EstherTheBandersnatch: Thank you so much, I'm glad you liked it!

IrogicalArgument: Thank you for the encouragement. I probably still have a lot to learn, but I'm happy someone does like what I'm writing now.

CD Two, Track One: All I ask of you

RAOUL

No more talk of darkness,

Forget these wide-eyed fears.

I'm here, nothing can harm you

My words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom,

Let daylight dry your tears.

I'm here, with you, beside you,

To guard you and to guide you.

"Leon, but what if I fail?"

"You're not going to fail, honey." Leon kissed his lover soothingly. D's mismatched eyes were wide and excited, and he clung to his boyfriend as if he was an anchor. The blonde kissed him another time. "You won't fail, and you'll do great, I know you will. Now don't be so anxious, baby."

The Chinese relaxed slightly and sighed. "But do you really think I'm up to the Phantom?"

Now the blonde chuckled. "You're up to every role on Broadway, honey, and if it's not the Phantom, then you'll do Christine," he said simply and D shoved him playfully.

"You know I need a male role, Leon," he chided, but instantly kissed his lover again.

Someone behind them cleared his throat and they jumped apart, looking quite guilty. Mr. Jones hid his smile behind his hand. "Leon, do you want to hold hands with the Count while he's doing the rehearsal?" he asked teasingly and the blonde blushed.

"No, course not. He's fully able to do it on his own," he replied. Mr. Jones winked.

"Well, then let's see if he's up to the Phantom," he said and guided D to the stage. Leon stayed back and decided to slip into the auditorium.

CHRISTINE

Say you love me every waking moment,

Turn my head with talk of summertime

Say you need me with you, now and always

Promise me that all you say is true –

That's all I ask of you.

D sent a last glance at his lover and then stepped onto the stage, taking a deep breath. His lover was right. He was good, he knew it, and he could do the Phantom. Leon had gone through all of the songs so many times with him that if he'd wake D in the middle of the night and say "Angel of Music, tact seventeen" the Chinese could sing it at once.

No, there was no reason to be afraid. After all, Leon was even here with him, replacing his father who'd loosened his hold on his son now that he'd found a boyfriend. He was still suspicious, though, and not quite convinced that Leon was the right one for his son. But he didn't object anymore.

D smiled at the conductor. "Which song, Count?" he asked.

"Music of the Night," the Chinese answered and saw the door to the auditorium open. Leon slipped inside and sat down behind the theatre leader. They turned and welcomed him with knowing smirks. "But don't think he's going to get the role because Charlene is staring at you so hard she can't listen to him anymore," one of the men joked and the woman beside him protested.

"Jonathan, you beast! You know very well I'm not in love with Leon anymore!"

"Should I rather leave again?" the blonde offered. D couldn't figure out the emotion in his voice, and he made a silent note to ask him later, but forgot again when the conductor cleared his throat again impatiently. "I don't know about you, but I don't have all day," he called and everybody fell silent guiltily. The man snorted satisfied. "Yeah, that's what I thought. And anyway, it's not nice to leave the boy standing up there while you lot gossip."

Leon caught D's eye and smiled at him encouragingly. The Chinese smiled back and let himself be carried away by the music.

RAOUL

Let me be your shelter,

Let me be your light.

You're safe, no one will find you

Your fears are far behind you.

CHRISTINE

All I want is freedom,

A world with no more night

And you always beside me

To hold me and to hide me.

Leon leaned back in his seat and listened once more to D's voice. Jonathan's remark had been a tease for Charlene, but it had made unpleasant memories surface again. The American couldn't concentrate on either the song or D's performance. For a split second he even rued having come here with D. But his mismatched eyes had been so pleading, he just didn't have the heart to say no. He should have anticipated such comments. He knew Broadway. They weren't even meant to be mean. Still, this was hard business. You had to know the right guys…

The blonde shook himself angrily. D didn't need any of that. One just had to listen to him, up there on the stage. He was beautiful, and his voice was extraordinary. And he already had a reputation. Else he'd never dared to come to the Broadway.

The Chinese had finished his song and was looking into the auditorium again. The judges were taking notes. D's eyes sought Leon's, and he smiled, becoming D again in the process. Nothing of the phantom was left anymore, this was just D. Protectiveness welled up in Leon's heart and he smiled back. D was not of this earth. He was so naïve, so trusting that the American felt like he had to be at his side every moment just to protect him from the nasty world.

And if D wanted that too, Leon saw absolutely no reason why he shouldn't do so.

RAOUL

Then say you'll share with me

One love, one lifetime

Let me lead you from your solitude

Say you need me with you here, beside you

Anywhere you go, let me go too –

Christine, that's all I ask of you.

CHRISTINE

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Say the word and I will follow you

BOTH

Share each day with me,

Each night, each morning.

He caught up with him when the Chinese descended from the stage and immediately took his hand. "You were great," he said.

"If you say so," D allowed and reached up for a kiss. Leon gladly gave it to him.

"Come on, now, baby, Jill's probably waiting at the studio already," he said and glanced at the clock. "You know, I'll be only too happy when we're finally done with the recordings."

D laughed lightly and followed him. "We're already nearly done, Leon. There are only five songs left."

"Thank goodness. It's really getting stressful," the blonde drawled. D laughed again and squeezed his hand.

"Thank you, Leon," he said softly. Leon turned back to look down at him. "For what?" he asked and the Chinese smiled.

"That you were here today," he said simply.

The American swallowed hard and placed a possessive arm around the younger one's waist. "Well, have to get straight that you're not for sale right away," he stated firmly. "Broadway's worse than reel dancing. Can't risk anyone stealing my guy, now, can I?"

CHRISTINE

Say you love me

RAOUL

You know I do

BOTH

Love me – that's all I ask of you

Anywhere you go let me go too

Love me – that's all I ask of you.

I'm sorry it took me so long to post a new chapter, lots of stuff have been going on and well, I just didn't have the time. Please tell me what you think!