TITLE: The Angel's Second Chance Chapter 3

AUTHOR: Sylvia Profit

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

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any characters, sadly.

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 ('cause that's how it should be!)

Chapter 3

Erik slipped back down to his lair after sending a few notes out. Andre and Firmin had to listen. Christine was obviously a perfect choice for the Countess. He didn't care where they put Carlotta, quite frankly, as long as he didn't have to hear her voice. He'd suggested the Page Boy. He doubted they'd listen this time, they didn't last time, what should make now any different. One thing he knew for sure, he'd let Buquet slide. He couldn't, as much as his will told him to, strangle the bastard. He didn't want Christine thinking he was a monster any more then she already had thought.

He was still frightened at what she'd thought of the site. This time, though, he'd controlled his temper. He'd almost forgotten it was coming. He was still shocked by it, in a way. How could someone be that curious? It was beyond him.

"Christine, you really are nothing more then a child."

He ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly. She really was only sixteen years old. Why would she pick him over Raoul? Raoul was closer to her age and handsome, something Erik knew he'd never be no matter how many times he came back to fix it.

He sat down at his organ and laid his head in his hands. That was another question, how had Mme Giry been able to do this? He was tired, his eyes would not stay open. He didn't know how but in some way, he felt more comfortable here. Maybe it was just the prospect of his Angel still being here, in the Opera House. He didn't like the fact, however, that Raoul could come and go as he pleased. He stood up, unable to stay awake any longer, and made his way over to his bed. He let himself fall onto it and he caught the sweet smell of lilac again, her perfume he assumed.. He smiled and rolled onto his side.

"I love you, Christine."

His last thoughts were of her as he fell asleep.

-

Mme Giry and her daughter left Christine to get some rest. She was extremely tired after that night. As they walked down the hallway to the main foyer, a note from Erik in Mme Giry's hand, they heard shouting.

"What's all the fuss?'

Meg asked her mother but the older women shook her head. As they got closer they heard distinct voices. The two new managers, Andre and Firmin, where arguing with a women who's voice could not be mistaken for any other's, La Carlotta. They seemed to be talking about Christine. Mme Giry spoke up.

"Ms. Daae has returned."

"I hope no worse for ware as far as we're concerned."

Andre said as everyone turned to look back. Everyone seemed to be there. The new Patron, La Carlotta and Piangi and the two managers.

"Where precisely is she now?"

Firmin inquired.

"I thought it best she was alone."

Mme Giry said, her daughter added.

"She needed rest."

The viscount looked worried.

"May I see her?"

"No, Monsieur, she will see no one."

"Will she sing!"

Piangi and Carlotta burst out at once.

"Here, I have a note."

Mme Giry held out her hand. Everyone made for it but Firmin got to it first. He opened it and read what Erik had written out-loud.

"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature detailing how my theatre is to be run. I shall give you one last chance. Christine Daae has returned to you, and I'm most anxious her career should progress in the new production of 'Ill Muto' you will therefore cast Carlotta as the Page Boy,"

Mme Giry had to place her hand over her mouth to stifle the laughter at the look of absolute horror on the diva's face.

"and put Ms. Daae in the role of Countess. The role which Ms. Daae plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the Page Boy is silent which makes my casting in, a word, ideal. I shall watch the production from my normal seat in Box 5, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

O.G."

"Christine! It's all a ploy to help Christine!"

Carlotta screamed.

"I know who sent this! The viscount, her lover!"

Mme Giry rolled her eyes.

"Ms. Daae will be playing the Page Boy! The silent role! Carlotta will be playing the lead!"

The managers called out. Meg tugged on her mother's arm.

"Erik's going to be upset, isn't he."

Mme Giry nodded and turned to her daughter.

"They're fools. Come dear, let's get you ready."

Without a backward glance the two women headed for the dance room.

