A/N: Sorry for the delayed update, been busy trying to catch up with school. Spent my Easter Break in the ICU unit in the hospital, so now I'm trying to get everything caught up. You know the drill; don't own anything except for the story plot. R&R please! Thanks hugs to those who have! Onto the story!

Breaking Down

Chapter 4: Because of a Rose

"Hello Erik," The all too familiar voice said.

Christine stood in the doorway, her face a mix of emotions as she waited for Erik to respond.

He couldn't believe she was there, standing in his doorway. She looked a little different, older somehow, and yet he could still see the same uncertain child.

"Christine…" Erik whispered, not sure of what else to say. It was then that he noticed Raoul standing a few feet away. "What do you want?" He asked, regaining his posture.

"May I come in, please? I need to speak with you," She asked.

"Why don't you speak with your husband, I'm sure he would care to listen." He replied coolly. He soon regretted making the remark when he noticed the look of hurt in her eyes. "Fine, but he stays here."

"I beg your pardon? I certainly…"

"Raoul, its fine. Please, I'll be ok." She remarked firmly.

Christine walked into the house as Erik closed the door behind her.

"What did you need?" The Phantom asked as he strolled towards the foyer.

"He's not my husband," The former Opera starlet stated to his back, as she watched him move across the floor.

"Excuse me?" He turned around.

"I said he's not my husband. We didn't get married."

He wasn't really sure how to respond to that. In one night she had left him for another man. And in just a few minutes she had brought his world crashing to his feet. If she wasn't married then why was she here?

"Come; let us walk in the garden. I find it to be very relaxing when I think." He stated as he extended his gloved hand towards her.

Taking his hand, Christine followed him through the house, out a set of doors and into the garden.

"It's beautiful," She breathed.

For a few minutes they walked in silence, both aware of each other's presence. The breeze played with the trees, casting shadows over the path that they walked along. Everywhere she looked, Christine saw different flowers, and it seemed as if the garden could go on forever. It was true; this place really did relax her. They soon found themselves in the rose garden. Christine noticed most of the flower buds on the ground. She wasn't the only one who noticed.

"I did a little…gardening," He grumbled.

For some reason the young brunette found herself laughing. Why it seemed funny, she wasn't sure, but she couldn't help herself. Placing her hand over her mouth she tried to stifle the sounds of her giggles. Looking up she found Erik smiling at her. His white mask seemed to shine, even in the darkened path. He looked so refined, his hair was pulled back, his suit was finely made and everything was in its rightful place. She found herself reaching up to touch his face.

Erik felt the touch of her slender fingers on his cheek and suddenly remembered how much he missed her presence. Her touch seemed so sooth against his skin as he closed his eyes, not realizing he had placed his hand atop of hers.

"Take your mask off," Christine stated.

Erik's eyes flew open as he pushed her hand away.

"What!" He yelled.

"I need to ask you something and I want to ask it to your face. I want the answer from you, not part of you."

Taking a deep breath, Erik pulled the porcelain away from his face, feeling somewhat vulnerable.

"What did you need to ask me?"

"Do you," She took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Do you still love me?"

The man stood before her, stunned at the question she just posed. He certainly wasn't expecting her to ask him that. Of course he still loved her, she was the only person that he could ever love. She had treated him like a real person, not some thing that had just climbed out of the sewer. She had looked at him with a respect that he had never received before, how could he not love her.

"Christine…"

"Please, I need to know Erik." She pleaded.

"Why? So you can turn around and leave again? So you can feel special because not one, but two men, love you?" He retorted.

"So you do love me?" She asked, a glint of something appeared in her eyes.

Erik walked past her, his cloak flowed behind him as he walked towards one of the bushes. She watched as he pulled a single, uniquely colored flower out of the bush. He turned back to her with the bud in his hand.

"You showed me a life I would never have seen," He said as he walked closer to her, gently placing the rose behind her ear. "How could I not love you?"

Placing his mask back on he walked past her and back towards the house.

"He hasn't changed," She smiled as she took the rose from her hair and brought it up to her nose. Taking a deep breath the fragrance filled her with happiness and loneliness at the same time. "Will I?"

So I hope you liked this chapter! I'm going to try and get back to updating more! Thanks again for all the reviews! Love y'all!