A/N: Be still… ERIK'S IN THIS ONE! The wait has ended! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Chapter Eight:

Emmy's Angel

The intensity of the white light caught Emmy by surprised, making her stagger back. Holding up an arm to block some of the light out of her eyes, she squinted up to the sound room. She thought she saw a dark figure but couldn't make out for sure from the glare. A shiver ran down her spine, in fear, that it might be a security guard. School was out and she was staying behind, which didn't look good.

"Who are you?" a loud, gruff voice demanded suddenly, breaking the overriding panic in Emmy. Jumping back, she whipped her head around, looking for the source. It sounded like it came from the wings…

"Who are YOU?" the voice barked again, this time seemingly coming from behind.

Heart thumping wildly in her chest, Emmy swallowed hard and stared up at the sound room, searching for an outline of someone up there. She couldn't see very well and the atmosphere was quickly becoming tense and malevolent from the cold, deadly silence.

"I-I-I'm s-s-s-o-r-r-y," she stuttered, the lump rising in her throat. "I-I-I d-d-d-di-dn't k-k-kno-ow—"

"Quit stammering child." The harshness evaporated to a softer, melodious tone to calm the alarmed girl. "Do not be frightened."

Emmy nodded, not trusting the ability to speak.

"Good," the voice purred and the lights went off.

Groaning, Emmy rubbed her sore pupils, trying to fathom what was going on. She was startled again by the raspy voice. "Now, what is your name?"

Should she? For all she knew, this could be a guard trying to find out who she is so he could tell the principal. She shouldn't…

"Amelia," she answered quietly. "Amelia Sawyer. But everyone calls me Emmy." Now why in the world was she telling this to some stranger? She had to stop yet her control was slowly slipping and she had to say more. "I didn't mean to stay later but since I thought no one would be here and—"

"Silence!" the voice ordered, the abrasive and authoritative tone returned. Gone away were the good feelings. "Miss Sawyer, is it a habit of yours to trespass on another's sanctuary?"

Her eyes widened in confusion. "W-what? The auditorium?" When she received no response, she pressed on. "Look, all I wanted to do was sing. And that's none of your business!"

Her shout went unanswered and Emmy began to wonder if whoever it was had left. Relieved, she let out a sigh.

"I've seen you around here before," the voice began. "I've seen you on that very stage in those pitiful concerts and what you call a musical. Your singing is quite deplorable."

Emmy narrowed her eyes. "Hey, I know I'm no professional, but it's frankly none of your concern!"

"Ah, but I believe it is. You do possess an immaculate quality, but you lack the emotion to use it to your advantage. Understandable, really, with a toad hired for a teacher."

Emmy's jaw dropped. The voice! Could it be? It has to… No other person would insult a singer by referring her as a 'toad' except…

"Erik?" she called out, hesitantly. As she waited, everything seemed to click. The disembodied voice singing… the rich, haunting baritone could belong only to the Phantom of the Opera. The fierce miniscule temper she witnessed of a protection of a place that only he could believe was his… it made perfect sense! But was that even probable? The Phantom… alive and here? In her school? It was too good to be true!

When she realized, he hadn't said a word, Emmy began to fear he left. If this was Erik, then she couldn't lose him. Not now!

"Please, don't go! If you are Erik, the Phantom, or Angel of Music, stay please! I swear I won't tell a soul who you are and that you're here. I really need you, more than ever! Wow… I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would meet you! There's so much for me to tell you!"

"Why?" he interrupted the overexcited teenager.

"Why? Why!" she echoed. "You're a genius! By God, I lo—" Emmy stopped herself before it slipped. No point in scaring him off so soon with a proclamation of love. "I look up to you. I swear there's nothing for you to fear from me, I promise. All I want is for you to teach me to be a great singer. I would forever be indebted to you if you do."

"You want me to teach you?"

"Yes!" she shrieked happily. "I'll do anything to sing like Christine Daae!"

"Christine?"

The name was like a bucket of ice water, dousing the excitement. Emmy could have strangled herself right there and now. But she couldn't let the soprano ruin her chances from being taught by the Phantom of the Opera himself!

"Yes. I want to be the best in every way possible. I want to show Sarah I am as much a singer as she is. But I also want to learn, most of all, about the music and its meaning." A little suck-up doesn't hurt.

The Phantom was nothing but pessimistic. "You want me to give you lessons?"

"Oh yes! Yes!"

"And you're willing to trust a complete stranger. A stranger you haven't even seen."

"You're no stranger to me!" Not a good angle Emmy. More protégé less phan. "I promise I won't stray from my lessons nor will I disobey my teacher."

Are you sure you want to do this? Put your faith in some guy who probably isn't Erik? Her conscience snubbed her.

Who cares? For I care, this is Erik. He'll teach me better than any professional and more. This is my chance to do what I always dream of. He's my only way!

"Very well Miss Sawyer. Your training will start soon enough and until then you must never disclose our lessons to anyone, understand?" There came the bossiness again. But to Emmy, she could put up with anything he could throw at her for this opportunity.

"I promise!"

"And nothing will distract you?"

Her head bobbed up and down eagerly.

"You will sing for me and me alone. Do not use what you've learned until I say."

"Yes, yes!"

"And… you will accept your payment when I need it?"

There was something hidden behind that request, but Emmy was to caught up in her own good fortune to notice.

"For you, Maestro, anything."

TBC…