A/N: As some of you may know, I've been suffering with writer's block. Though I am pleased to tell you that I have the first chapters of two new fics already ready to go. I did an outline for this chapter and the next one, hoping it will help. I thank all of you who has waited so patiently for updates and for things to get interesting when they were dull. You support means so much to me. Thank you to the new readers who just found this, I do hope it lives up to your expectations.

JLB

Just a little note, Christopher Fairfax, at least in my mind is played by my favorite late-night comedian Craig Furgeson. I have wanted to throw him into one of my stories for quite some time and have finally found the outlet to do so!

Christine sat down at her small kitchen table and spread out the Sunday paper before her. For the first time in weeks she finally had the time to sit and relax. First she read the funnies, then putting those aside she scanned the paper searching for anything that might affect her or her friends. When she came to the entertainment section her eyes immediately landed on a small headline that read: "New Opera to open by anonymous composer," as she read on she learned that the opera would be opening up in October, the start of the Fall/Winter season. Auditions for casting would be by referral only, even for the chorus and audition invites would be sent out to those deemed worthy or performing in this new Opera. Though nothing was known of the composer, it was known that he was very strict. He would accept nothing less that perfection. The critics were looking forward to this new Opera, and supposedly had faith that this Opera would be quiet impressive.

Christine sighed and folded the paper back up, 'It seems that everyone else is getting their big break.' She said to herself downing her coffee. She quickly showered and got dressed, she was supposed to meet Meg that day for shopping and lunch and she was looking forward to a day of taking it easy. But she also knew that Meg would be full of questions for her and her masked man.

XXX

"Christine, I have to tell you something." Meg whispered, as they looked through a sale rack at one of Meg's favorite stores. Christine arched a brow and turned to look at her blonde haired friend.

"Meg Giry, tell me right now!" Christine hissed, smiling as her friend blushed and looked around to make sure they wouldn't be overheard.

"I've met someone." Meg said turning red as a tomato, Christine had to supress the squeal of excitement at her friends words.

"Meg, I cannot believe it! When did this happen?" Christine asked as they made their way towards the check out.

"Recently, I mean we were just friends. I never thought anything of it till he asked me out." Meg said paying the bubbly cashier.

"Who is this guy, where did you meet him?" Meg just smiled and remained silent until they had made their way out of the store.

"At work, he was new at the bakery and I had to show him the ropes. We always goofed around and in the morning he would always bring me coffee and was always so kind to me. It gave me something to look forward to when I was waking up so early." The blush on Meg's cheeks had yet to fade away, Christine knew that Meg had finally found a guy who might just be worth her time. Christine and Meg walked in silence for a bit until they came upon a small diner. They were seated and ordered their drinks before Meg was ready to continue.

"Christine, I like him a lot. A lot more than I knew...I just don't want to be hurt again." The blush finally disappeared, replaced by a frown that drained the usual sparkle from Meg's brown eyes.

"Meg, you are my dearest and closest friend and although I do not want to see you hurt, I don't want to see you alone either. Give this guy a chance, I'm sure by now you know whether or not he is the type of guy to break hearts." Meg nodded and squeezed Christine's hand.

"You're right, it's just it has been so very long since I last dated. It's really nerve racking. Though I must say, he is quiet the looker." Meg laughed and Christine could see she felt a bit more at ease.

"Well I'm glad you've met someone Meg, now you can stop pestering me about my relationship." As soon as the words were out of her mouth Christine knew she had made a mistake. A second later Meg asked the question she had been dreading all day.

"Speaking of, how are things between you?" Meg asked, taking a sip of her soda.

"Things are fine." Christine said, looking at the table beside her. Of course Meg knew right away that her friend wasn't being honest.

"Christine-"

"Meg, I really, really don't want to talk about it." Christine felt bad as she saw the hurt look her friend gave her but Meg said nothing more about the subject.

"So, where to after lunch?" Christine asked, hoping that Meg wouldn't be upset with her.

"Well, I thought we could hit the makeup shop." Meg said, Christine smiled brightly. "You read my mind."

XXX

"Damnit, damnit, damnit!" Erik roared, coming very close to slamming his fists against the keys of his piano. He got up from the bench so quickly it toppled over and proceeded to pace the floor in front of the windows. For the past three hours he had attempted to compose a song, a song unlike any other he had or anyone else had ever composed. But as soon as he could come up with the notes, they seemed to slip away in the blink of an eye replaced by angry, assaulting notes which echoed off the walls before flinging back at him like an invisible attack.

Why was it so hard for him to create a song that wasn't oppressing, why was it so hard for him to create a song that would caress the senses instead of assault them?

"I need a drink." He muttered, running a shaking hand through his already disheveled hair. Stalking into the kitchen he threw open the cabinets looking for a bottle he had stowed away months ago...but then he recalled the day Christine had walked in on him when he was quite intoxicated. "Damn." Though he knew better than to drink, though he knew the real reason he could not compose, that did not stop him from leaving his apartment and heading to liquor store a block away.

XXX

Christine picked up her cell and dialed Erik's cell. She desperately wanted to hear his voice and found herself missing him when she came home from shopping with Meg. It rang and went through to voice mail, something which rarely happened with Erik. She hung up and redialed, this time she heard deep breathing on the other side of the line.

"Erik?" She only heard a groan and felt her heart flutter nervously.

"Erik, are you all right?" She asked, hoping that he was not hurt.

