Opera Ghost 8

It seemed time has stopped for both The Phantom and Isabeau as they both stare at the porcelain mask next to their tub. With Bo's back pressed firmly against Lauren's chest, she is allowed to feel the rapidly beating heart, and it seems to match her own.

To catch a glimpse of the fearful blonde is a rare occurrence in its own, but has The Phantom's face ever been revealed? Surely there has been a few unlucky ones in Lauren's earlier years that has spent money to curse and humiliate her, but no matter, Bo is curious.

These past few weeks have been nothing short of thrilling. Meeting The Phantom, or rather Lauren, has brought the unfamiliar feelings that Bo never thought was possible. Before she was purely content with being a simple dancer in the productions in the Opera House. But now, those aspirations and simple ways seem to fade to the background.

It all comes down to that first letter that Lauren had written her. The words still cause an unfamiliar flutter in her chest being spoken about so open and honest…especially from a stranger. A stranger who has been named a monster. A stranger that does what has needed to be done for survival. A stranger that is now a friend.

Bo's thoughts end abruptly as she notices the tight fist in the water next to her. She's afraid I'll reject her. Bo thinks and decides right then and there what Lauren meant about being vulnerable. And it has nothing to do with nudity.

Instead of doing her knee jerked reaction and turning to look at Lauren's uncovered face, Bo simply sinks further into Lauren's embrace. "I'm not hurting you, am I?" Bo asks not wanting to put Lauren under any more distress. She's sure Lauren has had enough harm upon her, enough for a lifetime.

Lauren saw Bo look at the discarded mask. She knows that my face is uncovered and yet she doesn't care to look? Instead Bo looks to settle into the water completely. "I-I am fine." She stutters and resumes her place holding Bo's bare waist. "I believe the water is helping with the pain, plus it is making our skin very smooth." Lauren becomes brave and runs a few fingers along Bo's abdomen, causing Bo to shiver.

"It seems so." Bo whispers and bites her lip. She has never been in a situation as intimate as this before and her body is responding in kind. It seems all of her senses have been enhanced in the presence of the Phantom. They have since day one from their first locking eyes.

They way Lauren's body is molded to hers. How Bo can feel the blonde's nipples grazing her back with every breath. She can feel Lauren's soft hairs, brushing against her own posterior. It is scary to be so close, so bare to another, but it is also exhilarating. As of right now though, it makes her brave. It makes her want to explore how intense they are.

Lauren's eyes slam shut when Bo's hand grips her bare knee. They also spring open when that same hand begins to massage her thighs and explore the muscle there. "Bo…" The name falls from her lips and Lauren's head finds purchase in Bo's neck. Her grip tightens in the brunette's waist, but enough to allow Bo to turn over in the water. And she does.

"Open your eyes." Bo whispers waiting for Lauren to obey. "Look at me Lauren." She waits and waits until those hazel eyes find her chocolate ones. "There you are."

Bo doesn't flinch seeing the monster hidden with a simple white mask. The scarring is irreversible. It is nothing Bo could have ever imagined. Like a shattered glass, her face is littered with hundreds of white lines from the unknown cause. The uncertainty in Lauren's eyes though, that is far worse than Lauren's damaged skin.

Seeing Bo raise her hand to her face Lauren tries to stop the tremor in her vice. "You don't have to…" But Bo cups the damage that has caused years of heartache for her. With no words spoken between them, Bo presses her lips to Lauren's trembling ones. Bo's mouth takes control and invades the blonde with her touches and comforting words.

With this kiss there is no Opera House. There is no Phantom. There is only Bo and Lauren.

Lauren smiles into the kiss as Bo gets up on her knees to grab Lauren's face, kissing her harder. The dominate behavior is something Bo has only recently discovered, but it is not something she can control. It seems it only intensifies around the blonde.

Lauren being so familiar with the darkness in her life can only assume that being with Bo is the closest thing to Heaven that she can obtain. Chest to chest, tongues battling one another, Lauren's hands struggle not to wonder across the beautiful body on top of her. She wants to, a blind patron could see the desire she has for her. But the only thought holding her back from taking what she and Bo crave is Monsieur Thornwood.

She is not mine, not completely. It isn't right.

"Bo…Bo just wait a second." Lauren breathes out and manages to create space between them. Before either of them can get another word out though, an alarm echoes through the lair.

"What is that?" Bo asks, clutching to Lauren tightly.

