A/N: New chappie is up! Thanks to all my reviewers, and I hope everyone enjoys this. :)> We're halfway there. (Random comment: I just saw Schindler's List today. It is a very beautiful story, and although long and sometimes disturbing, it was definitely worth it.)

Disclaimer: The Phantom of the Opera does not belong to me. It is owned by all those mentioned before. (sigh...)

The Way Things Might Have Been

Chapter 4: Surprises, Surprises

The first and only people Erik and Christine announced their engagement to was, of course, the Girys. Mme. Giry's only reaction was a mixture of a knowing look, an enigmatic smile, and words of congratulation, well-wishes, and advice. Meg, meanwhile, rolled her eyes while grinning brightly as well, and muttered, "It took you two long enough," before embracing them. "So, when is the wedding?"

Both Erik and Christine were surprised that both Girys had seemingly seen their engagement coming. "Were we really that obvious?" Both of the Girys smiled tragically and nodded.

"People were actually beginning to place bets on when it would occur," a helpful Meg piped in.

She burst out laughing at the look on their faces.

Afterwards, Erik and Christine reached a mutual agreement to not publicly announce their engagement although they would make no effort to hide it even though they did ask the Girys not to tell anyone else. This was horrible for Meg Giry who had been bursting with excitement to tell everyone (as well as to collect money on a few of the bets she made.) Christine continued to wear the ring on her finger. No one would notice in a busy opera house. No one, at least, except for an insightful M. Reyer that kept it to himself.

One week after the gala night and the performance of Hannibal, Carlotta returned, worried about her position as the leading soprano. No one was surprised, because everyone had heard rumors of her supposed reaction after hearing of the success of Christine's performance. Erik, meanwhile, closed his eyes, shook his head, and let out an over-exaggerated sigh. Slowly and silently, he counted to ten as he watched the new managers bribe her back into being Prima Donna. As rehearsals for the next production Il Muto progressed over the following two months. Tensions were strung high. During one afternoon, following morning rehearsals, Erik was talking with Christine as they had lunch. They talked about everything, including Carlotta's attitude. "I wonder if sabotage will work…"

Christine immediately responded in a warning tone, "Erik, don't even try it…" Erik made no effort to respond, leaving Christine to stare at him warily.

The following day, everyone groaned when they learned that practice was doubled since the performance was only four days away. Christine, in particular, didn't mind the extra rehearsals, but couldn't stand the idea with dealing with Carlotta. The diva had especially been targeting Christine since she took her spot that night. Her dislike now showed clearly. She perceived Christine as a threat to her comfortable career and a disruption in her pampered lifestyle. The managers had made Christine Carlotta's understudy for all future performances as well as gave her several larger roles, barely satisfying some of the public outcry. Carlotta may still have been a big-name star, but Christine had become an overnight hit. It was during one such rehearsal that Carlotta used Christine as a scapegoat for her bad mood. The actor next to Christine had accidentally trodden on the hem of Carlotta's costume. She immediately turned, outraged, and started yelling insults at who she thought was the guilty party, namely Christine.

Erik felt a growl rumble in his throat as he started towards the conflict on center stage. However, he was stopped when Mme. Giry placed a restraining hand on his shoulder. He shook off the hand, but he remained standing still, despite the fact that Carlotta was severely testing his self-control.

When Carlotta had finally ended her tirade, flushed and out of breath, Christine was speechless, but Erik was not. He cut into the momentary silence with a voice that could have burned Carlotta if possible. "You ought to know better than to insult Christine as you just did, Senora, especially since it was M. Toricelli who had accidentally stepped on your hem. Christine did not deserve that verbal abuse, and it would do very well to apologize."

Carlotta's only response to his reprimand was a sarcastic "Of course…" before casting a disdaining glance at the blushing Christine. Unfortunately, Carlotta's brief glance allowed her to catch sight of the simple ring on Christine's hand, and she instantly smirked. "Who gave you THAT outrageous little trinket? Who would be silly enough to give it to you?"

Christine bristled up and was about to respond. However, she stopped when she saw that Erik's eyes were blazing dangerously with barely controlled rage. "Madame, I do think that that is enough irrelevant comments that you've made today. We are here to rehearse, and you shall apologize to her afterwards." Carlotta, who also noticed his anger, decided to back down. She was afraid of him, even though she tried to convince herself otherwise. Yes, everyone was a bit intimidated by Erik Liszet, and who wouldn't. And though the Girys and Christine knew better, they understood the others fear of him. It lurked in his very aura at times.

Now, everyone also knew of their engagement, thanks to "La Carlotta" since it was quite apparent as to who had given Christine that ring, even if she had never answered. The more daring members of the opera house took to interrogating Erik and Christine all day. That night, an exhausted Erik exclaimed vehemently to Christine, "I feel like strangling that woman!" Christine decided it was best not to respond, giving him a slight kiss to mitigate him somewhat before returning to her room. By the next morning however, new gossip replaced what was now "old news," as was the norm in an opera house.

The performance that night had gone very well except for the fact that Carlotta's voice had broken twice that night in mid-song. It was a fear that plagued every singer, but it still happened at times. Christine, who played a silent role that night much to Erik's annoyance, retired quickly to her dressing room afterwards to escape from the hysterical wails of a mortified Carlotta. Not long after she changed, a knock came on the door, and with her assent, the Viscount entered. He congratulated her on a job well done and invited her to dinner.

