A/N: Alright. This story has been bugging me because every time I get on here, I see it just sitting, abandoned. It's being re-written (I only had 4 chapters done before, but they need a good revamping) and I'll try to update as soon as I can. I have a tumblr account, the link is in my profile, where I'll add some little tidbits, etc. I've put Erik's age at around 38-39 and I'm not a huge fan of Christine, so there will be some snarkiness. Don't forget to R & R! That being said, a quick disclaimer that I don't own Erik or Phantom of the Opera, or The Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 1

"Sage! Where are you going?"

I turned at Bri's shout and flashed her a wide smile.

"The bar!" I shouted back, the music thumping loudly throughout the club. "You want a shot?"

"Hell yeah!"

I shook my head in amusement and nimbly squeezed my way through the people on the dance floor, finally reaching the bar.

"What can I get you?" the bartended asked loudly.

"Two shots of Rumple Minze, please," I replied with the same volume, making my order quick. The bar was packed and the bartenders flitted from customer to customer, filling drinks and taking money with precision. A few of my friends were bartenders and they had ingrained in me bar etiquette: Know what you want before you approach, give your order clearly, don't give the bartender any shit, and tip well.

Two shot glasses filled with the clear liquor slid in front of me. I took care of the bill and tip, shooting him a wink then navigating through the gyrating bodies over to Bri, careful not to spill our drinks.

"Here!" I shouted, shoving one of the glasses into her hand.

"What is this?" I laughed when she took a sniff and wrinkled her nose. "Eugh, Rumple Minze? Really?"

"Hey, you're the one that wanted to go out and have fun tonight," I reminded her. "That includes getting slightly shmammered and what better way to do that than with 100 proof alcohol?"

"Yeah, but still," she said, eyeing the glass with distaste. "Rumple Minze?"

"Oh, just shut up and drink the damn thing," I groused, clinking my glass with hers before tipping it back. I held in a small cough as the minty drink burned it's way down my throat, then burst out laughing as Bri coughed and spluttered.

"No more of those Sage, seriously," she managed to choke out, handing her glass to a passing waitress; I did the same.

"Fine," I said, "You can have next pick. And since you dragged me here, let's go dance."

We made our way onto the dance floor, the alcohol flooding me with warmth. T-pain's 'Drankin' Patna' came on and I let the music flow through my body, moving to the beat. Bri had the biggest smile on her face and it was infectious. I reminded myself to thank her later for convincing me to go out tonight. I wasn't antisocial, but going to the club wasn't something I did often; I'd rather be home watching a movie or curled up with a good book instead of partying nonstop. However, as my best friend had pointed out in a tone that brooked no argument, we hadn't gone dancing for almost a month and whether I liked it or not, I'd better get ready.

So I had. We got ready at my apartment, trading makeup, clothes, shoes, and all the other fun stuff that goes along with a pair of twenty-four year olds preparing for a night out on the town. Bri had settled on a bold, red strapless number that reached mid-thigh and nude stilettos, her makeup smoky and seductive with bright lips. With her tanned skin and dark, straightened hair she looked fantastic. When it came to my dress, she had instantly complained once she realized I would be wearing black.

"You always wear black, Sage," she griped, rifling through my clothes to find something, anything else with color. Well, she was shit out of luck because the few clothes I had that were some other color besides black definitely wouldn't be clubbing material.

"Hey, you've known me for how long now?" I asked her as I shimmied into the dress. "I like black. Always have, always will."

"The color does look good on you," she admitted as I smoothed out the fabric.

I chose a strapless, mid thigh dress as well, but mine was a mix between faux leather and fine mesh that alternated in a zigzag pattern, the leather covering my chest and backside but leaving my stomach, one hip, and back see through. Compared to Bri, my makeup was tame, as I went with a classic pinup look. She had insisted on curling my chest-length dark red hair and then dangled a pair of black, closed toe stilettos in front of me. Even though I didn't go out much, I had a thing about stilettos and my closet had rows upon rows of them, so I didn't put up a fight.

