Remembering the Angel

The Mask and Moonlight

Christine's POV

Christine rose quickly, trying to compose herself from the trance of her Angel. However the sudden movement caused her side to cringe in pain.

"Are you alright?" Madame Giry asked her.

"Yes, I'm fine." eager for a change in subject, Christine continued, "Gustav is so talented isn't he?"

"Yes yes, a real gift." Madame Giry said flatly.

"Where is he?" Christine asked.

"Lessons. He will return." was all the response Christine received.

Lessons. The Angel.

They began to walk back to the castle

Christine did not understand the bitter tone Madame Giry had about her son, but she didn't let it bother her, she knew his talent was beyond measure. However, something puzzled her still.

"Is his father alive?" she asked softly.

"Yes." replied Madame Giry.

"Do you know him?"

"Yes." again.

"Will you tell me who it is?"

"Look, now it is she who does not know. Perhaps we ask the Viscount back." Madame Giry scoffed, "No, the master wouldn't like that, still."

"Vicomte? The Master?" Words that were again so close to Christine's memory, but without a face.

"In time, Ms Daae, in time. Meg, come."

Her once dear, bubbly friend, now sitting silently in the corner got up, and left alongside her mother.

Christine walked, very slowly, to her own mirror, and placed her hand against the cold glass.

Erik's POV

Erik followed Gustave only so far back to him and his mother's room.

"I'll watch you go in from down the hall. We've made some progress tonight, well done." Erik patted him lightly on the back.

"Do you not want to come in and see mother?" Gustave asked.

Oh, he had no idea how much he yearned to go in and see his sweet Christine. But no, it was too soon, too soon to reveal all to her.

He would make slow progress back into her heart. She knew his masked form, she remembered her teacher, but would she remember The Phantom? The masked monster she tamed with her love?

Erik shook his head, "Not tonight. Soon."

Gustav hugged him, "Goodnight Father."

He watched as the boy walked away and shut the door behind him.

"You are treading very unsafe waters, Master." Madame Giry said to him.

"Do not lecture me on unsafe waters Madame Giry," The Phantom kept his gaze locked on Christine's door, "Christine is the only clear water in my life. I will not lose her now."

"Lose her? There is no way she can leave! She has no means of leaving!" Madame Giry threw her hands up in frustration, "What of my daughter, Monsieur? What of Meg? No one has spoken to her since Miss Daae returned."

"Can you blame me?! She almost took her life away, she --"

"Meg gave you her's! She gave everything for you! Still we haven't been repaid."

"Is that what you want, mademoiselle? Your money?" He reached into his pockets and pulled out all the lose money he could find, "Here! There is the first of all of the payments you will receive. Take it all! Money means nothing to me now."