The foursome stood about sipping Champaign and laughing. For a moment Erik thought he was someplace else living someone else's life. Since when did random laughter and merry making exist in his lair? He knew the reason had everything to do with the chocolate orb goddess that stood beside him. He sighed content, but then placed his glass down in an effort to make it clear that there was still business to discuss.

"Ladies, if you will please excuse Nadir and I." He kissed his niece in the cheek. "Stay as long as you wish Megan, but don't tire out our newest diva, alight?"

Meg laughed as Christine blushed by her new title. "Angel, I'm sure Meg is already tired of hearing that word used around me, and it's only been two hours."

Erik shook his head. "Nonsense! She knows when and where propriety should be used. Especially, when she hears people refer to her as prima ballerina."

Meg grinned. "He's right, I will get used to it, as should you!" She took her friend by the arm. "You men can leave us be, we have girl talk to catch up on."

Erik nodded, but wondered what on earth his niece was up to. He then gave Nadir a look to follow him. Without a moment of hesitation, Nadir found himself in Erik's private study. He placed the glass down, as he knew the time for celebrating was over.

"What is on your mind Erik?"

Erik proceeded to go to one of his chairs and sit down, careful to not wrinkle his attire. "I thought I would do my due diligence and remind you that in spite of all the distraction that are in Paris, you still remember why I asked you to come here. This isn't a holiday, Daroga. You are on an assignment that I commissioned you for. I expect results and time is running out."

"What distractions do you speak of?" Nadir was instantly on the defensive.

Erik took off his mask, and gave his friend a pleading look. "You dare play this game with me, after all you have seen with your own eyes since your stay? You don't think I know? You think I haven't known all along?"

"Erik, for someone who doesn't like to beat around the bush, you are trying my patience."

"Nadir, time is running out. Now that Christine has been cast in her rightful place on the stage, I need assurance from the Vicomte that he will no longer interfere. She is happy and I don't want any painful memories coming back to distract her. That is precisely the reason why I even ended up getting the part this afternoon."

"I don't follow you." With keen interest Nadir took a seat beside Erik.

"She was so scared before her audition. She felt as if she was right back to where she was two years ago."

"Two years ago?"

"With that buffoon!" He stood up agitated. "Her fears and doubts were taking over as if the last few months never happened. I sang to calm her down."

"Hence, when they all heard you." Nadir finally understood. "So you know what transpired between them?"

Erik look flustered. "No…..I mean…. He hurt her, obviously. Made her feel unworthy. He probably threw her class in her face and I am sure he saw other women. Denouncing their engagement had to be very difficult for her."

It had to be more than that…. "Erik, you need to ask Christine once and for all what happened."

Erik ran his fingers through his hair and began pacing. "Nadir, this isn't about a broken engagement!"

"Why not ask her? Do you only mean to find Raoul so you can ask him yourself? What would Christine think of that?"

"I care nothing for what that slave of fashion as to say. Our words will be brief. I only want to ensure that Christine never be bothered with him again. Now that she will rise and regain her place as the toast of Paris, I am sure his smug face will come calling. I want it made clear that he is no longer welcomed."

Nadir was troubled. Did he dare tell his friend of the Comte and Antoinette? No, we have to have all the answers first. One united front to deal with not only Raoul but his brother as well. "The story must come from her, Erik."

"I know that! However, it is her story to share. When Christine is ready she will tell me. I will not force her."

"It isn't forcing, man. It is showing her that she can trust you."

"She knows I am here for her. You heard her, she loves me. I have done all I can do to prove to her that she has nothing to fear with me. I don't care what happened, my feelings will not change. What the devil do you want me to do, chain and gag her until she tells me?"

Nadir walked over to the mask and held it up. "Have you shown her your face?"

Erik stepped back. He looked as if he were eight years old again, waiting for his mother to slap him for asking her to kiss him. "Almost."

Nadir could only open his mouth, but words did not come out. Instead he placed his hands on his hips waiting for him to continue.

"It was before the auditions. We were at home…." Erik smiled as he referred to his and Christine living together. "I can't even remember what we were discussing, but we were standing in front of one another and she was so close to me. So many times, we have been like that, and yet I kept her at bay, even when we kissed…. Yet this time, I could sense she wanted to…. Touch my face. My real face." He sat down for fear of losing his balance. "Nadir, I saw her hand coming towards me and for once I didn't stop her. I also couldn't move, but I made no attempt to try. She was within inches of removing my mask when the chimes rang, and we needed to get ready to leave."

Nadir smiled. "So what's stopping you two from picking up where you left off?"

Erik's eyes were glazed. "Luciana….The young girls the Shah would send as presents for good work….. My life."

"Erik, you are not to blame for what happened to that Italian girl and as far as Persia is concerned, why can't you see the good in you, vs. the horror?"

"I'm sorry, I keep forgetting that when whores refuse to sleep with you it is a good thing because it is against God's will!" His sarcastic reply was not fooling Nadir.

"You never forced any of them! They were your gifts to have, and you let them go, even thought the Shah would see it as an insult. Even though it would mean punishment for you."

"Well, you try making love to someone who does nothing but beg for death, rather than to touch you!"

"Stop it right now!" Nadir sat by Erik and grabbed him by his shoulders. "This time it is different. She is different and you never believed in free love anyway."

Erik forced himself to laugh. "Imagine that, Nadir. The monster who is a hopeless romantic."

Nadir loosened his grip. "What monster?" He then brought his eyes to the floor.

"Nadir?"

"What did you mean before about distractions?"

