The Real Christine

"Christine, my darling!" Raoul managed to choke out before rushing to her quickly and pulling her tight into a loving embrace. Her stiffened form did not return her husband's relieved gesture but at this moment, Raoul did not care, at last he had Christine in his arms again. Erik looked away from the pair and over at Dracula to study his features.

"Raoul." Christine whispered in disbelief and broke apart their embrace, her eyes never leaving his. "Raoul, is it really you?" Christine swayed slightly on the spot, but Raoul caught her slight frame in his arms to steady her. He curled his arm around her waist.

"Yes it's me my love, I am here." Raoul whispered to her before glaring at Dracula. "How could you let her deteriorate to this stage of weakness?" he almost yelled at the man who kidnapped his wife.

"Sir, Christine has just woken up. She is still slightly heavy with sleep." The man said smoothly to the distressed Count. Raoul glared fiercely in response and clutched Christine tighter to his side.

"If I may interrupt...it is quite chilly down here, perhaps the Count and Countess might like to retire to a warmer room." Erik proposed quietly in the corner careful not to meet Christine's eyes. It had been over a year since he had last seen Christine de Chagny, or as she was known then...Christine Daae.

The swirling white mist of the underground lake drifted lazily through Erik's kingdom as he gazed at the small shivering figure of Christine dressed up in a soaking wet wedding gown. She stood as far away as she could from the lake's shore, huddled up against the gate that blocked her passage out and Raoul's passage in. The two lovers' arms grasped at each other through the wooden gate and it was at that moment Erik knew Christine could never be his...nor was she ever his to begin with. Her heart had always belonged to Raoul...

It was after Erik's comment that Christine finally seemed to take notice of the second member of her rescue party. Her pale face appeared from behind Raoul's protective form and a flicker of emotion passed over her features for the first time that night as she squinted into the darkness to see the Phantom of the Opera.

"Erik..." she mouthed to herself in astonishment.

"A good suggestion." Raoul said authoritatively, trying to reclaim power in the room in order to get Christine out safely. He moved to the door, but in a flash Dracula was as the door and had is swung open before the two visitors and the one kidnapped victim.

"Allow me" he said deeply and watched as Raoul moved Christine from the room, with little resistance from her. Erik observed as Dracula and Christine locked gazes again, and the flicker of recognition that had been on Christine's face was now gone. "Monsieur?" Dracula asked Erik as he motioned to the doorway. The couple was outside and Erik could hear Raoul fussing over his newly rescued wife.

"You're ice cold darling." Raoul cooed and removed his jacket in order to drape it over her shoulders. Christine said nothing in reply but stared blankly down the hall, apparently unaware once again that there was company present. Dracula cocked a smile at Erik who moved slowly towards the door without another word."What has he done to you dearest?" Raoul continued to murmur to his young bride as they moved back down the candle lit hall. Moments later, the group of 4 were greeted by Aton who led them into the cozy library with a large fire roaring in the hearth.

"What more do you want from us Dracula?" Erik asked Dracula quietly, as Aton stepped out, closing the door for privacy behind him. Vladimir did not answer Erik, but rather gazed towards the married couple standing by the fire. Raoul was trying to warm Christine up without much success as she stared into nothingness. Raoul was stroking her chestnut hair, taking her face in his hands and whispering comforting words to her. Erik desperately wanted to be in Raoul's place, to touch Christine like Raoul was, to comfort her and to be there for her, to protect her... That was Raoul's place and if Erik thought too much about these longings then he and Raoul would surely not make it out alive with Christine.

"I believe it is you who came to see me Sebastian..." Dracula said nonchalantly towards Erik, "...and came unannounced into my home to steal away a woman who wishes to stay here." Erik's gaze, just like every other man in the room, was fixated on Christine huddled by the fire.

"She is happily married to the Count, why would she possibly change her mind now and want to stay here with you, a complete stranger?" Erik asked sourly. Vladimir chuckled softly and Christine's head inclined slightly in his direction.

"We are not strangers, but rather childhood friends from many years ago." Just like Raoul, thought Erik bitterly, could this former childhood friend also love Christine as much as he and Raoul? Vladimir smiled in Christine's direction, "to be honest with you, I believe Christine wanted the chance to return to the innocent and carefree days at the orphanage where we played together." He turned this time to Erik and stared at him with that same unnerving smile on his lips. "But I am sure Christine must have told you this before...didn't she?" Erik did not return Dracula's smile.

"She never mentioned you. She doesn't often like to relive her past, but then being childhood friends she must have told you this." retorted Erik before proceeding to clear his throat loudly so that Raoul could hear him. "It is getting late Monsieur Chagny; perhaps we should be leaving so as to not overstay our welcome here." Erik's hand moved stealthily inside his cloak so that it came to rest on the Punjab Lasso lightly.

"Yes of course, you are quite right." Raoul said matter-of-factly and led Christine away from the blazing fire and over towards the door where Dracula and Erik were standing. "Now listen here Vladimir!" Raoul seethed with jealous hatred, "Christine is coming with me back to our home and our marriage bed. If I ever catch you or your servant near my estate again-"

"We both will notify the authorities and the press, and I'm sure you do not want a scandal like that in the paper. After all, a business man of your stature must pride himself on proper appearances and just think of what bad publicity could do to your reputation." Finished Erik calmly, as he ushered the married pair out of the door ahead of him and into the entrance way.

Anton stood at the front doors with an unreadable expression on his face as Christine, Raoul, Erik and finally Vladimir Dracula filed into the hallway.

"Are our guests taking their leave Master?" Anton asked his beady eyes narrowing especially at Raoul.

"Yes Anton, would you see to their coats?"

"And what of Miss Christine, will she be leaving as well?"

"Yes, Mme. Chagny will be leaving as well." Raoul emphasized angrily as Anton went to fetch the coats for the travellers.

"It was lovely to have visitors tonight, if unexpected. I do not have many friends here; it would be nice if you could all stop by another time. Perhaps when the mood is more festive is nature." Dracula said smoothly as Anton returned with the coats and began passing them out. "I know I would especially like to see Mme. Christine again to catch up more about our lives." At the mention of her name from Dracula Christine stirred from her trance and looked over at him as Raoul was helping her into her coat.

"I would like that very much Vladimir. It was ever so nice to see you again, I am sorry we are leaving in such a rush." Her voice sounded thin and hollow to Erik's ears.

"I can swear to you that we won't ever come to this horrid place again." Raoul spat as he pushed Anton aside to open the doors and lead Christine out into the night.

"Take care." Dracula whispered to the retreating backs of Christine, Raoul and Erik as they disappeared into the night and down the driveway to meet the waiting carriage to take them home. Anton shut the door and locked it before bowing to his master and leaving the front hall in silence. Dracula's black eyes flashed in the candlelight as he turned from the door and proceeded back up the stairs.

"Until we meet again."

A/N: Hello everyone (and I'm not even sure who is still reading this as I know it's been an AWFUL long time since I updated!) I can only apologize profusely and say that now that this CURSED writer's block has come to an end, now more chapters can be posted! Again sorry for the LONG delay, I hope those of you who liked the story are still keeping tabs. I also hope you enjoyed this chapter, please stay tuned for more!