The cast had finished rehearsal when Christine returned to the dressing rooms, choosing the one that she had slept in the night before. Carlotta had not returned after her croaking episode, and it looked as if Christine would once again be playing the lead. She was nervous, but she knew Carlotta's lines because the diva had insisted on rehearsing her lines. She changed into her costume behind a screen, wondering if Carlotta would return at all. After being replaced twice, Christine wondered if she would assume her position the next day.

As she walked out the dressing room, there was a small commotion, mostly of the dancers gossiping about the diva and the stagehands getting everything together. Christine walked around them, careful not to get in their way, but ended up bumping into someone anyway. She was apologizing, she noticed that she had bumped into Raoul.

"Careful," he smiled, wearing the same formal navy wear. He had his sword at his side, and she took note of it.

"Thank you," she replied, shaking her head.

"Nervous? You'll do great," he reassured.

"I hope so," she answered confidently. Raoul was surprised on how calm she was, and that she wasn't the same girl that he had talked with so many years ago. She was a grown woman, and a beautiful one as well. "Raoul, why are you carrying a sword? I doubt you'll find trouble in an opera house."

"Oh," he replied, caught off guard. Christine looked at him expectantly, a sense of worry under her calm demeanor. "It's a part of the uniform, no more than a decoration, I assure you. Nothing to be afraid of."

"That's good to hear," she sighed with a smile. "Are you here to watch the performance again?"

"Yes, I have a nice box up on the balcony, but I'm keeping you. If I may, I would like to see you after the performance."

"While I would like that, I told my teacher that I would see him afterwards for some advice."

"Him?" Raoul asked, surprised that her teacher was a man. The vicomte felt that it was inappropriate to schedule lessons that late, and it didn't make him feel any better to learn that her teacher was a man. Christine could feel his unease, and excused herself.

"It was nice to see you again, Raoul," she informed, feeling bad for turning him down again and leaving.

As Christine rushed to the stage, little did she know that Erik was on the catwalk when she ran into the nobleman. He listened to their conversation against his better judgement, but was pleased that he did. Listening her turn down the vicomte was almost as magical as her singing. Raoul did look confused, although he accepted it and walked back toward the theater. Erik sighed, realizing that he would have to do something about box five. After all, he had promised Christine that would be where he was seated.

Erik followed the movements of the vicomte carefully, making sure to not arouse his suspicions. Hoping that he was unfamiliar with the layout of the opera, wondering if he could lead Raoul through a labyrinth of the vacant section during the performance. However, the vicomte didn't seem interested in returning to his seat, peaking the phantom's interest.

Keeping to the shadows, he saw the vicomte look around before walking into the dressing room that Erik had taken Christine the night prior. It seemed that Raoul had noted something from last night, where Erik had hoped the vicomte thought it was a dream. While Erik watched from the shadows, wishing there was a better vantage point. However, it seems that he was looking at the mirror first, causing Erik to force his hand.

"Vicomte!" Erik called, mimicking Andre's voice. Raoul immediately exited the room, as he was not supposed to be in there. Erik quickly shrunk back further into the shadows behind a curtain as the vicomte looked for the manager. Once the coast was clear, Erik flew into the room and closed the door before entering the mirror. He would have to cover up the mirror entrance to keep Raoul from discovering too much, but that would have to wait.

Erik navigated through the tunnels and walls before finding his way above the large chandelier in the main hall. He could see the guests start to settle in, and he saw box five occupied, as it was last night. It seemed that the vicomte had found his seat. Erik frowned, realizing that he would have to somehow remove the man from his seat without any interrupting the opera. He would hate to ruin Christine's limelight. Erik had given her the opportunity, after all.

Suddenly, he smiled as he walked back down the tunnels. He was going to watch his angel perform from box five, and maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the vicomte sat in his seat. It could grant him the cover he needed. He dashed back down to the depths to grab something before the opera began.

Raoul sat in deep thought, waiting for the managers come out and announce the start of the performance. He had been thinking about the night before, and he could have sworn that he saw Christine with a strange man. However, when he blinked, his mind went foggy and there was nothing. It seemed too real to be a dream, but he wondered if it was. Christine even mentioned that she had been gone since morning. It didn't seem logical.

"Monsieur Vicomte," a familiar voice greeted, startling Raoul. He stood from his chair and turned to see the ballet director.

"Madame Giry," he replied, sighing with relief. "How can I help you?"

"We have a tradition at the Populaire where we take our newest patrons backstage during the performance. It slipped my mind last night, so I came to offer tonight," she informed. Raoul thought it was strange that she was offering this now, moments before the start of the show.

"Maybe another time, perhaps," he answered with a slight bow. Madame Giry looked less than pleased, but bowed before leaving. He watched her turn the corner, feeling like that she wasn't saying something, but decided to sit back in his seat.

Erik walked through the walls, finding the secret panel that led to box five. There was a small opening, just large enough for him to see when the lights dimmed. He pulled out a vial and a syringe, preparing for his surprise.

It wasn't long until the main hall dimmed and Erik slid the panel open, facing away from Raoul. With all the applause, it wasn't hard to keep quiet enough for him to remain oblivious. Carefully, he stood behind the vicomte and stuck the needle in his neck. Raoul tried to turn to see what had happened, but his body soon fell limp.

The phantom placed the vicomte on the floor, propped up by the wall. By Erik's calculation, the nobleman would be out cold for the next two and half hours, perfect for him to watch Christine and sneak away before he even woke up. Erik took his seat and applauded toward the end as Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre took the stage. Not his favorite sight, but a necessary evil, Erik supposed.

After a short word from the managers, the curtains opened for I Grandi Sogni di un Pavone and Erik grinned. While not the best opera Christine could showcase her skills, it was better than most operas that Lefevre had tried to put on.

It wasn't long before his angel herself came on stage and smiled up toward him. Erik couldn't help but smile back, even though he knew that she couldn't see his masked face. The orchestra began to play, and Erik listened to the beauty that streamed from Christine. Even Piangi's voice couldn't topple his delight in her voice. Although, he did keep close watch on Raoul between songs, just in case he somehow woke up prematurely.

Soon, the opera ended and the standing ovations began, telling Erik that it was time to vanish. While the lights were still dimmed, he placed the vicomte back in his seat as Christine ran off the stage again, hoping to see her angel of music. Erik disappeared back through the panel before making his way to the mirror.