A/N: This is it guys. The last chapter… Honestly, I can't believe it's the end and I want to say a special thank you to those who have stuck by my side from the beginning and even those who have joined in and wanted to know what happened to Christine. I know that the wait would sometimes go months on end or even a year… but I always said I will not abandon the story and I kept my word. So again, thank you for all the support!

Also, as promised, there will be two endings. One is what I call "The Happy Ending" and the other is "The Angsty Happy Ending." The chapter titles will be labelled over which one is which and you can decide which one you want for Erik and Christine. Or you can read both if you like. Either way, picking just one was difficult; although, I was leaning more towards the angsty one because… it felt realistic to me. I'm hoping to have those posted either tomorrow or Sunday.

As for future fics… I do have a few that I've outlined but I won't post them until I actually write the whole thing. No more long hiatuses like this. ;) I will also be concentrating on a couple stories from different fandoms so if you like Once Upon a Time and are fans of Rumbelle, then you definitely want to check them out! I'm also planning on returning to my originals and work on getting them published. My New Year's Resolution was to finish this story and get an original published. I got this done so *crosses fingers* let's hope for the second!

Thank you everyone for being so awesome and without further ado… here you go.

Chapter 35

Knock, knock.

Christine lifted up her face, tear-stained and eyes red, as the soft knocks echoed loud in the empty apartment. It took her a second before her attention snapped back and the knocking became slightly louder.

It couldn't be…? Could it?

She hopped off the piano bench, nearly tripping over the leg in her haste, as she headed to the door. Then slowing down, Christine knew she had to look a mess from her sobbing. The last thing she wanted was for Raoul to see how upset she had been. Call it pride or whatever but she didn't want him to think she was crying over him.

Not after he was insinuating she was having an affair with Erik Trussler of all people.

That still pissed her off that Raoul would have that low of an opinion of her to think she would sleep with her boss or anyone for that matter. The fact he didn't trust her… That hurt too much for him to probably even realize. And, had she given him any reason to doubt her?

Christine couldn't think of any times or examples where he could call her character into question. If she was staying late to rehearse, then she always called or texted to let him know her intentions. It wasn't like she was keeping her late nights a secret.

Well… you didn't tell him about that lesson, the nagging little voice whispered and Christine had the decency to blush at the thought.

No… she didn't. She kept it to herself because it was something she treasured. For her idol and favorite composer to give her advice… It was a dream come true. She wouldn't have changed it for the world. So she didn't tell her fiancé about it. That didn't make her a bad person, did it?

But it had to have been. Why else would he bring it up? Or better yet… How did he even know?

In fact, no one knew about her late night lesson with Erik Trussler except…

No. Meg wouldn't have gone behind her back. She knew it was strictly professional between her and Mr. Trussler. There was no need for her to be concerned since Christine told her he had been a complete gentleman with her.

But who else would have known? The voice hissed again. God knows it couldn't have been the man himself. He didn't even know Raoul!

At this point, Christine already wiped her eyes and she ran her fingers through her hair in the hope she didn't look too horrible when she answered it. Then, she put her hand on the doorknob and twisted it.

Her brows arched in surprise as Meg stood behind the door.

Her friend chuckled. "Wow. Don't looked so surprise why dontcha?"

"Sorry." Christine closed her mouth. "I thought it was maybe Raoul."

"And would he be knocking at his own door?" Meg asked.

The brunette shrugged. "I dunno. He left in a hurry. He could have left his keys behind." Despite herself, Christine felt the tears swimming again in her eyes.

"Christine… is something wrong?" Meg asked, her head tilting to the side.

Wordlessly, she nodded. "I'm glad you're here because I need to talk to someone." Her voice was raspy and it cracked even while she fought to keep her composure. But the more she thought about her argument with Raoul… the harder it became not to cry all over again.

Meg entered the apartment as Christine closed the door. The blonde stayed where she was as Christine began to walk towards the piano.

