Wow you all seemed to like that last chapter, sorry for leaving you hanging, I felt so mean! Thank you for all your lovely reviews, especially Zoe (Guest) :3 your reviews are so lovely, you flatter me so greatly Im not nearly good enough to publish and Im too young anyway, but thank you so much, Im so glad your enjoying it *special Erik roses for you*! It was lovely to hear all your opinions on my story and on my portrayals of the characters. Im going to work my hardest on my spelling and grammar because I know its not perfect and Im sorry about that! But thank you all for your support, glad you are still enjoying it!

*As usual all the wonderful ideas go to their rightful owners.

Enjoy (:

Chapter 25-Christines POV

I sat in my room looking into the mirror. My fingers fiddling with the stunning necklace Erik had just given me. I adored it, the simplicity of the little glass rose, how delicate it was. I couldnt believe Erik had made it, how beautiful it was, it caught the candle light and glittered lightly. I smiled at the way it hung prettily around my neck. I could still hear the clapping audience in my head, and felt the tremble run up my spine. I was so nervous as I stood on te stage, I wanted to run, to flee, but then I felt him, well his presence, I knew he was there, watching me, guiding me. I had sung from my soul, I felt the music take me, hold me and I had surrendered and let it wash over me. I smiled, but then I felt a knot tie in my stomach as I heard the organ from outside my room begin to play, the sound was heart wrenching, it was like a soft weeping, I could feel as the music progressed a lump in my throat begin to form. Emotions I could not name filled me entirely, poor Erik, why was he playing so sadly, why was this man feeling so much pain?

But then a thought struck me, like a lightening bolt. The thought of the Phantom and Erik being the same person. All evidence pointed to this be the truth. I didnt want to believe it, but the note Raoul had shown me, that was one hundred percent Eriks, the swirliness and thinness pf the writing, it was his. Raoul had said he had found it in box five, that was the Phantoms box. I tried to convince myself that this was just coincidence, I tried to push all thoughts to the back of my mind, then Raoul had made the final blow, the white mask. How did he know about my Maestros mask? He said he had seen the Phantom and he was wearing a white mask. Surely he was lying, pulling my leg. But he had never met my Maestro so how would he know. My mind was spinning, I just didnt know what to do. I needed to know, was my Maestro, my amazing tutor the Phantom? Was he both? I didnt know. I looked into the mirror, the necklace caught my eye once more.

I had to find out. I was scared of asking him, terrified, I didnt want to offend him. I didnt want to lose him. But I needed to know. I still could believe that he may be the Phantom, the man with the horrific past, the man who I pitied and feared. The only thing that allowed me to cling onto a small hope he wasnt the Phantom was the mask. I had never seen his face, that face behind the mask was what would tell me he was my Maestro or the Phantom. I decided I would ask him to remove it for me, so I would finally know. Before I knew what I was doing I was out of my door and walking towards his hunched figure over the organ, the noise surrounded me, my heart was beating so fast, he didnt hear me, didnt even turn. I was so scared, I didnt want to ask him, but I needed to know. I was standing next to him now, he still didnt notice me, his eyes were shut, his fingers dancing across the bone like keys of the organ. I lifted up a shaky hand, I had to do this, I would finally know, my mind would finally be at rest. I touched the leather of the mask and with a sharp intake of breath ripped it away from his face.

The music stopped immediately, a cry of complete anguish ripped from my Maestro as he spun around on his chair. I took several step backs, my mouth dropped, my hand went up to cover it, I tripped falling over the back of night dress. I tried to scramble away but before I could my Maestro was standing over me, he looked so tall and menacing, I could feel his rage, it filled the room, red and hot.

'Look at me Christine Daae! Look at me!' he roared, his voice ugly, I was shaking all over. 'Look at my face Christine! Look upon my cursed ugliness!'

I felt his long fingers wrap around my shaking wrists, I pulled my eyes up and gasped. His face! It wasnt a face at all. The skin that covered it was a sickly white, covered in pulsing veins, some large, some small, of red and blues, twisting and wriggling, it was so tight it looked painful, as if there wasnt enough skin. His cheek bones stabbed out beneath the tightness, looking as if they may rip through at any moment. His nose, looked as if it had been clawed away, raised and pink skin that looked like scars jutted around it and over the piercing cheek bones. His snarling top lip was extremely large and bloated, starting off normal and thin at one end then getting larger and larger as it went abnormally across the left cheek of his face. I noticed how his black glossy hair had now gone, and only small thin strands of black hair remained in its place, on the left side at the start of were his hair line should of been was a build up of pink skin raised and sore looking, inside it was a build up of pulsing veins all looking like weedy roots fighting for the light. But it was his eyes that scared me most. The windows to his soul. They burnt into me, sunken in his distorted face with such hate and fear, I had to catch my breath.

