[ Alright… I'm continuing… and if Erik gets out of character at all, if he's getting too soft, tell me! :P ]

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Perros. Under any other circumstances, I'd be happy to be here. I had grown up here, so most memories of Perros were fond. Seeing as I was being forced into an unwanted marriage here, I wasn't all that thrilled.

Erik bought us a room to stay in at a nearby hotel, but the details and, better yet, accommodations, I wasn't aware of. I was hoping and praying that I would at least have my own bed. He couldn't honestly expect me to share a bed with him… could he?

My head spinning, I followed Erik into the hotel. One of the bellboy's saw my distressed expression, and asked me what was wrong. I managed a smile and a, "Nothing," then hurried to catch up with Erik.

We walked down several halls, up a flight of stairs, and ended at Room 419. He smiled a bit, taking my hand gently, then opened the door for us.

The room was beautiful, in green and gold color tones, a window off to the side, showing a beautiful, snow covered field. Everything was perfect.

Erik grinned at me. "Make yourself at home," he said. "I'll be right back with the luggage."

I cocked my head to the side. "Luggage?"

"Clothing, money, and things like that," he explained. And with that, he left.

I strode to the other side of the room, gazing out the window. Nature had depicted the most beautiful winter scene I'd seen in a long time. Facing the room once more, my heart nearly stopped beating.

There was only one bed.

I panicked, searching the entire hotel room, the bathroom, everywhere. There was no couch, no spare mattress, nothing. Just that one bed.

But there had to be! Did Erik honestly think I'd share a bed with him? There had to be something!

My mind was racing. Was this part of Erik's plan to make me his? Taking my body as well? He wouldn't do that, would he? He couldn't! Oh, but he could…

I lay down on the bed, my head still spinning out of control. Tears brimmed in my eyes. This would happen to me, wouldn't it? Me, the unlucky one. The one forced into a life she wanted no part in.

Erik returned minutes later, only to fine me in the same helpless state of mind. He rushed over to me, cradling me in his arms in an attempt to calm me. I sobbed hysterically, trying to form a coherent sentence, but the words wouldn't come.

In what seemed like hours, I was calm, for the most part. He looked me in the eyes with concern, asking, "Christine… what is the matter?"

My eyes widened a little. I managed to stutter a response. "There's. only… one bed…" I blinked repeatedly, attempting to keep back a fresh torrent of tears, but failed to do so for long. I wasn't as hysterical as before, but I was plenty frightened.

"Why?" was all I could say.

Erik didn't respond.

~0~0~0~0~0~

It was late at night in the de Chagny mansion. I was asleep, laying next to Raoul, when suddenly he was looming over me, laughing. I struggled to get away from him, but to no avail. His drunken form prevented it.

"Stop!" I pleaded. But Raoul wouldn't listen. He grinned evilly, pulling at the strings of my corset, ripping it off, all of it…

"STOP, PLEASE!"

I sat bolt upright in the bed, panting hard. Erik, who had been asleep on the floor, rushed over to me.

"Christine! What's wrong?" he asked, crawling into the bed next to me, wrapping his arms around me. My breathing began to slow as he held me there. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to forget, but the disturbing images from my past wouldn't go away.

"It… was…" I swallowed my fear. "It was… Raoul… he was going to… to…" I bit my trembling lip, unable to finish the sentence. Erik wrapped his arms tighter around me.

"That's why you were so frightened earlier…" he realized. "Oh, Christine… I'm so sorry…"

I shook my head. "It's not your fault." I held onto him as if for dear life, memories still flickering in my brain. He stroked my hair comfortingly, singing a lullaby, one he'd sang to me as a child. The familiar tune slowed my breathing and chased the memories away, clearing my head. I no longer shook like a leaf, calmer than I'd been in a long time.

He smiled, shifting his position so he could return to the floor for the night.

"No!" I yelped. He looked at me incredulously. "Don't leave me…"

With a broad smile, Erik pulled me closer to him. I rested my head against his chest, falling asleep in his now comforting embrace.

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[ *peeks out from behind hands and hopes that everyone's "Awwww"ing and not sharpening knives and looking for huge rocks* ]