-

Erik sat up and looked around. What time was it? Oh, god it better not have started already. He jumped off his bed and threw on his cloak. He dashed out one of the many secret passages that led to the main house, cursing himself all the way. As he walked through the rafters he heard Carlotta warming up. He could not mistake that horrific voice. They had ignored him a second time. He would teach her a lesson. He hated the diva anyway. He decided that humiliating her in front of the audience once again should suffice. He pulled out a little mixture that he had just in case this happened. As the orchestra struck up the Overture Erik sighed. He really disliked hearing La Carlotta. She had the potential to become a great singer but her ego wouldn't let anyone near her.

Swiftly he switched Carlotta's throat spray for his own special concoction and fled into the back passageways of the Opera House.

-

Mme Giry winced as she heard Carlotta hit one of her many high notes. She was a talented singer, no one could deny, but she was not all she thought she was. The ballet mistress was walking in between the dancers, brushing strands of hair out of their faces, applying needed make-up. She was helping little Jammes retie her slippers when a voice rang out into the Opera House.

"Did I not instruct that Box 5 was to be kept empty?"

Mme Giry jumped, although she knew who's voice that was. Carlotta came back stage for her throat spray and arrogantly strutted back to her position. As she had Reyer strike up the orchestra once more, an odd thing happened. Her voice croaked, like something of a toad. The older women whirled around, astounded. She slowly made her way to the edge of the wings. Carlotta tried again.

'Poor fool he makes me laugh, ha ha ha ha ha - croak'

She started to scream, and ran off towards the stage. Mme Giry was lucky enough just to barely get out of her way. She tried to calm down her young students when she heard Andre and Firmin announce that Christine would take her place.

"Now they listen."

Mme Giry sighed as they then announced that the ballet from act three would be performed while the audience waited. She quickly shooed all of the young ballerinas onto the stage.

-

Erik chuckled to himself and made his way to a box that was empty so that he could at least watch his Angel perform. He would not kill Buquet, as tempting as that was. Joseph Buquet was a disgusting bastard. Erik knew that the man watched the dancers dress, the thought of that scoundrel seeing his Angel undressed brought his blood to a boil. As Erik waited for the Opera to begin he heard a voice from behind him.

"Erik, was that really necessary?"

He smiled and turned, facing his dear friend.

"Yes, yes I do believe it was. It was quite amusing if not anything else, and quite effective."

Mme Giry laughed.

"Amusing, I agree completely."

Mme Giry walked forward and placed her hand on Erik's shoulder.

"She looks absolutely radiant. She's very nervous tonight."

Erik smiled softly.

"She'll do brilliantly, she always does."

Mme Giry nodded and left. Erik sat back as the orchestra struck up and his Christine appeared on stage. .

-

Christine stepped into the spotlight and took a deep breath. She looked at Meg, who had taken the role of the Page Boy and smiled.

'Sarifimo you're disguise is perfect! Why, who can this be?'

Piangi entered the stage once more and together they sang. It was honestly embarrassing to her to be singing with him. She was repulsed by him.

"The old fool is leaving!"

She turned then as Piangi made his exit and faced Meg.

'Sarifimo, away with this pretence! You can not speak, but kiss me in my husbands absence.'

She leaned forward and placed the fan over her and meg's faces.

"You're doing brilliantly."

Meg whispered and Christine smiled. She stood up straight again.

Poor fool, he makes me laugh! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Time I tried to get a better half !

As she finished her last note suddenly there was screaming. She looked around, trying to see what could possibly be wrong. Out of nowhere she was thrown to the ground. She looked and Meg was on top of her.

"Meg? What on earth?"

She saw what on earth could have provoked that. The lifeless body of Joseph Buquet hung from the rafters above.

"Oh god no… Erik!"

-

Erik jumped to his feet. Christine had nearly been crushed by Joseph Buquet's body falling from above.

"What in the hell?"

He muttered to himself. He sure as hell didn't do it this time. Well, then who? He quickly left the box and stayed close to the shadows as he made his way to the stage. What he saw then nearly made his heart stop. Christine, his Angel, running into Raoul's arms. He pressed himself to against the wall, praying not to be seen.

