Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Hey everyone! This is going to be very short because I don't have much time. I wanted to put this update up before I vanish for a week without a computer to work with, so this is what I am doing. I am not going to do the thank you notes this time because I don't have time because people are screaming for me to get moving, but I promise I will do them the next time and make up for it.

Just so everyone knows I am being dragged to Texas to visit my hill billy family I don't know. Yay…

Anyways, I hope yall enjoy. Sorry I can't write more. I still love everyone and I did read your comments and appreciate. Thank you everyone. God bless.

Hugs, love, and all that jazz,

-Olivia N.

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Raylan just felt as if all her internal organs had decided to rise up and settle in her throat, chocking back the very ability to breathe as she stood there in utter horror. In that exact moment everything seemed to freeze around her, every dancer paused in their waltz and every surrounding conversation turned to whispers in her ears. Every shimmer of beauty, of love and redemption, every little treasured promise suddenly became meaningless. Inside she felt nothing, not a single ounce of life running through her veins, although her mind someplace deep beneath the haze assured her that her heart was beating like a conga drum against her rib cage.

She couldn't feel it though; she couldn't sense a thing in this world that now seemed so completely wasted. All there was were those few haunting words dimly flashing in the back of her mind, hopelessly crying 'run, escape, survive'. She couldn't though, the stranger had made certain of that. She couldn't run anymore. This was it; the finale in her exhausting tragedy, the part she always knew was coming for her, the part where justice had its revenge. It was about time. She'd been running for too long anyways. Still, her thoughts had somehow found a single strand of hope, one last wish. She wished she could say goodbye to Him, just once, to thank him for trying to save her and for...

All of a sudden it hit Raylan like a hammer to the head and her world jumped drastically back into reality, where the earth still moved and the party continued on, the two grasped so tightly against one another in the middle going on unnoticed. She breathed then, taking in heavy gulps of air as her eyes desperately searched the surrounding crowds. If she could just find him, just get him to notice, maybe on some chance of luck he could save her again. God if she could only find him.

"Erik," Raylan muttered half consciously to herself, "Where are you?"

Of course, the stranger caught her little whisper, and leaning in close to her ear the man practically snarled, "What did you say my dear?"

"I was," Raylan paused, being careful to control the steadiness of her voice, "I was, uh, wanting to ask if you had found the vermin yet."

Just as rapidly as before, the man spun her out, freeing her before bringing her back in, only this time where she was facing him so her chest was pressed brutally into his. His smiled, that sickeningly malicious smile that made Raylan's stomach cringe before he said with almost an air of amusement, "Not yet, but I have some theories. We were tipped that our criminal might be hiding in this very opera house, which isn't wonderful because it is quite a vast place and our little villain has a way with vanishing into thin air. But no worries Mademoiselle, I have a few tricks of my own to catch this convict."

"Oh," Raylan stuttered, praying to God that her face wasn't flinching in panic as much as her insides were, "Well, I hope you find her."

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Across the room, a great red predator moved through the crowds surrounding the dance floor, fantastic green eyes scowling out from behind a black mask that kept the powerful creatures identity a mystery to the living world. Like a prowling lion he stalked through the herds of Aristocrat's, but the great creature didn't seem to be taking notice in any of the guests that took such an interest in him. Instead, his gaze scanned the heads of the room, looking for that single rose that would surely stick out in such a crowd.

Raylan…

The Phantom had only moments ago broke free of the feeling of being awestruck by his former protégés voice, only to awake to the lack of warmth by his side where his Raylan should have been. So there he was, pacing through the crowds at a rapid speed as he tried both to find his woman and also to restrain the urge to scowl at Christine who was happily dancing with that insolent boy of a husband. Absent mindedly Erik shuttered at the thought of that dimwitted Raoul holding such a title- a husband.

Again, Erik shook himself and forced his eyes to return to their task, searching for the one who actually wanted to be with him. Or at least he had thought, until his eyes by chance wafted across the dance floor only to see the very woman he had been holding in such high esteem dancing with someone else. It was strange that the first thought that crossed Erik's mind was that the man his Raylan had so recklessly decided to mingle with wasn't a good dancer, or at least not anywhere near to his own skills. The second though was the true crime, that his Raylan was dancing with someone else.

Erik bristled at her insolence and came to a fleeting halt in the mass of crowds to glare viciously at the girl in red. Didn't she know what he had gone through to get her here tonight? Did she not respect the audacity it took for him to ask her for the night? And now she was dancing with some one else! Once again Erik felt the blood rush to his cheeks, the skin burning uncontrollably, the locking of his jaw, and the clenching of his fists so hard that he knew his knuckles must have turned white. Jealousy, he knew this feeling all too well. It was nothing new, he had felt it numerous times for this girl, but this time it was different. This time he wasn't going to sit back and take it. She was supposed to be with him, and only him, and by God no selfish fop was going to take her from him. Not this time- they couldn't have this woman.

