Rekindling the Music of the Night

By: K.C. Vaillancourt

Disclaimer - You know the drill…I do not own anything associated with The Phantom of the Opera or lyrics of any songs I use.

Just as a quick warning I do edit all my work before I post and have people read my work but there still may be some grammar mistakes. I apologize for them in advance.

Author Note – I can't believe how much people have taken to my story it warms my heart that it is so well received. Thank you to those who take the time to review, follow, or favorite my Phanfic. Your continued support is what keeps the creative juices flowing.

For those eagerly awaiting new chapters I wanted to let you know I hope to have a new chapter up by the end of this week. Thank you for your patients and support.


Down Once More

Erik slowed down the carriage as they approached the streets of Paris. Christine kept a lookout behind them. "I don't think we're being…" She stopped when she noticed the path they were taking. "Erik, where are you taking us?"

"The only place in Paris that is safe." He answered.

Christine shook her head. "Raoul found your hidden entrance when he confronted Meg. It will be the first place he looks and will find us again."

"Do you trust me Christine?" Erik asked glancing over at her.

"Of course I do." Christine said taking a moment to give him a peck on the cheek.

Erik smiled and continued steering the horses on their current path. Soon they were in front of the opera house but instead of taking the normal route to the stables he lead them to the other side. He stopped the carriage and got out of the driver's seat. Christine watched him curiously as he approached the stone wall that she assumed was the end of the stables. After removing a stone from the wall and pulling a small lever Christine gasped when she saw a door slide open.

After replacing the stone Erik took Cesar's reins and led them inside closing the door behind them. Christine stepped down from the carriage and looked around. It was a second stable complete with four stalls and everything you would need to care for your horses. She looked at Erik. "How did you know this was here?"

"It wasn't here until I built it." Erik revealed with a grin. "Well, the inside. The structure itself already existed. When I first had Cesar and Arturo I kept them here while I trained them."

Christine helped unhook the horses from the carriage and get them settled into their stalls. "Are the other two stalls for us?"

Erik shook his head as he took one of her suitcases out of the carriage and got something out of one of his before pushing it into one of the two remaining stalls. He held out his hand and led Christine to the fourth stall where he revealed another door. "I would never have such a beauty sleeping in a horse stall."

As they started to walk Christine noticed he only had one of her bags. "Wait. Don't you need a bag of your own?"

"Don't worry about me." Erik told her. "I'll be fine." He led her into the dark tunnel. As the door closed behind them Erik felt Christine tighten her grip on his hand as they were plunged into darkness. Erik put her bag down and felt around the wall to his left. He smiled when he found what he was looking for and pulled. Like dominos torches lining both sides of the tunnel lit up one after another bathing them in an amber glow. He smiled when he looked back at Christine. "Another helpful trick I picked up from the gypsies."

Christine followed him and felt the familiar excitement she had felt when he first led her through the hidden tunnels of the opera house. As if her voice had a mind of its own she sang as she followed him. "In sleep you sang to me. In dreams you came. Your voice still called to me and spoke my name. I no longer have to dream for now he's mine, the phantom of the opera is here right by my side."

"Singing once again with me. A love's duet." He stopped and turned to caress Christine's cheek. "My devotion to you grows stronger yet. You do not turn from me to glance behind."

She returned his caress on his masked cheek. "Those who have seen your face, drew back in fear. Take off this mask you wear."

Erik pulled her hand away. "It's a burden I must bear."

"Our spirits and our voices are now combined. The Phantom of the Opera need not hide from my sight."

"In your reality, you always knew that man and mystery…"

"…Were both in you."

Erik took her hand leading her on as she continued to sing. "And in this labyrinth, where night is blind. The phantom of the opera need not, hide from my sight."

Her voice faded away as they turned a corner and stopped when they approached two large sliding panel doors. Even in the dim light Christine could see they were carved with the same intricate floral pattern that the amours in the cabin had. Erik opened the doors and led Christine inside. What awaited her on the other side left her speechless.

She had expected to walk back into the cavern that was his home but instead stood in a grand room with one door opposite her. She walked into the center of the room and looked around. The stone walls were covered with various pieces of Parisian cloth she assumed were from costumes or backdrops that were cast away from various shows. Each wall had two candle sconces to provide light.

To her right was a four poster flat top Tudor style bed. She could tell it was handmade by the ornate carvings. The posts were carved into spiral twists with roses separating the top and bottom. Crimson silk sheets and a matching velvet duvet covered the bed. There was an oak front clamped chest at the end of the bed and matching bedside tables on either side. Next to the only other door in the room was a dressing table with a single mirror and a matching red velvet upholstered stool. She turned and saw a large wardrobe across from the bed. It had three tall doors and four drawers to complete the lower section. Beside it was a floor length tilt-able mirror.

