A/N: Just a few things to be aware of. First: Erik's history is a combination of both Kay and ALW- but I've taken a few liberties here and there (so anything that's 'wrong', lets just say it was intentional). Don't ask me what 'kind' of Erik it is- I have no idea. It's the Erik in my head (no pun intended). So, whichever Erik you prefer… Secondly, I realize that I've never written any disclaimers for this story- I don't own anything, and I'm not making any money off of this. I'm not making any money at all, actually. Well, I suppose I own my OCs, but that's more than a little kinky, isn't it? Never mind. And lastly, thanks to all who reviewed- and SJ. Endeavor- who has agreed to beta read this for me! This chapter was actually really fun to write- especially the first scene after the narrative here. Hope you all enjoy. Cheers!

Erik was born to Charles and Madeleine Dupuis on the eve of December 26th, 1883 in a small township not far from Rouen. Charles died not too long after his son's birth in a workplace incident, leaving his young widow to raise Erik alone. My original documents on his childhood were not complete on any account for I had to rely solely on Erik's testimony, as well as the testimonies of several other individuals to fill in the blanks.

As a boy, he did not have a happy childhood. There were no celebrations of birthdays in his household; no Christmases nor Sunday morning church services. Madeleine Dupuis was not ecstatic over his first word, nor did she show any interest in his natural talent for playing the piano. She forbid the little boy from leaving the house, and did not allow him to have any friends visit- although, I highly doubt he had any to begin with. When he was ten, a close friend of her own suggested that Erik needed some kind of positive social interaction- a companion of sorts- and so that evening she had surprised her son with a black border collie, Sasha. He held the animal very dear to his heart.

There was only one instance that he ever went out and asked anything of his mother; a birthday gift- two kisses to be exact. His mother, however, gagged and ordered him to never, ever ask that of her. The matter was never brought up again.

A year or two later, a group of local and no less barbaric children attacked and tortured Erik's beloved pet. He fought them off and received quite a few nasty injuries, but he wasn't as concerned for himself as he should have been. What mattered most to the younger, innocent shadow of the boy Erik once was: his only companion- his only friend- was gone and there was nothing that could have been done about it. While his relationship with his mother was indeed improving, he ran away that night, and that was the last time he would ever see his mother alive.

Erik stumbled into a gypsy camp, where he would live in a cage as a circus freak for nearly two years. Everyday he would face a cruel amount of humiliation, until he decided he had enough. He killed the gypsy captor who exploited him. A young girl aided in his escape, and they would become close friends. She brought him to the opera house, and he would reside there until he was old enough to travel. I suppose being confined to an attic, a cage, or a cellar would take it's toll on one's state of mind- perhaps he needed to feel 'free' for one moment in his life. And so, Erik left the opera house for a short period of time, finding shelter with a master mason in Rome. This settlement, however, did not last very long and he was forced to return to the France sometime later as a young man. Erik would build his home in the fifth cellar beneath the opera house.

The next decade would be relatively uneventful- nothing of dire significance to note. Of course, that was until he heard a young girl by the name of Christine Daae sing to the spirit of her deceased father. Although he no doubt knew he shouldn't have, he sang back to the little girl with the angel's voice- and this motion would change both of their lives forever.

I bet he had no idea what he had gotten himself into.

"Erik, I need witnesses. The preliminary hearing is tomorrow, and I have nothing to show for you," Regina exclaimed hurriedly, pulling several documents out of her briefcase carelessly.

"I do not have any-"

"You must have-"

"Will you let me speak, woman!?" Erik stood up finally, for the first time since their less-than-friendly primary meeting. Regina was reminded of how much he practically dwarfed her, and she pursed her lips, slightly intimidated by his height advantage. However, she was not one to show it and she made a small hand-gesture, motioning for him to 'go ahead'. While she didn't speak, the movement was no less irritating to Erik. "No one will speak for me. I have no companions or colleagues."

"You've lived for thirty some-odd years and you do not know anyone who could speak for you? Not even a co-worker? What about-"

"There is none. I would greatly appreciate it if you would stop this badgering now, girl."

Regina stood up and approached him- so far as only the bars of his prison separated them. "I am going to set you straight about the way you speak to me," she said, her eyes widening as she watched him chuckle darkly. It was almost unnerving. "I will be your legal representation in that courtroom. Which means, Monsieur Phantom, your livelihood rests in my ability to make credible excuses for you in front of twelve good people who would very much like to see you hung by your own noose."

"Well, thank you for that, my dear. That is certainly comforting to know," he hissed back, haughtily. "Do you speak to all of your 'clients' in such an… unprofessional manner?"

Regina thought for a moment, inwardly arguing with herself whether to continue this parade of insult after insult, or to be honest with her client. When she did not answer, Erik walked away, his back to her as he sat back down on the make-shift bed. Finally, "you are my first."

Again, Erik chuckled, though he was not entirely surprised. "Of course I am. After all- why provide a monster with a competent defender?"

Regina scowled loudly, "My goodness- what is your problem? Have I offended you in some way?"

Yes, your very presence here offends me. I would have much preferred to die in peace. Erik thought to himself, but did not answer vocally.

