"Josh!" Matt roared. "You didn't tell me that Kate Barrymore is returning tonight. This is an outrage."

"Relax, Prince Adam," Josh sighed. "I talked to Kate this morning. I told her she wasn't feeling up to it. Cath had it covered. She'd be welcome to return tomorrow," Josh smiled. "If I've learned anything from Caroline, it's manipulation."

"Well, look at that. Caroline was finally good for something," Matt said with a slight laugh.

"Hey, lay off," Josh sighed. "She's had a rough life too."

"Haven't we all?" Matthew sighed. "At least she hasn't had anybody die on her."

"Her mom," Josh said, shoving an apple slice into his mouth. "She was eighteen."

"Catherine lost her father, mother, and sister," Matt replied solemnly. "I can't begin to imagine what kind of heck she's been through."

"We all deal with stuff differently," Josh sighed. "Cath's a strong woman. It's made her kind, but a bit hot headed at times. Caroline's just a testy monster all around."

Matt sighed. "She isn't good for you, Josh. Take my advice and break up with her."

Josh moaned. "And how we getting our income then?!"

"Good point," Matt sighed. "Twisted every way, isn't it?"

"Nah," Josh muttered, snatching his book bag. "I keep dating her, you stay safe. It's a sacrifice I've always been willing to make for you, Matt. Cathy doesn't change that."

"But, what if I don't want to live down here anymore?" Matt inquired.

"Well you can't go anywhere else," Josh noted. "How many half burned broadway singers named Matthew do you know? Mari recognized you nearly by just your description."

"Well...when Cath and I get married, we could live at her place," Matthew suggested. "If she'd marry me, that is."

"Someday maybe," Josh nodded, "but what would you do in the meantime? I mean, I gotta keep up with Caroline as long as I'm here. I can't exactly leave either." Josh gave a nervous glance above. "Matt," he sighed, "there's stuff in my past-" He quickly shook it from his head and swung the backpack over his shoulder. "The show's in an hour. I'll see you then?"

Matt nodded in reply.

—————

Catherine's hands shook violently. This was it, her first performance since Matt had been teaching her. As the lights dimmed, she felt as she might faint. Suddenly, a dark presence filled the back of the stage, someone watching eagerly. Catherine felt it, felt the breath on the back of her spine and the eyes that followed her every movement. A new feeling overcame her, a calm.

"Hey," Josh smiled from the sound booth. "Ya ready?"

"Even if I'm not, I'm past the point of no return," Catherine laughed nervously. "There's no going back now."

"He wanted me to give you this," Josh said with a soft smile, handing her a single ear pod.

Catherine gave Josh a look of confusion. "Um...thanks?"

"Put it in," Josh urged her with a laugh.

"If his commands are ignored, a disaster beyond my imagination might occur," Catherine thought with a smile as she did what she was told.

"Hey, Cath," a voice said in her ear. "Now, you enter in about twenty seconds. Remember to keep your arms rounded on the jetés, okay?"

"Since when are you a ballet expert?" Catherine laughed.

Matthew made a small frown. "I don't know...rehearsal maybe?"

Catherine chuckled. "We're meeting in my dressing room after the show, right?"

"Focus, Cath," Matt scolded with a smirk as she entered on stage. "Now remember to keep in time with Mari. She has the beat even more so than the orchestra sometimes."

"Okay," Catherine whispered, making sure her mic was off.

"Hey," Matt said softly as he noticed her tensing, "you look gorgeous."

Catherine relaxed a bit as she began dancing. She danced with such grace. It was no wonder that she had been a ballerina for many years.

The performance carried on smoothly.

"I don't know his name, sir," Cath said timidly when Josh switched her mic on.

"I do," Matt teased in a sing-song voice.

Catherine took a deep breath and began to sing, "Think of me. Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye..."

"I'll never think of anything else," Matt smiled. "No one else ever."

—————

Catherine sat in the gondola and watched as Ben began Music of the Night.

"He's in top form tonight," Matt noted. "Give it your all."

Catherine nodded. It was a comfort knowing that Matt was there.

"God, you look gorgeous in stage light, Mel," Matt sighed, staring fondly at Cath from the darkness.

"Mel," Catherine thought. "She's in there somewhere. I just know he remembers her. Somehow." She nearly fell over as Ben took her by the hand, leading her out of the gondola.

"You alright?!" Matt said with concern.

"I'm fine," Cath whispered.

Ben frowned, wondering who she could possibly be talking to, but still kept singing.

"Sorry to cut in," Josh said suddenly, "but Matt, you got security on your right."

Catherine ignored them and pretended to faint when she saw the mannequin, falling into Ben's arms.

"Hold on, Josh," Matt mumbled, his mind and heart intently fixed on his student.

"Matt," Josh said impatiently, raising his voice, "get out of there!"

"Get out," Catherine whispered, trying to keep her mouth as still as possible.

Matt snapped back to attention just as a security guard peeks the top edge of the balcony. "I love you," he whispered before turning of his earbud and jumping to the ground floor.

Catherine quickly got off stage as the next scene started. She ran immediately over to Josh. "Where is he? Did he make it? Is he okay?"

"He made it by the skin of his teeth," Josh sighed. "What happened back there? He's usually so careful."

"No idea," Catherine shrugged. "I have to dress into the pageboy costume. See you later."

"Maybe it was seeing Mari again," Josh theorized to himself. "Alright, see you in five."

Suddenly, Catherine had the realization that she would be seeing Caleb for the first time offstage since they broke up. "I wonder if it will affect the scene," she thought. She quickly got into her costume and hurried backstage. "Hi Caleb," she said timidly.

He gave a reserved smile. "Miss Daei, you're well, I trust?"

Catherine laced her arm through his and looked up at him. "I'm really sorry. I know I hurt you. I'm a jerk."

"Little bit," Caleb laughed, "but-" he gave a sad smile, "at least you're not going to have any trouble pretending to love me on stage. You've successfully done it in real life for months."

"True," Catherine smiled. "Look, I know it's cliché, but I never meant to hurt you. I swear, I didn't."

"You're a funny kid, hey Cath," Caleb said with a shake of his head. "You've sang like an angel tonight. He's taught you well."

Catherine was taken aback by this statement. He knew that Matt was giving her lessons? "I...I don't know..." she stammered.

"I saw his face, Cath," Caleb sighed. "Did you think that I wouldn't recognize him?"

Catherine quickly pushed Caleb to a corner where no one could hear them. "You can't tell anyone," she said breathlessly, but sternly. "You can't."

"We're on," Caleb laughed pushing her back toward the stage. "Don't worry."

"I swear, if you tell a soul-" Catherine whispered.

Josh silently handed Caleb the Notes prop and Caleb bit his lip, giving a small salute to Cathrine as he rushed on stage.

Cath moved over to Josh and whispered, "Caleb knows...about Matt."

Josh frowned. "Not funny Cath."

"He does. I'm not joking," Catherine exclaimed, her voice still in a whisper.

"Get ready," Josh grumbled. "We'll discuss this later."