A/N: Sorry again about the short chapter. I just didn't want to add anymore to it. This one is longer. I'm changing my story a little. When I introduced Nadir, I said that Nadir had not seen Erik in two years. I'm changing that a little. You'll understand when you get to that part of the chapter. I will change it at the beginning of the story, but seeing as I don't have that chapter on this computer; it will have to wait until I get back home. Anyway enjoy!

TheaterAngel: I agree with the smile. His murderous one is the best! I hope to make Erik smile a little bit more in my story, but not too much because that's out of character for him. Don't worry romantic stuff will come. I love romance novels, and am a hopeless romantic, and will make sure my story is filled with romance!

Starfire: Yup!

Danaya Couell: Thanks! You'll just have to wait and see!

grace: Thanks! I hope you like this chapter!

Glitter Queen of The Ice show:

RachErikaSam01: Thanks!

WaytoointoErik: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!

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Once again Christine stood on stage a nervous wreck, this time even more so. The news of her awful audition had spread through the theater like a wild fire, and a lot of people had shown up to watch. She almost didn't get to audition again, but the mangers owed Madame Giry, so they let her.

Anxiously she glanced up at box five. She could just make out the figures of Erik and Madeline in the shadows.

She then glanced into the audience, where Firman and Andre sat looking rather bored, as though they knew what to expect. Her stomach dropped, she would have to be very good in order to make it this time.

"Whenever you are ready Madame," Mousier Reyer said as before.

Ignoring all the whispers around her, she looked at box five and nodded. The music started, and she began to sing.

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From box five Erik watched Christine sing. She was a hundred times better. It amazed him the difference between the two auditions. He wondered what brought on the change. He knew she would get the part. Madeline fidgeted on his lap, and he was forced to tear his gaze away from Christine, to occupy Madeline.

As Christine sang her last note, Erik, with Madeline in his arms, entered the passage in the pillar.

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Christine finished her last note, and looked at the mangers. They were looking at each other speechless. Seeing Christine's gaze on them, they found their voice.

"Well done!" Mousier Firman said excitably.

Christine beamed.

"Yes! You have the part of Margarita in Faust. See Mousier Reyer for the music and you will need to see the seamstresses for your costume. Rehearsals start tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. You are expected to be there," Mousier Andre said. "We are happy to have you back."

"Thank you Mouser's," Christine replied. She was smiling broadly.

She left the stage walking on a cloud totally oblivious to the whispers around her. She wanted to find Erik, who was waiting for her in her dressing room as planed, but she had things to take care of first.

First she went down to the orchestra pit to get her part. Then she went to the seamstresses' workshop where she was measured for her costume. Finally she was able to escape to her dressing room.

Opening the door, Christine saw Madeline on the floor playing with some blocks and Erik standing nearby.

"Mama!" Madeline squealed happily, abandoning the blocks and trying to stand up.

Christine rushed over to her, and caught her before she fell. "Hello darling," she said scooping her up in her arms.

"Congratulations," Erik said.

"Thank you," Christine replied smiling.

"Who will be watching Madeline while you have rehearsals?" Erik asked casually.

Christine frowned. "I hadn't thought about that. You live too far away to go to everyday, and Madame Giry and Meg have their own rehearsals…" Her face fell. "I'll have to talk to Madame Giry, and see if she has any friends…"

"Come," Erik said abruptly. "I have something to show you." He walked over to the mirror and opened it. He stepped through, and held out his gloved hand to Christine.

Christine hesitated for a moment, but then took it, holding back a shiver as she followed Erik down the passage ways towards the house by the lake.

After about fifteen minutes they reached it.

"Close your eyes," Erik instructed.

Christine obeyed.

"Give me Madeline," Erik ordered, and Christine gave her to him, her eyes still shut.

Erik opened the door, and taking Christine's hand, led her inside. Releasing Christine's hand for a moment, he entered another room and placed Madeline in the crib he had brought from his house. He then led Christine to the middle of the room.

"Open your eyes," he commanded.

Slowly Christine opened her eyes, and looked around the room. It was completely different! All the old furniture was gone, and in its place was new furniture. Well she shouldn't say new, it was the furniture from Erik's house. There was soft carpet on the floor, and the furniture was rearranged. The only thing that was the same was Erik's organ.

"I thought you and Madeline could move in here, and I could watch her during the day for you," Erik said nervously.

