This was a difficult chapter to write, I hope I did it justice.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.

I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.

Character portraits:

Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)

Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)

Meckenzie - Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)

Vince - Pierce Brosnan (slightly shorter)

Karen - Bette Midler (only about ten year's younger, seven inches taller, and long,brown hair)

Ms. Jennison- Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)

Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)

All other original characters, you can use your imagination.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 44

The drive into New York was anticipatory, to say the least. Christine was apprehensive about seeing Raoul again, but having Erik beside her gave her the courage to face him.

"He can't touch you, love…I'm sure he is experiencing the guilt of his past actions and wishes to meet his Maker with one less blotch on his record." Erik stated.

Christine's eyes were distant, somewhere hidden in the past. All she could remember getting from Raoul was pain; now, he expected her to give him peace. She had debated with God about this for the greater part of the early morning, while adoring the figure of her sleeping husband.

Erik had given her and Meckenzie a home in his heart – a damaged, shattered, painfully weary heart that had needed the mending they could give it.

Erik reached over and gave her hand a firm, but gentle squeeze. He pulled into the parking garage of the hospital and parked. He turned to regard Christine with searching eyes.

"Are you ready for this?" He asked.

She gave a strained smile and got out of the car. Erik came around and took her in his arms. He brushed his lips across her, gently demanding her to yield to him; which she did, willingly.

She opened to him and they shared a passionate kiss, leaving Christine breathless and Erik panting.

"Will you do that every time I feel like dashing from the room?" Christine asked, hopefully.

"Christine, you know that would be a bit tactless, especially in front of him." Erik reminded her.

"He has no such moral misgivings." Christine said with an ornery grin.

Erik rolled his eyes and smirked at her, "I understand, my love, but we don't want to lower ourselves to his level."

Christine playfully pouted and crossed her arms across her chest, "Okay, you win..." She whined, "…but I expect full compensation when this whole, icky ordeal is over."

Erik chuckled and gave a sweeping bow, "Expect full payment, Madam."

They made their way through the people and up the elevator toward room 236. Erik hated hospitals, but he knew that Christine desired his presence, and that was enough for him.

He hadn't seen Raoul de Changy since college; he doubted the young, snobby upstart would remember him, except as the masked freak that sat in the dark corner of the classroom.

The ICU nurse escorted them around to room 236 and knocked on the door. Christine took a deep breath, grasped Erik's hand to her heart, and entered when the nurse gave the go ahead.

Upon entering, Christine was immediately aware of the tubes attached to him and the medical devices that were in use. He was a shadow of the man to whom she had been married all those years ago.

Raoul turned his head and meant her eyes. Christine's first thought was that the life was gone from him. He had always been a vital person, full of energy and spitfire; but none of that was present.

"Christine." He choked, through parched lips.

It was at that moment, that Raoul made eye contact with Erik, and a small smile touched those parched lips.

Erik stepped forward, resigning himself to being a perfect gentleman.

"Erik Trudeau." He stated, nodding his head at the shell of a man before him.

"I know you." Raoul stated; his voice weak and labored.

"Yes, we attended classes together several years ago." Erik explained.

A look of recognition settled on Raoul's drawn features as he tried to smile, but he was wracked with a hacking cough.

"You were the man every one of us wanted to be." Raoul finally whispered.

This stunned Erik, completely. He had thought no one even cared whether he was there or not.

"You're compositions and designs were untouchable; impossibly matchless in their complexity and richness. You are a gifted man."

Erik bowed his head toward Raoul.

Christine watched the exchange with guarded eyes. She wanted to observe Raoul's frame of mind and make sure he was genuine in his humble attitude, and not just putting on another act.

Raoul's focus, once again, turned to Christine.

"You look beautiful, as usual." He complimented. "You have the look of a woman in love."

"I am in love…" she turned her head and smiled at Erik, "…Erik and I have been married for four days." Christine stated, not caring if she sounded a bit forward.

Raoul looked from Christine to Erik and then back to Christine.

"You truly are a gifted man." Raoul murmured.

"I am aware of that." Erik responded.

Raoul sighed and closed his eyes, resting his mind for a few minutes. He seemed far older than his 34 years, and Christine found herself feeling pity for him.

"I understand why Meckenzie is not with you." Raoul stated, still keeping his eyes closed. "She hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, Raoul…she just doesn't know you." Christine corrected. "This was her decision."

A single tear escaped Raoul's eye, and made its way down the side of his ashen face. Christine's heart ached for him, not out of love, but out of sympathy. She had once loved him with all her heart.

"Erik suggested we make a DVD recording of her doing many of the things she loves to do." Christine stated, noticing how Raoul's features suddenly changed to reflect happiness, "We brought that with us if you would like to have it."

Raoul, once again, looked Erik in the eye and whispered through the choking of tears, "Thank you."

Erik nodded, "You're welcome."

Erik had arranged to have a DVD player available and he slipped the disc into it and programmed it to play.

"Do you wish to be alone?" Erik asked.

"Stay…please." Raoul insisted.

They did; and Christine witnessed a side of Raoul she had never seen before; the remorseful, content, thankful side.

He shed tears for the lost years and the pain he had caused his family. He cried the name of his lost daughter; or rather, the daughter that was lost to him. Erik felt himself caring for this hurting man whose life had suddenly been ripped away and was trying to right his wrongs.

"I'm so sorry…" he wept. "…can you ever forgive me for all that I put you through?"

"I forgave you a long time ago, Raoul." Christine assured him; her voice soft and consoling.

He smiled weakly, but his eyes were still sad, "What about Meckenzie?"

"The only pain she has known, has been mine…" Christine stated, "…she has nothing to forgive. She has your musical abilities and drive...for that, she thanks you."

Raoul looked at Erik and noted the knowing smile on his face, "You love her as your own, don't you?"

Eriklooked Raoul straight in the eyes and responded, "With all my heart."

Raoul drifted off into a medicine-induced sleep, after his pain had become almost unbearable. Christine and Erik bid him good-bye, leaving the DVD for him to watch at his leisure.

Raoul de Chagny rested more peacefully that night than he had in years. He had done many terrible things in his life, and he had come to regret them all; but now he knew that the only good things he had ever had in his life were taken care of; Erik would see to that.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

On Thanksgiving morning, at 1:53 am, Raoul de Changy passed away peacefully in his sleep, with the voice of his daughter echoing in his mind and her smile brightening the path. When the nurses were alerted to his side, they found him with a smile on his face and a tear on his cheek.

TBC