I stayed up the rest of the night after I woke up from my latest dream, contacting the people at the Paris Opera House about the music that was in their archives from right around the time that Christine Daae was there. I was on Skype with them most of the time, discovering that they did have some of the music in their archives, but they were pretty old and wouldn't survive a voyage across the sea to America. I asked them if there was any way that they could send me a copy of the music, if it could be copied, and they told me that they would see what they could do. I thanked them and signed off, looking at my clock and seeing that I was late for school. I figured that since I was already late, I might as well go to the courthouse and listen to the testimonies of Buquet and his other witnesses. I took a cab to the courthouse, meeting ADA Nolan outside. Much to his surprise, he was not expecting me to be there. He pulled away from his associate, taking me by the arm to stop me before I went inside.

"Sophia, what are you doing here? Your part of the trial is over," he said, looking down at me.

"I wanted to be here, Mr. Nolan. Don't you believe that it would help my case more?"

He smiled softly. "I'm happy that you want to try and help your case, but you don't need to be here. McGregor took the stand yesterday and testified as to the email being a fake, so that was a good thing. Today, it's going to be Buquet and his witnesses. I'm not sure if you should be here for that."

"Well, I'm already here, so I'm staying," I said sternly and defiantly, taking my arm out of his hand, going into the courthouse. What I didn't realize was that he used his cell phone just after I parted ways with him. I went into the courtroom, taking my seat behind the prosecution's table, looking around. I saw Chrissy there, talking to Buquet and his lawyer. They didn't even take notice of me. I saw a couple other people that I didn't recognize, which I assumed were Buquet's character witnesses. I saw ADA Nolan come in, and the jury followed, filing into their seats. I took my phone out, turning it down just as I felt a strong hand grasp onto my shoulder. I looked up, and I was looking at a frustrated voice of Monsieur Destler. He just looked down at me first, and then took a seat beside me, looking straight ahead.

"Shouldn't you be at school," I asked softly, keeping my eyes to the front, my hands staying on my lap.

"Funny. I could ask you the same thing," he replied softly as we both stood as the judge came into the courtroom.

"I wanted to be here."

"You can't be here alone. You're a minor, and since I'm watching over you until your parents return, I had to be here."

"I'm sure that they got a substitute for you."

"I don't care if they did or didn't. I'm not letting you go through this alone."

I smiled softly and he smiled a little back as we sat back down, and Chrissy was called up first by the defense. I watched her as she walked up to the stand. She wasn't what I would call a creditable witness. She came to court dressed in a mini skirt, blouse that was unbuttoned almost to wear you could see her breasts peeking out from it, and knee high boots. I tried not to snicker as I looked down, regaining myself, as I watched her swear upon the Bible and sit down in the chair, crossing her legs. I watched as the judge lifted her eyebrow at Chrissy and I cleared my throat, trying my hardest not to grin. I felt Erik's hand take mine just for a moment and giving it a squeeze before pulling it away. Mr. Harley stood up first, questioning Chrissy about her relationship with Buquet and if he helped her any way during school. Next, he questioned her about the fight that we had and she told him that she wasn't doing anything wrong and that I just attacked her unprovoked. She proceeded to tell the court that I was a drama queen, and that I would do anything to get my way, and this ranged from the choice of musical and to who had the most solos and lead roles in musicals. Mr. Harley ended his questioning and ADA Nolan stood, turning back and winking at me before turning back and looking at Chrissy, his eyebrows raised.

"That's quite an interesting choice of outfit, Miss Page," he began, strolling over to her. He watched her smirk, running her fingers down her chest to attract attention to her breasts. ADA Nolan, however, wasn't impressed. "Tell me, do you know what conservative means?"

"Yeah, it means boring as all get out."

"It also means respectable, full of moral understanding, and traditional. Those are the qualities that Miss Day possesses; do you possess any of those qualities, Miss Page?"

She only stared at him for a moment, and then answered with her face turned to the judge. "Nobody's conventional anymore."

"Well, Miss Day is, and that's what makes her unique. She chooses to do things that are more conventional than others. Tell me, Miss Page," he said, coming back over and pulling some papers from a file folder, taking them and handing them to her. "Do you recognize these emails?"

She took the stack of paper, briefly looking through them, then handing them back to ADA Nolan. "No, I'm sorry, I don't."

"These are emails that we pulled from Miss Day's computer, and they were all sent from similar email addresses," he said as he handed the papers back to her, "and they were all yours."

"That must be some mistake –"

"Would you please read the first email?"

She swallowed, looking down at the paper, reading silently.

"Out loud, if you please, Miss Page."

"The email says, 'How many times did you have to sleep with Destler to get Belle?'"

