A/N: Sorry about the delay in updates. I have way too many stories going on right now with many more I'm about to write. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Read and Review. I'd love to hear what you think! Thanks!

Chapter 16 – The First Stage is Denial

It hardly seemed like a week after Don Juan. The days were all a blur to Angelina. Every day grew more and more disappointing. The news of her mother had traveled all around Paris. It was like the plague. Her father kept telling her that her mother was fine and that everything would work itself out. Somewhere in her heart, she wished he was right.

It escalated after that. The entire opera house caught wind of Jonathan proposing to her. One thing had led to another and everyone now thought they were engaged to be married. She tried to deny it all but she was not heard. Instead of wearing the ring like she was going to, she found a small box and put it on top of her dresser. It was hot to touch. She feared it. It felt as though a noose was around her neck – depriving her of air.

The news of Brigitte getting the lead in the new opera also drifted about the opera house. Angelina was devastated at the news. She had thought since her performance in Don Juan was such a success, she would have at least had a chance at the lead. But Madam Giry had told her the managers had wanted Brigitte back in the lead. She could put up no contest. She took a step to the side and let Brigitte back in her rightful spot.

Alexander told her, later on that week, that he would be returning home with their parents. She had begged him to stay but was told that it was for the better. He would return to Paris in a few weeks time, along with Jonathan. She recalled the conversation…

"Why must everything be with Jonathan?"

"He's in love with you, Angelina. Why can't you see that?"

"I can see that. But I do not know if I love him."

"Love is second to being alone. You do not want to be alone in life, Angelina. You are much too beautiful and caring for that."

He had left with their parents. Jonathan left soon after that. She was once again alone. This is how you wanted it, wasn't it? To be left alone? You got your wish. The entire week was chaos and all her body wanted to do was rest. But her thoughts kept her mind busy and her body going. There would be no rest for the weary.

Angelina's thoughts drifted to Erik. There had not been a rose or a note after her performance. She would have at least thought there would have been some indication on how her performance was. He was there for the first song but had he watched the entire opera?

She looked at the mirror as she sat on the bed. Sighing, she rose from the bed and pushed back the mirror. The candles were lit once again and showed her the way to the lair.

The journey was long and tedious. Angelina did not remember the winding staircase being so long. Maybe it was because the first time she was unconscious when she went down them. The stairs could have led her to the depths of hell and she would have been none the wiser.

When she finally reached the platform, she climbed into the boat and pushed herself along the water path to Erik's lair.

Gently climbing off of the boat, the heat from the candles surrounding her, made her feel at home. She looked around her and did not see Erik anywhere.

"Erik?"

She continued the path up to the organ, climbing the stairs slowly and keeping an eye out for him.

"Erik!"

His named echoed throughout the cavern. There was still no reply. She feared that she might have done something wrong. She could recall no incidents in which she could have angered him. Although, if her performance was inadequate that would anger him.

The keys were ivory and worn, but beautiful none the less. She ran her fingers across the keys, savoring and remembering the texture of them. Smiling, she sat down in front of the organ. She remembered the first time she played one.

The monastery was just down the road from the de Chagny household. Angelina, just five, would sneak out of the house and run down to speak with the monks who had resided there. It was there that she would first learn about music. She would touch and study the organ. It took her several years, but she had taught herself how to play. Her mother would never allow it in the house. She thanked God for the monks' vow of silence. They would not speak of her 'sin' to her mother.

Over the years, she had perfected her playing. She had even written a few songs but nothing of the caliber of Erik's writing. Recalling one, her fingers began to dance over the keys – fluid and graceful.

Erik sat in his private room. Only a curtain separated the room from the main part of the cavern. Although his bedroom had contained most of his things, this room was where his most prized possessions were stored. There were several drawings of Angelina in different costumes.

The costumes became reality as Erik had constructed a small stage containing several models of the latest operas. To the right of his small stage was a miniature version of it. He sat in front of it, looking at it – studying it. He noted Brigitte's head on the lead part of Faust. The managers had seen to it that Brigitte was brought back to diva status. Even though they knew of the news of Angelina traveling throughout Paris, Brigitte had somehow seen to it that she was brought back. I will have to remedy that.

It was moments before he heard the gentle playing of his organ. Quickly rising to his feet and pulling back the curtain, he saw Angelina sitting there – playing. He stood there in disbelief and noticed the boat docked. Closing the curtain behind him, he began up the stairs and to the angel sitting at his organ.

Angelina did not hear him climb the stairs. Her mind was focused on the piece. There were no errors and piece had flowed smoothly. She did not remember it doing that. It was a dark piece as time went on. The intensity changed as it continued. The notes grew deeper and darker.

No one knew that this was how her soul screamed to her every night. It was her pain and torment. Her parents did not know any of it. Music had set her free. The piece she wrote had claimed her long ago. She did not have words, only notes. Even the notes were covered in tears. The first time she had played it, she could not make it through the first verse.

As soon as his hand had touched her bare skin on her back, her eyes immediately closed. Her fingers continued over the keys, needing no sight to know where they needed to be. She could feel him sit down next to her and felt his piercing stare. His hand guided itself from her back down her arm and to her hand. He positioned it over hers, careful not to disturb her playing.

Erik watched the intensity in her playing and knew the pain she was going through by just the notes alone. He had felt that way many a time but he could never express it through his music unless he had a reason. Don Juan was a prime example. It was a product of Christine and his passion for her.