She turned and looked at Erik who had set her suitcase down and was lighting the candles. "What is this place?"

"This was my home." He told her as he finished lighting the final candle and approached her.

"What about…"

Erik laughed. "That place was simply for show. This is where I spent the majority of my time."

"Did you make all of these pieces?" She asked.

Erik nodded. "It's how I discovered I had skill in carpentry."

"They're beautiful. If you don't mind my asking what is through the other door." Christine said looking behind her.

"It leads to a small hallway. On one side is a washroom the other a music room." Erik told her.

"I am simply astonished." She whispered then Erik noticed her eyes fill with concern. "Won't Raoul and his men find this place when they search the opera house?"

He walked over to the dressing table and ran his fingers over it. "By the amount of dust it doesn't look like anyone has yet." He walked up to her and took her in his arms. "Try not to worry ma Cherie. I promise you, we will be safe here."

"We should go back to get your things."

"I have everything I need in here. Not even Madame Giry knows this place exists so when she brought me my things it was from my second home." He looked down at her and after giving her a gentle kiss he ran his fingers across the cut on her neck. "We should take care of that."

"It's only a nick. We should take care of your arm first." Christine said taking off his cloak and jacket so she could get a proper look at his wound.

Erik stopped her and brought his hand under her chin so she was looking at him. Then he wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. "He could have killed you tonight."

"I could say the same about you." Christine said looking up at him with tears in her eyes. "As I watched you fight him all I could think about was the last time you both dueled and didn't know what I would do if I lost…"

"Shhh…you don't have to worry about that." Erik assured her. "When the Vicomte bested me the last time he was merely lucky due to my distracted mind."

Christine sighed. "You were all right. It was a ridiculous idea to go there. I walked us right into a…"

Erik silenced her with a kiss. "There is no need for blame."

"Look at your arm." Christine pointed out. "You wouldn't have that wound if I hadn't insisted we go there. I should have listened to you all when you said Raoul would know I would need to go there." Then she thought of something else he had said. "What do you suppose he meant by trying to get him out of Paris?"

"I didn't hear much of your conversation with him. Perhaps Meg was successful at tricking some of his men into thinking she was you but Raoul saw through it. Now that you have said your good bye, do you feel better about leaving France?"

Christine was caught off guard by the question and was quiet for a moment. "Yes, I do." She whispered.

"Then anything that happened there was worth it." Erik assured her.

He brought her over to the dressing table and after gathering what they needed he insisted on tending to the cut on her neck. When he was finished she made him sit where she had been. She ripped the sleeve of his shirt and bandaged the gash on his arm. When she was done they sat together on the bed. Erik wrapped his arms around her while she laid her head on his chest just under his chin. "Down once more."

"What?" Erik asked.

"The last time we traveled in tunnels together that's what you said to me on our way."

"I remember." Erik said just above a whisper and hugged her tighter. "Only this time you are with me willingly." He looked around. "It's funny. I no longer think of this place as the dungeon of my despair or the prison of my mind."

"Why didn't you stay here?" Christine asked. "After what happened, instead of going to the cabin why didn't you stay down here?"

"I was going to but Meg intervened and I was in such a dazed state I didn't argue with her." He gently kissed her on the head and smiled. "It was the single best decision ever made for me."

Christine smiled. "I guess I don't have to change my name anymore."

"Why is that?"

"At first I tried to convince Raoul I was someone else and told him the new name I was going to use. He will tell all of his men that I have changed it and what it is. I may not have been able to say the whole thing but he knows me well enough to know the last name I chose. I could come up with something else but…" Christine looked up at him remembering something else and felt herself beginning to panic. "He knows your face. Masked or, unmasked. He knows your face. So do the Surete who survived that night and others in the audience."

Erik tried to calm her down by rubbing her back. "I thought of that before we began this journey. Honestly I was so lost in the happiness of having you back with me I didn't worry about it much."

"What will we do now?"

"The same as we planned before. We'll leave France and settle in London. The fact that the Vicomte and others know my face doesn't matter. It's only his word and from what I saw tonight it will be the word of a madman. Even if he went to the Surete and they were to believe I have returned. Never forget that you are with the infamous opera ghost."

Christine pulled herself closer to him. "But you're not a ghost. You're a man. The man I love and if they do catch you..."

"I love you too Christine." Erik said and bent down to kiss her forehead. "We can't dwell on things that haven't happened. I have evaded people who wished me harm for decades. The journey will be harder now that the Vicomte knows for certain that we plan to leave France but I swear we will have the happy life we both deserve."

