Christine Daaé's Return

"Raoul! I'm so, so sorry!" I plead to him as we stand on the balcony.

Erik stands beside me, guarding me. "Hello, Viscount."

"You will let her go, this instant." Raoul stares him down.

Erik smirks, "Still jealous, I see."

"Leave." Raoul says again, more forcefully. "For the record, you were the one jealous of Christine and I."

Erik clenches his fist and starts for Raoul.

I push past Erik and stand between them, "Stop it, both of you." I turn towards the Phantom, "You need to leave."

His eyes darken and his gives Raoul once last look before swirling his cloak in the air and vanishing into the night.

{~~}

After the Phantom leaves, I can still feel the remnants of his lips on mine. Raoul and I are standing in our bedroom, reeling the aftermath of what just happened between the Phantom and I. Raoul finally saw him after all these years even though we thought we were done with him, for good.

"This is...this is an embarrassment! I can't believe you would do something like this, especially to me!" Raoul yells at me in disgust. He tries to stay calm but he's breathing hard and I know he's angry.

He has every right to be.

"Raoul, you know I love you with all of my heart. It's just...he has this power over me!" I look at his face, knowing I wasn't helping the situation.

"Christine, you have to stay away, he's dangerous. Don't you remember what he did to you? To me?" He pulls back his coat and reveals faded scars on his neck.

My heart hurts when I see the scars on Raoul's body. He fought so bravely for me but also paid a price. Both of us have scars from the Phantom.

I go to him and wrap my arms around him. I rest my head against his chest. Tears fall down my cheeks and I cling to him.

Raoul holds me, "I can't believe he's alive. I knew he would come for you."

"Can't you see he's changed?" I say against his chests. "He won't hurt anyone, ever again."

"He will hurt anyone, to get to you. You should know that by now." He pulls away, "How can you still defend him, Christine?"

In my heart, I feel for the Phantom. I care about him and always will. I look at him, "Raoul, I know he's done some horrific things but I will always care about him."

This takes him by surprise, "What? How can you feel anything for him?"

"I just do." I can't explain it. It's just a feeling in my soul that is connected to Erik. "And I'm not taking sides, either. I'm telling you the truth."

Raoul shakes his head, "Christine you are so naive. You're taking his side! And you just kissed him!"

"He kissed me!" I explain.

"You didn't pull back."

My face reddens and I feel so ashamed that he had to witness that, "I love you, Raoul. But you're not stopping from traveling to Paris. I think, it's finally time for me to go."

Raoul stops me before I can leave, "Your just going to leave?"

"I want to visit the opera house. I only want to visit my home."

Raoul grabs my arm, "Christine, you can't."

I yank my arm away, "You've been shutting me down  every time I ask to go. This time I won't let you. I'm going back and I want you to support me."

He closes the distance between. The air is full of intensity and anger as well as unresolved issues between the two of us. I can't help but feel guilty.

"I will accept this but just know, this is on you." Raoul says angered, and I'm sure sadden too but he buttons up his coat and leaves me standing in the middle of our bedroom.

{~~}

I begin packing and I don't say a word as I get ready. Raoul stormed out of the house and didn't say where he was going so I got ready. My suitcase was full of my clothing. The carriage was ready when I was made it downstairs. Raoul never came back.

Before I can get in the carriage, Raoul comes out of the shadows and grabs my arm, "Is this really what you want?"

I pull away from him and say, "It will be good for both of us."

He mutters, "I highly doubt that."

I ignore his comment and climb into the carriage, without looking back.