A/N: Yep. I got another chapter done already! I know, I'm shocked too. It's not nearly as long as some of the other chapters, but I swear the next chapter will be at least 3,000 words, and it may be the final chapter too.

I'm thinking of writing an epilog as well, mainly because in The Phantom Of The Opera, you kind of wish you knew what happened after Erik escapes, at least I did. And I may have created that in my story, but I think I would like to know what happens after the story ends.

By the way, Christian was taken from another favorite musical of mine, Moulin Rouge. He's not exactly like the Christian I know and love, but that's how you can picture him.

Chapter 5.

Down Once More

Christian, Meg, and Mousier Bouquet gathered around me as I lay in Meg's arms.

The buzz of many voices filled my ears, but I didn't care. The only thing in my mind right now was getting Christian and I out of the Opera House. The only problem was that he would think I was insane for telling him everything.

Christian picked me up out of Meg's arms and put me in his own.

I suddenly found reason to speak.

"Wait! Don't pick me up!" I shouted.

Erik was still watching every move I made, and if Christian picked me up and took me somewhere, Erik was sure to follow.

I stood up and whispered into Christian's ear "Don't panic, but we have to get out of here."

Christian stared at me blankly "What? What are you talking about!?".

"Shh!" I put my finger up to his lips. "Just follow me."

I entwined my fingers in his, and ran off the stage. I heard distant shouts coming from Meg, but I ignored her. I cared about Christian, and Meg's aggravating and prudent questions were not going to stop me from saving our lives.

Erik was trying to kill someone, I was guessing that it was either Christian or myself. Meg after all was right, he was just a deranged murderer, and I had no business plastering myself on him like I did last night. I never needed to see Erik again.

I pulled Christian behind me, and raced past many crew members, pushing several aside.

"May I ask where you're taking me!?" Christian shouted.

"I have no time to explain right now, I'll tell you in a minute." I replied.

We reached a broom closet, so I yanked the splintered door open and shoved Christian inside. I turned around and slammed the door behind me. I grabbed a broom and propped it up against the handle.

It was pitch black in the closet and I couldn't see a thing so I forcefully yanked Christian towards me.

"What in the name of bloody hell is wrong with you!?" Christian exclaimed.

"Shh, don't talk, just listen." I whispered.

Christian silenced.

"Ok, have you ever heard the story of the phantom of the opera?"

Christian rolled his eyes, "Yes. I have, it's just a myth isn't it?"

"That's where your wrong. You see, The Phantom exists, and he's been stalking me for a day or two now. He believes I'm Christine De Changy, and he thinks he loves me."

Christian glanced around the room, almost as if this was some kind of joke.

"You've got to be kidding me? You can't be serious...There is no possible way that the Phantom exists, he's merely some kind of shadow that's a subject of shallow chorus girls."

I let out a short breath "Shut up, you need to just shut up and let me continue." I waited for Christian to respond. He nodded his head in agreement. "Ok then, He saw myself with you, and I saw him up in the chandelier dome... holding a dagger. That was my reason for having a screaming fit."

Christian waited to see if I was done speaking, and when I told him I was done he asked "But I don't understand, why would someone get so jealous if he just saw us together, we didn't have any kind of physical contact, we didn't even shake hands."

"You're wrong again, you picked me up and swept me off my feet, not to mention we were talking."

Christian opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I waited, but he didn't speak until he had moved closer towards me.

"I must confess that I do have feelings for you. I saw you singing out there and... well I couldn't help falling for you, and if this Phantom wants to murder me for falling in love, well then there's no justice in this world. So I my as well have some reason for dying for you." Christian spoke softly in my ear, and forcefully put his lips on my own.

My head slammed up against the wooden door, making a terrible noise, but I didn't care. He was kissing me... but I didn't like it. There was no emotion in it, unlike the kiss I had shared with Erik.

Erik had kissed me softly, and lovingly. He seemed to care for me, but Christian's kiss... it was forceful and almost like he had been put up to kissing me. He had said he had feelings for me, but this kiss didn't show it.

I pulled Christian away from me, I had had enough of this.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

Christian looked confused and unresponsive.

"I was kissing you until you pushed me away like that. I thought that if this Phantom wanted to kill me, then I should have some reason for being killed, and now I do."

I looked down at the floor hesitantly "Christian, I do admit to having feelings for you, but you just aren't... Erik. I hardly know both of you, and yet I admit to falling in love with both of you!".

"Wait, you've kissed him? You have feelings for him? So I'm just some kind of stranger that's ruined your relationship?" Christian looked angry and upset, I couldn't help but feel bad for him. I had sort of used him in a way.

"I'm sorry Christian, I really am."

"I do want you to know, that I like you, and that I greatly esteem you." Christian paused then looked at me strangely. "What am I saying? I love you! I hardly know you, but I don't care." Christian had a smile that made me want to smile also, but I couldn't.

The window that was in the back of the broom closet suddenly shattered to pieces, scattering all over the floor.

Christian and I both jumped and held each other as I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I almost fainted when I saw who the person was that was crawling in through the window. Erik jumped into the broom closet and grabbed me by the arm so that the blood circulation was cut off.

"Let go of her now!" Christian cried.

Erik raised a long sword that had Erik's crest molded into the handle up to Christian's neck.

Erik glared at Christian menacingly, then broke into a laughing fit "This fool is the man that you would rather have... then myself?".

I was remaining rather clam, which was very unusual. Normally I would have been crying my eyes out or begging for mercy on my knees.

No, I didn't want Christian to be slaughtered right in front of my eyes, but part of me wanted to go with Erik, and yet part of me wanted to stay with Christian.

"Erik, please. Just...just don't hurt him, I couldn't live with myself if I saw him die."

I gave Christian a sad, longing look.

Erik seemed shocked, almost as if he couldn't breathe. "So wait" Erik said. "You would choose me over him?". Erik's breaths seemed short and out of place.

"I choose you, Erik." I said, tears streaming down my face. "Let's just please get of here."

Christian had been forced up against the door, but when Erik lowered his sword Christian jumped towards me and whispered in my ear "If this is what you really want, then I won't follow, but I want you to know that I love you." Christian was trying to finish his sentence while Erik was pushing him away from me.

I mouthed I love you as Erik slid his hand around my waist and pulled us both out the window.

The last thing I saw was Christian standing pitifully in the broom closet.

As Erik pulled both of us down a long winding rope, I heard Christian shout "I'll come for you!", I just hoped that Erik hadn't heard what I had heard.

Nope! This isn't the end of the story, I'll get to writing the next chapter as soon as possible!