A/N:Thanks to my beta, Olethros.
Episode 4
By: Elektra
Elsewhere
Hades' eyes opened slowly.
Something had disturbed his slumber, waking him from a millennia-long sleep.
It was a voice. A mournful voice. He had heard it once before, begging him for pity. He had granted that pity, but the Voice had not listened to him. How dare it come to him now!
Hades' mind reached out for answers, absorbing the snippets of information it found.
The voice, long-thought lost, had found a new body.
Where is the original owner of this body?
Hades searched for it. The owner was… displaced. It existed only as a consciousness in perpetual darkness. Alive, but not living.
Would you like to go back…? He asked it.
Who are you? Why do you call for me? It responded.
I know where your body is. Someone else is using it. I wish to know more about this someone. Are you interested in taking physical form again?
YES! It answered. I have grudges to settle above. I need my body back!
Then fight for it, Hades answered. I will give you the means to return, but you must report to me about events that occur. Then… if you wish… you may fight to regain your body. You may exorcise the being inside it and be yourself once again.
Why can you not investigate above if you are so powerful? It asked.
My power is only down here. Above ground, I am nothing. Do you agree to this deal or not? He asked.
Very well, I will agree.
Excellent. I look forward to your reports.
Hades then did as he promised, sending the owner of the Voice's new body back. He heard, or rather, FELT a scream as the spirit was shoved unceremoniously inside Its former host.
He closed his eyes to savour the echoing shudder of pain.
The Populaire
A small group had gathered to watch Oren Pheryus rehearsing his part for the Populaire's new production of Romeo and Juliet. The corps de ballet had become his unofficial fan club, always trailing behind him like loyal puppy dogs.
Erik watched the man from the wings, unimpressed.
"What's so special about him?" A voice spoke up beside the masked man.
Erik glanced over to see a handsome blonde man of average height watching Oren with his arms crossed. "Jealous, DeChagny?"
Raoul scoffed, "Hardly. I was only curious. I mean, he's just a pretty boy with a pretty voice. Nothing special."
Erik studied the fresh-faced young man beside him, "I know a few pretty boys who are nothing special…"
Raoul didn't seem to notice the hidden insult in Erik's comment, "I'm glad Meggy is different from the girls standing there mooning over him,"
"Different, you say? So I suppose that is not Little Giry watching with the other ballerinas?" Erik pointed out a strawberry blonde amongst the crowd.
Raoul stepped forward to see, "Where?" He looked for a few moments.
Suddenly there came a slight crack in Oren's voice. It was noticeable even to one who did not have much music knowledge. "Ha! He messed up!" Raoul laughed, "Told you he was nothing special."
Erik narrowed his eyes, curious how someone as skilled as Oren seemed could falter on such a simple note. The boy had appeared momentarily distracted. He had quickly caught himself, however, and continued the rest of the duet flawlessly.
Erik glanced back at Raoul once again, "For someone who is not jealous, it is rather petty of you to laugh at his mistake."
Raoul glared back at him, "If anyone should be jealous, it should be you." He turned back to Oren and Christine's duet, "It looks like your fiancée really IS attracted to him."
"Shut up, DeChagny!" Erik hissed.
"Weren't YOU supposed to fill in for Romeo?"
Erik scowled,"That is not important!"
Raoul laughed, "I knew it. You want to stake the guy, don't you?"
"A stake would be far too messy. It would be better to execute him…"
Raoul took a step back, "That's not funny!"
The masked man shrugged and glanced back at Oren as Christine finished her last note and headed offstage. "I found it funny,"
"You're still a creepy bastard," Raoul muttered.
"You're still a witless fop," Erik replied.
"And you're both going to be sleeping on the couch if you don't stop talking about Oren behind his back!"
The two men spun around to see Christine and Meg staring at them, arms crossed.
"Meg!" Raoul plastered a smile on his face, arms opened wide for a hug, hoping she wasn't serious about the couch. After a moment's hesitation, Meg allowed a small smile in return and welcomed his embrace.
"Christine…" Erik held a hand out to her. She promptly ignored it. "Oh come now, angel. You don't think I would really hurt the boy, do you?" She still remained silent. "Well, perhaps torment him a little, but that's all."
"At least you're honest," Christine replied, finally taking his hand. "I have to get back to rehearsals. Are you going to be lurking around somewhere?"
