Hello again everybody ... Only one reviewer for the last chapter. Well it wasn't a very good one. This one is a little shorter because I felt that I'm dragging my chapters out a bit.

Kerrie-A: I'm very happy that you like this. I do have to warn you though, I may not be updating as often now because my Mum is going on all the time about how I should be revising for my exams rather than writing. I promise that I'll do my best...

This is a slightly more dramatic one. High time for Jeremy and Sam to clash don't you think?
Oh... The Pha-a-a-ntom of the Opera is there inside my mind. Literally. I'm listening to it now. Oh, Music of the Night is starting. Night time sharpens... sorry. I can't get over the genius of ALW's music and Michael Crawford's voice. It's so relaxing...anyway.
Enjoy

Maska (M.K)

OK, OK, I still don't own POTO. You don't have to rub it in everytime I update...

7. Come to me Angel of Music

The night came to an end and the cast settled down in their sleeping bags on the rehearsal room floor. Ali hadn't seen Jeremy since he had spoken to her during the party and for this she was sincerely grateful. She lay between Sam and Debbie, Sam's protective arm over her. Two hours passed and the cast were asleep except for Ali who was gazing at the ceiling. Ali turned over onto her side, willing her body to relax and sleep to take hold of her. It seemed impossible with Billy's snoring from across the room. He had taken his position next to Jenna who seemed to have taken a liking to him. Well at least the people who play Piangi and Carlotta get on, Ali thought. That was more than she could say for the Phantom and Christine.

Billy's snoring was really starting to annoy Ali. She wriggled out of her sleeping bag, lifting Sam's arm off her and decided to go for a walk to relax and clear her mind. She opened the door and walked outside into the darkness.

Ali walked amongst the trees until she came to a large oak. She looked into the thick branches smiling. Her father used to love oak trees. He had tried to grow one in the garden when he was alive but the sapling had died after a frosty winter. He had resorted to growing bonsai oaks in small pots that grew no taller than Ali's knee. Ali picked a leaf from the tree and held it close to her heart as she remembered when her father had first taught her to recognise an oak tree by the curvature of the leaves. Memories of the 'Get Well Soon' card that she had made her father when he was in hospital flashed through her mind. She was only 10 at the time and full of confidence that her father would make a full recovery from his cancer. Unfortunately his cancer was so advanced that by the time that it had been identified, the man was beyond recovery. Ali hadn't understood that then.

'If only you could see me now,' Ali said aloud to herself. 'I'm in a musical Dad. It's 'The Phantom of the Opera'. That was one of your favourites. I can sing the songs now, all that vocal training finally paid off. And Sam's in it too. Do you remember Sam? I used to play with him at rehearsals, he was Thomas' nephew. He's playing Raoul. And I'm Christine. Did I mention that Dad? I got a lead role. My voice is so much better than my instrument playing, I'll tell you that now. You would probably be embarrassed of me and my incapability to play the violin. Listening to you was so much better than practising the violin. I don't know anybody who can play an instrument like you. Except perhaps Jeremy. He's the Phantom of the Opera Dad. He has a beautiful, haunting voice and can play the piano so elegantly. But Dad, I did a bad thing. I betrayed his trust. I pried into his inner mind, and saw his inner disfigurements, and now like you, the last bit of music in my life has gone!'

Ali grew more and more hysterical and she fell to her knees, buried her head in her hands and made no attempt to stop the tears that leaked from her eyes. Her father was gone. Her father had been gone for 6 years but she still missed him deeply. She had never really got over his death.

Suddenly Ali heard the crunch of twigs behind her and raised her tear-stained face to see who was there. To her surprise, she saw Jeremy dressed completely in black with a long black coat and gloved hands. The moon shone out from behind him, lighting his face so to look like he was wearing a mask.

'Why do you cry my angel?' he asked gently

'It's nothing,' Ali muttered, wiping the moisture from her eyes

Jeremy walked up to her and crouched beside her, gently wiping away a tear that had spilled down her cheek. Ali looked into his eyes and saw nothing but compassion and kindness.

'You know that you can trust me,' he whispered in his intoxicating voice. 'The music in your life will never leave.'

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

He listened as Ali recited the tale of the death of her father. Her story was not new to him; he had heard her speak to herself as he had been watching her for sometime. His heart jumped as she buried her face into his chest in an attempt to stop the tears. She was vulnerable to him now. Her eyes showed all the vulnerability of a small child. He could steal her away at this moment. Take her from all thoughts of Sam and Debbie and everything that separated them. He once again had a hold over her.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ali finished her story and let Jeremy hold her in a close embrace. His presence was soothing and made her feel calm and relaxed. She looked up into his handsome face and smiled at him. He stroked her cheek with his gloved hand and his fingers wandered round her neck and started to caress it. She closed her eyes and sighed gently. Jeremy smiled with a sense of victory and leaned forward slowly to kiss her. He was just about to touch her lips when a voice called suddenly from the darkness.

'Ali!' it shouted

Jeremy's eyes blazed angrily. Ali's eyes sprung open and she turned towards the voice.

'Sam?' she whispered

Ali saw Sam dashing around a tree.

'Ali!' he called again

She tried to move away from Jeremy but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back towards him.

'Don't go to him,' he whispered. 'Stay with me.'

Ali tried to pull away again but was held still by Jeremy's vice-like grip

'Let her go!' Sam snarled at Jeremy.

'Congratulations, you found us,' Jeremy taunted. 'Has the boy come to win back his fair lady?'

'Jeremy, please,' Ali begged.

Jeremy pushed Ali aside and she ran to Sam, trying to stop him advancing angrily on Jeremy.

'Sam, leave it!'

'Ali get out of the way!'

Ali turned to try and plead with Jeremy but no words came out. As he advanced on Sam, she could see the same anger in his eyes that she had seen when she looked in his sketchbook. She knew that there could be no reasoning with him. There was nothing that she could do to stop a confrontation. Sam pushed her out of the way and as she hit the ground, Ali heard the unmistakable sound of a fistfight. She rolled over to see Jeremy holding Sam's shoulder and raining down punches on his face. Sam responded but hitting his assailant in the stomach, causing him to double over winded. He threw Jeremy to the ground and was about to deliver another blow to Jeremy when Ali leapt between them and caught Sam's arm.

'Stop it! Please! I don't want anyone hurt for my sake.'

'Ali! Move!' Sam said

'Please Sam,' Ali said softly to him. 'Leave him, for me.'

Sam gazed into her eyes and slowly dropped his arm. Ali smiled at him gratefully. Annoyed, Sam took her hand and led her quickly away towards the theatre, leaving Jeremy on the ground, glaring at him. He rolled onto his back, furious that Ali had rejected him and Sam had beaten him.

'Let it be war upon you both!' he muttered before rising to his feet.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Stupid boy! He had been so close to claiming her and now the Fop had ruined it all! He would never be able take Ali for his own when her dear Raoul was hanging about her. She was far too good for him. But all was not lost. She would not let the boy strike him. She broke up the fight. She did not want to see him get hurt. His angel still cared for him and if he took the right steps, she may even come to him.