Chapter Nine: Setting The Trap:

Christine's heart race as the carriage drew closer to the Opera House. Raoul could see the fear in beloved's eyes. He took her hand within his, assuring her that it would be all right. She turned to her husband and gave him a small smile. The smile faded when the carriage came to a complete stop. They were here.

Raoul steeped out and went to his wife's side. He took her hand once again, then helped her out. Christine let her eyes gaze upon the new House. It was much bigger then the previous one. A dark thought entered her mind: since this Opera House was large, that meant more places for the Phantom to dwell.

"Christine, Raoul..."

The thought of the Phantom faded when her eyes landed upon Madame Giry. Giry had come out to greet them. She was all smiles. "It is good to see you again, child."

Christine smiled at her former dance teacher. She lead Raoul up the steeps of Opera Populaire. Then she through her arms around the elder woman. "I have missed you."

Madame Giry parted from her and turned to Raoul. The young De Changy extended his hand to her. Giry could help but smile. "You do not have to be so proper with me, kind sir."

"Yes, of course." replied Raoul, and he too embraced the teacher. As he parted, he stated: "It is good to be in your company once again Madame Giry, but we must get to the matter at which we came-"

The Madame silenced him. "Please, not here." Giry could not help but look over her shoulder. The three had to be careful. "Follow me."

Raoul and Christine folled her her into the Opera House. The teacher lead them to her office. She closed the large doors behind her after they had entered. "You may sit where you like."

As Raoul took his seat, he asked: "Is it true what your letter stated? Has the Phantom returned?"

"Yes, can you not feel his dark pressence?"

"I only wish I could forget it." Christine said to her. "Madame Giry, where is Meg? Is she all right?"

Giry nodded her head. "For the moment, she is. She is with the other girls."

Christine could not help but give a sigh of relief. "May I see her?"

"No." answered Madame Giry. "Meg does not know you are here."

"Why?"

"If I told her of your arrival, I have no doubt she would tell the Phantom, and the two would flee."

"What are we going to do?" Christine asked, fear rising in her voice. She was so worried for her friend's safety.

"Yes, what are we going to do?" repeated Raoul. "We hunted the monster before, and failed."

"We will not fail this time, milord." Madame Giry assured him. "I have come up with a plan, and one of my students has agreed to help."

The teacher was about to go on, but she was inturrupted when a knock came upon her door. Giry went to the door and opened. Catherin Beaucater made her entrance. The Madame closed the door behind her.

Catherin could not believe that she now stood before Christine Da'ae. She was speechless. "Christine, Raoul, may I introduce Catherin Beaucater."

Ms. Beaucater bowed before the great singer. "Please forgive my rudness Madame, but Mrs. Da'ae needs no introduction."

Christine smiled at the young girl and replied: "You are too kind."

"I beg you pardon, but what role does she have in all this?" Raoul asked.

"I have set a trap sir, and she will be our distraction." answered Giry. "She will hold Meg down while we go get the monster." the Madame continued: "Raoul, you and I will hid within shadows while Christine will face him. Shock will over come him, Raoul, that will be your cue to kill him."

"And I shall do so with swiftly." Raoul assured them all. He thought back when had fought the Phantom before. The Phantom was an excellent swordsmen, but during their time away, Raould took it upon his self to become much better. He would face the monster again, and pierce his sword through the Phantom's heart.

Raoul turned to Christine. The two of them had suffered a great deal. They would suffer no more.

"The trap is set then." Madame Giry announced. She turned to Catherin. "Dear, rejoin the girls, and speak of this to no one. I will call upon you again shortly."

Catherin bowed. "Yes Madame." Ms. Beaucater turned to Christine and bowed once more. "It was a pleasure metting you."

Christine bowed her head. As she lefted her head, she replied: "Thank you for helping us with this matter."

It was then Madame Giry lead Catherin out of the office. When she left, she closed the door behind her and turned back to her company. It was then Raoul asked: "Are you sure we can trust her?"

"I have complete faith in her. She is one of my prized students. Catherin would not fail us." Giry assured him. "Now, the production is still a few days away, until then you must stay hidden. We do not want to ruin our plans."

"Where will we stay?" asked Christine.

"I have set up a room where no one will find you." Giry answered. "Follow me. Quickly."

Catherin caught Madame Giry leading Christine and Raoul away from her office. She smiled. She could not decided which gave her more pleasure: the fact she was working with one of the greatest singers in the world, or that this would be the end of Meg Giry...

Meg watched as Catherin returned to the stage. She wondered what her mother wanted with her. A sudden chill went over her. She could not ignore the feeling. Meg knew that something evil was afoot.

TBC...

Author's Notes: I've been at a friends house for the past few days and she didn't have the internet. I went through some serious withdrawl, but I had a five subject notebook with me and wrote in that. I have "You Raise Me Up" finished in the notebook, just not on the site. When I have time, I'll upgrade ASAP.

Reviewer Shout-Outs: CF101 and others (?LOL) - Don't restrain her. LOL! Please, let her kill Raoul. I can't stand the man. I think he's one of the worst characters of all time (at least in the musical. haven't read the book yet.) Ahem I'm glad you're enjoying the fic. Sorry for the shortness. The next few ones should be a little bit longer.

GerrysISUChick04 - God I miss having cable! Do you know if I can find a clip of that somewhere online? I would love to see it. You know what else I would love to see? LOL! I've seen tons of Billy pics where he's in a kilt, wouldn't mind seeing Gerry in one! drools Oh, and just thought of something, if you like reading POTO phics then you would probably like reading some Gerry ones. I have seen a few on I think there are 6 or 8 all together. I couldn't write a fic like that though, I would so not have the nerve! LOL! Some of the authors likes to write those you/Gerry fics. They're also some adult POTO phics as well.

I remember seeing commericals for Timeline. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he play like a scientist or something? I remember seeing him and another actor (I can't remember his name but he had blonde hair) in some sort of lab. I can't wait to see Beowulf either. I had to read that in highschool too. I just hope they don't mondernize the thing like they did with the Christopher Lambert version they made awhile back (at least it looked modernized. i haven't seen that yet.)

Yup, Erik is a softie in this. I'm sorry but if Christine gave him a chance, I think this is how he would have acted. Her loss, Meg's gain. evil phantom laugh