A/N: This chapter is really weak. I was going to make it where it goes into Erik's P.O.V., but I decided not to. One of the songs is from Moulin Rouge while the other is from the Little Mermaid. Hope you like! I also decided to use names from the movie Troy.

Without delay I dragged Erik to the carriage, ignoring my muscles protest. I drove the horses at full speed back to the opera house hoping he would be alright. Luckily there was no one in the stables that would spot me. I pulled him out, using all my strength to drag him inside. I couldn't risk being caught taking him to a room so I decided that he must come to my lair.

Once we had arrived I took him straight to my bedroom and laid him down. I cleaned and bandage his wound and took off his boots. I had even ventured to take off his shirt and jacket. I hurried out of the room once I had done everything I could, for the room seemed to be getting hot. I sat at my organ playing a soft tune, I started to sing:

I follow the night…
Can't stand the light
When will I begin
to live again?

One day I'll fly away
Leave all this to yesterday
what more could your Love do for me?
When will Love be through with me?

Why live life from dream to dream?
And dread the day when dreaming ends

One day I'll fly away
Leave all this to yesterday
why live life from dream to dream?
And dread the day when dreaming ends

One day I'll fly away
fly, fly

I paused. I could hear Erik coming up behind me. He began to caress my face. At first I was scared he would try to take my mask off again, but he didn't. I stopped playing, forgetting about the rest of the song. "Continue." He whispered into my ear. I took a deep breath before finishing the song:

Away

When I stopped I turned around to find him starring at me. We have done this so many times before; our longing for each other unmasked in each other's eyes. This time I wasn't mistaken, I saw longing, passion, and love. It confused me though, he loved Helen not me, or did he? Had he been hiding his true feelings, just like Christine did to him, or was he just toying with me? I broke our gaze, as always. We were getting too close, I knew that. He would have to wait till I was sure he would be mine, forever. "Come you must get some more rest for you are too weak." I said taking him back to the bedroom.

I helped into the bed for he was still weak. I made sure he was comfortable, before I was about to leave. He grabbed my hand. I lost my breath. "Stay with me." He pleaded.

"I mustn't." I said trying to hold back tears.

"Why must you hide your feelings from me? You and I both know we feel the same way for one another." He said. It was so tempting, but I couldn't, not while he was still injured, for I wasn't sure if he was even thinking clearly.

"You and I both know our love is forbidden. You're almost a married man with a beautiful fiancée. I am no beauty." I said pulling away my hand. I knew he was hurt, but he also knew I was right. "You will always have my love and my answer. I must go." I ran out of the room crying. He didn't come out.

After I a while I went in to check in on him. There was a single candle that gave some light. I kneeled down next to the bed. He was sleeping. I tucked back a strand of hair that had strayed away from the others. I began to sing very softly:

What would I give?

To live where you are?

What would I pay

to stay here beside you?

What would I do to see you…

Smiling at me?

Where would we walk?
Where would we run?

If we could stay all day in the sun

Just you and me

And I could be

Part of your world

At the time I didn't realize Erik had really been awake listening to every word. I sung:

I don't know when

I don't know how

But I know something's starting right now

Watch and you'll see

Some day I'll be

Part of your world

I looked at Erik one last time, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and left him. I knew it was risky to kiss him, but it was worth feeling his soft flesh. I left him alone for a long time while I slept on the sofa. When I woke up, all was quiet. "Erik?" I called. No answer. I was walking by the organ when I spotted a note lying on the piano keys. It said:

My Angel,

You looked so peaceful I didn't have the heart to wake you. Thank you for your kindness and thank you for saving my life. You really are an angel. I am forever in your debt.

Yours truly,

Erik

Rehearsals were harder than any of the actors or actresses were used to. I wanted everything to be perfect. The ballet had been slacking so I had to consult Madame Giry who had discipline the girls very harsh, but it needed to be done. Helen was given the lead, Adara and she sounded once again like a toad.

I had been paying very close attention to Erik, hoping that he would agree to perform in my opera and then I was finally rewarded when Erik told Helen the news. It had been easier than I had expected and Helen was furious. I couldn't help, but smile.

