Disclaimer: No, they're not mine, wish they were. Particularly Angel. *g* They belong to Joss, the evil man. Phantom of the Opera is not mine either. I think it's Andrew Lloyd Webber's.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Uh, there's mention of Amends, small reference to IWRY, another one to To Shanshu in LA, that's basically it.
Timeline: Sometime in the future, no real exact date.
Author's note: I was listening to the radio last night and a song from Phantom came on, giving me the idea, so down I went and borrowed my mom and dad's Phantom CD and this is what I came up with. If you haven't seen Phantom (you should, it's incredible) you really don't need to know anything about the story, but the basics are: there's a theater that's 'haunted' by the Phantom and he's basically obsessed with Christine, a singer/dancer in the chorus, and he 'helps' her with her career. He's in love with her, but she's in love with Raoul and that doesn't bode well with him and he sorta terrorizes everyone 'cuz of that and his all encompassing obsession with her. It's told by Raoul when he's an old man, remembering 'cuz he went to an auction that was selling some of the things from the 'haunted' theater. The first scene that is mentioned is the auction.
Feedback: Please. I'm really nervous about this one, I don't know why, but I am and it would really help my nerves if you gave me feedback.

Buffy couldn't believe she was going to the opera. Well, The Phantom of the Opera, but still it was an opera. The only thing that she thought could come out of the whole trip was her new dress. She was on summer break and her mother had an art thing in LA. LA . . . Los Angeles . . . Angel, she sighed, pushing him out of her head as she continued getting dressed. She tugged her nylons on and slipped the dress over her head, letting the straps find her shoulders.

It was a column gown in a dark silver with a square neck and thin spaghetti straps. She left her hair down as it cascaded down her bare back. Slipping her strappy black heels on, she grabbed her small black bag, and hurried to find her mother.

"Buffy, honey, you look beautiful," her mother said as she came out.

"Thanks, mom. You do, too," she answered. Her mother smiled at her.

"Let's go! You're going to love it!" she exclaimed pulling her out of their hotel room to where the taxi was waiting to take them to dinner and later the theater.

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Cordelia looked at him as he ascended in the elevator, wearing a simple black suit and a dark silver tie. The tie was something he usually wouldn't wear, but it was a gift from Cordy and he wanted to show her that he appreciated everything she did for him. Wesley had given him the tickets to the show.

"Well, aren't you handsome?" Cordy teased.

"Well, I try," Angel answered with a small smile.

"Are you sure you want to go alone?" she asked.

"It's okay. You wouldn't like it anyway and I don't want to have to tell you to be quiet the whole time or catch you launching random things at the people in the audience below," he answered, "besides, do you really want to see an opera?"

"Okay, so no, but I don't like you to be miserable," she replied, a caring smile on her face.

"I won't be. I promise. I haven't see Phantom in a long time, I'm looking forward to it. Go. Have fun. Don't brood," he said.

"What, and turn into you?" she teased, "I wouldn't think of it. Now, go. Enjoy all the Italian singing."

"It's more like a love story . . .," he began.

"Oh, just go already!" she huffed, pushing him out the door.

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Buffy took her seat next to her mother and looked around at the theater. She shifted, trying to get comfortable, still looking around at the patrons of the show. Somehow she didn't fit in, but then again, she never really fit in anywhere. She kept looking around the theater as people took their seats around and above her in the balcony and boxes.

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Angel took his seat in the box just before the lights went dim. There was a stirring in his heart as he glanced down at the people below him and then the lights went out and the show started.

"Sold. Your number, sir? Thank you. Lot 663, then ladies and gentlemen: a poster for this house's production of "Hannibal" by Chalumeau . . ."

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Buffy's eyes grew tired as the first few scenes played out. The music was pretty and everything, but it really wasn't her thing. She looked down at her program as another song started.

Think of me,
think of me fondly,
when we've said
goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me
you'll try.

When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you
ever find
a moment,
spare a though
for me . .

Buffy looked up at the stage, tears brimming in her eyes after hearing the lead, Christine, sing the first two verses of the song.

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but if you can still
remember,
stop and think
of me . . .

Think of all the things
we've shared and seen -
don't think about the things
which might have been . .

Angel looked down at his hands, not allowing the tears to come. 'Oh, Buffy,' he thought wishing that she was with him, next to him, her tiny hand in his. He looked back down at his hands, empty as a single tear fell onto them.

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Think of me,
think of me waking,
silent and
resigned.
Imagine me,
trying too hard
to put your from my mind.

Recall those days,
look back
on all those times,
think of those things
we'll never do -
there will never
be a day, when
I won't think
of you . .

