BIG thanks to Twinkle22, Mrs.Elektra Murdock, intoxicated by eriks music, sexxy-spider-theatre-freak, lastbreath, At least I Fell Gracefully, and Trier1974. I'm glad I've kept you guys entertained so far, and for the new reviewers, I hope I can keep your interest!

I'm so glad you guys liked chapter 4! I was worried it might be too boring... Well, as promised, here's chapter 5...

"You promise me you'll tend to your cut while I'm gone?"

"Christine, for the tenth time, yes, I promise." Amusement over-shadowed Erik's slight annoyance at Christine's mother-like attitude. With his eyes twinkling, he continued, "You know I will do anything you ask of me."

Christine threw her arms around Erik's neck and buried her face into his chest. She didn't want to leave him, not when she had just decided to stay.

Erik softly ran his fingers through Christine's hair. "It is time," he softly whispered.

Christine broke the hug and looked into Erik's ocean green eyes. "I promise I will return." Quickly, Christine placed a soft kiss upon Erik's lips.

Before she completely caved into her emotions, Christine handed Erik the note which he was to leave with Raoul. Taking Christine's hand, Erik placed a small object inside of it and wrapped her fingers tightly around it. He then lightly kissed her hand before turning and walking towards the boat.

As he began to row the boat away, Erik refused to look back at Christine. Too many emotions were swirling inside of him, and he knew he could not bear to leave her if he looked at her face a moment longer. Christine, however, kept her eyes on Erik's silhouette until he had rowed the boat around a corner and she could no longer see him.

Feeling the small object inside of her palm, Christine unwrapped her fingers to reveal a small silver ring with a single ruby adorning the band. Christine smiled at the ring, thinking it the most beautiful treasure in the world, before slipping it onto her ring finger.

(A/N: this is just a promise-ring. Perhaps an engagement ring will come later?)

Erik hummed to himself as he guided the boat through a maze of canals. He decided on leaving the unconscious Raoul next to the passageway that led out of the catacombs and into the opera house's dormitory hallway.

Erik couldn't help but think how easy it would be to wrap his fingers around the Vicomte's neck and slowly rid the world of him. Yet, Christine had requested that Erik bring Raoul to one of the exits out of the underground world. Sighing, Erik realized he would have to stop thinking like a murderer if he was to deserve Christine.

With a soft bump, the boat stopped once it hit a small strip of stone. Erik climbed out of the boat before bending down to pick up the limp Raoul under the arms and pull him along.

The vast black archway which Erik set Raoul down next to was the only option Raoul had of getting himself off the small stone island. The archway was the entrance to a dark tunnel, which steeply climbed its way up through the opera house until it stopped when it reached a door, which led out into the dormitory hallway. Of course, if Raoul feared a few minutes in the dark, he could always swim through the horrendous waters again to try and find a new way out.

Only because he knew Christine was coming back to him, did Erik feel considerate enough to light the two oil lamps which were mounted on either side of the archway.

After taking care to place Christine's note firmly in Raoul's hand, Erik once again got into the boat. He decided to row around the corner, and from the shadows, keep an eye on the unconscious body.

It was too soon to row back to his home just yet.

"Track down this murderer - he must be found!
Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground!"

Christine lifted her chin in defiance. How dare they talk of Erik that way!

Well, she may be an aspiring diva, but at this moment, she was going to be the best damned actress in the country of France.

Christine willed herself to cry as she walked towards the front of Erik's home. She thought only of the death of her father, never knowing a mother (biological, at least), and the horrors of Erik's past- those she knew, and those she could guess at.

When Meg Giry stepped into the disheveled lair, the first thing she saw (and heard) was a sobbing Christine. "Christine!" Meg quickly ran over to her best friend, throwing her arms around her in an attempt to make whatever was wrong, right.

The group of men who had been following Meg abruptly stopped when they saw the sobbing Daae girl. They thought it best to leave the pretty blonde Giry to deal with this unexpected twist in events. And it appeared there was no sign of the Phantom at the moment.

"M- Meg! What h- have I done? What have I done?" wailed Christine.

