Author's Note: I am SO sorry for not updating sooner. I've just been having some emotional problems in my life, plus I needed to take a break to read harry potter! But, I'm back now, so here it goes. I am so excited you all like my story. I have to admit I am a little upset that I only have four reviews, but I'm going to give a personal shout out to those of you who have reviewed. I love you all and I hope that you are ready for chapter three! Please review!

AngeDeMusique: my first reviewer! Thank you SO much! Yes, I feel like I want to slap Meg, but it's actually kind of fun writing her part. I always imagined her admiring the phantom from afar, so I decided to act upon it. Glad you like the story and I will update as soon as possible.

Pertie: glad you liked the start. It took me FOREVER to actually start the story, but once I got it started, everything just kinda came together. Hope you continue reading this, (unless I have made it absolutely unbearable to read, lol). Nice to have a fan!

EtherealSinger: yes, go Meg! lol! I'm not exactly sure yet who is going to get the sexy phantom, maybe if you guys give me ideas I might be able to come up with something. I thought it was SUPER sweet when you said my story should have gotten more than four reviews. Even though I believe that too, you'll just have to let people know about my story. lol! Thanks for reading!

Now...on with the story!

Shattered Passion/Chapter Three

Christine had entered a state of depression. True, she hid it from her husband (most times) and from the guests that continuously entered their household, but on the inside she was breaking. As much as she wanted to be rid of Erik, rid of her dreams, that was the only thing she had left of him to hold onto. She refused to sing, every time she tried, she would burst into tears. Christine's dreams had become more vivid, more alive. Even when she just dozed off, she could feel Erik's arms around her, she could feel his breath upon her neck, whispering how he loved her so. Oh how she wished he could be there with her, to sing to her, to be with her, to love her. She knew it would never happen, but she still continued to dream that he would return to her.

Meanwhile, Raoul noticed Christine's state. He poured his entire heart into loving her, and she didn't seem to show it in return. He showered her with gifts, always hugged her, kissed her, but nothing helped. Even when Raoul made love to Christine, it did not seem to be enough. She looked at him while they were intimate, but she always seemed to have a distant look in her eyes. A look that seemed she did not want to be where she was. Christine still seemed to be bothered about what Madame Giry had said to her weeks ago, but a simple thing such as a church being burned down seemed an insignificant reason to go into depression. Finally, Raoul had enough and decided to talk to Christine. Raoul entered the study and saw Christine staring out the window. He knelt down in front of her, took her hands in his own, and started talking to her.

"Christine, my darling I love you so much, I hope you know that. But, I cannot continue seeing you so unhappy all the time. It tears me to pieces to think that you do not love me, that you do not want to be with me. I understand that you are upset about the opera house, but that's not the only thing on your mind is it?" Christine said nothing, so Raoul grasped her shoulders and spoke in an almost yelling tone, " IS IT CHRISTINE?" Christine gasped as tears started falling down her cheeks. Raoul never raised his voice to her. Making up another lie, she turned toward her husband.

"Raoul, please do not be angry with me. I love you too and I am sorry for being so distant. It's my music darling. My music does not feel the same to me. I can't sing as well as I used to. I feel somewhat empty without it. Do not ask me to try, it hurts too much to know I cannot be back on the stage again." Christine shivered slightly and Raoul embraced her.

"Oh my love, I'm so sorry. I know how important your music is, it was that special bond between your father and yourself. As much as I wish for you to sing on stage again, I cannot put you in danger with that thing, that monster about. I care for you too much to be taken away from me. He would destroy us Christine. He would destroy everything we have, just to indulge in his own fantasies. He is a sick lunatic with no heart." Christine backed away and did the one thing she did not want to do. She yelled at her husband.

"HE IS DEAD RAOUL! Alright, you have your answer. Madame Giry told me he is dead. They found him in the river. Yes, the man tried to take me away from you, but he gave me music Raoul. He showed me how to sing with passion. He was my teacher. I knew nothing of music until he taught me. Please do not speak of him in that way, especially now that he is finally able to rest in peace!" Christine breathed heavily. Even though she only told Raoul half the truth, she could tell he had a look of complete surprise on his face.

"So you did love him Christine? You chose him that night over me because you loved him! You loved that thing? I offered you everything. Even if he is dead, he will still haunt us. How do you think this makes me feel? My heart is ripping in two Christine. Just answer this for me. Did you love him?" Christine looked away and did not answer. Raoul walked towards her and grabbed her wrist before she could turn away. " DID YOU LOVE HIM?"

"YES I DID! Are you happy now? You have your answer! He gave me everything Raoul. He was willing to put the world at my feet. Now he's dead. He never knew how I felt. Don't get me wrong, I love you too, but with Erik it's different. Yes, he has a name. Now, darling please do not be upset." Raoul stared with utter shock and did something he would never do. He stepped closer to Christine and gently stroked the left side of her face. Then he brought his hand up and slapped her. Christine didn't even cry out. She looked at her husband while a single tear ran down her cheek. Raoul was so angry that he just stared at his wife and stormed out of the room. Christine collapsed on the floor and only spoke one word before bursting into tears.

