New chapter! Yay! This sort of sets things up for the next few chapters. I always have this doubt but i hope that i'm keeping everyone in character for you. Opinions and thoughts, pls! :)

Phanty belongs to Leroux and Lloyd Weber.

Christine

Waking next to any man, let alone Erik had felt like something from a dream. I wanted to stay with him... Simply forget about the world above us and stay. I had waited an eternity for him to explain what lay beneath the mask... for him to show me. And when he finally allowed me to remove it I was not nearly as surprised as I thought I would be. It was simply a face... slightly unique in nature but a face all the same. It was his face. The man I had come to love. Within seconds it felt as though I had never looked upon anything else. I don't know what I had prepared myself for. Certainly, it wasn't perfect but what was? What followed certainly served to distract me from any lingering questions I may have had...

I felt a rush of heat course through me as I recalled what we had shared. Something I had not shared with any man... something he may not have shared with any woman? I drew my hand to my lips as I remembered where they had been... I had kissed him and touched him as if it had been second nature... It was anything but that. How had I been so bold? How could I do it again? A bashful smile spread across my lips before I realized that no one could see me. No one knew the scenes that were now replaying in my mind.

No one knew except him...

In spite of my embarrassment I could not wait to see him again, partly to discern whether what I was feeling was real and not my imagination, and partly to confirm that it was mutual. I couldn't wait to learn more about him; everything there was to know... everything he was willing to tell me. I felt closer to him now than I ever had and leaving him was becoming increasingly difficult.

Thankfully as I exited the dressing room this time, there was no one waiting to meet me; waiting to question me. I would not have been prepared for them. I left Erik in a daze; my head was in the clouds once more.

...In the clouds with the Angels...

The Angel...

Perhaps no one had noticed my absence? Perhaps I could simply slip back into my sleeping quarters without the knowledge of Madame Giry or any of the chorus girls. It was early enough and the company seldom rose before ten o'clock on a Saturday.

"Christine, how are you feeling?" He asked, taking my hand affectionately.

"Feeling?" I replied, confused by what he had said. What did he mean? Thankfully a voice behind me answered my question.

"Christine... What are you doing out of bed?"

It was Madame Giry. I spun around, my gaze; subtly questioning her.

"I... don't know?" I said slowly. She frowned at me. Of course... she was covering for me. "I... wanted to go for a walk..?" I added.

"My dear, you are running a high fever. You mustn't wander about the place like this."

"Yes..."I complied. "Fever... I apologize. I did not mean to worry you."

"So... you have been in bed since yesterday's performance?" Raoul questioned me. "Madame Giry told me that you wouldn't be leaving your bed... I wished to see you... to apologize but... I could not."

"Yes... Yes I have been in bed. But please, there is no need to apologize..." Raoul drew me into an embrace. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable and hoped that Erik wasn't watching.

"I wanted to take you up on your offer... about spending time together again?" He pulled away... then paused. "You... smell different..."

How could I have been so foolish? Of course I smelled different. I had spent the night in Erik's arms... I probably smelt like him. The fact that he wore cologne was something I had never considered or thought much on, I had just always accepted his scent as his. It could always be found on the gifts he presented me with, his scores of music... anything he touched, including me. I could never quite place it but it lay somewhere between wood chips, musk and freshly un-wrapped paper stock. A smile hinted at my lips but I forced it away.

"Different..?" I feigned ignorance, urging myself back to the present.

"Yes..." He leaned closer to me and inhaled. I held my breath as if it too would give something away... "Like... cologne..."

"Cologne?!" I replied. "How could that be?"

"My fault, Monsieur." Madame Giry added. "It was... something I put by her bed to help her sleep. A... scented remedy I employed for my husband and for Meg when she was a child."

"Ah." Raoul nodded, seemingly convinced.

"Come, Christine. You must get back to bed." She turned to Raoul. "I am sorry, Monsieur. Perhaps, later in the day..? Tomorrow?" Placing a hand on my shoulder she guided me away from him before he could respond.

"Wait." He said; a hint of command in his voice. I turned around slowly. "Where did you get those?" He pointed to the items in my hands; Erik's book and the rose he had given me. I looked down at the items he was referring to. I had neglected to mind Erik's gifts. How would I explain those?