Now he had a new opera with a new muse. Angelina was the perfect lead for it. He would reveal it to the world in due time. There were finishing touches and one last song needed for it. The melody to the song Angelina played seemed to fit perfectly into the opera. It was just the song he needed to complete it.

Noting how tired her fingers were, he slowly stopped her from playing. She seemed out of breath and still as melancholy as when she arrived. Her eyes slowly opened and looked at Erik.

"I needed you."

Those three words tore his heart in two. He had never heard anyone mutter those words to him. He never expected anyone to.

"My week has been nothing but nightmares. I needed you."

She turned to him and rested her head on his chest. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and embraced her as she sobbed. Erik lifted her head and looked at her tear-filled eyes.

"Tell me what has happened."

It had taken Angelina longer then anticipated to explain the things that had progressed over the week. She felt as thought she was complaining. But as she looked up to see if she had bored Erik yet, his eyes were focused on her with no signs of bring bored or losing touch with reality. He had asked very few questions but most of them were asked about her mother. She had pondered why but pushed it off as she continued on with her story.

After completely the weekly events, she finally had gathered enough courage to ask the question she had been wanting to.

"Why did you not play Don Juan throughout the entire opera?"

Was he laughing? Was he actually laughing at her? The laughter echoed throughout the cavern. She looked at him, bewildered.

"I was not there. I was in a private room listening to your performance."

"No, that's not possible. You were there. I felt you, heard you…"

"I'm afraid, my dear Angelina, that you imagined my presence."

Erik watched her expressions change. Telling her that he was not on stage with her had been his plan. He wanted her to believe that she could do it on her own without his help. The passion he had felt between them had caused him to rethink his plan. His initial thought was to tell her it was him. His entire thought process changed after the exchange between them.

Her voice had set his soul on fire. Their rehearsals together had not shown him everything she had been capable of. 'Point of No Return' had set something free within her. He was there to bask in the glory of his student becoming something he never expected: a true equal.

He knew that she had figured out it was him toward the end. There would be no way to take back everything he had planned until he recalled something he had told her only days before. My dearest Angelina, all you need is to think of me. Do not imagine Monsieur DuBois standing in front of you – imagine me. His plan could be put to use. She would never know it was him singing along side her. It was better this way – or so he told himself.

Angelina could not even think about imaging what had happened on stage. She knew it was him with her and not Rene. The passion, the sensuality – it was all him. And the voice could not be mistaken. Don Juan was played by him and he was now denying it. Was he intently trying to drive her insane?

She slowly rose to her feet and watched him keep his gaze upon her. "You are lying."

"I would never lie to you, Angelina."

"I know it was you. I felt your touch as I did that night we rehearsed. Your voice echoed throughout the opera house."

"I heard your performance. I did not see it. I wish I had now."

She spun toward him and fell to her knees in front of him. Her eyes pleaded, sending shivers down his spine. "Tell me it was you. Please, tell me it was you."

He smiled upon her and put his hand to her face. Denial had to be apart of this plan. In order to save her, he needed to hurt her. She must never know it was me.

"You did as you were taught. You saw me instead of Rene. I told you to see me when you felt doubtful of your abilities. Do you remember me telling you that?"

She vaguely remembered that night. His touch had her mind reeling from everything around her. She had recalled something he said to her but it was jumbled and incoherent.

"You saw me instead of Rene…"

"But your voice…"

"Imagined, Angelina. Nothing more or less. You wanted me with you and I was, in your mind. There is nothing wrong with that."

The performance had improved because she had thought he was there with her. She laid everything out and exposed her inner self. A new woman and a new singer, Angelina had become stronger because of that performance and thinking Erik had been the one singing with her. Now she became insecure once again. I don't want to be like that with anyone else. If it truly was Rene, what does he think of me now?

Her week ended with a bang. She was devastated once again. Maybe the thoughts of him finding something in her had been wrong. She was wrong many times before, maybe she was once again.

"So it was not you on the stage with me?"

"I am afraid not. Although I am flattered that you would think I was."

She nodded her head as she slowly rose from her knees. Erik stood along side her and watched her expressions, from feeling to nothing in a moment's notice. He feared he had done wrong but if she had found out it was him, it would repulse her and drive her away.

She prayed to God that he was lying. It was his hands that she wanted on her body. It was his voice that she wanted in her head. It was his touch…If she said anything to him, it would drive him away.

Silence hung in the air like a thick fog. Both had wanted to touch the other but were afraid to. Finally, Erik had mustered the courage to speak.

"I must get you back. Your rehearsal for Faust is early in the morning. You must get your rest."

"Yes."

He had wanted her to say more but nothing came out. Not only was it silence hanging in the air, it was disappointment and fear. Neither of them wanted to know what they were feeling. Were they denying themselves the pleasure of being happy? Could they truly ever be happy if the other knew of the secrets that they held inside of their hearts?

Erik took her hand and led her to the boat. He gently sat her down and stepped in behind her. Angelina's back was rigid and tight. Erik could tell how much he had hurt her. But there was no choice. There were feelings inside of him that he was unsure of. He had not felt like this with Christine. The feelings were different and more intense. There was a connection with Angelina; he just wasn't sure what it was. Until he found out what, he was going to maintain his distance and slowly figure out what it is that was haunting him. Until then, he would lie to Angelina only to keep her safe. She could not know the truth. It's what damned him but it would not condemn him.