I unfortunately don't own anything :(

Christine's POV

I couldn't believe what I had just learned. I had left Madame Giry's rooms in a complete shock. My brain just couldn't even wrap around the thought of everything. I had made it to my dressing room without running into anyone so I didn't have to pretend to be pleasant. Now I was lying on my bed thinking about what I had just been told.

Earlier that day:

"He won't be very happy with me," Madame Giry had said.

"It's ok, he doesn't even have to know." I knew that Erik wouldn't tell my anything about his past even if I begged. I sort of regretted asking but there was to turning back now.

"It all happened some years ago, I was 12 and training to be a ballerina. There was a sort of carnival in town, gypsies. I hadn't wanted to go but my friends had convinced me. It was fun at first there were so many amazing things, things that I had never even knew existed. There were strong men and a bearded lady, contortionist." Madame Giry had gotten a glassy look to her eyes from remembering things from so long ago.

"As we were walking by a tent, there was a man outside trying to get people to come inside. He was saying, 'Come, come take a look at the devils child'. I hadn't wanted to go in for the man gave me a bad feeling you see, but my friends had dragged me inside. When we had first entered, there were many people standing around a large cage in the middle of the tent."

She paused there with a look of pain across her face. I was about to tell her to stop but she continued.

"We pushed our way to the front, when we got there I had gasped in shock. For in this cage was a young boy."

I gasped for I could only guess who that young boy was. "Yes Christine, now you are starting to understand."

"I had had the same reaction as you. This boy, who could have been no older than 10, was sitting with a bag over his head. He was playing with a stuffed money with cymbals on its hands. The man had walked into the cage and he had some type of beating stick with him. I had turned to my friend, Marie, and had begged her to leave, for I didn't want to see what would happen next. She had told me to stop being a spoil sport and to enjoy the show."

Tears were welling up in her eyes but I couldn't seem to get myself to tell her to stop. I was so engrossed in her story, even though it was a horrible one.

"The man had kicked the monkey out of the boy's hands, pushed him down and started to hit him with the stick. Everyone around me was laughing even my friend. Didn't anyone understand how wrong this was? The man then ripped off the bag and pulled the boy up by his hair, 'Behold,' he had said. 'The devil's child.' Everyone had gasped, some woman had even fainted, for the boy had a disfigurement on the right side of his face. But I wasn't looking at that. The boy was looking at everyone with a look of hate on his face. He had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. I seemed to be the only one that wasn't laughing or making cruel remarks. When the boys gaze met mine his expression changed to a look of wonder. I think he was wondering why I wasn't laughing, but instead looking at him with pity."

I had tears running down my face. I couldn't believe that some people could be so cruel. My poor angel what had he been put through?

"Finally the man pushed the boy aside and let him have his bag back. Everyone was leaving to go look at the next freak. Some people even threw coins to the man. How could someone pay to watch the abuse of a poor defenseless child? I had lingered by the opening of the tent. Something had told me to turn and when I did, what I saw was the most shocking thing I would ever witness. The man had been on his hands and knees collecting his money, when the boy had unwrapped a rope from around the bars. He had jumped on the man's back, wrapped the rope around his neck and pulled tight. I couldn't bring myself to stop him for I would have done the same. When the man was dead the boy had looked up and saw me standing there in shock."

I was shocked as well, my angel had killed someone. I couldn't wrap my head around it I tried to picture it in my head but I just couldn't. I lost my train of thought when Madam. Giry continued.

"I had ran over to his cage and let him free. Another one of the gypsy's had come into the tent and saw the dead man. 'Murder' he had yelled loud enough to bring a group of people running to the tent. I knew that I had to get us both out of there fast. I ran to the only safe place I knew, the opera house. I remembered a passage way that would take us to the opera house chapel. There was a little gate that would take us to the passage 'Go,' I had told the boy. 'I'll meet you there.' I had to make sure the men had not followed us. I went through the opera houses main doors and snuck down to the chapel to meet him. I hid him from the world and its cruelties. He has known nothing else of life since then, except this Opera House. It was his playground and now his artistic domain. He's a genius. He's an architect and designer. He's a composer and a magician. He's a genius."

