I've had a rewatch of the 25th anniversary version, and a reread of Kay's Phantom and I'm full of ideas, which is good. So I can give you my all. Aww newbornphantic don't worry Erik will look after you, he's very shy too and so am I, so you're not alone! Thank you to you all who are sticking with me, I know its not perfect so thanks so much!

I hope you enjoy this, I think a few of you might be Nadir fans afterward...

*Once again, anything recognisable isnt mine (sits in a corner and weeps)*

Chapter 21-Nadirs POV

The girl Christine had gone missing, the little blonde said she had gone to bed, but something told me she was not in slumber. I had used the skeleton key to enter Erik's lair, I was surprised, I was not hit with a storm of abusive terms or cold humour. I entered in further, I was going to call out, I felt uneasy, Id rather see him and his long hands, rather than have them lurking in the shadows and ready to strike. Then suddenly I heard giggling. I stopped walking, I was stunned. The cold lair was filled with girlish giggles; it was like a little light making it glow. Surely I was hearing things, I knew Erik had this amazing ability to get inside people's heads, I had seen it, once he was inside of you, you slowly lost your mind and saw things or heard things he wanted you to. I crept forward silently, trying desperately to see were the giggles were coming from, they were louder now, like a little bell ringing against the cold walls. I had my back against the wall, panting, trying to calm myself and felt my jaw go slack at what I saw in the large room with the fire and high backed chairs.

There twirling in the middle of the room in the low candle light was Erik, his tall, thin frame looming over the small build of Christine whose hands were clutching onto his long skeletal ones. I could see through the candle light that Erik's frame was rigid, and shaking, yet he moved like a breeze, his feet travelling gracefully. Christine was looking at their feet, her long curls bouncing around her face which was lit up with laughter, her eyes sparkling. I looked at their feet and had to suppress a laugh as I saw the girls tiny feet were actually standing on top of Erik's, he was controlling her movements. Her giggles continued, as they moved beautifully, to a music they could only hear it seemed. It was breath taking, seeing Erik's figure, all in black, the candle light making his mask look slightly less garish, and softer, but still I could see his figure was rigid, but his shoulders were relaxed slightly, but still he remained in that sickening perfect posture that is only achieved through wreck less beating now doubt. His eyes were calm, the emotion in them took my breathe as he looked upon her with such powerful love, that I knew this girl would never get hurt again if he could help it. Then my eyes fell upon Christine, the beautiful girl. She was smiling, her lips pulled up showing her perfect smile, she seemed fascinated by their feet as she watched them, mesmerised no doubt of the contrast, the long black patent leather and her tiny fairy feet that were resting peacefully together. I could see her little hands were holding on to his in a way that seeks comfort, and guidance. She raised her head and I took a step back gasping. Her eyes. Her big blue eyes were filled with it. No surely. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. They were filled with love. I couldn't believe it. But the way they sparkled as she looked up into Erik's, the way their eyes caught for a moment, and a clash of chemistry was felt all around the room by everything, except from the two who twirled in the middle. The two who were in their own little bubble of music and sound. Surely I was seeing things. I shook my head; no I had seen it plain as day. The girl obviously adored him. I felt my stomach tighten. I wanted to cry with joy, but then I remembered she hadn't seen his blasted face. That face which had denied him everything and locked him in the shadows. I felt a lump rise to my throat, and my eyes sting with tears, as they both laughed at each other, then after a few more twirls Christine's head fell onto Erik's chest. I saw him stop twirling and gasp, looking with pure misunderstanding at her resting head. The look in his eyes, was so strong so immensely strong. The love filled the room, made it seem as not the cold lair but something else. I turned and left the image of Christine's head resting on Erik's chest, whilst his eyes shone with strong emotions.

I decided then and there, as I quietly closed the door and walked towards the lake. That I would help Erik and Christine, no matter what. There was obviously a connection. A connection I had thought was only one sided, that Erik only had these feelings. But no that look the girl had in her eyes as she gazed at him, showed me there was hope. I knew his face was going to be the downfall, his face and his past. But maybe, just maybe she might see past that. I sighed. Who knew. All I did know was that I wanted no part of Madame Girys plan to thrust the girl at the Vicomte. Something about that man made my old chief of police instincts return, I had the urge to try and find out about him, to question him, to pull him apart. It was obvious Christine liked the young man, but I was sure it wasn't a feeling of love. She laughed with him like a friend. Not a lover. I sighed as I walked up through the cellars, out the building and into the snow. I looked down at my footprints that marked the white face. I felt sick. That was just like this love. Erik's face was the big footprint that misshaped it and took away its beauty.

