A/N: A BIG thank you to all my reviewers. I just hope everyone continues to enjoy this story... I also think that I owe an apology since I forgot to mention that I have made changes to some technical details (ages and the likes) and I'm sorry I hadn't mentioned this earlier. I'm also trying to be as steady with updates as possible. (Gulp staring at the still gigantic pile of homework. LOL)

Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera. It still belongs to those previously mentioned. (Tears starting to prick eyes...)

The Way Things Might Have Been

Chapter 3: Enter the Stage, At Last!

two years later… (1870)

They had just begun rehearsal for Hannibal that day, but most of the cast and crew were bustling with the latest rumors. Attention was limited that day, and it was already severely straining M. Reyer's patience. Even though it was Erik's rest day, it had become his habit to continue to stay and help despite the circumstances. Music was all the enjoyment he needed; besides, Christine will be dancing, and although, he had argued several times with the management about the "respectability" of the dancers' costumes, he still admired them.

Meanwhile, as Carlotta practiced on stage, Christine and Meg were rushing to warm-up exercises at the bar before they could be reprimanded by Mme. Giry… again. Just as they were preparing to enter the stage themselves, rehearsals were once again interrupted… this time, by M. Lefevre who acknowledged the rumors to being true and introduced the new managers: M. Andre and M. Firmin. Needless to say, they seemed to be the usual lot of managers.

"I don't like them." Erik had sneaked up behind Christine and Meg as the introductions were being made. Unnoticed, he had startled them with his abrupt statement.

"Erik, isn't it a bit too early to judge?" Christine asked.

"I'm not judging them. I'm just expressing an opinion based on a gut feeling and some insight on their records as businessmen. They don't have any idea what they are doing."

Meg and Christine just rolled their eyes. Their expressions said it all: Men…

Suddenly their small conversation was cut short as the new managers presented their new patron, the Viscount de Chagny.

"It's Raoul… We grew up together at the house by the sea. You could say that we were childhood sweethearts."

"Oh, Christine! He's so handsome."

"Childhood sweethearts, Christine?"

"Oh Erik! They are just fond memories. We've haven't kept in touch for years! Besides, I love you." Christine cast him an exasperated glance before reaching up to give him a small kiss.

Erik was mollified and a bit surprised by her kiss. She wasn't usually a very public person, but it still didn't keep him from sending a burning glare in the Viscount's direction.

"Not jealous, are we, Erik?" Meg teased.

"Why should I be jealous?" Erik put on his best affronted look, and that set the trio into quiet laughter again. However, when the Viscount passed, taking his leave, Erik couldn't help but feel slightly relieved that he hadn't recognized or seen Christine. When the music started up once again, he stepped back to watch while the dancers started their routine. He looked on as Mme. Giry ushered the managers out of the way, and He smirked. 'Just like a mother hen shooing away annoying bugs from the chicks she worked so hard to raise.' He frowned when he caught their subject of conversation. 'Meg…' He may not have any romantic attraction towards her, but it did not matter. She was like his younger sister and a good friend; he would NOT tolerate her being talked about in such a manner. He had to smile when Mme. Giry discouraged any ideas of them pursuing Meg simply by stating that she was her daughter. The managers however recovered quickly enough when Christine caught their eyes, and Erik couldn't help but emit a low growl. He was ready to march up there and choke Firmin to death, but Mme. Giry handled it with the same aplomb as before, spilling water on their lit fuses. 'Brava, Madame, Brava…'

He watched the rest of the performance in relatively brighter spirits, chuckling when Carlotta ripped her dress, and outright shaking with silent laughter at Piangi's pitiful attempts at boarding the makeshift elephant. Christine was doing well, although he had to admit that Meg was certainly outdoing everyone else. She had apparently inherited her mother's talent. Christine, in all truth, although still a great dancer, was a singer through and through. He snorted with disgust however when he noticed the two dancers next to Christine. They were apparently successful at their attempts to attract the attention of the two rich men in front of them. Erik couldn't help but find himself thinking that common prostitutes had more dignity.

