A/N: We are slowly coming to an end. Just for reference, the next post after this will consist of three parts. Phoenix wanted Chapter 50 split. It is a very long chapter and she feels too long to post all at once. So please be patient with her. She is doing it for a purpose.

This chapter has a large space in my heart. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. A reminder, Phoenix will be posting a new story soon after this one. She has already written nine chapters and is anxious to post. Erik will reveal the name on the next posting.

As always, the stage is yours.

With much love,

Angelina

Chapter 49 – Setting a Soul Free

Meg paced the stage, not bothering to watch the dancers perform. Her mind was filled with what she had seen only days prior.

She has succumbed to the Phantom…

The music abruptly ended, knocking Meg out of her daze. Glancing up, she noticed all of the dancers staring at her.

"Take a break."

She watched as Angelina began toward the back stage area.

"Angelina, I need to speak with you."

Moving off to the side, she watched as her goddaughter approached her. Her step seemed full of life and love.

Please God, grant me the strength…

"Madam Giry, is there something wrong?"

"The other night, I saw you practicing on stage."

"I do that almost every night."

"You were not alone."

Angelina looked into Meg's eyes and saw fear. Swallowing hard, she looked away. "There was no one with me on stage, Madam."

"Do not lie to me, Angelina."

"I would never…"

"The Phantom was with you on this stage!" Meg caught herself – not allowing anyone else to hear her.

Angelina strained to keep a straight face. She knows of Erik… "Madam, please…"

"You are not to see him again."

She was taken aback. "You have no right…"

"Until your mother and father can come to Paris, you are not to see him again."

"I am a grown woman!"

"You are a child!" Meg was growing frustrated. She knew of the pain that Christine and Raoul had gone through. It would not happen again. "You are to stay away from him."

"I will do as I please, Madam. Do what you must. But I will see him when I please."

As Angelina began to walk away, Meg's hand grasped her arm. Angelina's glare did not deter Meg from what she would say to her.

"You do not know him."

"Yes, I do. More than you would like."

"Stay away from him, Angelina."

"No." Pulling away from her, she began into the darkness where Meg feared she would go. "I will not. He is the only man I can trust – the only one."

She fled the stage as Meg stepped forward. Looking up to the sky, Meg muttered to herself in frustration.

"You will never regain her trust now, Meg."

Turning, she watched as her mother stepped onto the stage. "The Phantom is dangerous."

"Not to her."

"Mother, you know what happened to Christine and to Raoul. If he hurts Angelina, I will never forgive myself."

"Leave things as they are."

Meg could not believe what she was hearing. "Mother…"

"Do not debate me on this. Leave her alone. You will make matters worse." Placing a hand on Meg's shoulder, she smiled at her. "She is safe. Trust me."

"Again."

"Erik, I am growing tired."

Sitting on a step, Angelina looked out at the calm water in front of her. She had never seen it so tranquil. The music continued to play all around her even as she saw Erik stand up.

"Something is bothering you."

"It is nothing."

"Tell me." Erik sat next to her. Instead of watching the water, he watched her. Emotions played in her eyes. Something had disturbed her before she had traveled down to see him. Angelina would not tell him what but it was worrying him.

"It is this opera."

"Is it?"

Angelina quickly nodded her head. She would not tell him of the discussion she had with Madam Giry earlier in the day. If he found out, she was afraid of what would happen. Would he grow mad? Would he leave and never return – leaving her alone and afraid? There were too many questions that needed to be answered before she could openly tell him what happened.

"It is different now that I know it is yours."

"Why?"

"I do not want to disappoint you."

Erik merely nodded his head. "You will not disappoint me. This role was written for you."

"Which makes it that much worse." Turning to him, she looked at him with fear in her eyes. "If I fail you, this opera will fail as well."

"You will not fail, Angelina. Where is this coming from? Why are you so frightened of this?"

"It is not something I have done before."

"It is merely an opera. You have performed in many."

"It is an opera in which you are the composer!"

