A/N: Yay! Officially, I'm on spring break! And my goal is to get some serious writing done on this story. Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing and of course… following and favoriting this story! I know some parts seems slow, but it's all crucial for what I have planned. And of course, there will be laughter and lots of angst and drama, but being a big E/C shipper… I can promise I will have a happy ending. Or I should say… I'll have my version of a happy ending. Hang on tight and here we go!

Chapter 10

Five Years Ago…

August 2007

Evening finally came and the performance went a lot better than its first night. Or so Christine thought. She didn't make that many mistakes, but her mind was elsewhere as to why Erik Trussler wanted to see her.

She eventually told Meg his odd request and while everyone was getting ready to leave for the night, Meg had offered to stay with her.

"I don't like he singled you out," she said. "He has a reputation Christine. He might think you're willing to do what you could to rise up on the ladder."

"I don't think so Meg. I said I have a boyfriend," Christine responded.

Meg rolled her eyes. "That doesn't matter."

"I'll be fine," Christine said in such a convincing tone that she believed she wasn't as nervous as what she felt. "More than likely I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. He might just want to offer feedback since I was practicing last night."

"All right. But I think you're making a mistake."

Eventually, Meg did leave and Christine couldn't stand waiting any longer. If she did for another minute, then she would lose her courage and call her friend back. Taking a deep breath, she walked back on stage where she took her place. Now, she had to wait for the missing composer to appear.

He did.

Materializing from the shadows, he walked across the stage and stopped in front of her.

"I watched you tonight. I must say… you did a pretty good job. You obviously have a nice voice and it does stand out from the others in the chorus."

"I didn't mean to—" she started but was immediately cut off.

"First rule: do not apologize if you can sing. You have the talent and it is best to showcase that talent. You do not want to be part of the group and have your voice drowned out. Can it be better? Yes. Your voice still needs some training and you're in luck that I am bringing this to your attention. And, of course, I will provide some advice to you while we are here. There is no point in me wasting my time. Also, dancing isn't a strong suit of yours."

Her face fell. She thought tonight's dance was a lot better, but obviously it wasn't since he had been watching her. Christine didn't know if she should be embarrassed about her dancing or be flattered that he did recognize her singing abilities. "I know I'm not a strong dancer. I did take dance classes when I was younger, but—"

"I didn't ask for excuses. It was an observation I made."

"Oh." Her face reddened.

"You are first and foremost a singer."

She nodded in agreement.

"Well, I will make a point to tell Gwen to cut back on you in the dances. We will focus more on the singing aspects of the chorus."

Christine was at a loss for words. Was he… was Erik Trussler really doing this for her?

Very discretely, she put her arms behind her and pinched the skin to make sure this wasn't a dream.

This was really happening.

So many words came to mind that she wanted to say. For him to put her in the position of her greatest strength… it would certainly ensure her rightful place in moving up. As her gratitude began to bubble over, Christine was not given the chance to express herself when he moved past her to go to the piano.

"Let's do a quick warm up," he instructed and launched into scales.

What ensued was the best three hours of her life. Or it came pretty damn close to it. He was a severe teacher and was very quick to point out a mistake and criticize her shortcomings. He made her repeat over and over a note until she hit it right and when it came to the dancing… he was able to help her in the counts and explained what she was doing wrong.

Every time he stopped to comment or make a remark, Christine felt her earlier excitement began to fade. It seemed like everything she did was wrong and no matter how hard she tried… she couldn't seem to please him. It was very upsetting to think her life has led to this moment and she couldn't even do a decent enough job in front of her boss.

As if sensing her thoughts, he stopped playing and turned a stern countenance at her. "You're second guessing yourself. I can see it in your face. Now stop it. If you were a hopeless case, then I would have said so and asked you to leave. Have I done so? No. Now let's do it again."

About the millionth time later, Christine was able to earn a grin from him. Or at least a semi-grin.

"Much better," he said, nodding more so to himself. "You're getting it. The problem was that whoever trained you… did a terrible job. Do you hear how better you sound? How much your voice is being projected?"

Wordlessly, she nodded. Her voice, in a short time, truly soared. She felt like she was on cloud nine and she suspected that her father was smiling down at her. The only grateful bit was that his insult towards her teacher was not her father. Gus wasn't a singer, but he did take her to different teachers over the years. Everyone had a different idea when it came to training, and she was now starting to like Erik Trussler's way of training, despite the constant haranguing.

He was about to say more when he was interrupted by the buzzing and the ringtone of the theme song to Perry Mason.

A flash of realization came over her features and she dashed over to her purse to dig out her cell.

"Hi Raoul!" she said breathlessly. "What time is it? Oh my God! I wasn't paying attention… yes. I'm on my way. Okay… love you. Bye."

Closing her phone, she gazed up at the masked man and shrugged her shoulders apologetically. "That was my boyfriend. I didn't know it was this late."

"It happens when you are lost in the music," he replied.

"Thank you," she said at last. "This means a lot to me. I—"

"There's no need to thank me," he said, brushing her off. "If anything, I was doing myself a favor. You have spirit and a gift… if there's one thing I strongly dislike is a voice being wasted."

It was a callous thing to say and selfish too, but Christine ignored the sting. She didn't want her good mood to be ruined and focused on the compliment that she had a gift.

"Good night Mr. Trussler," Christine said. "See you tomorrow."

He muttered a good night, but didn't say anything else.

She was still riding on the high when she returned home, and while Raoul was not exactly happy about the lateness, he noticed a change in her demeanor.