"Erik."

I looked in the large glass window and saw her crying. My beloved Christine was crying. Even in the saddest moments, she still looked like a goddess. Unfortunately, I had seen what had happened. I could not hear the argument that was taking place, but as soon as that fop slapped my angel, all I wanted to do was kill the man and take Christine in my arms right there. But, she thought I was dead. It would be too much of a shock for her. Plus, I could not let that boy see me, all hell would break loose. So, I calmed myself down and went back to the hotel and sat down with Meg. Our journey to the DeChagny household had been an interesting, but pleasant one. The young girl could not stop chattering, and much to my surprise, I quite enjoyed her conversation. The girl made me laugh, and I don't know how long it had been since I laughed last. I don't know what type of feelings the girl stirred within me, friendship? Companionship? Love? I honestly did not know. As much as I wanted to know what was going on in Meg's mind, I could not be so rude as to come out and say it. Until that one night. I admit, we were a little hung up on alcohol, but the girl finally said what was on her mind.
(Meg's POV)

The ride with Erik was absolute heaven for me. Even though the reason I was only with him to lead him to Christine, I pushed that thought as far from my mind as possible. I admit I was a little talkative, but Erik didn't seem to mind. He laughed at my slight ditzy attitude and he even cracked a few jokes that were extremely amusing. I continuously pondered the thought of telling Erik how I felt. I didn't want to frighten him away, for I cherished the relationship that we had established. We had arrived at our hotel and Erik said he wanted to go visit the house alone. I understood and waited for him to come back. Hours passes by and I was afraid he wouldn't return. I got upset, so I started drinking. Now, I'm not a drinker at all so I admit I got a little hung over. Erik finally returned and I offered him some as well. We both went a little overboard and then some...things happened. We started talking about life and inner secrets. Erik opened up to me and told me his past, which I had never known before and almost brought me to the point of tears finding out what had happened to him. I told him how I hated being in the background and for once I wanted to be the star, even though I knew that would never happen. The next thing I knew, Erik was at my side, his arm wrapped around my shoulder to comfort me. I rested my head on his shoulder and we stayed like that for a few minutes. I then lifted my head and turned it to look at him. He green eyes stared down at me and I could not establish what he was saying. But, having the effects of alcohol in my body, I reacted on impulse. I brought my hand up to his left cheek and gently brought my head closer to his. I closed my eyes and felt my lips press against his. At first I thought he would back away but then I felt his strong arms encircle my waist. Erik deepened the kiss by putting his tongue in my mouth which caused me to moan. I brought my tongue to his and did the same, causing Erik to make a low growl in the back of his throat. Suddenly, I was laying down and Erik was on top of me, our passionate kiss continuing. Erik's hands wandered all over me and a low moan escaped my lips but got lost from Erik's mouth covering mine. I don't know who noticed first, but in a moment, Erik jumped off of me and I sat up, very flushed and quite embarrassed. Erik looked quite the same, both of our breathing was very heavy. Then, he turned on me. He tried to say something, but I quietly walked over to him and put a finger to his lips and I spoke.

"Erik, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. All of these feelings, I don't know how to describe them, but there is one thing that I do know. I love you Erik. I truly, deeply love you."

I just stared at him, his green eyes staring at me with complete shock. After a few moments Erik stood up and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. I fell to the floor sobbing, knowing that what I just did was wrong. Yes, I loved him, but he loved Christine and Christine loved him. It was foolish of me to think that he could suddenly stop loving her and learn to love me.

After sobbing for a few hours, I finally calmed myself down and lay down to sleep. Erik had not returned to the room yet and I figured he wouldn't be back for the rest of the night. As I started dozing off to sleep I heard the door open slightly. I didn't bother getting up, I was too weak to do anything. I tried focusing on sleep but I kept hearing someone walking around the room. I knew it was Erik, but what was I supposed to say to him? I tried ignoring him and drifted off to sleep. Just before the night took me over, Erik crawled into my bed with me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I could have sworn that I heard him say exactly what I wanted to.

Meg had indeed given me quite a shock. I couldn't say anything after she said she loved me so I stormed out of the room to think for a few hours. I came back to find Meg asleep in her bed. I hoped that she hadn't cried herself to sleep, for as soon as I left the room earlier I could hear her sobbing. I moved around a bit getting myself ready for bed and realized that I had enjoyed holding Meg. I wanted to crawl into bed with her and wrap my arms around her just for one night. She was asleep so she wouldn't notice. Acting on impulse I crawled into her bed and wrapped my arms around her. Just before I dozed off to sleep, five words escaped my lips that I didn't know I would say.

" I love you Meg Giry."

Heehee! Yes, another big twist has come up. Did Erik mean it? Was he too drunk to know what he was saying? Who knows. You'll just have to wait for the next chapter to find out. Please review, I'm starting to run out of inspiration for this story but if you review, I might be able to find some more! Thanks!

Love Always,

Alyson