A/N: So, yeah. We all know I don't own POTO, but I do own Madeline, Marcus, Antonio and everyone you don't recognize. Andre is sort of mine, but not really. Phantom is SO not mine, although I wish he were. Remember to review! BTW, did you know that 20,000 francs is equal to about 4330 American dollars?

Madeline awoke, her eyes still red from crying. She had been sobbing quietly for most of the night. Phantom's words and expression engulfed her mind. She could hardly stand it anymore. It was 4:30am, way before she would normally get up. She jumped out of her bed and threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She crept down to the mirror and saw Phantom sleeping in his bed. She shook him.

"Phantom? Phantom! Wake up!" Madeline shook him. He was lying on his right side, his hair messed up and the sheets twisted around him. "Phantom!"

Phantom groaned and rolled over onto his front. He stuck out his hand and Madeline handed him his mask. He placed it on his face and looked up. "What's going on?"

"Phantom, I'm sorry," she apologized quickly.

"What?" he looked at her with a tired and confused expression.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-" she started, the tears begin to well up again.

Phantom covered her mouth and pulled her into an embrace. She hung onto him, the tears staining his shirt. He whispered to her, "I'm fine. It's okay. I'm not angry."

Soon, the tears stopped and she nuzzled into his neck. She breathed in his musty scent. She kissed him on the cheek and kept her head on his shoulder. He held her close in his arms. He could hardly stand that Madeline was so close, and yet he didn't kiss her. He pulled her close and kissed her neck lightly. It would have to do for now. She almost melted into his arms.

---

"Okay, Tomorrow is our last dress rehearsal! So, we will be working on Act 1 today. Let's start from the beginning! Places for the auction!" Andre cried. Madeline stood backstage, waiting.

She was listening to the dialogue nonchalantly when she saw it. The shadow moving. A cloaked figure was sitting in Box 5. Phantom was watching the play with severe concentration. She could just make out the mask highlighting his face. Her heart was beating wildly when she began singing 'Think Of Me'. She was worried she would sound horrible and would embarrass herself.

She opened her mouth and a string of pure music poured out. It was perfect. So perfect, Phantom smiled (actually smiled!) and leaned forward in his chair. She tried to look out into the audience, but her eyes kept straying to the cloaked ghost sitting in Box 5. When she finished, she exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding. She tried to relax her nerves, but he just kept smiling. His smile was making her melt.

---

"Evening, dearest Phantom." Madeline kissed his cheek lightly. He blinked, surprised, and then returned the peck.

He chatted with her as he rowed the gondola. "You were spectacular today! I can't wait for opening night. Box 5 is being kept empty for me, correct?"

"Of course. And 200,000 francs will be waiting in the booth," Madeline reported. She lay back, leaning on her hands. She smiled up at him. He smirked slightly, but kept his eyes focused on the path.

The gate rose and the Lake House opened up in front of them. Phantom had cleaned up, his desk was more organized, and his sheet music was straightened on his organ. It was obvious he had stolen some new candles. The mini-Opera House had changed, and Madeline was onstage in her Christine costume, in the Think Of Me scene.

He stepped out of the boat and helped her get out as well. He went to his organ as usual and looked back at her. She smiled. She put her arms around him and looked over his shoulder. He tried to play, but it was useless.

She caressed his cheek softly and the moved to his mask. She traced it lightly and felt him relax. She used her nimble fingers to soon flick it off into her hand.

This next part happened very quickly. He pushed her off with great force and she landed on the ground. Hard. He had covered his face with his hand and roared at her, "HOW DARE YOU! I TRUSTED YOU, YOU LITTLE VIPER! WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANTED TO SEE? CURSE YOU! YOU LITTLE PRYING PANDORA! YOU LITTLE DEMON! HOW COULD YOU DARE UNMASK ME?"

He stormed to his desk, and threw his hands down onto it and leaned on them. He inhaled slowly and let it go. He looked back at her with his face covered and sat next to her.

"I-I'm s-sorry," she looked at the mask in her palm. It was made of leather, it seemed. It was sprayed with some kind of stiffening polymer, to keep the shape. She looked toward him and slowly moved his hand from his face.

The side of his face was badly deformed. It was as if he had been born in a fire. The area was swollen, probably from no treatment. Otherwise, he looked fine. She placed the mask back on his face.

She then felt something warm and sticky around her thumbnail. Phantom's eyes went wide as she brought it up. Her nail was bleeding. She inspected it, making sure it wasn't too bad, then sucked on it so the blood would stop.

"I-I'm sorry! I never meant to-" Phantom started. Maddie put a finger to his lips.

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine," Madeline reassured him. She laid back against him, her head on his knee. He brushed the hair from her face. She smiled at him then shut her eyes. Her body went limp and her breathing was quiet and equal.

He sighed and lifted her bridal style. He kissed her gently on the cheek. He carried her and laid her on the bed. He caressed her cheek. And surveyed the beautiful sleeping creature that was resting on his bed. He couldn't bare it anymore. He quickly pressed his lips to hers.

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A/N: Sorry so short, next chappie will be 5 pages, I promise!