She finally managed to calm her heart from the needle-like stabs that washed over her body. Rachel smiled to herself, this would definitely be something the Phantom had never experienced. Someone actually longed to see him, foolish as it may be. Perhaps it was common for her gender to sway towards the mystery in the darkness, the sigh in the shadows. The water sloshed angrily around her waist, she had disturbed its pleasant slumber.

Suddenly, there was a terrifying noise coming from just beyond the bend. It sounded like an animal dying mixed between the excruciating howls of a man in pain. A ripple danced over the waters surface and Rachel froze.

Silence.

Instinctively, she raised her hand to the level of her eyes before progressing. She peeked around the corner curiously, and there he was—hunched over the organ in exasperation. The water lapped at her waist once again, and, as if he heard, the Phantom straightened his posture and brought his hands to his side. Slowly he turned to look at her.

Rachel's face burned, embarrassed at how she still had her hand raised. She uncurled her fingers casually and did an awkward wave.

"H—Hello." She said while approaching. Her blood was on fire. She didn't know if she was terrified or entranced. All that she knew was that her legs were moving her forward even though she wanted to stay put.

"What are you doing here?" His voice echoed throughout the flooded catacombs.

The Opera Ghost stood abruptly and stalked towards her. Rachel stood still yet again, but her mind was screaming, Run! For all that is sacred, run!

He stopped a mere foot away from her as she flinched and yet again brought her hand to her eyes. Reading his pained face was all too easy, even with a mask covering half of his reaction. She slowly let her hand drop and remained staring at him. The Phantom wasn't moving, neither of them were.

"Why are you here? You shouldn't have come."

She rolled her eyes as she brushed past him. "So you can come to me, but I can't go to you? That's not fair." Rachel waved her hand over one of the candle's flame. "Besides, you look awfully lonely."

"If you know what is good for you, go back."

Rachel smirked as she turned her face away from him and approached the organ. "What a cliché." The air was thick with tension as she wandered deeper into his domain. "Have I gone too far and severed our delicate friendship, Phantom?"

"Friendship…" He murmured. "What friendship?"

"I'm offended." She turned sharply and gasped despite herself at how close he was. Rachel felt like her throat was closing; somehow, his cold was enveloping her in an icy haze. "I'm the only one you'll talk to and you don't think we're friends?" She managed to say evenly. "I really am offended."

The Phantom took a step back to bow elegantly. "I apologize," He tipped his head to look at her, "Perhaps I have underestimated you."

"I should say so." She turned away from him once again as he straightened his posture. "I thought you were smarter than to do that. I have, after all, done everything I could to speak with you." Shivers coursed through her body reminding her about her soaking clothes. "Walking through aged water," She spun around and gestured to her pants for emphasis, "Is no fun."

The Phantom's eyes darted beyond her head and she refused the temptation to turn around and see what he was focused on. He brushed past her and lowered a crimson veil to block a room from her sight. She leaned against the stone wall lazily and watched his movements as he returned to stand next to her. Obviously, he had not been forced into such an awkward situation that he had no control over for a span of time. He opened his mouth but closed it unsurely.

Rachel shrugged herself away from the wall and placed her hand on his shoulder. His muscles twinged causing his body to stiffen. "To tell you the truth, I've always been curious about something…"

"Yes?" His voice no longer eased from his mouth; rather, it was ragged and strained.

"What's your name?"

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Ok I know this is short and it took me forever to put up, but I plan on updating more frequently and hopefully the chapters will be longer.

Sorry for the wait, and thanks for your reviews. I honestly didn't think anyone would be interested in this, so thank you.