Just a little note before I begin. Erik is going to live. I mean do you really believe that I would kill him off? COME ON! He's way too hot to die. Here you are…

Chapter 6

Christine stared blankly into Raoul's eyes. Then looked down at Erik. She called for Madam Giry who came rushing out quickly. She looked at Erik.

"Erik!" She cried, "We have to get him to a doctor. This is beyond my skill level."

Christine nodded and then turned to Raoul. Her shock had turned to anger.

"Raoul you idiot! How could you! You don't even know this man and you shoot him! If he dies…" She trailed off

It was then that she realized why Raoul had shot a man without thinking. She smelled alcohol on his breath. Not too much, but enough to make the man drunk.

"Have you been drinking Raoul?" She asked, with a tone of surprise in her voice.

"What does it matter to you? I thought you loved me, and now I find you with him." He answered, pointing to Erik.

"I never said I loved you Raoul. We are only friends. Besides, you could not ever court me. You are of much higher class than I. And now, after what you did, I could never love you. Now get out of this room now!"

"Fine, but you'll come back soon enough." He said, walking out the door slowly.

Christine glared at the door and then ran back to Erik. To, who her surprise was moving.

"Erik?" She asked touching him gently.

Erik slowly sat up and looked at Christine. He smiled at her. Christine was in shock. How could a man that had just been shot smile?

"I'm all right Christine." Erik said almost laughing at the look on her face.

"But…how?"

"This is how." Erik answered pulling apart the buttons of his shirt to reveal a metal vest. He looked up at Christine who was in even more shock.

"You do realize that they are many people who will pay large sums of money to anyone who can capture the Phantom. I began to wear this thing years ago! And it's a good thing I decided to, or I would have been dead years ago! Unfortunately, even though the bullet doesn't kill you when this is on, it still knocks the wind out of you. And, it also seems that from close range, the bullet can still go into you." He said, reaching back and pulling out the bullet, which had blood on the tip, "Well, at least I'm not dead."

"Oh thank heavens you're all right! I'll kill Raoul for doing that to you! Wait until he sees that you're alive!"

"No Christine! Let him think me dead! That will better for everyone. Possibly, word will leak out that I am dead and then the hunt for me will cease. Then, and only then, can I get rid of my protection."

"But, if Raoul finds out that he can get money for you, won't he ask me where you are? Then what will I do?"

"Tell him that you had me cremated and threw the ashes into the sea. He will then give up all hope of ever finding me."

"You are a genius!"

"That's what they say-." Erik was cut off by Christine kissing him.

Erik dropped the bullet that was still in his hand and embraced Christine. Madam Giry smiled. Erik had at last found love. The years of torment had finally paid off. Erik held Christine tighter, never wanting to let go. Soon Christine pulled away.

"I want you to sing me something." She said.

"All right. What did you have in mind?"

"Surprise me."

"My dearest friend if you don't mind. I'd like to join you by your side. Where we can gaze into the stars. And sit together now and forever. For it is plain, as anyone can see, we're simply meant to be."

"That was wonderful."

"Christine, I want you to come home with me for a while. Will you?"

"Yes. Of course I will."

And so the two bid Madam Giry goodbye and they slowly made their way down the hall, to a secret entrance behind a statue.

"Another secret entrance?" Christine laughed.

"Oh my dear, if you only knew!" Erik replied, helping her through.

And that ends the chapter. There is more to come I promise. And by the way, the song that Erik sang was from The Nightmare before Christmas. If you didn't know that already.