his strength just for the sake of being difficult.

She smiled at the memory of Erik proving he could stand and walk when a doctor had brought him a wheelchair days after he'd first woken up. "If you think for one second that I'll use that thing, I'll have you stripped of your license," Erik had threatened. Christine knew it was unlikely he had the power to do so, but there was no doubt in her mind that Erik wouldn't try.

So stubborn. I love that man…

Christine hoped that he would be released soon so that she could take care of him. They hadn't had much time alone since he'd woken up; it seemed their visiting time was always interrupted by a doctor or a nurse checking his charts and vitals.

She longed for him, Christine was not in any was ashamed to admit the truth. It had been weeks without a kiss or an embrace, and even longer than that since they had made love. Christine felt heat softly rise to her cheeks as she remembered she and Erik's first night together. The way he had danced, tricking her into thinking he was a novice when he in fact had such command of the floor. She forgave him for the lie- he'd only been teasing her, after all. He had also been masterful in the bed, bringing her pleasure before taking his own. He was considerate, ardent, and gentle in a way that was foreign to her.

Truly, Christine regretted that she hadn't allowed Erik to take her again- that night could have very well been their only night. She wouldn't let another chance slip through her fingers. She wanted him, as she hoped he still wanted her. She no longer felt nervous or even slightly worried at the prospect- the thought of losing Erik completely was infinitely more frightening than the remembered pain of their first joining.

The blonde sighed slightly to herself as she finished brushing her teeth, and then moved on to brush out her long hair. It had not gone unnoticed how much happier and at ease she was now that her time dancing in the club was over and done with.

Claudette, Raoul, and even Adele had all commented on her appearance, though Adele had done so in a back-handed sort of way. Something about her cheeks being "not quite as ashen as they were a few weeks ago". Christine had rolled her eyes, smiled and given her a tight "thank you" before saying how brave Adele was about avoiding the Botox craze, despite the obvious need. Some men appreciated an older woman, after all.

It was now a game they played whenever they saw each other; a bizarre friendship to be sure, but at least it kept her tongue sharp.

Christine strode into Erik's empty bedroom and stretched her legs, doing a few high kicks and spins just for the hell of it. When he was released from the hospital, she knew they would have a sit-down to discuss what was to be done with her future. She wanted to be with him, of course, but she was far too young to resign herself to the life of a housewife.

Erik had once mentioned something about her attending Columbia university, and he'd also said something about her dancing at the opera again. She didn't know if he was serious, or even what he wanted from her anymore- things had changed between them again, and Christine would do whatever he asked.

Erik will be home soon. All that can be done now is to wait for him…

Erik moved slowly up the streets leading toward his apartment building. It was only five blocks, a short walk by New York standards, but he had somehow forgotten about the bitter wind and the icy snow coating the ground. It irritated him, but he did not stop other than to buy a handful of cheap flowers from a street vendor.

It wasn't his usual style, but there were no quality flower shops open so late on his way home.

I'll buy her a proper bouquet tomorrow, he thought to himself as he crossed the street to his building. I'll take her out, buy her whatever she wants...I just want to be with her...

Stepping into the lobby and out from the cold was wonderful- warmth and familiarity swept over him and Erik smiled. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed being home until that moment. He might have paused to greet the security desk, but the knowledge that Christine was upstairs, in his home and not expecting him prompted Erik to move toward the elevators. They had only been alone in his hospital room, and even then they'd often been interrupted. The hospital had hardly been the place for romance. He'd hated the four white walls of his room, and didn't want to dwell on his time there.

The elevator took longer than he remembered, though Erik suspected that was due to his eagerness to be home.

Finally, the chamber lifted and Erik strode out, heading straight for his door. He stepped inside and was immediately greeted by the pups. Smiling, Erik stroked their smiling, panting faces, shushing them when Snow let out an eager bark. Christine hadn't noticed anyone enter the apartment yet, he thought it might be nice to surprise her. The loft was dark, though he could hear music coming from one of the back rooms- he had a CD player in his bedroom, but wasn't there also one in the guestroom?

Erik shut and locked the door behind him, allowing the dogs to trail after him as he walked about, reacquainting himself with his home. He tossed the flowers on the kitchen counter and took a quick look around. Very little had changed, as far as he could see, though there were a few subtle changes to be taken note of.

Christine's jacket was resting over the back of one of the chairs at the dining room table and a pair of pretty flats were on the floor beneath it. A handwritten grocery list was stuck to the door of the refrigerator- apparently they were out of milk and butter. Her purse was on the sofa, in her usual spot before the fireplace.

Erik smiled. So many telling clues that this loft was no longer in his sole possession- he shared his home with a woman now.

Christine.

He stuck his head in the guestroom, happy to find it empty.

Erik carefully slipped into his own room, thrilling inside to find her sleeping there in his bed. She belonged there, with him. Her pale hair was spread over the pillow. Erik lifted the top blanket to find her beneath the sheet, the material draping the silhouette of her long body. Her legs were parted slightly, her breasts rising and falling with each deep breath she took. Erik felt a deep hunger for her couple with his love; he felt invigorated, eager to prove to Christine just how virile he was.

