A/N: Okay, sorry about the wait! At first, this was a fail, but then it became awesome (as usual). Phantom was about to give my a taste of his lasso, but I promised he could be in a fight scene in this chappie (and I would try and write another story after this one). Love you Erik!

Erik: Post it now, or I won't play my organ for you.

Me: Okay, okay! I'm posting it now. And, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gaston Leroux and Susan Kay and The Very Useful Group and whoever I'm forgetting own POTO. But it will be mine one day. MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Erik: I thought evil laughter was what I do.

Me: Sorry…

---

Andre and Vince were both smartly dressed in festive tuxedos and had beautiful girls on their arms. After being interviewed for a few magazines and gossip shows, they walked in together. They greeted a few of the cast that were outside chatting.

"Dear Andre, what a splendid party!" Vince mused; looking around at the decorations Andre had the crew put up. The huge Christmas tree was astonishing.

"The prologue to a bright new year!" Andre agreed, grinning at the fortunate circumstances.

"Quite a night! I'm impressed!" Vince praised in the 'it's-not-half-bad' sort of way.

"Well, one does one's best . . ." Andre shrugged. He grinned for another picture and then turned back to Andre.

"Here's to us!" They clinked glasses of champagne. They gulped together and laughed,

"A toast just for the city, what a pity that the 'Phantom' can't be here!" They chorused. They laughed and headed inside.

---

The night was wild. The music was fantastic, the dancing was fun, the guests were well served, and the spirits were high. Christmas spirit was over flowing the ballroom. The bright lights, the beautiful gowns, the mysterious masks, and the intricate decorations created a sophisticated undertone among the youthful scenery.

Marcus was the MC for the evening. He, Jacques, Thomas and a few other members of the crew played the songs on instruments and a few girls sang. Odette was a hit when she sang 'Unfaithful'. Antonio (ha, you thought he disappeared, didn't you?) was standing on the sidelines, chatting idly with a few partygoers and some drunken girls.

"And now, the performance of tonight's gala. You asked for it, now we live to serve, our Masquerade!" Marcus announced as the lights shown on the staircase. The whole cast was dressed in formal, elegant tuxedos and gowns. They began singing and dancing.

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade… Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade… Masquerade! Look around - there's another mask behind you!" they sang. The women then sang, " Flash of mauve… Splash of puce… Fool and king… Ghoul and goose… Green and black… Queen and priest… Trace of rouge… Face of beast… Faces… Take your turn; take a ride on the merry-go-round… in an inhuman race… Eye of gold… Thigh of blue… True is false… Who is who…? Curl of lip… Swirl of gown… Ace of hearts… Face of clown… Faces… Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned in the light… in the sound…" Marcus and Jacques chorused, "But who can name the face…?" Everyone joined once again, singing, "Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds… Masquerade! Take your fill - let the spectacle astound you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads… Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Seething shadows breathing lies… Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you! Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes… Masquerade! Run and hide - but a face will still pursue you!"

A few leads came in front and they sang, "What a night!" "What a crowd!" "Makes you glad!" "Makes you proud! All the crème de la crème!" "Watching us watching them!" "And all our fears are in the past!" "Six months..." "Of relief!" "Of delight!" "Of Elysian peace!" "And we can breathe at last!" "No more notes!" "No more ghost!" "Here's a health!" "Here's a toast: to a prosperous year!" "To the new chandelier!" "And may its splendor never fade!" "Six months!" "What a joy!" "What a change!" "What a blessed release!" "And what a masquerade!"

---

Backstage, Madeline was parting from her new fiancé. She twirled the ring between her fingers, twisting the chain, and letting it swirl. Phantom touched her fore head to his, and gave her a sweet kiss. She embraced him. He took her hand and led her to the ballroom door. She whispered, "Think of it! A secret engagement! Look - your future bride! Just think of it!" She sighed dreamily.

Phantom frowned and said, concerned, "But why is it secret? What have we to hide? You promised me…" He grabbed her waist and tried to kiss her, put she put a finger to his lips.

She had a worried look on her face and begged, "Please don't, they'll see!"

He brushed a hair back from her face and brought her hand into his. "Then, let them see! It's an engagement, not a crime! Madeline, What are you afraid of?"

She smiled weakly and said, "Let's not argue…"

He agreed, "Let's not argue…"

"Please pretend…you will…" "I can only hope I'll…" they said together. They then chorused "…understand in time…" he kissed her hand and he went up to one of the balconies to watch.

