Hey guys… wow it's been a long time since my last update, and I feel awful. Truthfully, I was thinking about deleting the story all together but just today I got a review from a very good friend of mine… Nadine… who is awesome and has a great story called The Day He Fell in Love with an Angel. Check it out its awesome. Well anyway… her review just pumped me up to write this next chapter and I did the coolest dance ever when I was done… the gerard dance...lol. Anyways… here is Chapter 5! Enjoy! Oh by the way… I love all you guys and if I ever think about stopping again, just throw a Punjab lasseu in front of my face and I'll straighten right up!


Chapter 5: A Bittersweet Reunion


Orrie continued to stand on the stage of the Opera House thinking of her Phantom. The more she thought of him the more her emotions boiled inside of her. She felt that if she were to continue like this she would burst. She needed a release, something that would allow her emotions to flow freely through her. She needed a piano. Her Aunt Gertrude had arranged for her to take piano lessons, and she had taken to them quite well. The piano soon became her source of relief from her emotions and oh how she longed for it now. She loved to let everything play out of her, her loss, her anger, and her confusion. She now yearned for that release. 'Wait,' she thought. 'There is an entire Orchestra pit right under my feet.' Becoming excited at the thought of letting her feelings go, she quickly made her way down to the orchestra pit and settled herself in front of the "out of tune" piano. She allowed her fingers to glide across a few scales for a warm up. Contrary to Madame Kalaba's explosion earlier, the piano wasn't out of tune at all.

The Phantom had watched Orrie leave the stage and he followed her stealthily. He was afraid to let her out of his sight in fear that it all might have been an illusion. He made his way to a shadowed area of the Orchestra Pit where he watched Orrie begin to grace the keys with the gentle touch of her fingers. This was a talent he had never seen in Orrie and he became even more impressed to see that her passion for music had not been limited to voice and dance.

Orrie sat for a moment wondering what the best piece for her to play would be. She then remembered a song that she herself had once wrote and began to let the melody flow though her fingers.

The Phantom watched as not only her fingers, but her entire body played the piano. She would lean in and allow her body to guide her arms and fingers to their rightful positions long the keys. A slight smile came to his mouth as it almost reminded him how he played his organ. His breath then caught in his throat at the sound of Orrie's voice flowing with the music of the piano.

Midnight, not a sound from the pavement

Has the moon lost her memory

She is smiling alone

In the lamplight the withered leaves collect at my feet

And the wind begins to moan

Memory all alone in the moonlight

I can smile at the old days I was happier then

I remember the time I knew what happiness was

Let the memory live again

Every street lamp seems to heat a fatalistic warning

Someone mutters and a street lamp gutters

And soon it will be morning

Daylight I must wait for the sunrise

I must think of a new life and I mustn't give in

When the dawn comes tonight will be a memory too

And a new day will begin

The Phantom swallowed in an attempt to release the lump that held firm in his throat as he listened. This song was so full of sorrow. 'Had Orrie felt such pain all this time?' He could see that she was fighting back her own tears as the song poured out of her soul, and her voice. His emotion was unexplainable as he became engulfed in every note that flowed from her mouth. It was beautiful, untrained for many years, but still very skilled and utterly breathtaking. Being so enthralled by her song he didn't notice that he had stepped closer to her, but still being barely covered by the shadows.

The piano had taken over at this point in Orrie's song and as she plunged herself further into her music her gaze wavered to a shadowed area in the Orchestra Pit, her breath became heavy as she saw the reflection of a floating white mask in the darkness. Although her gaze never wavered from the mask, her fingers continued to press at the piano, gaining more and more intensity with each note.

The Phantom stiffened in the shadows as her eyes fell upon his mask. He knew she could see him. As the music became more powerful, his breath deepened and he moved forward slowly, in commanding steps. His heart seemed to pound out of his chest as he lead himself further into the light and in full view of Oriel as her eyes never wavered from his form.

The words to the song began to flow through her lungs again as she became lost in the sight of the masked man moving toward her.