'Iam-Iam looking Erik. Your hurting me Erik.' I sobbed, my wrists throbbing beneath his grip, he looked at his hands and dropped me, turning away.
I lay panting on the floor, as he paced away, I watched as his body crumpled slightly, as sobs wracked through his body, the sound was heart breaking, I had done this to him.

'Now you know Christine! Now you know about the creature in hell!' he screeched, his voice was filled with anger and betrayal.

'Youre the Phantom arent you?' I whimpered, looking at the floor. He spun around, I gasped at his face and the tears which rolling down it, like tiny crystals, they stained his delicate white skin leaving red tracks behind them. I had caused those tears. I had done this. I had brought down this man.

'Yes. Yes I am. The Phantom of the Opera. Do you fear me? Miss Daae, I asked you a question, do you fear me?' he paced towards me, his cloak of blackness floating behind him. His eyes filled with rage on the surface, but behind that I saw sadness. All the sadness of the world.

'Yes, but your my Maestro still.' I whispered, I was up on my feet now, I wanted him to forgive me for my stupidity, for my idiocy. Why id I have too do that, why didnt I ask. No wonder he wanted to hide his face. I should of asked him, gained his trust. How stupid of me. What I said seemed to calm him somewhat, his shoulders relaxed, and his eyes flashed with sadness and betrayal, I felt sickness fill me.

'Why would you want me Christine? Look at me. Look at me! Look at my face what do you see?' he stood in front of me now, talking softly but nonetheless menacing. I went to say something, to say I saw fear, anger, hate, a life of hatred and darkness. But he began to laugh softly, the sound stabbed my heart a fresh wave of tears ran down my face.

'You see a disgusting carcass, just like the rest. You look upon me with hatred and disgust.' he spat.

'Erik please-' I began, I wanted to stop him saying such awful things. But he raised a long hand.

'Leave me Christine. Im nothing more then a disgusting monster. Leave me. Never to tell anyone of how I kept you in hell.' he said firmly, tears were falling down his face, his bloated lips dropped in a heart breaking way, his whole face gleaming with emotion, I could read it like a book. It said as clear as day: betrayal.

'Please Maestro-' I choked, my tears falling like mini waterfalls now.

'Do not call me that anymore Christine. You do not need me anymore. Now go. You shouldnt have to look at me any longer. Go now.' he commanded. My mouth opened and dropped, I could feel it quivering, shaking, he wanted me to leave.I looked up into his eyes that shone with betrayal. I passed him the mask that I had in my hand.

Mad or not Ill stay true,

Ill be there for you.

I sung choking out the tears before fleeing from the room. I wanted to stay by his side, hear his story, learn why he did those things as the Phantom. For now I knew it was him, there had to be a reason he did those things. I walked out the patent door, it was all a haze, I barely saw through my tears. I knew despite being hideous to look at my Maestro had a kind heart. I had let him down, betrayed him, ripped down the trust we had together, everything he had done for me, I had just ruined and forgotten in a few moments of stupid curiosity.

'You stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid girl.' I hit myself with each word.

I had ruined everything. I was shaking as I got into the little boat, I had watched many times as Erik steered the boat, it rocked threateningly as I entered it, I took up the oar, sniveling.

'Goodbye Erik. Thank you for everything.' I pushed off with the oar, the boat trembled. I wouldnt let this be our end. I would understand if Erik never wanted to see me again, I had brought him crumbling down. I closed my eyes in disgust at myself, and his twisted face flashed in my mind. I had managed to get the boat off the shore, but it was turning and tossing in an uncontrolable way. I couldnt use the oar like my Maestro had, I couldnt get the boat to go in a straight line. It began to go sideways. Everything looked so dark and cold without Erik, it lost its magic. I dug the oar deeper into the black depths something caught it, I pulled frantically, and lost my footing, I let out a scream as I felt balance be lost and was met by the open arms of the cold water. It immediately took my breath. The coldness shocked me. I rose up to the surface choking on water. I couldnt swim! I thrashed my arms about, but the weight of my nightgown began to pull me down. I spluttered and thrashed desperately, water filling my mouth, the dress pulled me down once more into the awaiting darkness. The water enclosed all around me. I tried to reach up, but water filled my lungs, the dress weighed me down. My eyes began to shut, my lungs filled now. I couldnt breath. I would die in a watery grave. Then I felt a strong arm around me taking me back to the surface. Darkness took me.

