A/N: Hold onto your seats, everyone...I'm actually only uploading one chapter tonight instead of 2-3. Why, you ask? Because there was a little 'hiccup' with my internet connection, so we weren't able to make quite as much progress on this as usual. More will come soon, however! And as always I own nothing.
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom pushes through his secret doorway, and just as he predicted, you and Raoul are arguing. GERRY phantom quickly ducks behind an all-too-familiar statue and listens in*
Christine Julia Destler (Me) Raoul- Please, stop! I-I love RAMIN phantom... N-Not you!
Sarah Wilkins (Raoul) *steps toward you, reaching for your shoulder* But Christine! All that we've been through...don't tell me you don't remember! Why...this very rooftop...remember?
Christine Julia Destler *I tear up and nod a little* Y-yeah... I remember... *I let him touch my shoulder, and when he does I feel all warm inside and so I place my hand on his.*
Sarah Wilkins (Raoul) *softly* Don't cry...I don't want to force you into anything...I just want you to please think about us...I don't want you to make a mistake...*He turns away and looks down* A mistake like I did...
Christine Julia Destler *I breath deeply and nod again* O-okay... *I slowly go up to him and place a hand on his back*
Sarah Wilkins *He turns around at your touch and leans his head toward you just as GERRY phantom signals to your phantom*
Christine Julia Destler *I am also leaning toward Raoul, closing my eyes and not really thinking, when RAMIN phantom comes out* (Him to Raoul) DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!
Sarah Wilkins *Raoul jumps back and whirls around*
Christine Julia Destler *I also turn around and smile a little* (RAMIN phantom) Leave her alone! NOW!
Sarah Wilkins *As the two men start to face off, GERRY phantom motions to you to go with him*
Christine Julia Destler *I nod and go to him*
Sarah Wilkins (GERRY phantom) Are you all right? Did he hurt you?
Christine Julia Destler *I wipe my fallen tears away and shake my head* I'm fine... He was just saying that he wants me to... Consider giving 'us' a chance again...
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom pulls you into a hug before leading you back to Madame Giry's room. As soon as I see you, I run over to you and pull you into a hug*
Christine Julia Destler *I hug you back, still crying a little*
Sarah Wilkins *Just then, Madame Giry enters, and as soon as she sees us, she's confused. GERRY phantom quickly explains the situation, and as soon as Madame Giry agrees to stay with us, GERRY phantom returns to the rooftop.*
Christine Julia Destler *Meanwhile, RAMIN phantom and Raoul are still arguing*
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom stays back, waiting until it seems like he is needed. **Meanwhile, Meg returns to Madame Giry's room with the tea her mother sent for. Seeing you in tears, she comes over and pulls you into a hug*
Christine Julia Destler *I hug her back, explaining what happened*
Sarah Wilkins *She sighs in frustration at Raoul but says nothing. Half an hour later, GERRY phantom enters the room.* (GERRY phantom) It's all over...
Christine Julia Destler *I look at him, still in tears* Are they okay? W-what happened?
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom smiles at you reassuringly* No one's hurt. Raoul agreed to take Carlotta back to Italy. What they do from then on is their business. But they agreed to leave us alone. *He clears his throat a bit* RAMIN phantom is in his room cooling off...
Christine Julia Destler *I nod a little* Okay... Sh-should I just stay here until he comes out, or...?
Sarah Wilkins (GERRY phantom) I think he would appreciate it if you went over to him...he...had to agree to something...before Raoul would back down...*He looks down a bit, a little hesitant*
Christine Julia Destler A-agree to what?
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom sighs and sits down, rubbing his forehead before he speaks* Raoul...says he plans on divorcing Carlotta once they get to Italy...he's then going to America...to take over your phantom's show...
Christine Julia Destler H-he's taking over his show? He can't do that! You know, I actually felt SORRY for him... B-but now... *Shakes her head and goes to find RAMIN phantom*
Sarah Wilkins *I walk over to GERRY phantom, and he pulls me onto his lap* He was so concerned about how Raoul is going to run his show...especially how he's going to treat everyone...but the only other option would be to have Raoul following Christine everywhere...he didn't really have a choice...*He sighs again, and I kiss his cheek*
Christine Julia Destler *I go to his room and hear him. I knock and he answers. As soon as I see him, I give him a nice big hug* RAMIN phantom... Wh-why would you give your show to him? *He sighs and pulls back, looking in my eyes* Because I didn't want him bothering you... I saw the way you looked at him... I could tell you were scared... *I nod and hug him*
Sarah Wilkins *After a few moments deep in our thoughts, in the comfort of GERRY phantom's arms, I have fallen asleep. Whispering a good night to the Giry's, GERRY phantom picks me up and carries me to my bed. As he enters the room, he sees Raoul sitting on your bed.*
Christine Julia Destler *As I make my way to my room, I also see Raoul and freeze up a bit*
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom says nothing as he tucks me in. Sitting next to me on my bed, he notices you and motions for you to wait outside while he speaks to the Vicomte.*
Christine Julia Destler *I nod and slowly walk out and back to RAMIN phantom for a while*
Sarah Wilkins *The room is silent for a few moments, and GERRY phantom doesn't lift his eyes from my sleeping form. Finally, Raoul clears his throat.* Aren't you angry with me? (GERRY phantom) Why don't you tell me why you're here, and then I'll decide. (Raoul) *shrugs* I don't know...I thought for sure she'd...*he sighs* Never mind. Forget it. *He stands to leave, but GERRY phantom looks up at him then.* (GERRY phantom) Sit down.