"Now that we are here how will we leave? Raoul will have people guarding this place day and night."

"As I said before I lived under this opera house for so long I am certain only I know all of its secrets, including ways in and out that have been long forgotten."

Christine took in what he said letting silence settle between them for a while. Erik thought she might have fallen asleep until he heard her voice. "Did you kill them?" She continued her question before he could answer. "The men in the cemetery, did you kill them?"

"No." Erik assured her. "I simply knocked them out. I have only ever killed when I felt it was the only way." He sighed. "I have to admit if you weren't with me I would have made an exception for the Vicomte." Then he thought of something else that had happened that evening. "Where did you learn to defend yourself like you did?"

"Meg." Christine said with a laugh. "She insisted on teaching me a few things during my brief time with her. I thought it was a waste when we were doing it but knowing what I knew certainly came in handy."

"Perhaps we should get some sleep." Erik suggested when he heard Christine yawn. "It has been a long night."

Christine leaned up and was about give him a kiss when she stopped. She adjusted herself so she was kneeling in front of him and let her hand graze his mask. She felt his hand on hers when she tried to remove it. She looked in his eyes. "Erik, I want to give the man I love a proper good night kiss."

"Christine…" Erik began.

"Your mask has nothing to do with who you are or who I love. I love the man behind the mask, all of him. Your mask is simply a tool, a barrier you have come to rely on to keep the world at bay. Please trust that you don't need that protection with me."

Erik closed his eyes taking a deep breath. He finally nodded his head giving her permission to remove his mask. He felt her gentle touch on his face as she slowly removed the mask. He was thankful she kept his wig intact. The part of his deformity confined to his face was enough of a reveal for now. He kept his eyes closed afraid of what he would see when he looked in her eyes again.

Christine placed the mask down on the bedside table and looked at him noticing his eyes were still closed. She gently let her fingers graze over the mangled red flesh of the right side of his face. "I will never understand how your face could earn your mother's fear and loathing. How a mask was your first scrap of clothing. I feel pity for her and all who met you with hatred because of this face. I feel anger at those who had no kind words to say or felt no compassion for you, including myself, for a condition you did not ask for. Seeing you now, all I see is beauty, an angel, my angel." Without warning she slowly leaned up and laid gentle kisses on the deformity he and others loathed so much. When she leaned her head back she noticed a tear escape his closed eyes. "Does it hurt to wear your mask most the time?" She saw him nod his head as another tear escaped his eyes and she wiped it away. "I don't know what others have to fear from the handsome man in front of me. Your face is beautiful, like the rest of you. Please Erik, open your eyes."

Erik was speechless not only by her words but by her actions as well and slowly he opened his eyes. He felt himself smile when he looked into her eyes and saw only love. He tried to respond to her but found himself too choked up to speak for a moment as he held back tears. He brought a hand to her cheek. "I'm sorry I didn't have more faith in you Christine. I feared that when you looked upon my true face again I would see the same disgust and fear in your eyes that I have seen in so many others."

"In your eyes I see the sadness of your world. Have faith that I, love you too much to ever, let you go." He felt her soft touch on both of his cheeks as she brought her lips to his in a passionate kiss.

"Christine I love you." He sang softly as their lips parted and he pulled her lips to his once more. They began to get lost in their passion for one another as their arms laced around each other but not for long as they let their hands explore each other's bodies. Erik slowly removed her riding corset and lifted her blouse above her head only letting her lips go for a moment.

Christine undid his vest and unbuttoned his shirt throwing it to the floor. She let her hands roam his muscular upper body loving the feeling of his bare skin against her. She smiled as she continued to kiss him when she felt him beginning to undo her upper undergarment.

As he was beginning to unfasten her undergarment Erik realized where they were headed and reluctantly pulled away from Christine. "I'm sorry. We can't." He whispered breathing heavily.

Christine gave herself time to catch her own breathe. "I know." She covered herself with the sheet hiding her disappointment. She kissed him again and they laid together caressing each other's faces. "I hope there will be a time soon that we can be together."

"I promise you there will be." Erik told her.

"Will you promise me something else?" Christine whispered.

"What would that be?" Erik wondered.

Christine was a quiet for a moment nervous that he would refuse her. "When we are alone would you leave your mask off?"