Xxxxxxxxx

Raoul-POV

I sat watching the final dress rehearsal. In two days time the Opera Populaire would open its doors and let the public in. I knew that Christine's voice, story and her little poisoning incident had reached many ears, and the tickets for the first performance had sold out virtually the day after the ball, this pleased the managers immensely. The first performance was key to set the tone, so I was told by Madame Giry. I didn't care; I would get to see Christine. My beautiful Christine. I was annoyed at her for the ball. The resistance she had showed when dancing, then I realised she had never danced before. I grinned. I would offer to teach her. This was going to be my ace. I could dance what upper class man couldn't? But I knew I was good at. I had mastered every popular dance from a young age, in order to keep up with darling Philippe.

Much to my surprise, Madame Giry seemed very fond of me. At the ball, she had asked Christine to dine with me, asked her to thank me properly. I liked the idea of the woman liking me; she obviously made an impression on Christine and she seemed as determined as I did to get us together. As I sat sprawled in one of the chairs part of the sea of red, I watched Christine smile and say 'thank you' over and over again as stage hands, adjusted her costume. It was a long slivery purple dress, which was very poufy and exaggerated her hips immensely. I imagined in my mind, me and Christine walking hand in hand, in groom and bride attire. It would be beautiful, then on our wedding night. Her body would be mine. All mine. Only for me. To take and make my own. I shook my head, feeling heat crawling up my collar, my breathing had quickened. I grinned as I saw Madame Giry and her little daughter come towards me.

'Madame, Miss, how splendid to see you!' I smiled; I knew I had to keep Madame Giry sweet.

'Im surprised to see you here Vicomte, I know Miss Daae wasn't all that kind to you. I saw her leave you, she was probably emotionally drained that is all.' She said looking and sighing at Christine who was thanking the woman for at least the fifteenth time.

'Oh Madame, it is not a problem. Not a problem at all. I know how much stress these young girls put into these things, especially when Miss Daae sung so magnificently.' I grinned, the little blonde Giry was scowling at me slightly, I ignored her and continued 'do we have any idea who would do such a thing as poisoning her?' I kept my face in that concerned look, determined to not give me away at all, or let her know the fact that I was desperately trying to get her to rule me out of the shortlist of culprits, I knew it was very unlikely she expected me, but she was a shrewd woman and I wanted to make a hundred percent sure I was safe.

She was about to say something, when the little Giry butted in:

'It was the Phantom of the Opera!' she said quietly, looking petrified.

'Who?' I asked, totally confused. Madame Giry rolled her eyes, and glared at Meg.

'The Phantom, sir, he is the resident ghost here, he keep the Opera house at bay. He is a great lover of music and is said to live in this very Opera house, somewhere, hiding. But who knows. I strongly doubt he would do such a thing.' She said this quickly, but nonetheless I noted two things, first she seemed to be in a different place as she said this and secondly she said he 'lived in the Opera House' this sparked something in my mind. Like a memory or something that longed to come to the surface, but I just couldn't think.

'Well, I hope we can find the culprit.' I said simply, I saw that Christine, was about to leave the stage, I bid them my farewells and followed after her.

She was talking to another girl as she walked, the other one was older then her, beautiful but not a patch on Christine. I walked slowly and quietly behind them and listened to their conversation.

'-it must of been him Christine. He strives for perfection though, and your perfect so I don't understand that.' The taller girl shrugged.

'I just cant accept that it was him. I don't want to.' Christine looked slightly annoyed and oddly determined.

'But Christine. He's a deformed freak. He hurts people. He's scary and wicked.' The older girl pleaded.

'He can't help being ugly! Maybe there's a reason he hurts people. I'm sorry Arable, I just don't think it was him. Thank you though. I loved your dancing today. Gosh, you were perfect.' Christine grinned at the girl, who smiled back looking slightly sad.

'Your an odd one Christine Daae. Here I'm talking of a deformed monster and you pity him. But you were splendid too. And now come to think of it, since you've arrived we haven't heard of the Phantom much, only that one time and was because Penelope was being wretched to you. Perhaps he does approve of you. But if he does then we are back to square one with who poisoned you.' She sighed sadly, Christine nodded slowly.

'Its okay, I have someone there watching me. Someone I know I can trust.' She said quietly, my heart stopped. Surely she wasn't talking about me? She had to be! Who else would it be? I couldn't contain myself any longer and took two long strides and tapped her shoulder, she jumped startled and then realised it was me and blushed. Her friend bowed and left, I gave her a curt nod, than grinned at Christine.

'I'm so sorry about last night Raoul. I've never danced before. I was scared and oh just it was all too much. Please forgive me, I want us to still be friends.' I smiled, but the way she said friends annoyed me.

'Of course Christine, and that is why I'm here. I have a surprise for you.' I smiled at her shocked face, and looped my arm through hers before she could protest, I took her one of the rooms I knew was free and empty of furniture. I saw her look confused.

'Im going to teach you to dance.' I said proudly, I saw her gasp and blush violently. 'Its okay, Ill take my time. You'll be as good as me by the end.'

