Hi! So, good news! Yesterday i submitted my very last assignment, and I'm waiting on the results but i have pretty much finished my degree. So i guess that makes me a designer now? Or do i have to be employed as a designer to call myself that? Oh well. I'm still using the title :P. So anyway this means loads more time to write! Yay!

Phanty belongs to Leroux and Lloyd Weber.

Christine

As soon as Madame Giry closed the door behind her I threw myself into her arms.

"My child, what happened? Where have you been?" She questioned.

"I…" I began through sobs. "I came to see you because… of Erik."

"I gathered as such." She said calmly.

I nodded. Where would I start?

"Thank you for… just now." I pulled away slowly and wiped my eyes.

"You are my child. You have no need to thank me for such things."

I smiled weakly. Yes, Madame Giry had always treated me like a daughter but to a certain extent, there had always been somewhat of a barrier between us. I had always assumed that it was just the way she was. She often spoke of losing her husband, and Meg, although she had never met her father, always assumed that that had been the turning point for her mother.

Meg…

Raoul…

"Le Vicomte…" I began.

"He came to see me."

"He… he did? Why? Was it about Erik?"

"Of course."

"Meg said that he had been questioning people about my whereabouts but I did not even consider that he would have approached you. Did he harm you?"

"No." She looked down. "I only suffered as you did. When I refused to respond to his questioning he got quite upset but he did not harm me." She met my gaze again. "I do not know when this situation with Raoul began to escalate to such an extent, but I trust that you have your reasons for treating him as you do and that you are in the right. I always have. Whatever has happened, he is very determined, Christine. Do not take him lightly."

"I am not! He almost killed…"

Madame Giry's eyes widened at the word. Realising how little she actually knew of what had transpired, I took a breath and continued.

"He almost killed Erik…" I looked down.

"Is… is he…?"

"He is alright for now." I answered with a smile. She was putting so much effort into sounding nonchalant, but I knew that she cared for Erik almost as much as I did. "Since Raoul saw Erik things began to change with him. I… suppose that I never expected him to simply accept my decision but… anyway, after the Bal, I went to the cemetery to visit my father's grave and Erik accompanied me."

She nodded.

"Raoul was there and he tried to take me away with him… Of course, Erik defended me but it all went terribly wrong and Raoul wounded him and... I've just spent the last few days seeing to his health."

Madame Giry's gaze did not falter.

"You are sure that he is well?"

"Yes. He fought off an infection the first night but…" I grimaced at the memory. "I sewed the wound."

"You are a strong person, Christine. I always knew it to be true. Thank you for doing that. How is he now?"

"Fine… still in pain but fine. But in his condition I cannot risk anything, and… well I believe that Raoul will not give up until…"

"Until Erik is found." Madame Giry finished.

"Yes. And that is what I have come here to talk to you about. With things as they are, I am afraid that… Erik and I will need to leave."

"Leave?"

"Yes." I said softly. I knew that such a thing would be difficult for her to hear. "Within two weeks. It may even be sooner."

"But… Christine, leave?" She repeated. "I…" She sat down on the divan in her room and took a deep breath. "I am sorry, Christine. You seem to care for him a lot, and heavens knows he cares for you but… I'd simply always imagined that you would stay here… At least until you married."

Married…

Once, briefly, I had dreamed of marrying Raoul. But now, all that I could see was Erik. A slight smile tugged at my mouth as I imagined the event. Walking up the aisle, gazing down at my feet as I so often did… then finally looking up to see him standing ahead of me, utterly exuberant with happiness but visibly humbled by crippling disbelief. But his smile. He smiled at me as no one else did. Perhaps it was so special because I seldom saw it, perhaps more so because those around us saw it even less. I paid no mind to those around me. Erik and I would not have a large wedding but now, they were there all the same.

"Christine…" Madame Giry prompted me to speak.

"Sorry…" I said, shaking my head slightly. "I know. I wanted to. I wanted to stay. Everything was opportune with my performances and Erik, but things have changed such that I cannot stay. If Raoul sees me again, I am afraid that he will take me but this isn't simply about me. He wishes to harm Erik and even if he does not succeed in that, I am terrified that he will at least find him and that the last time I will see Erik will be at the Palais du Justice…"

Madame Giry cringed. She knew exactly what that meant.

"Of course, Erik is convinced that no one will ever find him." I added with a smirk that was returned by the woman before me. "But he sees the need to leave all the same."

"I know. I too know it to be the only way but I… I cannot imagine this place without you, or without he, for what that is worth."

I smirked weakly. Erik was a menace to those in the company. She wasn't going to deny the fact. No one that was close to him ever would.

