FicWad

The next morning...................................

Christine could hardly get to sleep the night before and awoke bright an early. Annette had spent some time with her explaining the situation she would be in today for auditions; she would have 2 songs of her own choosing. If she were a finalist, she would be performing a duet with Erik, one of his songs and one he choose on the spot. It was his way of testing the singer's knowledge of his songs. Luckily; she knew every song by heart and felt comfortable she would be able to perform anything they asked. Especially after her impromptu performance last night with Erik, she knew she would be able to do anything.


She quickly got up, showered and prepared herself for her audition; Annette had purchased a dress for her to wear for tryouts as a good luck symbol. It fit her beautifully and accented her womanly curves, a wonderful way to start out her day. She noted that the bed across the way held a sleeping blonde curled up in the large bed, she had fallen asleep before Meg had returned and did not remember hearing her come in, 'Note to self...details, details, details after today's auditions.' She thought as she headed downstairs.

Christine made her way down the hallway and down the stairs towards the foyer, Annette had stressed the need for her to be prompt since she would be the first performer of the day and they were to keep a strict schedule. Christine's eyes went wide as she saw the line of performers in the hall leading out the door; Annette caught her eye and motioned for her. "Who are all these people?"

Annette smiled, "We offered an open audition but we are only actually looking at three main candidates. You and two other ladies, but in doing this we make Erik look extremely into his fans by having open auditions. It draws a large crowd, now young lady lets get you into the studio. What songs are you going to perform?" She asked as she led her down a back hallway to Erik's built in recording studio.

Christine smiled, "Well I've got two songs I completely love, both show range and are powerful songs."

Annette nodded, "Well here we are...good luck sweetie." Annette opened the door to the audition room and ushered her inside.

Christine entered the audition room; she stopped just inside the door to take a few deep breaths.

Annette made her way into the sound room; she was greeted by a very happy Nick who seemed to be beaming. "Morning Nick, are you ready for this?" She asked taking her seat along side him and another member of the board, the three of them would choose who would perform with Erik in the afternoon.

Nick smiled, "As ready as I can be, hopefully our man of the hour will show once we pick the finalists."

Annette nodded, "Hopefully, let's begin shall we. First up we have Christine Daae. Good morning Christine."

Christine waved at the judges and smiled, "Good morning."

Nick whispered to Annette, "She is very beautiful." He turned back to Christine, "Ok, you will perform both of your songs back to back after that we'll score your singing. We will let you know after your performance, and if you score high enough we will ask you back after everyone has auditioned."

Annette smiled at her, "Go ahead Christine."

Christine nodded taking a few deep breathes, she looked down at her feet and composed herself. She looked up and started her first song,
"This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore."

Nick looked at Annette in amazement, he made a few notes on his note pad and just sat back enjoying the rest of her performance, and he knew that this one was a keeper.

"I wanted
I wanted you to stay
cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
Cause I'm not leaving
Hold on to me and
never let me go"

Christine took a few deep breathes and smiled at the judges, Annette and Nick were clapping enthusiastically. Christine stepped back a bit to get her energy up again, just as she was about to start her second set Nick stood up.

"Christine, please." He said as he finished clapping. "That was enough; we know talent when we see it. You've amazed us enough for now, save your voice for your performance with Erik. Thank you my darling."

Annette nodded her head, "I agree, Christine; go get something to eat. We will call you back in an hour." Annette waved at the girl as she practically skipped out of the room; she turned back to Nick, "Now is the long part." She sighed as the next contestant made their way into the room, at the first note Annette and Nick both sighed as the slumped down in their chairs.

*********************

Erik awoke late in the afternoon; he'd tossed and turned all night long even after drink after drink should have sedated him for the next twelve hours. He growled as he crawled out of bed and made his way to the shower, Annette had made sure to leave numerous notes reminding him of the auditions today. She said she would come get him when the three girls were narrowed down, of course depending on how many actually showed up to perform that could be forever.

He set the shower temperature nice and hot to relax his tense muscles, 'This is going to be a long damn day.' He thought to himself climbing into the hot water letting it cascade down his back. The rhythm of the water hitting the tub soothed his body, and from somewhere deep inside he heard it; that which kept him up all night long that song in his head. It was his song, but she had taken it and made it her own and her voice kept ringing in his ears. 'Till the last tear drop falls.' "GAH!" He cried out and slammed his fist against the bathroom wall. He'd done a very good job of practicing his self hate and loathing and with one stupid song she'd completely thrown him for a loop!

Erik couldn't even enjoy his shower, he decided to finish quickly and get dressed. He could try to relax at his piano while he waited for Annette to come retrieve him.

************

Christine made her way into her room hoping that Meg was awake, she definitely needed details about her late night outing. She gently opened the door and peeked in, "Meg..." she whispered.

There was a rustling of the covers and a slight grunt as Meg's body rolled over and covered her head with her pillow.

