Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom yet. Darn.

XXX

Meg had always been there when Christine needed her, and Christine didn't see why this predicament should prove any different. After all, she was having a rather big problem, why not talk to her best friend?

Christine moved from the cellars swiftly, clutching her dark velvet cloak tightly about her shoulders, the hood pulled securely over her head. It didn't take long to reach Meg's room, and she knocked swiftly.

"Coming!" Came the muffled voice from inside, and Christine waited rather impatiently as Meg came to the door and opened it. "Christine! What are you doing here? Maman and I were just about to go home..."

Christine smiled kindly. "Oh Meg... can I talk with you?" The small ballet dancer nodded and ushered her friend inside.

"Christine, what is the matter? You look so upset!"

Christine sighed heavily, sinking down on the worn sofa near the door. "Oh Meg, Erik and I have had a fight... it's been so long since we've last argued..."

Meg put a gentle hand on Christine's arm, moving to sit next to her. "What did you fight about? Was it something serious?"

Christine frowned, and nodded. "He says I'm not happy here, Meg."

"No!"

"The worst part is that it's true... I'm completely happy with him, Meg, don't look at me like that! I'm just unhappy living underground... away from everyone..."

This Meg could understand, and she nodded. "That's understandable, after all... What did you say?"

"Nothing really... I just agreed... and said how I'd like to live in a real house with him..."

Meg nodded again. "Well... what did he say?"

"That he could deny me nothing."

"That's good, Christine! What's the problem?" Meg cocked her head to the side, blinking several times.

"Meg, I don't want him to do this just because I want to... I want him to want it too... I want him to be happy, Meg... but I'm afraid if we do this, he'll never be happy again."

XXX

Returning to the underground home later that evening, Christine felt strangely nervous. She walked through the door slowly, dragging her feet with her head lowered.

She looked around the living room slowly, and smiled when she saw Erik sitting in his favorite armchair. She moved swiftly to him, and settled herself on his lap, feeling his rumbling laugher through his chest as her head rested against him.

"Hello, my dear... I was wondering when you would return." He said gently, raising his hands to move through her hair lovingly.

"I'm sorry if I worried you, Erik... I was with Meg, and I'm afraid we lost track of the time..." She said with mild embarrassment, and Erik only laughed.

"No need to apologize, ma ange." He insisted, looking to the clock on the mantle. "Have you eaten?"

She shook her head shyly, and he sighed. "Well then, you stay here and I'll prepare something for you." Gently he lifted her up, setting her again on the chair once he had stood. Christine looked up at him with such love and devotion in her eyes that Erik had to turn his gaze away. He moved quickly to the kitchen.

XXX

"Yes, Maman... they're looking for a house."

Meg and Madam Giry were walking rather swiftly through the late Paris streets, moving toward their nearby home after a long day at the Opera. Meg couldn't wait to tell her mother of the news, and Madam Giry seemed quite surprised.

"Are you sure you heard correctly, Meg?" The ballet dancer nodded, and Madam Giry appeared thoughtful.

"Well, I think I may know of just the place." She said, more to herself than her daughter, and if it were at all possible, she pulled Meg even faster toward home.

XXX

"Thank you, Erik... it was a wonderful meal... but why are you spoiling me so much tonight?"

Christine had just finished eating the rather full meal that Erik prepared, and she was stuffed.

"Is a man not allowed to dote on his wife?" He smiled slyly.

"You know that's not why."

Erik sighed. "I'm sorry for last night, Christine. It was wrong of me to become so upset with you. After all, it's completely normal for a woman to wish to live above ground and as a part of society, and completely abnormal for her husband to force her to live away from all that she knows. Your well-being and happiness are foremost in my mind, my dear... and I will gladly endure any discomfort in order to make you as happy as I can."

Tears filled Christine's eyes, and she shook her head. "No, Erik! I don't want you to be unhappy... your happiness; your comfort is just as important as mine is! Why don't you ever see that?"

He laughed outright. "Oh Christine, my feelings have never been important to anyone... why should they now start?"

Slowly Christine moved to crawl into his lap, and she stroked his unmasked cheek lovingly.

"Oh Erik... your happiness has always been the most important thing to me. I will remain here in this home if it will make you happy... you've been through so much, my love..."

"No." Erik stiffened, drawing Christine back to look into her eyes. "It is time I faced my fears... Christine, we will figure something out, my dear. I promise. You will have a home above ground, with gardens and windows facing the rising sun... for whatever you wish, I will do my best to give you."

She met his eyes with tears in her own, and leaned forward, bringing their lips together in a slow, loving kiss which Erik gladly returned, wrapping his arms around her and holding her small body close to his own.

When they broke apart, Christine smiled softly. "I love you, monsieur le'Fantom de l'Opera."

He smirked, brushing his lips over her brow gently. "And I love you, ma ange."