I walked up to her, slipping my hand onto her back, cherishing that little gasp she gave, she put her hands in mine.

'Right so its one-two-three.' I showed her each step with each number. She nodded and grinned at me. I had her slightly closer then needed but I was loving having her body so close to mine, I could see her eye lashes, feel her breath. I felt my blood begin to race.

'Right, if your ready lets see if we can put the movements together.' I held her tightly.

'Raoul I've got tell you-'she began.

'Its okay Christine, I doubt you'll get it right first time.' I was going to drag this out as long as I could. She was in my arms, under my control and I loved it. I began to move, began to twirl, and much to my surprise unlike last night, she was moving perfectly, her feet staying in a correct and perfect rhythm, she was faultless. I stopped quickly.

'When did you learn to dance?' I asked, my temper rising.

'Only last night, after the ball.' She said quietly.

'Who taught you?' I spat, for I already knew the answer.

'My Maestro.' She said with a sparkle in her eye. I wanted to hit her, I wanted to slap her pretty face. How could this tutor make her like this! When I couldn't?

'Christine, this Maestro. He is controlling you. You are never doing anything without his permission. Or without him. You are constantly talking about him. What does he do to you? I don't understand! Who is he? Does he have you in chains? Does he force you to do anything you dislike?' my voice was rising, I saw Christine before me, first she looked slightly frightened then by the end she was looking rather cross.

'How dare you Raoul! Mine and my Maestros relationship is that of a pupil and tutor! Nothing more. He is a great friend of mine. He was there when no one else was. He has helped me, guided me, taught me. He is the greatest man to grace this Earth.' Her chest was rising and falling rapid, her cheeks red and her hands in little fists.

I was shocked, I knew I had gone about this the wrong way.

'Christine! I worry for you that is all. This tutor. No one has ever heard of him, see him. Yet you spend all your time with him. You beckon to his call and drop everything for him. You even drop me for him. I thought we were better friends then that.' I said playing on the charm.

'I'm sorry Raoul. But Maestro is my everything. He has shown me the light once more. I'm so glad we are friends though Raoul. I just hope you can understand that I owe him a lot of things, I'm forever in his debt and always will be. I'm so grateful of him Raoul.'

I sighed, I could help but feel completely jealous of this man, my body felt hot and angry as I thought of him.

'Do you remember the story of the Angel of Music? I'm sure you would of had it read to you as a child.' She asked sweetly.

'Yes, I do.' I remembered bastard Phillippe being able to read it out and not me. I heard that story so many times, it made me sick.

'Well, Papa used to always say to me that the angel of music would visit me and guide me. And Raoul, I think my Maestro is the angel of music.' Her voice was hushed now, and she was smiling softly, her eyes sparkling. I wanted to cry, what was this man doing to her? But I played along anyway.

'Maybe Christine. Maybe your Papa was right.' Stupid fool, was probably too drunk to know what he was saying to his daughter.

'Oh Raoul, do you really think so?' she beamed, I nodded, and felt her embrace me, I inhaled her intoxicating smell. I thought you'd think I was crazy she laughed. I nodded once again, not saying a thing.

'I must go, rehearsals will want me.' She skipped out the room, before I even noticed.

I was seething with rage. Rage like I had never felt before. Id kill him. This Maestro which had his grip on her heart. Id kill him myself. Id love to see the look in his eyes as I dug a dagger deep through his heart. Never again would he be able take Christine from me. She was mine. The suddenly as if by magic, the thought that had been at the back of my mind the whole time came back to me.

'all I can tell you is he lives in the Opera Populiare...' Christines voice rang in my head.

Then Madame Girys ' he is said to live in this very Opera house, somewhere, hiding.'

No surely, this Maestro and Phantom couldnt both live in the Opera house. That would be absurd. Then it hit me.

It wouldn't be absurd at all. Not in the slightest...

Especially not if they were the same man.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Madame Giry-POV

I sat opening my letters. My mind a windmill of emotion, spinning me wildly from one to the next. Anger at Erik. Adoration for the Vicomte and worry for Nadir. I ignored all the over letter and opened the creamy one straight away, the one with the box like writing, the writing of Nadir.

Dear Madame,

I'm writing, as I refuse to stop the love between Erik and Miss Daae. I saw them last night Madame, I saw them dancing together in his lair. I know you will think I'm jesting, but I'm not, she was dancing with him. Oh, Madame I wish you could of seen, fore if you did you would think twice about expelling their love.

Yes, Madame I write their love. For Miss Daae loves Erik. I know it. The look in her eye, was nothing more than pure love. It glittered and sparkled. Erik does not know this, obviously he wouldn't ever believe she would or could ever love him. But she does, I'm adamant of it. It is evident he adores her.

