A/N: I DO NOT own Phantom of the Opera, it's plot, characters or otherwise. They all belong to Sir Andrew Loyd Webber. All Questions, Comments and Reviews can be left in the box below or PMed to me. The Phantom has been given permission to Punjab ANY AND ALL FLAMERS after I douse them with the bucket of water in the corner.

Enjoy this chapter!

Two:
~Erik~
I sat at my organ working on Don Juan Triumphant once again. It just need a few more adjustments and maybe I can present it to M. Lefevre before he retires if the rumors are to be believed. I suddenly hear the sound of another organ playing fearcely from the stage above me. The music is hauntingly powerful, beautiful yet spine-chilling, almost like something I would write. Curious, I stood and started through the tunnels to see who was playing at this time of night, but it was then I heard a voice.

"~He's everywhere!
And when my song begins I always find...
The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside my mind!~"

She sounded much like my Christine but it was untrained and a tad bit more mature. But then the words of the song she was singing registered in my mind and I froze. Me? She sings of the Phantom of the Opera? I was now even more determined to find out who this mysterious singer was.

Reaching the rafters above the stage, I looked down to see a small, feminine figure in the center of the stage. Raising an eyebrow, I started down towards the stage. For some reason, I felt the need to respond to the song, so I started singing.

"~You choose to sing with me this strange Duet!
My power over you... grows stronger yet!
And though you turn from me to glance behind...
The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside your mind!~"

I reached the stage in time to see the figure run out and into the halls. Following the footsteps through the many secret passages in the Opera house, she replied.

"~Those who have seen your face draw back in fear,
I am the mask you wear...~"

I froze again for a moment and touched my mask as I replied, wondering how she knew about it. "~It's me they hear!~"

"~Your/My Spirit and My/Your voice in One Combined...
The Phantom of the Opera is there... inside My/Your mind!~"

Finally the footsteps stopped outside on the front steps. I raced to the roof, into the night air and looked down from Apollo's Lyre. There on the steps stood a young woman who looked around the age of sixteen or so. She was wearing the brown pants, white shirt and dark brown vest of a page boy, knee high boots clad her feet, a brown hat sat on her head and a bag over her shoulder. So she was the one singing with such passion and strength! She turned and I saw her fully. She had dirty blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, green eyes with some bags under her eyes, pale skin and rose petal lips. Her eyes lifted up to suddenly and unexpectedly lock onto mine. To my surprise, I could see awe, wonder and curiosity in her eyes. No fear whatsoever!

She lifted her voice and continued singing. "~He's there... the Phantom of the Opera!~"

I became curious to see how high she can go. Keeping her eyes locked with mine, I lifted my hand encouraging her to sing higher. She sang higher and higher surprising me and, by the look in her eyes, herself with the notes she was reaching. "Sing for Me!" I half ordered her and I smiled proudly as she hit her highest note. But my face turned to worry as she fainted onto the steps. I quickly climbed down to check on her. Kneeling next to her, I gently tucked a piece of hair that had fallen on her face behind her ear and found how feverish she was. Making a quick decision, I lifted her into my arms and brought her to Madame Giry.

"Antoinette! Antoinette!"

The woman who rescued me from gypsies all those years ago opened the door and gasped at what was in my arms. "Erik, what did you do to that poor girl?" She asked, obviously thinking the worst as she stepped aside to let me in.

"Nothing, woman.' I said entering the room and rolling my eyes. 'I found her passed out on the steps outside. When I went to see if she was alright I found she had a fever. I can't reveal myself to her so I brought her here to you."

"Lay her on the couch." She ordered leaving the room for a minute.

I placed her down and pushed some of her hair away from her face. Curious, I opened her bag to see if there was anything in it to identify who she was. There were five books four with a blue, red, gold and green dragon on each written in English, the fifth was all black and obviously very, very well read, yet had no title. There were notes for what looked like homework, manuscripts of Opera's such as 'Faust', 'Carmen' and 'La Belle et la Bête', the latter looked more well read, colored pencils and paper with rough sketches of dresses fit for a princess and at the very bottom, notes for what looked like three or four different stage productions.