"Of course. I would be a poor excuse for a ghost if I didn't." Erik replied.
"Me and Meg are going to the Open Mic club afterwards. Want to join us?" Erik simply looked at her. She knew his answer. "Right. I'll be home late then."
Christine gave him a quick kiss on his cheek – or rather, his mask – then pulled Meg away from Raoul. The two girls waved good-bye and headed back to rehearsals.
An hour later
"May I sit here, Ms Christine?"
Christine turned to see Oren joining her in the orchestra seats. Neither of them were needed on stage at the moment. "Sure!"
He sat down and smiled at her, "May I say, you have a beautiful voice, Ms Christine.I have never heard its equal."
Christine blushed, "I have a good teacher."
"Oh? I would like to meet him one day."
Christine nodded. "I think you two would have a lot in common. You both love music, you both sing like angels." She leaned closer, "You know, the managers even asked him to play Romeo. But then you showed up to save our butts instead."
"You are constantly in contact with your teacher?" Oren asked.
Christine laughed, "I'm living with him." She held out her hand, showing Oren the engagement ring, "We got engaged a little while ago." She leaned back, "I should introduce the two of you. Do you play an instrument, too?"
"Ah, yes." He replied excitedly. "I am quite skilled on the-" he stopped. He could say lyre but realized such an instrument was rarely used in this day and age. "Guitar." He answered quickly.
Martine had introduced him to a guitar a few weeks after she had given him his new body. He had been so very desperate to play something, anything, that he did not mind the odd looking instrument. He had picked it up quickly and had been performing regularly with it when his manager, Lowell, had claimed to see him on the street.
"I wish I could play an instrument." Christine replied wistfully. She suddenly clapped her hands together, "OH! Meg and I are going to a club nearby that allows people to show off their talents. Comedians, musicians, you name it. We love going there to see who has the guts to strut their stuff. If you want, you can come with. Get yourself up on stage and show off your skills."
"Show off? Ah, you mean, present them to others?"
"Yeah," Christine replied, wondering why the man seemed to be so out of the loop at times.
"That should be enjoyable. But… who is Meg?"
"Meg Giry. She's in the Corps de Ballet. My best friend." She explained. "So, are you interested? It's a great way to get noticed."
"Is working here not a way to get noticed?"
"Yes yes, but this is a chance to do your OWN stuff. Your own music."
Oren nodded enthusiastically. "I would be very interested in that!"
"Excellent. We'll meet after rehearsal and head out. It'll be fun!"
"I look forward to it, Ms. Christine. Very much."
Above the stage
Erik was watching rehearsals from above the stage, making note of imperfections that he could bring up to the managers, who could then inform the director. Off to the side, he noticed Christine speaking to her Romeo, and seethed a little.
Surely there was no reason for him to be jealous. The only thing Oren had on him was his pretty face. Erik was sure his voice could make women swoon just as much as Oren's did. In fact, Erik's voice had made Christine swoon on more than one occasion. Not to mention CAM's songs seemed to be quite popular with young ladies.
"Oh look at that. The Diva is making friends…"
Erik spun around to see Loki standing a few feet away, watching Christine smiling at Oren. "YOU brought him here!"
"I did." Loki admitted, "But look, aren't they cute? The way she affectionately touches his hand, his arm. I wonder what else she'd like to touch."
Loki soon found Erik's hand around his throat, "She is not like that!" he hissed.
Loki's eyes went wide as he tried to breathe, "What did I do-" he coughed, "… to raise your ire?"
"Other than being a general nusiance?"
"She…" Loki coughed desperately, "She even asked him out… to… to… some club!"
Erik tossed Loki away, "She would not do that!"
Loki grasped his neck protectively, gasping for breath. "You're acting like a jealous boyfriend. One would think you are a little more involved in the Populaire than simply haunting it." He tilted his head to the left, "I asked you once before if you were sleeping with her. You never did answer me. I'm starting to think I was right."
Erik took a step towards Loki again, and the self-proclaimed god held up his hands, "Okay, I'll stop asking." He put a hand to his throat again, "Goodness, Mr. Ghost! You have quite the death grip. Perhaps you ARE Death. Who knows what you're hiding behind that mask."
"Pray you never find out!" Erik hissed, then quickly headed off.
Open Mic – after rehearsals
"I never knew you could play guitar," Meg said to Oren as herself, Christine, and the new tenor took their seats.
