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After the Angel	By : kharkcom Category: M through R > Phantom of the Opera Views: 5808 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera, and I do not make any money from these writings

Chapter List
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The first thing Cat noticed upon regaining consciousness was satin rubbing against her cheek. The second was a smell, one far to masculine to belong in her room and the third was that she was still fully dressed. She quickly opened her eyes and sat up.

At the sight of where she was, all of the oddities were explained. Oh my goodness. Where am I? She looked around the well furnished cave, her eyes resting on the striking swan bed she sat upon and the other lavish furniture.

Nice taste. Very nice actually. Cat got up off the beautiful bed and tried to smooth some of the wrinkles out of her silken skirts. As she was looking down to do that, the Phantom walked up to her.

“You're awake. That's good.” She jumped at the sound of his voice and looked up to see him.

My god. He's gorgeous. His midnight blue eyes shone as he looked at her and his dark hair gleamed in the candlelight. His fair skin managed to look soft and firm at the same time and the white mask covering half his stunning face added a sense of mystery that intrigued her to no end.

“Who are you? Where am I?” Her voice was quiet as she tried to hide the thrill of excitement that rushed through her.

“My lair. I suppose that would be best to call it.” He responded in a completely neutral tone while thinking to himself. I hadn't seen her eyes before. They are amazing. Dark and deep. And her voice. So soft, yet there's something more. A thread of steel intertwined with strands of silk and satin. She doesn't look like a doll when she's awake. She's cute, adorable even, but too full of life to be a doll. You can see the life in her. Especially in those eyes.

“And you are?” She flashed him a small smile and he almost melted.

That smile! I could lose myself in that smile. No! I cannot! How can I betray Christine like this? Especially with this little snip of a child?

His voice grew harder as he answered her. “I am called the Phantom of the Opera or the Opera Ghost by most. Who are you?”

“So you are the ghost everyone has been talking about.” She giggled softly. “You do not look like a ghost. What is your name though? And why are you wearing a mask?”

“My name is of no concern to you.” Was his cool reply. "Nor are the reasons behind my mask."

I think I hit a sore point. “Then what shall I call you?”

“You won't be around long enough to call me anything. You shouldn't be here at all but I had few other choices. I'm taking you back now.”

“I do not want to go. This place is new to me and interesting.”

“I do not care. You don't belong here. Stop trying to come here!” His voice picked up in volume till he was yelling at her.

“You are not my boss! You cannot tell me what to do!” She yelled right back at him before switching to snippy tone. “If you do not tell me your name I shall be forced to call you Monsieur Homme Authoritaire Stupide or Monsieur Has.”

“Monsieur stupid bossy man. Clever. And irritating. My name is Erique.” He snapped at her, looking less than amused. “What is your name?”

“Catalina Jocelyne Hyde. Cat for short please.”

“Pretty. Now I want to know something.” He still sounded annoyed. She shouldn't get to me like this. She shouldn't be able to push my buttons so easily. I'm sorry Christine. “Why do you keep exploring? What do you want?”

“I am curious. And I hate mysteries.” Unless they are in the form of tall, dark and gorgeous men. “I wanted to see what was here. And why people thought this place was haunted.”

“That's it? Nothing else?”

“Yes. That is it. Is there something I should be looking for?” Before he could answer she skipped over to his bookshelf and began rifling through the books. “Oh! You have Paradise Lost. And The Man in the Iron Mask. That must be relatable to you. Is that why you wear a mask? Because you have an evil twin you do not want to be mistaken for?"

"No!" He roared but she continued to pour over his bookshelf, all the while ignoring him.

"Othello. I hated Othello. Truly hated. And Romeo and Juliet. You enjoy reading?"

The sudden change in topic caught him off guard and his anger dissipated slightly. “Well yes. When I have nothing better to do. I prefer tragedies” He looked at her like she was insane. “What are you doing?”

“I love to read.” She bounced a little over to his desk. “I am exploring. I like new things. They interest me.”

“Well stop it! You shouldn't even be here! I just want to be left alone in my misery!” He shouted at her, getting steadily more frustrated at her total lack of fear. Everyone else is afraid of me. Even Christine was. What is wrong with her?

“You brought me here.” She said, completely unfazed by him. “Oh! Music! You write music?” Her face lit up as she turned to look at him.

“Yes I do.” His voice softened as he thought about how she inspired the music notes drying on the parchment.

“Will you play for me?” She sounded very excited by the prospect. “Please? I love music.”

“No! I do not play anymore. My sorrows will not allow me to play.”

“Oh.” Her face fell. “I guess that is alright.”

