A/N: If you did not go back and read the updated version of Chapter 10, please do before reading this chapter. I added two small sections that did not fit with this chapter, but were not big enough to stand alone.

Thanks,

J.

XX

Excerpt from the Societe Column

My oh my how time does fly when you're having fun, darlings. I don't know about you, my lovely readers, but these past few months have flown by at the speed of light. Can Aida really be nearing the end of it's run? My sources tell me that plans are already underway for the next spectacular production at the Opera Populaire, a well loved classic La Boheme. Our managers have decided to give good old Puccini a run for his money.

Now listen up readers, because I've stumbled across some rather juicy news. Rumor has it that the fantastic La Marguerite might actually be leaving if payment negotiations aren't made. Our beloved theater managers must now decide whether or not she's worth the money. If you ask me, monsieurs - my bet is in La Marguerite's favor. The Prima Donna is always worth the money.

In other theater news, our beloved Louis d'Bienne has been acting rather strangely. Could it be that his little fling with the secret chorus girl has gone awry? Come on ladies, don't leave the poor gentleman out in the cold. Oh and Monsieur d'Bienne, my beloved - if none of those theater mesdames fit the bill, I know of one hot gossip columnist in particular who would be willing to fill your lady love's happy shoes....

XX

The chorus members of the Opera Populaire assembled together in the massive choral room. It was almost time for tonight's performance, but the maestro had called an emergency meeting. The whisper of paper filled the room as the new score was passed around. Practices would be especially long and grueling from now on due to the transition from one opera to the next. Typically, the theater season runs from spring to summer with a small break before the fall and winter months began. That translates into two operas a year. The new managers felt, in their almighty wisdom, that since their singers and musicians were the best in the world, the expectations should then be at least doubled. In other words, the theater would therefore put on a new production every three months. La Marguerite claimed that she did not know of such outrageous expectations or she would never have signed one with the opera house. While the managers took on the colossal job of appeasing the Prima, the rest of the grunts began the arduous task of preparing for the tasks ahead.

Aida would only be performed two more weeks. Frankly, Lana didn't care a whit what opera they were performing. She had other things on her mind. Besides, the drill was basically the same - hop around in costume, sing with everyone else, and when on stage, stay out of La Marguerite's way!

"Attention, monsieurs and mesdames," the maestro's shrill voice fought to be heard over the murmur of the crowd. "You hold in your hands the new score for La Boheme. It is my expectation that you will have your part prepared and memorized by Wednesday's rehearsal."

The woman seated next to Lana groaned. "It's Monday," she muttered to no one in particular. "How in the bloody hell are we going to know this in two days."

The maestro spoke on. "Thursday afternoon we will begin staging with final rehearsals starting at the beginning of next week. We have little time to prepare, mes amis. My expectation is that you will begin immediately. I will see you at tonight's performance. Dismissed."

Lana followed the grumbling crowd out the door. Personally, she wasn't in the least concerned with the upcoming change. Somehow Erik had found out about the news some time ago and had procured a score for her, incorporating the new music into her nightly lessons. She remembered his reaction when he first brought it to her. The thought made her grin. "I despise your manager's taste in music, cherie. Puccini was a weak man full of vice who knew his way around a brothel much better than his way around a orchestra. I detested him then, and I detest him now."

"You're such a snob," she had teased.

"Yes, but I know what I like..."

Lana's steps had slowed while she was lost in her reverie. The darkened corridors had emptied considerably, the next performance being only about an hour and a half away. Glancing up into the shadowed rafters where the heavy scrims and scene backdrops hung, she wondered what Erik was doing, where he was at. A quick blur of movement made her catch her breath. There in the shadowy platforms high overhead was the faintest hint of a human form, a patch of deeper black among the shadows. Noone else would have noticed he was even there. Lana was certain that the only reason she knew herself was that Erik wished her to see him. Looking up, a moment of silent communication passed between. Lana's smile widened. Apparently Erik was wondering what she was doing as well.

Hurrying down the hallway, she simply couldn't wait for this performance to be over. Her step quickened. Maybe if she was lucky, Erik would come to her beforehand. She was in such a hurry in fact, that she never noticed Bella's presence until they smacked directly into each other. Not missing a beat, Bella caught her friend around the shoulders.

"Lana, mon ami, you were just the person I was searching for." To say Bella was excited was the understatement of the century. Her pretty heart shaped faced was literally glowing with pleasure. It was obvious she was in the mood for conversation making Lana groan inwardly. The last thing she wanted to do right now was chitchat. Knowing Bella, it was nothing more than a new love conquest anyway.

