Alrighty, i think that this chapter is a lil bit shorter than the others. It is also one of the last to be updated so quickly, because i only have up to chap. 6 written. i better get cracking, eh! yeah, so please enjoy! also, he might seem a lil bit soft in this chap. but fear not, for he will not always be that way. r and r!

Rebecca

Chapter 4: The Meeting

The next morning dragged by slowly for Rebecca. She slept through most of it, and when she was awake she would re-read her father's note, and gaze at her rose. She hoped that perhaps today she would finally meet him.

A short while after lunch time, Rebecca discovered a note like the last one lying on her pillow. She carefully tore it open and read it.

Rebecca:

Meet me in the small chapel near the dormitories at midnight tonight.

Erik

She smiled to herself and folded the letter back up. She much to do in preparation for her first meeting with her father. Many thoughts flooded her mind. What should she wear? Should she give him a hug? What should she call him? Very quickly, she became very nervous. However, she knew that she must not show it. What good would it do if she were to appear frightened?

Rebecca assumed that he would still have the scarring on his face, and was worried. Would he have it covered up? She knew that were she in his position she certainly would. Also, there was a little thought in the back of her head that kept bringing The Phantom to mind. Maybe he was her father...shesecretly hoped that this was the case.Another thought, was why were they meeting in the little chapel?

Well, she didn't have much more time to think, for M. Giry appeared at her door. "May I come in?" she asked.

"Yes, please do." The older woman laid a package down on Rebecca's bed. "What is this?"

"Your father sent it for you. It's a little bit chilly where he lives, and he wanted to be sure that you would be comfortable. You understand who he is right?" Rebecca nodded. "Good, then you will know that the Opera Ghost is not a force to be reckoned with. Now, I better be going now. Please, be careful later."

M. Giry left, and Rebecca was left alone with her package. It was wrapped in a black silk sheet, and black ribbons. Tucked into the bow of the ribbon, was another red rose. She carefully pulled the rose out, untied the bow, and opened the sheet. Inside was a heavy black silk cape with velvet lining, and dark red roses embroidered into it. She unfolded it and tied it over her shoulders, pulling the hood over her dark hair. She gazed at herself in the mirror for several seconds, admiring the beautiful handiwork of this cape. Then, she removed the hood, and placed the rose in her hair.

Hours later, the clock struck midnight and Rebecca entered the little chapel. She wore her new cape and favourite black dress. She sat down on a little bench, and patiently awaited the arrival of her father. She did not wait long, for he was indeed a punctual man.

"Rebecca?" he asked, suddenly appearing out of nowhere.

She stood up, and found herself face to face with a masked man. "Erik?"

She extended her hand, which he took and brought to his lips which were very cold. She shivered at his touch, but managed to muster a small smile. He smiled back just as awkwardly, and then took her hand and led her through a small doorway that hadn't been there previously.

They walked through long, dark passageway which grew colder and damper with each step. Soon, they came to the shore of an underground lake, which had a small boat sitting on it. Erik helped Rebecca into the boat, and then pushed them across the dark waters. After several minutes, they arrived at the shore of a sort of home. Erik lifted Rebecca out of the boat and showed her where to hang her cape. Then, they sat down in two chairs next to the organ.

Rebecca decided that it would be best not to beat around the bush. She was here now, so there was no sense in pretending that the mask wasn't there. "May I see beneath the mask?"

Erik was taken aback at this request. "No, you may not." What right had she to look upon the face of death?

This upset Rebecca, who had inherited her father's short temper, and she lashed out. "Why not? I have never asked you for anything else in my entire life. True, you haven't been around but I think that you should at least grant me this one request." Her gold eyes penetrated his.

He glared at her, and gave a low growl in the back of his throat. "I will not show you beneath the mask, because it is a sight to horrible for you to comprehend. You will see my deformed skin and run away in fear." He paused. "I don't want to lose you again."

Rebecca's face softened. "Fine," she said calmly, "I will not ask to see it again. However, I do expect you to show me at some point."

"Agreed," said Erik, and he shook her hand.