A/N: I hope you all enjoy this installment, even though it was quite a long time coming. Please read and review. Thank you for all of the continued positive feedback.

As the date of the gala drew closer, Gia treasured the few hours she was able to share with Erik each evening. When she would arrive in her room after a full day of rehearsal he would have a meal prepared for her, and he would watch her to be sure she would eat all of it. She had been too exhausted to do anything but sleep, but he had not minded. He took her swollen feet in his hands and would knead the pain away as he sang to her. He gave her nothing but words of encouragement, and commented that the music sounded particularly wonderful. The only somewhat disturbing thing was that he refused to say anything to her about her performance.

Erik brushed away all her inquiries aside, as though they were flecks of crumbs on his waistcoat, often giving the excuse he could not be impartial where she was concerned. Gia could only think that he was fearful that if he told her the truth she would be upset. It was, perhaps, the one thing in the way of making her perfectly happy. That, and the fast approaching conference with the de Chagnys. Erik had duly dispatched a letter to them at the address Christine had indicated, informing them that Gia would escort them to her room on Thursday evening and that they should only reply if for some reason they would be unable to attend. Today they were expected to arrive in Paris, and Meg had mentioned they planned to pay a visit to the opera house.

At something of a loss, Gia decided to approach the one person she felt it was safe to speak with, Madame Giry. Following the morning rehearsal on Tuesday, she approached the harried ballet mistress after she had a particularly sharp exchange with Monsieur Reyer. She was concerned that the tempo was too a bit too quick during one of Giselle's solos and he had responded by showing her the score and saying the orchestra was playing as the composer had indicated. Reyer's lost his patience with Giry and suggested the problem was that she had given poor instruction to Meg, a charge which had struck the proud woman momentarily dumb. She had been at the point of insulting the man and his entire ancestry when she heard someone behind her clear her throat. Giry turned to find Gia standing there, and Reyer took the opportunity to mumble an apology and skitter off in search of lunch.

"Madame Giry, I know this is a bad time, but may I speak with you for a moment?" Gia asked, sincerely hoping the woman would not in her anger loose her formidable temper on the first person to speak to her. Gia was much relieved to see Madame Giry's visage and form relax upon observing her in her practice uniform.

Giry took one look at the tall young woman with the wide searching eyes, and she was certain she knew what the girl was about. Christine would be here this afternoon, and Gia was undoubtedly nervous about seeing the woman who Erik had once loved.

"Dear child, although there are about a thousand things I should be doing at the moment, I must say I would rather speak with you than do anything else. Come, Meg is off with Georges having her lunch. We can talk in her dressing room."

For Giselle, both Meg and Gia had been given their own dressing rooms backstage. Meg's was the far larger one since it was normally occupied by the Metropolitan's leading soprano Francesca Cabrini. Francesca had always been a good sort, and unlike many of the principle singers, had been quite happy for the time off. She generously had offered her dressing room up to Meg Giry before she left to take a much desired holiday to the seaside. She had kissed the ballerina warmly on both cheeks and wished her luck, saying that she would be back in time to see them all at the gala. Meg had been rather overwhelmed by the generosity of the diva, and had stammered her thanks only when prodded by her mother. Gia was given a smaller room, the one used for whoever had the second female lead. Since that regularly rotated depending on whether the part was for a soprano or mezzo, no one was inconvenienced when Gia brought a few objects from her room in for luck.

Madame Giry used her key to unlock Meg's dressing room, and motioned for Gia to take a seat on the emerald green ormolu chaise-lounge. Gia sat, but could not find her voice and found herself running her fingers along the seam of the couch. Madame Giry ascertained that Gia's nerves had gotten the better of her, so she initiated the conversation.

"I am sure you have heard that Christine and her husband are expected here this afternoon. Is that what is making you so anxious?" she asked.

"Yes. But I am more concerned about Thursday evening. I do not know if she has said anything to you in her letters, but she and her husband are to meet with Erik in my room. Erik has told me he simply wants to put the past behind him by saying good bye to them properly and apologize to her for what he put her through, and yet I worry that something shall go terribly wrong," Gia confided.

