Notes: Alright, yet again the motivation to continue my writing has attacked me, so here I am...

X

"What on Earth are you doing up here?"

Erik's surprised, and slightly amused voice came from far behind me, and I smiled as I turned my head to cast a look back at him. He was wearing his cape, and it was billowing dangerously around his body. His dark fedora; pulled far over his face- only added to the mystery of him, and I flushed slightly.

"I came up for some air..." I murmured, casting my eyes back over the view before me.

I had come up to the roof of the opera at least a quarter of an hour ago, when I felt as if I could no longer stand the stuffy air of the cellars any longer. Long ago I had memorized the path to the rooftop, and now I sat at the edge, my feet dangling over as I watched the sun set over Paris.

The air was chilly, fall was nearly over, and the first snow was expected to appear soon. I relished in the bite to the air, which make my nose turn pink and my cheeks flush becomingly. My hair, I knew, must look dreadful from the sweeping winds, the same winds that were casting Erik's cape about him like a manta ray.

I heard him lower himself to sit beside me, and in a moment I too was folded within the silky warmth of his black cape. Sighing softly, I rested my head against his chest, and I could feel the vibrations of him humming deep in his chest.

"Oh Erik..." I murmured, letting my eyes slide closed. "I do love you so."

His reply was a gentle kiss to my forehead, as he spoke softly in return. "Je t'aime, Christine."

X

Rehearsals had started an hour ago, I was horribly late, and I rushed about the underground home at a fevered pace, grabbing all the things I needed for the day and mumbling about how angry M. Reyer would be. Erik stood near the mantle of the fire place, watching me with thinly veiled amusement as I rushed about.

Finally finished collecting my belongings, I rushed into his arms and lifted my face to be kissed, welcoming his lips upon my own eagerly. It was with some reluctance that several minutes later we parted, both considerably out of breath.

"Tonight." He whispered intoxicatingly, and I nodded slowly, turning and rushing from the house.

I reached the stage at a full run, and burst out in the middle of a scene, effectively alerting all to my arrival. I could hear faint snickering as I stood, eyes wide, and looked into the angry face of Monsieur Reyer for the third time that week.

"Mademoiselle Daae..." He began, walking toward me with angry eyes. "You are late. Again. And never before have you been this tardy. Please, explain yourself."

I gulped, lowering my gaze and wringing my hands. "I... I haven't any appropriate excuse, Monsieur. Only that I was asleep... and did not wake when I needed."

Accurate enough... I had fallen asleep in Erik's arms on the roof, he had carried me back down, then fallen asleep himself on the settee with me in his arms...

"See that it does not happen again, or you may find yourself back in the ballet!" He stated, before turning back to his own libretto and motioning to the orchestra. Once again, from the entrance of the Countess, please."

I rushed to my place, and the little understudy looked gratefully up at me. Then the music had begun, and I sang the part with ease, casting a glance at Meg, who played as the Page Boy in this production of Il Muto. Carlotta had left after the incident that night, after Don Juan was over... and it was still difficult to adjust to not hearing her boisterous voice screeching all the time.

I looked up as the chorus took over, and sighed heavily. Raoul sat in the audience, watching the rehearsal... or more accurately, watching me. Ever since I had chosen to stay with Erik that night, he never missed a day at the Opera, spending all his time here. I knew he feared that Erik would hurt me, and wanted only for me to be protected... but I could not bring myself to stand the way he still treated me as if we were in love! He thought I remained with Erik to save his own life... but in reality, my choice had been made for myself.

Rehearsal continued for many hours, and when it was finished my feet and throat both ached. I retreated eagerly to my dressing room, and groaned when there was a knock.

"Who is it?" I called wearily, and was mildly relieved when I heard Meg's voice.

"It's me, Christine... may I come in?" Walking to the door, I opened it for my little friend and watched as she scurried inside and looked up with wide eyes at me.

"It's the Vicomte. He wishes to speak with you in the main hall at once."

I ran a hand through my curls, and grasped a dressing gown, moving behind the screen to change from my costume.

"Well Meg, you tell him that I am unable to meet with him today, much less another day, and that I do wish he would discontinue sulking about the place, as it is making me quite uncomfortable."

Meg looked at me with surprise, and I flushed.

"Living with the Phantom has made you quite bold..." She said, eyes twinkling slightly, and I sighed.

"I suppose I should see what it is that he wants, shouldn't I?"

Meg shrugged. "It's up to you, you know that."

I frowned, and slipped a comfortable dress on over my chemise, abandoning the dressing gown along with the thoughts of an evening spent in the comfort of Erik's arms.

X

"Raoul." I called. He turned quickly and strode across the room to me, taking my hands in his.

"Christine..." He breathed, and then his mouth was on mine, his arms around my waist as he kissed me lovingly.

Breaking away, I stumbled back a few steps and shot an accusing glare at him. "What are you doing!" I cried, looking around in hopes that someone was nearby. There was no one.

"Christine, you must get away from him! I am safe now, but I cannot rest until you are too!" He exclaimed, moving toward me again.

"No, Raoul I am safe! I am happy and I am safe!"

"How can you say that? How can you lie to me, Christine, after all we've shared! You stayed with that monster to save me, but we can escape! We must do it now, before he finds us!"

His hands closed on my wrists, and I tried in vain to wrench away from his tight grip as he pulled me toward the doors. "Quickly!"

"Raoul, no! Let me go! Raoul, let go of me right now!"

"You will be safe, I promise you Christine... he will not harm you, please don't struggle so... Everything will be okay in the end, my love, you and I will be together, we'll marry, and our lives will finally-"

I cut him off, crying out at the top of my voice the one thing that I knew would stop him.

"I LOVE ERIK!"

Sure enough, his voice fell silent and he stopped pulling me. Still holding my wrists, he turned and looked with pain into my eyes.

"What..?"

"I said that I love Erik, and I do, Raoul.. I really do. Oh Raoul, I admit... the first kiss I gave him that night was my attempt at a bribe, I tried to cloud his mind, hoping he would let us both leave... but the second kiss... Oh Raoul... I knew the moment our lips touched that I loved him more deeply than I could ever love another. Than I could ever love you. That is why I stayed, why I protested when he tried to send me away, and why I returned to him as we left. I could not bare to be separated from him, Raoul, because he holds my heart and soul."

Raoul slowly shook his head, made speechless by the words I had spoken, and he slowly let go of my wrists, noticing vaguely that they were red from his grip.

"I... see..." He murmured, slowly backing away.

"Raoul..."

"No, please Christine.. I understand, there is no need to speak further..." He insisted, before turning and walking slowly from the Opera, my tear-filled eyes watching him go.

X

Okay, more soon... please review, it makes me SO happy to see reviews in my mailbox! Thanks for reading :D