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"Let's take the chance

To let our hearts grow

Together again

And never let go." -Excerption from the diary of Erik

Erik's POV

Why had I chosen to go out? I wasn't sure why. As far as I knew, the sunny weather was going to change into rain, and my legs were killing me. Perhaps it was fait, perhaps I was supposed to go out because I was supposed to find Christine. Never in a million years did I ever think she would have answered my letter. I left my flat, cringing at the aches in my legs as I walked. When I was on the boardwalk, it began raining, causing everyone to run beneath the concession stands for cover. My clothes were already soaked, and so I decided to turn around and head back to my flat to change…but I heard yelling. From a distance, I noticed a cloaked woman running towards me, with Nathan and another worker chasing her.

"Stop! Stop her!"

She must have done something terrible. I was crippled, but if this woman did something terrible, I'd be damned to let her get away. I grabbed her shoulders, and slightly lifted her up into the air. She kicked and screamed, but I didn't let her go.

When Nathan caught up to me, he smiled, glad that I had caught her.

"Ah, boss, just the man I wanted to see." he said.

"What seems to be the problem?" I asked.

"She stole a hotdog from one of the patrons."

I've had thieves before, but never one that stole a hotdog. Usually when thieves were caught, I would call the police to come get them, but for some reason, a hotdog being stolen didn't seem like an important reason to notify the authorities.

"I'll deal with her, thank you, Nathan."

My two workers walked away, I saw the woman glance up at me, fear reaming through her eyes. Great! My mask was scaring her!

"How dare you steal from me you little street rat!" I shook her violently in my grasp. "No one steals from Mister E! No one!"

I wasn't sure what facial expression the woman was making beneath her hood, so I flipped it back to reveal her brown curls. But wait! I knew those curls! And those eyes! Christine! It was my Christine! She had come back to me!

"Ch…Christine?" those were the only words that could escape my mouth. Why was she here?

"Erik?" Oh, her voice, that wonderful voice. My ears have been dying to hear it for the past ten years. The way she said my name was filled with such passion, as if I were pleasuring her within my bed….oh, such bliss.

"Wh..What are you doing here?" I asked. "You should be in Paris."

She didn't answer me. She only looked up at me with the same fear on her face that she had the day she saw my deformity all those years ago. I was soaking wet, and so was she. I knew if we stayed out in this cold rain any longer it be the death of both of us.

"Come, you're soaking wet." I pulled her arm along. "Let us seek shelter from the rain."

My words were cold, but what could I do? My heart was still in an extreme amount of pain from her last words to me all those years ago. She followed me as we walked towards my flat. I didn't want to take her there, but where else were we to go to seek shelter from the rain? I could see her gawking at the funny way that I walked, but I ignored her just like I ignored everyone else that always threw me a glance. When we reached my flat, I opened the door, and let her go first, knowing I would take more time climbing the stairs than she would. It was only when I opened the door did I realize how messy my flat was. It had been a few days since Meg Giry checked on me, and when she did, I demanded that she not touch anything. Yes, the pain in my heart from Christine was still alive as could be, but the thought of letting her enter a pigsty was just embarrassing. Despite the agony my legs were in, I began to move about the flat to pick up the music papers that were scattered around the floor.

"I must apologize for the mess." I said laying the pile of papers on my disorganized desk. "I'm not used to having company over."

When I noticed Christine shivering, I moved to the cobweb covered fireplace to start it up. I never used my fireplace because I was so used to the cold.

"As you can probably see, I haven't used my fireplace either."

I heard Christine giggle, but I didn't turn. Her laughter used to bring me such joy but now, her laughter couldn't even bring me so much as a smirk. When the fire was roaring, I limped over to my closet, and rummaged through it to find something Christine could wear.

"It would be unhealthy to stay in your soaked clothes." I found a long white shirt, and placed it our over my bed. "I'm afraid I don't have any dresses to give you, but a shirt should do just fine."

I approached Christine once again, and began to remove her cloak. My hands touching her shoulders sent a sensation through my entire body; a sensation I hadn't felt in years. When it was off her body, I hung it over the fire to dry. I couldn't stay around her any longer….such pleasure was entering my body again. I disappeared around the corner to let her change, and rummaged through my drinking glasses.

"When you're finished changing." I called out. "You can hang your garments over the fire. Your corset must be soaked too, so I would advise you to keep the damn contraption off."