It was a bit much for Madame Giry to take in all at once. It was a great risk for Erik to want to take, but the man was infuriatingly pig-headed when it came to Christine. "Have you tried to dissuade him?"

"I have. I am not as concerned that he will act improperly, but I do not know if I can trust Monsieur le Viscomte. He is a kind gentleman, but he loves his wife, and I cannot imagine he will go into this meeting without his prejudices against Erik." Gia's eyes began to water, and tears slipped down her face as she continued, "Oh, Antoinette, I do not know what I would do if anything was to happen to him. I do not think I can live without him."

Antoinette looked upon the young woman with a great deal of sympathy. Many years ago she had felt the same way about a young man. When he had died, leaving her alone with a tiny baby girl, there had been times when she despaired of making it to the next sunrise. "Gia, you are a young woman in love. And more than that, you are a young woman who is about to become a bride. If you thought otherwise, I would be more concerned."

"Erik told you of our understanding? He had not mentioned that to me."

"Do you object to me knowing?" the ballet mistress asked.

"No, it is not that at all. I am quite glad that he told you. If all goes well we are to be married next Wednesday evening at St. Etienne's. If you and Meg would come, I would be most honored. As it stands, it is only to be Erik, me and Father Lessard."

"I shall have to speak with Meg, but I can promise I will be there. I have long hoped to stand up for Erik at his wedding. Are you sure he will not object to my presence?"

Gia could not suppress a smile as she replied, "I do not care if he objects. I am inviting you. You shall both be my guests and if he dares give me grief over it, he will spend our wedding night alone!"

Giry had to admire the young woman who was not afraid to stand up to Erik. She had a strength of character that Christine had never possessed. She had never been over awed by him. She saw Erik as a man like any other, and now the man who had lived so long away from the world was slowly trying to rejoin the human race.

Antoinette chuckled at Gia's joke, then seriously asked her, "What are you both going to do after the wedding? Surely you are not going to continue as you have. You both cannot continue living underground."

Gia exhaled heavily, and responded, "Unless Erik tells me otherwise, I believe things shall remain much as they have. However, we actually spend very little time down in his lair any longer. He has been spending the night in my bedroom. I would like to hold ourselves out as any other married couple and have a home of our own, but when I agreed to be his wife, I knew it would not be a conventional marriage by any means. Maybe one day." Her voice slowly trailed off, and her eyes became slightly unfocused.

"Are you willing to leave here if need be?"

Coming back to earth she said, "I would go anywhere he asked me to. I love him, Antoinette. Being with him is all that matters. He knows my feelings. I just pray that with every day that goes by he comes to see that his face is not as horrible as he imagines it to be. He could be a part of the world if he wanted it enough. But I will not force him. He has good reason to fear as you well know."

Nodding, Madame Giry got up and sat down next to Gia on the chaise-lounge. "My dear, you are the best thing that could have happened to him. You have such a good and accepting heart. But I beg you, do not allow him to take you away from the world. Right now you think love is all you need, but if all remains the same, one day you will come to resent all you gave up for him. If anyone can convince him that the best course of action is for you both to leave here and make your lives elsewhere it is you."

They talked a little while longer, and Madame Giry soothed her fears that Erik was not saying anything about her performance because he thought she was terrible. The former dancer had proclaimed that Gia was doing a fine job, and that if she would only conquer her stage fright all would be well. Additionally, she advised Gia that it would be wise for her to keep an eye on Raoul while they met. He was the wild card in the proceedings, and he might let his passion for Christine to overrule his usual common sense. Inwardly she could not help noticing how the shoe was on the other foot. With Erik secure due to his love for Gia, Raoul became the most dangerous person in the room. He might be tempted to do something rash, and that might lead to something far more tragic than what occurred two years ago.

Together they went up to Madame Giry and Meg's quarters where Gia and Antoinette enjoyed a light repast. Both of them ate little, but said nothing about it. Both women had ample reasons for not being interested in any sort of food. Giry had never before been responsible for such a grand production, and if it was not successful she and Meg would most likely be out on the street again looking for work. She was quite determined that all go well, particularly now that Meg had found a good match in Georges Huget. Professionally, they were well suited, and he was a generous and talented partner. Personally, the young man doted on her and he was most attentive. Giry did not want to see that burgeoning relationship jeopardized. Meg would be crushed if they had to leave.

