I know that this is my second time posting this chapter, but I just went through and edited the whole story, and I'll have an actual update in a few days.

Chapter Nine
My Father's Opera

Erik needed to look away from his wife. Anywhere but Christine and her molten blue eyes. He had to fight back the urge to smile, which would just enrage her even more. Yet, he could see the managers at the stage entrance. They were yelling at the embarrassed looking stage director, before turning to glare at the two unfortunate usurpers. Still, they could only watch helplessly. They wouldn't dare interfere and risk embarrassment.

Smiling he tapped his foot slightly and tunned himself to the orchestra's beat. Slightly autempo, but he was a master musician, and it was easy to adapt. Gathering his courage he turned a hesitant glance to Christine as he sang Faust's opening lines. Would she sing? He wondered. He needed her to sing the first verse of the garden duet. The orchestra gave the cue. Erik winced.

Christine sang,

"I wish I could know who was he

that addressed me

If he was noble, or, at least,

what his name is."

Erik closed his eyes as his crystal clear soprano rang throughout the theater. A voice never sounded as good as it did when resonating throughout that famous auditorium. A smirk lifted the corners of his mouth as he noticed how the managers look ofembarrassment and desperation turned to one of surprise. They had a lot more coming Erik thought wickedly as Christine sang on. Eventually her part came to an end.

Erik sang.

"Let me gaze on the form before me

While from yonder over blue

Look now the start of eve

bright and tender lingers o'er me

To love thy beauty too."

As he sang he looked up and over at Box 5, only to see Aria's eyes shoot golden daggers at him. He turned to look at the viscount to actually see a look of surprise on his face. He looked shocked. 'Well where do you think she gets her talents from?' Erik thought irritably.

Their duet continued. Powerful voices mingled and clashed as the audience watched in awe. Never before had they heard a duo like this before. Some of the older ones in attendance whispered about a opera only played once aopera called Don Juan Triumphant where the ghost had sang with his leading lady.

They said that even the chandelier had fallen in reverence.

Christine looked over to the wings as she tried to gouge the managers reactions. A smile threatened to split her face as she saw Nadir conversing furiously with them. Oh my friend. She thought. I owe you so much for this. Now after tonight we shall forget this ever happened and go on with our lives. Plan? Yes. A very good plan. She breathed a sigh of relief. Yes she had everything figured out.

Yet to her horror she saw another approach the trio. A middle aged man with vibrant shoulder length blonde hair. Hair that had only began to be touched at the temples by gray. Horrified blue eyes widened in shock as she took in the aristocratic strut, and piercing green eyes. Boyish smirk, and oblivious grin . . .

Raoul! Her mind shouted, and she closed her eyes in pain. Why now? Why tonight of all nights? Her next verse was coming up, and she twisted Erik so that his back was towards the managers. No matter what happened she couldn't let Erik see them.

If he did, they would have some major problems on their hands.

"Oh, how strange!

Like a spell does the evening bind me!

And a deep languid charm

I feel without alarm

With it's melody enwind me

And all my heart subdue."

Erik looked curiously at his wife, and wondered what had gotten into her as she launched into the verse with a new enthusiasm. She looked sweetly at him, as if they where on the stage all them years ago. Her small hands were held in front of her chest in her character's supplication, and her eyes were no longer furious. They were worried.

The last time she gave him that look she tore his mask off.

Something was wrong.

His fop senses were tingeing.

Christine wasn't at all tactful as she spun him around, her voice breaking innocently as she got into playing Marguerite. A girl looking to be saved by angels even as she was seduced by the man that sold his soul to the devil. He may be deformed, but he wasn't blind.

She was trying to keep him from seeing something.

He wanted to know what it was.

Come on Erik! Just for once let me manipulate you! I know that you are a genius, but for once can you just play stupid! Do yourself a favor. Come on! Don't turn your head! You idiot. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life in prison. They'll have you hanging before dawn.

Fed up, she reached up and actually turned his face towards her as they sang the final note. A ear piercing high C that would make any other couple slump forward in exhaustion. But the preoccupied couple hit it effortlessly, making the audience watch in awe.

The note died away and the audience jumped to it;s feet in rigorous applause. There was no time to enjoy it though as she noticed where Erik's gaze had turned. "Raoul de Chagny!" He bellowed at the petrified count. "I hope you remember to keep your hand at the level of you eye!"

Christine closed her eyes and prayed.

Nadir stepped in front of Raoul, begging Erik not to do something foolish.

Raoul looked ready to flee.

Erik didn't give him any time.

Hmmm. Would this be considered a cliffie?

Review and tell me what you think. Please. Good or bad, I'm all for it.

MJ