"Erik," Christine called wandering through the house. He had been so distant since she lost the baby. Christine turned the corner into the den, where Erik sat in his chair by the fireplace. He was deep in thought the only thing heard was the crackle of the fire until she decided to be the one to break that silence. "Erik," He didn't even turn to her, afraid of what he would find in her tail tell eyes, but he shifted in his chair to let her know he was aware of her presence. Still gazing into the fire he addressed her "What is it Christine?"

She was silent, Christine wanted to say something but she didn't know what. "Erik," She paused gathering her thoughts. "Erik, are you alright?" He shrugged "Fine, just fine." He said annoyed and not very convincing. "You're not a very good liar." She replied trying to sound as playful and happy as she could. "No, no I suppose I'm not," He said rising from his seat and finally setting his sights on Christine. "Not in the presence of such a beautiful lady anyway." She blushed and slightly smiled at his compliment, but her eyes were exactly as he had predicted. There was no avoiding the fact that she was still upset, but she just lost their child so why wouldn't she be upset? Did Christine not have a right to be? But there was also no denying the fact that they needed each other now, but that was the one fact Erik avoided and didn't even want to think about. He shook his head studying her every glace and every move that gave away how she truly felt. Her smile vanished as he said aloud "This is all my fault." He moved his eyes to her stomach and stared at where his child had been, it was enough to bring a tear to his eye.

"Don't say that Erik."

"And why not?" He snapped back "It is my fault and you even know it." She shook her head not knowing exactly how it reassure him. "We both knew the dangers of us being together Christine. And we were both stupid enough to think in the mist of all this danger we could actually handle a child. Now, because of me it will never know even a single breath."

"Erik enough!" she begged finally finding her voice, "None of this is your fault, you've been saying that for weeks now and I've about had it!"

"Well what do you want me to do Christine! We had plans to leave, get married but they were rearranged because of the child. What now Christine!"

"You dare to blame an unborn child for something that was a cause of your stupidity?" He rolled his eyes at her as she moved closer to him.

"Why do you dare to go to that point? We both know that the child had as much to do with you as it did me!" the anger was building in his eyes and although anyone with enough since would back down and leave him be, Christine was not about to let him win. She told herself she had a point to prove, there was no way she was giving up now.

She held back tears as flashes of what they planned for their little Mcgalla went through her mind. She felt almost helpless not knowing what to say. Realizing what he had just said he turned away from her afraid of the tears he predicted to come. They both knew this was not the anger of the Phantom but the anger of Erik was still something to fear. Christine was brave in this anger holding back tears and anger flowing away to nothing and she just called out to him. "Erik-" he held up his hand to stop her.

He stared into the flames and said almost without any emotion at all "Get out." Her head snapped up and he felt her gaze on his back. She shook her head, leave that was the last thing she wanted to do. "Erik, please."

"No." he said firmly "I said get out." She tried to move toward him but then he grew irritated with her defiance "Get out Christine! Get out!" Tears were falling uncontrollably and he avoided her as she began to move away praying that he would change his mind, but no. Erik attacked again "Get Out!" he screamed and she turn and ran his words echoing through her mind.

I shot straight up and was caught in strong arms. "Shh, Christine shh it's alright I'm here. You're safe." I couldn't help but relax and start to cry in Erik's embrace. A dream, a distant memory, a dream nothing more. I thought to myself. I wanted to refuse calling it a distant memory, even if that's what it was, everything was so blissful between the two of us now that things like that didn't matter. I wrapped my arms around Erik and he weaved his hand in and out of my hair as he moved up and down my back. I let my tears flow freely although I knew he hated to see me cry. He kept hushing me and rubbing my back "It's alright," he repeated "I'm here, you're safe now." He whispered into my ear then he finally finished a real sentence. "Everything's going to be alright, whatever it is I'm not going to let it hurt you Christine. You're safe, I'm not going to let anything happen to you I promise." My sobs lessened and I tightened my arms around him so I knew he was really there and to a sure myself he would never let me go. Erik pulled me closer to him that I curled up in his lap on the bed and I rested my head on his shoulder. He put a feather-light kiss on my hair line and whispered in my ear "I love you." I smiled through my silent tears soaking his night shirt.