"I... I..." I stuttered. I looked to Madame Giry but she simply returned my desperate glare and did not speak.

"Do you think I am a fool, Christine?" Raoul smiled cynically. "The scent... your absence... and now those?" He walked up to me and plucked the book from my grasp. "'Scandinavian Folk Lore'? We used to read this together, have you forgotten? But I did not give this to you... so who did, Christine? Who?"

"It was my father's!"

"Do not lie to me! It is his!" He threw it to the ground. I knew exactly to whom he was referring.

"No!" I yelled, starting toward it but deciding against it. If Raoul really knew how much that book meant to me, he would realize my secret within seconds. He had his suspicions... but part of me still believed that I could convince him otherwise. The foolish part, perhaps.

"Monsieur! Mind yourself!" Madame Giry instructed harshly.

"And this rose..." he continued. I pulled it away from his grasp. He would not have that. He scowled at me. "You were not ill, were you? You were with him!" He took a deep breath and began to pace the length of the corridor. "Why, Christine? WHY?! I loved you... I'm sorry that I wasn't here for you when you needed me but... seeing you again made me realize that I loved you all along."

"I'm sorry, Raoul. But it isn't going to be like that! I... you know that I am courting someone else."

"Yes, him! Why him? It is hurtful enough but... he is a murderer, Christine! Surely you cannot believe it to be a good idea!"

"I appreciate your concern but... I want to be with him..."

"So, you were with him."

"Raoul, no! I wasn't... I..."

"Do me the courtesy of telling me the truth, Christine. Can't you see how much I care about you? Can't you see that this is for us?" He grabbed my shoulders but I shook him off.

"There is no 'us'!" I retorted. I was becoming desperate in my need for his understanding, his recognition. This would be so much easier if Raoul simply understood and accepted what was happening. But he would never accept it. I was beginning to see that. He continued, determined.

"Can't you see that this is for your own good?"

"What is?"

He stepped backward, a smug grin snaking its way across his once comforting features.

"After I saw you two last, I had that mirror searched. I am in constant communication with the Police and I will have him found."

"What..? Raoul, why..?"

"One of these days, you or he will slip up... and on that day I will seize the opportunity and have him caught." His voice was gaining volume as he spoke.

"Monsieur! Do not say such things!" Madame Giry held my hand for support and stepped toward Raoul.

"Why?" He asked, turning to her. "Are you his accomplice? Does he have this whole theater under his spell? Under his control? Well this is not his theater. It is mine. I am the patron..." He turned back to Christine. "And you were mine before you were his!"

"I don't belong to anybody!" I cried.

"Well, once he is out of the way, you will be mine..."

"Why can't you just leave him be?!" I yelled, shoving him backward. He ignored my protestations and stepped closer to me once more.

"He will be found. And when he is... it will be straight to the gallows."

"Raoul!"

"Once he is gone, this... spell he seems to have over you will simply fall away and things will be as they should be."

"Why do you want to do this?" I asked. He was more determined to find Erik now than he had been yesterday and it was my fault entirely. What would I do if he was caught... executed? Tears began to gather in my eyes at the mere thought of it. "Can't you see that you are only hurting me?!"

Raoul's face softened.

"Christine... I would never wish to hurt you. I keep telling you, this is for you. For your safety." He sighed and smoothed back his hair. "I... came to apologize, which I have done. I also came for another reason. Will you escort me to the Bal Masque?"

No...

Surely not...

"I..." I looked around in desperation. Surely someone, something would come to my rescue before I had to answer him.

"I don't suppose your friend is attending, is he? Perhaps I should tell the authorities that..."

"No." I cut him off. I would have to accept. It was the only way to keep Erik from harm. I knew very well that he had plans to attend... regardless of whether he recalled making them with me. "No, he will not be attending." Every fiber of my being wanted to refuse... But I knew that Erik would understand. "I will escort you, Raoul."

"Very well, Christine..." He said, shifting his gaze uneasily between Madame Giry and myself. "I will meet you at the top of the grand escalier at eight o'clock on the night."

I nodded curtly. Raoul did the same before turning to walk away. After a few steps he stopped and turned back.

