Mwuahahaahaa... I'm back. I was gone for a very long time, so I had no time to update! But, I made up for it. This chapter is the longest yet, I believe. oh yes, I did make up a couple of lines when they sing at the end... but I didn't make up the tune, as you will see... Enjoy, and tell me what you think!

Chapter 10 She Returns

Meg knocked on April's door. There wasn't a sound inside her room. "April?" she whispered as she stepped inside. There wasn't anybody there. Panic rose in the pit of her stomach. "She said something about Erik…" She thought. Meg's eyes darted to the mirror. It was cracked as she had seen it before. "Not again." she said softly. She reached up and slid the mirror all the way open. The dark hallway seemed even more haunting than before. Heart pounding rapidly, Meg closed the mirror, and ran out of April's room to fin her mother.

April changed into her dress. When she came out of Erik's room, he saw her.

"You look beautiful," he told her, wrapping his hands around her waist.

"As do you," she replied, running her fingers across his deformed cheek gently.

His eyes closed, and she touched his lips with her fingertips. He kissed them. She removed her fingers and replaced them with her lips. This kiss was very intoxicating. Neither of them wanted to stop but Erik finally pulled away from her.

"You must return." She ran her fingers through his slicked back hair. "I never want to leave you," April said before kissing him again. His hands caressed her sides and her hips. Their bodies were pressed against each other, and their breathing was heavy.

After the long kiss Erik said, "Please, April. I must take you back." He cupped her face. Staring into his loving blue eyes, she sighed. "Alright." He took her hand and walked to the water's edge. After pulling the lever to open the gate, he picked her up. She put her arms around his neck to help hold herself up. Then she rested her head on the front of his shoulder.

When they finally reached land, Erik set her down. They walked hand in hand to her mirror passageway. Once they stood in front of the two way mirror, they faced each other.

"When will I see you again?" she asked.

"Tomorrow," he said, smirking at her.

"I love you," she whispered. "I love you too," he said before kissing her tenderly. As they pulled away, Erik slid the door open for her. April walked into her empty room and looked back at him while he closed the mirror. She sighed and sat down at her vanity. When she started brushing her brown curls, her door burst open.

Jumping, she looked over to see who it was. Meg and Madame Giry were standing in the doorway. "What's wrong?" April asked, seeing the frightened look on their faces. Meg suddenly looked confused. "You-" she pointed at her, and then stopped. Madame Giry faced Meg irritated. "Quit being so suspicious Megan Antoinette Giry." With that, she turned around and walked away. "What just happened?" April asked curiously. Meg sighed frustrated. "I came to see you a moment ago, and you weren't here. I got frightened and got my mother. She was busy with a few dancers, and now she probably won't trust me for a while." She sat down on a velvety red chair.

"Why did you get frightened? You know that I could be just walking around."

He was still watching her. His breath caught in his throat. "Little Giry knew… and she told her mother." he said to himself. There were things he needed to take care of now, but he wanted to hear the rest of April and Meg's conversation.

"I don't know. I just thought about one time; I came in here when Christine Daae had this room. She wasn't in here and… he had her." His eyes darted over to April. She stayed silent. "April?" she looked up. "Erik, that man who saved you, is the Phantom, isn't he?" only the way she said it wasn't a question. Not one word came from her lips. Now Erik couldn't leave.

"Tell me," Meg said. She thought for a moment, and then opened her mouth. When she was about to say something, there was a knock on her door. April stood up, went over to the door, and opened it. Madame Giry was standing there with a happy look on her face.

"What is it, Madame?" she asked.

"We have wonderful news! The Vicount and Vicountess de Chagney are coming to visit the Opera House! They are thinking of becoming patrons." April's eyes widened. Erik's mouth dropped.

After some silence she asked, "When are they arriving?"

"In an hour," Madame Giry said happily.

