Author's Note: Thank you so much for your support and reviews. You have driven me to continue writing, and although this is the final chapter, I hope you have enjoyed reading Fear Can Turn to Love.

The Music of the Night

I raised myself on one elbow, clenching my teeth at the movement. "Raoul…" He stood knee-deep in the lake, just beyond the portcullis.

"I had rather hoped that you would come," Erik said softly.

"Free her!" cried Raoul. "Do what you like, only free her—have you no pity?" He pounded his fist against the iron grating. "I love her—does that mean nothing? I love her! Show some compassion… Christine, Christine! Let me see her!"

Erik's lips twitched, but after a moment he merely nodded and pulled a nearby lever. "Be my guest, sir."

The portcullis rose and Raoul stepped forward into the cavern. Then he seemed to realize something and suddenly raised his hand to the level of his eyes.

"Monsieur, no need for that… I bid you welcome. Did you think that I would harm her?" he continued, reversing the lever and settling the metal grid back into its resting place. "Or you, for that matter. I disabled my traps temporarily; I knew you'd be the first to find your way down here." I remained tense, confused. I clutched at Erik's arm and hoped desperately that he would not do anything spiteful.

Raoul lowered his hand and cautiously climbed up the low incline.

"Furthermore, it seems I am in need of your assistance." The two locked eyes and a palpable mistrust swelled between them. I spasmed with a fresh wave of pain and sweat dripped from my forehead and cheekbones. The seconds passed with ever-fading distinction through my faltering mind. "After assessing the situation," Erik said, "I think it will be best to remove the blade from her side. I need you to hold her down."

Raoul breathed in sharply, a sound that made the ensuing silence even more forbidding. They were bonded by a mutual love for me, and for now, all that remained to be seen was whether that love was stronger than their animosity towards each other. A minute passed and I felt my focus drifting, my thoughts slipping away.

Finally, Raoul spoke: "Will it save her?"

"It is the only way."

Raoul looked at the floor and then nodded, stepping towards me. I jerked back into full consciousness. My eyes widened in sudden fear. "Please, no," I whimpered. I shrank away from the two men, but my back met rigid stone. "No, no!"

"I'm so sorry," Raoul whispered, before immobilizing my arms and legs. Erik pressed firmly against the bandages and grasped the protruding hilt of the bayonet.

"Ready, my love?" asked Erik.

I shook my head. I felt betrayed. I was so afraid.

"It's going to be alright. I love you," he said, his lips meeting mine.

I squeezed my eyes shut. And then he pulled the hilt slowly outwards. There was a searing pain—indescribable in intensity—that rippled through my body and limbs. Raoul pinned me down as I began to thrash and scrabble at the rock ledge. I screamed. Erik pulled me closer to him and captured the tortured sounds in his mouth. He drew the blade out with a steady, unerring hand. His tears fell warm on my cheeks, mingling with my own. I screamed again as the bayonet blade twisted free.

Then it was over.

I lay exhausted, trembling and panting for breath. The pain receded to a throbbing ache, though I hissed when he stitched up the wound. Raoul was pale; he stumbled down to the lake and washed his face in the cool water.

"Erik…" My voice was faint.

"Christine, my brave little Christine. Forgive me. You're safe now, nothing can harm you."

"You've gone and saved my life again," I murmured, smiling slightly. "How am I ever going to repay you now?"

"Love, you already have." He kissed the ring on my finger, then squeezed my hand and packed up his instruments.

A low rumble began to fill the cavern, but I didn't realize its significance until Erik tensed and focused his gaze on the canal beyond the lake. "Track down this murderer, he must be found! Hunt out this animal who runs to ground!"The chant was faint, but growing in volume.

Realization struck, and my brief peace of mind was overwhelmed by a renewed state of alarm. The mob. The gendarmes. Would they never leave him in peace? Now I was frightened for his safety more than anything. He looked into my eyes, resigned.

"You'll be okay now. Whatever happens to me, that's all that matters."

"Erik, don't talk like that." I started to panic and grimaced at the renewed pain in my side. "I'm yours now. And don't you dare leave me again."

We both looked up as Raoul climbed the ledge. Even in the face of this latest predicament, he seemed pensive. He walked with a measured gait not suited to the urgent turn of events. I looked at him with confused and desperate eyes as he approached, and although Erik backed away respectfully, I knew he was similarly intrigued.

Raoul knelt beside me and took hold of my hand. He hesitated for a few moments, then finally spoke: "I want you to know that… well, that I could never love another woman as I love you," he said almost silently, bearing in mind the Phantom's proximity.

"…Raoul…"

"Please. It's true. God how I love you." Something in his tone made me fall silent.

"But… after what you did tonight… for him…" Raoul struggled for words, then abandoned the task. He leaned down and brushed his lips against my forehead.

I reached up to touch his face—a gesture of comfort—but abruptly he straightened and turned to Erik.

"You've got to get Christine out of here. Now."

The Phantom was visibly stunned.

Raoul looked back towards the portcullis and network of canals as the mob's chant grew louder, more frenzied. "Look… I'll hold them off for as long as I can."

"Raoul," I breathed.

He smiled sadly, then turned to Erik.

"Take her, forget me, forget all of this. Go now—don't let them find you."

Erik gazed at Raoul, then finally he nodded. His eyes shone with gratitude. He bundled me in the blanket and lifted me gently but quickly from the rock ledge.

"You can't ever come back here. They'll destroy this place looking for you, and they'll keep hunting you," Raoul paused and I could see the tears glistening in his eyes. "Please, go somewhere far away. Give her the life I wish I could."

Erik bowed his head. "Of course, De Chagny."

"Go now, go now!" Raoul said, his voice low but pitched with urgency. The gleam of torches was visible from just beyond the lake.

"Goodbye, Raoul," I said softly. "Thank you for being my friend."

Erik lowered me into his gondola, then stepped into position upon its stern. He poled it along the edge of the lake until a swift, dark channel opened before us. I looked back and held Raoul's broken gaze until he passed out of sight and then, with a heart aching with both sorrow and hope, I abandoned myself to the journey ahead.

"You alone can make my song take flight…" my angel murmured. And as we delved into the darkness, the music of the night—our music—echoed endlessly around us.

Fin