A/N: Not too long until the ending now...

"They want you to do what?You did not agree to such madness, did you, Christine?" Erik yelled in anger after Christine told him of the managers' ideas.

"I did, before I knew all the facts. Meg did not tell me it was to be your opera I would be performing. I now told them no, but they say the Populaire will be shut down if I do not go on. I'm so confused! I don't know what to do! Not doing it would betray Meg and Madame Giry; all the girls I have ever known there...but to do so would betray you. All I've ever wanted was to make everyone happy. How am I to do so now?"

"Perhaps you should know something that I learned many years ago - you can not please everyone, Christine. It is an impossibility, even for you."

"But what should I do?"

Erik looked away. He was breathing heavily, his jaw set. Anger was boiling in him. "Do they really think that they could ever hope to pull this off? Why? Because the opera house will not burn down this time? The new chandelier will not fall? Because the Phantom of the Opera is now behind bars? Now all is safe? Do they forget that the only one who can do justice to Don Juan is also behind these bars? Can they really think you could ever show such emotion again? Could you be Aminta to another man?" He was near roaring when he finished, now looking directly into her soul.

"I told you I don't want to. Yet I don't know what to do!" She cried, watching him bow his head as he ran his fingers through his hair. She had brought more worry and stress upon him- something that was not what he needed in any sense.

"I"m sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned it. Forgive me." She said, walking to the door.

"No. Do not leave just yet unless you truly want to. Stay with me a little longer." He asked of her before she could open the door. She turned back to him, and he grabbed her hands again and held them tight. Her legs felt wobbly once again, so she knelt down, Erik following as t o not lose her hands from his grasp.

"May I ask you something?" She spoke after a few moments of silence.

"What is this be?"

"Those four years, after the fire...you said you were there all the time watching me. So why were you so angry at me when I found you at the homeless shelter? That was not all from your pride."

Erik let out a low chuckle. "Because I wanted to keep you away. I didn't want you to get involved with me again. I cause you more trouble than I am worth. I feigned anger against you in hopes that it would discourage you and leave me to only haunt each step you take." He said, taking both her hands in one of his, and moving his other to rest upon her pale cheek. "Yet I am no ghost or phantom. I am a man, and my weaknesses are too strong. I saw you that night, crying in your room. I read your note. I saw how you missed me...possibly wanted me in your life once again. And I knew then that I couldn't keep up the act of being angry at you. Never could I stand to see you cry, but how worse it was when I was the reason for the tears you shed. I came to you that night, because my weakness took hold of the better of me - for I never stopped loving you. And my heart was the only thing leading me. When you saw me, you filled me with light, where there was only dark. It was impossible to listen to that voice...the common sense part of me, when that light traveled through me...made me a man once again. It was then that I remembered just how great my love was for you." His hand found it's way to her cheek once again. She leaned into it as her eyes closed. He kissed her forehead, cheeks, lips. Never had he spoke or shown emotion like this. As much as it thrilled her that she was the cause of all this; the cause of everything he does, and all his love - it also scared her. He was acting as if he'd never see her again. Even scarier was the fact that he may be right. What if something happened? What if someone wicked wouldn't even let him live until Friday? His voice broke her out of the thoughts that started to make her tremble.

"Play Aminta." He whispered, pulling away from her only slightly. Her eyes flew open to look into his.

"What?"

"Reprise your role in my opera on Friday. Play the role I wrote for you. That way I know what you'll be doing each minute. I'll know what you are singing, and I'll hear it in my heart. Let another man woo you as Don Juan, but you'll sing each word for me, to me, and I shall see you with my mind's eye. I'll die listening to your sweet voice singing the words I wrote. And I'll die a happy man, knowing all this."

Tears spilled into his hand as she leaned into it more, closing her eyes once more. "What time on Friday?" She whispered. Thankfully, he knew what she was speaking of, for never would she have been able to say it.

"Five; sundown. The bells will ring just before."

"But why Friday? Never had I heard...it happen on such a day. Sunday, yes. Saturday if something big is happening the day after. But never Friday."

"Sunday is the Sabbath for Christians and Catholics. Saturday for others. Friday is also a Sabbath to some, but only after sunset. I'll be dead before the last ray of sun has gone."

"What does Sabbath have anything to do with it?"

"They think me the devil's apprentice, or the devil himself; depending on whom you talk to. They fear it would be a sin to have dealings with the devil on Sabbath. Therefore they'll send me to hell on Friday instead. It's sooner to rid of me, anyway."

Christine's arms flew around him, holding him tight through the bars. "I wont let you go...I wont let them do this!"

"I am an Angel in Hell here; there I'll be just in hell. Only difference really, is that you'll never be there."

