"Don't look at me like that Christine! What the hell did you expect me to say? Do you have any idea what its like for me? Down here, on my own... minutes drift into days...days into weeks and before I know it weeks have gone by in a haze with only memories Christine... memories" Tears rimmed his eyes but he fought them back and he continued; "Everytime I close my eyes you are all I see, you are my every waking thought Christine... my everything" His unshead tears fell now and his breathing became shallow, pain and anxiety clear in his eyes. Reaching forward he took one of her hands in his and whispered; "I love you..."

Christine's resolve wavered slightly but she steeled herself for what she was about to say, he needed to know this, she needed to say it. "I love you too Erik, I always have..."

Erik was stunned, he looked at her, confusion framed his face and the word "What" formed on his lips but the words wouldn't come.

"Do you know why he hit me Erik?" Erik shook his head slowly, afraid of what the answer would be but wanting it with a passion he had never known. Could he possibly believe what she was about to say... could it possibly be... was he dreaming? He closed his eyes and held his breath, awaiting her response. "It was your name... do you know what its like to sleep next to a man every night that you don't love? To have him deep inside you and think of another? To have to bite your lip so hard that it BLED to stop yourself from screaming that name into the darkness... your name into the darkness..."

Christine fell then, but at once he was there, his strong arms catching her and pulling her close to his body. Shivering at the closeness he held her for a moment there before gently turning her round to face him, pulling her close so her head was buried in his chest. Carefully, he whispered to her; "Please tell me you mean that Christine, please say that I am not dreaming because I can't do it again... I can't go through each day wanting you so much it hurts only to be left alone when you decide you want to go to Raoul. If I'm dreaming please God kill me now because I cannot go through another day without you by my side..."

"I love you Erik, I am and always will be yours" came Christine's voice, her breath hot against his chest, causing the heat to radiate throughout his body and again something stirred in his soul. Lifting her head slowly she was caught off guard as Erik's lips crushed hers, taking her breath and leaving her reeling.

Tears mixed with passion as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, moaning and pulling her even closer. His hands ran through her hair, pushing her head closer to him, Christine made small noises in the back of her throat at she allowed him to take control of the situation, allowing herself to get lost in the sensations he was assaulting her with. Christine let out a scream as she found herself on her back within a matter of second, quite impressed to how fast she had gotten there. Erik chuckled, a deep throaty chuckled which sounded slightly strained. Christine opened her eyes at the sound, grinning back at the man who looked dileriously happy above her. Tears still rimmed his eyes and Christine reached up to wipe them away with her thumb, he smiled and nuzzeled against her hand as she did this.

Christine sighed happily and gazed at the man above her, a grin plastered his face from ear to ear, laughing at the spectle that was so rare to the human eye she couldn't help but reach up and place a kiss gently on his lips. Before she could pull away however she was caught in his grip once more, pulling her closer and again kissing her breathless. After several minutes Erik broke the kiss and stared deep into her eyes - his amber eyes conveying more emotion and tenderness than even he could express with his music. His eyes, full of such sorrow, such longing and passion - the world bore false witness to this man who really was a fallen angel.

Christine reached up, stroking the coolness of his mask with the back of her hand. Suddenly he guided her hand to the back, where the ribbon of his mask lay, she searched his eyes for an explanation and finding only trust she slowly began undoing the knot which held his mask in place, it came off in her hand and placed it on the ground beside her.

"Past the point of no return..." he whispered softly.

"I love you Erik, all of you, mask or no mask you will always be beautiful to me" Christine replied, her eyes backing up the meaning ten-fold.

"Thank you" he started, and tears came again.

"For what?" Christine said, looked at him confused.

"For loving me..." he choaked out, pulling himself down, settling his elbows on the ground the stop from putting all of his weight onto her. Burying his head in the crook of her shoulder she held him whilst he wept anew, everything he had ever known vanquished into the depths of eternity with the touch of this woman who had saved him not only from the world but from himself.