A very, very long, detailed chapter that includes a ton of Kay. So be prepared, and keep in mind that I tried to stick to the original plots a bit.

R&R!!!

I stood in complete darkness, absolutely terrified. My breathing grew more and more frantic until-

"INSOLENT BOY, THIS SLAVE OF FASHION, BASKING IN YOUR GLORY!" A thunderous and magnificant voice filled the room. "IGNORANT FOOL, THIS BRAVE YOUNG SUITOR, SHARING IN MY TRIUMPH!"

A huge gust of relief swept over me as I recognized that glorious tenor and I closed my eyes as I replied. "Angel, I hear you, speak. I listen. Stay by my side, guide me."

I heard a great whoosh! as a dark form entered the room from above, and landed like a cat a few feet in front of me. It was all I could do not to scream and bolt to the door. The figure then advanced toward me, and I felt the velvet-like leather of a black glove touch my cheek. Two golden orbs shone inches from me. That was all the incentive I needed.

'"Oh, Erik!" I exclaimed, throwing myself blindly into his arms. He held me as I sobbed, and buried his face in my hair. I pressed myself into his jacket. "Oh, I missed you so!"

"My beautiful Christine. And I as well, ma cherie." He carressed my head gently. "Did you think that your Erik would not come for you? Had you forgotten your Erik?"

"No, never!" I said tearfully, flinging my arms around him again.

His tone was cold. "What bout that...boy that was in your dressing room?"

"He is just a friend from when I was a child, Erik! That's all!" I cried. "It was terrible when you were gone! I- I had thought..." I couldn't bear to even say the words.

His unforgettable emerald- gold eyes softened. "You thought that I was dead."

I only clutched myself all the closer to him, hiccuping sobs racking my body.

Erik sighed and leaned down to murmur in my ear. "My angel, I am here. I am all right. I am so sorry that I was gone. So sorry. But there is no need to cry so, my love, especially over me."

Shaking my head was my response. I sniffled unattractively. "I was lost without my Angel of Music."

Tentatively Erik moved his face to mine. "I am here now. I love you, Christine," he said gently, his sweet breath swirling up and dazing me for a moment. And then he pressed his lips firmly against mine. I eagerly kissed him back, and all was right in the world for a few precious moments.

Soon I felt Erik's lips curve up in a grin and we broke apart. I was smiling widely as well. Then he let go of me and walked towards the giant mirror. It immediately opened to reveal the dark passageway that I had been down so many times before.

"Come to me, my angel." He beckoned to me, and I carefully took his hand. And together we journeyed down into the bowels of the grand opera house.

---

"Erik," I started as the damp tunnels grew steeper and his grasp on my hand tighter. "Will you tell me of your travels? I mean, it sounds wonderful being able to be able to go to so many places! It-"

The drawn expression on his face silenced me. His tone was stiff and weary-sounding. "Perhaps later, ma petite moineau."

I bit my lip. "Alright." We walked in silence for a while.

Then there was a loud squealing noise that came from behind me. I let go of Erik's hand and wrapped my arms around his waist tightly. He tensed and winced.

I immediately released him. "What's wrong, Erik?"

He shook his head. "It is nothing, ma cherie. We're almost there-" I could see the light from around the bend.

"Not nothing." I insisted, moving aside his overcoat. Erik held my wrists.

"No, Christine," he growled.

My eyes widened. "Did something happen to you? Is that why you were late? Is that-"

He silenced me. "Come."

Obidently I followed him into the grotto, which was as wonderous as ever. Messier, though, with pieces of parchment strewn about everywhere.

He slowly eased himself into a large green chair beside the organ. I folded myself at his feet, allowing my long dressing gown to fan out around me.

"Erik," I asked hesitantly. "May I request something?"

His brow furrowed. "What is it you desire, my dear?"

"Would you please remove your mask?" My gaze was steady and resolute.

His eyes widened. "Why would you want that?"

"I haven't seen you in ages, Erik. I want to peruse the face that I have been without for so long."

Erik paused, but then cautiously took off the porcelain mask.

I will not lie and say that his face was not ugly. Certainly most people would consider it horrific in its own right. Even I had to restrain myself from shrinking back or flinching; I had to work my hardest to keep up my expressionless gaze. But his face did not halt my love for him at all. I knew that Erik's beauty was locked inside the mind and heart of a genius.

His revealed face was frigid. "And I take it you want to know what was bothering me before?"

I nodded.

Erik closed his eyes for a minute, then gingerly undid his tie and vest and unbuttoned his black dress shirt. I inhaled sharply.

A thousand scars and burns encompassed my love's lean torso. A long wound just below his ribcage, which was sloppily wrapped in dirty bandages, caught my attention and I fought back ready sobs, shaking like a leaf in a storm.

"Who did this to you?" I finally questioned, blind fury beginning to rise deep in my stomach like a sickness.

He half-smiled ruefully. "The people I hid from here."

I gently carressed Erik's cheek, and watching for any sign of discomfort, I moved into his lap. I lay beside him and led a trail a kisses from his injured stomach all the way up to the disfigured side of his face.