Lauren looks around with a furrowed brow. "It is a fire alarm, but I set up my own throughout the building." She moves to stand, finding a couple towels and offering them to Bo. "Looks like we have a prankster this early morning."

XXX

Dyson listens from his spot on Bo's bed as the alarms sound. He knew pulling the fire alarm seemed a bit juvenile, but he was out of options. He has been waiting up all night for Bo to come to bed, but no such luck. He tried to remember if Bo didn't come into her room after her followed her late last night, but he was sure.

Monsieur knows something is happening with Bo. He just prays that is has nothing to do with the infatuated and murderous Phantom. She has been distant and unresponsive to his affections, but he writes it off to her being tired. Luckily, the week break has officially begun and there is nothing stopping him from taking the next step with his beloved Bo.

The murder last night should help keep The Phantom out of sight for a while and with that his party should be uninterrupted. The surprise proposal to Bo should lighten everyone's moods.

Smiling at his own genius plans, Dyson gets comfortable on Bo's bed. He sighs and closes his eyes, ignoring the alarms and focusing on his one and only childhood friend and lover.

XXX

Say you'll share with me

One love, one lifetime.

Say the word and I will follow you.

Lauren sings, while guiding Bo to her room. Bo just smiles and is entranced by her soothing voices and beautiful words. But as they get closer and closer the noise drowns them out.

"Damn that noise is annoying. I'm surprised it hasn't been shut off yet. And I wonder what imbecile pulled it so early in the morning!" Bo and Lauren dressed quickly and rode the dark horse to Bo's room. The loud noise seems to only get louder as the last tunnel is reached.

Lauren gives a lopsided smile and squeezes the hand she has been holding since leaving the lair. "Who knew you had such a colorful vocabulary, Miss Mcorgin." The pain from the Phantom's ribs have been excruciating, but she doesn't want to seem weak in front of Bo. But she has already decided that she will most definitely be walk back. Very slowly at that.

The teasing makes Bo huff, but she is jumping for joy on the inside. She is happy that Lauren is showing her this playful side. The sides no one has ever seen or heard of. "Whatever. Like you weren't thinking the same thing."

Lauren hums at Bo's sassy behavior but ultimately agrees. "Yeah, I guess. I actually wanted to spend the day relaxing with you, but you my dear would be missed."

"The Opera House is on vacation for the week before we start rehearsals again. So, nope. No one would be missing me." Bo answers cheekily. Seeing the secret doorway through her mirror up ahead, Bo takes both of Lauren's hands and walk backward, dragging the blonde with her. "How did you see us spending the day together, hmm?"

Pressing her lips together, Lauren traces the gash that is slowly healing on her lip. She is actually surprised it is not still bleeding due to the extent of their activities. "Well, dear Isabeau, I was actually thinking of taking you to a farmer's market to pick up some supplies and then cooking for you. I don't know about you, but I am famished."

Bo tries to suppress the smile that takes over her face, but fails. Before she can answer, Lauren's eyes turn dangerous for just a moment before finding the floor interesting. "Seems you have a visitor." Lauren reply's coldly and uses the lever to raise the glass.

Bo doesn't even get to register her words before Lauren pushes her into her room and closing the door.

"Bo!"

Bo turns quickly and sees Dyson laying comfortably on her bed. "What are you doing Dyson? This is my room!"

No wonder Lauren gets so guarded so quickly. She must assume the worse all the time. Bo frowns and feels herself start to panic. She opened up about her past, shared the most intimate details of her life. Most importantly she took off her mask. She has only asked for complete honesty…and I couldn't even give her that.

Dyson stretches and approaches Bo, seemingly ignoring the bite in her words. "I was worried. You never came back to your room last night and-"

"So you just make yourself at home? In my room?!" She seethes and ignores his hurt look. "Just get out please. I am tired and want to just rest, but that alarm is still going off."

As the fates seem to be on her side, the noise finally stops. "Finally."

Dyson takes a step closer to Bo until he can take ahold of her shoulders. "I am sorry for barging in. last night was…I just needed to see you and hold you." He then smiles smugly and puffs out his chest. "And technically, I sort of own this whole place, along with Evony and Lachlan."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Bo mutters and narrows her eyes at her friend. She could curse herself about not asking about the deed Lauren mentioned, but has an inkling to just what it was referring to.

Dyson doesn't know how to make things better as of right now, and takes a step back. "I will let you rest then. But can I see you later? I just really want to reconnect with you. For old time's sake?"

