Before you say anything, I know it's been like forever since I updated this story, but I was really busy with finishing up my first year of college and then after that I suppose I just lacked inspiration. However, I recently got a review from someone and their comment made me realize that I couldn't leave this story unfinished; especially with how much I hate it when other authors do that. Anyway... here's chapter 4, I hope all of you who were following it before still come back to read it. I don't know for how long it will go on but I promise to try my hardest to finish! As always I DO NOT OWN PHANTOM OF THE OPERA OR ANY OF THE SONGS I USE IN THIS STORY, THEY ALL BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPOSERS/SINGERS/SONGWRITERS! Also, I know I was going to cite the songs/artists at the end of the story, so I'll try my best to remember which ones I use ;-) The rating I think may be changed to T soon as I really don't fancy getting graphic on you all haha! Anyway, enjoy!

A New Life

Chapter 4: Apologies and Confessions

"Christine, NO!"

He caught her as she fell, making sure not to let any part of her hit the floor. As the Phantom scooped Christine up into his arms, he couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu as he carried her into the alcove where the swan bed rested, and gently lay her down on the velvety covers. He felt her pulse, it was weak but regular and he hoped that she would come to after she had rested for a while.

Christine was lost in the quiet of her mind as the darkness overcame her and she fell unconscious into her Angel's arms. The voice in her head cursed her for not resting a bit before she had went in search of the Phantom, now he was sure to be worried over her. At least I managed to tell him I love him before I fainted, she told the voice, he probably would have just let me fall to the floor if I hadn't. True, the voice conceded, but do you really think he will trust you so easily after all that's been dealt him in his life? I know, Christine sighed, somehow I have to make him see that I really do love him...but how? Stupid girl, the voice berated her, how do you think? But Christine never had a chance to answer, as suddenly the darkness surrounding her gave way to a bright light that grew until she opened her eyes to see her Angel staring down at her.

As Christine opened her eyes, the Phantom sighed in relief, "You are alright," he breathed, "I was worried, that perhaps the strain of seeing me had caused you to swoon."

Christine's vision came into focus, and she was exasperated to see that he had put his mask back on. She reached up to remove it, but he pushed her hand away.

"No, Christine, you will never be forced to look at my ugliness ever again," he stood up and straightened his shirt, "in fact," he continued, "now that you seem to be yourself again, I shall take you back to the surface as I am sure your fiancee will be quite worried about you." He spoke the word fiancee as if it left a bad taste in his mouth, Christine was shocked at his words. He offered her his hand but she pushed it away.

"No! You will not take me back to him because I have only just managed to get away!" She almost yelled, "Did you think that my words and actions before I fainted were only a result of dizziness?"

She stared into his eyes and, as she spoke she watched the flicker of emotions there change from anger to sorrow and finally settle on confusion. He opened his mouth to speak, but she silenced him with a wave of her hand.

"Well let me tell you something, Monsier Opera Ghost!" He flinched as she addressed him by the name given to him by the theater troupe.

"I have not now, nor have I ever been the type of girl to tell a man I love him lightly!" She continued, lowering her voice so that she was no longer scolding, but gently reminding.

"So when I told you I loved you, it was not because I was delirious and about to faint," a slight smile played across his lips as she spoke, "it was because I truly do love you, my Angel of Music."

"Erik." He said, sitting down on the bed next to her.

"What?" Christine asked, confused.

"My name is Erik, Christine." He replied.

Christine smiled, glad that he had chosen to share with her his given name; perhaps he would come to trust her after all.

"It's beautiful," Christine replied, gently bringing her hand up to cup the masked side of his face, "..Erik.." she cooed.

The muscles in his face visually relaxed at her touch, and he leaned into her hand.

"Christine..." he sighed, "I love you."

"And I love you, Erik, ALL of you." She replied, slowly curling her fingers under the edge of his mask and removing it.

He flinched and made to cover his face with his hand, but Christine only smiled and gently took the hand in hers and brought it to rest over her heart.

"Erik, I want you to feel my heart beat when I look at you," she said, pointedly looking at the marred side of his face, "do you feel my heartbeat quicken as in fear?" She asked him gently.

He couldn't believe that she was allowing him to place his hand in such an intimate place on her, and he struggled to focus on Christine's questions. The feel of her creamy skin beneath the calluses of his fingers made a shiver run down his spine, his gaze dropped as he focused on the gentle rhythm of her heartbeat against his palm; it was slow and even.

"Now look at me, Erik," Christine prompted.

He looked up to meet Christine's gaze, he had always found her eyes to be her most redeeming feature, aside from her voice of course, their deep chocolate brown color never failed to captivate him.

"I want you to listen to me closely, Erik," Christine continued, "If you cannot believe the words I speak, perhaps you will find more faith in those that I sing."

If I could turn back time, if I could find a way, I'd take back those words that hurt you and I'd stay. I don't know why I did the things I did, I don't know why I said the things I said. Pride's like a knife, it can cut deep inside, words are like weapons they wound sometimes. I didn't ever mean to hurt you, I didn't really want to go. I know I made you cry, but Angel if I could turn back time, if I could find a way... I'd take back those words that had hurt you and I'd stay. If I could reach the stars, I'd give them all to you, then you'd believe I love you, love you like the way I do... If I could turn back time...

Christine put all of her feelings of love into her song, as well as her overwhelming desire to apologize to the man she loved for her past wrongs, and sang to her Angel of Music with all her voice. When she finished, there were tears in both of their eyes as Erik closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Christine. She cried softly as he held her close, hoping he finally understood just how much he meant to her.

"Please forgive me, Erik," she said softly.

I didn't ever mean to hurt you, I never meant to leave you alone, I'm sorry I made you cry, but oh...If I could turn back time...

"I love you Erik, and I promise never to leave you again." Christine said and she pulled out of his embrace to kiss him again.

Erik returned the kiss and began to sing.

Everyday I love you more and more, listen to my heart, can you heart it sing? Telling me to give you everything. Seasons may change, winter to spring, but I love you until the end of time. Come what may! Come what may! I will love you until my dying day!

Well I hope you all liked it! Please review and I will do my best to update in a timely fashion! Ideas on what you would like to see in the next chapter? Perhaps what's going on with our dear friend Raoul? Yes, no, maybe? Let me know and I'll take it into consideration! Special thanks to kettyhare for inspiring me to continue my story! If you are enjoying this right now, then you all owe him/her a HUGE thank you!