Well, here it is guys! The last actual chapter. (Sniffs) It is a long one, though. There is also a coming epilogue, which I've tried to make interesting. Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed the ride. Thank you as always for your support and reviews. They've really inspired me and even given me ideas. I'll try to respond to everyone over the next two chapters.

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"Christine?" Nadir bent down and gently placed a hand upon her shoulder, still trying to break her out of her trance. Slowly, she took her eyes off of Erik and looked up as if she had just noticed that they were not alone in the room. The fear had now vanished from her face, replaced with a strange mixture of delight, relief, uncertainty, and exhaustion. The Iranian spoke to her again, hoping to make some sense out of the situation. "Ms. Daae. I promise you that this will end soon. Are you well? Your friend...is Mr. Chagny okay?"

She quickly nodded. "Yes." Her voice trembled at first but became stronger. "He's back in the other room. Asleep. But he's fine."

"Thank goodness," Nadir muttered to himself. He looked back at her, attempting to discern her thoughts and failing miserably. She certainly didn't seem terrified, though. "Why don't you go on back out there? We'll get this entire thing cleared up. You will be able to go home soon." He continued to ignore the looming presence behind him, somewhat sure that Erik would not do anything too gruesome with the girl standing right there.

Christine remained in the doorway and again looked past Nadir, her eyes softening and a small smiling forming on her lips. "But we..." She swallowed. "Erik and I were about to leave together."

Nadir blinked twice. "Christine, we'll figure this out. I know you're scared, but-"

"No," she interrupted, her voice quiet but firm. "I'm not scared. We were about to leave. I was getting ready to go."

The Iranian drew back with a sigh and finally dared to look back at his masked friend. Erik was silent, still gazing upon her as though mesmerized. With the mask on, his expressions were unreadable.

Nadir was puzzled. Christine's story was exactly the opposite of what Erik had told him. Had he instructed her to say that? Was this merely another game? But then why would Erik have risked his own life moments ago? And the look in Christine's eyes was genuine and not easily feigned. An uncomfortable silence fell over the room.

Finally, Christine spoke again. "We should leave soon. In case anyone comes..." Her eyes were again locked with Erik's.

"Christine," Nadir wearily stated. "I do not know what is going on, but—"

"I wish for a moment alone with her," Erik interrupted.

Although Erik's voice was calm, Nadir could tell that he had no choice in the matter unless he wanted to fire the gun again. Somehow, doing away with Erik at that moment seemed entirely inappropriate. The Iranian hesitated. "I..."

"A moment alone, Nadir," Erik again stated, a threatening note in his tone. His eyes remained upon Christine.

Slowly, the Iranian nodded and backed away from the couple, placing his hand upon the cool metal of the doorknob. "I will give you some time." He stepped out of the bedroom and closed the door, leaving the two lost souls to themselves. Still, Nadir prepared himself for the coming confrontation that likely lay ahead.

The serpent clock revealed it to be just past nine. Only three hours were left in that strange day.

Christine turned and watched as Nadir shut the door with a sharp click, thereby leaving her and Erik standing only feet apart from one another in complete silence. Seconds ago, after she had seen with blessed relief that Erik was alive, it occurred to her that Mr. Khan could have called the police. Maybe even Raoul had. Time was short, and so much needed to be said. Inhaling deeply, she turned to face him again. Erik's eyes glowed.

"Erik," she began, her tone steady. She stepped forward and reached out to him. "I was so afraid that..."

Once again, he interrupted her first, making no move to come nearer. "Why are you doing this?" he shrilly asked. "You should have left long ago. You should be gone! Do you not understand that...you being here is..."

"Listen to me." She stepped closer and took his cold hand into her own. "I know you don't believe me. Maybe you never will. But I was going to come back. I was scared. But I wasn't going to leave you. I promise."

He now drew her nearer to him, perhaps in both an attempt to strike fear and a need to be closer. "In terror, Christine?" he asked, looming over her. Still, though, the pained desperation in his voice was unmistakable. "In terror you would have returned? You knew I would follow you...to the ends of the earth, I would follow you! You knew that you could not escape me!"

