Okay, a hopefully quick note to start things off. I would like it to be perfectly clear that I am in no way about to defend the Daroga's choices. What he did was sooo beyond... yeah. You know. You read it. But just to help clear up his reasoning, he was not actually trying to be malicious. He didn't agree with Erik's choice to haunt the opera house, and when he discovered that our dear Erik was catatonic, he did want to try to find him some help. The trouble is, it is extremely difficult to get someone involuntarily committed for psychiatric assistance. It has to be proven that they are a danger to themselves or others (at least, that's how it is in my state... and given that I've had family members that could have greatly benefited from involuntary treatment, it's bit of a tender subject). Anyway. Because of that, he would have presumed that by calling in the authorities, they could have at least gotten him some kind of psychiatric assistance. In reality, it's a little incredible that Erik made it to trial in the first place, as mental competence must be proven before a defendant stands trial. Only Erik knows for sure what happened before and during his incarceration, and so far he hasn't been overly forthcoming with those details... So we'll just have to go on what we know up to this point. So, in short (I think I passed that a long time ago...), his options were limited, but he jumped to extremes far too quickly. Much like I think he did in the original novel by showing Raoul how to get down to Erik's home in the first place. *indignant sniff*

Ahem.

Anyway.

Let's see how things progress, shaaalll we? Onward!

XXVII

Christine had been very nervous to discover what Erik had in mind for sentencing. Visions of blood and screams filled her mind, a violent revenge upon those who had wronged him.

But instead he stood with his hand lightly clasped about hers, almost too loose to even be considered a true hold—as if he was giving her plenty of opportunity to pull away if she so chose.

She wasn't sure if she should be grateful or sad that he felt the need to do so.

Only it was the Daroga that finally asked the question most pressing on her mind. "Erik, what are you going to do?"

Erik turned to the man, his expression souring somewhat as he regarded him. "Do? I should think that hardly your concern. Have you learned nothing from all of this? I did nothing wrong. It was your precious humanity that turned on one another, love and hatred spoiling a perfectly reasonable business venture. So I shall thank you to remember that in future, when you are so quick to meddle and place blame upon me for sins that are not my own."

The Daroga was clearly surprised at his words. "Future? I am to expect to live then?"

"You shall leave here for one reason only. That something good did come of your betrayal, no matter how begrudgingly I must admit it, as I now have this lovely girl beside me. I shall therefore do you the kindness of allowing you to leave, with the firm reminder that it is still well within my rights to defend my home from trespassers should you ever seek to inflict your company upon me again. You would do well to heed my warning."

Mr. Nadir nodded, his expression still wary. "And the others? What will you do with them?"

Erik sighed in exasperation. "What did I not just communicate? Perhaps your issue all along has been some sort of problem with your ears that you cannot hear me when I speak. They will be dealt with accordingly, in ways that will not prompt Christine to hate me. For I do not wish to tempt whatever miracle has occurred that she does not do so already."

Christine glanced up at him. "Erik, that's taking things a bit far. It's not... a miracle, just... being decent."

Erik gave her a patient look. "In my ample experience, finding that particular quality within another person is indeed a miraculous happenstance."

Christine didn't know how to respond to that, as it seemed fruitless to argue with him regarding his own unhappy life. Especially when she could believe that people had been as unkind to him as he claimed.

"Now," Erik continued. "I am going to untie you. You are going to walk out of here of your own volition as I have other matters to attend to. And I shall simply leave with you the reminder of my innocence, and provide you this opportunity, for once in your miserable existence, to not move against me. You would be wise to not trespass upon my forgiving nature again. Do you concur?"

The Daroga's lips thinned. "I believe that you did not commit the murder, Erik. It was well established that I never thought you had done it. But you did hold three people captive for days!" His eyes flickered to Christine briefly, and she shook her head minutely.

He most certainly should not hold her within the same category as the others. She didn't want anyone else's opinion on the things she had done while with Erik—whether she should have tried harder to leave, to escape him before her affections had grown and she understood him so much better.

All she wanted was to think for herself, to act in a manner that seemed right and good and...

And pretending that she stood next to Erik, her hand so carefully tucked between his, with anything but a warm feeling in her heart, seemed beyond cruel.

"And?" Erik asked, his tone short as his irritation grew. "They were both murderers. And you…" Erik waved his hand dismissively. "You are you."