One note caught my attention. I picked it up and realized it was a casting letter. Most Actresses and Actors who live outside the Opera house receive letters on what part they will have for the next production.

Miss Rosie Evangeline Hollins,
After careful consideration and close examination of your Audition, you will be an Understudy of a Major character and an Ensemble role as listed below.
-Role in Production: Stagehand/Ensemble
-Understudy Role: Christine [Lead Role, Soprano]
We thank you for Audition.
Sincerely,
XXX

I raised an eyebrow. She was in a production where she was to play a Stagehand yet with the voice she had she was an Understudy for the lead role? Madame Giry returned with a wet cloth for her head. "And just what are you doing with her bag of things?"

"Her name is Rosie Evangeline Hollins.' I said returning all the things to her bag. 'And I believe she speaks only English, that's what language her books are written in."

I stood up went to a far wall and pressed my hand against it. The wall slid open and I looked over my shoulder at her. "I'll be going. I leave her in your care but I expect to hear of her health." With that, I walked on back down to my home half my mind on 'Don Juan Triumphant' the other half on the girl who seems to somehow know me.

~POV Change~
I felt someone gently place a wet rag over my head and I moaned a bit in discomfort.

"Maman, je pense qu'elle se reveille!"

I squeezed my eyes shut for a second before blinking them open. I looked around me curious as to where I was. I rubbed my eyes a bit and looked around in shock. I was lying on a couch in somebody's room with a blanket over me and a pillow under my head. I knew I wasn't in the Theatre Arts Building anymore, nor apparently was I in America if the voice speaking in French with a French accent was anything to go by.

I looked to see who it was that spoke and gasped seeing Meg Giry and her mother Antoinette Giry, known as Madame Giry. The older woman thanked Meg and the young dancer left. The Madame came over to me and sat down in the chair beside me. "Are you alright, child?"

I blinked at the woman before nodding. "Y-yes ma'am. Though, considering I have no idea where I am, I could be better." I said with a small smile.

She nodded. "You are in the Palais Garnier. You were found on the steps outside unconscious and with a fever. You have sleeping for two days, the fever only broke last night."

I blinked before my eyes widened. "T-The Palais Garnier? In Paris, France?' She nodded. I slowly sat up and gave her a small smile. 'That's a long way from Richmond, Virginia in America." I stated. She looked at me in shock.

"America? How did you end up here?" Madame Giry asked.

I shook my head. "I'm... not fully sure. One minute I was on the stage of the local theatre, hours before rehearsal, raising the newly repaired Chandelier up, the next I woke up here Ma'am."

I made sure to look her in the eye when telling her this so she believes I'm not lying. She didn't do anything for a while but then nodded. "I see."

I looked over myself to find I was still in my Stagehand costume, my hat laying on a small table nearby. After some silence I spoke. "Madame... Um..." I didn't want to say her name and her get suspicious of me.

"Giry. Antoinette Giry. I'm the Ballet Mistress of this theatre."

I smiled. "Nice to meet you Madame Giry. I'm Rosie Evangeline Hollins. Anyway, do you think the Manager could let me work or stay here for a while until I get enough money to return home?"

Before she could answer, there was a knock on the door and in came a man I knew as Misuser Lefevre came in. "Ah! I see our guest is awake. I am M. Lefevre, the manager of the Opera Populaire."

I inclined my head to him in greeting. "I am Rosie Hollins. It's a pleasure sir."

He looked at me sternly but kindly. "I couldn't help but hear your conversation but I'm afraid that we have no room for you to stay here."

My eyes widened. "Sir, please don't throw me out on the streets! I have no money save what American money is in my bag, and I have nowhere to go! Can't I work here? At least until I get enough money to go home?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry my dear. I really wish I could help you but I can't."

I then tried a new tactic. "I can clean the Boxes sir! All of them! I can wash and repair costumes! Sir, I can even work in the flies as I have done in the productions in the local theatre back home! Please sir, I'll do anything!"