Hesitantly I met his lips. Once I had broken the kiss, I moved my mouth to his ear. "Erik, I love you. Please, will you tell me who did this?"

He sat up. "I cannot upset you, my darling, I-"

"No, Erik. You won't. Please, tell me where you were- the truth. Please." I begged, placing my hands on his chest.

He sighed heavily. I smiled and settled against him, awaiting the story that was to come. He grasped my hand, taking a tremoring breath.

"When I left Paris, when I left you, I took a small boat down the river to Nice. From there I moved to a larger ship to sail to land in Genoa, Italy. I then traveled to Venice, where I studied architecture and art with a mason who agreed to take me in. I helped him design a few goverment buildings. He told me that I was the greatest talent he had ever come across." Erik grinned slightly. "I stayed with his family for about three months. Then I packed my bags and went on to rural Italy. I- I met some poor farmers who agreed to lead me to the border for a bit of money." His expression tightened. "I was wrong to turn away for a moment. The first night they robbed me, took everything except for what I had on me at the time. They ran away too, the cowards. I was forced to continue on with what I had left." He paused. "After a few days I was almost out of money, and starving as well. I came across a band of gypsies, and tried to steal from them. I figured as they were thieves it wouldn't be so wrong. The first few times I got away with it, but then I was caught and locked in cage. Just like the one I was kept in before. The few possessions I owned were taken, and I was left without food for a couple days.

"Then the owner walked in. His name was Javert, and I hated him on sight. The first thing he did when he saw me was rip my mask from my face. 'Ah-ha!' he laughed.- God, I loathed the sound of his voice! It was like the sound of a yapping dog and the squeal of an unoiled machine- 'The Living Corpse!' he announced. Then they locked me away in there and the group moved on to another town, to parade me as part of their show. As the weeks passed I was allowed more freedoms like books and time out of my cage, as I was a money-bringing attraction, and did not fight back most of the time when they would beat me." Erik absentmindedly traced a scar on his forearm. He was lost in his tale; I was no longer there. "I learned some basic healing and illusions from the gypsies that could perform them with ease. But I spent my nights plotting my escape. By the time seven months had passed we had gone through the country of Sloenvia and were in Croatia. One evening Javert let me out of my cell and held me to the ground. I expected a beating, but his breeches were untied." Erik's shoulders shook with unsuppressed rage. There were tears in my eyes as well.

" 'Be very still. It will be over soon.' he whispered as he reached for me. I threw him off immediately, but Javert knocked me down. 'I told you to stay still.' he hissed, kicking me in the stomach. He advanced again and crawled on top of me. I fought back and we struggled. And somehow Javert ended up dead.

"I ran from the gypsies that night, stealing quite a bit of money and my mask back as well. I made my way through Croatia and Romania and managed to steal passage aboard a ship headed for Asia. I made my way deeper into the continent by using the trades I had learned, selling my building designs and amazing the villagers with my 'magic.' One day the Persian daroga found me. He asked me to come with him to the palace of the Shah. I quickly agreed- I thought that surely this was my chance to prove my talent! But that decision was my grave mistake." Erik's voice was so lifeless, a dull monotone that I had never heard from him before. He slowed down his story, choosing his wording carefully.

"I was brought to the Shah in Persia to serve both him and his mother by devising traps and torture chambers with which to hold their enemies. I designed for them a grand temple, among other buildings. In return, I was paid a decent sum, along with the unspoken promise of my protection. And even then while I was in the Shah's favor, I had to be careful with what I put into a letter. I actually sent them to a small village by Paris, where Madame Giry would check weekly as I instructed.You see, as many admirers as I had collected I also had a greater number of people who feared me. I was a monster, someone no one understood. Only the daroga was ever remotely kind to me. I remained in Persia for about eighteen months. And then the disaster arrived. The Shah was convinced that I knew too many of his secrets, and would betray him to his enemies. He ordered me to be tortured, then killed."

I gasped and clamped a hand over my open mouth.

Erik nodded. "I barely escaped, receiving this-" He gestured to the large bandaged gash. "- from one of the royal soldiers as I fled. The daroga faked my death, using a rotted corpse found by the sea. With his help, I boarded a ship back to Europe and was saved." By this point, Erik's voice seemed strained, exhausted. "I was back in France in late May. And now, I am here." He concluded, sitting back and placing a hand over his eyes.

I sat there in stunned silence. I couldn't believe it. Erik had endured the... the unimaginable. And yet, he was here with me right now. It was unbelievable.

There was an endless pause. Then I leaned over and kissed him. "My God, Erik." I murmured. "I'm so glad you're alive." I grasped both his hands in mine and pressed my lips to his forehead.

Erik's eyes wearily snapped open, and he met my gaze. He then kissed the fingers that held his. "For once, Christine," he said quietly. "So am I."

Hopefully it turned out alright! I did make up the countries that Erik went to... and three years is actually not that long to work with.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed!!! ta!