"Maybe just one distraction…. Antoinette." His eyes softened.

"Erik, please don't think less of me. I loved my wife and I know how you feel about one heart for one love, but…."

Erik placed his hand up n the air, and Nadir stopped cold. "I had only read of love back then, I never felt it. It is easy to speak of things one knows nothing about. I still know nothing about love, except that now it has not forgotten me. I am at its beck and call, and while I am vulnerable, scared, confused and often find myself making a total fool of myself, I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything."

"But I had my love and just because she is gone doesn't mean that…"

"Nadir, I never doubted the love you had for your wife and child. I know that not a day goes by that you don't think about them. Yet what I hold true, is not law. It is fine for me, but may not be the best alterative for you. While I know that I was meant to live and die for Christine Daae, it doesn't mean that you cannot move on and find love again."

"You don't see it as a disgrace to Reza and….."

"Do you?" He raised his eyebrow. "Who exactly are you trying to convince?"

Nadir sighed. "What does it matter? She hates me."

"Knowing Antoinette as I do, I feel that it is quite the contrary." He then paused."I do miss her, Nadir. How she would have laughed at my folly today."

She did. "Erik, there is still time to heal and make amends. She knows she was wrong for what she did, but she had her reasons. I feel the sooner you both talk….."

"There are things that must be done first."

"Such as?"

"Find Raoul de Chagny, then you can go off and pursue my sister. Meanwhile, I am going to take the love of my life to the ball and when we return, I will show her my wretched face."

"Erik, do you mean it? This will certainly make her see that she can trust you with everything." Yes, then she will tell you her past and we can all discuss the future.

"Nadir I am not doing it because of that. I am doing it to show Christine that I trust her."

….

"Meg, I know you are upset about your mother, however nothing should take away from your day…."

"Christine that is not what I wish to speak to you about." She walked her friend over to the couch and sat them both down. "I overheard you and Erik…."

Christine could not look her in the eyes. "Meg, that was very rude and completely inappropriate to discuss, considering that you and Erik are…."

Meg couldn't help but laugh. "Will you let me finish? I only heard, what I needed to hear. Besides, this isn't about that per say."

"Why am I still very nervous to hear what will come out of your mouth?"

Meg smirked. "Because you know me very well?" She then took Christine's hand to show she was serious. "I know we have had this discussion before, but I think we had it for the wrong reasons. What I'm trying to say is that you need to tell Uncle Erik about Raoul."

"Meg, I know I…."

"Not because you want to tell him so he knows all about your past. Not in the hopes he will reveal his face. You need to tell him so you can acknowledge what that vile bastard did to you and finally find a way to move on. After all this time, he is still controlling your life."

Christine felt herself start to panic. "He isn't controlling my life! I don't need closure from Raoul, Meg."

"Not from him, but from you. Christine, I have no idea what happened back then, but I could tell from the opera the other night that it was more than just the betrayal. You need to rid yourself of this burden and see things for what they really are.

Erik will not betray you. I know I was jesting earlier, but let me tell you that the man is blind for any other woman but you. I have known him my entire life and he has never so much as looked at someone else. To have the love of a man who will never break your heart is rare." She thought of Justin and his true heart, then dismissed the thought as she needed to focus on Christine. "However, none of it will matter, unless you release all the ties that bind you.

Whatever happened Christine, Raoul is to blame, not you. All you did was believe the words of a handsome nobleman. How long before you forgive yourself?"

"Meg, there is so much you don't know. Raoul is only a small portion of it. I have committed sins, mortal sins that only God can forgive."

"But God can't do everything himself! He needs help. That is why we are placed on this earth to help God in his work and teach others about love and forgiveness and faith."

Tears were swelling up in Christine's eyes. "I want to move on. I see how confuse Erik is at times when I give him so many mixed messages I don't want to hurt him or make him think that I am unsure, because I do love him and despite his past or his face, I only want him."

"Speak it out loud, Christine. Say it as you would a prayer for God to hear, but give him the opportunity to forgive you as you say, by allowing his helpers to speak on his behalf."

"Meg, I'm frightened."

"Don't be frightened. You of all people shouldn't be afraid, Christine. You already have an angel at your feet."

…..

Nadir held his breath as he knocked on Madame Giry's door. He knew this visit would not be an easy one , but nevertheless they had to talk.

Knock, Knock

"Annie, open the door. Andre told me you were home."

After a few minutes, there was still no answer and Nadir began to contemplate what would happen if he simply broke in. However, the minute the idea came into his head, he let it pass. There is a time for force and there is a time for pleading. After what happened earlier, now is definitely a time to plead.

"Annie, I had to do what I did. I know you think I destroyed everything, but things were not working beforehand. Men like the de Chagnys are in the same category as the Shah was. We could not cower any longer." He spoke with conviction. "I refuse to allow you to cower one moment longer."

Allah, why do you punish male mortals with women? "Fine, hate me Annie. Yet it will not stop me from my plans. I was right. Erik will reveal himself to Christine and I am sure she in turn will tell him what happened two years ago…..Oh, in case you are remotely interested, Erik misses you terribly….Once those two talk, it will be time for you to tell them everything. Then we will ride ourselves from those poisonous snakes. I won't let you down, Annie."

He kicked the door as he was getting tired of talking to it and not getting a reply. "I brought you something. It is for the ball. I know you're going. I know you owe me nothing, but I ask that you wear this mask instead. I will then know where you are at all times." He realized his words did not come out as he hoped. "It is for your protection, Annie. I want everyone close at hand at the ball…The Vicomte will be there."

At his final words, the door opened.