Phantom of the Concert Hall

A/N:
Just a warning...to spice this up a bit..Erik's repitore shall include songs made famous by several other musicians, just because I'm no talented enough to write songs for him to sing...plus this is waay more fun. My best friend and I had a ball picking out what songs were Erik enough for this fic. But they're "supposed" to be his songs. Thanks for your kind words!


Christine stared at the man with his lips curled against her fingers. He was so dark, but so intriguing. She snapped out of her silence when she realised that she was staring at him in a dazed stupor.

"Thank you Monsieur. It is a pleasure to meet you." She said softly, withdrawing her hand from his fingertips. The Phantom smiled up at her, and straightened to full height once more. He swept around her and toward the door.

Meg and Antoinette moved to the side to let the musician exit. He turned in the doorway to look back at Christine.

"You may watch the performance from backstage if you would like. I shall have seating arranged for you." He said softly, and vanished down the dark hallway.

Christine blinked and stared after him, his aftershave lingering behind me. She looked toward Antoinette and she shrugged.

"That is positively the oddest man I have ever laid eyes on my dear. I must confess, he usually does not take well to complete strangers. He seemed...well...comfortable with your presence." Antoinette stated. Christine did not know wether to feel flattered or frightened.

He seemed as though he could stare into her soul, and some one having that sort of power of her this soon made her feel quite small. She looked down at her toes, embarrased to already be reduced to a silent mess.

"Come now Christine, would you like to watch the show? The Phantom has given his word, he shall have seating arranged for you." Meg stated, trying to lighten her friend's demeanor. Christine looked up and forced a smile.

"I would enjoy it if you watched with me." She said. Meg nodded and took her arm, leading the girl down the hallway. Antoinette took up the rear and massaged her temples as she walked.

'Erik is never that nice to complete stangers. He's known Meg for years and he's not even that nice to her.' She pondered. She shrugged it off, thinking that she was over analyzing the situation.

Meg lead them to the rear of the stage. Sure enough there were seats around the right wing of the stage, so that when the curtain opened they could see the Phantom, but the crowd could not see them.

Christine found a seat and breathed in deeply. She was still quite nervous after her encounter with the Phantom, but she knew that she must get over that feeling of insecurity or she would never be of any use to him or his employees. She looked down beside her and found a cooler full of bottled water. She sighed and grabbed a bottle, letting the cool liquid rush down her throat, calming her nerves. Meg patted her shoulder.

"You did very well with him. Most people get so nervous that they can't even function." She said. Christine smirked.

"Or speak." She said, poking fun at herself. Meg laughed and so did her mother.

"At least he spoke to you Christine. That says a lot." Antoinette said, stifling her laughter as the Phantom walked to the edge of the curtain. His dark outfit went well with the mysterious feel about him. His hands were now clad in black leather gloves, the fingers cut out of them. His hands looked strong as they held onto his microphone, and adjusted his ear piece.

He was wired through the sound crew and ready to perform. In a way, Christine was anxious to hear this music of his. She had grown up on nothing but operas and musicals. This rock and roll was new to her.

The Phantom noticed her staring and looked into her eyes. She blushed and looked away, her water bottle becoming quite interesting all of the sudden.

He smirked and looked out on to the stage. The screaming had begun. Christine heard a booming voice over the loud speakers through the concert hall, announcing the Phantom. He took a deep breath and calmly walked out onto the stage.

His fans burst into a fit of screaming as he walked across the stage, the first chords of his first song flowing from the guitarist at his back. Christine settled into her chair to watch him perform.

The Phantom was at ease on the stage. This was what he had been born for. Performing. The guitar blared behind him as he opened his mouth to sing, the spotlights settling onto the musician.

I would swallow my pride, I would choke on the rinds But the lack there of would leave me empty inside Swallow my doubt, turn it inside out Find nothing but faith in nothing Wanna put my tender heart in a blender Watch it spin around to a beautiful oblivion Rendevouz then I'm through with you

Christine stared at him as is haunting voice filled the auditorium. She was not used to this sort of music, but it intrigued her. His words enlightened her, his voice awakened her.

The crowd screamed madly, singing along with their star. Their hands thrust into the air, some grabbing at fist fulls of air trying to get a hold of the Phantom, but he was simply out of their reach.

I burn burn like a wicker cabinet Chalk white and oh so frail I see our time has gotten stale The tick tock of the clock is painful All sane and logical, I wanna tear it off the wall I hear words in clips and phrases.
I think sick like ginger ale My stomach turns and i exhale.


Christine sat up rigid in her chair. His voice was so pained, but so achingly beautiful even as he belted those notes over the loud roar of the fans and his band.

Erik opened his eyes and stared out at his audience, voice strengthening as he grew more confident.

I alone am the one you don't know you need Take heed, feed your ego Make me blind with my eyes closed Sink when you get close Tie me to the bed post.


Christine shut her eyes, as he sang the rest of his song with the passion of someone wise beyond their years in the pain of love. Meg glanced over at Christine and smiled, knowing that his song was capturing her too.

The Phantom smiled wickedly, knowing that their screams meant to state their approval of his efforts. He looked at the drummer and nodded, the drummer obeying and starting the next song.

TBC

...the song above is entitled "Inside Out" by Eve 6.