The gunshot echoed off the roof of the opera. Cherik plummeted like a falling star to the second level of the roof.

His father cradled him in his arms as Christine ran to his side.

"stine..."

"Oh Christine."

Christine leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his uncovered forehead.

---

Wynne slammed her laptop shut and blinked back tears.

Why couldn't Erik ever have a happy ending? Or perhaps the better question was why did she keep re-watching this series and hoping for the ending to change? It's not like it would...

---

Christine ran back to Philippe and sobbed in his arms. A Gentle snow began to fall.

Gerard cradled his son in his arms and rocked him like a baby. Inspector Ledoux walked forward and gently helped Gerard up.

"I must bury him. I promised him, please inspector... I promised." Gerard wept.

"Gerard..."

The snow fell in thick flakes. It fell faster and faster, a chilly wind swept around the roof.

"Where did this snow come from?!" One of the officers remarked.

The snow was disconcerting.

"Gerard let us help you with the body." Ledoux spoke softly. 

Gerard nodded, "I beg of you do not remove the mask, out of respect for me if nothing else."

Ledoux patted his arm comfortingly, "I will see to it myself. You head inside."

Gerard nodded.

Fifteen minutes later the inspector came back into the shelter of the opera house.

"Where is my boy?" Gerard asked brokenly.

Ledoux blinked in surprise then sighed, "We could not find the body."

"What?!" Gerard exclaimed, standing to his feet. The blanket that had been around his shoulders fell to the ground. 

"We couldn't-"

"I must find him we can't leave him out there!" Gerard tried to pass the inspector. 

Ledoux grabbed his upper arm. "We can find him after this storm quiets down, until then I beg you please have something to warm you."

Gerard nodded in defeat.

---

Cherik blinked his eyes open with a smile. Christine has kissed him...him!!!

His smile faded however when he realized that he was back under the opera house.

"What the devil?!" He sat up and inspected his chest. The flesh was flawless, as if nothing had happened. He was no longer in pain either. He frowned. Hmm. 

"Perhaps I misjudged you God, maybe you are not as cruel as I thought..." he muttered. 

"Erik?!" A male voice echoed through the lair.

The voice was unfamiliar.

Erik resisted the urge to hide, and instead prepared for a fight. 

"Erik? Oh good there you are!" The man smiled, his Jade green eyes twinkling. He smiled and the white of hie teeth contrasted with his tanned skin. 

"Hullo... and just who are you?" Erik asked threateningly.

The man looked at him with a quirked eyebrow, "Very funny Erik... I suppose you have no idea who dumped rats on poor Carlotta either?"

"She's hardly poor, the woman is a menace!" Erik replied vehemently. 

The man sighed, "Erik it's like you want to be found out. I can't support you acting like this!"

"I have no need of your support... Especially since I have no blessed idea who you are!" Erik exclaimed. 

"Erik enough games! The managers have threatened to leave!"

Erik smirked. "Are you sure that'd be such a bad thing?"

Nadir raised an eyebrow.

Erik sighed heavily. "How do you know how to get down here?"

"You showed me... are you feeling alright?" Concern filled the man's eyes. 

"No... I'm very confused." Erik admitted, after all the man didn't seem like much of a threat.

"Hmm... When's the last time you've eaten?" Nadir asked. 

"I don't remember." Erik replied, still wary of him. 

"That's probably the problem then. Come on I'll make you something." Nadir smiled. 

The man helped Erik off the ground and trod towards Erik's house.

---

Wynne was cold. She opened her eyes and blinked at the bright streetlights.

"Where am I?" she whispered. 

Her eyes adjusted to the light and she saw a black horse and carriage headed straight for her. 

In a heartbeat and a flash of white, she was standing on the sidewalk watching the horses race past her. Her heart hammered as she took in the scenery.

It was a beautiful night the navy blue sky was full of twinkling stars. 

Wait! Was that the Palais Garnier?!

There were swarms of colorful people, in colorful outfits, walking up the steps into the Opera House.

She took a moment to calm her breath, and looked down at her dress. It was all too familiar. 

"I'm the star princess?" She resisted the urge to twirl around and looked over at her hand. It was holding the mask on a stick.

This had to be the best dream ever, she decided. As she strode to the entrance beaming.