The Cast

Erik and Christine arrived at the opera house the next morning, Nadir having had to take care of some business across town. Christine helped Erik retrieve the scripts and showed him some of the minor corrections to it that she had made. As she was pointing these out Erik glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. She had no idea how much it meant to him that she hadn't run away screaming the minute she saw the mask. He marveled at how she could just stand next to him and look him straight in the eyes as she talked.

Christine had finished talking and noticed Erik had been staring at her with a strange expression as she did so. Becoming self conscious Christine asked, "This is ok, right?"

Erik laughed. "Christine, this is your job. Thank you."

Christine smiled at him brightly as they proceeded to walk to the stage where the cast had been gathering. Once the crowd had hushed, Erik began giving his orders much like he had the previous day. After he was finished talking, both Erik and Christine noticed a nervous looking man approaching Erik.

Erik sighed and leaned in the whisper in Christine's ear, making her shiver. "This is Jed Harvey, assistant to one of the mangers in lighting. Very fidgety man, he is." Christine giggled softly, but quickly stopped as Jed reached them.

"Yes Mr. Harvey?" Erik asked.

"Uh…g-good morning Mr. D-Dupon, M-Ms. Daae," Jed stammered, nodding at Erik and Christine.

"Is there something we can do for you, Jed?" Erik inquired, becoming impatient.

"Oh, y-yes, sorry sir. Mr. Windlum would like to see you backstage," Jed said frantically.

"Very well, tell him I'll be there in a moment," Erik replied, and the poor man went rushing away. Erik turned to Christine. "I'm not sure how long this is going to take, so would you mind warming up the lead cast members in that room over there?"

"Sure, that's what I'm here for, right?" Christine said.

Erik smiled and pointed at the two people she needed to warm up. Christine nodded and Erik handed her the music she would be playing. As he left, Christine headed over to the pair. Erik had told her that they're names were Carlotta Gudecelli and Anthony Rivall.

Christine went over to Carlotta first. She was very tall and skinny, with long, dark hair which flowed down to her mid waist. Christine admitted she was pretty, but something in the way she was standing with a large group of laughing girls made her suspicious of her attitude. As she approached, Christine tapped her on the shoulder.

"What?" Carlotta turned harshly. Christine was shocked at her fierce tone.

"I was just told that you and Mr. Rivall need to warm up and I'll be accompanying you," Christine replied calmly.

After making a huge production of rolling her eyes, Carlotta began heading to the room Erik had showed her. Christine guessed that must have been where they usually warmed up.

Christine then sought out Anthony. He was tall, with a handsomely boyish face and straight chestnut hair that hung into his eyes. He too was standing with a group of friends who were all laughing.

"Excuse me?" Christine muttered, raising her voice a little.

Anthony turned around to look at the person who had interrupted. After he saw Christine however, his mouth fell open and his eyes looked her over. Anthony was sick yesterday and had missed Christine's arrival. "Who are you and please tell me you work here?"

Christine could feel her cheeks getting hot and was sure that her face was blood red. "Uhh…yeah. I just started yesterday. I'm assistant for Erik Dupon." Christine said, wishing she could be back with Erik.

"Ah, the creepy guy with the mask…" Anthony began.

"Hey!" Christine exclaimed, now furious. "Why should that matter to you? I suggest you grow up and be a little more professional! Now why don't you go be a good little boy and warm up?" For some reason, Christine got the incredible urge to protect her masked friend whom she had just met.

Erik had walked back into the room and overheard the whole exchange between Anthony and Christine. Erik was used to hearing these comments all the time. His heart melted, however, when he heard Christine defending him.

"Hey, chill babe, I was just kidding. I mean, you have to admit, the guy is kind of intimidating," Anthony defended himself, holding up his hands in mercy. He hadn't expected that from her.

"I don't need to admit anything to you!" Christine yelled, becoming more frustrated by the minute. Suddenly she felt someone behind her.

"That's enough, Mr. Rivall. Go warm up with Ms. Gudecelli and then we'll begin rehearsal," Erik said, now angry, also, at Anthony's disrespect toward Christine.

Anthony turned pale and quickly walked away, his friends dispersing also. Christine turned her head away from Erik, sure she was still blushing. "I'm sorry; I was loud, wasn't I? I'll go warm them up now," Christine said, embarrassed, and beginning to walk toward the room.

Erik grabbed her arm and turned her around, tilting her chin up to face him. "Thank you, you didn't have to do that. I should apologize to you, however. Mr. Rivall shouldn't have talked to you the way he did and I'll assure that it shall never happen again. In the meantime, I'll send someone else to accompany those two and I'll give you the sheet music for the pieces," Erik said.

Although Christine smiled, she was still angry at what Anthony had said about Erik. All thoughts were soon lost, however, in the beautiful music Erik began playing from the new opera. Both were completely oblivious to what they were feeling for each other.

A/N: I sincerely apologize for the unneccesarily long wait. Things have been busy with school. I'm not too sure about this chapter though. It's supposed to be a transition into the next one, which I'll try to have up by Friday. So please review!

Oh! And I just found out that POTO is coming to my city and I have tickets to go see it! Yay! So this will be my second Broadway show to ever see! I can't wait!

Your humble servant,

Greek-Phantomphan