Raouls POV

I was finally glad to be in my own bed. Two days ago I had been called to my estate for an urgent matter that needed my attention. While I was there, I was constantly thinking about a certain brown haired beauty. Today I wasn't going to let anything get in my way of seeing Christine. It seemed like she had been avoiding me. It seemed something always came up when I wanted to spend some time with her. The other night she had completely disappeared and not even her best friend knew where she was. Who was this tutor that Meg had told me about? Christine just randomly disappeared and everyone thought it was ok because she was supposedly with her "tutor"? It was all very mysterious if you'd ask me. I was staring at the ceiling when the thought of Christine maybe sneaking away to meet a lover came to mind. She didn't seem like the person that had a lover but I had only been reacquainted with her a few days ago. For all I knew she could, the last time I had seen her was the day before we left our estates that summer. I remember waking up excited to go play with my new friend to find the carriage loaded up and my mother telling me to get dressed because we were leaving. I was devastated but I had to tell my friend farewell. I had quickly dressed and snuck out the back of the house to tell Christine goodbye. She was equally as devastated but I had promised that I would be back next summer which had cheered her up a bit. We never did visited again; however, because the next summer father had started getting ill, so he couldn't travel and mother didn't want to leave his side.

That was the Christine that I remembered young and care free. Now, she was the total opposite. She was still young but she was more reserved and cautious. Her father's death had to have had something to do with it. She had to learn to grow up at such a young age and take care of herself. I knew that Madame Giry was something of a mother to her but that didn't replace the real thing. I didn't know this new Christine but I was determined to. Come hell or high water, I would take her to lunch today. I wanted to spend sometime with her and see if the carefree girl I had once known was still in there somewhere.

As I got out of bed and started to get dressed, I began thinking of the kiss we had shared the day before. It wasn't an amazing kiss, she had kissed me back, but I felt that she was distracted somehow. But she was so soft in my arms and when I ran my hands down her sides, I could tell she had curves in the right places. As I was looking at my appearance in the mirror I started thinking of Meg and what it would be like to kiss her. She had a mouth that begged to be kiss; her lips were full, red, an-

I stopped myself. Where had that thought even come from? I realized that my heart was beating a little faster but I pushed those thoughts aside. I had only asked Meg to dinner last night just to be nice, at least that's what I told myself.

After I was dressed, I made my way down to breakfast. When I walked in, the only other person that was there was my mother. Father had been ill lately so he rarely left his bedchamber.

"Hello mother. You had a good night's sleep I trust?"

I made my way over to the table that had all the food set out. There were eggs, bacon, cold cuts of meat and cheeses. I decided to go with just eggs, bacon and coffee.

"Yes, very well. Thank you."

I knew she only answered to be polite. She didn't really care for small talk or any kind of talk for that matter, unless it was gossip. Gossiping was my mother's favorite past time. As I sat down, one of the maids brought my coffee. I could smell the faintest hint of alcohol. I realized that it was coming from mother's tea. She was always drinking. It all started when father first got sick a couple of months ago. I couldn't believe that she was drinking this early though. It was only 8 o'clock in the morning for Christ sakes.

"It's a little early to be drinking, isn't it mother?"

"I have no clue what you're talking about." She didn't even look up from reading the paper, the gossip columns no doubt.

"Yes, you do. We both know that's not just tea in your cup."

"I suggest you drop it, Raoul. I'm not in the mood for this right now."

I remained silent for I didn't want to argue with her right now. That seemed to be all we did now that father was sick. When I was done eating, I threw my napkin on my plate.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later this evening mother."

As I made my way to the door, I called for my horse. I couldn't wait to get to the Populaire and leave all thoughts of my mother at home.

