Hey guys! :) Well I hope everyone's weekend was better than mine. Besides having a lovely weekend at my Sister's, I have been so poorly. :( But ahh well, I get to upload a new chapter now yaaaaaaaaaaaaay! :D Can I just say...I'm a little excited to be giving you this chapter! :) It's where the big drama starts to begin I think. :) Hope everyone enjoys it and I just want to say another big thank you for all the lovely reviews and patiently waiting for the next installment. Let me know what you think of the events of this chapter and do not worry, there is lots more still to come! :)

Grapejuice101: Awww me too! :( I'm afraid there shall be a few chapters to wait until Erik and Charlotte scenes besides a few...well traumatic ones maybes but I'm certain that will be understandable given the circumstances of this particular event. ;) All shall be revealed haha. Anyway thanks for the review, hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

EriksAngel70: Yeah it's not good! :( I definitely think it's a good thing that he's broken the engagement off with Christine given the situation he's found himself in and as this isn't a Raoul-bashing story lol, I wanted that to happen. However...he hasn't exactly chosen his moment well lol. Ah well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

Erik's Guest: Yes, well it sounds really sad but I genuinely get so excited when people review my work lol. :) It's nice to know it's not just me madly obsessed with Phantom tee hee. :) Well you shall soon see as he is about to make an unexpected entrance... ;) Hope you enjoy this chaoter and thanks so much for your lovely reviews again! :)

Point Of No Return

I was so nervous about the performance when I woke up. I had the most horrendous headache, because of how little sleep I had managed to get. My mind was in overdrive, thinking over everything. If I was being honest with myself, I had been mainly thinking of the Vicomte and his declaration yesterday. I regretted what I had advised him but it was the right thing to do. I hadn't heard anything from him so it must have hit a nerve.

My thoughts caused more guilt when I sat aside Christine at breakfast. She seemed so apprehensive about the performance and she could hardly eat anything. No matter how much I had wanted to advise the Vicomte differently, I had done the right thing. Christine didn't need any more stress to deal with.

We headed straight for rehearsals together and I couldn't deny my surprise at seeing that the Vicomte wasn't in attendance for once. Perhaps I really had been correct with my accusation yesterday.

I felt awful for Christine the nearer tonight's performance came. The one time she needed something, anything to distract her and it seemed that the Vicomte was choosing to keep his distance. Meg and I tried to comfort her but it seemed that she was far too nervous. I could understand how she felt, though of course it was worst for her, given the challenge of her role. I had no doubt that she would still be as amazing as she always though.

I also had this wretched feeling in the pit of my stomach that something bad was going to happen, though I didn't know why. The show arrived quicker than expected though.

Meg and Christine rushed to the auditorium to get ready for the show as they were first on but I followed on after them just before the show started. I headed down the grand staircase to circulate through the crowds, only to be caught by Marcel Bonneville. I flushed awkwardly as he headed over to see me. I hadn't spoken to him in so long that I'd almost forgotten about him in truthfulness. He smiled.

My forehead creased with curiosity. "What are you doing here?"

He laughed. "Well don't you sound too pleased to see me."

I offered a nervous laugh. "No it's just…I'm surprised that's all."

"I was only teasing. But I was wondering if you would do me the honor of accompanying me to dinner again, after the show of course."

I sighed. I supposed I should have been expecting this to come at some point but the truth was, I didn't actually think that he would. Perhaps I had hoped a little too.

"Oh I'm not sure. I might be a little too exhausted tonight."

"I promise I shan't keep you up late. Perhaps, you could see how you are feeling after the performance. I am here as a spectator anyway. I have to admit, I was feeling curious about the new opera." He smirked.

"Maybe," I forced a smile, knowing that I had to hurry back through to backstage before the show began.

"Perfect, I shall see you tonight then. Good luck to you and the rest of the cast with the performance. I'm sure you shall all do wonderfully." He smiled.

"Thank you," I said, watching him as he began to wonder away.

I turned back to see the Vicomte joining the crowds at the front entrance. A slight gasp slipped away as I took in the sight of him…before my panic quickly vanished again. He looked rather well considering, which was at least one thing I supposed. I frowned at his sour expression though, quickly turning away before he could come over. No matter how glad I was to see him, I had to try and be strong. I was right about what I said yesterday. Nothing good was going to come of allowing my feelings to get in the way.

My stomach twisted into knots as we gathered in the wings and watched Christine dreamily swirl onto the stage. You could tell that this whole opera was created for her. I couldn't help but smile; it just seemed so romantic!

A heavenly voice was suddenly heard in the background. I glance to the back of the stage, noticing someone in a black cloak and hood and I knew instantly that it was him.

"Oh no," I mumbled. I had hoped he might have stayed away from her performance but I should have known better. This didn't look like it was going to end well.

Meg turned to me in confusion, her forehead creased. She obviously hadn't realized it was him yet.

"What is wrong?" She whispered.

I shook my head, hoping that I would be proven wrong. "Nothing, I hope."

Christine became swept along, drawn to him like a moth to a flame. I watched in fascination. It was almost like she was transfixed.

She swirled effortlessly around the table before taking a seat on the bench in front. He followed her, his hand caressing her as he continued to sing. Her head rolled back, a smile gracing her features.

