As Combeferre and Enjolras rode back together in the carriage which Combeferre had arrived there in, he pondered what to do about the Phantom. Clearly, he was too dangerous to be left alone. Something must be done to lock him up, or eliminate him entirely. There were few things one could do to truly make Combeferre mad, but hurting his best friend in any way was definitely one of them, and probably the easiest.

René clung to his arm as the carriage moved forward, further and further from the graveyard, but closer and closer to where the problem began. Combeferre tried to offer some comfort to the blond youth by gently carding his hand through the other's hair. It seemed to help a bit because Combeferre felt René's muscles relax a bit and close his beautiful blue eyes.

"Thank you for saving my life, René." Combeferre said softly. "I know how difficult it was for you."

René opened his eyes and looked at Combeferre.

"Yes, it was difficult, but only because I've seen his pain and suffering. but I love you, Combeferre, and I will always do whatever's in my power to help you."

Combeferre nodded and kissed René's forehead tenderly.

"I love you too."

The carriage stopped and Combeferre and René stepped out And went towards the opera house.

"He'll come back." René murmured to himself. Combeferre squeezed René's hand and took him back to Fantine.

"René!" Cosette said and hugged him gently. "Where have you been? You were supposed to help me practice!" She said in a scolding voice, but it was really just lighthearted teasing.

Combeferre nodded politely to Fantine and left.


"Monsieur Valjean, Monsieur Javert, The Phantom must be stopped. All of this is getting out of hand."

"What would you have us do, Monsieur de Combeferre?"

"we have all been all been blind, and yet the answer is staring us in the face. This could be the chance to ensnare out cleaver friend."

"Go on, we're listening!"

"We will play his game and preform his work, but remember that we hold the ace. For if Monsieur Enjolras sings, he is certain to attend." Combeferre explained.

"We are certain the doors are barred!" Valjean added.

"We are certain the police are there!" Javert said.

"We are certain they're armed." Combeferre finished.

"Yes, the curtains will fall and his rein will end!" Valjean agreed.

"Thank you for your help, Monsieur de Combeferre." Javert said and shook the younger man's hand firmly.

"You're welcome, Monsieur Javert. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am needed elsewhere." And with that, Combeferre left the room and went through the narrow hallways to find René.

He knocked on René's bedroom door and went inside when he heard no protest. The beautiful angel was sitting by his windowsill and seemed deep in troubling thought.

"René," Combeferre said softly. "I need to speak with you."

René looked up and nodded slowly. Combeferre went closer to him and sat beside him.

"What is it?" René asked. Combeferre took a deep breath.

"mon ami, I have thought of a way to stop The Phantom from hurting anyone again. We'll have him arrested. I know it seems impossible for us to find him, but if we perform his show and have you act in the role he wishes you to, he will attend. If that happens, we can catch him." Combeferre said and took René's hand.

"Combeferre... He's clever and cunning - how are you certain you'll be able to catch him?"

"I'm sure we will. The police will be there and they will be armed. Please, René, do this for me. I don't want to see you hurt anymore."Combeferre pleaded. René's breathing began to quicken and he looked away.

"It frightens me. Please, Combeferre, don't make me do this. He'll take me - I know he will - and we'll be parted forever, he won't let me go. If he finds me, it won't ever end and he'll always be there singing songs in my head." René said and as he spoke, his eyes widened and he looked like a frightened child.

"you said yourself, he was nothing but a man." Combeferre said gently and put a hand on René's slender shoulder. "Yet while he lives, he will haunt us until we're dead."

"Twisted every way, what answer can I give? Am I am to risk my life to win a chance to live? Can I betray the man who once inspired my voice? To I become his prey? Do I have any choice? He kills without a thought, he murders all that's good - I know I can't refuse, and yet a wish I could!" René took a few more quick and desperate breaths as he spoke and turned his eyes heavenward as he prayed, "oh God, if I agree, what horrors wait for me in this, the Phantom's opera?"

It hurt Combeferre to see his friend in such internal agony.

"René, mon petit, don't think that I don't care, but every hope and every prayer rests on you now." Combeferre spoke softly and caressed René's hand comfortingly. René looked at him and embraced him tightly. Combeferre stroked his back and kissed his neck, murmuring comforting words as he did so with hopes of the future where the Phantom would be gone.


Beneath the Opera House, the Phantom sat making preparations for that night. He smiled a sickly cynical smile and cried to the empty halls of damp and moldy walls, "Let my opera begin!"