TITLE: The Angel's Second Chance: Chapter 6

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/Christine (Wouldn't have it any other way.)

Yes, here it is, Chapter 6. What exactly is Erik's plan? He he he he.

Chapter 6

Ordeal by Fire

Christine spent the next day doing absolutely nothing but rehearsing. She vowed to herself that she would be flawless. She awoke at five o'clock that morning and dressed swiftly. She went down to the stage and began warming up, alone. Raoul, thankfully, was nowhere in sight. She sat down on the stage and took in the silence. It was almost eerie how quiet it was. She decided now was a perfect time to warm up.

'Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye. Remember me, once in a while please promise me you'll try.'

She closed her eyes, remembering what Erik had taught her. Give in to the music. Surrender to it's beauty. Her song changed.

'Angel of Music, guide and guardian, grant to me your glory.'

She stood up and straightened her shoulders, holding her head up as she'd been taught.

'I haven't forgotten my Angel!'

Her voice shook with emotion but she kept singing. She hoped beyond hope that he was listening.

'Angel, oh, speak! What endless longings echo in this whisper?'

Christine felt tears fall from her eyes but she didn't care.

'Angel of Music! I denied you! Turning from true beauty. Angel of Music! My protector...
Come to me, strange Angel…'

"Erik!"

She called out to him. She needed him so much.

'Come to me Angel of Music!'

"Erik! Please!"

She fell, sobbing, to her knees. She wanted nothing more then to hold him. She wanted to kiss him and tell him how sorry she was for getting him hurt. She didn't care if he'd killed Buquet anymore. She needed him. Her voice shook with emotion as she sang.

'You were once my one companion, you were all that mattered. You were once a friend and lover, then my world was shattered.'

She wrapped her arms around herself. Her wounded arm now out of it's sling was still wrapped in a bandage, it was still so sore.

'Wishing you were somehow here again, wishing you were somehow near. Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed, somehow you would be here.'

She laid there, in the middle of the stage. Her body was shaking terribly. How was she going to do this. If the same thing happened as last time and Erik sang with her on stage…she wouldn't be able to do it. She'd loose control.

"Erik…god…please come."

-

Erik couldn't bare this sight. She wanted him to come to her. The Viscount was surely asleep. There was no danger. He crept up behind her as silently as possible and whispered to her.

'Christine, Christine.'

-

Slowly, Christine turned to face him. She sat up and flung herself into his arms and completely lost control of her emotions. To her relief, he held her. He stroked her hair and she couldn't remember feeling more safe.

"Erik, please, don't make me do this. Don't make me go back to him. I want you! I want to stay with you! I don't care about Buquet!"

-

Erik gathered her completely in his arms and sat, cradling her to his body. So, that's why she suddenly turned to Raoul. She thought he'd killed Joseph.

"Angel, Christine, I didn't kill Joseph Buquet. I was watching your performance. It was…"

He didn't have the heart to tell her. She was so fragile right now. How could he tell her what had really happened. There'd be time for that later.

"Christine, my love. I know what I'm about to say is the last thing you wish to hear but if you truly love me…if you really want to be with me you must do it."

She nodded and clung to him tighter.

"Christine, you must act like you still want Raoul."

"Erik, please…"

"No, Angel, listen. Go through rehearsals as usual. No doubt he will have some plan for my downfall. Go to him. Aid him in his plan. The night of the performance I will come to you. I will take you away from here. We will get away my sweet. I promise."

Christine nodded and tightened her grip around him.

'Promise me that all you say is true…'

Erik smiled and laughed quietly.

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

He sang to her and it seemed to soothe her.

"My sweet, I must go. I will come to you. I swear to it."

Christine stood still shaking.

"When?"

Erik took her hand and pressed it to his lips.

"You will know. Until then, sing my Angel of Music."

-

Christine smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes. She called out to him before he left.

'He's there, the Phantom of the Opera!'

She turned back to face the empty seats of the auditorium.

'You have brought me to that moment when words run dry, to that moment when speech disappears into silence! Silence.'

-

Mme. Giry helped Christine into her costume. It was a stunning dress. It outlined her frame perfectly. Christine was shaking from nervousness but she was humming happily to herself at the same time. A tune that the older woman knew well. She laughed and sang along.

'Prima Dona your song shall live again, you took a snub, but there's a public who needs you'

Christine laughed and turned to face her friend.

"I'm sorry Madam Giry, the tune's just stuck in my head. I can nearly hear La Carlotta's voice too."

Mme. Giry smiled at Christine.

"Ah, yes, and for that I am truly sorry. Now come here, let me get this in your hair."

Christine sat at her vanity and let Mme. Giry entwine the rose in her hair.

"If you don't mind me asking, love, what is it that makes you so happy?"

Christine sighed and turned to face her as the old woman finished putting her hair right.

"Can you keep a secret? What am I talking about? Of course you can! Well…"

She motioned for Mme. Giry to sit next to her.

"Erik has a plan. He is coming for me tonight and we are leaving! We'll finally be together Madam Giry!"

The Ballet mistress stood and placed her hand to her lips.

"What is it? What's wrong."

"M'dear, I over heard the Viscount talking with the managers today. There's a plot on Erik's life."

Christine gasped and stood, she grabbed the older women by the arm.

"What? It's the same as last time, isn't it! The police will be there…oh god. Please don't let him go onstage."