How I hated corsets. Not only did they squeeze one's chest too tight, but they also destroyed voices. After a few moments, I filled up a glass with water, and called out to Christine.

"Are you decent, Madame?"

Why call her anything else? She wasn't my sweet innocent Christine any longer. She was a married woman, and deserved to be treated like one.

"Yes, I am."

I walked using my walking stick, and approached Christine, handing her the glass of water.

"You're wet."

Indeed I was, but that wasn't important at the moment. I had been wet before, and It wouldn't be the last time. Turning away, I scooped her wet garments up into my arms and hung them over the fire as she finished drinking her water.

"I'm fine." I assured. "I'll dress in a moment. I do hope the shirt comforts you."

"Yes, it's perfect, thank you."

"Well…" I looked around the flat, not knowing where to go next. "Make yourself at home…I'm..I'm going to get changed."

I was standing in the area of my room, when I noticed Christine circling around the floor. Damn me! How could I leave her with nothing to sit on! Once again, I was in my closet, scooping up the extra pillows and blankets that were piled there. I quickly made my way back to the floor, and spread them around.

"I must apologize once more." I said. "Furniture is something I find completely irrelevant with it being just me living here."

When the pillows and blankets were spread about, I walked away and began to change. I was never used to having another person sitting just inches away from me as I changed. Yes, Meg had been here, but I always made her walk around the corner until I was finished. To be sure none of my body exposed itself, I threw my dry shirt over my head before removing my wet one. But moments later, I glanced over at Christine for some odd reason and found her staring at me. Why? Why was she staring at me?

After throwing on my long overcoat, I limped my way over to Christine, and sat down on the pile of pillows, keeping my distance from her. We didn't say anything, and I began my ritual of removing the braces from my legs, but she was looking at me….God, the man I once was no longer lived inside of me. Who would have ever thought that I, the Phantom of the Opera would be using braces to walk?

"It would make me more comfortable if you didn't gawk at me like the crippled man that I am."

"No, it's not like that!" she blurted out, pausing to think about what to say. "How did it happen?"

"If you must know…" I snarled. "I was mugged and beaten to a pulp for the measly amount of five dollars I had in my wallet."

My answer must have satisfied me because she didn't say another word. This had to end! This had to come to an end! Christine could not stay here! Her precious lover was probably looking for her at this very moment.

"Look, once this storm ends I'll take you back to what ever hotel you're staying at. I'm sure your lover will be missing you."

"Erik, I'm not here with Raoul. Raoul's not actually here at all."

What? He wasn't here? Than who in god's name was she here with?

"I came alone." she blurted out.

"And what of your lover?" I asked.

She reached into her leather bag, and took out an envelope, the same envelope I had sent her!

"I got your letter. I couldn't stay with him any longer."

Christine turned to me, her face full of bruises. Damn that bastard for touching her! No…no, I couldn't feel sorry for her! I couldn't!

"You need to go back!" I yelled. "You need to pretend that letter never happened! I was sick and did something I shouldn't have done!" I grabbed her arm and pulled her up violently. "You need to go! You need to go back to Paris! You cannot stay here!"

"I don't love him anymore!" she pleaded. "I don't love him, Erik! He beats me! He hurts me every night! He beats me because I can't have children! Please don't make me go back to him!"

Christine was on her knees now, sobbing and pleading me to let her stay. I couldn't! I wouldn't! my heart would never take her games! No, she couldn't stay!

"Years ago I would have believed you, but not anymore. My heart cannot take another rejection from you or anyone else. For our life would be as beautiful as my face."

"Erik? Please…"

"No!" I snapped. "You were right. Our life together would have been hideous! Not only have you come here on the assumption that I would shelter you from your lover's abuse, but you also stole from me! How dare you come here to my world and steal?"

"I was hungry and without money."

"So that gives you the right to steal? I think not. But because I am a kind monster, I'm going to let it slide. We're both even now. And tomorrow you will be on the first passage to Paris. You weren't there for me ten years ago, and I'm not about to be there for you!"

My heart was racing so fast, that I stumbled and fell right beside my desk. When I saw Christine trying to get up to help me, I shouted at her! Damn her if she thought I was going to accept her help!

"Get up from that spot, and I'll kick you out tonight! I'm not a helpless invalid!" I struggled to my feet, snatching my walking stick from the floor. "I can care for myself! I've been doing it my whole life!"

