Author's Note: Hey guys! This is my first fic of 2007! So that alone makes it special right? Yey! ¡Feliz 2007! Here's to another great year!

IF SHE CONTINUED:

Chapter One:

The corset clung to Christine so tightly she was barely able to breathe,... but that was normal. Here she was in a harlot's costume, singing not to the crowd, as one would expect, but to her angel. And she was scheming to betray him.

She tried not to think about that. She had to unmask the Phantom. That was only way for her to have a normal life with Raoul.

But did she want that?

She didn't know. Christine had never been more confused in her life.

And then came her Angel of Music. She knew he would have to appear and take his part of Don Juan.

He was so handsome. She nearly swooned when his voice filled the stage, the entire opera house. There he was in all black, cape billowing about him. His customary white mask was replaced with a black one. For a moment, the horrible deformity she had seen did not cross her mind. He was whole, he was beautiful. His voice made her tremble.

She continued the role she had been given, singing in low and throaty tones to her angel, asking when the flames would at last consume them.

She looked up at Raoul. His face was anxious. He didn't even consider the possibility that Christine could hold an ounce of feeling for that monster of a man.

But she did.

He had always been there for her. He had wiped her tears away with his comforting words when she was but a small child. And now his feelings for her had blossomed into a beautiful, precious flower. He loved her. How could she betray him like she was planning? Ho could she?

Her eyes rimmed with tears as they both continued to sing.

And then his hands wrapped around her waist and traveled over to hers. Then he traced them up her bosom to the nape of her neck. Never in her life had Christine felt more passion, more love. When Raoul kissed her, it was never like this. When he touched her, she never shivered so much.

Then the great composer deviated from his script. He sang to her, and only to her.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime,

Lead me, save me from my solitude

Say you want me with you here

Beside you

Anywhere you go let me go to!"

What was she to do? The split second decision had arrived, and inside her heart nearly burst in two. What choices were there? Betray her angel, her only friend for years and live with Raoul and also live with her remorse, knowing she would lead to this man's death, or continue the opera, letting the Phantom continue his aria and his life.

"Christine, that's all I ask of-"

She put her hand to his cheek... and caressed it.

His voice lowered. "you."

Here she would have to adlib. None of this was in the script, or in the score, but she knew the words to say.

"All you want is freedom,

A world that's full of love

And me always beside you,

To guard you and to guide you

Always alone in darkness

Let me be your light

I'm here, nothing can harm you

My love with hold and warm you

Love me,

Mon ange,

That's all I ask of you."

The kiss that followed was the most zealous Christine had ever felt. All in an instant, her fears were banished, her worry thrown away. All she knew was love for the man whose arms she was in, whose tongue was gently stroking hers. She knew she had found love. Shivers went down her spine.

The red velvet curtain came to a close.

It was time to change the scenery.

He finally pulled away, slowly, as if he was uncertain that he could ever return to the place he just left.

"I love you Christine," he panted, his breath taken away by that heart-pounding kiss.

She finally realized that what she felt for Raoul, though strong, was nothing compared to her tenderness and ardor for the man before her. "I love you too..." she paused, realizing that she didn't even know his real name. He had always been the Angel of Music to her, or the Phantom. Neither name worked now.

"Erik," he whispered.

"You mean everything to me, Erik."

The two gently turned, hands still locked together to go down the spiral staircase to prepare for the next scene. But instead of seeing the customary prop movers, their weary eyes fell upon soldiers, several soldiers, all armed with guns... pointing at Erik.

Author's Note: Well... there's the angsty end of chapter one... Hope you enjoyed. Well, if you have any thoughts at all, REVIEW! Please... If we break 20 reviews, you won't have to wait a week for the next chapter! So if you want more, or have any ideas at all, review please!!! I try to reply to all my reviews.