Burnt out ends of smoky days

The stale cold smell of morning

The street lamp dies, another night is over

Another day is dawning

As she sang those words, the tears that she had been fighting to hold back flowed from her eyes. There he was, her Phantom standing there, watching her listening to her, but no. Orrie cursed herself for being foolish enough to believe that she actually saw him. This was an illusion far too vivid for her to bare and she clenched her eyes shut to relieve herself from the pain of believing him to be near. She had reached the climax of the song and now her tears poured from her tightly closed eyes as she attempted to finish the song without sobbing.

The Phantom was confused at the sight of Orrie tearing her eyes from him and practically sobbing through the finish of her song. 'Has the memory of me caused her so much pain?' He continued to watch her. Even though her tears were slightly taking away from the power of her voice causing it to shake a bit, the peak of the song's emotion flowed through her voice beautifully.

Touch me its too easy to leave me

All alone with the memory of my days in the sun

If you touch me you'll understand what happiness is

Look a new day has begun

The notes from the piano and the melody from her voice died out as the song came to its close. Orrie looked back at the Phantom, she was breathing heavily and her face was tearstained and full of confusion at the sight before her. She then allowed the sobs to flow freely as she threw her head into her arms and leaned across the keys of the piano. "Why do I dream of you even when I'm awake?" she murmured through her arms.

"Oh, dear Orrie," the Phantom whispered as he made his way to the other side of the piano bench. He stood just behind her and pulled the black gloves from his hands as he watched her continue to weep into her arms. He gently entwined his fingers in her hair at the base of her neck, lightly touching the skin on her neck as he did so. "I am not a dream," he whispered deeply.

Orrie's breathing was very exaggerated, thanks to her sobs, and she sniffled as her head rose from her arms. It was real… all of it was real. He was no figment; he was really there, really caressing her. She pressed her hand firmly against his holding it tightly to her neck as she looked up at him. "Phantom?" she said her breath still haggard and her eyes an amazing blue as they so often became when she cried.

He smiled at her sweetly and shook his head in disagreement as he sat down next to her on the piano bench. Orrie looked at him with confusion at his gesture to her statement. He took her hand in his, and pressed the ring and the finger that wore it to his lips. After holding his mouth to her hand a few moments he titled his head back up and met her eyes. "I'm no longer a Phantom to you Orrie…. Now… I am Erik."

"Erik…" Orrie repeated as a bright smile came to her mouth. She laid her hand across the left side of his face. "It suits you much better."

Erik's hand overcame hers, pressing it harder to his face. Orrie watched as Erik closed his eyes and tilted his head toward her hand, basking in her touch. The last touch he had felt was Christine's fingers pressing a ring into his hand. He had thought that to be the last touch he would ever feel, and was now truly grateful to know that it wasn't.

As he opened his eyes to meet hers they both heard a door to the theater open, and the muffling of voices coming toward them. Erik quickly stood to make his way back to the shadows but felt a hand firmly grab his arm.

"Don't go." Orrie looked almost frightened as she held his arm in her small hand.

"Don't worry," he whispered to her. "I will just be in the shadows."

Orrie reluctantly let go of his arm; she wasn't about ready to loose him again but the reassurance of his presence comforted her. She watched as Erik quickly made his way to where he emerged. As she watched him disappear she failed to notice the two women standing at the opening of the Orchestra pit.

"Oriel Binet," Madame Giry said in a stern voice.

The sound of Madame Giry's voice startled Orrie and she quickly jumped to face the women. Orrie eyes studied the woman accompanying Madame Giry. The woman had a petite frame, long dark curls, and was absolutely beautiful. Orrie's heart sank at the realization of who the woman was. 'Christine,' she thought. 'This must be Christine.'

