Disclaimer: I don't own the Romeo and Juliet opera. It belongs to Charles Gounod. I also do not own the song, "Masquerade"...which is pretty obvious. "Masquerade" belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, and Richard Stilgoe.

Preview: The performace of Romeo and Juliet, and a Masquerade.This will have a trace of Leroux in it (if you read the book you'll know the quote when you see it.) E/C, R/M, F/OFC (Firmin/Original Female Character), and A/OFC (Andre/Original Female Character)...why not? lol.

What do you guys think about Madame Giry/Nadir? Hmmmm...


Masquerade

After Erik proposed to Christine they went back to Madame Giry, Meg, and Nadir to tell them to happy news. Erik soon fully recovered, along with Madame Giry's concussion. Erik did have to go through withdrawals from the morphine, but was strong enough to overcome it. Erik and Christine continued her lessons on playing the part of Juliet in the upcoming production.


Two weeks later, June 23rd.

Raoul sat in box five while watching the performance which was about to start. Erik walked into the box and gave an annoying look to Raoul.

"Don't think that I'll go easy on you because you're my brother." Erik said. Raoul turned around when he heard Erik's voice in back of him.

"Well there are two seats in the box." Raoul patted the chair next to him. Erik looked suspicious of him.

"You don't have the police ready, do you?" Erik asked.

"You're not planning to kill me, are you?" Raoul asked in a comeback.

"No." Erik replied.

"Then no."

Erik sat down slowly in the other seat still staring at Raoul. "Why are you being nice to me considering the fact I tried to kill you."

"Well that doesn't make you my favorite person in the world but never the less you are my brother."

Erik felt uncomfortable by Raoul. He knew Raoul was not going to kill him or anything, he did feel a little guilty though. But he'd be damned if he had to say he was sorry to him.

"Has Christine told you yet?" Erik asked referring to their engagement.

"About you two getting married? Yeah she told me. Congratulations by the way." He said extending his hand towards Erik.

Erik still gave a weird suspicious look at Raoul which made the younger man laugh. "Erik, I'm being honest here."

"You're not angry or anything?"

"No." Raoul replied truthfully.

"Are you mad that we're using the same ring as before?"

"Not really. I mean, her mother wanted her to wear it for her engagement. So it really doesn't matter."

Raoul still held his arm out to Erik. After an awkward pause Erik finally shook his hand. "Thank you."

The lights dimmed and the show began.

The chorus came out onto the stage chanting about the feuding family and the two children of the different families, Roméo and Juliet.

The first scene starts out at a Masquerade at the Capulet palace. When Christine came out onto the stage as Juliet Erik's heart jumped. She looked like a goddess on the stage. A true angel sent by God.

Christine sang the song she rehearsed before with Monsieur Reyer, and many times with Erik. Afterwards Roméo hears Juliet singing and goes to her in song.

Roméo:

"Adorable angel,
my guilty hand
profanes, by daring to touch it,
the divine hand
which I imagine
no one has the right to approach!
Here, I think,
is the penance
proper to impose on me -
it is that I efface
the unworthy trace
of my hand by a kiss!"

Juliet:

"Calm your fears!
These handclaspings
of the pilgrim on his knees
even the saints -
provided that he loves -
have pardoned in advance;
but the hand that he touches
to his lips
ought prudently to refuse
that enchanting.
caress
he implores in a kiss!"

Roméo:

"Yet the saints have
rosy lips..."

Juliet:

"Only for praying with!"

Roméo:

"Do they not hear the voice which counsels
them a more merciful decree?"

Juliet:

"Their hearts remain unmoved
by the prayers of love
even as they grant them."

Roméo:

"Then do you grant mine, and keep unmoved
your blushing face.
"

Juliet:

"Ah! I could not help it!
I have taken the sin upon myself!"

Roméo:

"To allay your anxiety
would you like to give it back to me?"

Juliet:

"No! I have taken it! Leave it with me!"

Roméo:

"You have taken it away! Give me back my sin!"

Juliet:

"No! I have taken it! Leave it with me!"

Roméo:

"You have taken it away…give me back my sin."

Tybalt returns and recognizes Roméo as a Montague. But Capulet orders Tybalt to forget him and let the party continue. The first act ends.

Erik and Raoul continue to watch the play from box five.

"Tomorrow night Firmin is holding a Masquerade in honor of his engagement and for the reopening of the Opera Populaire. Will you be attending?" Raoul asked.

"I may." Erik replied. "I don't know if I will want to go."

"Do you plan on crashing this one?" Raoul joked.

"You never know." Erik said. Raoul wasn't sure if he was joking or not. If he was joking he was very good at hiding it.

The play continued to the wedding night scene, Erik's favorite. He mouthed the words with Roméo, "Fate links thee to me, forever and a day." That was Erik's favorite line from the play. Christine even glanced up during that part at him and smiled.