"Well then, I think I should change!" she tried to sound excited. "Come, Meg," Madame Giry said. When they left, April collapsed on her small couch and sighed. "Meg knows," she whispered. Erik looked over at her, still in shock. "Why is she doing this to me? Christine… how could you? That fop, he will be here." he thought. Erik scowled angrily, and left to do what he needed to do.

April got up and put on her nicest dancing dress. She brushed her curly hair and cleaned up the best she could. When the hour was almost up, she walked swiftly down the main steps to join everyone else. The front doors opened and the Vicountess Christine de Chagney walked through them. She was followed by the Vicount Raoul de Chagney. April noted that Christine's middle looked big and round.

The couple went around the crowd and greeted everyone. Meg pushed towards them dragging along April. When they reached Christine, she and Meg hugged. "I would like you to meet someone." she told the Vicountess. A sweet smile spread across her lips when Meg showed her April. "Christine, this is April De'Ray. She became a dancer after you left." They shook each other's hands and she thought about what had happened to the woman in front of her.

"It's very nice to meet you April." she said, still smiling.

"And, the same to you, Vicountess."

"Please, call me Christine," she said nicely.

Raoul came over to the three young women. Christine introduced April to him. She had to admit, he was handsome, but she didn't want to like him. April wasn't sure how she should feel about them.

More ballerinas greeted Christine. One little dancer who couldn't keep her mouth shut told her about Phillipe and how April was saved from him. Christine was rather intrigued by the story and asked her who her rescuer was. April bit her lip, trying to think of what to say. "His name was…" she paused dramatically hoping that there would be an interruption; there wasn't. "Erik." Christine's expression didn't change, for she never knew the Phantom's name. April was very relieved.

When Meg and Christine got in a long conversation, Madame Giry walked over to them with a bewildered look on her face. All three of them looked at her curiously. Christine was the first to see what was in her hand. She gasped loudly and put a shaking hand over her mouth. Meg also gasped when she saw it. April looked around at them, confused.

Madame Giry opened the envelope with a red wax skull on the front. Her eyes scanned the letter then started reading it out loud. Christine looked as though she was about to cry.

"' I'm alive and well, as you now know. My Opera House has changed dramatically since Madame de Chagney left. I would like to remind you that my words should be taken seriously. Most of you know that I am a man of my word. I will do what it takes to make sure my commands are carried out.

First, I would like to state that Madame de Chagney and Mademoiselle De'Ray are not to speak to each other.'"

Christine and April looked at each other nervously.

"'I shall send more letters to tell you how my Opera House is to be run.

I remain, gentlemen, your humble servant,

O.G.'"

The lobby was silent and many eyes stared at April and Christine. Both of their breathing was uneven. Raoul stood next to Christine and held her. April's eyes looked like a green fire was burning in them. He was telling her who she couldn't talk to? Her hands balled into fists.

"Excuse me," she said through clenched teeth. She walked quickly to her room. Once she reached it, April screamed, "Erik!" Her eyes burned in the direction of her mirror. Running over to it, she said, "Fine! If you won't come to me, I'll come to you!" When she opened the mirror, she nearly screamed because he was standing right there.

"Why?" she yelled. He looked at her like he longed for something.

"I did it to protect you from Christine poisoning your mind about me." April was breathing loudly and heavily. "I will speak to whomever I wish, O.G." she said harshly. "I don't want you talking to her," he said grabbing her shoulders forcefully.

She stepped back, out of his grasp. "You will do anything to make sure your commands are done? What will you do?" He glared at her. "I am capable of doing many things, Mademoiselle De'Ray." She stared at him for a moment, then turned on her heel and walked out of her room.

He followed her until she reached the stairs to the lobby, and retreated to the shadows. There was a buzz of frightened voices amongst the crowd. April went down the stairs and walked over to Christine. She looked at her with scared brown eyes, shaking her head slowly. Her lips mouthed, "Don't." April lipped back, "I'm sorry."