He pulled the blankets over us and I snuggled closer to the warmness of his chest "And I love you." I said tears finally ceasing. I stared up at his beautiful misshapen face that I so adored and noticed a slight smile that came with my words. I then lifted my head enough to place a kiss on his cheek, but he moved his head and our lips met. I wrapped my arms around his neck and then deepened our kiss. He pulled me as close as he could get me and rolled me back onto the mattress. Gently laying me down on the pillows as if I were the finest piece of china never breaking our kiss. He entwined his fingers in my hair, the hair he adored almost as I adored his face, I then cupped the side of his face that the world feared and despised but the side that I loved so intimately. He broke the kiss and laid his forehead on mine.

"No matter what I'm not going to let anything or anyone hurt you. We're going to get out of here Christine, you and me, remember. Always." I smiled at him and claimed his lips once again. Mine. This is mine. Everything that makes up Erik is mine. I thought and it was true. Erik was mine as much as I was his and that meant fully and completely, always and forever, till death do us part and even in death we would still belong to each other as much as we did right at this moment. He was mine. His love, mine. His lips, mine. His face, mine. His soul, mine. Every scar, mine. Erik was mine. This was forever and we knew that. Although most would call us insane considering our past mistakes it didn't matter to us. Yes we acknowledged the fact that we had done stupid things, but we also acknowledged the fact that even love had hard times. Love is the ultimate test of strength; love is wonderful but can also be the cause of so much pain and our love has been the cause of so much of not only our pain but our confusion as well. Love is not only wonderful and painful but blinding too. With Erik love was something almost more than that. Being in love with Erik meant toleration of his temper and the ongoing battle between man and madman, Erik and Phantom the battle that was almost always on the rise. I was one of the few who could love to that existent. He broke the kiss and laid himself in the space next to me on his bed never taking his gaze off of me. He laid there staring at me with such love in his eye, but with sleep threatening to carry me away I didn't want leave this sight, this feeling. Erik stroked back wild strands of hair that had fallen in my face I gave him a sleepy smile and for his return a quiet laugh. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead then moved down to my nose, and lastly my lips, these kisses were soft and sweet. Keeping his face close enough for our mouths to meet again at any second he said "Get to sleep, you have rehearsal in the morning and the Giry girls will kill me if you aren't there on time." His finger trailing down my face "Now, no more nightmares mon ange." I nodded and claiming my lips as his one more time "I love you" And then everything was gone.

I walked out of my room on the lookout for Raoul or Ladue. And to my surprise neither of them stole me away from rehearsal. As we went over scene after scene of Erik's Don Juan I glanced out into the audience of manly stage hands and maids, and found Raoul sitting in the middle of the theater. I didn't know what to think at the moment, the only question in my mind was what on earth had gotten into him? Raoul coming to the one most likely place for him to be attacked by Erik and it was more than likely everyone would just stand there and watch the horror take place. The only ones daring to do anything would be Gerard and Ladue, and perhaps even Joshua but I was doubtful on that. Joshua knew better than to get in Erik's way, he was just one of many who learned that the hard way. Standing on the side with Meg I elbowed her and she turned around to me "Ow! What?" she yelped irritated, I smiled out to Raoul who was waving at me. "What on earth is he doing here?" she said with a fake smile that mirrored mine. She waved too.

"I have no idea." I replied. The managers then dismissed us for lunch and the only thing I could think was Oh great, just what I needed today. Maybe I can make it to the mirror before he gets to me. Well it was worth a try. I rounded the corner into the hallway and was met by Philippe. "Hello, and what do you want?"

"Your acting skills. My brothers wanting to speak with you." He said with a smile.

And with a sigh I replied "Why, where, and when?" I asked annoyed.

