I honestly don't know where this came from. I am supposed to be writing a research paper on Ellis Island and Angel Island. Fanfiction is making a rebel of me!

I think I was trying to point out that a) Christine loved Raoul just as much as Erik and b) Christine never really chose one or the other. Also, their different kinds of love are gorgeous and deserve some fic.

Disclaimer: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gaston Leroux own Phantom. I own nothing.

Warnings: Eh, some innuendo but no more than in The Point of No Return. Christine's first meeting with Raoul is taken from the novel but the first time she heard Erik sing to her is from the movie. Also, for those of you who have never read the book Erik = the Phantom.

Enjoy and please review! (I think my AN is almost longer than my fic. Sorry about that.)

I remember the day when I first met Raoul, when my scarf blew into the sea and a little boy ran into the water to retrieve it for me. I remember laughing when he came back, soaking wet and grinning wildly. Do you remember your first love? Mine was sweet and tentative and very, very deep.

I remember the day when I first heard my Angel of Music. I was standing in the chapel in front of a burning candle, praying for my father. The voice came and enveloped me, burning in my soul like the candle. I sang back to my Angel, the interlocking harmonies sounding almost like the music of Heaven itself. I felt my father looking down on me and I knew that I was meant to be this. Always this.

Days passed and months and then years and I was a young woman, dancing at the Paris Opera House. I had given up hope of ever seeing my Raoul again but he came back. I was strong but frightened by the music of the man who had me at his mercy. Raoul held me. Singing with him was a sweet seduction, a promise of things to come. I could not refuse.

I walked onto the fiery stage that burned as the candle of years ago had. I sang again, letting the music fold around me like the arms of an old friend and I prayed for my Angel of Music to come just one more time. He came as he always had. We sang together and our voices became something much greater than Heaven; they spoke the language of the heart, of love and lust and longing. We became human rather than angels and I wanted more. Singing with him was a passionate consummation, an answer to the questions weighing heavy between us. I could not resist.

Raoul's face was frightened and still asking me a question to which I had no answer. Would I choose his warmth and love and security over the music of my soul? Could I leave that newly-learned language of passion behind? I am still not sure I know the answer.

Erik's face was angry and hurt. He demanded to know my choice, he seemed to say that I had no right to a life without him. I imagined waking beside him every morning, both our faces lit by candlelight, making love and music, feeling the fire in my heart flow into my song. Could I take a leap of faith and hope that our love wouldn't break me? I am still not sure I know the answer.

I gave Erik the ring that I wore around my neck and I gave Raoul my mornings and my nights and my years.

You asked me who I chose that night.

I still do not know the answer.