"I've got butterflies in my stomach." I whispered nervously to myself, clutching my stomach in anticipation.

"Well then, you probably shouldn't have eaten all of those caterpillars then, hmmm?" A mocking voice replied, resonating from the golden framed mirror that was fixated on my wall. I turned and gave the voice a withering look, unimpressed with his poor joke.

"You are so funny sometimes I can barely contain myself." I muttered dryly, turning back to dressing table mirror to fix a piece of hair that had just tumbled loose. Erik gave a humoured snort before he stepped out from the tunnel and walked towards me.

"Why so nervous, my rose?" He murmured, stopping a few feet behind me so that there was no risk of touching me. I did not know why he did this, but I suppose he had lost a little trust from the debacle I had created all those nights ago in his lair. I didn't blame him at all if that was why.

"Because," I started, looking over my shoulder at his concerned, masked face, "What if I make a fool of myself? What if I bring the Opera Populaire to ruin?" Again he snorted, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You are talking nonsense and you know it. My dear, you are perfection itself. If anything, you will make the Opera rise back to the heights where it used to belong." I blushed at his overly kind words and smoothed down the creases on my dress.

"You are too kind."

"I am merely telling the truth." He replied, unhooking his pocket watch from his waistcoat, "And I do believe if you don't hurry up, you will miss your cue." Sure enough, one of the stage hands knocked on my door informing me I had five minutes and I swallowed thickly.

"Goodness." I heard myself murmur as my feet took me over to the door. Before I left, I smiled at my dear friend but he was staring at the floor sadly and whilst I wanted to stay and asked him what was wrong, I knew I could not be late.

"Erik," I said softly, catching his attention so that his golden eyes were fixated on my ocean blue ones, "Thank you. For everything. I really do appreciate it." He merely nodded and gave me a smile before disappearing back through the mirror. I sighed heavily, cursing my self for making that terrible mistake all those nights ago. I wondered had I not done it then things may have been different between us. But then, I also deduced that had I not, we would be stuck in a friendship that would have been awkward and not real, for the mask would have always been a barrier that needed to be overcome. This... this felt much more raw and real, this felt like a start of something exciting between us though I knew I would have to beg on my knees for his full forgiveness. I must make it up to him, and when I got to my position in the wings, I straightened my back, lifted my head with pride, and walked on with a purpose and sang with such a passion and gusto that I even surprised my self. It was all for him though. This was my road to redemption. I only hope he would accept it.

*A/N all rights go to Gaston Leroux etc, I do not own any of the characters (Unfortunately!) Eeek! First fanfic! Taken a lot of courage for me to publish this! Feedback would be greatly appreciated!