"Christine?" His voice sounded thick and distant, but at least he had replied.

"Yes, Erik it's me. I am coming over." She said, grabbing her purse and heading for the door.

"No Christine. Everything is fine." He sounded more like himself and she felt herself relax a bit. "I will call you later." He said, and before she could say anything he hung up on her. Feeling put out and curious as to his behavior, she put her cell down and walked over to the living room where Specter was sleeping on the couch.

She sat down besides her dog and stared at the dark TV screen. Her thought wandered towards the new Opera and wondered which lucky local singers would be invited for auditions, cursing her own bad luck.

XXX

Christine woke early the next morning to a sharp rapping on her apartment door. Stumbling out of bed she grabbed her door, wondering who in their right mind would be waking her at such an hour. Staring through the peep hole she saw a man in a rather nice suit standing on the other side of her door. She unlocked the various bolts and chains and swung the door open.

"Christine Daae?" The man asked in a crisp, British accent.

"Yes?" She asked, her heart beating frantically in her chest.

The man said nothing and produced a small envelope from his breast pocket. "Please call that number with your answer." He said, handing her the envelope. He turned on his heel leaving Christine standing there looking down at the small envelope in her hands. After a few seconds she managed to collect herself and shut her door. She set the envelope down on her table and stared down on it, not wanting to open it yet dying to know what was concealed in the creamy white, rather fancy looking paper. As if keeping herself from some great treat, she walked into her kitchen and set about heating a pot of water and starting breakfast. Now that she was up, she knew she would not be able to get back to sleep.

She quickly ate her breakfast in the kitchen, not wanting to risk spilling anything on her piece of mail and then began to sip her tea still puzzled. "There must be some mistake." She whispered, finally allowing herself to sit down before the intimidating object.

With shaking hands she reached out and held the envelope in her hands. It was made of heavy, thick paper, and on the flap was a gold, official looking seal. Carefully prying open the flap she glanced inside and saw a single piece of paper inside. She pulled it out and was rather shocked to see that it looked very much like an invitation...

Christine Daae,

You have been selected to come and audition for a new opera that is to be opening up in the coming season.

If you are interested please call the following number.

Auditions will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday May 21st.

We hope to see you there.

A number was listed at the bottom, but there was no return address or name anywhere on the envelope or the small, mysterious paper. Glancing at the clock she decided it wasn't too early to call the number. Grabbing her cell she punched in the number and listened to the ringing sound on the other end, feeling her heart thundered in her chest. Could this be the Opera that had been mentioned in the paper?

"Hello?" A man answered the phone, speaking in a thick Scottish accent.

"Hello, my name is Christine Daae and I'm calling-"

"Yes, yes. You are calling because of the invitation you received. Am I correct?" The man asked, though he was rather quick to cut her off she sensed humor and kindness in the mans tone.

"Yes...I'm sure there has been some mistake." Christine said, preparing herself for the man to apologize for the mistake they made.

"No mistake Miss Daae. You have been selected by the composer himself." The man said, sounding rather impressed.

"Forgive me, but I have no idea who the man is, or anything about this whole thing for that matter." Christine said, growing slightly suspicious.

"Well Miss Daae, my name is Christopher Fairfax and I am the man in charge until the composer decides to make himself known." He said, and Christine had the distinct feeling he was smiling. "The Opera is something so different from anything else..yet at the same time it is much the same in the classical sense. The music is beautiful and moving and I am sure will be a great success. The auditions will be held this Saturday at 4pm, as your invitation says and they will be at Windsor apartments, in a private suite. If you are indeed interested Miss, as I believe you are I will give you all the necessary information. I assure you, this is quite sound, we're not out to kidnap all the talented singers in New York." Christine heard a rather pleasant chuckle on the other end and felt at ease. She assured him she would come to the audition and wrote down the address he mentioned. Once she hung up she could have sworn she was floating on air and actually pinched herself to make sure she was not dreaming.

"Oh my God." She whispered as it slowly sank in. Then screeching she raced over to Meg's apartment to find that her friend had also received an invite.

"Oh Christine this is so exciting!" Her friend squealed. They both sat on Meg's sofa, both still in their pajamas. Both beaming as they talked excitedly about the up coming audition.

"My God Meg, I am so nervous." Christine whispered, feeling already slightly sick from her excitement.

"Christine! Do you realize this could be it for you? I mean, if you get this role...you'll be a star!" Meg said, looking at her best friend with awe.

"Oh please Meg, I am sure they will realize what a mistake they've made even inviting me." Christine said, not even able to imagine such a wonderful thing happening.

Meg rolled her eyes. "You are so ridiculous at times Christine Daae! Don't you realize how amazingly talented you are?" Meg asked, looking at her friend with a large frown.

"Meg, even if I can sing that doesn't mean I am any better than anyone else. There are so many out there that have much more talent than I." Christine smiled sadly, accepting the fact that she probably would not get a role in this new Opera. Then a new thought popped into her mind.

"Meg, when you called did they tell you who had referred you?" Christine asked.

Meg laughed. "Apparently my mother knows the composer and they both thought I might do. Why?"

"When I called Mr. Fairfax told me that the composer himself wanted me..."

"Wow! Christine, that is amazing."

"But who Meg, who could this man be?"

A/N: Haha! I am sure you all know who the composer is. It took me such a long time to write this and I now know in which direction I want to take this. Please tell me what you think.