A/N: Thanks again to my lovely reviewers! This story is sadly coming to the end, but this has been worth it. I know many are wondering which Erik it was at the Masquerade and this hints to who it was. Sorry I didn't get this up sooner, but I came back from camping yesterday and I didn't have time to get on. So here it is!

Chapter 12- Don Juan Triumphant

"Do you think it wise for you to go? I mean the both of you?" Raoul asked as Ray came out adjusting his tie. "You don't have to…"

"But I think we should. It's Christine's big debut! Do you think I'm going to miss it?"

Raoul shook his head dumbly. "I suppose not."

"And besides tonight is the big night you'll capture the Phantom! Then at long last I'll have my Christine once more." Ray was gloating with happiness that Raoul had never seen before. He looked like a man in love, which made Raoul's insides cringe.

"Is your lady friend ready?" he asked softly.

Ray was gone and merged with the girl on his arm. Her face was once again obscured from Raoul's eyes as she held on tightly to her hood to cover herself.

"Let's go," Ray demanded.

"Christine!" exclaimed Meg. "Are you sure you want to go through with it?"

"Do I have a choice Meg?" Christine sighed. "If I say no then Raoul will suspect a plot of some kind and so would Andre and Firmin. I can't that risk."

Meg nibbled on her lower lip. "Are you sure it was the Phantom at the cemetery?"

Christine nodded. "I'm positive. You're going to find this as a shock, but he struck the same appearance as my Erik."

Meg's jaw dropped. "You're saying that the Phantom of the Opera… the Phantom of the Opera might be Christine's soul mate?"

"He might be. I don't know for sure."

"But the Vicomte's plans! He will surely kill the Phantom and then Christine will never know her true love!"

"And that's why I'm going to prevent it, somehow."

There came a knock on the door and Antoinette entered. "Are you ready my dear?"

Christine looked over to Meg and to Antoinette. "Let's do this."

Erik returned to his lair once the final settings for the trap were set. He went over in his head once more what he was going to do and thought how it was a terrific plan for the Phantom to conjure.

"Seal my fate tonight," he grinned as he put on his Don Juan's mask. "I hate to cut the fun short, but the joke's wearing thin."

He knew about the Vicomte's plan to catch him from a liable source. And he did have his ears and eyes around the opera house. Nothing could get by him without his knowledge.

"Let the audience in." Oh yes, let them on this as well. Let them see that the Phantom of the Opera is real.

"Let my opera begin!"

"Here the sire may serve the dam!

Here the master takes his meat!

Here the sacrificial lamb utters

One despairing bleat!"

Carlotta's voice rang out, overpowering the chorus as she sang:

"Poor young maiden,

For the thrill on your tongue

Of stolen sweets.

You will have to pay the bill.

"Tangled in the winding sheets!

"Serve the meat and serve the maid!

"Serve the master so that

When tables, plans, and maids

Are laid…

"Don Juan triumphs, once again!"

The curtain from the back of the stage came opened as Meg and Piangi walked out. He threw her bag of coins as Meg merrily danced off the stage.

"Passarino, faithful friend,

Once again recite the plan."

"Your young guest

Believes I'm you!

I, the master,

You, the man."

"When you met you wore my cloak.

She could not have seen your face.

She believes she dines with you

In her master's borrowed place!"

"Furtively, we'll scoff and quaff.

Stealing what, in truth, is mine.

When it's late and modesty starts

To mellow with the wine."

"You come home,

I use your voice,

Slam the door like

Crack of doom."

"I shall say 'Come hide with me.

Where, oh, where?

Of course my room!'"

"Poor thing hasn't got a chance."

"Here's my hat, my cloak, and sword.

Conquest is assured if I do not forget

Myself and laugh!"

Piangi loudly bellowed with laughter as he scurried behind the curtain while the audience awaited the entrance of the talked about woman—Aminta.

Christine took a deep breath and made her way out and sang her first lines:

"No thoughts within her head, but thoughts of joy.

No dreams within her heart, but dreams of love!"

Christine grinned mentally for hitting the notes exactly. Since the show started the people were amazed at the voice the young soprano possessed, probably wondering why was this talent was hidden for so long. She looked up to the seats and recognized Raoul in Box Five. He seemed to have friends with him as well, though they were seated in the back and she couldn't make out their faces. She shrugged, not caring actually about the Vicomte or his guests. They were of no concern to her.

Kneeling down, she fumbled with one of the roses while the rest of the scene took place behind her.

"Master…"

"Passarino, go wait for the trap is set and waits for its prey."

Christine was so busy with the rose that she hadn't realized the change in lead roles.