"And I cannot imagine a life without you, or without this place." I said. "Since my father died it has been all that I have known. But I love him, Maman."

"I know you do, child." She smiled.

"And I will do whatever it takes for us to be together. I know that I sound silly… but I never expected to feel this way about anyone, let alone…"

She nodded.

"I know. Where will you go?"

"I do not know. Not yet. I assume that we will leave Paris. Will you help me?" I asked.

"But of course, Christine. What is it that you need? Money?"

I shook my head. Erik hadn't mentioned money.

"I need bandages for Erik, he has run out. And… I need food." I added apprehensively. I felt terrible asking for these things even if I did see Madame Giry as a mother. "I know that you cannot give me food enough for two weeks. We may need to leave sooner than that, and I may even need to visit you again before the time comes but… whatever you have I would gladly take. He has little but stale fruit in his home and I worry that he does not eat enough."

"Of course you do, you beautiful child."

I smiled awkwardly.

"You are in luck." She said, standing up. "I went out earlier and bought food enough for a few days. I hadn't had a chance to shelve any of it as of yet, so it is all right here." She gestured to a bag on the floor beside her bed. "You are welcome to it."

"All of it?"

"Of course."

"Thank you kindly." I said with a smile. "And… the bandages? Have you any?"

"Yes." She nodded. She knelt down before a cupboard on the opposite side of the room and returned with what I needed. "I always keep these here in case of injury. You will need to sterilise them, though."

I nodded.

"I know." I certainly didn't have the strength for another infection and I doubt that he did.

"Christine I… I cannot believe that you are doing this; leaving."

"Neither can I." I responded. I wondered whether or not I would see her again. I certainly hoped that I would, but I had little knowledge of what the future had in store.

"My child." He began, touching the side of my face with a kind of gentle warmth that could only be associated with motherly affection. "I don't know what to say to you. Where do I start? I have raised you since you were seven years old."

"I know." I said. "Thank you." I knew that she was not comfortable voicing her affections for me. She never had been and I wished to save her the discomfort. She didn't need to say anything to me. Words were just words.

"Wait." She said, removing her hand and rushing to her desk. She returned with a letter and handed it to me. It was a plain, off-white envelope with nothing more on the front than one word written in a rough cursive;

Christine.

"What is this?" I asked. She sighed before responding.

"This…" She seemed to be struggling with her words. "This is… from your father."

I stared at her, blinking several times, unable to speak.

"I am sorry that I kept it from you. He… he told me to give it to you upon turning eighteen years of age but I think it appropriate now."

Yes, I was upset with her for keeping such a thing from me for so long. So many times over the years I had been desperately missing my father. I had found myself unable to cope with his loss, had struggled to see point in continuing on without him. I would have done anything for a scrap of communication from him; anything, even if it were no longer relevant. I was upset. But… there was something more pressing that was plaguing me; what was in that letter.

I looked back down at the envelope in my hands. I couldn't open it. Not in front of her, not in front of anyone. I would save it for a time when I was mentally prepared to hear from my father… my actual father…

"That… that is alright. Thank you." I said.

"Please do not be upset with me, Christine. It was his dying wish that I take care of you and deliver that very letter to you when the time was right. I believe that I have done that today. Perhaps that letter will even speak what I am not able to. Your father and I… we both loved you greatly. We love you greatly."

My breath caught in my chest as I realised that this was the first time she had told me she loved me. I loved her dearly, as she did me. But we had never uttered the words. Madame Giry and I had always shared an unspoken language of sorts. I found her choice of words strange but I did not mention it. Instead, I looked up at her and upon meeting her gaze, I realised that I could not remain upset with her.

"I am not upset." I said. "This is simply… unexpected. Thank you." I repeated, touching her hand. She gripped it tightly and I could see tears forming in her eyes. "Thank you for everything."

I love you.

I couldn't say it.

We stared into each other's eyes for a few moments, perhaps on the verge of speaking, perhaps not. The silence was at last broken by the chime of a clock on the desk behind her.

"I must go…" I said, looking down. I was reminded of the time and in truth, my heart was too full to continue the conversation. "I… need return to Erik."

"Yes." She said, wiping a tear.

"I may see you before I leave." I spoke, almost an attempt at convincing myself. "I will try to. But… if not…"

At that she pulled me into an embrace.

"If not, I pray that you two will take care of one another until we meet again. And I know that we will."

I returned her embrace and left before my emotions overcame me.

