Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Phantom of the Opera. There are days I wish I did. Angelina and some of the other characters that are in here I own. The Phantom in this story is based after the one in the movie. The portrayal in that movie was unbelievable and I know my story and my character will pale in comparison. However, I hope you all enjoy it and I would love to have reviews and comments. Enjoy! Be gentle! This is my first story on here.

A/N: I know it is a little soon but I needed to update. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I promise it gets better as it goes on. Enjoy Chapter Two and please read and review. I also would like to thank the Aria Database for the lyrics to "Carmen".

Chapter 2 – To Dance or Not To Dance

Dear Mother –

I have been in Paris for a week now. I know you have been counting the days. I am writing this letter to you to assure you that I am perfectly fine and that I'm doing well. Madam Giry has made me one of the leads in the new opera. She's extremely impressed with my abilities. I assured her that it was due to your training. She had no doubts about that.

I have met another young woman who had just moved from Spain. Her name is Gabriella and she is so beautiful. You would love her, mother. She is pleasant and speaks very good English. She is starring along side me in the ballet parts of the opera, all except for the solo that I have.

Whatever you were afraid of has not happened. Everything within the opera house has been going according to schedule with no problems. However, the new diva Brigitte Raineau has seen to tell me on more then one occasion that she is better then you. I have contained all comments and have said nothing to her. She is the star of the show and has received all of the attention. Madam Giry has seen to it that she rolls her eyes every time she is in her presence. I do not think Madam Giry likes her very much. I know Madam Raineau does not like her. She has also said that on more then one occasion.

Mother, I wish you would come to Paris and see me. I am worried about you and your fears for me. I pray that you and father are well. I have visited the chapel every chance I have gotten and prayed for the both of you. Alexander has written me and told me that he will return home soon. I know you are both anxious for his return.

I must go, our rehearsal starts for the managers of the opera house in a few moments. I love you, mother. Please, do not fear for me. I am fine and am doing well. I am making the Chagny name ring throughout all of Paris as you once did with the name of Daae. I hope you receive this in good tiding.

With all my love, as always…

Angelina

She stood and watched Angelina from the wing of the stage. Just like her mother. Her long black curly hair bounced as she made her pirouettes around the stage and completed every turn with precision and grace. Her blue eyes belonged to her father and her smile…both parents.

She's exactly like Christine was when we were children.

Meg Giry stepped out from the wing and began to circle the stage, focusing on the dancers performing. They were improving with every day and not disappointing as many dancers before them had. The managers had seen to it that they procured every well trained ballet dancer from around the world to perform in their operas. They had not failed. Dancers from Spain, Russia, Egypt, London, and the States had come to Paris to perform. She was never so impressed.

But one had stuck out as she watched them perform one-by-one: Angelina. Meg knew from her mother that in order to produce a well performed ballet, you must have a well trained dancer. Angelina was just that dancer. She would lead the dancers without having her attitude change and become a "diva".

Brigitte…

She claimed every chance she could to tell Angelina that she paled in comparison to her. And every time that Brigitte mentioned Christine, she could see Angelina's anger flash in her eyes but quickly let it diminish. If she could, she, herself, would tell Brigitte all about how a true diva was to act. Christine was a star in her own right. To destroy her memory was to destroy everything that Christine was.

She stood at the front of the stage and watched Angelina and a new dancer from Spain, Gabriella, complete their dance with twelve others. All stood after finishing and the music had stopped. Meg smiled.

"Excellent. There is still much to be done for this to be perfect, but you are well on your way." Meg could see the happiness pass over all of their faces. The praise was well taken.

Before any more praise could be given, Meg stopped and watched a woman push her way to the front.

"Out of my way! Dancers are second to singers! Move!"

Meg sighed and watched as a well-dressed young woman stood in front of her. Meg didn't mind being overturned by managers, but to be overturned by a woman who had no knowledge of the stage irritated her.

"Madam Giry, if you don't mind, I believe your rehearsal is over."

Meg sighed and knew better then to argue. Her mother taught her better then that. How she missed her mother behind the scenes of every opera. She had more tolerance of divas then her.

"Madam Raineau, I believe you are early."

"And you are to accommodate me, according to our dear managers." She stepped up to Meg. "You are not being very accommodating."

Meg smiled and gestured her dancers to leave. She noticed Angelina stay there and watch the scene.

"Madam Giry, do you wish me to stay?" Her voice faltered as Brigitte turned to her with a look of death.

Meg slowly shook her head. "No, my dear. Please, go get changed. The rest of the day is yours."

Angelina nodded her head as Meg turned back to Brigitte. Brigitte's hazel eyes pierced Meg's. Her blonde hair bounced as did her bosom. Meg could tell her anger was growing and decided to defuse it before it escalated.

"The stage is yours, Madam Raineau. See to it that you use it properly."

Meg began to walk away before she could hear a snicker come from Brigitte's lips.

"Your darling little ballet dancer will star in this opera, I hear. Unlike Carlotta years prior, I will not back down from a little twit. I am the diva of this opera. A ballet dancer will not overturn me. See to it, Madam Giry. See that she does not overstep her bounds as her mother did. I will not tolerate it."

Meg would not give her the satisfaction of turning around. She continued to walk away, leaving Brigitte to her spotlight.

Angelina's quarters were small but she was quite content with them. There was a small cot against the wall across from a large mirror built into the wall. Sometimes she would think there was someone behind the mirror, watching her.

I have completely lost my mind.

She stood in front of the mirror, still in her costume from the rehearsal. A flowing light pink gown, to just above her ankles, allowed her the freedom she needed to perform her moves freely. The bodice was just low enough to show the designs upon her chest that she was required to wear.

The satin ballet shoes complimented the moves she performed in front of the mirror. Music came to her through the slight breeze that seemed to enter the room. The intensity of her moves increased as the music increased.

"Sing…"

Her eyes closed as the music continued to grow. Angelina didn't feel of herself, as if some spirit willed her on. Her steps seemed to differ from the ones she performed on stage. Breathing became harder and harder as the music continued to grow louder in her head.

"Sing!"

Angelina could resist no more. Her soul and heart filled with the music that surrounded her. Her moves, fluid. Her voice came to her…

"Of him that I love once! She is dangerous, she is beautiful. But I do not want to be afraid. No, no, I do not want to be afraid. I will speak up before her…ah! Lord you will protect me. Protect me! O Lord! Give me courage!"

The aria from Carmen had filled her, the lyrics unknown to her but she some how knew them. Her voice resonated and echoed. Anyone who walked into her room would have been sent to their knees with the power that came from her.

The door to Angelina's room opened and she collapsed to the ground as the music died. Meg stood there and looked at Angelina, collapsed on the floor. Her eyes slowly met the eyes of the child on the floor. Tears began to show in Angelina's eyes.

"Anna, I did not know you could sing."