For Gia, the stakes were nearly as high. Should her performance be singled out as being poor there was the potential she could bring the Metropolitan to financial ruin. Monsieur Dupoix would lose his position and there was no telling what changes a new manager would make. Gia tried to remind herself that not a great deal was expected from her anyway. It was well known that she had danced in public for ten years. But this was Giselle, and many of the Parisian critics were no doubt sharpening their knives in anticipation of an easy kill. Gia had her pride, and she did not want to be a laughing stock. Were it not for the kind words of Madame Giry, she was tempted to tell the ballet mistress to inform Dupoix she would not perform and have her understudy take her place. At least then the only reputation damaged would be her own and the opera house would be safe! She could explain to Erik.

Erik.

His name hung above both their heads like the proverbial sword of Damocles, ready to deliver swift judgment in one fell swoop. Gia feared losing him. It could be to Christine or her husband. There was the real possibility she would fail him on Friday evening. He had so much faith in her abilities. What would happen if she disappointed him? Did he really love her at all? Those questions had been foremost in her mind ever since she had donned her costume as Myrta for the first time the day before.

It was so beautiful with its shimmering silk and swirling skirt, she was not certain she could live up to it or to anyone's expectations of her. Despite all these doubts, she promised herself that she would do her utmost. She knew the steps. Madame Giry believed in her. Erik would be there watching her. And above all, she wanted this moment.This had been her most cherished dream. Now was not the time to become needlessly mired in self doubt.

Whereas Madame Giry worried Erik might lose control around the viscomte and Christine. Their once neat triangle had become a square, and there was the potential for them all to come to harm if their conference did not go well. It would be largely up to the ladies to control the situation. Giry could only pray that Christine's love for Raoul was as steadfast as ever. Antoinette had always prided herself on being a realist, and for that reason alone she knew it might take a minor miracle to prevent bloodshed, but deep down she believed a happy ending was possible for all four of them.

Following their silent lunch, the two women returned to the stage. Although this morning they had done some rehearsals without costumes, this afternoon was to be a full dress rehearsal. Gia reported to her dressing room where one of the seamstresses was waiting to help her dress and take note if any last minute alterations were needed. In addition, one of the ladies from the opera chorus was present to help her arrange her hair and dress it with the pearl beads. It was a time consuming process, and Gia was thankful she did not have to report to the stage right away. Once she was dressed, the seamstress handed her the golden rod that was to serve as her wand.

The two ladies then practically pounced on her to do her makeup. When Gia looked in the mirror at the finished product, she almost did not know the woman staring back her. The woman in the mirror was almost devoid of color. Her eyes had been outlined in kohl so they stood out a vivid blue and her lips were bright red. Her cheeks had the barest amount of color. Her skin had been powdered so she was nearly the same color as her costume. She looked like one of the waking dead.

And yet, the figure was not an unpleasant one. The woman in the mirror was beautiful and unearthly, words Gia never would have used to describe herself.

"There now, Mademoiselle Burnside, you are finished! And I hope this doesn't offend you, but I think you make a perfect Queen of the Wilis!" exclaimed the young woman from the opera chorus. The seamstress nodded in agreement, and Gia gave them both a nervous grin. "Now off with you backstage," they both exhorted her simultaneously.

When Gia managed to get backstage, Act I was underway and Meg was prancing around the stage beguiling her two gentlemen. Wanting a few moments alone, she went to a practice room to warm-up a bit and make certain her shoes were not laced up too loosely. After doing a short sequence from her solo, she determined all was well on that score, so she danced in time to the music coming from the orchestra pit. But suddenly the music stopped in what should have been the middle of Giselle's final dance with Albrecht.

Something had to be wrong, since everyone had been informed that today's rehearsal was to go straight through without any breaks. Gia dashed for the wings, nearly colliding with Juliet Simone, one of the dancers in the corps de ballet.

"Juliet, forgive me! What in heaven's name is going on? I thought this was to be a complete rehearsal. Why has the music stopped?" Gis inquired, almost breathless.

