Chapter Seven

"No," Christine whispered, "I won't do it."

"Christine, this may be the only way we can catch him," Reid answered.

"And what makes you think he won't just kill me on the spot?" Christine asked, "I thought you guys said he was a psychopath."

"He doesn't understand that what he's doing is wrong," Prentiss explained, "he's doing all this for you. You're the only one who's accepted him."

"And then I had to go and take off his damn mask."

"Christine, this isn't your fault," Hotch assured, "there is a chance that we can get to him and get him some help."

"Okay," Christine agreed, "but how are we gonna do this?"

"You and Piangi will perform the opera like normal. My team, the managers, and Raoul will be watching. When he shows his face and the guards give us the signal, that's when we go in," Hotch explained.

"And why would he show up now?" Christine asked, "he probbably knows you will be at the performance."

"Trust me," Rossi said pointing to Hotch, "this guy has been on a SWAT team. We can keep ourselves hidden."

"The biggest problem will be shutting the managers up," Hotch replied.

Raoul kissed Christine's head.

"You can do this Little Lotte."

The lights were down and the stage was set. The B.A.U was spread all across the theater. The opera itself was going smoothly, and Christine seemed to know it, too.

No thoughts within her head, but thoughts of joy she sang.

Piangi appoached her and sang

You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge.

In pursuit of that wish which til now has been silent. Silent.

Christine froze.

"Okay," Firmin panicked, "that is definetly NOT Piangi!"

"So where did he go?" Rossi asked

"Destler injected himself into his own opera?" Prentiss asked, "that's ballsy."

"He probbably knows we're here too," Morgan deduced, "he's taunting us. He knows this is his last chance to see Christine."

"Well, the show must go on," Hotch said.

Christine and the phantom sang the duet and moved sensually up and down the stage.

"Is it just me or is Christine emjoying this a little too much?" Morgan asked.

"He taught her for years," Prentiss answered, "he's in love with her. There's bound to be feelings left between them.

The tortured man gave Christine a ring and sang

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

Lead me save me from my solitude.

Say you want me with you now beside you.

He got bolder and professed

Anywhere you go, let me go too.

Christine, that's all I ask of-

Christine saw her chance and took the mask off. The audience shreiked in terror as Destler ran away with Christine.

"NOOO!" he screamed, dragging Christine away.

"Dammit!" Prentiss exclaimed.

From out of nowhere, a chandelier began to fall down.

"Look out!" Hotch yelled as everyone bolted away from the swinging chandelier.

The team ran up on the stage.

"Tear this place apart," Hotch commanded, "we need to know where he might've taken her.

"Agent Hotchner," Madame Giry panted, "I think he's taken her to his lair."

"Do you know where that is?" Rossi asked.

"Yes. I can take you there. Meg, you stay here," she commanded her daughter.

"Hotch!" Morgan yelled, "you'll never believe what I found."

The team peered behind the curtain.

They couldn't believe it either.