The Point of No Return- COMPLETE

Chapter Two

She sat huddled up in her meager bed as the silent tears began to fall. Listening to Carlotta sing tonight had been bittersweet. She envied the soprano star; wishing it could be she that was up there singing for the audience. She missed her father, long dead for seven years now. He had been her only musical companion until she came to live here. Now she had her Angel of Music.

“Why are you crying?”

She rose on her elbow as the deep husky voice came out of the darkness. She looked around but could see no one. Yet she could feel him. He was here, in her room. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes. “How did you-“

“Do not cry Christine.” His voice now took on a soothing tone. “I promise you. Your time will come. I swear on my life. After all, aren’t our lessons paying off?” There was a smile in those words.

“They are.” She could feel him moving around the room. “Thank you Angel. I do no know how I can ever repay you.” She tried to find him, but in the dark, it was impossible.

Suddenly she felt warm leather brush against her cheek as she heard him whisper in her ear. “I ask only for a small compensation.” She felt his warm breath on her cheek.

“What is that?” She went to reach out for him but only touched air.

“Your love.”

Christine moaned in her sleep as she continued to reach out in front of her. Her head tossed and turned. “No, don’t leave.” She moaned softly. “Please.” She whimpered. “Please don’t go.”

“Shhh, I am here.” Again, that soft soothing voice taunted her as strong arms wrapped around her to pull her close. “I am not going anywhere.”

When her hands brushed against hard muscle, her eyelids flickered. Her eyes slowly opened as she tried to focus. Moaning again, she felt soft lips brush against her forehead. Erik was holding her against his body, rocking her in his arms as he tried to chase away the demons. “Where am I?” She whispered as she tried to get her bearings.

“You are safe. I swear.” Erik whispered furiously as he hugged her close to him. He ran his hands up and down her back in a soothing motion. “No one will hurt you, my sweet Christine.” He raised his hand and brushed her hair away from her face. He held her as she shook in his arms. A hint of anger raced through him. What disturbing thought dare race through her mind as she slept?

She buried her face in his chest as she tried to control the trembling of her body. Her palm slid up bare skin as she curled her hand around his neck. They lay there for several minutes in silence. As she became more awake, she began to look at her surroundings. They were lying on the worn rug, surrounded by the pillows. The old fur covering lay draped across them in an effort to keep the chill out. She remembered last night Erik singing softly to her as she fell asleep. Somehow, in the night they must have found each other because she now lay in his arms.

“What has frightened you?” Erik finally spoke. He liked to know who his enemies were, be they in dreams or in reality. The thought of something harming her had his anger boiling over the top. Protectively he pulled her closer to his chest. When she burrowed herself against him, he grit his teeth to keep the pleasure under control. What was it about this woman that had him feeling like this? Only one other woman had shown him any kind of compassion. However, with Christine, it was very different. He was nervous as a young boy. From early on he knew that because of his face no woman would want him. He knew he would always yearn for the closeness he thought he could never have. Yet with Christine, it was suddenly becoming possible.

Christine instinctively moved closer to him. “I was dreaming about one of the times you came to me during the night. You told me not to cry. I reached out for you and you were gone.” There was still a hint of fear in her voice. “I called for you, but you were gone.”

A sudden flood of guilt hit Erik hard. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists behind her back. He remembered the nightly visits to Christine’s room. At first, it had been to watch over her as Madame Giry requested. However, the first time he heard the pure elixir of life pour from her mouth in the sound of her voice, he knew he could not stay away. “I remember. I never wanted to leave. Yet I had to.”

“What about now?” Christine asked in a small voice.

Erik cupped her face with his large hand, well aware that he was trembling. “Never. You granted me the gift of life, and that I will never forget.” As he pulled her close, he became all too aware the only thing separating the bare skin of his chest and the bare soft skin of her breasts was a thin piece of material. Being this close to her was slowly killing him. His mind flashed to the kiss they had shared back in the lair. The pure emotion and intensity rocked him to the core. His hand began to trail over her hips. “You are mine to protect, Christine.”

Christine could see a fire burning in the green depths of his eyes. She gasped softly as she felt his hand move over her hip. Looking up shyly, she slid her hand over his scarred cheek. Letting her thumbs brush against his skin, she found herself arching up against him. What had come over her? With Raoul, it had been an innocent kind of love. With Erik, she found herself giving in and wanting to offer him everything. She blushed at the thoughts.

Erik smirked as he brushed his thumb over her cheek. “What thoughts are running through your head little one?” He found he was enjoying seeing her cheeks so flush as she slid her hand up and down his chest. When she did not answer him, he lowered his head until their lips were barely brushing each other’s. “You can tell me anything.” He whispered. He had no idea what he was doing. Never had he been this close to a woman, and the images in his head were threatening to take over his actions.

Christine thread her fingers through his hair. “I am a bit scared.” She admitted as she blushed again.

“You will never have to fear me, little one.” Erik brushed his lips over her’s. “I know that my sins always will haunt me. But the thought of losing you once again…”

“I chose you. I will always choose you, my Angel.” Christine whispered as she pulled his head down nervously. The moment their lips touched a spark was ignited between them. Erik moaned as he pulled her closer. His fingers clenched the cotton chemise like a lifeline as his lips coaxed her’s. She gasped as she closed her eyes and that allowed him the opportunity for him to slide his tongue past the barrier of her lips.