"I think it's over Meg. Raoul and I… We got into a fight. And—and it was pretty bad. He was implying I cheated on him with Mr. Trussler! I mean… it's stupid. It's fucking stupid he would think that but it's all because I stay late at the theater. He doesn't like that I do that. Even though I can take care of myself, he still thinks I'm some kind of child that needs protection!"

Christine went on angrily. "I grew up in this city. I know how dangerous it can be, but I'm an adult for Pete's sake. I know how to look both ways before I cross a street. I wouldn't do anything that would put me in harm's way. And does he give me any credit? No! But it burns me that he thinks I'm having an affair. Even after I'm doing so well… for him to suggest that I got there by sleeping with the owner—"

She turned around and looked at Meg who had been oddly silent as she ranted. "Meg, did you tell Raoul about my lesson with him?"

"Why do you ask?" the blonde calmly asked, her arms folding over.

"Someone told him and you're the only person I know that could have done it. I don't know why since nothing happened. I told you nothing did. So why would you go behind my back?"

It was a heavy accusation to make; Christine knew that, but whom else besides Meg knew about this? As much as she wanted to believe in the best in her friend, Christine couldn't shake the feeling it had to have been her.

"You know what your problem is Christine?" Meg started. "Nothing is ever good enough for you. You have to keep wanting more."

"What?"

"You heard me," Meg growled, her fingers dipping inside her jacket. "And you want to know what's worse? Everything is handed to you on a silver platter. You get the promotions and the attention while someone like me just languishes in the background—hardly ever being noticed. I'm just as hard of a worker as you, but do they even care?! No… And to think I wasn't going to—well, I'm done being second fiddle."

It was then Meg pulled out the gun she had inside her jacket. Christine immediately froze as fear and confusion filled her mind. This couldn't be real. This had to be some kind of sick joke…

"On top of everything else… you have a terrific guy in your life. He will bend over backwards to please you, to make you happy… and how do you repay him? You had that lesson with Erik Trussler! And then you continue to stay late, especially whenever he's in town in the hopes you will have another one! So if it's over with you and Raoul… it's your fucking fault! He is everything the perfect guy should be but no! You need more. Oh, I know you have a crush on our boss. That is plain as day. And those late night rehearsals are your flimsy excuse to get closer to him. Don't deny it!"

The barrel was aimed at her but there wasn't anything Christine could do. It was like her body shut down and this surreal nightmare wasn't real. It couldn't be. Meg was her best friend. Her best friend! They always supported each other…

"You seriously have no idea how lucky you are. You have the man, but he's not enough, so you're going to string him along… Now you're breaking his heart. If you didn't love him, then why would you ever agree to be his wife? Tell me that Christine. Why!?"

"Meg… Look, you have it all wrong…" Christine pleaded.

"No! I see it all clearly. Raoul wasn't good for you. He was never at your level so you had to look elsewhere. And look what it got you… the lead. And they are going to make you the next leading soprano while I'm alone in the background. When is it my turn to shine? Why can't I have the dream job and the dream guy?"

Christine was shaking her head, begging her friend to listen. This wasn't her. This wasn't her. But before she could utter another syllable… Meg pulled the trigger.

The bullet slammed into her, knocking the wind out of her as she placed her hand over where it hit her. Her fingertips were coated with blood and she thought its red before falling to the ground.

Coughing, Christine winced as the pain ricochet through her body. Every inch of her was on fire and there wasn't anything she could do to stop it as she watched her blood continue to pump out of her.

Gasping for breath, she lifted her gaze to Meg and trembled at the cold-hearted person standing over her. Even with her life pouring out of her… Christine still did not want to believe it was Meg who did this. That Meg shot her…

"You had everything. You had everything I ever wanted and now… it's my turn. My turn to have him. And I will love him the way he is deserved to be loved."

Meg slid the gun back into her jacket and calmly left the apartment as she had entered without a glance behind her.

Christine was all alone as her heartbeat began to slow.