Christine Julia Destler *I an quietly listening to their conversation, in RAMIN phantom's room, for he is getting ready for bed*
Sarah Wilkins (Raoul) I thought that... (GERRY phantom) Sit, Vicomte, unless you want me to be angry. *Raoul sits back down with a sigh, not meeting GERRY phantom's gaze. GERRY phantom turns his attention back to brushing his fingers through my hair* (GERRY phantom) You may not realize this, Vicomte, but believe it or not, you're slowly turning into me. *Raoul starts to protest, but GERRY phantom cuts him off* Think about it. Love lost? Mistakes made? And now you plan on getting out of here to take your bitterness out on the world. Sooner or later you'll find yourself making even more mistakes, sinking deeper and deeper into your lonely darkness. *He pauses a bit before looking over at Raoul* You and I...we've had our battles. Part of me doesn't even know why I'm telling you this. But for Christine's sake...please. I know exactly what you're going through, but do not take it out on the world. Sooner or later, you'll find someone who loves you, and I don't want you to ruin that moment...Are you following me? *Raoul slowly nods* (GERRY phantom) Then be on your way. I've said what I needed to. *He turns back to me, listening to Raoul's footsteps exiting the room. Before they disappear completely, a quiet voice says from the doorway* Thank you. *And then he is gone.*
Christine Julia Destler *I come out of RAMIN phantom's room and see Raoul. I give him a small smile and quickly go into my room, smiling more*
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom sees you enter* I hope my words had some effect...*He sighs and keeps caressing my hair*
Christine Julia Destler *I nod* So do I... *Looks at him* D-do you think I was wrong... To ALMOST kiss him?
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom looks over at you then and smiles softly* You were torn. He was having the same effect on you that I once had. No, you weren't wrong...I know how close you two once were. You're human. Just...don't let it trouble you anymore. After all...you have a wedding to plan...*His smile grows then*
Christine Julia Destler *I smile back and nod, sitting down* Yeah, I do! *Giggles and looks at you then back to him*
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY turns back to me and kisses my cheek softly before standing up* How's RAMIN phantom doing?
Christine Julia Destler *Sighs a little* He seems to be doing fine... But, I think he's still worried...
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom nods* Well, here's hoping that Raoul listens to me and doesn't take out his anger on those who work with and for him...
Christine Julia Destler *Nods back* Yes... *Gives him a small smile*
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom starts toward the door* I'll let you two get your sleep now...would you...like me to sleep outside your door? Would that make you feel safer?
Christine Julia Destler *I shake my head* No, no... That's fine. I'll just lock the door. But, thank you, anyways.
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom pauses a bit* Okay...if you're sure...*He gives you a small but reassuring hug before bidding you good night*
Christine Julia Destler *Hugs him back and when he leaves the room, I lock the door and get ready for bed, then go to sleep*
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom decides to take a detour on his way back to the lair to check in on your phantom. He slowly knocks on the door*
Christine Julia Destler *RAMIN phantom cautiously goes to the door and opens it. When he sees GERRY phantom, he smiles a bit* Hello, there.
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom enters and smiles a bit* Hi..I just wanted to see how you're doing...
Christine Julia Destler I'm doing fine, thanks.
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom nods and clears his throat* He was waiting for me...in Sarah's and Christine's room...I had a talk with him.
Christine Julia Destler *Raises an eyebrow before motioning him to sit* Oh, really?
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom nods again and sits* Don't ask why I even bothered to say anything...can you believe I wasn't even angry? *He sighs and looks down* I told him...he was becoming who I once was...and I cautioned him against lashing out at anyone. If he listened well, your show should be in good hands...
Christine Julia Destler *Also sits down, looking at him* Well, if I were you things would've gone differently... *Smirks a bit* Well, thank you. You're not too bad. *Pats his shoulder*
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom nods and smiles* Believe me...before Sarah came along, I would have done the same thing... I was just sitting there...the love of my life on one side, my sworn enemy on the other, and...I just couldn't bring myself to even glare at him!
Christine Julia Destler *Laughs* Oh, you sure have changed, my friend... *Looks at him again* How's Christine? When she came into my room while you were talking to him, she seemed... Worried...
Sarah Wilkins Oh, she seems fine now...I don't know if she heard me talking with Raoul or not, but when I left, I offered to sleep out in the hallway tonight. She said it wasn't necessary...
Christine Julia Destler *RAMIN phantom nods, relived* Good... *Sighs and chuckles* When I came out of the bathroom, her ear was pressed up against the wall... I think she heard at least something...
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom laughs at this* In that case I would be surprised if she didn't!
Christine Julia Destler *Laughs with him* Well, I think I should get some sleep... Thanks again for your help.
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom shrugs* No problem. Good night.
Christine Julia Destler *Nods* Good night... *When he leaves the room, he falls asleep*
Sarah Wilkins *GERRY phantom goes down to his lair. Unable to sleep, however, he continues working on his secret project*
A/N: More soon! Reviews welcome!