She shook her head. "You were never an angel in Hell. You were my angel of music, my angel of everything. Despite all you did and all you heard, you are not evil. You are a man that has been driven to do desperate things. Perhaps you've done wrong things, but all of us do. Its only magnified for you because you were once a phantom of Paris. You were blamed for more than you did. You are not evil; you are...you are my hero; my protector. You are my love, my life. You are the only one that truly understands all of me. You are my guardian, and my guide. You are everything to me, but you are not evil. You are not going to hell, nor heaven. You're to stay beside me. I told you once that at one time for many years we were one person. With all the things that has happened, we are one again. You said that if I am taken from you, you would die. Do you not see that it goes both ways? I am not being taken from you; you are from me. And I shall surely die inside if you do. Erik...I don't want to die, and I don't want you to die either. So I'm going to save you. I don't know how yet...if Madame Giry will not stand up, Meg is not able to know, and Nadir is deemed powerless...but there must be someone that can help in this. There must be some way to get you out of here. Fate can not possibly be this cruel."

Erik laughed lowly. "Have you taken a look at me lately? Do you remember nothing from my past? Of course fate can be cruel; as you are only now finding out."

"You have no hope at all?"

"What is there to give me hope? I rather die knowing that you are safe, then to die knowing that you are exposed and I am leaving you in misery."

"You will leave me in misery either way! Can I not be freed of this vow of secrecy that binds you to this cell?"

Erik shook his head. "No. I have done wrong by you by letting you love me, and letting you embark upon such a risky journey as I did. I failed to protect you then; but I will not fail now. Speak not a word to anyone, Christine. I have made many requests of you, I know that. Forgive me for demanding so much. Make this my last request; say nothing!"

At that, there was a knock on the door. Christine quickly released Erik as they both stood up. The door opened, and an officer peered his head in.

"Mademoiselle Daae, your time for today is up."

Christine nodded. "I will be right out."

The officer left, and Christine went back to the bars. Erik kissed her forehead once more, and then she slowly left, staring back at him for as long as she could.

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Christine, with red eyes, hesitated, her fist in mid air, before bringing it down on the door.

"We are closed to all visitors now. Come back in the morning." Andre yelled.

"It's Christine Daae."

Within mere seconds the door was flung open. "Mademoiselle Daae! Forgive me, I did not know it was you. Never would I turn you out." He said, showing her in to the managers office and shutting the door.

"I've decided to play the soprano lead in Don Juan." Christine said.

"Really? How wonderful! We really hoped you'd reconsider. Our entire business depends solely on you now."

"I can not promise that I'll be at my best, Monsieur. It will be a very difficult day for me."

"Of course, of course. But I rest easy, knowing that you shall be just fine, despite the other events occurring."

"Then you have more confidence than I do.

"
"You will be wonderful. Now, is that all you came here for at such a late hour?"

"It is. Forgive me, I thought that I should notify you as soon as possible."

"You did right. Good evening, Mademoiselle."

Christine nodded a goodbye, then left the office, running to her bed. It would prove to be a very long night.

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Christine did not know how she made it through the next day. She was weary and red eyed. Erik filled her mind, as well as how close it was to Friday. Just one day. Tomorrow. It couldn't be!

"Mademoiselle, I have a letter for you." A man in a grey uniform that worked in the lobby said, holding a gold tray with a letter for her.
"Thank you." She said, taking it. Upon finding an empty corner behind stage, she opened the envelope and read the letter.

'Dear Mademoiselle Daae,
I write to you, for I do not know how to reach Monsieur Erik.
The will of Giovanni was read today, and it seems that Erik
has inherited my Master's house, and everything in it.
Included in the envelope is the deed. Until Erik comes
to claim it, the servants shall leave the home to seek out
temporary jobs, but will return the day we are called back.
I have heard little of his fate, just enough to know that
both of you are back in Paris. I hope everything works out
for you. You both are in my prayers.
In you service,
Sarah Butler

Christine read the letter over and over. Erik had the deed to Giovanni's house. She had hoped that this letter would be the answer to her own prayers. What good would a house do to a dead man hanging in the gallows?

Fury and hurt welled in her until rehearsals were over. It was quite late, past supper time when Christine left the theater, but there was one last task that she had to accomplish before she allowed herself to eat. Carrying herself on aching legs, she found a carriage to take her to her destination. She wrung her hands in and out as she sat, watching the grim look of the damp and darkening Paris streets go by.

Finally, the carriage stopped, and she stood before the large mansion of a home once more. Gathering courage, she paid the driver, took a deep breath, then hurried to the porch.

She was just about to knock on the door when it opened to reveal Raoul, apparently ready to leave.

"Christine?" He asked in a puzzled voice.

"Raoul, I must speak with you. I see you are leaving, but it will not take too much of your time, I promise. It's very urgent."

He nodded, taking off his gloves and showing her inside. "Of course."

He took her into the parlor and sent away his servants so they were alone. "What is it that plagues you so, Christine?"

"It's Erik. Are you sure we are completely alone, Raoul? Not a soul can overhear this."