I almost feel bad. She looks so sad. Her emotions show right on her pretty face.

“Please just leave me in peace. Leave this place. You don't belong here. You are light and joy. I am, as this place is, full of darkness and misery.” He turned away from her.

“So why not simply become happier?” Her voice held genuine concern and more than a little curiosity.

“I cannot. I am not permitted to be happy. My angel has left and my joy went with her. I have no light in my life.” His tone was sorrowful.

“Has anyone ever told you that you are a touch melodramatic?” What on earth is he talking about? I would really like to know, however, I am not sure he would answer even if I asked. Cat thought as she scanned the room again. She noticed a red velvet curtain hanging next to mirror and walked over to it. Slowly she drew back the drapes and marveled at what she discovered. A life sized bust of a beautiful woman sat on a pedestal clad in a wedding dress and veil.

“Is this your angel?” She questioned as she studied the figure.

He turned at her words and rushed over to her. Quickly he grabbed the curtain from her hand and snapped it shut. He used too much force however and the fabric fell back open as he turned to face the wretched imp he'd brought in to his home Fighting the strong urge to slap the curiosity out of her, he took a deep breath.

“Never do that again. Never.” His voice was cold and sharp as broken ice. Her eyes lit up with fire and tenacity filled her veins at his words.

“I will not be told what I can and cannot do. Especially not by you.” She snapped angrily.

“Just get out of here! Leave this place and leave me!” Although he was yelling a tear ran down the unmasked side of his face. “Leave me in my darkness and sorrow! Just leave now!”

“Fine! She turned and ran out quickly, never looking back.

***

Several minutes later Cat stopped to catch her breath. I am lost. I am completely, utterly, and hopelessly lost. I have no idea where to go or what to do. Why do things like this always happen to me? Why am I so pathetic with men?

She sighed and began to meander aimlessly. Maybe if I wander enough a miracle will happen and I will find the way out. What am I talking about? I could wander forever and never find it. I do not have many options though. I should have at least grabbed a candle. She continued to walk through the pitch black tunnels.

***

“Now what have I done? She doesn't know the way. That was so stupid of me. I feel as though I've lost control of myself and my emotions. I love my Christine but, despite how much I wish she didn't, this Catalina fascinates me. I just wanted to be left alone to bury myself in memories of my angel but this one child is so different. She's not frightened of me at all. For God's sake she shouted at me. Twice.” He couldn't help but laugh at the mental image of the tiny girl screeching at him. "I never thought a female would, could, yell at me. She'll never be my darling Christine but she is interesting.”

Erique paced through the cavern. “I have to at least go after her. After that I will figure out what to do about her but I'm sure she's lost and possibly a little scared.” He grabbed a torch from the wall and started after her, “I'll show her the way out and then, with luck, she'll be out of my hair.”

***

Cat was trying to navigate the catacombs in absolute darkness. I hate not being able to see. Going blind was always one of my greatest fears. As she felt her way along the wall she suddenly tripped on a patch of uneven ground and fell, twisting her ankle was she went down.

“Ow!” She cried out in pain while a few tears ran down her face. Cat then tried to stand and promptly tumbled back down. I cannot walk. What am I going to do? I am lost, I am hurt, I am cold and I cannot walk. A sense of hopelessness overwhelmed her and she cried tears of pain and frustration.

***

Erique swept quickly through the caves searching for her. After a few moments he heard what sounded like sobbing in the distance.

"Damn. What has she done now?" He ran off in that direction, his torch lighting the way. He soon came across Cat sitting on the ground, crying hard. He rushed over and knelt beside her.

"Are you alright? What happened?" He asked, his voice full of concern.

"I cannot walk." The crying made her voice rough and somewhat choked. "I hurt my ankle." She began to cry even harder.

"What did you do to yourself this time?" He blew out his torch and started to pick her up as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"I tripped. I think I may have sprained my ankle." Her tears continued to fall.

"You're a danger to yourself. I suppose I'll have to take you back to my place since you cannot walk to your own." He sighed and stood with her in his arms.

"If it is that much of a problem for you I can find my own way. I do not need you. Put me down." She struggled against him.

"Stop being ridiculous. You can't walk. Not to mention this is the third time I've carried you. I'm becoming an old hat at this." She continued to fight to get down. "Stop it" He snapped at her. He began to walk quickly, at ease even in the total dark. She fought him the entire way. They soon walked through the entryway to his lair.

"You're so difficult. How can someone so little put up this much of a fight?"

"I am not little!" She yelled at him before digging her nails in to his wrists.