When the song was finished, Erik joined Christine and Meg in their idle talk. However, their attention was soon drawn to the scene of battle between Carlotta and the new managers. She was throwing an impressive tantrum and threatening to leave, and of course, the managers learned to grovel at her feet. It was finally decided that she was to "honor" them with a performance of her aria as Elissa that night. General opinion was that she butchered the song, and Erik couldn't help snickering and whispering to Christine and Meg when he saw the cleaning ladies stuff cotton into their ears. However a scream shattered through the auditorium as a large backdrop came crashing down on top of Carlotta. Erik had instinctively pulled Christine and Meg back as it came down. When Carlotta was finally retrieved from under the mess, Lefevre called up to find someone to blame.

Meg looked back at them with amusement dancing in her eyes. "It was probably the Opera Ghost."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Erik added in. "That woman's screeching could wake the dead. No doubt she will be throwing another one of her tantrums."

His prediction came true, although she really did leave this time. This left the new managers in a predicament indeed as Lefevre took leave hastily to catch the next ship to Australia. Being totally adverse to losing money, the managers looked for any alternative besides refunding a full house. Erik felt a pang of pity for M. Reyer, who was obviously suffering a migraine at this point.

"Christine Daae could sing it, messieurs."

Erik could have kissed Mme. Giry at that point. Of course! This was the perfect opportunity for Christine.

"A chorus girl, don't be silly."

Erik smirked. 'He has no idea what she can do.'

"She has been well taught."

"By whom?"

Erik muttered a thank you to Mme. Giry for the compliment as he passed. "I am her teacher."

Messieurs Andre and Firmin both looked at him skeptically, doing a double-take at his mask. "And who are you?"

"I am Erik Liszet, the co-director of music here."

"Well… we'll give her a try."

Erik nodded to Christine as she shyly stepped up to perform. She started of softly but her voice grew in strength as her confidence grew. He, Mme. Giry, and little Giry gave her reassuring nods, while everyone else gaped in amazement. He wasn't surprised since no one else had ever really heard her sing before. Christine was immediately given the lead role, and the rest of the day passed in a daze. Before he knew it, they were once again watching Christine from the side of the stage as she once again sang Think of Me. Pride surged through him as she finished the operatic arpeggio at the end of the piece, and the audience rose in a standing ovation as she took her final bow. The stage was literally flooded with flowers. The only sour note in the entire evening was the Viscount. From his standpoint, he had a perfect view of Raoul staring at Christine from his private box. He had seen the recognition in his eyes as she began singing.

Christine felt her heart thudding at the audience's thundering applause. However, what felt the best was the approval she saw in her surrogate family's eves, especially the man she loved. Her breath was swept away. She suddenly realized that she needed some peace and quiet before facing the crowd that was sure to be waiting outside her dressing room. She knew there was only one place right now where she could get that quiet. Immediately after exiting the stage, she headed towards the chapel.
Both Erik and Meg went looking for Christine together after the end of the performance. They had a pretty good idea where she would be and were rewarded when they found her sitting in front of her father's candle. Erik sang to her a gentle "Brava, Brava, Bravissima," and she turned, smiling, to see them coming out of the archway with Erik needing to duck a bit. She stifled a giggle.

"Christine, now, why are you here when everyone is trying to congratulate you upstairs?" Meg questioned.

"I believe, Marguerite, that that IS the reason why she is here." Meg glared at him. "Christine, you were marvelous tonight."

"No…," Meg cut in, "she wasn't. She was perfect."

Christine smiled and blushed as she looked at the two people she grew up with. "I just felt a bit overwhelmed with the flowers, the applause, and… the lights, but I'll be fine soon."

"I'm sure you'll be," Erik said as he moved next to her.

"Well, I'll just leave you two alone for now," Meg hinted slyly as she stood up and left.

Christine grinned as she gazed at the candle flame. "Erik, do you remember the first time you brought me here?"

"Of course, I don't believe I'll ever forget that day. I found my soul mate that day."

Christine just continued that small smile. "Do you remember what I asked of you then?"