Christine practically pounced on her jumping up and down on the bed trying to get her to wake up, "Get...out...of ... bed!"

Meg growled and rolled over; she grabbed her pillow and threw it at Christine. "God! Can't a girl get her beauty rest?"

Christine rolled her eyes as she grabbed the girl's covers, "Get UP! I want details." She yelled pulling the covers and along with it Meg onto the floor. Immediately, Christine's hand went to her mouth as she started laughing.

Meg looked up at her from the floor, "I will give you details...when I'm awake!" She crawled back into bed, "Please...just two more hours. Don't you have an audition to go to?" She reached for her covers on the floor and curled up on the bed.

Christine sat on the edge of the bed, "Already done, and just waiting on the verdict. Next up is performing with Erik!" She squeaked clapping her hands, she set her hands down on Meg's arm. "We need to have serious share time."

Meg opened her one good eye, "Yes, we will. In a few hours, go get breakfast. Let me sleep." She groaned and rolled over.

Christine laughed and let her friend sleep making her way out of the room and down the back stairs to the kitchen, she knew that the auditions couldn't be over yet and was kind of hungry since she never did make it to meet Meg at the table last night for food.

2 Hours later.........

Annette came out of the room stretching her sore and tired muscles; it had been a long morning of listening to amateurs trying to pelt out songs they didn't have any right even listening too let alone trying to sing it. She made her way slowly up the stairs towards Erik's room; she wasn't even at the top of the stairs before a soft sad melody graced her ears. To no surprise it was coming from Erik's room, a piece he more then likely composed on the piano one evening. She quietly moved down the hallway and knocked lightly on his door, when the music continued on she let herself in quietly so as not to interrupt him.

"Hold on, like there's no tomorrow, there can be no sorrow, right here where we stand and living only for this moment. All we've ever is wanted is right here in our hands and some will say that we're sure to fall. Try to build there walls between us. No way over it, no way around it. If we want it we have to go through it, fight for love and the world tries to break us down, but the world will bend and the fight will end. Love will always win." he whispered softly to the notes coming out of his piano. Erik continued to play but the notes became extremely soft, "I assume I am needed now?" He asked turning his face to her the mask a cold reminder to her of all he'd suffered recently.

"Yes mon ami, just two ladies the other one didn't show." She smiled and walked to him putting her hand gently on his shoulder. "You will be impressed Erik, they are both very talented."

"Let's just get this over with, I'm sure they can't wait," He retorted sarcastically.
Annette patted his back as he stood up, "You look good Erik." His white crisp shirt hugged his built form while his black slacks were nicely tailored for his form.

"Annette..." He started to comment but decided against it. "Thank you, I hope this doesn't take long."

Annette nodded, "That my friend will be up to you we just narrowed it down for you." The two made their way out the door and into the hallway, "Erik, I will meet you there I need to collect our one song bird."

Erik nodded and made his descent down the stairs towards the recording room. Annette turned the corner and headed for the girls room, she knocked lightly and opened the door. "Christine? Meg?" She called softly into the room. The light sound of deep breathing brought her attention to the corner bed, blonde locks of hair hung off the side of the bed. Annette smiled sweetly at the small form fast asleep before her.

"She's been asleep all morning," Christine whispered moving in from the outside balcony. "I tried to wake her earlier but apparently she had a very good time last night." She giggled a bit.

Annette just smiled and waved Christine towards the door, "It is time my dear, let's get down there so we do not hold up the audition." Christine nodded and the two made their way out of the room and headed straight for the recording studio. "Erik has requested that a curtain be up between him and the two of you so we will see how you adjust to his voice without being able to see him. That way on stage should you need to adjust for any reason you are capable of doing so without his help."

Christine nodded, but there was something in the back of her head saying that wasn't the real reason the curtain was up. She knew somewhere deep inside from his actions last night it was because of the mask the now tormented his face. As the two walked up to the room, a young woman stood before them.

Annette smiled at the young woman, "Abigail, congratulations on making it this far, this is Christine. Christine; Abigail Jensen." The two girls smiled at each other and shook hands. "Abigail please follow me you will be first today, Christine you will follow after." Annette started into the room first and Abigail followed after waving at Christine and winking before she entered.

Christine watched the girl disappear into the room and couldn't help but let fear enter her body. Abigail was beautiful, petite and strong: if her voice was as beautiful as she was Christine was not sure she would be the one they chose today. Then she heard it; it was faint but still easily heard. A single female soprano pelting out note after note, she recognized the music immediately and smiled it was the song she sang with him last night. "That's our song," she thought selfishly, hearing the final notes of the song.
There was silence in the room then the door opened and out came Abigail. "Your up...Have fun that will be a hard act to follow." She commented snidely taking a seat on the leather couch in the hall.

