Disclaimer... Don't own it... wish like hell I did.

Opening Night.

Charlotte was terrified. Why? She had no clue. This was technically her first Opera. But she had been on stage since she could remember. Erik would be there watching and cheering her on… and unfortunately so would Chris.

She loved Chris, but as a friend and she was afraid to see him, for fear he would drop down on one knee and ask a very important question. Whenever she could avoid him, she did. Erik was the only thing keeping her going through out this whole ordeal. A month with him by her side had strengthened her immensely.

She was never seen by anyone in the opera house, except for at rehearsals, and occasionally asking questions of her leading man, Joly. Joly was a nice young man, he had brown hair and was rather hansom. They had become friend over the course of practice, she helped him with his shyness towards other girls, mainly the 'Prima Ballerina' Dasha.

But rarely besides on stage, they thought she was a hermit. But why should she care? She had Erik. When she wasn't at practice she was with Erik, and occasionally Chris. She was always in Erik's lair, she began to love it in the vaults of the Opera house.

Before the show Madame Giry helped her get her into her very large first act costume. She played 'Princess Isabelle' and apparently, being a princess involves her to look like a bell, absolutely skinny with a gigantic dress. As much as she hated the dress, she looked amazing in as told to her by so many. Madame Giry finished tying the corset strings.

She smiled at the girl. "You'll do magnificently tonight" she said confidently to Charlotte. Charlotte blushed and smiled. "Sing to Box 5, it's the top left" she whispered. Charlotte nodded. Mme Giry left the room and closed the door. She knew about her and Erik, she was the only one Erik could confide in, since he was a child.

She sighed and pulled out the shirt that Erik had given her a month ago. It smelled like him, and it reminded her of him. Thinking of him made her smile. She picked up the single red rose and replayed the moment he had given it to her…

Erik smiled and held something behind his back. Charlotte was always curious. She tried to get it from him, what ever it was, but he easily fended her off. "If you at this, you'll never get it, you must say the magic words" he said teasing her.

"Please, I wuv you Erik" she pouted and closed her eyes absent-mindedly, he kissed her, while she had her eyes shut. She opened her eyes to the rose. "My favorite" She said softly.

She held it to her chest. She set it down on the vanity and exited her room. Before she closed the door she heard a faint "Good luck Mademoiselle" which made her smile.

Charlotte watched from the side as the Opera was preformed. She did not enter onto the stage until Act II. Joly was a terrific actor, and they made the scene look real, the knights, Alice his sister, it made Charlotte crack a smile.

Next thing she knew she was on stage singing to Ambre (Alice) about Robert, then it was Act V, every thing had gone so fast.

Robert and his Father show each other they love each other. When Isabelle enters singing

Lorsque j'entends la chanson douce
Que naguère chantait ma mie,
Mon coeur se briserait
Tant la douleur l'étreint.
Là-haut, bien loin dans la forêt
Où me mène un obscur désir,
De ma peine infinie
Me délivrent mes larmes.

She sees Robert runs to him and they thank god for seeing each other, and that her fiancé let her be with her love, Robert they sing together

Pour être un digne et bon Crétien,
il faut à Christ être semblable,
il faut renoncer à tout bien,
à tout honneur qui est damnable;
à la dame belle et jolie,
à plaisir qui la chair émeut,
laisser, laisser honneurs, biens et l'amie.
Ne fait pas ce tout là qui veut.
Ses biens aux pauvres faut donner
d'un coeur joyeux et volontaire;
faut les injures pardonner
et à ses ennemis bien faire;
s'éjouir en mélancolie
et tourment dont la chair s'émeut,
aimer la mort, la mort comme la vie!
Ne fait pas ce tout là qui veut.

They kiss and the curtain closes. The Audience breaks out into applause. When the curtain re opens to the bare stage, wear The minor cast, Chorus, and Corps du Ballet enter to get there applause. Lastly Joly and Charlotte enter from opposite sides of the stage to receive their applause, a standing ovation, flowers thrown at them and a very distinct voice booming "Bravo, Bravo, Bravisimo!"

Ha ha Joly! I love that name, and you can't stop me from using it… it's French, so there.

Uhh… this chapter was tricky, Opera's are tricky, Robert la Diable is a play (of course mentioned at the auction scene in Phantom of the Opera). The songs are by the playwright, but not from the same play, like I said it is very difficult to right stuff in a different language. Sorry this chapter also sucked… the next chapter should be really good, I am looking forward to writing it…

and I'm sorry about the stupid teenage antics in her flash back... I think it's cute, nothing more

I DON'T SPEAK FRENCH! I speak German.

Thanks for the Reviews, and if it's not too much trouble keep 'em coming!

Danielle