Thank you so much for reading, following and reviewing my new story. I am glad to see some familiar names and just as happy to see new reviewers as well. It really means a lot to me to hear what you have to say.

Let's get this over with, I own nothing. Now, on with the show!

Meg was irate. How could the Vicomte, a member of such pristine nobility, shove her out the door and slam it in her face? Wasn't she Christine's best friend? Didn't he owe her something? If not for her, then didn't the Vicomte have a debt to repay to her mother at least? After all, what would have happened if Madame Giry hadn't shown the Vicomte the way to Erik's home that night?

Meg shook her head and started to walk around to the back of the estate. She looked up and tried to make out which balcony belonged to Christine.

"If she doesn't wish to see me after all we have been through, she can tell me herself! Then I'll give her what for. Who does she think she is? She isn't a Vicomtesse yet, frankly I don't see why someone would want it. Sure, you'd have money and power but what good is it if you can't do the very thing that makes you breathe? I don't see her ever returning to the stage… What a waste." If I couldn't dance….. At least it doesn't apply to me. It is not like I am about to marry a controlling Vicomte.

She thought she spotted Christine's shadow at the window. She bent down and picked up a stone and threw it at the balcony door. "Did I miss?"

"Do you always make a habit of throwing stones at glass houses?"

"What?!" Meg turned around in a fright. Before her was an older gentleman, getting out of a carriage with an amused smile on his face. "Who are you? Do you make a habit out of scaring people half to death?"

"I beg your pardon, Mademoiselle but you were quite too intriguing to avert my eyes. First, with your huffing and puffing and then talking to yourself and let's not forget your pitching arm." He laughed. "Say, why not use the front door like everyone else?"

Meg was flabbergasted. She had no idea what to think. A first glance, he was very appealing with his tall frame, warm smile and distinguished dark and gray hair. Yet she then realized he had witnessed her trespassing and if he could see her, what if others were watching her too? However she wasn't afraid. She felt something but fear wasn't it. She wasn't sure what made her tell him the truth but out of her mouth the words came.

"I tried that, Monsieur but I was told I wasn't wanted."

"Who could ever say that to you?" He grinned again.

"Really?"

"Of course. They obviously don't know how persistent you are." He became even more curious. "It is obvious the de Chagnys have no account for good taste."

"I wanted to hear it from her…." She said wearily. "Wait? You know them? You know the Vicomte?"

The man took his hat off. "Alas, I do. I know both the Comte's sons. You see, the Comte and I are old friends.

Meg's face dropped and she was ready to run the other way. "I'm sorry! I….Please don't say…."

"Calm down, Mademoiselle. I am Darius Reimes. I live around the next bend. I assure you there is no need for alarm. It appears you have had a rather long day as it is, no need to add to your stress level."

"I better go."

Just then the balcony door opened. Darius looked up and saw a woman looking down.

"Who's out here?"

Darius pointed up. "It appears you didn't miss after all, Mademoiselle.

Meg looked up and called out, "Christine! It's me, Meg! Don't slam the balcony door, please."

"Meg? Is that really you? What are you doing down there?"

Meg paused. She wasn't sure what she should say with Darius being so near.

"Meg, is it? Pretty name. I don't think you should keep your friend waiting."

"Please Monsieur, don't tell on me. I just came to see…" She came towards him with a pleading on her face.

Darius placed his hands on her shoulders and it instantly calmed her. "Relax, Mademoiselle. Go about your business. I am expected and will leave you to your reunion. It seems that both of you wish to keep it." He then lifted his hands and for some reason, regretted it. "I think I will use the front door." He tipped his hat to the ladies. "I hope to see you again."

"Why are you not stopping me? Why are you not calling the Comte and whisking me off the property? You're a stranger. What purpose do you have to be so kind?"

"Don't people rely on the kindness of strangers? Good evening." He walked back to his carriage.

Meg didn't tear her eyes away, until Christine's voice called her name.

"Meg!"

Hearing her name brought Meg back to the reason she was there in the first place. "I must speak to you, Christine. Then if you never want to see me again, I will leave you be."

"What are you talking about? I thought you didn't want anything to do with me."

