Summary: My take on the 2004 movie… with an added character. Not an Erik/OC, Erik/OW if that's what you are worried about, or thinking. Erik and Christine's relationship remains the same as it did in the movie, with nothing to complicate it… and I may let them be together in the end… It depends how big a response I get from you, the readers. Madame Giry will feature in this more strongly than the other characters.

Disclaimer: I own nothing; everything belongs to Sir ALW, and Gaston Leroux. The only character I own in this is that of Phillipe Caruso.

"Dance As If Noone Is Watching…"

The sound of a cane banging upon the stage resounded throughout the theatre, and the large group of ballerina's stopped in mid-dance, and turned to look at the source of the sound.

Madame Antoinette Giry stood, leaning on her ebony cane, with a slight smile upon her lips at the startled looks upon some of her girls' faces. "Alright, girls. I think that's enough rehearsal for the day. You have all done well… I'm proud of you. But make sure you don't slack tonight, or we'll be right back to basics, do you hear me?"

The girl's nodded vigorously, sighs of relief emitting from all present. They had been rehearsing almost all day, save for the time when Carlotta demanded use of the stage. Not even Madame Giry would try to argue with the Soprano when enraged, which was generally all the time.

"I thought the girl's were magnificent, Madame. Very… poignant." Joseph Buquet leered. Antoinette rolled her eyes.

"Unless you want this cane through one of your eyes, Joseph Buquet, I suggest you leave my girl's alone. Permanently." She glared at him. Buquet knew not to annoy Giry, and promptly left. She rarely made idle threats. Antoinette turned back to her Ballerina's.

"Now, all of you. Go back to your dormitories and rest. You have a big night ahead of you. You will all make me proud."

The girl's turned and began shuffling out of the theatre towards their dormitories, talking to one another wearily. Antoinette stayed where she was.

"Meg, please stay a moment."

Marguerite Giry stopped where she was, briefly smiling at her friends as they left. She turned towards her mother, and clasped her arms behind her back, expecting a lecture on her performance in rehearsal. Madame Giry was a strict mother, and almost always seemed to have something to criticise her daughter on.

"Maman?" she questioned.

"Is Christine in her dressing room?"

Meg sighed. Christine again. It seemed to her that she had never been Antoinette's daughter, and Christine had.

"Yes Maman… I could hardly believe it when she sang earlier, you know… I had no idea."

"I'm sure you didn't…"

"Is that all, Maman?" Meg sighed.

Antoinette smiled at her daughter softly. "You're not jealous of Christine, are you Meg?"

Meg rolled her eyes. "Why should I be, Maman? You only spend all of her time with her, and none at all with me, except to criticise me on my Ballet."

Antoinette shook her head slowly, and reached out and softly took Meg's chin in her hand. "Oh, my dear… It may seem that all I do is criticise you… but I do it for all the right reasons."

Meg frowned, and Antoinette smiled again.

"You have so much to learn, Marguerite. I only want the best for you, I want you to learn, and be the best you can be. Remember this, when you dance tonight, my little Prima Ballerina… you will one day be the lead dancer, I know it. Act like you already have the position, dance as if noone is watching, put all of your heart and soul's passion into your dancing, and the position will come to you! I want you to go out there tonight and make the audience notice you, and then love you. I want you to bring the house down, as I know you can! Do you understand?"

Meg could hardly speak from raw emotion, and the lump in her throat. Her eyes had becomes blurry from tears, as she listened to her Mother's speech. Never before had she imagined that her Mother thought so much of her, and that she loved her as much as she suddenly saw that she did. She nodded slowly, but surely.

"Oh yes, Maman. Sorelli will hardly know what has hit her."

Antoinette pulled her daughter into a rare embrace, and stroked her hair tenderly. After a moment she pulled away, leaving a soft kiss upon her forehead.

"Now, you must go and rest. Until tonight, my dear. I love you always."

"I love you too, Maman."

Meg walked to her dormitory, wiping tears from her face, with a radiant smile upon her face. Antoinette stayed exactly where she was. She sighed.

"I know you're there, Erik."

Erik, fondly known as 'The Phantom of the Opera' walked out of the shadows, a playful pout upon the part of his handsome face not covered by the ivory mask.

"How did you know?"

Antoinette smiled. "Because I know you so very well."

Erik smiled at his dear friend. "More than most, I can safely say."

"Did you want something, Erik?"

Erik frowned.

"Do I need a reason to visit you? You, my best friend upon this Earth?"

Antoinette raised an eyebrow.

"You want something."

"I do not!" Erik was outraged. "I merely came to inform you the new accountant has arrived."

The second eyebrow joined it's partner.

"Oh? And?"

Erik tilted his head. "He doesn't seem bad… Maybe a little posh, but most wealthy men are. He has a charming sense of humour though… laughed at Andre's toupee."

Antoinette let out an uncharacteristic giggle, and then promptly quelled it. Erik merely smirked at her outburst.

"You are to visit Christine Daae soon, Madame?"

She nodded. "Momentarily."

"Wish her luck from her Angel… although I doubt she'll need it…" He smiled softly, a far away look upon his face. Antoinette shook her head.

Could the Phantom of the Opera be in love?