When he asked her about it, Christine didn't want to go into details about her late night lesson with Erik Trussler. Instead, she told him that she and a bunch of other girls stayed to rehearse and while doing so… she experienced a profound moment that would impact her career. The lie rolled easily off her tongue that she didn't think twice about it. The last thing she wanted was for Raoul to get upset and confront Erik with his reputation being what it was. He wasn't entirely thrilled that the playboy owned the theatre that she was working in, but he knew she was happy and he supported her all the way.

Raoul was pleased to hear that and congratulated her, yet he gently reminded her, "Next time don't stay out too late. I was worried."

However, it didn't deter Christine as she made a noncommittal sound and got ready for bed. After climbing into bed beside Raoul, Christine turned to her side, holding herself as she fell asleep with a huge smile gracing her features.

The following day it was announced that Erik Trussler returned to New York City that morning. It was sudden (although expected) and no one in the theatre seemed disappointed. However, Christine felt an unusual sense of loss at hearing the news. After what happened with their lesson… she assumed there would be more to follow. One lesson couldn't change everything and she still felt she had more to learn after receiving a taste of what Erik could offer. But it would seem that was not going to be the case anymore.

While the loss of future lessons hurt the most… There was something else that bothered her. Something Christine couldn't put her finger on and she had no idea why.

xxXXxx

Present Time

Fortune must have been smiling down on her as Christine found herself back in the halls of the Trussler Opera House. While it had been years since she last walked the floors… it was still exactly what she remembered.

The carpet was still the same deep, dark wine color and the walls were the sleek mahogany wood, the paintings and statues (similar to those over in Europe) adorned the spaces and corners of the opera house. Very little was done to change its appearance… even the smell was the same.

At first, she had to chuckle at herself for her initial silly fears. Once she was able to leave the apartment, she found herself walking past the theatre and if the atmosphere was just right… she could listen to the rehearsals within the building. Yet, she would often stare at the door; her hand pressed against the panel and would not enter.

It wasn't like she was blocked from it. Far from it! But it was her own feelings that kept her at bay. Part of her was worried to see what changes were made within and part of it was punishment. Christine knew her death must have been prematurely and she couldn't help but think that she failed the music and Erik for not gracing the stage anymore.

Another part of it was the man himself.

True, her time spent with him wasn't as significant to him as it was for her. Otherwise he would have remembered…

Then again, she was only a chorus girl and she didn't allow his advances so perhaps there was nothing memorable about her. After all, how many talented young women had he heard over the years? And how many of them were like her—wide-eyed and fresh—eager to make a name for themselves?

And that's what prevented her from entering until now. She didn't want to know if there was another Christine after all. That there was another dedicated singer that the great Erik Trussler would have singled out to give advice to help her rise in the limelight. Of course, she was being silly to think another one wouldn't appear.

But after befriending him in this form… she found the courage to face her fears and come to the theatre. And she was glad she did… being surrounded by the comfort of music once more, Christine couldn't believe she had stayed away for as long as she did.

After roaming the lobby, she went into the auditorium where rehearsals were commencing.

No one could see her, but being mindful and respectful, Christine stayed in the back. She didn't want to disrupt the magical moment, although she knew she wouldn't being a ghost and all. For now, she was going to pretend that she wasn't invisible to the singers. Instead, she was preparing to introduce herself as a new cast member and wanted to watch them first.

As she listened and watched, she imagined herself back on the stage and the crowds of people were applauding loudly as she made her starring debut.

A tear ran down her cheek as a nearby light flickered on the wall behind her.

xxXXxx

Erik wrapped up the paperwork he had for the day and was locking the door to his office when he heard singing.

It wasn't Virginia and it wasn't any of the other singers.

Yet… it was a voice that was strangely familiar. Hauntingly so.

He carefully went to the auditorium and right there on the stage was Christine. Everyone else was on a lunch break and there she was… Blissfully unaware of her audience, she reenacted the scenes from earlier. She flitted from side to side, her voice carrying all the way to the heavens. It brought back a distant memory from Erik's head… one where he spent one night teaching a young chorus girl who had immense talent but lacked the training.

His eyes widened as realization washed over him.

Christine had been that girl…

The revelation was absolutely astonishing and Erik could only stare at her in utter amazement. He remembered thinking that she had the potential of one day becoming one of his leading ladies. And while she performed alone he could easily see her in that role. She would have been adored by millions and her name would have become a household name if he had anything to do with it.

He immediately began to think of other songs… other operas that she could do. He could see her in every main role that came to mind, even that elusive Don Juan Triumphant. Christine could be the Aminta that he was searching for, the one part where he thought Elena was right for. To think that she had been there all along… underneath his nose and he never once thought she could have been the one.

As soon as he thought he needed to correct that wrong… he then remembered that Christine would never become Aminta.

She was dead. A ghost… And only he could see and hear her.

"There you are Erik."

Nadir came over and stood next to him and looked in the direction of the stage. "Uh… see something interesting?"

"What? Why would you ask that?" he asked on the defensive.

Nadir cocked a brow. "Just that you were staring really intently at that empty stage. I didn't know if you were trying to conjure something. Should I be worried?"

"Of course not. Don't be an idiot," Erik muttered.

"Right. Well, we should go."

When Erik didn't respond, Nadir gave him a look. "Your appointment with Dr. Giry. It starts in thirty minutes."

"Right. I almost forgot."

"You better not. She flies out here to see you so don't forget that."

"Yes Mother."

Erik sighed and looked back on the stage and saw that Christine was gone.

Just like in life.

TBC…