No Backward Glances

Chapter 1: That Night

{Christine's P.O.V}
December 2nd, 1882

As soon as the boat docked I began to run to the flat that was on the paper of addresses. By now I had memorized that address like the back of my hand.

After about three minutes of running I stopped & doubled over. I hadn't been able to sleep in at least two days & I had used my last few francs for the boat ticket. Besides, I don't think they'd except francs in England...oh my goodness! I was in England! I didn't even know one word in English. If Erik wasn't here, I don't know what I'd do. I hadn't even begun to imagine what I would do if Erik wasn't here. In my mind there were only two options, either live a life with Erik or don't live at all. I needed him.

I walked the rest of the mile to the building until I finally came to the correct street. The street lamps were hardly lit & the moon was not visible tonight which made it difficult for me to see.

Finally I came to the building. My hands were shaking. I was dizzy but I wasn't sure if it was from lack of food, nervousness or both.

I then walked up two flights of stairs until I finally reached the right door. I knocked weakly, afraid of yet another disappointment. Please be here, Erik. I prayed.

{Erik's P.O.V}

I missed her. I missed her more than anything. I needed her beside me. It was especially hard to deal with the loss of her without the comfort of morphine. After she left me, I promised myself I'd kick the addiction. I had been clean for a year.

Tonight was especially difficult to get through. It was like I could feel her presence in the air. It was a tease.

Just then a heard a soft knock on my door which surprised me. No one ever bothers me here. I haven't had anyone knock on my door well...ever. I slipped to the door & looked out through the peephole. What I saw shocked me. It was Christine. My Christine had returned! I felt like crying but I gained my composure. I quickly grabbed my white mask from the table near the door since I didn't have enough time to get my prosthetic one from my drawer.

Then a took a deep breath & opened the door.

Christine averted her gaze from the floor to me. "Erik?" she whispered as she looked up at me.

"Christine wh-"

She stumbled fell onto me before I could finish. I picked her up. She did not look healthy. Her skin was pale, bruised & cut; there were dark grey bags under her eyes & her hair had begun to lose the curliness it once posessed.

Her weak hands dropped her bag by the door & I carried her into my bedroom. She clung to me as though a tornado were about to pull her away.

"I'm sorry I can't be beautiful for you tonight." she murmured hoarsely.

"You will always be beautiful to me, Christine." I told her as gently as I possibly could.

"I'm sorry you'll have to sleep in my bedroom tonight." I said setting her cold frame onto the mattress. I carefully took of her stained shoes & torn gloves & placed her cloak on the bedside table. I smiled at her gently & began to leave but she grabbed my arm.

"Wait, Erik." she whispered urgently.

"What is it, Christine?" I asked looking down at her concerned.

She whispered her next sentence so softly that I couldn't hear.

"What was that?" I asked.

"Can I have a kiss?" Her whisper was so timid, as if she were afraid I'd refuse.

I smiled at her. "The answer to that question will always be 'yes'."

I shook as I leaned down to kiss her. As soon as her cold lips touched my warm ones, all the hurt & pain from the last year away from her went away. The kiss was soft & full of love. But it ended too soon. I pulled away reluctantly & gazed into her beautiful eyes.

Suddenly she grabbed me, kissing me again but passionately this time. She used all her strength to throw me onto the other side of the bed. I pulled away stunned.

"Ch-christine, what are you doing?" I asked leaning back up against the headboard.

She got on my lap & pressed her forehead against mine. "Please, Erik. I want this. I need this. I need you."

I stared into her eyes, not believing that someone (Christine, no less) wanted me.

"Are you sure?" I asked her shakily, placing my trembling hand on her hip.

"Yes. I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life." she replied softly.

This time it was I who dove in hungrily for a kiss.

She whimpered with delight as I began to run my hands up & down her small body. She ripped off my coat & all my outer-garments & tossed them to the other side of the room. I trie to stop her from taking my mask but she got it off & gently kissed the gnarled skin on my face. Then she finally tore open my shirt. She kissed every centimeter of my torso. I moaned in ecstasy as she murmured sweet words of love against my skin.

I then began to strip her. I quickly undid the strings of her dress, kissing her neck as I did so. Soon she was in nothing but her slip. I finally took my shaking hands & pulled her slip over her head. I couldn't bring myself to look at her. I didn't deserve her. I went in for another kiss but she tilted my chin downwards to look at her body. My eyes widened & darkened with lust.

I looked back up at her face & pressed my lips to hers. "You truly are an angel." I moaned against her lips.

I kissed up & down her body until she eagerly pulled my trousers & undergarments from my waist.

She pulled my mouth to hers & kissed me desirably.

"Please." she breathlessly whimpered.

I gave in to all my desires & took her. She moaned in delight.

Her urgent whispers of "I love you." all night encouraged me to physically prove to her that I loved her more than anything.

After two hours we finally reached our points of exhaustion.

She laid a soft kiss on my chest as she clung to me. "Good night, ange." she whispered.

"Good night, My Christine." I replied, gently stroking her hair until she fell asleep. I couldn't help but gaze at her smiling yet spent face that laid on my chest.

I began to think about what would happen the next morning but then pushed those horrid thoughts out of my mind. She was here. She was mine. & I didn't care about anything else.