Seeing My Angel Once More [M. Carriere]

[Erik Carriere]

Erik smiled when Christine admired the room. He nodded, looking around the room with a sparkle of delight in his blue eyes. "Once its cleaned up, it will be very wonderful. Imagine it Christine... the people dancing, singing, and all of us can be here without having to worry... He looked down slightly. None of the Eriks had to worry about their masks... that is what he was going to but then decided against it.

Erik smiled when she had agreed to sing for him. He looked down at the piano for a moment then back at her. "How about the song you sang at the Bistro... Bel Canto. As if to remember those good times." He said chuckling slightly but something sad flashed behind his eyes. That was the last of Christine he had seen before he came to the Manor... and he remember in the moving picture he saw in the week or two he first was here... after the Bistro she had really rode off with the Vicomte. And for that, it was silly irony that he called that moment 'good times'. The only thing good about it was Christine's triumph.

But again, it was only a mere flash of sadness behind his eyes and it was gone as quickly as it had come. He turned to the piano keys and rubbed his hands together slightly before putting them on the keys and began to play the piano part of Bel Canto, glancing up every now and again at Christine as she soon joined in. As Erik listened to her angelic voice, shaped to perfection, he closed his eyes, still playing perfectly and completely encased by her voice. Hearing it again... it was beyond everything. It reminded him why he couldn't forever be without her... it was her that would forever be in his heart, mind, and soul. When she sang, he lived in the heavens but when she did not... there was no love like hers. All he needed was his Christine.

[Christine Giselle Daaé]

"It would be beautiful yes" she said softly nodding to her maestro. "And so much fun, I can't wait to see it be finished Erik!" she exclaimed. Christine looked about and she started to walk around her surroundings and she study each tiny object that she could find. It was glorious and she was happy to be here with him again. Christine looked over at him and she walked over and placed her hand upon the piano.

Once close to him she looked at him and studied him more. It would seem he had changed over the last few months since she saw him last in his home on the lake. Christine smiled a little back at him. "Doubt I remember the words" she said chuckling softly. "Its been a while since I sang that..." she told him. "Once I hear the piece of Music Erik, I'll probably remember the words" she said smiling. "That was a beautiful piece, if I remember correctly" she said suddenly.

The blonde closed her eyes and she said nothing for a moment. Trying to remember the words and she listened to melody of the piano that was playing. That's when she began to remember the lyrics to the song and she began to sing. Hearing her reach the high notes and she continued to sing her heart out. Christine opened her eyes and stared at him and she continued the song. Moving away she continued to sing and stare at him for sometime and looked around her surroundings when she did. That's when the music ended and she smiled. "How was that?" she asked looking upon him and panting a little. Trying to get her breath back to normal.

[Erik Carriere]

It was as if Erik was in some sort of dreamy-hazy state. He could practically drown in her voice, it soothed him and made him forget the real world. It was a voice of angels, and she herself of course, was an angel. It reminded him that she had saved him... that she was something the world did not often see. The Gods smiled when then imagined you Christine. Erik smiled, his heart swelling and the music flowing.

When the song was over, he sat in complete stillness for a moment, still savoring the lingering feeling of her voice. She asked him, 'how was that'? "How was that? Ha! He smiled and stood from the piano seat. "You made the angels weep, Christine. Erik said softly. Speaking to her felt like they were back at the opera... like nothing had happened between them here at the manor. But things had... and as much as he savored the blissful ignorance, or rather, forgotten memories, they would always be there for him, like a raw wound. Erik loved her... and he would always love her... but why had everything happened like this?

Erik looked down, his blue eyes in a sort of far off gaze as he thought. He then looked up and for a moment, thought that she was a dream, that she might not actually have been standing there. He smiled slightly, sadly almost. "I... I have missed you dearly Christine. That may sound slightly silly from what you know... or rather remember. I could explain so much to you but none of it would make sense. At least, from your perspective." He paused and took her hand gently in both of his and felt the warmth, the soft rose petal like skin, her radiance. Erik wished he could truly voice what was on his mind... but he felt that he shouldn't. Or couldn't. It didn't feel right to throw her into the chaos of that time when she wasn't exactly apart of it. She was but... this was almost a different Christine...

Erik felt that maybe there was a reason she started over... and he didn't. What was it about his first few months that he needed to remember... but she could forget? And how could she forget? Was it any use in even trying to find out? Was there any real answer? In this mad house, he wouldn't put it past it that there was no answer. Erik's time with Christine had almost been completely blissful. They had been given a second chance with her renewal... right? They could start over, together, he could do things the right way. But now... he felt as if that was wrong. But how could it be? What was so different? He thought for another long moment... and then an appalling thought came into his mind. What if... what if she was meant to have the second chance... without me? The thought shook him and his wide blue eyes looked at Christine's beautiful, deep brown eyes. "Christine... what do you think would have happened.... if you... you had stayed at the opera house? What do you think would have transpired between us? I know this sounds awfully strange but I must know."