So this Madame is why I will no longer be trying to pull them apart. I disagree strongly with your trying to place her in the Vicomtes arms, let me tell you Madame, he is not all he seems. I know that for a fact. I get an uneasy feeling around him. A felling I only get around bad people. Be careful Madame you don't want Miss Daae hurt.

I know you will say about Erik's face, but Madame I intend to fight that battle when I come to it. For now, I'm going to try and help blossom their love. Try and get Erik to see that he might have a chance. You do not know him as well as I do Madame. I know he has kindness in his heart; of course there is hate there. But you know only a mere segment of his past and you know how sickening that little part is, he has had a whole 30 years of that. No wonder his rage is strong. But he is different when around her, he is a gentleman, a saint, he treats her like a dolly that may break at any moment or an angel that may suddenly take flight. I have seen it. They have music together. Music we mere people cannot understand, but those two can. I want to help them Madame.

I know you will disagree. But I will not rip her from his side, when there is hope.

I'm sorry

Yours Nadir Kahn.

I re read the letter about five times, and each time I felt my stomach plummet, I knew Nadir wanted the two to be together. But why couldn't he see it wouldn't work? Why did he refuse to see the reality of what it was! A beauty and a beast. It was un real. This love would never be allowed. It was unnatural. Eriks twisted face and personality, wouldn't ever be able to give her all she needed. That was cruel to the girl. I knew Erik wasn't a creature of spite. But who knew what would happen if he wasn't able to get that perfectness he wanted so badly. I didn't like to think.

Then the Vicomte he was perfect. He loved Christine. Everyone knew it. Well everyone apart from Christine it seemed. He would suit her, he was handsome, rich and very well known. He could get her into more Opera Houses, he could spoil her rotten. They could have children, be the centre of attention, and be adored. He was a charming young man, he wouldn't hurt Christine ever. I didn't understand what on earth Nadir was going on about. He was just trying to make excuses. This man was the obvious better choice for Christine. Why couldn't he see that?

I rubbed my temples and sighed.

This was all so complicated. It would never work. Erik and Christine would never work. I didn't know whether or not to believe that Nadir saw a look of love in her eye, I doubted it. Surely he was being fooled by Erik's emotions which were flooding out of him. But then, whenever Christine spoke of her Maestro she would change, she would smile, and go giggly as if talking of a secret lover. I had seen him that night of the ball, standing in the wing. I knew the love for her he had must be strong for him to do that, he hated crowds with a passion. But there is mask slightly lifted in a smile he had stood and clapped. I had felt sick, he looked so normal so painfully normal, I knew that's what Christine was seeing the normality of the outside once she took away that mask, she would realise. I had got the Vicomte to Christine as quickly as possible, I wanted to see if that look of complete happiness was there when he stood before her, or whether she reserved that look for Erik only. I felt my heart drop when I saw her look over Raouls shoulder to look from her Maestro.

Why had Christine had to catch the eye of Erik? Because she was perfect that's why. Her voice was heavenly, and her looks and attitude were nothing short of angelic. Any man would love her. But it would take a special man to claim her.

I looked around my office, which had been fixed up after Erik's fun. But still the message was there in my desk, it burnt into my eyes, and my soul. And made me feel sick. But it served as a reminder, that this man was a creature of darkness through and though. It was too late to change him, his soul was used to the dark and wickedness, I wish I could change that. But I couldn't. The whole of the Opera house was blaming the Phantom for poisoning of Christine, I had no idea who it was. But I knew it wasn't the Phantom, because that was Erik. This worried me slightly. Who was it then? I didn't have a clue but I was worried. This was another reason why the love was forbidden, what would Christine do when no doubt she heard the rumours of the Phantom poisoning her, then learning her Maestro and the Phantom are the same man? No doubt she would very quickly leave his side.

Then I had an idea. I felt cruel. But surely it would be for the best.

I had to try and get Christine to realise Erik and the Phantom were the same person. I had to get her to know, somehow. I needed to get them away from each other. The Vicomte would be there waiting for Christine, surely she would soon realise he was the better man. The more realistic man. The man who could give her everything.

I pitied Erik, but he would destroy this girl, with his drive for perfection. He didn't know human bounds, for to him they were nothing, and expected this from everyone. Not only that I wished to spare him the pain of feeling she loved him then realising she didn't. At least for now he didn't know that she may or may not have feelings for him.

I knew this was going to be hard, Nadir knew Erik well, a lot better than I did. However I had a wealthy Vicomte and actual knowledge on young girls. I needed to get Christine to find out somehow, that her Maestro and the Phantom were the same person. For the moment I was stumped, but I'm sure something would click.

This is when Meg walked in...

Thank you for reading.

Sorry we had no Erik or Christine in here, they will be I promise in the next chapter.

So whose loving Nadir then?

Hope your enjoying it. Please feel free to let me know what you think! J

Thank you all so much!

*a supper made by Erik for reviewers!*