Disclaimer: You know the bit

Author's Note: In the original version of this story there is a song present in this chapter that took place in a deleted scene of the movie, and since they stupidly did not add the song to the movie I will blatantly steal it use for my fic. Besides it fits Erik and Lily much better than it ever fit Erik and Christine. But do to ffnet's rules on songs I have had to remove it. If anyone would like to read the unedited version it is on my website and I have added a link to that story in my profile her on ffnet.

Listen To Me

The moonlight shown through the water illuminating his way as he searched for her. The panic he felt in his heart was finally extinguished as he felt silky hair run through his fingers. 'Forgive me, Lily' He thought as he yanked the hair pulling her to the surface. But he was shocked to see a very dead Anna bob above the surface. He let go immediately and dove under the water again searching frantically for his love.

Finally as he thought he might never find her, he felt something brush against his arm and he pulled her towards him and up above the water. She wasn't moving as he kicked through the water towards the shore. He somehow managed to pull her onto the sand. As he turned her on her side she began to cough and water bubbled from her mouth.

After several moments of coughing Lily finally lay back on the sand staring up at the stars above them. It had finally stopped raining and the heavens above were providing a beautiful sight for the lovers, but the beauty did not touch Lily's soul as she fought desperately to hold back the tears of guilt that she could only barely control. He was lying on the sand next to her as close as he possibly could staring down into her eyes. When she felt able to look him in the eyes she reached up gently touching the unmasked side of his face. "How can I ask it of you?" She whispered.

"Why would you ever fear asking me anything?" He asked cupping his hand over the hand that lie on his face.

"I betrayed you. I did everything possible to damage your soul. How can I ever expect you to trust me again?" She asked fearing his answer.

Erik looked off along the shoreline as if he was deep in thought. She could see the conflicting emotions raging across his face. She knew she had hurt him terribly by rejecting him.

"Lily, when you spoke those words, you were so convincing. Honestly, I must admit, I believed you. I thought you were gone forever." He started and she felt ashamed of her words. "But then a dear friend reminded me of the fact that you are an exceptional actress. I had to hold to the hope that you were just foolishly attempting to sacrifice yourself for my life." He said gently stroking her cheek. "Which I know you would do."

"In this lifetime and the next." She whispered nuzzling her face closer to the hand that was stroking her cheek. But then her eyes became more serious as she remembered what the conversation had started out as. "Can you ever forgive the pain I caused you?"

She expected him to say that maybe with time he would trust her again and grant that forgiveness, but he surprised her as he chuckled. "Oh, my love, that is like asking the tide if it will go out today, or asking the sun if it will rise. You were forgiven before the words were ever said."

Lily could hardly believe his words. "But I intentionally hurt you, and there is always a possibility that it will happen again in the future." No matter how much they had loved each other Lily was constantly frightened that she would do something that would hurt him, driving him back to his old ways, and he would lose his soul forever and in doing so she would lose her heart. "Why do you stay with me when I might destroy you?"

"Oh, my dear Lily. Any pain you may or may not cause me is worth what you have been to me. You were the only one in this world who would truly listen to my voice without judging. The only one who truly understands me."

"No one but you, my dear Lily." He whisperedstaring deep into her eyes. "No one but you."

Tears had started to fall down her cheeks as she listened tohim. There was no need for words as she looked up into his face with adoring eyes. She reached up and slid the mask from his face and then pulled his face down to hers letting her lips find his, vowing that she would never cause him pain or sorrow ever again. He deserved so much better than that, and she prayed that god would grant her the courage to keep that vow.

His arms encircled her waist as he let himself truly relax while holding his Lily again. All would be well in his life again, and he vowed to never let her wander too far from his side again and most of all never to doubt her love for him again. For she was a part of his soul, and would remain so long into eternity.

The End