Disclaimer: I own no character in the books nor the movie. =)

Author note: this idea came to me over night. Please enjoy and review. I love Erik! By the way I' am not just bashing Raoul there is a reason as to why he is doing what he is doing.

Chapter 1: My angel

As the boat drifted off down the lake Christine gave Erik one last look. Her heart ached as she saw his face in so much pain. But she knew she had done the right thing. Raoul had said he would kill Erik if she had refused to marry him. She had thought she loved Raoul, but realized that when she was engaged to him that she had made a huge mistake. She didn't love Raoul like she thought she loved Erik. But she had to keep him safe. Erik, the one she loved stood there looking at the water in the underground lair as they drifted farther away. She knew she would never see him again, Raoul would never allow it. So when the tears came she held them back. Erik would never know the truth about her feelings. When she had kissed him, it was not out of pity like he thought but love. That's why she had kissed him twice. She looked away then, not able to bear it anymore.

Erik looked up as the boat disappeared and looked at the ring in his hand. He put it on a chain and slipped it around his neck. He trudged up the stairs of the lair. He picked up the half white mask, placing it on the half of his face that was disfigured. He had let her go out of love for her. He knew as much as he hated it, that she would not have been happy with him. She loved Raoul not him and let her go to make her happy. He picked up a chandler stick and smashed the mirrors one by one. "It's over now the music of the night!" He sang in that angel like voice. He then disappeared behind the curtain with tears.

Christine laid out the beautiful dress Erik had given her. She hung it up in the closet and sat down on her bed. She put her head in her hands and sobbed. "Erik forgive me." She looked up then as the door opened revealing Raoul. "Christine my dear are you ready to leave for London?"

"I want to stay here Raoul." She said not looking at him. Raoul frowned.

"My work calls for me to be in London my Lotus. Goodnight."

"I'm not your Lotte any more Raoul." Christine said quietly. She laid down and sleep took her quickly.

Christine woke early in the morning and saw a note from Raoul lying on her bedside table.

Christine,

I have gone to work for a couple of hours. When I get back we can leave for London. Lets put the past behind us, forget about Erik and we can be happy. Don't forget what I told you.

Love,

Raoul

Christine ripped the note up and went to her closet and took Erik's dress from the closet.

'I'm leaving I should have never left Erik. I'll stop Raoul if he tries anything.' She thought taking the dress and putting her red cloak on. She then walked out into the winter night.

She opened the doors to the Opera to be greeted by Madame Giry and Meg.

"Christine you're back." Meg said hugging her gently.

"I see that you stopped the fire. The restoration looks great."

"Christine what's going on?" Madame Giry asked politely.

"I made a huge mistake. Can I talk with you alone?"

"Of course." They went into a small side room. Madame Giry shut the door behind them.

"I made a mistake, I thought by going with Raoul I was protecting him. But it only hurt him more."

"Christine did Raoul threaten Erik's life? Is that why you truly went with Raoul instead of him?" She nodded with sad blue green eyes. "Does Erik know of this?" "No he doesn't know anything, not even how I really feel. Even if I gave the ring back to him I didn't want to. I wanted to be with him."

"What did Raoul do Christine?"

"The only reason I went with him was because he threatened to kill Erik if I did not marry him."

"So when Erik had threatened to kill Raoul in the lair if you didn't stay with him." "Raoul had people above ready to kill him." Madame Giry nodded.

"Where is Raoul now?"

"At work, I want to go see Erik." "Christine I'm not even sure he is still down there anymore. When you left I think he disappeared. I haven't been able to find him."

"I want to go down there anyway. I'll look for him myself."

"Alright I'll get you down there but that's all. I'll come back up to watch for Raoul and distract him for as long as I can." Christine nodded. They headed out of the room. "Meg please watch the door for Raoul and detain him for as long as you can." Meg gave a node of her light blonde head. "Of course mother."

"Follow me Christine." They headed into her old dressing room. Madame Giry pulled her mirror, sliding it to the side. She took a candle lighting it. Christine looked down the dark corridor as Madame Giry closed the mirror behind them. "Watch your step Christine." She walked down the dark hall and when they came to the small river Madame Giry said.

"I leave you here. Good luck Christine." She turned then heading back down the dark hall. A light was slightly burning from somewhere and Christine stepped into the water, her dress flowing behind her. She was hoping he was still there. She had so much to explain to him and so much to say.

She sighed quietly as she approached the lair. She looked around at the shattered mirrors. As she stepped onto the stairs of the lair she sang:

"Angel I hear, speak I listen stay by my side, guide me. Angel my soul was weak forgive me."

She went to the organ, stoking the keys. She watched the flames dance across the floor.

"Where is my Angel?" she said walking toward the swan bed. She ran her hand across the soft bed.

"Where are you Erik?" She laid the dress on the bed and headed down the steps back into the water. Tears streaked down her face.

"Angel of music lost companion, speak to me now always."

She trudged through the water and a beautiful voice sang:

"The Angel is here to listen, I'll stay by your side forever."

She turned so suddenly her spiraling brown hair wiped around her and she saw that Erik stood there facing her with that half mask on.

"Why have you returned her Christine?" he said.

"I returned to tell you the truth about me and Raoul."

"What do you mean Christine?" he walked into the water to take her hand and lead her back up the steps of the lair. "You shouldn't stay in the water you might catch cold." Christine nodded at the statement.

"Erik about Raoul –"

"You don't have to explain to me Christine. I know you love him and I don't any right to interfere."

"Erik I did love Raoul. But when I got engaged I realized something, I didn't love Raoul I loved you. So when I told him this, do you know what he did?" Erik shook his head looking at her. "He said either I marry him or he would kill you. I couldn't let him do that, so when I saw you at the ball, I wanted to tell you everything, but Raoul wouldn't let me. I know I betrayed you, I know I hurt you. All I'm asking is it too late for forgiveness from you?" she looked into his face.

"Where is Raoul now?"

"At work."

"Does he know you're here?"

"No, if he did I wouldn't have been able to come down here. He is forcing me to leave the opera Erik. I told him no but he wont listen." A sigh came from him, and he led her to a chair sitting her down gently.

"You should have told me about this Christine."

"But Raoul wouldn't let me near you."

"Christine I would have stopped him." She saw in his eyes the glint of protectiveness that she remembered was always there. She looked from his face at the ring that was around his neck. Then she looked down as tears streamed down her face. He put a hand under her chin raising her face.

"Christine don't cry, your safe here." He brushed the tears from her face then. "Can you forgive me Angel of Music?"

"Christine you must sleep, you look lifeless." He led her to the swan bed. He helped her to lie down. He turned from her then. He caught his breath then.

"Your not leaving are you?"

"No I'm not. You're safe please sleep." She nodded and fell asleep.

Erik pulled the privacy curtain down, looking at the beautiful angel before him. He loved her and he knew she hated him, despised him. He turned away then barely able to stand the pain in his heart. He went to his organ then.

"She belongs to Raoul not me."

"Phantom were is my wife?" Erik turned seeing Raoul standing in the water before him gun pointed toward him. Erik paused then.

"Tell me creature or I'll shoot you on the spot, not another step!" Erik froze.