A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers who have stuck with me, and I am so sorry for not updating earlier, I know it's been a long wait, so please accept my humblest apologies. I have been working all week and my brother as taken over our basement and has been living in it for the past week, so I could not get on. Hopefully, we won't run into that problem again. Thanks again to everyone, hope this chapter has been worth the wait.

Chapter 14

Erik stared at Mme. Giry in disbelief and his head spun around to make sure that he had heard right and that she was indeed pointing to him. The room was filled with silence for the second time that day, a rarity that Erik considered himself very lucky to experience. Erik shifted very uncomfortably in his place, he didn't like being the centre of attention. He had been judged by the managers, Mme. Giry, and most of the orchestra members ever since he got here and he was getting quite tired of it. Why couldn't anything just be simple and easy in life? He opened his mouth to speak, but no words seemed to make their way out of his throat, so in the end he looked like a tiny frog, trying to catch flies in his mouth, dressed in a very odd looking Roman costume. Then a curious thought came into his head, they were the words of his Angel.

When the opportunity presents itself, be ready to take it.

Erik swallowed his fears and took a step forward, where Pianji and Carlotta had been only moments before and gave a long look towards Mme. Giry. He could have sworn that she gave him a slight nod and a small smile to him. He then looked at the managers who were shaking their head and whispering to one another quietly, however, everyone could hear due to the silence of the room.

"Honestly, a chorus boy singing a lead role." Andre said. Erik searched the orchestra and saw Steve give him a tiny wave and flashed a huge grin. He also spotted Pete and Ernie who flashed him identical grins as well, and he knew that they wished him good luck. Erik then heard a voice speak up, it was someone Erik had not expected to say anything at all.

"If I might add my opinion Messieurs, I do believe that Mme. is right. Erik should have a chance to sing, I don't believe I need to remind you about my wish." Richard said quite coolly as he stood up and faced the stage. Erik focused his eyes on Richard and narrowed his eyes. Why does Richard want me to sing a lead part so badly? He thought. He knows how nervous you are, if you fail you'll be kicked out. That's what Richard wants. Erik's voice said in a matter-of-factly tone. Erik filled with a new sense of dread and his eyes left Richard and darted around the stage for some means of escape. He'd rather flee, then embarrass himself. Before he could move Firmin interrupted him.

"Right then Erik. Step forward and sing for us." Erik gave Firmin a terrified glance but just then his Angel's words echoed in his head. She'd protect him. She was his Angel of Music, and with her watching over him, nothing could go wrong. He stepped forward a little more confidently and ignored the smirk on Richard's face as he sat back down. Maestro stood on top of the conductor's box and gave Erik a nod before waving his arms and the music began.

"Sad to return to find the land we love,

threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp"

Erik's melodious voice started out weak, but began to swell into a crescendo as the song floated around the auditorium and filled the ears of everyone present. Erik could feel that familiar sense of joy as he sang, and he savoured this moment in the spotlight. He was unaccustomed to being here, but if his Angel told him to seize an opportunity, he would, and this seemed like a great opportunity. As the notes and lyrics continued, Erik swept his gaze belfry across the room: from the stunned managers, to the delighted Maestro (who wouldn't have to deal with Pianji anymore) to the satisfied Mme. Giry and to the countless chorus people with a mixture of awe and admiration on their faces. As the musical interlude came up, Erik stopped singing and returned his gaze to the empty audience and closed his eyes, imagining what it would be like if it were full of people. The interlude ended and Erik sang again, trying to put as much emotion into the words as he could, to prove to Richard that he could do this, and to please his Angel and father. The song slowed down and came to it's close and Erik stood there, letting the last remains of the music wash over him. The auditorium was silent again for the third time, but didn't not stay that way for long, when Erik opened his eyes, he saw Firmin and Andre charging towards him, puffing all the way. A glimpse of fear came into his eyes, but when he saw that they were smiling, he relaxed and let them come.

"Erik! Oh Erik Destler! You shall sing tonight: cried Frimin happily and giving a swift pat on the back to Erik.

"It's true I've been wrong about you. Richard you were right! Erik will sing the lead!" cried Andre, almost close to tears. Erik smiled as they surrounded him and offered many congratulations. Through it all, Erik spotted Richard, next to Maestro who was clapping politely. Richard however, was livid and it looked as though he was going to burst at any second. He got pleasure in that fact, knowing that Richard had tried and failed to get him out of the Opera House. He silently thanked his Angel of Music and his father who were both in Heaven looking over him. A huge bustle of people swept him away off the stage and over to a variety of drinks, which always seemed to magically appear and never run dry, to celebrate their new leading tenor. The orchestra, what was left of it, for most of them left their seats to join in the impromptu party, struck up a merry tune of celebration. Erik smiled, full of joy for the second time in his young life, and let the songs, and congratulations sweep him away into another world.