Christine would have laughed at that if Erik hadn't been so perfectly serious about it. Evidently something within their past made it so that a three day stint, bound and locked within a theatre restroom was not such a shocking occurrence.

She wondered if Erik would ever tell her of that particular tale.

One of the Daroga's eyebrows rose in question. "Yet you think I will not contact the police? I believe I have already proved capable of doing so."

Erik's eyes narrowed. "Quite."

This time Christine stepped forward, unsure if she should intrude, but also… hungry and weary and wanting nothing more than all of this to be over so she could finally see to lunch and Boo and no more jaunts to the above for such a grisly business.

"You have a chance to do something good now," she offered, feeling awkward and uncomfortable at her interruption, but knowing that her words were at least true. "If you really want to talk to the police, maybe you could testify about what you witnessed here… about their confessions and how mad and angry Ms. Poligny is and… perhaps if you'd be so kind, not mention that you were all hostages while it happened."

She felt foolish as soon as she saw the incredulous looks on both Erik and the Daroga's faces, but she meant every word. It seemed the least he could do after everything he put Erik through, well meaning or not. "Will you? I mean, will you please not tell them? Because I... I'll get in trouble too. Because I knew and I didn't help. And you may not like Erik very much, but I don't think I've done anything to you personally for you to want me to go to prison."

Also perhaps not wholly true as she also did nothing to help him either, and she certainly wasn't versed enough in the law to know if she could be prosecuted as an accessory. But it seemed enough of a possibility to send a measure of fear through her, that her little game of judge with her nice shiny gavel and the authority granted her, if only in a mock trial, would suddenly mean it was she who would face the horrors of incarceration.

This time Erik gave her hand a little squeeze, his eyes gentling. "I was very clear before, Christine. I would never allow such a thing to happen to you, regardless of what this man chose to divulge."

She gave him a wane smile, comforted but not at all certain that such a thing could be circumvented by sheer will alone.

"I will... do what I can to ensure that those two are prosecuted fully. If that means denying any charges they wish levied against you... I will do so."

Erik appeared rather surprised by his acquiescence, but he nodded all the same.

"But Erik, know this."

Christine's stomach clenched with worry at what would come next.

"This cannot happen again. I... understand why you did this, and that the measures I took were extreme. But I want your word that you will not be the cause of any more abductions."

Erik smirked. "And that would mean something to you? My word?"

The Daroga sighed. "I choose to believe that it means something to you, yes."

Erik glanced down at Christine, and she wondered if he was considering the likelihood that she would try to escape. Would he think that bringing her back would constitute an additional kidnapping, or merely the continuation of a previous venture?

"Fine. I shall retire as prosecutor if it is truly so distasteful to you."

Christine grimaced inwardly at that. That was not at all the same as promising not to abduct anyone in future—he merely would not create another trial for them.

Yet the Daroga appeared satisfied, nodding solemnly and pulling at the bonds as a reminder for release. "Well?" he asked pointedly.

Erik sighed and released Christine's hand, going to the man's chair and beginning the tedious process of undoing the many knots that held him.

Except with Erik's nimble fingers, it did not take nearly as long as she would have expected, although when it came time to undo the final binding, Erik hesitated for a moment. "And now I shall have your word that you will be an obedient daroga and leave here quietly."

The man looked at Christine once again, searching her face for, she supposed, any hint that she wished for his aid. She held his gaze steadily, wishing and hoping, yet also with a gentle assurance from within that she needed no such assistance. People would call her foolish, but she was tired of second-guessing, and he must have seen her confidence for eventually he answered. "I will do as you say," he confirmed.

Erik smirked. "Excellent. If only you would be so amiable in future, perhaps I would not need to go to such extremes to ensure your cooperation."

The Daroga rolled his eyes, and as the last rope fell away, he stood, stretching muscles and testing circulation in what Christine was certain was a rather painful process.

"You may leave now," Erik reminded him firmly.

Mr. Nadir sighed, smoothing his clothes as best he could. "You shall not even be so kind as to open the door?"

Erik waved away his suggestion with a flick of his hand. "If you proved capable of entering one of my chambers without permission, I assume you can vacate these premises with little difficulty. I have other business to attend to."

The Daroga appeared ready to protest, but he staid his tongue, and gave one last smile to Christine. "I hope you will be well, child."

Christine's eyes flickered to Erik briefly before she gave a nod of acknowledgement. "As do I."

