Back at Phantasma in Erik's office, Christine paced back and forth. "This cannot be happening, Erik. What they told you can't be true. There is no possible way that Madame could have known or condone such actions..." Erik's eyes met hers and she paused. "Good God, what happened to her, Angel?"

"Greed and pain. They can destroy you if you are not careful. I should know."

She shook her head violently. "You never could do something like this."

"I took lives, Christine or don't you remember? How I am I any different?"

"You did what you had to do to survive in a world that showed you no mercy or compassion. You never hurt anyone, unless it came down to them or you or the lives of people you loved."

He arched his brow. "Banquet?"

She remembered when his body came swinging across the stage. That sight caused her to flee to the roof and mistakenly put her trust in Raoul's white knight persona.

"What really happened that night in the rafters?"

"Christine, we were talking about…"

"You brought it up. You're so eager to compare yourself to Madame Giry, fine. Prove me wrong. Why did you kill him?"

He went to turn away, but Christine stopped him by taking his hand. "Tell me."

"I was up in the rafters, wanting to see you. Even if you were only the Page boy…." He smiled weakly. "I was angry the Managers had disobeyed my demands to silence that monstrosity, Carlotta and I lost track of myself when Banquet called out my name."

Erik took a deep breath. "He said, 'There he is, the famous Opera Ghost.' He had obviously been drinking. He looked down and must have seen you, because the bastard started to laugh. He said, 'Well look here. The Opera Ghost as a lustful side. I don't blame you, I hear she's awfully tasty.' Those words out of his mouth will forever haunt me."

Christine looked appalled. She had never wanted to vomit as much in her whole life, as she did today.

"I went charging at him and placed my hands on his throat. He said we could share you and I shouldn't be too greedy, for a ballet rat has been had more times than…." He stopped when he saw Christine's face. "I apologize."

"No, go on."

"I wasn't thinking. All I knew was that he was a vile man who took advantage of the girls and scared them. When I heard him speak of you in such a way. To think that he had thought of you like that… To think that he might hurt you like that…"

Erik shook his head to clear his mind. "He then started to scream out, that the Phantom of the Opera was here. I went into survival mode and before I knew it…. He perished at my hands."

Christine sat down. "I'm as much to blame as you are."

"Stop that! Don't ever think like that." He went and kneeled beside her.

She caressed his unmasked cheek. "I never really knew you. Not like I do now. Not how I want to know you now."

Erik tried to stay focused but the feel of Christine's soft hand on his face made it rather difficult to concentrate. "I…. I have to speak to her."

She nodded. "I'm not leaving you. God knows what she will say, and I don't want her to try and manipulate things and make you feel responsible."

"I don't want her insulting you…."

She stopped him by placing her finger on his lips. "I'm staying. After all that's happened today, I have a right to be here."

He nodded. "I know it's a sign of weakness to say this but…."

"But what?"

"I need your strength, Angel. I need you here. I was just afraid to ask that of you."

She brought her face close to his. "You have no idea how much I have longed to be needed."