I peered out at the audience to see their shocked expressions, obviously seeing this as vulgar. Some were whispering harshly to each other from their seats too.

It seemed Christine suddenly realized where she was though because she jumped up from where she was sat, her eyes as wide as saucers as she sung, addressing the audience instead.

As she continued though, she turned back to him as though drawing herself back into that same daze. She climbed on the bench behind him halfway through her verse, taking his hands in hers, their fingers entwining.

My gaze left the stage, flickering upwards towards box five as though it was habit. I frowned in sympathy as the Vicomte stood from his seat, his eyes wide as he watched Christine caressing the Phantom with his song and her hands. I had warned him that this might happen but he hadn't listened. I hadn't wanted it to end like this though. I hadn't wanted him to have to see this for himself.

I looked back to the stage to see that they had moved from the table, one hand still interlocked as they sung the last few lines of his song.

I gasped along with everyone else as Christine reached up; pulling away the hood to reveal the porcelain white mask the Phantom wore before he could stop her. He growled in rage and she turned and fled to one side of the stage, the Phantom stalking to the other side. From the wings, I could see Christine's face. Her eyes were wide as both of them stopped. Christine was the first to turn back as he begun to sing to her, wishing for her love.

I frowned, hoping that this would perhaps end differently as he turned to her too. He moved towards her, placing a ring on her finger that he had had in his hand. Her hand moved to caress the visible side of his face before she abruptly pulled away the mask, his scream of agony piercing the air as she tried to run again.

I stared in shock.

There was no denying that his face was quite a sight but it didn't affect what I thought about him. He was still a normal person like everyone else. Screams pierced the air from all around. I turned to try and calm everyone, seeing the looks of utter panic across their faces. But it was only a face! Why were they acting in such a way?

I frowned as the Phantom placed a hand on his face to shield it away from the crowd, a look of despair on the other side of his features as he slammed his foot on a trapdoor as he grabbed Christine, the two of them disappearing through it. It closed behind them just as the Vicomte reached the other side.

I froze as everyone pushed past me, some to get onto the stage to see what had happened and others seemed desperate to get as far away as possible. Their screamed were ringing in my ears. Oh god, why did this all have to happen? Why had I come back here if I truly had no influence? I felt utterly useless!

"Come with me, I shall escort you back to the dormitories."

I opened my eyes to see that the Vicomte was now by my side, though he gave me no time to process his demand. His hand wrapped itself around my wrist, his touch burning my already heated skin. He pulled me forwards, keeping me at his side as we walked through backstage. I was in too much shock about what had happened to protest against his hold. We struggled through the crowds of people and he lost the grip on my wrist. His hand slipped into mine as he pulled me forwards and I breathed a sigh as we finally escaped the large crowds. I cursed myself the moment I began to think how much I liked his hand clasped against mine, how safe I actually felt in his presence. What was wrong with me? I had to stop thinking like this!

"B-b-but w-what about Christine?" I finally managed to stammer out as we made our way into the hallway. I knew he would never just leave her there.

"Madame Giry will show me the way to that monster's home."

I cringed at his choice of wording, so full of loathing and hatred. I could understand why he hated him but he wasn't a monster. I truly believed that.

I stopped, pulling my hand away so that he abruptly stopped to face me. He frowned, rolling his eyes upwards. "This is not the time to be difficult and cause a disagreement, Christine's life is in danger!"

"I want to come with you."

He paused, gaping at me for a moment before he shook his head. "This is absolutely absurd-"

"No it isn't, I know the way."

He watched me as though I was completely insane, his forehead creasing.

I shrugged. "I went to his home before the masquerade on my own to talk to him. That was how I convinced him to talk to Christine."

"You did what?!"

"My point is I know the way there so I can show you where to go and it will make the journey quicker. Madame Giry will not be able to lead you all the way there as it is too dangerous for her-"

He shook his head before I even finished. "Absolutely not, I refuse to allow it."

"Excuse me?" I scoffed. "You do not own me. And besides, either way I will follow you there, with or without your help. I refuse to sit in the dormitories and wait whilst you go after Christine-"

"Say what you want to, but I shall padlock you in the dormitories myself if I have to."

"Oh, you're being overdramatic and no offence to you, but I'm less in danger than you are given that I at least get along with the Phantom."

"This is not up for discussion and you are wasting precious time, not helping." He hissed angrily, stepping forwards.

I met his eyes, refusing to back down on this one.

"And I refuse to take you when it will place you in danger."

He stumbled backwards with far less gracefulness than he was capable, his eyes wide, before he turned from me, heaving a heavy sigh.

My forehead creased, certain he was just playing a cruel trick on me again. Even with the consideration of yesterday, I still couldn't completely believe that he could ever have loved me. His reaction to Christine's embrace with the Phantom proved that much.

"Wait…what did you just-"

"Fine, fine, come along if you want! It appears you will not listen to me anyway." He snapped irritably, interrupting my question as he began to quickly storm off.

I watched with wide eyes, before realizing that whether or not he meant it, or if he really was playing a game, which I was certain that he was; it could wait until we knew Christine was definitely safe. With that thought, I picked up my skirts and chased after him.