So another chapter guys :) I would like to thank KagomeInuBlack for favouriting and following my story :) It means a lot to know someone out there likes my work :) Hopefully I will hear some feedback from anyone out there who is reading :) As you know I only own my OC Caroline and own lyrics :) Anything else belongs to their respective owners :) On with the show :)


X-Men The Imperfect Angel Saga – Part One: First Love

Chapter Ten: Far From My Far-Reaching Gaze...

Caroline's POV

I woke up with a groan as I tried to gather my bearings, as well as remember exactly what happened to me the night before. However before I could comprehend the situation, I found myself being embraced suddenly.

"I am so glad you're awake! Maman was so worried about you! Especially after the Phantom brought you to her quarters a month ago." And I looked up with surprise as I saw Meg let go of me for a second.

"I was out cold for a month?" I asked curiously, as I looked at my surroundings for the first time, and I immediately recognised it as Madame Giry's room.

"Where is your mother?" I asked curiously, as I wondered where she has been sleeping for the past month.

"She is rehearsing with the other ballet dancers. She asked me to keep an eye on you, until she returns from rehearsals." She replied.

"What are the ballet girls rehearsing?" I asked curiously.

"The dance routine for the New Year's Eve Masquerade. It is to occur in three months time. I know what we need to do! We need to find you a costume!" She replied, before changing subjects quickly.

"Will your mother allow that though? Shouldn't I be rehearsing for the dance routine too?" I asked hesitatingly, knowing how seriously Madame Giry takes her ballet, and so she probably wouldn't want her daughter skiving off from rehearsals.

"Don't worry, I have performed it so many times I know it off by heart. She asked me to teach you anyway. But knowing you, you will pick it up really quick, especially since it is an easy routine to practice." With a nod, I got out of bed, before changing into a fresh gown, and wrapping my cloak around my shoulders, before making our way to the front entrance.

"So where are we going to look for costumes?" I asked curiously, as the brisk Autumn air bit my exposed cheeks.

"Here..." Meg replied, as I looked at the sign curiously.

"Starling's Emporium." I whispered under my breath. It was at that moment that I picked a nickname for myself; Starling. As I remembered the fact they can mimic a noise after hearing it once, just like I mimic a power after seeing it once. We immediately stepped inside to see costumes of every shape and colour under the rainbow. Immediately I found myself drawn to the section filled with red costumes. Yet, as I rifled through the rails, nothing really spoke to me.

"Have you found something yet? I found the perfect costume." Meg asked curiously, as she held up a circus-themed outfit. It consisted of an elaborate dark pink jacket with gold trim, a matching waistcoat with white lacy cravat and spotted tights.

"I haven't yet, no." I replied wistfully. That was when my eyes fell upon something interesting on the racks. I pulled it out to reveal the most unusual and exquisite costume. It consisted of a corseted bodice with a very full mini skirt in black; yet when held to the light it glowed with purple and green. There was an elegant feathered mask which covered my eyes, and included a small yellow beak. To top it off there was even a pair of wings, which slipped on over your arms, but with a join in the elbow to allow ease of movement.

"I think I have found it." Before going to the changing area to try it on for size.

"It's like this costume was made for me." I breathed, as I stepped out from behind the curtain. I saw Meg smile, and I knew I had to purchase the costume right there and then. Once I got into my dress, I immediately paid for my purchase, before we left the shop with bags in hand.

"Do you want to go over the dance routine when we reach the Opera House?" I nodded in agreement as we climbed the steps of the Opera House. We immediately went to the dance studio, where we practiced the routine for the next two hours. As we took a break, I looked up when I saw Madame Giry enter the room.

"You are not overexerting her I hope Meg." She said sternly.

"Don't worry Maman, it appears we don't need to rehearse the dance any further; so we are taking a break, since Caroline has picked it up so quick." Meg replied, as she took a drink from the glass of water she had in her hand.

"Then you wouldn't object if Caroline takes a nap; she really needs to rest, as she has been through a lot." Madame Giry said gently, before leading me out of the room. As we walked towards her room, I asked curiously.

"What exactly happened a month ago?"

"It was late at night and I was still up, sorting out plans for the end of year Masquerade ball, when the Phantom came into my room, carrying you into the room, unconscious in his arms. However, he didn't explain to me how you came to be in that condition." She replied. So even Madame Giry didn't even know much of what happened to me. I guess I would have to seek out Erik, and hope he can give me the information I so desperately wanted.

"Did you notice anything unusual whilst I was out cold for a month?" I asked, as we reached the door of Madame Giry's room.

"You were sort of comatose; without a single word spoken as you were out cold. You didn't even move all the time you were out cold." She replied.

"But now rest my child. I'll see you in the morning, when you should be able to move around freely." She continued, before leading me towards the bed, and placing me down under the covers.

