TITLE: The Angel's Second Chance

AUTHOR: EriksSylvia

DISTRIBUTION: If you want to put this somewhere else email me first.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any characters.

RATING: R

SUMMARY: Erik is sent back in time for one last chance. Can he make Christine fall in love with him?

COUPLES: Erik and Christine

Chapter 1

"Where is he?"

Meg Giry whispered, terrified. She looked once again up to the rafters but he was no longer there."Meg?!"

She turned and saw her mother coming toward her.

"Meg, what is wrong? Why were you screaming!?"

Meg's mouth fell open, prepared to tell her mother what she saw but Mme Giry's eyes fell at once on the noose behind her daughter. She could think of only one thing.

"Erik."

Little Giry nodded.

"He was going to hang himself mama!"

The elder woman's eyes widened with horror

"Where is he, Meg?'

"I do not know mama. He was there one moment and then the next…he wasn't."

Suddenly, realization dawned on Mme Giry. She knew what had happened and thanked the gods in heaven that it'd worked. She eyed the noose and looked at Meg.

"Go up to the rafters and untie the rope please, Meg. We mustn't let the anyone know."

"Mama, what happened to The Phantom."

Mme Giry smiled kindly at her daughter.

"You will know in time."

------

Erik opened his eyes and cursed himself silently. The rope had broken, it hadn't worked. He looked around and realized that he was still in the cursed rafters. A sudden weight in his hands drew his attention to what he was doing. He was holding a length of rope. When he saw what the rope was attached to, however, he was thoroughly confused. He was holding up a huge piece of stage scenery. A cold sensation on the right side of his face made him gasp. He let go of the rope and the scenery fell to the ground with a crash. People began screaming and he heard the voice of non other then Joseph Buquet. He ducked out of the way and located himself in a dark corner of the rafters. Something fell out of his pocket and he looked down. A letter was falling to the ground. He raised his hand and felt the hard mask on his face once more. He looked at his hands and saw that he was wearing gloves. How could this be? He looked at himself and saw that he was in his dress clothes. Clothes that he hadn't worn since before Christine left

"How…how could this be?"

Something below grasped his attention. A voice, a voice he hadn't heard in the longest time, saying the last thing he wanted to hear.

"Christine Daae' could sing it, sir."

He looked down onto the stage and saw something that made his heart nearly stop. Andre and Firmin, those idiot managers looking, in disbelief, at non other then his beloved.

"She has been taking lessons from a great teacher."

Mme Giry said. Andre, obviously, wasn't impressed.

"Who?"

Then came the voice that haunted him while he was awake and plagued his sleep.

"I-I don't know his name, Monsieur."

Erik felt himself begin to shake.

"Let her sing for you, Monsieur. She has been well taught."

Giving up, Andre waved her forward.

"Alright, come on. Don't be shy."

She cautiously stepped forward and cast a look at Mme Giry. The piano began to play softly and she opened her mouth.

'Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye.'

Erik stumbled and lowered himself to his knees.

"Christine."

Erik couldn't believe his misfortune.

"I'm in hell.

Erik placed his face in his hands. He was doomed to repeat loosing his Angel for all eternity.

'When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free if you ever find a moment spare a thought for me.'

"Why? Was I really that much of a monster? Do I truly deserve this?"

Below him Christine sang the song to her managers. She was amazing and she knew it. He couldn't take it any longer. If he was in control of himself then he'd just not go to her that night. He'd go down in his lair and refuse to come out. Trembling, he stood. He cast down another look at his temptress.

'Recall those days, think back on all those times, think of the things we'll never do. There will never be a day when I wont think of you!'

"Lies."

He whispered and with a flip of his cloak, he was gone.

------

Mme Giry stood and watched Christine sing. She couldn't help but feel anything except proud. Her voice had definitely come along and she knew who was responsible. As Christine hit her final note the new managers cheered for her.

"Miss Daae,"

Andre said

"We would be honored if you took your place in the spotlight tonight."

Christine smiled and looked at Meg and Mme. Giry.

"Thank you sir! It'd be my pleasure!"

Christine ran over to them.

"Madam Giry! I'm starring!"

Mme. Giry smiled and laid her hand on Christine's shoulder

"You did very well, m'dear. He'd be very proud of you."

Christine touched the woman's hand and looked at Meg. Together they ran off, giggling.

------

Erik reached his lair in awe. Everything was back to the way it used to be. The mirrors, he assumed, in tact behind tapestries. He walked around and couldn't help but touch things, making sure that they were real. He couldn't believe it.

"How did this happen? Why am I here?"

"Because, my dear friend, I brought you here."

The familiar voice made him jump, he turned around.

"Madam Giry!"

His voice shook, he hadn't seen her in a year and it made him smile inside at the sight of her.

"Erik, my friend, are you quite alright?"

He brought his gloved hand to his face.

"In all truthfulness, I am not sure."

Mme. Giry laughed quietly to her friend and touched his arm.

"Erik, do not be alarmed. I swear to you, you are not in hell, as I am sure that is what you believe."

Erik smiled. She knew him so well.

"If not hell, my dear, then what?"

"Change things, Erik. You've got a second chance."

"What?"

"Change it. Go to her."

She turned and without another word, left him.

"Change it?"

Erik repeated. Suddenly it dawned on him. He could change it! He had another chance to make Christine his! He would change things! He'd be gently, he'd make her see how much he loved her, how much he needed her. Most importantly, he'd come to her before Raoul got the chance. He smiled at his own genius and went to one of the mirrors. In one swift movement he took down the tapestry. Looking into the mirror he slicked his hair back and shuddered. He hated to look at himself.

"Good luck tonight, dear Christine. For this time, you shall be mine."

