Part 1
"Say you'll share with me, one love, one lifetime. Lead me, save me, from my solitude. Say you want me with you here, beside you," He paused for a moment to turn her around in his arms.
"Anywhere you go, let me go too. Christine, that's all I ask of……" He wasn't able to say the last word before Christine wisped away his mask. He looked at her in complete shock. Quickly, he cut the thick cord that connected to the grand chandelier, and grabbed Christine, disappearing into a trap door in the floor.
She didn't know what to say to him, only that she knew without a doubt she loved him. He violently drug her down to his lair.
"Why, you ask was I bound and chained in this cold and dismal place? Not for any mortal sin, but the wickedness of my abhorrent face!" As they rowed across the inky water, it gave Christine a chance to think. Once there, Erik grabbed her and pulled her out of the boat. He led her over to the alcove where the manikin of herself was.
"Hounded out by everyone, met with hatred everywhere, no kind word from anyone, no compassion anywhere," He stopped to catch his breath then continued.
"Christine, why?" She stumbled over her words as she tried to speak. Finally able to form words she spoke.
"Erik, please don't be mad at me, I did it for a reason."
"And pray tell, what that might be." He sneered, turning abruptly from her.
"Did you not see the Gendarmes aiming to kill you? I had to do something to distract everyone." As she spoke, tears were streaming down her alabaster face.
"And exposing me to the entire theatre was your idea of a distraction?" At his spiteful words, Christine collapsed in a sobbing heap before him. "I was only trying to keep you from being killed. ….. I did it because,….because I love you!" Her sobs where now wracking her small form, as Erik kneeled before her. Gently, he brought his hand under her chin, and tilted it up so she was looking at him.
"I never in all my years, dreamed you would say those words to me and mean them. Oh my sweet angel." Carefully, he brought her to her feet before him and lovingly wiped away her tears.
"I love you Erik, I think I always have, but just now figured it out." She reached out and caressed his marred cheek with love and compassion in her eyes. Without warning, Erik placed his lips upon hers, eager to kiss her for the first time. Christine willingly responded, wrapping her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss, only to have Erik pull back moments after.
"What's wrong? Did I do something?" He gently placed a finger on her lips to silence her. The sound of splashing water could be heard in the distance.
"I think we have a guest." With that being said, Raoul appeared at the iron grate that separated him from Christine.
"Raoul! Why must you constantly follow me? Did it ever occur to you that I want to be here." He stood at the grate dumbfounded and utterly confused.
"Why? How can you love that monster?"
"He's not a monster Raoul! You just see him the way everyone else does. I see him as a man who needs love and compassion." Raoul desperately reached through the grate, pleading for her to come to her senses.
"I once thought I loved you, but I have come to think otherwise. I love Erik, and nothing you can say or do will change that!" He hung his head in defeat, knowing she was right. Erik walked over to the lever and pulled it, causing the grate to rise. Raoul stumbled in, and before Erik could react, he had his pistol pointed directly for Erik's heart.
"Raoul no!"
"Stay out of this Christine!" He cocked his pistol and was about to fire when Erik dropped something into the water, causing a thick fog to erupt.
Raoul fired blindly, hoping to hit his target. He knew he hit someone because loud groan erupted from the fog. Erik felt as though he had been pierced through the heart with a sharp blade. He fell to his knees, getting weaker by the minute.