Okay, it's taken me a long time to update again. But I now know (vaguely) where I'm going with this! So it'll be better, and more frequent, from now on (I hope). I own none of the characters except Rafe, obviously, thought I wish I had Gerry. Or even Howard McGillin would do. Alas, this is not a perfect world. Else I would have both and chocolate drops would rain from the heavens...

Something New

The transition from the Giry house to the de Chagny manor ran smoothly, with the usual bouts of crying on the parts of the women involved, servants rushing busily to load and unload Christine's posessions, and Raoul pacing about excitedly, barking unnecessary orders at everyone but Chrisine herself.

"Raoul," she snapped at last, as a particularly frazzled maid rushed by, "you're not helping anyone. In fact, you're being an annoying prat. They know what they're doing, alright? Leave them be. Come, show me around the grounds. I have quite forgotten them, I'm afraid. I haven't visited in ages." She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away from the scene of chaos.

Raoul ditifully led her through a tour of the expansive grounds. The chateau was nestled on a hilltop bordered on one side by a large pond and by what appeared to be a forrest on the other.

"Why is there a forrest here, on the edge of Paris, conveniently located on your back lawn?" she asked suddenly after she was unable to decipher this on her own.

"My great-great grandfather was keen on old-fashion traditions. He especially loved the classic fox hunts. When he found that there was nowhere to hunt nearby, he had his own forrest planted right here, on our grounds. It's about fifty acres of trees, populated by the descendants of the deer, foxes, and rabbits he released so long ago. I rather like to ride there sometimes, though I don't hunt, personally."

"Do you keep a stable?" Christine asked excitedly.

"Yes, of course." He looked at her quizically. "Why? Do you like to ride?"

"More than anything. Except music. My father taught me when I was very young, when we lived in the country. Our neighbors had horses, and they let me ride occasionally. I haven't been for years."

"Do you want to?" he asked.

"Now?" she gasped.

"Of course," he replied. "Do you have any other plans?"

"No, but-"

"No 'buts,' Mademoiselle Daae. I am going to give you a horse, and we are going to ride, and that is final. Don't try to contradict me. It's so tiresome, having to put you in your place."

"Yes, Monsuier le Vicomte," she said in mock submission, bowing her head. "I would not dare defy your orders." She grinned suddenly, turned, picked up her skirts, and ran toward the large building she had seen earlier. "Well?" she cried when she stopped and looked back into his shokced face. "Aren't you coming?"

He turned red suddenly and shook his blond curls. "You...ahem...you really shouldn't do that, Christine. It's not decent, in a man's presence. If I weren't so self-disciplined..."

"Oh, do lighten up, Raoul. As though you didn't see me pactically clothesless on the beach when we were young."

"That's just it, though. We were young. I had no idea what I had then. That was before I...felt like this about you, Christine. I know, I know, you want me to give up on you," he interrupted, correctly interpreting the look on her face. "I'm trying, but you don't forget the love of an entire lifetime intantly because she says so."

"Don't fret. I'll bring Meg to visit me, and you'll forget you ever loved me, I promise. I'm sorry, Raoul. Don't you think I wished this worjked out differently? Don't you think that, if I'd been able to steer my heart, I would have chosen the safe, dependable man who I know could provide me with a happy future? I can't, Raoul, it doesn't work like that. I loved you as much as I knew how until Erik came into my life! It was so much easier to love you. You were always there, always waiting, always caring for me... Perhaps, if I'd tried harder, there would have been any room for his persuasion. But I can't take back my heart, and I can't change what happened! God, why is this all so unfair? Why couldn't I have had the easy path?" she screamed to the heavens, tears coursing freely down her cheeks. She fell to her knees and covered her face with her hands, sobbing. Raoul ran the remaining steps to her, knealt beside her, and cradled her head in his arms.

"Shh, shh," he whispered, softly trailing his fingers down her arms as she clung to him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Come, no riding today, I think. We'll get you to bed. It's been a trying day." He picked her up easily and carried her gently to the manor.

Raoul walked through the door to find Rafael sitting in his entryway.

"Rafe," he said, startled. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard the mademoiselle was moving in today, so I came to offer greetings," he siad in his easy drawl, his normally light voice grave. "It seems, however, that this is not so joyous an affair as I had imagined. Is she alright?"

"She will be," Raoul said quietly, looking down on her closed eyes, as the girl was now peacefully asleep. "It was a long day, and the stress got to her, I think."

"I'm sure with rest, she'll be fine," Rafe said, then hesitated. "Do you mind if I stay with her for a while?" he asked softly, almost in a whisper, looking at the hat held in his hands, his dark tresses falling gently over his somber eyes.

Raoul glared at him suspiciously, then remembered that Christine was no longer his to defend, much as he loathed the fact. "Fine," he said tiredly. 'Help me get her to her room, and promise not to wake her, and I'll let you stay." He turned and headed to the nearest staircase. Rafe followed, and helped Raoul carry the girl to her new bed, laying her down gently on the white silk shees.

Two pairs of eyes met, then Raoul turned and walked out the door poinedly, leaving Rafael and Christine alone. Rafe pulled a chair over to the bedside and sat gently, careful not to wake her.

Ah, God, so beautiful, he thought, watching her sleep peacefully. She shifted and sighed softly, parting her perfeclty sculped lips. Rafe, unable to control his desire any longer, leaned down and kissed her, gently, so gently, dark hair brushing softly over her face. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing against his lips, responding without fully waking. He kissed her back, harder, and her eyes fluttered open.