------

He watched her from behind the mirror. She sat at her vanity and toyed with the rose he'd left her. She was still in her white gown, the costume from the night's gala performance, the jewels still in her hair. If he was going to do something, he'd better do it now.

'Christine, Christine.'

She jerked her head up and smiled. She stood.

"Angel?"

Tears sprung to his eyes. She still thought of him as an Angel. She sang to him when he didn't respond.

'Angel, I hear you, speak! I listen! Stay by my side, guide me.'

He laughed quietly and his attention turned to her dressing room door. He heard a faint clicking sound. The door had been locked. He silently thanked Mme Giry.

'Angel of Music hide no longer, come to me strange Angel!'

Erik placed his hand against the glass. He longed for her.

'Flattering child you shall know me, see why in shadows I hide. Look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside!'

As she looked towards the mirror her eyes widened. She opened her mouth once more to call for him.

'Angel of Music guide and guardian grant to me your glory! Angel of Music hide no longer, come to me strange Angel.'

Erik slid open the mirror and held his hand out for her. She took a step towards him but then stopped

"Angel, how can you be here? In the form of a man, I mean."

Erik sighed and stepped out of the passageway, into her dressing room. He'd have to be honest if he wanted to keep her trust.

"My dear Christine. I've got to be honest with you. I am no Angel. When you first came to the Opera House I…"

He placed his hand gently on her shoulder.

"felt such a need to protect you. To teach you. When I first heard your voice you filled my soul with such happiness. I had to teach you. When you would go down into the chapel to light a candle for your dear departed father you'd pray for the Angel of Music to come to you. I took on that role to give you some comfort. Forgive me for being so deceitful."

He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently and looking into her eyes. His throat sore from all this new talking.

"Oh, of course I forgive you! How could I not! It was your doing tonight! It's because of you I sang so well!"

He laughed quietly.

"Oh, Christine, you were brilliant. You sang to make the heavens weep."

She blushed a deep crimson and he put his hand on her face. She leaned into it and looked into his eyes.

"Angel, if you are not an Angel, what do I call you?"

Erik paused, he hadn't thought of this.

"My name is Erik."

He said, his voice merely a whisper.

"Erik."

She repeated his name as if it were something precious he'd given her. Never before had he heard his name spoken so beautifully.

"Christine, my dear, would you like to see where I live?"

She smiled and nodded.

"Oh yes but…allow me to change first?"

Erik nodded.

"Of course. Slide back the mirror and fallow the pathway down. You'll find a lake at the bottom and I shall be there, waiting."

------

Erik waited by his gondola and paced. He could not deny that he was nervous. What could possibly be taking so long? Could the Viscount have found a way in and detained her? He peered up into the candle lit hallway.

"Christine, Angel, please come."

He whispered into the nothingness. As if an answer to his prayer she appeared. The sight of her made him gasp. She had her brown curls drawn out over her shoulders and was wearing the very same thing she'd worn when he'd first brought her down.

"Control yourself, Erik."

He whispered to himself. She descended the stairs as if she were gliding. As she caught full sight of him she smiled.

"Do you really live down here An-Erik?"

"Almost all of my life."

"Oh?"

Christine spoke pity in her voice. He took her hand, helping her into the boat.

------

Mme Giry locked the door to the dressing room as soon as she heard Erik's voice. As she turned she saw the Viscount.

"Oh! Monsieur, I'm terribly sorry. Did you need something?"

He smiled at her kindly.

"Uh yes, I was hoping to see Mademoiselle Daae."

"Oh, I'm sorry but she is already asleep. She's had quite a busy day."

To her relief he seemed to believe it.

"Then I shall just have to see her tomorrow. Thank you very much Madam Giry."

And with that he turned and walked back into the foyer of the Opera House.

------

Erik felt the gondola gently bump the edge of the stone and he stepped out. He threw off his cloak and looked back at Christine. She stared back at him with an almost dazed look in her eyes. Could it be that she was feeling the same way towards him? He slowly walked to her and held out his hand.

"Christine."

She took his hand and allowed him to help her out.

"Erik, it's so beautiful down here."

"My dear, Christine, you're beauty puts it to shame."

She blushed once again and looked into his eyes.

"Thank you."

He turned her around and pulled her to him and to his surprise she leaned into him. It was amazing how she fit his body. For the first time since she'd left him music filled his soul.

'Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness wakes and stirs imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses.'

Christine's mouth fell open and she tilted her head back and rested her forehead in his neck. He slid his hand up and touched her hair.

'Slowly, gently night unfurls it's splendor. Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender. Turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light, and listen to the Music of the Night'

She brought her hand up and placed it over his. He entwined his own fingers with hers and led her over to the stairs. Christine tightened her grip on his hand.

'Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams. Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before! Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before.'

Christine walked up the stairs after him and slid her fragile arms around his waist. His body stiffened and then relaxed at her embrace. He slid his hands through her hair.

'Softly, deftly music shall caress you. Hear it, feel it secretly posses you. Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness that you know you can not fight. The darkness of the Music of the Night'

He smiled and turned around, walking away to put himself barely at arms reach of her. He turned back to face her and held his arms open.

'Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world, leave all thoughts of the life you knew before! Let your soul take you were you long to be!'

He could see tears in her eyes and he reached out, touching her face gently.

'Only then can you belong to me.'

She touched his hand and he pulled her to him. She slid her arms around his neck.

'Floating, falling sweet intoxication. Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation. Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the music that I write., the power of the Music of the Night'

She collapsed in his arms, unable to stand under her own power any longer. He carried her to his bed and laid her down. She opened her eyes and grasped his arm."

Erik, don't leave me."

He couldn't refuse her. He laid down and wrapped his arms around her. She sighed and put her head on his chest.

'You alone can make my song take flight. Help me make the Music of the Night.'