"Raoul, we're not safe here."

They were making they're way to the roof. Erik had no choice in the matter, his heart made him follow.

-

The Phantom hid behind Apollo's Lyre and waited. He knew the back passages of the Opera House so well he could easily beat them. He heard voices then.

'Raoul, I've been there, to his world of unending night! To a world where the daylight dissolves into darkness, darkness. Raoul, I've seen him! Can I ever forget that sight? Can I ever escape from that face? So distorted, deformed, it was hardly a face, in that darkness, darkness '

Erik's jaw dropped.

"No…please."

He whispered.

'But his voice filled my spirit with a strange, sweet sound. In that night there was music in my mind, and through music my soul began to soar! And I heard as I'd never heard before '

He risked a glance at them and saw the look of fear on Christine's face. His heart fell.

'What you heard was a dream and nothing more'

The Viscount's voice sounded different. Erik had heard this before but…now it sounded, harsh. He sounded like he was reprimanding Christine.

'Yet in his eyes all the sadness of the world. Those pleading eyes, that both threaten and adore'

'Christine, Christine.'

Erik took a quite breath.

'Christine.'

-

Christine's heart raced as she heard the familiar haunting voice ring out. She turned to Raoul, obviously he hadn't heard it. She'd come so far, she'd worked so hard and Erik hadn't changed. Not a bit! She could feel her heart tear in two. Tears came to her eyes and Raoul pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her.

'No more talk of darkness, forget these wide-eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you'

Christine shivered and closed her eyes tight. She had no choice.

'Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears. I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you'

Christine took a deep breath when she spoke, her voice quivered.

'S-Say you love me every waking moment. Turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true. That's all I ask of you'

Raoul took her hands in his and kissed them softly.

'Let me be your shelter, let me be your light. You're safe, no one will find you, your fears are far behind you'

'All I want is freedom. A world with no more light. And y-you, always beside me. To hold me and to hide me'

Christine gasped. A world with no more light? Had she said that? Raoul didn't seem to notice.

'Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude. Say you need me with you here, beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go too. Christine, that's all I ask of you!'

'Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will f-follow you'

She stared at him. She was scared, no doubt about that but what choice did she have?

'Share each day with me, each night, each morning!'

They sang together, there was one thing she needed to hear.

'Say you love me…'

'You know I do.'

She smiled nervously.

'Love me, that's all I ask of you.'

Without any warning at all he pressed his lips on hers. She did love him. She kissed him back and smiled at him.

'Anywhere you go, let me go too. Love me, that's all I ask of you.'

They kissed again but a sudden thought came to her mind. They'd be looking for her. They had to go back inside.

'I must go, they'll wonder where I am. Come with me Raoul'

'Christine, I love you'

She realized then. She had to get away from the Opera Populaire. Maybe this would be different. Maybe Raoul would be different.

'Order your fine horses be with them at the door.'

'And soon you'll be beside me.'

'You'll guard me and you'll guide me.'

Without a backward glance Christine pulled Raoul back into the Opera House.

-

Erik saw them kiss. He saw her kiss him. As they left he came out from his hiding place behind the great statue and leaned his forehead against the statue. Tears fell down his face.

"Oh Christine. Why? Why?"

He slammed his fist into the statue.

'I gave you my music, made your song take wing and now, how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me. He was bound to love you when he heard you sing!'

"Christine….Oh, Christine!"

Voices flooded his head once again.

'Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you!
Share each day with me, each night, each morning…'

Erik turned around slowly and looked up at the sky. He ran to the edge of the building and jumped up onto another one of the many statues that donned the roof of the Opera House.


'You will curse the day you did not do, all that the phantom asked of you!'

He jumped back down onto the roof. He cast one look down onto the streets below him and saw Christine and The Viscount get into a carriage. If she was smart, she would not come back. Ah, but he knew Christine well. Her heart would not let her forget the Opera House. She'd return in a few months, until then, he'd wait. He'd be ready. He'd have his revenge.