Mulder awoke and found his head pounding. He had been haunted by strange dreams about a masked figure trying to strangle him with a rope. And Lyssa had been there too but he could only hear her voice as she pleaded to his attacker to let him go. The whole time he was struggling, the masked figure had taunted him that Lyssa would never be his. And then he felt his throat tighten and everything went black. But this particular dream repeated itself countless times through the night. And the maniacal laughter that the masked figure had displayed was still haunting him this morning. He moaned and glanced over at the clock. "Ah shit. I should be getting a call any minute." He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "5,4,3,2…" He then heard his cell ring and chuckled. "Right on time." He picked up his cell from the nightstand and answered it. "Mulder."

"Mulder, where are you?" Scully asked from the other end. "And you'd better tell me that you are either walking to the elevator or down the hall."

"Actually, I'm here lying in bed."

"You're what! You do realize what time it is right?"

Mulder pulled his ear back from his cell as she shouted back. "I think I do now."

"You mind explaining to me why Skinner told me as of this morning we are off the case about the murdered stage hand?"

Mulder let his head fall back. It appeared Skinner had wasted no time in fulfilling his duty from last night. And now he had to act innocent. "Uhhh…no I didn't receive any word about that. We're off the case?"

"Yeah and if you had come in like you were supposed to then you would have known that." She paused. "Where were you last night anyway? I tried to call you but you weren't home."

Oh great more things to add to his misery. "I was…out at the bar."

"That shouldn't be surprising since you're no doubt in bed from a hang over." Scully replied coldly. "So, I can assume you aren't coming in?"

Mulder picked up a notepad from the nightstand. He opened it and glanced at the notes regarding their investigation at the theatre. His eyes fell upon a certain cleaning lady who he remembered vividly speaking with and who had given him a warning. "Uhhhh…..actually I think I am going to take a personal day."

"Personal day?Mulder, you work for the FBI not some factory!"

"I didn't say I wasn't going to get any work done, now did I?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Melinda Cuthbert is dead, Scully. This case is turning out to be more than just the death of a mere stage hand."

"She's dead? Who killed her?"

"I don't know yet but that's what I plan to find out by doing some research."

"Research? Mulder, we've been taken off this case!"

"Since when has that stopped me, Scully?" Mulder asked as he moved to the edge of the bed.

"This wouldn't have to do with a certain brown-haired soprano would it?"

Mulder sighed. "Scully, I want to know if the death of Miss Cuthbert is related to the death of the stage hand. And you can't tell me that you aren't curious either?" He paused. "Not to mention the fact that we might run into a certain stage hand named Morris?"

Scully smiled to herself thinking of Morris. "All right, I'll cover your ass…as usual. But you don't keep me in the dark on what you find, deal?"

"Deal. I'll be in touch." Mulder hung up his cell and glanced back at the page on the notepad. "Looks like I have an antique shop to visit."

Mulder made his way down the street and past the theatre. As he walked past, he saw the enclosed poster for The Phantom of the Opera along with photos from the show. His heart sank as he saw the sign spread across it, which read Postponed until further notice. Lysette's dream was literally going up in smoke and there was nothing he could do about it. He smiled as he imagined Lysette's picture where Melinda's was. Then he realized how inconsiderate it was due to Melinda's death and the image faded. He continued with his trek searching for the antique shop that was supposedly near by. His quest ended as he came upon the only one in the area. He ventured inside and heard the jingling of the bell from on top of the door. He closed it behind him and looked around. "Hello?" He glanced around and saw some figurines on a table. He went to reach out and touch one when he heard a voice.

"May I help you?"

Mulder jumped and had to catch the figurine that nearly toppled over. Once the figurine was safe he turned. "Yeah, you can start by not sneaking up on people." He then recognized the woman in front of him. "Margaret?"

Margaret looked back at him. "Do I know you?"

"Yes, we met briefly at the theatre. You are a cleaning person there?"

Margaret's face turned pale and she backed away from him. "You…..you must leave."

"Why?"

"Go away!" Margaret turned and tried to leave.

Mulder reached out and grabbed her arm. "No! You told me someone tried to kill me because he didn't want to know he'd come back for her! That I was the only one who stood in his way! I want to know what you are talking about?"

"Let go of me!"

"Melinda Cuthbert is dead!" Mulder yelled as he pulled her to face him.

"Oh my god." Margaret whispered.

"How many people have to die, Margaret? Please, I want to stop this. Help me to understand."

"He would kill me if he knew I told you. My sister would…"

"He? Is it the man I've seen in my dreams? The man whose voice I heard speaking to Lyssa?"

"Oh my god, you've seen him? It…it may already be too late." She looked around nervously and then took Mulder's hand. "Come with me." She took Mulder to a back room. "In order for you to understand what you face, I must show you something of your past." She took out a book. "Her past." She opened to a page. "This is Paris, France back in 1881 and this is the world renowned Opera Populaire. It is an opera house, which produces beautiful music but is surrounded by tragedy. It was used to hold prisoners during times of war and their bones rest beneath the stage where music dwells. And below in the dark bowels also lived a man who had been shunned by society." She turned another page. "An innocent young girl would bring to light a chain of events which would change the opera house forever. And would reach into the heart of the man who was trapped in darkness."

Mulder looked at the picture of the young girl. "Oh my god, it's Lyssa." He breathed. He observed how the girl in the picture had on the same choker that Lysette had been wearing. He read the name under the picture. "Christine Daae?"

Margaret nodded. "The girl with the voice of an angel and who brought the city of Paris to their feet the night she performed the role of Marguerite."

Mulder shook his head. "But…I thought that was just a story?"

"It is more than just a story, I assure you." Margaret replied as she turned another page. "And here is the young man who captured her heart. And apparently still does."

