The Phantom's Most Lovely Rival

Disclaimer: All belongs to Webber and to Leroux and that 'tis a good thing, you know Oh and King Henry the eight for Greensleaves

A/N It's been awhile, I'm sorry, but I have been in a Harry Potter mood lately. Now Phantom's back and I am quite happy. Please look up on your screen. You see how many reviews this story has. It's sad, very sad…

Chapter Four Intense Introductions

Lilly

About an hour after her encounter with the opera ghost, Lillian finally came to. Propping herself up on her elbows, Lilly saw that she was in some sort of lair. She must have been underground for she could see no light other than that of the elaborate candelabras. She was lying on a plush mat next to a bed in the shape of a swan. That's curious, she thought, why lay me on a mat while I could be in that bed. All petty thoughts as such escaped from her mind when she remembered her last memories before she lost consciousness. Her eyes widened as realization struck, if she had been kidnapped by the phantom, then he must be here! "Why, why did I have to faint like those daft ladies at school, vying for men's attention? I surely must be weak of heart" Lilly exclaimed putting her head in her hands.

"It was only the natural thing to do, mademoiselle" a voice echoed through the caverns. Lilly's head whipped around, her eyes squinting in the darkness, looking for the embodiment of the voice. "You have my apologies for the way I behaved earlier. I am afraid that I might have left a few bruises, but I mean no harm" the voice said softly.

Lillian felt her neck and winced because the skin there was tender. "You mean no harm!" she exclaimed regaining some of her usual defiance "I have done nothing to you Monsieur le Phantom, but now I wish I had, for you have caused much hardship and heartbreak in the lives of so many. Now come out and face me like a man" Lilly dared, secretly fearing that he would show himself.

"But a man I am not mademoiselle. Come with me and I shall lead you back above" and with that a gloved hand extended out of the darkness and in front of Lilly. Lillian glanced warily at the hand before firmly grasping it in her own. She nearly gasped at how cold his hand was. It was as cold as death itself. Instinctively she brushed her thumb over the back of his hand, as if that would make it any warmer. Lillian then remembered who she was dealing with and blushed bright red luckily it was too dark to see a thing but that could not cover the tense aura around the two as they made their way up to the mirror once more. But, there had to be a lake in the way, of course.

Erik

A fire burned in her eyes as she dared him to come out. He had never seen a woman with so much defiance as she. He then declared that he was indeed no man and told her to follow him. He extended his hand and she grasped it firmly, unlike the fragile gracefulness most women had. Erik was surprised at how warm her hand was, even compared to his own deadly cold hand. Then she unexpectedly brushed her thumb over the back of his hand. The motion was slow and deliberate, clearly not accidental. Erik didn't know what to think and he was glad that he was cloaked in the darkness to which he had grown more accustomed, for his eyebrows must have shot up a mile high. Coughing awkwardly he then led her towards the lake where she halted abruptly.

"No," said she yanking her hand from his grasp, "There's no chance sir that I shall be… er, riding in that boat."

Lilly

Although it was dark, Lilly could see the faint silhouette of a man, the reflections of the water on the cave's ceiling, and the shadow of a small but elegant boat. Just the sight of the water made her shudder. "Memories monsieur," she explained "they have caused me to have a fear of water"

Lilly felt ashamed to be telling her phobia to a random stranger and even worse when she remembered that he could use this against her.

"There is no other way, I'm afraid, to get back home and you surely will not being staying down here with a monster."

"Oh please monsieur," she pleaded, backing away from the boat "Oh, William, dear Willy…" she trailed off glancing with terror, at the dark depths that had taken the life of someone dear to her. Losing his patience, the phantom who stood in the flesh before her, grabbed her wrist and unsteadily dragged her into the boat, resulting in her landing with a thud on the seat below. All her fervor and fire seemed to be doused just by the slow rocking of the boat and as she drew her knees up to her chest, closed her eyes, and let out a whimper, she thought only of Willy.

"You are cruel" she spat at the man who was chuckling deeply at her discomfort. She remembered how she promised to avenge her sorrow and those of others when she arrived at the opera house, but she now felt as if she failed miserably. At least she hadn't shed a single tear. As the ghost proceeded to paddle through the dark tunnels, Lillian wondered how he could direct the boat with hardly any light. Maybe he wasn't really a man after all.

Erik

Her fear of the water was most unusual to Erik; Christine was enchanted by her trip through the tunnels on boat. Stop comparing this little spitfire to her, he scolded himself. He listened as she practically begged him not to take her on board. Was water all that it took to put out her fiery temper? She then cried out the name William as she stared with horror at his lake. Who was this William? The more he was around this young woman, who appeared to be but nineteen, the more curious he became and that curiosity was breaking down the walls he had, for six moths straight, begun to build. This thought sparking his temper, caused him to grip her wrist roughly without thought and to drag her clumsily into the boat. She drew her knees up to her chest and started to whimper. He chuckled darkly even though he found nothing funny about her fear. It was the first time that someone with him had ever feared something other than himself. He was a murderer, a monster! He had choked her then brought her down below, yet she was afraid of water that was only a few feet deep other than being afraid of him! One moment she seemed angry at him for reasons he did not know, the next she was trembling with fear. She was… an enigma. Erik didn't no her name or she was doing at the Opera Populaire. He knew nothing of her yet today she had seen more than anyone other than Christine, Raoul, the search party, and the Giry's had ever seen. And yet, she somehow knew of his legend. Gossip sure did spread fast. Lost in his thoughts, Erik almost failed to notice that the girl behind him had begun to sing.

Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company

She was singing Greensleaves, Erik noted. Her voice was rich and slow as she dipped into each note with grace. Quite unlike Christine's, which was sweet and high like the chirping of birds. Glancing behind him, Erik saw the girl, her eyes still closed, rocking slightly, and her red lips barely moving as she formed the quiet notes. A promising voice was like a light, Erik being the moth and the desire to train this talent was to strong. As she continued to sing, Erik closed his eyes and rowed the boat to the rhythm of her song.

"Mademoiselle, have you ever considered the stage of Paris as your working place?" he asked, trying his best to hide his true intentions.

Erik's life was taking as many turns as the very tunnels in which he lived.

A/N: sooooo whatcha think? Will Lilly accept singing lessons? Will she stay true to her hate? Na! Oh and who is Willy? Why does Lilly fear water? Gimme your guesses and the reviewer who gets one right shall receive the invisible badge of honor! Yay! Review and read my other stories please! With love the dreamer!