I was staring at the ceiling trying to wrap my head around it. Could I put Erik out of my life for something he had done so young and to save himself from a terrible fate? I didn't feel right doing it, but what if he has killed before? If he did it then, he could easily do it now, right?

"Oh papa, I wish you were here to help me. What am I going to do?"

I was laying there thinking when all of a sudden there was a breeze that blew out the candle that was on my night stand. I sat up quickly and put my feet in my slippers prepared to run, when I heard someone speak.

"Don't be frightened Christine, it's only me."

I immediately relaxed, it was only Erik. Even though I couldn't see him I knew that he was watching me from behind the mirror. I started to smile but then I remembered what Madame Giry had told me. I grew frightened again but I knew that Erik would never hurt me. I made my way over to the mirror and stopped in front of it. I felt silly for I could only see myself but I wanted to talk face to face.

"Erik, please come from behind there. We need to talk."

"As you wish," I could hear the latch click that released the mirror. "but I don't want to talk here. I know some place private."

When the mirror slide open I couldn't seem to think anymore, my heart speed up and I had butterflies in my stomach. Erik was so handsome, no I thought, he's more than handsome. He's beautiful and mysterious and dare I think it but also…sexy. Maybe it was the mask but now that I think about it, Erik was sexy. The only think different about his attire from this morning was that he had on a red vest instead of black. He had on his hat and cloak again, black shoes, black trousers, black waist coat, and finally a black cravat. He looked good in black it added to the mysteriousness that was Erik.

He held out his gloved hand to me. I was hesitant to take it but I looked up into his face, his green eyes and I couldn't think. I just nodded, took his hand and together we went into the dark tunnels under the Opera Populaire.

Erik's POV

I had been standing behind the mirror only for a short time. I had been watching rehearsals for II Muto. I would have to write some notes. Most of the chorus was off key, a few of the ballet girls were not keeping time well so there were many mistakes, and don't even get me started on Carlotta. I would have to write a whole book for her to improve herself. As I was making my way to Christine's dressing room, I had seen Meg and Raoul taking in a secluded hallway. Meg had been laughing loudly at something the boy had said. I had grinned to myself, at least the fop would be distracted some of the time. If I could keep him and Christine away from each other, he might even forget about her and go after Meg. I had only been behind the mirror for about 5 minutes when Christine came bursting in muttering under her breath about something.

Christine started to undress I knew that I should but I couldn't look away. My heart beat quickened and I felt the first stirrings of desire. I've never felt this way before for any woman let alone Christine. She was beautiful with her chocolate waist length curls, the candle light gave her skin a golden glow. She moved behind the changing screen and I released the breath that I didn't even realize I was holding. By the time she came back from behind the screen I had control over my heart beat and my raging emotions. It frightened me these feelings that I have for Christine for I had never felt anything like this before. I had loved Christine from the moment that I meet her, it had been fatherly at first, I had wanted to protect and watch out for her. But as she grew into an amazing young woman so did my love for her.

I was trying to sort out everything when I heard Christine ask what she should do. I looked at my pocket watch and realized that it was past time for me to make myself known. I released the mirror only a little so a breeze would go into the room extinguishing the candle light. I was the Opera Ghost after all I needed to make a dramatic appearance. I chuckled to myself when I saw Christine's frightened expression, she reminded me of a cornered animal.

"Don't be frightened Christine, it's only me."

I could see her visibly relax, she got up and made her way toward the mirror.

"Erik, please come from behind there. We need to talk."

To tell you the truth I honestly thought about leaving right then. I could only guess what she wanted to talk about and I didn't want to face her yet. I looked at her face so young, so innocent, her brow was scrunched up she looked anxious worried even. I didn't want to trouble her with my past. I didn't really want to have this conversation but I knew that I would have to face her eventually so I slide the mirror aside.

"As you wish but I don't want to talk here I know some place more private."

I held my hand out for her, she looked down. I followed her gaze, she was looking at my gloved hand. I didn't like to wear the gloves but I felt that a monster such as me shouldn't have the privilege of touching an angel like her. I watched as she placed her hand in mine, her skin was as white as snow compared to my black gloves. I looked up at her eyes they seemed to look into my very soul. She nodded and I pulled her over the threshold. I grabbed my torch and lead her to our destination.