For a while I sat at my desk working on music I had become bored writing. Things just hadn't been the same since Christine betrayed me all those years ago. But my train of thought was cut off by a rumbling sound coming from across the room. It was Christine's stomach…

"Could you cease that disgusting noise?"

"I'm hungry. I haven't had anything to eat in over two days."

"You stole from Nathan's today, didn't you?" I mumbled, continuing with my work.

"I dropped it." she confessed.

This made me laugh. She stole food, and yet she never got to eat it.

"First you steal, and then you drop the goods. Oh, you're such a wonderful criminal, Madame, you would surely last out there on the streets."

"I could."

"Sure you could. That's right, you could steal hotdogs….and then drop them before ever getting to eat them. Yes, I'm sure that would do your stomach well."

The room silenced for a few moments.

"So could I have something to eat?"

Damn her! She was like a stray cat! First I bring her to my home and now she wanted my food too! Damn her!

"And now you want my food? Give me one good reason why I should feed you?"

"Please, I'm starving."

I groaned! Why! Why had her plea changed my mind? Why? She hit a nerve within my heart. The thought of my angel being hungry had weakened me, and I gave in.

"Fine!" I growled. ""My food pantry is on the other side of the room. If you waste so much as a single bean I'll be sure to make you pay."

I went back to my work, listening to her rummaging about in my food pantry.

"How do you open it?" I heard her ask.

Damn her! Would I ever get a moment of privacy? I pushed the quill down into my paper; smudging the ink.

"Figure it out yourself!" I growled. "Can't you see that I'm busy?"

"I just asked a question is all."

"Yes, and next you'll be wanting me to cook it for you too."

After her last words, a few moments of silence occurred, and I thought I finally would be able to work in peace. But suddenly, I heard a cry of agony escape her lips. What was wrong now! I turned, only to see blood seeping into the shirt I had let her borrow.

"Damn you, woman! What are you trying to do!"

It was coming from her hand! Why! Why had this happened? I grabbed her arm, and shoved it under my sink to wash away the blood that was seeping out of her finger.

"That hurts!" she cried out.

"It's going to; now shut up!"

After washing out her cut, I wrapped it in a towel, and told her to apply pressure to it as I rummaged through my pantry. I took out a can opener, and pried the lid off the can of peaches that was sitting on the table and slammed it down in front of her. I then went back to my work as if nothing had ever happened. When my body grew weary, I blew out my candle that was placed on my desk, and made my way over to my bed without saying goodnight to Christine. Once I was laying completely down on the hard springs of my mattress, I removed my wig, and placed it on the night table beside the framed picture I had of Christine. Damn! That thing was still there! Quickly I flipped over the frame and placed it down so the picture wasn't showing. I laid there scratching the exposed skull of my deformity. The damn thing itched like crazy! If only god had given me the amount of hair everyman is born with. I would have removed my mask as well, but with Christine spending the night, I knew better than to do such a thing. My heart would never take the sight or sound of her screaming at me. Christine was leaving in the morning, and when she was gone, that's when I would finally get my peace.

Ever since my childhood, I hadn't been able to sleep because of the horrible nightmares that plagued my mind. Over and over again my rape and beatings would play in my dreams, causing me to sweat and toss in the confinements of my bed. But when I met Christine, all of it stopped. For once, my dreams were filled with wonderful images of Christine and out happy life together. For years, I had great dreams….until she left me. For ten years, my nightmares came back each and every night, and even now, as Christine lays only a few feet away from me, those nightmares still haunt my mind. Did I not love her anymore? My heart ached for her, but my mind was filled with such hatred! I found it hard to believe that I didn't love the only woman I ever cared for.

In the morning, when the first ray of sunlight shun through my window, I rolled over and ran my fingers through my thin strands of hair. After yawning, I looked over at Christine who was still sleeping. She was such an angel…the sunlight shun on her face as if an angel were laying right in my flat.

I walked into my kitchen without disturbing her, and put on a kettle of water to start my morning tea. While it was heating up, I stood there in front of the window, glancing down at the brisk November morning. Phantasma was at its last few days of being open, for soon, the winter's cold air would be here. To keep the chill from my body, I buried my arms beneath my overcoat, and yawned. Why was I still so tired? When I heard the tea kettle whistling, I turned around and lifted it from the burner.

"Erik?"