Mulder looked at the picture and the name underneath it. "Raoul Vicomte DeChagny. So, that's why she called me Raoul."

"She already recognizes who you are. Two souls cannot deny one another no matter if they are in a different time. They will recognize and find one another it is inevitable."

"So, you're telling me that Lyssa and I found one another…"

"Just as Christine and Raoul did over a hundred years ago. Yes but with that you also brought him with you."

"The one who tried to kill me on the cat walk?"

"And the one who killed the stage hand and Melinda Cuthbert."

"He killed Melinda? Why?"

"I'm afraid she too is part of this web from the past." Margaret pointed to another picture of a young ballerina named Meg Giry. "She tried to warn her best friend about the man who had come back for her. She told her to not get close to you."

Mulder nodded. "Lyssa told me that Melinda had tried to warn her about getting close to me. Said that anyone who did would die. Is that why Melinda was killed?"

"She was killed in revenge for his Christine taking refuge in your arms. For being in the arms of his sworn enemy. And since you have already seen him in your dreams, that means he will be coming for her soon."

"Coming for her? What do you mean?"

"Now that he has arranged so that she will be the one to sing the role of Christine, he will come to take her back with him."

"Take her back with him? How? Where?"

Margaret pointed to the picture of Christine. "The choker that she is wearing was given by her masked teacher. And it is that choker which summoned him to her."

Mulder paused in thought. "The choker that Lyssa wears. She wears it for every performance, every time that she sings."

Margaret nodded. "The power of her voice comes from the energies of Christine within it." She sighed. "My sister, has had that choker for years. Her…family has had it ever since it was found in the bowels of the opera house. She…was told that one day Christine would return and reclaim it. And when she did, that my sister would know her. She…serves him."

"Serves him? You mean this ghost?"

"He is only a ghost here. But if he takes Christine back with him, he will again exist as a living being."

"You said….your sister serves this person? Why? Why would she want to serve someone who was capable of killing and wishing harm?"

"My sister is a loyal family member and does things required of her without question. Especially….when it involves the chance to have riches. The store, which you are in, was given to her so that she might be able to fulfill the quest she was given. I assure you that our family is quite well off. And…should she be the one to find his Christine, will be for the rest of our lives."

Mulder shook his head. "But..how can he do that? I mean….you told me he is just a ghost."

"When he was alive in his time, he was able to give what was needed. When he was Erik and not this…vengeful creature you have witnessed these terrible events from. I'm afraid that time has turned him into a most evil being. His love for her has turned into an obsession. And…soon he will be able to return here as flesh again."

"What? How…how is that possible?"

"There is something else you should know about our family. We are very powerful individuals when it comes to the magick and spiritual realm. If riches are promised then they will find a way to resurrect his spirit."

"So…you're telling me that he could be brought back and be just like he was when he was alive?"

Margaret nodded. "And then he would appear to his Christine as someone who could help her. A singing teacher perhaps or an opera house owner? Then he would be able to fulfill the dream that she wanted and…"

"Eventually he would use that to claim her." Mulder finished. He put his head in his hands. "I finally find a woman that I can connect with, who makes me feel good and she's being stalked by a ghost."

"There is a way you can save her."

Mulder raised his head. "What? What can I do to save her? Please, tell me."

"How much do you care for her? Would you risk your life for her?"

Mulder nodded. "I…I would." He got down on his knees in front of Margaret. "Please, it's obvious that Lyssa and were meant to find each other because of this past life tie we have. She…is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Show me how to save her?"

Margaret smiled. "I pray that some day I find a man who shows such reverence to me." She placed her hand on Mulder's shoulder. "I will help you but we must be careful for my sister does not share my view."

"Can I ask…why you choose to go against her?"

Margaret turned a page and took a detached photo from it and showed it to Mulder. "I too am connected in this past life web you have weaved. My name was Madame Valerius and I cared for Christine while she was staying with me. I…partly feel responsible for what happened, as I am the one who told her that the man teaching her in her dressing room was The Angel of Music. I soon learned from you after you left Paris of what he really was."

"I'm….I'm sorry I really don't know what you are talking about."

"I can help you remember if you let me. And I can help her as well. You are already starting to remember through images and dreams. You saw her dressing room, her singing in the café, dancing with her at a masquerade."

"Oh my god, yes, I…I did."

"That is your past life trying to come through. And there is so much more you do not know that can be revealed."

"So, how do we stop this…Erik from coming back and taking Lyssa?"

"By exorcising his spirit and sending him to the other side. He is a ghost because he has not found rest. Once he crosses over to the other side, he can no longer be in this world."

"What do I have to do?"

"Bring Lysette with you here tonight."

"But…I think she has rehearsal tonight."

"You must convince her to come here. Should they offer her the role of Christine, you must tell her not to take it. It will only make him stronger."

"But to tell her to not pursue her dream? That will break her heart."

"Is it worth her losing that dream to protect her?"

"Her uncle and my superior has forbidden me from seeing her."

"If you do not bring her here, then you risk the chance of losing her forever. Is that work a little risk-taking?"

Mulder sighed. "All right, I'll bring her here tonight."

"If you care for her the way you claim you do, then you will find a way to make her understand. Now go before my sister comes back. If she finds out what I have told you, she will waste no time in telling him as well. And then I will not be able to help you."

Mulder rose from the floor. "Thank you, Margaret."

"Go to her." Margaret replied. "Tell her what you must to persuade her to not take that role and come with you tonight. I pray for the both of you and hope to see you tonight. Now go."

Mulder nodded and headed out of the back room and to the store exit.

Margaret looked at the picture of Christine. "I will do what I can to make things right my child. And will send your angel to hell where he belongs."