Hello everybody, I thank you all again for the great reviews and hope they continue!

Luthien Amarie- Wow! I am still blushing from all your fantastic comments; I really appreciate your opinion. And I'm thrilled to know that my fic has captured your attention so. I can only hope this chapter proves as entertaining as the last.

Mominator- Hey I'm really glad someone noticed that I was trying to stay at least a little loyal to Leroux (after all he did write the original story)!

Blissful Rose- Hey you! Stop reading my mind! Because I was definitely thinking of going in that direction…

Disclaimer: …Are you kidding? I barely own this computer (tries to scare away REPO men)

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The sky was clear and uninterrupted with the occasional suspension of bursts of fiery colors in the sky. Below it the sounds of song and celebration could be heard. The outside of the Opera Populaire was littered with lights that glimmered and decorated almost everything. People dressed in their best attire approached the shimmering theater laughing and chatting in the most pleasant way; meanwhile two equally cheerful managers approached each other in an animated manner.

Firmin: (Spoken)
Monsieur Andre!

Andre: (Spoken)
Monsieur Firmin!

Firmin:
Dear Andre, what a splendid party

Andre:
The prelude to a bright new year

Firmin:
Quite a night, I'm impressed

Andre:
Well, one does one's best

Andre and Firmin:
Here's to us

Andre:
A toast for the city!

Firmin:
What a pity that the Phantom can't be here!

On the inside of the Opera Populaire the congregate of people were just as enthusiastic about the unruffled nature that had taken over the last few months. Two excellent series of shows had passed and while business was probably not as good as it could have been with the 'Phantom scandal', the tranquility was well worth it.

Christine Daae however, knew nothing of this tranquility as she paced the theaters everlasting passageways greeting the many couples that passed her by. As she apprehensively awaited word from Madam Giry she stopped her treading and rested briefly in front of a golden-laced mirror that hung on the wall as an ornament. She sighed nervously as she examined the details of her dress. Madam Giry's seamstress had it especially made just for Christine and the occasion. She smoothed the fine lace that outline the black fabric of the skirt and examined herself thoughtfully.

The long black ball skirt flattered her thin form and the matching top half of the corset segment that lied strapless just above her chest was also rather enhancing. The gown had a thin lace line with a golden rose design, and to complement the gown she wore a black mask supported with golden sequences and black and golden ribbons in her long, flowing hair.

The appearance of Madam Giry and Meg entering through a side door calmed her stomach, especially when she witnessed Madam Giry's calm and cheerful expression. Without hesitation the older woman approached Christine and placed a gentle hand on her arm.

"Everything has been arranged my dear." She whispered appeasing. Christine smiled through her nervousness and neared her friend Meg with excitement that now began boiling in her soul.

"Oh Meg you look lovely!" She exclaimed.

"But Christine I might as well be a beggar woman compared to you! Look at you, you're simply gorgeous!"

Christine felt herself redden at the comment and the women proceeded down the spiral staircase where an array of music and dance was taking place.

Chorus/Crowd:
Masquerade/Paper faces on parade/Masquerade/Hide your face so the world will never find you/Masquerade/Every face a different shade/Masquerade/Look around; there's another mask behind you.

Christine and Meg clung to each other in amazement as they laughed and watched the many dancers. It was hard to believe that simply in a matter of minutes Christine was about to excuse herself to the meeting place where she and her Erik (through Madam Giry) agreed to meet.

It was really quite simple. After all, everyone would be so preoccupied with the excitement of the event that they would never notice the sudden disappearance of the young Prima Donna (At least this on this occasion) as she met her much sought out confidant. Meg nodded knowingly to her friend, silently shooing her away. Yet as Christine walked away from the skeptical around her a rather unwanted visitor met her.

"Christine, you look as beautiful as ever."

Christine stiffened at the sound of the voice but knew better than to run away from it.

"Hello Raoul." She turned around slowly and smiled fondly. Still the sounds of singing could be heard echoing behind her steadily.

