A/N: Well, this chapter will switch gears a bit. I promise to get back to Erik soon:)

Chapter Eight

Christine sat in the de Chagny parlor on the fainting couch, leafing through a book, paying absolutely no attention to its contents. Her thoughts were elsewhere. Such great sadness filled her heart…so great that she felt as though she were losing her father all over again. I am not losing Father again…but I have lost something just as precious to me, she thought. She began to feel grief wash over her again, along with a wave of nausea. She couldn't remember how many times she had vomited over the past four days…but she was utterly exhausted from it all. All she could think of was what she had done…how could she blame him, when she was the root cause of this whole mess? This mess…her love for two vastly different men…her naivety, thinking that perhaps there was some way to have them both. Oh, how selfish she had been…her emotions had kept her trapped somewhere between being a lost little girl and a woman. What did I truly feel for him? She could no longer fight against the wave of nausea. She dropped her book and raced for the lavatory.

Just as she had finished cleaning her tear-stained face and had rinsed out her mouth with a swig of water, she heard Raoul's voice coming from the hall. He was instructing one of the servants regarding the evening meal. She stood and smoothed out her dress, pinching her cheeks to bring back some of the color. She smiled weakly and stepped out into the hall.

"How are you feeling, Lotte?" he asked her, a concerned look in his eyes.

"I am…better," she lied. "May we go for a walk in the garden now?"

"Of course…and I have been meaning to speak to you about something," he spoke softly as she took his arm and they walked outside to the garden path.

"Christine, I…" he began, apparently searching for the right words. "…I was wondering when you think you might be ready…ready to…." He trailed off as he saw the look of fear upon her countenance. "Forgive me, my love, I know that it may be yet too soon to speak of marriage due to your ordeal." He reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles gently.

Christine averted her brown eyes from his tender gaze. "I wish I knew, Raoul. I…I need more time to…"

"Shhh…" he placed a finger to her lips. "You don't have to explain anything to me, Christine. I understand…and I will be here for as long as it takes," he leaned down to kiss her forehead. She closed her eyes, smiled slightly, and nodded.

"Thank you, " she said softly.

"There is something else I needed to speak to you about. I need to leave town in a few days on family business. My brother, le Comte, is otherwise engaged, so I must go in his stead. I could be gone for a full week. You may stay here, if you like, during that time. The servants will help you with whatever you need," Raoul suggested.

Christine shuddered at the thought of being left alone in the large mansion with only thoughts of her Angel to occupy her. "No…I…think I'd rather go and have a visit with the Girys, if possible."

"Darling, the Girys have not yet secured other housing for themselves, and have been staying with some of their acquaintances from the Opera. Had you forgotten? Do you not wish to remain here?" Raoul questioned her.

"I just…don't want to be alone right now," she confessed. "I am afraid that being here without you would be too much for me, Raoul."

"I see," he spoke gently, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her to him. "Well, give me a bit of time and I shall see if I can make other arrangements for you. I shall call upon some of my friends and see if a visit from my beautiful fiancée might be welcome," Raoul offered. "Leave everything to me, little Lotte." He kissed her hair and he was gone.

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Christine awoke from a brief nap…if it could be called a nap at all. She had experienced disturbing visions while lying on her bed--visions of her Angel in agony--all because of her. Why did I say such things to him? She cried inwardly. Why did I tell him that his soul was distorted? It isn't true…he has just been hurt so badly all of his life that…that everything turned to hate and fear. It isn't his fault…and there is love in him, as well…I know it. Why wasn't I more patient and understanding with him? I betrayed him! She sobbed hard into her pillow until she felt her grief again turn to nausea and was forced to give in to the familiar reflex.

There was a brief knocking at the bedroom door, and it startled her. "Yes?" she questioned.

"It's me, Lotte," came Raoul's voice from beyond the door. Poor Raoul, she thought. Oh, what this must be doing to him! She sighed and made her way to the door. She opened it slowly and he stood there, smiling lovingly at her. "I have some good news, Christine," he said happily. "Some of my good friends have agreed to have you for a visit while I am out of town. They have a lovely estate outside the city and are more than happy to have you come. They have been anxious to meet you."

"Oh, that is good news, then," Christine replied, unsure if this really was good news. I don't even know these people. They are strangers to me. Perhaps I should just remain here, she thought.

Raoul noticed the look of uncertainty on her face. "What is wrong, Christine? Do you not wish to go? I assure you, they are lovely people. Monsieur Gregoire and Madame Suzette have been friends of my parents for some time now. They will have plenty for you to do there to occupy your time…they even have stables, so you could ride if you wish."

"Oh, they have horses?" Christine brightened slightly at the thought. "Well, I trust you if you say that they are kind and that they will welcome me. It is more than I can say for your parents." She blushed slightly at the brutal honesty of her comment.

Raoul looked a bit stunned. "Christine, why would you say that about my parents? They like you," he stated unconvincingly.

"Oh, yes, they like me…so long as I am not to be the next Vicomtess. I can see the way they look at me, Raoul…as though I should be a second rate mistress instead!" Christine was growing bolder by the minute. She couldn't believe that she was daring to speak to Raoul in this way, yet it made her feel better to do so.

"Christine!" Raoul blurted, shocked at her statement. He came close to her and laid his hand on the side of her face gently. "You have never been and never will be 'second rate'—nor anyone's mistress! You are to be my wife, and I am proud of you." A spark of passion lit his eyes as he leaned in to kiss her. She tilted her face upward and their lips met. She suddenly felt a twinge of guilt, and it surprised her. She pulled away nervously and blushed. Raoul misinterpreted her action as a maidenly gesture. If only he had known that she felt as though she betrayed her Angel with that small display of affection.

"So," Raoul stood to his full height. "You will go and visit, then?"

"Yes, I will go," Christine replied. "At least we have the next few days to make ready, yes? I shall need time to pack."

Raoul chuckled. "Why is it that you ladies always feel the need to take your entire season's wardrobe on a short trip?"

"You just never know what to expect, I suppose," she replied, smiling. "It never hurts to be prepared."

A/N-- To IrishHeart: Thank you so much for your kind comments! I am so glad that you're enjoying the story. I will try not to disappoint.

Phanatic4Phantom: Yeah, just couldn't resist getting him in here somewhere! LOL