Okay, so the whole update regularly thing didn't exactly work out, but it also doesn't help that my internet connection has been having alot of problems lately. Once again very sorry for the delay. Thanks for all of your support and reviews! I would like to once again point out that my spell checker is no longer at my disposal, so please forgive errors and bear with me, I'll try to be more careful! Here's the new chapter!

I do not own POTO

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Christine watched as Erik fiddled with his clothing, though it was already impeccable. She could almost sense his anxiety, or perhaps it was only her own. They had decided that today would be the day that they would go out. She had taken comfort in the knowledge that Erik was just as reluctant, if not more than she was to go out of the security of the house by the lake. However, she also knew that this was going to be difficult for him. She did not intend to completely rely upon him to carry her through it. She was tired of being sheltered and protected every moment of her life. She needed to be strong, for herself and for Erik. There would be no cowering behind him this time, they would face the world together as he had said. Truly together, neither one hiding beihind the other.

Christine had suggested they go out in the evening, that way there would be less people to confront the two of them. But Erik had insisted that it be done correctly, with no detours or barriers. He had made it perfectly clear that they would go out in the daytime, where anyone who wanted to see them could. Christine had sensed the wariness in his voice when he had said this, but she knew that it would be best to get it over with fully the first time and she did not argue. It had been three days since that conversation had taken place and the decision had been made. Now, they were prolonging their exit from Erik's home.

Erik tugged on his sleeves, despite the fact that he knew they were perfectly straight. The last thing he wanted to do was go out in broad daylight. However, he had reasoned with himself and come to the conclusion that it would be best to make the first time the worst, so when they went out in the future, it would seem nicer in comparison. He still hated the idea, but it needed to be done. The sunlight would be good for Christine, as would the warm, spring air. He knew that she was nervous about returning to the surface after the wedding, but he also detected the determination within her. She was strong enough to handle this. If that was the case, then why could he not be just as strong?

"Are you ready, Christine?" Erik looked up to see her. She was standing not too far off, and her eyes were fixed on him. She nodded in the affirmative and took a few steps forward.

Erik couldn't help but notice how nice she looked. She was not wearing her new dress, but the simple dress flattered her just as nicely. Her hair flowed out behind her as usual and her eyes were a whirlpool of emotions. She was so very pretty and simple. Simply pretty. Erik felt like a child because of the trail his thoughts had made, but how could he help it?

Erik blinked back to reality to find that Christine now stood in front of him, waiting for him to indicate their departure. Erik felt an unknown emotion fill his stomach, and he swept his eyes over his familiar home. He had gone out before, but not as conspicuously as he was about to. Then he looked at Christine. He saw the tiny smile that lifted the corners of her lips. He remembered that she was ticklish. A warm feeling chased away the uneasiness in his stomach and he felt ready to proceed. He offered her his arm and she took it, and he escorted her out of the house and onto the shore of the lake.

He led her to the boat and helped her into it. He felt tense as he rowed across the lake and he was conscious of Christine's eyes on him the whole time. He was glad that he was taking her out into the light of day, where she belonged. If he happened to be going with her, it was merely an added bonus. The boat touched land and he got out to properly secure it. He offered a hand to Christine and she allowed him to help her out of the boat. When she was safely on dry land once again, he began to lead her to the hidden exit. He released her hand to unlock the door, and watched as it began to open.

Christine felt nerves eating away at the inside of her stomach as she once again took Erik's hand and was led outside. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light, and she thought she felt Erik cringe, but it could have been her imagination. They both stood still for a moment, neither daring to go forward or back. Christine's eyes flicked back to the half open door that would take them back to the security of the house by the lake. She heard Erik sigh. She looked up and saw him take one step in the direction of the door. Her heart leapt and she wondered if he was having second thoughts about their decision. However, he merely reached out and fully closed the door. There was no going back now. There was only one thing to do. Christine sucked in a breath of air and started toward the busy city streets.

Erik kept pace with Christine as she started toward the crowded streets of the city. He had chosen to wear the mask that he had worn to her wedding, so as to blend into the sea of people and avoid notice. What was another face in the crowd to these city-dwellers? Even so, he felt as though he needed to be prepared to disappear if necessary. But how could he disappear? He was with Christine, and he could not abandon her to the mobs of people. No, he would stay with her regardless of what people did to him.

Christine felt as though her heart would beat it's way through her chest. They were steadily coming nearer to the stream of people, and so far nobody had noticed them. The only thing that kept her from turning in the opposite direction was Erik's gentle grip on her hand. People were less likely to notice couples. Couples roamed the streets as much as people who were alone. She and Erik may not have been officially together, but it would seem as though they were. They were about to join in among the throng when Christine felt Erik slip his hand out of her own.

"Perhaps it is best that we are not so close to one another," she heard his voice in her left ear. "People might assume..."

Christine nodded, but her newfound security had vanished. She felt nauseous and terrified. She felt herself begin to tremble and she didnt see how she could possibly go through with this.

"Christine?" she felt Eriks fingertips on her upper arm, and she looked up to see that his golden eyes were filled with concern.

"Erik," Christine choked, tears beginning to sting her eyes. "I don't think I can do this."

"Christine," Erik repeated in a more gentle tone. "I know that you are frightened. I feel the same way. But we are here now. What good would it do to turn back when we have gotten so near our destination?"