Erik shed most of his own clothes and his mask before slipping under the covers, moving in close and molding his body to the shape of hers. He inhaled the delicate scent of her, innocent of soaps or perfume. His fingers speared into her hair and Erik brought her lips to his, overwhelmed with his love for her, overwhelmed with happiness that he had recovered, he had lived, and he was with her again!

He kissed her until they were both breathless, and then finally released her after she struggled against him and he heard a subtle whimper escape her throat. Erik was about to tell her she was his life, but before he could open his mouth, a strong little fist connected with his jaw.

Erik grunted and reeled back as Christine scrambled out of bed screamed at him, "Get out! I'm calling the police!"

He fell back onto the bed and put his hands over his eyes, laughing at the insanity that his life had become since meeting this wonderful golden creature. "Christine, Christine, calm down! It's me,"

The girl had backed up to the bedroom door and, at the sound of his voice, she stopped her retreat and switched on the overhead lights. Erik was thankful that they were slightly dim. "Oh, God, Erik! I'm so sorry! I just, I was sleeping and I thought…I don't know what I thought, that you were a burglar or worse…I'm so sorry, are you all right? How did you get here, you're supposed to be in the hospital!"

Erik laughed again at her rambling confusion, and moved to sit up, grunting slightly as he did so. Christine was kneeling before him in an instant. "Are you hurt? Let me call the doctor,"

He shook his head and cupped her face in his hands, pressing the pad of his thumb to the center of her full bottom lip. "You are all I need," he breathed, his mouth drinking from hers. His hands lifted to bring her onto the bed, to have her lay atop him. She tasted just as he remembered from their first night together. Her tears of happiness were swept away under his thumbs as she gave him tiny weeps of joy.

Erik kissed her cheeks, rolling her onto her back, beneath him. He lay her down slowly, still kissing her, torn between wanting their kisses to last for eternity and the powerful urge to bury himself within her body, making her his once again. Christine was a different woman than the girl he'd taken to his bed before- there was no hesitation as she gripped his hair, kissing him fiercely. Her eyes locked with his in the dim light and her voice was strong, "Don't leave me," she breathed, "Don't you ever leave me again, Erik."

"Never again," he growled against her throat.

Erik kissed her palms, playfully biting her fingers before bringing her hands above her head. He stripped the plain black camisole from her body, glorying in the sight of her. There was blood thundering in his ears, roaring his love and feeding his desire. Christine sighed against him, moaning his name as he kissed his way from her throat down to her breasts. His heart sang, exulting in her scent, knowing that this time she wanted him, all of him.

Erik lifted her against him, groaning aloud at the sensation of her skin on his. "Tell me you've missed me," Erik demanded, "Tell me everything,"

"I missed you, Erik," she whispered against his throat, "I was terrified. Did you hear me? I promised myself to you, anything you want, whenever, I love you, I'm yours!" She cried, arching against him as he moved a hand in between her slim thighs. Erik groaned- she was ready for him, only ever for him. He felt out of control then, and could only remove what remained of his clothes, spread his hands beneath her, lift her body to his and drive deep inside her.

Christine cried out, not in fear, not in pain. She cried out in love for him, from pure pleasure. Her arms came around his neck and she rose to him, her body convulsing around his, her nails raking his back. Erik drove deeper into her, crushing is mouth to hers.

Between them, there was love, and nothing else.

Erik reclined in bed, feeling wonderful. Making love with Christine had fulfilled him in a new way, and for once he was happy to simply lie back naked and enjoy the afterglow of a night filled with raw, tender, perfect sex.

He was only half-asleep, just aware enough that he could sense Christine beside him, her small hands grazing over his skin. She was naked as well, lounging on her side like some great golden cat. Not the Erik minded. He wanted her as close to him as possible.

Erik opened one eye as he felt her fingertips gently probing a set of stitches on his waist. He hand moved to another stitched wound on his thigh. Her expression was concerned, almost sad as she touched the healing injuries. She looked up, meeting his gaze. "I'm so glad that you're all right," she said quietly.

He reached for her, bringing her closer. In his usual way, Erik brushed the ordeal aside. "It was just one little bullet," he scoffed. "Did you really think that would be enough to keep me from you?"

Christine kissed his neck and shoulder, then slowly, lovingly, she kissed the healing wound over his heart.

Erik stroked her hair and kissed her lips. "I'm sorry that I missed Christmas and New Year's," he told her softly, suddenly thinking of the date. It was already near the end of January. The hospital had been a terrible way to spend the holidays. "I hope you'll accept a rain check on your gift?"

Christine laughed against him, "You don't have to get me anything, but now that I know how stubborn you are, I know you'll get me one anyway. Of course I'll accept a rain check. But nothing too fancy, Erik, you know me better than that."

He pointedly glanced down to her throat- she was wearing the sapphire pendant he'd bought for her, weeks ago, when they'd first began their relationship. "I know you well enough to know that no one else in the world can do justice with the gift I have in mind." He hinted, stroking a hand over her thigh, rising to her hip and cupping her backside in a gesture of possession.

Christine could only smile. It was wonderful to have him back.