Safe With Me

Summary-

Ever since Christine Daaé was brought to the Opera Populaire, she has felt the loving and safe gaze of the Phantom, her Angel of Music. When the Opera Populaire gets not only new managers but also a new Patron who happens to be someone from Christine's past, things start to change between Christine and her Angel.

Chapter IV-

Christine sat in front of the alter in the chapel, she had just got done singing the lead in Hannibal and wished to be alone for a little while. Everything was happening so fast, this morning she had woken up as one of the dancers, and then at rehearsals she was given the role as Elissa, she didn't know how to act. She knew the Opera Ghost had been at the rehearsals, not only had he caused the backdrop to fall on Carlotta, she had also seen him in his Box, watching her. And she had sung for him, not for her Angel, though she was sure they were one and the same. And that night at the performance, she had felt him there watching her, even though the manager's had not listened to him and had taken Box Five as their own, she knew he had been there. And so, she had sung for him again.

"Brava, brava, bravisimma." She heard her Angel sing softly to her, just like he had done once eight years ago. She couldn't help the smile that found its way to her face as she looked around for him, though she knew he would not show himself.

"Christine!" She heard Meg call from down the hall, but she didn't answer, she knew that Meg knew exactly where she was.

"Christine." Her Angel sang and Christine closed her eyes, basking in the feel of his love for her that she could feel flowing all around her. She never heard Meg open the door and enter the room, but she did feel when Meg gently laid her hand on her shoulder. Christine slowly opened her eyes and looked at her best friend.

"Where in the would have you been hiding your voice?" Meg said smiling at her, causing Christine to smile back, she understood what Meg was saying, Christine was actually quite shy and rarely did she speak her mind about her feelings. "You were perfect." Meg said and Christine shook her head, "No really, you were. I only wish I knew your secret, had your tutor. Who is your tutor?" Christine looked at the alter, trying to find the best way to explain, the words would not come to her, so she did what her Angel taught her to do when words failed her, she sang.

"Father once spoke of an Angel
I used to dream he'd appear.
Now as I sing I can sense him
And I know he's here.
He's here in this room, he calls me softly
Somewhere inside, hiding
Somehow I know he's always with me
He- the unseen genius.
" Christine sang looking at Meg, begging her to understand, to believe her. Meg gasped before taking a hold of Christine's hands gently, before she too began to sing.

"I watched your face from the shadows
Distant from all the applause.
I hear your voice in the darkness,
But the words aren't yours.
"

"Angel of Music!
Guide and guardian!
Grant to me your glory!
" Christine sang turning to the alter, begging her Angel to come to her.

"Angel of Music!
Hide no longer!
Secret and strange angel."
Both Christine and Meg sung. Christine turned to look at her best friend and took the girl's hand into her own. Meg gasped at how cold her hands were.

"He's with me even now." Christine whispered then looked around the room, she could feel him there, so close to her, yet she could not see him.

"Christine, your hands are cold." Meg cried standing up, pulling Christine with her.

"He's all around me." Christine said, why wouldn't her Angel show himself to her. Had she done something wrong? Was this her punishment?

"Christine, your face is white! Is something wrong?" Meg asked. No, her Angel would not be so cruel to her, it just must not be time yet for him to show himself, but how much longer would she have to wait? Christine suddenly felt tired.

"I'm tired." She told Meg who nodded before gently leading Christine out of the chapel and towards her room. On the way to Christine's room they ran into Madam Giry.

"Meg Giry, are you a dancer?" Madame Giry asked sternly and Meg nodded, her face suddenly paling.

"Yes, Maman, I was just helping Christine to her room." Meg said, and Madam Giry's eyes flew towards Christine's tired eyes. Madame Giry stepped forward and gently took Christine's arm in hers before looking at Meg again.

"Go and practice with the others, I shall help Christine to her room." Madame Giry said.

"Yes, Maman." Meg said before taking off down the hall. Once Meg was gone, Madame Giry began to lead Christine to her room.

"You did well, he will be pleased." Madame Giry quietly said to her causing Christine to smile, she had pleased the Opera Ghost, Madame Giry would not lie about that. Once they got to Christine's room Madame Giry helped Christine to her desk and made to leave before she seemed to remember something. Madame Giry pulled out a note and seemed to debate with herself before she finally turned and handed the note to a confused Christine. "I was asked to give this to you." Madame Giry said before turning and leaving the room.

Christine looked at the note in confusion, she knew that it had not been from her Angel, it was not the right parchment. Her Angel always sent her notes on a pale cream parchment that was outlined in black and it always came with a red rose that was tied with a black satin ribbon. Something on her desk caught her attention, she looked from the unopened note to her desk to see a rose with a black satin ribbon tied around it. Christine placed the note down and picked up the rose and smelled it, a soft, loving smile appearing on her face. Her Angel had visited her and left her a rose.

Christine opened her eyes and caught sight of the note once again. She picked it up and turned it over to see if a named had been written on it. There was none. Who had sent her this note if it was not from her Angel? With out dropping the rose, she carefully opened the note and read it.

