A/N - No notes! Far too many notes for my taste (lol so sorry!) in the past chapters, I thought this time, I'll just let you get on and read it XD

But before I do I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to you all for loving this phic and keeping me alive during my slaving over my HW thank you all once more.

Chapter 18 - One Last Applause

Christine didn't now quite what Erik had in mind, but she trusted him, so she let him help her into the gondola and gently scull them out of his Lair. She had that feeling it would be the last time they'd ever see the Lair again. With one last look back at the decadence, the mirrors, the giant organ they both left the realms of Erik's darkness forever.

Neither of them made no sound as they rode and walked in a companionable silence to Christine's room and mirror. No one was in the room, but the sounds from the large Foyer could be heard, even though it was through many corridors. Christine opened the mirror slowly, and stepped out, Erik followed suit. He took her hand and kissed it lightly.

"What I am about to do, may shock you" He began, eyes bright, "But nothing will stop me. I have to do this. You've made me see this just simply cannot go on."

Christine didn't feel scared or worried. She trusted him, so he wouldn't do anything irrational.

"I cannot continue to live in darkness, living in constant danger and away from everyone else. It's not right." He turned away for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. "I want you to come and live with me Christine. I want to marry you."

Christine didn't move. She smiled softly, and kissed his again, her hand against his chest. When she released him, she looked into his eyes lovingly, "Yes, I'll marry you and live with you. But you are a wanted man Erik!" She exclaimed. "How would the police not find you and capture you?"

He smiled and caressed her soft cheek. "I have over a million franks in my Lair, why do you think I asked for a monthly fee? I knew I'd be a dead man, doing what I have done. The money will pay off my deeds, my dear, and I shall be free to live with you in peace."

They both embraced tightly and took the others hand. "Ready?" Erik asked, eyes glittering with the excitement of the danger ahead. Christine nodded, hair bouncing forth over her shoulders.

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Utter chaos. Two small words that describe the Foyer at this moment in time. Once Erik and Christine had disappeared, uproar had ensued and people had left the Opera House. The managers had both tried and failed to calm the crowds that milled about the giant Foyer, and were now stood to one side looking severely stressed.

"God above Andre!" Said an exasperated Firmin, "I give up…the Phantom can have Christine and live under here, I shall leave tomorrow…." He sat down with an unhappy pout upon his face. Andre simply stood, not knowing quite what to do.

Then all went silent. Everyone was still. Both managers stood up, Firmin gripping Andre's shoulder tightly. Something was wrong….or right, but seemingly wrong.

The crowd parted and the Managers gasped. They thought Christine dead and in tatters, but she was here. And beside her? Why it was Erik. They both walked with slow determined steps towards the where the managers stood, the surrounding crowd staring with a mixture of awe and shock. They two finally halted, Erik bowed and Christine curtseyed politely. Andre was first to react. Once he'd over come sheer shock, he made a hash of bowing in return, making it a kind of robotic twitch. He straightened and elbowed Firmin, still frozen in place. He also made a similar twitch of a bow and Erik couldn't quite keep the smirk of his face.

"Um…um….Welcome….um, Bonjour Phantom….um.." Firmin floundered around, not knowing what to say. He couldn't welcome him to the Opera House because he lived there already! And it was his opera house after all…

"Erik, Monsieur, please do call me Erik." Erik said, letting a gloved hand rest on Firmin's shoulder, "That is my name."

Andre took over from the flapping Firmin, "Yes…quite Erik, well…" he looked around grasping his hands, "Welcome" he said finally and simply. Erik nodded smiling softly.

"Thank you Messieurs that is very kind, but I have come here for one purpose and one alone (SOOO sorry!) and that is to announce that I am leaving." At this the on looking crowd turned and began to gossip and whisper. Erik raised a hand and was going to glare, but found Christine had taken care of that already. The crowd was silenced almost immediately. Erik continued, "Here I have money for the Police," he took a large envelope from the depths of his cloak folds and handed it to the nearest Police officer, who took it with wondering eyes.

"And here, I stand, with an apology and an allowance for you to use my Opera for future performances." Erik continued, and took Christine's hand. "Now, if you all don't mind, I should like to leave this whole blessed business!" he laughed, and Christine with him. The Managers also gave a slight titter of amusement, the crowd likewise. They parted, a straight line was made straight to the door for the two of them.

"Shall we?" Asked Christine, her eyes alight. Erik kissed her cheek gently.

"Let's" He said. And with that they set off, walking with the same determined stance as they had entered.

A dull slapping sound filled the air as they neared the door. They turned, brows furrowed. Madame Giry stood on the top of the staircase, clapping as she descended the stairs slowly without her cane. The audience turned and saw her, and slowly, slowly, one after the other, they also began to clap. Soon there was rapturous applause. Erik grinned madly, and made a elaborate bow. Christine blushed and made a deep curtsey, before waving to all. Madame Giry had by now come to them. She embraced them both before holding Erik's hands.

"Good luck Erik. You have my best wishes" She said, her eyes glistening. She turned to Christine, and took her hands in the same way. "Good luck to you too my dear," She said softly, "You were a great Futori." She added, as a tear rolled slowly down her cheek. She rejoined the crowd, and joined them in their applause once more.

The two took one last look at the whole Foyer before turning their backs on the Opera House for good. They walked out of the grand doors and into the night that embraced them as an old friend would do.

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A/N - Soo? Review! And just let me say,

The Music of the Night it NEVER over!