She nodded, still looking up at him. "I knew that, Erik. But that wasn't why I was going to come back. I wanted to come back! Until tonight when you..." Her voice shook. "Until tonight, I wanted to stay with you. I was going to tell Ra-him that I couldn't leave. I promise."

"And now?" he questioned. "Now do you wish to stay? Or do you come in here only to tell me that you plan to leave! That it was I who destroyed all chances-Oh, it does not matter, now!" He squeezed her hand tightly, his voice hoarse. "I am tired, Christine. I can stand no more of this. If you plan to go, then leave me now. Take your freedom and leave me to my peace."

"I was terrified tonight," she whispered, her eyes drifting to the ground. "Of you..."

"Then why are you here!"

"I was more terrified than I've ever been in my life," she softly continued. "At the opera house...seeing Raoul like that." Christine paused. "And still, after everything, I couldn't leave tonight. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't go. And then when I heard the gun, I was so afraid that you'd...I came running back." She choked away a sob. "I couldn't leave."

"Why?" he quietly asked. "It would seem simple enough."

"Because..." She again met his gaze. "I didn't want to leave you. I couldn't." It wasn't exactly what she had wanted to say, but it was a beginning. His eyes softened at the words, encouraging her forward. "I would have missed you."

"Ah yes," he bitterly retorted. "I am quite something one would miss in their life."

"You are, Erik. You really are."

She thought she saw a shudder run through him. A small moment of silence passed, and Erik slowly looked toward her pale fingers. "You have kept your ring," he quietly stated, running his thumb over the onyx stone. "Just as I asked..."

"I did." She smiled. "I don't think I ever took it off."

He touched the veil with his free hand, as though still searching for tangible proof that she was really standing before him. "You were not supposed to find this."

Christine laughed. "But I'm glad that I did! It was gorgeous." She took both his hands now and drew even nearer, so that they were almost touching. "Let's go, Erik. Wherever we were going to go tonight. We can convince Nadir to let us. Please. Let's forget this night or at least try. We'll leave. I'm ready now. I promise."

His breath was unsteady as he looked down upon her. "Never will I forget this night, Christine. Never. And I cannot...just go."

"Why?" she asked, the corner of her lips turning downward in distress. "Why not? We'll leave like we were going to...except...in a better way. Why is it any different now?"

"If we go, Christine," he whispered. "If I take you with me this night, I could never bear to release you again. We would be bound to one another. I would be what you would wake up to every morning for the rest of your life. Is that not a wretched existence? To see this face...to be in only Erik's presence...every day for the rest of your life? Until death?"

She slowly leaned her head against his thin chest, feeling his heart pound beneath her temple. Her eyes closed as she gripped his hands. Only an ounce of fear ran through her as she whispered the words that might forever bind her. "You won't ever have to release me. I won't run. This is it, Erik. It's my choice. I want to see the world with you. I...I love you."

There. She had said it. Good God...she had said it.

He whispered her name from above. She felt him gently run his long fingers through her tangled hair, stopping before he ever pulled too roughly upon her scalp "My Christine." He sighed blissfully. "Perhaps I have finally driven your sanity from you, for you to make such a decision. For you to say such splendid things. My mad Christine."

"Maybe you did," she murmured, still leaning her head against him. "But it's still my decision. For once, it's mine. I want to go with you, Erik. Unless...you don't want me anymore."

"Want you?" He wearily chuckled, and she could tell the barriers were breaking down. He would soon not have the willpower to resist much longer. And why should he? It had been his hell to let her go. Even a man who was by all definitions normal would not have had such strength.

A short silence passed in which they stood there, treasuring the seconds left in the safety of the small room before they returned to the world. Christine slowly raised her head and looked up. "Did Nadir call the police?" she asked with wide eyes, again fearing for time.

"I do not believe so. I believe that he actually did something intelligent for once in his life. But sooner or later...they will come. Each day, they come closer."

She nodded. "Then we should go tonight. Like you planned. Before they do." Her heart skipped a beat in anticipation of his response. Please don't make me fight any longer...