Flash of mauve

Splash of puce

Fool and king

Ghoul and goose

Green and black

Queen and priest

Trace of rouge

Face of beast

Faces!

Take your turn; take a ride/On the merry-go-round/in an inhuman race/Eye of gold/True is false/Who is who/Curl of lip/Swirl of gown/Ace of hearts/Face of clown/Faces/Drink it in, drink it up/Till you've drowned/In the light/In the sound/But who can name the face?

He neared her with a thin smile and approached her with a formal introduction.

"Are you enjoying the ball?"

"So far." She said shortly hoping the dialogue wouldn't last very long.

"It's rather extravagant don't you think? Far more so than last year, but then again business was better this year so I suppose a little more flash is in order."

"Indeed." She stated simply, hold her hands in front of her.

"Are you all right Christine? …I know we haven't spoken in quite some time but you've rather had me worried..." Upon seeing her confused expression he continued.

"Well, it's just that I've seen you around the stage lately and you've looked so miserable that you hardly seem yourself."

Christine blushed and turned her head from his flattering concern. However without wishing this to continue any further she made an attempt to end the conversation. Especially after the sound of a clock chiming the sound of ten came to her ears. She glanced around nervously as she knew she was officially late for the meeting she was so looking forward to.

"I know you worry for me Raoul, really I do...I am afraid it was merely a touch of the flu that kept me down for so long. Now if you'll excuse me I really must be going."

With that she smiled weakly and turned from him quickly. It was not quick enough however as Raoul had grabbed her elbow roughly before she got away.

"Christine what is it that has you so spooked? Is something wrong?"

Unaware of what to say Christine was simply stuttering lame explanations, grateful all the while that the ball was keeping everyone so entertained so they could not witness their dramatic scene.

"Nothing is the matter Raoul, for heavens sakes! Now unhand me I have some very important business to attend to." She said rather angrily now.

"It's him isn't it?" He demanded. Christine felt a shiver grow from where he had her to her spine and back. He continued to look at her unwavering eyes and it almost seemed as though he was searching her face for an explanation.

"Raoul I don't know what you are talking about, and obviously neither do you!" She jerked herself away just as stares from other guests were beginning to find them, behind her the sounds of a musical conversation could be heard.

Masquerade/Grinning yellows, spinning reds/Masquerade/Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you/Masquerade/Burning glances, turning heads/Masquerade/Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you/Masquerade/Seething shadows breathing lies/Masquerade/You can fool any friend who ever knew you/Masquerade/Leering satyrs, peering eyes/Masquerade/Run and hide, but a face will still pursue you.

Carlotta:
What a night!

Firmin:
What a crowd!

Andre:
Makes you glad

Firmin:
Makes you proud! All the crème, De la crème

Madam Giry: (Overlapping)
Watching us….

Meg: (Overlapping)
Watching them

Carlotta: (Overlapping)
All our fears are in the past

Andre:
Three months

Piangi:
Of relief!

Carlotta:
Of delight!

Andre:
Of Elysian peace!

Piangi:
And we can breathe at last.

Carlotta:
No more notes

Piangi:
No more ghost

Madame Giry:
Here's a health

Andre:
Here's a toast, to a prosperous year

Firmin:
To our friends who are here

Piangi and Carlotta:
And may the splendor never fade!

Firmin/Andre:
What a blessed release!

Madame Giry:
And what a masquerade!

Without looking behind her she ran as fast as her legs would take her to the rooftop where she knew her angel was waiting.

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He was a fool.

He knew that now as he waited on the snowy rooftop for his beloved. He had come at an earlier time in the hopes that she would as well, but when that didn't occur he was still grateful for the opportunity to see her up close as he had in his imaginings. Every so often he had the prospect to catch a glimpse of his angel as she rehearsed or sat alone in the chapel. But without hearing her voice, smelling her hair, or even just seeing her smile at him made him feel as though he were missing an organ that he would die without. Her absents was practically fatal to him.