Erik smirked at the befuddled actors while keeping his gaze on Christine's backside. This was it, he thought.

"You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge,"

Christine stopped playing as her body froze when the dark seductive tone reached her ears. Never during rehearsal did Piangi ever sing like that!

"In pursuit of that wish, which till now has been silent, silent…"

She turned slowly and gasped. No… it couldn't be…

His slender finger briefly touched his lips as his burning blue eyes sent tremors through her body. That voice! That voice for so long she dreamed of hearing sing once more to her and only to her…

"I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge— in your mind you've already succumbed to me. Dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me—"

Yes I am, she thought not thinking. She slowly rose, meeting those eyes with her own intense ones.

"Now you are here with me: no second thoughts, you've decided, decided…"

She inertly nodded allowing the seductive overture of the music grip her in its tantalizing fingers pulling her from reality and towards the man she so desperately loved. Erik…

"Past the point of no return—no backward glances. Our games of make-believe are at an end…"

He came stalking towards her, slowly and so painfully gracefully without skipping a beat. Christine's breath caught in her throat at the way his costume clung to his taut muscles, causing heat to spread through her body like wildfire. She was lost to the passion of the words and the man who sung them.

"Past all thoughts of 'if' or 'when'—no use resisting. Abandon thought and let the dream descend…"

She watched as he circled her, enraptured as his hand was brought up and slowly down, those stormy eyes not once breaking contact with her. All of a sudden he was behind, the calloused hand wrapped around her throat, his voice caressing her ear as he continued:

"What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us…?"

His warm hands flew down her arm, catching the lifeless hand as he soothingly rubbed it. He beckoned her to come and she did stuck in that enticing hypnotic trance.

"Past the point of no return, the final threshold—what warm unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return…"

He let her go making Christine remember she wasn't at her spot for her to start singing. She quickly went over still feeling those taunting eyes chuckling over the power he had over her. Christine wasn't new to his games and she knew just how to play him. Resuming her modest role, she adjusted her straps so they were covering her shoulders, and let her voice take on a deeper tone like the former:

"You have brought me to that moment where words run dry. To that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence…"

Christine happened to look up at Raoul and didn't like what she saw. He was already signaling to Andre and Firmin. The guards around were beginning to take their posts, their eyes set on the stage, waiting for the moment to capture the fugitive.

"I have come here hardly knowing the reason why…"

In truth, she never knew why she was here or why she was on this stage singing a part that was wasn't truly written for her. She supposed the spirit of Daae had her do it, which in that case she didn't have much of a choice but to follow.

"In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent. And now I am here with you. No second thoughts… I've decided, decided…"

She flicked her eyelashes at the Phantom, but that's not who she saw. She shrugged off the sleeves, exposing her creamy white shoulders, pride filling her at the sight of his wide eyes. She knew him all too well…

"Past the point of no return—no going back now. Our passion play has now, at last, begun…"

Christine made her way over to the spiral staircase, her lively brown orbs never leaving his as they ascended upwards.

"Past all thought of right or wrong. One final question—how long should we too wait, before we're one…?"

He paused, staring at her, his eyes glaze over in desire as she flung the suggestive lyrics across the stage.

"When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last, consume us…?"

Christine reached the top throwing her lithe legs out challenging the masked man in front of her. He threw off his cloak as they both made their way towards each other singing the last of the chorus:

"Past the point of no return, the final threshold—the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn… we've passed the point of no return…"

As they hit the center, both clung to each other as he spun Christine around chest to back. Grasping her hands, he had them caress her body while purring the lines into her ears. Christine fell against him, taking in the familiar musky scent and sensations coursing through her. It's him! My God he came back to me!

Then softly, he started to sing another song, something she didn't recognize but the meaning wasn't lost to her.

"Say you'll share with me. One love, one lifetime… Lead me, save me from my solitude… Say you want me here beside you…"

Christine turned to face him, his hands holding onto hers for dear life, his azure eyes overwhelmed with love and hope as he belt out the last words:

"Anywhere you go let me go too… Christine, that's all I ask of…"

She had to see him. She had to tell him how long she waited for him that she never stopped loving him. Without thinking, she ripped off his mask.

Christine let out an audible gasp at his face. It wasn't like her Erik at all! No surgerical scars were on his face nor were there any overlapping of skin. His entire right side was scarring tissue completely red and his deformity continued all the way up to his scalp. Her Erik's deformity wasn't that extensive. She was crestfallen it wasn't the same man, but she held compassion for him anyways.

The love that once covered his façade was replaced with hurt and anger once the crowds below started screaming at the sight.

