A/N: Hi guys, thanks for all reviews. I think that I will have the story finished soon. I'm sorry for the last few mistakes that I have let get in the story. I have been so busy trying to finish that I have that I slacked a little on my editing.

Chapter Twenty-One

A Choice in the Chapel

Maria sighed as she walked off the stage. She never knew how hard being on stage actually was. It was worse when no one wanted you there. The rehearsals for "Don Juan" had been going well until recently. The show was in two nights, and everyone seemed more anxious than usual about opening night.

Maria was probably the worst. She feared that night. It wasn't because it was her first and most likely last performance, but it was Erik. She felt a pang of guilt about asking him not come. She also worried that he would back down from word and show up. After every rehearsal, Maria could hear Raoul's sinister plan in her head. She walked backstage and changed out of her costume.

"You were wonderful today," a voice from behind her said.

She looked up from pulling her back to see Raoul in the mirror. She quickly turned away. She was still quite perturbed with him for what he did at the cemetery.

"What do you want?" she snapped.

"There's something I need to tell you," Raoul took a chair next to her.

Maria kept her eyes on the mirror. He was not going to get the best of her. Raoul watched her, knowing what she was doing.

"Look Maria, I know what happened in the cemetery seemed like my fault."

Maria glared at him. "It was your fault."

Raoul shrugged. "I didn't come here to argue."

Maria put her brush down and stood up. She had had enough of his so called conversation. She headed for the door. Raoul quickly jumped from his seat and grabbed her arm.

"Listen to me," he said with his eyes pleading.

Maria sighed and conceded. She leaned against the door frame, waiting.

"I don't think you should sing on opening night," Raoul stated.

Maria looked at him incredulously. She couldn't believe that he had the nerve to stand there and tell her this.

"I'm going to sing opening night," Maria said firmly.

"Maria, it's too dangerous. What if the Phantom shows up?"

"I think the only person who will have to worry is you."

Maria walked out before Raoul could say anymore to her. She knew why he didn't want her on stage. If his plan went wrong it could be her that go hurt and not Erik. Perhaps not singing that night wasn't a bad idea. She quickly hated herself for that thought. She couldn't betray Erik like that. She let out an exasperated sigh and went to the chapel.

During the winter the chapel was always war, and comforting. Maria sat in the window with her mind racing about things to come. She had thought about Raoul's suggestion and her promise to Erik. If she sat out opening night, it would be a blow to Erik, and all he had done for her. She heard soft footsteps on the stairs and looked up. Erik was standing in the doorway. She stood up and walked over to him.

"Erik," she said desperately trying to hide her tears. "Don't make do this. It scares me."

Erik took her in his arms and held her. He had been watching and listening. He knew all about Raoul's plan.

"He'll kill you," Maria said suddenly. "I know he won't let me go."

"You said yourself that he is only a man," Erik said, guiding her back to the window.

He sat down and pulled Maria down next to him. She rested her head against his chest.

"Yet while he lives he will haunt us till we're dead," Erik half whispered.

Maria sat up and turned to face him. "I'm so confused. If I go on I risk the chance of getting hurt, and if I don't I betray you."

Erik gently touched her cheek. "Twisted everyway what answer can you give? Do you risk your life to wind the chance to love? Do you betray the man who once inspired you voice?"

Maria let a tear roll down her cheek and onto Erik's hand. She turned away from his piercing eyes.

"Maria," he said softly. "Don't think that I don't care, but every hope and every prayer for us rest on you now."

Maria fell into the safety of his arms. He was truly a strange angel. His arms felt like wings that would protect her from all harm, his eyes always watched over her, and his voice always guided her. He stroked her hair then rested his cheek on her head.

"No matter what you choice is I will be with you," he finally said.

Maria looked up. He was staring down at her with such sincerity that she felt too weak to answer.

"I know what I should do, but fear keeps me from it," Maria admitted.

"Fear kept you off the stage."

Maria set up. She knew everything was riding on her. Raoul's plan weighed heavy on her, and Erik hopes almost smothered he. If she sang Raoul could win. Then it hit her. It was no win situation, but she had to sing. She had spent ten years working as a costume mistress and singing to no one in the chapel. Quitting now meant losing everything. She smiled, realizing what she had do.

"I'll go on," she said happily. "I just wish that you could be with me."

Erik only nodded. "I will be in every word you sing."

He pulled her to him and placed a passionate kill on her lips. Maria returned the act with the same vitality. Erik could feel her reaching for the mask and quickly stopped her.

"No," he said breathless from the kiss.

Maria only nodded. She understood. Erik had to be comfortable with his scars before he would let Maria live with them. She gently kissed the white mask and smiled. There was a faint sound of footstep on the stairs.

"You better go," Maria said.

Erik nodded and left the room. Maria paid no attention to where he went. Erik knew his way out. She laid back against the windowsill and sighed. She hoped it would all be over soon.

Erik walked down to his lair. He lit some extra candles and walked over to the model of the opera house stage. He had it set up for the final song in "Don Juan". He smiled as he exchanged his white half-mask for a full black one.

"Sill my fate tonight, I hate to have to cut the fun short, but the jokes wearing thin. Bring the audience in, and let my opera begin!"

Erik picked up a candle and tossed it onto the model. The little thing went up to flames quickly. A small smile plated on his lips. He hoped that things wouldn't get that out of the hand at the show.