Philippe chuckled and looked behind me just as a shadows arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close to his chest. I didn't even bother a struggle for this was my shadow and he had a name. "Well you can tell your brother that this angel's acting skills are mine for the day." Erik said as he breathed in the scent of my hair and then moved down and kissed my cheek. Philippe gave me a strange look.

"Well you heard the oh so terrible Opera Ghost. Now run along, apparently I'm busy." I said with a girly giggle. He gave a huff and said "Very well." And then Philippe was off. Erik then started dragging me further into his shadows to avoid any possible contact with the rest of the cast. I finally turned to face my beautiful masked suitor "Alright then Mr. almighty Opera Ghost. What part am I playing for you?" I said wrapping my arms around his neck and he smiled at me as I was lifted off the floor to happily meet his lips. He broke away and asked "Do you think you can play my sweet, innocent, beautiful, wonderful, loving, angelic little Christine?" I giggled some more as I yearned to be rid of that retched mask.

"It might be hard but I can surly try." I said very flirtations. He then put me down and grabbed both my hands and brought them to his lips "Very good." He breathed against my knuckles in that seductive voice that I loved so much. We moved on through the tunnels to the mirror of my room. On the way laughing and talking, but rounding the corner to the long tunnel leading to my dressing room my breath was taken away. I saw a large blanket spread out on the stone floor with candles and a small lunch made for the two of us. I turned and looked at him in awe and he just smiled pleased with himself. "When I wasn't checking on rehearsal or worrying about you, I prepared this, and I do believe I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself." I laughed as he playfully bowed and held out a hand "Milady" I played along and curtsied then took his hand. We sat, ate, and laughed. When we finished eating I came close enough to him to feel the warmth coming off his body. He couldn't resist putting his arm around me and welcoming me into his arms.

"So, we haven't really talked about what happens when we get out of here. Where will we go? What will we do?" I asked.

"Anywhere you want my love. If you'd like we could see the world like we always talked about when we were children, or we can go to a certain place and settle down. It's up to you mon ange. I place the world at your feet." I smiled at him, knowing he meant every word, I thought as I curled up on his lap just as I did that night before. I snapped my fingers and said "Italy first, then perhaps after the wedding we go to Germany, then on to Spain and England." I laughed at my excitement as I went on "Maybe overseas after that." He gave me a look and simply asked "Where overseas?"

I smiled and said "America."

I knocked on Jessica Giry's office door. "Enter." I heard her say to me. I opened the door and saw her with papers at her desk. "You wanted to see me?" She nodded and glanced around the desk then found a letter. She held it out for me and I opened it. It was from Raoul.

"Dear Christine,

I can't think of many safe places for us to meet and I know that he won't let you come to me. So if you will my dear meet me just outside the cemetery. I will be there waiting to take you somewhere better we can speak. I know it will be hard to get away from that monster who dares to even think of referring to himself as a man, but I do hope you will try. I have come up with a plan that can help everyone, but I will need your help darling. Of course I do believe that it would be helpful to give you a time wouldn't it. Meet me at half past twelve at the cemetery gates. I love you and I will see you soon.

Yours forever,

The Viscount Raoul De Chaney"

Giry noticed my change in expression, I was almost horrified. She set down some papers she was studying and asked "Is something wrong Daae?" I shook my head not knowing exactly what to say I stuttered with my answer "Ra- Raoul, he- he's planning something. I, I, I don't what it is but, I'm not all so thrilled about it." I looked up at her and she nodded and asked if I was going to tell Erik. I shrugged and said I wasn't really sure. I looked at the letter again and she knew what I wanted to do, I wanted to tell Erik. "Why don't you go and talk to Erik about this?" She suggested but after a moment of thought I shook my head "I think it best that this stays between us. I'll have Joshua follow us so nothing happens to me, don't worry and don't you dare let Erik worry I'll be fine." Jessica gave me a motherly look of disapproval, but I knew what I was doing or at least that's what I had convinced myself and that was not really an easy job. I got up with the letter in hand and went to the door my mission was to find Joshua. With my hand on the door knob I glanced at her over my shoulder and said "I honestly don't want to go to him but I have to if we want to know what he's planning. I'm only doing this for Erik's sake; this is the only way we can stand a chance against him. Tell Erik I'll be late for dinner." She nodded and then I was off.