That brings us to our girl's night out of dancing, drinking, and enjoying our single status'. And damn, did we enjoy it. We danced for good bit, taking a break every so often to shoot back drinks and rest our heel-clad feet before making our way back out to the floor. The DJ was amazing and kept playing tracks that had my blood pumping and my body moving. Bri and I alternated between dancing together or with hot guys that popped up throughout the night.

A few hours later, I had aching feet and a steady buzz. The night had been so freeing and I had an amazing time, but I was starting to get tired. Coming back from the bathroom I stifled a yawn as I checked my phone. 2:10. Yeah, time to get going. I found Bri sitting at a table with a guy she knew that had joined us about halfway through the night. While I had a pleasant buzz, she was definitely drunk. I inwardly smirked and thanked my Scot-Irish heritage for having a high alcohol tolerance.

"Bri, I think I'm going to head home," I said, slinging an arm around her shoulders. I had the feeling that she wanted to stay with her friend, Jake (at least I thought that was his name-the night was a little blurry) and maybe have more erm, fun, later.

"Are you sure?" she asked, looking up at me with slightly gazed eyes. "Let me get ready..."

"No, you stay," I interrupted, squeezing her shoulders. "I know you want to. Thanks for dragging my ass out here tonight, I had a really good time."

She giggled, shooting a glance at Jake who was trying to be polite and not eavesdrop. "Thank you, Sage and I am so happy you came out with me! Even though you made me drink that nasty shot…"

Definitely drunk.

"I'll call you tomorrow," I laughed, giving her one last squeeze and dropping a kiss onto her head. "Be good you two!"

They both smiled and I shook my head as I walked away. Sometimes I wondered how Bri and I were such good friends when we could be so opposite-prime example right here. I wasn't a saint by any means, but Bri had me beat when it came to casual sex.

I stepped outside into the warm Alabama air and dialed for a cab. We had decided not to drive since the whole idea had been to get drunk, so we had taken a cab to the club earlier. Less than five minutes later one pulled up and I gave the driver the address to my apartment. Thankfully, I only lived about fifteen minutes away so the ride was short. We pulled up and I paid, tipped, and told the cabbie, "Goodnight".

"I forgot how painful it was to dance in heels," I grumbled, sticking my key into the lock and opening the door, flipping on the lights. I kicked off my shoes and dumped my purse, keys, and phone onto the kitchen counter. "Let's get into something more comfy."

Walking into my room, I had to step over discarded pairs of shoes and clothes that we had decided not to wear. "Dammit. I'll just clean it tomorrow."

Shrugging out of my dress, I threw it onto my bed and grabbed a pair of PJ shorts, a tank, and a bra with straps to replace my strapless one. I quickly threw my hair up into a messy bun and wiped my face with makeup wipes so I didn't look like a clown when I woke up. After getting dressed I padded over to the refrigerator and took out a Dr. Pepper and cheese stick. I was tired, but still had a buzz, so I decided to relax and wind down with a movie.

"Okay, let's see what's on at this hour," I said aloud, plopping on the couch and turning on the TV. I had the bad habit of talking to myself, but at least I didn't answer when I asked a question. Well, not often. I opened my pop and took a sip as I flipped through the channels. Stupid reality shows…soap operas (didn't know they still played those)…movies I didn't feel like watching…

"Aha!" I grinned when I landed on The Phantom Of The Opera, one of my favorite movies. I grabbed my blanket off the back of the couch and snuggled into it, happily munching on my cheese stick. I had read the book(s) long before the movie came out and had already been a fan, but once I saw the movie I was hooked. It followed more along Leroux's book than Kay's, and for that I was grateful. The whole Erik and Christine baby thing had creeped me out.

Like the Jamie Foxx song, I completely blamed it on the alcohol, because as I watched, I found myself talking to the TV like the characters were real. I'm so glad nobody was present to see, because I would've been mortified.

"Oh, come on Christine, shut the fuck up. You are so whiny…Carlotta, you look like a poodle…Oh my gosh, the Red Death costume is so freaking hot…You don't even appreciate him, you stupid bitch. Eugh, if I was there I would never have picked Raul. He's such a fop…Go Madame Giry!"

A little more than halfway through the movie I felt my eyelids droop and fought to stay awake to finish, but to no avail; I fell asleep to Erik singing 'The Point of No Return.