I am sooooooo sorry. My computer has been dead this whole time, and my brother hasn't left until a couple days ago. Finally, I can update! Good news is, is that my computer is almost out of its coma! huuray!

Okay, I made this onekind of long. I wanted to set some things up a little...
Vachel isn't in this chapter just yet, but he'll make his way into this story a little more. Unforunate, i know. But what is a story with out a few conflicts? Exaclty.

Enjoy.

Ps.! Varlies story is a little incorrect, of course. That's because she can only tell the story off of what she heard and what she believe's is true. (sigh) People in this world..I swear...

The performance was a huge success. The crowds would often yell, "Encore! Encore!", and the women would gain new handsome suitors. Bayard was hoping the next one will be better then the last.

"Alright everyone! Audition start in two hours! Good luck to you all." He announced to everyone. All the women began to talk to each; speaking of how their suitors are truly lovely, and how handsome they were. Some were talking about how handsome their suitor's money was. Monique sat with the singers and the ballet dancers in a circle.

"But have you girls noticed? It seems the phantom hasn't been doing anything lately.." Jessamine, one of the dancers spoke up. All the girls either replied or nodded their heads. Well, all except Monique.

"Yes…its quite strange. Perhaps he has his eyes on a new lady…" Erica, a singer in a jokingly sensual way. All laughed, except Monique once more.

"Could someone tell me the story? I never really heard before…" Neville, a young dancer asked. Valerie, the leader of the girls Monique guessed nodded her head.

"Well…alright. We will tell you. Only because we never grow tired of hearing it." Valerie said with a wicked smile. She shook her head to get the hair out of her face, and cleared her throat.

"At least a year ago, a young singer named Christine Daee lived here, and all was normal. A few things were stolen, lights dropped, you know. The usual. One day, Christine disappeared the night she preformed. She said it was the most frightening night of her life. The Opera Ghost kidnapped her and took her to his home. Some say he was be taken by her beautiful voice; other say he loved her with all his heart. Well, I think he just wanted to bed her. People who know say he is too cruel to love.

Of course, he returned her to her room unharmed. A week went by, and the new production went on. The phantom wanted things to run his way, but the owners refused. So they went against him and did things the way they wished. This angered the Opera ghost very much so. Joseph Buquet, a perverted man who was part of the stage crew was killed by the Opera Ghost! He hung him on the stage in front of hundreds of people! I know, I was there. I will never forget it. It was truly frightening.

Weeks past, and no sign of the Opera ghost were around. No letters, no broken prop's; nothing. Within those weeks, everyone knew Christine had become secretly engaged to Raoul de Chagny, one of the richest men in Paris. Even the phantom found out…at least, I was told that by an old suitor.

They were now determined to get the Opera Ghost, once and for all. Christine was to seduce him into coming out to her, and when the time was right, the police were to capture him and lock him away. Well, there plan basically backfired; the phantom kidnapped Miss Daee once more.

Rauol went down there, and rescued her. Although, he was almost killed in the process. Today, they live happily together, while that horrid savage still stocks the Opera, as usual."

All the girls sighed and began to talk about Rauol, about how lucky Christine was. Monique was shocked. She was only told a few things when it came Erik's past, but she never heard the whole story. Monique's attitude became very saddened.

"I am going to retire for the tonight, girls. I feel I have fallen ill." She said tiredly. They all said their good byes to her, and invited her to another get together tomorrow. She agreed, and left the room.

Monique went to the roof, and decided to sit next to a gargoyle. She looked a pond the streets; lights still burning with fire, some people even walking about. After a while, she stopped looking at the streets. She lost herself in thought.

'My god…Erik's past is very much similar to mine….' She thought. Tears came to her face, and she winced trying to hold them off. But it was no use.

'Richard…you demandable fiend…I hope that whore is to your liking.' She thought cruelly. That's what she should have said to him when they parted. She wished that were what she said.

'Oh Richard….' She thought on. She began to cry softly, as if she might disturb the city with her unhappiness.

"That dense whore! That thickheaded bitch! That…that…" Erik could not continue his name-calling to that dumb whorish singer. All his time with Monique, he had almost forgotten her. Almost. Maybe if they fell in love, he could completely forget—

No. That was unlikely. Christine would haunt him as always. In his dreams, his thoughts…. the endless time of his life.

