Erik's POV

It's been five months, and I'm falling apart without my angel. Giry has been checking up on me every so often, though I don't see the point in her doing so. Sure there was may or may not have been a chandelier crash, during final bows, but that was by pure accident. I was in a blind rage and panic. I also haven't messed with the managers since that night, everyone who doesn't know probably thinks I'm dead.

To appease my mind, I walked to the dressing room, relieved to find it untouched. I replaced the rose from last week, which was now wilting, not suitable for my beautiful flower, with a new one.

As I turned to leave something caught my eye.

A few pages of parchment with the ever familiar handwriting of Miss Rachel Daae. One was a note, the others were written in a poem format. Like lyrics to a song perhaps...

Rachel's POV

I'm so bored here at the De Changy estate. There's nothing to do really. Most of the time I'm either in my room reading or writing more song lyrics from the songs I've heard in the real world, or I've been going to the forest behind the house. I found a clearing there that's really peaceful. I'm here now, I can hear the lake water lapping where I'm sitting, back leaning against the base a large, weeping willow tree. I hope Erik is faring well in all of this. I know he was more heartbroken over me leaving than he had shown. Hopefully he found the notes I left for him. Since I was alone, and bored. I decided to sing what this scenario felt like.

3rd Person POV

Erik unfolded the note she'd left, tearing up as he imagined her writing it or her voice speaking with her angelic voice those words to him.

My Dearest Erik,

I know you're hurting and heartbroken, I am too. I'm feeling the same with us being apart. There won't be anyone else who makes me feel the way you do. I hope that this little piece of me will help until I come back, who knows when. It's just something that I've written that's come to my mind. I trust you'll put these to good use with your music. Again, I miss you. I hope to see you as soon as I possibly can.

Yours
Rachel Daae

Erik was saddened as he read the note. He then flipped through the other two sheets. One titled "Sapphire", which was rather good and made him smile, thinking of the night they officially met. Then the other, it reflected the pain of goodbye. He could hear his angel's voice in his head as she sang both. What he didn't know is that many miles away, she was singing the same song.

"Alone for awhile," Rachel began with a melancholy smile, "I've been searching through the dark.
For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart.
Do we weave,
By picking up the pieces that remain?
Melodies of Life,
Love's lost refrain..."

Erik was singing as he traveled to the catacombs.
"Our paths they did cross
Though I cannot say just why.
We met, we laughed, we held on fast
And then we said, 'goodbye.'
And who'll hear the echoes
of the stories never told.
Let them ring, out loud,
Till they unfold."

"In my dearest memories
I see you reaching out to me," Rachel sang, getting up from where she was sitting.
"Though you're gone," Erik sang with a tear falling down his unmasked cheek, "I still believe that you can call out my name."

"A voice from the past
Joining yours and mine," they harmonized together, without the other knowing it, "Adding up the layers of harmony.
And so it goes on and on
Melodies of life
To the sky beyond the flying birds
Forever and beyond."

Rachel walked back to the stables of the house and left a note for her sister and Raoul. She hopped on a chestnut horse and rode off back to Paris, towards her angel. Erik stood on the roof, oblivious to what she was doing.

"So far and away," Rachel exclaimed, "See the bird as it flies by.
Gliding through the shadows
Of the clouds up in the sky
I've laid my memories
And dreams upon those wings
Leave them now
And see what tomorrow brings."

"In your dearest memories," Erik looks at the roses sitting there, "Do you remember loving me?"

"Was it fate? That brought us closer and now leaves me behind..." Rachel's voice rang out.

"A voice from the past
Joining yours and mine
Adding up the layers of harmony.
And so it goes on and on
Melodies of life
To the sky beyond the flying birds
Forever and on."

At this point, Rachel has reached the front steps of the right now, abandoned, Opera Populaire, singing at the top of her voice. Erik heard and his heart leapt at the thought of his angel coming back.

"If I should leave
This lonely world behind," Rachel sang walking to the dressing room.

"Your voice will still remember our melodies," Erik sang, practically running to the mirror.

"And I know we'll carry on," Rachel sang pressing her hand to the glass. Erik threw open the glass and sang along with her.

"Melodies of life
Come circle 'round
And grow deep in our hearts," Then Rachel wrapped her arms around him and sang the last line softly.

"As long as we remember..."

