This is not the end yet. lol.

Nico

Somebody, or a pair of somebodies, had been very busy.

The first fifty feet or so of the dark passageway that led towards the infamous Phantom's lair were still dingy and damp, but after those fifty feet it was clean, dry and tastefully lit.

"How could this be down here without anyone knowing?" Rae whispered, looking up at the torches that lit their way.

"I don't know," Gerard whispered back, continuing to walk deeper into the lair.

Eventually, they found themselves on the opposite side of the immense lake that swirled mist throughout the lair. Two boats now rested against the lapping shores, both intricately designed and branded with a skull insignia that was unmistakably linked to the Phantom of the Opera.

Gerard placed one foot inside the larger of the two boats and kept his other foot firmly planted on the shore, steadying the boat for Rae to climb in.

She hesitated a moment and then shrugged. "Well, we've come this far," she rationalized, taking Gerard's hand and sitting down carefully.

As Gerard maneuvered the boat, a soft, lilting voice could be heard, lifting and lowering along with a soft piano ballad.

The tune was a new one; neither Rae nor Gerard recognized it.

The melody intensified as they drew closer to the gates, allowing them to peer past the iron bars into a scene of pure curiosity.

They were still hidden from Erik and Christine's eyes. Christine stood just to the left of the massive grand piano Erik was sitting at, her eyes closed, her voice just as ethereal as her appearance.

She wore all white. The silken layers of her skirts seems to fade around the edges, giving her a mystical appearance…as if she was not totally there.

From time to time, Erik looked up at her.

Rae even saw him smile.

Candles blazed from every corner of the living space, splashing light across marble and stone, gold and silver, glass and velvet. The quarters were lavishly decorated…so much so that the comfort of the occupants could never be questioned.

So captivated with the scene was Gerard that he failed to notice how close the front of the boat had come to the iron gates.

Mahogany met iron with a thud, causing both Erik and Christine to turn their attentions to the gate.

Gerard and Rae remained perfectly still, locking eyes with the Phantom, who had turned to look at them with a murderous glare.

Christine, however, recognizing Rae and Gerard, placed a soft hand on Erik's sleeve, instantly calming him.

After a moment, Erik rose, depressing the lever that lifted the gates, giving Gerard and Rae access to the most intimate section of the lair.

Gerard rowed in slowly, approaching the shore where Erik now stood with Christine at his side, both watching Rae and Gerard.

Once the boat skimmed the shore, Gerard hopped out, extending his hand to Rae who nervously took it.

Soon, the two couples were within mere feet of each other, simply regarding each others' pasts.

"Why have you come," Erik asked, his deep, rich voice resonating off the cavernous walls.

Rae's tongue was glued to the roof of her mouth.

"We wanted…" Gerard stopped, correcting himself, "needed to see the two of you again."

"Why?" Erik asked again. Christine moved closer to him, her hand locking with his.

"Because we wanted to see if things had worked out as well for you as they had for us," Rae said, looking over at Gerard. "And," she continued, taking a breath, "we want to know why all this happened."

Erik looked down at Christine. "What makes you think we have the answer to that?" He asked.

Rae's brows furrowed. "Surely you must know something," she said.

"Perhaps you are asking the wrong questions."

That statement came from Christine, who had remained silent at Erik's side since the arrival of Gerard and Rae.

Rae locked eyes with the woman.

There was something different about her…something…inhuman.

Rae narrowed her eyes. "What are you?" She asked Christine.

Christine laughed. It sounded like a bell being rung in the distance.

"It's really quite simple, Rae," Erik said suddenly.

Rae raised her eyes to Erik, whose deep eyes were sharp, but warm.

"Is it?" Rae asked. "It didn't feel simple when the two of you invaded our bodies," she continued, feeling braver. "Do either of you realize the hell we went through?"

Christine scoffed. "It could not be nearly as traumatic as what we've experienced."

Gerard, who had been remained silent since Rae began to speak, suddenly raised his hand, bringing it closer and closer to Christine's face.

"Gerard," Rae said, her voice confused. "What are you doing?"

Erik looked over at Rae. "Watch," he said softly.

Gerard lifted his pale hand to Christine's paler cheek. Slowly, he brought his fingertips down to make contact with her skin…

And suddenly realized that there was no skin to touch…just swirling air that connected to form the figure of Christine Daae.

Gerard jumped back as if he had been burned.

"What's going on?" Rae demanded, backing up a step as well.

"Darling," Christine said, her warm voice soothing Rae's fringed nerves. "I know that the people of today's world live considerably longer than the people of mine…but as far as I know, not many people live for more than a hundred years."

"What are you trying to say?" Rae asked breathlessly.

"What she is trying to say, my dear Miss Browne, is that you and Gerard played exceptional hosts to our lost souls," Erik said.

"Lost souls?" Rae repeated. "What does that mean?"

Gerard grasped her hand, his fingertips still cold from touching Christine's intangible face. "Rae," he said softly, "They've been dead for nearly a hundred years."