We walked for a while both silent lost in our own thoughts. Christine hadn't let go of my hand. I didn't point it out to her, I quite liked it. My heart was beating a little faster for Christine had gotten as close as she could to me. I could tell she was frightened, I felt the same way my first time wandering around. I was torn from my thoughts when Christine tapped me on the shoulder.

"Erik, Erik did you hear me?"

"I'm sorry, Christine. What did you say?"

"I asked you where we are going, It seems we've been walking for hours."

"We're almost there and it's a surprise."

"Erik please," she squeezed my hand. "I don't like surprises."

I stopped and turned she was pouting and she looked extremely irresistible, I wanted to kiss her right then. I just chuckled trying to hide my desire.

"You don't have to wait any longer. We're here."

I grabbed the door handle. I was very excited to see her reaction.

"Christine, close your eyes."

She narrowed her eyes, "Why, are you going to leave me here?"

"No, I'll hold your hand. Trust me."

She narrowed her eyes a little bit further searching my face. She must have found that I wasn't lying for she closed her eyes.

I lead her through the door. It was a little chilly out, so I put my cloak around her shoulders. I was used to the cold for my home was always chilly, I didn't mind though. I loved that it was quite and secluded from everyone and everything.

I took her to the middle of the roof. I walked a little further back so I could see her face.

"Ok, you can open your eyes now."

She opened her eyes with a gasp.

"Oh, Erik."

I always loved coming up on the roof, it was a good place to think. You could see for miles, the sky didn't have a cloud in it so you could see all the stars.

Christine walked over to the edge and peered down. I stood close beside her but not touching her.

She turned to me, she had never looked more beautiful to me then in that moment. Her cheeks we flushed from the brisk wind as was her nose. Some of her curls were framing her face and her brown eyes where bright with excitement.

"Thank you, Erik. It's so beautiful." She looked up at the sky.

"Yes you, er, yes it is."

She didn't seem to notice my fumble which I relieved about.

"I don't remember seeing this many stars since I lived with my father at the house by the sea."

"Yes, the view is spectacular."

She turned toward me, a serious look on her face. I knew that was next but before she could say anything, I wanted to get my word in.

"Christine, I know what you want to speak about but before you say anything I want you to know,"

"I knew you were watching, I could feel it."

I shook my head. "No, I left before Madame Giry got started. I didn't want to relive that part of my past. I most certainly didn't want you to learn about it. I don't want you t-"

I was quieted by Christine putting her finger against my lips. My heart beat quickened, I couldn't believe it I could feel that electric current again. I wondered if she felt it too.

"Erik, I want you know that I don't blame you for what you did so long ago. I don't understand it and I can't say that I don't think that's its wrong. But that man was doing terrible things to you and if Madame Giry hadn't saved you, you would probably be dead."

I was in shock. I hadn't known that she would act this way. I was expecting her to say that she never wanted to see me again. I did something that I thought I would never do. I grabbed her and pulled her to my chest for a hug.

I think Christine was as shocked as I was. I pulled away when I realized what I was doing. I turned and walked away a few steps, I didn't want her to see the tears in my eyes.

I felt her hand on my shoulder but I didn't turn, I didn't have my emotions under control yet.

"Erik is everything alright?"

She grabbed my arm and turned me toward her. I didn't look into her face but at the ground. I didn't want her to see me like this. I was the infamous Opera Ghost, I didn't cry. I was emotionless.

"Oh Erik, please don't cry."

She pulled me into a hug and after a moment's hesitation, I slowly wrapped my arms around her waist. It felt to right holding her like this, we fit perfectly together like two puzzle pieces.

We pulled back slightly but not breaking contact with our bodies. I looked into her face looking for any trace of fear or pity, one thing I didn't want to see was pity. I couldn't put my finger on what I saw. She had a look of awe on her face and there was a spark in her eye.

I reached up and rubbed the back of her cheek with my fingers. She sighed and leaned in to my touch. I reached with my other hand and ran it through her hair, I really wanted to take off my gloves but I didn't dare.

Christine sighed and closed her eyes. I then did something I think neither of us expected, I slowly lowered my head and touched my lips to hers.

