A/N: Nope, still down't own it.
Calliope was stunned. Of all the scenarios that had run through her mind when she had seen the masked man approach the bed where Christine slept, this had not entered into the equation. She never imagined he would ask her name.
"It's Calliope." she whispered before she could stop herself, a light blush coloring her cheeks. The phantom smiled warmly, his eyes glimmering in the firelight.
"A muse has hidden herself away in my opera house." he said, bowing low before her. She chuckled slightly.
"I am far from a muse, and I am not hidden away." she said, a slight smirk on her lips.
"I do wonder why you only sing for Christine. Your voice should be exalted." he added, and she gave a small gasp, her cheeks flushing crimson. She lowered her eyes to stare at the floor.
"I-I have no formal training. My voice is not that good." she stammered. A pair of black shoes appeared in her vision, and gentle fingers grasped her chin, drawing her to meet his eyes.
"Why do you disparage yourself? Your voice is lovely." he said. A sudden noise from the bed distracted them, as Christine shifted and whimpered in her sleep. Calliope stood and moved to her friend's side, quietly singing the lullaby from her childhood. She looked up and saw only the empty room before her. Sighing, Calliope made sure her friend was deep in slumber before returning to her own bed, her skin tingling from the mysterious ghosts touch, and trying to ignore the growing sense of dread she felt about the current opera.
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Opening night for Il Muto arrived, and Calliope stood in the wings, trying vainly to fix the skirts on Carlotta's horrendous gown before the curtain rose. With an annoyed glare, the Prima Donna kicked at the costume mistress' hands.
"Leave me be girl. You can't even get this damned gown to stay in place. Just stay out of my way." she hissed, and Calliope glared at the diva.
"One would think you would have learned some measure of patience in all your years, Signora." Calliope snapped, standing to face Carlotta. Fury colored her face under the powder she wore, and she turned and stalked off onstage. Calliope glance up at Box 5 and saw Raoul watching the show. The sense of dread that had been growing all month made her stomach clench. Sure enough, the phantom's voice boomed throughout the theater. Christine cried out in fear, and Carlotta glared at the girl.
"Your part is silent, little toad!" the diva sniped. Anger rose in Calliope, and she desired nothing more than to storm onstage and slap the woman, when the phantom's voice answered the comment.
"A toad, Madame? Perhaps it is you who is the toad." he said, and Calliope watched with some amusement, as Carlotta's voice was reduced to a croak. Sensing chaos begin to erupt around her, Calliope climbed a nearby ladder to stand on one of the catwalks, out of the way of the stagehands. She sensed movement behind her, and a gag was tied around her mouth before she could react. A strong rope was tied around her wrists, and she was turned to face the pig, Joseph Bouquet.
"I told you I would get you someday, StClair." he whispered in her ear, his hands running over her body. Pure terror flooded through her, and she struggled against the ropes that held her. As she tried to breath, she realized that the rag in her mouth was soaked in ether, and the rope around her wrists was tied to a hook on the wall. She pulled at the ropes, the biting pain in her wrists helping keep her conscious. Bouquet began to lift her skirts, and Calliope caught a glimpse of what she thought was a white mask in the shadows behind him. As her vision began to cloud over, she saw the shadows move, and a rope flew over the stagehand's head, yanking him away from her by the neck. She heard a scuffle over the music from below, and was dimly aware of screams erupting from the audience. Just before she lost consciousness, she felt strong arms sweep her up from where she kneeled, and the sense of falling, her body cradled against a warm, strong form.
