Sorry it has taken me sooooo long to update, but my internet has been on the blink and I have also been on holiday in Blackpool but I hope this chapter makes up for it, with another installment on the way shortly.

Disclaimer: Still own nothing ... but now I own a Sonic Screwdriver that squirts water and a mini TARDIS keyring!


Don Juan Triumphant

The day of the performance dawned. The Doctor was the first to awaken with the morning sun. He was standing outside the TARDIS, watching intently as the hustle and bustle of the early morning became busier and busier. Suddenly, the door of the TARDIS opened and Rose stepped out, wearing jeans and the Doctor's shirt.

"What's the matter?" she asked. The Doctor turned to her.

"I am just thinking … that's all," he said. Rose smiled slightly.

"Oh … you thinking … that's a lethal combination," she said putting her arms around his waist and kissing his shoulder.

"The performance comes nearer and everyone becomes more anxious. It's going to be a hard night," the Doctor said, looking up at the Opera House. Rose followed his gaze.

"It will be alright," she said. "We'll get through this." The Doctor kissed Rose lightly.

"I hope your right," he said to her. "Come on, let's go inside." Rose went inside the TARDIS, pulling the Doctor in lightly by the hand. He took one last look at the Opera house before he turned and closed the door behind him.

xxxxxx

Christine was the one who wasn't looking forward to the night ahead. She knew she had to do it. She had no choice. She was sitting in her dressing room. She couldn't concentrate on anything. She hadn't dressed yet or anything. She was too worried. She looked at her reflection in the full length mirror. She imagined seeing his face again. In the past, since she had been in his lair, she always imagined him holding her, caressing her, making her feel loved. But she couldn't imagine someone who was so gentle with her be a ruthless killer.

"Angel … you deceived me," she said to herself. She got up off her bed and she began to dress. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Christine called out, a little frightened. She was relieved when she heard whose voice it was.

"It's me," Rose called out. Christine went over to the door and unlocked it. Rose came inside and closed the door behind her.

"Do you need help with that?" Rose asked, noticing that Christine was having a bit of trouble lacing up her corset. Christine blushed and nodded. Rose began to lace up her corset for her. She noticed Christine was looking a bit anxious.

"Christine … don't worry. The Doctor, Raoul and I have this all covered. We will keep you safe," she told her as she finished lacing up the corset. Christine turned to her friend and hugged her.

"Thank you Rose … and I should thank the Doctor also," she said. She sat at her dressing table and began to brush her hair.

"Here let me," Rose said, taking the brush from her. They smiled at each other. They both knew there was a hellish day in front of them.

xxxxxx

The Doctor had left the TARDIS for a while. He was walking through the town. He was getting some "good mornings" and smiles as he walked through the market. Suddenly he looked around and saw a carriage with the de Chagny crest on it. He looked up at the magnificent house it was in front of. It was surely Raoul de Chagny's house. He went up to the front door and rung the bell. He waited a minute when suddenly the door was pulled open. There was a small woman, a maid, standing there. She smiled slightly.

"Can I help you monsieur?" she asked. He grinned at her.

"I wondered if I could see Raoul … Raoul de Chagny. This is his house … isn't it?" he asked. The woman nodded.

"Indeed sir, but I'm afraid the Vicomte is in a meeting with the Chief of Police at the moment," she said. The Doctor nodded his understanding. He was about to say something else but he was cut off when a man who looked remarkably like Raoul came to door.

"Who is it Charlotte?" the man asked before looking at the Doctor. "Can I help monsieur?" The Doctor scratched his ear anxiously.

"I'm here to see Raoul," he repeated. The man nodded.

"Well you better come in then. Charlotte, can you make some tea please?" he asked. The maid curtseyed and scurried off.

"I'm sorry about that monsieur. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Philippe de Chagny. I am Raoul's older brother," he said, holding out his hand to shake the Doctor's. "And you are?"

"I'm the Doctor," he said, shaking his hand.

"Ahh, the famous Doctor … I have heard a lot about you from Raoul AND Christine when she visits," he said, smiling. "He's in there. That's his office. Just knock and go in." The Doctor smiled and nodded his thanks. He walked over and knocked.

"Enter ..." came Raoul's voice. The Doctor opened the door and stuck his head in.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," he said. Raoul smiled.

"No, no Doctor. Please come in. I was just having a chat with the chief of police about how many men we will need tonight," Raoul said. "No Rose?" The Doctor shook his head.

"She's with Christine," he said. Raoul nodded and sighed with relief.

"Sit down Doctor," Raoul said and the Doctor pulled up a chair. They both sat looking at the chief of police.

"Monsieur … I can give you fifty men," the man said. Raoul looked at the Doctor.

"Do you think that will be enough?" Raoul asked. The Doctor nodded.

"If it's just to guard the auditorium then yes … I think so," the Doctor said to Raoul. Raoul stood up and shook hands with the man.

"Fifty men … at the Opera House … nine o'clock," he said. The policeman nodded and bowed his head. He replaced his hat on his head.

"Good day Vicomte!" he said. He left the office and Raoul sat back in his chair and ran his hands down his face.