"But the Vicomte….." Meg was starting to see that the Vicomte didn't speak on behalf of her friend after all. "Never mind, I'm coming." She looked up and then took a deep breath. "Uh, do you think you can help me up?"

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Nadir saw Erik's coffin in plain sight with the lid closed. The vision overwhelmed him. He knew Erik had one and would sometimes sleep in it but he thought he had discarded it once he began making plans to have a real, living wife.

"Erik….." No reply. "Damn it, Erik! Do not play games with me." Curiosity over took him and he moved like the speed of lightening to the coffin, yanked the lid opened and looked right into Erik's face. He then lifted him up and began shaking him. "Come on, Erik! This isn't how the story ends. Wake up! The world is not finished with you and I know you are not ready to die."

He looked down at him again. There was no movement, no breathing. He couldn't have suffocated. Erik is a skilled magician and it had only been a few days…. He saw him survive through much worse at the hands of the Shah and his mother.

He shook him again. "Fine, you miserable, bastard. If you do not open your eyes and rejoin the living, I will have no choice but to give you mouth to mouth."

When Erik didn't respond, Nadir dropped him back down. "Alright, you asked for it. My lips are extra chapped….."

Erik felt Nadir's body looming over him. His eyes shot up. "Get your disgusting, contaminated lips away from me, Daroga!"

Nadir kept his stance and leaned closer into Erik's lips. "Are you sure?"

"Get off!" Erik sat up, kicked the bottom lid open and pushed Nadir away from him.

Nadir started laughing. "I have never been happier to hear your insults, Erik."

Erik was free from the coffin, but remained inside. "Why are you here? I told you to never come back."

"Since when have I ever listened to what you had to say?" He noticed Erik wasn't getting up. "I can't have a conversation with you like that. Get up, man."

"I have no reason to."

"Confound it, Erik! You think the world has come to an end because you lost the woman that you love? You are not the only one to know loss, Erik. I never took you for being selfish."

"I am not selfish, Nadir. I know the world is full of sufferers. I am merely helping the surplus population and taking one out of his misery."

"Self-pity doesn't become you."

"Why do you care? You helped the boy….. You helped him take her back!"

"Erik….. I thought you knew that she would never love you like that."

Erik shook his head in defeat. "I know….. I failed….. I made a mistake of it all. Maybe if I hadn't lost my wit she could have….. What does it matter? It's all over."

"No, Erik. That is where you are wrong."

"She is going to marry him. I have nothing to live for."

"Erik, your life does not revolve around Christine Daae. You had a life before her, talents before her that you expressed and explored. Can't you at least see the positive in all this? You experienced what it was like to feel love. Yes, you lost but you loved, Erik. And you realized that a one sided love affair was not enough. You can learn from all your mistakes so next time…."

"Next time? Next time?" Erik jumped up and began charging at the Persian. "Have you forgotten this? He pressed his face up against Nadir's. "I will never have a next time! I never even had one time. If Christine couldn't love me, than who could? Who would?"

"Erik, you are meant for more. You have heart, compassion, talent, and intelligence. I know you are good inside." He pointed at his heart. "The right woman, will see the beauty underneath."

"Beauty… My external appearance matches the interior, Nadir. Have you forgotten what I am?"

"A told you. A genius. A musical prodigy. A friend."

"A deranged, lustful , monster. Just leave me to rot, like all the others. "You have the most reason to do so. I went back on my word. I killed innocent people."

"Erik despite all the wrong, you made it right. You made it right, when you let her go. You came to your senses before it was too late. If I could forgive you for going back on your promise, then you must do so as well. Forgive yourself and start again. You've done it before."

"Do you have a mental block, Nadir? I told you I have nothing left, it's over."

"Erik, Christine is not the end all be all. You survived years without her."

And yet I never started living until I heard her sing." He looked at Nadir, apologetically. "I swear to you, I had good intentions. I never had ulterior motives. I wanted to be her friend, her guide and protector. She looked so lost when she first came here as a child. I would hear her cries and my heart just reached out to her. Then when she sang… My life had a new purpose, one I hadn't felt in years. It was almost like being back in Italy with Giovanni. Someone else needed me and wanted me again."

