Down Once more

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Raoul is uncharacteristic and I may have tampered with Erik's character slightly. Also Christine has been given a little bit more backbone.

I just started thinking about what todo as a story and this came to me. I would warn you though that I severely dislike Raoul so I don't exactly flatter him in this.

Christine stared at the Phantom angrily. How dare he kidnap her like this? She felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal bubble up inside her.

"Have you gorged yourself at last in your lust for blood?" She demanded coming down the steps, "Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?"

Erik looked her over, when he spoke his tone held a sardonic quality, "That fate which condemns me to wallow in blood, has also denied me the joys of the flesh." She turned her head away, determined not to let him see how this hurt her. She felt him gently run a strand of hair through his fingers and her resolve nearly crumbled.

"This face the infection which poisons our love. This face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing." He sang bitterly.

That was when Christine caught it. That look in his face that she had only seen once or twice before, but she had never been able to pinpoint what it was. Now she knew, it was venerability, the need to be loved by someone. Her heart leapt in her chest. Seeing it she suddenly understood and everything else she felt became clear, she loved him. Not the childhood adoration that she felt for Raoul but the raw love for someone you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.

"A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing," he continued oblivious to the emotional clarity that had dawned on her. She went to reach out for him. He spun to face her,

"Pity comes too late, turn around and face your fate," He jammed a veil roughly on her head, "An eternity of this before your eyes."

Why would she care about his face? Did he really think her that shallow? She felt the anger bubble up before she could check it; "this haunted face holds no horror for me now. It's in your soul that the true distortion lies." Christine bit her lip sharply. Her temper would be her undoing. She opened her mouth to take it back but Erik interrupted,

"Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest. Sir,"

Christine turned, oh no not him, "Raoul"

"This is indeed an unparallel delight,"

Christine looked at Erik's face, he was angry and bitter, she could tell from his sarcastic and frighteningly dangerous tone.

"I had rather hoped that you would come and now my wish comes true. You have truly made my night!" He grabbed Christine roughly and held her possessively to his side. Ouch. There was no need for that.

"Let me go," she gasped sharply.

"Free her, do what you like only free her," Erik practically shoved her from his side, "have you no pity?"

"Your lover makes a passionate plea," Erik looked at her scornfully,

"Raoul it's useless," she begged, trying to make him leave.

"I love her, show some compassion!"

"The world showed no compassion to me!"

Christine winced at the hurt in his tone, the resentment. 'I want to show you compassion' she thought. When she came out of her thoughts the portcullis was opening.

"Monsieur I bid you welcome, did you think that I would harm her?"

He was heading out into the lake towards Raoul. Warning bells went off in Christine's head. Oh no, he wouldn't! She was about to call out; too late as the Punjab lasso wrapped itself round Raoul's neck.

"Nothing can save you now except perhaps Christine. Start a new life with me buy his freedom with your love."

Christine felt like crying, he didn't need to blackmail her. She loved him. Her frustration grew, if she accepted him now he'd think it was just to save Raoul.

"This is the point of no return."

She hated him for putting her in this position.

"The tears that I might have shed for your dark fate grow cold and turn to tears of hate."

There she went again, saying things she didn't mean.

"Say you love him and my life is over," Raoul cried.

Thanks she thought that's made my choice so much easier now that I know if I go with the man I love my childhood friend will kill himself.

She began to walk out to Erik as they sang. What to do? How could she express the confusion she felt?

"I gave you my mind blindly…" but now I give you my heart freely. That's what she was going to say but Erik interrupted,

"You try my patience. Make your choice."

When she next spoke her voice rang true with the compassion she felt for him, "Pitiful creature of darkness what kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone." Then she knew how to express herself. She caught his lips with hers and kissed him. Surprised by her own boldness she pulled back slightly. There was a look of surprise on Erik's face and something deeper, something she'd never understand because she'd never experienced a parent's hatred. Love and compassion weld up inside her. Reaching for him she took her lips with her own in a longer and more passionate kiss.

Erik couldn't believe it. She was kissing him. Warmth flooded through him. They separated for air. She was still standing close to him, gazing into his face. He could hardly believe it, and then he caught something out the corner of his eye. Raoul. Of course, she was only doing this to save him.

Christine's eyes searched his face; she could see the cold bleakness leave his eyes, the venerable part shine through. She saw his them flicker to something over her shoulder and his body stiffen. The shield dropped back in his eyes. What? She half turned, oh no, Raoul. He didn't think that she was doing this because…? Erik clearly did think this. He pulled away from her and turned away. "No Erik," she murmured. She caught his arm. He turned to face her. A sound slowly filtered into their hearing, "track down this murderer."

Erik pulled away again, "Take her, forget me, forget all of this. Leave me alone forget all you've seen." His voice was filled with raw emotion. Why? Why was he doing this?

"Go now don't let them find you." He was worried for her. She opened her mouth, "Erik I want to…" but his voice drowned her out.

"Take the boat, swear to me never to tell the secret you know, of the angel in hell!"

"Christine," Raoul croaked. She turned to Raoul, her childhood friend, and ran to untie the ropes.

Erik glanced over his shoulder. She was by Raoul, helping him free of course. When Raoul was free Christine looked up at him. Erik was determined to let her go, that was what she wanted and that's what he'd give her. However that was easier thought then done. He loved her and hated to see her with that fop,

"Go now-go now and leave me!" He strode from the room. If they didn't leave soon he wouldn't be responsible for his actions.

Once Raoul was free the two headed for the land but when Raoul went to the boat Christine began to go after Erik.

"Christine come on," She shook her head and carried on walking in the opposite direction. Suddenly she felt arms grab her waist and one arm forced behind her back. She gasped in pain.

"You," hissed Raoul in her ear, "Are coming with me."

She fought his grip but it was too strong. He dragged her to the boat.

"Erik!" She cried out, before Raoul pushed her in. She hit her head and blacked out.

Erik frowned and raised his head from the music box. He could swear he'd heard someone call his name. He went back into the main lair but could see nothing. The boat was gone. Instead he heard Raoul singing from somewhere, "Say the word and I will follow you…"

Erik was filled was self-loathing. He'd been foolish to think that she had wanted him.

"Its over now, the music of the night." He drew back a curtain and pressed a button disguised in the mirror behind it, exposing a passage. He closed the curtain behind him and slid through. "Back to my meaningless existence," he muttered to himself.