Christine felt a tear run down her face, but Erik wiped it away with a stroke of his thumb. He was correct, as was usual. There was no point in running back now that they were so close to accomplishing what they had come for. Christine nodded and turned to face the crowds again. Some people had already noticed them standing off to the side, but they had merely continued along on their way. Christine's spirits lifted a little; what if that was all people would do? Finding new confidence in this thought, she merged into the crowd, Erik at her side.

Erik was tense. He felt as though he was drowning. Surrounded by people on all sides, he had no way to hide himself. He glared at the few people who glanced up at him, and they quickly looked away. It was a good thing that Christine had convinced him to leave the lasso at his house by the lake. Otherwise, he was sure he would have strangled someone by now. But he continued to walk by Christine's side as they flowed along at the pace of the surrounding people. It took nearly all of his willpower to keep from pushing past all of the people ahead of him and drag Christine behind him. But he somehow managed to maintain composure, matching Christine's speed. She seemed to be as nervous as he was, for she often cast glances at people whose eyes had come to rest on her.

Erik watched as Christine turned a vibrant shade of red as one man came to a complete halt to stare at her, his mouth parted and his brows meeting in a frown. Erik could not contain the anger that built up inside of him. He took hold of Christine's hand and pulled her closer to him, also taking a step closer to the man to tower over him. He glared into the man's dull grey eyes until his expression turned to one of fear and he scurried off. Erik stepped back to Christine and saw her eyes were downcast and her cheeks still flushed. He lifted her brushed her cheek with his fingertips and she looked up at him, a desperate expression on her face. Her eyes were frantic, and Erik felt a pang in his chest for her obvious distress. He tightened his grip on her hand a bit and nodded his encouragement.

Christine took a shaky breath and resumed walking, though at a quicker pace this time. Erik did not try to slow her down, and his hand gently but firmly clasping her own enabled her to keep her confidence up. The last reserves of her initial confidence had been dissolved by the older man who had stopped in order to see her more clearly. Several peopel had glanced at her, but they had simply moved along, not interested enough to care. However, just one person staring could make several people start staring, and that was what Christine was terrified of happening. But, as was often the case, Erik had stepped in and scared the man off as he gently provided his support by taking her hand.

Christine tried to focus on anything but her surroundings. Mama Valerius' flat was not too much farther away. It would certainly be much easier to duck into a carriage, but it would not benefit their purpose in leaving the house by the lake. No. Erik was right. She would not be a coward and hide. She looked up at Erik, who had spent the better part of his life hiding from the world. But he also had good reason, and she could not in any way picture him as a coward. No. He stood tall, keeping his eyes ahead. He reminded her of a trained soldier marching out to war. In a way, that was exactly what he was. He was fighting a battle that had been raging inside of him for who knew how long. He was now winning that battle. Christine felt immensly proud of him, and made it known by lightly squeezing his hand as they walked on.

Erik felt Christine's eye's on him and looked down at her. There was a slight smile on her lips and a sparkle in her eyes, and her head was tilted up a bit so that she could see him. He felt her hand squeeze his and his heart felt lighter in his chest. Had they not been surrounded by people, he would have returned the gesture with a small show of affection. But seeing as they were surrounded by people, he merely pulled her a little closer to him and kept walking. He was glad that Christine had not seemed to take notice of the many sets of eyes that had begun to linger on them. He made an effort to ignore them so as to make Christine think he was unaffected by their staring. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to take each of them by their necks and demand to know what so interesting.

But for Christine, Erik refrained from violence and stayed relatively calm. Her hand in his was also helping to relax him, and he took to stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. He wondered if she enjoyed holding his hand as much as he enjoyed holding hers. What if she was completely uncomfortable? Erik found himself not caring whether or not she enjoyed it. He was selfish, and he was going to enjoy it regardless of her feelings. The time would come when he had to release her, and she could take a sigh of releif then, but no sooner. No, he would savor this contact for as long as he could.

Christine's thoughts were no longer of Erik. She had not seen Mama Valerius since she and Raoul had visited her after Erik had released them. She had sent her an invitation to the wedding, but she had not made an appearance. Christine was partially grateful for this, considering how the wedding had concluded, but it had aroused curiosity as to why she had not attended. Surely she would not intentionally miss such an important day in Christine's life? Perhaps she had merely forgotton, it was quite likely to happen. But still, there was a bad feeling that Christine could not seem to shake off.

The feeling continued to grow inside of her as she and Erik neared their destination. Soon enough, the entrance to the flat was before them, and Christine rapped upon the door. She felt her heartrate increase as she waited for someone to open the door. After what seemed like an eternity to Christine, the door opened and an unfamiliar butler stood in the doorway.

"How may I be of service to you?" he asked in a polite tone.

"Is Madame Valerius in today?" Christine asked in a shaky voice.

"Madame Valerius is no longer resident here due to her recent passage," the butler informed her, in his ever so polite tone of voice.

"You mean..." Christine felt her heart sink.

"She has passed on mademoiselle," the butler allowed sympathy to leak into his voice. "She died approximately three weeks ago, or so I have been told. My condolences."

Christine was unable to respond, and the butler quietly closed and secured the door. Christine could not beleive what she was hearing. She could not have died! But then again it had been more than five weeks since she had seen her. It was actually more likely than not. Christine felt physical pain in her chest and sank to her knees, one trembling hand over her mouth, and began to weep at the entrace to the flat that was once the home of her kind hearted benefactress.

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Sorry again for the pitiful length, but i'm having a bit of writers block on this one, so there will probably be a breakthrough for me soonish! Thanks again for all the support and I wish I could do more for you guys! You're all awesome! Read and review please!