"I do not mean to hurt you, Christine... It is the last thing I would ever wish to do." He said. Then he simply walked away. Never had I felt so isolated, yet at the same time so suffocated... What was I to do? I was trapped.

It was only after we were no longer able to hear his footfalls did Madame Giry and I speak. She took me by the shoulders and shook me as she spoke.

"Foolish girl! You told me that you would be cautious!"

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you in a predicament... and I didn't mean to put Erik in danger. I didn't think anyone would notice my absence..."

"You cannot see Erik for at least a week... Raoul will have the authorities searching high and low for the man responsible for Buquet's murder."

"A week?! No I... I made plans to see him tonight!"

"Tonight!?" She drew her hand to her forehead in frustration. "No. It cannot be. It simply cannot. It is too dangerous!" She was right... And I knew that she was right.

"Well... I must at least see him to explain!"

"No! It is too dangerous, child! He will understand... it is too much of a risk!"

"No, he won't understand. He will be waiting for me. And... I want to see him!"

"Christine!" She shook me once more. I struggled free and frowned at her. "You need to understand! This is so much bigger than you! He cannot afford to be found, do you understand!? After what he has done... there will be no trial because of who he is! You must understand that!"

"I..." I leaned against the wall of the corridor and exhaled in frustration. I did understand. If something happened to Erik it would affect me more than anyone... "It isn't fair." I pouted.

"I know." She said; her voice calmer. "But you need to keep your distance. Your every movement will be scrutinized because... I suppose Raoul believes that you will lead him to Erik." I looked at her.

"Yes... I suppose that I would. If I wasn't thinking... I would."

She nodded, picking up the discarded book and handing it to me. I held it to my chest.

"Come. Let us prepare for the day."

Prepare for whatever was to come...

That night the minutes ticked along slower than they ever had. Time flew when I was with him... We had agreed to meet at eight o'clock; the minutes leading up to that time were torture... the minutes after were even worse. All I could do was picture him standing there, waiting. Risking himself for me... Doubting me with every second that I did not show. And what if he came to find me and saw that I was not busy at all, I was not otherwise occupied or engaged... I was simply sitting there, doing nothing. Choosing not to see him. I felt a fresh wave of heartache rush through me; sitting somewhere between nausea and physical pain it began in the pit of my stomach and grew upward. I pretended that I was ill so that no one would question me. I knew that Raoul would not tell anyone the truth that he knew and if he did I would simply deny it. I was in no mood for company, not in such a state.

I lay back on my pillow and closed my eyes in preparation for sleep. I did not bother to douse the lamp for I knew that Meg would tend to it when she arrived. Perhaps part of me was leaving it on intentionally. Perhaps I was waiting for him... Just as I turned to my side and pulled the blankets over me I heard a knock on the door. I did not have a chance to answer before it swung open. I turned around irritably.

Raoul.

"Christine... I am sorry. Were you asleep?"

"I... almost." I lied. I rubbed my eyes and feigned a yawn. Raoul was the last person I wanted to see. The pain I was feeling was due to no one but him. "What is it?" I asked.

"I... may I come in?"

"If you wish." I said curtly. Raoul slowly entered and sat on the bed. Involuntarily I moved away from him.

"I simply wanted to apologize... again." He laughed awkwardly. "I mean, for how I acted just this morning. I cannot stand the thought of upsetting you."

I sat up and faced him.

"Then why are you upsetting me? Why are you preventing me from happiness."

"Christine... he is not happiness."

"Please leave." I said.

"Wait... I... I'm sorry. Listen, I want what is best for you. I..." He paused. We both looked up as we heard a light thud from above. Without a second thought, he continued. "...I... really will do whatever I can to make you happy."

"Will you give up on your search and allow me to see him?"

"Christine... I cannot do that."

"Well then you do not care for my happiness. Please leave. I have agreed to escort you to the Ball and I will. But I want you to leave."

"Christine..." He reached out to touch my face. I snapped my head away.

"Alright..." He said, voice; contrite. "Sleep well, Little Lotte."

Little Lotte...

I hadn't heard that in such a long time... What had happened to that Raoul? My childhood friend who would have done anything for me, who braved the Northern seas in order to save something as trivial as a scarf from its icy depths. He was still there... I knew that because at times I saw him. Part of me believed that he really was trying to do what he felt was best for me... but depriving me of happiness? That was no friend at all. No, I could not let my memories affect me. That was a different time. Raoul was selfish. He wanted to be rid of Erik for his own gain; so that he could have me as If I were some sort of possession...

