VI

Antoinette sighed heavily as she made her way to the managers office. They had been calling meeting for everyone who ran anything in the theatre. The head stableman, the conductor, lead stagehand and now it was her turn.

For the past three days everything had run as smoothly as could be asked. Tomorrow the lessons and practises for the remaining dancers would start again and the orchestra was already in the pit, going through different pieces for a small performance that would be in a week. It seemed that the managers did not want the theatre to be seemingly closed and had arranged for the orchestra to do a small matinee.

"Enter!" one of the two men cried when she knocked on the door.

She opened the door and was quickly herded into the chair in front of the desk by Andre. She made an insulted noise as she sat down and straightened her skirts. Andre went and stood behind Firmin.

"Good day," Firmin said in an overly cheerful voice, "how are you, Madame?"

"May I ask why I am here?" she asked, ignoring his question.

"Ah, yes," Firmin said, "we are trying to get to know our staff and since you are the ballet mistress we thought that you would be an important person to meet."

"I see," she said, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes," Andre said, "well, we also wanted to discuss our plans for the theatre over the next few months. As you know we are not doing any operas until after the new years party. However, we would be interested in having a small ballet, perhaps?"

Antoinette sighed heavily as she thought it through, "I suppose that could be arranged."

"Splendid!" Firmin smiled, "well then, how about, oh lets see…two weeks?"

"That is suitable," she replied, "I will come up with something appropriate and speak with Monsieur Reyer about the music."

"Yes, yes, very good," Firmin said, waving his hand, "now, another matter."

"Another matter?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes, I was curious…what do you know about this Ghost that everyone speaks of?" Firmin asked as casually as possible, running his hand over the polished wood of the desk.

"Ah, the Opera Ghost," Antoinette sighed, "he has been in this theatre for a very long time messieurs."

"Yes, and?" Andre persisted.

"In every way this theatre is his. He knows everything that goes on and he controls everything," she explained, "no one knows where he resides or where he came from. We do know, however, how much trouble he is capable and will cause if he is ignored."

"Oh really?" Firmin asked, "and what exactly is he capable of, hmm?"

"You saw that last night," Antoinette replied.

"An accident," Andre argued, "that was an accident, Madame Giry!"

"Suit yourselves and believe what you will. But believe me when I tell you that he is a genius messieurs, and he will not rest until he had achieved what he wants…"

"Very well then, thank you and you may go," Firmin sighed.

Antoinette got up and left, closing the door carefully behind her. She let out another sigh and shook her head. It was true, Erik would not give up until he achieved exactly what he wanted, and what he wanted was Christine and the obedience of his new managers. Neither would be easy to obtain, and that meant a very difficult time for the theatre.

Christine stared out the window of the carriage as the city bumped past. She felt Raoul's arm drape around her shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze. With a small smile she turned and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"You really don't mind?" he asked.

"Not at all," Christine said, shaking her head.

"Little Lotte," Raoul said, taking her hand in his, "I would understand if you did not want to come. It will be terribly boring."

"Its only for one day, right?" Christine asked.

Raoul nodded his head, "Yes, one day, Christine. One day that you'll have to spend in the company of my parents. My very proper parents."

"I'm sure I'll survive," Christine said, trying to lighten the mood.

Raoul just smiled and leaned back in his seat as the carriage rattled up to the front of the large house. The driver let them out and he lead the way to the front door and knocked on it.

"Yes?" a manservant asked, opening the door and scrutinizing them.

"We're here to see my parents," Raoul said, "could you inform them that we have arrived?"

"Of course, sir."

Raoul entered and fiddled with the hem of his sleeve before leading Christine to the parlour where his parents were waiting. His father, a larger man with thinning grey hair and a moustache, greeted him first and then his mother, a lovely woman with greying blonde hair embraced him and kissed him on the cheek. Then both of their attentions were focussed on Christine.

"Hello," she said quietly, curtseying, "it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Yes, well of course mademoiselle," Raoul's father said.

"Ah, so this is the young woman that our son has been telling us about?" his mother asked, "well, how lovely to meet you dear."

Christine gave an awkward smile as the Comtesse de Chagny stared her down. She was smiling, that was true, but it didn't reach her icy green eyes. Christine shifted nervously and tried to smile again without looking too stupid.

"Well, why don't we go have tea?" the comtesse asked.

"What a good idea," Raoul agreed.

Erik stared blankly ahead at the score that sat in front of him. The notes appeared jumbled and they made no logical sense, but it didn't matter, it was his work and he had worked on it non-stop for the past two days.

With a groan he turned and looked around the dishevelled place that he called home. Papers were scattered everywhere and music stands and candelabras littered the floor. Wax from the candles that had been snuffed out as they fell had formed rods from the candles to the ground.

He turned back to the organ and stared at the score again before crumpling it up and throwing it to the ground. His fingers were cramped and hunger tugged at his stomach. His mouth felt dry and his eyes heavy, but he wouldn't stop and once again he placed his fingers on the keys and began to work out the raging music inside his head. He knew it would take weeks, maybe even months. But he was determined to finish this opera and then he would have it performed in his theatre.

A/N: Wow, finally an update! Sorry it took so long, for those of you reading, but I've been a bit busy with evil math and physics. So, leave some reviews, pretty please!