Bo nods and rosses her arms, "Sure Dy. I will look for you later. Maybe we can meet up at that party on Thursday."

Dyson pouts at her but doesn't argue, even though he wanted to see her today, not four days from now. "It's a date Isabeau." His leans forward to kiss her on the lips, but she anticipated it this time and turns her cheek. It was right then and there, she decided exactly what Lauren is to her. And that is definitely, more than a friend.

XXX Thursday Night XXX

"Wow, look what the cat dragged in. Who are you all dressed up for?" Tamsin teases a tense Bo, as she reapplies her lipstick for the thousandth time. Since Lauren took off in the tunnels, she has been a ghost. "Stupid name, Bo thinks to herself, "But accurate." She hasn't seen or heard from the blonde and it is causing anxiety from her.

The revelation of being more than friends and a possibility for a romantic partner has caused Bo to be filled with worry. True to her word, she hasn't seen Dyson tonight, but accepted his invitation to the party. Tonight was the night that Bo is going to tell Dyson the truth and clear up any misguiding for them to be anything other than friends.

Bo tries to ignore the nerves in her gut and looks back to her friend. "Very funny T. It is not too much right?" she asks looking at her black dress. It is supposed to be simple enough to match her maroon and silver mask for the masquerade.

"I think a certain someone won't be able to keep her eyes off of you." Tamsin replies and goes to answer the knock on her door."

"Her?!" is squeaked out of the brunette's mouth and the blush is quickly covering her face. She tries to find out what exactly her friend knows about her and Lauren, but is interrupted by A visitor. "Hello Kenzington."

Kenzi, waves her off and offers her a, surprisingly, warm smile. "Call me Kenzi, Bo. We are friends now, or I'd like to be at least." At Bo's agape expression, she continues. "I, I never got to thank you about the other night. I don't remember most of it, but The Opera Ghost saved our lives. And that is because of you. So, what do you think about us starting over, as friends?"

Bo is blown away at the sincerity in Kenzi's words and is blown away by it. Just a week ago, Kenzington was a complete and utter bitch to her. It is worth a shot though. "I would really like that…Kenzi."

"Alright you two. That's all great and everything, but we need to go have fun tonight! Let's do this!" Tamsin pops the cork to the champagne and lets the bubbles help them get into party mode.

After one glass each, Dyson showed up and escorted Bo to the party. The main lobby was rearranged to create a dance floor and the decorations sparkled and shined in gold and white. It was filled quickly as the sound of fireworks sounded to begin the dances.

Bo kept her distance dancing with Dyson, and made sure her kept his hands in respectable places. She has had a feeling that a certain blonde beauty is going to keep an eye on her and wants to give her every reason to trust her.

"Are you alright Bo? You seem a bit distant tonight." Dyson asks as the walk to the refreshments stand. He's been trying to be respectful of his date, but Bo is a sight for sore eyes in that dress. He just knows tonight will be memorable for the once he gives her the ring.

Bo fixes her mask and sips her glass of champagne and reaches for some fancy looking appetizer. "I am actually enjoying myself. It really is a good turnout. Great idea with this party, Dy."

Now is as good as time as any, I guess. "Actually, there is more to this party than to let off some steam, Bo." He says the words slowly and takes away the drink from her hand."

"Oh?" she questions and takes another appetizer, wondering if he has always been so forceful.

He walks behind her and pulls out the necklace that holds the bright and shiny ring. "Yes, my love. I have wanted many years for you to return to me. I have never loved another as I do you." Dyson says and clips the necklace around her neck, loving the gasp that slips from her lips. "Marry me, Bo. And we will rule together."

A high pitched scream has the live band stop playing and everyone turns to the figure looming in the balcony. The Phantom smirks at their reaction and her eyes survey the scared crowd. She smirks when she finds Bo, sidled up next to him.

Before anyone can say another word, The Phantom jumps down from the high balcony to land gracefully on bended knee. Her cape makes a swoosh sound and the crowd scatters around her in fear.

Lauren is wearing all black pants, vest, and long sleeved shirt. The only noticeable color, is the white and maroon mask hiding her damaged face. She would be lying if she said that she didn't base her attire solely on Bo's but is happy at her reaction. Completely speechless.

"Sorry I am late." Lauren's voice is loud as she walks around the lobby, stopping to take an offered glass of champagne. She can feel the many eyes on her, the tar of the party, but her own eyes are locked on her one and only. "Hello Isabeau."

AN: Hope this was worth the wait! Let me know what you think!

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