Thus words couldn't express the joy he felt when he found the small envelope of parchment upon his doorstep a few days earlier. Though the words had obviously been rushed and not well thought out he had recognized Christine's handwriting instantly and nearly wept with elation when the faintest scent of her perfume entered his nostrils.

My Beloved Erik,

Though I know it is wisest for us to stay apart until the police investigation is complete I cannot help but miss you unspeakably and ask you for a sincere wish that I can only hope you'll grant without hesitation.

Meet me at the rooftop at the stroke of ten on the night of the Masquerade near the Apollo's statue. If for some reason this request in deniable then please send word to Madam Giry right away.

I remain eternally yours,

Christine.

There was no question that he would do as she asked, for the thought of a face-to-face meeting (however brief) was well worth whatever inconvenience it would cost him.

Although now as he stood alone at Apollo's side he felt himself completely senseless for ever even believing that she would dare show up for such an incident of seeing him again. How idiotic could he be? She had probably not even cared that these long grueling months had practically been a living hell for him...knowing she was so close yet so far.

"Oh my wretched Apollo, have you no shame! You praise your own seduction skills yet give me none of y own!" At this stage of his ranting he knelt before the massive statute and bowed his head shamefully.

"I know now how you feel my friend..." He called out sadly to the statue. Silent tears streamed down his face as he checked the time once more on the mighty watchtower nearby. "Is she to be my Daphne!" He screamed out into the night, uncaring who heard the painful, verbal raging.

"Stay, said he, daughter of Peneus; I am not a foe. Do not fly me as a lamb flies the wolf, or a dove the hawk. It is for love I pursue you. You make me miserable, for fear that you should fall and hurt yourself on these stones, and I should be the cause. Pray run slower, and I will follow slower. I am no clown, no rude peasant..."

The sound of an adjacent door forced him to regain his conscience and he rose eagerly extracting his weapon. However upon seeing who the visitor was he simply stepped forward slightly and smiled with more capacity than he was aware of and whispered into what now seemed the picturesque night:

"...And know all things, present and future. I am the god of song and the lyre. My arrows fly true to the mark; but alas! An arrow more fatal than mine has pierced my heart!"

"Erik!" Christine yelled happily. The task was rather difficult since she was so direly out of breath, still she managed to jump into his arms and embrace her dear friend.

"Oh Erik, forgive me for acting so childish but I have missed you horribly!" She laughed merrily as he stared at her with confusion. Words could not find him…her magnificence was far too breathtaking. He simply took the moment of silence to enjoy her presence

And the splendor that she conveyed with her. As he stared at her angelic face he came to a bittersweet conclusion: this moment was the closest he would ever get to paradise.

"What is it?" She asked with a sudden sense of panic forming in her throat. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing my dear…nothing at all. I was simply astounded by your exquisiteness this evening." He said regaining his composer once more. She responded of course with a blush but continued to smile nevertheless.

"I was…rather pleased when I received your letter." He began quietly.

She smiled affectionately and brushed a strand piece of hair from his face. "Well I was just as pleased to write it." Her forwardness produced a grin from Erik and he found her returning it equally. The comfortable stillness between them was soon interrupted by the sound of a scuffle from behind them.

Instinctively Erik pushed Christine behind him and extracted his weapon yet again to find the unidentified assailant. However after a tense moment came and went… a small rat appeared from the dank corner and scampered off into the night.

While Christine opted to laugh at the 'commotion' Erik clearly thought nothing of the sort.

"Come. We must return…Divas can only go missing so many times before the guards go and look for her." With that he grabbed her hand harshly and led her down the stairwell, his eyes never leaving the area from where the rat had showed himself.

Little to Erik's knowledge a very distressed and ferociously livid Viscount was waiting in that very same corner. Steaming to learn of the secret reunion between Christine and that- that demonic creature!

He arose stiffly and gritted his teeth in the brisk air. But before he returned to the Ball an idea formed in his head and Apollo heard yet another foundation for mania that the Viscount muttered into the night.

"She will be mine."

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Ok, I'll admit it…I'm impatiently waiting for reviews! Please let me know what you think. Honestly, good or bad…