"And the next one?"

She cleared her throat, then read, "You know that everyone hates your guts for what you're doing to Buquet. Why don't you just end it all?"

"And the next?"

She threw the emails down before him, the papers scattering across the floor. He looked down at the mess, and then looked back up at her before she spoke again. "What's your point? They all say the same thing, and they're all true! She should have just killed herself!"

"Because, Miss Page, Miss Day knows that she has something to live for. Unlike you, who feels so empty on the inside that she has to dress like that to get the attention of others."

"Objection!"

"No further questions," ADA Nolan said, as he cleaned up the papers, going back to sit down at his seat. Chrissy huffed, getting off of the stand and stomping in between the tables. She grabbed her things and turned back to look at me. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she leaned in close to say something to me.

"You're fucked, Drama Queen. You know that they'll never convict him," she smirked, walking towards the door. "See you at school, little Sophie."

"Don't let the doors hit you in your fat ass on your way out," I replied loud enough for everyone in the courtroom to hear. What I didn't realize was that she had reached into her purse, getting a water balloon out and throwing it at me. It landed and popped on the back of my head and I shouted as I stood up, the water having soaked my hair and my back. She was standing by the doors as she smirked and I growled, moving to go after her. Unfortunately, Monsieur Destler grabbed ahold of me as the court officer escorted her out, holding me back from going after her.

"You'll have your chance at her later, Sophie," he said quietly, pulling back down into the bench. He took his jacket off, putting it around my shoulders. He glanced back at the doors, and then turned his attention back to the trial. Buquet's two character witnesses testified first, and then court was called for a lunch recess and would resume in the afternoon. Erik walked me out, leading me outside of the courtroom and into the hallway. "We should head back to the school. I need some help getting things ready for tonight's dress rehearsal. I'll give you a pass for your classes today."

I looked back at the courtroom doors, then back at Erik as ADA Nolan came up to us. Before I could reply, ADA Nolan spoke, his hand on my arm.

"I am so sorry that happened to you, Sophia. I'm going to make you a deal."

"And what deal is that, Mr. Nolan?"

"If you leave right now with Mr. Destler, and go back to school, I'll email you everything that Buquet says in court this afternoon."

"Do I have a choice in the matter?"

"No. Not after what Chrissy did to you. You need to be somewhere else other than that courtroom."

I sighed softly, nodding. "Okay, I'll go back to school. Monsieur Destler needs help setting up for the dress rehearsal tonight."

"See? That's a good thing; get your mind off of everything," he smiled, patting my arm. "It's going to be okay. I'll email you later."

He walked away after we said our goodbyes, and I turned my attention back to Monsieur Destler, looking up at him. He looked down at me, tucking some hair behind my ear. "Are you hungry," he asked, leading me down the stairs to leave.

"No, I'm not hungry. I just want to go back to school. Is that okay?"

"Of course," he said as we stepped outside, the warm May sun shining down on us. He walked us over to his car, helping me inside again just as he did the night before. He got into the driver's side, looking at the clock as he started the car. "It is lunch time. Let's take some time, and we'll be back at the school by 1:00pm."

I merely nodded, staring out of the window, closing my eyes for only a few moments while he drove. It didn't surprise me that he had classical music playing on his radio. I felt extremely relaxed as he drove, and then then I began to notice some unfamiliar surroundings. There were trees, and I could see the ocean as we drove down the path. We pulled up to a vacant beach and put the car in park, turning to look at me.

"You need some time to yourself, Sophia," he said softly, cupping my chin in his hand. "Go. Walk along the sand and the water. Relax. Get your mind off of the trial. For me."

I just smiled, taking my shoes and socks off, getting out of the car, feeling the warm sand between my toes. I began to walk along the warm sand, feeling the weight of the trial falling off of my shoulders. As I inched closer to the water, I let out a soft content sigh, feeling the cool water splashing against my feet and ankles. I turned to look behind me, seeing Monsieur Destler out of his car and leaning against the hood, watching me, his arms folded over his chest. I turned to him with a smile.

"You know what I've decided to do with my life, Erik," I asked, walking in the opposite direction I had come from.

"Enlighten me, my dear."

"I want to sing, professionally. I feel that is the path that I should choose. My scholarship is for Julliard, so it would be perfect, wouldn't it?"

I watched his smile grow, watching me as he walked down to join me. "If you chose that path, Sophie, I would be very proud of you. And I would come to every concert that you give."

I smiled softly, turning back to look at the sky and vast sea, sighing happily. "I feel that I'm destined for great things, Erik, especially after the other night when we sang together."

He took my hand, pulling me back to him. "You are destined for great things, Sophie. And I promise that I won't let anything stand in your way."