Nadir never had heard Erik's version of how he came to care and help raise Christine. "When did she see you?"

"It wasn't until the night that boy came that I actually made myself known to her as a man. For years, I was just a voice to her. Then even after I realized I fell in love with her, I knew….. I knew it could never be. She deserved riches and palaces… However when the Vicomte came, I couldn't let her go. He was able to give her all I couldn't and yet I had to have her all to myself. I thought I could win her love with music as I knew she loved it as much as I did. What a fool I was, Daroga."

"No more than any other lovesick man, Erik. You are after all a man. Not an angel and not a demon."

"How could I ever think she could want me, when she had him?"

"Antoinette told me how you cared for her all during her youth. She said if it hadn't been for you, she isn't sure what would have become of Christine."

"And I go ahead and taint it with my beastly urges. I terrorized her."

"Erik, I have known you a long time and you are not like that. I have no doubt you loved that girl and would sooner harm yourself than her. What you felt was pure, honest emotion. There was nothing beastly about it. You just lost control. It happens to everyone. Yet you pulled yourself together. You gave Christine her life back and her choices. Why not allow yourself the same?"

"Daroga, it's all over for me. I can't be trusted with innocence and light. She was right to run away from me."

"Erik, you just have to learn to handle rejection better." Nadir laughed.

Erik gave him a double look. "I'm glad you haven't lost your ignorant sense of humor."

"Come now, Erik. We have cried far too long and it is time we look back and try and find some humor."

Erik rubbed his face in his hands. "Annie hasn't come to see me. Little Meg probably will stay clear of me now too…"

"Antoinette is completely distraught over what happened. She wants to see you but is afraid you will shun her. Erik, we are all still your friends. Mistakes don't turn friends away. They bring them closer."

"Do you think they married by now?"

Nadir mentally cursed. Why did he have to turn the conversation back to her? "I don't know, Erik. It's been three weeks."

"I never did receive that invitation." Erik lamented. He sighed and then looked at Nadir. "Was it dangerous coming down here? I haven't been outside this room since the day I kicked you out. I mainly just laid in the coffin, hoping for death."

"I am not going to lie. You will be appalled once you see it."

"It's just as well. Nothing was worth keeping, except my mask. I didn't think I would need it anymore." He shook his head at Nadir. "I suppose it is a good thing I have spares."

"Erik, there is much for you to keep and sustain and it isn't just your pesky masks."

"Really, Nadir? Let's see do you know of another opera house that needs haunting? Wait, perhaps a gypsy fair is coming to town and they need a new, hideous attraction?"

Not wanting to encourage his rant, he spoke without missing a beat. "How about a school for the performing arts? A conservatory of aspiring children singers who are in desperate need of a music professor and if the qualifications match, an architect."

"Why the devil would you tell me this?"

"Because I know of a place, Erik. They are low on funds but high on spirit and talent. They could use someone with your talents, both for music and for masonry."

Erik was too angry to actually vocalize his words. Instead he took deep breaths and managed to utter the following phrase, "And they call me deranged? Did you just hear yourself? How could I teach children?"

"You excelled at it with my son, Meg and Christine. Why deprive others of your skills?"

Erik was beyond furious. "You are my friend? All you do is remind me of what I will never have. Even if I didn't look like a gargoyle, I can't teach. I have nothing left in me."

"No, Erik. I told you it isn't over for you."

"Nadir, Christine took the music with her!"

"No, Erik, she didn't. It was never hers to take. You could make a real difference in these children's lives."

"I thought we weren't playing games with one another? How would a school welcome the infamous Phantom of the Opera?"

"The school is far enough away from Paris, where they do not desire nor can they indulge in the gossip of the city."

Erik was still clinging to his internal walls. He was trying to find any excuse not to go. "Fine they don't know of me but once they see my mask, it won't matter if they ever heard of me or not. I will become their next nightmare."

"I promise you, your past and mask will not be an issue."

Erik laughed in mockery. "Now you are going to tell me these gifted children are without curiosity? I can hardly take them for being gifted then."

