Well… I should start by saying that I am really sorry for taking forever and a day to update. You have no idea how hard its been with school and stuff to get enough time to write. But I told you guy before that I never abandon a story and here it is. I hope that yall like this chapter and please review cause I haven't gotten any in so long that I would really like some telling me whether you like it or not.

Stephanie Lynn

Ch. 19

Erik had not completely understood what had happened, how things had so drastically taken a turn for the better. One minuet they were arguing about God only knows what, the next minuet they were kissing. He was beside himself with joy. She felt so perfect in his arms, like she had been made to occupy the space that went unfilled. It was the same with his heart; she had been born to fill the gaps that his past had created, that the people of his past created.

She was his salvation, her kiss was his salvation.

He had known that he wanted, then and there, to be with her. He wanted to be one with her and finally fill the void that had long gone unnourished, but he knew he couldn't.

He would not take advantage of the situation, no matter how badly he wanted to. Their emotions were running on overdrive and he understood that. Even though there was a hazy fog clouding his judgment, he still knew better. He wouldn't take advantage of her.

"We need to stop." He told her pulling away from her perfectly plumped lips.

Christine looked up at him in shock. She had dreamed about being with Erik so many times that she couldn't imagine not being with him. She couldn't believe he was actually suggesting that of them. The truth was that she had dreamt that it was him making love to her every time she was paid to sleep with completely random men. She dreamt that it was his lips, his hands, and his body that was touching her and caressing her to a state of nirvana. Erik was the man she wanted inside her. Forever and for always.

"No!" She said adamantly. "You want me and I want you. Tonight is the night when we become one. Don't ruin it with thinking." She replied as she moved her hands down to his pants.

Erik smiled at her comment and her forwardness. He hadn't expected it, but far be it for him to say no.

OO

"That felt good." Christine said giddily as she laid in Erik's bed. Their limbs entwined with each others.

Erik couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, it did."

"What does this mean? Where does this leave us?" She said rolling onto her side to look him in the face. In the heat of the moment, she had removed his mask. She had wanted to make love to him and only him. "I don't know if I can give you up anymore. Not after this. I think you sealed you fate tonight."

Erik smiled at her. "It seems I have. I guess there is no getting rid of you now."

She laughed at his humor. "I am used goods now, Erik." She told him sadly although she knew the statement was ridiculous. She had been used goods for a long time before then, but she knew that Erik didn't care about such things. "If you don't want me, then who will."

"Raoul will always want you." Erik suddenly said.

"But I don't want him." Christine told him, angry at him for bringing him up. "Why do you do this? You just made love to me, Erik. And now you are pushing me away again."

"Christine-" Erik began.

"NO!" Christine screamed as she raced from the bed to get dressed. "I told you I loved you, I have now given you my body, and I gave you my heart. I have nothing left. I give all this to you and what do you do? You ruin it." She cried as the tears fell down her cheeks.

"I am sorry." Erik replied. He didn't know why he did it, but he couldn't stop himself.

Christine looked up at him as she grabbed the rest of her belongings. "Erik, sorry is not enough. Not any more."

OO

Christine felt like crying.

She loved Erik with all her heart, but she was hurt beyond belief. She didn't regret what had happened with them because in truth, she wanted him as much as he wanted her. No, she was just disappointed. In Erik? Yes… but mostly at herself. She was foolish to think that Erik would change his mind about the status of their relationship so quickly. He was a man after all. An untrusting one at that.

But you are now his whore, her mind mocked.

Christine tried as best she could to ignore the voice in her head. She knew that Erik was the one for her. Just like she was the one for him. He just needed to see that truth for himself. Christine trusted in her instinct that he would eventually come back to her.

With the show nearing so quickly, Christine had decided that continuing lessons with Erik would be smart. He was the person who had loved and nurtured her voice and it proved that he still was the only one who she could sing for. As much as she hated it, their lessons always led to something more. She couldn't help it, she craved his touch.

"Christine!" A voice called out to her, breaking through her thoughts.

She turned to see M. Reyer calling out her name. He was obviously trying to get her attention. He had been a little annoyed with Christine though out the day. She had been a bit more than distracted.

"I'm sorry?" Christine said, confused as to what was going on.

M. Reyer smiled at her tightly. "Don't apologize. Just sing." He commanded.

Christine rose from her seat and made her way up to the center of the stage. She felt her heart tighten when she heard the music start. Point of No Return. Because Erik was never at rehearsals they always played through his parts. She closed her eyes and imagined the one time they performed this song together.

Past the point of no return

No backward glances

Our games of make believe are at an end

She could still hear him so clearly.

Past the thought of if or when

No use resisting

Abandon thought and let the dream descend

What raging fires shall flood the soul

What rich desire unlocks it door

What sweet seduction lies before us

There it was again, she thought. His voice was flowing into her ears loud and steady. Why was she hearing his voice so clearly? She opened her eyes and felt her blood run cold. He was standing before her, singing! Christine couldn't help but feel the urge to kill him where he stood. He had a mischievous look in his eyes. He was taunting her, messing with her mind like he had so many years ago. Erik knew exactly what he was doing. Again, she wanted to kill him.

Erik walked over and grabbed her and brought her body to his. Christine could feel his breath on her neck. This was their memory. This was how she remembered him, singing his heart out to her and all she could remember was walking away from him in the end.

You have brought me

To that moment where words run dry

To that moment when speech disappears into silence

Silence

She pulled her body away from him; as good as his body felt against hers, she was still angry at him. She needed him to see that, but all her anger was washed away when she locked eyes with him. The fire was alive and glowing in his green orbs. Christine couldn't help but think, this is how we're supposed to be. Deciding to put her anger away for the moment, she started acting out the song exactly like she had performed it five and a half years prior. As they climbed the set higher and higher Christine felt her senses flee and soon she was locked in Erik's embrace. She knew what was coming at it made her want to cry. He started to sing those God awful words.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Lead me, save me from my solitude

Say you'll want me with you, here beside you

Christine... that's all I ask of yo-

The thought had just occurred to Christine that she was going to have to pull off Erik's mask. It was a thought that jolted Christine to her core. She didn't know if she was strong enough to do that again. As the music kept on playing, she looked out to see that everyone on stage and in the audience was gazing in awe of them.

"Bella!" Erik whispered.

Christine looked out to see Bella sitting in the center of the first row. Her eyes held so much anger and anguish. It was unnerving. She glanced over at Erik, just waiting to see what he was going to do. He snapped out of his trance and looked over at Christine in surprise, as if he had forgotten she was there.

"Christine!" He called to her when he saw her turn and run away. She had tried to resist the urge to run, but she couldn't. She had to get away.