Both Buffy and Angel, though unaware of the other's nearness, both sat remembering happier times. Before gypsies and loopholes and the nightmare that had become their lives. Small kisses showered on the other's face. Lingering smiles and laughing eyes. 'No, love, there will never be a day when I won't think of you . . .'

We never said
our love
was evergreen
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but please
promise me,
that sometimes,
you will think
of me

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

The song ended and Buffy sighed, hoping that she could enjoy the rest of the performance without any more memories resurfacing. Her hopes were dashed when Christine and the Phantom started singing "Angel of Music." She buried her face in her hands as they sang.

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

The next few scenes were hard on Angel. As the Phantom and Christine sang and departed into the Phantom's lair, their words were haunting.

Night-time sharpens,
heightens each sensation . . .
Darkness stirs and
wakes imagination . . .
Silently the senses
abandon their defenses . . .

Slowly, gently
night unfurls its splendor . . .
Grasp it, sense it -
tremulous and tender . . .
Turn your face away
from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away
from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to
the music of the night . . .

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Buffy wept openly now, her tears flowing as the words danced through the air. She grasped her hands in sadness, wishing that his were there to warm them.

Close your eyes
and surrender to your
darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts
of the life
you knew before!
Close your eyes,
let your spirit
start to soar!
And you'll live
as you've never
lived before . . .

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

'Am I a righteous man? Am I anything worth saving? The world wants me gone!'

'What about me? I love you so much . . .' The memories danced through Angel's mind of that Christmas when the demon was telling him to do what the lyrics of the song said.

'Because I want you so badly! I wanna take comfort in you and I know it'll cost me my soul, but a part of me doesn't care!'

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

The rest of the act went by in a whirl. Buffy could barely remember anything that happened up to the last scene. Christine and her lover, Raoul were singing. Raoul trying to comfort her, trying to convince her that the Phantom didn't exist. The music softened and he looked at her, meeting her eyes, his voice was soft as he began singing.

No more talk
or darkness;
Forget these
wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you -
my words will
warm and calm you.

Let me be
your freedom,
let daylight
dry your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you
and to guide you . . .

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Angel looked out at the stage as Christine began singing. His heart imagined she was Buffy, singing to him, comforting him with her words.

Say you love me
every
waking moment,
turn my head
with talk of summertime . . .

Say you need me
with you,
now and always . . .
promise me that all
you say is true -
that's all I ask
of you . . .

Let me be
your shelter,
let me
be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you -
your fears are
far behind you . . .

All I want
is freedom,
a world with
no more night . . .
and you,
always beside me,
to hold me
and to hide me . . .

Then say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
let me lead you
from your solitude . . .

Say you need me
with you
here, beside you . . .
anywhere you go,
let me go too -
Christine,
that's all I ask
of you . . .

Say you'll share with
me, each
night, each morning . . .
Say you love me . . .
You know I do . . .

Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . . .

Anywhere you go
let me go too . . .
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . . .

* ~* ~* ~* ~*

The act ended and the lights came on. Buffy quickly left the auditorium to cover her tear- streaked face, telling her mother that she had to go to the restroom. She flew out the doors as the tears started coming again.

"No, no, no," she muttered as she ran through the entryway, ignoring the looks others gave her. Tears blurring her vision, she ran. Straight into someone. "I'm sorry," she muttered, not looking up.

"Sh, sh, it's okay," the voice comforted her. He lifted her chin and looked deep into her eyes.

"What?" she whispered.

"It's okay," Angel replied, "no more tears, love, no more tears."

She looked at him in disbelief, her heart screaming at her to kiss him, her mind begging to understand.

"What are you doing here?" she managed.

"I came to see the show. It looks like you enjoyed the first act as much as I did," he answered, a small smile on his face.

"Yeah," she said.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his brown eyes filled with worry.

"I'm better," she answered, placing her hand over his heart,

"thank-you." She looked up into his eyes and back down at her hand, a feeling of deja vu overcoming her.

'I felt your heartbeat.' She looked up at him and smiled, her hand still over his heart as she felt a slight movement under the shirt.

"Angel?" she questioned.

"I fulfilled my destiny. A reward, humanity," he whispered as a look of wonder appeared in her eyes. She didn't even hesitate as she threw her arms around him and kissed him. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist and he answered her kiss, pulling her closer to him as they stood in the middle of the lobby paying no attention to the people watching them.

"Love me," she said, pulling away.

"That's all I ask of you," he answered. Both smiled at the other and kissed again before heading back into the theater, where they watched the second act hand in hand, happily together at last.

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