Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know the drill.

Guardian Angel

Erik wandered through the passages of the opera. Michelle was right. He did need to frighten the staff a little. And put some things in perspective.

He had to end this silly little attraction to Michelle immediately. They were friends, that was all. That was all it could be. All he would let it be. Seeing Christine again had reminded him that love was pain, pure and simple. He could love Michelle if he let himself; it would be easy. But he wouldn't. Couldn't. If he loved her, when she left- and she would leave- it would be so much worse than with Christine because Michelle might have cared for him. Perhaps he hadn't really loved Christine, but losing her had been almost unbearable. Losing Michelle would kill him, slowly but surely.

No, he would never risk his heart again. He wouldn't love, wouldn't trust. Wouldn't care. He would, however, show her the real Phantom. Uncaring, perhaps cruel. He would keep her an arms length away. If he didn't, he would fall in love with her.

Love her and die.