Before anything else could be said a single letter fell from nowhere and landed at M. Lefevre's feet. The whole room seemed to tense. Madame Giry picked up the one on the floor and led the man out. I sat there for a while until a letter fell into my lap. I looked at it in shock for a moment before I picked it up and slowly turned it over. It was sealed with a blood red wax skull.

I bit my lip as I opened it, not daring to break the skull. I took out the letter and read it a bit surprised it was in English. As I read it out loud, a voice read along with me. I stopped reading and just let the voice read it for me.

~Mademoiselle Hollins,
I welcome you to my opera house. I also give you my best wishes on your recovery. You need not fear about living on the streets. I overheard what happened to you and I am willing to help you gain a job here. The letter I have written to M. Lefevre has requested that you be hired to clean out all the boxes. But I must sincerely warn you to stay away from the stagehands, especially one Joseph Buquet, as they are not the best - or most sober – of people.
I also must tell you, when cleaning Box Five, as it is my Box, I expect nothing but perfection.
Now, I have some questions I would like answered. I do not expect answers now as Madame Giry and M. Lefevre are bound to come back in any moment, but come to the Prima Donna's room at midnight tonight and we can talk. Face to Face.
With sincere regards,
O.G.~

I gasped. "Opera Ghost?" I looked up and around to see if I could catch a glimpse of those eyes I saw before I passed out. I knew he was probably watching now so, biting my lip a bit and closing my eyes, I whispered. "I'll be there. Thank you... M. Phantom." I heard a chuckle before the door started opening. I placed the note in my bag and sat up as the Madame and the Manager came back in.

~Time Skip~
I sat in my new room near the ballet dormitories. An old bed had been brought up along with a vanity and mirror. The bathroom had been cleaned and I had already bathed in hot water to wash away the stress. M. Lefevre had already told me that I would be cleaning boxes. Madame Giry gave me a short tour and showed me where all the Boxes were. She also informed me to be careful when cleaning Box Five, which was the Phantoms' Box.

I had put on the nightgown one of the ballet girls had let me borrow and was looking at the clock. When it was thirty minutes til Midnight, I put on a silk white robe, placed my copy of 'Phantom of the Opera', the black title-less book in my bag that had the musical and original book in it, in my robes pocket, left the room and snuck towards where Madame Giry said the Prima Donna's room was. Entering the room, it looked much like the movie version except there weren't any flowers everywhere. After lighting some of the candles, I headed to the window I looked out to the moon lost in thought.

Suddenly, a wind passed through the room blowing out all the candles and coldness swept through. I started heading for the door but the sound of a violin made me freeze. 'Is that 'Angel of Music'?' Still facing the door, I opened my mouth and sang.

"~Angel I hear you! Speak, I listen!
Stay by my side, Guide me!
Angel my soul is weak, Forgive me!
Enter at last, Master!~"

I slapped a hand over my mouth with wide eyes before I heard him chuckle.

"~Flattering Child, you shall know me
See why in shadow I hide
Look at your face in the mirror
I am there inside!~"

I slowly turned to the mirror on the other side of the room and gasped seeing a figure within the mirror. The very same man I saw on the roof earlier before I passed out. He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt, white bow tie, a black cloak around his shoulders and a black fedora. His black hair was slicked back and his stark white mask stood out on the right side of his face.

"~Angel of Music Guide and Guardian,
Grant to me your Glory!
Angel of Music hide no longer!
Come to me Strange Angel!~"

He seemed to smirk at me as he held out his hand, motioning me to come to him. On the outside, I was entranced. Inside, I was melting. The Phantom himself was singing to me and inviting me to talk with him in his home! Ecstatic was an understatement about what I felt right then!

"~I am your Angel...
Come to me, Angel of Music...~"

I walked towards him, hesitating a bit before I stepped through the mirror.

