A/N: I feel so terrible after leaving you all on that cliff hanger there. But hey, that's what makes a story great.

Twinkle22: Thankies. Like I said, I crave that angst when Erik goes all crazy and lusty at the same time.

PrimaDonnaKate: I wouldn't do that to you guys without updating quickly

thePhantom'sEvenstar: Have I told you that I adore you? Your reviews make me happy. Yes, I cannot bare the thought of some old geezer looking upon Christine in such a manner. So Christine is 17 kay. So Let's say the Don Juan incident happened in October. Well let's say Christine's birthday is in February. The 15th perhaps...like someone else cough me cough So she will then be 18. I am currently reading you fanfic and I do like it very much. I feel honored that you would take some ideas of mine and put them into your story. It makes me feel special. Keep up the good work and I will continue reading your fanfic and I do sincerely hope that you continue reading mine.

Madame Giry looked down at Christine, her eyes fluttered open.

"Erik."Was all she said before her eyes closed once more. Madame Giry sighed and put the rag in the bowl. She then quietly left the room in search of Erik. She went down to the sitting room and saw that he was no longer there. She saw a note sitting on the coffee table, she went over and picked it up.

I will return.

-Erik

Madame Giry was relieved and headed up to her to get some rest. She knew Erik would be able to get in the house one way or another so she wasn't worried much about that.

Erik had left the sitting room. He couldn't bare to sit about and wait. He needed fresh air. He walked out, the sun had not yet risen but vendors were setting up their carts. As he continued walking he saw that there was a cart displaying the most amazing roses. He purchased a blood red one and then also purchased some black ribbon.

He returned to the Giry's home and sat down at a little desk that was in the sitting room. He tied the black ribbon around the stem of the rose and put it aside. He opened the drawer of the desk and pulled out a sheet of paper, an envelope and a fountain pen. He began to write a quick letter to Christine, he didn't really think about his words...he just let the pen skate across the papers smooth surface.

After he was done writing he folder the note and placed it in the envelope. He softly ascended the stairs and entered Christine's room. He once again gazed at her sleeping form before placing the note and rose on her vanity. Then he left her room as swiftly as he had come. He knew madame Giry would want to talk to him, to ask him questions. He had questions of his own so he once more went into the sitting room. He would wait as long as it took.

With trembling hands she reached out and picked up the rose and note. She brought the rose to her nose and inhaled it scent. It brought back too many memories...painful memories. She put the rose down and focuse on the note. She sat down on the edge of her bed and took a deep breath as she pulled the note from its envelope.

Christine,

I am sure you are wondering whether what happened last night was a dream or not. Obviously since I am writing this to you, it was not. I had returned to my lair to collect some of my important possessions. I hid when I heard footsteps approaching. I hid in the shadows while you went to look in your room. When I realized it was you, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. When you turned to leave your room, I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to lose you once more, so I grabbed your wrist. I know that must have frightened you and I do sincerely regret that and offer my apology. I don't understand why you would have returned to that place. It holds nothing for you now. Nothing but memories, that I am sure must be horrible for you to recall. You made your choice to be with the viscount and I do hope that you are happy. I returned you to Madame Giry because I could not bring myself to go to your husbands residence. I know you are in good hands with Madame Giry. If you wish to speak with me, inform Madame Giry and she will send the message along.

Eternally yours,

Erik

Christine could not supress the sobs that she had been fighting off for so long. Her tears hit the note and caused some of the ink to blue. "You made your choice." He made it sound as if she hadn't come back to him, hadn't told him that she couldn't be at peace without him. She was felt her heart break. Perhaps this was her punishment. Erik would never be able to forgive her and she was meant to live her life in misery. She sat there, as the minutes slipped by. She didn't move, she didn't feel, she barely even breathed. She felt like an empty shell.

Madame Giry came down stairs once the sun had shone it's rays through her little home. She entered the sitting room to see Erik sitting there.

"Good morning." She said to him kindly. "I will make us some tea and then we have some things to talk about."

"I agree Mariette." Erik said, adressing Madame Giry by her first name.

Madame Giry returned to sitting room with two cups of tea, she handed one to Erik and then sat in an arm chair facing him.

"Where have you been?" She asked, not bothering to beat around the bush.

"Not too far from the opera populaire. I plan on relocating soon. It's just a matter of finding a secluded place to call my own and wallow in my self hatred." He said simply.

"You fool. You pity yourself so much you fail to see that that poor girl has been wasting away these past weeks. She didn't marry the Viscount, Erik." Mariette said, getting irritated at the childish way Erik was behaving.

Erik's visible eye brow raised. "And why didn't she marry him?" He asked.

"She realized she doesn't love him in the way a wife should love a husband. She loves him as a friend. She now knows who has truly captured her heart." Madame Giry said.

Erik didn't reply, he was shocked that Christine hadn't married the fop, but at the same time he felt a flicker of hope.

He looked at Madame Giry and said,"I wrote Christine, letting her know that if she wishes to speak with me to let you know. I will let you know of my whereabouts soon. He stood and before she could stop him he was already out of the front door. She didn't bother going after him because she knew he would have already vanished.