A/N: Sorry guys for not updating this since October! I can't believe its been that long. I have been working on my others stories, and I have work most of the time, so it gets kinda crazy. I have had this chapter since October, but was trying to find a good way to end the chapter(not the story, that won't come for some time.) Thank you as always for being patient. If not, then I can't blame you. :)

Chapter 9: The Aftermath of Foolishness

By: PittsBurghFuzz

Christine's kiss was long and forced. Erik didn't want to be rude and shove her off, but he did tell Christine to leave. Christine stopped kissing him for a moment and saw tears trailing down Erik's face.

"Christine please." Erik begged.

Christine shook her head ans continued to kiss him. After some time passed, Christine stopped. The same could not be said for Erik's tears.

"Erik, I'm sorry, but I needed that; we needed that." Christine told him.

"What the hell made you think I needed your pity? Was there really a valid reason why you kissed me?"

"What about, us?"

Erik turned from Christine with his head lowered. "Us was a long time ago; ancient history. Look Christine, just because your pathetic husband bailed out on you doesn't mean I will welcome you with loving arms! Please, just go back to your room, forget this ever happened."

Christine knelt beside Erik, placing her arms on his shoulders.

"Why must you be so cold Erik?" Christine asked.

"Cold?" Erik questioned. "Cold! I'm lending you a room, with food, drink and nice clothing. Not only that, I payed for your husband's bail for pity's sake! SO I do all of these things, and you have the audacity to call me cold?

"Erik, why did you do all of these things for me then?"

Erik remained quiet.

"Erik?" Christine said, tugging on Erik's arm.

Erik sighed. "Because I couldn't bare to see you out there, alone."

"So then you must care!"

Erik shook his head. "Its only pity Christine, like the pity you felt for me because of my deformity."

"You know Abbey has a lover, right?"

Erik stood up quickly, with Christine still on the ground. Christine felt scared, especially of Erik's imposing height.

"Don't you dare talk about Abbey right now!" Erik roared.

Christine was terrified now. The only thing that was scarier was when she took off Erik's mask.

"Erik, I-"

"No more from you Christine! No more! I already know Abbey has a lover. Did you honestly think that one little fact alone would have me rushing towards your side? Well, I hope you didn't, otherwise, prepare to be extremely disappointed!"

Christine cried. Erik went back to his music and payed no attention to Christine's weeping. This went on for a few minutes. Then Erik finally stopped being cold. He turned around to find Christine had passed out. Erik was immediately worried, and felt her pulse.

"Oh Christine, why didn't I come to your side sooner? Damn it!" Erik said to himself.

Erik picked up Christine, and felt the weight of her body in his arms. He remembered when Christine passed out in his lair. Oh how Erik cherished the weight of Christine's body in his arms. Erik ascended the staircase, walking slowly to Christine's room. When Erik finally arrived, he gently placed Christine on her bed. Erik felt slight sadness when he finally let her go.

"Oh Christine, please forgive me." Erik said.

Erik decided to sit on the rocking chair next to Christine's bed. Erik had a certain fondness of rocking chairs. Erik never had one in his old lair, but had at least one in every room of the house, with the exception of the private study.

The next morning, Erik went to the opera house, and checked how the production design was.

"Its going well Erik!" the head designer told Erik. "It should be ready by two weeks time!"

"Not bad. I expected nothing less." Erik grinned.

Erik, after helping the workers arrange a few items, went to his office. Erik did not notice the figure in the room until he spoke.

"Good morning, Erik." Raoul said to his enemy.

Erik's eyes looked like that of a cold-blooded predator, showing nothing but anger or hatred.

"What are you going here de Chagny? If you have come to kill me, then get it over with so we can get on with our lives." Erik quipped.

Raoul went on his knees. "Oh Erik, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I need your help!" Raoul whined.

"What? The de Chagny boy needs my help?" Erik laughed at this once ridiculous prospect.

"Erik my situation..."

"You don't need to say a damned thing about your situation. Christine told me about it."

"I just need a steady job, perhaps some money..."

Erik rolled his eyes. "Do you know how to care for horses?"

"Well, I did it once when I was a boy..."

"Good. Then I will need two things of you."

"Oh anything Erik!"

"First I want you to stop drinking. You need to face the music and get used to life. Its a pain in the posterior. Second, I want you to tell Christine that you want her in your arms again, and will never betray her. You and I have caused that girl more pain than any woman deserves. Understood?"

"Yes Erik!"

"Good. Now, I want you to start your duties now, and Gordon will pick you up at four o'clock, and take you to my home."

Erik patted Raoul on the shoulder. "I wish you luck Raoul, now go and perform your duties."

Raoul kissed Erik's foot and ran out the office.

Erik smiled. Then, Abbey came through the door.

"Abbey? Isn't this your day off? You should be with..." Erik said in shock.

"I know. I needed to give this to you." Abbey handed a letter to Erik.

"What is it?" Erik asked.

"My resignation." Abbey explained. "Jonathan wants me to resign, he's a bit old-fashioned."

"More like prehistoric." Erik whispered to himself.

"Good-bye Erik."

The two of them shook hands and Abbey left the office.

"Abbey..." Erik called.

She turned around.

"There's always a spot for you here, if you ever needed it."

Abbey smiled. "Thank you Erik."