All these reviews/views that I have been getting have made me so dang happy! I am sorry if it has been taking me a little bit longer than normal—I have to practice the piano and clarinet for my school's region tryouts and wow is the music hard! Plus I am begging my parents to get me a violin for pure Phantom of the Opera intentions. I loved the way they played the tune of Angel of Music in the cemetery scene so much that I just wanted one so badly!

Anyway, thank you for reading the start this far and please keeping reading and reviewing my work! I love each one of my fans!

Your obedient servant,

PhantomsAngel1870

Chapter 8: A Rooftop Rendezvous

Andre and Firmin gasped as they saw the dead body of Joseph Buquet hit the stage floor, they didn't believe that the Phantom would have actually continued out with his threats due to their disobedience. They both looked at each other in shock and nodded before addressing the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats. Do not panic! It was an accident…simply an accident!"

Raoul was up on his feet and pointed to the body and said, "See Father! The Phantom of the Opera takes another life, Christine needs help now!" Raoul ran down to the stage while pushing past many actors and stage crew members trying to pull him away from the crime scene.

"Get off of me! Do you not know who I am?!" Raoul yelled back and shoved them off of him before running towards the stage once more. Finally Raoul was able to the reach the backstage area and he looked around for anyone. It was completely deserted and his Christine was gone.

As he looked out in the audience to see if she was perhaps within the attenders but was not able to see her at all. He placed his hands behind his back and paced for a while growing more and more frustrated by the second. Where can she be? She needs to get out of here before the Phantom manages to capture and kill her too! He will take her against her will and defile her body with his…oh dear god I have to find her. Nobody as beautiful as her needs to be with some freak who poses as a ghost. No, a beauty as her should be with someone as gorgeous as me and by god I will make sure it is exactly like that.

Raoul continued to think about where he could find Christine, where she could have possibly run off to. Where would a girl such as herself run off to it she was scared? Raoul thought for a while before he finally decided upon the location in which he could find Christine and take her away like the knight in shining armor he was. Her dressing room! That's where I will find her at! I will go to the dressing room and make sure she leaves with me! Then I will call the police and have them search the opera house for this so called "Phantom of the Opera" and have him arrested at the very least.

Raoul grabbed a hold of one of the stage crew members and asked him to the point the way to Miss Christine Daae's dressing room. The man, Auguste, looked at the strange man for a second before shaking his head and giving the most simple instructions he could think of to lead the man to the isolated dressing room.

"Well sir, first you will need to go to the very end of this hallway, take a left, go up the flight of stairs, when you reach the picture of the early stages of the Opera Populaire you will take a right, go down the hallway and at the very end you will find a single door. That door opens up to Miss Daae's dressing room, but are you sure that it is a good idea for you to go in there? I mean you are not her fiancée and not her husband or brother—" Auguste continued rambling on about the repercussions to having a man alone in a dressing room with the leading lady. Auguste didn't like the way that the man looked about frantically but he gave the instructions anyway. As a cast member he knew not to disappoint a noble, let alone a patron, because he knew that in doing so his job would be in serious jeopardy.

"You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do in this opera house! My family and I are very generous in giving you enough money to pay each of the workers good enough for you to easily put bread on the table for you and your family. Now leave," Raoul spat as he threw a few francs at the man for giving him the information he sought despite the extra opinions he threw in there at the end.

Raoul began running as fast as he could to reach Christine's bedroom before the Phantom did and got much quieter as he got closer. By the time he reached the hallway that held her dressing room he stopped moving. Raoul listened closer and was able to pick up small and quick footsteps and placed his hand on his knife he always kept against his hip in his pants. Finally when this mysterious person came into view he saw that it was Christine and they locked eyes for a second before she ran off again. It seemed like an eternity before Raoul was able to move his feet again.

Christine and Erik had just reached her dressing room when Christine saw Raoul. She looked at the man that she had not seen in over twelve years and there he was outside of her dressing room staring at her with a feral look in his eyes and holding a long knife in his hand. Christine suddenly became very nervous and stopped Erik from walking towards her dressing room by placing her hand against his chest. She turned around and grabbed his hand before running to the only safe place she could think of.

"Erik, please, I know where we can go," Christine said as they hid in the shadows, running to the one place she knew that they wouldn't be found—the rooftop. As they were running Erik became increasingly confused and spoke to Christine,

"Why have you brought us here?" He asked her as they continued their pursuit away from an unknown danger to him.

"Don't take me back there!" Christine replied as they anxiously kept running away. She knew that Erik had no idea as to what she saw, but the way that Raoul looked at her made her afraid for both of their lives. The way his eyes pierced her soul and she saw the intention to kill in the depths of his green eyes of his.