"Yes, Raoul, I'll come, but only if Erik is allowed to come as well."

"Erik?" Raoul suddenly recalled their conversation from that first night. 'That was the man she was meeting.' He saw a shadow detach itself from a corner of the room, and as the silhouette approached the circle of light cast by nearby candles, it revealed a man in evening wear and a mask. Raoul couldn't help doing a double-take at the mask.

"Viscount," Erik greeted with a polite nod of the head. Raoul hesitated before returning the acknowledgement as propriety demanded.

In a lowered voice, Raoul enquired to Christine, "Is it really necessary to… bring him along?"

Christine was surprised. "Raoul, have you not heard? Erik is my fiancé; we're engaged!"

Raoul spluttered, "Engaged!" Then, quickly regaining some semblance of his composure, he answered in a somewhat choked voice, "Well then… I'd be honored if M. Liszet would join us."

"Please, Viscount, just Erik would do fine." Although he had maintained a neutral expression throughout he entire encounter, Erik was inwardly enjoying the Viscount's squirming. He was quite aware that the young man was smitten with his love ever since rediscovering her on that gala night.

"Then Erik, please call me Raoul."

The carriage ride to the restaurant through the night streets of Paris was spent in an awkward silence broken only twice. Once when Christine had ventured to make a comment about the weather and a second time when the driver called back into the carriage to inform its occupants that they were arriving close to their destination, one of the best restaurants in Paris.

Dinner was also relatively quiet although there were snippets of conversation. Raoul enquired about their relationship, curiosity getting the better of him, although it was not exactly the best of manners for a gentleman to show. When Erik rose to speak with an acquaintance that happened to be there that night, Raoul immediately asked, "Christine, are you sure this is what you want? I mean, have you really chosen Erik? Isn't he a bit old for you? What if he is taking advantage of you? What is he hiding from you behind that mask?"

Christine was shocked. "Raoul, what are you saying? That…"

Raoul cut her off before she could finish with three words. "I love you."

This struck Christine dumb as she stared uncomprehendingly at Raoul. "You l-love me?" she repeated in a tiny voice as she saw his vibrant blue eyes beg her earnestly to believe him. "Oh, Raoul, this cannot be! I… I love Erik, and I believe fully in my decision to marry him. He truly loves me too. Raoul, you'll always be the boy who rescued my scarf, and I'll always care for you as a good friend, but that is all we can ever be… friends." At his downcast expression, she patted him gently on the hand and gave him a soft reassuring smile. "Don't worry Raoul, you are a good man, and I'm sure that you'll one day find a person who loves you as much as you will love her. It will be someone you can share a life with."

"Merci, Christine."

"Of course, Raoul."

Erik, meanwhile, had been speaking with Lorenzo, one of his former masters from when he had traveled throughout Europe, learning. However, his keen hearing had allowed him to hear every word of the pair's conversation. A small smile had unconsciously crept onto his face after it ended, and Lorenzo noticed. "What is that smile for now? Have you even been paying attention to a single work I said, Erik?"

This snapped Erik out of his own thoughts and back to the present. "Guilty as charged, Lorenzo and I apologize," he responded smoothly, "but I would like to introduce you to someone, if you would allow me a moment?"

"Of course."

Erik went back to his table and brought Christine. "Lorenzo, this is my fiancée, Christine. Christine, this is Lorenzo. He was, and still is, a famous tailor in Venice. I was his apprentice for about three weeks.

"And a trying three weeks those were," Lorenzo entered gaily. "He was a wonderful student, but he sometimes had his head in the clouds, a few too many times for me. To give him credit, he was a quick learner though, and I soon taught him almost everything I knew by the end of those three weeks, and learned even more from him."

They continued on a few minor topics, inviting Raoul to join them midway through (at Christine's urging), until it was so late that they all went home. After the usual exchange of pleasantries and farewells, Erik and Christine were dropped off in front of the Opera Populaire as Raoul's carriage turned to take him home.

Christine and Erik walked in a comfortable silence back to her room when Christine cut in, "Erik, I knew you heard our conversation."

Erik just nodded but decided to add, "I'm fine as long as the Viscount does keep his distance."

"Erik… you really have nothing to worry about. I truly meant what I said. I love YOU, and I made sure Raoul understood that as well. He is just a good friend."

"Of course, I trust you Christine, but it doesn't necessarily mean I have to like him, does it? I'll try to tolerate him though," he quickly supplied when he saw her give him a look. They once more lapsed into a silent understanding before Erik gave Christine a good night kiss. "At least I thought this evening went pretty well. There wasn't any bloodshed involved." Christine gave him a playful slap on the arm before turning to go to bed.

As Erik went back to his own room, he pondered about that evening, his life, and of course, Christine. He knew how much Christine meant to him. He was prepared to die for her. She was one of the few who had truly melted the coldness that resided in his heart. Coldness he had been oh so willing to isolate himself in all those years ago if it meant that he would never have to feel anything, any pain or disappointment. That night, before sleep came, he sent a silent prayer of thanks to God for leading him to the Opera Populaire.