A/N: I'm glad to see people are still into Phantom. Here it is...where the real story starts. I hope you enjoy. I know I won't be updating everyday, but I will try to get another one in before, lets say, another year has past. But no promises ;)

Newark International Airport

Late summer 1998

I had saved every cent I'd been given for one reason. To go to Paris. I would study art there, but naturally I had an ulterior motive. I was very curious to see how the opera house looked, if my house on the lake was still there and to see if I could dig up some information on Christine. I had found nothing on her here in America. So I had one semester to search for her, on top of classes. I still have an obsessive personality, and it appears that she is still my obsession.

Marie, my mother, is rather distraught over my going to Paris to study. I've assured her the time will go quickly and it may be nice to have some time to herself. She had just given him a watery smile.

The airline was calling last call to board the plane.

My face was peppered with kisses that would have embarrassed most 18 year old boys. I basked in it. I could never get too much affection.

"Call me the moment you land Erik. I mean it!" Marie called after me. I grinned as I walked through the doorway that led to the walkway to the plane. I had flown before but this was different. I knew that I would find some information on Christine now. The 8 hour flight would drag on. Hopefully I will fall asleep and the time will pass quickly.

Charles de Gaulle International Airport

Eight long hours later

After a phone call to my mother, I quickly gathered my luggage and went out to hail a taxi. I directed the man to the closest hotel to the opera house. I was going to dump my luggage, and then go exploring.

It was well after midnight once I got settled in my room. I stood for a few minutes just outside the Opera. Feeling all my emotions well up, shuddering with the onslaught. I slipped into the shadows I had been avoiding since I was reborn and searched for the side entrance. I had found it within seconds. I looked around but no one could see me so I released the catch so the door would slide open. I was delighted that it still worked. I was also delighted that I had the foresight to bring a flashlight along because my vision was definitely not what it had been before…well…before it ended. My memory was just as sharp though. I had a number of traps set, which I assumed were also in working order, and I knew would bring my second life to a quick end. I will destroy them when I leave. I wouldn't want someone to stumble in here on an accident.

After a few moments I saw a bundle on the floor. My breath caught in my chest as I knelt down beside a skeleton dressed in a familiar looking satin and lace wedding gown. The gown had gone yellow and musty from the age and dampness but I still recognized it. I screamed bloody murder, fearing that one of my traps had done this. The boy had been with her though, and I'd sent them the other way, on the lake. I showed her so many times how to get through this way. I shined the light on the skull and noticed a deep fracture. Then I checked all the extremities. Right ankle had been broken and the left was twisted at an odd angle. It looked like she had tripped and fallen against the stone walls. The blow to the head probably left her unconscious. The blow alone may have killed her. I hope. That would have been quick and mostly painless. I did not want to think of her waking, and not being able to stand on her ankles. Blood loss would have been the cause of death that way.

I haven't any idea how long I sat beside her, stroking her gown or running my fingers over the crack in her skull, tears spilling freely from my eyes. Had she come back for me? I couldn't think of a different explanation. I don't understand it though. She left with that boy. Nearly ran away from me!

When I looked down again something twinkled in the light beam. In the palm of her hand, was my onyx pinkie ring. I had given it to her during our two weeks together beneath the opera. Either she had been coming back return that ring too, or she had been coming back to me.

I decided she needed a proper burial. I didn't know anywhere but the cemetery where her father was buried. I was quite certain I didn't have enough money for a plot, stone, casket…. I would need a job. For now I knew I had an oak chest that I would put her remains in. I feel awful doing that, but I haven't got any choice at the moment.

I would also have to leave her here until her grave was ready. I couldn't very well have a skeleton in my dorm.

Once I had her secure in the oak chest I did a bit more exploring. I was quite shocked to find very little damage was done to my former home. The coffin I used to sleep in was busted up. Some of my artwork had been destroyed but I didn't see much else. I stood in front of my throne chair. There it was. Glaring back at me. The mask. My white half mask. I hadn't had it on that fateful night. I had been wearing the Don Juan costume that evening and well Christine had well taken care of that mask. I picked it up. I could remember the feel of it on my skin. So tight, always irritating my already irritated skin. It was always so hot. So confining…in more ways than one.

