"You have no Idea how that Night has left me…"

***

Erik's eyes danced down to the fire he had built in the hearth. They welled up with tears as his mind wandered back to that night, all those months ago….

That night, with its horror and sadness...

And its passion…

He shook his head as if to ward off a terrible dream. He could not-WOULD not-make himself think about that night. The past is behind me, he thought. The bridge has been crossed. I'll stand and watch it burn…

He leaned forward into his chair, burying his masked face in his hands. Even now, though he lived so far away from the tortured memories that The Opera House had caused him, he still wore the mask. Erik always told himself that he was like Jesus, bearing his own crown of thorns. Only Christ had to carry his burden for less than a day.

Erik was doomed to life with his own Crown of thorns…his mask…

He lifted his head from his hands, and rose to the door of his home, donning his cloak.

It wasn't much, just a small, three room house, with a den, bedroom and kitchen. He could see the ocean, though. He lived not to far from a marketplace, so he could go there whenever he wished.

He crossed to the small, hidden pathway between his home and the ocean. This path was hidden by tall beach grasses, and gave him a place of sanctuary from his solitude. He could venture, day or night, into his place on the beach, his little hidden alcove in a cave near the sea. Tonight, he needed to walk around. His mind was conjuring memories he wished to keep hidden for these long six months.

"Oh, Christine," he moaned as he walked, treading on the soft, white sand with his black boots, "I pray each night for you. I've sacrificed my food, my sleep and my sanity sending you my thoughts and love. Why did you leave me? I could have changed…"

Tears began to cascade down his face, as he came closer to his hideaway. He came to the mouth of his cave, and he had to lean against the side of the rock wall as his memories flooded back to him in a torrential flood.

"I could have Changed..."

***

That last night, while the Opera burned…They shared a love that rivaled all other loves. She said she loved him, and he loved her more than his own meaningless existence. Their union, if it only lasted for a short amount of time, would stay in his mind for the rest of his life. He believed that they would be together forever after that one magical night…

Until that boy. Raoul. He came back into her life, and threatened to have Erik killed if Christine hadn't come back to him.

She went with him. She didn't look too upset about leaving Erik, broken beyond repair, alone and in the dark. She gave him only a sparing look, and left her ring with him. And never looked back as the boy took her away.

***

He snapped out of his memories as the sound of crying echoed from the cave. Erik lifted himself from his spot against the rock, and delved into the cavern, to investigate the sound. The darkness was home to him, so the deep dark of the grotto was visible to his eyes better than any normal human. Suddenly, he spied a figure, encased by darkness, sobbing in a corner of the cave. The form was feminine, and concealed in a dark cloak, and she (he figured the person was a female,) was moaning softly.

She…no….Impossible…could it be….?

"Christine?"

The woman's head jerked up in surprise, and his fears were confirmed. It was Christine.

"Erik…?" She whispered through her tears, "Is it you?"

He stumbled towards her, tripping over his own feet. It WAS her, after all these wasted weeks and monotonous months of hell, she came to him…

She stood up, concealed in her cloak, and tried to go to him. But her legs gave out from beneath her, and she sank to the ground once more.

Erik was at her side once more, and gasped. Something was wrong with her. Her face was thin, unnaturally so, and white as the sand on the path. Her hair was lank, and she seemed to be terribly sick.

"Erik…" She murmured again, "I'm sorry for everything I've done to you…"

"Shh, shh," she hushed her gently. "I'm here, nothing can harm you, and my words will warm and calm you…"

"Oh, Erik, she sobbed into the ground, "You have no idea how that one night has left me…The one night we shared…Erik, he threw me out because of what happened…"

"Christine!" Erik gasped, non-believingly. "You told him? Why-?"

She shook her head. "No," she murmured softly.

"Then how did he-?" Erik began, but could not finish.

His eyes had traveled down her pale face, trying to fill his head with her image.

Then down her perfect breasts…

Then down to the full swell of her belly...

Well, this is my first try at a Phanfic. Please review and enjoy! I'll write another chappy if anyone gives a good review. (Happy Holidays, everyone!)