Hello all! Thank you for your reviews, I hope the story progresses well... I have so many ideas and they just keep spilling out. I have a general direction in where this story is going. I hope you all enjoy!

-AesSedia

Christine took Erik's hand as he led her through the dark tunnel, drawing the curtain behind him and leaving them in an eerie darkness. Christine observed her surroundings; the walls were covered in wet dew and seemed to be worn in throughout the years. Fear suddenly took over Christine as the possibility of being lost inside these unending tunnels. Erik felt her tense and turned to look at her; she had tears in her eyes and was shaking slightly.

"Christine?" he asked in a gentle tone.

She looked up at him, hoping to find the answer to calm her nerves in his eyes. Her angel had always been able to comfort her, even in the worst of situations.

"We are still close to my lair if you wish to return" he told her quietly, his head bowed.

Christine moved closer to Erik.

"I have made my decision, but I am sorry if I seem freighted… are you sure you know your way about in here?" she asked him meekly.

Erik observed the beautiful woman in front of him, still surprised by the fact that she would want to spend her life with him. Had fear of the dark been the only reason she was afraid? He reprimanded himself for thinking so wildly, certainly if she did not wish to accompany him, he would be alone in this tunnel.

"Christine I have gone through these tunnels numerous times throughout the years, you have nothing to fear Mon amour."

He took her hand again, this time giving her a reassuring squeeze.

"Come, walk by my side, I do not wish for you to be freighted again". He told her while gently pulling her toward his side.

Christine walked by his side through a series of tunnels. She wondered what had happened to the mad man earlier, he had seemed so frantic then. Was she making the right decision? Or was it only the madness of a man who loved her so deeply that only he could know? Christine knew she was making the right decision, yes she did love Raoul, but in his kisses she found the love of a child hood sweetheart. Leaving Raoul meant leaving a life of normalcy, but is that what she wanted? She looked toward the ceiling of the dark tunnel wondering how far she was from the Opera house. Oh the opera house, she thought sadly as she knew it was burning to the ground. Her home was in the opera house and now it was gone. She looked to her left at the man she was walking next to. His half mask breaking through the blackness. He, her mysterious angel had helped make her home in the opera house. Although she loved the opera, she was glad she was leaving for a while. The last week had been stressful; she had been the Prima Donna and had taken Carlotta's place, Raoul had come and confessed his love for her and then her Phantom, he had fought for her and gone through many hardships to win over her love. She smiled, and he had.

Erik stopped suddenly and looked at Christine. She could tell through the darkness that he was smiling.

"This tunnel will take us up to the ground floor, from there we shall meet and old…" he stopped as he searched for the right word. Nadir was not always considered a friend; mostly he was considered a pain in ones rear end. He continued "and old acquaintance of mine".

Christine looked flabbergasted, the Phantom…. Having friends? She never knew he had ventured out of the Opera house, nether less made any friends. He led her through the remainder of the tunnel and up a short flight of stairs. The reached the ground level in a part of town Christine did not know existed. She suddenly felt nervous, as the peering eyes of unknown individuals looked at her. Erik felt her tension and brought her closer. Christine, still feeling scared moved even closer to Erik and rested her head on his chest. Erik froze; no one had ever embraced him. Not knowing what he should do, Erik stood there for a minute before wrapping his arms around her.

Christine smiled as she felt two strong arms wrap around her, he suddenly was the one who was tense and she chuckled quietly to herself. Erik looked down at her, obviously confused at having someone laugh in such a situation. He was about to ask her what she found funny when he heard his name.

"Erik!"

Erik cringed, only Nadir would yell the name of a man out loud who was a wanton murderer. He turned to see his tan acquaintance steering a carriage into the vicinity that Christine and Erik had occupied.

Nadir dismounted his place on the coach's bench and ran hurriedly and angrily toward Erik.

"Have you seen the Opera house?!" he asked rage filling his whole body

Erik stood there for a minute admiring his friend's attitude.

"No Nadir, I haven't" Erik responded, sarcasm thick in his voice.

A slight cough and a "Humph" caused both Erik and Nadir to turn at Christine. Instantly Nadir's face lit up.

"Now who's this beautiful young woman?" Nadir asked, taking Christine's hand in his own. Christine smiled, she was going to like this man.

"Christine Daae and a pleasure to meet you Monsieur…?"

"Khan, my dearest, Nadir Khan, Welcome at your service" he lay a kiss on Christine's hand.

"Khan, seriously!" Nadir was interrupted by Erik's most unwelcome tone.

Nadir turned and looked at his aggravated friend, a smile forming across the Persians mouth.

"Now what ever is the matter Erik?" the Persian asked him, loving the knowledge that he was irritating Erik.

Erik sighed and looked at Christine; he could tell she found amusement in Nadir.

"Christine don't listen to a word this man says, he's an absolute pain"

"But a good pain" Nadir replied, causing a laugh from Christine.

"But putting away my charm, Erik I've seen the opera house and I know it's your doing".

Erik looked into the distance where he could smoke tendrils lifting higher into the air

"Yes it was my doing, and that's why Christine and I have fled, could you take me to my home in the country?"

Nadir laughed "Haven't I always told you if you destroyed the opera I would help you?"

Erik looked to Christine; she had the most confused face.

"Yes well… destroying the opera may be one thing, I am glad you knew where to meet me." Erik said while turning back to Nadir.

"Well from the looks of that" he pointed in the direction of the opera "I figured today was the day that I would be meeting you, now come! Let us be off it is not a short ride to the manor, and I of all people would like to be there as soon as possible"

Erik frowned at Nadir, knowing he was taking amusement of the situation Erik was in. Erik turned to Christine "Are you ready?" he asked her.

"Of course" she replied

Erik assisted her into the carriage and told her to get comfortable "it will be a long ride, I am going to talk with Nadir for a moment and then we will be off".

Christine nodded and sat back in the velvet seat. In the distance she could hear sirens, she assumed that the men would fought the fire would already be at the opera, she prayed it wasn't the men of the law. Erik climbed back into the carriage a moment later, and they started toward his home.