It was only upon reaching Erik's home did I realise that I had neglected to mention my discussion with Meg…

Meg

I felt a flush with both guilt and fear, but a small part of me was quite taken with the excitement of it; the satisfaction I would gain from what I was to do. After all, what was I to Christine? It seemed I was not even worth her time anymore. I knew where Christine was and I knew that all I needed to do was follow her. Then, everything would be set right. There would be a little sadness, a little confusion and a little pain… but then, everything would be as it was.

I stook behind one of the walls leading to Maman's bedroom and waited. After ten minutes or so, I was rewarded for my patience. I drew close to the wall as I saw the door creak open. There were a few whispered words, a final embrace and the door was softly shut once more, this time with Christine on the outside. She was carrying a bag of sorts. I didn't really care to imagine what was inside, for it wouldn't be relevant for long. She stopped for a moment. Thinking she had somehow heard me I shrunk back against the wall once more, but she did not turn around. Instead, she simple stared at Maman's door with an expression I could not quite read, before turning on her heel and starting down the corridor.

I followed her as she rushed past the sleeping quarters, now filled with excitable, chatty girls, making a fuss over god knows what. I glanced longingly into the room as I passed it, knowing that I was no longer one of them, that after what I was about to do, I would no longer be able to simply laugh with the careless ignorance that they did. No longer be able to revel in a simple happy moment of youth, mostly unaware of its value. Things would change. But I had already agreed to what I was about to do. I was to follow this path to its end.

Christine made her way down the grand escalier where I had spoken to her prior, and into the main foyer. I had to be careful to keep my distance as I saw her glance at the mirrors on either side as she walked. She stopped at the end of the foyer, standing at the far wall. I jumped behind one of the many busts decorating the hall as she glanced behind her, and I could not believe what I saw next; Christine produced a key from within her skirts and a door somehow concealed in the wall seemed to open. Her key was met with a lock that in all my years here, I had neglected to see.

Beyond the door was darkness. Christine stepped inside, entirely enveloped by it before closing it behind her. Then, the wall was as it had always been. As soon as I lost sight of Christine I approached the wall. Save for a small key hole that was disguised by the intricate damask wallpaper, and a feint line which outlined the door I had just seen, this wall looked like any other. Why was that door there? Why had no one mentioned it prior to now? Had anyone even seen it? And if they had, why had they not told me of it? Maman knew of this. She must have. And had had neglected to share it with me. She had neglected to share any secrets with me and so had Christine. She, Maman and this Erik surely shared some connection that they did not wish for me to be part of. In fact, the only person in this Opera who had approached me with something real, the only person who trusted me with an actual task was le Vicomte. To him, I was more than just a chorus girl. I had intelligence and I had strength just as much as Christine and perhaps he could see it! Yes, he had threatened me into agreeing to this task but as I stood there staring at the wall before me, I realised that he didn't have to.

When I next saw le Vicomte tomorrow I would tell him; I would tell him exactly where I had seen Christine enter and I would feel little to no remorse.

Christine

When I finally made it back down to Erik's home I was slightly more at ease about Raoul and my other concerns. The letter, my conversation with Meg… Why was everything so complex? I wanted to unburden myself to Erik.

Perhaps the walk had calmed my nerves, perhaps Madame Giry or perhaps both. Prior to now I had been in a state such that I had neglected to have a care about Erik's condition. What if he had attempted to walk and fallen? What if he lay on the ground bleeding to death with no one to call out to? My imagination always seemed to get the better of me but now I was concocting whole scenarios in my head, scenarios in which the worst always seemed likely. Perhaps that meant too much time spent around him…

Thankfully though I approached the bed to find Erik lying in bed just as I had left him. The blankets were strewn about his waist haphazardly but his breathing was even and he seemed to be at rest. I wanted to tell him all about my encounters, both because I was still quite shaken up and due to the fact that he had to know what had transpired but I didn't wish to wake him. However as I walked closer to him he began to stir and I couldn't help but be glad of the fact.

"Christine…" He mumbled, rubbing his eyes and smiling at me. He sat up, holding his stomach wound and grimacing as he did so. "I am sorry. I… had meant to stay awake for you but I could not."

"That's alright." I smiled, sitting down beside him, setting down the bag I had been holding and kissing him softly. "I'm glad that you could find some rest."

"I was worried though. Don't think that I wasn't! What happened? Did you see Madame Giry?"

Yes… and everyone else…

Raoul…

I could not help but think of Raoul and the fear I had felt at his hands. Yes, I saw Madame Giry but what would have happened if I had not? Where would I be? Tears began to well in my eyes and I nodded abruptly. Apparently so much so that Erik saw through my façade. I thought that I would be able to speak calmly to Erik about all that had happened, but just hearing his voice seemed to cause my emotions to return almost instantly.

