Disclaimer: I own zip, zilch, and nada. All characters are copyright their respective owners. I own only the words, in this particular order, in this particular story. So don't sue me. :-P

Story Note: I figure I should point out what version of the story this is based on, eh? It's mostly ALW with bits of Leroux thrown in. No Kay here… as I can't seem to get my hands on the book anywhere :-P

A/N: slight revisions here- as the word smirk really is quite overused in fanfiction. That and I seemed to have forgotten Erik wears a mask… so it'd be kind of hard to see his features soften, etc.

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Faded Moonbeams

Chapter Four

"Dust of the galaxies take my hand

Lead me to my beloved's land"

- Nightwish - Astral Romance

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It was a lovely party, she would say. Simply lovely, perfect in every way. She would sweetly explain that this was how she wished every evening could be- filled with gossiping ladies and frivolous dancing. Yes, how could anyone deny that this kind of life was wonderful? Simply wonderful, she would tell her husband, perfectly and utterly wonderful. What she would truly wish to tell him was that she thought it was utterly boring. Not just boring, but that her circle of "friends" was, in reality, utterly vapid. But, no, she would never tell him those things, negative thoughts were not what he would wish to hear. For then he would spout nonsensical statements about how she needed to reacquaint herself with the beauty and joys of living. And that was something which she did not wish to hear.

Thus, she continued the party in this way, playing the part of the simpering, lovely, although perhaps a bit aloof, Comtesse de Chagny. However, any actress can quickly tire of a role she dislikes and Christine was no exception to this rule. A sudden intermission was necessary, and so she not so subtly excused herself from some inane conversation and made her way through two glass doors and onto the portico. As she stared out into the moonlit gardens and walkways below, she let her mask drop for the first time that night. Her forehead fell forward into her waiting hand as exhaustion overtook her. How much longer could she bear to put on this act?

"Not enjoying the party, Comtesse?" a voice whispered from the shadows.

A gasp escaped her lips as Christine slowly lifted her head and turned towards the corner of the portico. He stood there looking every bit the aristocrat in his fine suit and expensive cape. The only aspect which set him apart was that strange mask- reflecting the little moonlight that could penetrate the shield of Night he held around himself.

Christine could not help but stare. He was here, at a party for the rich and titled. Had he been to other gatherings before and simply not taken the time to greet her? No, that was impossible! Nearly as impossible as it was for her to form any semblance of a sentence at that precise moment. Finally, her mind began working again, however slightly, and she was able to choke out a broken question.

"What… what are you doing here!"

His exposed lips tilted up slightly as he replied. "Why, exactly what you are doing here! I'm simply enjoying an evening of dance and conversation with the French aristocracy! Whatever else do you presume I'd be doing here?"

He was mocking her. She hadn't seen him in all this time and he felt it necessary to mock her. Well, she would not take this lightly! "Oh, of course!" she replied, a hint of venom in her voice, "Because we both know how much you enjoy the company of the human race! Tell me, is it a common occurrence for you these days? Perhaps as common as it is for you to suddenly appear in ladies' bedrooms!"

Over exaggerated shock tinged his voice as cold amusement glittered in his eyes. It seemed as though no warmth or flame could ever melt their frosty depths. "Why, my dear, whatever do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean!" she cried, her hands clenching into fists at her sides, "I saw you!"

"Are you certain it was me, and not just your mind deluding you?" he asked quietly, "Perhaps I am just another figment of your imagination Christine. Am I flesh and blood or am I simply an illusion?" The ice in his eyes appeared to melt slightly as he held out one richly gloved hand. "Come, Christine. Discover for yourself whether I am fantasy or reality."

She began to cross the distance between them- her large eyes never deviating from his glowing amber ones. She couldn't have been more than a foot away when another voice suddenly broke the heavenly silence.

"Madame de Chagny!"

Christine turned to find her young hostess staring at her, a bewildered look upon her innocent, round face. "Madame, I thought it was you I heard out here! The Comte is looking everywhere for you," she hesitated before continuing, "who are you speaking to, anyhow?"

"Oh, I was only speaking with-" Christine turned back to look at her tormentor but, upon finding nothing but darkness in his place, allowed the words to die in her throat. "No one of any consequence."

The young woman gazed at her quizzically, but said nothing as she led the Comtesse back into the ballroom and towards her husband. He was waiting for her, offering his arm as he mentioned something about "an excellent party" and "must be on our way" to the young hostess and her husband. Goodbyes being said, Christine was led out to the carriage once more. Raoul chattered on about the people he had met that night and the conversations he had held with them. Christine merely nodded her head throughout the discussion he was having with himself, her thoughts still back on the moonlit portico.

She could still hear his voice echo through her mind. Perhaps it is only your mind deluding you. Fantasy or Reality, Christine? Fantasy or Reality?

A/N: Well, this story won't be much longer now. I've had the last scene in my mind since I posted chapter two, it's just getting there that is the adventure! Special thanks go out to the following:

Tracy Davis:Yep, Erik keeps pulling a disappearing act and Christine thinks she has a screw loose. Don't worry, all will be explained in due time wink

Allegratree: Thank you sooo much for pointing out the little problems with the last chapter. I went back and tried to fix it after receiving your review, actually. I've never been much of a proofreader

Everyone else: As always, Read and Review, let me know what you think, and I hope you're enjoying this little tale!