xxxx

Erik-POV

I lay in a heap in the middle of the room. Weeping. She had seen my face. Her curiosity had got the better of her. My sweet Christine had seen me for what I was and I could not forget the look of utter fear she had on her face. I felt betrayed, I had put my trust in her. But I did not blame her, she was young and of course was going to get curious, she knew now who I was. The Phantom. The hideous beast who lurked in the shadows. The man with the feared face and horrific past. The murderer. That was what I was, a beast and nothing more. I wept, raising my hands to my face, scratching at the skin. I was enraged at her at first. I saw red, panicked and raged. My defences went up straight away and my anger poured out. I scared her I knew I did. I felt awful now as I thought of the look in her eyes. But for years having my mask removed led to one thing and one thing only: pain. The whippings from my mother, the rape from the gypsy, the wrist slicing from Persia, and the constant looks of terror that were thrown at me even when I was masked. But the look in her eyes. The look of pure fear and disgust, hurt me more then any whip or weapon, it was like having my heart ripped out. I sent her away. I couldnt bear to look at the fear in her eyes anymore. I told her too leave. It had to be done. I knew it was for the best.

Mad or not Ill stay true,

Ill be there for you.

She had sung those little lines so sadly, surely she was delirious my ugly face had sent her into shock she didnt know what she was saying. I had to get her away from me it seemed. I wanted to cling onto her. Beg her too accept me. To tell her I would never hurt her. Try and get her too understand, but I couldnt. I wouldnt let her fall to the darkness like me. She was too good for that. I loved her so much. But every time I tried to erase my thoughts, the image of her eyes filled with fear as she looked upon me. It crumbled my heart. I heard the door shut, it was like the noise of doom. The noise was like the sound of reality kciking in. The reality of my loneliness, of the world of hate closing in on me. My little light, my darling, my rose had left me now. I had sent her away, it was for the best. She could live happily now, without worrying about me. She could go on. I had given her, her voice, her talent and now she had it I knew she would progress beyond me and any other person. But still I wept. I didnt now how I had lived without her. She was perfect. The way she had wormed her way into my life, the way she had patched my heart together once more. But that was the problem around her I forgot my place, I forgot what and who I was. A monster. A best. A creature of hell.

The loud silence of reality was pierced by screams. They were Christine. I leapt up, forgetting my face and ran out the door. I looked out and in the middle of the dark waters was the little boat, it was shaking slightly, but no one was in it. I saw the water next to it had recently been disturbed. I looked frantically left and right. Christine was no were to be seen. Then suddenly, a frantic splash came from the water. It was her, she had fallen in! Without a second thought I leapt into the water and began to swam towards the boat, I took a deep breath and dove down in the cold depths, I saw Christine's body being dragged down, her eyes clamped shut and her hand reaching feebly for the surface, her white dress pulling her down. I reached out grabbed her waist, she looked dead. I pulled her too the surface the weight of the dress threatening to pull us both down, but I dragged her further, she didnt stir.

'Stay with me Christine. Angel please.' I begged, as I swam frantically dragging her limp body. I was panting when I got her to the shore, I held her body in my arms, she wasnt breathing, her skin pale she looked like a beautiful corpse. I raced inside, laying her down on the armchair beside the fire. I grabbed as many quilts and blankets as I could, I knew if she had any chance Id have to keep her warm. My clothes dripped behind me, I was shivering violently, but I didnt care. I walked to her limp body. I wrapped the quilts around her sopping body, I knew she would flinch from my touch if she had the chance, but I didnt care I had to save her. I knelt beside her, dragging the armchair she was in closer to the fire, I added more logs the fire roared. The heat was strong now. But still she didnt warm up. I put a long finger to her pulse, I felt the small beat, she ws alive thank goodness, I felt my heart leap with joy. She was alive. But she was deathly pale now. Her lips blue. I knew she needed to be out of her wet clothes. I was not prepared to do such a thing. I had to return her to the surface quickly. I made sue she was wrapped up in the quilt tightly, before I lifted her small weight into my arms, her head dropped to one side and rest on my arm. My heart squirmed. What had I done? What on Earth had I done? I had done this to the poor girl. My face had one this, I had sent her away, without a thought. Now she was hurt. I could only ever bring her pain. I raced through the corridors, the blackness taking me in, I was soaked to the skin and freezing cold, but I clung onto Christine, I didnt care if I died Id die a thousand times for this girl. I sung softly, begging that she would hear me in her slumber.

Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye.

Remember me every so often promise me you'll try.

One that day, that not so distant day when you are far away and free,

if you ever can remember stop and think of me.

I felt her frame begin to move in my arms, I nearly dropped her through happiness, as I felt her feeble movement. Her eyes opened slightly.

'Maestro?' she croaked. 'Forgive me, please.' My heart stopped, tears formed in my eyes. Forgive her? For what? I didnt know.

'Youre going to be free now Christine. Free of me.' I stammered, trying to contain my emotions.

'You have a good heart Erik.' she croaked once more, with a little smile, before all her energy left her and her head dropped again onto my arm. My emotions got the better of me and I let out a choking sob, what on earth was she saying, the poor girl, I had sent her mad. I had to get her away from me, I saw that now. I stopped at the part of the wall that I knew I needed I checked first through the gap and there sat Madame Giry. The woman had been right. I hated to admit it, but she was right, I shouldnt love the girl, me loving something was ridiculous, I poisoned everything.

I pushed on the door and entered the room, Madame Giry leapt up out of her armchair, spinning to face me, first she gasped, then noticed the bundle I had in my arms.

'What on earth happened?' she said quietly.

'She saw my face, I sent her away, I can't love her, shes too good, too kind. She saw me Madame.' I was breaking down, my emotions spinning wildly.

'Your face Erik.' she whispered, looking at me, I then felt the nakedness of my skin and realised I had panicked getting here and forgot my mask, I dropped to my knees, careful not to drop Christine. The sobs escaped me, breaking out through my chest, Madame Girys face was stricken with disgust.

'Im sorry, you shouldnt see me like this. Please help her Madame, she fell in the lake. I warmed her up, she is alive, but she needs to be taken from her wet clothes. I couldnt do it Madame, my touch will poison her. I will spoil her. Like I spoil everything.' I looked down on Christine's pale, sleeping face, a small smile was playing on her lips. I wondered what she was dreaming of. My tears fell down and onto her face.

'I love her Madame. I love her so much. You dont understand. That is why I must let her go.' I was rocking Christine's body now. Madame Giry looked at me strangely.

'Erik, you are doing the right thing. I will help her.' she said softly. 'Youve done the right thing.'

'She needs help, now.' I said firmly, controlling my sobs. Madame Giry beckoned me to follow her, I placed Christine down on Madame's small singular bed, with ym shaking hands which had now gone a faint shade of blue from the cold I tucked her in gently, beneath the sea of covers. She snuggled in, her face still wearing that smile.

'I will heat water for her and get her fresh clothes. You best say your goodbyes Erik.' Madame said softly from the door. I looked down on Christine's form, her wet hair wild clinging to her face.

'My sweet angel, its time for me to go now. You always were too good for me. I was a fool to believe otherwise. Im a creature of darkness, of hatred, of death. You know that now. Im a beast Christine, a beast of hell. My face reflects that.' I said softly as I stood beside her body, tears falling down my face, I didnt want to say goodbye, never ever. I loved her now and always. She would never love me, never want my guidance again, never want my opinion, my tutoring, no. The thought of her horror stricken face struck me. 'Goodbye, my sweet darling. I will always watch over you. Always. I hope you never have the horror of seeing me again. I know I scare you. I dont want that.' I was choking on tears as I looked at her sleeping form again.

'But my child please remember me every so often promise me you'll try.' I sung the little line and walked to the door. I was walking away from the love of my life, it felt so wrong. But I loved her enough to let her go. I wouldnt condemn her to my dark fate.

Madame Giry was standing waiting for me, her arms full of clothing. She didnt look me in the eye. I knew she feared me.

'Youve done the right thing Erik.' she whispered, and went out to touch my wet shoulder. I flinched away. I didnt want her pitying touch, she was only being kind because I had given Christine up.

'Goodbye Madame. Look after her.'

I took one last look at the small sleeping figure of Christine, the tears burning my eyes and fled back into the darkness.