"You have to be kidding me," Helen said.

"No, I am not. I am serious. I am going to perform in this opera." Erik said getting irritated.

"How could you even think of doing this Erik? She'll take you just like the phantom did with Christine. Oh God Erik I can't lose you." She cried desperately. Surely Erik wouldn't fall for this. And then when he abruptly stood up and left, I followed him.

He had gone straight to the manager's office and had exclaimed, "Gentlemen, I have an idea!" Andre and Firmin stared at him, bewildered. Erik began to sing:

We have all been blind

And yet the answer is staring us in the face

This could be the chance

To ensnare our clever friend

Andre:

We're listening…

Firmin:

Go on.

Erik:

We shall play her game

Perform her work, but remember we hold the ace

For if I sing,

She is certain to attend

Andre:

We are certain the doors are barred

Firmin:

We are certain the police are there

Erik/Andre/Firmin:

The curtain falls

Her reign will end!

They were planning on catching me. We would see who will be the one caught. I had been so frustrated I had decided to go to the chapel. I silently sang:

Twisted every way

What should I do?

Am I to risk my life?

To win the chance to be loved?

Can I betray the man

Who once inspired my voice?

Do I let him become my prey?

Do I have any choice?

I was about to continue singing, when I heard two awfully familiar voices. I had to hurry and hide behind the painting of the guardian angel:

"Erik, I'm frightened… don't do this, it scares me. Don't put yourself through this ordeal by fire. She'll take you, I know. We'll be parted forever… she won't let you go." Helen began to cry. She silently sung:

And she'll always be there,

Singing songs in your head…

She'll always be there,

Singing songs in your head.

How dare she? She acts as if I was some kind of monster! But maybe that was what I had become. I was now a murderer and I was feared by everyone. Even Madame Giry feared me. I watched as Erik and Helen walked over to the window sill and sat there, just the same way Christine and Raoul once did. I could tell Erik was remembering the same thing. He then sang:

You said yourself,

She was nothing, but a girl…

Yet while she lives,

She will haunt us 'til we're dead.

I backed up against the wall. Oh my God! Erik was planning to… kill me! Helen sang:

Twisted every way

What answer can you give?

Are you to risk your life?

To win the chance to live?

Do you become her prey?

Do you have any choice?

She kills without a thought.

She murders all that's good

I know you can't refuse…

And yet, I wish you could

Oh God, if you agree

What horrors wait for you?

In this, the Phantress's opera.

That whore! How dare she think that I kill without a thought, I kill all that's good? Sean was never good. He had raped many girls! I wish I had killed him sooner. Erik sang.

Helen, Helen,

Don't think that I don't care

But every hope, and every prayer

Rests on me now

If they believe I am a monster, then so be it! Once my opera begins, Helen will never see her precious Erik again! I stormed away, and began to sing:

Seal my fate tonight
I hate to have to cut the fun short

But the joke's wearing thin

Let the audience in

Let my opera begin!

Opening Night

I had begun to get ready for the opera. Tonight Erik would be mine! I put on the replica of the dress that would be in my opera. I know it was the same dress as the one in Don Juan, but it was beautiful, I couldn't resist. Once I had done my hair and make up, I looked into the mirror. I froze. I looked just like Christine. I shudder from the thought of that night; the night when Don Juan had been performed. That night would haunt my dreams forever. I quickly put up my curls into a loose bun and was on my way.

I had wanted to see what kind of crowd I had attracted, so I hid in the shadows of the entry way. I could see tons of patrons and a few Counts and Countesses. Then my gaze went across the room. NO! It couldn't be; Christine and Raoul. They were arm in arm and smiling, acting as if every thing was fine. If Erik saw them I don't know what he would do. I quickly followed them to their seat in box 7. I could hear Raoul and Christine talking:

"Don't worry my love, everything will be fine." Raoul said trying to reassure her.

"I know, but it's just that it has been so long since we've been here." She said nervously. Raoul squeezed her hand. I hated Christine, more than Helen. She had ruined Erik's life. If she had chosen Erik, then I wouldn't be in this mess, but then again, Erik would have been with Christine. With a wave of my cape, I was gone. My opera would be starting soon.