Author's Note: As promised, here is the next chapter. It's going to have a lot to do with Erik and Christine and how their relationship is going to start progressing. Once again, I really appreciate all of the reviews so far. I've gotten nothing but good feedback so far and it's really good to read all of the positive reviews. I'm listening to the movie soundtrack as I write this chapter so hopefully it will give me some inspiration in the context of my story. The song in the story is called "No One Would Listen" and if you are any type of Phantom fan you will know that it is the deleted song from the movie DVD. I'm using it because I thought that it really fit in this part of the story. Hope that you enjoy this chapter and as always, please read and review!

Chapter Four: Memories of the Past

Erik sat at the organ, playing an all to familiar song. His fingers skillfully moved across the keys as he sang.

"No one would listen.

No one but her, heard as the outcast hears."

Closing his eyes, he saw Christine's face flash before his eyes and he remembered how beautiful her voice was. A voice that was trained by his own hand. Then he continued to sing.

"Shamed in to solitude,

Shunned by the multitude

I learned to listen

In my dark my heart heard music."

As he sang, he had gotten so involved in his singing that he couldn't hear Christine approach behind him. She stood there, listening to him sing.

"I longed to teach the world,

Rise up and reach the world,

No one would listen,

I alone could hear the music.

Then, at last, a voice it the gloom seemed to cry 'I hear you'

'I hear your fears, your torment and your tears'"

It was when she heard those words that the tears started to form in Christine's eyes. She knew that he was singing about her. Taking a small step forward, she continued to listen.

"She saw my loneliness,

Shared in my emptiness

No one would listen

No one but her, heard as the outcast hears."

She continued to make her way over to the organ, trying her best not to startle him. Soon, she was standing right behind him. Christine stood and listened as he finished his song.

"No one would listen,

No one but her, heard as the outcast hears."

His eyes closed as he finished the song. Taking in a deep breath, he looked down at the keys of the massive organ. "Oh Christine," he whispered, thinking that no one could hear him.

"That song was about me, wasn't it?"

Hearing her voice behind him startled him, but he was glad that it was her instead of someone else. Slowly, he turned around to face her. "Yes, Christine, it was about you," he replied.

She moved over to sit down on the bench next to him. "Erik...there's something that I need to know."

"Yes?"

"What happened that night? After you let Raoul and I go?"

Erik looked down at the floor. She was bringing up some painful memories, but she had a right to know.

"After you had given me back your ring, I stood on the shoreline and watched you and Raoul sail away in the gondola. I knew that I could never compose anything again. At the time, if I couldn't be with you then I felt that I didn't have a reason to live. I took a candlestick and shattered all of the mirrors."

He gestured to the still shattered mirrors that stood off to one side.

"One of the mirrors held a secret passage. It was through there that I made my escape. I stayed hidden away, hiding in the darkness that I knew so well, until I felt that it was safe to return to my home. For a few days, I didn't leave that labyrinth then, I knew that I needed to see you. So I made my way up to the opera house and located Madame Giry. She told me where I could find you and I made my way over to your estate. Christine, when I saw you through the window that first night, you took my breath away. You still were as beautiful as ever."

She smiled, and looked at him lovingly. "Please, continue."

"I found out when the wedding was and I observed you and the Vicomte taking your vows from a nearby hill. It was that day when I decided that I had to protect you, to continue to guide you in your life as the Vicomtesse de Changy. After that, every night I rode to the estate and visited you, checking up on you to make sure that you were taken care of. Tonight, I looked into the room and saw you lying there on the floor, in pain. I had to act. I knew I had to get you out of there. So into the estate I crept, I picked you up and brought you here."

Christine couldn't believe it. He had watched over her all this time? He took her hands in his. "Christine, please tell me one thing. Who has done this to you? I promise you that whoever it is, they will never harm you again."

Standing up, she stepped away from him, looking at the ground. Tears started to form in her eyes. "I don't want to talk about it Erik. It's just too painful right now," she replied.

He too rose from the bench and walked over to where she stood. Taking her small frame into his arms, he held her against him, stroking her hair. "It's alright Christine. I understand. When you're ready."

"Thank you...for everything you have done for me."

"You're most welcome," he replied. "Would you do me one favor though?"

"Anything, I owe you so much."

"Sing for me. It's been so long since I heard your voice."

She turned to face him. "Erik, I...I..." her voice trailed off.

"Christine, you can tell me anything. Please just tell me."

Taking a deep breath, she looked deep into his eyes. "I haven't sang a note since that night, when I saw you last."

His eyes narrowed. "Why? You have such a beautiful voice Christine. It's not something that you want to hide."

"Raoul...Raoul didn't want me to sing. He thought that if I sang, then it would bring you back."

It was then that the tears started to fall freely. She collapsed in his arms, sobbing. Erik couldn't believe it. The Vicomte didn't want his wife to do something the she clearly loved to do?

"You can sing for me Christine. You voice is truly that of an angel. Please sing for me."

She took a deep breath. "Alright, for you."

Christine closed her eyes, mustering up the courage to let her voice ring out.

"Think of me, Think of me fondly, when we've said good bye.

Remember me, once in a while, please promise me you'll try.

When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free.

If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me."

She stopped, not wanting to continue. "I can't sing anymore Erik. It's been too long since I sang last. I'm afraid that I have forgotten my lessons."

"It's alright Christine. I understand. Would you like to continue your lessons in the morning?" he asked.

"Yes, I would like that very much, thank you. I'm tired now, so I think that I'll go back to sleep."

She started to move back towards the swan bed then she stopped and looked back at him. "Will you lay with me please? I really don't want to sleep by myself right now."

Erik smiled. "Of course."

Together, they made their way over to the swan bed. He helped her climb onto the soft red sheets and then he followed her. Erik wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Goodnight Erik," he heard her say.

He kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, my angel."

Together, they fell asleep, only to dream of what might have been and what now could be.

Okay, there is chapter four! I hope that it's what everyone hoped that it would be. As long as my work permits, I'll try and get at least once chapter up a day...today I might get two up since things are so slow right now. Hopefully you guys are enjoying this story so far. I am certainly enjoying writing it. Please read and review. I love reading your reviews!

Sarah