Kat, Kite, and Alex bowed and smiled. There was so much applause… Then they turned and walked off the stage. Mr. Copen hurried up to them. "Wonderful, wonderful," he said, positively glowing with happiness. "You three seem to portray the characters with so much more emotion now," he said before handing them each a rose (red, with black ribbons Kite noted). Kat and the others thanked him. He then hurried off to spread flowers to the rest of the cast. Alex led the way to the doors out into the lobby of the theater.

"I think it's because we know that they were real," he said.

"What?" Kat asked.

"We know that the characters actually existed, and we know that their struggles and feelings were real," Kat and Kite nodded in agreement.

"But do we?" Kat asked quietly. "Do we really know that it wasn't all just a dream?" Alex looked surprised.

"Of course we do!" He said. Kat shook her head.

"We have no proof, all the things we took came back too," she said.

Kite nodded. "We do have our memories," he said. Kat smiled.

"Yes," she said, laughing, "we do have those!"

"Well, shall we go out and brave the mob?" Alex asked grabbing the handle of the door leading to the lobby.

"Do you realize how appropriate that sounds?" Kite asked him. Alex blinked and then laughed.

"No pun intended," he said.

"Well, let us go," Kat said, motioning him forward. "Gentlemen first," Alex opened the door and almost hit someone with it.

"Oops, sorry!" He apologized as the young man jumped back.

"Oh, I didn't realize this door opened out!" The man said. He glanced at the three of them. "Kite, Kat, and Alex?" He asked. They nodded came forward.

"Yes?" Kite asked.

"I was wondering if I might have a private word?" The man asked, looking around.

"Uh, sure," Alex held the door open so he could come backstage.

"I have something for you three," the man said, pulling an envelope out of his jacket pocket. He held it out. "It's very odd," the man told them as Kite took the envelope. "I didn't open it, however." All three gasped when they saw the front.

To be delivered to Messieurs Kite and Alex, and Mademoiselle Kat after their performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" in the summer of the year 2005. They reside in the USA.

"It looks very old," the man continued. "But it's sheer luck that I found who it was meant to go to. One of my cousins received it in an inheritance from his late great uncle who lived in France. He remembered that I lived in the US, and he sent this to me. I live a couple hours north of here, but when I did an internet search for productions of Phantom of the Opera, having cast members with your names, your high school popped up. Do you know who it's from?" Kat shook her head.

"No," she said. "We haven't set up a joke, if that's what you're wondering."

"Shall I open it?" Kite asked.

"Yes," Kat and Alex answered. Kite carefully opened the envelope and unfolded the paper inside.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kite, Alex, and Kat,

I have no idea of whether this will ever reach you. It is possible that it never will, or it is possible that you will receive it directly after your performance, as I have requested it to be delivered then. I am writing this several months after the lightning struck the opera house. I'm afraid that Apollo's lyre is now permanently damaged. It melted completely, but it now has a new shape. It looks like a bird taking flight. Or perhaps an angel with wings outspread. I heard what had happened shortly after it took place. A man arrived at my home and told me that he was the stagehand who had led you to me after you had been exploring on the roof. Perhaps you remember him?

He informed me that he had seen you three running up the stairs to the roof, and followed you to say that you weren't allowed up there. He heard almost everything that was said, but when he looked out after the lightning struck, there was no one in sight. He surmised that "Erik" had jumped, though he couldn't explain what had happened to the three of you. When he went down to the street below, he could not find a body anywhere. He then came directly to me, to inform me of your absence. I can only hope that you were taken back to your home land and time.

Several days afterwards, the managers received a letter demanding that the Opera Ghost's salary be paid. I must admit, the looks on their faces were priceless. Christine (the Vicomtess, I might add) was greatly relieved when she heard that he was not dead. I believe that you saved her from a great deal of grief by preventing his death. Thank you.

Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Below Raoul's signature was an elaborate seal. Kat and the other two all finished reading at the same time. They looked up at each other in amazement. "I won't pry," the man began, "But I'm afraid I have to admit that I am rather curious as to what it contained…"

"It's… Part of a story." Kite said. "I had no idea…" he trail off. The man shrugged.

"Would you like to keep it?" He asked.

"Oh, yes please!" Kat said. He nodded.

"I greatly enjoyed your performance!" He said. "I'm Raoul, by the way. I'm afraid I get a lot of jokes made about my name." He looked pained. "But," he turned to Alex, "you did an excellent job portraying him!" Alex nodded, trying to keep a straight face. He could sense that Kat and Kite were also struggling with laughter. "I'll take my leave," Raoul said. "Thank you for a wonderful performance, and for adding a bit of color and mystery to my boring life. I'm just sorry the mystery is over!" He turned and walked away.

Kat burst out laughing. "A Raoul!" she said, "And related, if only by marriage, to the real one, too!" Alex and Kite nodded, laughing as well.

"Well, I suppose this proves it," Alex said, tapping the letter.

"It was real," Kat said dreamily, "it was all real…"

The End

I'm putting up anther story now that i've finished this one. It will be called "Parallel Paths" and will be about Erik and Raoul. No, it will not be slash! No, thank you!

Summary: If Christine were kidnapped, could Erik and Raoul work together to rescue her? They try, but with arguments, threats, and violence within the two man rescue party... can Christine ever hope for a rescue!