Dominic didn't have a chance to respond as Erik cracked the second Punjab Lasso that he carried with him. With a violent tug, Erik dragged the man off of his unclothed, scared and shaking fiancée.

Dominic choked and made wheezing noises as Erik pulled him up to look at him in the face.

Erik noticed the look of fear that crossed the red heads face as he realized who had captured him in the lasso. The Punjab Lasso; being made of cat gut was extremely uncomfortable around the red haired man's neck and Erik was taking great enjoyment of watching the man gasp for air.

Erik laughed deeply, "Did you think you could really kill me?"

The man's eyes widened with fear at Erik's words. Meanwhile, Nadir stood behind watching with grave interest at the power of the Punjab lasso.

Erik glanced at the shivering form of Christine on the near by bed, she was sobbing quite loudly and grasping her body.

"Death is too good for a man like you". Erik pulled the Punjab tightly and snapped the man's neck in half. Christine shrieked as the lifeless body of Dominic fell to the ground. Erik bent down and retrieved his lasso from around the man's neck before making his way over to the bed.

Christine was shivering uncontrollably as Erik neared her, his half mask gleaming menacingly in the light. He noticed her nude form and took off his jacket, wrapping her gently in it.

"It's alright Christine, I'm here now". He said while holding her closely against her chest.

She pushed away, fear running through her face "Y-Your not real!".

Erik felt pain strike at his heart until he remembered she thought of him to be dead.

She clutched to the jacket as Erik examined her trembling hands, they were full of bruises and cuts. He frowned and turned to the body on the floor. If he could kill him again he would.

He reached out for Christine to only have her move farther away from him on the bed.

"Please… I don't want to feel pain anymore" She sobbed harder, "I want to be joined with Erik".

Erik stood still for a moment, touched at her words. How could he make her understand that it was really him? She must have been severely scarred to be as scared as she was now.

An idea entered his mind and he began to sing softly to her. Nadir, who was witnessing the sweet exchange decided to give them a moment. He dragged the lifeless body out of the room as Erik began serenading his love.

"Turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light… and listen to the music of the night"

Christine perked up at the familiar words and she listened intently to his words.

"Close you eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams, purge your thoughts of the life you knew before… close your eyes let your spirit start to soar…. And you'll live as you've never lived before".

He moved closer to her on the bed, taking her hand in his and caressing her cheek lightly.

"Softly deftly Music shall caress you… hear it… Feel it … secretly possess you… Open up your mind; let your fantasies unwind in this darkness you know you can not fight… the darkness of the music of the night…. Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world leave all thoughts of the life you knew before, let your soul take you where you want to be!"

Christine started crying as she knew of his next words. Erik pulled her closer to him and she crawled into his lap crying out of shock and love.

"Only then can" He stopped as that emphasis of the words "You belong to me".

Christine looked into the face that she was unsure of, "E-Erik?"

Erik nodded and Christine buried herself into his chest, her body being wracked with sobs. Erik held her for a few moments, the sound of only her sobs filling the air. He never wanted to let her go. He looked down as her as she was looking up at him.

I love her so much… he thought to himself.

Christine's eyes seemed to be lost, her body trembling lightly, "Show me it's you".

Erik leaned down and kissed her gently, letting her become adjusted to him again. After a moment she responded and Erik deepened the kiss, his tongue diving into the caverns of her sweet mouth. Christine moaned against his mouth as his hands began their descent down her porcelain skin. After a moment Christine flinched and broke away from the kiss.

Erik looked down at the spot he had just touched and felt tears come to his eyes. Bruises of various colors rained throughout her skin, making his touch unwelcome at the moment.

"H-He hit you?"

Christine nodded and cried once more as she grabbed his chin, "I thought you were dead… I- the pain… you left me".

Erik held her tighter as he lifted her chin. He wanted to look into her eyes and ease the pain that had taken place of the once bright and happy Christine.

"No- No Christine, I will never leave you".

He kissed her once more, trying to show her how much she meant to him.

"I love you".

Christine suddenly looked dizzy, "Erik I-I…." she seemed to wobble slightly in the grasp of his arms.

She looked into his eyes once more before a veil of black overtook her vision. "I thought you were dead… I-I love..."

She slumped onto his chest as the hardships washed over her. Erik feared her safety for a moment before he realized she had mentally collapsed from exhaustion. He gathered her in his arms, pulling his coat tighter around her body and walked out of the room.

Nadir's patience suddenly turned to worry as he witnessed Erik carrying the limp Christine in his arms.

"Is she alright?"

Erik nodded, "She will be, she doesn't yet believe that I am real" he frowned "She is severely bruised and will require medical attention… Dargora?"

Nadir nodded, "I will be able to assist".

Both men walked out to the carriage and were greeted by the shaman, Jacob and an uncomfortable looking Raoul.

Erik entered the carriage carefully, all the while cradling Christine to his side. Once inside he settled into his seat and pulled Christine into his lap. Nadir informed him that he would be left alone with Christine and the rest of the men would sit on the bench with Jacob. Erik nodded, his head filled with racing thoughts. What was he to do with the fop? The man had asked Dominic to murder him, so shouldn't he get the same treatment? He looked down at Christine's sleeping form.

"I love you" he whispered to her.

He leaned back in his seat, holding his love tighter in his arms as sleep claimed him.

Sorry it took me so long to update! I'm back to school and it's probably going to be just a little wait in between chapters. College is a pain at times… anyway I hope you enjoy! Tell me what you think about the whole way things were put together. Oh and the lyrics are Music of the Night. It's one of my Favorite songs in Phantom… and every time I think about the recent version I remember the sweet exchange between Christine and Erik. I really love that scene. Thanks again guys!