Raoul left and closed the door behind him leaving me in silence once again... Leaving me with my thoughts, worries and regrets; unchanged.

Erik, I wish you were here.

"Goodnight." I bid quietly into the darkness. Perhaps he would hear me.

Erik

With all of the alacrity and enthusiasm I usually possessed upon visiting my Christine, I entered the Chapel and waited in the shadows. The previous night spent with her had left me more entranced than I had ever been and every minute spent away from her was spent thinking about her. Never in all my years had I experienced such pleasure than at the hands of her... More than anything else I wanted to see her again, to touch her... to have her hands upon my body once more...

I took a deep breath. I had to derail that thought pattern. I could not subject Christine to anything until it was right, until propriety allowed it. And I had to begin making plans to allow that to happen. If I asked for her hand, I needed to have a plan set in place. I had always dreamed of marrying Christine, and she and I spending our days in my home, but that was not practical and it was not what she deserved. She deserved a house. She deserved a castle and while I was equipped with the knowledge to design one for her, that was not practical either. No, realistically I would need to find a house outside of Paris... possibly even beyond the borders of France, herself. I would need to think of a way for us to leave the Opera that did not involve my arrest or putting her in harm's way. It would be difficult, but with her love and acceptance it was possible. Anything was. I would begin planning when I had finished the Opera. I had hoped to have had it finished today but once more I found myself quite distracted...

I looked down at the object in my hand; another red rose for her. She loved them and what was my purpose if not to fill her life with happiness? I checked my pocket watch, the numbers were difficult to make out in the dull lighting but from what I could see, it was past eight... We had agreed to meet at eight.

As the minutes ticked by I grew increasingly concerned for her. Why had she neglected to come? Had something happened? Had she changed her mind? No... she couldn't have. Not after her heart had been so full the night before... Had it been? Perhaps she had changed her mind due to what we had experienced. Did I blame her?

After thirty minutes or so, my restless waiting became desperate. I only hoped that she hadn't fallen ill or come to harm in any way. What if she had disobeyed me and attempted to make her way to my home? No, she wouldn't have done that. She promised me... I had to know! I had to!

I made my way to the floor of her sleeping quarters, and from above, I watched. I did not know quite what to expect.

What I saw was something I had not anticipated...

She was with Raoul...

My breath caught in my chest and my stomach lurched as I took in the reality of what I was seeing. I couldn't bear to watch more than a second and I did not care to hear an explanation. What did it matter? What could her reasoning possibly be? She had promised to be in my company and once more she was in his...

As I rushed away I tried to calm myself, tried to reassure myself that she would have an explanation but I was losing grip on my sensible side, losing my grip on reason and the other part of me was taking control...

I would stay away. I would stay well away and perhaps if she did happen to miss my company or at least take note of my absence, she would feel a small amount of the pain and anguish I was feeling. Of course, I would see her at the Bal Masque. That could not be avoided. Perhaps I would ignore her... or perhaps I would give her the chance to explain. But for now I had to leave; had to be as far away from them as I possibly could. I could not bear witness to such betrayal.

Christine

The hours came and went. The agony did not cease. I prayed that somehow he would understand; that he would know but I knew that he could not. And more than likely instead of approaching me and asking me about it, he would once again withdraw himself from my world... Thinking himself unworthy or unsuited to someone like me... degrading himself as he was so accustomed to doing.

But I could do nothing to prevent it. I could take no action to ease my pain or his.

I could not even find him to explain myself. The dressing room was no longer mine to commandeer and Erik had warned me not to seek him out. Frankly I was hardly apt to do that after what had happened to me previously. And I could not do so without endangering him.

Please, Erik.

Please know.

Please know that I love you.

Please let me know what you think! There are so many stories out there, where the plot is only such due to a complete change of Raoul's character. Like, all of this drama ensues because Raoul is suddenly a crazy, violent jerk who develops a vendetta against almost everyone else and the story revolves around that. I want to stay away from that, so i'm trying to keep him more in character and give him realistic motives behind his choices...

What do you guys think?