Forcing a smile on her face, Lana gently removed herself from Bella's grasp. "Bella, it's great to see you, trust me, but I'm in a real hurry right now."

"It'll just take a second, Lana. I've got some really great news I wanted to tell you. You'll never believe it, but..."

Lana took a few steps away and made an apologetic gesture. "No, really - I've got to get going. Can we talk about it later?"

Bella's face fell. "If you really don't have time now, then sure. Whatever you wish." It was obvious by her tone that she had hurt the girl's feelings, but Lana had other concerns at the moment. Moving forward, she gave Bella a quick hug. Without waiting for a response, she hurried towards her dressing room.

XX

Celeste Aida, forma divina,
Mistico serto di luce e fior,
Del mio pensiero tu sei regina,
Tu di mia vita sei lo splendor.
Il tuo bel cielo vorrei ridarti,
Le dolci breeze del patrio suol;
Un regal serto sul crin posarti,
Ergerti un trono vicino al sol, ah!

Mendoza, the Spanish baritone who paired up with La Marguerite on stage seemed particularly worshipful tonight. He bowed and scraped as he played the egyptian general Radames. When he fell in love with the beautiful Aida - beauty being a bit stretched in this case - he ardently kissed her little feet.

Apparently, La Marguerite had included Mendoza in her plot to squeeze more money from the managers next season.

In Lana's opinion, the rotund little man looked rather ridiculous bending down at the feet of the towering form of Aida. But, then again, who cares? The audience cheered and applauded even louder than usual tonight even if the chorus members had to hide their smiles. She wondered if Erik saw the performance tonight and couldn't wait to hear what he would have to say about it.

The thought made her smile again as she hurried to her dressing room. This time there were no distractions from the stage to her door. When she reached for the knob, her heart began to pound in her chest. A slender white envelope was taped to the door, her name written in tight cursive. Inside was a single sheet of paper.

Mademoiselle Keeton,

After tonight's performance, please come immediately to my office. I have an important matter to discuss.

Maestro Juneux

Lana's mouth ran dry. She had almost forgotten Louis these past few weeks. Maybe he hadn't forgotten her. Would he really have waited so long before getting her fired? Then again, maybe Louis had nothing to do with this after all. Maybe she had done something to get herself in hot water. Fear made her stomach churn.

Her hand still rested on the knob. Should she go right away, or wait for Erik to arrive so that she could explain? Lana thought it through. Normally, Erik would wait at least half an hour or so after each performance to allow her time to change in privacy. He wouldn't know to come right away. Should she leave a note or something? Lana shook her head. Hopefully, she would be back - for good or for ill - before Erik arrived.

Note in hand, she headed towards the massive choir room where the maestro's office was located. The room was darkened, the only light coming from the cracked doorway leading to the office. Lana swallowed, gathering her courage. If she was going to be dismissed tonight, there was no sense in stalling the inevitable. She was saved from having to knock on the door for admittance. The maestro heard her approach and came out to meet her.

Maestro Juneux was a tall, thin man with a pinched face and severe dark eyes. He rarely smiled. A pained grimace being his usual expression. Lana had never spoken to the man personally, but she had seen enough of the man to take an instant dislike to him. During the early days of practice, there were almost constant arguments between himself and La Marguerite. "Power struggles" as the other chorus members liked to call them.

Juneux watched her approach, a clipboard clutched to his chest. Lana held out the note and said politely in French, "I received your message, monsieur."

He ignored the letter, looking down at his clipboard instead as if checking for notes. "You are Christine Keeton, no?"

She smiled nervously, shifting her weight from one leg to the other. "I prefer Lana, if you don't mind."

Juneux sniffed. "Follow me, please." Turning on his heel, he turned and walked away. Lana followed, resigned to her fate. To her surprise, he did not go back into his office. Instead, he went to the piano set in one corner of the room and sat down. Bewildered, she stood beside him.

"You sang at tonight's practice and performance, so you will have no need to warm up, mademoiselle." It was a statement not a question, she noted. "If you will be so kind, let us see about your scales."

His fingers moved to the piano, gliding over the keys. Not knowing quite what else to do, Lana sang. Starting at middle C, they quickly moved higher up the octaves. Once she began to sing, Lana closed her eyes. Her mind reviewed every lesson she had ever learned from Erik. Instead of the dried old crab at the piano, she imagined it was him. She could almost hear his voice blending with her own. Before she knew it, the maestro paused.

"Do you think you can go on, mademoiselle?"

