Summary: Christine struggles to keep her humanity after being thrust into a new world where there is little humanity left. Erik is her mentor, and the only one who can help her escape for good. Modern day, AU. Will he ever be able to place his loyalties in Christine, or will the Section always be top priority? Phantom of the Opera / Nikita crossover.
Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to, I don't own Phantom or Nikita. Nope.
A/N: This is my first fan fiction, well, that's not true, second if you count a one-shot alternate ending that I may or may not post. Anyway, I hope it's not too bad. I'm pretty sure this will basically follow a plotline similar to Phantom's- only taking place in a more La Femme Nikita like world. I was going to rename Section One to Division instead, but that just sounded silly. Hmm, if you couldn't already guess, Christine and Erik are the new Nikita and Michael. I think everything else can pretty much stand on its own. And yes, this is going to be a Gerik, sorry to those who aren't too fond of him. But I like him. Yep. So, review if you'd like to. I'm obviously not making you, because I can't really do that, but it would be nice. I'm also in need of a beta if anyone's interested. So, kisses and have a happy Wednesday. :) Anyway, on with the show!
My name is Christine Daaé. I am twenty-six years old, residing in an isolated little town, basically located in the middle of nowhere. After my father died six years ago, I was recruited into a secretive government agency called Section One. They told me I was dead to the world, and as long as I followed orders and followed them well I would be allowed to live. Though I suppose the more appropriate term would be to exist. Eventually, I did end up leaving the section, and life for me has vastly improved since my escape. Nonetheless, I cannot help but think of how drastically it has changed in a mere six years. This is the story of my time in Section, as well as my forbidden romance with a fellow agent, Erik Vachon.
It was the white, blinding light that woke her. Christine Daaé clamped her eyes closed as she slowly slipped back into consciousness. Clouded images of a life she'd soon be forced to leave behind spun around in her head, making her even more dazed as she tried hard to focus. Propping herself rather clumsily onto the side of the bed, she opened her eyes to absorb her surroundings.
Everything in the room was a clean, bright white, reminding her of those padded cells she used to see in the movies. The only piece of furniture was the bed she was sitting on, and it was oddly positioned right in the middle of the small room. There was also a large mirror in place of a wall. Christine walked up to it absentmindedly, as if in a dream. She studied her reflection, instantly taking notice of the elaborate, white lace nightgown that adorned her small body. It certainly was not hers, not to mention it was much too expensive for her simple tastes.
The thick opening of a door pulled her from her thoughts, causing her to jump in alarm. Christine released a surprised gasp and pressed her back against the wall, not taking her eyes off of the dark, intimidating figure that joined her. She watched in silence as he casually shut the door, looking up at her after locking it. A pure, white half-mask glared at her, and golden eyes from beneath it bore hard into her own. The man stepped closer, and Christine backed herself ungracefully into to the wall in fear. She could hear the man release a faint sigh.
"I'm not going to hurt you." He told her quietly, not getting any closer to the trembling girl.
"Who- who are you?" She asked, noticing that her voice was raspier than normal.
"My name is Erik."
Christine shook her head, as she finally found herself beginning to panic. "What do you want with me?!? Why am I…"
"Here? You'll find out soon enough, Christine."
"Where's my father!? I need to talk to my father…" Christine made a mad dash for the door before she could even think of what she was doing, but was caught instantly by a very calm and agile Erik.
He pressed her against the wall, holding her shoulders tightly as she tried to struggle and free herself. If Christine had bothered to look up in her fight she would have noticed that he looked rather… bored.
"There's no point in trying that, Christine. It'll get you nowhere." He told her, very matter-of-factly.
"You don't understand, I need to see my father!" She continued to thrash about, kicking, biting, anything to get Erik to let go, but he did not budge.
"I mean it, Christine, don't anger me…" Erik clenched his teeth, clearly becoming rather annoyed at her fit.
"No! Let me go!"
"Charles Daaé is dead, Christine!"
It was only then that Erik released his hold on her. Christine stumbled away from the masked man, tripping on the hem of her nightgown ungracefully. She fell to the ground in a mess of lace and golden curls. "No, you're lying," she sobbed, "you're lying!"
"No, Christine," he said, the sorrow evident in his tone. He pulled out a folded piece of newspaper from his pocket, handing it to her slowly.
Christine took the clipping from him, holding it away from her as she read the headline to herself.
Father and daughter killed in crash; 3 others wounded
"No! This… no!" She screamed, ripping the clipping.
This cannot be happening! No, I must be dreaming, I need to wake up! I need to wake up, NOW! This cannot be happening, not now, no, we were so happy! I must be dreaming!
Christine then began to attack herself, viciously biting through her own skin in an attempt to wake herself up. She once again could feel Erik trying to subdue her, but she paid the masked man no heed. Eventually she had to give up: it was getting her nowhere. She was wide awake, and never was there a time in her 20 years had she been so terrified. She collapsed against Erik, desperately needing someone to hold her as she cried out for her father. She didn't notice as Erik lowered them both to the ground, embracing her rather awkwardly.
"No, this can't be happening, no, I can't, he can't," Christine sobbed, "no..." Her father was all she had left in this world, since her mother had died only recently. They were all each other had, and she loved her father more than anything. She didn't want to believe it, she couldn't believe it, but somewhere inside of her heart she knew it was true. She did not want to even live anymore, not when she had nothing to live for. God had taken away the one thing that meant everything to her, the one thing that was most precious, and then abandoned her to this… place. This place, this wretched place where she was trapped and all alone. Long, dreadful hours passed as she cried alone for her poor father, failing to notice that Erik had left her a long while ago.
But we were so happy only days ago, how could this of happened? Why am I still alive? I should be dead. Wait, no…
Christine reached for the pieces of newspaper that littered the ground of the small, white room she was confined to. She struggled with putting them together, fumbling with the tiny pieces. "Fath- father and daughter killed- what," Christine studied the two faces of the deceased, gasping as a picture of herself glared back at her. Underneath it read, 'Christine Daaé, 20'.
Erik couldn't stay, he couldn't find the strength to sit there and lie to her. He couldn't find it within himself to tell her it was going to be okay, not when he knew better. After ensuring that Christine's door was locked, he entered the darkened observation room just adjacent to it. There was one worker present, observing Christine through the one-way-mirror.
"Leave." Erik commanded in a cold, emotionless manner. The worker knew better than to argue and left Erik alone. He sat down, opening up the countless files on Christine on the laptop in a fruitless attempt to distract himself from her grief. He couldn't help but pity her; normally the recruits were not brought in this way. They did not have to deal with what she is forced to. It wasn't fair, even he could see that.
It was then that a ringing from the computer sounded, and a stern female voice came from the speakers. "Erik?"
"I am here."
"How is she?"
"As to be expected. She lost her father, and I highly doubt she's thrilled about being here."
"And does she know what she's doing here?" The female asked delicately.
"No, not yet. I did not get the chance to enlighten her in regards to that." He snapped.
"Well, you better get on that."
"Madame, with all due respect, I don't think this girl is cut out for what we do here." Erik argued through clenched teeth.
"I suppose that is your call, Erik, but I'm sure that you are well aware of what the only other option is."
Erik sighed in defeat. He did know all too well what the only other option for anybody here is. He couldn't allow that to befall Christine, and if that meant treating her like any other trainee here, than so be it.