Thank you for all the kind words, it seems that you all agree that this sounds like a good story. I do hope that I do not disappoint any of you.

Note: For those who are not familiar with my Erik; he has no need of a wig. His hair is normally slicked back, like we see it in the movie; however, we are going to see him change his image over a period of time. His hair is raven black and will be down to the bottom of his neckline.

For the sake of the story line and my personal preference, both of his eyes are perfect, no scarring. His mask could not cover that realistically, so we will just do away with that. To the naked eye, there are no visible signs on his face that give away his injuries.

Enjoy…

ONLY DEEPLY SECURE PEOPLE WITH A STRONG, POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE DARE TO ADMIT THAT THEY TOO NEED TO GROW AND CHANGE.

Pearls of Power, Robert H. Schuller

I Surrender All

CHAPTER 5

The next morning…

"I know it's him, Newton…there are too many similarities for it not to be him." Antoine Tournier, Police Chief, was standing in his office with his captain concerning the man that Raoul de Changy had vouched for yesterday.

Captain Newton stared at the man before him, "I understand Chief, what would you have me do?"

Tournier regarded Newton with determined eyes, "I need you to go to Madam Giry's home tomorrow and ask Erik to come to police headquarters; tell him that someone needs to see him."

"Yes sir, Chief." Captain Newton just wanted this whole "Opera Ghost" and "Phantom of the Opera" fiasco to end.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Erik was up early and out the door before sunup. He needed to get to the opera house and retrieve any salvageable items from his previous home. He had thought he would never see most of it again; now he had the chance to be more specific with the items he decided to save.

There were not that many people up and about this time of the morning, so he was able to move from place to place virtually undetected, which was fine by him…he hated people looking at him.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Madam Giry made a simple breakfast for everyone in her house. She enjoyed cooking; she had never really had much of a chance through the years to perfect the art of cooking, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

Raoul knocked on the door early, anxious to be with Christine once more. He was still slightly unsettled about the idea of Erik being in such close proximity, but Christine assured him that Erik was every bit a gentleman.

Audrey approached both of them in the foyer, "Erik left a note stating that he would be at the opera house retrieving any personal items that could be saved." Audrey's eyes took on a far-away, melancholy look, "It was the only home he knew…"

Christine knew that pain in Audrey's eyes; she felt it too. Erik had lost so much in his life; and now, he had lost the only home he had known and the only woman he had ever loved. Christine ached for him.

"Will he let love into his heart again, Audrey?" Christine looked completely lost. "I have to trust that he will or I will not be able to live with myself."

Audrey led them both to the kitchen as she spoke, "Erik is a strong, hardened man who will not go gently into the night. It will take an equally strong willed and determined woman to show him, though he loved once and lost, he deserves to try again."

Raoul and Christine sat down at the kitchen table. Christine was not certain that her question had been answered; but Audrey was not done answering.

"When love comes to Erik, he will have to be convinced that it is his…and his alone…he will not take what is not freely and willingly offered." Audrey's eyes were sparkling and hopeful, "But when he is convinced…nothing will keep him from it."

Christine smiled at the assurance of Erik's tenacity. He was a most formidable man in every aspect of his personality and she knew he could easily win the heart of a woman…if he would just allow himself to do just that.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Roland had been there; the night that the Phantom had claimed his woman and escaped beneath the opera house. He had seen the chaos that ensued and witnessed the horrible sight of that beautiful structure burning.

What a tragic love story this all turned out to be. He had not had a chance to find Madam Giry in all the excitement, so he rented a room for the night and waited for light of day.

Roland reflected on the music and pageantry of the opera, Don Juan Triumphant. It had been magnificent…he had never heard anything like it. He had been most upset at the interruption they had experienced. Maybe he could find a copy of it and perform it in New Orleans.

When morning rolled around, Roland found himself seeking the home of Madam Giry. He knew approximately where she resided, it would only take a little bit of time.

Two hours later, Roland stood in front of her door with his nerves on edge. Would she help him? After all, it had been years since she last saw him. He rapped lightly on the door while praying that she would help him.

Audrey heard the knock and responded in good time. She stood aghast at the man in front of her. This could not be Roland? The man was in the states running his own opera house, last she heard.

"Roland, is that you?" Audrey chirped, not really believing that it could be him.

"Yes Audrey, it is me." His simple words caused her to hug him gently.

She invited him in and showed him to the parlor. Small talk commenced and that is all they discussed for two hours. How was the family? How is your job…this, that, and the other.

"So Roland, you did not travel across the sea for two months to ask me how my job is doing…how is Karlie." Audrey inquired with confidence.

Roland smiled a hesitant smile and then watched as Christine and Raoul walked in. He recognized her from the opera house and immediately arose to give her a bow and hand kiss.

"Miss Daae, it was indeed an honor to hear your exquisite voice last night; I have never heard such quality." Roland cooed.

Audrey introduced him to Raoul and Christine. Roland turned once again to Audrey, "Karlie is doing well, she is the dance instructor and choreographer at my opera house in New Orleans…she is…indispensable." Pride gleamed in his eyes as he talked of her.

He reluctantly changed the subject, coming back to Christine's obvious vocal gift.

"You are not looking for a place to perform are you? I have an opera house that would come alive with a talent like you." Roland thought about the possibilities of having a voice with that much talent.

