"Congrats kid," Some men, laughed, clapping the young man on the back, others shook their head and swore at him.

"I didn't mean to!" The young man cried fixing his vest, his brown eyes looking pleadingly and innocently to anyone who would listen, "I didn't mean to hit him!"

Slowly the crowds dissipated, the youth felt as if he had talked to every officer alive.

"Anabel?" he called out into the empty theater after many hours, finally escaping the crowds.

He had been about to leave when he felt a rope entangle around his neck and slam him back against the wall.

"Hold it!" The you man screamed, "Stop!"

Erik's eyes stared back into the youths, dark and threatening.

"Did you shoot my son."

"Y-Your son?" The man stuttered putting one hand to his neck, "The kid with the face, ye high?!"

He placed a hand to the height about his abdomen and then gestured madly across his face int the shape of Elis scar.

Erik nodded tightening the rope.

"I didn't mean to hit him I swear," The man gasped. "My wife needed me to help him, I'd do anything for my wife sir, I'm quite scared of her- I was trying to help."

Eriks hesitated, something he wouldn't have considered ten years ago. Could he take this man from a wife?

"Please sir," The man choked, his vision growing faint along with his hope, "Please sir I have a child."

Before he could make his choice another voice emerged from behind him.

"Erik stop!" It cried desperately, "My god Erik, please!"

Erik turned his head and frowned temporarily losing his focus, "Anabel?" 

The man broke free from the rope in those short seconds, rushing to his wife, "Anabel you shouldn't be here, you shouldn't be here!"

"She's your wife?" Erik spat. Betrayal, what else could he feel, utterly and ruthless betrayed once again, and by none other than the one he had taught.

"Erik this man speaks the truth, he speaks true," Anabel plead desperately.

"Explain yourself," Erik spoke starkly as the man stepped in front of his wife protectively.

"A man was aiming to shoot, to kill the boy, I set my pistol to shoot the gun for his hand, I missed, I-" The man broke into tears, "I was trying to save him I was-"

"No more words boy." Eriks sighed closing his eyes in a tired pain his heart could not bear. "Say no more

"Erik," Anabel said approaching him slowly, leaving her husband's hand behind, "Erik I love him, please, show mercy."

He turned to face her adoring eyes, their youthful innocence speaking nothing but the truth.

"Anabel-" her husband stammered, "How do you know this man?"

"Follow me," Anabel stated sadly, taking his hand and drawing him closer to Erik, "We're going to fix this."

Erik eyed the man warily, but Anabel's pleading eyes convinced him to lead the couple through the catacombs and into his home.

Erik's white mask reflected in the candlelight sending chills down the young man's spine.

He felt as if he were already a part of this, an eerie reminder of his past, of his future, as if all of this had happened before, or was to happen again. How had his wife come to know this Ghost?! Who did she come here with as a child? She had told him stories, stories of the boy in the mazes, the man of music, but never had to be believed her.

Now he wondered if he should had. 

----------

Christine heard the waves breaking on the shore along with her husband's command for his guest to stay close.

"Erik," she cried out running to him and hugging him tightly, "Erik he's awake."

The young man watched as the murderous rage on the Phantoms face was replaced with desperation, a pure terror and horror he had never seen on any mans face before. Erik rushed to his son's room.

Anabel took her husband's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Christine," she said with a sad smile, "This is my husband."

"Christine Daae?!" he gawked, "You died, In Manhatten, in that shooting accident."

Christine blushed, "Clearly not."

He nodded and shook her hand vigorously, "I can not express my horror, my- I can't express it. I'm so so sorry."

Christine smiled at the genuine terror in the young man eyes. He was like Anabel in that way. A heart that could be felt in all its goodness by all it encountered.

"He needs rest," Christine nodded. "Rest and time. All we can do is pray."

"Please," the young man begged, "Let me pay by any medical attention he needs."

Christine shuddered and pulled her shawl closer around her shoulders, "I've yet to meet a Doctor who worked for free and didn't think a face didn't define a person."

Anabel gave a laugh and nudged her husband ever so slightly.

"I'm sorry Ma'am," The boy stammered with a blush, "No, I meant, I'm a medical- I'm a Doctor. I'd like to help."

Christine looked at the couple wearily, for a moment she could have sworn when he smiled like that, he looked like-

"I'm sorry," she laughed, "My in my condition I've lost all sense."

"Your condition!?" Anabel exclaimed, "Christine you don't mean."

Christine collapsed into her chair and gave a small nod.

Anabel husband frowned, "Miss Daae, you really should rest, this stress isn't healthy."

"My son is dying in a back room and there's nothing I can do about it." Christine snapped angrily, "How do you expect me to rest?"

The man stepped back and nodded, "I'm sorry."

Christine sighed and shook her head, "No, no I'm sorry, I just-"

She broke down into tears once more, only there seemed none left to cry, "I can't lose him. It is like losing a part of myself, like losing Erik."

"Erik is your husband?" he said slowly piecing the story together. "So you left Comte Dechangy to marry Erik?"

"Yes," Christine nodded with intrigue, "And I don't recall your name."

"It's nothing important," Anabel laughed awkwardly fawning on her husband's arm, "I'm sure he already said it."

"Anabel," the man laughed extending a hand to Christine, "I'm Fred. Freidreick Louis Dechangy."

Christine stared, her mouth slightly ajar, "Your-Raouls boy?!"

Fred gave out a loud laugh, "Goodness no. Gustave is his only son. God knows where he- Well" He gave a small chuckle with a raised eyebrow, "Well I suppose you would know. No, but I'm his older brothers son. Johns boy."

Christine smiled, her entire demeanor relaxing into one of fond admiration for this man with kind eyes and heart, "Johns boy?! Last time I saw you-you were barely a thought in your Mothers head."

"Don't tell Erik please," Anabel begged holding Freds hand.

Fred raised an eyebrow, "Why not?"

"You already shot his son we don't need to anger him more."

"You don't mean." Fredrick laughed as if Anabel had something outrageously funny. 

Christine nodded, "yes."

Fred's jaw dropped and he stared blankly around the cavern, in an excited tone he pointed violently towards the nursery. "That means the Opera Ghost-"

"Yes."

"The Phantom of the Opera?"

Anabel nodded. 

"But He's tall!"

Christine gave a small laugh, "And how Monsuire Dechangy did you imagine him?"

Fred gaped and stuttered, "I don't-I didn't- I have no idea. He's more handsome than they said."

He frowned and pointed an accusing finger at Anabel, "You said he had no nose!"

"You called me lazy!"

"Mine was a fact, yours was a lie."Fred scolded. 

Anabel shrugged, "Maybe dearest I was too lazy, to tell the truth."

Fred was about to defend himself when the small yelp of Eli came from the room.

Fred removed his jacket and kissed his wife before running off to help.

Anabel had tears in her eyes, "He's a good man Christine, a flawed man, but he tries."

Christine nodded, "Raoul was too. But Fred has inherited his Fathers good humor and kindness. He's a good match for you Anabel, I'm happy."

Anabel ran to her, embracing her friend and adopted mother in a tight hug, "He will be alright, Fred knows what he's doing. "

Christine closed her tired eyes, "I hope so. I hope so."