~The next morning~

I woke up to see a note and a rose on the bedside table. I gingerly picked up the rose before sniffing it, knowing who gave it to me. I placed it down and opened the black-lined envelope, by gently peeling off the red skull-shaped wax seal, before quickly skimming through the note.

Dear Mademoiselle Aves,

I see you are making an excellent recovery, as well as making good progress with the rehearsals for the upcoming Masquerade. I am sorry for what I have put you through. From now on I will only watch from afar; far from my far-reaching gaze. Please do not seek me out; I do not want to see you harmed by doing so.

I await with trepidation to see your costume; I am sure it will be as unique as your personality, and in keeping with your name.

Your obedient servant

O.G.

As I read through the note, I could feel the tears falling heavily down my cheeks. How could he abandon me like this? Did our friendship mean nothing to him? Were we even friends at all? Or did he just pity me? I just stared at the note in quiet contemplation, as the tears continued to fall, and I found myself totally unmotivated to do anything. Was this what it felt like to have a broken heart, or was there something else lying beneath the surface? Suddenly, a voice asked me gently.

"Is everything alright?" To which I rapidly shook my head, as the tears continued to fall heavily down my cheeks, and I gripped the note tightly in my hand – refusing to let it go with all my might.

"Caroline...please talk to me sweetheart. It will make you feel better if you talk about it." A voice explained gently.

"I...I...c...can't b...believe...h...he...aban...abandoned...m...me s...s...so...ca...casually. I...I...th...thought...h...he...ca...cared...ab...about...m...me." I sobbed hysterically, to be honest I was surprised they understood anything I said, as they asked curiously.

"Who has abandoned you?" Yet they were not able to tell whom I was talking about. But instead of replying I shook my head, as I didn't want to reveal my possible feelings for the infamous Phantom, to whoever was talking to me.

"You're talking about Erik aren't you?" She asked, and I realised it was Madame Giry talking to me, as she was the only other person who knew the Phantom's true name, to which I nodded in assent.

"What makes you think he has abandoned you?" She asked gently, to which I reluctantly gave her the scrunched up note.

"I think we should leave him alone for a while; I mean he doesn't even want me to disturb him. This normally happens when he is upset, or in the depths of composing. He'll come around eventually, and then he will be craving your company once again." She said gently, and after sniffling again, I decided to go to the roof, knowing I could be alone for a while.

"I'm going to be on the roof if you want me; although I would like to be alone for a while." I said quietly, before swirling my cloak around my shoulders, and leaving out of the door. Once I arrived at the roof, I sat on one of the statues in quiet contemplation. As I sat on the roof, it gave me time to think, causing the tears to come back anew. How could he abandon me so casually? Maybe there was no love between us; maybe there wasn't even friendship there at all. Yet if that was the case, why was I brought here in the first place? Was it fate? Destiny perhaps? Or maybe it was just sheer coincidence. I wasn't sure how much time had passed, when I found myself shivering. I wiped my eyes to notice the fact it was snowing, as it became apparent my powers were manifesting themselves again.

"Caroline! What are you doing?! You could catch your death out here!" A voice said suddenly, I turned my head a little to see Madame Giry in the doorway, before she bundled me back inside the building.

"All I wanted was to be alone with my thoughts." I whispered quietly.

"If I did that you would have frozen to death. I don't think Erik would be best pleased if he finds out you have been harming yourself."

"Erik cares nothing of my wellbeing now, and if he did he wouldn't have abandoned me." I seethed, as I turned my head away from Madame Giry, not wanting to see the concern in her eyes. I walked away angrily, before going to a practise room to dance my troubles away, as I couldn't bear to play my violin right now. Once I arrived, I conjured up music in my mind, before positioning my feet accordingly. I immediately lost myself in the music in my mind, as I went effortlessly into an arabesque, followed by a retire devant into a pirouette, and then a series of Grand Jetés. I also went into soubresauts and temps levé arabesque, before finishing with a flying pas de chat, a relevé in fifth and finally an attitude derrière. I found myself breathing heavily, as I tried to catch my breath, after the dance was over. Yet I still felt sad, but I couldn't tell why I felt like this. Was I expecting someone to see me rehearsing? Was I expecting someone's approval? Yet there was only one person I wanted watching me; only one person's approval I was after – and yet he had abandoned me, hiding himself away because he didn't want to hurt me. Yet he obviously didn't realise that he was hurting me, by planning to win back the heart of the girl who got away. Yet even though he had his sights set on Christine, I would remain by his side in the shadows, without ever admitting my feelings for him – even if I was breaking my heart by doing so.

That night I went to bed, my thoughts swirling around my mind like a whirlpool, not allowing me to sleep. Little did I know someone was watching me from afar, as they quickly left with a forlorn sigh. Yet, I finally fell asleep when I heard the most beautiful and haunting voice in existence whisper:

"Far from my far-reaching gaze..."