Infuriated, the Phantom of the Opera let his rage drive him, and without any air of consideration he stalked over to his partner, his eyes narrow slits, and his voice cold to the gentleman as he asked viciously, "May I step in?"

Raylan and the stranger both snapped their gazes to Erik at the same time, although one was a great deal more pleased to see him than the other.

"Erik," Raylan sighed, her voice bordering dangerously on the edge of relieved. The stranger on the other hand seemed completely offended by Erik's tone and lowered his hands to take an even firmer hold on Raylan's waist as if he had no intention of letting her go.

He replied then almost with the same curtness as Erik as he practically snarled, "No, you may not. I'm afraid I am in need of the young ladies services right now."

Erik's lightening gaze struck viciously at the stranger before he responded in the same manner, "That young lady's services belong to me, as I am her date." His tone was deadly, laid heavily with threats that his fully intended to carry out if the arrogant ass didn't leave.

Surprisingly, the man didn't seem to care, although his grip did somewhat lessen on Raylan's waist. "Is that so?" The man grinned, his words laced with deadly pleasure, "Well, she didn't tell me she had a suitor. Please pardon me sir, but this woman and I have quite a bit to discuss."

Again Raylan's gaze turned to look at the stranger with eyes so wide she looked terrified, and then her gaze immediately snapped back to Erik with a gaze that screamed 'help me'.

For a moment Erik paused to read Raylan's eyes. Her fear was obvious, but whether it was because of the man or him he couldn't tell. Either way he was starting to grow tired of the bastard. Erik's tone changed then, trying a different approach to a softer, mocking tone. "Monsieur, I cannot imagine what you two must discuss. However, I highly doubt the topic is suitable for a Masquerade," Erik gave a somewhat curt smile, "Therefore, I must ask the Mademoiselle to accompany me to the dance floor for the next dance-which is about to begin."

The man for a moment seemed to pause as if he didn't know how to react and then hesitantly suggested, "Well, I could take her-"

Erik quickly retorted, noting the strangers hesitation and using it to his advantage as he argued, "Now, that wouldn't be fair to me, would it? Seeing as you stole the dance with her from me, shouldn't I have the second? It is the least you could do, seeing as she is my date tonight, and you stole what is rightfully mine."

Surprisingly, Raylan eagerly nodded and then switching her view back to the stranger said as politely as she could, "He is absolutely right. It was terribly naive of me to make such a foolish move. I should certainly make up for my mistakes."

Just as the man began to protest, Raylan forcefully slipped out of his confusion weakened arms and quickly paced over to Erik's side. Their gazes crossed for a moment, Raylan's cool earth filled with pleading whilst his fierce green seemed to only blaze with rage. Lowering her head in almost shame, Raylan paced behind Erik as if to use his body to shield her from the stranger. Once she had felt safe behind Erik though she returned her gaze to the man, forcing a pleasant smile to form across her face as she shakily suggested, "Perhaps we may discuss these matters later on the veranda, in a place a little more private?"

The man looked at her then as if he had just had his favorite toy stolen from him, then back to her towering escort. He was obviously furious with the whole ordeal, but not wishing to cause a scene he yielded regretfully. The stranger gave a slight bow to the both of them just for traditions sake, and then returning to his full height he bravely locked his gaze with Erik's. "Well," The stranger growled.

Just for mocking sake Erik replied with a curt, "Yes?"

Again the stranger bristled, but holding his composure the man made one last threat as he practically demanded, "Don't run off. I intend to see her again."

Erik gave a simple nod to satisfy the stranger's persistence. After a moment more of staring, the man finally gave up and stepping back from the couple, he pushed his way into the crowds only to vanish all together within them.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Erik finally spun about to face his Raylan who was still standing there in silence with her head lowered in shame. She no doubt thought he would yell at her, but to her surprise Erik's first move was to boldly put his hand around her waist and draw her close to dance. Raylan's eyes bravely lifted up to his, filled still with shame but now also with confusion.

"We should dance," Erik said in a forced calm, although his tone still lingered with a restrained rage, "We will dance… and then you should come up with a very convincing reason for me to forgive you for this. Understood?"

She had to bite back the instinct to defend herself and begin throwing insults at him for suggesting she had no good reason for leaving him earlier, but the music had not given her the chance anyways. The next dance began, and complying to routine, Raylan placed one hand on his broad shoulder and the other in his hand.

"Completely," Raylan growled, her eyes boldly glaring into the fire of his own, "Let's dance."