"I can't believe it!"

"He actually proposed!"

"Well the way I see it, it's about time."

I rolled my eyes at Gerard's comment and then addressed Meg and Jessica. "Well you better believe it because he did!" Joshua stood with Philippe at the fireplace in the office. I knew Philippe knew and I knew Joshua didn't in a way his non-surprised reaction surprised me. I guess Erik and I were very predictable when it came to Joshua. Sophia sat on the couch next to me petting the ring with her finger.

"Not as good as the one Raoul gave you but it's nice." I looked at her and laughed. Sophia didn't agree with me calling off the engagement with Raoul but like any good little sister she respected my decision. She and Philippe were the only Chaney's I wanted in the room and really they were the only Chaney's I wanted in my life at the moment.

"Alright party's over," Erik said entering through the tunnels scaring some but not all. "I would like to take my fiancé home if you don't mind, we have a lot to discuss." Translation 'I really don't want to hear all this surprise right now, and would rather be alone with Christine.' I smiled at him then flowed into his arms as his welcoming embrace curled around me. He took my hand then looked to Philippe and motioned into the tunnels. Philippe willingly followed us down the tunnels, across the lake, and then into the house. We met in Erik's drawing room I looked at Erik strangely as Philippe followed in, considering I thought it would just be the two of us this evening.

"Alright then I give. What's going on and no offence Philippe, but why is he here?"

Erik smiled at me and looked to Philippe the looks they gave each other I could never decipher, and I often wondered if I even wanted to. "So, what's the plan exactly, oh dear Erik?" I turned to Philippe with a questioned looked then back to Erik with the same one.

"Plan? What Plan?" I asked.

Erik looked at me "You're not going to like it." He answered

"Then leave me out of it." I replied then started to leave the room until Philippe blocked my way.

I turned to Erik annoyed "Unfortunately darling I can't. I need you in this, without you this plan will fall to pieces."

"Oh and like it worked out so well last time." He rolled his eyes and Philippe busted out laughing.

We both looked to Philippe and he stopped "Okay, I'm sorry, I'm, I'm good now."I turned back to Erik and asked him what the plan was.

And his answer I think it even shocked Philippe. "I need you to win Raoul back over."

Shock swept my face then that turned to disgust "What, No! No! Erik you are crazy if you think I would even start to agree to this!" Erik looked at me with a look he thought I would bend to. "Erik, no. No."

He looked to Philippe and said "Leave us for a moment." Philippe nodded and then shut the doors as he existed. He walked over to me and took my hand then his other hand was placed on my waist. "Christine," He whispered to me as we slowly swayed a small dance to the music in our heads. Erik heard music but not that of a Phantom; he never let that music surface. But this music he wasn't afraid to play out and I was the only one that could truly understand it when he played it out. Through every footstep through every little gesture and through every sigh I not only heard his music but I felt it. "Please, just trust us." He said softly in my ear.

I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed "I do trust you Erik and Philippe too. But I just got you back and I don't want to lose you, I mean I can't stand being apart from you for even a second." I pulled my head up and looked him in the eyes. "Erik, these past few months I've been scared and it seems as if I'm always running from something. I can't take much more this."

"And you won't." He said with a wave of the hand shushing me. "After this there will be no more running, we will leave and no one will find us." He wrapped his arms around me to try and bring back the hope that I thought was long gone now. But the comfort I felt didn't last long with the next words he spoke fear returned to my body. The fear controlled not only my expression but my actions as well. "I and the Phantom will not allow anything to happen to you, no matter who stands in our way."

I snapped my head up and pushed myself away from him. He just looked at me "No Erik." I said he stood there and looked at me thinking no matter what I said I wouldn't change his mind. "I will do my part in this plan but there will be no Phantom." I said firmly.

He shook his head and looked away "Christine, you don't understand. Just like I need you in this I will need the Phantom in this too-"

"Well then when you leave here, you leave without me." I said interrupting him then he snapped his head around to me. He didn't understand "Last night was the last time I put that madman to sleep. I will not have him in our lives anymore Erik. The Phantom is not and never will be the man I love, nor part of him. I love you Erik and I can't lose you to a Phantom."

He walked over to me slowly I wrapped my arms around his neck and placed my hand on the back of his head. Erik let out a sigh as he let his head rest on my forehead and we began to sway again "I don't know who I am anymore Christine." He whispered Erik then enclosed his arms back around my waist. "I feel pieces of the Phantom return to me, Christine, he, he is getting stronger. And then your Erik is getting weaker with every minute the Phantom grows stronger. I hear a battle of music one that I wish to give into and one that soothes me back to you. The rises and the falls of one does not agree with the timing and notes of the other." He opened his eyes and met mine.

