The following takes place directly after the singing of "All I Ask of You" in both the ALW and movie versions. Also, I would like to let you know that I am re uploading this chapter after some technical difficulties. Sorry! This is my first fic ever so reviews are GREATLY appreciated! Let me know if this is Good/Bad/Tolerable. Thanks!

Chapter 1

"I'm frightened, Raoul," Christine whimpered.

Her words were soft and Raoul could sense the tension that seeped from her body. Had he not just told her that he loved her? That everything would be fine?

"You are safe with me Christine. I will protect you at all costs," Raoul answered. His voice rang out through the silent night.

"It's as if I can feel him, his darkness. It hypnotizes me Raoul! When I am under his spell, I never know what I might do…"

Christine let out a deep breath she didn't know she had been holding. Her angel scared her. Scared her in a way that she had never imagined before. When she was with the Phantom, when he sang to her, she fell completely under his spell. His voice coaxed feeling from her, feelings that she didn't even understand, didn't even know existed. It was the feeling of flying, of being in a world that only the two of them could understand.

But soon her teacher's burning gaze and strict nature would bring her back to reality. Back to the man she so feared. A man who would kill. A man who would do anything to make her his.

"Do not fear him Christine. His is only a man. A man with a sick and twisted mind. He will not find you again. I will kill him if I must…"

"No!" Christine cried.

Her immediate rejection caused Raoul a moment of confusion. Had she not just said how much she feared him? The Phantom had just killed a man and yet she still defended his life. Raoul's head filled with questions as Christine pulled him closer.

"Promise me you will not hurt him Raoul. Promise me," Christine begged.

"But why Christine? This man has caused you nothing but pain and suffering," Raoul marveled.

"I may fear him but… but his is-was my teacher. He was someone I could rely on, someone I could trust for many years. I have not always had you Raoul…"

"I see. So you care for him?" Raoul asked. He was not sure he wanted to hear her answer.

Christine was taken aback. Did she care for the Phantom? She would forever be grateful to him for giving her her voice, but she did not know what her true feelings toward him were. It seemed as though every time they were together, she could think of him and only him. But when she returned to reality, she seemed to forget her emotions. What did she really feel for her angel? It most certainly was not the pure and hypnotizing euphoria she felt when he sang to her, but yet she did not despise or hate him. He was her angel of music, her teacher. He would always hold a special place in her heart.

"I do not so much care for him as I am grateful to him. But, he is a man Raoul, a person like you and I, and I do not wish harm upon anyone." Christine kept her answer short and simple until she could figure out what she truly felt for her angel.

Raoul sighed. "Do you love me, Christine?"

"Of Course Raoul. How could I not?" She confirmed.

She did love Raoul. His love was sweet and gentle and all she had ever dreamed of. They were childhood friends who had grown to love each other. They were the story that everyone wished for. The ending that everyone wanted. Christine knew that Raoul would keep her safe and happy for the rest of her life if she permitted him to. She took great comfort in his love for her and she loved him back.

"Then let us go. Let us run away from this place and never return." Raoul proclaimed.

Christine hesitated. She knew she could not simply run away from this. She would never be free to go until the Phantom gave her permission. He would haunt her for the rest of her days if she dared to leave him now.

"No, Raoul. I cannot leave this place. You know as well as I do that he will not be so kind as to let me leave."

Christine purposefully left out the thought that she could not leave her music. She knew that starting a life the Viscount would render her unable to sing. Yes, she would still have song in her life but it would never be the way it was now. She knew that marriage to Raoul would mean leaving the Opera forever. Music was everything to Christine. From a young age, her father had taught her the wonders of it. He showed her how the rise and fall of notes could reach into your soul and twist your emotions. He showed her how the sloping sounds could bring a person to tears. And then she met her angel, her angel of music. He taught her that she could be the one to bring out the passion in others. In fact, she could sometimes remember seeing tears in his eyes when she poured her all into her voice. Christine quickly wiped the memories from her mind.

"Very well," Raoul answered. He knew it was no use arguing with Christine. She was frightened and had her mind set on staying. He could see it in her eyes. Instead of questioning her further, Raoul pulled Christine into a tight embrace. He could feel her warmth and tenderness but also the fear and tension within her. He pulled back slightly to whisper in her ear.

"I love you, Christine," he murmured.

"And I, you," Christine replied.

With that, the two left the roof and headed down to face the horrors that awaited them.