The face off!

Enjoy.

Phanty belongs to Leroux and Lloyd Weber.

Christine

"Who is this? Who is he?" Raoul questioned, outraged. "What is going on?"

"Raoul... let me explain..." I turned to Erik. "What are you doing?!" I could not believe that he could have been so careless; it was not in his nature.

"Explain..? Christine I do not know where you can begin?" His voice was rising in volume. "Is... is that the mirror? Wha...?" I knew that I had to keep him quiet lest he draw more attention to the situation. I shot another glance at Erik, my eyes beckoning him to answer the question I had previously asked. He simply stared back at me, unblinking. I could see no remorse or regret whatsoever in his expression. In fact, his body language expressed the opposite; he seemed almost pleased with himself. His arms were folded across his chest beneath his cape; his stance was confident, proud. It was as if he wanted to be seen.

"Raoul. Please, come inside..." I said, gently pushing him inside the room. He stared at the man behind the mirror, stupefied but obeyed my request.

I didn't know where to begin. I had not planned on revealing mine and Erik's relationship... friendship... courtship, whatever it was for a long time to come... if ever. For the life of me I could not think why Erik would do such a thing. It must have been intentional; he did not make mistakes like that.

Once Raoul had stepped inside I closed the door quietly and locked it once more. I walked up to Erik and stood before him.

"What are you doing!?" I whispered.

He just stared down at me, the corner of his mouth now upturned in a smirk.

"Christine...?" Raoul called in frustration. "What is going on? Who is he?" I turned around to see him pointing at the smirking man behind me. How quickly Erik had changed to the Phantom in the presence of someone else.

What could I say? The truth was that Raoul already knew who this man was... or had at least heard about him.

"Well?" Raoul demanded.

A deep voice behind me answered.

"You know very well who I am, Monsieur."

Raoul stared at the man behind me.

"I... I was addressing Christine, if you don't mind." He sneered. I heard Erik scoff behind me.

I sighed.

"Raoul... this..." I knew that I was going to regret speaking but I wasn't left with another choice. "This is my... my teacher."

"Teacher?" Raoul questioned, his features contorting. "You told me that you were in contact with... a tutor; your... 'Angel of Music' but I always thought that it was part of some fantasy?"

"Who is this man really?"

"You are right. It was a fantasy... but this man is my tutor. That is the truth."

"...And more." The deep voice behind me added smugly.

I spun around and glared at him.

"This is not possible." Raoul stated. He attempted to peer around me. "Do my eyes deceive me? What... is behind that mirror?"

"Nothing that is any concern of yours." Erik replied, stepping over the threshold and sliding the mirror shut behind him.

"I think that it is my concern... Monsieur." Raoul stepped forward slightly. Erik made to step past me but I put my arm in front of him.

"Don't." I whispered.

"What am I to make of this, Christine? Is this man your... are you courting him or... something of the like?" He squinted at me for a few moments before I realized that I, like Erik was almost completely shrouded in darkness. That was why Raoul was more concerned with the fact that I may have been courting another man and less concerned with who the man was. "I must say..." He continued. "It certainly isn't proper for you to be entertaining strange men in a dressing room if that isn't the case."

I turned to Erik, knowing that he would retort.

"Yes, Christine." He spoke. "Your friend is correct. It isn't proper to entertain strange men at this hour. Allow me to remove him for you." He moved to step forward, as did Raoul.

"Erik... don't!" I pushed against his chest in order to keep him in place and it seemed to work. Of course, he wasn't really trying to get past me; simply humoring me. It was my words which held him where he was, hidden in the darkness. I held out my other hand to keep Raoul at bay but he stopped a few feet away.

"Well?" Raoul began. "Are you courting this person..?" He was thoroughly confused.

Erik looked down at me. The smug grin was still upon his face but his eyes were willing me to answer Raoul; challenging me to do it... to say the words out loud or he would.

