A/N: A small gap of time to enter in a new chapter. Next chapter coming up within the week…instead of a year…huzzah! Thanks for the reviews!

I told Erik about the Vicomte's visit (much to his chagrin), as well as Christine's concern for his well-being. I even went as far as sharing her opinion of Erik. However, I felt there were 'some books that should stay formal on the shelves', to put it metaphorically. What Erik didn't know, wouldn't kill him. Erik had listened intently, not interrupting once until I finished, at which time, he appeared very grim.

"After all this time, things still haven't changed," he said finally, slowly rising to go stand before the fire. "I was fool enough to think they would."

Hands braced against the mantle, the fire illuminated his hunched figure. He looked like a gargoyle or some dark fallen creature and I felt sorry, truly sorry, for him. Being a very private individual, there wasn't much to be known about Erik. He gracefully sidestepped the subject of his past and told Christine and I very little, though I felt that I perhaps knew him a trifle better than she, and didn't dare pry any further. But I knew his life had to have been a very unpleasant and lonely one.

"If only that damn boy hadn't come into the picture…" he spat.

"You think things would've turned out any different?"

"Perhaps."

"Well, there's not much you can do about it, now."

He abandoned the fire's warmth and began strolling pensively around the room. "There is something to do about it. I could kill him and my worries would be over."

He said it in such a casual detached tone I wasn't sure if he was serious. "This is hardly the time to be cracking jokes."

"Who's joking?"

"Erik…"

"Yes, you're right," he sighed. "Wouldn't solve a thing, would it?"

An idea occurred to me just then—an idea I knew he wouldn't like.

"I have an idea, and you're in all probability going to hate it, but hear me out. I think you ought to let Christine spend a little time with Raoul."

He immediately stiffened upon hearing the name, his head snapped up. "I don't hate it."

Well, this was going better than—

"I loathe it! Did somebody knock you in the skull with a blunt object? What good could possibly come of—,"

"Before you go blowin' your top, listen for a minute; She. Is. Miserable. The way I see it, you've got three options: One—Go ahead, get rid of the boy; wipe him off the face of the earth. Although, that will only make her shut up like a telescope and in all probability, hate your guts for the rest of her life. Two—Keep her tucked away in your little pocket, so you can admire her misery on a daily basis. Three—Let them see each other. Grant her some happiness, even if it means your own is at stake."

Erik looked positively sour by the time I had finished. "It seems either way I choose, I cannot win."

I shrugged. "Depends on what you decide to do. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised." Erik stood unresponsive in front of the fire again, and I joined his side. "I'm not saying this goes without risk. Love is a risky business. You need to put Christine's happiness before your own. You're killing her, Erik…inside and out. Pretty soon, she won't be the same girl, anymore. You'll look at her one day, and won't even recognize her."

His head bowed at this last thought, sighing in defeat. He knew I was right. "You really believe this will improve our relationship."

"I can make no promises. But has the current arrangement really been working out for you?"

"Fine, you win. We'll try things your way."

Erik actually listened to me for a change, and I knew he didn't take advice from just anybody…well…anybody at all. Therefore, it was considerably tricky to hide my smug expression.

"Don't make me regret it." He added just before I slipped out to fetch Christine.

Temporarily barred from the library, I made myself comfortable in Christine's room while awaiting her return, flipping through my newly-acquired book, trying to pinpoint where I left off three years ago.

"…We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad." "How do you know I'm mad?"said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat,"or you wouldn't be here."

My thoughts precisely.

"Oh, Maggie…" Christine softly shut the door behind her before leaning back on it, eyes closed. "It's incredible." She murmured disbelievingly.

"All is well, I hope?"

She briskly walked over to take my hands in hers. "I don't know what to think." After briefing over what Erik had told her (Thank God, he left me out of it), she concluded "I don't know why the sudden change, but I have a feeling it has something to do with you being here."

She hugged me tightly then and a thousand thoughts crash-coursed through my mind.

'This is good.'

'This is progress.'

'Erik is proving his love by being willing to trust her even this little bit.'

'Christine is seeing Erik in a different light.'

'The course of true love never did run smooth, but ladies and gents-it's runnin'.'

'This is a good thing. A good thing…'

So then why was there still that knot-like feeling gnawing away at my innards? I left Christine at her vanity table where she immediately engaged in writing a letter to her Vicomte, and went to see Erik who was still in the library. The door was cracked just enough to spy him sitting in the chair facing me, hunched over, hands woven into his dark hair.

"How are you feeling, Romeo?"

"Like I just willingly placed my heart on a chopping block."

"Awwe, buck up, chum. You'll feel better in the morning."

"I'd rather wallow in despair if you don't mind."

"Some would call it self-pity."

As if coming up for air, he sat back, taking a deep breath and releasing it loudly. He turned his face towards the fire.

"How long did you give her?"

"A week."

"One week? Erik—"

"One week!" He confirmed, sitting bolt upright. "I'm not partial to sharing what is mine in the first place—one week is all I can bear. She'll come here in the evenings after she sings." After a moment's pause he whispered, more to himself, "Dear God, how am I going to get along without her?"

"One miserable day at a time. Then, you'll eventually adjust to the change."

"And I learned at an early age to adapt quickly to change..as you have, it would seem."

"I've learned to cooperate with it—I didn't have much choice. Doesn't mean I like it." He leaned back in his chair and I took the one opposite him.

"Change is necessary. We both know it. Without it, nothing grows, nothing improves. Dreams and ideas would be born and cast aside like abandoned children. In result, I have the feeling the world would be a great deal more chaotic than it already is. That said, however," he added resentfully, "I've never been that fond of change either, especially when it is without warning."

Being a plenipotentiary figure that thrived on being in absolute control, Erik's words made sense to me.

"Well, perhaps this will be a change for the better." I consoled, referring to the situation at hand. Erik's response came in a doubtful grunt. "Hey, you've still got me, old man."

"What a comfort." He muttered sarcastically, but I caught the playful twinkle in his eye. "I suppose it's an improvement to the dismal impending week."

"Gee, don't you make a girl feel special."

He chuckled. "A nice change."

"Ah, that's all improvement really is you know—change with its eyes closed while swallowing a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down."

"I'd hardly liken you to a spoonful of sugar."

"I am more saucy at that, aren't I? Well, that was brazen. Erik's mask twitched as his eyebrows raised, no doubt thinking the same. "Anyway, it's been a long awkward day. If you don't mind, I'll go claim your couch, settle down and watch the eyelid circus."

"Really?" He turned to the clock on the mantle. "Dear me, is it that late already?"

"Or early. Anyway, we both need sleep." I emphasized, eyeing him as a mother would a stubborn child who refused to go to bed. "Goodnight, Erik."

"Bonne nuit, Maggie Buquet."

I felt a strong sense of accomplishment for the day and exhaustion hit me before the couch was even in sight. The light was off in Christine's room I noticed as I passed by. At least one of us was having a peaceful night's sleep. Not bothering to reflect anymore on the night's events, the events yet to come or even the event of changing into my nightgown, I crashed into the welcoming if firm cushions and was very soon asleep.