Ok everyone! Got one review so I'm keeping my promise and continuing the story! I expect to hear from more people with reviews now! Forgot to say at the beginning of the last chapter, I DO NOT OWN PHANTOM OF THE OPERA OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS! THEY BELONG TO ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AND GASTON LEROUX! AND I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE SONGS I USED, THOUGH I CHANGED THE LYRICS A BIT TO FIT MORE WITH MY STORY, THEY BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPOSERS/SINGERS :-) Thanks again guys and I really hope you enjoy this next chapter! REVIEW!

A New Life

Chapter 2: A Waiting Game

Christine laid there on the stone trying to recover the strength to go in search of the Phantom, but she was simply exhausted and didn't think she could go any further in the thoroughly soaked wedding gown. She lay thinking for a moment and then remembered that she had changed out of her Don Juan costume earlier and left it in the alcove where the mannequin was, so she decided to go see if it was still there or if it had been claimed by the mob.

She eased herself up off of the floor, almost falling again when her foot caught on the hem of the dress, and began climbing the stairs that led up to the organ platform. Christine was careful not to disturb any of the music sheets laying on the floor as she lifted the dress to keep from ruining the Phantom's unfinished compositions scattered about. Finally, Christine made it to the alcove and paused to lean against the wall and catch her breath. She was relieved to find that her costume lay in the same place she had left it earlier that night. Christine began removing her current garment, but the going was slow as she had no one to help her unlace her corset or help her remove the dense outer layer of skirts and petticoats.

When she had finally managed to strip away all of her wet clothing, Christine was standing stark naked in the middle of the alcove. She blushed and hoped that the Phantom was not around to see her embarrassing display. As quick as she could, Christine once more donned her scandalous Don Juan costume and sighed in relief when she found that she could walk unhindered once more. She picked up a black ribbon she found laying on the floor beside the mannequin and tied back her hair that she had wrung out as best she could before changing her clothes. Christine exited the alcove and began searching the lair for any sign of the Phantom. She gasped when she finally noticed the broken mirrors, and she knelt down in front of the last one and hid her face in her hands. Whether or not the mob had done this, she didn't know, but the broken glass lay there on the floor as a sharp reminder of the pain she had put him in upon leaving with Raoul.

Christine picked up a shard of glass and stared at her reflection for a moment, wondering how how she could ever have become so heartless? As she moved to place the glass back on the floor, something caught her eye in the reflection. She turned around and noticed a closed curtain behind where she sat. Carefully avoiding the broken glass as she stood up, Christine approached the curtain. She couldn't remember this curtain being there before. As she examined the mysterious covering, she saw a speck of green peak out from the bottom of the fabric. Christine pulled the curtain back hesitantly, half expecting something to jump out at her from the darkness, and gasped.

Before her was a long dark tunnel that seemed to lead into the very depths of the earth. Christine looked down and saw the green she had first noticed at the bottom of the curtain. There, on top of the remnants of the glass from the third and final mirror, lay the red rose with the black ribbon. A tear ran down her cheek, her final performance had been the only one that he had not given her a rose. Now she fully understood exactly what she had done to him. He was going to give the rose to her when she consented to marry him, but instead he sent her away. Here was that same rose laying on the floor of what she assumed to be the tunnel he took to escape. He had left her behind. Christine knelt down on the floor, picked up the rose, pressed it against her tear stained cheek and began to sing.

Did I disappoint you or let you down? I'm feeling guilty, letting the judges frown. For I saw the end before we'd begun, yes I saw you'd given in and I knew I had won. So I took my leave by eternal right. Took your soul out into the night. It may be over but it won't stop there, I am here for you if you'd only care. You touched my heart you touched my soul. You changed my life my dear angel. And love is blind and that I knew when, my heart was blinded by you. I've kissed your lips and held you close. Shared your dreams and shared your bed. I know you well, I know your voice. I've been addicted to you. Goodbye my angel. Goodbye my friend. You have been the one. You have been the one for me. Goodbye my angel. Goodbye my friend. You have been the one. You have been my only love.

As Christine sang, her tears fell steadily onto the glass covered floor and moistened the petals of the rose. She closed her eyes and poured her heart out to the darkness and crying for her lost angel. When her song ended, Christine opened her eyes and let the last note hang in the air; she couldn't bear to let the moment die. Suddenly a voice sounded faintly in the depths of the tunnel.

Christine...Christine...

Christine, her head previously bowed, snapped her head up in the direction of the voice. Could it be that he had not gone after all? There was only one way to know for sure. She sang.

Angel or father? Friend or Phantom? Who is it there staring?

The voice did not reply. Christine was desperate to know if she had been imagining hearing his voice, and so she tried again, pleading with the darkness to answer her.

Angel of music I denied you, turning from true beauty. Angel of music, my protector, can you forgive me Angel?

Still the voice did not answer her.

"Please..." Christine whispered, her voice breaking, "please..."

She felt the tears start again as she wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth on the stone floor.

"No..." she choked.

Quietly at first, but growing in volume gradually, a voice came through the darkness as the mist.

I gave you my music, made your song take wing, and now, how've you repaid me? Denied me and betrayed me...

The voice broke on the last line, but Christine had heard and quickly stood up. With eyes wide, and heart swelled with emotion, Christine began to sing once more.

Angel I hear you, speak, I listen, stay by my side, guide me, Angel my soul was weak forgive me, come to me dear Angel.

Christine waited patiently, listening attentively for any sign of movement or a reply. Within moments she began to hear footsteps. She took a step forward and strained her eyes into the darkness when suddenly he appeared there before her, still mask-less. His face broke her heart, he was expressionless but she could see the deep pain etched in his eyes.

"Christine."

Well there you go! You had all better thank GigiMusic for reviewing the last chapter or nobody would have seen this chapter :-) THANK YOU GIGIMUSIC! I really hope you enjoy this chapter as well! Thanks again for reading guys and I'll get started on chapter 3 the minute I see a review! Happy Holidays!