"Yes." Erik promised her without a second thought. Christine smiled and snuggled closer into his arms. She fell asleep almost immediately. Erik held her for a while running his fingers through her hair. He knew sleep would not come for him, not tonight. He couldn't stop thinking about her beautiful words and the incredible gift she had given him even if she was unaware of it. Acceptance was all he ever wanted and with one kiss she had given it to him along with taking away the pain he still felt from the cruelties of his past. His thoughts changed to what they had nearly done tonight as he felt her hair caress his chest. He wanted to be with her more than anything but knew it would be improper while she was a married woman. An image of Raoul with a dagger held to her throat came to his mind. She was still that coward's wife. He thought to himself.

He let his head fall deeper into his pillow as he sighed. Then as if struck by lightning it came to him. They were in Paris, it presented him with the perfect opportunity to repay her for the wonderful gift she had given him tonight. He wondered why he hadn't thought of it before.

Erik carefully unwrapped himself from Christine and took his mask from the bedside table. After his mask and wig were secure he changed into fresh clothes and fastened his cloak. He took a satchel from a drawer of the wardrobe and after giving Christine a gentle peck on the cheek he disappeared from the room.

Raoul was ready to scream in frustration as another tunnel led him back to the phantoms lair. They had ridden directly to the opera house and spent hours searching with no results. "I was certain he would come here."

"We haven't searched everywhere yet." One of his men told him as he emerged from a different tunnel. "We could still find him."

"This place is a labyrinth." Raoul yelled. "The only man that would know all the ins and outs would be the phantom himself." He took a deep breath. "I'm going to go and ensure that if they are in Paris we aren't the only ones looking for them. Keep looking while I'm gone but be careful." Raoul ordered. "I don't want to lose another man to one of his traps."

Raoul mounted his horse and galloped through the streets ignoring anyone he nearly ran down. It wasn't long until he reached the headquarters of the Surete. He walked in and stopped the first person he saw. "I need to see M. Chevalier immediately."

"Of course M. Vicomte." The young woman said bowing her head. Raoul followed her to the office of the head of the Surete on the second floor and was promptly allowed inside.

A slender older man with graying shoulder length hair was sitting at a desk going through papers. He wore a pair of oval glasses over his hazel eyes. He looked up when he heard his door open wondering who would be calling at this time of night. He suppressed a sigh when he saw who was at his door. Raoul De Chagny was the foulest man he had ever had the misfortune to meet. He put on his nicest face and walked over to Raoul extending his hand. "M. Vicomte. It is a pleasure to see you again."

Raoul accepted his extended hand shaking it. "The pleasure is mine." He turned to the young woman who had brought him to the office. "This is a private matter if you don't mind."

"Of course not." The young woman said leaving quickly being sure to close the door behind her.

"What is it that I can do for you?" M. Chevalier asked sitting back down at his desk while Raoul took the chair across from him.

"He's back, Javert." Raoul said sitting back and letting his words hang in the air.

"You mean…" Javert began as who the Vicomte was referring to dawned on him.

Raoul nodded his head. "Our clever friend has returned."

"Are you certain?" Javert asked remembering what happened the last time Raoul had come to him to try to catch the opera ghost. He had lost at least half of his men in the fire that ignited after the chandelier collapsed from the ceiling.

Raoul showed him his wrist and the slash to his chest. "I encountered him earlier this evening." He smiled knowing how to get exactly what he wanted. "He has my wife."

"The Vicomtess?" Javert asked in surprise. "As you are aware I pulled most of my men off of that case due to her leaving you because…"

"I understand you did what you felt was necessary. I didn't explain before because, well there is no good reason, but I can assure you what you heard was nothing but rumors started by a maid I fired. Christine and I got into an argument. She went out for a ride alone and never returned."

"You are telling me he is holding her prisoner?"

Raoul nodded and went as far as producing a few crocodile tears. "You and I know firsthand what he is capable of. I need your help to rescue my wife and finally serve justice on the phantom for the men he killed."

"If I remember correctly you yourself said the phantom is a master of disguise. How can we catch someone when we don't know what we're looking for?"

"When I saw him tonight he was wearing the same white half mask I told you about before. He is on the run now. I highly doubt he has a supply of what he needs with him to keep up different ruses. Underneath that mask will be the same deformed man you saw before he slipped through your fingers."

Javert was silent as he thought about what he was just told. He narrowed his eyes looking at Raoul. He had his doubts that the stories he heard of the horrors he put his wife through were mere rumors. Which made him like the Vicomte even less than he already did. He also knew of the Vicomte's connection to Anton, whose last name eluded him for the moment. Javert knew he had to agree, if for no other reason than to keep an eye on this situation and the Vicomte. "M. Vicomte you will have the full weight of the Surete to help you find this man and return your wife to you safely. However, I can only devote that weight for a limited amount of time."

