OK, same excuse...I've been away...sorry I haven't updated! I'm sorry... honestly... please don't kill me! But I've updated now... forgive me?
toomanycurlz: who is no longer MeganAngel... sorry this was so long. Sam or Jeremy? Sam or Jeremy? Sam or Jeremy?
Anonymous (Nyeren): Greetings fellow Raoul lover...I have a rant about Raoul haters on my other fic...he he.. anyway. So Jeremy's tragic hero appeal doesn't do it for you... that's OK...there's a world of Raouls... we only have to find them
MagickAlianne: Jeremy and his stupid temper... yes I agree. You seem very sure that Jeremy and Ali will get together...but have seen the good side of Sam? That's nice...
Madame Opera Ghost: He did it again... silly boy. When will he learn?
AMLisdabomb: Well I'm happy that you've seen the good side of Sam... he's not that bad.
MadamoiselleP: Jeremy has your birthday! Cool! Random date I thought of at the time. Are you sure that Jeremy isn't a figment of my imagination and I'm not really emailing Fran but Jeremy?
OK, out of dreamworld... I agree that Jeremy's temper is his downfall...and his social skills could do some work...and he adopts some rather odd methods to get people to notice him...but apart from that...
We like Sam...well I like Sam and so does Nyeren...he does put up with a quite a lot don't you think?
LiTTleLoTTe1991: I like you for reviewing...lots
Angeloftheoperahouse: Jeremy and that temper... Our exchange...sounds good. You can have Jeremy for the weekend...you own him for 48 hours. EVERYBODY! Angeloftheoperahouse will own Jeremy this weekend. I will own Christian from her fic 'The Return'...you know angel...I don't think anybody else cares...
StrangeGirl: Believe me, I will not get sick of you. Mrs. Sinell did ruin the moment...but why do you think Jeremy locked her in a props room...shame that he lost his temper
Emma-J-Riddle: He he...I love your reviews...they always make me smile...update your fic you evil 'Phantom is out on DVD on April 20th in Australia' person...lol!
Kerrie-A: Of course I don't hate you... I love all my reviewers...unless you flame me and then I might not like you as much...
Wow! I have so many reviews (dances around) Life is good. Hope that you enjoy the next chapter...Jeremy is learning...
I can't be bothered for a long winded disclaimer... I don't own Phantom of the Opera... good enough Mr. Lloyd Webber
He he... by the way, there was a list of the richest people in the UK in the paper on Sunday and they put this picture in of ALW about 20 years ago when he was still working with Tim Rice...lets just say he looks a little older now...
Anyway...you probably don't care...the phic...
14. Opportunities
The rest of the performance ran well. The tension between Jeremy and Sam in Wandering Child was incredibly intense and Ali felt a sense of déjà vu as she dragged Raoul away from the Phantom. In the finale Point of No Return, Jeremy gave a hard tug on Sam's rope that made him gasp and held Ali in his embrace for a long time before 'burning' through the Lasso. After the performance, Ali heard the same girl that had spoken at the end of Act One about how sad the end was and how Christine could even consider going with Raoul when she had a mysterious, dark composer at her feet. Her attitude made Ali laugh and she went backstage to celebrate a successful performance with Sam and Debbie. Debbie hadn't forgotten her dance steps and was incredibly impressed with herself for not doing so. Mr. Conclair ran backstage after the performance asking Ali if she had a free moment. He also gathered Sam, Jeremy, Debbie, Jenna, Billy (the boy playing Piangi), Sophie (the girl playing Madame Giry) and the boys playing the managers.
'Now,' he said to them. 'A very dear friend of mine has asked to see you all to congratulate you. He's a producer for a big London theatre chain and his name is Andrew.'
'Not Lloyd Webber?' Sam said jokingly.
Mr. Conclair chuckled.
'No, not Lloyd Webber.'
'Honestly!' Jenna said. 'Of course it's not Andrew Lloyd Webber. He's far too important to come to this.'
Flicking her hair behind her, Jenna followed Mr. Conclair. As Ali approached behind her, she grabbed her arm and pulled her close to hiss in her ear:
'This is my chance to get noticed. Don't ruin it!'
Jenna pushed Ali aside, just before she entered the lounge where Andrew was waiting.
'Andrew!' Mr. Conclair said. 'So do you take back what you said that I couldn't turn these kids into actors?'
'Absolutely,' the man said skimming his eye over the group assembled in front of him. 'That was fantastic. It wouldn't have looked out of place in a professional theatre.'
The group murmured several thank yous and shuffled their feet.
'You seemed to have such good chemistry onstage. I'm sure that you'll all become good friends.'
'Yes we have,' Jenna said loudly.
She looked around for the person nearest to her. It was Ali. Jenna put her arm around her shoulders in a friendly manner.
'We're really good friends aren't we Ali?'
Ali looked shocked but after Jenna's foot crushed on her toes she nodded her head.
The group spoke for a little longer with Andrew who seemed quite friendly. As they turned to leave, Andrew put his hand on Ali's arm and asked her to stay behind for a moment. He also asked Jeremy to stay behind.
'Have you two been in any shows before?' Andrew asked them.
'Just school plays,' Ali muttered slightly embarrassed.
