You knew it was coming. )


One Final Question

Erik

He had never been so frightened before in his life. Not even in Don Juan. In Don Juan, he had known the script, the choreography. In this he was blind. Fearful to look in her eyes and see the scorn of the fairgoers. Or worse- their disgust.

He fingered the ring absently. It was a slender band with a single diamond. Modest, beautiful. He could never imagine Christine wearing the heavy, gaudy rings that the highborn lavished on their plump-fingered wives.

She was sleeping peacefully in the swan bed, tranquil, a slight smile curving her lips. Her hair was carelessly strewn across the red fabric, her skin seemed to glow from within. He took a calming breath, in a futile effort to slow his racing heart. For all the good that it did. His body seemed to shake with each heartbeat, his hands were unsteady.

"Christine?" Hell, even his voice was uncertain! She stirred, turning her face to him. He called again, softly, consciously controlling his voice. "Christine?"

Her eyes opened, content and warm. "Hmm?" She was smiling at him, utterly relaxed. He was unnerved for a moment by the utter trust in her eyes.

He seated himself slowly, carefully, on the edge of the bed. "Christine, there's something I've been wanting to ask you."

He saw understanding light in her eyes, her smile broadened. "Yes, Erik?"

She's not going to make this easy on me. He thought with a mental sigh. Her eyes were expectant, shining. He could have sworn he saw mischief in them. Her playful smile rendered him speechless for a moment.

He breathed in deeply, releasing it slowly. He reached for her hand gently, she slipped it into his, caressing the palm.

He met her eyes fully, mind to mind, soul to soul. "Christine, will you marry me?" At her silence, he began to let go of her hand, to stand.

She sat up and grabbed his arm.

"Ask me without the mask."

"What?" He was more than a little stunned at this unexpected request. And... fearful. She met his eyes, held them steadily. "Ask me without the mask, Erik." The dark eyes on his were intent, serious.

Tentatively, he reached up to his face. Slipping his fingers under the mask, he set it aside gently. Revealed and defenseless, bared before her, he met her eyes again.

"Christine, will you marry me?" He held her hand loosely, waiting.

A slow smile spread across her face. The effect was breathtaking, her eyes blazed, she seemed to glow with an inner light. Her eyes were shining, lips parted in a dazzling smile.

"Yes."

He slipped the ring onto her finger, sensing a similar expression on his face. His whole body seemed to hum with the blood that ran through him in this elation, this ecstasy, this bliss. His spirit soared as she stood, pulling him up. She was laughing and crying, eyes brilliant and face radiant. He caught her waist, and, in a moment of fearless jubilance, spun her around. "Christine, oh, Christine!' He laughed, intoxicated by her presence. He felt as though fire was racing through him, heavenly flames of pure light.

Startled, he felt a prickling at his own eyes. Christine reached up, taking his head between her hands and their lips met with a soul-shuddering sweetness. He felt her heart, beating in erratic unison with his as they clung and tasted. He had never felt this before- the way every sense was heightened and his body seemed charged with energy. He had never felt the life beating in him so strongly. The emotions overtaking him rendered him nearly senseless. There was only Christine, the feel of her crushed against him, his hands buried in her hair, her arms around his neck, the scent of her like amber and vanilla. Her lips, demanding and giving with fiery recklessness.

They broke apart, breath shuddering, supporting each other, awed, completely silent. The effects of her kiss still pounded through his body like sweet thunder.

She buried her head against his chest. He traced her cheek, lifted her face up to his. "I love you." he said softly, his voice low, husky.

The same blazing was in her eyes. Her voice matched his, intimate and soft. "I love you, Erik." She reached for him, tears on her cheeks. He met her halfway and surrendered again, giving himself up entirely to the sensation.

To her.

I love you, Christine.

Teach Me To Say Goodbye

Raoul

My dear Christine,

I am sorry, so sorry for the pain I have caused you. I can only ask your forgiveness, though I know I do not deserve it. I will not burden you with any excuses for my behavior- there are none, I know. I still love you, as I always have. But I cannot expect that love to be returned, and unrequited love is no love at all. I can no longer ask you to live a lie with me; I can only wish you and your angel the same happiness that you gave me, for a time. Do not lose him, Christine. Despite everything I have said about him, despite his flaws, I know that he loves you. Be happy with him.

I am leaving France, I find that there are too many memories here. I will start a new life, as you will, I suspect. I wish only the best for you and Erik.

Perhaps you wonder when I finally understood? I had sworn not to give you up, in the cemetery I swore to take you back. Then, when I went home, I remembered the way he looked at you and you at him. Some vows are more sacred than others, Christine. I cannot ask you and Erik to break yours. Goodbye, Christine and good luck.

Sincerely,

Raoul

It was with a sinking feeling that he entered the Opera Populaire, one last time. He inquired as to the whereabouts of Madame Giry and was pointed to an office down the hall. Every footstep was like a death toll. He knocked on the open door. "May I come in?"

