Title: Courage and Love

Summary: Christine finds her courage much earlier. ChristineErik. Based on the very Phantom-sympathetic version I just saw.


Christine stumbled and went sprawling as the Phantom thrust her away. She stared up at him while he raged, unable to tear her gaze from the terrible deformation of his face.

Is this what you wanted to see?

Finally he fell to his knees, his anger spent. His voice rang out still, but wavering.

Fear can turn to love. You'll learn to see, to find the man behind the monster...

He dragged himself towards her on hands and knees. His eyes would flicker to meet hers, pleading, then fall away again, ashamed of the ugliness he presented to her beauty.

...this repulsive carcass, who seems a beast, but secretly, dreams of beauty. Secretly...

He collapsed at her feet, gaze averted. He could not bring himself to touch her, afraid of contaminating her.

...Secretly... Oh, Christine...

With a trembling hand, she held out the mask. He took it gratefully, eyes flickering up to meet hers once more. Turning his face away, he pressed his armour into place.

His other hand rested near her ankle.

Timidly, she reached out.

With his mask to protect his secret once more, Erik turned. He saw the hovering hand. Seized by a sudden panic, he grabbed at it, catching Christine by the wrist. "Come, we must return!" Leaping to his feet, he tugged. "Those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you!"

Christine stared up at him. The feelings within her confused her; she had never felt the like in all her life. Slowly, her gaze drifted downwards, to focus on the hand that held her. It was warm and strong, just like his voice. The voice that praised her, whispered reassurances while she learnt his lessons. The voice that sang with her, to her, constantly.

Pitiful creature of darkness. What kind of life have you known?

The swirling emotions within her coalesced abruptly, and she knew what they were trying to tell her.

God give me courage to show you: you are not alone.

Shifting her hand, she grasped his wrist in return. Her gentle, unexpected pull was enough to fetch the Phantom down.

He stared at her, shocked. What was she doing? In her eyes, he saw a familiar fiery determination. It had greeted each new lesson that he presented her with. But she had no lesson to learn now.

Settling onto her haunches, Christine leaned forward. She brought her hands up to gently caress his face, then eased off the mask once more. Erik stiffened as the white shield dropped away. Christine studied the distortion of his face, gently trailing her finger over tracks of scars and swelling.

She was not repulsed. She did not pull away. Erik found himself holding his breath, disbelieving. Eventually her angelic eyes drifted back to meet his. With infinite care, as though afraid he would startle away, she leaned in towards him. Feather-light, she brushed her lips against his.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me, each night, each morning.

You alone can make my song take flight.


Well, my first Phantom piece. What did you think?