Ignoring them, Christine moved to hold him, but realized it was he holding her as he swung a blade out, slicing the rope that held the chandelier up. Frightened, she gazed up as the brilliant piece started to sway and plummet down towards them. Her mouth formed an "O" but no sound escaped. The next thing she knew the floor dropped from under her and they fell down, down, down.

Raoul jumped up from his seat as the two singers disappeared. He watched in mystified horror as the chandelier came crashing onto the stage.

"No!" he cried, helpless. He turned to Ray who kept a cool expression.

"We have to save her!" Raoul yelled. He flew out of the box with Ray and the girl following close behind.

He led them to backstage where Raoul caught up with Antoinette. He barely heard Ray mutter, "Of course."

"Where did he take her!" he demanded.

"I'm sorry Monsieur but I—"

"You will take us," interrupted Ray, in a tone used not to argue. Antoinette looked over to him, her eyes widen in shock.

"Don't be surprised Mrs. Gary or whoever you are. I knew you were involved in this mess."

Raoul glanced at him confused and rage. "This is not the time for chitchat! Madame Giry I beg you to please help me."

"Don't beg! She won't do it," Ray growled. He yanked on the girl's arms, ignoring her cry as he pulled out a gleaming object from his coat. The girl started to cry in hysterics, pleading for him to have mercy.

When it registered to Raoul what it was, he moved to stop him only to have the girl flung into his arms.

"You will take us or I'll put a bullet into that nosy head of yours," Ray ordered, his blue eyes piercing dangerously into the older woman's calm façade. His threat didn't seem to affect her.

"Okay, if not you then there's always that pretty little blonde of yours," he sneered.

"Maman!" yelled Meg from afar.

Antoinette snapped up to see her daughter struggling towards her. No! Not Meg…

"Come with me but remember keep your hands at the level of your eyes!" she explained, casting daggers at Ray. He was the one who hurt Christine. Now she hoped that Erik's talents would come to good use.

Christine remembered the duet, the gendarmes rushing to the stage; the unmasking of whom she thought was her Erik, and now she being dragged through the dark tunnels heading down. Her captor was cursing and mumbling to her, but the words never reached her ears. She was still in a state of shock and it didn't help much that this man… this man who looked like Erik, had Erik's temper was not him.

She let out a sob upset that it wasn't her love.

Erik mistook her cry for disgust and turned on her. The flames from his torch illuminated his deformity and madness glittering in his blue-golden speckled orbs.

"Why you ask was I bound and chained to this cold and dismal place! Not for any mortal sin but the wickedness of my abhorrent face!"

Her mouth fell open at his words but he didn't stop. Pulling hard once more on her arm, he continued to take her below from the world.

Antoinette trudged along the twisted corridors leading the three further than she ever been. Now if it were just Vicomte or Ray she would have taken them to the staircase that led down to his lair but would drop any victim to a watery pit. At least that was what Erik told her. Anyway, she wouldn't mind seeing Ray struggling in the water as the iron gate came down.

It brought a smile to her face though the gun was poked in her ribs, reminding her of her place. She wouldn't dare risk Meg's life. Herself, she wouldn't care. She led a fulfilling life and lived her dream of working at the Opera Populaire in the ballet. But Meg was too young with too much ahead of her. No, she would not attempt to put her only child's life in danger because of her pride.

She stole a quick glimpse to the Vicomte. She thought he was in on this, but now she knew he wasn't. It was obvious the boy was disturbed by what was taking place, yet he didn't do anything to overpower his counterpart. Though he did try to plead with Ray to stop, but Ray would have none of it.

"Keep going you old hag," Ray murmured, his weapon never leaving Antoinette. "Should have left your nose out of this otherwise this wouldn't be happening."

She had no clue what he meant by it but any response from her was cut off by a whimper from the silent being behind.

"Shut up!" Ray barked, his voice echoing throughout the caverns. "Vicomte keep her quiet! If you must then hit her, it usually keeps her mouth shut."

"H-hit her?" Raoul sputtered shock at his proposal.

"Yes," came the reply.

He glanced down at the girl, whose arm he was holding and back to Ray. "I… I can't. It's not right."

"Yes you can. And to Hell with what is right. I'm sure when you were with Christine you wanted to hit her plenty of times."

A guilty approach crept in his eyes and he lowered his head down to the floor.

"Let's get going!" Ray jammed the barrel into Antoinette's back and pushed her forward. The trek continued on with the only sounds of the their footsteps.

They were getting closer that she knew. And hopefully this is settle once and for all, she thought. Ray was proving to be much more difficult and dangerous as the seconds went by. The pressure of the gun on her back increased every step of the way and he would constantly yell at either the girl or the Vicomte. If neither of them were there Antoinette would have tried to fight back.

