DISCLAIMER: I don't own any Phantom characters or Phantom related things. I only own Angelica, Ri'chard the stable boy, The LeJolie's, Maeve the milk maid, and this story!

Thanks to: PhantomLover2005, Phantom's Girl, and everyone who has read and reviewed. I really appreciate it!

It didn't take long for the rumor that Gareth LeJolie was now courting Angelica. The word spread to the ballet students, and the prop makers, then to the seamstresses, and finally to the animal caretakers, most importantly...Ri'chard.

"What!" he asked Maeve the milk maid.

"Gareth LeJolie, the owners' son, is taking Angelica to the Gala party after the performance tonight."

His heart sank when he heard the terrible truth. How could she? Ri'chard sulked out of the stable and hid in a corner below a staircase.

'Why' he thought to himself as he held back a sob, ' But how could she not' he thought again.

"He's handsome, charming, smart, and rich. I could never be like Gareth, he's...perfect."

Ri'chard places his face in his palms and began to silently weep. He loved Angelica with all that he was, and now he had possibly lost her. The stars in her eyes were stolen by this little chauvinistic boy, how could Ri'chard even think to win her affections now?
"It's hopeless."

"What's hopeless!" said a voice from above.

He looked up to see a dreamy eyed Angelica standing before him.

"Nothing." he said wiping his eyes furiously.

"Alright? What's the matter?" she asked sitting beside her friend.

Now or never, he thought, raising his head up to see her.

"Wait." Angelica said suddenly, before he could speak. "I have to tell you something, too."

"If it's about Gareth LeJolie, then I've already heard." he scolded.

Angelica's smile faded when she heard the tone in Ri'chard's voice.

"I-it's not about Gareth...It's about him."

"What are you talking about, Angelica?"

"The Phantom...I said I was going to find him. I think I'm going to look tonight, after the Gala party."

"So?"

"So! Will you come with me?" Angelica pleaded.

"I can't...I just can't." he answered standing up.

"Why?"

"I just can't, Angelica!"

And without anymore words, Ri'chard disappeared behind the stable door, leaving Angelica at the bottom of the staircase. She choked back tears, regained her composure, and returned to her feet.

"With or without you, Ri'chard. I'm still going to find him."

The party ended, promptly at 10:30pm. Gareth walked Angelica back to the ballet dormitories, and bid her goodnight.

"Gareth wait." Angelica said, grabbing his shoulder. "Thank you."

Gareth smiled, walked back over to Angelica's side, and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"You're welcome."

Angelica was left dumbfounded at her escort's action, but nevertheless blushed like a school girl. She watched him leave, smirking to herself as she opened the dormitory door. But as soon as she stepped into the room, she was bombarded with cat calls and whistles.

Thunk.

Madame Giry sounded her cane.

"Go to bed, girls! Angelica you are free to change and go to sleep."

"Thank you, Ma'am." she was never happier to hear those words.

Angelica quickly changed out of her dress and slipped on her night gown. Making sure, that the little ballerinas were asleep, she crept out of the dormitory, a lit candle in her hand. Angelica climbed down the winding staircases, taking each step as quietly as she could. She scanned the shadows for any sign of movement. 'Nothing' she thought to herself stopping in her tracks. This search really was ridiculous...

Crack.

Angelica gasped dropping her candle on the cold, damp, steps. She was instantly blinded...Angelica's hands began to tremble as she bent down to look for the candle.

"Yes." she said to herself grasping the candle. She reached into her pocket for the matches and managed to get one lit. The candle's light returned.

"Phwew." she said wiping her forehead. 'But wait' she thought to herself, 'Why was her shadow so large?'...

Angelica turned around slowly raising the candle to the level of her eyes...And there, looking down at her was the same pair of piercing blue eyes, belonging to the person she could only think to be...The Phantom of the Opera.

Okay, first off, scary thing: When I loaded the document with the fic on it, the number of words was 666...shudders. This was another chapter in which I was iffy about, but I hope you all like it:) Please R&R.