Raging Fire

Hello. Please read and review. If I don't get enough reviews, then I won't continue the story, so if you happen to like it...review! It's a time travelish one, and it may start out prettily, but it doesn't stay that way (just so you know). Anyways, please r&r!

Chapter 1: Love at First Sight, Among Other Things

Graceful fingers swept along the black and white ivory keys, creating an enchanting melody. He swayed slowly to the music as it swept over his entire soul. And as he played, she watched him. Seated in a corner of the echoing room with a velvet blanket around her slender form, she watched him. He was so magnificent when he was caught up in the heat of his music, and she could hardly tear her dark blue eyes away from him. Soon, the song changed from something light and airy, to a more dismal and dark tune. It wasn't long before tears formed at the corners of her eyes and she simply drifted off with the song. She was so lost in the music that she did not even notice when he stopped and came over to her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, concern etched upon his solemn face. He placed his elegant musician's hands on either side of her head and gently stroked her hair.

"I'm fine," she replied looking up into his sharp green eyes. She smiled at him. He loved her smile; not only did her rosy lips take on a beautiful shape, but her eyes sparkled brightly. "Your music is just so beautiful that I floated off for a moment."

His cheeks took on the hint of a blush and he smiled at her. She loved his smile; so warm and kind, it always made her feel safe. "Thank you," he whispered. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her curly brown hair. "Now," he said, pulling out of the embrace, "we should begin work on our scales." They stood up and walked over to the beautiful grand piano together, where he sat down and began to play.

For the next hour the couple drifted off in bliss to the sounds of their two voices blending together in perfect harmony. Their names were Erik and Chris Destler, and they were newlyweds. Erik, a wealthy man of twenty-four, met Chris, a beautiful young woman of eighteen, when they were both reaching for the same Phantom of the Opera cd in a record store. It would be a lie to say that it was not love at first sight. They put it back on the rack together, and then in devastingly dashing voice, Erik said, "I'm Erik Destler."

Chris replied, "I'm Chris Daley." Then, in one swift motion, Erik got down on one knee and proposed. She accepted, and then they bought the cd together. It took many long days of arguing with their parents before plans for the wedding could finally get underway. They decided on a small wedding to be held in the meadow that bordered his extensive property at the end of July which was one month away from their engagement. The day of the wedding arrived quickly, and they were married. Now, one month later, they were still happy and still very much in love.

They continued to sing, now moving from scales to a favourite song; Point of No Return. Chris loved how his voice made the song seem so intense, and the way he closed his eyes and the song carried him away. Erik loved the way she sang out with such power and fire. They were halfway through this powerful song, when something strange occurred; a bright blue light filled the room and Chris was pulled out of her body and flung through space. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again she found herself somewhere that was definetely not the music room.

- - -

Where am I? she asked herself, rubbing her eyes. The room she now stood in was bright and airy, instead of dim and crowded. She was dressed in peculiar attire, and the man speaking too her was someone she had not ever seen. He was asking her something.

"Are you alright Chris?" he stood up from his piano and walked over to her. She backed away as he attempted to put his arms around her. "Chris, what's wrong?"

"Christine," she whispered, "my name is Christine. Who are you?" He was very handsome, she thought, much better looking than Raoul.

"Chris, stop kidding around," he said. Her face showed no signs of kidding though, so he said, "Erik."

"I do not feel very well," she said to him, becoming quite pale. "Please take me to the infirmary."

"Um, we don't have one. I'll just get you some tylenol instead," he said, and then left her alone. As he headed to the kitchen, he wondered what the heck was going on with his wife. One minute she had been singing with him, and the next she was asking who he was. He grabbed a glass of water and some tylenol, and then went back to the music room. "Here," he said, handing the items to her, "take these."

Christine took the glass and pill from Erik and just stared. Finally, it clicked what she was to do with them, and she put the pill in her mouth and washed it down. "Thank you monsieur," she said softly.

"Chris, please tell me what's the matter," he said, guiding her to a day bed next to the bay windows. They sat down and he asked her, "What's wrong?"

"I-I don't know," she replied. "Please, stop refferring to me as 'Chris', my name is Christine. One moment I was getting ready to continue with rehearsal for Hannibal, and the next thing I know I'm in here with you." Erik was puzzled at why suddenly she spoke so eloquently, and why this was happening in the first place. He offered her a small smile, and then took her hand in his while he thought of what should be done.

- - -

"Christine Daae could sing it."

"A chorus girl? Don't be silly."

"She's had a great teacher."

"Really? Who?" This question was directed to Chris and she hadn't a clue what they were talking about.

She replied simply, "I don't know monsieur." She had gathered thus far that these people, whoever they be, were French.

The strangers discussed for a moment more and then told her to sing the aria for Elissa. Chris thanked her lucky stars that she knew this opera, Hannibal, well. Shyly she began the song, Think of Me. The two grey-haired men whispered about her and all eyes were upon her trembling form as she sang as well as she could muster. When she finished, everyone congratulated her, and she was quickly set to work preparing to take the place of the previous diva.

She was rushed to a small dressing room where she was put in costume and had her hair and makeup done. When she looked in the mirror, she was shocked to see that she looked as she did when she was sixteen. This was all very strange to her, so she simply dismissed it as being a strange dream. The only thing about it all that truly bothered her, was that it all seemed familiar. However, she was not given much chance to think on it, for the opera was to begin shortly.

Backstage was full of busy people rushing about to put finishing touches on everything. Ballerinas warmed up, and singers practiced their scales. Chris looked around nervously, looking for someone who might appear familiar, but found no one. Finally, the opera began and she was put on stage for all of Paris to see.

I'm really sorry if there are spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, but my spell checker is gone!