She had almost reached her highest notes, but knew Erik had crafted her voice to proceed. Nodding once, she allowed him to guide her into the highest reaches of her coloratura, her voice soaring into the heavens, clear as a spring water. When she could go no higher, she stopped. Emotionless, Juneux scribbled something down on the paper in his clipboard.

The music evaporated, taking Lana's courage with it. If he was going to fire her, he obviously would have already done it. So what the heck did the guy want? The maestro sat deep in thought, his fingers steepled under his chin.

"Lana," he spoke after several moments of tense silence. "You, mademoiselle, are an oddity. When this theater held it's auditions, they chose singers that were the best - at the top of their game. I have here," he gestured to the papers in his clipboard, "your file. When you first came to this opera house, your top note was one note under high C. Are you aware of that fact."

"Yes monsieur." She had always been a soprano, but not an exceptional high ranged one. That fact had almost kept her from winning the audition. Apparently fate had it's own hand in things.

The maestro leaned forward, still seated on the low piano bench. His whole demeanor began to change. No longer did he look like a dried up old grouch. He actually began to look excited. "Do you also realize that not only have you exceeded your original top notes, but that you have added almost a complete octave to your voice? That's unheard of."

Lana shrugged her shoulders. "Thank you monsieur."

Juneux stood and walked towards her. "Who is your tutor, mademoiselle? If he is not already famous, I'm sure that after hearing what a complete success you've become, I'm sure he will be."

"Well... he erm.... Only does voice lessons on the side. He's kind of an... exclusive tutor, you see."

The maestro eyed her shrewdly. "I understand you completely, my dear." For a moment, Lana's stomach clenched. Had she said the wrong thing? "You want to keep the genius all to yourself, no?" He cackled. "Tricksy sort of girl, aren't you. Not that I don't blame you." He walked away from the piano, heading towards his office. "Come with me, my dear. You and I have much to talk about."

Still not feeling relaxed yet, Lana followed him inside. Juneux sat down at his desk, offering her a chair before he seated himself. Lana took it.

"How well do you know Puccini's opera, La Boheme," he questioned.

Recalling how Erik had insisted on teaching her the opera in it's entirety weeks earlier, she tried not to smile. "I'm fairly familiar with it."

The maestro nodded. "Good, good. Then you must know that there two principal female roles - Mimi and Musetta. It is already understood that La Marguerite will undertake the role of Mimi. It is the larger role of the two. The part of Musetta, however, is as of yet undecided. The managers, in their supreme wisdom, have left the casting of the role to me."

Lana's eyes widened. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Juneux continued on, "Although you might not realize it, I have been listening to you sing for the past few months. You're voice has changed, improved to a level of excellence unmatched by anyone else at this opera house, and I do mean anyone. Hearing you perform the scales earlier, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was not mistaken." Here, he paused to take a deep breath. "I am prepared to offer the role to you, mademoiselle. Please understand, though, you do not accept it without taking on danger. You risk being seen as a challenger to La Marguerite - a position I wouldn't wish on even my worst enemy. Even though, I am offering you a promotion, what I am really giving you is an ever greater chance for dismissal. Although I control the chorus, it is the managers who control the theater." He sneered with contempt. "The Monsieurs know nothing of art, nothing of music. All they care for is profit." Juneux paused for a moment before returning his gaze to Lana. "I can't offer your security, mademoiselle, but I do promise you this. Sing like I believe you can, and you will have nothing to fear. I wouldn't have offered you this chance if I didn't believe you could succeed. So what do you say?"

Lana took in a deep breath then slowly exhaled. "It's the chance of a lifetime - to sing on the stage at the Opera Populaire in Paris. Not only to sing, but to be given a major role. Of course I'll take it, Monsieur. How can I thank you for giving me the chance?"

The old man smiled wryly before patting her shoulder. "Thank me after you receive your first reviews, cherie." Reaching into his desk, he pulled out a different musical score than what was already passed out to the chorus. After a few moments of explaining the different practice schedule set for major parts - Lana was relieved to find that she would not have to join the general choir again - the maestro led her towards the door. He bid her good evening, and sent her on her way.

XX

The entire walk back to her dressing room, Lana felt like she was walking on air. Nothing seemed real, it was all just too fantastic to be true. Erik would be so delighted to hear the news.