"Yes." Erik started to sing softly… I am your angel of music… Come to me angel of music…

Christine began to sing a song she had made up together with Erik and Meg when they had been younger. It was aptly named Angel of Music, and Erik smiled as he led her back to her dressing room while she softly sang it with him, safeguarding her from her admirers.

"Christine," Erik fidgeted. "Do you want to go… through the mirror tonight?"

"Yes, Erik, I would love to, just to get away from it all."

"Magnificent, I'll get everything ready and come back for you, and oh… this is for you."

With that said Erik seemingly produced a red rose out of midair and gave it to her. It was tied with his signature black ribbon.

Christine laughed with delight as she accepted his flower. It meant more to her than a dozen bouquets of flowers. "I'll be waiting for you."

Erik gave her a quick kiss before going into the mirror, which in reality was a trapdoor.

As she waited, she decided that she would need to change out of the gown, which was beautiful but heavy. As she moved to get up from her vanity table, the door was suddenly opened. Surprised, she gasped as she saw Raoul come in. He had that same boyish and innocent smile on his face. She had to return it. He began reciting from a story that her father use to tell them as children with her finishing. When he gave her a hug though, she began to feel uncomfortable. "Raoul…"

"I've missed you, Christine. You sang beautifully tonight."

"Thank you, Raoul."

"And to celebrate," he continued in the same bright tone, "you must allow me to take you out to supper."

"That is very kind of you Raoul, but it'll have to be another night. I'm already meeting someone tonight."

"Someone else?"

"Yes Raoul, I'm meeting Erik tonight. I'm sorry Raoul, but I must change. I'll see you next time." Christine practically pushed him out of the door before he could say anything else, therefore, avoiding all awkward questions.

However, Erik who had returned quickly from his preparation had seen the entire thing. Erik sneered at the boy's attempt and failure at drawing Christine out, but he couldn't help being extremely angry. When Christine had finished changing, walking out in her nightgown, he was already waiting besides the mirror. Instead of looking at her, he was staring at the door, as if boring holes into it. He knew who was on the other side eavesdropping, so he began to sing strongly, his voice dripping acid on words that surely described his judgment of the viscount.

Insolent boy, this slave of fashion… basking in your glory! Ignorant FOOL, this brave, young suitor… sharing in my triumph!

Christine was a bit shocked to find him waiting there for her, but the shock she felt when hearing his bitter, sarcastic words and fierce tone of voice overrode it. She needed to calm him down, so she sang several lines from Angel of Music again.

When Erik heard Christine's voice, he closed his eyes and let the sound resonate in his head. By the time he reopened them, Christine was standing next to him, studying him with worried eyes. He realized that he must have startled her with his tune. "I'm sorry, Christine. I let my temper get the best of me."

"It is okay, Erik."

"Shall we?" Erik offered her his hand; she accepted it.

Midway down the first passageway, she unexpectedly started singing. In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came. That voice which calls to me, and speaks my name. It was the Phantom of the Opera, a song they had written together based on the staff's superstitions about the Opera Ghost. In it, Erik sings the phantoms part since it was based off of him. It was a childhood joke that Meg and Christine had thought up, because Erik resembled a phantom with his attire (he liked black and white clothing), his mask, and the way he seems to disappear and show up somewhere else, just like a ghost. It was a slightly bone-chilling song, but it somehow fit the journey downwards. Erik smiled as he joined in. Sing once again with me… our strange duet; my power over you grows stronger yet. They sang all the way to the "Phantom's lair" where they finally stopped to take a breath. Christine began to wander around like a small child again, to see what new things Erik had added to his sanctuary. She stopped, when Erik started to play his pipe organ. Entranced by the music, she took a seat next to him to listen.

After remaining like that for about half an hour, Christine asked hesitantly at the end of a piece, "Erik, will you sing for me?"

"Yes, what would you like me to sing?"

"Maybe a lullaby, I should like a lullaby since I'm so tired right now."

