Disclaimer-The story, names, lyrics all belong to me...yeah right!
A/N- Lyrics are italicized, thoughts are bold italics. Hope ya'll like it.
Chapter 5
Not a soul in the audience dared blink away from the mesmerizing duo walking towards one another high above the stage. Since the arrival of the new tenor the audience had been captivated. It was as if the pair was living through the lyrics- every nuance of desire, need, and uncertainty poured through them and resounded throughout the auditorium.
In the wings members of the cast were under the same spell, watching in breathless anticipation of the next moment. The dancers were hesitant to make their entrance, not wanting to disrupt the energy above them. However the sight of a stern ballet corps director emerging from one of the dressing rooms was enough incentive to urge them onstage.
Before Mme. Giry had the opportunity to question or discipline she heard his voice ring out. Looking upward confirmed her suspicion that he was actually physically there. (Many times his natural talent for ventriloquism had spooked the ballet girls.) Madame Giry tried to look inconspicuous as she hurried to the curtained back area of the set, praying she wouldn't find what she expected.
Past the point of no return, the final threshold……
Christine did not know how she kept control over her body. Every fiber begged her to burst into a run towards him. Instead she kept her head up and poured the emotion into her song. So close to his touch, just a step or two more, one more phrase to sing and she would be home.
For the first time in his thirty odd years Erik was oblivious to the onlooking masses. His focus was entirely upon the heavenly siren pouring her musical soul out before him. Previously it had always been him pushing her vocally, this was different. Even at her technical best, Erik now had no comparisons to draw to Christine's impassioned and amazing voice. Erik knew he must do the same, for in this moment his emotions were being realized rather than simply reflected upon. He would not disappoint her, they would triumph together.
The bridge is crossed so stand and watch it burn…
Meeting in the center of the elevated bridge, they each frantically reached out for the other. Erik turned Christine roughly against him, holding her as though afraid she would evaporate. Christine leaned back against him as if to make contact between every inch of their bodies.
Madame Giry quietly slid underneath the back drape. Crossing herself when she saw Piangi's body, she knelt to say a prayer for the man and the chaos that would most likely ensue. As the older woman attempted to turn the obese man from his side to his back, she was startled. Sure she was imagining the movement under the ruffled shirt, Madame Giry leaned over Piangi's face. A prayer of thanks whispered from her lips as she felt his slow breath on her cheek. Working quickly, Madame Giry unwound the Punjab lasso from his neck.
Hiding the thin weapon upon her own person, she turned back to Piangi whispering, "Your fat neck saved you Monsieur, or perhaps Erik was in to great a hurry."
Piangi's neck would be badly bruised, perhaps even his voice damaged, but she knew he was fortunate to have survived. She heard the duet above the stage coming to a close.
"Love is making you careless Erik." Closing her eyes upon all the known agonies he had suffered, Madame Giry took a halting breath. "I hope it is worth it…" She glanced back down at the now snoring Piangi "And what am I to do with you Monsieur? Je ne sais pas!"
We've passed the point of no return….
The last note faded away with the violins as Erik and Christine continued to cling to one another. His hands, which had at first been insistent and demanding, now ghosted over her skin. Finally his hands clasped upon her wrists, drawing her arms up around herself.
Christine leaned her head back against his shoulder, tempting Erik with her neck. Ready to feast his lips upon that stretch of flesh, Erik turned as he realized the music was in its decrescendo. They will begin the next part of the scene, Carlotta's character will be reentering. She will sound them off gladly. Someone's bound to find that corpse any moment…I haven't much time.
Why are you tense my Angel? Realizing he was releasing her, Christine turned to face him. There is fear in his eyes…backed into a corner he will fight to the death. There will not be a fight will all these gunmen.
Suddenly Christine's voice rang out a capella
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Erik's eyes flashed to meet hers, narrowing suspiciously.
"No tricks, only the truth." She whispered. Moving forward Christine held her arms out and sang
Lead me save me from my solitude…
Impossible, I must be going mad. Erik's brain yelled at him. She doesn't know the truth. I would destroy her. Something this hideous cannot have something so glorious….Heaven wouldn't allow it. I am a monster, a murderer, unloveable…and hers alone.
Erik stepped to Christine taking her in his arms. Clutching her to his heart he sang back…
Say you want me with you, here beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go too.
She pulled back to look him in the eyes, smiling and with tears in her own.
Christine, that's all I ask of you.Erik's last word was cut off as Christine's lips reached his. Unbelieving, Erik began to pull back, only to have her two small hands placed on each side of his face, keeping him where he was. Unsure, but willing to learn, Erik mimicked his hands upon her soft face. Instinct prevailed and they clung to each other as the kiss deepened and intensified.
Raoul burst through the door of Box 5. The guardsmen turned and put his finger over his lips.
"Beg your pardon sir, but I don't think the audience wants to be disturbed. You know it started off a little rough, but now it's quite good sir."
In disbelief Raoul stepped forward and looked out. Every person in the audience from aristocrat to concierge was staring, engrossed by the entwined singing figures upon the stage.
"That's not Don Juan." He growled upon hearing Christine sing.
His knuckles turned white as he viciously grasped the railing. Nausea overwhelmed him as he heard that creature sing back to her while holding Christine, his fiancée. Taking a deep breath in order to yell out the alarm, he choked upon it as the lips of his fiancée and the monster closed upon each other's. Black rage overwhelmed Raoul, in an instant he grabbed the rifle off the gendarme's shoulder, fell to his knee, aimed to the elevated bridge and fired.
A/N How will everyone like this ...Je ne sais pas (I don't know) but please review. I have several ideas about the direction of this plot, but if you have any to put in let me know! Your obedient servant...M.E.