Christine glared at the woman and made her way into the room, a blood red curtain faced her and the sound room was to her right. She knew that on the other side of the curtain stood the Angel of music. She turned to face the judges and smiled, "Good afternoon."

Nick smiled, "Good to see you again Christine. Ready?" At her nod he smiled and turned to Erik, "Erik, what song would you like?"

Erik just sighed, "'What if I said.'" Singing that song again didn't have as much strength and passion as it had last night with that strange woman in the garden. Perhaps that was the reason he couldn't put everything into the song as he had previously.

"Excellent choice," Annette replied at his selection. "Christine whenever you are ready."

Christine nodded and smiled, she turned slightly to the curtain she was singing for the judges but she was singing for and to Erik." We've been friends for a long time now, you tell me you tell me your secrets and I will tell you mine, she's left you all alone and you feel like no one cares. But I have never failed you I've always been there."

At the moment she started singing Erik's eyes instantly got big, that voice was so familiar he remembered it from the woman last night in the garden. He could not forget it, it was beautiful, sweet, strong and passionate; a perfect accompaniment to his deep, rich voice. He was thinking so much he missed his own entrance, he quickly stumbled over his own until he caught up, "You tell your story, it sounds a bit like mine its the same old situation it happens every time. Can't we see, oh maybe you and me. Are what's meant to be or do we disagree."

Christine smiled, "What if I told you," sang sweetly to him.

Erik answered her without hesitation, "What if I said."

"That I love you, how would you feel what would you think, what would we do." They sang together.

"Do we dare to cross that line between your heart and mine, or would I loose a friend," Christine smiled softly.

"Or find a love that would never end," Erik could feel his face start to blush.

"What if I said."

Erik was completely lost in the music, the voice coming through the curtain was to enticing and the beautiful woman that was the bodies of the music made him reach forward and yank back the curtain as his next verse started. "He doesn't hold you the way a woman should be held how long can I go on keeping these feelings to myself."

Christine's eyes lit up when the curtain was pulled back she smiled at him and took a step forward." What if I told you."

Erik answered her, "What if I said," He couldn't help but move towards her. Her voice was enchanting and mesmerizing and everything about her radiated confidence and beauty.

Annette turned to Nick and smiled, she whispered quietly. "Nick I've not seen him like this since before the accident."

Nick shook his head, "I think our choice has been made."

Christine began the last chorus, "That I love you, how would you feel what would you think, what would we do. Do we dare to cross that line between your heart and mine, or would I loose a friend"

Erik's last step put him inches from her, his height causing him to loom over her. "Or find a love that would never end." His husky voice seemed to touch a deep part of her causing her to blush at how strong his voice was in that last line.

"What if I said?" The two sang in unison as Christine place her hand on his chest and Erik's hand automatically wrapped his around hers.

"Oh we both had our share of loneliness," she couldn't help but smile up at him.

"So who's to say that we can't have a little happiness," he was just enthralled in her singing.

"And if I found that in you, it would make my dreams come true." Christine's eyes never left his; she was completely lost in his green emerald eyes.

"Or would you walk away, hear what I have to say."

"What if I said?" The two of them smiled at each other. Last nights impromptu performance was by chance and now this woman had surprised him yet again.

"Christine?" He asked, since the night before they never exchanged pleasantries.

Before she could answer Nick and Annette stood up clapping, Erik immediately stepped away from her his trance broken by the intrusion. "That was beautiful what artistic chemistry. I believe our search has ended?" He questioned the two judges then turned to Erik, "Erik?"

Erik eyes had diverted away from Christine's he had suddenly become very interested in his studio. His thoughts plagued him, he was angry that he'd let himself be so consumed by her. At Nick's inquiry he looked at him, "Hmm oh yes very good." He looked to Christine, her dark brown eyes completely lit by her smile, "Congratulations, I look forward to working with you on the upcoming tour." He nodded to everyone and began to make his exit, the way she looked at him had almost made him forget about the cold white mask on his face, and it made him feel like a man again. His body composition completely changed at his next thought, 'That's how Elizabeth used to look at me.' His shoulders slumped and head hung as his pace quickened out of the room and back to his bedroom.

Christine was overwhelmed, she smiled at the judge's applause but before she could even thank Erik his demeanor changed and he retreated from the room. With a sad look she turned to Annette, "Did I?"

Annette shook her head, "Leave it be lov' he is a...different man. There will be time for introductions later; right now you should be celebrating! This is a happy day sweetheart, for more than just the obvious reasons."

Christine nodded, though she couldn't help but stare at the empty spot where Erik had just been standing. They had made a connection, she could feel it; perhaps she'd just have to try harder.

A/N: As always I own nothing! Again, I say I do not pretend to be an award winning writer, just someone plotting some interesting stories of our favorite characters; so love it, hate it or just don't care either way tell me.

The songs featured here today are, "Far Away" by Nickleback. "What if I said" by Anita Cochran and Steve Wainer.