"People! People! You know as well as I do that I love to have a party, but this one must wait until the gala tonight. Seeing as we do have a new leading tenor, he will need lots of practice for tonight, and I suggest we don't waste any time!" hollered Andre above the throng, which filled the hallways and spilled out onto the stage. They glanced at him, as a flock would their shepherd, but then mutters of agreement and disappointment sounded out through the crowd and the performers, ballet girls, and orchestra members filed out to their places and Maestro signalled for the Opera to begin.

The day passed very quickly, with Erik learning many new lines, but loving every minute of it. Mme. Giry was no less strict with him, but she seemed to get a different look in her eyes when she spoke with him or when she looked at him. They had many more private conversations with each other, Erik however, tried to avoid most of them, he still didn't like the woman very much. Carlotta was not seen for the rest of the day, but true to her word, Mme. Giry assured them all that she would perform and be at the gala, even if she did not turn up for rehearsals. It hardly seemed real to Erik, but before he knew it, the Opera House was packed full on Opening night, with distinguished people waiting for La Carlotta and Pianji to sing to them. Little did they know that Pianji would be replaced. There hadn't been enough time to change the program, so the audience didn't know that Pianji wouldn't be singing. There would have to be an announcement. And as the curtain swayed in the slight breeze, the candles before the stage flickered and a hush fell on the audience as Andre and Firmin stepped out and faced the crowd. Firmin held up his hands to signal the silence, which was already complete.

"If I may have your attention please, ladies and gentlemen. There will be a slight change in the program tonight. Senior Pianji, our original leading tenor, cannot sing tonight." A collective groan of disappointment met this announcement and many whispers among the audience erupted. Erik swallowed hard, at the audience's reaction. They certainly did not want another singer other then Senior Pianji. How would they react when they heard the news that he, a nobody was singing the lead?" This time Andre held up his hands for silence, and when none paid him any attention he cleared his throat loudly.

"Please ladies and gentlemen." He said, and the audience began to settle once more. "Senior Pianji sends his apologies that he cannot be here tonight, as he has come down with a bad case of sore throat." Erik snorted at this statement and Mme. Giry who was standing close beside him ever vigilant, gave him a sharp nudge, and he fell silent. More whispers this time filled the Opera House, but these were worried whispers. Firmin, who seemed to take notice of this fact threw a serious look to his partner.

"I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that Senior Pianji will be well enough in a few days time. He has seen the doctor and his sore throat." Firmin said rather forcefully, "is very easy to cure." He was greeted by nods from some audience members and some relieved sighs.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen. It is with great honour, that I present to you Senior Pianji's understudy for Chalumeau's "Hannibal"." Andre made a sweep of his arm and eagerly motioned for Erik to come onstage. Erik shook his head, and backed up slowly, but Mme. Giry thrust her arm forward into his back, which pushed Erik reluctantly on to stage left. Andre grasped his upper arm firmly and dragged him in between both of them, who were smiling. Erik smiled out of nerves and looked out across the mass of people and eyes staring back at him, all judging him.

Erik wanted to run.

He wanted to run and get away from those eyes, but before he could move, Andre squeezed him tight to his chest.

"Our youngest performer, but with much promise. May I introduce to you Senior Pianji's understudy…Erik Destler!" Yelled Firmin with a huge gesture of his arm towards Erik, who was starting to panic. A polite applause greeted Erik and this statement, and Erik was ushered back to the wings in the arms of Andre and Firmin who then left him and ran off towards their box to watch the performance. More like a disaster. Said Erik's voice quietly. Erik was about to actually run this time, be he noticed that Mme. Giry was watching him as the music began and La Carlotta flouted onto stage, she was met with a huge applause, followed by many dancing ballet girls and began her singing. His insides squirmed painfully as his cue dawned closer and closer and he was sweating in this very uncomfortable costume, which the sewing woman were only too happy to alter for him. They said to him that Pianji used as much money as two costume's worth and therefore demanded twice the attention. Erik smiled at the memory, happily forgetting his momentary situation. It wasn't until a fat lady stagehand gave him a prod on the back, to remind him to go on. He stumbled onto stage and La Carlotta holding a severed head met his eyes. His eyes widened in shock and he almost forgot his line, but managed to quickly redeem himself and began to sing.

The performance had begun.