No! I have to fight. I have to fight… Her body was growing too weak and the pain was starting to subside. All she had to do was let go and it would be over. Yet, try as she might, Christine couldn't move as she rested her head back on the chilly floor. Staring up at the ceiling, she coughed and spat up blood as the darkness began to take over.

Then her haggard breathing stopped and her eyes closed.

xxXXxx

It was Lily's frightened sobs that seized her attention and Christine followed the sound. If she had a heartbeat… she knew it would be drumming loud as she gave chase. She had to find her.

She had to find Lily.

There.

She saw them in an alleyway—two dark shadows struggling away from the light above a backdoor. As she drew closer, she saw that Lily was favoring her right ankle and Christine realized she must have twisted it when Meg was forcing her out of the theater. The skin was already sporting a purplish-blue bruise around the strap of her shoe.

"Shut up!" Meg ordered, shoving Lily against the brick wall.

"M-Meg—please—" Lily stammered as she shivered from the cool breeze. "This isn't you... Why are you doing this?"

"Why? Why!?" Meg asked shrilly. "You have to ask you stupid bitch?"

"Meg! Stop!" Christine shouted but to no avail. She couldn't hear her. Not even Lily…

"Let's g-g-go back to the theater. We can talk about this. You and I…" Lily was scared out of her wits, but she was trying to speak with as much calm as she could muster given the situation. "I won't call the cops. I'll say I had a little stumble to Raoul. He doesn't need to know—"

"Don't you say his name!" Meg snarled. "You have no right! Not when he was never meant to be yours!"

She was crazed. The wild, animal look in her eyes was all Christine had to see to recognize it as the same look Meg had when she killed her. And now Lily was in her sights…

Christine had to do something but she was limited on what she could do. As Lily's terror seemed to grow, Christine felt it resonating strongly in her that the light next to them was flickering.

Then an idea came to her.

The guys were behind her and Erik wouldn't know where she went, unless…

Concentrating, Christine focused all her energy on that lightbulb as it flickered on and off rapidly. Erik had to see it. He would find them. He had to.

Meanwhile, Christine looked back at the two women and zeroed in on the 9mm gun in Meg's hand. Now… if she could materialize enough of herself to knock it out of her grasp…

Before she could try, she heard Erik's exclamation and jerked in his direction as he, Nadir, and Raoul ran down the alley. Relief flooded through her knowing that Lily was going to be safe, but they didn't know Meg was armed.

"SHE HAS A GUN!" Christine screamed.

That got Erik's attention as he skidded to a stop, his arms throwing out to stop Nadir and Raoul as well. Christine dropped her focus on the light so it would shine on its own. Then she went over and sat next to the frightened woman who had suddenly dropped to the ground, putting her arm over her shoulder as to shield her. As soon as Christine did, Lily stopped trembling.

"Meg! Wha—" Raoul couldn't believe what he was seeing. He blinked and the image in front of him remained unchanged. All he could see was Lily in pain and red filled his vision. "What the fuck!"

He tried to charge her, but Erik held him back. "She has a fucking gun!" Erik hissed at him. "Stand back!"

With enough sense, Raoul did but he couldn't take his gaze off of Meg. She was his friend. And this…

"Raoul! This isn't…" But Meg didn't finish as she noticed Nadir and Erik there too. She pulled her arm up as the gun quivered in her grasp. "You…"

"Take it easy," Erik told her, his hands up. "No one needs to get hurt."

Meg shook her head, biting her lower lip as she regained a steady grip on the weapon. This time her arm did not tremble as she glared at the masked man.

"You…" she began again, her voice turning into a growl. "You have a lot of nerve."

"Can we talk about this?" Erik asked, still maintaining a level tone in his voice despite having a gun trained on him. "Just… take it easy Meg. We don't want anyone to get hurt."

"Speak for yourself," Raoul muttered behind him but Nadir quieted him with a swift nudge in the arm.