Stepping inside her familiar dressing room, she was shocked to see that it was filled with flowers. Enormous arrangements were placed on every available surface filled with flowers of every shape and variety. The ranged from simple carnations to the more exotic orchids, hitting every flora and fauna in between. There were four different bouquets of roses - one red, one white, one yellow, and one pink. The effect left her dumbfounded. Could someone have already known about the promotion? Lana searched the arrangements for some kind of card, but she could see none. Feeling a overwhelmed, she sat down at her vanity. Pushing away an arrangement of lilies, she noticed a note lying nearby. She began to read -

Lana,

I've never had to write anything like this before, so I'm not sure how to begin. I wanted to give you something - not as a way of begging your forgiveness. I know that there's no way to ever properly apologize for the way I reacted that morning. This is only my little way of showing how deeply I care for your opinion of me. I didn't know what type of flower would delight you the most, so I chose something of everything.

Let me assure you that I want nothing from you. I wish only that they could bring a smile to your beautiful face.

You haunt my dreams, Lana. I cannot seem to tear you from my mind, no matter how hard I try. I have punished myself over and over again for how I treated you that morning. You were right, cherie. I was so angry that no matter what you would have said, I would never have believed you. How awful you must have felt to have been treated so vilely. I beg, no - I plead for your forgiveness, though I realize how undeserving I am.

Louis

Lana sighed. "I think I preferred you when you were murderously psychotic, Louis," she muttered to herself before tearing the note in two.

Someone knocked at her door. Lana froze, the pieces of the note still in her hands. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice remaining calm and composed.

The door opened. Bella stepped inside, a wide grin on her face. "It's just me, Lana."

Lana was relieved and cringing all at the same time. "Oh, Bella it's you. What are you doing here?"

The little woman frowned. "Let me guess - This isn't a good time for you either." Her eyes widened as if noticing the explosion of flowers for the first time. "Oh, Lana! They're beautiful - no wonder you have no time for your little friends anymore. You have a new lover, I see." She moved closer inside to examine an arrangement nearby. "Who is he?"

Lana bit back the harsh words that suddenly wanted to spill out. She sighed instead. "It's not a new lover, Bella. It's just a misunderstanding between me and Louis."

Bella's head jerked around. "Louis? He sent you all of these."

Lana was too caught up in her own frustration to notice the sudden change in her friend's tone. "Yeah. The jerk turns into Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, then sends flowers three weeks later to make up. I never liked the guy in the first place. After his psycho routine, the less I see of him, the better."

When Lana caught Bella's eye in the mirror, her mouth clamped shut. Her friend's normally golden complexion had turned an awful shade of white. Fury had set the color high in her cheeks.

"How dare you speak of Louis like he was..." she sputtered, searching for the correct words in English. The challenge only seemed to infuriate her further. "Like he was some sort of monster."

Lana sighed softly, then turned to face her. Bella was practically shaking with rage. "He told me everything after you stood him up then slammed your door in his face. He let me know how heartless you were, how completely cruel. I didn't want to believe him because you were my friend, but now I see how you really are." She gestured towards the torn note still in Lana's hands. "Do you know that he does not eat - does not sleep since you treated him so unfairly? Did you even bother to realize how much he adored you? How much you have made him suffer? Why do you think I tried so hard to get you to go out with him in the first place?"

"Bella, you're not being fair about this."

Bella pointed a finger at Lana's chest. "No, it is you who are being unfair. You have no time for anyone but yourself, Lana. Not even for me."

"Bella, you know that's not true."

The little woman sneered. "No? Did you know that I was promoted to the Prima Ballerina today? Of course not! You know why? Because you could not take two minutes out of your busy schedule to even listen to me. And now you dare to contradict me."

"Bella," Lana struggled to keep her voice calm. "What happened between Louis and me has nothing to do with our friendship..."

"Friendship? Friendship?! There is no friendship between us, Lana. When's the last time you met me at our café? Can't remember, can you? Well I can - it was four weeks ago. You never even bothered to give me an excuse why you stopped coming. How about this - have you ever bothered to come once - just once - in all the months we've known each other to a single one of my parties?"

"Bella, you know I don't..."

"...you don't like parties. They're not 'your thing.'" she mimicked Lana's accent. Angry tears were welling up in her eyes. Bella made no effort to keep them from spilling down her cheeks.

Up until this time, she had borne Bella's angry tirade relatively well. Her comments about Louis had royally pissed her off, but she could at least bear them for a time. But, there was something about seeing the girl cry that softened Lana's heart. Perhaps it was because for once these were honest tears that poured down her cheeks. Lana stood, arms outstretched. Bella's tears were quickly becoming full blown sobs. Without waiting to be invited, Lana wrapped the smaller girl in her arms.

