Christine ran out of the bedroom and down the stairs, looking for a place to hide. She found it in the parlor. A few minutes later she heard the door opening and Erik's calming voice. "Where could Christine be hiding? Come out my little songbird. Please. This game has already grown old. Christine, you and I both know you are hiding in here. Will you not come sing with me?"

The room suddenly grew quiet, and Christine knew Erik was coming around the couch to get her. She jumped up and ran to the door, not seeing Erik anywhere. Where had he gone? The question was shortly answered when she felt his strong arms wrap around her, drawing her against his chest.

"Erik, put me down. Let me go." Christine struggled in his hold as he moved out of the room and back up the stairs. His lips touched her ear as he whispered his reply.

"If I let you go, will you go back to your room?"

"Yes. Just let me go."

"Christine, do not lie to me. You are not good at it. And lies should never come across the lips of an angel."

"Please Erik, don't make me." Christine started to cry.

"Shush, darling. It will only take a minute. Then, we can go sing together. Hmm? Will that make you happy?"

"Erik, let's forget about my bedroom and go sing. Please."

"No, Christine." He pushed her door open and headed towards the vanity where the doctor was waiting for them.

"No,no,no. Erik,don't.Please, Erik." Christine struggled harder as she saw the doctor prepare the syringe.

"That's enough, Christine. Stop it." Christine stopped struggling at Erik's harsh tone. The syringe was quickly inserted and taken out. Erik slowly released Christine, eager now that she had calmed down to go sing.

"There that wasn't so bad. We wouldn't want to take a chance on those drugs that tainted the vitamins rearing their head back at us."

"What did you say?" Christine looked at the doctor questioningly.

"I am sorry. I thought you knew."

"Christine, come, we will talk about this in the library." Erik reached his hand out for her, but she pulled back.

"Don't touch me."

"Leave us." Erik said, never taking his eyes off of Christine. The moment the doctor left the room, Christine fled to the bathroom. "Christine, don't do this. I can explain."

"Go away, Erik. You're not my favorite person, right now."

"I will leave for now if that is what you wish, but we will discuss this." Erik left the room, stepping out into the hallway. "SARAH!" Erik bellowed.

Sarah quickly rushed up the steps. "What's the matter? Is Christine okay?"

"Christine is upset and refuses to talk to me. Go calm her down."

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Sarah had managed to coax Christine out of the bathroom with the promise that Erik had left the immediate area. She watched as Christine laid on the bed, her arm covering her eyes. "He's a sick son of a bitch, you know that, don't you?"

"Mistress, watch your mouth. Erik would never hurt you, and you know it. You are the light of his life."

"Figures you would take his side. How much does he pay the three of you that you answer his beck and call?"

Sarah got up and headed towards the door. Christine watched in amazement as Sarah seemed to be defending Erik's actions. "Master Erik has never done anything other than love you and keep you save, miss Christine, and you and I both know it. When you are ready to treat the master with some respect, you come find me."

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Christine heard Erik knocking and ran into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

"Christine?" Erik entered the rom when he had gotten no response. He moved to the bathroom door and knocked. "Christine, please come out."

"Go away, Erik."

"Christine,please come out so we can talk."

"Gosh, Erik what wold you like to talk about? Maybe the fact that you poisoned me to try and keep me here as your plaything."

"I DID NO SUCH THING!" Erik yelled through the door. Taking a deep breath, he tried to regain his composure. "Christine, please come out and listen to me beg for your forgiveness. Please. I didn't know the batch was tainted. I did not know that you would get sick. Please, Christine, believe me. I would never do anything to harm you. Please. I love you." Erik's own sobs were matched by Christine's. "Christine, please come out."

"Leave me alone."' Christine managed to say between sobs.

"This foolishness has gone on long enough. I have let you go on for two days, but no more. I will send Sarah up to help you get ready for dinner. I mean it, Christine. You will have dinner at the table with me tonight." Erik left the room fuming while Christine laid on the bathroom floor crying.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEErik drummed his fingers on the table, starring at Christine's vacant seat. Sarah slipped into the room. "Master?"

"Where is she?"

"I gave her some tea and put her to bed. She has wounded herself into a terrible state, and the last thing that either one of you need is for the two of you too be screaming and hollering at each other. You eat and go to bed as well."

"Sarah..." Erik said sternly.

"Erik, trust me. You both get a good night's sleep. In the morning, you go in there acting like your charming self instead of a spoiled brat, and Christine will be more receptive. This childness between the two of you is growing old. Now I've said my peace and am going to bed myself."

Erik sat for a few minutes, trying to decide the best approach to get Christine out of her room.

ECECECECECECECECECCECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECE

"Christine, please come out." Erik knocked on the door again. "Please Christine, it is not good for your voice to go so many days without practice."

Christine sat with her back against the door, refusing to even admit his presence. "Christine, please come sing with me."

Christine leaned her head back against the door. "Erik?"

"Yes, my love."

"I want to go out." She took a deep breath. "With Elizabeth."

Erik mussed over this for a moment. He withdrew the keys out of his pocket and unlocked the bathroom door. Christine stood up, stepping away from the door.

"Surely, Christine, you didn't think I would put a lock on a door without having a key to it." Erik reached out and grabbed Christine's wrist, pulling her close to him. "Erik, please." Erik chuckled.

"Come sing with me, Christine. If you promise to be rational, we will go out and eat before discussing us."

"I promise."

"That's my good girl." Erik placed a kiss on her forehead. "Now go start warming you, and I will be there in a few minutes."

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A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in so long. Please read and review. Trying to climb over this wall of writer's block but it just seems to keep growing.