When I arrived the whole place was in an uproar. La Carlotta was upset about one of her costumes so she was refusing to perform in that night's production of'Il Muto'.It wasn't surprising to me as she was always complaining about something. I couldn't stand the woman and I would just have to hint at the managers that she was well past her prime as the Prima Donna of the Popualire. But I didn't have time for that for I wanted to see Christine. But where was she? I went to her dressing room hoping to find her but it was the same as last night, empty. I asked people as I passed them if they had seen her but no one had. I asked Madame Giry but she said she hadn't seen her since they talked a few days ago. I didn't quite believe her. I had a feeling that she was lying but I pushed it aside if she said she didn't know where Christine was, then she didn't know.

I was walking down a hallway when I saw two chorus girls talking in a room. I thought that maybe they knew where Christine might be she was a chorus girl after all.

"Excuse me ladies, but do you happen to know where I can find Christine Daae?"

They both turned toward me I realized one of them was Meg. The other was one that I had seen hanging on André the other night.

"Vicomte, your back."

"Oh Meg, thanks goodness. Do you know where Christine is?"

I saw the other girl staring at me incredulously. I realized too late that I had called Meg by her Christian name instead of calling her "Miss Giry." She would probably think that something was going on and that rumor would spread like wildfire.

"Miss Giry, do you think that I could speak to you?" The girl just stood there still staring, obviously not taking the hint.

"Alone?" That got her moving. When I finally thought that she would be leaving, she stopped in the door way.

"I'll see you later then, Meg." I could see the curiosity burning in her eyes and I had a bad feeling about this.

After a few moments I looked out the doorway making sure there was no one eavesdropping.

"Meg, I am indeed truly sorry."

She cocked her head to one side looking confused.

"Whatever for, Raoul?"

"I should have never called you by your given name. That girl is going to tell everyone she knows."

"Oh, don't worry about Michelle. I'll take care of her. You said that you were looking for Christine?"

"Yes, have you seen her today?"

"I've seen her at rehearsals but she always seems to disappear afterwards. Hopefully she'll be here in time for the show tonight."

I was starting to get angry with where this woman was. Where was she sneaking off to all the time? I was going to go search her dressing room and maybe I would find some clues.

"Thanks, Meg. I'll see you later. Good luck with the show."

I didn't even wait for a reply I just left. I was walking down the hallway on the way to Christine's dressing room when an envelope landed in front of me. I picked it up and looked around. I couldn't see anyone but I had the feeling that I was being watched. I flipped it over and on the front was my name written in bright red ink. On the back was a wax seal of a skull in the same color of red color. I opened it thinking it was some sort of joke but what I found inside steered me toward the managers' office.

Erik's POV

One day. I was lying in bed with a fever for one whole, bloody day! I felt as if I had gotten over my sickness the morning after but Christine wanted to be sure. She didn't leave my side, which I enjoyed immensely. We talked a lot, she shared things with me which I'd never thought I would get to hear. She would ask questions about me and I told her the places I had been and what I'd seen. She was very interested in my time in Persia; I did things that I wasn't proud of back then. I tried to tell her as little about it as possible. When I was sick, Christine refused to go to rehearsals, she wouldn't leave my side. I couldn't let that happen everything that we had worked for disappear if she didn't go.

Yesterday Morning

"Christine you have to go."

"I won't, what if your fever comes back?"

"I haven't had a fever since this morning. You have to go."

"No, I won't leave you down here by yourself."

I sighed. She could be so stubborn at times. I had to think of something. I had written some notes the night before while Christine slept in a chair and they needed to be delivered. I couldn't let her know that or she would never leave.

"Ok Christine, if I promise to stay in bed will you go to rehearsals?"

I could tell that she was thinking about it. She must have not seen through my bluff because her shoulders slumped and I knew that I had won this time.

"I suppose I could go to rehearsals but, you have to promise to stay in bed and rest."

"I swear it," I feigned a yawn "I'm getting tired anyway."

"You have to pinky swear."

"What?" What the hell was a pinky swear?

"We wrap our pinkies around each others like this," she walked up in front of me, raised her hand, and stuck her pinky out. "You do that same."