"My wife and daughter are out shopping today, my maids are gone for the night, and my servants I sent to their quarters. I assure you there's not a soul here by us. What is it that you must say about the phantom?"

"I must say the truth. He has forbad me to say a word to anyone, but I must."

"Do not let him threaten you. If there is something you must say-"

"No, Raoul, you do not understand. He didn't want me to say anything for my own protection, not his. See...I was...I was not kidnaped by him. I went with him; begged him to take me. I had searched for him all those years he was missing, and found him the day before you were hurt-"

"You left with him? With the man that tried to murder me?" Raoul asked in shock, taking a step back from her.

"He didn't do it! I am not innocent in everything that has happened lately, but he is. He did not kidnap me, and he did not try to kill you."

"You...just believe his word? As if he has never lied before?"

"Raoul, he never did lie to me before. And I can tell. There are many masks in this city that are exactly like the one he wears. You know that. He didn't do it. He had no reason to! We are not lovers any longer. I do not love you as I once did, and you do not either."

Christine continued, even though she thought it strange - the way he looked at her after she said those last words. "The truth is...is that I love Erik very much. Not my angel of music, not my protector - but just him. Who he really is. But he is to be hanged tomorrow for things he did not do! You are my only hope for saving him. Tell them that you can not be sure it was him. At least postpone this cruelty until we can find who really did it. Do not let him hang, Raoul! I beg of you!"

Raoul just stood there, stunned by all he had heard, trying to make sense of it in his mind.

"You...love him?" He said finally. Christine sighed. This would be harder than she thought.

"Is that all you have to say to my pleadings? I know you could not understand, and I don't expect you to. I know what he did to you the night of the opera house fire, but you saw a part of him that has died now. He's not cruel. He's a very amazing man, and if only people would get to know him instead of just condemning him, he wouldn't be getting hanged tomorrow. Raoul, please help me."

He continued to stare, even then, as if he never saw her before in his life. "How can I help you, Christine? How could I do anything?"

"You can postpone this! You are one of the most influential men in Paris! Tell them you can not be sure if Erik has committed this crime! Please, Raoul!"

"But I cant, Christine. Katie has nightmares every night, scared to death that someone will break in. Amelia is pregnant, which makes her even more edgy. She has to make sure every door is bolted and locked before she can go to our bedroom to lock that door. I have to sleep on a davenport each night, to stand guard. If I postpone this, it only means this madness that has evaded my perfect would will go on for God only knows how long. Chances are, if what you say is really true, that the officers will not find the criminal."

"They found us! I was all the way in Perros!"

"But that had a face to hunt down, Christine - it's different."

"So you'll let him die, even if he does not deserve it, just so your family can live under the false security that they are safe?"

"...Yes, if I must. I'm sorry."

"Have you learned nothing? Could you possibly be that thick headed?" Christine yelled, suddenly losing herself. "You put me at risk to be taken from you forever, back when we were to be wed. You gave me false security - you said that officers would be at the theater that night to ensure that nothing would happen to me - and I believed you! I had faith in you! But you let me down. Had things gone the way Erik planned them, I would have had to marry him before I loved him - just so I could save you! That would have ruined my life at the time, yet I was put in that position because I trusted you! Because you said you had it under control, because you said I was safe! Well, I wasn't safe! And even if you do let Erik die, neither will be your family. This man, whomever he is that did it to you, is not looking for simple marriage. Obviously he is not afraid to kill. But no, let's ignore that fact. Let's make it all go away with a simple illusion! Forsake me, ignore my desperate pleas to keep the man I love alive - just so you can have your illusion!"

Raoul stepped forth and took her hands, seeming as if he was studying them. Suddenly, he pulled her to him, holding her tight. "I am so sorry to bring you sorrow, but I can not help you. I love you very much, but I have a family that I love very much as well. I can not keep them thinking they are in danger. Forgive me of my sins, Christine, but do not hold this against me." he whispered in to her hair, his warm breath falling upon her cheek as well.

Christine looked up at him with a questioning look, her dark eyes searching his.

"Come Christine, you can not stand there and think that I do not still love you."

"Raoul? What are you saying? Could you be drunk and out of your senses?"

Raoul laughed. "Have you not outgrown the innocent act yet?"

"Why did you marry your wife if you do not love her?"

"I do love her. I love her now...but I did not when I married her. Why did I? I married for her status. You surely know how my parents were furious at me when we two were engaged. When you broke it off, you made me a fool in their eyes. They had me meet with Amelia; whom they said was my perfect match. I listened like an obedient son, and after time, I learned to love her. But never has even an ounce of my feelings perished for you. It is not as easy for me to switch people to love as it apparently is for you."

Christine stepped away. "This is wrong. And obviously you will not help me, will you?"

"I can not."

"Then I will say goodbye." She said, but when she turned, she saw the one person that hated her with a passion already.

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