She did not miss Erik's frown at her words, but he said nothing more—not until the Daroga made his way from the stage and started up one of the side aisles, Christine briefly wondering if there was in fact some door or window that would have given way to her if she had tried a bit harder.

Or in reality, had really tried at all.

"Oh, and one more thing," Erik called, his voice genial even though Mr. Nadir stopped and turned to him with a suspicious look.

"Yes?"

"If you do in fact confer again with the authorities, if you seek to have Christine removed from my care, I shall be forced to remind a certain immigration agent that your visa is woefully out of date. You might think that your work harassing me is of the utmost importance, but I am not certain that this government would agree, do you?"

The Daroga shook his head with a tired sigh, continuing his walk to the outdoors.

To freedom.

And while Christine had come to think fondly of Erik, she still had to swallow back her desire to call out to him, to ask to see how it was possible to leave, if only for a moment.

But instead it was his voice that trailed back through the theatre, firm in its resolve. "Do what you will, Erik. I have to come to realize that you always shall."

Christine looked at Erik in surprise when he murmured a triumphant, "Finally," under his breath, and she was unsure if he referred to Mr. Nadir's sudden absence or his parting acceptance that Erik would do as he pleased.

"What now?" she asked quietly, the stage feeling large and empty again now that everyone was gone.

Erik's gaze remained on Mr. Nadir until he had disappeared from the auditorium, and then he looked at her softly, the lingering anger seeping from his eyes as if something had once again settled within him now that the man was gone.

"Now you have a choice to make."

Christine's stomach clenched anxiously, and she swallowed thickly. "I do?"

Erik nodded soberly. "You do. I must tend to our other defendants as they have yet to reach their final destinations, and you have made it quite clear that you do not care for the darkness below the stage. Shall I escort you home first, or would you care to accompany me?"

"I... where will we be going?"

Erik's eyes glittered strangely, the prospect of whatever was to come obviously giving him some measure of excitement. "If I were to inform you of that, it would no longer be a surprise."

She nibbled at her lip, considering. She worried about Boo being left alone, grateful that at the very least they would no longer be making these long jaunts that took her away from him for such great durations. Except... the trial had lasted no longer than her days on a jury, followed by her work at the restaurant, so would another hour or two be really that bad?

And it wasn't as if she was so terribly hungry. Erik had taken to spoiling her and evidently her stomach approved of going without the slightest pang of discomfort.

He would make her plump before long if she let him.

"Will we be going outside?"

Maybe it was stupid to ask, but at the moment that was what mattered to her most. She wanted to see sky, to taste a cold wintery breeze, tainted though it would be from the city.

She thought again of Erik's display while he perused her jury notes, making special notation of the little castle she'd drawn in the margin. Had he been sincere in his offer for them to live in such a place? Land all about them, the only company in site a few sheep that grazed about, growing fat on the lush grasses of their private domain...

It all sounded like a dream.

But one that would take a great deal of sacrifice to achieve.

Erik was looking at her in that peculiar way, the one that revealed that he thought her quite mad, but that he was also willing to placate her however was needed. "That would be the point, yes. If I intended to keep them here, I would leave them quite where they are."

Christine readily believed that he would do so.

"I think... I'd rather go with you."

He smiled again, a bright, satisfied smile that made her heart flutter. "Then you have gifted me with your company, and I would be most ungracious not to bestow the same courtesy upon you."

She wasn't at all sure of his intentions as he took her hand and led her through to the lobby, back to the very window he had found her at before. "Do you want me to wait here?" she asked rather wistfully. While she appreciated the view, it was a poor substitute for actually getting to experience the outdoors, but to her great surprise, Erik shook his head. His smile grew a bit more brittle, a wariness settling over his features, but he moved to the grand doors of the entrance, and with a brief movement of his hands that she could not ever hope to duplicate or fully understand, one of them opened.

She was absolutely certain that they had been firmly fastened, yet now, almost by his will alone, they weren't.

What a peculiarly powerful man, her Erik.

She swallowed again, watching him stand beside the open door. "I... what are you saying?"

Was he letting her go?

She had hoped for it. She had worked hard to earn his trust enough that the subject of her relocation could be discussed without potential danger to herself. But now, upon the seeming verge of that very thing, it felt a frightening prospect.

He had promised to care for her, whether or not she accepted him into her life. But did she really want to return to her apartment? Boo was still downstairs, she was most certainly fired, and... and...

She would be completely alone.

Erik hummed, a soft little sound that gave no answer, before disappearing through the door. Christine took a steadying breath and forced herself to follow, wondering at her own reticence.