"Ms. Gallagher… Meg. Let's put the gun down and talk. Okay?" Nadir said as he edged closer so he could stand next to Erik, but the blonde turned the gun on him and barked, "Get back!"

"I got this," Erik whispered.

Anything the Iranian was going to say, Erik didn't hear as he returned his attention on Meg. Behind her, he could see Christine doing her best to comfort Lily and whatever she was doing… seemed to be working since the woman didn't seem as scared as before.

Good.

"Meg. Listen to me. You don't want to do this. You can put that gun down and all of us can go back to the theater and we can—" He took a step forward.

"Not another step," she gritted through her teeth. "Not another word!"

He placed his foot back beside him, but continued to keep his hands up so she can see them. The last thing Erik wanted was for her to think he was going to reach for something, anything and she could fire accidentally. He just prayed de Chagny and Nadir also didn't do anything stupid or play the hero.

She seemed satisfied he wasn't closer, but she still kept the gun on him. "This is all your fault. If you just left things alone. But no… You had to look for ghosts instead of leaving the dead be! And for what? To remind the world what happened to poor Christine Daaé! Why? It was done. No one knew what happened. It would have been forgotten if you didn't stick your nose where it didn't belong. Now, there's an opera dedicated to her?" Meg exhaled deeply. "How can anyone forget? They can't! Because you couldn't let it go. I thought if I said you were harassing me it would stop or when Raoul spoke to you… Instead, you continue with this ridiculous crusade and turn it into music. Do you have any idea the pain you're putting people in?"

"No… I was trying to help—"

"Stop!" Meg exclaimed. "You weren't helping. You were making it worse."

"Meg…" Raoul spoke up. "Look. I know it hasn't been easy. I miss her too but this—this isn't the answer."

She tossed her head back as she erupted in a fit of choked laughter. "Miss her? How can I when she is never gone?"

"Meg," Raoul repeated in a softer tone.

Erik realized he wasn't going to get anywhere with her, but Raoul could. He discreetly edged away but kept his eyes on the gun.

Seeing he had her attention now, Raoul continued. "It's tough. I get it. You saw how hard her death hit me. I was a fucking train wreck. But you helped me snap out of it. Was I thrilled that Erik was going through the case files? No but he meant well. And as crazy as it sounds… this opera could be a good thing. You'll see. It could be the incentive the police need to try again. Maybe we'll have that closure after all once they catch the bastard who killed her—"

This time her choked laugh turned into a derisive hiccup. "Don't you see? I don't want her death to be solved."

At Raoul's baffled expression, Meg cast her eyes on him sadly. "She was never good for you. She didn't treat you right… not when she was thinking about someone else. How could she love you and promise to be with you when she made you miserable? She didn't deserve you Raoul! Couldn't you see that? I would have never done those things…"

"Oh my God…" came his horrified gasp at the realization of what Meg was saying.

"I thought you would eventually notice me. That you would see that I would be perfect for you! I waited Raoul. I waited for you to see me. Then you met someone else. So I figured… I can wait again. I can be patient. This was just your grief talking and when you were ready you will end things with Lily and come to me. God, I waited. I even went out with a couple of guys, hoping you would come to your senses," her voice cracked as she looked at him square in the eyes. "You never did. I guess I will never be more than good ol' Meg. The best friend. Fuck. Not even after Christine's death, all that bonding, you still looked past me."

Then, her countenance hardened. "I was tired of waiting. Four years is long enough. But that's all over now, isn't it? Because of him." Now, Meg was facing Erik again and her look was anything but forgiving. "You ruined everything! I could have been happy if Raoul and Christine got married. Because he would have been happy. But you did this. You hurt him by helping Christine. You had her fall in love with you. I couldn't stand for that. You ruined that happiness. So if anyone is to blame… it's you."

Her finger went to the safety and she clicked it off. Tears trickled down her pale face as she stared him down. "Well?" she spat. "Does this inspire you too?"

Screams echoed in the night air as Meg pulled the trigger.

TBC…