"I can play a few instruments, Ms Megan. I look forward to performing for the crowd," Oren replied as he glanced around the club. It seemed to be packed with a wide range of people. Young women, their boyfriends, and a few hopefuls who were quietly practicing their songs or comedy routines.
"Is Raoul coming?" Christine asked Meg.
She shook her head, "Phil needed him for some business. I won't even ask about Erik. I know he doesn't like going out,"
"Perhaps I will make an exception tonight," a voice spoke up behind Christine. She tilted her head back to see Erik behind her.
Christine smiled cheerfully, "Sit sit!" she pat the seat to her right. Erik quickly sat down. Christine gestured to the man on her left, "Oren, this is Erik. Erik, Oren." She turned to Erik, "He's like you when it comes to his music. You two should collaborate or something."
Oren leaned forward, studying the man at Christine's side, "It is good to meet you, sir. Are you Christine's teacher?"
"Teacher, and Fiancé," the masked man was quick to point out.
"Oh… yes…" Oren leaned back again. "She did mention that." He then furrowed his brow, "Is there a reason you hide your face, sir?"
Christine quickly grasped Erik's hand, noticing the change in his body language. She was quite sure he was about to jump down Oren's throat for even asking.
"The performances are starting," Meg said, aware of the sudden drop in temperature between the two men. It was worse than when Erik and Raoul were together.
In fact, Erik and Raoul had been tolerating each other quite well lately. It was almost surreal.
As the performances continued on, Oren finally got his chance on stage, making himself comfortable on the stool, guitar in hand. He addressed the crowd with a smile – which in turn caused the females in the crowd to smile - and began.
"Wow…" she breathed, "He really IS amazing."
Erik narrowed his eyes as he studied his fiancée. He did not like what he saw.
When Oren was done, he was treated to a loud round of applause. Several of the ladies were standing up and whistling, the men they had arrived with long forgotten.
Christine had joined in the applause and whistles.
Oren thanked the crowd and headed back to his seat. Erik jumped to his feet, pushing past Oren angrily before he took to the stage.
"What is he doing?" Christine asked Meg.
Meg stared at her blankly, as one would a slow child, "Isn't it obvious?"
"Yes, but…" Christine's breath caught as Erik began to play the piano, his voice joining shortly after. The voice was heartbreakingly beautiful, though she had always known it.
Both Oren and Erik sounded how Christine imagined angels would. There was a difference, however. Oren's voice was sweet and gentle, Erik's voice held a darkness and danger. Oren's voice made one think of untouched innocence. Erik's voice…
"Damn, Chrissy. I'm going to need a cigarette when he's done," Christine glared at Meg. "What?" her friend asked. "You think I'm the only one? Look around."
Christine took in the other females in the club, frowning when she saw the looks upon their faces.
Meg continued, "I mean, I've heard Erik sing before, but that was different. He's never sounded like… well… like sex."
"MEGGY!" Christine gasped, a blush on her cheeks. Truth be told, Erik had sung this way on many occasions. But those had been private concerts for her ears only.
"What are you worried about? You're the only one taking him home." Meg then shrugged, "Of course, you're the only one who has the hots for living corpses, too."
"I am sorry, Ms Christine. Ms Meg? What are you two referring to?" Oren asked.
Christine and Meg exchanged glances, then Meg quickly spoke. "Nothing to worry your pretty head about, Oren. Just… um… an in-joke between me and Chrissy…"
"Ah, I see." Oren nodded, but it was obvious he was still confused.
"CAM!" A voice suddenly cried out from the back, interrupting the awkward moment. Christine turned to see a woman standing up, eyes wide as she gestured desperately to the man on stage. "You're CAM!"
This was quickly followed by several gasps and cries of acknowledgement.
Christine put a hand to her head, "Oh, Erik…" she groaned.
The cat was out of the bag.
Erik stopped playing when he heard the cry from the back, realizing what he had just done.
Of all the foolish things…
He had not even thought about the song before he played. It was simply the first one that had come to mind. In his attempt to show Oren up, he had done what he had sworn never to do.
He had made CAM public.
Erik quickly bolted off the stage and grabbed Christine, all but dragging her out of the club as some of CAM's more enthusiastic fans attempted to converge on their idol.
"What have you done?" Christine shouted over the noise.
"Something very stupid," Erik replied as he pulled her into the alley, trying to disappear in the shadows. "Get on!" He gestured to his bike, neatly parked against the wall.