But seeing how little the Vicomte was cooperating she had not only her life to worry about but also his and the girl's.

She never had a good look at the young girl, for the most part; her face was being kept hidden from any attention. From the corner of her eye she caught a loose strand of a chocolate curl and stiffened. It has to be her! Oh no! My poor Christine!

The older woman was glad to at last find her, but consider the circumstances being excited was the wrong angle to take. She had to conceal her joy within and the worry of what she must have endured these past months. But the worst of it was that if she was stuck under Ray's power… she cringed at the thought of what the bastard might have done. He already ruined one strong woman and if he laid a hand on her adopted daughter, he would suffer Hell at the end of her own hand. Or from a certain Phantom.

Erik, please, be aware of us coming. Be ready for what is to happen, she prayed silently.

"Ray why are you doing this?" Raoul asked finally.

A low chuckle escaped Ray's lips. "Such a curious Vicomte! I did not know this little detail at all. But your answer will come soon enough once my girlfriend is returned to me."

Then it all sank in. "You? My God, you were the one…!" Raoul exclaimed, terrified and ashamed for being so gullible to believe in his lies and not follow his gut. "But why? Why go after her when she doesn't want you?"

Ray's jaw clenched angrily. "She didn't leave me if that's what you're implying," he scowled. "We had a fight, she went for a drive, and the next thing I knew she"-pausing to indicate the girl at Raoul's arm-"is at my door. She may look like my girl but I knew right away she wasn't. Mine knows better than to upset me on purpose. Boy I was lucky to put two and two together and voila here I am. And for your accusation… I never did anything that she didn't deserve, got it? He did hurt her and end of story. You've helped me locate her Raoul and now I'm just going to reclaim what is rightfully mine and you'll get your pay. Remember I promised you a wife? Well, there she is."

Raoul looked down at the trembling creature next to him, his eyes wide in surprise. "But…"

He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence. They had arrived at Erik's lair.

When Christine was brought to his lair via boat and underground lake, she was shock and amazed at the size and atmosphere of it. It seemed… him somehow. Candles were placed all around and luscious curtains and carpets donned the domain. In the center was a majestic organ with more candles surrounding it. It was a kingdom for music.

"Why Christine? Why?"

It took her a few seconds to realize he was addressing her. She looked over at him. The harshness of his face had dissolved and was now replaced with confusion and pain.

"Why what?" she asked carefully.

He pointed to his gruesome face. "Why?"

She swallowed. How could she answer his question? Um, I thought you were my boyfriend and I had to see your face? No, he wouldn't buy it probably.

"I'm sorry!" she blurted out. "I didn't mean to hurt you like that. Honestly I didn't. I had to see who you are. Your voice… your voice I heard it somewhere from another. And that other… I… I had feelings for." Christine bit her lower lip and awaited his response.

"Feelings for?" he repeated. At her nod, he seemed quite skeptical. "Did he have a pretty face?"

Her mouth dropped; stunned that he had posed such a question. It hadn't occurred to her that he might inquire such a possibility that really was none of his business.

"For your information, I found his face to be quite handsome. He had such dreamy, intoxicating eyes and lips that tasted of Heaven. He was more beautiful than Adonis."

It was Erik's turn for his mouth to drop at her response. Christine smirked. "You wanted to know didn't you? But that's how I seen him. Others that are too shallow or pig-headed would say he was a freak or worse. That is if they knew what lay behind his mask. For the most part though, he had darling fans from all over because of his voice and music." She paused, wondering what he was thinking. Surely he didn't expect this type of confession. "I know who you are now," she added. "You're Christine Daae's Angel of Music and the so-called Phantom of the Opera. I know this because I sensed you always nearby. You've been there and I recognized you from the Masquerade."

"Masquerade? I wasn't…" his voice trailed off.

They heard some scuffling movement and out from one of Erik's passages came Ray and the others.

"Ray!" Christine gasped in recognition, noticing Antoinette as well.

Ray smiled at Christine and when he looked at Erik, his jaw opened. He never saw Erik without the mask, but he managed to hide his disgust well.

"Vicomte," growled Erik from behind. He went towards them only to stop when he saw a gun pointing at Antoinette. "When have you become so demanding?" It hadn't occurred to him that the real Vicomte was cowering behind Ray.

"Always Erik," Ray replied, the corner of his lips twitching into an amusing grin. "Come now. We're all adults here so let's get this settled. You have something of mine and I want her back."

How in the world does he know my name? Erik thought. Grinning broadly, Ray moved out of the way to show the true Vicomte de Chagny and the other hostage.