Another silence passed. A look of both victory and defeat passed over his eyes, followed by one that could only be described as joy. Right and wrong had become inconsequential. Raw emotion had won in the end-the desperation of two people who had nowhere else to go but to each other, who were lost and alone without each other. Erik's stature heightened.

"Perhaps we should."

Christine's tired face lit up, and relief overtook her. In another impulsive moment, she kissed his uncovered jaw line, before quickly drawing back. "I'll start packing again. I was almost done."

He gently stroked his thumb across her cheek. "We have time, Christine. So much time." Some reason quickly replaced the awe, and his shoulders straightened. "All that will be difficult is convincing one other person that you have not lost your mind... without resorting to unusual measures." Erik paused. "And if your friend is awake by now, that will be...most unfortunate."

"Nadir will let us go." She frowned at the awful realization that it would be easier if Raoul did remain unconscious in these next minutes. It hurt her to not say goodbye, but how would he ever understand? No reasonable person would understand after nearly being killed...after all that had happened. To have both Erik and Raoul conscious and alert within the same house would be a living nightmare. Someone would be hurt. Christine now counted her blessings that Nadir was there, making no comment on Erik's last statement. "I'll start getting ready."

Erik merely nodded, momentarily closed his eyes, and then opened the door to the room.

Nadir watched as Erik calmly stepped out, unnerved by the renewed fire in the yellow eyes and the resolute stride. There was a will to live that had not been present moments ago, which could be a very dangerous thing. The Iranian had been pacing the entire time under the stare of a ceramic owl, constantly refraining from eavesdropping on the conversation. He now watched as Erik passed by him without a second glance. "What is going on?" he enquired, attempting to keep pace as they traveled to a back bedroom. He took a quick look around at the strange bed and piano.

"We are leaving, Nadir," Erik calmly replied, beginning to gather up music sheets into his hand. He then proceeded to remove some of the more ornate objects from the shelves, fondly clasping an amber-colored glass scorpion in one hand, before placing it into a box. He moved with great energy, and Nadir was careful not to physically cross his path. Still, though, he dared to protest.

"What? No! You will not leave this house with her. She is a young girl. Let her have her life back, for God's sake."

Erik turned to him with a steely gaze. "I strongly suggest you make no move to prevent it. I suggest you push me from your mind, pretend as though I never existed. You should have done that years ago, my friend. It would have saved you trouble." He removed a stack of antique hardback books from a shelf and also placed them into a box.

"Erik. If you wish to escape, I do not have the will to try to stop you now. But leave the girl here! Do not drag her to the ends of the earth away from everything that she knows. Have some compassion!"

Erik abruptly set down all the objects in his hands and faced him. Nadir automatically drew back. "She loves me," he stated, widely gesturing to her room. "She actually loves me. For myself. I cannot leave her after hearing such divine words...after feeling her lips...Nadir...Oh, you could never understand. And it would be useless to explain it to you! But do not try to stop me!"

The Iranian was momentarily speechless. "She's confused," he finally said, his voice less certain now. "Maybe she does have feelings, but she is very young. Give the girl her life back, Erik. Let her have some chance at normalcy."

Erik's fists clenched and unclenched. "Nadir..." he stated, attempting to keep his composure. "Whether you believe my words or not, I have released her once tonight. It is not in my accursed soul to do it a second time. Not now. Do not ask."

"But it is—"

"Do not ask!" Erik proceeded to open a gray door that Nadir had not noticed until now. The Iranian cautiously walked over and looked inside, first taking notice of the array of cabinets and shelves. The next thing that caught his gaze was Mr. Chagny, lying upon the floor and steadily breathing. A ring of purple bruises lined the young man's neck. Erik had walked to the back and was gathering up what appeared to be a wedding dress, along with several indiscernible items.

"I suppose you will never tell me what all of this is, my friend?" Nadir wearily asked, looking around at the glass vials and beakers.

Erik chuckled, his attention still focused downward. "You will never stop with your questions, will you? I had to have something to keep my time occupied before...she came to me. But know that I enjoyed this country far too much to ever bring anything vile upon it. You have no reason to fear an outbreak of any type. Does that answer your question well enough? Or do you wish me to prepare you a detailed report, Nadir?"

