Standard disclaimer: They're not mine. I'm increasingly mad at this sorry excuse for a computer, too. There's two pieces of information for you. 

Come on, you didn't really think I wouldn't bring him back! And of course, it will be explained…in case you were wondering, this is Kay-inspired but more follows the end of the PLAY, in that this is the first time Christine has seen Erik since the last night at the opera.

Christine was unable to do anything but stare. It was Erik, but in her head, she was still certain he was dead. The garish white mask was replaced with a flesh-colored one that gave him a more normal appearance. Gone were the signs of illness she had last encountered. This man looked alive, healthy, and what's more, calmer than she'd ever seen him. She stood, frightened to move lest she be imagining things and scare him away.

"I read- everyone thought you were dead!"

"I know. It was the only way to keep people from hunting me down after all that had happened. I had Nadir find a corpse and dress it in my cloak and mask. Then, wisely, he left it someplace where no one would be able to tell for certain who it was."

"…once you'd gone- there was nothing left I could do but respect the wishes of my friend."

"Erik-,"

"I had to know what choice you would make when there was nothing on the line," he continued, silencing her questions. "You thought I was dead, so you didn't fear my anger if you left with Raoul. Instead, you decided for yourself. I'm quite proud of you. I didn't know you were able to yell like that!"

"Erik, I can't do it! I just can't!"

"Relax, my dear, of course you can. I wouldn't have picked this piece if I didn't have the greatest faith in you, and your voice. Now. You know the words. Let the music do the rest."

"In sleep he sang to me,

In dreams he came…"

"Wonderful, Christine. If you only knew how much your voice has improved, how beautiful you sound, how proud I am of you at this moment."

"Erik, I-,"

"I had to know your choice. When you first arrived, I wanted nothing more than to hold you, but I held my breath. I thought it too good to be true. I thought perhaps you were just coming to return the mask. Then when you sent that boy away, I knew."

"Erik, I did bring the mask back, but I wasn't going to return it." She walked to the other end of the parlor, where a fire burned bright in the coolness of an April morning. Not giving Erik a glance, she threw the mask on the fire.

"I don't need it anymore. You're here. And you don't need it, either."

"Christine, I love you." This time, Erik felt only joy in the words that less than two months before made him want to die. This time, Christine did not turn away. Instead, he saw her beautiful smile.

"I love you, too," she said, and hugged him tightly, their first contact in months, and his first sign of mutual affection in nearly forty years. He caught his breath and put his arms around her, rocking her gently. She freed one arm, removed his mask, and lifted her face to kiss him, but he stopped her.

Placing one finger over her lips, he said, "This time, the honor is mine," and bent to kiss her himself.

The sensation to hold her again! His angel, his Christine, here on her own accord! He kissed her over and over, afraid to let her go and lose the moment. "This has got to be some kind of dream," he thought, "but my dreams were never this wonderful."

Only Nadir's return to the room interrupted their embrace. Erik welcomed his friend with the first genuine smile he'd seen on Erik in years.

"I was so angry when Nadir wrote to you," he said, touching Christine's hair gently. "I was worried someone else would figure it out and try to find me. But it brought you here."

"We have both learned great lessons in trusting one another," Nadir remarked, thinking how happy both of them seemed. When Christine had arrived, she looked so drawn and tired Nadir was concerned she was sick. She certainly didn't have the glow of a bride-to-be. Nadir hadn't seen many new brides, but he recognized the look Christine wore now from his own wedding day.

Erik glanced at Nadir, who nodded slightly, but did not leave the room.

"Christine…" Erik began slowly, praying he was making the proper choice at the right time, indeed, prayer had become something strangely important to him in the last months, "Do you remember that last night? We said a lot of things, but I didn't believe you when you said you loved me."

"I meant it," she said softly.

"I know that now. I also called you a liar when you said you'd marry me in any church in Paris if only I let Raoul go. I thought you were only trying to save him."

"I was trying to save him, but I also meant it. Although not as much as I probably should have." Erik stayed focused and refused to let himself be bothered with that particular admission. If anyone had ever brought to his attention things he'd said in moments of extreme emotion- well!

"I know. I don't expect you to answer this right away, but would you ever consider making me that offer again?" Christine paused.

"No," she said, finally.

"Ok," Erik thought, be calm. You've been through this before and you can get through it again. Just don't break down! "I understand."

"I don't think you do," she said, resting her head on his chest and placing one hand over his heart. Her left hand. "I haven't got a ring, and anyway, what kind of lady proposes to a gentleman?" Erik felt a smile grow across his face instantly, and he laughed, a gentle, loving chuckle that made Nadir smile warmly.

"Well, my dear, if that's all you require-," he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a tiny gold ring sparkling like the sun, "you may have this." He looked at her, and she nodded. He slid the ring on the fourth finger of her left hand, and told her once more how much he loved her.

This time, Nadir politely left the room, and Erik kissed her once again.