Ah, chapter 51. I can only look back and say, "wow, i've written a lot." Anyways, I'm so happy and so sad at the same time. For this chapter and the ones to follow are part of the end. Such a sad subject, but it will come.

DISCLAIMER: I will never own Phantom of the Opera...unless I buy it somehow...hmmm...

Part Fifty-one

"Do you want to dance, Lark?" Erik asked her. The child turned her wide eyes over to him, her mouth parted slightly in surprise. "Really?" she asked breathlessly, sounding a lot like Rachel did; so surprised of his offer. He smirked and stood up, bowing slightly. "But of course, Mademoiselle." He said, his eyes flashing wickedly. "I always wanted to dance with such a clumsy, I mean, lovely lady." Her face flushed but she got up, determined not to let him get away with his tricks. "Alright." She said, "Let's dance!" Erik took her small hand in his as his arm snaked around her tiny waist. Lark rested her free hand on his side, since she couldn't reach his tall shoulder. Finally, she perched her feet on top of his shoes. He gave her an odd look. "This way I won't trip us both," she explained, grinning. Rolling his eyes, Erik glided them both onto the dance floor as a quick, energetic song broke out.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Admit it, Richard," Rachel sighed as they twirled around, "you aren't going to impress anyone but Lark, and that poor girl hasn't seen anyone dance before." Richard rolled his eyes and picked up the pace gracefully as the song quickened. "You seem so sure of yourself," he grumbled, used to her taunts. It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Of course I am!" she exclaimed, "After all, I am the oldest." Other dancers flew by and Richard twirled his sister elegantly and snapped her back in his grasp with ease. "Oldest," he said mildly, "but not always the smartest." Rachel made a face at him and spun around her sibling to face another dancer who twirled her once and sent her back to Richard. "At least I'm not using my sibling to grab attention," she hissed. Richard only tipped her back with smooth, joining movements and brought her back up. "Why can't you just admit I'm a good dancer?" he sighed.

"Never," she replied, "I have my pride." Dipping her again, he lifted her slightly, spinning in the other direction. "You have too much pri-.." he started to complain, but Rachel interrupted him. "Isn't that Lark and Erik…?" Richard looked over in her direction and was amazed to see Lark balancing perfectly on his feet, Erik doing all the dancing. "Well, isn't that something…?" he smiled his too-wide smile cheerily. Rachel grinned and watched them bicker companionably together as they danced. "Richard," she began hesitantly. Her sibling looked at her while spinning them both. "Yes…?" They separated quickly to let another couple swing by before snapping back together. Rachel smiled mischievously at Richard. "Want to try that 'switch partners' technique?" He mirrored her smile. "We shall." He said, turning their direction towards their friends.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"You are a good dancer, Lark." Erik said. She made a face at him as they sashayed between two groups. "You're the only one who's dancing." She reminded him. He looked thoughtful. "Oh, I suppose that is right," he murmured, "I guess I better get all the praise." Lark snorted as Erik snickered to himself, surprisingly enjoying himself. How could it be, he mused silently, that at one point he had almost nothing to live for? Erik looked down at the young child in his grasp as they danced. She, he realized, was his light in his dark world. She brought him out; made him look into what was the once harsh light of the world above his. The way the child laughed and smiled, it brought a hidden smile to his face. Lark was a happy one, and it was contagious. For even though he would be irritable and mocking, she accepted that and held his hand, ignoring his scowls and groans. "Thank you." He said slowly, the words rusty and unused in his speech.

"Huh?" Lark looked up at him with confused eyes. Suddenly, a switch happened. Not anything like with gas lamps, but with the dancers' partners. Lark found herself in the arms of Richard, and when looking back with surprised glee, she found that Erik had wound up with Rachel. "You're good," she told Richard. He beamed at her and lifted her onto his feet, gliding away. Meanwhile Erik could only stare blankly at his new partner while she laughed merrily. "Oh, so he is good at that technique!" she said, smiling. Erik spun her automatically with the dance, but gave her a quizzical stare. "What happened…?" He asked, bemused. Rachel grinned at him readjusted their stature. "Richard and I wanted to see if he could do a dancing technique!" she said cheerily, "So you were our guinea pigs!" Erik scowled behind his gold mask and picked her up, swirling her once before landing her gently on the ground again.

"Oh joy." He said sourly. Rachel peered at him, concerned. "We…we didn't bother you, did we?" she asked timidly. She didn't mean to make him mad, she just wanted…what did she want? Rachel fell silent, the music sounding so far away. Erik, however, sighed and shook his head. "No," he murmured, "no, I'm not bothered. Just…surprised." She looked positively brighter as they danced. "Does it take much to surprise you?" she asked curiously. He shrugged and looked back at Richard and Lark, who laughed and smiled at him before disappearing back into the crowds. "Not really." He answered, eyes squinting after the retreating couple. "Heh." Rachel laughed softly, "You seemed like a very easy person to surprise." Erik turned back to her, his gold eyes pained. "What am I, now?" he complained. "I can't even keep my own character together without someone changing it." The song ended splendidly and many of the dancers stopped to clap loudly. Erik immediately released Rachel from his hold and took a respectful step back.

"Attention!" A loud, booming voice echoed around the dance hall. "May I have your attention, please, ladies and gentlemen?" Rachel and Erik both looked towards the stairs where the new manager was standing in a bright costume of sky blue, yellow pompoms decorating the entire suit. Erik smirked. "He looks like a piece of the sky fell out," he whispered, loud enough only to be heard by Rachel. "Birds and all." Rachel hid her smile behind her fan and respectfully gave the manager of the Opera her attention. The entire hall quieted and all eyes were turned to the man. He beamed. "Thank you," he said, "I have chosen this time to introduce you all to the Opera Populair's largest patron." He paused as if to draw more dramatic air to the room and its inhibitors. "I wonder who…?" Rachel turned to Erik only to fall silent. He was pale as death behind his mask, his eyes widened with pain and….was it fear…? "Erik…?" Rachel whispered, worry flooding her body. He didn't reply, but stood as still as a stone statue.

"Put your hands together, ladies and gentlemen," continued the manager, not noticing that someone in his audience was desolate. "For our patron, Monsieur Raoul de Chagny and his wife, Madame Christine De Chagny!" Applause burst out of the audience as a tall, youngish man came forward; his blond hair pulled back with a dark blue satin ribbon, matching his dark blue navy suit, his wife at his elbow. She was beautiful with large, chocolate brown doe eyes, flowing dark brown hair elegantly pulled up in the latest fashion, in a low necked, gorgeous purple silk dress. Her face was full of beauty, innocence, and childish mirth. She smiled at her husband who clasped his hand over her own and smiled back encouragingly. Just as she always was…back then. Back then when she was just a chorus girl, with an angel's voice, and an Angel of Music to teach her soul to soar.

I was planning to bring in Christine sooner or later. Review and tell me what you think! They reeeaallly help!!