"Ow!" He dropped her down on the bed and walked over to drag a chair beside it. While his back was turned, she rapidly moved over the edge and started to stand up. She tried to balance on one foot and crashed to the floor. He whirled around, chair in hand, and glared at her fiercely.

"Why did you do that? Why can't you just sit still for a moment?" Setting the chair down, he picked her up again and set her on the bed.

"I do not want to sit still! Leave me alone." She scrambled back to the other end of the bed, far away from him.

He sat down in the chair and tried to calm down. "I just want to see if you're alright. Come back over here." He took a deep breath. "Please come over here. I want to check your ankle."

She sat on the other side of the bed, watching him through a curtain of hair.

It's like dealing with a skittish cat. I'm not sure I ever meet someone who suited their name so well.

"Catalina. Come here." His voice was softly commanding as he tried to look unintimidating. "I need to see how badly you're hurt."

Slowly she crawled back over to him and held her hurt leg out for him to check. Her hair still covered most of her face. He undid the buttons on her ankle boot and slid it off before examining the swelling through her stocking.

"I think it's sprained, nothing more. You'll have to stay off it for at least a day but you'll be fine. It'd probably be easiest if you simply stayed here for a while. I'd have to carry you out if you wanted to leave. We'll discuss it tomorrow. You'll stay at least through the day and tonight." His tone left no room for discussion. "Do you wish me to bring you a book?"

She nodded softly but said nothing. He grabbed a random one off the book shelf and walked back over to hand it to her. When she didn't take it he set it on the bed beside her.

"I'll be at my desk if you need anything. Just call." After wanting a moment and getting no reply he sighed then strode over to his desk and sat. He began to work on another piece of music.

After a few minutes, she picked up the book and began to read. Slowly, very slowly, she settled down and relaxed. She began to laugh at something in her story and he couldn't help but smile at the delightful, soft sound. The tension in the room eased and the two became comfortable with each other yet still unusually aware of one another.

Cat noticed the sound of every pen mark he made, every breath he took, while Erique heard every time Cat shifted to a more comfortable position, every time she turned the page, every little giggle that bubbled up out of her. After half an hour or so of being able to concentrate on nothing but her Erique had had enough.

"I shall return later. Do not get up from the bed. I am serious. Do not." He said as he stood and started towards the tunnels. He left and the cavern suddenly felt emptier without him.

"Do not get up from the bed." Cat mocked. "Well he is not here to stop me. She stood and hobbled over to the bookshelf to grab several more books. When she was done she slowly hobbled back to the bed and continued to read, ignoring the soft sense of aloneness she felt inside.

***

"What is wrong with me? Why did I make her stay? Why didn't I just dump her on the steps of the opera house and walk away? Why do I care what happens to her? I don't want her. She's irritating, infuriating and completely obstinate. Nothing like my Christine." He sighed. "Why do I feel the need to protect her, to keep her safe despite whatever she may want? I can't possibly want her physically. She's a child. Not quite old enough to bother with. I can't control her or teach like I did with Christine, nor do I ever want to do that again. I can't go through that again."

Erique paced through the catacombs, frustration overwhelming him. "I don't want her. She annoys me. But then why do I seem to lose every thought in my head when she's around. What is she doing to me? She's not my angel. She never will be my angel. I cannot replace Christine. I know that. So what do I want with this creature?"

"I never even liked cats. Cats are not obedient. They don't even try. You can't tell a cat to do anything. If I was trying to replace Christine it wouldn't be with Catalina. There is not a more inverse female from Christine that this Cat." He sighed. "What do I do? Keep her until she annoys me more than I can stand? See where this goes? Maybe I don't have to be alone, even for just a short time. She'll just…be there for company. Just for a day or so. That won't betray my Christine. Catalina is a child anyway. My soul is twisted but not so much that I would betray my love with nothing more than a child. It's safe."

Although he'd come to a shaky solution, Erique continued to wander from a while more, giving himself time to gain some control over his emotions.

***

Cat still sat on the bed, reading her book. After an hour or so of Erique being gone she finished the story and didn't quite feel like starting another. She then yawned.

It does not look like he's returning anytime soon. I should just nap. Everything always seems better after sleep.

She then pulled off her other boot, settled down in the satin sheets and fell asleep within minutes.

Erique returned to his living space an hour later and found Cat fast asleep. She had managed to pull the sheets mostly off the bed and had wrap herself in them, cuddling close to the black satin. Her hair was splayed out beside her, a mess of dark silken tangles. Her cheeks were flushed pink with sleep, her long lashes stark against her fair skin. He wanted to burn the image of her sleeping into his mind forever. She was the epitome of beauty, trust and delicateness asleep like that.