Raoul decided it was time to put this to rest, "Ms. Daae is to be my wife, Mr. Temple. She will not be performing in the Opera anymore." Raoul saw the disappointment cover Christine's face. "You know that my family will not approve Christine…we have discussed this…" Raoul turned his eyes to Roland, "…she will be the wife of a nobleman…it would be unacceptable."

Roland bowed his eyes, "That is too bad…the opera has lost a true star."…Roland thought for a minute and then seemed to have an idea, "Ms. Daae, I understand your choice; but if I may, could I inquire as to who your instructor was?"

Christine thought of Erik and knew, for the first time, how much it must hurt him that she was throwing away the gift he so articulately and selfishly gave her. She was tossing the years he devoted to her voice back at him…he must be greatly hurt.

Christine smiled, trying to hide the pain she was feeling, "Certainly, my voice was inspired and coached by Erik, the Phantom of the Opera."

The shocked look on Roland's face inspired Christine to tell him the story of Erik, with a little bit of help from Madam Giry. Before the day was over, he had a full understanding about who Erik was and the reasoning behind his actions.

Roland sat in his chair, stunned at the life this man had led, and even more stunned at the musical genius he was. He simply had to have him as his instructor.

"Since it appears that he is out of work and I am in need of a vocal instructor, do you suppose he would be willing to go across the sea and work for me?" Roland was amazed at the ease he was having so far, he was expecting this to take longer.

Audrey lifted a speculative look to Roland, "Erik is also a perfectionist, Roland…if you are seeking a more mild mannered man than this Anton was, you may be disappointed." Audrey was smiling, despite herself, "Erik is anything but mild mannered."

"Is he egotistical, spoiled, womanizing, or conceited?" Roland watched as Audrey shook her in the negative to each attribute. "I doubt very much that he will be the headache that Anton was. Besides, the truly gifted are eccentric and peculiar…they are on a whole different level than we are." Roland smiled as he saw the uncertainty arise in Audrey's eyes, "Don't worry so much Audrey…I want only the best for my opera house; and if you say this…Erik…is the best you have ever known…than I want him working for me."

Audrey shrugged her concerns aside and smiled, "He IS the best Roland. Christine's voice can attest to that."

Christine shifted under his appraising eyes. Roland needed to question her about Erik's technique, "When he was giving you lessons, Ms. Daae, did he ever make advances on you or ravish you in any way?"

Christine held her chin proudly and defended Erik, "He is a perfect gentleman Mr. Temple. He has been teaching me since I was seven, and up until a few months ago, he never showed himself to me." Christine watched as a brow lifted and confusion set in.

"He remained a mystery to me. He used only his voice to teach me and guide me. He is ashamed of his appearance, though he need not be, and does not wish to offend people; so he taught me while staying in the shadows…out of harms way." Christine's voice trailed off in a swarm of memories.

Roland looked shocked, "What do you mean by 'he's ashamed of his appearance'? Is he some horrible looking man that will scare all of my potential stars?"

"Why do I get the feeling that I am being talked about behind my back?" Erik's deep, resonating voice sounded from the doorway.

His eyes held a hint of mistrust and betrayal in them when he spied Christine and Raoul talking to a strange man about someone who looked horrible and scared people…Erik could only assume they were talking about him.

Roland was in awe. The man's speaking voice was eerily beautiful and held a hypnotic quality that very few voices could boast. He found himself approaching Erik's staunch figure with trepidation.

Erik glowered down at the plump man, but found that the eyes he stared into were honest and chaste.

"I can only gather that you are looking for me, I am the only one around here who looks horrible and scares people." Erik injected, hoping the pain did not come out in his voice.

Roland smirked at the tall, dark man and took a few moments to assess him. He was immaculately dressed, fashionably tall, strikingly good-looking, articulate in his speech, and, from what he had been told; a brilliant musician, composer, architect, designer, magician, and artist.

"You must be Erik." Roland threw a chubby hand out for Erik to grasp in greeting. Roland noticed the long, elegant fingers that obviously were adept at playing the piano.

"I am. Who, if I may ask, are you?" Erik was forever formal, but he was also intrigued.

Roland smiled an uncertain smile. He could physically feel the power this man possessed. He was a foreboding and dangerous figure, but Roland was not going to back down.

"I am Roland Temple, owner and operator of the French Opera House in New Orleans, Louisiana." Roland's voice did not sound as confident as he intended it to.

The man before him had a most intimidating stare and his eyes were deep set and haunted. He certainly did not want to get on his bad side for any reason. Roland could see the years of excruciating agony this man had endured in every inch of his body.

His stance was predatory, as if ready to fight at the first indication of confrontation. His movements were graceful and lithe as if he had trained his body to move like a prowling cat. His eyes scanned the face of his "victim" for any sign of fear or mistrust, just ready to attack if need be.

"I have never heard of it…but then…I have never been to the states." Erik bowed his head, acknowledging his respect for a fellow opera player.

Erik regarded him as harmless and focused his eyes on Audrey. He had not had a very easy day, and things were about to get really interesting.

"You may want to answer your door in a few minutes Audrey" Audrey quirked her eyebrows in interest as he said the next statement, "I was followed." Erik's prophetic statement sent chills up Audrey's back.

"Followed?…By whom?" Audrey questioned with panic in her voice.

Erik took a seat in the tall-backed chair just inside the door and waited. "My thinking is…that they are the police." His eyes circled the room and all eyes were on him.

To Be Continued…