"Oh Gia, we have visitors! The Viscomte de Chagny and his wife are here and Dupoix is showing them around a bit. We stopped so they wouldn't be spoiled for the gala."

From that point on, Gia stopped listening to the teenager who continued to comment on how very handsome the viscomte was, what a very lovely dress his wife was wearing, and how very exciting it was that one of the oldest titled families in France was going to be present at the opening performance. Christine was here! And if Erik was in the balconies as she suspected he was, he would see her. Gia did the only thing she could do, she wrung her hands because if she did anything else, she might ruin her costume.

"Can you believe that Meg and her old dragon of a mother are actually friends with them?"

The question broke Gia from her reverie, and she snapped at Juliet, "Of course I can believe it! Not so very long ago the viscomtess was in your shoes. That was how she made the acquaintance of Meg and Madame Giry. Unlike you, however, she had the talent and sweetness of character to capture the heart of a gentleman!"

Unwilling to listen to the silly ballet rat any longer, Gia headed for the stage, leaving Juliet with her jaw dropped in astonishment. As Gia looked from the wings, she could see that everyone and everything had come to a dead stop as the viscomte and his wife were being reunited with Meg and Madame Giry while the entire company looked on. She attempted to conceal herself behind a scrim curtain, but she heard Christine's voice call to her.

"Is that you Mademoiselle Burnside? Do come out. My husband and I were hoping we would have the chance to see you this afternoon."

All other conversations ceased as the eyes of all the people assembled became trained on her. Gia's feet felt as though they were weighed down with plaster, but she forced herself to walk out onto the stage and toward the small group that consisted of Monsieur Dupoix, Madame Giry, Meg, Christine, and Raoul. Unsure of herself, Gia did the one thing that came naturally, she made a formal curtsey and waited until they bid her to raise her head.

Looking on from the upper balcony, Erik was finding it difficult to draw breath. His heart was beating a fierce tattoo that would not abate. It had begun when he saw Christine on the arm of the boy followed closely by Dupoix emerge from stage right. Dupoix loudly announced their presence, which startled everyone on stage, and caused Monsieur Reyer to lose his place in the score. The orchestra came to a screeching halt, and that caused him and the old conductor to wince painfully.

When he opened his eyes, he closed them and reopened them to be sure this was not a hallucination. Erik would have known that pale brunette form in the sky blue walking dress anywhere. It really was her, and she was on stage again, looking like an angel.

Now that she was married, she no longer wore her hair loose, but it was the same curly chestnut mass that he once longed to have spill across his naked chest. He could only stare as she apologized to Monsieur Reyer and Madame Giry for interrupting their rehearsal, explaining that it was her fault because she insisted on seeing Meg and Giry as soon as possible upon arriving in Paris. They were her only family, you see, and it had been nearly a month since she had seen them.

The apology mollified everyone, and the frowns of most of the assembled dancers and musicians were converted into grins or at least polite nods. With the pause in rehearsal various discussions broke out, and Erik could not make out what the main players onstage were saying. Damn it! Why hadn't he taken the time to learn to read lips? Just as his frustration was reaching the breaking point, a vision in white materialized from the wings.

Gia.

With her head held high she gracefully walked onto the stage, a ghostly figure among all the colors around her. She stopped directly in front of Christine and her husband and made a deep bow, bent forward at the waist, her left hand almost touching the wooden boards of the stage as her right leg bent at the behind the left. At her act of great reverence, the voices in theater stopped their idle chatter. Gia did not budge until the viscomte told her to rise.

Erik was perched on the edge of his seat, wishing he could be down there with her to protect her from what must be being said about her. He forgot Christine. All that mattered was his beloved Gia. He had once thought Christine was an angel, but she paled in comparison next to the long limbed lady who had freely given him her heart. The woman who had accepted his flawed countenance and even more flawed soul, who endured his temper and his tendency to jump to conclusions all because she loved him. He marveled at her.

She spoke with Christine and the boy briefly before returning backstage, and shortly thereafter the party left and the rehearsal resumed. Erik barely paid attention to the rest of ballet, even when Gia was onstage. He simply had to know what had passed between Christine and her.

He would be waiting for her in her room.