Erik growled low in his throat as he gently rolled Christine under him. He pinned her small body as his broad chest covered her’s. He found he could not get enough of tasting her. He could not help but moan as she gathered courage to flick her tongue against his. His hands slid over her’s and brought them up over her head. Their palms pressed tightly against each other as their fingers intertwined. The cotton chemise grazed against his bare skin of his chest. When she tried to explore his mouth with her tongue, he began to suckle on the tip.

Christine thought she was going to die right there. She moaned softly as she found herself arching up against him. The kiss broke as Erik let her tongue slide out from between his soft lips. Opening her eyes, she found him staring down at her with a fierce intensity. There were no words as they just stared into each other’s eyes. Erik could feel his breath slowly coming back to him as his chest rose and fell against her’s. “I must go out for a bit.”

Suddenly panic ensued within her. Christine’s eyes took on a worried look. “Go out? But it is morning.”

Erik stroked her cheek tenderly. “No, we slept the day away. I wanted you to sleep. I must see what the situation is in the Opera House. I also need to get us some food. I am sure you must be hungry.” As if to prove his point, he let his hand slide over her stomach. Only hunger wasn’t the first thought that came to her mind.

“I will come with you.” Christine insisted.

Erik laughed softly. “I am afraid not. The places I am going to venture are no places for a lady. I promise you I will not be gone long.” He started to sit up, rolling off her.

“You are going out into the city?” Christine asked alarmed.

“I must.” Erik stood up. He strolled over to the chair where his shirt lay. He ran a hand down it, making sure it was dry. Picking it up, he began to slide his muscular arms into it. He felt Christine’s eyes on him at all times.

Christine stood up slowly and walked over to him. “You must be careful. They will be looking for you.” There was pure fear in her voice. She raced to his side and looked up at him. “Please, do not go. Not until it is safe.”

Erik turned and took her into his embrace, hugging her tightly. “I know where to go where they cannot find me. Trust me, little one. I know places in this city that not even the police would venture in.” He kissed the top of her head. “I must get supplies.”

“You will return to me?” Christine couldn’t help the tears that were forming. Anyone could be out there. The thought of losing him now…

He cupped her face in his hands. “I will always return to you.” He lowered his head and kissed her softly.

“Then you will need this.” Christine stepped away from him and walked over to where his cloak lay. She fumbled around with the cloak and then clutched something to her chest. Walking back to him, she kept her eyes on him. “Here.” She held out her hands.

Erik’s eyes widened as he saw what she held in her hands. It was his white mask. He stared at it before lifting his eyes to meet her’s. “Where did you get that?”

“I brought it with us when we fled.” Christine said softly. “Know this; you never need to wear it around me. I love this.” She brought her hand up to caress his deformed side. “But I would hide you from the world if it would keep you safe.” Her voice broke as tears formed in her eyes.

Erik took the mask from her as he hugged her tightly. “You are my guiding light. I shall return soon. I promise you.” He slowly let her go.

Christine watched as he put the mask on his face, once again becoming The Phantom of legend. “I shall try to keep busy.” She gave a half smile.

As Erik grabbed his cloak and swung it over his shoulders, he reached out to caress her cheek. “I will be back. I swear.” He brushed his lips over her forehead, and with that, he was gone.

* * * * * *


The dark alley way was barely lit as Erik made his way through it. He could hear the squeak of the rats as they scattered away from him. He was born on these streets. Deformed at birth, even his mother could not bear to look at him. He never knew his father, not that it mattered. His mother sold him to the gypsies at a young age. Her excuse was they could give him a life that she could not. If that was her idea of a good life, he would have rather stayed on the streets.

Clutching the hood of the cloak to hide his face, Erik crouched in a dark corner and waited. He hoped she had gotten the letter that he hid for her as they fled. He knew she was the one who originally led Raoul down into the lair. It had hurt at first, but now the pain lessened with each glimpse of Christine’s face. Suddenly he saw her. Moving swiftly he came out of his corner to grip her arm. “Madame?”

Madame Giry jumped, as a frightened gasp arose from her lips. She kept her back to him, partly in protection of him and partly in fear. Her heart was racing as she began to tremble. She had found his note inside of the music box. She had to hide it from the police as well as Raoul. She was questioned for hours but she kept up the thin disguise of innocence. “I have come.” She whispered. Why was she here? Her involvement should have ended years ago. But she thought too much of the young woman, Christine. She held a special place in her heart alongside her daughter, Meg.

“What is happening at the Opera?” Erik’s voice whispered behind her. “When can we return to the lair?”

“It is not safe yet.” Madame Giry whispered back. “Monsieurs Andre and Firmin are still trying to recover from their loss. They are angry that the Opera Ghost has bested them.”

“They will have to recover shortly. I want my Opera back.” Erik whispered harshly.

“Your Opera?” She couldn’t help ask.

“My Opera.” He emphasized. “Make no doubt Madame that Opera Populaire will be mine. It shall be great again and it will have it’s Lady.”

Madame Giry turned her head and caught a flash of white under the pale light of the streetlamp. “What are you planning?”

“For all your years of service I would like to extend the invitation of becoming the Ballet Mistress again. Erik smiled as he spoke, knowing that curiosity would get the best of her.

Her eyes opened wide with alarm. “What do you mean?” What was he thinking?

“Keep in touch. We will be returning to the lair when it is safe.” That is all that Erik would reveal to her right now. Even though the Madame had been a great help in the years, the only person that he felt he could trust was his Christine. “I must go.” He let go of her arm.

“Wait, what do you mean the Opera will soon be yours?” She could not help asking.

“The Opera was always mine. Only the legalities of ownership stood in the way. Soon not even that will be able to stop me.” His voice faded into the still of the night.