Madame Giry looked up. Her severe face was distinctly cool and Raoul had a shrewd guess as to why. Those poor girls... what was I thinking? He could only hope that they would heal, that the damage he had done to them would not scar them forever.

"You are no longer the patron of the Opera Populaire, monsieur. I cannot imagine what business could bring you here." Here eyes were icy, her voice perfectly controlled. She sat behind the desk as regal and distant as a queen.
He sighed. "I know that Madame. And your new patron is an admirable woman, well deserving of the honor. Madame, I am leaving the country in a few days. I do not plan on coming back"

He handed her an envelope. "Would you give this to Christine, Madame?" He caught sight of her expression. "It is a farewell, Madame, and... an apology." He placed it on her desk gently and turned to go.

"I will give it to her."

He did not turn. He felt suddenly, endlessly weary. "Thank you." He felt her eyes upon him, pitying, and left the office.

He paused on the threshold of the Opera House. "Goodbye, Christine." He whispered. "I love you."

Raoul stepped out into the snow.

Where You Long To Be

Christine

She laid down the letter with a sigh. I'm sorry Raou. I only hope that you can find happiness where you are going. You deserve it, my friend.

Erik crossed to her from where he had been sitting. Standing behind her, he rubbed her shoulders comfortingly. "He'll be all right, Christine."

She smiled sadly. "I only wish that I had not hurt him so."

Erik turned her to face him. "Christine, we are not perfect." He cupped her face, stroking it gently. She caught his hand. "Really?" She murmured wickedly, arching an eyebrow. She kissed him gently.

He kissed her back, a tender brushing of the lips like gossamer. His eyes were brilliant in the candlelight of her dressing room, she noticed. He smiled at her, than it faded slowly. "No, Christine. Do not blame yourself or him for what the past holds. What's done is done"

She laid her head on his chest. "When did you become a philosopher, Erik?"

He stroked her hair, she savored the closeness. "About the time I asked you to marry me. Now, knowing that boy, he has wished you a lifetime of happiness. Why don't we oblige him?"

She laughed, tugging him down on the couch beside her. "That is the wisest thing I have ever heard you say."

He traced her brow. "Well, you know what they say about good advice." She shivered as he whispered in her ear.

"And what do they say about good advice, Erik?" She toyed with his hair. He smiled and pressed his lips to hers.

"Follow it."

She laughed with him. "There's nothing I'd rather do, Erik." With that, she surrendered to his embrace. "I love you." he whispered into her ear, cradling her in his arms. He couldn't seem to stop saying it over the past few days. Christine smiled. "I love you too, Erik."

A lifetime lay ahead of them, she knew. It would not be easy. It would be one of the hardest things either of them had ever done. But the reward was well worth the effort, she thought. They could do this. The greatest obstacles had already been overcome. And they were together.

We are together.

Well, all good things must come to an end. Thanks to each and every one of you who reviewed.

Broken Songstress- My very first reviewer. Thank you.

The Mouse in the Opera House- I like 'this' Erik too.

Ceris Malfoy- For encouraging me to continue- ASAP!

littlemisshedgehog- For a two sentence review that meant more to me than a paragraph

Aisuru-chan - For encouraging me throughout the story, most especially during my first flame.

satinzevi89- For simply taking the time

Erik's Secret Admirer- For reviews that made me smile

phantomangel132- I couldn't wait to write more either!

Soignante- For giving me an idea on the first review. Thanks. Disposing Raoul without disposing him was a puzzler.

Mystari- Your reviews always left me smiling. Grinning like an idiot, actually, but let's not get technical.

Genius of Music- First person to use the word "awesome" in a review

Gothic Tiger- I laughed when I read your first review. Thanks for sticking with me- we've passed the fifty mark, now!

Twinkle22- Always inspiring the emotional author inside me. I love the playful parts too.

ShannonRose- Ack! No, I did not mean that! laughs whew, I almost fell out of the chair at that one.

katiebabs- For the shortest and most puzzling review I've ever gotten. Maybe someday I'll figure it out?

Lust 4 Violin- Just because you called him " die Fop". )

AngelUndertheOpera- Yes, I did make you guys question his sanity, didn't I?

Anei Aikouka- Someday, someday, I will read the book.

Katherine Silverhair- Yeah... me and my grammar, eh? Still, "marvelous" is some pretty great praise!

Amaya92- Anything I can do to help my readers. You guys are worth it.

phanatical- dryly For the little flame that inspired chapter 9. Are you going to read past the first chapter?

moonlit-leaf- I'm very happy to be your first POTO story author. Again, someone who inspires the sentimentalist in me.

Jamea- Ick. Let's not even think about it! An aristocrat housewife! >.

MyDarkAngelErik- Intriuging people is fun )

Thanks again to all of you. I shower you with metaphorical cookies, chocolate and Erik plushies. I could never have done this half as well without you guys supporting me. Have you any idea how fantastic you are?

Lee

PS- I am thinking of starting a modern-day POTO fic. Should I? Message me and tell me what you think. )