Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the plot ideas featured in all my little stories. Thanks to all those who've been reading and reviewing, have a great day.

Past The Point

It was the day before the drama try outs and Rika wouldn't have been at all surprised if there were dark clouds following her everywhere. She was going to have to participate in the damn thing. There was just no way she was going to get out of it. She'd come up with a hundred different scenarios including deliberately making herself ill. All to no avail. Somehow she couldn't see her mother letting her get away with that one or any of the other ones her mind had cooked up. There were worse things her mother could do to her after all. The bitch. Sitting on the school steps as she waited for Matt to come out she was darkly pleased as she watched people give her a wide berth, too afraid to even look at her for more then a second. Who said television and video games had killed the brains of her entire generation. They were at least smart enough to know a time bomb waiting to go off at the slightest provocation.

"You know...you're really ugly when you're angry, Rika." Matt said as he stopped behind her, watching as she looked up at him with flashing violet eyes. "Good things looks can't kill too."

"Oh shut up." Rika snarled as she got to her feet, walking down the last couple of steps before heading towards the parking lot where Matt's bike was parked. Ignoring him as he fell into step with her Rika wished she could just punch him. She'd feel better. No she wouldn't, that was why she hadn't, Rika thought with an inner sigh. Right now she needed him healthy so that at least she wouldn't have to embarrass herself alone.

"It won't be that bad you know. Five minutes on stage at most." Matt pointed out, trying not to be amused by her. On the one hand he could sympathize but really, she was blowing this out of proportion. "Plus it's after school so only the drama geeks will be there. Who cares what they think? You can just threaten to beat them up if they start shooting off their mouths."

"It's the principle of the point." Was her sullen response. "I'm going to give her a headache though. When I get done on that stage her eardrums are never going to be the same. I'll make nails on a blackboard sound appealing."

Wincing Matt could easily imagine her doing that which wasn't good since he was going to be right beside her when she did that. Thanks to their voice training as kids he knew she could hit the high notes. Not good. "Well you could do that..." Matt began, his voice taking on a slightly manipulative tone. "But there's a better way to make her pay, Rika."

Eyes narrowing suspiciously Rika stopped in front of his motorcycle and turned to face him questioningly. "And what would that be, exactly?"

"Well she wants this musical to be a success. We both know she's doomed to failure as it stands because there's no way she going to be able to put together a cast of actors that can pull off a performance of this magnitude no matter what she says. Just think how much more this whole thing would stick in her craw if she knew that two people who could have at least made the whole thing half decent slipped right through her fingers." Matt said smugly, a grin on his face that Rika's face slowly began to mirror as his meaning hit home. "It's her first production at this school. I think we could help make her see the error in getting on our bad sides."

"I like the way you think."

"And just to add insult to the injury I think we should perform the scene or should I say the song most likely to piss off the principal while we're at it." Matt added as he handed Rika her helmet which she simply held while he straddled his bike.

"Did I say like? I meant I LOVE the way your mind thinks." Rika said with a delighted laugh as she put the helmet on and secured it. "I think Past The Point of No Return is just the song to raise the temperature of a certain washed out battleaxe. At the very least the principal will try to strap us with some detentions."

"Which he won't be able to do since it is a song in the musical and as such is perfectly acceptable for us to perform." Matt said with a wink before he pulled the visor down on his own helmet. Rika getting on behind him he waited until her arms were wrapped securely around his waist before he gunned the engine and sped out of the parking lot, both already plotting plenty before they even hit the road.

By the end of school the next day they had their plan down packed to the very last detail. Nobody plotted like they did, they thought proudly as they entered the theater in the school gym where try outs were being held. Jeri was the only friend they had trying out though Ryo's girlfriend was trying out as well apparently. Rika would sooner be eaten alive by piranhas then admit she knew the girl though. Matt just joined in the group betting pool as to when Ryo would finally dump the airhead and was polite enough to the ditz's face.

