A/N: I'm so sorry for leaving this so long. I have injured my back and find it difficult to sit at the computer.

It's nearly over… Alternative endings begin here. I will post two chapter 44's … read both and run with which ever you like best or suits you.

The ending is supposed to be slightly ambiguous.

Then tell me which you prefer and I will write a final chapter based on that entry.

'I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone.

But though you're still with me,

I've been alone all alone.' – My Immortal, Evanesence.

Chapter 44- Ending one.

The gusts of wind came hard and often, nearly blowing the mourners clear off their feet. The day was made for a funeral, the rain was pouring like a waterfall from the skies, battering the poor bodies of those brave enough to attend. The wind was howling around the large church building in the centre of Paris, making more noise than the guests could hear over. It sounded like the gargoyles around its roof were crying too.

Meg clung, weeping, to Thomas' side and he stood firm and calm, arm around her to hold her steady. They had been officially courting for nearly two months and she was happy with him, happier than Christine had seen her in a long time. As she looked over at Meg she felt Raoul's arm drape protectively around her shoulders and she reached up to hold his hand. Meg had barely looked at him since that day in the warehouse and she could hardly stand being in his presence. It was the reason that Christine stood so far from her friend when she really want to be gripping her hand tightly and telling her everything was okay.

That day had changed all of their lives completely. It meant that Thomas' relationship with Meg had gotten off on a lie and it seemed that was the way it would remain, at the request of the infamous Phantom. Somehow Meg had gained an overwhelming respect for him and her disdain for Raoul was barely hidden under a façade of politeness if good company. Otherwise she had avoided her. Christine felt the strain too as Meg shot her looks which begged the question, 'How can you stay with that murderer?'. It always made Christine smile ruefully to herself. Swap one murderer for another she thought.

Jennifer had been in a terrible mess for the past two months and her mother had taken the children in while she was recovering. Her grieving was fierce and her hatred of Erik powerful in her words if she ever spoke about him. Part of Christine wished that Jennifer knew. Erik had been more of an angel than he had ever been before that day as he took the blame the Raoul's foolish mistake, his heart breaking mistake. He had saved Christine from a life of hate and not for the first time.

She was finding it difficult to be with Raoul, to talk to Raoul, because of what she knew but she swallowed it and continued as if things were normal. It seemed her husband had suddenly found a new affection for her.

As she glanced down once more at the coffin her mind drifted to when they had heard the news.

When Meg had found her mother in her favourite seat by the fire she looked so peaceful that she knew immediately that she had finally passed away. As she walked over she saw that her Madame Giry was grasping a piece of expensive paper in her right hand. Meg had lifted it from her and read the note.

'Dear Antoinette,

It appears that my flight has left those in England much to talk about. Do you think they will give up the search? Or do you think that they will forever seek me? My, my, I feel like the Scarlet Pimpernel

I will not leave you an address for me other than to tell you that I am back in France and very well. I know that you will not respond anyway. This will be our final correspondence I am sure of it.

It pains me to think that I will never see you again or have the opportunity to tell you personally how truly wonderful you have been to me. You have been my humanity. You have been my tower of strength and for that I am eternally grateful.

Perhaps while you are in heaven you can put in a good word for me. Over the last couple of months I have done some rather altruistic acts for which I have taken no credit.

I hope that everything left for you will be quiet and painless, I will pray for you. Yes, I will. Even I have belief. I have faith. Mostly in you, but it is faith none the less. I want to ask you so much about Christine but I fear that it will lead me to leave you a return address and I cannot do that for obvious reasons.

If you see her tell her how desperately I love her and that I did it all for her. Everything.

And Antoinette, my dear confidante, know the tears I have shed for you. Know that I have thought of you long and often and that one day I shall knock on your door in heaven if only to stay for a minute.

Goodnight and goodbyedear Madame Giry,

Always your humble friend,

Forever your obedient servant,

Eternally,

Erik '

With that Meg had fallen to the floor and sobbed until Thomas found her over an hour later. He had been such a help to her. Meg had let Christine read the letter which made Christine cry for everything she had lost and everything she had gained in her life. But mostly it made her cry for Erik, for her angel, for their music.

The wind pushed hard against her back shocking her back to reality and she leaned against it to stop herself from falling. She forced herself to stay up right and took another glance at Meg, who was overcome with grief. Poor Meg, Christine thought as her eyes drifted over the stones of the cemetery. She looked over at the beautiful church and smiled softly to herself. Raoul's arm was warming her blood and it gave her some comfort but there was no comfort like that she felt as she blew a kiss to the gargoyle at the top on the church and caught the kiss that he blew back.