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head dismissively, turning away from him. He gently turned my face toward him until I was forced to meet his gaze.

"My love, what is it? What happened?"

At the mercy of his affection it seemed that I could no longer hold back my emotion. I began to weep. Erik pulled me into an embrace, much to his own discomfort.

"Why do you cry?" He placed a kiss atop my head. "Raoul? Did you see Raoul?"

I nodded and wept harder at the name, wrapping my arms around Erik and crying into his warmth. It was Raoul but it was so much more. I hadn't wanted to weep. I hadn't wanted to put Erik though any further undue worry or stress but I couldn't help myself.

"Yes?" He asked, slightly alarmed. "Was that a yes, Christine?"

"Yes." I managed through sobs. At this Erik pulled away from me, holding me at arms length and looking into my eyes.

"You saw him!? What did he do to you! This is why you cry? Tell me what happened!"

I didn't want to talk about it. Not anymore. I just wanted him to hold me.

"Tell me, Christine!" He demanded.

"I saw him! He saw me! He… found me." I managed. If he had been wearing a shirt I would have been gripping it tightly but I had to suffice with his arms. "Erik… please just hold me." I wept.

"Of course!" He said, holding me tightly once more. "But you must tell me what happened!"

"I know." I said before taking a deep breath. "I… I was so afraid…"

"I will kill him."

Raoul had aimed to kill Erik, yes. He had attempted it, in fact. But I could not help but inwardly shudder when Erik spoke of murder so trivially. Perhaps it wasn't trivial at all, which was potentially worse. I hated violence… but if this situation reached it's head and there was no other way…?

I pushed the debate to the back of my mind, convincing myself that I did not have to find a solution at that very second. Erik took a breath before speaking once more, his voice low and purposeful.

"What happened?"

"I… I was on my way to see Madame Giry. I was in the sleeping quarters and… I simply turned around to leave and he was there!"

"Why were you in there?"

"I… I wandered in there… I know how silly it was in retrospect, but I was reminiscing and I…"

"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. It's alright. Tell me what happened then."

"What you would expect." I sniffed. "He kept trying to convince me that he was right for me. Kept trying to coerce me to leave with him, and when I refused he tried to force me."

Erik scowled as he listened.

"I told him that he was crazy if he believed I trusted him after what he did to you… and… he said that he would hand you over to the authorities…"

Erik scoffed.

"He shall have to find me first." His smirk left his face as he searched my eyes. "Did he hurt you?"

"No… I… my arm is a little sore but I am fine."

Erik shook his head in incredulous exasperation.

"He dares to harm you." He said, almost to himself. "I am so sorry. I cannot say it enough. I should have been watching you!"

"Please, Erik." I began. "Do not blame yourself! The fault lies with him, and him alone."

"I… I am livid, Christine. You cannot even imagine."

"I know." I smiled uneasily.

"What happened? How did you free yourself from him?"

"Madame Giry was there. Simply opportune timing, I suppose."

Erik nodded before taking a deep breath.

"And what of her? Does she know of our intentions? Did you get what we need?"

I nodded.

"She asked if we needed any money at first, but you didn't mention…"

"No, of course not. I have everything we will need."

Again, I nodded.

"What is it?" He asked again.

I looked up at him, my eyes questioning his.

"What else? There is something else troubling you… tell me."

How was it that he knew me so well? In his arms I unburdened myself. I told him of how I saw Meg and our argument, of how I had lost my trust for her. I told him of my concerns for the future and my apprehension of leaving the Opera.

"I understand. Perhaps, more than anyone. I haven't left here in a good many years, I told you that."

"Yes. And I want to do it, you know that. I will do it… but it will be difficult. And there is just so much on my mind as to what is going to happen and then… then Madame Giry gave me this…"

I produced the letter from within my skirts and handed it to him.

"Have you opened it?"

I shook my head.

"I don't know that I am ready now. Perhaps… after we have left?"

"Whenever you wish." He said, pulling me close and kissing the top of my head. "Shall we eat?" He added with a mischievous grin. I could not help but laugh. I wanted to eat; I hadn't had a proper meal in day and neither had he but I never expected him to be so forthright in suggesting it.

"Let's eat." I smiled. Whatever else happened, tonight we would eat and we would enjoy the company of one another as we had done before things had become so complicated. We would deal with everything else when the time came. Tonight, we would choose to enjoy ourselves.

If I had any concept of what lay in store for us the next day, perhaps I would have chosen differently.

Let me know what you think as you lovely people always do! :)