If you're reading please review, it'd be very well appreciated. It is a little slow, but the next chapter is when all the action begins. I promise the chandelier crash in the next chapter. So please read and enjoy! Thank you!

CHAPTER 3: Don Juan's Plans

"..before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.." -ancient Chinese proverb

(Erik's POV)

I watched from the rafters as Christine stood still on the bridge staring out to the vacant chairs of the auditorium. The star of my show had been lacking emotional intensity in the past weeks of rehearsal; of course it is understandable if you are acting opposite of Piangi. Carlotta's fat source of money, little did she know he indulged himself not only in food but also the brothels that were more than available in Paris. Not only was he fat, who am I to judge of outer appearances? But he lacked a severe depth of character for the part of Don Juan, affecting my Christine's performance. None of it mattered; Piangi wouldn't make it to sing Past the Point of No Return to begin with.

I watched as Christine sank to her knees and cried. Damn myself to hell for not thinking of a different plan to reveal myself to her. Madame Giry came to comfort her and I listened in on their conversation. This conversation was a perfect example for why I hold deep respect for Madame Giry; she's aware of the Phantom of the Opera's habits and doesn't question them. This is why we get along so well.

I followed Christine silently as she made her way to the dressing room, listening intently I could hear three girls; dancers I presumed when the smell of cigarette smoke reached my sense of smell. Curse them for smoking in the same room with Christine! Filling the room with revolting clouds that were harmful to my angel's lungs! I despised the three girls for their insolent talk about me until they had brought up the matter of Joseph Buquet. It was true that I knew of his unforgiveable crime forcing himself into the body of a woman, I was there to see him perform this offense when he was finished with her; Francesca. I had always hated the man for he dare mocked me, but this was enough. When he left her I had come out of the shadows and told her he would be punished for his crime. Surely the next day during Il Muto; Joseph Buquet was dead.

I didn't know how Christine would react to overhearing these girls. But then she walked out of the dressing room and to the main entrance of the Opera. She tiresomely sat down on the steps with her head in her hands. How much I wanted to reach out to her and plead for her to leave with me, to run away and live our lives purely in the essence of music. But now she wanted to run away with her cursed fiancé who had filled her thoughts of summertime. How dare he propose to what belonged to me; I would have eventually made Christine my betrothed had the Viscount never come! Impudent boy of her childhood past to come disturb the relationship between The Angel of Music and his beloved student! Slowly I walked out of the shadows and stood in her direction. After some moments she finally looked up, as tired as her face made her to be, she expressed a small look of fear just before she gave into sleep and plopped against the staircase banister.

I went and picked her up in my arms and began to carry her down a corridor. Finally reaching Madame Giry's room I went inside and set Christine on one of the two beds in the corner. As much as I wanted to take Christine with me to my lair I couldn't, Don Juan Triumphant was in two days and I had more errands to run. I did however decide to make myself comfortable and seat myself at the small wooden table opposite of the room and wait for Madame Giry to arrive. Christine stirred in her sleep as I watched her with uttermost awe, how perfect and beautiful she looked when she was asleep. She was always beautiful, but in light of recent events it had been a long time since I'd seen her in peace. To see her face in all of sleep's serenity was a breathtaking sight.

"Erik."

If I had not already been still then I was now as mobile as stone. It had been so long since I heard her speak my name, and now to hear her say it in her sleep was a feeling of longing I could barely contain. Was she dreaming of me? No, if she would flee the sight of me and run to her precious boy, my place was in her nightmares.

"Erik where are you?" she mumbled as she turned on her side unconsciously.

Again she had spoken my name! Not only did she say my name but she asked for where I was! I was taken away by this phenomenon and its entire splendor. This angel called for me in her sleep, and it was at this moment where I desperately wished I could see for myself what she was dreaming for it was of me.

"Sleep now dear child, you mustn't worry, for I am here beside you. Dream of music, dream of beauty, give in to your senses…" I gently sang to the melody Angel of Music.

Her lips twitched in what seemed a small smile when she heard our old lullaby. I sighed to this reaction, I longed for her to remember me before the Viscount's arrival. Our bond was purely built upon music and love. Everything was flawless, but now I was forced to regroup and instead of making Christine into the star she deserved to be I was now too busy conjuring up plans to save our relationship.

The door handle squeaked as it turned. I looked to the doorway to see Madame Giry walk into the darkness of her room.

"Good evening Madame Giry." I made my presence known.

I heard her surprised gasp from being caught off guard. She quickly turned on a lantern and turned in my direction. She stared at me for some time before slowly putting the lantern on the center of the table and sat across from me.

"It's not safe for you to be out and about Erik." Madame Giry finally said.

"No, it isn't safe for those loons who run my opera to be out and about." I corrected.

Madame Giry's eyes wandered across the room and spotted Christine upon her bed.

"Erik what are you doing with-"

"She fell asleep on the staircase in the entrance; I couldn't bring her to the cellars for I haven't much time. Besides, I come to you in need of your assistance."

Her cat-like eyes studied my face, her expression was cautious. She then looked at Christine.

"She is sound asleep I assure you." I confirmed. After I had sung our lullaby Christine had stopped moving about the bed and her breathing became even.

"What is it you need help with?"

"The number Past the Point of No Return in Don Juan Triumphant I will replace Piangi."

"Replace or rid of him?" she raised an eyebrow.

"We shall see how I feel by that night. Nonetheless, I shall replace him."

"Is that it? The Vicomte has ordered many police, as soon as Christine is far enough away from you they'll shoot."

"I don't intend to allow Christine to be far enough away from me."

She knew there was more now.

"What else have you planned?"

"When Christine and I have finished singing the number I will take her away with me. Her precious boy will want to find her, and you will lead him into the first part of the cellars for me."

"Erik, you know I cannot help kill-"

"I will not kill him. I have other things in store for him. By the time he finds Christine with me she'll have changed her mind in front of him for me."

Madame Giry seemed suspicious but it didn't matter. She would do the deed I ask of her, because she too did not like the Vicomte and always did what I asked of her.

"How will I know when to take him to the entrance of the catacombs?"

"I will give you a signal."

"Erik your signals are always of hanged men."

"Then it would appear that I will be ridding of Piangi then after all."

Madame Giry simply pursed her lips.

"Remember the plan." I finished.

I stood up from my chair and went to the door to leave.

"Erik from what I understand it would seem that this is your final chance to win Christine, I hope you know what you're doing." Madame Giry's tone was in a strange way very motherly sounding.

I turned around to face her, then reaching into my coat I pulled out a single red rose with a black ribbon tied around the stem. I placed the rose on the shelf besides the door.

"Leave that for Christine."

I left closing the door behind me.

The plan was set. Madame Giry would one day see for herself that Don Juan will be triumphant indeed. I wouldn't fail. This was the point of no return.

Again if you are reading please review, it would mean a great deal. The next chapter will be in Lorenzo's POV in which he opens the letter sent from Raoul to come live at the Opera Populaire, and it is also when all of the action begins. Please let me know if I should continue writing this story, I don't want to write if no one is really interested...but thank you to those of you who are!