I smiled softly, leaning in and laying my head upon his shoulder. He chuckled warmly, slowly lifting my head, lightly pressing his soft lips to mine. I didn't hesitate, kissing him back gently as I placed my hands on his neck. I felt his arms wrap around me as he kissed me again, this kiss deeper than the others that he had given me before. I stood on the tips of the toes to match the deepness of his kiss when I kissed him back, but soon after, I felt myself being lifted higher and off of the ground, his arms wrapped strongly around me. I kissed him again as he walked us slowly back to his car, my hands tangled in his hair. He sat me down on the trunk of his car and he kissed me back, his hands slowly running down my curves. I leaned forward, placing small, delicate kisses on his neck, focusing around one area. I noticed by his sharp inhale that I must have been done something right. He pulled back, lifting my chin and kissing me again.

"Sophie, we shouldn't get too physical," he said softly, stroking my cheek softly. "Otherwise, they will know."

I nodded. "I'm not quite ready yet anyway," I said, hopping down off of the trunk and looking up at him, my body still close to his. "I'm not sure when I'll be ready."

"I told you, Sophie," he said, holding my hand in his, "I'll wait for you for as long as it takes. Will you do something for me, though?"

"I would do anything for you, Erik. You know that."

"Take the help that's being offered to you for counseling. It's going to help you so much. It's better to talk about it than to bury it."

"I will, Erik. I promise."

"Good girl," he smiled, kissing my forehead, as he walked back to the passenger of his car, opening the door for me and helping me back into the car. He got back into the driver's side, and drove us back to the school for the last couple of hours of the day and the final dress rehearsal before opening night.

I checked my voicemail while Monsieur Destler was waiting for me to finish putting my costumes away and finish dressing before he took me home. ADA Nolan had called me and told me in summary what all Buquet said. In short, he said that I had come onto him, and that I was making up the rape. He had laid him into the ground though, which made me feel better. Closing arguments would be held the next day, and then the case would go to the jury. Opening night was the day that the case would go to the jury. I wondering what could happen over the course of two days. I yawned softly, coming out of the dressing room and shutting the door. I looked up as I heard soft music playing, coming out to the stage. It took me a moment to recognize the song, and when I recognized it, I set my things down on the stage, putting my hands on my hips.

"Let me guess," I said as I looked around, not seeing Monsieur Destler anywhere. "You're the Beast, and I'm Belle, and you want to dance with me."

"No. On the contrary, my dear," said a voice in the air. I looked around, seeing only darkness. "I want you to sing."

I swallowed, feeling incredibly nervous. I suddenly felt like Christine and Erik was the Phantom. This was too much like my dreams. "I can't. My voice is tired, Monsieur."

"You dare to refuse your Angel," the voice asked with a slight annoyance in his tone, hearing footsteps throughout the auditorium.

"Erik, this isn't funny," I said with a tone of annoyance in my voice, grabbing my things, heading off the stage.

"How dare you defy me? I am your Angel of Music!"

"Erik, stop it!" I screamed, running out of the auditorium and out into the parking lot, panting as the doors of the auditorium closed. I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I whipped around and screamed, seeing Monsieur Destler standing in front of me. His voice was mixed with confusion and sadness as he dropped his hand to his side. I sobbed, going to him, crying into his chest.

"Sophie, what's the matter? What happened?"

"Th-there was someone in the auditorium. I thought it was you, and…and…"

"Shh…come on, I'll take you home," he said, walking me to his car, helping me inside. He got into the driver's side, driving me home. "You're not going to be alone tonight; I'm staying at your house. I'll sleep on the couch. Do you understand?"

I just nodded, my mind dwelling on what had just happened in the auditorium. I closed my eyes as I wiped my tears, taking a few minutes to regain myself. I slowly brought my head up, looking at him as he drove. "I am so sorry that I screamed in your face, Erik. You just startled me, that's all."

"Yes, well, that's easy to imagine when you have a face like mine."

I blinked, and then looked at him with annoyance. "I have never screamed in your face, and I have never been terrified of you," I said, offended.

He didn't say anything more, stopping and parking at my house, helping me out of the car after he turned off the engine and got out on his side. I led the way to the house, opening the front door and letting him inside, not saying anything else to him. I went to the kitchen and took some meds to help me sleep, heading up to my room. We didn't speak another word for the rest of the night. I shut my bedroom door, and got ready for bed as normal, and then I check to see what the Paris Opera House had to say about the music. They were about to copy a piece of music and they had shipped it to me the same day. I was happy, but I could feel the meds kicking in, so I didn't spend very much time celebrating. I laid down, and feel into a deep sleep, wondering what kind of dreams I would be dreaming tonight.