A/N- This is a two shot. It is also the first in a series I am doing to explain the few things that bothered me and missing time in the 2004 movie. It is my favorite movie but there are still a few things I wished they had done differently. One of the main things is Raoul's hair. I had wished they found a better wig. A noble at the time would not have had his hair that long or in that style. It also covers what happened on the staircase after 'All I Ask of You' and 'Il Muto.' Some of these will be short, some of them will be longer just depends on what I am covering.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: Leroux's Phantom is public domain but ALW's is not. I make no profit from this story.
A night that seemed to get worse by the minute was finally looking up for Christine Daae. She was on the roof of the Opera Populair with the boy that had saved her scarf from the sea. That boy had grown up into the man she was finding herself in love with. The snow fell softly around them as they proclaimed their love for each other. Christine had never felt as thoroughly happy as she did when Raoul's lips had met hers. As they kissed, a surge of electricity ran through her body and she could no longer feel the cold air on her bare arms.
'Love me, that's all I ask of you.' Another series of kisses followed and all Christine wanted was to stay in Raoul's gentle embrace forever. It was then she remembered what had led them up to the roof. They had been up here for quite a while and she would have to get into full costume and make up soon if the opera was still set to take place. It pained her to break apart the kiss but she had to go back.
'I must go; they'll wonder where I am.' Raoul looked confused as she said this. Had she changed her mind? Did she really need to get away from him that fast? All these insecurities faded when she grabbed his hand and led him toward the door. 'Come with me Raoul.' Christine's lips curled into a gleeful smile. Raoul knew he could finally say what he had been holding in since the night of 'Hannibal.'
'Christine, I love you.' His sentiments were rewarded with a peck on the lips.
'Order your fine horses; be with them at the door.' Christine thought she something move from behind one of the statues but decided it must have a bird or another small animal.
'And soon you'll be beside me.' Raoul's blue eyes stared intently at her and she met his gaze as she opened the door.
'You'll guard me and you'll guide me.' They were back at the spiral staircase that Christine had so furiously run up earlier. Raoul closed the door and pulled Christine into a short tender kiss.
"Raoul," She said with a light laughter in her voice. "I need to go back to my dressing room. Everyone will worry."
"You are right. We will have to return as soon as possible." Raoul suddenly swooped Christine up into his arms.
"Raoul! What are you doing?"
"I am taking the Prima Donna back to her dressing room." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Raoul began descending the staircase with the woman he intended to make his bride in his arms. Christine started humming a tune and soon started to sing softly.
'Say you need me with you here, beside you.' With each word her voice grew louder. 'Anywhere you go, let me go too. That's all I ask of you.' Raoul smiled down at her and joined her. They did not care who heard them, let the whole world know that they were in love. 'Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me, each night each morning.' An anguished howl was heard that seemed to come from the roof. Christine felt a chill run down her spine but tried to ignore it. They had now reached the final series of staircases leading to the ground level of the opera house. Raoul gently set Christine down on her feet as they were backstage again.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"Christine! There you are. I thought you had disappeared again!" Meg Giry ran to her best friend as soon as she saw her. She hugged Christine tightly. It was then Meg noticed Raoul standing behind Christine. "Oh, Monsieur Le Vicomte," She gave a quick curtsy. "I did not see you there." Raoul nodded to acknowledge the formal greeting that he never really cared for. "The managers just announced that the opera will not continue." Meg said with some relief in her voice. The sight of Buquet hanging from the rafters was going to haunt her forever.
"Oh, that is wonderful!" Christine smiled. She did not know how she would have made it through a performance, especially a comedy, on a stage where a man had been murdered just moments before. Christine looked around trying to find Madame Giry but she was nowhere to be seen. She wondered what Madame Giry thought now since she had always encouraged Christine's relationship with the Angel of Music. Phantom she mentally corrected herself. That man is no angel.
"Move aside, please!" A man in police uniform called out. He was leading a large group of people from the stage. "Make room!" Christine, Raoul and Meg stepped aside. As the group came closer they were carrying long stretcher with a white sheet over it. Christine suddenly realized what they were carrying. It was the body of Joseph Buquet. Just then, one of the men carrying the stretcher lost his footing causing it to tip. The rest of the men kept it from falling completely but not before Buquet's lifeless arm slipped out from beneath the sheet. Christine screamed, Raoul pulled her into his arms and she buried her face in his chest.
"My God, what have I done?" She cried, daring not to lift her head. Raoul could feel her small body trembling. It pained him to see Christine in such distress. Meg stood by to help comfort her friend. They stood there long after the make shift processional had passed until Andre and Firmin walked up in in a huff towards Raoul.
"Monsieur Le Vicomte, we have matters to discuss." Firmin said.
"If you could excuse us please, Mademoiselles."Andre said noticing the two young ladies. Christine looked up at Raoul with a worried expression in her eyes which only made him hold her tighter.
"I'd like to save this for another time, if you two gentlemen would not mind. It has been a terrible night for all of us and I think would be best if we all got some rest before discussing business." Firmin and Andre eyed the chorus girl turned diva and exchanged knowing glances.
"Well, Monsieur Le Vicomte if those are your wishes, we will comply." Firmin said with a little frustration in his voice. "But, can we expect you in our office, first thing tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, of course." Raoul shrugged off the request. He could not care less about what financial plea the two would make.
"SPLENDID!" Firmin said and two quickly walked away. After they were gone, it was decided that Meg would stay with Christine until she finished changing. Raoul stood outside of the room constantly on guard; he was not going to take any chances.
"What happened with him, Christine?" Meg asked excitedly inside the dressing room. A little light hearted talk would help lift her spirits a bit. Christine told of all that had happened on the roof and Meg hugged her friend once again.
"I am so happy for you. My friend, the Comtess De Chagny!" Christine laughed at her friend's enthusiasm.
"Meg, he has not proposed. We cannot assume such things." She said from behind the ornate dressing divider. The things Raoul had sang sounded like a proposal but he had not officially asked. Christine was not even sure if Raoul's family would allow them to marry. She did not want to get ahead of herself.
"I know he will. I see the way he looks at you." Meg said as she took Christine's costume and laid it out the next evening's performance.
"I hope you are right Meg, I really hope you are." She finished changing quickly and the opera house was incredibly quiet when Christine emerged from her dressing room. She looked stunning in a simple navy blue pleated skirt, matching waist band and white blouse. Meg bid goodbye to couple and was off.
"I'm afraid I did not have anything more formal to wear." Christine said apologetically. She did not have very much clothing and no formal outfits. Whenever one of the girls in the opera house needed something for a formal event, they would either save money for months or borrow from the costume wardrobe. Raoul smiled and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"No need to fret Little Lottie. There is no dress code for where we are going."
A/N- The bit about Raoul's hair is going to be in the next chapter. This was originally a one shot but I realized it was going to be |WAY too long and one of my pet peeves are chapters that go on forever. The next and final chapter will up in the next couple of days. Then I will go back to work on my other stories!
I would LOVE to know what you all think of this idea for the series.