I felt strange doing it but if it was going to get her out of my hair for a little while, I would do anything. She wrapped her pinky around mine and I reciprocated.

"Now you have to say, 'Christine, I swear to stay in bed until you get back.'"

I chuckled she wasn't very good at mimicking my voice. I looked up at her and she had her eyes narrowed which made me laugh even harder.

"Erik, you have to swear."

"Okay okay. I, Erik, do swear that I will stay in bed until the lovely Christine Daae graces me with her presence once more. There is that alright?"

"That was fine."

Little did Christine know that I had my fingers crossed behind my back so my promise was basically moot. As long as I was back before her, she wouldn't even know I was gone. Christine went to get her shoes and I went back to my music. I was so engrossed that I didn't even hear her approach. I felt a hand on my shoulder; I spun around lasso in hand ready to face what ever intruder was in my home. When I realized it was Christine I threw the lasso to the side and pulled her to my chest. She looked so scared that I wanted to comfort her, take away that look in her eyes. The one thing I didn't want was Christine to fear me, now that I could actually talk to her face to face and not have to pretend I was some angel. I couldn't think of what it would be like if she didn't want to see me again she was my reason to live, her and my music.

Christine wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me closer. She smelt so good, like roses. I didn't want to let her go and I don't think she did either. She was holding me rather tightly not that I cared. I loved holding her in my arms. She pulled back a little to look at my face and smiled. I wasn't wearing my mask at the moment; it still felt strange to not have it on with Christine around. I knew it made her happy that I trusted her by not wearing it and it made me happy that she was happy. She was so beautiful she took my breath away at times.

"Christine if you don't leave now you're going to be late."

"I know."

Neither of us moved and I wanted to stay like that forever. But I knew I had to let her go. I would see her in a few hours. I removed my arms from around her, grabbed her shoulders and slowly pulled her away from me. I could see the disappointment in her eyes I knew what she wanted but I wasn't ready for that yet. So I kissed her on her forehead and that seemed to pacify her for now. I turned her toward the entrance and pushed her a little.

"You had best hurry. I don't think Madame Giry or Monsieur Reyer will appreciate their star being late."

"Erik, I'm not the star. I play the page boy."

"We'll see." She looked at me suspiciously and I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

"What are you up to?"

"Nothing, now go."

"I'm going, I'm going. See you in a few hours."

"Bye."

I watched her leave waited a few moments just to make sure she actually left. When I was sure she was gone, I went and got dressed for the day.

Present

Christine had no clue that I had been sneaking out while she was at rehearsals. I made sure that I was back way before she was so I could change and get back in bed. I didn't like deceiving her but I hated staying down there alone in my bed with nothing to do even more. Today was going just as any other day until I saw that the boy was back. He hadn't been here for two days and it was rather nice not having him around. But I guess my happiness couldn't last forever, it never did. I followed him around watching from behind the walls or in dark corners. He went to Christine's dressing room and I figured that's what he was doing here, trying to find my angel. When he couldn't find her there he asked Madame Giry, then Meg. When neither gave him the answer he wanted he seemed very frustrated. It made me happy that he couldn't find her for I knew exactly where she was.

Christine's rehearsals had finished just a few moments before the little fop had arrived. She was currently making her way to my lair to make sure I was still either in bed or writing my music. They were the only two things she let me do. Today I was going to tell her that I wasn't sick anymore and that I could leave if I wished. I was a grown man for Christ sakes, not a child and I wasn't going to continue being treated like one. I had taken the boat to the surface for it was much faster then the route that I had showed Christine. I would have to leave soon if I was to make it there before her. As I watched the fop make his way back to Christine's dressing room, he turned down a deserted hallway. I knew that this was my chance. I took the note that I had written him a few days ago out of my pocket. I was standing a floor above him so as I let the envelope go over the edge; it looked as if it came from thin air. I watched as he looked around then read the note. I chuckled as he all but ran to the managers' office. After I couldn't see him any longer, I checked my pocket watch.