"You two aren't going to do anything crazy, are you?" Alice wanted to know having come along to cheer Jeri on. She knew the two were being forced into this and Rika was just too damn smug and cheerful. There was no way the girl wasn't up to something. "Because if you are tell me now so that I can go get my video camera."

"Thanks but I'd rather there be no visual evidence." Rika said with a small smile as she looked at the rather empty gym. Apparently not a lot of people had thought turning up was worth their time either. It just got better and better.

"You make it sound like we're about to break laws or something." Matt commented in amusement, his hands casually in his pockets. He looked as relaxed as a sleepy cat but inside he was bouncing with anticipation. This was going to be fun. More fun then he'd had in a while anyway. That and Rika was going to owe him big now which just made it that much sweeter.

"And are you?" Henry wanted to know, believing it was entirely impossible. He'd heard Rika ranting about the woman plenty after all. Rika wasn't the one to live and let live.

"You'll see." Rika said sweetly, her voice almost sing song which had her friends feeling their blood go decidedly cold. This was not good. Definitely not good.

The friends all watching and waiting wearily while the auditions began they all waited for the shoe to drop with a mixture of anxiety and fear for the general populations well being. Jeri's audition went by without a hitch at least though she'd have done better to sing louder so that everyone could hear instead of only the first few rows. Quite a number of cheerleaders tried out too which was good for some entertainment but it was the big finale Rika and Matt's friends were waiting for.

Deliberately saving the two for last the drama teacher finally took the stage. She'd been watching for her two little examples and she'd been pleased to see them show up. After all, they were being punished and she'd wanted it to be her way. That thought had been what had gotten her through these auditions. There were some with some small talent but no real shining stars. No Phantom or Christine among them. And without those two you don't have a musical, the little voice in her head reminded her. Pushing that aside she concentrated on the now. Even if this musical fell through she was going to go down with the satisfaction of knowing she'd taken Ms. Nonaka down a few pegs. First she thanked everyone for trying out and then her eyes narrowed, pinning down her little presentation's headliners. "And now, for your reward for all trying so hard I have a little treat for you all. Ms. Nonaka and Mr. Ishida, would you two like to come up here now, please?"

Both getting to their feet they were all well aware that everyone's eyes were on them. Walking tall and alluding confidence they were the picture of too cool to care badness. Walking up the steps leading to the stage they headed for center stage, waiting for her to continue what was sure to be a speech about them.

"Ms. Nonaka and Mr. Ishida are both here today because they both believe that this musical is doomed to failure. They don't believe that the students at this school have the talents or drive to put on something of this magnitude. I happen to disagree but these two were both quite vocal in their opposition. So vocal in fact that they got themselves into a bit of trouble with the principal which leads to why they're standing up here beside me. Ms. Nonaka and Mr. Ishida are both going to be trying out for the play and I'm sure you'll all join me in seeing just how they measure up to the performances you've all given today."

"Oh you are good." Rika whispered under her breath so that only the teacher could hear. "But unfortunately for you..we're better."

"Well we'll just see about that." Was the oh so sweet response as Miss Mido held out two stapled booklets. "Are you ready to wow us all?" She asked with a definite hint of sarcasm, a smile crossing her features as neither made a move to take the sheets from her.

"We won't be needing those but thanks for the thought." Matt said smoothly, smiling at her oh so charmingly. "We're ready to go as soon as you get off the stage."

"You're required to perform from the play." Was her annoyed reply.

"We know." Matt said as he rocked back on his heels like he had all the time in the world.

Taking a moment to glare at both of them Miss Mido turned on her heels and crossed the stage, walking down the stairs to return to her seat between the principal and the music teacher. Settling in she laced her fingers in her lap and gave them a challenging look, daring them to begin.