Although….

Monique was a hope, somewhat. In comparison to Christine, beauty was in Monique's favor. Singing, well as far as Erik knew, singing was Christine's cup of tea. When it came to arousing him….

He had to admit, he was only aroused by Christine once. Yet with Monique…quite a few times. That was probably due to the fact that Monique was very touchy; holding his hand, laying her head on his shoulder, being close to him…

There was no comparison when it came this matter. Monique took home the gold.

But the subject of love was quite hard. He loved Christine. …………….

Right? Yes, yes of course. He was only infatuated with Monique. Yes. That was how it was. To Erik, this sounded right.

But when he said it over and over again in his head…it did not feel right.

"Oh Monique…I feel I am falling for you…more then I hopped a wouldn't. What if you break my heart, like Christine once did? What will happen to me then? I would probably go mad…and do the unthinkable…" he said to himself.

He laughed a little. 'When did I become so soft?' he thought to himself bitterly and pouted a little.

He got himself together and went to look for Monique. He had a feeling she wouldn't go to her room, so he looked from the stage to the kitchen. After a little while, he began to worry a little.

He decided to check the roof. Sure enough, there she was. He could only see her profile, because she was turned away from him. With the winter well on its way, he noticed the light breeze lift her hair every once and a while. As he crept close, he noticed tears continually running down her face. He stopped and just looked at her. He wanted to pull out a cloth for her…but then again he just wanted to use his own hands to wipe the tears away. He reached out and touched her shoulder. She was startled at first, but when she looked at him, she went back to her sad look once more. He got a little closer to her, putting his hands on her head. His right hand brushed back a few tears, and he wiped away at her wet cheeks. All she could do is stare at him with that sad look in her eye. After getting a few tears away from her face, she touched his hand with hers. To see her small dainty hands hold his would look odd to another name. But to them, it looked about right. Physically, they were almost complete opposites. He was tall and well built, while she was curvy, however she only came to his chest. His hair was a darker shade of brown, while hers had a lighter color of brown with a reddish touch. She was beautiful in each and everyway…. while he was hideous and a complete animal.

Minutes went by, and they were still standing unmoved. Monique started to feel a little weary from all her crying, and was beginning to close her eyes. Erik noticed this, and when she almost fell off her place, he caught her and held her there for a moment. She fell asleep instantly. Erik held her close, so she would be cold, and took off to put her somewhere so she could continue sleeping peacefully. He wasn't going to put in her room with that old tart, she'd make Monique sleep on the floor. He decided, well, kind of wanting this anyway, to take her to his home. He placed her on his bed, trying to be as gentle as possible. But as he started to slowly step away, she held his hand still. The hard thing was…. she wouldn't let go. He tried to step away a little more…but she still wouldn't let him depart! 'God woman! As much as I like this, let go!' he thought to himself. Suddenly, he felt a tugging on his hand. She was pulling him near her!

He decided that he was going to stay. He wanted to too, but she wouldn't let go of his blasted hand in any case. He went to the side of his bed, and little by little, he laid down. Nervously, he laid somewhat next to her; there was a gap between them. He just stared at the ceiling for a while, growing a little more anxious as the minutes slipped away. 'What if she wakes up, sees me and slaps me for being so close? Well, there is a distance between us, but maybe she's not into closeness.' He thought. The he remembered all those times she would either hug him, or hold his hand. 'Okay…maybe not. Well maybe she might be a little nervous when it comes to something like this.' He carried on thinking. He stopped thinking that, when she unexpectedly moved closer to him.

She felt a little cold, and decided to head to where she felt was warm. She did stop until she was resting her head on his shoulder. Erik lay stiffly next to her, barely even breathing. 'God! When I did become such a nervous wreck? I use to be so much more bolder, yet when she comes this close…' Erik stopped thinking. He scooted his head a little more, to the point where his mask touched the top of her head. He didn't want to be this spongy startled man really. He confirmed from then on, he was going to be manlier…like he use to be. He knew it was going to be a little difficult, but he would certainly try his best. After a few minutes, he fell asleep contently.