"Then choose one and play it out." I said "You know where I stand on the matter of this battle, and I know that there will possibly be a day when the Phantom comes back and I will not be able to control him. I know he loves me, but I also know that the only one who can love me more than him is you, my Erik, my beautiful angelic Erik." He smiled at my description of him. I sought out his lips as we held each other. I couldn't believe I was really about to agree to this. Although I didn't want to admit it, it was true we were desperate to get out of Paris. We broke the kiss and smiled at each other "So," I began. "What I am I to do."

He smiled and released his grip around my waist and called to Philippe. As he reentered the room Erik had a plan he was all too proud of "Well, here's the plan."

Mama Liveria walked down the hall with a letter in hand. Two knocks on the door and then she called to the boy on the other side. "Raoul, there is a letter for you." She said opening the door.

He turned to her from his desk "A letter? From whom?"

Mama shook her head "It doesn't say, but it is addressed to you." He took the letter and thanked her then she existed the room leaving him to his work. Raoul set the letter aside returning to the papers; he couldn't help but glance at the letter every so often it looked as if it had gone through a great deal just to get to him. You could hardly make out his name on the front. It was filthy with mud and dried dirt as if it had just been tossed in the streets. Eventually Raoul gave into the curiosity of this mysterious letter.

"My Dearest Raoul,

I do hope this letter find you well. I need to speak with you there is far too much to say to be put in one letter or really any letter on the matter that must be addressed. You cannot come to the Populaire it is too dangerous. I have managed to write this letter in secret, but could not give it to a messenger; I knew that would make Erik suspicions. If you truly love me meet me at midnight by my Fathers crypt in the cemetery. Until then.

Yours truly,

Christine"

Raoul almost jumped from his seat as he read every fear scarred word. Oh, my beloved Christine what has that monster done to you?! Raoul thought to himself. He looked at the clock to his bedside then he thought to himself, 11:40 alright it will take me at least fifteen minutes to get there and then another five to reach the crypt ... Well I better get going! And with that he had his jacket on then was out the door mounting his horse on his way to the cemetery in no time.

I paced back and forth in the cold snow trying to maintain the character of the emotionally distraught innocent young girl that I knew I wasn't. But Raoul, let's face it he had been waiting for this ever since the masquerade. "Christine?!"

I spun around and managed to shed a tear or two "Raoul!" I called out running into his arms. He held me tight against him as I played my part perfectly sobbing in his embrace. Raoul placed his hands on my shoulders and pulled me off his chest then wiped the tears from my face shushing me to try and gain control that would never come.

"It's alright now, I'm here Christine, I'm here. Now then, what's this all about, are you all right?" My whole body shook from the cold and my forced tears then he drew me back into his embrace.

I caught my breath through my faked sobs "I'm, I'm fine Raoul, I just had to get away, I didn't know what else to do."

"What do you mean Christine? What happened?" He asked calmly but you could still hear the urgency in his voice and it was somewhat amusing to me.

"Raoul I'm so sorry, but he made me do it. I didn't want to call it off but, he made me do it, I'm so sorry." Raoul shushed me again then held my head to him and stroked my hair. "I was able to get away without his knowledge, and I had to see you." I pulled myself away from him dreading every lie that crossed my lips. Although I was head over heels for Erik, this Christine feared him and would do anything to get away from him and I dreaded my part in this plan with every fiber of my being. Raoul noted the ring that still adorned my finger.

He gently snatched my hand and studied the ring. "This is his?" He asked with rage in his eyes. I had forgotten completely it was there and cursed myself for not taking it off. But how could I even let the thought of temporarily disposing the symbol of our love cross my mind?

"Yes, but it means nothing I swear to you." I saw disbelief in his eyes. There was only one thing I saw fit to do and I dreaded my choice. I cupped his face in my hands and drew him to my lips. He didn't fight me and wrapped his arms round my waist I tried to imagine it was Erik's lips that met mine, but it was almost impossible. Raoul's arms were much thinner than my Erik's, and his lips were smoother than Erik's, but I pushed on putting as much passion I could spare in the kiss. I broke it and smiled at him, as if it gave me some form of renewed hope or relief.

"I love you." The words tasted like poison in my mouth. It made him smile and I knew I had him. As much as it pains me to admit it Erik was right, it was easier than I had thought it would be. "Erik he made me call off the engagement, he said if I didn't he would kill you. I was so scared Raoul. I begged him to let me see you again but he doesn't trust me anymore. I threw the letter into the streets and you have no idea how happy I am that you received it." Raoul drew me back into his arms as tears of fake fear welled up in my eyes. I was a better actress than I thought if I could fool Raoul.