[Christine Giselle Daaé]

Silence was with Christine for sometime as she finished her song, after asking for some feedback she listened to his words and smiled softly as he spoke to her. When he rose from the piano her gaze followed him and she said nothing for a moment listening to his words still. Christine only smiled at him. "I'm glad to have done them justice Erik. I didn't know I still had it in me. Its been a while since I sang last. And especially with that kind of a song!" she said giving a small laugh.

Her eyes darted from him and towards the areas surrounded by the place they were in. She went silent again and she looked down at the ground then back at him. "I have missed you as well Erik. You could try Erik.. I'll try to remember a few things" she told him coming close to him. Then she felt him taking her hands in his and she looked up at him in wonder. He had always been magical to her and she loved the things he taught her. Christine said nothing and she just stared up into his eyes still. Feeling the warmth of his hands in hers. Christine suddenly laced her fingers around his.

Moments later she looked at him and she blinked for sometime. Christine kept silent and she looked around her surroundings. Unsure of what to say at his questions. Reaching out she touched his mask and then she placed her hand on his shoulder again as he spoke to him. "I don't know to be honest. Everything had happened so fast for me Erik. I should remember a few things, but I don't. I'm sorry Erik" she sighed and came close to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Placing her head upon his chest. "Help me remember?" she asked looking up again. "The last thing I remember was the room you placed me in after the gala performance.." she told him. "I was going to come and go in search of you, but I ended up here in this place" she told him. "After I woke from my sleep" she said in a small voice.

[Erik Carriere]

Erik momentarily closed his eyes as she wrapped her arms around him and put put her head on his chest, making his heart flutter for a moment. He then reopened his eyes and gazed down tenderly at when she asked him to help her remember. He tried to think back to the moving picture he had seen with her when she had first come to the manor with him, but now that memory was almost in a very fuzzy haze, it was something he hadn't needed to think about in a while.

He then chuckled warmly and replied the best he could, "With total honesty, Christine, I don't quite remember myself." Having not actually gone through that at the opera house made it all the more difficult. Perhaps he didn't have to think about what happened between them earlier times, but what if she were to remember? How was it that she had suddenly been renewed and had come from a different point in their lives? This manor continued to confuse him further. Suppose it didn't matter anymore.... or will it always be something that he will be reminded of? He didn't know anymore - or really- he never really knew.

Erik then held Christine's face softly in his hands, then before he knew it, his lips reached hers. All thoughts of earlier memories and that she had just reentered the manor almost as a different person escaped him, all he thought was of Christine. He then lowered his head, tucked into his chest as he put his head on her shoulder and neck, hugging her. He then gently whispered in her ear, "Would you sing again... for me?" and as he said this request, he showed no signs of letting her go. He wanted to keep her close for as long as he could. Erik had no idea how long it would be before he could be with her again, if ever. He didn't know if she would love him as he did her, or if she would ever really want to see him again. And for all these reasons, he just wanted to be with her now.

[Christine Giselle Daaé]

While her arms were still around his neck she grinned lightly. Placing her head upon his chest and sighing for sometime. Her eyes closed and she just felt him. Enjoying his feel and how he felt and Christine couldn't be any happier. The young soprano said nothing for sometime as he spoke to her. Christine sighed and she heard him speaking again.

Turning her head upward she looked up at him and said nothing for a moment. "This place....its all very strange to me Erik. I wish we knew the reason why we were brought to this place and how long we'd be here fore" she told him with a small frown upon her face. Christine pulled away for a moment and said nothing. Giving another sigh and she looked down at the ground then back at him curiously.

As he held her face in his hands she smiled and she said nothing for a moment. Then her eyes widened suddenly as he kissed her. However she was in shock yes, but she did close them after she relaxed a bit. Christine sighed deeply into it and she returned it. Wanting more almost it seemed like. Then she felt him pull away and rest his head upon her shoulder and she rested her own head upon his as well. "Of course, just tell me what to sing and I'll sing for you" she said in a soft whisper. Christine kept her eyes closed and she said nothing. Wrapping her arms around him again. Unsure of what to do at this point.

[Erik Carriere]

He didn't want any other lips but hers. Erik sighed quietly as his head rested on his angel's shoulder. His Christine asked him what song he would listen to.... but her voice would sound beautiful with all of them, how could he simply choose another? He thought for a moment, his eyes closed then spoke to her in his soothing velvet voice. "Anything... improvise. Do whatever your heart and mind decide." He smiled.

Erik then began to sway with her softly, gently transitioning to a slow dance with her as he listened to her voice. It was the voice that calmed him from a nightmare, it was the voice that had molded him into a person, it was the voice that he never wanted to stop listening to, and it was the person that he could never be without. Sure, he had barely survived the disappearances from before, but now he believed that no matter what... he would always find her again.

[Christine Giselle Daaé]

Christine stood there feeling him resting his head against her. Her eyes remained closed and she rested her head upon his as well. At least the side of it anyway. Christine sighed deeply and she heard his words. "Very well.. I'll think of something" she told him. While many things of suggestions for songs of what to sing ran through her mind, Christine didn't know what to do. Feelings for him were returning to her and she didn't feel like being parted from him.

