I saw Love Never Dies this past weekend and it made me want to start writing again. I enjoyed the show and while there have been many changes since the original production, I believe it can stand on its own. It inspired me to create a new story. Now before anyone jumps up and states this should be in the "play" section, hear me out or rather, read me out first. LOL This story will relate back to the POTO and we will end up full circle.

Filhound, I still disagree with you about Erik needing to be more sinister. I am going to model him from Ramin's interpretation from the original LND's production. Call it a writer's prerogative. LOL

While this is an original idea, I own nothing. The tale won't be as long as my previous stories. My goal is to tell the tale, no more and no less.

Erik sat at his organ trying desperately to avoid Christine's portrait. He couldn't bear to see her eyes at this moment, not when his heart was in so much pain. He was a dreadful monster. At least he could take comfort in the fact that he was not a human being. Of course, he was made of flesh, blood and bone but he was heartless. A true human being has a heart. A true human being would never lie to the woman he loves, trick her into leaving her home so he could invade her life and threaten her child, all for the mere whim of hearing her sing once more.

How could he stand himself? As if her acquaintance with him wasn't all fabricated on a lie, he couldn't leave well enough alone and let her be happy in the life she was meant to have. No, he couldn't go on without hearing her voice. He was like an addict. For ten years he had been in withdrawal and finally he could take no more. But what about her? Was she happy in her life?

Erik scoffed. She wasn't happy. Raoul had proved to deceive all of them and while Christine would never say otherwise, he knew her life was far from what he had wanted for her. The Vicomte was a drunk and an unsuccessful gambler. The moment he realized that, he thought maybe, maybe he stood another chance but when he saw the boy….

"Gustave…." Erik dropped is face in his hands. "When I heard him play, it couldn't be denied who he was. Out of such darkness, came such light. A beautiful boy full Christine's spirit and my…." He choked on his words. "My son." He sighed. "He recoils against me."

It was in that moment that once again, Christine's selflessness made him realize he couldn't go through with it. He had to let her go again and this time, he would stay away forever. Yet she stopped him in his tracks when she told him that she would sing his song for him. She would sing with all her might and then, she would go.

He exhaled a breath and then forced himself to gaze up at her portrait. "You will forever be an angel, Christine. I should never have said yes but I am too weak. Too evil to not want to hear my music through your voice once more. God, I wish I could resist." He shook his head. "Ten years away from the darkness and yet I am still the Phantom."

He heard a knock and was startled. It was late. He quickly moved to touch the button that would hide the portrait from the wall and went to smooth his hair and ensure his mask was on securely.

"Squelch, I do not require anything. You may retire for the evening."

The knock was heard again, and Erik groaned. He yanked the door opened.

"Did you not hear me, man?"

He jumped when he saw Christine standing before him.

"What are you…."

"May I come in? I know it's late, but I couldn't sleep, and I won't be able to sleep until we discuss this."

He moved so she could come in but then looked outside before closing the door. He wasn't expecting to see her again tonight. Gone was his persona of confidence and mystery. Instead was a very nervous man, desperate to not appear so in front of her.

"Do you… Would you like something? I can…."

"No, nothing. I am sorry for barging in on you, but I thought you might still be here and I know you don't require much sleep." She smiled weakly hoping to make things less tense between them. She was so nervous and yet she knew she had to appear strong in front of him.

"Mister Y…." She then shook her head. "I'm afraid after all this time, I don't know what to call you?

"Does it matter? You'll be gone soon enough."

"About that. I want to discuss again what we said earlier today."

He stiffened. "I should have known." He felt threated and instantly his walls came up and so was his guard.

"What do you mean?"

"Christine, I released you and the boy. You were the one who promised to sing for me."

"I know! I will! I'm talking about what you said about never telling Gustave the truth about… You."

He looked confused. "You have to. You saw him this afternoon, it would destroy him if he ever learned who he really was. He's too pure. Too good. I will not taint him anymore than I already have."

"I just think that I may have agreed too quickly. That it only served me to do so and not him. Before when I thought you we dead, it was difficult, but it was manageable. But now…."

"Christine, you said it yourself. For us, there is no now."

Knock, Knock

Erik swore underneath his breath. "What the devil is going on here tonight? Go away!"

Madame Giry ignored his reply and barged into the room.

"What the devil are you doing?"

"Erik, we need to talk!" Madame Giry made a disapproving face when she saw Christine, but she couldn't say she was surprised.

Meanwhile, Christine realized that she had called him by a name. A real name. One she had never known. A part of her felt a strange feeling of jealousy that Madame Giry and her Angel of Music shared such an intimacy. Then again, why shouldn't they? Madame stayed, Christine regardless of the reasons, had chosen to leave him.

"Antoinette, you need to leave. Whatever it is, we will discuss it in the morning."

"No Erik, we will discuss it now!" She handed him a letter.

"What's this?"

"It's from Meg. She's gone." Madame Giry then looked at Christine. "I suppose it's only fitting that you be here too, child."

"Madame?"

"Meg left with Raoul. They were seen boarding the last ship from the pier."