Christine was shaking her head violently now. "Christine, tell me what you think of this Phantom," she said rather loudly. Her hands and lips trembling, she said softly, "Please, April, don't do this." Then her eyes darted past April's head. Her face went deathly pale and she gasped. "April-!"

She turned around to see a very angry looking Erik. He grabbed her by the arms and she yelped from his strength. Pulling their bodies close, he said, "I will do what it takes." His hands slid down her sides, pulling her closer. She could feel his warm breath on her face, while she trembled.

"Erik-" she stopped abruptly when he grabbed her arm tightly. "Never say that name around other people." Tears filled into her eyes, replacing the fire with fear and hurt. Her lips trembled as she spoke softly.

"I'm sorry."

"It's too late for that now, my dear. You've tried my patience far too much." The tears rolled down her delicate cheeks after he said that.

"I thought I loved you," she whispered hatefully to him. His piercing blue eyes looked past her and at Christine. He then saw how he made two women he loved tremble. The eyes that were just filled with anger were now filled with tears. He let go of April's wrists, which were now red from how tight he was holding them.

She looked up at him. He was staring at his own hands whispering, "What man could do this to women he loved?" He drew in a shaky breath and looked at April, then Christine. Then he turned around and walked swiftly up the stairs. The two women watched him leave, while everyone else watched them.

When she could no longer see him, April fell to her knees. Meg came to her side, and so did Christine. They helped her up and walked her to her room. All three of them sat on her couch.

"The Phantom's name is Erik?" Christine asked gently. April nodded. "Is he the one who saved you?" she nodded again. Christine took her hands and asked, "Do you love him?" She looked up at her with sad eyes and nodded once more. "I do." she breathed in quickly. "And now, I fear he doesn't love me anymore." She bowed her head and cried into her hands. Meg hugged her trying to comfort her.

Christine watched the young woman who loved the man who she will always have feelings for. She couldn't let April's heart get broken, and poor Erik would be permanently crushed. "You must tell him," she said. "But how? Last time I tried to go down to his lair, I nearly drowned."

Christine looked very pensive. "The gondola. Raoul and I used it last. I know where it is." She stood up and went to the mirror. Her hand slowly touched the glass, and then she saw the ring that was on her finger, and shook her head.

"We all can't go down there," Meg said thoughtfully. "You two go. I can't stand to go there again." They both hugged her before leaving through the mirror. Christine led her to the gondola. April picked up the long pole. "I'll row, you shouldn't strain yourself." Christine looked down at her stomach and put her hands on it. She tried to help navigate which way they should go.

Finally, they reached the steel gate. April turned to Christine and whispered, "What should I say first? He won't want to talk to me." She thought for a moment. Then her eyes brightened up. "Then don't say anything. Sing." April hugged her then turned towards the gate.

She sang to the tune of 'Angel of Music':

"Erik, I love you.

Please forgive me.

I know that you're there.

Listen…"

Her hands were clutching the bars, longing to feel his embrace. She heard Christine draw a breath, then also sing to the tune of 'Angel of Music'.

"Angel, she loves you.

Do not shun her.

She loves you as you loved me…"

They heard footsteps, then his wonderful voice singing.

"April, I love you.

Please forgive me.

Enter at last, darling…"

The steel gate slowly rose. He looked at Christine.

"Angel of music, I do love her.

Thank you for showing me beauty."

April ran to him and he picked her up and swung her around, kissing her. Christine watched them with tears of joy and sadness in her eyes. When he set her down, he looked over at Christine. "Angel…" he said softly. She walked towards him, and they hugged. When they let go, she said, "Angel, I will always love you. And yet," she paused looking over at April. "so will she."

brittanypiercy: thank you! I hope you like this chapter too!

Chipsdip22: thanks! glad you liked it!

draco and me 14142: I'm so happy you love it!... and thanks for the tip!

Evilish Lullaby: thanks!

Ethalas Tuath'an: thank you!

wow. I'm so glad all of you liked those past two chapters! weee! oh, and don't worry, this isn't the end... yet. heh. ok, well, R&R:)