Disclaimer- I don't own the phantom...

Chapter 15

She turned her head around and Raoul had a concerned look on his face. She pulled her cloak around her and turned her head away from him, closing her eyes.

"…Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you -
my words will warm and calm you."

She just listened to the sound of his voice. It was peaceful and rich, a total opposite of the sensual dark voice of her angel. She could hear him taking steps closer to her.

"Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here, with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you ..."

He was now standing behind her she could feel him behind her, his eyes upon her. She opened her eyes, knowing he was waiting for an answer to him. What should she say? He was a sweet guy she had learned that much. He was so concerned and caring…did he love her? She felt flattered and half-smiled.

"Say you love me every waking moment..." She turned around so she could face him, so she could see the look in his eyes. She had never been in love nor had anyone in love with her; but the look he was giving her made her feel…nervous.

"…turn my head with talk of summertime ...
Say you need me with you, now and always ...
promise me that all you say is true -
that's all I ask of you ..." He took one of her hands as the other was still holding onto the rose. But, as Raoul distracted her, her attention on the rose slipped from her mind, as the rose slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. Raoul began leading her towards the light.

"Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light.
You're safe: No-one will find you -
your fears are far behind you ..."

"All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night ..."

She grabbed his other hand, smiling up at him. It felt so nice to be in the light and free of all thoughts and decisions. Raoul wasn't trying to pull her into his world but pull her out of her angel's.

"..And you, always beside me,
to hold me and to hide me ..."

He smiled bigger and pulled her towards him.

"Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime ..."

He began leading her around the rooftop.

"..let me lead you from your solitude ...
Say you need me with you here, beside you ..."

He stopped in front of the windows where light was coming out and put his arms around her waist.

"…anywhere you go, let me go too…"

She looked away a little embarrassed by how close they were. She felt him laugh and he said her name sweetly, taking a hand and lifting her chin up so they were staring in each other's eyes.

"…that's all I ask of you ..."

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime ...
say the word and I will follow you ..."

He left one hand on her waist and put the other on her cheek. His hand was warm and she could feel his skin on her hers instead of the normal leather gloves she felt. She leaned into his touch. They both sang together.

"Share each day with me, each night, each morning ..."

She put her hand over his and looked at him seriously.

"Say you love me…" He sort of laughed.

"You know I do…" She grabbed both his hands in hers.

"Love me -
That's all I ask of you ... "

He leaned in to kiss her but she stepped back from him, releasing her grasp on his hands.

"Christine… I don't understand."

"Raoul, this is all just happening so fast." He smiled and pulled her close to him.

"It's supposed to be this way Christine. I love you; I've loved you from the moment we met." She felt the nervous feeling again, as if she had butterflies in her stomach.

"I think I love you too."

"And that's all I want from you Christine, nothing more." She wanted to cry; she had never felt happier in her life. He put his hand on her cheek and leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. She leaned into and it turned into a more passionate kiss. She pulled away and wrapped her arms around him.

"Anywhere you go let me go too ..."

She pulled back so she could see his face.

"Love me, that's all I ask of you."

They kissed again, this time it was more of a sensual kiss. He pulled away and she realized that she still had an opera to be.

"Oh my god!"

"What?" He asked, glancing around.

"We've been up here so long we forgot about the opera." He smiled and shrugged and she half-smiled. "Come on, I must go!" She went to but Raoul held onto her. "They'll wonder where I am."

"And?"

"I don't want to worry Madame Giry or Meg." He nodded and she went to leave again but he stopped her.

"Christine, I love you…" She smiled and she kissed his cheek. "There is also something I want to ask you."

"Yes?"

"Since the opera is taking a break for about three or four months, would you like to come to my family's home for the holidays?"

"I'd love to!" She laughed, which sparked his laughter. He picked her up and they twirled together. He put her on the ground and she felt tears coming to her eyes. How could all this be happening to her? Everything was so perfect.

"Order your fine horses; be with them at the door so after the performance we can go."

"That soon?"

"I want to be out of here as soon as possible."

"And soon you'll be beside me…"

"You'll guard me and you'll guide me..."

She dragged him to the door and they quickly left.

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Finally, the phantom stepped out from his hiding spot behind a statue. He felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest. His Christine, his student, his…love was gone. She had abandoned him for that Raoul. He shook his head, trying to get the image of their kiss out of his head; their words ringing in his ears. He loved her and she loved him. But, why? What had this Raoul given her that he, himself, could not? Why did Christine not say these words to him? She had been so gentle with him when he revealed his…face. Yet, now she was leaving him. He felt defeated. Christine was his everything. Her voice, her words, her mind; he loved it all. Then, something caught his eye. His attention deferred, he came closer to the object and dropped to his knees in front of it. It was the rose he had given her. He had given her this rose as a symbol for everything he had felt about her. Here it was on the ground, left behind, like him.

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They were halfway down the stairs when Orianna stopped.

"What's the matter, Christine?"

"I forgot something on the rooftop." How could she forget the rose?

"Want me to accompany you?" She shook her head.

"No, stay here, I'll be right back." She hurried back up towards the rooftop. She felt so stupid for forgetting it. She didn't even remember dropping it. Even though she had Raoul she couldn't forget her angel; as much as she wanted to get away from the situation she felt like she emotionally couldn't. She opened the door and went to look when she saw her angel kneeling over it. She quickly ducked behind the nearest statue.

He must have heard everything between her and Raoul. She felt like such a well, a bitch. She made sure he didn't see her and went to the statue close enough to hear him but far enough away so he wouldn't be aware she was there. She peeked out from behind the statue and thought her heart was going to break. His face was a mix of emotions: hurt, anger, sadness, he literally looked like he was heartbroken. She felt the tears forming from just looking at him. He picked up the rose and held it close to him. She leaned forward and noticed the tears coming down his face. That's when he began to sing.

"I gave you my music ...
Made your song take wing ...
and now, how you've repaid me:
denied me and betrayed me ...
He was bound to love you when he heard you sing ...
Christine ..."

He put his head down and pressed the rose to his face, crying out loud. She put her hand over her mouth. He was so upset. That's when she realized they were both in love with her. Her angel was in love with her. No wonder he looked so upset. She felt like a monster. Suddenly, she heard Raoul start singing, to give the impression she was still with him, Orianna turned away from the scene and let the wind catch her voice.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime ...
say the word and I will follow you ...
Share each day with me, each night, each morning ..."

Occasionally, she glanced over and he had finally put his head up. She could see anger was taking over. He held the rose in his hand, holding it too tightly he crushed it. He threw it on the ground and stood up.

"You will curse the day you did not do all that the Phantom asked of you ...!"

She suppressed the tears from inside her and quickly left the rooftop. She leaned up against the door and closed her eyes. This was going to be a joyous holiday.

((Hello children! I hope you enjoy this chapter better because I like this one better too! I gave insight to how our phantom friend was feeling because I thought you needed to know! The scene is a little romantic again but it needed it….Orianna needs it my next chapter will be interesting! A holiday at Raoul's house and a Christmas gift for the phantom! FUN! I hoped you enjoyed it!))