Con Dolore:

Matthew handed the rose back to Gabriella and she knew that it was time for her to get ready. If she didn't perform it would mean disaster for everyone and she already knew that Fauxvoix was in a terrible mind set. There would be no way to get out of the performance this close to curtain. She turned to the broken vanity mirror and sighed heavily.

"Shall I fetch madame Giry for you?" Matthew asked seeing the sadness in the reflection.

"No, I'll be fine on my own," she said and sat down once more, "you must go, the performance is to start and you already said you had plans, you must get ready."

Matthew walked slowly to her side. She wiped the blood from her face and tried to cover the marks with makeup, but nothing could mask the sadness in her eyes. He leaned over as he reached her and kissed her gently on the cheek, "I'm always here, I will not let you out of my sight tonight. You may not see me but I will be with you through everything," he said as he knelt down beside her.

"You have much work tonight, you can't jeopardise everything to keep an eye on me," she said as she looked deep into his eyes, "you know he is with us, we are both protected now. The most difficult parts should be over soon."

"As long as Fauxvoix is in my theatre tonight, you will remain in my sight," Matthew said more forcefully.

Gabriella cupped the young mans face in her hands and kiss his lips, "soon, I'll be always with you and we will not worry about anything anymore," hope was brilliant in her eyes, "but you must go, we have much to accomplish before tomorrow night and I have to get ready for the performance. If you stay any longer and distract me as you do," she giggled, "I may miss my cue and then be in even more trouble."

"Every minute of the performance I will be there,"he smiled and quickly turned back and disappeared through the mirror.

Matthew stood a few moments behind the mirror, fixated and unable to leave the young woman. She worked tirelessly on her appearance. Working quickly and efficiently to hide the marks that were made by the evil man. A great sadness came over Matthew, at the absolute familiarity the woman had with his kind of disguises. It was clear it had happened many time to this poor girl. Her hands still shook from the ordeal. Her eyes were still red with tears as she applied her eye makeup. But she worked on bravely in her struggle and before long, the cuts and the scares were no longer visible. To a person who didn't know any better they weren't even there, but for Matthew he could see them no matter what. They filled him with anger and hatred against Fauxvoix, more than ever, because he knew that the scares would always be with her. No matter how hard she tried to cover them up, they were all much deeper than merely on the surface. Her arms seemed tired and heavy as she worked with the mass of tangles in her curly blond hair. She pin and picked at her curls to get them just right for the application of her costume head piece. When she had finished with her hair her arms fell heavy at her sides as she sighed heavily. She seemed exhausted and yet she was forcing herself onward with the preparation

His hatred burned more and more in him as he watched her painfully change from her dressing gown to the costume for the nights performance. The bruises on her skin were much more visible on her body. It was not a young, brilliant woman's body that he had through it would have been, but black and blue marks covered most of the skin that was exposed now. Her arms and legs were covered with old and new ones. It was clear that this abuse wasn't only a affect of his anger, it was a way of life for this girl.

Tears burned hot down his cheeks as he watched her. Her beauty was tarnished by the black and blue marks on her body. Full imprints of hands were outlined in bruises. Scars from other attacks still seemed red and scabbed on her arms and legs. It was impossible to count them all. The merged together mixes of old and new. Occasionally she flinched as she pulled on her costume. Scabbed skin catching and tearing on the light fabric the dress. She quickly snatched up bandages to cover the cuts that were opened again, careful not to let the blood touch the delicate material. Matthew clenched his fists and grinded his teeth until the last of the costume covered the bruises and Gabriella's beauty was restored under the flattering garment she wore. She pulled her head piece on and waited for a soft knock at the door. Madame Giry had arrived to lead her off. No words were spoken and yet voices filled Matthew's head.

"Hurry to the room in the house," the voice had said, "quick before the start of the performance. Tonight it is all for show, tomorrow let it all be for fear!"

Matthew turned and ran, anger burning in his heart, the images of the bruises scorched his mind. Threw secret tunnels, avoiding the water and the lake, he made his silent way back to the house on the lake. Victor remained in the large salon as Matthew had instructed him to. He jumped to his feet as the Phantom flew past the door and down the hall.

"What are you doing back, the performance should be starting soon," Victor said as he ran through the hall after Matthew.

"The plan is evolving as it grows nearer," Matthew said as he flew into an open door, "you have to come with me and do exactly as I say," he instructed as Victor came into the room.

"What do you need me to do?" Victor asked, his eyes filled with excitement,

"Be my shadow," Matthew said as he placed a suit and a mask, identical to the one he was wearing, in Victors arms, "you'll move lighter and more confidently in this. Quick change and I will fill you in on the rest as we go," he added and left the room. Victor did as he was told.