Christine

I slowly made my way through the Opera House, my heart hammering in my chest. I neared my dressing room, and a hand was placed on my shoulder; "Christine Daaé? Is that you?" I turned and saw Madame Giry. "Oh, Madame! I should have come home sooner....But I was so confused, and I had to sort out my emotions.....Is-is Erik still alive? Oh, I don't think I could bear it if he was dead! Oh, Madame, tell me! I feel so awful!" She looked at me for a moment, before smiling, "Nadir and I were right, then. And yes, he's still alive—thought he looks frightful, Christine.....You haven't come a moment too soon! Go to him, and hurry!" Madame shooed me in the direction of my dressing room. She did not need to persuade me. The second I heard 'yes, he's alive' I wanted to tear off towards home!

"Thank you Madame!" I called over my shoulder. She laughed, waving as I dashed away.

I was on my way to Erik!!!

I ran through the catacombs; and when I found the boat, I rowed furiously through the water. The portcullis was down, and I cried out in indignation. But I vowed I would let nothing stop me in my quest to find Erik, and quickly jumped out of the boat.

For a brief moment, I thought the siren would find and drown me—then I laughed at my folly, and swam under the portcullis. I surfaced near to the deck, and swam the rest of the way to it. I stepped up onto the deck, and ran to the door. I knocked furiously on the door for as long as I could.

There was no answer for the five minutes I waited.

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I had just about decided to live on Erik's deck for the rest of my life. He had not answered my first knock, nor my second, nor even my twentieth. I huffed, knowing that Erik had to open his door sometime—or........What if he just stayed inside forever, and died in there?

No! No! I wouldn't allow it!

I stared knocking on Erik's door again, and again, and again! I couldn't let him die on me! No! Never! Not my Erik! Never my Erik!

I pounded on the door even harder and longer, almost screaming his name as I pounded on that door. "ERIK!!! OPEN THE DOOR!! PLEASE!!" I sobbed, pounding on the door with both of my fists. "Please, Erik.....Open the door!" I sobbed quietly, pounding twice more. "Please....I am so sorry, Erik!" I whispered, tears falling fast and hot down my cheeks. "Please," I shivered involuntarily, "Let me in...."

The door opened, and I fell into a pair of arms I would know forevermore. I looked up at Erik, who's unmasked face was dull and expressionless. Flat and full of nothing, similar to a blank white wall. I gasped at the change in his beautiful face. I reached up to touch his cheek, but his hand caught mine. "Why are you here, Christine?" His voice sounded flat, and dry, which made me want to sob. "I-I had to see you!.......I had to get away! I needed to come back!" He gave me an emotionless smile, "Well, you've seen me—You're back. Happy now?" I bit my lip so hard blood rushed forth, "Of course not! Erik, we need to talk! May I come in?" I asked hopefully. He sighed like an elderly man, "Come in, then, Christine..." He turned halfway, and gestured for me to come inside. I stepped inside, and we walked slowly towards the parlor. Erik sat down in one of the red chairs facing the love-seat. I sat in the love-seat, remembering all the times we had both occupied it—together, sitting so close various parts of our bodies were touching.......

"Christine, you said we needed to talk—so talk." Erik's voice was, again, emotionless and toneless.

I breathed in, preparing myself for what I was about to say, "First off, Erik, I am so very sorry for leaving—" "I made you leave." He interrupted. "No, you didn't! Raoul grabbed ahold of me—But I could have broken away, and you could have saved me.....But that's another matter.....I should have broken away, Erik. And I didn't. I'm so terribly sorry! I-I...." I looked down at my hands, sniffling, stifling the well of sorrow inside me, "But I am back now, Erik.....And I want to stay with you—forever!" I finished, looking at him hopefully. "No, you don't." I looked at him, and his face, the face of the man I was hopelessly devoted to. "Of course I do! I do not want to be anywhere else!" "Go back to your Viscount, love. And be happy with him." I glared at him, "I want to stay with you!" "No. I do not want you staying with me, for then I will fall all the more in love with you; and you'll fall for someone else, and leave me, and break my heart. The answer is no, Christine."

I looked at him, outraged, "How dare you! I would never even do such a thing as that! How dare you?!" I was on my feet, and pointing my finger at him in a heartbeat. Erik looked shocked, the only emotion I had seen from him since I came in, "I-I......You're.....You are right...I am, of course, sorry..."

He looked down at his hands, then back at me, "Why do you want to stay with me, anyway?" I blushed, and was stuttering immediately, "I-I....Because I-I..."

His face softened, "Because you pity me....That's it, isn't it? You pity me, and you want me to be happy.......... Oh, Angel! Don't do this, be free! You need to be happy! Forget me, be happy, love! Go and be happy with Raoul. Don't stay with someone you do not love!"

My cheeks heated up, and I was on my feet again. "Fine! I'll go! You know, I was going to say that I love you, and never want to be away from you ever again—and I was just working up to that—but I guess you don't care! I'll just go back to Raoul, and be miserable without my truelove......Goodbye!!!"

Hot, angry tears fell from my cheeks as I moved towards the doorway, preparing to make the long and horrible journey back to Raoul.

Then his arms were around me, pressing my back against his chest. His heartbeat sped up the second I was against him. Erik spun me to face him; his face dark and earnest, and full of an emotion I was starved of. An emotion I would only ever need from him.

"You love me?"

I nodded at him, vigorously, "I love you, Erik."

His eyes grew wide, then darkened. He pushed me up against the wall, near to the door, his face so very close to mine I wondered why we were not kissing, "Christine," he purred, "I love you...." My breathing hitched; and all I could do, in that moment, was manage a small nod. He closed his eyes; inhaled and exhaled slowly—and shakily—before looking at me again, "I want you, Christine...." He purred, his mouth next to my ear, "And, I want you now." His chest was heaving against mine.

Erik's mouth descended towards my mouth, smashing his lips against mine. I gasped, as his heat seared into me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing myself tighter against him.

When he let me breathe, I whispered, "Erik. I love you, I love you, I love you."