Hello! I know it's been forever since I started this but I've been in a bad place this past month and I'm hoping that my interest in writing this means I'll be interested in my other stories as well.

PhantomFan01: Raoul is a bit of a bastard, yes, but he has to be for my story to work how I want it to. Don't worry, Erik will definitely get his kicks in. (; Thanks for the support!

Phanwholock: Thank you, I've been writing for some time. I saw the hints of an abusive Raoul and it's what sparked the idea for this fanfic, I wondered how the story would change if he was abusive and I hope you continue to like my interpretation. Thanks for the support!

I hope you all enjoy this! I enjoy any kinds of feedback: reviews or PMs so feel free to do either. But please, no flames. If you don't like something, please tell me, but don't be immature about it. Thank you!

-Shadow

Christine glanced at the clock on the bedside table and decided to get up for the day. Raoul was passed out in bed, he had drank until he was so drunk he started calling her his 'Little Lotte' again and then demanded that they celebrate in the bedroom. She winced as she gently touched the growing bruise on her hip. She climbed out of the bed, her hair, still long and curly, trailing down her back and she selected an outfit for the day. She chose a pale blue dress with a jacket, as was the style, but as she sat down to pin-up her hair she paused as she stared at herself.

"I would never hurt you Christine."

Erik's voice echoed in her mind and she sighed. After Raoul had spent himself, she had laid in the dark, thinking about how she was keeping Erik's identity a secret and about Erik's claim. He wanted her. Her pulse quickened as she thought about sharing her life with Erik. What would it be like? Full of music, passion, life... Love. Things that she was lacking and needed. But could she really leave Raoul? It was her duty as a wife to care for him, and part of her was waiting for the old Raoul to come back. But another part of her knew that her Raoul was gone.

Christine shook herself and brushed through her hair, the curls still a bit wild and grabbed a few pins. She pulled back the front but left the rest down her back and shoulders. It wasn't the style for married women, but... She smiled at herself. God, she looked alive for once. Her eyes had a sparkle in them, the smile on her lips didn't want to go away. And whom did she have to thank for this change? Erik.

Erik.

His sharp green eyes. His height. His voice. God, how she missed him. She rose and pulled on a pair of low heels, grabbed her small bag, before quietly leaving the room, making sure to not disturb Raoul. She grabbed the music from the piano and made sure she had her room key before quickly writing a note saying she was going to rehearsal, that she didn't want to disturb his sleep, that she loved him, but now more than ever before it left a bad feeling in her stomach.

Since it was early in the morning, she had no qualms about going down to the bar and getting a cup of tea, or coffee, whichever they had. She smiled at those she passed, an elderly couple who smiled back, a younger man whose eyes ran over her and tipped his hat to her. She went to the bar and saw a couple sitting at a table sharing some coffee and felt relaxed. She ordered some coffee and then sat down to look over the music. She hadn't had a chance to the night before and she didn't want to come to rehearsal without at least looking it over. Erik would have her head!

But when she saw the title, she had to force herself to swallow the coffee in her mouth. "Love Never Dies" Well there was certainly no question on Erik's feelings for her, but had there ever been? Did she still love him? She sat back in her chair as she stared down at the title. Part of her had never stopped, even when he broke her heart and left her after she gave herself to him. She blinked a few times. Yes, she loved Erik. But... she was still married to Raoul.

She sighed. Christine forced herself to look over the lyrics with a more objective view and quietly started humming the notes.

"Excuse me?"

Christine looked up, startled to see the couple that had been in there when she arrived standing next to her.

"Yes?"

"You are Christine de Changy, correct?" The female asked, her brown eyes sparkling.

"I am," Christine nodded and the male smiled down at the woman.

"Oh, how wonderful!" The woman grinned. "I just wanted to say hello and let you know I'm a huge fan of the arts. When I heard you were coming to perform at Mr. Hammerstein's, I knew I had to see you."

"Thank you, you're very sweet." Christine smiled but sighed. "But where I'm performing has been changed, I'm singing at..." What had Erik called it? "Phantasma. The owner is a huge fan," more than that "and when he asked me personally to perform for him, I just couldn't say no."

"Oh.." The male frowned a bit and the woman sighed before cheering up.

"Then I shall come see you perform there! When are you performing?"

"Saturday night." Christine replied.

"Great! I can't wait. It was great to meet you!" The woman said and the man smiled, tipped his hat and led his wife away.

Christine smiled again and glanced at the clock above the bar. 8:30. She rose, leaving some money on the table, and left with her music and purse, the music already swirling in her mind.

"You'll be rehearsing in here," the midget woman said and Christine smiled in thanks as she opened the door. The room had dark themes and the only thing in it was the grand piano in the middle of the room.

Christine walked in, closing the door behind her and made her way over to the piano, trailing her fingers over the keys.

"I didn't think you would come." His voice came from behind her, opposite the door. She smiled a bit. It seemed he was still up to his old ways. She turned and jumped slightly when she realized how close he was. They were almost touching. She looked up, her blue eyes met his green ones and she was reminded of her feelings. The urge to touch him, step into his arms was almost overwhelming. They stared at each other for a few minutes and then his hand came up, she flinched automatically and anger blazed in his eyes but his touch was soft as he ran it down the curl that was over her shoulder.

"Your hair is down." Erik quietly said and she swallowed before nodding. "I like it." She smiled a bit at that. His eyes warmed at her smile and the anger drifted away. He let his hand drop to his side before stepping back. Christine took a deep breath and turned away to stand beside the piano.

"Let's get started?" She said but her voice wobbled a bit. She ignored the small smirk on Erik's lips as he sat down on the piano bench.

"Of course, Angel." He said and she paused as she pulled out the music. He started playing some scales and she knew that she was to start with 'ah' as if they had never parted, never stopped their lessons but she was still frozen. Her mind was warring with itself.

"Christine?"

"Would you leave me again?" Christine managed to get out in a whisper. Erik heard her of course and stopped playing, a gasp escaping him.

"N-no. Never, Christine." His voice strengthened and she glanced at him to see his eyes were ablaze again, but this time with much different emotion. "I've never stopped loving you, and I wouldn't be able to muster the strength to leave you again."

She stared at him for a moment before sighing and looking down at the music.

"Uhm, ah right?" Christine said and Erik stared at her for a minute before nodding. He started the scales again and this time she sang the warm ups. She saw how his eyes closed at hearing her voice. He had missed her as much as she had missed him. God, what was she supposed to do?

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