"We must return!" Erik pleaded with Christine but never stopped their running, he needed to get her to his home! It was the only completely safe place in this entire opera, Erik just couldn't see why Christine would want to go to the rooftops. What made her stop from wanting to go to his home?

Christine shook her head furiously and tried to make Erik understand what she had seen. She knew that they could not go back there if they wanted to stay safe, Raoul could and would hurt them both out of a jealous rage. She had grown up with him for three years and she had seen the way he became when someone tried to take something from him that he wanted. He never let anyone get away with stealing something that he thought should be his.

"He'll kill me! His eyes will find me there!" Christine shuddered.

"Christine, don't say that…" Erik begged to Christine as they ran up a flight of stairs.

"Those eyes that burn!" Christine's frightened voice moaned as she remembered the way that Raoul's eyes gleamed with a desire that burned and killed.

"Don't even think it Christine!" Erik asked of Christine. He hated that she was so frightened and he was not able to protect, for he didn't even know what the danger was.

"And if he has to kill a thousand men—" Christine continued on in her frightened state, she needed to let Erik know the extent of the danger that they were in.

"Forget this waking nightmare…" Erik cut Christine off, he was becoming frightened by the way she was beginning to talk of this mysterious man that would go to that extent in order to capture Christine. Erik knew then and there that he would do everything in his power to make sure that Christine would not be harmed by this threat to their relationship.

"Raoul will kill and kill again!" Christine sang on in terror, she knew that he would never stop looking for her and that it would never end until he took her or one of them was dead.

"This boy will not touch you, believe me! This boy is no threat at all!" Erik promised Christine as the ran down several hallways. He needed her to know that he will protect her from everything, including this boy that was trying to take her away from him.

"My God, who is this man I once knew who hunts to kill?" Christine could not understand what came over Raoul! After so many years of knowing him as a kind and sweet boy he has grown up to have succumbed to the same darkness that overcame Erik at one point in his life. But one look in Raoul's eyes made Christine know for sure that there was no light and humanity left in her childhood friend. None at all.

"Who is this man, this man who brings death?" Erik wanted to know exactly who this man was. It wasn't safe for either of them anymore, this Erik was sure of. He needed to know everyone from Christine so that he would be able to draw up a plan for them should the time ever come.

"I can't escape from him I never will!" Christine cried, he would never stop searching until she finally succumbed to him and gave herself to him fully. Is there a God out there to help me to free me from this curse? Christine thought as a few tears fell from her eyes.

"Who is this man you see, everywhere he can be," Erik searched everywhere as they continued their sprint to the sanctuary to the roof. Was it just him or did it seem to take longer to get to the roof this way rather than through one of his secret passageways? It's been too long away from the light of day for him to know any difference anymore. Soon, they were both singing to their fears,

"And in this labyrinth,

Anywhere we may be

This Raoul is always here:

Everywhere we can see"

"This Raoul is not threat to us…" Erik once again pleaded to Christine. He held her hands as he watched her eyes widen as she recalled the events that led them to run up to the roof. He knew that she wanted to tell him something, so he patiently waited for her to find her voice.

"Erik, I just saw him

His eyes showing me a world of unending night

They led me to a world where all hope and love dissolves into darkness…

Darkness…

Erik I've seen him!

Can I ever forget that sight!

Can I ever escape from that man?

So distorted and crazed, he was hardly a man

In that darkness…

Darkness…

But I remember the times when we were young

He always was a strange, sweet friend

In those days there was no cares in my mind

And through those days my soul began to soar

And I lived without a care in the world…"

Erik listened to how Christine was truly frightened of this man named Raoul and how he was able to kill what got in the way of what he most wanted, which in this case, was Christine. Erik's Christine. Anger flared through Erik's body fster than it ever had before, he vowed to himself that Raoul would never lay a finger on Christine or he swore to God that he would kill Raoul instantly.

But suddenly Erik heard Christine's voice change from scared to reminiscent and Erik listened intently. He soon learned how close his Christine was to this Raoul, how many day they spent together and Erik's worst fear was beginning to become real. This Raoul was so infatuated with Christine that the boy believes that it is actually love. Erik was finally beginning to understand and he didn't like the way things were going. So instead, Erik cupped Christine's cheek and rubbed it with his thumb while he whispered to her,

"What you remember was the past and nothing more…" Erik held her tightly as to comfort them both and soon heard her whispering once more.

"Yet in his eyes there was also the sadness of the world…

Those pleading eyes,

That both threatened and adored…"

Erik whispered her name to grab her attention, "Christine, Christine…" He needed to tell her something important when he heard another male's voice call out to Christine and instead of telling Christine what he wanted to say he had to tell her quickly, "I will hide behind the Apollo statue while this intruder is up here. Do not be alarmed, if you are in need of my assistance just call to me in the usual way." Christine nodded sadly and watched her love hide in the darkness while she waited for the other man to find her.