Erik was still fuming as he swept through the tunnels leading to his lair. He had watched Calliope try to fix the hideous gown that Carlotta wore before the curtain rose, and heard the snide remarks the diva had for her, and had felt a brief surge of anger at the diva. He had grinned widely when his sharp ears heard her biting reply, and the smile had remained as he projected his voice over the theater. After Carlotta had fled the stage, he had not noticed Calliope climb up to the catwalk, and had been moving to a better vantage point to watch his angel when she took over Carlotta's role when he had seen Joseph Bouquet near the wall on the catwalk, and Calliope's terrified face over his shoulder. He had taken note of the clouded look in her eyes as she struggled, and rage flooded through him. Snatching up his Punjab lasso, he slipped it over the pig's throat and yanked him away from the poor woman. The man had fought, but he was drunk, and Erik had easily sent him over the rail of the catwalk, his body dangling at the end of the rope. Turning, he released Calliope's hands and pulled the wet gag from her mouth, concern and fear flashing through him when her head lolled forward. He scooped her up into his arms, and pulled a hidden lever, dropping them through a trapdoor into the tunnels. Once he landed, he moved her head back and pressed his ear close to her chest, breathing a sigh of relief when he heard her breathing. Now, he was intent on getting her somewhere safe. In short order, he reached his lair, and laid the unconscious woman in his bed. Looking her over, he felt the anger again as he saw the raw marks on her wrists from the rope that had restrained her. If he could, he would kill the pig Bouquet twice! Turning, Erik moved out of his room and sat before his organ, his fingers running over the keys easily, a gentle song lifting from the pipes to sooth Calliope as she rested. As he played, Erik thought about the confusing emotions the evening had provided. He had been angry when he found the foolish Vicompt in his box, but it paled in comparison to the rage he had felt upon seeing the stagehand pinning Calliope to a wall, his hands reaching to lift her skirts. Erik had always disliked the stagehand for his uncouth manner around the females of the opera house, but he had not felt such rage as when he attacked the pig since he had killed the gypsy that had held him prisoner as a child. Thinking back, he remembered the little thrill that had gone up his spine when he had grasped her chin and made her look at him. There was something about those eyes that had captured him, but he had pushed the feeling aside, harshly reminding himself of his angel.
But were you thinking of Christine when you swept Calliope into your arms? a small part of him whispered. No, all you could think of was how dim the opera house would be with out your muse. Erik closed his eyes, forcing his thoughts away and letting the music seep over him.
Slowly, Calliope became aware of a gentle melody drifting around her. Slowly, she opened her eyes and took note that she lay on a bed carved to resemble a phoenix in flight, covered in velvet sheets. Carefully, she sat up, swinging her feet off the side of the bed. She clutched her head as her vision swam for a moment, and let out a breath as the memory of Bouquet's hands on her filled her mind. Slowly, the rest of her memory returned, and she stood to walk carefully out of the room she was in. She approached the doorway and bit back a gasp at the sight before her. She stood in a cavern, a lake swirling with mist ten steps away. She turned slowly and saw a beautiful organ, lit from behind, and surrounded by candles. Hunched over the keys of the organ was a familiar figure in a white shirt and black pants. Silently, Calliope moved forward on slippered feet to stand near the organ, letting the music wash over her. She closed her eyes, relishing the magical feeling of the music. When the song ended, her eyes slid open and she saw the phantom gazing at her, several emotions warring in his eyes.
"That was beautiful." she whispered. Slowly, he stood and took her hand gently, pulling her wrist up to examine the marks the rope had left.
"Are you in any pain?" he whispered, his velvety voice sliding over her like a dream. She shook her head.
"I am alright. You saved me from that beast. I think Christine was right. You are an angel." she whispered, her eyes heavy lidded, a lingering effect of the ether. He scoffed and released her hand.
"I am no angel. Not with this face. Even Christine does not believe me to be her angel anymore." he said. Calliope moved forward, laying her hand on his arm.
"The god Hephaestus was terribly maimed, yet he held the heart of Aphrodite, and was the kindest of the Pantheon. If she cannot see past whatever is behind this mask, she is a fool." she replied, running her fingers lightly over the smooth white porcelain. His eyes slid closed his muscles tensing as if he were bracing himself for something. Carefully, Calliope pulled her hands behind her back and took a small step backwards, feeling suddenly cold away from his presence. His eyes opened, surprise and relief flashing through them as he composed himself.
"I should return you to your rooms. They will soon realize you are missing." he said. She nodded, taking the hand he offered as he led her through the tunnels to the opera house. She did not pay attention to her surroundings, instead glancing discreetly at her savior's face as they walked. When they reached her rooms, Calliope turned and pressed a soft kiss to his left cheek, lingering a second longer than she should have.
"Thank you, Monsieur. For everything." she whispered against his skin. As she pulled away, she saw the stunned look on his face.
"Bonne Nuit, my dear muse." he whispered, and slipped away, the secret door closing behind him. No sooner had he left her than the main door to her room opened, revealing a very concerned Christine.
"Roux! Thank God your safe! Raoul and I have been looking everywhere for you! Where have you been?"
A/N: All together now; AWWWW! I promise that the next couple of chapters will have a tad more insight into Calliope's past, and I am only one or two chapters from the Masquerade party! Now, the green button is calling to you, can you hear?