"~I am your Angel of Music...
Come to me, Angel of Music...~"

I finally took his hand and he pulled me close wrapping his cloak around me to keep me warm. I blushed before I looked up at him and our eyes met. Now that I was closer I saw he looked a lot like Ramin Karimloo's version of him with a bit of Gerard Butler. Yet his eyes, glowing like melted gold, I saw all the sadness of the world. Such pleading eyes, begging me not to be afraid of him. I gave him a simple, small smile.

He smiled a bit before gently pulling me along down the path. The hall we were going through was lit with torches and had a golden sheen to them. We walked down some stairs, avoiding any traps he had along the way. Soon we found ourselves in front of a black horse. I bit my lip and stepped back a bit. "I'm a bit frightened of horses, M. Phantom." I muttered.

He looked at me with a small frown but gave my hand a small squeeze. "I won't let you get hurt."

He slowly led me forward and lifted me up onto the horse so I was sitting sidesaddle. When I grabbed the saddle and got myself comfortable, he took the reins and led us deeper into the catacombs. Soon we came to the legendary lake. He places his hands on my waist and lifts me off the horse. When my bare feet touch the cold, stone floor, I felt the horse nudge my face. I looked over to him and gave a small smile before petting him. "Thank you..." I turned to look at the Phantom.

He smiled and said, "His name is Caesar." I turned back to the horse. "Thank you, Caesar." The Phantom then led me over to the gondola and held my hand helping me step in. I sat down on my knees and held on to the front as he stepped in. I turned to watch him as he picked up the pole, placed it in the water and pushed off. There was mist all around the top of the lake, and I watched in awe as lit candles rose from the water to light the way. I so wanted to know how he did that.

He startled me when he started singing, the music seeming to come from nowhere yet everywhere.

"~In all your fantasies you always knew...
That Man and Mystery...~"

"~Were both in you!~" I sang turning to look at him. Turning back around, my eyes widened when I saw the entrance to his lair, however I call it his home. The Gate lifted and I could see his organ, a throne, a large covered mirror and tunnels that lead to a bedroom, kitchen, and a library.

"~And in this Labyrinth, where Night is Blind,
The Phantom of the Opera is here/there... inside My/Your mind!~"

We docked and he got out first, placing the pole down. He turned back to me and took my hands in his helping me out. Pulling me up, he brought me away from the dock and nearer towards the organ. Giving me a small smirk, he gave the command. "Sing, my Angel of Music!"

I look at him in shock but did as he asked seeing the smirk on his lips yet the seriousness in his eyes. "~He's there... The Phantom of the Opera!~"

"Sing!"

I started vocalizing hoping that I will reach that last note just like I did the first time I sang with him. Letting go of my hands and making sure my eyes wouldn't wander away from him, he took a few steps away from me. He took his hat off his head and tossed it so it landed perfectly on a hat stand before sweeping his cloak off his shoulders also placing it on the hat stand. "Sing!"

I did as he commanded. He lifted his hands and pushed his hair back and again came to me. I suddenly found myself three notes before the highest and I was getting nervous just a bit on weather I could hit it or not. He brushed his fingers against my cheek as he whispered. "Sing my Angel! Sing! Sing for me!"

I closed my eyes tight, took a deep breath and, to my utter joy, I hit it!

Panting hard, my hand reached up and touched my throat. "I can't believe I hit that note again.' I turned to find he was now standing by the organ. 'I've never hit that note before... I've practiced that part so many times but I just couldn't hit it without my voice cracking."

He said nothing so I just slowly walked towards him, biting my lip a bit. "In the note you said you have questions about me, I'll be happy to answer them."

He nodded and gestured for me to follow him. He led us to a sitting room and sat on a chair that was sitting across from a couch. I sat on the couch placing my hands on in my lap nervous out of my mind. 'Get a grip, Rosie! Just because the man you've always admired is sitting right in front of you means you should be nervous!'

"First, I must ask, how did you come across that song about me?"

I looked up and locked eye with him. "I'm... not sure if you'll believe me sir."

He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. "Try me."