In the shadows, Erik froze as he saw Christine enter the Orchestra pit. There they both were. Christine and Oriel. The two women that had once left him had both returned on the same day. Erik's eyes moved back and forth as he looked from Orrie to Christine repeatedly. Christine with her dark curly hair and petite frame, was usually rather soft-spoken and seemingly as fragile as a porcelain doll. Orrie was completely different. She was full figured with strong shoulders and a larger bust along with equally curvy hips accompanied by a small waist, and while her hair was curly, it was auburn, almost a deep fiery red that revealed her personality well. She was very strong willed and out spoken and could hardly be considered fragile. As Erik continued to examine every difference, Madame Giry's voice filled the Orchestra pit once more.

"Oriel?" she said as she raised a questioning eyebrow with her hands planted firmly on her hips. "I would like to know why you are not in the dinning hall with the other girls?"

"I just wanted to play the piano… that's all" Orrie lowered her head to the ground. The thought of Erik now being focused Christine was enough to make her cry right then and there.

"Your song was beautiful," Christine said taking a few steps toward Orrie. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Vicomtess Christine De Chagny," she said, holding her hand out to Orrie.

"Oriel Binet," Orrie said with a slight smile as she firmly shook Christine's hand.

"I'm rather tired Madame Giry," Orrie said as she rubbed her forehead. "I think I'll return to my room. It was lovely meeting you Miss De Chagny," she said taking Christine's hand again in a gesture of goodbye. "I'm sorry to upset you again today Madame Giry," she sighed and titled her head toward the floor again.

"It's alright my dear," Madame Giry said as she placed a comforting hand on Orrie's shoulder. "Just be more mindful next time." She grabbed Orrie's chin and tilted it back up to face her. "Now go get some rest… it's been a long day."

"Yes Madame," said Orrie as she made her way out of the Orchestra pit. But before she left she snuck a look back to the shadows where he Erik was standing, but Erik didn't notice Orrie's quick glance. His eyes were now focused on Christine.

Orrie quickly walked the halls, not in haste to get to her room, but to get away from the thoughts that were bouncing around in her head. 'He won't want to teach you… his Christine has returned. Why would he waste his time on you when he has her? Take that ring off. You aren't his angel anymore… she is." Then the worst thought of all, 'They never loved you… only her.' Orrie's eyes filled with tears as her thoughts tortured her to the point where she no longer even saw where she was going. Just as she turned a corner, a strong, well-dressed man with light brown hair and even lighter blue eyes knocked her to the floor. Being so consumed by her thoughts, Orrie hardly noticed what the man looked like. She felt his arms hold hers firm as her body came up off the floor. She finally faced him as the familiar voice filled her ears.

"Orrie?" The man questioned as his eyes met hers, their faces mere centimeters apart.

"Raoul…"


Phantominhell- I love your reviews they are so so so fun!

WildPixieChild- Here you go… I hope you liked it!

Countess Vladislaus Dragu- I'm glad your name turned out as it did because I think I like Dragu better than Dragulia… I think it's because dragulia makes me think of gulosh for some reason…lol. I'm sorry for my randomness. I love your reviews!

Truthrebel- Thanks so much for your review!

Raha- I'm glad you kept yourself from shouting obscenities in school… lol. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

BohemianCane04- Thanx for your review!

Elvinscarf- 1.) I'm totally jealous of you seeing phantom on broadway…lol, and 2). How was it!

PhantomAngel- I'm really glad you like Orrie's name. I put a lot of thought into the name that I wanted the lead lady to have, and when I found the name Oriel which means angel of destiny I just thought it was perfect. I'm glad you like it so far!

Almost-Lost-Hope6- I'm so glad you liked the last chapter! Hopefully you like this one too!

Erik's Music Of The Night- I'm so glad you started reading my story. Thanx so much for reviewing each chapter! You're AWESOME!

Diner123- Nadine I just love you! lol. Oh dear we need to talk, lol. For real though, when I got your review I thought… I really need to just suck it up, sit down, and do this. AND I DID! Lol. Your review was great! Love YA!


Dun Dun Dun…. If anyone saw that coming please let me know… I'd love to know what you think. Oh I just love all you guys… I just really do… lol. You're all the best. Please review (in pleading voice) "That's all I ask of you.":) I remain, Viewers, your faithful Authoress. -Maggie