DISCLAIMER: I own Gabrielle and Anton, and the little details you see thrown in there!

Sorry for the delay on this one! Ugh, school is not going well!

On the night of the performance, everyone had thought Gabrielle was inconsolable. She had locked her door, and not come out, not once. The previous night, it seemed that she had come out once, but only to go down to the kitchens without stopping to speak to anyone, then return immediately to her room. Madame Giry and Meg had both tried to get her to respond to their calls, or the their knocks upon her door, but to no avail. They had decided that it was best that she rested, and left her alone.

"She is too sickly, I told you!" Carlotta simpered proudly as one of the stagehands did her makeup. "Zat is why you should be glad I am here."

Most of the cast listened with sour expressions as Carlotta went on and on.

"She's being too loud," one of the dancers pointed out. "What if Gabrielle hears her?"

"If Gabrielle doesn't shut Signora's mouth, I'll do it for her," another dancer muttered. Some of her comrades snickered, while others remained silent.

"You should have known she wasn't good enough!" Carlotta said with a careless gesticulation as she was walking towards the entrance to the stage. "But no! No listens to la Carlotta, but why that is…that puzzles me!"

"Puzzles me too," one of the other dancers muttered sardonically.

"With that little brat out of the way," Carlotta began as she was walking off down the corridor, her voice fading into the distance, "This opera will be TEN TIMES better."

They had no idea that inside, Gabrielle had spent the entire day locked in her room, sitting in bed with a determined look on her face, obsessively drinking the mint tea. Indeed, she had nearly been unable to fit into her corset. But by seven o'clock in the evening, when everyone had left the opera dormitories in order to get to the theatre, Gabrielle emerged from her room, in full costume. She was not going to be left behind.

The theatre was completely full, save for Box Five. The theatergoers had found their seats just fine, and the Vicomte and Vicomtess were settled in a private box of their own. It seemed that the show would go on without a hitch. No one had yet noticed the absence of the young lady who was the show's advertised star.

The play began with the chorus, and Christine was enthralled by it, remembering her last performance, standing on that very same stage, among the very same props. Raoul held his wife's hand comfortingly. He knew how badly she missed the stage, and how often she dreamt of standing in the spotlight once again.

Both of them shared a look of confusion when they saw that Carlotta had stepped on the stage, dressed as Aminta, knowing full well that Gabrielle ought to have been standing in that very spot, but was nothing compared to the fearing expression that Christine had as Erik strode onto the stage and began singing. No one had told her that he'd be there, and she honestly did not expect it. Surely it was some trick of the eye…that solitary, disillusioned creature would never be so bold as to perform on stage, would he?

Then, Christine shuddered at the arrival of a new thought. He has nothing left to lose, she thought. And it was true, there was no reason to protect himself anymore, after she, of all people, had bared his face in all its deformity to the world. Only now did Christine realize how humiliated, how terrified, how naked he must have felt. She had stripped him of more than his mask that night. She had stripped him of his mystery, and now…thestigma of his presencehad ebbed. The masked faced both frightened and enthralled the opera-goers, if ever it would make an appearance. But now, revealing that he was in fact just another man, another piteous wretch of a man with a ruined face, there was no fascination in that. he was just another man...

Raoul now wrapped an arm around her protectively, and they both watched the stage intently. Eventually, though the situation remained awkward, Christine relaxed. Now, by the time Carlotta had to sing, that shrill Italian falsetto pierced the surreal nature of the moment, the questions arose once more.

You have brought me to that moment where words run dry

To that moment when speech disappears into silence…silence…

"Wasn't Gabrielle supposed to be singing this part?" Christine asked quietly. Raoul nodded, staring at the stage as if he were trying to make sure he was seeing correctly.

"I thought so, at least…" he replied. "If anything had changed, Gabrielle would have told us before the show…"

I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why

In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent

Erik cringed slightly at this. This was not the way his opera was meant to be performed, and this was most definitely not his music. He felt suddenly indifferent, as if there was no reason to try and revive this emotionless performance. It was killed anyway, as it had been the moment that Gabrielle was unable to sing. Carlotta was of no interest to him, even as she sang. She was nothing.