Erik smiled and began a song he composed the night after they declared their love for each other two years ago. It was song he played and sung for her and her only. In it he had placed all his love and the promise to give her his world, a palace constructed out of the darkness of night and fitted with its warmth. Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation…

Christine found herself drifting about the lair with him as if in a dream dance, one whose magic she never wished to wake from. Nearing the end of the song, Erik led her to a curtained alcove that she had never noticed before… When Erik pulled back the curtain, she let out a soft gasp. She saw herself staring back at her. It was a perfect likeness of her and a bit eerie. Then her mind finally registered that the mannequin was wearing wedding garments. Suddenly, everything felt too overwhelming, and the darkness swallowed her.

Erik's pulse raced as he brought her closer to the curtain. Anxiety tore at him, although he never outwardly showed it, especially not in his voice. It was time to reveal his secret to her, his greatest desire. He pulled back the curtain and awaited her reaction. He quickly dropped to catch her as she fainted. 'Of course, the shock coupled with her earlier exhaustion was too much for her. I should have thought of that.' He sighed softly and carried her to the swan bed where he gently laid her down. Then he let down the black lace curtain. All he could do now was to wait. The last words of the song faded as he watched her sleep. Help me make the music of the night…

A familiar tune woke Christine from her slumber; she saw the smiling Persian monkey playing its cymbals and had to smile herself. She was confused by her surroundings at first until she remembered… Had she really seen it, or was it just a dream?

When Erik heard the soft footsteps behind him, he instantly recognized them and identified the owner. Christine slid gracefully next to him on the organ bench. "Erik," she began but paused to gather her thoughts. She had assured herself that it hadn't been a dream, but she still wanted to be certain. "Erik, what did you mean when you showed me… that?" She gestured in the direction of the curtain.

"Why, my dear, it means exactly what it appears to mean: I want you to marry me. Will you marry me, Christine? Will you take me as your husband, to love and protect you unto the end of my life?" Following tradition, he had gotten on bended knee and taken her hands gently in her own. He looked up with eyes filled with love and adoration and… hope. It had been such a long time since he had allowed himself the luxury of hoping; it was a soaring feeling that made disappointment hurt so much more.

Christine stared intently into his eyes. She was at a paradox. Her mind was dazed with the situation, but truth and reality had never been clearer for her. Her heart had never been clearer. Trembling, she freed one of her hands and removed the mask. Then before he could move or say anything, she leant down and captured his lips in a searing kiss. She pulled away slowly, reluctantly. "Yes… my answer is yes."

Tears actually formed in Erik's eyes the moment she answered although he wouldn't let them fall. He slipped a simple gold band onto Christine's hand. "I-it was my mother's wedding ring." He was just barely coherent, still shocked with the entire occasion.

"Oh, Erik, I love it." Christine studied the ring. Although simple and well-worn, it carried a beauty and elegance of its own. It was the perfect symbol for their love.

Erik suddenly felt a momentous joy sweeping through him as if he had just realized that he was to be married to Christine, and in accordance to his emotions, he let out a laugh, picked her up, and spun her around. When he finally set her down again, he whispered into her ear, "I love you so much, Christine Daae."

"I love you too, Erik Liszet."

They spent a few more minutes in a comfortable silence together before Erik sighed and replaced the mask. "We need to return before those two new fools running MY opera house misses us."

"Oh Erik! Do you call everyone fools?" Christine managed to gasp out in between her laughter. "Also, when, my darling, did the Opera Populaire come under YOUR ownership?"

Erik raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "I have a single answer to both questions. It seems that every inhabitant of this opera house already come to me with their problems large or small, lacking the sense to deal with it themselves, regardless of whether I care at all. The only people who seem to carry competent heads on their shoulders are I, Mme. Giry, M. Reyer, and occasionally, you and Meg. However, I still cannot safely judge the new managers, although there seems to be little hope for them." All of this, he said in a dry "I-could-care-less" drawl, but his eyes gave him away as they sparkled in amusement.

Playing along, Christine huffed out a "well…" and shook her head in mock exasperation, placing her hands on her hips.

"Oh Christine," Erik said with a pleading smile. "Let's not get in a fuss over the incompetence of others although it's the truth. We should be happy." With that said, he led her back into the daylight and the world.