Christine stood very still and silently as she heard footsteps walk up to her from behind and quickly turned around to face the person that was trying to catch her off guard. When she recognized the familiar light brown mop of hair and the nicer clothes that clearly gave away the status of her older childhood friend, Christine smiled sadly.

"Oh thank God I found you again Christine! I cannot believe that I finally found you out her after I saw you run away after the disaster that the Phantom caused tonight!" Raoul exclaimed as he grabbed Christine into a bear hug. Christine groaned as he crushed her against his chest.

Christine gently removed herself from Raoul's embrace and looked at him with horror and shock, how could he just assume that her angel had done just a terrible act of sin? He had no right to do so without justifiable evidence.

"How can you just go and assume that the Phantom did such a thing Raoul? That is wrong and you know it! Maybe it was just an accident," Christine defended Erik without making it too obvious of her close relationship to the Phantom. They both knew that if the world found out prematurely about their relationship then things could go from bad to worse in an instant.

Raoul looked at his long lost, but found, old childhood friend and was appalled at the way that she could defend such a monster's work as just a mere accident. No, there was absolutely too much evidence proving this mysterious man as being guilty.

"Christine, your friend Meg told me all about how the Phantom is and that he uses his magical lasso to kill those that get in his way. The stage crew member must have obviously been in his way and the Phantom killed him. Did you not see the rope that was tangled around his neck?" Raoul shook Christine's shoulders trying to get her to see the reason behind the situation at hand. Why couldn't Christine see how much danger she was in at this haunted Opera Populaire? Raoul began to feel an overwhelming sense to protect Christine and take her away for them to get married.

Christine laughed at her friend's accusation, "Yes Raoul a tangle of rope! Honestly, I am sure Meg—wait, Meg, Meg Giry, told you about the Phantom? My friend, and sister, Meg Giry told you about the Phantom of the Opera?" Christine nearly yelled at Raoul's face. Raoul nodded silently and told her all about the conversation he had with Meg Giry in his private box the other day.

"Christine, all I want to do is to protect you from this evil man. You don't know what you're up against. This man posing as the Phantom is insane! I need to get you away from here so that you are away from the dangers he inflicts upon the opera house. In fact I can get you to sing at any other opera house you want! Just say the word and I'll—" Raoul grabbed Christine's arm while explaining to her all the opportunities she could have if she would only allow Raoul to take them away from this place.

Christine had enough of how Raoul was treating her and pulled her arm out of his grasp. She would not stand to have a pompous little, god forgive her, bastard tell her what she is to do with her life. She managed on her own since her father's death twelve years ago and she was one hundred percent sure she was able to make these choices on her own.

"Excuse me monsieur, but I do believe that you have no right to grab me in such an improper way. You are not my fiancé, husband, or my dead father," Christine spat at him. "As you should know the Phantom has done nothing but help me in my continuing success at the opera house, so why should I have to fear him? You on the other hand have done nothing but harass me and try to assume that you yourself are in a position where you have the authority to tell me what to do. You may be a Vicomte and patron to the Opera Populaire but you will never be half the man my father was. Now would you please leave me alone? Don't you have a fiancée to attend to?"

Raoul was speechless to the long speech that Christine gave him. He always had known his Christine to be a kind and gentle woman but never had he seen this side of her, it kind of frightened him how cruel and mean that the girl he loved was throwing all these insults at him. All he wanted was to see her as his bride and his alone. No one else deserved her.

"Christine I don't have a fiancée, I only said such a thing because I didn't recognize you at the time and I didn't want another desperate diva trying to seek my attention again." As soon as Raoul finished his explanation he felt a sudden burn against his cheek. He realized that Christine must have slapped him.

"Raoul DeChagney! I cannot believe you called me a desperate diva and you lied to me! Friends would never lie to another. Dear God just leave me be!" She cried as she pointed to the door that led back down to the opera house. Christine had enough of Raoul and she never wanted to see him again.

"I understand what I said was heartless and mean Christine. I will give you as much time as you need Little Lotte, but I will never give up on you. I will wait for as long as I need, but you will be mine in the end. For now Christine I bid thee goodnight," Raoul declared as he left Christine where she stood and Christine collapsed on the floor.

Raoul thought over the first conversation that he had with Christine in over twelve years, yes some things he said were a bit harsh but then again he needed her to understand how dangerous the situation she was in right now. He rubbed his cheek from her slap and laughed at himself and shook his hand as he realized that it was the first slap a woman had ever given him—they were all too afraid that he would do something terrible to them should they even try. But Christine had this fiery spirit about herself that only attracted Raoul even more to here. He would not give up on her no matter how much or how long it took he told himself as he walked back to his carriage to take him home.