"Well then." Matt said as he turned to face the eagerly awaiting audience, his usual charming grin on his face. "First I'd like to say that their are a lot of professional actors who couldn't pull this play off successfully so Rika and I didn't mean anything against any of you when we said this play wasn't a good idea. Anyway we're going to be doing the song, "Past then Point of No Return". " Giving a short, teasing bow Matt took a deep breath then began to sing, his rich, seductive voice reaching every corner of the room. This song was about reaching a point where lust, desire and primal needs were all that mattered. About crossing those lines with no chance of backing down. In other words not a song for school, Matt thought wickedly, caressing each word so that the audience could literally feel their blood pressure going up. Wrapping his arms around Rika he pulled her tightly against him, a lovers hold with both of them facing the audience as he wowed them while Rika looked at him in staged lust and dazzlement.

Matt: Passarino - Go away for the trap it is set and waits for its prey.

You have come here
In pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish which till now
Has been silent
Silent.

I have brought you
That our passions may fuse and merge
In your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses
Completely succumbed to me
Now you are here with me
No second thoughts
You've decided
Decided.

Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make-believe are at an end.

Past all thought of "if" or "when"
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend

What raging FIRE shall flood the soul
What rich desire unlocks its door
What sweet seduction lies before us?

He was incredible, Miss Mido thought in a daze, staring at the young man in wonder. His voice was the perfect combination of need and greed, of sex and passion. It made you think of sweet, heat and a passion that knew no limits or boundaries. In short it was designed to turn you on and unable to think of anything but sex. His voice and breathing control was spectacular as well, making her think there was no way he hadn't had training in both. There was such a change in his body language as well. Though he was no more then holding the girl against him he might as well have been making out with the girl for the way their body language merged and worked together. It was like they were two different people. Realizing that the boy's part was winding down Miss. Mido's eyes narrowed on the girl, knowing somehow that the girl would be just as full of surprises.

Past the point of no return
The final threshold
What warm unspoken secrets
Will we learn
beyond the point of no return?

Leaning back against Matt Rika did her best to look as sexily submissive as possible which wasn't easy since neither role was one she was in the habit of playing. Now it was time for her to show her stuff. Picking up right on cue it was her turn for her voice to echo through the nearly empty room. A rich, husky voice it wasn't as trained or as pleasing to the ear as Matt's but it was still a big step up from everyone else who'd performed. It wasn't just that she could carry a note but that like Matt she had the ability to put emotion and thoughts into the words. She didn't just sing the words, she projected them for everyone to hear and picture in their minds. Time to haul out some more sex imagery and make some people uncomfortable Rika thought as she punched up her voice and went for below the belt..so to speak.

Rika: You have brought me
To that moment when words run dry
To that moment when speech disappears
Into silence
Silence.

I have come here,
Hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind I've already imagined
Our bodies entwining
Defenseless and silent,
Now I am here with you
No second thoughts
I've decided
Decided.

Past the point of no return
No going back now
Our passion-play has now at last begun.

Past all thought of right or wrong
One final question
How long should we two wait before we're one?

When will the blood begin to race
The sleeping bud burst into bloom
When will the flames at last CONSUME us?

BOTH: Past the point of no return
The final threshold
The bridge is crossed
So stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return.

And just like that, there was a quiet pause before Matt finished off the little duet with the final verse that probably best summed up just what sort of person the Phantom really was behind the mask. What the phantom, and really everyone, wanted in life.

Matt: (soft and sort of saddened) Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Lead me, save me from my solitude

Say you want me
With you here
Beside you
Anywhere you go
Let me go too
Christine that's all I ask of…

Making a motion as though she were ripping a mask off Matt let her go and stumbled back, his hand going to his face as thought to shield some imaginary blemish from sight. Then he took the few steps needed to be once again at Rika's side. Taking her hand the two did a teasing little bow then turning walked through the curtains behind them so that they were both hidden from view. Taking only a moment to look at each other they broke out laughing and made a run for it. Still holding hands they dashed for the backstage exit and pushing it open rushed into the deserted school hallway and took off running down the hallway, the halls ringing with their merriment. Oh that had been perfect. Just perfect.