"Christine, I love you." Erik sadly smiled hesitantly taking her hand and the ring, the promise that did not have to be kept.

It was too much. Christine thought, tears filling her eyes. As he took the ring she clutched at his hand bending her head down to kiss it. She feel a part of her dying on the inside as she felt the last item she had to remeber him by was gone, he would be gone.

As she lifted her head, Erik's gaze stayed focused on his hand where her lips were seconds ago. Christine turned, making her way to the stairs, finally letting go of his hand. That one minute seemed to last a decade. She suddenly felt very old, changed, as she grasped the railing of the stairs. She turned and looked at him. Meeting his mismatched eyes for the last time.

Erik looked on sadly at her. "Please." She said silently with her eyes. "Forgive me, understand why."

He nodded slightly, he understood why but that didn't mean it hurt less.

Christine faced back towards the top of the stairs, took two more steps. Raoul was waiting, he would probably take her away, hide her, keep her safe.

But she was safe here. The suddenly realization caused her to stop. Frozen she thought of everything that had led up to this. It didn't have to be this way, she didn't have to be torn from the one she loved.

The one that she loved.

Quietly, hesitantly she sang softly turning back to him. "Say you'll share with me, one love, one lifetime."

He was knealing by the veil, clutching the ring in his hand. Feeling the soft material.

She walked back down the stairs. "Say the word and I will follow you."

Erik pressed the veil to his lips, treasuring the last memory of her.

Gently she kneeled beside him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Share each day with me, each night, each morning."

He turned suddenly, "You're still here." He whispered, the veil and ring still clutched in his hands.

"I will always be here angel. I love you."

"Oh, Christine." Erik breathed, gently enfolding her into his arms, buring his face in her hair. "You cannot mean it. You have to leave, the mob will be here soon." Yet he held her tightly despite his words.

"Let them come, Erik. We'll run we'll-" She was cut off as his twisted bloated lips crashed agaisnt her kissing her desperately, one of his hands entangling in her hair. Christine's arms wrapped around his neck, one hand softly brushing his thin hair.

It lasted a few brief seconds. Then he pulled away quickly getting to his feet, taking her hand to give her support to rise.

"Then, my dear, we must hurry." He murmured leading her to the large chair that was covering their esape route.

As they entered he quickly covered it back up as footsteps were heard above them as they went futher down into the opera house.

Hand in hand, the composer and soprano ran away to start their new lives together.

Fin