He shook his head at the familiar sarcasm. "That will do, Erik." Nadir sighed and looked at Raoul. "And what of him? I suppose it would be insane of me to wake him right now."

At this comment, Nadir received an icy glare. "Assuming you do not do something so completely idiotic, he will live."

Before Nadir could reply, Christine's soft voice came from the other room. "Erik?"

The Iranian watched as his companion peacefully closed his eyes. "It will be so good to hear her voice every day," Erik stated before turning in her direction. "We are in here, my dear."

She slowly walked into the room, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dimmer lighting. A smile still lay upon her face, overshadowing the growing exhaustion in her eyes. "I think I'm ready. Not everything fit..."

"We will buy new things, Christine. Many of these possessions have become tiresome, anyhow."

Christine nodded. Her gaze drifted to where Raoul lay, and she bit her lip but said nothing. Nadir noticed her expression. "Erik. Let us step out of here for a moment." He wanted to give the girl more time to think about her decision. Surely she had to have some idea of what it would mean for her.

"Why?" Erik questioned. "Will you never leave me alone? Or am I going to have to subdue you?"

"Please. Give her a moment."

Christine said nothing, but her gaze held a vague plea for one last goodbye.

"Fine," Erik stated, stepping out of the room with Nadir.

Christine brushed her fingertips against his hand as she passed. "I'll be a second."

Nadir managed to position Erik so that he was turned away from the door. The Iranian was still able to see inside, watching as Christine slowly knelt down and kissed her friend upon the forehead. "I dare not even ask what she is doing," Erik wryly commented. His eyes softened. "It does not matter. She will soon be with me, Nadir. Me. And only because she wishes to."

The Iranian shook his head, observing as Christine murmured a few words of farewell. "You should still let her go," he said with resignation. "What do you plan on doing with her? She could be happy here, Erik. In time..."

"Nadir. Your words are growing ever irritating. Were I not in such good spirits, I believe I would have silenced you by now."

Nadir raised the gun a few inches. "I should end this. It would be the right thing to do. Before you take her. Before you bring havoc to another part of the world. I am crazy to allow you to take her like this."

Before he could respond, Christine had walked back into the room. She meaningfully stepped in front of Erik, causing Nadir to quickly lower the weapon back to his side. "I'm ready now."

"I will have the driver assist with our possessions," Erik stated, affectionately looking down upon her. He then pulled out the black phone from his suit pocket and stepped aside.

Nadir quickly bent down to Christine's level, looking her directly in the eye. "Are you sure of this, Ms. Daae? Do you realize what you are doing? If this is some sort of trick, now is the last chance you may have to tell me."

She laughed at the way he was speaking to her, as though she really were crazy. "I do know what I'm doing. Please let us go. We'll be fine." She paused and glanced to the back room. Her voice softened. "And tell him...tell Raoul that I'll be okay. That he doesn't have to worry about me. And also that I'm very grateful to him."

"But, Christine. He does have reason to worry..."

She backed away from him before he could finish, her eyes telling him that nothing he could say would change her mind that night. Erik finished his brief conversation and put away the phone. His eyes fell upon her. "We go now."

Defeated, Nadir finally stepped back. "Just where do you plan on going, Erik?" he questioned.

Erik laughed mirthfully, and the Iranian jumped at the unusual sound. He could clearly see it, though...the vividness in his comrade's eyes. How could he not be at least somewhat happy for him? "As though I would ever tell you such a thing! Ah Nadir...I hope this is the last time I ever lay eyes upon your miserable self. Retire, my friend! Enjoy the rest of your days somewhere warm! Push me from your mind."

Christine gave him one last small smile and picked up her suitcase. Erik placed his hand upon her free arm and slowly led her out of his chambers and toward the front door. He then quickly returned for several boxes, opened the exit, and lay them at the bottom of the concrete stairwell.

Nadir could do nothing but stand there, his shoulders slumped in resignation. Erik gave him one last glance, one of both gratitude and warning. He then took Christine's hand and led her outside. Someone else was now there, likely the driver to help with the luggage. The last thing that Nadir saw was Christine shivering in the icy air, followed by Erik quickly leading her up the concrete steps and to the warmth of the car. The door closed by itself behind them, perhaps hit with a current of wind from above.