Erik had listened to the two people argue for what seemed like hours and how he loved his Christine for sticking up for herself like she did with this Raoul DeChagney boy. Erik made a mental note to review over the boys files that were kept in the managers office so that he could learn as much as possible about this new rival of his. Anyone who dared to take Christine away from him was an enemy and Erik had to keep a closer eye on Christine from now on.

When Erik heard Christine slapping the boys cheek it took all the power in Erik's body and mind to keep himself from laughing out loud. His Christine had such a fiery spirit and Erik loved her all the more for it because it made her that much more interesting of a person. When he felt the coast was clear he revealed himself again to Christine and saw her huddled in a pile on the ground sobbing.

Erik quickly ran up to her and embraced her to get her warm again. Christine hugged herself tightly to Erik and listened to the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat that soon began to lull her into a peaceful trance. She breathed in and smelled the forest, husky smell of his cloak and felt Erik wrap herself in it against him to keep her safe from the winter cold. A warm fuzzy feeling spread throughout her body as she remembered the message that her father had sent her. Erik really was the answer to all her prayers that she sent to her father. He may not be an actual angel but she had always thought of him as one. He may not be a heavenly figure but every time Christine was with him she felt like she was in heaven.

As she rested her head against Erik's chest Christine felt an overwhelming feeling come over her in her heart. She looked up into Erik's eyes and knew right then that she and him were meant for each other. There were so many similarities about them that she had never noticed before! They both thrived on music, they also grew up alone for a large portion of their lives and were first hand victims to the world's cruelties. They wandered the world looking for a love that they had both only dreamed of and Christine knew that this man right here with her was the man that she had dreamed of, and she loved him.

Erik felt a new feeling build up inside of him as he felt Christine relax completely against his body. She had seen his face, heard the tales of terror in which he was the star and tormentor to those who worked at the opera house, seen his home, and yet still wished to be with him more. Erik had never known someone who would have willingly accepted his embrace before and he felt himself falling in love with the girl he was holding now.

Erik pulled Christine back so that he could see her, and lifted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes as he softly began to sing to her.

"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 the moon's light dry your tears

I'm here with you, beside you,

To guard you and to guide you…"

Erik softly smiled at Christine as he watched her tears stop and she returned a smile back as she replied to his song.

"Say you'll love me every waking moment,

Turn my head with the music of the night…

Say you need me with you now and always…

Promise me that all you say is true

That's all I ask of you…"

Christine felt Erik press against her back and wrap his arms around her waist to hold her close and keep her warm. She felt so safe and protected with him by her side and listened happily as he continued their song of love.

"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 turned around to face the man she loved for so long and told him of her strongest desires in the world. She grabbed his hands and told him,

"All I want is freedom,

A world that is not dark…and you,

Always beside me to hold me and to hide me…"

Erik grinned as he heard Christine profess that she wanted to have him beside her for the rest of their lives and sang with all of his heart, pleading to hear the one thing he desired.

"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 lifted her hand and placed it against his perfect cheek and continued to ask Erik to love her,

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

Say the word and I will follow you…"

Erik held Christine in a strong, yet gentle, embrace as they sung in unison.

"Share each day with me each night, each morning"

Christine looked up at him with pleading eyes and begged, "Say you love me," to which Erik nodded and whispered, "You know I do". They stared at each other's eyes while beseeching,

"Love me—that's all I ask of you!"

Erik spun Christine around in pure happiness as they kissed each other passionately while tears of joy spilled from their eyes. Never had two people in the entire world felt happier than Erik and Christine did in the moment of such a deep and promising love that was vowed between the two on that rooftop. As they pulled away to breathe from such a loving kiss Christine smiled up at Erik and knew that she did love this man. When she heard the church bells ringing in the distance she shook her head and smiled.

"I must go, they'll wonder where I am. Come with me Erik!"

Erik looked at Christine and sighed contently as he whispered, "Christine I love you," and kissed her one more time before they headed back.

"Go order your fine horse!

Be with him by the lake!

And soon you'll be beside me!

You'll guard me, and you'll guide me…"

Christine sang to Erik to go get Cesar ready for them to return to his kingdom of music once more together where they can create music of their own once more in solitude from the cruel cold world.

As Raoul stood outside the opera house he heard the song that Christine and some man were singing together, a song of pure love. The kind of love that he deserved to have, not some stupid man who most likely worked at the opera house. Now Raoul had to find out who it was that Christine was secretly meeting up with. Raoul hung his side and sang softly to himself,

"I gave you a chance to have the world…

To make your life carefree…

And now how you've repaid me:

Denied me and abandoned me

He was bound to love you

When he heard you sing…

Christine…

You will curse the day you did not do

All that I asked of you!"

Raoul screamed into the night air as he told himself that he would not let Christine go, no matter how much it took. And he knew of a little blonde dancer that could help him pull it off perfectly…