Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom, and I make no profit from this story. It's purely for entertainment purposes.

Notes: This is an alternate way that the musical/book could have gone. Christine comes down to Erik's lair even after she's unmasked him, and their love is admitted.

Regrets

XXX

"Angel of music, guide and guardian, grant to me your glory!"

"Christine?"

The small woman who had been staring into a beautiful full-length mirror jumped, turning to see a tall masked man in the doorway of the Victorian-styled bedroom. Flushing as if caught red-handed doing something quite unacceptable, she lowered her head.

"Were you calling for me, Christine? Is that why you sang those words?" The man had spoken again, his voice deep and resonant. The hairs along the back of Christine's neck prickled and she shivered. The way he spoke her name…

"N-no, Erik. I was only looking into the mirror, and I remembered the night you brought me here for the first time…"

He smiled faintly, drawing a few steps closer and nodding.

"Do you regret begging to see me, now that you know the truth?"

Erik had brought Christine to his underground lair for the first time several days ago. In the short time she had known him as a man, not an angel, she had stripped away his mask and seen his horrible face. Yet, strangely enough, she had waited for him before the mirror in her dressing room every day since, and had willingly accompanied him to his home to stay the night after a singing lesson.

"I do not regret it, Erik. I couldn't." Christine replied to his question after what felt to Erik like an unbearably long pause, and he let out a soft breath of relief.

"I see. You do not regret anything then? Not even removing my mask and seeing what lies beneath?"

Christine swallowed hard, not daring to meet his eyes.

"No, Erik. I do regret that."

He nodded. Of course she did, and he'd been a fool to hope she wouldn't.

"But not because I saw your face."

His head snapped up.

"I regret it because I lost your trust… and your respect."

What could Erik say to this?

"I'm sorry." She whispered, head lowered. She jumped when she felt a single finger beneath her chin, and her head was tilted up to meet Erik's deep and penetrating eyes.

All he could think to say was a heartfelt: "Thank you."

Her soft smile made something in his chest well up and ache, and he found himself returning it, moving his hand to stroke her cheek.

"You were calling for me when you sang earlier, weren't you." It wasn't a question.

"...Yes." she murmured, and he nodded to himself.

"You called because you want something from me. What is it?"

She sucked in a deep breath.

"This." She whispered, before stepping forward and lifting her face to press a soft kiss to Erik's startled lips.

When Christine moved back, his eyes fluttered open and he looked at her for a few moments, before she folded herself into his arms and felt him haltingly embrace her.

"Christine, I love you." He said softly, reverently.

Her reply was another gentle kiss and the promise that she loved him too.

FIN