Trmo77: True, I feel sorry for Raoul to, but he's going to get a consolation prize.

Katdancer: I stayed up late and did half this chapter so I could present it earlier than usual just for you! Enjoy!

Thatgrrl not logged in: Forever! I did intend for this to be a Raoul/Christine fic, but Erik mananged to turn the cards on me, again!

Phantom Serenity: Just a little, after all he did for Christine, you can imagine why he'd be upset. But everything turns out all right in the end.

Chapter twenty-four

Erik backed away shaking his head in denial. Christine wouldn't! Please God, he begged inwardly. Don't let her ask this of me.

She turned to Raoul, "if I do this Raoul, what then? What does this prove?"

"It proves nothing. I need to know, I need to understand. Christine, everyone says the phantom of the opera is hideous. He admits it. Every man in this opera house knows you're beautiful. I need to know and see…is it even possible?"

Erik found his voice. "Then what? Will you leave her alone?"

"I will." Raoul said. "I won't bother you two again."

Erik hesitated. All he had to do was remove his mask, in front of this entire opera house holding more than a hundred people. The place would be full of screaming people. But it was all a chance. A chance that the boy would leave him and Christine alone.

"Do you swear by all that's holy," Erik said. "In front of all present, that you will keep your word?"

"I swear it." Raoul said.

Erik turned to Christine and nodded. "Do it Christine."

She moved forward slowly. "Are you sure Erik?"

He nodded. "Just do it Christine."

Her hands removed his mask and he closed his eyes, afraid to see the look in her eyes as the sounds of screams filled the opera house. "Look at me Erik." She commanded gently. He did as she asked.

Her eyes were now focused only on his face. Christine's hands gripped his neck gently and drew him towards her. She kissed him fully on the lips without any encouragement from him! The cries in the audience stopped in an instant. Undoubtedly because the miraculous horror appearing before them.

His eyes bulged. Erik couldn't believe that she was really doing this! He stared at Christine as she broke the kiss, her arms went around his waist and she rested her head against his chest. Erik's hands hovered uselessly around her shoulders, unsure of what to do with them; not even sure if he could wipe his eye, which had tears streaming down his face. Christine looked up into his face, desire in those dark eyes of hers. She drew him close and kissed him again. Erik brought his hands up slowly and covered her small hands, which were covering his deformity. His hands trembled as he moved his hands down to her shoulders before gently pushing her away. Christine gasped for air and stared deep into his face.

She was trembling slightly. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Erik heard the sound of applause. They turned to see Meg walk out on stage applauding, with her head held high. Slowly, more people joined the applause; then, the whole audience was on their feet.

Erik gripped her hand and wiped an eye before turning to the awe struck vicomte and audience. One thing was for certain. Christine was undoubtedly his. Body and soul. Forever.

Erik inhaled and spoke to Raoul. "I thank you. There'd have been many times I'd have had doubts about Christine's feelings if it weren't for you. But now…nothing can shake my faith in her now." Christine wrapped an arm around his waist. Erik inhaled. "Nothing. Ever. I always know, she had every chance to pick someone young and handsome, but she chose me. This worthless monster."

"Erik," she said softly. "Don't call yourself a monster. You're not." She turned to Raoul. "Can you ever forgive me?

"I shouldn't have gone to war." Raoul said quietly. "I think I knew the moment I first saw you again that I'd lost you forever. He warned me he was going to make you fall in love with him and he did. But I didn't want to believe it."

"Raoul."

"It's because I lost my arm isn't it?"

Christine shook her head, "Raoul, if that were true, then how could I love Erik with his face?"

He exhaled. "After all we've been through, I never saw this coming. After all I went through, the rescue, saving your life, abandoning my family. All for you and your love."

"Raoul, please."

"Don't worry, I'll keep your background a secret, I'm not after exploitation." Raoul exhaled. "I'll let you go, try to find someone else. In time, maybe I will."

"Oh Raoul." She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you! I hope you find someone who will love you as much as I love Erik."

Raoul pushed away from her and exited the stage. Erik pulled her close. "One more song my love?"

Christine glanced at the audience; many were dabbing at their eyes. She blushed. "Why not? Always leave them singing."

Erik nodded to Mr. reyer. "Somewhere."