"Oh Erik," Christine cried throwing her arms around him, and burying her face in his shoulder. "That's a wonderful idea. It's perfect!"

He could just make out her muffled voice. Cautiously he put his arms around her. He wasn't used to so much human contact, even though Christine was making a habit of touching him. "I take it you like it?" He asked a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Yes!" Christine was her muffled reply. Finally after a few minutes she released him. "Thank you," she said quietly her eyes glistening. Hesitating she reached up and placed a light kiss on his lips.

"Would you like to see the rest?" Erik asked a little hoarsely afterwards.

Christine nodded eagerly.

Erik took her hand, and led her from room to room. Christine's room was mostly the same, but there was a new carpet, and a crib by the bed incase Madeline wanted to sleep with her mother. The library was mostly the same, but he had added a few new books. The last room he showed her was Madeline's bedroom/nursery. Christine cried out in delight when she saw it. There were toys everywhere for Madeline, and a new crib. There was a rocking chair in the corner, and the softest carpet she ever felt on the floor.

Madeline was in the crib playing with a stuffed animal. "Mama oys!" she cried happily.

"It's perfect," she said. "But where did you get all these toys?"

"I bought most of them, but some I made," Erik replied.

"Oh Erik that must have cost a fortune!" Christine cried.

"Just think of it as Madeline's early birthday present. Isn't her birthday soon?" Erik said calmly.

"Yes in two weeks, but..."

Erik silenced her with a hand. "Come; let's start practicing the music for the opera. Which opera is it?"

"Faust," Christine replied absently still looking around the room.

"Christine," Erik called, when she did not follow him to the door.

"What? Oh," she said looking up. Sighing she followed Erik out of the room.

Together they ran through the Margarita's lines once, without stopping. They then went through the spots were Christine had had the most trouble. Finally they stopped.

Erik turned around on the piano bench to look at Christine. He hesitated. He didn't want to pry, but he had to know. "Christine, why did you sing so badly at the first audition?" He asked quietly.

Christine sighed, but didn't say anything. When Erik started to think he wouldn't answer she spoke. "Because of you," she said even quieter.

"Because of me?" Erik said confused.

Again Christine paused. "You weren't there. I thought you were gone forever. You are my music, my voice."

Erik was shocked at this proclamation, but said nothing.

"You know I never sang while married to Raoul, not once, until I started taking lessons from you again," Christine continued, smiling wistfully. "You gave me my voice, and when I left you it stayed with you." She paused. "What happened when I left you Erik?" She said seriously.

Erik sighed, and turned his face away from her. He didn't want to tell her anything, but he knew she deserved to know. "I was broken. I probably would have died within a week or two if Nadir hadn't come." He spoke emotionlessly. "I couldn't eat, I couldn't compose, I couldn't do anything. I slept a lot trying to find some peace, but you haunted me there. I would wake up as broken as I had been when you first left me. I gave up sleeping. Nadir forced me to eat, forced me to stay alive, though that was the last thing I wanted to be. I made him to bring me opium; that was the only peace I ever got. Eventually he stopped bringing me any. He stayed with me for months, knowing if he left I would die. His presence has always been a nuisance to me, and I forced myself to get better. Eventually I started regaining my strength, and he pronounced me well enough to care for my self, though he would come every week without fail to check on me. One day we had an argument, and he stopped coming all together. I don't know what it was about anymore, and I don't think he does either. We never talked about it. I continued living, though forever haunted by you. Every night I would dream of you. When you sang to me at the mirror the first time you returned I thought you were in my head. I realized it was really you, when I heard your voice echoing in here," he stopped and said nothing more.

While he was speaking Christine had taken a seat next to him on the piano bench. She was watching him intently tears silently streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I should never have left you."

"No," Erik said angrily. "Stop apologizing. You did nothing wrong, who would want to be married to monster after all!" He stood up and started walking towards the door.

Christine stood up, and grabbed his arm. He tried to shake it loose, but she held on turning him to face her. "Maybe I would!" Still holding on to his arm with one hand, she tore off his mask with the other. Before he had time to react, she reached up, placing her lips on his deformed skin. She moved slowly upwards until his whole face had been touched by her lips, deformed side and normal. She ended on his lips. By the time she was finished he was shaking. "I love you Erik. Never doubt it."

"I have to go," Erik said shakily. He quickly tore himself from her grasp, and left, taking one of his secret passages up, so Christine could have the boat.

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