I closed my eyes and sighed. "Your story, Monsieur Phantom, is well known and loved back home. Your music and story has many fans.' I pulled out his book and held it out to him. 'This book has the original story, which obviously doesn't do you justice but is still a classic, and the musical in it."

I held it out to him. He silently took it and skimmed through it. After a while he looked up and my eyes widened in fear at the anger in his eyes. He stood up, placing the book back on his seat and started pacing angrily. I watched him a bit scared that he might lash out at me with his famous temper. After what seemed like hours of total quiet and of watching him pace in anger, I spoke up.

"Monsieur Phantom? I can leave if you want me to..."

He turned back to me with a blank face and I knew he heard the fear in my voice. He came over and grabbed my chin gently but firmly in his hand and lifted it to meet his eyes. "You are afraid of me."

I shook my head. "Not of you. Of your temper. The only way I would fear you is if you give me a reason to."

He looked at me with doubt in his eyes before looking back to the book. He walked back over to where the it lay and picked it up. Turning to me he asked, "Answer me this: why would that man make me speak in first person? I certainly don't speak like that."

I relaxed a bit knowing he wouldn't take his anger out on me, and then, registering what he asked, I giggled. "I don't know the mind of Gaston Leroux. He died years and years before I was born."

He sat down and looked at me curiously. "So that means you are not from this time...' I just bit my lip and nodded. 'Were you to perform the musical about me at the theatre where you were before you came here?' I nodded again. 'You were cast as a stagehand and are understudy for the lead soprano role which, if the musical is the story of my life, is the part of Christine Daaé?" I gave one final nod.

He was silent for a while. "Why is it one with a voice like yours is cast as an understudy when it's obvious that the lead is perfect for you?"

My head snapped up at that and I stared open mouthed and wide eyed. I then gave a sad smile. "Monsieur Phantom, I thank you for thinking I would be perfect for the lead but,' I shook my head. 'there are people who think they deserve the best just because they have 'the perfect looks'. Even though I have the voice, I'm not beautiful, I'm not even pretty. I'm just plain.' I then looked up at him with a smile. 'But that's okay. I'm just glad I get to be in it! That's all I really wanted. To have a part in my all-time favorite story."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Have you ever had any lessons? Anyone to help tutor you to strengthen your voice?"

I shook my head no. "It's not a question of whether there was a teacher or not. Nor about whether we had the money to afford it. The only teachers around where I lived worked with the church choir."

He nodded in thought. "Well then, it seems my work is cut out for me." My head snapped to look at him.

"P-pardon?"

He grabbed my wrist and, tossing the book onto his chair, he pulled me back to the first room and towards his organ. He let me go before gathering together all the papers scattered around the organ stand. "I refuse to allow such talent go to waste in my Opera House! With my help, all of Paris shall be at your feet!"

My eyes were wide. "Wh-what? You... want to... but what about Christine? She'll have Paris and beyond at her feet before I take the stage. She is your first student and she should come first."

He paused. "You are right.' He sighed and sat down on the chair. 'Christine was my first student,' He turned to look at me. 'but that doesn't mean I can't take on another."

I shook my head. "I'm flattered you want to teach me, Monsieur. Really I am! But, you probably have better things to do then teach a simple girl out of her own time."

He stood up suddenly with a deep fire in his eyes and I took a few steps back in surprise. He then turned to his organ and played a couple of harsh notes.

"~I have brought you
To the seat of sweet Music's Throne!
To this Kingdom where all must pay homage to Music... Music...~"

He then turned and pointed at me before holding a single finger up.

"~You have come here
For One purpose and One alone..."

He stepped forward and took my hands in his, slowly leading my back to the organ.

"~Since the moment I first heard you sing
I have needed you with me to serve me... To sing...
For my Music...~"

He released my hands and turned to a red leather bound manuscript that I knew was his masterpiece. He gave a small smile as he brushed his finger tips brushed against it.

"~My Music...~"

I smiled at the fondness in his eyes. "Alright. Where do we start?"

He gave me a nod before sitting back down. "We'll start with your scales and see where you are in vocal range. We'll work our way up from there."