"I assure you they have keen minds, Erik. What they don't have is….. Sight."

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Raoul was in the library, finishing his third glass of scotch when Phillip came into the room.

"A lovely book you are devouring, dear brother?" Phillip laughed. "May I borrow chapter one?" He didn't wait for Raoul to respond, while he poured himself a glass.

"More name calling, Phillip?"

"No, that was just an added benefit. I actually came in to tell you that father wants you to come and say hello to Reimes."

"In a minute." He took his last swallow.

"I don't believe I have ever seen you drink as much as I have in the last three weeks. You better pull yourself together."

"I'm fine, Phillip. Christine is fine. We are fine!"

"I didn't ask." He took a sip from his glass. "Although, I am glad to hear you and your future bride are fine, as you say. Lucille told me that Melanie is coming in two days' time. I would hate for you and Christine to not be at your best for our dear cousin."

Raoul jumped up. "Melanie is coming and you just tell me this now?"

"I only heard from Lucille this evening about it. With all the commotion Christine has been causing, this is the first opportunity she has had to read Melanie's letter."

"But she's a month early for the wedding."

"Maybe our impetuous cousin had other reasons for coming in so early?" He winked. "Perhaps, it would be a good idea to get Christine out of the house for a bit, eh?"

Raoul looked uncomfortable. "Melanie will be her Maid of Honor. It is only right they meet and become close."

"How close, Raoul? My, isn't that a cozy little arrangement. Lucille, would never agree to that. Perhaps I misjudged your Christine, after all?" He poured himself another drink.

"Don't say that! I am marrying Christine. Melanie and I are over."

"Then why not go out with a bang?"

"What do you mean?"

Your former mistress and future wife have all the time in the word to become acquainted. But you, dear brother have only a few precious moments left of freedom. Why not make the best of it with Melanie? Tell Christine she should get out of Paris for a few weeks, fresh air, etc. Say you have business and can't get away. When she gets back, the wedding plans will be all set, and she will be well rested and you….." He grinned. "You will have taken care of a long overdue release, Raoul. Better get yourself in check. You are much too tense."

"Send her alone? Never!"

"Doesn't she have friends of her own kind? What about that opera crew? Better still, there is a music conservatory outside of Paris. Why not tell her you wish for her to perform a song of love for you at the wedding. This school can help her prepare for it. She will be grateful for your support, much too pre-occupied with the music to care about your absence and you will be able to have some fun."

"But she knows I won't allow her to sing after our wedding. It isn't proper."

"All the more reason to cherish this special wedding present between the two of you. One last song. What? Do you want the last time she ever sing be to that monster where all of Paris saw them lusting after each other?" Phillip held in a laugh. "I would think you would want to change that memory the sooner, the better."

Raoul was tempted. It sounded like the answer to everyone's problems. "No…. I can't. I will see Melanie in my own way and time. I can't…"

"Ask Christine."

Offended, Raoul began to shout. "You think she will just leave me without protesting?!"

No, Raoul. Take my bet."

"Huh?"

"Propose the situation to her. If she adamantly refuses, I will apologize to you and never say another word against her. But if she agrees to go and leave you for a few weeks without question or complaint, I will expect you to grovel in gratitude to me for this gift. God, knows you won't have much fun playing nursemaid to a damaged whore."

Raoul should have punched his brother. He should have just walked away but he didn't. The truth was he liked the idea. He liked having the freedom of not having to walk on egg shells for a while. He liked the thought of a woman not refusing his touch. He liked the idea of experiencing one long release with Melanie.

Maybe this would do both of them good? He could get his final kicks out of the way and Christine would come back with a song for him. A song proving her devotion that it was he whom she loved and wanted. He could claim her in song this time and she would have no choice but to thank him. He would finally be able to put the monster out of their lives forever.

"I'll ask her. This is for her as well as for me. I will say a proper goodbye to Melanie and tell her we can never meet again in such a way. Christine will come back with a new focus. We will be stronger for this and ready to start our lives together. I will be able to focus all my energy on her as I will have taken care of my…. Frustrations. Then once we are married, I will have no need to see Melanie or any other woman for that matter. " He smiled in satisfaction. "Yes, I will tell her first thing in the morning…. Er ask her first thing in the morning, that is." He put his empty glass down and went to find his father and Monsieur Reimes.

