Disclaimer: I do no own The Phantom of the Opera; all elements belong to their respective authors.

Erik's pale hand shook with effort as he reached up and slowly traced his fingers along her cheek. "Oh, Meg..." He groaned. "...mein Kind." He felt her tears run down his hand, slipping between his fingers and gliding onto his palm .

"It will be okay, you-you'll recover..." She assured him thickly. Erik let his hand fall to her wrist, his eyes meeting her's steadily. "N-no...my dear, it is..." He gasped for breath. "...too late."

"Don't say that...please!" Meg choked. "You will live!" He shook his head faintly. "It is...my time..." He shuddered and dropped his hand back to his side, wearily pressing his eyes closed.

"Don't die...you can't die...!" Meg sobbed, grabbing hold of his hand. "...You're like a Father to me..."

His yellow eyes flickered open, wide with disbelief. She swallowed. "I can't lose you, Erik...I love you..." Meg could see tears slipping from his eyes beneath the black mask. The gratitude glowing in his eyes was unbelievable. "Oh, Meg..." He whispered, his tone tinged with melancholy, before closing his eyes once more.

With tears burning down her own cheeks, she slid up beside him and pressed her tiny, bony frame against his own. Without hesitation, Meg wrapped her arms around him, trying her best to comfort him.

"...You've been nothing but generous and kind to me and Mama...You are my friend...my family..." She whispered, her voice rocked by silent sobs. "Please don't leave me..." Meg pleaded.

Her arms tightened around him as his heart stumbled, the sharp bones of his ribs heaving fitfully against her. It tore her apart to see him in so much pain.

Meg wept as she laid there with him. She knew she would never see him alive and healthy again. Erik had been a constant presence in her life for so long, it seemed impossible that in the blink of an eye he would be gone forever.

Erik had always been special to her, ever since her first meeting with him when she was five years old. For the past nine years he had been the only father figure she had known...and now she was losing him. It wasn't fair! What had she done? Why did he have to die?

"Meg..." Erik whispered, breaking the silence. "Yes..." She replied softly. "Please...promise me...that you will...tell Christine...how sorry...I am...for...for everything..." Meg closed her eyes to hold back her tears. "Promise me...Marguerite" His voice was weary and tinged with desperation. "I...promise..." She choked.

She felt him press his palm weakly into her hand, trying to console her. Warm tears splashed down her swarthy cheeks at his selfless gesture. He had changed. Dead was the Opera Ghost...gone was the extortionist...they were no more. He was just Erik now...just as he had always been to her. A man. Nothing more or less.

She could hear his breaths growing shallow and more pained...Meg knew his end was nearing. Burying her face into his bony shoulder, she slid her hand up above his heart, feeling its beating flicker lightly beneath her palm...He drew in a deep shuddering breath...and they ceased.

Meg slowly pulled back from his still form, silent tears making tracks down her face. He was gone.

Slowly Meg stood, staring with sorrow at the lifeless form of The Phantom of the Opera. "Goodbye...Father." She whispered, brokenly. With a sob, she turned and ran out of the cellars for the last time.

Authors Note: Erik isn't Meg's biological Father. I just found it interesting how familiar Meg seems with the Ghost in Leroux's novel and it got me thinking Is there something we don't know about here?

This is probably the most out of character writing you will ever see from me, so enjoy it while its here.