He knew he could never join her at these balls. He would never accompany her to a gala or her premieres. Hell, he would never be able to go to his own premieres. He watched her greet Andre and Vince, and then go off dancing with some of her friends and admirers. He smiled when he overheard some old gossipers talking about the ring. She had told them she was engaged. When asked to whom, she said it was a man named Erik and they've never met him. He liked that she told people without telling anyone. How did she know my name was Erik? I don't recall telling her, and I don't think she's ever called me that before. I should tell her that she can call me Erik…

He smiled as he saw her fiddling with the ring again. She was thinking about him again. He fixed his mask and ran his fingers through his hair. This would be a long night.

---

Madeline was having fun, but she couldn't get people to stop asking about the ring. She played with it, thinking the same words over and over: You are getting married to the most wonderful man in the world. And she remembered what Phantom had said, This ball will only happen once. Have fun, and try not to think of me too much.

The chorus broke into a great crescendo, "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade! Masquerade! Look around - There's another mask behind you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads… Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds… Masquerade! Take your fill - let the spectacle astound you…"

They broke off as a figure stood in the doorway. Madeline tried to hide her expression (a mixture of happiness, concern, relief and astonishment) and tried to look as astonished as everyone else. He was dressed in all red, with a cape and sword. The figure began to sing.

"Why so silent, good Messieurs?" he began to descend the stairs slowly. "Did you think that I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good Messieurs?" He pulled out the manuscript for Don Juan Triumphant. "I have written you an opera! Here, I bring the finished score - Don Juan Triumphant!" He then turned to the crowd, "Fondest greetings to you all! A few instructions just before rehearsal starts…" He turned to Cecile and Antonio, "Cecile must be taught to act - not her normal trick of strutting round the stage! Our Don Juan must gain some weight; it's not healthy in a man of Antonio's age!" Antonio looked self-consciously at his stick like figure. The Phantom was more muscular than he was, and it showed. The figure, content that Antonio was now unhappy with his body, he turned to Andre and Vince, "And my managers must learn that their place is in an office! Not the arts…" He then turned to Madeline and his voice softened, "As for our star, Miss Madeline...

"No doubt she'll do her best - It's true, her voice is good. She knows, though, should she wish to excel, she has much still to learn. If you will let her return to me, her teacher... Her teacher..." He went to her and looked down at the ring. He raised his hand to her cheek and kissed her softly. She was shaken. Phantom always gets what he wants…

He turned and attempted to leave when he saw Jacques and Thomas blocked the two entrances. He went to leave through the hole in the ground when he saw it was also blocked. It was Marcus, "Don't even think about it."

Phantom looked at him, confused and stunned. Marcus shook his head at his sister's fiancé, "You must stay. You are the owner, correct? What I mean is, this is your opera house? Owners are supposed to at least attend these parties, right? Well, then it would be inappropriate for you to leave!" Phantom kept his shocked expression at Marcus's words. I don't think I've ever heard him speak that way.

The crowd around them muttered, then a few people laughed. They all went back to the party. Marcus threw his arm around Phantom's shoulders and muttered through a fake smile, "And I think I should get to know you before you marry my sister." He left Phantom's side and went back to the turntables.

Madeline came up and gave him a strange look. "Are you okay?" Phantom nodded, his mouth open slightly. He shook it off and regained his serious expression. She continued, "Yeah… My brother does that whenever I start dating someone. Sorry about that. He might not have done it if I had told him before the proposal. Or at least before now."

Phantom held her by the waist and whispered, "Are you sure he's scared of me?"

---

A few minutes later, Marcus declared, "Before we go on to Antonio, I have a few announcements to make. First, Andre and Vince have decided to comply with the cast and crew. That means we are doing Don Juan Triumphant as our next opera!" Cheers erupted from the crowd. "And, I hope they don't mind me telling everyone," Madeline nodded. Marcus smiled and continued, "Madeline, my sister is getting married. Good luck to you two."

Madeline blushed at the applause and Phantom hugged her around the waist. She nuzzled into him. He kissed her on the cheek, smiling only at her.

"Okay, now… Where's Antonio?" Marcus looked around and Antonio was missing. Jacques ran up on stage, out of breath and whispered something hysterically into his ear. Marcus's eyebrows shot up.

Phantom quickly grabbed Madeline's hand and led her to the hallway. "I must depart. I fear someone is trying to break into my home. Goodbye, Madeline." He kissed her hand and turned to run, but Madeline grabbed his arm.

"I'm coming with you," she decreed, pulling him along. He opened his mouth to say something; put fighting with her wouldn't help anyone.

