He felt terrible. He knew the moment he raised his voice to her that everything he had strived to build with her would crumble. While he did stop his ranting and raving long enough to appear pitiful, he knew it was too late. Even though she did allow him one moment of dignity, when she handed him his mask back, he knew he had ruined everything. It would have been the perfect to time to thank her and apologize for his deplorable behavior but instead, he resumed his Maestro persona and ordered her to get back to her room.

As he escorted her back down the secret passageways in silence, he tried hard to find a shred of courage to say something to her, but he didn't. He noticed that She didn't move away from him and he found that comforting. Odd but comforting no less. He presumed that she was just afraid of getting lost in the darkness or still in a deep shock from witnessing the horrors beneath the mask.

He looked back at her and for a moment, he pitied her. Curiosity not only killed the cat, Christine. It destroyed what could have been the greatest love story of all time.

He led and she followed without question. Soon they stopped in front of what appeared to be a door. She looked puzzled by realized they were behind her dressing room mirror. All she could do was look at him. Her eyes seem to be imploring him to say something to her. Make her believe that this was all some sort of nightmare. That any minute she will wake up and realize it was all a bad dream. Her angel was pure and good. He didn't hate her. He would never scream at her or call her names. He would never frighten her. He would never, ever dismiss her in such a way.

His voice. I need to hear his voice. All will be made right if he would only speak to me.

With too much ease he opened the door and took her hand to bring her back to her dressing room. He made sure the room was secure before he stopped and stared at her face. Gone was her blind innocence and trust. He was the cause of that and he hated himself for it.

"Madame Giry will make sure you are not disturbed, so you can rest. You have had a very…difficult evening. You were radiant, Christine. Your voice was sublime. Truly an angel." His voice faded.

She seemed transfixed hearing him speak so gently to her. Could he really have been the same terrifying man she encountered in the catacombs? She was about to speak when he moved past her and exited through the mirror.

All too soon the barrier closed behind him and he stopped in his tracks. He closed his eyes and touched his broken heart. He then looked back and saw his angel fall to the floor, wrapping her arms around herself as she began to sob.

He wanted to charge back in and take her in his arms and rock her to sleep, telling her that everything would be alright. The monster was gone and she was safe. But he didn't. How could he when he was the very monster she feared?

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Hours past and neither had moved from their respective places. Christine couldn't find the strength and Erik couldn't move past his guilt. Yet when he heard Madame Giry's voice enter the room, he all but stopped breathing.

"Child, what are you doing? What happened? Are you hurt?" She bent down and saw Christine shivering. "What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Please…. Take me back. He said…. He said you would take me back."

Madame Giry slowly stood up. Realization washed over her face and her eyes pierced through the mirror. "Damn him." She muttered. "Come, my child. We will get you to bed and I promise, you will not be disturbed." She helped Christine up and got her back to the dormitory.

Erik shook his head, as he watched in silence. "I can explain, Annie. I swear it! I…" He bowed his head. "No, I can't explain it. I have no explanation, other than I am what I am." He turned to go but something, something made him hesitate.

"I'll just make sure she is able to sleep. Then I'll go. That's it and that's all. It's the least I can do."

And just like that, he entered the dressing room and made his way in the shadows until he found the dormitory.