Regina sat down dejectedly, lighting a cigarette- as was typical when she felt under stress. At this rate, she was going to have cancer by tonight. Neither of them said anything for a few minutes, both silently fuming at each other. Regina tapped the ashes off and began quietly, "the managers paid you twenty-thousand francs a month, they said. It seems to me that it would not be difficult for you to pay for your own private attorney."

Erik did not answer, and Regina exhaled slowly. "Would you like to be assigned another attorney, Erik?"

He licked his lips before responding, "I believe you said that it was impossible."

"I can quit," she shrugged, "I am sure my employer would harbour no qualms with it," Regina said quietly, more to herself than the man. Quitting suddenly didn't look like such a bad alternative to humiliating herself in a courtroom of her peers. She could always just work with her brother if she had to. "If it is your wish, that is. There is no point in wasting anyone's time."

Erik looked at her for a moment, watching her as she sat there- watching him with that vile-smelling, burning stick between her fingers. Would he be better able to tolerate an arrogant, middle-aged, capitalist male more than this woman? "No, that is not my wish," he responded quietly as he turned away from her.

"Then what is it you expect from me, Erik? Do you have any interest in this trial at all? It is your life that is at stake here." The silence lasted for an unreasonably long time. Neither knew what to say. To be entirely honest, Erik did not know what he wanted. He knew what he didn't want; he did not want to 'live' the rest of his life without his Christine. It was her kiss that freed him in the truest way imaginable. It was her kiss that made him realize what he did was wrong. It was her kiss that redeemed him, and he paid the price by her hand. Her hand- which would soon belong to Raoul de Changy. Whether or not it was granted rightfully, he did not know in its entirety. And now, by some mockery of fate, he was in another cage- forced to pay yet another price for his sins, as if loosing Christine was not enough.

Perhaps he deserved death. Perhaps she was wasting her time.

Erik did not realize just how long he held his silence. For when he opened his mouth to respond, it dawned that Regina had left without a word.

"Two new members of the jury, that is it," Judge Chaffee said, signing the release papers placed on the bench for him by the bailiff.

"But sir, I-"

"That is not negotiable, please sit down."

"Yes, Your Honour," Regina replied, sitting back down at the defender's table. She looked briefly towards Leon, who was sitting directly on her right.

"M. Farrell, are you ready to go to trial?" The judge called out to the prosecution, who agreed almost systematically.

"And what about you, Mlle. Beaupre?"

Regina tapped her fingers on the desk nervously before rising to her feet. "Your Honour, I'd like to ask you for a continuance of thirty days in which to confer with my client regarding his case-"

"Thirty days?" The prosecution piped up, amusement lacing his tone. "I must protest. Hundreds of theatre patrons saw this man commit murder, I do not see how there can be any doubt in anyone's mind that Erik Dupuis is a murderer. It is so clear; I would say the defendant would only need three minutes."

"Your Honour, the defendant has barely spoken to me from the moment we met. He has been almost… catatonic. It was only yesterday that I was able to get him to discuss the case with me. I realize that we were all expecting to wrap this up in record timing- but, in the interest of justice, I will need more time in order to provide M. Dupuis with the most competent defence I can, sir," she requested, "please move to consider."

An incredibly wary look crossed the judge's features, and he looked towards Leon, who sat silently at the bench beside her. "M. Durrante," he began, "do you think a continuance is necessary in Dupuis' case?"

Leon looked towards Regina for a split moment, then back towards the judge. "While I do not believe a period of thirty days is entirely necessary, I do think it would be in the interest of justice to grant the council for the defence a period of time to better prepare for trial. I have seen some of the facts in this case, and I don't believe they are as clear-cut as the prosecution would have us believe. Additionally, the defendant has been hostile with Mlle. Beaupre, and as she stated it is very possible he is catatonic."

Judge Chaffee looked back towards Regina, who nodded her thanks to her supervisor. "Counsellor, approach the bench." As she did so, the judge lowered his voice. "It appears to me as if you are laying the grounds for not guilty by reason of insanity. Is that was this is?"

"I don't know yet, Your Honour."

"I will give you one week," he said, his voice rising gradually as he spoke. "This day next week, you will walk into this courtroom and tell me that you are ready to go to trial, and if you cannot, you will request a competency hearing. Is this understood?"

"Yes Your Honour."

"Very well," Judge Chaffee brought down his gavel. "This court is adjourned; we will meet in one week."

One by one, the lawyers, other officials, and a few spectators who had attended the hearing filed out from the courtroom. Regina was giving her thanks to her supervisor for backing her up as she felt a light touch on her arm. She turned around, startled, to find an older woman staring up at her. "Can I help you, ma'am?"

"You are Erik Dupuis' attorney?" The woman asked.

Regina furrowed her brow. "Yes."

"I am Antoinette Giry, may I speak to you?"

"Giry- I have heard that name before…" Regina said, more to herself than to anyone else. "Ah, yes. You are the ballet mistress at the Opera Populaire?"

"Oui, mademoiselle. I would like to speak to you about the man you are defending."

"Yes, of course. Please come with me, Madame Giry."

Alright, for those who are more efficient in law than I am- please don't like, kill me or anything. All I have to go off of is a third year 'Public Law' course- so obviously my knowledge on judicial hearings is not quite as complete as it should be.

Thanks. Review, pretty please?