CHAPTER 49

Victor drove Erik and Christine to the front of the Opera Populaire. He escorted Christine to Box 5, and then came back out to drive Erik to the Rue Scribe side. They had arrived early so that Erik could go through a few of his things in his former abode.

It had been several months since he'd seen his lair. Oddly enough he found himself a bit homesick for his old haunt.

Erik brushed away the cobwebs that had gathered along the passageway as he made his way back down to his lair. Upon arriving, he found everything as he had left it, except for the accumulation of dust. He went through several items, placing them aside to collect after his meeting with the managers.

Once he had finished rummaging through his things, he made his way through the passage that led to Box 5 to meet with Christine. He pushed the column and moved the curtain aside where he found Christine sitting and waiting patiently.

"What were you doing down there, Angel?" Christine asked curiously.

"There were a few books I had forgotten and several scores of music. I will pick them up before we leave," Erik answered.

They sat in Box 5 watching the morning rehearsals take place. They were amazed at Meg's talent. She really took on the part of Lisette wonderfully. The stand-in for the part of Silvia was mediocre at best and her singing was excruciatingly familiar to that of Carlotta.

Erik squirmed in his seat as the woman sang. "Let us go, mon ange, or I will feel the need to make the Phantom's presence known once more."

Christine took to her husband's arm and they made their way toward the manager's office.

Reaching the manager's office, Erik knocked on the door and was greeted by Raoul. He welcomed them in and they took a seat before the desk.

"Messieurs Andre and Firmin will be with us shortly. They had to check on a few of the set designs," Raoul explained.

"Raoul, Madame Giry told me you are courting Meg. I am thrilled for you both," Christine said with a smile.

Erik lowered his fedora further down the right side of his face, stretching his long legs and crossing his arms over his chest. He listened as they talked. He was in no mood for pleasantries. The croaking voice of Silvia's stand-in kept replaying its torturous melody in his mind.

"Merci, Christine. Meg and I are quite happy. My parents have warmed to her and Madame Giry, much to my surprise. We have decided to keep our relationship at a steady pace for now," Raoul confirmed.

"Just remember to invite me to the wedding or I shall never forgive you!" Christine teased.

Erik snorted at Christine's response.

She slapped him on the arm and looked at Raoul. "Do not mind my husband. He is just a bit irritable after hearing Silvia's stand-in sing," Christine giggled.

"Oh, you must be speaking of Aurélie. She reminds me a lot of Carlotta," Raoul mentioned, shaking his head at the odds of someone else sharing the same vocal style.

Erik winced at the mention of Carlotta. He had had enough of small talk. "I do not tolerate tardiness. If those two fools do not arrive here soon…" Erik paused as the managers strolled in talking about the set designs.

"Ah, Comte, you are here!" Firmin smiled.

"Monsieur and Madame Delacroix are here also!" Andre cued in.

Both men kissed Christine's hand and as they offered their hands to Erik, who remained still.

Andre and Firmin looked at each other and shrugged, then seated themselves behind the desk.

Raoul took a seat beside Christine and prepared himself for the unknown.

The mysterious brooding man before the managers made them feel uneasy, so they decided to address Christine first. "Madame Delacroix, we are pleased to hear you and your husband wish to audition. We know of your amazing ability and le Comte tells us your husband is quite good," Andre mentioned.

Erik sighed and all eyes were on him. "I assure you Messieurs, I am more than 'quite good,'" Erik smirked.

Firmin saw his chance to address their reclusive benefactor and said, "I have been meaning to tell you, Monsieur Delacroix, your contributions to the opera house have been most generous. Andre and I have wanted to thank you for some time now."

"I require no thanks, Messieurs. I was obligated to aid in the opera's reconstruction," Erik said simply.

The managers were more confused than ever. They didn't understand why some stranger would be "obligated" as he said.

Christine thought it best to speak up, sensing Erik's tension. "Do you wish to hear us perform?" Christine asked.

"Oui, that would splendid," Andre said as Firmin agreed.

They excited the office, making there way toward the stage. Once there, Raoul and the managers took their seats behind the orchestra pit as Monsieur Reyer asked for the stage to be cleared.

"And what do you wish to perform?" Monsieur Reyer called out to the stage.

Mozart's Don Giovanni, act one, scene nine: "Là ci darem la mano," Erik answered.

"Very well then," Monsieur Reyer replied. Tapping his baton, he readied the orchestra, and then he nodded his head, waving his baton as the music began to play.

The house lights dimmed and Erik dramatically made his way across the stage.

Don Giovanni (Erik)
Là ci darem la mano,
Là mi dirai di sì.
Vedi, non è lontano;
Partiam, ben mio, da qui.

Christine began to sing from beyond the curtain.

Zerlina (Christine)
(Vorrei e non vorrei,
Mi trema un poco il cor.
Felice, è ver, sarei,
Ma può burlarmi ancor.)

Erik reached out for Christine, beckoning her.

Don Giovanni (Erik)
Vieni, mio bel diletto!

Christine continued to sing beyond the curtain, preparing to make her cued entrance.

Zerlina (Christine)
(Mi fa pietà Masetto.)

Erik kept his right hand in position, calling for her in song.

Don Giovanni (Erik)
Io cangierò tua sorte.

Christine appeared from beyond the stage and gracefully made her way toward Erik.

Zerlina (Christine)
Presto... non son più forte.

Erik took her hand in his, pulling her close to him.

Don Giovanni (Erik)
Andiam!

Christine held onto Erik as she let the music fill her soul.

Zerlina (Christine)
Andiam!

Erik and Christine held each other tight as they became one with the music. Their voices soared throughout the opera house.

A due (Both)
Andiam, andiam, mio bene
a ristorar le pene
D'un innocente amor.