"A red scarf? The attic? Little Lotte?" Christine read, her eyes widening as she realized who had sent her the letter. Excitement swept through her before her eyes fell onto the rose, quilt then crashed into her, sweeping away her excitement. How could she have been excited to meet another man when she had her Angel?

Erik stood behind the mirror that was in his Angel's room watching her read the note that was given to her. Who had given her a note? Was it the Victomte? What it this Raoul. His attention was brought back to the present when his Angel's door opened and a young man walked in unannounced. Erik bit back a growl, how dare this boy walk into his Angel's room unannounced! He was not her father, nor was he her husband! What if she was been changing?

"Christine Daaé, where is your scarf?" The young man asked confusing not only Erik, but also Christine.

"Monsieur?" Christine asked taking a step away from the young man, holding the flower Erik had given to her chest.

"You can't have lost it. Not after all the trouble I took." The young man said, Christine looked at the man with uncertainty in her eyes. "I was just ten and soaked to the skin-"

"Because you had run into the sea to fetch my scarf." Christine finished, "Oh Raoul. It is you!" She cried, but did not move closer to the man. Erik's eyes narrowed as he looked at the man, this was the mysterious Raoul. It was obvious to Erik that the man wished to continue what ever it was that had transpired between him and Christine when they were young. Erik would not allow this.

"Christine." Raoul said and took a step closer to Christine, who took another step away from Raoul, much to Erik's pleasure. "'Little Lotte let her mind wonder.'"

"You remember that, too?" Christine asked shocked.

"'Little Lotte thought: 'Am I fonder of dolls,'" Raoul continued.

"'Or of riddles or frocks.'" They both said together causing Erik to frown and Raoul to smile.

"Those picnics in the attic? 'Or of Chocolates.'" Raoul said taking another step towards Christine who stayed where she was with a far off look in her eyes. She was obviously reliving whatever memory Raoul had drug up.

"Father playing the violin." Christine said with longing.

"As we read to each other dark stories of the North." Raoul said.

"'No," Christine began to sing,
"What I love best, Little Lotte said,
Is when I'm asleep in my bed,
And the Angel of Music
Sings songs in my head!'
"

"'The Angel of Music sings songs in my head.'" They both said.

"Father said, 'When I am in heaven child, I will send the Angel of Music to you'. Well, father is dead, Raoul, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music." Christine said glancing at the mirror, as if she could feel him. Though, maybe she could, she had told the young Giry that she sensed him in the chapel.

"There is no doubt about that." Raoul said in a tone that suggested he thought she was joking, and grabbed her hand, Erik bit back a growl at that. "And now, we go to supper!" Raoul said and began to lead her out of the room.

"No!" Christine cried pulling her hand from Raoul's, Raoul turned and gave her a confused look, "The Angel of Music is very strict." She explained.

"I shan't keep you up late." Raoul said reaching for her hand again, but Christine quickly backed out of his reach.

"No Raoul-" She started.

"You must change." Raoul said, as if figuring that that was the reason she was denying him. "I must get my hat. Two minutes, Little Lotte." Raoul said and left the room.

"Raoul!" Christine called after him, "Thing have changed, Raoul!" She cried but he ignored her as he shut the door. Erik watched as Christine ran towards the door, stopping as she got to it.

Christine panted as she rested her head against the door, tears of frustration in her eyes. Why hadn't Raoul listened to her? Why hadn't he believed her? She placed her hand on the wooden door and locked it as she felt wave after wave of frustration and anger hit her and knew that her Angel had seen the whole ordeal.

"Insolent boy!
This slave of fashion,
Basking in your glory!
" She heard her Angel sing, his voice dark and angry, sounding more like the Opera Ghost instead of her Angel.
"Ignorant Fool!
This brave young suitor,
Sharing in my triumph!
"

Christine turned towards the mirror where not only was the voice coming from, but also where the anger and frustration was coming from.

"Angel! I hear you!
Speak- I listen,
Stay by my side, guide me!

Angel, my soul was weak-
Forgive me
,
Enter at last, Master!" Christine sang, hopping to calm her Angel. She felt her Angel's anger and frustration turn into adoring love and gave a silent sigh of relief.

"Flattering child,
You shall know me,
See why in shadow I hide!

Look at your face in the mirror-
I am there inside!
" Her Angel sang, his voice no longer dark and angry, but full of love. She took a step closer to the mirror, at last she would see her Angel of Music. She silently gasped as in her image the Opera Ghost slowly began to form. She had be right, her Angel was the Opera Ghost.

"Angel of Music!
Guide and guardian!
Grant to me your glory!

Angel of Music!
Hide no longer!
Come to me, strange angel!
" She said to him and saw him smile and hold his hand out to her. As she walked towards the mirror she heard Raoul pounding on the locked door and heard him call her name in worrier, it seemed that her two minutes were up.

"I am your Angel of Music,
Come to me Angel of Music
." Her Angel sang to her and she took his hand, stepping through the mirror.