Although not used as a song, some of the words spoken by Christine are from "How Could I Ever Know?" from The Secret Garden. I found it fitting.

Christine didn't know what to think at first. How did such a portrait of her exist like that? Yet right before her hung a stunning likeness of her in Erik's private office. So private in fact, that he kept it hidden. Should she fear him and call this some sort of haunting obsession? Should she be angry? Should she feel ashamed for causing such loneliness in him? Should she feel proud or joyous that in the years they were a part, his love never died? She wanted to cry. She had hurt so many people because she was too afraid to act or speak her own truth. She had blamed him and Raoul, but she herself had caused a fair amount of pain and now after ten years, she still didn't know what to do.

How could I know I would hurt you so? How can I say to go on without me, when I know you still need me so? How can I say not to dream about me? How could I ever know? Forgive me, can you ever forgive me? I am too weak for you. And yet I can't stop loving you either. I can't resist you, any more than you can resist me. Dear God, what are we going to do? Her eyes began to swell with tears.

Erik cursed when he saw his office door wide open.

"Damn that woman! I am going to change the locks and she can leave correspondence at my door, if she cannot respect privacy!" He scoffed, as he removed his gloves but stopped in his tracks when he saw Christine. His eyes showed fear when he saw his painting in plain sight.

"What... What are you doing in here?"

She stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I came to see you…. Madame Giry let me in. Please don't be angry at me. I didn't mean to invade your privacy. I wasn't snooping. I only touched the keys and…."

"What is it that you needed?" He sounded cold, but his eyes still showed his embarrassment.

"This painting is…"

"I can explain. I…." He avoided her eyes.

"Erik, it's beautiful. How did it come to be?"

He hesitated but then replied. "I painted it."

She stood up and rested her hand on the organ for support. "You…." She then looked back at the painting once more. "Why did I not think of that myself? Of course, you did. Oh Erik, is that what you think I look like? The woman in this painting seems so strong and confident. It can't be me."

He couldn't concentrate on her words, only his folly. "I am not a stalker! I just wanted…. Needed to see you and …" He felt defeated. "I suppose this reminds you back in Paris when you saw the mannequin of yourself in my lair, doesn't it? The Phantom's obsession!" He threw his gloves on the table and kept his back towards her.

She came down the stairs and placed a hand on his back. He jumped but she did it again, slower this time, to give him time to adjust.

"I'm not angry. I am in awe of your talents. They are endless. I am only reminded of my doubt as to what you ever saw in me."

He turned his head. "Oh Christine. You know I never stopped loving you. You, who are goodness and light. I knew I should stay far away from you. I knew I didn't deserve…." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "The one blessing I had in my life was that I never desired love. It was a blessing, considering I knew no woman would ever have me. I had gone over 30 years without it, until I heard you sing. You… After I had commitment myself to living life five feet below the Opera House…. To live in darkness and shut out the rest of the world…. Only then did my heart awaken."

Christine couldn't contain her emotions any longer. "I loved you, oh God I loved you so! I didn't know how to love you, and I broke you because I didn't know how!"

Erik turned around to give her his full attention. "We discussed this. I was the one who let you go. I was the one who didn't allow you to make your own choice or have enough faith in..."

"Me." Her tears began to fall again.

"No! I took you and …."

"I gave it freely."

He was shocked at how open she was. "I meant everything I said yesterday, Christine. I will not force you again or make your choices. We must consider what is best for Gustave now. You need time and I have no intention of taking that away from you."

"Erik, I am so confused." She sighed in exasperation. "Just when I thought I was able to put my feelings for you aside and reconcile what my life was, you came back, or I came back. I don't know anymore."

"What… What are you saying?"

"I'm saying if I stay here and spend time with you again and start to let my heart trust you and love you again, then find you gone or cast me aside for whatever noble reason…."

He pulled her towards him in a move that surprised them both. "Christine, I told you that I will never do that again. I am never going to leave you again as long as I know you want me."

"I want to believe that, but it isn't just about me now. Gustave…."

"I know, and I won't hurt him. Why else would I not want him to know who I really am? It would destroy him."

"See, there you go again. That is a choice we both should make."

"I only said that because he fears me, as you did."

"I don't fear you now and I need you to forgive me for the past if we are ever hope to move on."

"I didn't mean…." His voice was a mere whisper, as he brought his forehead to hers.

"Your face did frighten me, but it was your actions and words that really scared me. Your face, stopped mattering a long time ago."

She traced the lining of the mask and he moved his head to allow her more access. His eyes closed so he could take in the sensation of her touch. Before either of them could think, their lips met tenderly. One kiss, followed by two and then three, until their tongues touched, and their mouths made an eruption together. Yet they instantly pulled apart, gasping for breath.

"You need time!"

"I need time."

They both spoke at the exact same moment and suddenly Christine laughed.

Erik looked at her strangely. "What?"

"I don't know anything about you. I only found out your name two days ago."

"What is it that you wish to know?"

She looked at him with her mind a blank. "Am I supposed to simply ask you questions?" I can't process a whole lifetime in one conversation.

"Yes." He looked at her in all honesty.

She giggled. "What's your favorite color?"

"Black. Isn't that obvious."

She shook her head in amazement. "Are you being playful or serious?"

"Both." He grinned after a minute. "What else would you like to know? I am ready to tell you everything, although I am not sure you will be able to hear it. My life and my preferences, may not be for suitable conversations."

"I want to be the judge of that."

He nodded. "I concede."

Christine then panicked. "Gustave."

"What's wrong?"

"Gustave. I asked Ms. Fleck to look after him and I said I would only be gone a moment. I better go get him. He must be starving. We were going to go into the park and…"

"Explore?" He asked hopefully.

She nodded.

"Ms. Fleck is a good woman. I have no doubt he is being cared for but, go and enjoy your day."

She turned to leave but stopped to look back at him. "You were at the stables earlier?"

"Yes, I care for the horses there every day."

"I can't believe you have stables here too." She was beyond impressed with all that Erik was able to accomplish.

"They aren't for the public. They are my own. I longed for Caesar since I left Paris and…."

"Caesar? I haven't thought of him in years."

Erik smiled. "He was a good friend and thus I told myself that once I made my way, I would own horses as opposed to…. Borrowing them." He grinned. There is a thin line between stealing and borrowing, he thought.

She giggled. "I remember how much he loved you and you dotted on him."

"Would…. Would you and Gustave like to see the stables?" He told himself not to be too disappointed, if she said no.

She paused. She really thought it was best to spend time with Gustave alone but after last night, she thought that having Gustave spend some time with Erik wouldn't be a bad idea after all.

"Could we meet you here a little later? After breakfast?"

He couldn't believe she had said yes. "Of course!"

"We'll come back to the stage area. Maybe I'll even find your Stage Manager, so I can go over a few things."

"Just come when you are ready."

She raised her eyebrow. "You're willing to wait?"

"I am nothing if not a patient man, Christine. The years have taught me that."