My heart slowly ripping itself apart piece by piece.

xxxxxx

Madame Giry-POV

The sight of Erik dripping wet from head to toe, maskless, holding a wrapped up Christine who was equally as wet would stay with me forever. She had seen his face it seemed, and reality had finally struck him. He realised this was all a mistake. That he would never have her. That his face would be a constant barrier. He was beyond upset, his wet body was shaking with sobs. He fell to the floor, but even in his sadness he didnt dare drop her. He clung to her. As if fearing she may disappear. He told me about how she had seen his face, and he was letting her go. I felt myself fill with happiness. He was doing the right thing. I couldnt believe it. He was letting her go and before it all got too much. He had accepted she would never love him, never care for him. He had accepted that. Not every well, he was snivelling, tears falling down his horrific unmasked face. I left him to say goodbye to the girl which he placed so carefully on my bed. I stayed near the door, scared he may have a change of heart and decide to steal her away again. I heard him talking, his voice soft. The girl was fast asleep. Surely his sanity had finally gone now, the letting go of the girl had finally snapped his final strings and sent him over the edge. I sighed and quickly found a gown and more quilts for Christine, then returned when I did I saw Erik walking from the room, red tear tracks down his taut skin, I didnt look at his face, but noticed how his body was shivering, his hands had gone blue and his clothes dripped. I tried to reach out to him, to give him some sort of comfort, we werent enemies now. He flinched away aggressively, I was his body shaking faster.

'Goodbye Madame. Look after her.' Was all he said, then slipped into the darkness he came from. His words still ringing in my ears, I quickly changed Christine ou of her sopping dress, and wrapped her up in many quilts. She would live and probably have nothing more then a cold. As I changed her I noticed the small silver necklace with the glass rose, it was stunning, so beautiful, it sparkled in the candle light. I wondered who gave it to her. Then the beauty of the thing immediately made me think of someone: Erik, the hideous looking man obsessed with beauty, he must of given it to her. I left it, I would not remove it, as much as I wanted to snatch it away from her, I didnt dare.

With Christine now dry and warm in my bed, I slept on the sofa, my dreams filled with Eriks face, and Christine running through darkness and falling, falling, down and down further and further. I tossed and turned, I was trying desperately to reach her, but I couldnt, I could see Erik, I told him to save her, but he was caged, the handsome vicomte danced on the roof of the barred room, I called for him to save Christine who would plummet to her death, but he was too occupied taunting Erik...

I awoke quickly, realising it was early morning, I was shaking slightly from the dream. I checked on Christine, who was sleeping soundly. I smiled slightly, she was safe., then left my room to check my letters. I walked down the corridor which was beginning to fill with cast members, all looking for a coffee to wake them up before the days events began. I gave several 'bonjours' to many smiling people, then I saw the Vicomte looking rather lost and walking aimlessly through the bustling people. I sighed, he would want to know about Christine. I walked up to him.

'Ah, Madame there you are, I dont suppose you know were Miss Daae is do you?' he asked smiling at me, I sighed.

'Im afraid she has been rather ill Monsieur,' I saw his face drop, he looked panicked. 'She will be fine though.'

'May I see her?' He asked concerned. I thought about this for a moment, then decided it would probably be good for her to have a familiar face there.

'Of course, come with me.' I led him in silence to the little room, I was embarrassed, he was probably not used to such simplicity, but he smiled and entered anyway, like a true gentleman. He sighed on seeing Christine's sleeping figure, she was wrapped up in all the quilts her long hair resting with her around her pale face.

'What happened?' he asked firmly. I didnt know how to explain, I wouldnt know what to say, did he know about Erik being the Phantom? I wasnt sure. I didnt want to turn him away from Christine, I knew he loved her and probably wouldnt but still, luckily I didnt need to explain because Christine rolled over in her sleep and began to thrash out, kicking her covers off. Me and the Vicomte, both strode over to her side.

'Maestro?' she called out in her sleep 'Maestro, forgive me please. I didnt mean to.'

I saw the Vicomte stiffen and go red in the face, he looked enraged.

'Maestro were are you? Come back! I need you.' she murmured, her hands reaching out. I was flabbergasted, she was calling for Erik in her sleep, trying to reach him, even after seeing his horrific face. She was trying to get to him in her sleep.I closed my eyes, good god. Erik had managed to wedge himself pretty deep in her mind.

'Maestro, your face holds no horror to me.' she whispered 'your soul is pure.'

Her head relaxed against the pillows, she seemed asleep once more. My heart was racing. I turned and looked at the Vicomte, who looked enraged, his beautiful face, red, and angry.

'He did this too her didn't he?' he spat.

I simply nodded my head. Regretting straight away that I didnt tell him the full truth.

I hope you liked it.

I really checked my spelling this time and my grammar, hope you noticed a difference (:

So yep things are getting pretty messy now, and they're going to get worse Im afraid.

But I hope your still enjoying it any changes you feel need to be made or would like to be made please let me know.

Im trying my hardest and really enjoying writing it.

*Erik is singing think of me personally to all the reviewers*

Thanks for reading and sticking by me through this.