She stood; nearly knocking Erik into the stone wall he sat by. He watched as frustration overtook her body. Angelina kicked at the water, soaking her white ballet slipper.

"Angelina, you will ruin the slipper!"

"I am wearing the black ones on the night of the performance."

"That does not matter." He knew she would never ruin her slippers unless something was wrong. "Tell me what is wrong."

"Everything!" Everything that she felt was being bottled up. It had filled to the brim, ready to spill out. From her frustration with Meg and her parents to the love she would deny herself because she did not have the courage to tell Erik.

She felt Erik stand and approach her. His hand touched her bare shoulder, setting her skin on fire. "Please, Erik…"

"Tell me."

"I cannot."

"Your heart is breaking. Tell me what happened this morning."

"Nothing happened. Please, do not ask me again."

Erik let his hand drop from her shoulder. His touch would not ease the pain that was suffocating her. Whatever it was, was giving her heartache that he could not send away.

"If you need to talk to someone, know that you may come to me at any time."

He began back up to his organ as Angelina looked at him with tears in her eyes.

I love you…

The words Meg had said to her earlier in the day still haunted her. But her heart could not deny what it wanted any longer.

"Erik, wait…"

He stopped – not wanting to turn around.

"There is something I have been meaning to tell you."

He could hear her step toward him. His breath caught as she laid a hand on his arm.

"I am sorry for the way I have treated you today."

"I just worry."

"Of this I know." Turning him, Angelina looked into Erik's iridescent eyes. They captured her – pulled her in. "Please forgive me."

"There is always forgiveness in my heart for you, Angelina."

"There is something…" How do I say this? "There is something I have wished to tell you for some time."

"Angelina, you do not have to tell me anything you do not want to."

"I know." She hesitated but smiled. "Erik, I…"

Erik watched as Angelina stumbled over the words she was about to say. Is she trying to say 'I love you'?

"I…" It was no use. There were no words that would escape her lips. It was as if her throat had collapsed. But Angelina knew she did not want to deter from what she wanted to do. Bringing herself forward, she looked at Erik. There was no hesitation in the action. Her lips were on his – tasting the sweet sensation she had been longing for since the last time his lips met hers.

Erik's eyes closed as his arms wrapped around her. God, is this a dream? The kiss deepened as she parted his lips. His senses went sent soaring to the heavens as her tongue and hands searched every part of him.

She felt for the edge of the mask and quickly removed it. Angelina heard him groan but her touch silenced him. She hoped that Erik would understand the meaning behind the kiss – that no words needed to be spoken. Letting herself part from him, she took a step back and watched as his eyes slowly opened.

Silence hung in the air as if it was a stage curtain ready to drop after a masterful performance. There were no words to be uttered. Erik's heart had stopped. He died and had flown to heaven. Trying to contain a smile, he looked toward Angelina – who seemed to be just as taken back.

"Erik…"

"No words, Angelina. Please…"

Nodding her head, she smiled at him. "I must return. The performance is only a few days away. I must get some rest."

"Yes, you should."

She began to walk toward the stairs. His hand instinctively went to his marred cheek.

"Angelina, my mask…"

"You do not need it."

"Please…"

"I do not want you to wear this in my presence. It is a bridge that we have crossed. I know who you are, Erik. The mask only prevents me from seeing your beauty."

"This is not beauty, Angelina."

"It is to me. And that is all that matters."

Erik watched her ascend the stairs with a renewed vigor. He stood, basked in light. His hand gently touched his lips, as if clinging to what had just happened.

She kissed me…

Stumbling toward his organ, like a man that had too much to drink, he sat at his organ and began to play. His fingers flew over the ivory keys without thought or care. He smiled, knowing that even in the depths of his lair; his music would be carried to Angelina in the darkness of her room. Erik would bring her light with his music. He would give her the light that she had given him.

A kiss had set him free. He now knew Angelina loved him. There were no words needed. She had set his soul free. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he continued to smile.

The kiss of an angel…

His thoughts would not let him sleep tonight. Erik knew that he would continue to play until the sun rose. It would be a new day and he would join in the light that would fill it.