Author's Note- Awww…you guys made me happy. Thanks for the reviews, I felt loved again.

Erik- She was all smiley for once…it scared me…

Jen- Anything smiley scares you…

Erik- …

Ram Jas- I know you will keep reading my phic! Thanks for reviewing. Oh, and I have read the last few chapters of your one story…just didn't review…I will review after your next update though! Promise! And your writing is good, and rather fitting of the DBCA, hehe.

Tallacus- Hehe, thanks for reviewing. And perhaps he is…you will find out. And thanks for yelling at Erik!

Erik- glare

ErikandChristine- thank you as well for reviewing, and it is alright about the reviews. I feel better now. And I won't leave you hanging!

Rinny Leonhart Rikku- is this update soon enough? Hehe, thanks for the review.

Blackheart- thank you, and thanks for reviewing.

Araiona Dubios- Cliffy, good…and perhaps he did, perhaps he didn't. Shall see…if he did, bad things may happen though, hehe…thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 24

Into the Fire

Jen hit bottom and was pulled up by Erik, then quickly pushed aside as Raoul jumped into the small room after them. Jen scampered to a corner and waited, hidden. She watched, slightly afraid, now alone. She could see Erik's reflections in the mirrors around them, but didn't know where he was. Apparently, neither did Raoul. He turned again, and she felt it was safe to movie, and slowly stood up. Just then he whirled around, catching her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes also widened as she realized he was looking straight at her. She hissed and turned, cape twirling behind her, and was pulled out by a familiar arm. Jen looked up into Erik's eyes. "He saw me." She whispered.

"I know." Erik said simply. With that he pulled her down the tunnel after him, back down to his lair. When they were finally there, Jen sat down, panting. Erik had been in a hurry, though she didn't know why. Even he seemed a bit unsettled after what they had done. He sat down, and she heard him crying moments later. "Erik?" she asked once she had caught her breath enough to. There was no reply. "Erik?" she asked, this time louder. Jen stood up and walked over to where he was sitting, his mask discarded, face in hands. "What is wrong?"

"What have I done?" he asked, more to himself than anyone. "I truly am a monster." That made Jen angry, and she glared at him. "Don't say that." He looked at her, for once, seemingly uncaring that he didn't have a mask. "It is true." He spat back. "I am tearing her life apart. I am risking your life for my sake. I am destroying everything that I hold close. Only a monster would do that."

"I risked my own life." Jen replied harshly. "And, you knew it would come to this." Her eyes met his and they stared at one another, unblinking, for a long while. "I did." He admitted at last. "And if it does not work, what is left for me? I have given up everything."

"I am always here, Erik. You have friends, even if Christine leaves." She said, a bit softer. "And, you are not a monster. I have more plans." He raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

"Aye, I do." Jen knew she should show him what would happen. "I have plans in case Don Juan doesn't work."

"You don't think it will?" he asked, slightly hurt. "I never said that." She told him, avoiding lying completely. "But, whatever happens, there is no going back now." Erik nodded. "And," Jen continued, "Whatever happens, I will stick with you."

"I know." He told her. "Go back up there, Jen. Enjoy the rest of the party. I will be fine."

"If you insist, Erik." She told him, giving Erik a sad smile before turning away. As she walked back towards the lake, she took in her surroundings for the first time in a long while. She studied the charcoal drawings Erik had done of Christine, then did a double take as a different one caught her eye. She studied it for a short moment before realizing who it was. It was her. The percussionist's eyes widened, and she gave a final glance back to Erik before turning to leave once more.

XxXxXxXxX

Fifteen minutes later, Jen was walking through the swarm of people once more, her old costume replacing the draconic one. She looked for Gabby, Joseph, and Edward, but couldn't distinguish them from the others surrounding her. Just then a hand grabbed hers and pulled her close. "There you are!" Edward said, smiling, though his smile was more grim than it had been before. "You missed the most…astounding sight."

"I did, did I?" Jen asked, looking rather confused. "Yes! A man appeared, and another person with him…I think it was a woman. He was dressed in red, and the other was all in black. They appeared, threatened the managers and Miss. Daae, then vanished." He recounted for her. Jen pretended to be surprised by the story. "Well, it seems I have missed something." She mused. Edward nodded. "It would. Now, lets get back to Gabby and Joseph." He took her arm, and lead her to where her other friends were waiting. "You missed it." Gabby told her, lying to make Jen seem more innocent. Jen gave a tight smile. "So I heard."

"It was rather frightening- it looked like he was going to kill Carlotta." Gabby continued. Jen tried not to laugh. "You say that as if it would be a catastrophe if she were disposed of." That made the other three laugh. Jen grinned, she knew how much the Prima Donna was loved by her fellow musicians. Not much. They all stopped laughing when said Diva walked closer to them, and then laughed more once she had left.

The remainder of the night was blur to Jen. She blamed her exhaustion and nerves for her lack of memory, but Gabby blamed alcohol. "I didn't drink more than two glasses!" Jen retorted the next morning. "Besides, I don't have a hangover or any other symptoms of over-drinking!"

"So? You might have drunk enough to just forget the last few hours." Gabby argued back. Jen gave her a disbelieving look. "Uh-huh…"

"Whatever…what should we do today?"

"We need to prepare for Don Juan." Jen told her, sitting down on her bed. "But we don't have the music yet." Gabby reminded her. "That isn't what I mean…we need to prepare for well…you know…"

"Ohhhh…that…"

"Yeah." Jen looked down at the ground. "What if something goes wrong?" Gabby asked. "Define wrong in this situation."

"I mean, what if she doesn't de-mask him? Or, what if the chandelier isn't destroyed?"

"God, I hope things work out how they are supposed to." Jen said, hoping Gabby knew what she meant by that.

"Me to." The cellist agreed. "We need to discuss a backup plan with Erik."

"Good idea! Let's go!" With that, Jen stood and opened the mirror that lead to the lair.

Author's Note- alright, here it is. Enjoy!