"Christine, what has happened? Please tell me! I promise, whatever it is, it will be alright!" Meg tried to soothe Christine by rubbing her back; many of her own outbursts had been soothed when her mother had performed this simple action.

Sniffling, but purposefully letting an occasional tear or two stray down her cheek, Christine recited her well thought out story:

"It was horrible! After the Phantom kicked that lever and we flew down through all those trap doors, he brought me down here. He cursed at me and yelled so horribly. He threatened he would chain me down here so I could never betray him again!" Christine thought it appropriate to let a dry sob escape from her before continuing.

"I was terrified! Thinking quickly, I decided maybe I could convince the Phantom to not chain me up if I kissed him. So I- I did. Only for a mere few seconds- I prayed that would be enough! And I thought my plan had worked. He looked at me differently, he was about to speak but-" Christine put her head in her hands.

"Raoul had seen the kiss! Just those few seconds! He stormed in, calling me a whore and shouting he could never marry a wench such as me. I was too shocked for words! But it did not matter, for Raoul continued on, this time yelling at Er-" Christine coughed to cover up her almost-revealing of the Opera Ghost's name- "this time yelling at the Phantom."

"He said the Phantom had possessed me, and enchanted my mind. Raoul claimed the Phantom had made me his whore. And although he couldn't marry me, he would make the Phantom pay for taking away his one true love."

Christine could see in the corner of her eyes, the crowd of men were all listening intently. She plunged on with her story, knowing this was the one part she had to make believable.

"Raoul attempted to stab the Phantom, and missed. Their sword fight continued, and they ruined everything here! And then... the Phantom fell. And Raoul stabbed him. Yes, the Opera Ghost is dead, gentlemen. Afterwards, I begged Raoul to take me back! But he refused. He called our love tainted and said many more hurtful things. And then he... left me. Here."

Meg stared at Christine in shock. She could not believe the story Christine had just told her. "Oh Christine, I cannot imagine..." At a complete loss for words, Meg could only once again hug her best friend.

Realizing the young Daae girl's tale was over, one of the men stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Er... you don't think? I mean- well, could we? Would it be possible for us to see the dead Phantom's body?"

Christine bit her lip, trying to form a convincing refusal as to why they could not see the body. She was, however, spared this task when Meg angrily jumped up, pointing a shaking finger at the inquisitor.

"How dare you ask such a thing? Miss Daae has just been through a traumatic ordeal and now you ask her to show you the body of a man who did unthinkable things to her? I think not! Gentlemen, we came down here to rescue our prima donna, and here we find her unscathed. It would be wise to remove her from this place immediately."

The group of older men gaped at Meg. How she was like her mother! They solemnly nodded their heads in agreement- yes, it would be best to bring Christine back aboveground right away.

The men turned to leave, ready to navigate their way back up to the opera house.

Meg stood up. "Come Christine. Maman and I will take care of you."

Christine smiled appreciatively at her best friend. "Thank you, Meg." She stood up, ready to follow her friend, when something caught her eye.

"For memory's sake," Christine lightly explained, as she picked up the Phantom's white mask. Meg stared questioningly at the mask, but decided against asking questions (for once).

Linking arms, the girls followed in the men's wake as they made their way back aboveground.

Raoul put a hand up to his throbbing head. What had happened? And where was he? Glancing around at the shadows cast by the flickering light of the oil lamps, Raoul could only see the water of the labyrinth surrounding him, and darkness.

He remembered now... Christine jumping out of the boat, him swimming back to her, she had said she had gone back to him. And then there was the sword fight. He had cornered the Phantom and then all had gone black.

Raoul felt the slip of paper and stood up so as to read it better in the poor lighting.

Dearest Raoul-

I apologize for your confusion as you read this. I regret that I can not tell you this in person, but I had to knock you unconscious- you were going to murder my vocal teacher, an actual human being, in front of my very eyes!

But I must inform you that I no longer wish to marry you. I am an aspiring diva who comes from a poor background. I would never fit into the rich lifestyle that would be waiting for me following our marriage.

Do not attempt to find or contact me. I know what I am doing, and I shall be fine. I wish you luck and hope you find a woman deserving of your love.

Sincerely,

Christine

Hm... this seems like a good place to stop. Hope you enjoyed :) Please Review!