---

He pulled her into a side passage and they ran along the dark hallway. Soon, they found themselves in the middle of the passageway behind the mirror. They heard voices and something smashing against the dressing room door.

She pulled herself close to him, frightened. He sang in her ear, "You're here with me. Listen to me closely. Close your eyes and press your self against me. Let the darkness lead you and that will be a start. Listen to the music of my heart." He shrugged at how cliché that sounded, but she seemed to like it. She nuzzled closer into him. I should right that down…

Suddenly, the mirror was thrown aside, and the dark passage was filled with light. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? The rat king has taken the princess. Let's see what we can do about that!" Antonio appeared in the front of the group. He reached for her, missing by inches.

Phantom blocked his path shielding Madeline with his arm. He leaned forward, getting ready to attack. "Leave her alone! You're jealousy and arrogance is why she hates you!" Phantom roared. His love would not be taken again.

"Oh, so the bat in the belfry has a backbone? Let's see how invincible you are!" He swung the barrel of a prop gun at the Opera Ghost. Phantom dodged each one, pushing Madeline out of range. The prop gun couldn't shoot, but it was made of metal and it was heavy. It was like a metal baseball bat or a lead pipe.

Antonio faked, and then hit Phantom to the ground. It was a hit to the temple. Fortunately, the fake had used some of the energy, so it was like getting hit with a fist.

Phantom hit the ground and the wall behind him. The wind was knocked out of him and he struggled for breath and to keep consciousness. Antonio advanced on Madeline, grabbing for her. She dodged, dropping to Phantom's side. Antonio growled and pulled on her collar, bringing her toward him. He threw his gun at a man who caught it.

"Don't I get a kiss for saving you?" Antonio sneered. His lips smashed against hers. She struggled, but he had her against the wall, his weight on her. His feet stood on the edge of her sandals so she could move them. He forced his tongue into her mouth and she decided to become lifeless. The struggle was what was turning him on. She relaxed and fell limp against the wall, accepting anything he did without struggle. He soon, as she predicted, became bored with her and broke the kiss. He grabbed the necklace and pulled it off, stuffing the engagement ring into his pocket.

He made a motion for them to go ahead when Madeline said without thinking, "There's traps ahead!" She held back tears and went to Phantom's body again. His eyes were half-open, his breath ragged.

Antonio glared at her, but then smirked and shouted, "Well, I guess the nest will have to wait, because the rat took the bait." He laughed manically and turned. The group left, not bothering to close the mirror.

The tears began to fall. She cried into his chest. Phantom gathered the strength to place his hand gently on her back. She looked into his eyes and placed a shaking hand on his cheek.

"Madeline, I love you." He whispered. His eyes closed and his head rolled to the side, lifeless.

She whispered at first, getting louder with every word, "No. No, please. You-You can't leave me. Don't leave me! Please!" she sobbed into his shirt and sang in-between sobs: "Floating, Falling, Sweet intoxication. Touched Me, Trust Me I've savored each sensation. You've made my dream begin, my darker side's give in to the power of the music that you write. Please write again the music of the night…"

She stroked his hair back from his face, being sure not to touch his injuries. She lightly ran her fingers over his features, caressing his cheek lightly. Her shaky hands made their way to his neck, and then his shirt. The wet fabric clung to his chest, the muscles outlined. She traced them lovingly. She picked up his cold hand and brought it to her cheek.

I love you, Phantom… Wait a minute… She quickly put her ear to his chest. She heard his heartbeat. She sighed in relief and looked up, "Whoever is watching me right now: THANK YOU!"

---

"Madeline? MADELINE?" Marcus called, running through the opera house. He heard her echo and went to her dressing room. He found her embracing someone who was lying on the floor. A closer look revealed it was Phantom. "Oh my god! Madeline, we have to get him out of here! Now!" Without thinking, he lifted Phantom and supported his weight as they tried to leave the dark hallway. Madeline started to follow, but froze. The crimson that now colored his jacket was different than it was an hour ago. And it was dripping onto Marcus's arm.

---

A/N: So… what do you think? There's a twist for you! Anyone getting where I'm going with this? No? Well, if you are, don't ruin it for everyone else! But REVIEW NOW!

Oh, and I made a deal with one of my friends who also has an account, so please visit Cailie di Mekio! Maddie (if anyone knows her from my other stories) is in her Percy Jackson fic! So read that one too, sil vou ples! And (obviously) I can't spell in French.

Your obedient servant,

L C