Disclaimer: The Phantom of the Opera is not mine.

A/N: I just noticed that I indirectly quote POTO a lot in here... didn't mean for that to happen. Ah, well, guess everyone knows what I have on the brain (24/7, too, hehe!). See if you can find them.

The Fate of the Heart

*erik*

As his newly born angel rose to her new beauty and power, all he could do was stare. Never had he known such energy from her, and yet somehow he had expected it all along. But now that she used this newfound bravery, it had knocked him flat.

Never had he expected those three words to escape her perfectly formed mouth and be directed at him.

Never, in all his fantasies, was this possible. It just wasn't; this beautiful angel before him ever feeling more than pity for the monster she faced. She was only doing this for pity, as truthful as she sounded. He knew it, it was the only explanation. And yet why did it all seem so real?

He pushed the wishes out of his head, knowing he would only have them broken again. Wiping away the seemingly ever-present tears, he tried to tell her how he felt.

"I.. I can't, Christine. I can't let you throw your life away for me." 'Me,' he thought. 'She wants to stay with me.' How many times had he dreamed this? But how many times had those dreams turned sour, knowing she would never survive his temper and harsh living habits. She was a child of the light; pure, and simple, yet filled with such splendor... She would regret ever promising to stay here. Especially with him.

Yes, she would regret it, but he would not give her the chance to.

"But Erik!" she cried, bridging the gap between them again. "I know you are not one to make the same mistake twice. I-"

"Ah, but my dear," he said cutting her off, "It is not a mistake, but a sacrifice."

"One that I'm not sure either of us can make again! Please Erik, I'm begging you-"

He turned angry, biting out, "I do not need your petty begging, or your pity. If you consider yourself to be so above me, then I suggest you leave. I believe you know the way out." He turned sharply on his heal, and, almost shaking with hate (directed towards whom he did not know), stalked towards his room.

In a déjà vu of the previous day, she ran towards him and grabbed his arm. Before he could think of a sharp remark that would send her crying to the forgiving light, he felt something velvet against his face. He wondered what it was... and then he felt her slim hands against his neck.

*christine*

She had meant it to be a short brush of her lips against his; something to sway his mind into letting her stay. Also, she knew, something to calm his relentless anger. But their fierce passion, realized or not, refused to let them let go. She felt fire from him, and let him burn her, scorch her heart with his love.

He, in return, felt a cool wave of peace wash over him; her cold lips calmed his fiery heart. Letting the change between two souls happen, she tried to make her mind be quiet, tried to let her passion take over. But it would not stop its feelings of doubt and discomfort. All the time she had known him, from the first time she had seen him- even without his mask, she had wanted to be in his grasp. Now that she was here, in his arms, kissing his lips, she felt discontent.

Tremulous, she pulled away from his trembling embrace. "I'm sorry." She whispered. Without even looking, she knew what she would see. Looking up, she saw his eyes burning with raw emotions of love that he could not hide. But she also saw the immense hurt and worry that she knew would not stop eating him until she comforted him. She saw his confusion, a twisted tapestry of questions he could not untangle. She saw the immense wave of passion that made him shiver from head to toe.

She saw him, but only for an instant. The next, she broke his delicate hold, and forced herself to walk away for the second time.

- wow, I thought that chapter would turn out longer. Whoops... heh. heh. heh. But anywho, even as I reread this I want to throttle Christine. I'm truly sorry I had to do that. And if you think that's bad, wait until what I do next chapter... heh. heh. heh. -