Erique walked over to her and caressed one cheek lightly. A soft smile appeared on her dreaming face.

"Mon Dieu. What am I going to do with you?" He then sat in the chair he'd pulled over earlier and watched her sleep, hoping her dreams were pleasant ones. Almost wishing they were of him.

***

Catalina awake with a gasp and cry. Her corset had slipped in her sleep and was rubbing against her hips painfully while cutting off some of her breathing.

Erique quickly awoke and jumped up from the chair he'd fallen asleep in.

"What is it? Are you alright? What's wrong?" Anxiety racked his face.

"My corset is hurting me." Her voice was rough from sleep and pain.

"Oh." She sat up and he began to examine her dress to see how to fix her problem. "What do I do?"

"Take it off." Pain caused her temper to flare which in turn caused her to snap at him.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am sure! Just take the damn thing off!"

He bit back a growl and began to undo the dozen little buttons running down her back. When he finished he pushed the dress down her shoulders to reveal a black corset atop a chemise to match. His fingers flew as he deftly pulled the laces out. When was halfway finished she gave a deep sigh of relief.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He slowed his pace a bit but still finished unlacing her quickly. She pulled the dress from her arms and tugged her corset off so the only clothes she had from the waist up was her black chemise. Cat then stood to remove the rest of her dress. Erique quickly pushed her back down.

"You are not supposed to stand. You know that."

"Then help me get this off." She started pulling the purple silk over her head.

"Why are you taking it off?" He asked her, confused.

"It is dirty and I am tired of it." She stated simply. “I do not want to wear it anymore.

"But you have no other clothes!" His tone became a bit frantic. “It’s thoroughly inappropriate for you to be sitting here in your undergarments."

"I will borrow one of your shirts. I am not leaving the bed so I fail to see what the problem is."

"There is a problem starting with you are not using a shirt of mine. It's improper. Where are you staying? I will get you clothes." He snapped at her.

"Fine but get this dress off me first." She held her arms straight up and he got a glimpse of soft pale skin at the bottom of her shirt. Heaven have mercy on me. She's a child! I cannot think this way. He took a deep breath to reign in his emotions and lifted the dress up. Her bloomers were ebony silk like her chemise.

"Aren't you a bit young to be wearing so much black?"

She shot him a glare that could kill and snapped. "Get me two pieces of paper and a pen. I will write the address down for you and note to leave for Lizzy so she will not worry."

He grabbed what she asked for and as he handed them to her she smiled a smile so sweet it should be poisonous.

"You are such a good boy. Thank you Erique." Her was reply was in a tone best suited to talking to your favorite puppy.

He glared at her harshly and resisted the urge to snarl.

She felt herself flush, her skin heating from her toes to the top of her ears, her cheeks coloring softly. "Well. That is a look."

"Just. Write. Your. Notes." The words were clipped and cold. She rapidly began to write.

That worked better than expected. Why was she blushing though? What could she be embarrassed about?

She tossed her hair to one side and tilted her head so that her tresses hid her face with its still blushing cheeks. Once the address was written she set it aside for the ink to dry and started on the note.

Lizzy,

I may be gone for a few days. Nothing to worry about however. Though I know you will not believe me I have met someone and may be spending a few days getting to know him. I will write you again later but you can call off any search parties. I am fine.

Cat

When she had finished Cat held the papers out for Erique to take.

"Alright. I will be back shortly. Do not leave the bed!" He turned and dashed out with a swirl of his cape.

"Nobody tells me what to do. Have I not said that?" She muttered to herself sullenly. "He cannot really expect me to just sit here. If he does he should stop. It will just irritate him." She crawled to the edge of the bed and slowly got off. Her face screwed up as pain shot through her ankle but when she didn't collapse after a moment, she relaxed. Hobbling and limping she went past the heavy black curtain and down the stairs the sectioned off this part of the cavern, then over to his desk.

Being careful not to move anything she looked at the various sheets full of music notes. I do wish he would play for me. She hummed one of the tunes off the parchment as her fingers itched to play the notes on her violin. I wished I had asked him to bring my instrument.

When she had finished with his desk, she wandered over to the doll of Christine. The velvet curtain still hung partially opened and the doll's empty glass eyes stared out at Cat.

"She is a little eerie. I do not really want her constantly staring at me." Cat thought for a moment before turning the doll to face the other direction and then closing the curtains. "That is much better."

Cat limped back over to the bed and pulled out one of the books she had snagged. Lying back down she began to read.
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After the Angel