Phillip waved him goodbye. "Thank me later, Raoul." He finished his drink.

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The girls were sitting down on the bed putting to rest any confusing there might have been over the last few weeks.

"You mean you don't blame me for what happened? You and Madame still think of me as family?"

"Christine, it was us who thought you wanted to forget all about your past. Mama said that you had to focus on your new life but I didn't believe her. I knew if we just talked…"

Christine got up and began to pace with her hands clasped together. "He told me that no one came to see me. He knew how much I longed for yours and Madame's company. And…." My angel's….

"And who's?"

Christine changed the subject. "Raoul really slammed the door in your face?"

She nodded but tried to act supportive. "Maybe he thought he was protecting you?"

"Protecting me? I am not a child! I know my own mind. Why is it that every man feels and thinks as if they have to make decisions for me? That's not protection! That's incarceration!"

"Every man? What other men are there?" Meg placed her hand under her chin to listen attentively.

"Christine looked at the balcony door and abruptly closed it. "Were you cold?"

Meg could see Christine was uncomfortable with the subject matter. "Christine, are you happy here with Raoul?"

The minute she tried to say she was happy, a sob came out. "I…. Meg, I never thought leaving would feel this way. I miss everything. I miss you, and Madame. I miss the music. I miss the way he would enter a room and cause mischief…." She smiled. "I miss the way he would make his presence known both audibly and visually…"

Meg arched her brow. "You mean Erik?"

"Erik? Who is….." She threw her hands over her mouth for a minute when she realized she never knew his name. "I never knew he had a name…." God, I sound so stupid. Of course he has a name.

"You never asked." Meg didn't say it to be mean but it was the truth, wasn't it? "All humans have a name, Christine. Dogs, for that matter have one also. Do you think he was just a phantom or an angel? No in between?"

"No… Yes…. I…. I don't know!" She turned her back and then came over to sit next to Meg again. "Erik?" She said it once inside her head and then once more out loud. "Erik." This time with certainty. "It suits him….." She blushed when she said it again to herself.

The blush did not go unnoticed by Meg. "He's not well."

"How do you know that?" Her voice was suddenly full of concern.

"Christine you left him to the mob! They destroyed everything. I tried to go down to find him but all I uncovered was his mask. Nadir was with him in the beginning, so he wasn't completely alone but no one has been back to see him for three weeks."

"How… How do you know so much about him?" Christine started to feel jealously wash over her. Wasn't he my angel? How would Meg know about his lair?

This time it was Meg's turn to stand up. "You weren't the only little girl he used to care for. Mama and Erik were friends for years. After Papa died he helped us a lot. Then he went away for a few years and when he returned….. He was different. He never came to visit again and Mama told me to keep my distance yet I was never afraid of him. How could I? The man used to make me teddy bears and wooden horses. I just wished he would come around again. I missed how he would try to get me to laugh as a small child. Then you said you were visited by an angel of music and… I just figured he had another little girl to love."

"Meg….."

"No, it was okay. I was glad he stopped hiding. He didn't start seeing Mama again until you came to live at the Opera House. You brought him back to the living. You saved him."

I saved him? He was my whole word for years and I betrayed him over and over again. She then looked desperately at Meg. "Meg, I'm sorry. I never knew."

"How could you? You might not have asked but I never told you, either. In a way I was sworn to secrecy."

"I have to see him again, Meg." She got up and went to grab the invitation that was sitting inside the box. "We promised we would return to give him this." She showed it to Meg.

"Christine, I wouldn't do that if I were you. Showing him this would be beyond cruel. I want no part of it. "She shook her head. "No."

"Meg, I am doing what he wanted. I promised him. I cannot break another promise to him. And…."

"And what?"

"I need to know why he let me go."

Meg looked confused. "Isn't it obvious? He came to his senses. He might have loved you but he knew you didn't love him. Forcing you to choose him wouldn't be love."

"But I did…." She whispered.

"Come again?"

"I chose him that night, not Raoul."