"Y... Yes. We are courting." I stammered. I shot a glance up at Erik who was now smiling triumphantly and staring straight ahead at Raoul once more. I knew how much these words must have meant to him, but I couldn't help but find myself slightly irritated with how he was acting; as if it were all for Raoul. As if I were on show... simply a possession. My face fell slightly but he did not seem to notice.

Raoul dropped his head slightly, and squinted in my direction once more.

"Step into the light, Monsieur." He began. "So that I may at least set eyes upon my challenger."

"With pleasure." Erik retorted.

"Erik..." I began, pushing him once more as I looked up at him. "What are you doing?" I had done my very best to keep Erik in the shadows of the room, to keep him hidden. I knew of the rumors and stories circulating the Opera about the Phantom. He had been a legend; a threat since I had arrived as a child and though many details about his appearance remained nothing than vague hearsay, that mask was a constant. That was the one attribute all witnesses would attest to seeing. I knew that once Raoul caught sight of that stark, white mask he would know exactly who it was he was dealing with. I knew that the law was still very much at large in the Opera house, stopping by daily in aid of their investigation of Buquet's murder... and now I knew that Erik was the culprit. Yes, this reminded me of the fear I had felt upon first hearing Erik's confession and a large part of me was still ill at ease. But another part of me; the larger part felt fear for Erik. I knew what happened to convicted murderers in Paris and when I pictured the gallows my breath caught in my chest. Suddenly I realized that I would do anything it took to prevent such an event. Suddenly I became aware of the priority...

It was him.

Upon hearing Raoul's challenge, Erik simply smiled at me, removed my obstructing hand and stepped in front of me. Before I could speak another word in protest he was standing before Raoul, clearly illuminated. Raoul gasped. To my horror, Raoul recognized the unique accessory immediately.

"You... That mask... You..." Raoul stammered. Erik nodded.

"Yes." He said.

"The... the Opera Ghost... It can't be."

"It is." His voice had now changed in tone; it was menacing and dark. I didn't like it.

"Christine, come! Get away from him! He murdered Buquet!"

"I know..." I said quietly, flinching at the words. Erik looked back at me, attempting to read my expression.

"You... you know? Christine... perhaps... you aren't thinking straight? Has he done something to you? Put you under some sort of spell?"

"I have done nothing of the sort, Vicomte." Erik spoke with a click of his tongue, his patience apparently wearing thin.

"How do you know who I am?" Raoul demanded. A question which received a booming laugh from Erik in response... but it was far removed from the warm chuckle I had previously heard; this was harsh, cynical and echoed of dread and foreboding. It sent shivers up my spine.

"This is my Opera House. Do you honestly think that I would allow myself to be unaware of the goings on under this roof? That I would leave myself oblivious? Of course I know who you are; the new patron." He spat out the last word. "I see all. I watch everybody. I watch you, walking around as if you own the place... spending time with my Christine."

"Your Christine?" Raoul looked to me once more, holding out his hand. "Christine, come... quickly."

"Do not tell her what to do boy. It may be the last command you ever make."

"Do not threaten me!" Raoul challenged, pushing past me and standing before the Phantom. "I do not care who you are... you..."

In a swift movement Erik had taken hold of Raoul's collar and was now mere inches from him.

"YOU..." He began. "Would do well to care who I am."

"Stop, Erik! Let him go!" I yelled.

"He is lucky that all I have I have hold of is his collar." Erik replied through gritted teeth.

"Please."

Erik turned to me, his eyes searching mine in disbelief. I knew that I had to rephrase what I had just said lest he take it the wrong way. I could not risk being without him for another week... not for another moment.

"Why?" he asked, still searching my eyes.

"Because... I wish it. Please." I said, placing a placating hand on the arm that now threatened to lift Raoul clear off the ground. Erik's eyes seemed to soften slightly and his grip seemed to loosen. "Raoul. Both of you... can we not have a civilized conversation?"

"You want civility, Christine? With him?"