"You wanted to go outside, yes?"

Erik asked suddenly, making her jump as she had not yet caught sight of him, leaning as he was against the wall of the theatre.

Christine nodded hesitantly and tucked her arms about herself. The air had turned bitter, the sun obstructed by a heavy layer of cloud, lending a grey and sober feeling to the day. More snow had fallen, the steps covered by untainted plumes of white, while the street had been swept revealing the dark charcoal of asphalt mixed with the sludge of dirty snow. "I did," she confirmed, wondering if she agreed with her earlier desire.

"I would be... most pleased if you are still here when I return," Erik murmured, his voice remarkably calm given the subject. She looked at him searchingly, and the way his eyes were shuttered, the way he forced himself into a position of ruthless nonchalance, said quite enough. This offering pained him. Him, who didn't mind threatening and cajoling when it suited him, so long as he reached his aim. But he did not remind her that he had the perfect hostage currently sleeping in his leather chair downstairs— little helpless Boo that he could quite efficiently use to make her do whatever he wished. He could remind her of his resources, that she lacked the funds and knowledge necessary to disappear to some corner of the world where he would not find her.

Instead he said that he would be pleased if she made no attempt at escape, and she... she wanted to please him. To prove that she could remain outside without thought of fleeing, of hurting him again by forcing him back into the cage of incarceration. That not everyone in the world wanted to see him wounded and bleeding.

Christine took another breath, this time reveling as the cold air filled her lungs, this time fresh and crisp and lacking the damp smell of Erik's underground domain. She then leaned down and brushed away any lingering snow from the upper step, sitting down with a satisfied sigh.

This is what she had wanted. Just to be out here, to know that she could and that he would not be so much of an ogre as to allow her even this.

She peered up at him, a looming shadow beside her, and she smiled at his look of distaste. "I didn't have a handkerchief," she reminded him teasingly.

Erik sniffed at that. "You could have asked."

Christine shrugged, oddly flustered by his gentle censure. "You'll come back?"

Erik laughed then, a humorless sound that made her shiver. "Christine, you never need worry that I shall be the one to abandon you."

Her cheeks flushed, his words oddly cutting. She wanted to promise she would not, but wouldn't that be the same as a vow of commitment? That no matter their future, she would be there for him, a friend to him, without regard for her own dreams?

But what were those anymore?

Yet there was one thing she could at least assure him of. "I'll still be here, Erik. I've been a part of this much of the trial, and I don't think I'll stop now. Not so close to the end."

Erik nodded, and he stood fully, staring down at her as if he had a great desire to say more. But instead he sighed once more and left, Christine suddenly feeling much colder than she had before.

He shut the door behind him, and she could clearly hear the tumblers working that indicated he had locked it. And she felt a moment's panic.

He wouldn't leave her out here for long. He knew that it was cold, that with the days growing shorter as another year drew to a close, they did not have ample time before it grew dark.

But if he did decide to abandon her, she would not know the way back to him. Her mother's quilt would be lost to her, as would her little Boo, and all the pretty things he had given her as well as...

Well... Him.

Christine nibbled at her lip and tried to appreciate the air, the bustle of the city as cars passed and pedestrians walked purposefully toward their destinations, heads typically bowed against the slight breeze as well as if to ward off contact with their fellow men.

She now felt more of an outsider than ever before.

Christine pulled her coat more firmly about her, burying her nose in the collar. She had taken to wearing one so as to ward off the drafty air of Erik's tunnels, and she hated to think how miserable it would be to sit on the slightly damp step without some protection against the wintery chill that nipped at every bit of exposed flesh.

She did not know how long she waited, only that her nose was cold and her cheeks were pinked, and she was quite ready to go home.

But where was home?

Home had been with her papa. Then home had been where her treasured mementos had resided. Where was home now?

Yet before she could reach a satisfactory answer, a dark vehicle pulled to the curb, the window rolling down and Erik's relieved face peering at her from the interior."

She stood and stepped closer. "You drive an SUV?" she asked incredulously.

"I drive many things. This is simply large enough to hold the bodies."

Sooo... Uh oh. Maybe Christine shouldn't have taken her eyes off of Erik after all... but at least she didn't have to see the executions, right? That's something at least!

Did Erik do the right thing by letting the Daroga go? Or should he have gotten more comeuppance for what he did? I'd love to hear your thoughts!