"You came back," Erik exclaimed, holding her tight.

"Of course I came back, I missed you," Rachel replied with a smile after pulling away.

"I've missed you too," Erik said, handing her the rose that was sitting on the vanity. Rachel smiled, bringing the blood red petals to her nose and sniffed, the perfume wafting through the air.

"I felt trapped in that house," Rachel said, "I missed this place, the business of rehearsals, the feeling of stage lights on my face, the smell of the hundreds of rose bouquets in the dressing room- although they can be very overwhelming and give me a headache- but I missed being here, being here with you."

Erik didn't know what to say to her confession. She wanted to be here with him? Surely she didn't mean that. No one wanted to be in the company of a monster such as him.

"I can't stay long," Rachel rushed, "I didn't tell Christine where I was going. Knowing her, she'd try to get me to stay. I was hoping I could try to visit if I could. If not, then will you be at the masquerade at New Years?"
"You realize I'm not that popular in this Opera House right now?" Erik said.

"I know, but it is a masquerade, so no one knows who you are. I know for sure Raoul and Christine will be all over each other, so I'll be bored all by myself."

"I don't know," Erik said, "What if people assume anything?"

"Who cares? Rumors have and always will be stupid rumors," Rachel retorted.

After much consideration, Erik gave in. He couldn't say no to his little angel.

"Fine, but only for a while," Erik agreed, remembering he needed to present his now finished opera to the managers in a memorable manner.

"Great," Rachel chirped, "I should go, but I'll try to visit as soon as I can."

They said goodbye and as Rachel rode off, Erik grabbed his Red Death masquerade costume. The night was going to be memorable indeed.

Rachel's POV

I finally got back to the De Changy mansion just before dark. When I walked through the door, I was tackled into a hug by Christine.

"Where in the world were you?" she asked, "I was so worried."

"I went riding," I answered, "Did you not see the note?"

"I did, but I decided to look for you, but you never showed up. I didn't know where you were and I was scared I was going to lose you."

I felt guilty, but I couldn't tell Christine where I'd actually gone. She'd be even more worried.

"I just lost track of time," I reassured her, "Now, what have I missed since I was gone?"

"Well you did miss something important..." Christine said and then held up her left hand and on her finger sat a diamond ring.

"He proposed?!" I squealed.

"Yeah..." Christine said dreamily.

"How did he propose?" I asked excited, "Now I need to hear every detail since I wasn't here."

"Well, it wasn't much," Christine started a slight blush gracing her cheeks, "Raoul brought me to the rose garden and there was so many roses in pinks and whites and he gave me a bouquet of them, then in this pink ribbon was the ring and then he asked me to marry him."

"Awwwww," I gushed, "That's so romantic."

"There is one thing I'm concerned about," Christine bit her lip, "What about the Angel of Music? He wanted me to stray from relationships and make music my top priority. I feel like he'd be unpleased."

"But maybe he'll be happy you found love," I interjected.

"I have an idea, but you'd have to help," Christine said then explained, "You can wear the ring on this small chain, and I can retrieve it to you at midnight the night of the masquerade ball. Raoul and I can announce our engagement then."

I remembered that part of the musical where Erik becomes mad as he sees the ring. What if he gets the wrong idea? What if he thinks I'm engaged to someone? At the same time, I don't want to shatter Christine's hopes. Finally I agree.
"I'll do it, but I need a cover story if anyone asks," I explained.

"Just say it's your mother's ring," Christine said thinking it through, "It was a gift for Christmas this year."

"That's a really good idea," I said, astonished that the sweet, innocent Christine would lie to others. Well now that I think about it, it's for the sake of a surprise. Hopefully I can warn Erik before then. I have three weeks, how hard can it be?

Hey all! Just a small filler chapter for you all. I thought this song would be perfect for this kind of scenario, considering it describes the long time two who love each other are parted for a long time. If it works for Aaron and Aphmau, then it works for Rachel and Erik. I believe this song worked out nicely with the plot.

And now for some personal and author concerning updates and times I am online. I will be offline again more than usual after school, I have School of Rock rehearsals everyday. I also have competition season starting up for Harmonics (first competition this Saturday, wish us luck!) Updates will be hard to do, but I'll try to be as frequent as I can. See ya all in the next chapter!

Luv ya,
Rachel the Short Potato Daae

Written: 1/3/18