Raoul nodded as he stood and shook Javert's hand. "I appreciate any help you can give me." He turned and left the office with a wide grin on his face. "If you were foolish enough to stay in Paris with my Christine I swear this city will be your final resting place."

He exited the building mounting his horse. Before he went back to the opera house he decided to return home. He needed to have his wounds tended to and see if Anton had returned with any news.

Erik left the stables and was sure to stay in the shadows as he walked the streets. He didn't notice anyone who looked like they were following him along his way. Although he did hear chatter about new sightings of the opera ghost. He walked down a dark street and when he found his destination he walked up the steps. He smiled as he knocked on the door. His smile widened when he heard the door being unlocked and heard M. Firmir gasp when he saw who had come to pay him a visit. "Fondest greetings M. Firmin. It has been far too long."

M. Firmin backed up nearly falling to the floor when he saw it was the opera ghost at his door.

Erik found himself a bit proud of the fear he still inspired in him after all these years. He stepped through the door closing and locking it behind him. "Did you think I had forgotten about you?"

"I had hoped you did." M. Firmin responded finally finding his voice.

Erik shook his head. "I could never forget a man who tried to have me killed. I haven't visited because I have had no use for you, until now. I trust you got my letter and the monetary gift that came with it."

"I did." M. Firmin responded.

Erik took the initiative to walk further into his home making himself comfortable in the sitting room. M. Firmin joined him after pouring himself a brandy to calm his nerves. "You have heard that the Vicomtess De Chagny left her husband."

"Yes." M. Firmin answered. "I can safely assume she came to you."

"She did." Erik answered keeping his tone even but threatening. "You have only heard the rumors of how the Vicomte treated his wife. I have seen the scars he left on her." He took a slow breath controlling his anger. "Has he been to see you?"

M. Firmin took a sip of his brandy. "He did. Per your, instructions, I told him nothing of what I knew."

"I should hope not." Erik said narrowing his eyes. "As I said I would hate to see you suffer the same fate as your partner."

"You mentioned…" M. Firmin paused trying to ignore the threat the opera ghost had made. "…you have a use for me. What might that be?"

"Christine and I traveled to the Daae mausoleum tonight. While we were there we encountered, a problem. After careful consideration I have realized that this problem is actually an opportunity in disguise. I want you to use your influence to have the Vicomtess De Chagny's marriage annulled and her proper name restored."

"My influence?" M. Firmin said with a laugh. "I have none."

"That is untrue." Erik stated. "While you ran my opera house you became close with the Countess de Cherbourg the wife of Count de Cherbourg who is a delegate of the Chamber of Deputies. He could push through the necessary bill citing the brutality Christine suffered at the Vicomte's hand."

"To do that she would need to testify in a public forum…" M. Firmin informed him. "It would be easier to do in a place like London as they are more liberal but in France it is nearly impossible to end a marriage, especially for a woman."

"That is why I have come to you. I understand you are still close to them."

"How would you know that?"

"I have made sure to keep an eye on you. With your connection to the Cherbourg's you have influence that the Vicomte can only hope to have. I want you to go to the Count and have the De Chagny marriage annulled immediately, without Christine's public admission."

M. Firmin was quiet for a moment. "An endeavor like that could be quite…pricey."

"Anything of any importance always is." Erik responded and threw the satchel he had taken to M. Firmin. "They keep up appearances but I know the Cherbourg's have fallen on hard times. I trust that will be enough to make what I want happen."

M. Firmin opened the satchel and his eyes widened. It was filled with Franc banknotes in various denominations but he knew there had to be more than two hundred thousand francs in his hands. He looked at the opera ghost. "It certainly will. I would say with this amount the Count will have what you want done in a matter of days."

"Good." Erik said. "When it is done leave the signed documents tied with a red rose at the opera house. In the stables there is a stone wall in the third stall to the right. One of them has OG faintly carved on it you may put them in there. If it is done in the timely manner you mentioned there will be another satchel with double that amount waiting for you in the same location."

"I will see to it that it is done." M. Firmin said finishing his drink as his mind began swimming with images of the money coming his way. With it he could start his life over far away from France.

Erik noticed the sun was beginning to rise and stood up walking towards the door with M. Firmin following him. "I appreciate your help in this delicate matter. Should you succeed you will no longer have to look over your shoulder waiting for me to end your existence." He was about to open the door when he turned back. "As you are well aware I am always watching. The Vicomte is to hear nothing of this until it is done. Be sure to pass that along when you speak with your friend. Along with one more thing, dead men can't enjoy the bribes they take and no amount of keeping your hand at the level of your eye will save you from me." With that he left closing the door behind him.