Disclaimer: Hey guys--I am SOOOO sorry this took forever. I have been the busiest I've ever been with college and such...but now that I'm done with high school forever (i know you're jealous lolol) I found some time to write the next chapter--that and I just saw the Phantom of the Opera at the Opera House in Boston two nights in a row--so that was so serious encouragement to continue! Enjoy!

12. She Lost it All

"No! That is incorrect! Here, listen, it goes," The Phantom played the stanza again for Genevieve to listen and then repeat vocally.

"I cannot sing that!" She cried in angst. "This aria, despite its beauty, is absolutely impossible. We've been working on it for hours…this very same aria and I cannot get it!"

"Enough!" The Phantom shouted, slamming the libretto closed and onto the organ as he stood up, coming close to smacking the innocent and fatigued girl to the ground. Genevieve, frightened, fell to the ground without him even touching her. His voice, loud and booming, filled the labyrinth as icy tears began to roll down Genevieve's face.

"Do not even begin to cry and pity yourself, mademoiselle…your tears will do you no good!" his roar even louder filled Genevieve from head to toe with fear. On the ground, still, she backed away, crawling from the musical menace she had gotten herself into.

"Please, master, I meant not to offend you or your oper—" She stuttered and choked through her surging tears. Finally, overwhelmed with emotion, she flung herself completely to the ground and covered her face in her hands as she sobbed.

The Phantom, regaining composure, knelt down beside her. With a delicate, strong hand, he lifted her face. Brushing hair out of her eyes, he looked deeply at her before speaking.

"Are we calm yet?" He asked her in a melodic tone, his voice deepening. Genevieve nodded and gather herself together. The Phantom reached out and took a firm hold on her hands and lifted her to her feet. He sighed as he led a reluctant Genevieve back to the organ. He sat down and looked up at her.

"Now, mademoiselle," he began, picking up his music and turning once again to the aria. "are you a mezzo or a contralto?" He asked, almost bitterly, as he began playing a scale on the organ. He looked back up at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Well?" He asked again, waiting for her answer.

"Mezzo," she began.

"Right," he confirmed as he played another scale, "now, sing this scale for me." Genevieve sang the scale, and then he went up a half step, and she sang that scale. He kept going up by half step, and she kept singing the scale.

"A mezzo usually has a range from a high A to a low A, which is precisely yours, and then some," the Phantom continued, "which gives you no reason not to sing the aria—I know you can do it," he said looking back up at her. Genevieve breathed deeply and nodded affirmatively.

"Now let us begin once more." He played the aria and Genevieve sang with full integrity, determined to show her teacher that she would not fail. She finished the aria, hoping she had sung it entirely correctly. She closed her eyes are he played the final chord. The Phantom looked up at her.

"I knew you could do it," he said finally as he stood up. "Enough rehearsing for tonight—I should take you back n—"

"No!" She exclaimed suddenly cutting him off. Right as she said it, she covered her mouth with her hands, wishing she hadn't said it. Not saying a thing, the Phantom moved closer to her, not taking his eyes from hers.

As he approached her, he began to sing:

Night time, sharpens…heightens each sensation

Darkness, stirs…and wakes imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defenses…

Genevieve gave up her defenses and let him approach nearer. She stood like a statue as he came up behind her and let his hands run down her arms and back.

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor

Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender…

Turn your face away from garish light of day

Turn your thoughts away from cold and feeling light

And listen to the music of the night…

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams

Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before…

Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar…

And you'll live as you've never lived before.

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you

Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you

Open up your mind let your fantasies unwind in this darkness you know you cannot find

The darkness of the music of the night…

Genevieve was again taken over by the Phantom's words. He caressed her and held her in his arms as he did on the first meeting. She put her hands over his and locked her fingers with his. Surprised, he stopped singing.

"No…don't stop," she said quietly as she turned to him. Taking her by the hands he led her about the labyrinth and continued.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world,
leave all thoughts of the world you knew before,
let your soul take you where you long to be,
only then can you belong to me..

They stopped when he reached a part of the labyrinth she had never been. He wrapped her in his arms and continued once again from behind her.

Floating, falling
Sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me
Savor each sensation
Let the dream begin
Let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night…

Genevieve's hands caressed his face. She turned around in his arms, and collided her lips to his. Feeling the moment, he kissed her back as they continued in a moment of passion. She pulled away to let him finished the song as she stared into his eyes,

You alone can make my song take flight
Help me make the music of the night…

As he sang the last note, Genevieve took his hand and led him over to the bed.