"Raoul..." I warned. I could not believe that in spite of his knowledge, Raoul was intentionally challenging Erik. Surely he did not realize what he was doing. "Raoul, don't."

Erik's vice-like grip tightened once more. Gently I touched his hand and looked at him. He had to know how I felt about violence... how it had threatened to tear us apart mere weeks ago. My eyes pleaded until once more, his softened. Soon he had released my friend and taken a step back. He stared at his hands with regret; perhaps his hasty actions had been a painful reminder of his mistakes and the weeks we had spent apart as a result of them.

Thankfully Raoul stepped back also. Perhaps both men were only obeying me due to their affections but at this point I did not care; I did not care what it took for I did not wish for either of them to be hurt as a result of tempers and emotions.

To my surprise Raoul's expression did not change. He did not show an inkling of gratitude.

"So this is the way it is, Christine?" He asked, shaking his head in disapproval.

"Don't look at me like that Raoul. Please. Nothing has changed. I still wish to spend time with you and..."

"In aid of what?" He spat. "These past few weeks..." He stared at me for a moment before dropping his head. "Meant something different to you than they did to me. Clearly." He gestured towards Erik who was standing directly behind me as if I would change my mind and run to Raoul if he did not.

"I am... sorry." I said.

Raoul looked up and immediately I could see that he had been fighting back tears.

"Him, Christine? Why did it have to be him? He is not right for you. He... is not right for anyone... he is dangerous!"

Erik stepped forward once more.

"Careful, Monsieur." He warned. Raoul flinched before glancing at me; pain was visible in his eyes. He took a deep breath and turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?" I called. He couldn't be leaving. I knew that I owed him more of an explanation than I had given him. He needed to understand. I needed to know that he would be alright.

I needed to know whether he would keep my secret...

"What does it matter?" He replied softly before opening the door and walking through it. It closed behind him with a dull click, and Erik and I were left alone once more.

"What have I done?" I cursed, holding my head in my hands.

"This is not your fault." Erik began, walking up to me and placing a hand on my shoulder. "I was the one who revealed myself."

"Yes. Why!?" I asked, turning around and pushing him slightly.

He stared at me, taken aback. I turned away once more.

"How could I have done this to him?"

"Why do you care so much, Christine? Why do you care so much about him?"

"He is my friend!"

"Is that all?" He challenged.

"Yes that is all!"

"Well then why didn't you make that clear?"

"I..." I opened my mouth to continue before realizing that he was absolutely right. That was why I was so upset. Over the weeks I had been well aware of his intentions but had not addressed them. Therefore, the fault was mine. Of course I valued Raoul's friendship but I knew very well why I was in fact spending so much time with him. I was using him. I did not want to admit it but at the core of my being I knew it to be true. I was using him to fill the void left by Erik. And now... with Erik back in my life, would I want to see Raoul? I had to tell myself that I would. I would have to make the effort if only to prove to myself that I was wrong.

"I... I was lost when you were gone." I said. A feeble attempt to explain my heinous actions. "I turned to him... and I found that I enjoyed his company too much to tell him the truth. I... needed him. I needed someone in your absence. And so... I used him." It felt better to have said it aloud.

"Ah." Was Erik's reply. I turned to face him once more.

"You must think me a terrible person."

"My dear. After what I have done, I am hardly the one to cast aspersions. It was not the best way to have handled things... but I understand your motivation." I walked to him and took his hands in my own.

"I'm sorry to have blamed you." I said. He laughed.

"The fault was mine. I am willing to take the blame for it."

"But... I blamed you for everything. I'm angry with you for revealing yourself. But not because... I didn't want Raoul to see you. It was because I couldn't come to terms with the truth about the time I had spent with him. All along I was aware of his intentions... I didn't want to believe that I could be so selfish."

"We can all be selfish at times. It is in our nature."

"Yes." I smiled. Surprised at his maturity and apparent tranquility given what had happened. "At least now I will not have to worry about what to say to him if he proposes."