"I'm sorry Bella," she murmured, "so very sorry."

It was at this precise, inopportune moment that Louis walked in the doorway, another bundle of flowers in his hand. "Is this a bad time?"

At the sound of his voice, Bella tore herself from Lana's arms and flung herself into Louis'. "Of course it's not," she said between sniffles. "Lana and I were just patching things up, weren't we cherie? Come inside and make yourself comfortable. You don't mind, do you Lana?"

Lana could have strangled her - the conniving little french devil. She glared at Bella. "Not a bit," she growled.

Louis stepped carefully inside as if entering the cage of a wild animal. He held the bouquet out to her. "Mademoiselle," he murmured softly. Lana refused to meet his eyes, but took the flowers nonetheless. What else could she do?

"I wanted to apologize in person," his voice was soft and low. It didn't send shivers up her spine like Erik's, but it still had it's own effect.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Louis," Lana said in a no nonsense voice. "It just didn't work out, that's all." She sat down at her vanity again, putting her back to the two other occupants in the room.

"Don't be rude, Lana." Bella interjected. "That's exactly what I've been talking about."

"Bella," Louis chastised softly. "Let the mademoiselle speak her mind." He kneeled down beside her, resting one hand on the chair, one hand on the vanity. Lana's test began to tighten, not with fear precisely. His close proximity just had a way of making her feel caged in. Maybe she was just allergic to strange frenchmen.

"I have much to apologize for, cherie, whether you wish to admit that or not. I behaved like an ass, which you did not deserve." His eyes met hers in the mirror. "I do not ask for another chance, Lana. Only that you will forgive me."

Lana found that she could not take her eyes off of his reflection. The thought disturbed her. She was growing more uncomfortable by the minute. If only Erik would come bursting through the mirror right now and take her away from all of this. "You don't have to..."

He cut her off. "Lana, I need to hear it. Say you forgive me, I beg you."

"Fine," she muttered, finally wrenching her eyes away from his. "Sure, shoot. I forgive you, no problem. Mi casa es su casa. Que sarà sarà."

Louis watched her pick nervously at the flowers still in her hands for a minute longer before standing. He turned to Bella. "I've also been told that tonight congratulations are in order." He took her face in his hands and lightly kissed each cheek.

Bella's whole demeanor changed. She clapped her hands with joy. "I just found out myself only a little while ago. How do you know already?"

"I know because I pay to know," he smiled deviously. "Now let me be the first to invite you to your congratulations party. I intend on throwing our new Prima a celebration worthy of your new stature here at the theater."

Bella practically squealed with delight. "Seriously? Oh Louis, you're marvelous!" She threw her arms around his neck, threatening to cut off circulation. "When will it be?"

"This weekend," he sounded a bit choked, Lana noted. "Right after Saturday's performance."

Bella released her choke hold then turned to Lana. "Please say you'll come, mon ami. You have no idea how much it will mean to me." She dropped down on her knees beside Lana, wrapping her arms about the other girls' waist. "Please, Lana."

The words not on your life were what Lana intended to say, so she was just as shocked as everyone else to hear herself say, "Of course."

Bella lifted her head from Lana's lap, her eyes streaming with happy tears. "Oh Lana, it means more than you could ever know to have you stand beside me." She leapt to her feet. "I can't wait to tell everyone that the infamous Louis Moncharmont d'bienne is throwing me a party." Hurrying out the room, she left in an infinitely better mood than she had entered.

For a moment, Lana was glad to see her friend leave. She was still heavily annoyed with her. Realizing that Bella's absence left her alone with Louis, made her instantly regret wishing her away.

Strangely enough, Louis did nothing more than drop into a low, courtly bow. "I realize that it is much to early for me to expect your true forgiveness, mademoiselle. I will not keep you any longer than I absolutely must." Without another word, he was gone.

Lana sat in silence, the crumpled bouquet still in her lap.

"What on earth am I going to tell Erik," she muttered.

XX

A/N: I've had several people comment about the whole "Erik cookin dinner" thing. What I was trying to do there was make him more human. Phans are always ready to see their sexy manbeast do just about anything but be just a schmuck doing the daily grind.

Just trying to make it different ; )

As always, please R&R. This story is nearing it's end. I'm so excited about finishing it, you just don't understand!! I've got some new ideas about my next fic. I do believe I'm shooting for another Phanfic, if my reviewers ahem agree.

Oh yes - one last note...

As is my habit, I am going to let the reviewers vote on whether or not this can get kicked up to an R rating. I'm game either way. Majority rules.

J.