Joshua followed closely behind the small carriage on his horse. It was close enough so that I would feel safe but far enough for Raoul not to notice. We arrived at a small diner on the edge of the city it wasn't too crowded but Raoul thought a public spot far from the Populaire was the safest. Raoul and I went in and were seated. Joshua, still keeping a watchful eye on me as promised, snuck in and found a table with my back to it, but Joshua's back was to Raoul so he would still feel safe. I didn't bother asking for something to drink, I had no reason to stay for long. Raoul was already convinced that my love was his, and that I trusted him, so I prayed this wouldn't take long. He looked at me and smiled for a moment then just before he opened his mouth to speak I broke this confusing silence between us. "Raoul, what's going on here? I don't mean to sound impatient, but why have you brought me here?"

He bowed his head and sighed. He looked back up at me "I figured it was the only safe place for us to talk." He said reaching his hand across the table placing it on top of my much smaller hand. I couldn't seem to stop my thoughts from wondering and comparing Raoul's every detail to Erik's. His eyes so much darker than Erik's, his hands were plump compared to the boney hands of my lover, his brown locks were nothing when I thought of the black hair the rested on the head of my beloved, and there was a full nose on this face looking back at me unlike the half a nose missing when looking at Erik. I wondered if he had noticed I was gone yet, Meg had promised she would stall as long as she could and knowing my little adopted sister as I did it probably would not be long. I was snapped out of thoughts when Raoul started talking again. "Christine I have a plan to get rid of him." I grew a puzzling look on my face. "I can get you away from him and put him in his place once and for all, but I'm going to need your help with this." I looked down at my fidgeting hands knowing Joshua was hearing every word of this. He gently nudged the back of my chair urging me to play along, because we both knew that if I didn't agree to this he would not tell me anything and we would all be left guessing what the next move would be. I slowly nodded looking up so our eyes would meet. "What did you have in mind?"

Raoul slightly smiled at how I agreed to hear him out. "The opera that is to be performed, this 'Don Juan' he calls it. We all know that if you perform he is sure to attend. Now, I will have my men in different positions so that where ever he is, he will be spotted." My eyes widened. Is Raoul's plan to kill Erik? My character may not be in love with Erik but she would still not want him to die! I thought to myself. Timidly I asked "Raoul you don't honestly mean to kill him do you?" Tears starting to become present in my eyes. Noticing that Raoul was quick to answer. "No Christine, no. We are going to capture him and put him in prison where monsters like him belong." Tears of worry faded into pure anger but miraculously I was able to hide it from Raoul and restrain myself. I simply nodded in return I looked down at the table "And what exactly is to be my part in this plan?"

He nodded and said "You being there on stage is enough but I need you to somehow get his attention and make sure he attends. And while he is there distract him whatever way you can so that my men can get him and he will never suspect a thing." That's what you think I thought to myself. "So, will you help us with this Christine?" I pondered the thought for a moment, I honestly didn't know how to answer. I knew I could play along with all this and say yes, I could warn Erik and Raoul's plan would be nothing to really worry about. But then again a part of me knew that nothing would keep Erik away from watching his genius being brought to the stage. He would not want to miss the stand ovation and the crowd begging for more that we knew would come. "Just promise me one thing Raoul." He took my hand in his once again and with desperate eyes said "Anything my darling just name it." I wanted to vomit at the pet name he used for me and I prayed that Joshua didn't hear it. But by the snicker I heard from behind me I knew that he had heard it. "Just promise me that he won't get hurt. I know you consider him a monster of a man, but he has been through so much already the last thing I would want to do is to cause him more pain than I already have. So, please Raoul, please promise me that he will not be hurt."

He sighed to himself and then slowly nodded "You have my word Christine."