A dark voice broke the somewhat comforting silence between Raoul and I. "Get your hands off my bride!" I shot my head to meet Erik as if I didn't expect it. Everything was going exactly according to plan as Erik stepped out from behind a statue near the crypt. "Christine, come!" Erik demanded harshly.

I obeyed and pushed myself away from Raoul but as I went to Erik he grabbed my wrist and said "She's not going anywhere with you!" Erik's stomach turned at the sight of Raoul even touching me. He looked to Raoul with a well practiced threatening gaze and then to me with a warning look that I unfortunately knew all too well.

"You disobeyed me Christine, now come! We are going home before I lose my temper."

"I told you she's not going anywhere with you monster!" Raoul braked fighting for me, just as planned.

Erik grew a deathly glare in Raoul's direction "If you don't release her in the next ten seconds, I will not hesitate to take you down boy." Erik's threats seemed useless; Raoul's grip tightened and I tried my best not to show either of them that he caused me pain. I knew that if I let any sign of pain inflicted by Raoul show our plan would fall in pieces; Erik would more than likely kill him where he stood if pain was seen in my eyes.

Erik began his count down, hand ready to lunge for his sword. "Ten," Their eyes locked. "Nine," Raoul pulled me closer to him. "Eight," Erik cringed at the sight of me being so close to Raoul. "Seven," Raoul turned me behind him without eyes leaving Erik's. "Six," Erik's fingers twitched not wanting to wait until 'one' to strike. "Five," Raoul's hand was ready to draw his sword. "Four," Erik slowly placed his hand on the tip of his sword. "Three," A firm grip and a slow step forward that was mirrored by Raoul. "Two," Erik and I exchanged a quick glance, quick enough for it to go unnoticed by Raoul. A hesitation and then a smile grew to say the number that could possibly break Raoul depending on how Erik decided to end this part of his plan that I was left uninformed about. "One!"

Swords were drawn and the harsh metals met. I stood in awe not knowing what to do. This was the one part of the plan that I was left out of. It could only go so far until I knew I had to break this up and I was trembling in fear awaiting for that moment to come. Minutes seemed almost like heartbreaking hours as they danced around the cemetery swords meeting, swinging, and thrusting as I stood there helpless. Not knowing what to say, not knowing what to do. A quick twirl from Raoul and the gunshot wound was reopened. A cry of pain but he muzzled through acting as if it were nothing. Raoul grew impatient and back Erik up making the metals hit sharply and making spark fly. Erik tripped backwards and Raoul kicked the sword out of his reach and I came to life. I ran up to Raoul and grabbed his arm as he rose up to stab him. "No Raoul!" He turned to me as I pulled him away. "No, no, not like this." Erik tried to catch his breath scowling at Raoul.

I moved from him to Erik and helped him up. "Christine, what are you doing?" He asked me shocked that I offered any help to him.

Erik swung his arm around me and leaned on me for support. I shook my head at Raoul and Erik said breathlessly "We're leaving, now!" I nodded and we turned.

Half way out I whispered to him "That didn't go according to plan."

He laughed a little and said "No, it didn't, but, everything is going right. Not just right, but right."

"Ow!" Erik hollered.

"Oh, don't be such an infant." I said back annoyed as I stitched the reopened wound.

"So much for that gentle touch I've come to love in you." He said trying to get me out of my state of anger I curtly had toward him.

"You can try as many times as you want and as hard as you can, but I'm still mad at you." He rolled his eyes and let out an annoyed sigh.

"What is it going to take to get you to stop?" He asked annoyed.

"How about, stop picking fights and trying to kill my brother." Philippe said. We were all upset with him, that fight was not suppose to go as far as it did. We had underestimated Raoul and that mistake would not be made twice.

Erik looked at the wall and shook his head "I'm sorry," he said once to the wall. "I'm sorry," then to the fire. "I'm sorry," to Philippe. "I'm sorry." Last to me. "How many times do I have to say it? You both know I had no real intent of killing the boy, maybe slice his arm as he did mine, but besides that no." I looked up at him and he said as sincerely as my Erik could "I'm sorry." He was mainly sorry I had to see him like this. Although I had tended to Erik's injuries for years he hated me seeing him like this. I finished with the stitches and he winced as I wiped away blood from his tender shoulder.

The rest of the plan was going to take a lot of work; believe it or not this was actually one of the easiest parts of the plan.