Now I am here with you, no second thoughts.

I've decided…decided…

Past the point of no return

No going back now

Our passion play has now at last begun…

Carlotta opened her mouth to sing the next line, but an unseen hand yanked her swiftly off of the stage, not caring that she was nearly thrown off of the scaffold. Even the audience ignored the muffled yelp the disgruntled diva gave. In almost the blink of an eye, Carlotta had disappeared, and a more petite girl was now standing in her place, wearing a new blood red peasant ensemble, a flower almost ineffectively pulling back her tamed mass of brown hair.

"Gabrielle…" Erik mouthed. She merely gave a quick grin before continuing the part that she had been so determined to perform.

Past all though of right or wrong

One final question:

How long should we two wait before we're one?

Gabrielle's voice rang true from her lips, not hoarse or broken, but somehow sounding more sensual and desirous. She placed her hand on Erik's chest and looked straight into his eyes from behind his mask, and the spark had been lit once again.

"That's Gabrielle, I know it is," Raoul muttered, rising slightly from his seat to see the stage more clearly, hardly believing that his own niece was there, in the very same position as his wife had been in years before.

When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom

When will the flames at last consume us?

Erik wrapped his arms around Gabrielle and began to caress neck her sensually, as he had once done to Christine, as he began to sing with her, their voices melting together just as fluidly as their bodies.

Past the point of no return

The final threshold

The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn

We've passed the point of no return…

Erik released Gabrielle from his hold and turned her to face him, and was suddenly caught off guard by the expression of fascination and rapture on her face.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Lead me, save me from my solitude

Say you want me with you, here, beside you

Anywhere you go, let me go too…

At this, Christine let out an almost inaudible gasp, filled with nostalgia…and inexplicable jealousy. Erik looked up, and met the gaze of the woman he had once sung these very same words to, and looked straight at her as he sang the next line…

That's all I ask of you!

Gabrielle had no time to think. She could only feel jealousy of her own, seeing where Erik's gaze was directed instead of her. She placed her hand on his cheek and turned his face gently back to hers

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Say the word and I will follow you

It seemed that the sensation of her warm hand on his cheek shook Erik slightly from his reverie. He saw the emotion in her eyes and relished in it, though he knew that it was merely an act for the stage. For the moment, this impression of love was his to keep.

Share each day with me, each night, each morning

Say you love me…

"You know I do…" Erik replied. It surprised him that Gabrielle broke slightly out of character as a smile washed brightly on her face.

Love me, that's all I ask of you…

Throwing caution to the wind without cause, Erik defied his own directions on the script. He placed both hands on Gabrielle's face and kissed her passionately as her hands wound around his neck. The audience erupted into cheers as the curtain fell on the first act.

The kiss continued until a stagehand called out that they had to move, so that the props could be changed. Immediately, the two leapt apart and descended the prop staircase. Gabrielle was flushed and breathless, and she bit her lip shyly.

Fortunately, they were saved from having to speak for now as Meg ran up to Gabrielle.

"Oh, you're fine!" she said in relief, "We thought something had happened to you, but it was nothing!"

"I couldn't let Signora Carlotta steal my limelight," Gabrielle laughed, her voice now completely normal again. "Was I all right?"

"It was perfect! Didn't you hear them cheering?" Meg pointed out

Gabrielle glanced at Erik, then back to Meg. "I hardly thought they were cheering for me."

The rest of Don Juan Triumphant went as cleanly and melodically as the first act, and the after party dropped Gabrielle right into the limelight, just as she had desired. Carlotta, it seemed, would have to settle for second fiddle, so to speak.