And that was it.

He stared at the exit for several moments and sighed. For a few minutes, Nadir looked aimlessly around the sitting area, feeling his head continue to pound with pain. After some time had passed, he returned to the back room and knelt down, before picking the smelling salts up off the floor. He then held them up to the young man's nose.

Raoul blinked several times and coughed, before abruptly sitting straight up and looking around at his unfamiliar surroundings. Finally, he focused on Nadir, utter confusion in his eyes. "Oh my God. He...He...Where are we?"

The Iranian chuckled and tiredly took a seat upon the linoleum tiles. "Calm down. You are fine. You are in Erik's house. The fact that you are alive is nothing short of miraculous."

Raoul rubbed a hand over his sore neck, still staring at the strange setting. "Where's Christine? Did he...? Where is she?"

Nadir sighed and looked away. "She is gone now. I fear it may be best to forget her. I honestly think that she may be okay. There is no need to worry about her now."

"What? Maybe there's still time to call the police...to do something..." He started to get up, worry etched into his handsome features. "We've got to try!"

"No. I fear it is useless now. They left some time ago. Before I even arrived." The lie came easily, and Nadir felt no guilt. Just exhaustion...so much exhaustion.

"But we-" Raoul turned around as Nadir let out a soft groan and leaned back against a cabinet door, clutching his skull. "Are you all right?" he asked, quickly coming over. "Your head looks pretty bad. There's...a lot of blood. Should I call an ambulance?"

Nadir shook his head. "It is best not to associate ourselves with this place," he stated between heavy breaths. "Let us...let us leave. Then we will find a hospital."

Raoul nodded and attempted to help him up, supporting him with one arm as they walked forward and out of the hidden room. He looked around at Erik's chambers, over toward the piano, the predator statues, and at the six-sided bed. "My God," he murmured. "This is where he lives? It's unreal."

Nadir squeezed his eyes shut, beginning to fade in and out of consciousness. "Yes. And I would prefer to forget it. The door is that way." He gestured forward, wanting to make it to the car before he completely collapsed. There was no way the boy would be able to drag him up the steps.

"All right." Tearing his eyes away from the odd sight, Raoul continued to the front door and opened it. He started to walk forward then clutched his temples as he gazed up at the long, dark stairwell. "Jeez...I'm still dizzy." A pained expression crossed his face. Regaining his senses, Raoul began the trek up the concrete steps. As he climbed, still supporting a barely conscious Nadir with one arm, a feeling of weariness weighed down upon him. Finding Christine would be hopeless now.

With the help of what could have only been divine intervention, he finally managed to assist Nadir up the steps, across the street, and into the car. Making his way out of the maze of broken buildings and cracked streets, Raoul drove to the nearest hospital and got Nadir into the emergency room. Seeing his battered state, a nurse quickly pulled Raoul away for a medical examination. Phillip had finally picked him up around six o' clock in the morning.

Several times, Raoul had considered asking for or calling the police. He was so overwhelmed and disoriented, though, that he doubted his words would even be coherent. Besides, he had little idea of what had happened in his hour of unconsciousness. What would he say to them? A man in a black mask with abnormal capabilities had kidnaped his girlfriend? They would think he was crazy. Somehow, he doubted it would do much good, finally telling the hospital staff that he had been involved in a fight. Still, Raoul continued to wonder if he'd ever see her again...if she was okay...if she was even alive. He dreamt of her that night. Maybe he would always wonder. Or maybe he would keep searching.

Nadir knew all that had happened, of course.

Late the next morning, the Iranian found himself in the intensive care unit of an expansive hospital. His head had been heavily bandaged in white gauze, and several clear tubes hung from his arm. The doctor assured him that no permanent damage had been sustained, though. Bored, melancholy, and on a dose of painkillers; Nadir had finally asked one of the nurses for an edition of the New York Times. Seeing the headline, he nearly choked on his orange juice.

Near Disaster! Explosives found in the Metropolitan Opera House! Terrorists?