Erik looked around the audience to see who was there. He glanced down and saw Carlotta sitting in one of the rows. She had a bunch of tissues with her and she seemed to be crying a lot. He knew it had to do with Piangi and this opera being his favorite. He remembered his meeting with his ghost, more than two weeks ago. He noticed Piangi's ghost sitting by Carlotta in what seemed to be him trying to cheer her up. Erik felt and pang of guilt building up in him. It surprised him to realize that he really did have a conscience. Piangi looked up to him and glared. It caused Erik to become uneasy. He was still haunted by his past. Piangi kissed the love of his life and then disappeared. Erik decided he would write something to Carlotta. He smiled at the thought of Carlotta getting another letter from 'O.G.'. But this time it would be what he hated most…an apology. God, he hated doing that. But he felt he had to.

The final scene came with the audience in tears as Roméo and Juliet died together. Erik too was in tears but he hid himself so no one, mainly Raoul, would see. The performance was a success. The audience gave a standing ovation when it was over. Firmin announced of the Masque Ball tomorrow night in honor of the grand reopening, this great performance, and celebration of his engagement to his lovely fiancée Anna.

Erik rose from his seat to go to the chapel to meet up with Christine. Raoul too got up to go find Meg backstage.

Erik made his way to the chapel and waited for Christine to come. They didn't plan meeting there but Erik knew Christine would come in honor of her father. His theory proved right. She walked in and saw Erik holding a rose for her. She smiled and received the rose. He hugged her and commented on how she was perfect.

"Fate links thee to me, forever and a day." He sang while holding her. She smiled and rested her head on his chest.

Christine went over to her father's plague and lit one candle for him like she always did. "The next opera will also be by Gounod. We're doing Faust. I hope to play Marguerite."

Erik thought about what Piangi asked of him before. How could Erik keep that promise and tell Christine she couldn't play the lead role? Why would he even do that for Carlotta? Would Christine even allow that?

"Listen, Christine. Maybe Carlotta should play the lead role." Erik said.

Christine was really in shock by his statement. But she smiled. "Erik, you really have changed…you're allowing Carlotta to sing?"

"It's kind of a long story. But I promised someone I would."

"Well if you gave someone you're word then you should keep it." Christine said.

"I'm glad you understand."

Christine nodded, "Besides… We have a wedding to plan."

Erik smiled and held Christine near him again.


The Next Evening, June 24th.

"A toast…" Andre announced, "To my dear friend, Firmin and his fiancée Anna."

Everyone in the room clapped for the manager and his future wife. Andre nodded and continued.

"Also a toast to the reopening of this legendary Opera House." He paused and then continued. "And to the terrific production of Gounod's Roméo and Juliet." The crowd cheered for their success and drank to all three celebrations.

Meg was standing with her mother and Nadir when she saw Raoul across the ballroom. She walked over to him and noticed he brought his parents.

"Meg." He smiled and kissed her.

"Hi Raoul." Meg replied.

"My, my, its Meg isn't it?" The Comtesse asked.

"Yes." Meg curtsied to the Comte and Comtesse De Chagny.

"I think now would be a good time to inform you two that I am currently dating Meg." Raoul told them. Meg nervously glanced at him. She thought he would have told them already.

His mother seemed a little distressed by it but she had to remind herself that he was no longer to be the future Comte. That pathetic excuse of a man would be.

"That's nice." The Comtesse said like she didn't care much. She really came off as rude to Meg. Raoul rolled his eyes at his mother. Meg looked a little hurt by the Comtesse but Raoul comforted her.

"Don't worry about my mother. She can be a real pain in the neck sometimes."

"I should have seen that coming. But I would have figured since you're free to date whomever you want now, she wouldn't mind."

"Too stubborn." Raoul said simply as a reply.

Meg looked over and saw Christine with Erik. It was good that this was a Masquerade; Erik would be able to roam amongst the crowd without feeling different. The two of them walked over to Meg and Raoul.

"Hi you guys!" Christine laughed and hugged them. She glanced over and saw the Comtesse. "Great." She commented.

Raoul laughed and added, "She insisted on coming." The woman turned around and walked over to her son.

"Ahh…Christine!" The Comtesse started, "What a pleasure it is to see you."

'Liar.' Christine thought.

"It's nice to see you too." Christine said.

'Liar.' The Comtesse thought.

"And who is this?" She asked about Erik.

"Erik, Raoul's half brother." Christine reminded the older woman. The Comtesse looked startled when Christine said that.

"Oh, my… I'm sorry. I didn't recognize you without you're white mask." The Comtesse laughed. "And this is a Masquerade. You must really love these parties."

Erik looked annoyed but ignored her remark.

"You don't talk much, do you? Unbefitting quality of a Comte I must say." She mocked with a lighthearted laugh.

"Comtesse, please stop questioning my fiancé." Christine was now also getting annoyed.

"Excuse me…did you just say fiancé?"

"Yes." Christine answered.