My name was being called by Christine! Oh, how I loved the sound of it being said by her.

"Yes?"

She stood up in the shirt I had let her wear, and approached me, her eyes fixated on my head…why? Why was she looking at me in such a way?

"Your head."

My hand lifted to the top of my mask, only to feel that I wasn't wearing my wig. Damn me! I pushed her aside, and rushed to my nightstand to grab it. While I was there, I placed on the braces, and then my trousers.

"It's such a beautiful morning." I heard Christine say. She was standing near the window looking out at the view of the ocean. "Is it always this beautiful?"

"I see nothing beautiful about it. Nothing is beautiful anymore." I coldly said.

"It's a beautiful view, Erik."

I slammed down the kettle, and turned to her.

"Did you not here what I said! Nothing! Nothing it beautiful!"

She gasped in fear, and I threw her dried garments at her, and threw the kettle into the sink.

"Get dressed! We're going to the ship yard this instant!"

Christine ran around the corner, and only came back when she was dressed.

"Grab your stuff." I demanded. "It's time to go."

After locking up my flat, I led Christine through the slight crowd of Phantasma. It was chilly, and the usual crowds that lined the stands each and everyday had narrowed down to only a fraction of what it usually was. As we walked on, I couldn't help but notice Christine looking around in amazement. She seemed so interested in every little thing, but I didn't explain a thing about my park to her. When we arrived at the docks, I pushed Christine down on a bench.

"Stay here, I'm going to get your ticket."

"Let me come."

"No! if you stand up from this spot, I swear you'll be sorry."

Christine was in tears, but I turned away before her tears struck a nerve. I approached the ticket stand, and leaned my walking stick up against it.

"Can I help you?" the ticket holder asked.

"I need one passage to Paris."

The man opened his ledger, and flipped from page to page. I only hoped she would be able to get a ship sometime today.

"There's none today." he said, flipping through his book.

Damn! Christine was going to have to spend another night with me.

I slammed my hands down on the counter in anger, and ran my wingers through the hair of my wig.

"Well when is the next ship?"

"Looks like…" he paused, flipping through hundreds of pages. "April first."

April first? April first? It was only November 2nd! This had to be a joke.

"April first?" I growled. "April first! How can this be!"

"The icy waters are too much of a risk to send a ship back to Paris. The next ship won't arrive until the first of April."

"Look, I have a friend who needs to get home to Paris tonight!"

"There's nothing I can do, sir. She's going to be stranded here until spring."

"Where does a girl with no money stay until spring!" I shouted.

"The work houses are always looking for help."

In anger, I grabbed my walking stick, and stalked away. Spring! The girl was going to be here until spring! Yes, I could place Christine in a work house, but no matter how angry I was at her, I didn't have the heart to place her in such a horrible place. To me, workhouses were just as bad as a gypsy freak show. I walked right past Christine, only to have her jump up and begin following me.

"The dock's that way." Christine yelled out.

"Don't treat me like I was born yesterday!" I shouted. "There isn't any ships coming or heading to Paris until April."

"So I'm stuck here?" she grabbed my arm to slow me down, but I pulled away.

"Yes, you're stuck here."

"Where am I going to stay? I haven't any money."

I stopped, and turned to her, clenching her shoulders tightly in my grasp.

"If you shut up, perhaps I'll let you stay…." I was being too kind to her. "Until I make other arrangements, that is."

I couldn't give her any hope of spending the whole winter with me, even though I knew she probably would. Yes, I might have been mad at her, but I didn't have the heart to throw her to the wolves. The Coney Island winters only got colder every year.

She looked up at me, and placed her hand over my cold mask.

"Thank you, Erik."

Oh, how my heart soared. Such a beautiful line, such a wonderful feeling…No! no! I couldn't do this! I pulled away, and continued walking.

"Don't thank me! Thank me by staying out of my way."

"Where are we going?"

Questions! So many questions! Why!

"If you must know, I have work to do, and sadly I haven't a babysitter."

"So I get to come along?" she asked.

I stopped walking, and sighed.

"Yes, Christine you may accompany me; but in silence!"

Christine followed behind me as we entered through the gates of Phantasma. She was like a child, looking at everything in astonishment. She was slowing me down! Damn her, and damn my heart for caring about her! Damn me! Boy, was it going to be a long winter….

Ok, that's chapter two, please please please review! Thanks! Love you all!