"What about Meg and Oren?" Christine protested as Erik jumped on and revved the engine.
"They can find their own way home. Hurry!"
Christine quickly hopped on behind him. "Why did you do that? Was it some guy thing? Did you want to prove something?"
She let out a startled yelp and grabbed onto Erik as he sped the bike out of the alley and away from the club. Christine glanced back only briefly to see the confused gathering of CAM fans pouring out the doors.
Daaé-Garner Residence – the next morning
Christine woke to the sound of her clock radio. She rolled over only to find the other side of the bed empty.
She closed her eyes, remembering what had happened the night before.
After the commotion at the club, Erik and Christine had finally made their way back home. She had tried to talk to him, ask him what he was thinking. He had brushed off her questions and hidden himself in the basement.
He had not come back up.
"… and a surprise for those at the Open Mic club on Crawford Avenue last night," came the DJ's voice from the radio. "They were treated to a special performance by CAM. It was the first-ever public appearance of the reclusive recording artist. The man, however, hid his face from the crowd with a black mask."
Christine shot up in bed and glared at the radio as the DJ droned on. She then heard sound clips from those who were at the club:
"... he was really tall, and… omigod… so hot! I mean, you couldn't see his face, but… he had this black t-shirt on and a long black coat … and really tight jeans! He was awesome!"
Christine could do nothing but bury her face in her hands, unsure whether she wanted to laugh or cry.
The DJ's voice continued, "He was seen in the company of two women and a man, leaving with one of the women when the crowd grew too rambunctious. While one of his remaining companions refused to speak, his other companion seemed eager to be interviewed."
"CAM? I do not know that name… but the man who sang was Erik. He is Christine's Daaé's fiancé." That was Oren's voice.
Christine's eyes went wide. Dammit, Oren! You have no idea what you just did!
Christine felt the bed depress behind her and knew Erik had joined her. "You promised me…" she said softly. "You promised me you wouldn't make a spectacle of CAM." She turned to looked at him. "Everyone is going to be looking for you now."
"I've been hiding all my life, Christine. This will be no different."
"Why did you do it?" She demanded.
Erik glanced away, "I saw the way you reacted to Oren's singing. It… did not sit well with me."
"Are you serious? It was jealousy?"
"Tell me, beloved," he hissed, "If I looked like Oren, would you wish me to hide?"
"Erik..." Christine slid her arms around his neck. "I'm not going to lie. Your looks DO have something to do with my worries here. What you did last night is going to make people curious. It'll open you up to scrutiny!"
She then pushed away and lay down. "You said you didn't like my reaction to Oren's singing, but those girls at the club… the way they were reacting when you sang…" she let the sentence trail. "When you sing like that, you usually do it for me alone. Even Meg reacted."
Erik slid his mask off, "Look at me." She did as he asked. "Women may lust for CAM's voice, but they would loathe the rest of him." He then lay down beside her and rested his head on her chest, an arm sliding around her waist. "I made quite a blunder last night, didn't I?"
Christine absently ran her fingers through his hair, "Maybe it'll blow over?" she asked. "I mean… it's not like they know where you live. Just promise me you won't give any more surprise concerts."
"I promise," he replied.
The two lay in silence until the phone interrupted. Christine reached over and grabbed it from the night table. "Hello?" She answered, then waited for a reply. She grew quiet, then finally responded. "I'm sorry, you have the wrong number." She quickly hung the phone up.
Erik raised his head and looked at her questioningly.
"It was KROC Radio. They wanted an interview with CAM. They must have found our number in the phone book."
Erik frowned, "Of course. The foolish boy had to tell them your name."
"It's not Oren's fault. He didn't know."
Erik pushed himself up, his voice growing angry. "Why are you defending him?"
"Erik, don't!" She grasped his arms, preventing him from moving away. "Please?"
Erik closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then lay back down and pressed his face against her neck. Forgive me, Christine. But I do not think I will ever be able to control my jealousy…
66 Laramie Dr.
You have something that belongs to me.
Oren shot up in bed, eyes wide. "Who's there?"
The little voice haunting your little brain…
Oren shook his head, trying to get rid of the voice that was invading his senses. "What do you want?"
There was silence, followed by a cold laugh that froze the blood in Oren's veins.
I want my body back, you moronic fool!
End of Episode 4