Author's Note: Please give full credit where it's due. I don't own any part of the Phantom of the opera, so don't give me credit! Not mine, not mine, blah blah blah, Gerry Butler HOTTIE, onto the story!

ERIK AND CHRISTINE FOREVER!

Breaking Down

Prologue: Letters

He stood in the opening of the mirror, glancing back at the slowly fading figures one last time. His heartbeat raced in his throat as the tears in his eyes threatened to free themselves. This was it, this really was his point of no return, and there was no going back. He couldn't change anything; and that was something he hated most of all. For the longest time, Erik had been in control of his life, lived it the way he wanted to. Or as best he could when one was kept under an opera house, scared to venture out much because of the scrutiny he might get. Scrutiny for wearing the porcelain mask that now seemed like a second skin to him. It was still hard for him to understand why people hated something about him that he could not control.

He turned once again to the darkness, the sole companion he had trusted for so long. Not needing a torch he made his way down the corridor. To where, he wasn't sure. Could he live somewhere besides his beloved opera house? He would have to, considering the building was on fire and he would probably die if he stayed there. He considered himself to already be in hell, so what was the point of death? Either way, it would be without Christine. His beautiful angel, the young starlet he had fallen so deeply in love with. He could not help but feel a twinge of exhaustion. All these years he had done everything for her. And now that she was leaving, leaving him for that Vicompte. But he knew that she would have a better life with him, at least she would be happy. That's what stopped him from taking her, against her will. He was so bent on having her spend her life with him, he never stopped to think of what she would want, what would make her happy. And all he cared about what to see her smile, to see her eyes light up, the way they had the first time she had sung for him. He could still remember the first time he had laid eyes on her, when she was but a child. That seemed like such an eon ago, and she was the first person he really cared for.

Erik continued down the corridor, alone, shaken, and forever a changed man. All that could be heard were the sounds of his footsteps, and soon all that could be found of the masked genius was the past he soon left behind.

Christine was busy rushing around the room, gathering her things for the wedding the following day. Looking down at her finger, she carefully studied the engagement band. Since that night three months before, Raoul had bought her a new ring, since she had given the other one to…him. Even now she still had difficulties reminiscing of the events that had occurred in that evening. It had happened so quickly, she couldn't even think properly. She had made the right decision, she told herself time and time again. This was the right choice, Raoul was the right choice. But if he was a choice, did that mean she had an option to chose Erik? Did she really hold emotions for him, even after all the things he had done?

"Impossible," She whispered. She often found herself speaking aloud, namely for her own sake.

But was she really ready to become the wife of a man she hadn't seen in years? They had been childhood sweethearts, and she had cared for him deeply, but was he truly the one?

Her hand came to rest upon a book laying on the table, one she was very fond of. It had been a book her father had given her, and she was normally seen carrying it with her. Sitting down in the chair, she flipped open the pages. On the inside of the cover it read:

To my dearest daughter - my angel. May your wings take you where your feet cannot.

Smiling, Christine began to thumb through her favorite spots in the novel. Suddenly she stopped. Laying between two of the pages was a perfectly flattened rose. A single satin ribbon kept it company, and she found herself lightly touching the object, to make certain that it was real. She couldn't remember a time where she had saved a rose, she had always put them away in a vase or someone would throw them away for her, but never had she placed one in her book. Silently a note fell from the confines the manuscript. Reaching down, her fingers began to tremble as she recognized the cursive writing.

Dear Christine - I had hoped that you would find this letter. And I hope it finds you well. For my well being, I know that I am no longer on this earth, and that I am now with the angels you adore so much. My sweet daughter, there are so many things that I wish I could tell you, so many memories we could share, yet fate is cruel and somehow amazing at the same time. My fate brought you to me, your fate, well, I can only hope brings you happiness. Life may seem complicated, but you must always do something for me. Trust your heart, follow it blindly if you must, but all I wish is for your happiness. Since I may not be there to see you grow into the wonderful woman I know you shall become, I will be looking down from the Heavens. May your angel of music keep you company till I get my wings to fly to you. I love you always - Father

Christine could not help the tears that slid down her face. She was reading a letter from her father, and it felt like he was with her once again. Smiling through the teardrops, she held the letter against her chest. It was amazing she hadn't found the letter till now, but like her father had said, fate could be difficult sometimes.

"Oh Father," She whispered, "If only you knew how true those words are right now."

She continued with her packing, but this was for a completely different purpose.

"She did what?" Raoul shouted at the maid.

"She's gone, sir." The petite woman cringed. "She left this note for you, monsieur."

Raoul grabbed the letter from her hand and motioned for her to leave. Irritated that his fiancee had just left him on their wedding day, he sat down and began to read.

Dearest Raoul - I am sorry. I'm not sure what else I can say that would be as truthful as, I'm sorry. Last night I came to a higher understanding of things, and I realized that I cannot go through with our marriage. I do not want to hurt you, my dearest friend, but that is all that I can feel for you. It had been years since I had seen you last, and I jumped on what last emotion I had had for you before I had come to the opera house. It is only fair that I do not force this marriage on either of us, and I hope for your happiness. I hope you can see through this hard time and eventually forgive me. - Christine.

"Dearest friend!" Raoul crumpled the note in his hand. "She did not act as a friend when she kissed me on the roof top!"

Running out of the room, the Vicompte knew he only had a matter of time in order to catch up with her. He was going to find her, and he was going to make her see reason.

Author's note: Ok, so this was just a little prologue to my story. Just testing the waters to see what kind of reaction I'll get from people. Hope you enjoyed this and I will update as soon as I get my first review! Or maybe sooner, depends on how inspired I get!