"I should hope not!" He replied. I laughed and rested my head on his chest.

"And we should not forget the reality behind what you have done tonight." I said sternly, looking up at him. He shook his head.

"They will not discover me, Christine."

"I worry for you." I said, dropping my head.

"Why is that, my dear?" He asked, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.

"You know very well why." I said, slightly petulant.

Erik took a deep breath and smiled before pulling me into an embrace.

"Do not trouble yourself, Christine. I have told you. They will not find me. It is impossible."

"Nothing is impossible..." I replied, receiving a warm, somewhat condescending chuckle from Erik.

"Listen... even if they could figure out how to open this mirror, they would get lost in the labyrinth of tunnels beyond. Trust me."

With that he released me and flipping his tail coat out behind him, sat down on his favored divan before me. Something about that action had always fascinated me... and seeing Erik do it was almost mesmerizing. He reached out and took my hands in his own.

"It will be alright." He said. "The fact that you worry for my safety in such a way truly moves me, I must say." Then, to my utter surprise he gently, apprehensively pulled me onto his lap. The fact that he felt so comfortable in performing such an action both surprised and delighted me. I knew that what little he had experienced of romance, he had experienced with me. And yet, he seemed to learn with the eagerness of a small child. It seemed as though, while still apprehensive and forever doubting himself, his confidence was growing with every touch, with every action I accepted; every advance I willingly made. "It will be alright." He repeated, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me down to lie against him. I smiled, wanting to dismiss the conversation at hand so that I could lie in his embrace and simply be... But I could not.

"But..."

"What?" He asked; his voice soft and husky. It seemed that he too wanted nothing more than to lie back and lose himself.

"But why did you have to show yourself?" I asked, wrapping my arm around his waist and pulling him close. The thought of him being taken away after so much only made me want him to be as close as possible.

"Are... are you ashamed of me?" He asked after a few seconds of thought.

"No!" I lifted my head up and looked at him. "Of course not! It's just that it was all... so perfect. And now... I worry for you. Why did you do it, Erik?"

"Christine..." He began, sitting up slightly. "I thought it obvious. I did it because I was proud. You told me that you loved me. ME... of all people. Still, I cannot conceive what I must have done, who I must have tricked to deserve such happiness. But I did not want to hide it. It was... somewhat foolish, I will admit. But by the time I realized, he had already seen me. And I do not regret it. It does not matter what happens to me because of what I have done... I will never regret it. I am proud to call you mine Christine Daae and no one has the power to stop me from saying it."

I simply stared at him for a moment before leaning in and placing my lips upon his. He eagerly accepted my advance and ever so tenderly, placed his hands on the sides of my face. I smiled into his mouth as I felt his stubble against my chin, finding it... in a way; attractive.

"But... do you think that... Raoul will alert the authorities?" I asked in between kisses. He inhaled sharply as my hand traveled up the front of shirt and lingered at the top button. I smiled at the reaction I was able to provoke from him. I wanted nothing more than to explore what I had seen earlier but I knew that it was not the time.

"Yes..." He replied, his lips upon my neck. I pulled away abruptly.

He gave me a quizzical look.

"'Yes?' What do you mean yes?"

"Raoul will go to the authorities. It will be the first thing he will do." He looked away and inclined his head slightly. "Of course he is doing it for your safety which... is valiant I suppose. But he has claimed that I am of danger to you which only serves to anger me..." He looked back at me. "You know that I would never hurt you, Christine. Don't you?"

"Erik, what are we to do?"

"I told you. They will not find me." He smiled. "But... I suppose that we should be cautious. I will not be able to see you as often as I should like."

I rolled my eyes inwardly. More time apart... I lay back against him once more and took his hand in mine.

"I understand." I said as I began tracing his fingers where they lay just as he had done to mine earlier in his home.

