Summary: Loralee Donoghue gets a job at the Opera House while running away from her cruel fiance. Later when she becomes ballet mistress a new list of troubles await her including feelings towards Erik, visits from an admirer, and attacks from her ex-fiance. EOW R&R!

Disclaimer: I don't own PotO. The only thing I own in this story (so far) is Loralee Donoghue.

Read and Review please! I do love comments but if they're blunt "I hate this story" comments I'd rather not get them. You may critize it, though, just know that I've already written the whole story so I most likely won't be changing anything. It's also my first Phan Phiction (or any other type of fan fiction!) so it would really helpful for your feedback.

Thank you!

MaskedDreamer

((The song in this chapter is "Nightingale" by Norah Jones. You'll also find that the chapters get longer as they go along.))

Chapter One: Take Me Away

She had no sense of where she was. Where she was going was the least of her worries at that very moment in time. She had no time to think about how she must look: a woman dressed in tattered wealthy clothes with dirt stains all over it running blindly through the thick bustle of the Paris afternoon crowds. She never glanced over her shoulder and sprinted for her life onwards. . . onwards. . .

Soon the raging voices behind her quieted to nothing and her deepest fears of getting caught subsided, but she kept on running.

Loralee Donoghue, 20 years old, was currently running for her life away from the horrible troubles of her childhood and current position. If people were to look at her a few hours ago, they would have seen a happy and smiling girl wearing rich fabrics that making up an elaborate dress. The wealthy woman would be hanging onto the arm of a heavenly handsome man. Only the very observant would be able to notice the bruises just poking over her neck line or the cuts that adorned her soft skin. They would also observe that Loralee seemed to have a mask of happiness about, for if you looked deeply into the eyes, past her shield, you would have seen years and years of terror.

Just a few moments ago, the feelings became overwhelming and she had burst, grabbing onto freedom as it came her way. Now she was running until. . .

SMACK!

Loralee went crashing into someone as they stepped out of a large wooden door. She went toppling over onto the person, landing painfully on her wrist. She had to bite her lip to stop from yelping out in pain. She was just getting up and ready to start running again when the person sat up, slightly dazed, and grabbed her hand. Looking back, Loralee saw a girl with long blonde hair and beautifully innocent eyes.

"Wait!" she said in a sweet tone. Loralee stayed behind reluctantly.

"Yes?" Loralee said, trying hard to get across the fact to the young girl that she was in a hurry.

"The managers are waiting for you! They're looking all over for you! Come on, I'll take you to them."

Before Loralee could respond the girl grasped onto her with a surprisingly firm grip and she soon found herself trailing after the little blonde angel into the the depths of what she just figured out was the Opera House.

The architecture astounded her. Their were meticulously carved scenes all over the walls and ceilings. Paintings were on the ceiling, too, and a large chandelier hung like a queen bee at the top of the roof. On the stage were two old looking men and in front of the stage and on back were people milling about, all obviously part of the Opera crew or people coming to try out.

"Monsieur André! Firmin! I believe I've found the woman you're looking for!"

Fear stabbed at Loralee suddenly as the little girl led her up onto the stage to face the two men that she recognized as the Opera managers André and Firmin. She tried to get her hand back from the girl and run but the little blonde angel took the signs of Loralee's struggles as fear and just soothingly patted her arm.

"Don't be shy, madame," said André, extending his hand. "It's a pleasure you've finally come, Natalia Williams."

Loralee stared at him but finally it dawned on her. The managers thought she was a girl who was late for the auditions. They had no idea that a rich grown gypsy man was chasing after her this very second.

"I'm sorry, Messieurs, but I am not Natalia Williams. There must have been a mistake."

"Oh," said Firmin, looking quite disappointed. André chewed on his mustache for a little before a flicker of hope light up his eyes.

"Would you mind singing for us, at least? You look as if you need a job, Madame. . . Madame. . . ?"

"Uh. . ."

Could Loralee tell these people her real names? She shouldn't because the men looking for her could come right in here and ask for her and that would be the end of her freedom. Or maybe even her life. With that in mind, she made up a name off the top of her head.

"Uh, McLay. . . Beth McLay. And I'm not a madame."

Where the heck did that come from? she thought. I hate that name! And McLay? How did I get that?"

"Right, Mademoiselle McLay. Could you please step into the center of the stage and whenever you're ready sing a song that you know," Firmin said as if it were as easy as cake. They walked away leaving her alone on the stage and sat down in the theaters first pew of seats.

Loralee panicked as she finally got to the middle of the stage. What was she going to sing? What if she made a great big fool of herself? Wait! she thought. I didn't agree to sing for them or try out! But before she could say anything, André got rather impatient and repeated, "Whenever. . ."

Taking a big gulp, Loralee started with a song she heard not too long ago.

"Nightingale

Sing us a song

Of a love that once belonged

Nightingale

Tell me your tale

Was your journey far too long?

Does it seem like I'm looking for an answer

To a question I can't ask

I don't know which way the feather falls

Or if I should blow it to the left

Nightingale

Sing us a song

Of a love that once belonged

Nightingale

Tell me your tale

Was your journey far too long?

All the voices that are spinnin' around me

Trying to tell me what to say

So can I fly right behind you

And you can take me away

All the voices that are spinnin' around me

Trying to tell me what to say

So can I fly right behind you

And you can take me away

You can take me away"

As the last note dwindled away, Loralee opened her eyes that had some how become closed. A calm quiet came over the whole of the Opera House. Loralee panicked and looked around, trying to see everybodies opinion.

Before she could even look, Firmin was clapping happily and it seemed as if everything had gone back to normal. The buzz of talk went out again, clatters and loud sounds echoed through back stage, and the laughter of the corps de ballet echoed through the theater.

"Bravo, my dear Mademoiselle McLay! Bravo! I think Madame Williams will not be coming any more into the chorus of the Paris Opera house because you have clearly made your mark."

Loralee dazedly looked at them, not believing anything.

She had gotten into the Opera House chorus by mere accident. Things were looking pretty good for her future.

Trying to say something to the managers to express her feelings of up most joy and gratitude, Loralee only ended up having gibberish spill out of her mouth before she fainted right there, none too gracefully falling down into the middle of the stage.