Erik couldn't stop the buzzing in his mind no matter how hard he tried. He knew she was out with that boy, and he just couldn't focus on any task he attempted. He finally decided on a small walk above the lobby - the sights and sounds and crowds of people who would be milling about there always managed to hold his attention.

The thin railings and catwalks three stories up were intended for ease of changing the lights and were practically abandoned at all other times, so Erik had ne we had a problem using them to look down and watch the people below. As he expected, the drone of conversations below gave him something other than his own thoughts to think about. The tension in his shoulders started to fall away. Until he saw them.

Why were Christine and Raoul here, of places? His heart sank but he couldn't look away.

She looked so happy. That was what he wanted, wasn't it? As much as he wished that it were him making her laugh and beam like that, he had to admit that it was good to see. And in a way, it was thanks to him, because she wouldn't have given Raoul a chance without that push from Erik. His hands tightened on the railing.

Down below, Christine leaned over to whisper gossip in Raoul's ear, discreetly pointing out the Opera House employees in question.

"What about your Angel, Lottie? Do you think I'd be able to meet him?"

"Goodness no, I didn't even get to properly meet until months after he was teaching me. I doubt he'd agree to meet you even if I did ask him."

"That's too bad. Say, do you think he's in the walls right about now?" Raoul glanced nervously about him.

Christine laughed.

"It's possible! He doesn't come out here too often, though. He's probably watching the rehearsals right now."

But all the same Christine looked up, curious eyes scanning the catwalks that she knew he would be on if he were here.

Erik felt his heart leap into his throat - he didn't want her to see him! He especially didn't want that boy to see him! He ducked down as quickly as he could before making a dash for the small doorway. He managed to escape before she turned to look at the portion of catwalk he had been on, but in his haste he accidentally bumped his head against the doorway. In doing so, his mask came off and clattered to the floor.

He uttered a curse under his breath and reached down for it, and sure enough it was three pieces now.

Broken. Just like his hopes, his dreams. Like his heart.

He sighed deeply. At least he had already given Christine the next few days off so she could focus on rehearsals. It would take time to make a new mask. He gathered up the pieces and made his way down to his home, but his thoughts stayed up above with the happy couple. He could just picture all the happy topics they must be talking about at that very moment, planning their future together, perhaps.

"I don't know what I'm going to do, Raoul," she said, suddenly somber.

He looked at her, concerned.

"What do you mean?"

"About Erik," her eyes were still scanning the catwalks and she frowned, thinking that she had almost caught sight of movement. "I'm afraid I threw quite a fit with him yesterday. You should have seen him."

A faint smile ghosted across her lips.

"It was almost like he cared," she added softly.

"Surely he cares for you, at least somewhat," Raoul supplied.

"Not in the way I'd like him to care, though," she shook her head. "And that's the awful part of it - I know there'll never be anyone else for me. It's just him. But he doesn't care, doesn't see me that way. I don't think he ever will."

She turned towards her old friend with a quiet desperation.

"Is that what my life is going to be like, Raoul? Am I going to continue to take lessons with him for the rest of my career, for the next thirty years, and pine over someone who doesn't return my affections? But I couldn't bear the alternative, to court - or marry! - someone I don't love, to pretend with a sham of a relationship while practicing each day with the one I truly love... I'd truly rather be alone than do that. I'll keep singing, and keep wishing, even though I know nothing will come if it. I have no other option, not really."

"You never know, Lottie..." he reached out and squeezed her hand. "You might win him over yet."

"Oh, Raoul. You're too sweet and hopeful. No, I've resigned myself to my fate. I'd rather be just his student than be anyone else's wife. That's the way it goes, I suppose."

She sighed deeply, then gave a small laugh.

"But look at me, being so terribly forlorn and dramatic over this whole thing. It's not as bad as all that, when you get down to it. I'll spend each day with him, for any number of years, really. I can be content with that, I'm sure."

But her sad smile did not convince Raoul. Christine loved her Angel, and it peeved Raoul to no end that she was suffering like this simply because this man, this Erik, was too daft to see what a good woman she was. She was unhappy over the situation, and Raoul simply wouldn't stand for that - Christine was too good, too pure, to have to feel such sorrow in her heart.

"And I really must be going!" she happened a glance at the big clock on the wall. "They'll be expecting me in rehearsals soon! I'll see you soon, Raoul!"

She waved a hand in goodbye as she rushed off, nearly late.

Raoul sat on the bench a while longer, a plot forming in his mind.