Disclaimer – I own none of the Phantom characters. It's just that simple.

Author's note – Yes, I know it's not E/C. I have no idea where I'm going with it, so I can't tell you what it will be at the end. It's kind of writing itself.

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The streets seemed long. I had spent more time than I thought in Erik's home. I couldn't allow Raoul to come home and not find me there, waiting for him, as I had been every other day. I cared too much for him. As I ran, my thoughts went back to the place I least wanted them to go. Erik. He was finally gone, out of my life. I should feel happy, elated. And yet there was something tugging at my heart, longing for me to notice. I couldn't still care for him.

I almost ran past the apartment. I noticed it just in time, and turned in. I had almost fifteen minutes before Raoul would arrive, so I sat down to allow myself a chance to calm down. I lay down on the couch, closing my eyes for a moment. A vision swam in front of them. Why couldn't I get him off my mind? The white mask floated before me, and I opened my eyes and shook my head. It disappeared, and I stood up. I needed to start dinner.

As I was cooking, Raoul came in. He pulled me tightly against him, pecking me gently on the cheek. He had brought me flowers. My heart melted, and he put them in a vase on the table. Soon after, we were eating a simple dinner, talking about his day. I made no mention of my visit to Erik, as I knew Raoul would have wanted me to stay away from him. I laughed at Raoul's silly stories, always being attentive and polite. After the dishes were cleaned and put away, we settled next to each other on the couch. Raoul looked to the piano, then quickly averted his eyes. We sat next to each other on the couch for hours, simply talking. The mention of my singing hadn't come up, and yet I could tell that Raoul – as he always did – wanted to hear me sing. I hadn't for him yet, using my voice only when I was alone in the house. Finally I looked him straight in the eyes. "Do you want to hear me sing?" He started, then raised one eyebrow delicately.

"Only if you would like to. You know I wish to force nothing on you." He took my hand gently, bringing it to his lips.

I smiled. "I shall." I walked to the piano, and began to play, notes coming unbidden from the dark recesses of my memory. I began to sing, Think of Me, from Hannibal. The opera where I had made my debut. The words began to pour from my lips.

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

Remember me, once in a while please promise me you'll try

Raoul looked at me. I stopped playing. "What is it, darling?"

"Christine, that song, Why that song?" He looked at me intently. "You must never sing that song again. It brings back memories…of him."

I knew at once whom he meant. "Raoul, we must stop living in the past. Those days that you fear are over. Erik is no more a part of my life." I realized something. "Raoul, I want to go back. Not to Erik, but to the opera. I can't live like this anymore, shutting myself off from the world. I need contact again. For so long I was scared that he would come after me, forcing me back with him." Raoul looked shocked. "But my fears are gone, they're gone darling! I'm not afraid of him anymore. He can't hurt me any longer. I want to go back. I need to go back." I walked over to Raoul and grabbed his hands, pulling him to his feet. I looked deep into his eyes. "Please, if you ever loved me, you'll let me do this."

He looked at me, surprised. His eyes were wide, staring in unbelief. "If you're sure, Christine, there's nothing I can do to stop you. I never wanted you to stop singing with the opera because of …him. I just want you to promise to be careful. If he knows that you're back, he might try something again."

I put one finger to his lips, quieting him. "I trust him, Raoul. He cared for me, and he always will. He respects my word, and will do nothing more to harm me. When he let us go that night, I made him promise to stay alive, but to always comply with what I wish. I shall…write him a note, and give it to Nadir. I know he is still around, I see him occasionally, Erik must ask him to watch over me. I will tell Erik that I am coming back, and although he may come to watch me, I shall take no lessons, and I shall not see him again."

"Christine, if you are sure, then you have my blessing. I wish you the best. Come, we must go to the Opera Populaire tonight. We shall find a way for you to begin to sing again." I smiled. He was going to let me go back. I needed this. It had been in the back of my mind for quite some time, but I had always been scared that Erik would reclaim me. After the visit today, I had found the strength and the trust that he would leave me alone if I so desired.

Raoul and I changed quickly, suddenly happy that we had eaten dinner so early. He called for the carriage, and off we went to the opera house. La Carlotta was still the prima donna, and Meg, darling Meg was now head girl of the dance corps. Msrs. Andre and Firmin were still running the show, and of course, Madame Giry was still being as strict as ever with the dancers. It was almost entirely the same as when I had left – except of course with the replacement of Piangi by Monsieur Satulari. As we listened, I realized that Satulari had a much better tone than Piangi, and could portray the characters more realistically than Piangi ever had.

When the show was over, Raoul and I went to the office to wait for Andre and Firmin. When they came in, together as always, they looked surprised to see me there. "Miss Christine, what are you doing out?" "What did you think of the show?" "Is there something wrong, Christine?" Their questions flew at me, and I brushed them all off.

"Actually, I have a question for both of you." They sat down in the chairs and looked at me, waiting. "Would it be possible for me to come back to the opera? I know that I've been away for quite some time now, but I feel that I'm ready to come back. I realize that La Carlotta is the prima, but is there a way that I could begin again?"

They sat across from me, their mouths hanging wide open. "Please wait a moment, Monsieur de Chagny and Christine." They got up and walked to the door. Standing outside, but not actually closing the door, parts of their conversation could be heard and understood. "Leaving…ghost…perhaps again…replacement…" I wondered what replacement they were looking for, and I felt silly for not having explained to them that there would be no more mishaps with the…with Erik.

They came back in and took their seats again. "Christine, we have come to a decision."