The Phantom of the Opera

Title – The Point of No Return

Summary – What would have happened if nobody had followed Erik and Christine after 'Point of No Return'? What if nobody came, not even Raoul? EC

Disclaimer: I (sadly) do not own The Phantom of the Opera. It all belongs to Gaston Leroux, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Susan Kay, and whoever else it belongs to (once again – not me).

A/N: I wrote this first chapter a while ago, not really even intending to post it, but I liked it and decided to turn it into a full phic. Although this is fairly movie based (I know that I've seen The Phantom of the Opera musical, but I was not sure whether it was ALW, for that is a fairly fuzzy memory, seeing as I was about five then) I have read the book, (Leroux) so, when possible, I will include details from that. Also, I've seen the movie six times; I believe I'm fairly qualified to write this. I hope you enjoy it; I'll have the next chapter up as soon as possible! By the way, I'm not a big Raoul fan – there could be some Vicomte bashing if I so chose. Also, sorry about the commonly used title, it just seemed to fit. Now then, on with the story.

Chapter One – The Point of No Return

"You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge, in pursuit of that wish, which till now has been silent, silent…"

Christine looked up, startled, to meet Erik's eyes. At the word 'silent', he slowly lifted a finger to rest against his lips. He went on.

"I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge – in your mind, you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me – now you are here with me, no second thoughts, you've decided, decided…"

So this was his plan. To become Don Juan. To get rid of Piangi and become Don Juan. His angelic voice continued seductively as he moved past the ring of paper fire, blowing up in the middle of the stage. Christine's gaze didn't leave him for a second. She looked on, unsure of what to do.

"Past the point of no return – no backward glances: the games we've played till now are at an end… Past all thought of 'if' or 'when' – no use resisting: abandon thought, and let the dream descend…"

The armed police summoned by Raoul, Andre, and Firmin wavered in their posts, they had been expecting nothing of the sort. They were stumped and at a loss of what was expected of them in a scenario such as their current one.

"What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us…?"

Erik swept around, pulling Christine to him so that her back rested across his chest. His hand rested on her neck and his fingers wove themselves through her dark tresses. He moved down her arm to hold her hand in his.

Christine had long since caught on. His words awoke a fire inside her. His voice was laced with danger and seduction.

"Past the point of no return, the final threshold – what warm, unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return…"

Christine knew now what she must do. Not only that, but she knew what it would mean. She knew she was ready, ready to join her Angel.

"You have brought me to that moment where words run dry, to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence…"

Christine felt a rush of exotic danger run through her. She knew she was doing the right thing.

"I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why… In my mind, I've already imagined out bodies entwining, defenseless and silent – and now I am here with you: no second thoughts, I've decided, decided…"

Erik was stunned. She had done it. Her voice flowed through him, like a length of silk, caressing his heart. His breathing sped up as he continued, with mounting passion, to watch his world unfold before him, to watch his Angel sing for him.

The pair slowly began to ascend a pair of twisting staircases on the opposite sides of the stage. The audience looked on perplexed.

"Past the point of no return – no going back now: our passion-play has now at last, begun… Past all thought of right or wrong – one final question: how long should we two wait, before we're one…?"

Erik and Christine stood, on opposite sides of the catwalk at the tops of the staircases, ignoring the audience. They were the only ones that mattered now.

"When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames, at last, consume us…?"

They walked towards each other, slowly, until they were in the other's embrace. Erik had a firm grip on her forearms. They looked into each other's eyes, caught up in their own world of whirling passion. Erik moved to stand behind her, one arm around her waist from the back. He watched as Christine closed her eyes, then did the same. His hand covered her's and moved it up her body, over her stomach and heaving breasts, to rest on her neck. He buried his face in her mass of dark curls, taking in her intoxicating scent. Then they sang together, their voices filling every cranny of the enormous room. Their voices combined formed an indescribable combination of danger, passion and molten seduction.

"Past the point of no return, the final threshold – the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn… We've passed the point of no return."

Then Erik sang alone.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime… Lead me, save me from my solitude…"

He paused, turned her around so that they faced each other, and then sang again, his voice strong and angelic.

"Say you want me with you, here beside you… Anywhere you go let me go too – Christine, that's all I ask of…"

But he didn't have the chance to finish. Christine had lifted her hand to his face to caress his cheek. She moved her hand to the other side of his face, and in one swift motion, she had removed his black mask, leaving his face exposed.

As screams erupted around them, Erik unsheathed his rapier and sliced through one of the many crimson ropes around them. The two plummeted through the newly opened trapdoor, and through the ring of paper fire, into the depths of the labyrinth below. As they fell, they could hear the unmistakable sounds of a grand chandelier, crashing into the seats below.

A/N: I'll try to get chapter two up soon! Reviews are greatly appreciated, as well as constructive criticism.

Possum