"Do not fret, Môn Ange." He whispered, placing a kiss atop my head. I smiled against his neck. His words were soothing to some degree... but I knew that over the next few days I would do nothing but fret. He had come to mean far too much to me...

"Hold me." I said quietly. And with that he wrapped both arms around me, once more enveloping me in his warmth, his heartbeat, his scent. The steady rise and fall of his chest threatened to put me to sleep and I wanted nothing more than to accede to the temptation but I knew that I could not. Not now. Too much was at stake.

"I could fall asleep here." He mumbled.

"As could I..." I replied.

"But we cannot." He said.

"No."

"I should go." He suggested. I could hear the reluctance in his voice.

"I wish you didn't have to..."

"As do I." He smiled. "...But I will see you again soon."

"Promise?"

"It pains me to be away from you, Christine. I will do everything in my power to see you as soon as I possibly can, rest assured."

"When?" I demanded with a pout.

"I cannot plan such things." He smiled. "Tomorrow would be ideal but I cannot promise you anything. I cannot pay you a visit as any other suitor could. I must be strategic. Especially now."

"I know." I sighed. "It's just that after not seeing you for such a long time... and then..."

"This." He finished, reading my find; referring to our intimacy. He placed another kiss atop my head. "It will be difficult."

"Yes."

"But know that I am always watching... I hope that does not seem unsettling. I say it with the most honorable intentions."

"I know you do." I said. Reaching up and placing a small kiss on his lips. He began to return the kiss before pulling away.

"No... I have to go." He said standing up. "I won't be able to stop myself." He said with a laugh.

Reluctantly, I stood up as well and walked him to the mirror.

"Don't wait too long." I said as he opened the mirror and stepped through. I watched in awe as he stepped over the threshold and into the darkness. "How do you do that... by the way?"

He smiled knowingly at me.

"It's a secret, I'm afraid."

"Erik!" I pushed him playfully. He said nothing, only stared at me with a smug expression on his face.

"Are you really not going to tell me?" I asked genuinely. He sighed, feigning boredom before speaking.

"If I must!" He teased. "There is a small lever on the left side. It is extremely hard to find unless you know what you are searching for."

"Ah." I replied in acknowledgement. "Well... I hope you are right."

I really did.

I made my way up to my sleeping quarters, a smile on my face only to be approached by Madame Giry just outside the door.

"Child, are you alright? I was so very worried for you. Did you find him?"

"Yes! Yes, I did." How thoughtless I had been. She had been the reason I had left Erik's lair in the first place and yet the thought had completely slipped my mind. "I found him and... I told him how I felt."

"And what did he say?" She asked, taking my hands. I had never seen her so animated.

"He returned my feelings. We explained ourselves and... sorted everything out. Everything is fine now."I smiled. "Only..."

"Only what?"

"Only... as I was leaving... Raoul saw him."

Her face fell.

Raoul

Was all of this actually happening? Was I trapped inside some kind of opium induced stupor? I could not believe what I had seen; who I had seen standing before me.

I reached into my pocket and squeezed the object I had hoped to bestow upon Christine that night; an engagement ring. How could I have been so wrong? How could I have misread her signs so monumentally? I couldn't have. A woman simply did not spend that time with a man without intentions. It was not regular. He was not regular. He had to have done something to her to cause her to act in such a way. I had heard stories of his... powers; his abilities. It was quite a real possibility that Christine had agreed to his farce of a courtship while she was not of sound mind.

I had to free her. I had to make sure. She meant too much to me for me to simply give up and accept the strange truth; that she had fallen in love with the Opera Ghost. And if she had, I would put a stop to it. I would put a stop to it for her own safety, for her own sanity. Surely she knew not what she did... Surely...

I unlocked the dressing room door and stepped back, allowing the troupe of policemen I had summoned to enter before myself. If anyone was able to find a way into that monster's home, it was the Gendarmerie.

"This was the mirror, Vicomte?"

"Yes." I said.

I sat back and allowed them to work their magic.

He would be found.

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