Don't own any of the characters, all rights go to Gaston Leroux etc.

"Erik… Do you love me?" Asked Christine one day, so abruptly that Erik's heart stilled for while in his chest.

"Of course." He answered slowly, unsure as to where this conversation was heading.

"Even when times are tough?" At this he smiled, kneeling down to her level so he could grasp her chin softly between his fingers.

"I will always love you. Even when times are hard, even when we are driven to hatred because of little things. I will look into your eyes and I will see the universe that I had fallen in love with. I will see the beauty in you. I will look past the rage and anger, instead I will look for the stars in your eyes that I fell in love with from the beginning." Christine gave him a watery smile, her eyes brimming with unshed tears at his words.

"I do not deserve such love." He shook his head at her words, tutting slightly.

"You deserve so much more than a deformed, mad man who lives in a cellar five floors underneath an Opera house. The least I can do is share every ounce of love that I have with you."

"You have the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known Erik and that is why I love you so much. You have so much to give to the world and I will help you share it. No one deserves to be cooped up away in here. I love you so much. Promise me one thing…" She sobbed, wiping pitifully at her tears.

"What's that my love?"

"Could you perhaps always love me? Till the end?" He smiled warmly and kissed her on the forehead.

"Always."