THIS is the last chapter, but NOT the end of the story. And this also the "beneath-a-moonless-sky" chapter that I promised . I hope it's to everyone's liking. I'll try to start the sequel today, but if not, it will be up soon. I promise! Enjoy. ^^

Chapter 11

Charles pushed Belle down on to the silken sheets of the swan bed. Belle undid the singular button of her sheer robe. Charles unbuttoned his shirt and threw it to the side. He climbed onto the bed with Belle. She let out a quiet moan as Charles ran his hands up her sides and groped her chest. He was on top of her now. He wrapped one arm around her waist and placed his other hand under her head. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down on her. They were so close, yet so far. Charles crashed his lips to hers as she did the same. Belle ran her fingers through his hair and sighed as he began to kiss her neck, each kiss resonating with pure passion.

"Charles?" He kept kissing her neck, moving downward. "Charles?" His hands never left their positions, but it felt like every kiss he placed on her breast were his hands. Belle removed her hands from his neck and reached for Charles' belt. She unbuckled it and dropped it on the floor. She unbuttoned his pants and pulled them down. Charles relaxed his body towards Belles'. Belle arched her back and ached to be one. Charles groaned with erotic pleasure. He took in her smell that tormented him. Belle smelled of roses, sheet music paper and ink. The scent drove his passion further. He ripped off the little material that covered her. Belle mirrored that action. Both lay naked and exposed in the candle light. Belle let out a loud groan as Charles entered her. He kept kissing her now exposed breasts. Belle grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips. She broke away briefly to blow out the candle that held the only light. At last they were one...

}{

Rachel took Matt to a very nice restaurant to celebrate. Matt felt a little out of place, but being with Rachel made him feel better. "So, Rachel, did you enjoy the performance?"

Rachel smiled at his attempt to start conversation.

"Yes I did, especially the last number 'Past the Point of No Return'. That song was so...well, it would be a sin to describe."

"Yes, a sin..." He smiled.

Rachel looked at him. "What's so funny?"

Matt laughed. "It would be a sin to tell you. But did you like the actress that played Amnita?" He raised his eyebrows.

Rachel covered her mouth and gasped. "No...it was Belle?"

"Yes...I left Charles pretty embarrassed when I told him that you told me about..."

Rachel giggled. "I would have loved to seen his face."

"Well, I think it was something like this." He made a shocked, offended look.

Rachel started to laugh loud, but stop herself when the people around them began to stare. "Come on, Matt, let's go somewhere more private."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, where to, my lovely Viscountess?" He got up and pulled out her chair. Taking her hand, he helped her up.

"I was thinking of going back to the Opera house..."

Matt frowned. "Whatever for?"

Rachel shrugged her shoulders as she paid for dinner. "Don't you want to see Charles' plans?" She smiled deviously.

Matt shook his head. "If you try to do that, I'd put money down that Belle would Punjab you," he whispered.

Rachel laughed. "A peek."

"You don't even know where they'd be."
"We could check the stage first..."

They both giggled as they walked towards the Opera house...

}{

Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre sat at their desks in the singular office they shared the next morning.

"Andre, do you know who that intoxicating beauty that replaced La Piangia was?"

"No, but I heard rumors."

Monsieur Firmin raised an eyebrow. "Rumors, you say."

"Yes! Some of the stagehands were talking and I heard them say it was the Opera Ghost!"

"The Opera Ghost? That woman was O.G. ?"

"Apparently."
"My, my. Well, we should ask her to perform more often, did you see the ticket sales for the next opera?"

Monsieur Andre tensed. "You mean ask her to sing again?" He picked up his handkerchief and dabbed his forehead. "I mean, she was an indescribable wonder, have you heard the other rumors. They say she looks like the Devil himself without a mask."

Monsieur Firmin scoffed. "Those are just rumors. Come on, Andre, think what it would do for business. We could make so much more profits and be able to afford this woman's salary. We could even make more money then we did in the junk business."

"Scrap metal, actually."

"Whatever! Think about it, Andre."

"Well, alright..."

}{

Belle woke up and yawned. She moved to get out of the bed, but bumped into a body. Alarmed she pushed it off her bed.

"Ow!"

Belle gasped. "Charles?" She peeked over the edge of the bed and laughed. "Sorry, are you alright?"

Charles got up. "I'm fine," he said through a yawn. He scratched his head but stopped when he remembered that he was naked. He blushed and grabbed his pants.

Belle giggled. She got off the bed and walked over to him, fluffing her hair with her fingers as she did. His blushed deepened as she showed no shame in being exposed. "What? You didn't seem this nervous last night..." She kissed him.

"W-well, that was a little diff-" She kissed him again. He broke away, gently."You should dress."

Belle pouted. "You don't..." She pointed to the bed.

"It's not that I wouldn't...I shouldn't...You know they...I have to go back." He dropped his gaze.

She continued to pout. "Yes, you are right." She walked over to her closet and began throwing dresses everywhere. Almost everything was black.

Charles spied a sapphire blue dress. He picked it up and looked at it. "Look, something not black. That's a surprise."

Belle stopped and looked. "Oh, I made that one day I was bored. Speaking of making, thanks a lot..."

"What?" He gave her a puzzled look.

She turned around a playfully glared at him. "I have to make another outfit because someone ripped it last night!"

Charles turned away and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry about that."

Belle smiled. "It's alright." She walked over and took the blue dress from his hand. "Would you like me to wear this?"

He smiled. "Yes, would you?"

"For you, yes. Go put your clothes back on while I dress." She picked up his clothes and threw them out onto the landing that led to the organ. "Don't touch my organ!" she called out as she went back into the alcove.

"Wouldn't dream of it." He dressed then sat down on a blanket covered chair. When Belle walked out of the alcove, Charles gasped.

Belle wore her hair up in a sloppy bun, letting strands fall in her face. The dress was extraordinary. It swept low in the front, exposing the top of her cleavage. It fit snug around her waist and around her chest. The skirt fell just above the knee over black tights. It was sleeveless and Belle had put on a matching blue sheer, long-sleeved pullover.

"Amazing..." Charles was nearly breathless.

"You like it?" Belle twirled around. She elegantly walked to where Charles was sitting. Then she jumped onto his lap. She snuggled into his neck. "I'm glad."

Charles put his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. "I have to go now." He got up, still holding her.

She looked up at him. "Must you go, really?" Her eyes started to tear up.

"I promise I'll come back." He hugged her and started to walk away.

"You better! If you don't, I' will track you down and use my Punjab to drag you back here." Belle smiled as Charles turned around looking alarmed. "Do not think I won't." She gestured him to go and wandered over to her organ. She sat down and started to compose again. As she was playing she didn't even think about her mask that still lay on the floor where Charles had thrown it...

}{

Charles made it out of the catacombs and walked to the stage. It was still early in the morning. As he was wandering across the stage, something in the auditorium seats caught his eye. He jumped down off the stage and as he got closer stifled a giggle.

Rachel and Matt were sitting next to each other, asleep. Rachel had her head on Matts' shoulder. Both were peacefully unaware of him standing there.

"Well, these two had a long night,"Charles whispered as he walked away, leaving the two sleeping figures alone once more...

The End! Not really. R&R! Send me ideas you have for the sequel. Children, should Belle take the singing job the managers are going to offer her. NO DROPPING THE CHANDELIER! That's the only exception.