'You two had such fantastic stage chemistry,' Andrew said. 'I was completely blown away by the way that you portrayed the Phantom's desperation and the way that Christine succumbed to him. I could really believe that the Phantom was pining on the inside from his unrequited love.'
Jeremy glanced at Ali, musing on the dramatic irony of the situation.
'And your voices,' Andrew continued. 'Jeremy, it is Jeremy isn't it?' he asked consulting his programme. 'Your voice was so powerful and commanding.'
Ali wondered where this was leaving.
'You were fantastic. If either of you are interested, my theatre company are holding auditions for a new musical next week. A professional cast, in a professional theatre. You two could go far.'
Ali stared at Andrew, her mouth hanging open in shock. Jeremy also looked pleasantly surprised.
'Look, you don't have to tell me now,' Andrew said. 'Take my card and give me a call if you're interested.'
Ali took Andrew's card and after thanking him left the room with Jeremy behind her.
'Ali,' he murmured.
Ali heart fluttered as her whispered her name so softly. She turned to look at him.
'I'm sorry about earlier. Locking you in with me. I didn't want to try anything. Honestly. I just wanted to talk to you.'
His voice was so soft and musical, Ali could not bring herself to be angry with him. She gazed at him wonderingly slipping into a trance
'Thank you for all the music lessons that you gave me Jeremy,' she murmured. 'I would never have been offered this without your help.'
Jeremy brushed his fingers down Ali's cheeks.
'Show me that you are grateful. Come with me now. Sing for me.'
Ali gazed at Jeremy wonderingly. Every time that he commanded her to do something in his intoxicating voice, she was powerless to refuse.
'Of course,' she said thoughtlessly.
Jeremy took her hand and led her through the theatre, avoiding the dressing rooms and things that would break the trance.
He led her to a deserted room far from the rest of the cast. Jeremy smirked at his success in bringing Ali there. He began to sing to her gently. Ali closed her eyes and allowed his voice to absorb her. Everything else that she knew seemed like a distant memory.
You have come here
In pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish
Which till now has been silent, silent…
Convinced that she was his, he began to sway her to his song. Ali did not resist, she did not have the strength. Jeremy guided one of her hands to his shoulder and grasped her other in his gloved one. His other hand slipped around her waist and pulled her close towards him. She rested her head on his chest. Jeremy began to guide her around the room. Ali was completely powerless against him and as they danced slowly to his song, she could feel her heartbeat increase and thump within her chest.
In the meantime Sam was sitting with Debbie waiting for Ali's return.
'Where is she?' he said pacing up and down the corridor. 'What does that man want that could take this long?'
'Sam, relax. Sit down, have a drink,' Debbie said stretching her legs out in front of her.
'No, I can't relax. Not while she's with that Jeremy.'
'What's so bad about Jeremy?' Debbie asked. 'True he's a bit weird but he won't kill her or anything.'
'Debbie. He's obsessed with her!'
'Sam, you're paranoid.'
Sam took a deep breath, reminding himself that Debbie knew practically nothing about the triangle concerning himself, Ali and Jeremy.
'He does something to her,' Sam said looking directly at Debbie. 'He puts her in some kind of trance so that she doesn't know what she's doing.'
He did not expect the giggle that he received from Debbie.
'Jeremy's not the Phantom of the Opera Sam. Just a quiet boy who doesn't open up much.'
'He's more like his character than you know Debbie. He's got a short temper, violent tendencies and is completely obsessed with Ali.'
'Sam-'
'I'm going to find her. Something's not right.'
'Sam, please-'
Sam pushed past Debbie and returned to the lounge where he had met Andrew. He looked through the door at the people drinking champagne. There was no sign of Ali or Jeremy. He swore under his breath. He aimlessly started to wonder along the corridors, calling Ali's name and cursing Jeremy.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
This was exactly how he'd planned it. He'd taken her away from anything that could distract her from him and this was the result. Ali, his angel, in his arms, making no attempt to get away. He was suddenly filled with guilt for having tricked this beautiful, pretending that he was her father. For once Sam may have been right. But on the other hand, it had inspired her voice for the performance. She had been fantastic, and now she was to become a star. He pressed Ali tighter against his chest. Suddenly he heard a noise. His eyes flashed angrily, thinking of attacking whoever it was for ruining this moment for him. But Ali wouldn't like that. She had told him before. Forcing himself to release her, he lay Ali on the floor.
'Sleep my angel,' he whispered.
Ali obeyed. It devastated him to leave her but he had no choice. There was no way out. He slid into the shadows and waited.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Jeremy was not surprised to see Sam stumble across Ali. He did not notice the shape in the shadows as he shook Ali to wake her up and repeatedly called her name. When she woke from her slumber, she looked strangely at him.
'Sam?' she whispered.
'What's happened Ali? Was it Jeremy?'
Ali stared at him confused.
'I, I don't know. I don't remember. I remember leaving Andrew. I had his card. I remember Jeremy was behind me. And then he said something and then, I don't know.'
Sam looked at her curiously and took her hand.
'Come on, let's get you home.'
Ali nodded and threw herself into Sam's arms much to Jeremy's annoyance. He held her for a long time, stroking her hair.
'Shhhh,' he soothed. 'Come on Ali.'
Sam led her back to the rest of the cast, both of them were unaware of the boy following them.