Before I knew it I was running full speed to the lake. I skidded to a halt at the waters edge. I was breathing hard, but not from the exertion of running. I grasp my hand around the leather, squeezing hard, then I threw the mask with all my might into the middle of the lake.

My clothing was still all there, but a bit too small now. I will take my fedora with me, and also my cape. I will leave the rest for now. I put the chest with Christine's remains in it in front of her swan bed and ran my fingers over it one last time. I took one of my heaviest candlesticks with me to destroy my traps. I was now exhausted and wanting to sleep. I was glad now that I had arrived a few days early. I had a lot to do.

Upon waking I had a taxi called for me, and questioned the driver about making some inquires about Christine's burial. He was able to give me a few telephone numbers while taking me to the campus I would be staying at. I wanted to double check the schedule I had to see if I could find some employment and work that in around it. I was thinking about seeing if they needed someone temporary at the opera house. I wasn't afraid of hard labor, so I would even take a stagehand job or something.

Fortunately I only have morning classes so that should work out well. I made some calls on the way back to my hotel. I was appalled to hear the cost of burying someone. I'd either have to find something that paid very well or more than one job that paid fairly well. That may not even be enough in the little amount of time I am going to be here. It hadn't occurred to me that I could actually sell my artwork on the street. I saw many artists painting scenes, most likely of the Eiffel Tower. I would try that. And I would walk from now on and save the taxi fares.

I spoke to the orchestra's director's assistant and found I was in luck and one of the violinists was on maternity leave. I was able to audition that afternoon. I was brilliant. Of course I did have almost 35 years of practice under my belt. The wage was well above what I expected. I explained that I was an American student studying art and I wouldn't be able to make any morning practices. They didn't seem too offended, probably due to my skill on the violin, and agreed to allow me to miss morning sessions. That was a relief. If I could sell some paintings on my off nights I just may be able to do this.

I decided to see if I could move into the dormitories early. It was a bit of a hike with all of my luggage, and it was rather warm still. I think I may have to purchase a bicycle to manage all of this. Once I get settled at the dorm I'll look into that.

And so it went on like that. Class in the mornings, practice in the afternoon, and a performance in the evening. I had the weekend mornings off and Monday and Tuesday evenings. I sold every painting I made. Sometimes on Mondays I would go to the library and search for old news papers for any record of Christine. It took two months but I eventually found the article I was looking for. It claimed that she had run off with the crazed masked 'phantom' that lived beneath the opera. She had never been seen or heard from again. I printed a copy of the article and put it in my portfolio.

I stopped down the street a bit for a pastry and a coffee. I ate outside, just watching the hustle and bustle. I would sketch people, or my surroundings. Paris was much different now and it didn't appear to be for the better. I opened my sketchbook to a fresh page and I stared off into space. I started absently drawing a picture of Christine.

"Not bad, kid," the middle-aged waitress commented as she filled my coffee mug. I smiled up at her.

"Thank you, Madame." I had captured her smiling after my telling her a story. My index finger traced the charcoal line that defined her jaw line.

"The dress is a bit outdated, but I'm sure she would be flattered," the waitress said as she topped my mug off. My finger froze as I stared up at her, a rather confused look on my face.

"She, who?" I felt my heart race.

"Well whoever that is you're drawing. She's beautiful." I felt my shoulders slump.

"That she is Madame…that she is." I sighed as the waitress moved on to the next table. I'm beginning to worry that I may never find Christine, if she has in fact also been reborn. Undoubtedly she deserved it more than I. I am trying to be patient, but I never really did well with patience.

I knew I had the money to get Christine's burial started, but I didn't quite know how, without drawing too much attention. The headstone person would most likely be baffled as to why I wanted a stone with the death date over a century ago. I pondered over it for days. I decided a bribe may be in order. More money would be needed and I was running out of time. It then occurred to me that I had money stored in the cellar. Old money. It would be worth a lot. I was pedaling to the opera house for this evenings show. I had time beforehand to go collect what I needed. Thankfully I kept the flashlight in my bag with me.

There was easily a hundred thousand francs in my metal chest. Still in mint condition. I wouldn't take all of it. No, I would take a few hundred and see what I got for it. I didn't want to raise any suspicion.