Title: When The Ties Are Barely Binding

Summary: A complete re-telling of POTO. What if Christine had grown up with Erik instead of Raoul ? And what if he wasn't always deformed ? Read on and you'll find out ! P.S.: Some of this story is told in flashback, which will be surrounded by . Thoughts will be surrounded by a single asterisk.

Disclaimer: I don't own Erik, Christine, Raoul, etc., etc. I have borrowed everything from Leroux, Kay, and Lloyd-Webber. So please don't sue me. Only the concept is 100% mine. The title I have borrowed from a song in the play Aida.

Chapter One: You Can See Forever

They say that on a clear day you can see forever.

But what about rainy days ? What can you see on those ?

Some people probably regard them as bad omens, but Christine Daae was not one of those people. She saw something very different on rainy days...she saw him. Her soul mate. Her best friend...her universe...her everything. At least, he had been. And then, that horrible accident had happened. And suddenly her best friend wasn't her best friend anymore...he just ignored her and told her to go away and leave him alone. Fate had seen fit to take away that which mattered most. Again.

No.

Not again.

She would not cry over her loss. She refused to shed any more tears over the man who had meant everything to her for the past few years. She refused to cry over the man who would take something as special as their relationship and throw it to the winds. Just be glad you found out he was like this before you fell in love with him.

Who am I kidding ? I've always loved Erik...and I fear I always will...God, why can't I just learn ? I need to put this behind me...I need to move on.

Christine turned around, and walked in through the double doors into the living room of the large cottage she shared with Mama Valerius. She had lived here since a few years before a father passed and he had left the cottage to her in his will.

Sitting close to the fireplace, Christine settled herself into the large chair that was closest to the fire. Just when she was settled, Mama Valerius came in with an announcement that there was a young man at the door waiting to see her.

"He says he has a letter for you from Erik." Mama Valerius stated simply. She knew that all she needed to do was mention his name to get Christine's attention.

Christine visibly brightened...maybe Erik wanted to see her today ! Perhaps he felt bad for the way he'd been treating her the past few months, and he wanted to apologize.

Christine ran through the parlor into the foyer where the young man was waiting.

"Good afternoon, mademoiselle...I was told to give this letter to you personally...he wants you to read it straightaway..."

Christine took the letter from the young man and ripped it open eagerly. But the sight which greeted her eyes wasn't the one she had anticipated.

My Dearest Christine,

I don't know how to say this to someone who has been my best friend almost all my life, so I think it would be best for both of us if I just said it: I am leaving. Leaving Marseilles for Paris, where I hope to start a new life. I know this will be hard for you to accept, Christine, but I must go. It is something I must do. I cannot stay in a town where everyone either pities me or glares at me as if they cannot stand my deformity. I wish to God for the thousandth time that this had never happened to me. I wish to God I could do this without hurting you, as I know I inevitably will. And I wish, most of all, that you could find it in your heart to forgive me for what I'm about to say.

When I leave in two hours time on the boat bound for Paris, I ask that you do not follow me. Do not beg me to stay, my dear, for it will only make things much harder-for both of us. I shall try to write to you upon my arrival in Paris, to let you know I am safe-because it is what you would wish of me, I know-and then I will leave you to your peaceful existence for the rest of your days. Days, I hope, that you will fill with the happiness and love which I wholeheartedly hope you obtain-because no one deserves it more than you, my angel, no one. Please forgive me and move on...learn to live your life without this monster that would only cage and smother your perfection and beauty with the darkness which now fills my life and my heart.

P.S.: I am truly sorry for all of the ways I've failed you,

And I hope you realize that I have been pushing you

away these past few months because I knew that I

didn't deserve you. I wish I had been nicer to you and

not so cruel.

All of my love for all of the days of my existence,

Erik

By the time Christine finished the letter, she had tears streaming down her face to match the turmoil she felt inside. Without thinking, she ran out into the rain and headed for the docks.

Christine couldn't stop running...she knew she must get there before it was too late...she must convince him to stay, she must convince him she needed him, that she loved him, that she wanted no one but him.

Christine's legs felt like jelly, and there was a sharp pain in her lungs, but Christine hardly felt it, for she was numb beyond belief. The thought of losing him was too much to bear and all she could think was that she must get there before it was too late, and she must make him understand.

Christine reached the docks in record time...but Erik was nowhere to be seen. When she inquired about the ship bound for Paris, one of the sailors politely informed her that it had just left two minutes ago.

Something inside Christine broke almost immediately. And deep down she knew that this loss was beyond repair...that it would scar her and damage her so deep that she may never feel whole again, because that's what it felt like. It felt like losing a part of herself.

The young messenger caught up to her a few seconds later, and stated something about how fast she'd run and worried her guardian was. Christine was so destroyed that she did not hear him.

"Mademoiselle ? Are you alright ?"

Christine finally caught on that he was speaking to her and turned her head towards him.

"Yes, monsieur, I'm fine. Thank you for coming after me like this...I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"Would you like me to escort you back to your home ? I wouldn't feel comfortable if you walked the way back by yourself...it's getting dark and the streets can be dangerous at night, as I'm sure you know..."

"Yes," Christine interrupted him, "that would be fine. Are you sure it wouldn't be a bother ?"

"No worries, Mademoiselle, it's not an inconvenience at all."

"Thank you," At this, she looked up to meet his eyes, then continued, "and what did you say your name was ?"

"Oh, my sincerest apologies mademoiselle, I've forgotten to introduce myself...I am Raoul de Chagny."

"My name is Christine Daae."

Despite Raoul's many attempts, there was no further conversation between them on the way home. Christine was far too preoccupied and consumed with her grief to carry on polite chatter.

And thus, they made their way home in silence.