"Damn it."

I was going to be late. Hopefully Christine had stopped to change or she would be there before I was which didn't bode well for me.

Thankfully I made it back in time with just a few seconds to spare. I was just taking of my cloak and gloves when I could hear Christine calling my name. I ran into my bedroom, jumped on my bed, grabbed the nearest book I could find and pretended to be reading. I quickly pushed of my shoes so Christine wouldn't be suspicious. I could hear her getting closer but when she got to the threshold of my room she stopped.

"Erik?"

"Hm?"

"What are you reading?"

I hadn't even thought to look at the cover but when I did I realized it was one of the books Christine had brought down from her room. It was one of those romance books that I couldn't stand, while she on the other hand found them fascinating. It was titled'The Secret Pleasures of a Lady.' My face must have been something to behold because Christine started to laugh and when I say laugh I mean laugh. She had tears coming out of her eyes and she even clutched at her side.

"What, it's a good book."

That only made her laugh even harder, which I didn't think was possible. It annoyed me that she found it so amusing. I put the book back on the table next time I would make sure to look at the title before hand.

"Was there something you wanted to tell me?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for laughing but your face was priceless."

"Its quite alright. I've laughed at you many times. Anyway, what did you want to tell me? You sounded excited."

I watched as Christine made her way to the other side of the bed. I thought that she was just going to sit down like she would do when I was sick. But when she lay down on her side next to me and I was a little taken back. Christine was the first and probably the last woman that I would ever have in my bed. I rolled over onto my side as well. She had the biggest smile on her face which caused me to smile in return.

"The suspense is killing me. Will you tell me already?"

"I'm going to be playing the lead role in tomorrow night's opera. Can you believe it? Me, of all people, playing the countess? Carlotta got sick or something and I did such a good job playing Alyssa that the managers are going to let me have the role since there isn't an understudy."

"I told you that you were going to be the star. You just didn't believe me."

"No, I didn't. Wait, Erik did you have something to do with this?"

"Me? Why would I want to do anything that kept the great La Carlotta from performing tonight? You're not mad are you?"

"I'm not angry at all. I'm glad that the toad cannot perform tonight. She makes me so mad thinking she is better then everyone else. Oh, thank you, Erik! Thank you so much."

She leaned over and kissed me. I was so surprised that I gasped. I wasn't expecting that, though it was a nice surprise. She pulled back with a shocked look on her face.

"I'm sorry, Erik. I'm just so happy that I couldn't help myself."

She was going to say more but she stopped and a beautiful blush formed on her cheeks.

"What is it Christine? You can tell me."

"Well, I've been wanting to kiss you again since that night on the roof, but I knew that you didn't want to."

It all came out in such a rush that I knew that she was embarrassed to tell me. She thought that I didn't want to kiss her again? How absurd! Of course I wanted to kiss her again. Who wouldn't? She was the most beautiful thing that walked the planet.

"Christine, of course I want to kiss you again. I've just never kissed another person before. You're just so beautiful and innocent; someone like me doesn't deserve to feel that way about you."

"Oh, Erik! You're just like any other person on this earth. So you look a little different, I don't care. It's what's in here that matters."

She placed her hand on my chest, over my heart. My heart started beating faster and I was sure that she could feel it. My chest started to tingle where her hand was. The air seemed to spark around us. Oh, she was going to be the death of me. She looked so beautiful laying there with her hair a mess and cheeks red from running down here to share the news no doubt. Oh, to hell with it! I pulled Christine's face close to mine.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes,"she said breathlessly. That was my undoing as I gave her another second to change her mind then I pushed my lips to hers.

I am completely sorry that I have not updated in so long. I still don't have the internet at my house but I should be getting it soon. I hope everyone liked this chapter I felt kind of iffy about it. I have some exciting news my fiance and I found out that I'm going to be having a baby! Thanks for reading and please review