Finally a song came to her. The song she sang the first night the Opera Manager let her stay within the catacombs of the Opera. Not really the catacombs just a underground area, The basement of the Opera. The first night she was there alone. Christine then began humming it and she opened her eyes and she started singing. It was the first song where she imagined herself to be on stage in front of audience. She felt Erik swaying them and she continued to sing. It was one from her childhood.

[Erik Carriere]

Ah, that sweet music. Erik recognized it at the very start of the second note. How could he not know it? It was the one song that swelled into the melody that his mother use to sing to him before she died. It was the song that always played when he drempt, it was his mother and Christine's loveliness combined. There was nothing he cherished more.

Erik opened his eyes and gazed at her, his blue eyes sparkling in contentment and joy. He hummed softly along with her. Then suddenly he was reminded of the moving picture he had seen, that seemed like years ago, how after they had sung together, the police came after him leading eventually to death with his father's bullet. He couldn't help but let a flash of sorrow come about his eyes. But then it was gone in a moment and he enjoyed the moment he was living. What more could he possibly want? He had his father at the manor, and Christine in his arms. This was paradise.

[Christine Giselle Daaé]

Christine continued to sing it and she loved the song, her father sang it to her before he died and she mesmerized every note within the time of his death. The blonde closed her eyes and she continued to for sometime. Hearing Erik go along with her was a shock, it was the first time she heard her angel sing. Other than having him help her with her notes and rehearsal bits. It was wonderful to hear him sing. Christine stood there and did nothing for a moment as she heard him sing. Grinning, she continued to let him sing for her this time and then she joined in to end the song.

Finally Christine ended the song and she panted a bit. Trying to get her breath and she said nothing for sometime. "So....I was going to say how was that, but..." she giggled. "Well, I'd already know the answer, Erik" she told him. Removing her arm from him she looked up at him and placed her hand upon his mask and said nothing else. She wanted him again but she didn't say anything and she only smiled.

[Erik Carriere]

Erik chuckled when she spoke after the song finished, that she was going to ask how she did but already knew the answer. "That you do." He said quietly, his voice nearly a purr. He continued to dance her about a little bit then paused, smiling down at her. Then Christine placed her hand on his mask. For a moment, inside, he freaked. He was afraid of her taking off the mask. That is what had ruined everything the last time. He just knew it.

But then relaxed as quickly as he could, placing his own hand over hers. Erik then leaned in again and kissed her. Even if she had been thinking about pulling it off at that moment, hopefully she wouldn't now. He then pulled away after some time and smiled. "Is there anywhere else you wished to go? Or perhaps... you wish to retire to your room for now? He asked her, smiling at his angel. Erik didn't want to make her do anything she didn't want to and nor did he want to exhaust her. And perhaps this was the perfect time to pause their little tour.

[Christine Giselle Daaé]

While she stood there upon the stage, Christine tucked back a stray hair out of her face and she tucked it behind her ear. Then she looked about her surroundings and then back at him. Unsure of what to do at this point. For now she was just loving the fact of being with him. Being with a familiar face. Her coach and teacher. Christine walked around and placed her hands upon the piano and looked up at him when he spoke to her.

Christine's eyes watched him for a moment as he placed his hand upon hers and she closed her eyes as he kissed her again. She gladly returned it to him and she continued until he pulled away from her. Christine sighed deeply and she said nothing for a moment. "Hm?" she asked silently. Her eyes were closed for sometime and she looked at him again. Her eyes were half open now. "If I retire to my room, Erik... will you come with me? I don't know if I'd be able to sleep tonight without you there" she said staring at him. Hoping he'd say yes and she continued to have her hand in his.

[Erik Carriere]

Erik was soothed by the dreamed and slight dazed look on her face, it made him feel like he was in a dream of his own. If this were a dream, he never wished to wake. But if he were wake, he not only wished to sleep but wished to never leave this moment. Suppose it was fortunate enough that he could lock this moment, this feeling, up in his heart and save it for a rainy day.

Christine then said that if she were to return to her room, she wished for him to stay with her for the night. Erik smiled warmly, remembering the day they had first met up at the manor and she would only sleep if he stayed with her. But that was then and this is now and many things had change, including him and her. "Of course I will. You deserve the best rest you can sleep." He said, chuckling slightly in his chest. Erik then took her by the hand and began to lead her to the dorms.

They came to her door with the name plate saying 'Christine Giselle Daae'. It was strange because this was her same room as last time... the middle name had just change. But he kept himself from saying anything. In fact, he wasn't sure if he would ever reveal most of what happened between them the first time she had arrived at the manor with him. Erik then opened the door and allowed her in. Christine didn't even bother to change her clothes and just hopped into bed. He chuckled some and went to her bed side and pulled the covers over her. As she relaxed and looked up at him with her gorgeous brown eyes, he gazed back with his blue eyes and began to sing softly to her.

Erik watched as her eyes became heavier and heavier until they didn't open again and her breathing became a steady rhythmic beat. He smiled and continued singing and brought over a chair and sat it beside her soundlessly. He then himself, sat down and watched her sleep. His soft singing became soft humming until it finally became silence. As his Christine slept, he soon leaned in and kissed her forehead then sat back and closed his eyes, listening to her dreams become.

The End.