"Gabrielle!" Raoul said warmly, embracing his niece and stealing her attention away from some other person who had been speaking to her. "You were wonderful, Gabrielle…but I never should have brought you here. I need to take you home with us tonight—"

"Nothing's wrong," she said calmly, "I'm an actress. Onstage, you lie for a living, and then things go back to normal. I'm fine, I promise."

Raoul studied his niece's expression for a moment, then nodded. "I have some good news," he said with a smile, gesturing for Christine to come over. Gabrielle stared at them astutely, especially the way Christine held her hand over her stomach. They said nothing, and it took only a moment for Gabrielle to realize the news.

"You're going to have a child!" she squealed, hugging Christine warmly, "Oh, lord, You must be so happy!" she pulled back, and looked at her uncle. "Both of you."

"If it's a boy, we'll name him Dimitri, after your father," Christine smiled.

"Thank you," Gabrielle said sincerely. "Well, I should be going. Enjoy yourselves!" she said, kissing each of them on the cheek and scurried off, immediately being swallowed up into the crowd. She began to move through the crowd of patrons, graciously accepting gifts and compliments, and doing her best to engage in pleasant conversation.

Eventually, the people began to leave, and all that remained were the cast and dancers. As they began flocking back to the dormitories, Anton walked up to Gabrielle and placed an arm around her shoulders.

"You were amazing," he said, "I think this may have been your best performance."

"Because I wanted it more," she replied. She felt him pulling her closer, close enough that she was all but pressed to him, and made a clean break, stepping away and opening the door to her room. "A little discretion, Anton," she said chidingly. Then, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

"I believe Giry and I both gave you specific directions to rest today." Erik said, once she had safely locked the door. She turned around calmly and faced him, taking a deep breath.

"So you did," Gabrielle shrugged, "But I've worked too hard. Whether they wanted Carlotta or not, this was my part."

"Needless to say, you saved the opera," Erik said. "It would have been less than satisfactory if you had let Carlotta have her way with it." He nodded at her, but once again, it seemed that his eyes were fixed on a spot somewhere over her shoulder.

"You're hurt," she said compassionately. "You're hurt, because of my uncle…and his wife."

"She was my first love…My only love," he said weakly. Gabrielle swallowed hard and nodded.

"Perhaps I'm too young to understand any of this," she said dismissively. "This thing you call love, I don't know."

Unable to respond or explain, Erik left. Gabrielle merely shook her head and undressed, sitting down on her bed.

Meanwhile, the Opera managers found a letter on their desks. Firmin opened the dreaded red seal and began reading it out loud.

Messieurs,

Our gala for Don Juan triumphant was delightful, n'est-ce pas? A pleasant end to a trying endeavour, to say the least. Your opera house, it seems, has finally received the rejuvenation you have worked for, all thanks to Mademoiselle Clairmont. In return for her most gracious efforts, it is therefore my will that you make haste in being rid of the one thing which can distract her from the progress of her career. Have Monsieur Fouinard removed from the Opera Populaire and restrict all contact he may have with Mlle. Clairmont, or I shall be rid of him in a far less ceremonious fashion.

-O.G.

And the Opera Ghost would need to have his way, would he not?

Review Replies

General consensus seems to be that Carlotta is a real pain, n'est-ce pas? Haha, well, Gabrielle's gonna give her a piece of her mind eventually. Worry not!

A.M.T., yes, I worried about the OOC-ness of Erik appearing in his own Opera, but it sorta has to do with the theme of the story...I'd clarify more, but I'm scared it might ruin parts of the ending! Just hold on!

Samie Ling, you just might get your wish about Carlotta eventually.

Kk13, Carlotta seems like the type to drink a lot, doesn't she? I always got that impression of her, haha.

Diana-Lupin, Yep, Anton makes out to be semi-Raoul-like, and Raoul...well, he's going to start becoming more of an antagonist, believe it or not.

EVERYONE ELSE! Keep reviewing, I'm taking all your reviews REALLY seriously.

Oh yeah, and maybe it's a bad idea...but I still have an idea for a sequel...what do you guys think?