Following the article about the bombs and evacuation were long analyses and expert opinions on the infiltration of America by its enemies.

Nadir leaned back into his pillow and tossed the paper aside with a morbid chuckle.

If only they knew it had all been done over a girl.

Christine was jolted awake by a loud roaring noise and a rumbling sensation beneath her feet. She opened her eyes, sat straight up, and looked around in confusion. For a moment, she forgot where she was. Turning to her right, she gazed out a circular window and into near darkness. On her left were rows of other people, many of them asleep or reading. Her breath quickened, and she felt momentarily disoriented. A hand immediately wrapped around her own, and she turned to look into Erik's steady gaze. "Do not be frightened, Christine. It is only minor turbulence."

And then she remembered. She was on an airplane. Vaguely, she could recall clutching Erik's hand as the black car had driven north. Hours later, they had arrived at some small airport over the Canadian border. There had been quiet conversations and the exchanging of money and documents, followed by the direct boarding of a medium-sized plane. Others had been there as well. The two women sitting on the opposite side had their faces completely covered with scarves. An older man in a business suit had nervously drummed his hands upon a suitcase, his gaze constantly shifting right and left. In the front, she had heard a rapid conversation taking place in what sounded like German.

Erik had kept her close to his side throughout the journey, and she had followed him through the fog of strange faces and unknown locations. He introduced her as his wife on several occasions, commenting later that there was always less suspicion of married couples. She smiled inwardly, gathering that he simply enjoyed making the statement. At some point early in the flight, the day had finally taken its toll upon her. No longer able to process all that had occurred, she had fallen into a deep sleep.

Now wide awake from the motion of the plane, Christine swallowed and again clutched to Erik's hand. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"There is one more stopover. And then we go to wherever you wish! Name a place you yearn to see, my dear."

She hesitated. "Sweden." It was the first place that came to mind. "My great-grandfather was from there. I've always wanted to see it."

"Then we will, Christine. We will go to Sweden for several days."

He made it sound so simple. For another second, she panicked. The enormity of her decision brightly flashed in front of her-of all she had left behind in one night. There was nothing of her past, not even an old photograph. There was Erik. And there was her. Two souls permanently bound together, flying under a starless sky to somewhere unknown. Christine again gazed up at him and saw contentment in the two yellow orbs. A peaceful warmth replaced some of her fear. She leaned against his bony shoulder and stared ahead, quickly gathering her thoughts and composure.

Yes, she loved him.

The plane shook again, rocked by another gust of air as it traveled through thick layers of clouds. Were they over an ocean? Nothing beneath them but miles and miles of saltwater? Christine deeply inhaled, pressing her forehead against his arm.

"Are you sick, my dear?" he questioned, noticing the look in her eyes. "Exhausted, I am sure. But I do realize that air travel makes some people ill."

"No," she whispered. "No. I'm fine." Christine smiled and took another breath. "I...I was thinking that it would be nice to get married in France."

Even without seeing his face, she knew there was a look of delight on his distorted features. He affectionately pulled her closer, claiming her as his bride...his queen and empress. She felt her shoulders relax. "A perfect idea, Christine. I will make immediate plans."

"Will we stay there?" she quietly asked, trying to picture what lay ahead. "I mean...to live?"

"If you sincerely wish it, we could. But I have made other arrangements somewhere else. Ones that you will enjoy, I believe. You see, my Christine." He took her hand. "The world is ours now. No longer will we hide from it. With you, I could thrive in it! We will take our place. And that place, my love, is very high up!"

"What do you mean?" she questioned, tilting her head and looking into his adoring eyes.

He pulled back his mask slightly, before laying a soft kiss to her forehead. Christine smiled, her eyes sparkling as a feeling of invincibility overtook her. It was fairly dark inside the plane, and no one else paid them any attention. And perhaps these passengers all had their own troubles to worry about, anyway. Perhaps they were all escaping something that night...these strange phantom people. Nevertheless, no one ever claimed to see the beautiful blonde and the man enshrouded in black.

"Did I not tell you that I would give you the world, my dear?"

"You did, Erik!"

"Then you will have it!"

FIN