"I didn't know you had a brother," Erik jeered.

"Don't make me laugh. If I had a brother he wouldn't be it," Ray went on. "Move!"

He pushed Antoinette further in, holding the gun at her side.

Christine cried out, her eyes glaring hatefully. "Bastard!"

Ray smirked. "Darling if I only had a dollar each time I've heard that."

"Let her go Ray!" Christine pleaded. "Have a care for once. Can't you see you're hurting her?"

Ray looked down at Antoinette and sighed. "Fine. Have it your way." Taking her arm he shoved her forcefully at Christine. Startled, Antoinette barely kept her ground as she fell over.

The girl by Raoul broke free from his grasp and ran over to help before Christine could move. As she lifted the older woman up, her hood from her cloak fell off. She turned her face towards Christine and they both stared in wonder at each other.

It was like looking at a mirror, Christine realized, except it was obvious the girl standing in front of her was broken. Her curly chestnut locks were matted and lifeless, her doe brown eyes were blood shot with dark rings under each. Scratches and bruises covered her once flawless face. So this is what I must have looked like before escaping Hell, Christine thought angrily. How could he do this to her? She threw Ray a spiteful look while reaching out to help steady the shaken woman in the girl's arms.

"C-Christine?" Erik spoke in confusion.

Both looked up at Erik's bewildered visage. He glanced from one to the other in apparent shock. Then they settled on the real Christine Daae. His eyes hardened as he took in the fragile and battered state his angel was in. Hot white rage filtered his expression and murder danced in his burning eyes. If looks could kill both Ray and Raoul would have keeled over a thousand times.

"A-Angel?" the now unmasked Christine faintly whispered. "Is that you?"

The furious spell over Erik ended quickly as she called to him.

"Christine," he said softly. A smile flitted across her features as tears started to course down her flushed cheeks. It wasn't until then he realized his face was open to all to see, including his beloved angel. His hand flew up to cover his marred cheek, but already Christine headed over to him. She took his hand off his face and smiled lovingly at him.

When Erik went to caress her cheek she flinched, a whimper flying out. Erik pulled back and his murderous fury returned tenfold.

"How dare you touch her!" he roared, his voice bouncing off the walls increasing its volume.

Christine Daae burst in tears as Erik yelled and immediately he regretted from lashing out. But seeing her… so torn caused him to lose all control.

Noticing this sudden change of emotions, Ray couldn't contain his mirth. "Relax man. She'll be in good hands. Noble Raoul here wouldn't hurt a fly."

It took all of his will power not to rip his throat out. If his precious Christine wasn't there who knew what he might do in his rage.

Christine Daae turned away from him to cling onto Christine Dallas. Her cries were muffled in her shoulder and she did her best to comfort her. Christine felt her own tears well up but she would not let them fall for Ray's pleasure.

"Christine," Antoinette murmured. The girl yanked herself out of Christine's embrace to hold desperately onto her surrogate mother.

"I didn't mean to leave!" she sobbed. "I didn't know how to get back! He… he…"

"Shh, my dear. You're safe. You're safe," Antoinette whispered in her ear.

"For Pete's sake!" Ray groaned. "Raoul! You love Christine don't you? Fight for her!"

"You… you had her at my house the whole time!" Raoul exclaimed. "Y-you h-hit m-my Christine? My friend?"

"She needed someone to shut her up!" Ray shot back. "You would have done the same thing."

"Don't you dare say that!" Raoul shouted. "I will never hit a lady no matter what!"

"Whatever," Ray mumbled. He returned his gaze back on Christine, his Christine before meeting the eyes of Erik.

"Here's the deal. You give me my girl and Madame Gary or something can send us back where we belong. And you give the other to this poor excuse of a man."

"And what do I get out of his bargain?" Erik gritted between his teeth.

"I won't kill you."

Erik's head went back as he laughed crazily. "Then you Monsieur surely don't know what I am capable of! I will never give up either Christine just so she can go back to a life of abuse. And to my Christine she stays here with me."

"Want a bet?" Ray aimed the gun at his head, clicking back the hammer on the revolver. "You had your chance Destler and now it's my turn—"

"He's not the one you want Chandler!"

Christine Dallas looked up just as a figure emerged from the shadows. His back stood straight up, making his full height intimidating to a common man; the casual black outfit outlining his strength underneath. His long jet-black hair fell over his face, his azure eyes blazing menacingly. But the thing that made his presence more ominous to any being was the stark half white mask glowing on his face.

"I'm the Erik you want," he said, taking a step forward.

TBC…

Dun dun dun!