As their final note rang out into the heavens, all eyes were upon them, completely mesmerized by their intensity. Raoul stood up and clapped as the managers became ecstatic. They had found their Silvia and Durante, though they couldn't help but find Delacroix's voice hauntingly familiar. They shrugged it off, finding it silly because they knew the Phantom of the Opera to be dead.

Erik and Christine made their way back to the manager's office and before they entered, he pulled her aside. "Mon ange, if we are to do this, I wish to reveal my identity to these men."

Christine looked at him with confusion. "But Angel, they do not need to know who you are. They have not recognized you."

Erik placed his hand against Christine's cheek and said genuinely, "That is not the point, Christine. If I am to do this as a man, for the opera house and more importantly for you, I wish not to live a lie. They will either accept me or not. I assure you, should they choose the latter, we will still be safe, I promise. I only wish to free myself of this burden and perhaps redeem myself in the process."

Raoul waited alongside the managers, as Erik and Christine stepped in. Andre and Firmin clapped and Raoul smiled.

"Bravo! Brava! Bravissima!" The managers boasted.

Christine curtsied and smiled as Erik took a seat.

"Does this mean you still wish to have us perform?" Erik jested.

"You two are Silvia and Durante. There is no one that could possibly do a better job. I have had the pleasure of witnessing this undeniable fact. I had no idea of your realm of talents, Monsieur Delacroix," Andre expressed.

"I agree! You simply must perform for us on opening night," Firmin added.

"Are you two absolutely sure you wish us to be a part of the production? No matter the cost?" Erik tested.

Sensing Erik's motives, Raoul stood ready, prepared to speak on Christine and Erik's behalf.

"But of course, Monsieur Delacroix! We would be ruined without you and Christine," Andre said honestly.

"Cost? Money is no object, mon ami. We will gladly pay you both handsomely," Firmin said, trying to secure them within the production.

"It is not a matter of funds, Messieurs. I speak of this…" Erik carefully removed his fedora and stood tall before the managers.

Both managers paled as they stood in realization of the man before them.

"This... this cannot... be!" Firmin said with a stuttered surprise.

Andre fell back into his chair, letting out a groan, as he sank his head between his hands, "Oh dear... 'a deal with the devil,' indeed!"

Christine sat nervously as Raoul stepped forward and spoke.

"He is not the devil, nor is he a ghost. He is merely a man. You know of his unsettling past, Messieurs, but I assure you both that today you have seen a reformed man. This rebuilt opera house is proof of the effort he has gone through to make things right. I was his biggest enemy, but I stand here supporting him now, for I have seen the changes in this man first hand."

Erik placed his fedora back upon his head and snorted. "If they do not wish for my wife and I to perform, then so be it! There is no need to grovel before them, Comte," he said as he held out his hand to Christine.

She took his hand and stood up.

Before they made to exit, Erik warned, "I need not remind you both to keep your mouths shut. As easily as I can disappear, the same applies to my uncanny skill of making others do the same!"

As Erik and Christine made their way into the hall, Andre stood up and called to them to return to the office.

"What are you doing, Andre? Are you mad?" Firmin said confused.

"Shut up, Richard, unless you wish to refund a full house and return to our scrap metal business?" Andre challenged.

Erik told Christine to stay in the hallway and then he turned to Raoul and asked him to keep his wife company while he spoke to the managers in private.

Hesitantly, Raoul agreed and watched Erik as he stepped into the manager's office.

Andre and Firmin steadied themselves, as they watched Erik come in alone. He closed the door behind him and then seated himself before the managers once more.

Andre cleared his throat and then addressed him cautiously. "Monsieur Delacroix, I admit this is most unconventional, but there is no denying that you and your wife have exceptional talent. Perhaps if there were some way we could be sure that you will not revert back to your ways."

"Impossible! How are we to know he is to be trusted, Andre?" Firmin asked.

Erik stood up and reached into his jacket.

Both men took in a breath thinking he was reaching for a weapon.

"Here," Erik announced, tossing an envelope onto the managers desk. "This is all I had ever received during the time you two fools took over the opera house from Monsieur Lefevre."

Firmin picked it up and opened it. Inside was the salary they had given the Opera Ghost over several months. He was at a loss for words as he handed the envelope to his partner. Andre took a look inside and nodded his head. "Monday then, Monsieur. We will block hours for you and your wife to rehearse uninterrupted. It has been a pleasure," Andre said as he held his hand out to Erik.

"And what about his salary for performing? We still have to pay them both," Firmin questioned, feeling his pocketbook constrict. "This is all just a way to swindle even more money from us," he thought.

Erik shook Andre's hand firmly, and then addressed Firmin. "I assure you, Monsieur, my wife and I have no need for your salary. I have many investments as well as other sources of income that is of no concern to you both. We take pleasure in the Arts and we wish only that the Opera Populaire continues in providing entertainment for those who appreciate it as much as we do," Erik voiced as he tipped his fedora to the men, and then exited the office.

Author's Note
There's one more Chapter after this folks, so brace yourselves for the finale! FFN is having problems still and I am not receiving my email to inform me of the reviews, so I'd like to take this moment to thank everyone for their continued support. I am happy to see a few new faces and I apologize for not sending out my usual response emails to each of you personally. I am glad everyone is enjoying the updates, happy that Christine has made a full recovery, and that people are enjoying Erik and Raoul's semi-coexistence with each other. As long as Raoul stays away from Christine, he should be fine, right? Well that and not piss off Erik... poor Raoul. -giggles- "Erik is one bad mutha... shut your mouth!" -hehe I love that Shaft song-

Disclaimer
I do not own any rights, nor am I affiliated with Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and the song "Là ci darem la mano."