Megs POV

I was on cloud nine. Raoul, the Vicomte de Changy, just took me to dinner. Can you believe it? I was leaving Mama's room when we bumped into each other.

Earlier that evening

I was pretty annoyed that someone was careless enough to not watch where they were going. I would have fallen if it wasn't for a very strong pair of arms that caught me around the waist. I was about to tell the person where they could go when I looked up into the most gorgeous pair of blue eyes I'd ever seen.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Giry, I didn't see you there," He'd said with a smile revealing perfectly straight, white teeth.

I had to shake my head and blink a couple of times to clear my head.

"Oh Vicomte, it was my fault. Really, I wasn't watching where I was going."

I looked down at my hands which were resting on his arms. He looked down also and abruptly dropped his arms. I could still feel where they had been. A tingling, warm feeling replaced the absence of his hands. I wondered if he felt the same thing too but I banished that thought right away. I was a poor lonely chorus girl and he was a rich aristocrat that probably never had to want for anything in his life.

When I glanced back up at him he had a troubled look on his face. He took a step back and cleared his throat.

"I was wondering if you've seen Christine anywhere. I've looked everywhere for her."

My heart sank, of course he would be more interested in Christine then me.

"No I haven't. I was just about to go check her dressing room. You can come along if you wish."

"Thanks."

The Populaire was quite as we walked. Everyone was either in the galley eating or getting ready for bed. It had to be around 9:30.

"Why are you here so late, Vicomte?"

"Please call me, Raoul. I was in a meeting with the managers it went on longer than I expected."

"Oh," was all I could think of saying. Why did I feel so awkward around him? I'd never felt this way before. He was very handsome so I could see why Christine seemed smitten by him. I looked at him from the corner of my eye, I could see that he was studying me as well. I blushed and kept my eyes in front of me the rest of the way.

Neither of us said anything for a while after that. Finally Raoul cut the silence.

"So how are rehearsals going, Miss Giry?"

"Please call me Meg, they're going well. Some of the other girls need to practice more but other than that everything is fine."

"That's good."

We'd arrived at Christine's dressing room. I knocked but there was no answer.

"Christine, its Meg. Are you in there?" I knocked again but there was still no answer and I couldn't hear any movement from the inside. I turned the knob, found the door was locked. I turned toward Raoul shrugging my shoulders, I was reminded again of how handsome he was.

"She's not in there, Raoul." I got a little excited saying his name for the first time. "She might be with her tutor. That's where she usually is when I can't find her."

"Tutor?" He seemed surprised. I guess no one had told him.

"Yes, Christine's tutor. Didn't she mention him?"

"No, she didn't say anything about a tutor. Does she disappear with him often?"

"Not really just occasionally. She doesn't really keep track of the time. She should show up eventually though. Anyway, I've really got to get to supper so,"

"If it's alright with you, I'd like to take you to dinner."

I was a little shocked, to tell you the truth. I thought he was toying with me.

"You want to take me to dinner?"

"Yes, if that would be alright. My treat for helping me out."

I thought about it for a moment searching his face to see if he was lying, when I found the he was being sincere, I nodded.

"I'd like that, just let me go change. I'll meet you out front in about 10 minutes."

"Ok, see you soon."

As I was walking away, I couldn't help but look back. Raoul was watching me. I waved and he waved back. I lost sight of him as a rounded a corner. This was going to be a very interesting evening.

It was wonderful evening. We spent the whole time talking. He told me about his family and his childhood and in turn he asked me about mine. I didn't think I would like him very much but as I got to know him, I found that he was the complete opposite of what I thought. Raoul was kind, humble, considerate, and not to bad on the eyes.

When we arrived back at the Opera House, he even walked me to my room. When we got to the door, I turned around to thank him. I suddenly realized that I didn't want him to leave, but I told myself that I had to and that he only asked to be nice.

"I had a really good time. Thank you, Raoul."

"It was my pleasure. I had fun too, Meg." He reached for my hand and kissed the top. I felt a tingling feeling where his lips had touched me.

"Until tomorrow, Meg. Bonne nuit ."

"Bonne nuit, Raoul."

I walked into my room and leaned against the door a smile on my face. It was a really good night after all.

Thanks for reading, following/favorite I really appreciate it. Please review I like to know how I'm doing.