'Oh I see how it is…you'll date whoever is to become the Comte. Sneaky little…' The Comtesse thought but interrupted her own thinking.

"Well then, congratulations."

"Thank you." Christine replied. Erik still remained silent.

'Great, now not only is he going to be the future Comte…she's going to become the Comtesse!' The Comtesse thought to herself. 'I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that won't happen!'

"Excuse me, I must be heading home. I don't feel so well." The older woman said to her son.

"Are you alright mother?" Raoul asked.

"Yes dear. You two have a wonderful time." She said and walked out the front door. Raoul looked at Meg and shrugged his shoulders. They continued talking as they walked around the ballroom.

The Comtesse headed home while developing a plan.

Meanwhile Christine talked to Erik about what had just happened. "Why didn't you stand up for yourself?"

"That woman is annoying. It's better to ignore her… that would make her go away."

"Still, you can't let people step on you like that."

Andre walked over to the two of them with a curious look on his face. He interrupted their conversation. "Have I seen you before?" He asked a disguised Erik.

"No, sir I don't think so." He replied to the manager.

"Who is your date Mademoiselle Daae?"

"He's related to Raoul actually. His half brother, Erik De Chagny."

Andre was taken aback, "Wow. I didn't know Raoul had a half brother. It's an honor to meet you Erik."

"You too Monsieur." Erik replied. "What a wonderful Opera House you own, by the way."

"Thank you Monsieur, this is the best Opera House in all of France."

"The best in all of Europe, in my opinion." Erik stated.

"You think so?" Andre asked.

"Yes. I have seen my share of wonderful Opera Houses all over this continent, but none of them compares to this one."

"Well it sounds like you would know. So if you say it's the best, then it probably is." Andre said. "Again, thank you Monsieur. But I must leave; I have other guests to talk with."

Erik shook his hand and Andre left.

Erik glanced over to Christine, "If he knew I was the Opera Ghost he would freak out."

Christine laughed. "You're not the Opera Ghost. The Opera Ghost is dead."

Erik smiled. "You're right."

Andre walked over to Firmin who was talking with his fiancée Anna. "Firmin, this party is great!"

"Excellent news. But even more important news…" Firmin told Andre to lean in closer. "Anna claims she has a good friend who is here that you can hook up with."

"Well, where is she?" He asked impatiently. Firmin laughed and pointed in the direction she was in.

"Go get her tiger." Firmin said.

Andre turned around and gave him a funny look. "Never again Firmin."

"Ok." He replied with a laugh and then drank more Champaign.

The party continued and Monsieur Reyer stood at the top of the grand staircase and hit his wand on the side like he was conducting an orchestra. "Ok everyone, It's time."

Everyone clapped and laughed in excitement.

He conducted very slowly for music to begin. The tune was familiar to everyone in the room. Reyer signaled everyone to start singing.

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade…
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you.
Masquerade! Every face a different shade…
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you.
"

Everyone danced to the familiar tune and this time Erik was there to celebrate too…and not crash it.

Firmin and Anna danced to the song and close by was Andre and his new date, Francine. Raoul and Meg stood next to Erik and Christine who were watching everyone dancing and singing.

Nadir and Madame Giry danced along with the crowd. Christine and Meg looked at each other and laughed.

"Oh, my…" Meg said and continued laughing. Raoul took her hand and led her out to the dance floor.

Erik and Christine were left. Erik looked unsure of what to do. Christine smiled and said, "Come on."

"All this is new to me." Erik replied.

"Don't be afraid to have fun."

Erik took in a deep breath and led her out to the dance floor too. "I'm not sure if I can dance."

"Of course you can. You're a musician, it should come easy to you."

"But I don't know any of the dances."

"Who cares? Just dance." Christine laughed.

They whirled around in circles which caused Christine to shriek in excitement. She felt shivers going up her spine, like they were on a ride. She continued to laugh and Erik held her close to him as if he never wanted to let her go.

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade…
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you.
Masquerade! Every face a different shade…
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you.

Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads…
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you.
Masquerade! Grinning yellows, Spinning reds…
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you!"

What was supposed to be a happy time for Erik soon ended in his mind. The song reminded him why he couldn't be with his love. He must hide his face from the world, how could he live like that with her? And not just as a common person but now as a nobleman?

Erik sighed but held on to her more. He breathed in her scent wanting this moment to last forever.

He was unsure of the future, but right now…in this time and place… it seemed like heaven.

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade…
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you.
Masquerade! Every face a different shade…
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you."


The Comtesse wasted no time in her search. She went through her husband's things to find the address.

'This may work.' She said to herself.

She looked through files of addresses trying to find the right one. She held up the one she was looking for and gave a wicked smile.

She ordered a pageboy to deliver a message she was about to write. Grabbing paper and pen she wasted no time. The message was written and sealed. She handed the paper to the deliverer and told him to be quick about it. When the pageboy left she sat down satisfied with her work.


A/N: What in the world is she up to? New character coming into the story...