"Rough morning?" the Doctor asked, getting up and taking the police officer's abandoned seat. He sat down and put his feet up on the desk.

"You don't know the half of it," Raoul said. "Drink?" He pointed at a brandy decanter.

"No thanks … I don't drink," the Doctor said. Raoul nodded.

"Sensible … now … Rose is with Christine at the moment?" Raoul asked. The Doctor nodded. Raoul filled a glass with brandy and downed it in one gulp.

"I think we should get to the Opera House. I told Christine I would be there," Raoul said. The Doctor got up and he and Raoul headed out of the front door and back round to the Opera House.

xxxxxx

Night was falling over Paris and the performance was near. Christine and Rose were in the dressing room.

"It'll be alright … I promise," Rose told Christine. She laced up Christine's corset and placed a red rose in her hair.

"Will you and the Doctor be near?" she asked. Rose nodded.

"Of course we will …" Rose assured her. Christine turned around and looked at her reflection in the full length mirror.

"Rose … if I tell you a secret … promise you won't tell Raoul," she said. Rose sat beside Christine and took her hand.

"I promise," Rose said. Christine looked back at her reflection, knowing that Erik was watching her somehow. Then she looked back at Rose.

"I love Erik," she said. Rose looked slightly gobsmacked. "Raoul and I were childhood friends, nothing more. I know that now. Erik has scared me in the past. But he has also been gentle, kind and loving of me. I can't turn my back on him." Rose looked away.

"Please don't think any less of me," Christine said. Rose shook her head.

"No of course I won't. But he has killed and hurt people," Rose reminded Christine. Christine looked down at the floor. It was obvious to Rose that these were things she didn't want to be reminded about. Suddenly there was a hasty knock on the door.

"Enter," Christine shouted. Suddenly the Doctor came in, holding Rose's mobile phone at arms length.

"Rose take it … it's your mother," the Doctor said, looking terrified. Christine giggled. She had never known anyone to be scared of their girlfriend's mother.

"Hi mum," Rose said. "What's up? The Doctor looks terrified!" The Doctor was standing at the door, looking glad that he didn't have the phone anymore.

"He should be terrified. I'm gonna stick my foot up 'is arse. Why didn't you tell me you were gettin' married?" Jackie shouted down the phone, so the Doctor and Christine could both hear her. Rose looked at the Doctor.

"It just kinda slipped out. Sorry," he whispered. Rose turned away.

"Mum … I was going to tell you," Rose said, but Jackie cut in.

"And were you gonna tell me? Or were you an' 'im just gonna run off and 'ave a secret wedding so that I couldn't get to you?" Jackie asked.

"No mum … we were going to come home after we are finished what we are doing now," she yelled and hung up. The Doctor hugged Rose.

"You alright?" he asked. Rose nodded. "We will still get married though Rose." Rose nodded again.

"But we have to go home after we are finished here," Rose said, burying her head in the Doctor's chest.

"We will but we have to get tonight over with first. Christine, are you ready?" he asked. Christine sighed and nodded. The Doctor held out his arms to both women.

"Let's go … performance in ten minutes," he said. Christine felt a huge weight being put on her shoulders. She knew it was all down to her. One mistake and she was done for.

xxxxxx

Raoul took his seat in Box 5 as Rose and the Doctor took their places at each side of the stage. The audience were taking their seats. Christine was standing with the Doctor at the right side of the stage. She turned to him.

"What if he tries to kidnap me?" Christine asked. The Doctor didn't answer as he suddenly noticed the lights go down. The ballet 'whores' had taken their places on stage. They were getting ready when suddenly the curtain opened and the opera, Don Juan Triumphant, began. Christine was frightened; the Doctor could see it in her eyes. She looked at him and he pulled her into a hug. She hugged him round the waist.

"Thank you Doctor," she said. The Doctor kissed her hand. She picked up a basket of roses, waiting for her time to go on the stage. Rose was standing at the other side of the stage with five armed policemen, waiting to see if the Phantom would show up. She looked over at the Doctor and their eyes met. He smiled and looked out from the wings at the seated audience. He heard the tenor Piangi now singing after the 'whores' had left the stage.

"Passarino, faithful friend,

Once again recite the plan"

Your young guest believes I'm you,

I the master, you the man!

The Doctor wondered why the Phantom wasn't here to see the opening of his own Opera. He looked back at the stage as Piangi and the man (who was dressed as Passarino) headed to the back of the stage.

Here's my hat, my cloak and sword,

Conquest is assured,

If I do not forget myself and laugh … HA HA HA!"

Piangi put on Passarino's cloak and his mask and headed off from the back of the stage. But little did he know that someone was lurking in the shadows, waiting for him. Back in the wings, Christine knew her time had come. The Doctor stroked her back soothingly.

"Remember I am here …" he whispered then she walked out onto the stage.

"No thoughts within her head but thoughts of joy,

No dreams within her heart but dreams of love!"

She took her seat on the stage and waited for Piangi to come back out and play his part. But what she heard was not Piangi … she knew this voice … a little too well!


Hope you all like it. More to come soon. Point of No Return next, my favourite scene. So press the button and review if you want to see that chapter appear. love you all xxxx