A/N: Wow, so I deleted the story, after not having updated this in ages! And I am so, SO sorry! Things got a little crazy, so my apoligies. Hopefully, the past patrons and fellow supporters of this story, will come back... but anyway here are the chapters once again, but newly edited for your enjoyment!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Next." said Monsieur Andre as soprano after soprano had auditioned. They needed a new diva and soon. The next woman came on center stage, but wrapped in a cloak, her face covered by the hood. "Your name mademoiselle?" asked Monsieur Fermin.

"You will know when I am finished." came a soft reply from under the hood.

"Fine mademoiselle, what will you sing?"

"If it would not be a problem good monsieurs, I would like to sing accapella. It seems that my choice of song would give away my identity either way."

"Very well then- just start." the managers both snapped. Who did this girl think she was- the Prima Donna? But when they heard her sing, with the voice of an angel, they knew it was her who had returned:

In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me
And speaks my name
And do I dream again?
For now I find:
The phantom of the opera is there,
Inside my mind

The Ballet de Corpse stopped their practice from the side of the stage as Meg and Madame Giry both stepped forward. So did a shadow from above in the rafters. Could it be…

Your spirit
and my voice,
in one
combined:
the Phantom of the Opera
is there
inside my mind . . .

"Christine!" Meg bounded forward as Christine slowly lowered her hood. The managers sat there flabbergasted. Christine shyly smiled at the managers then ran into Meg's arms. "You're back! You're really back!"

Christine laughed. "Of course. You don't think I would actually stay away from my home do you?" Looking over Meg's shoulder she saw her mother figure and added, "Madame Giry, you must at least be somewhat happy to see me."

Madame Giry frowned, "What brings you here Christine? Are you here for good? Or have you just escaped the arms of you Vicomte for this moment?"

Christine paled and drew back from Meg's hug, bother of their smiles faded. They don't know. But wouldn't Raoul have told them since he is their patron? Unless, Christine winced suddenly, he removed himself from the patronage for a reason.

"Christine, where is Raoul?" Meg asked. Christine swallowed but never had the chance to answer as a white envelope floated down from the rafters and the shadow that had hid above disappeared. Madame Giry picked it up and scanned the few lines as the shadow in the rafters left the scowled.

"Monsieurs Andre and Fermin, it seems The Phantom has come to his descision about choosing Christine." Madame Giry said crossly. Handing it over to Christine to read:

I applaud her efforts but the Vicomtessa de Chagny is not welcome at my theatre, make sure she is kindly removed, or it will be my patronage that shall be removed.

- O. G.

"He's still here? All this time he's still here? How long has the Opera Populaire been open madam?" Christine shocked at the cold words written in red ink.

"Madame de Chagny, this theatre has been opened for three months now, did you not know? Or were you on your honey moon with the Vicomte?" Madame Giry asked.

"I am not Madame de Chagny, nor have I ever been given that title. I am still Mademoiselle Daae as always. I just thought that I would come and see everyone; I didn't even mean to audition. But it's been so long since…" Christine cut off abruptly.

"Since what Christine?" Meg pestered her friend not understanding the pain that was held in her friend's eyes.

"Since I sang" Christine whispered quietly. "All this time, I have been in England away from France. I- I took up writing poetry just to help myself but then I felt homesick. It's been eleven months Meg, since I have seen any of you. If I had known…"

"But why are you back Miss Daae?" Madam Giry needed to know.

"I told you why- well at least I sang why." The managers looked at each other. Although they did not want to do this, they had to listen to their patron.

"Miss Daae, as much as it has been a pleasant surprise to see you, we must ask you to leave this theatre before our patron is angered. We would not want to close down the Opera Populaire once again."

"Your patron is- is the Phantom of the Opera? What about the Vicomte de Chagny? When did he withdraw his patronage?"

"That is none of your concern mademoiselle as you are not part of the Opera Populaire any longer and our patron requests for you to leave this theatre. You will do so immediately." Monsieur Andre said firmly, as he began to pull her towards the entrance and exit of the Opera Populaire.

"Madam Giry! Meg! You must let me stay! Please Monsieur, if I cannot stay as part of this theatre, then let me stay as a guest. It seems that the Phantom did not hear the confirmation of my status." Christine objected. Madame Giry and the managers looked at each other.

"She will stay with me monsieurs, as my guest." Madame Giry finally said stating it firmly.

"But Madame Giry, the Phantom he wi"

"I alone will handle the Phantom. The Phantom may have been a teacher in the past, but this time, he will have to learn how to listen to other music than his own solitude. Perhaps with Miss Daae here, he will learn how to be a man once more. Perhaps this time, Christine will teach him." The managers winced at her words. If there was anyone else they were willing to bend rules for besides the Phantom, it was Madame Giry. "Meg, take Christine back to my room for now and stay there with her. I must make a visit to a friend."

"Yes maman." Meg said excitedly before pulling Christine in the direction of the room. The managers returned to the main theatre as they still had to hold an audition for the rest of the cast. Left alone was Madame Giry.

"Erik, what have you done?" she muttered to herself as she began the long way to the lair of the Phantom of the Opera.