Erik pulled her into a close embrace as the orchestra began. Christine had to rein her emotions under control as she began singing. There's a place for us. Somewhere a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air, wait for us. Somewhere.

Christine's voice failed and she closed her eyes and leaned her head against Erik's chest. There's a time for us. Someday a time for us. Erik's voice rang with conviction, as if he were promising her these things. Time together with time spare. Time to learn, time to care. Someday! Erik's voice rose with the orchestra and a shiver spread throughout the opera house at the sound his beautiful voice made. Somewhere! We'll find a new way of living!

Christine found her voice and looked at Raoul who was still watching in the wings. We'll find a way of forgiving.

He turned and exited. She turned back to Erik and joined him. Somewhere. Christine reached up and caressed his face. Erik closed his eyes, and savored her hand on his face. There's a place for us. A time and place for us.

Hold my hand and we're halfway there! She pleaded.

Erik stepped back and extended his hand. Hold my hand and I'll take you there!

She gripped his hand firmly and Erik pulled her close. Now, their voices blended together and became something different. Something so different. Somehow! Someday! Somewhere! Somewhere. Their voices intermingled perfectly and their voice sounded so beautiful. They sounded like…love. The voice that love was given. Nothing, could ever break the bond that the music gave them. We'll find a new way of living! We'll find a way of forgiving. Somewhere. There's a place for us. A time and place for us. Hold my hand and we're halfway there! Hold my hand and I'll take you there! Somehow! Someday! Somewhere!

The moment the song stopped, everyone was on their feet screaming. Erik and Christine didn't notice, even as roses pelted them. They only had eyes for each other.

"Christine," Erik said as he gently touched her face. "You're the world to me. You're the sun that rises, the moon that sets and all that goes on in-between." Erik inhaled and gripped her hands firmly. "I'm most undeserving of your affections. But I assure you, my love for you is eternal. I offer you my heart, soul, body, love, desire and every other sensation running throughout me." Erik kissed her gently, still, the passion was there and Christine clung to him. He broke the kiss and breathed, "will you marry me?"

"Yes."

"Now?" he asked. "Will you marry me right now?"

"Yes." She cried. "Yes I will!" she gripped his hand. "The wedding dress is still in my wardrobe! I'll be ready in ten minutes!"

Erik lifted her up from the ground and moved towards the wings. "Come. I can't wait any longer."

He needed a drink. A good strong drink. Raoul couldn't believe what had happened. The woman he'd risked everything for didn't love him. After all he'd sacrificed, friends, family, fortune, reputation and even his arm! After all that, she still couldn't love him! Raoul walked by an alley and heard a shriek. Against his will, he turned to see what damsel needed help.

"You're drunk!" the woman said, her voice sounded strangled. "Let me go!"

"Not that drunk!" Raoul rounded the corner to see a blonde ballerina against the wall. "You'll pay for this." The man snarled.

Raoul watched as the man grabbed her head and smashed it against the wall! The girl gasped and her eyes lolled back. Raoul hesitated; the last time he rescued a girl he had his heart broken. Then, the man ripped her front open and began fondling her breast. The girl was too dizzy to fight, the man began kissing her neck.

The girl whimpered in weak protest and Raoul decided to go help. Raoul stepped forward, drew back his cane and hit the man hard on the head! The man groaned and passed out. The blonde was still conscious, just very groggy. She groaned and tried to focus. Raoul removed his coat, keeping an eye on the girl.

"I'm going to put this on you?" he said. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes…monsieur Chagney. But," she cleared her throat. "You keep it. I-I just need a…moment."

"You're not decent." He pointed out. The girl went scarlet and looked down at herself. He held out the coat to her again. "Here."

"Thank you." She said, wrapping it around her.

Raoul looked at the unconscious man. "Come. Before he comes to."

She nodded, "thank you, I-I was told…there someone looking for me." she shuddered. "I-I had no idea." Raoul extended his hand and she took it timidly. "Thank you monsieur Chagney."

"You speak as through you know me," Raoul said, studying her pale face and her long golden hair. "But…I cannot…recall you."

"I'm Meg." She said. "Meg Giry."

Ok, this story is nowhere near to closing just so everyone knows! Don't forget to review!