Disclaimer: I do not own POTO or Elisabeth.

A/N: For anyone who doesn't know, Elisabeth is a musical about the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and her love affair with Death.

Chapter One

Erik is Dead

Christine Daae went out to the newsstand like she did every morning. As usual, she bought a copy of L'Epoque from the twelve-year-old boy who ran the kiosk. It had been nearly three weeks since she had escaped from the bowels of the Opera Garnier with her fiancé, Raoul. Now matter how much she would rather forget that awful night, she couldn't. Nor could she forget the promise she had made to Erik, the infamous opera ghost.

"You will buy L'Epoque every day from now on," he had instructed. "My death shall be advertised in it. When that time comes you will return and bury me by the little well in the third cellar. Before sealing up the grave, you will place that ring on your finger on mine. You are not to remove that ring until then. Will you promise your poor Erik that?" The very thought of returning to the opera cellars made Christine's stomach churn. There, beneath civilization, Erik had stolen her away and proclaimed undying love for her. Oh, the horrible days she had spent by his side in the little house he had built in the fifth cellar. Christine knew, though, that only after performing this morbid duty would she be free of Erik. Then she and Raoul (along with Christine's benefactress, "Mamma" Valerius) could fly away to her native Sweden and live a peaceful life.

"Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle," the newsboy called as Christine dropped a few sous into his hand. As she walked away, Christine flipped to the obituaries on the back page. Her eyes nonchalantly scanned down the page. After over a fortnight, she didn't expect Erik's name to be there. Imagine her surprise when, in the bottom right corner of the page, she spied the three words that she'd hoped not to see: "Erik is dead". Christine dropped the page into the murky puddle that was at her feet. She picked up her heavy skirts and ran through the Paris streets until she'd reached the de Chagny mansion. Christine acted as if nothing had happened once she crossed the front door's threshold into the foyer. Raoul was waiting for her. Christine didn't even need to wait for him to ask.

"No," she lied.

"I just wish that monster would die and leave us alone."

"Me too." Christine slid her cloak off her shoulders and hung it on the brass hat tree beside the door.

The day passed just as many of the days did for Raoul and Christine. Raoul spent all his time in his study, sorting out the events concerning his brother's mysterious death and his new ascension to the role of the Comte de Chagny, and Christine was left to entertain herself.

That night Christine retired to bed early, hoping that after a good night's sleep she would forget all about Erik's death and her promise to him. Elaine, Christine's maid, helped her into her expensive silk nightgown.

"Is there anything else I can do, Mademoiselle?" she asked.

"No, thank you, Elaine." Christine wrapped a pink kimono around herself and slipped into her bed. Her dainty ivory hand reached over and picked up the book that she was reading now, a collection of romantic poems by Shakespeare. Raoul provided her with such literature- it was proper reading for women.

There was a light knock on Christine's door. "Come in, Raoul."

"Going to bed so early, Christine?" He knelt beside the bed and planted a light kiss on her cheek.

"I'm sorry, Raoul. I'm just so tired."

"It's all right." He rose and headed towards the door. "Good night, Christine."

"Good night, Raoul."

"I love you."

"I love you too." After Raoul left, Christine set down her book, slipped off her kimono, turned out the light, and snuggled under the covers. Sleep seemed elusive to Christine that night. For hours on end she tossed and turned. Around twelve, Raoul came in to check on her before going off to bed himself.

Upon seeing her still awake he asked, "Christine, are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm just restless tonight."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No, Raoul. I am fine. Good night."

"Good night. Let me know if you need anything. My room is only down the hall." He closed the door, and Christine tried to sleep. Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and a dark figure appeared at the foot of the bed.

"Good evening, my dear," the voice hissed.

"Erik!" Christine sprung up in bed, clutching the eiderdown quilts around herself.

"Yes, Christine." Erik walked around the bed until he was standing beside her. Sinisterly, he took one of her golden curls and spiraled it around his finger. Christine thought about calling for Raoul, but opted not to endanger him.

"Erik, you're dead," she sputtered.

"Yes, I am, aren't I?"

"I am sorry, Erik. I will go bury you."

He gently caressed her cheek. "My dear Christine, you needn't worry about that any more."

"Erik, you're dead."

"Yes. We've been through that already."

"But I'm not dead."

"Correct."

"Then how… how can you touch me?"

He laughed menacingly and said, "Oh, I meant to tell you about that. You see, I am now an immortal, but not any immortal. I am Death himself, and things are different when you're me. I have my own realm, and touch humans like yourself, my dear…" He ran his hand down her face and neck.

But Christine hadn't heard anything since Erik proclaimed himself Death. She clutched his black suit and pleaded, "Please, Erik, don't take me away!"

"Don't fret, Christine, I'm not going to take you… yet. It's not your time. Perhaps you would be kind enough to visit me sometimes, though." He threw off his mask and planted a kiss on the nape of her neck.

Christine pulled away and shrieked, "I'm going to be a married woman!"

"Madame, know that it is not wise to refuse Death." Erik took Christine up in his arms, despite her struggle.

Suddenly, a voice floated up to them from down the hallway, "Christine! Christine, are you all right?"

"Raoul!"

"The boy!" Erik sneered, dropping Christine back on the bed.

"Please Erik, don't hurt him!" There was another flash of light, and Christine was left alone in the room.

Raoul burst through the door, "Christine! Are you all right, Christine?"

"Yes," Christine replied, rubbing her temples, "it must have been a dream."

A voice hissed in Christine's right ear, "I doubt that!"

A/N: Please R&R! Flames are welcome!