Disclaimer: ummm… yeah. I don't know what to say besides the fact that I have yet to own the Phantom of the Opera…

A/N: Okay. I know it's been awhile since I've updated this story, and for that I am sooooo sorry. Things have been hectic, with school starting and getting a job. But from now on I'll try to update more often. Please note the word try. So for the long wait, I hope this chapter is worth it. Enjoy!

She'll Always Be There Dancing 'Round In My Head

Chapter 4

The night of the masquerade finally arrived. Even in the depths of my cavernous home I could hear the hustle and bustle going on upstairs. The last minute adjustments were being made. The excited murmurs of all the occupants reached my ears as well. This was going to be quite the party.

About half an hour into the party I got ready. I got my costume and got dressed. I had decided to go as Red Death, a little reminder to my managers -and to some of the performers of the opera- that death isn't as far as you think it is.

I finished putting on my costume and headed out, grabbing my mask along the way. I set off on my boat, towards the stairs on the other side. Once there, I went up and through the corridor to Christine's room. Sine everyone was at the gala, I was not worried about being seen.

I made my way to the grand staircase just in time to catch the end of a spectacular dance. Once it was over everyone spotted me and backed away immediately. I must have been more intimidating than I thought.

"Why so silent, good Monsieurs?" I asked while descending the steps menacingly. "Did you think I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good Monsieurs? I have written you an opera. Here I bring the finished score, Don Juan Triumphant!" I threw down the sleeve holding my precious music. "Fondest greetings to you all. A few instructions just before rehearsals start." I saw Christine's Vicomte leave. "Carlotta must be taught to act, not her normal trick of strutting 'round the stage. Our Dan Juan must lose some weight; it's not healthy in a man Piangi's age."

I turned towards Christine, but when I caught of Meg I almost stopped. My breath lodged in my throat at her beauty. She was wearing a red, silk bodice and black silk skirt. Her hair had black and red jewels and was in curls being held back by a black ribbon. Her face bore a black mask with white spider webs and on the side of each eye she had painted spider webs leading into her hair. To complete her look, she wore a black, silk choker with a ruby dangling in the center. I recognized her to be Wrath, the perfect companion to Red Death.

My mind soon focused on the task at hand though. I talked about Christine and her talents -though few- and how she would be a star. I also asked her to return to me. We stared at each other for awhile. This was no easy task with Meg only a few feet away. I noticed the necklace Christine wore; it had a ring on it. A rather extravagant ring at that. I ripped it off and said, "Your chains are still mine! You belong to me!" A nice touch, just to add a little more drama.

I ran up the stairs and into the center circle that decorated the floor there. A few fancy parlor tricks and I was gone, but not without looking at my beautiful angel first. However, I soon discovered that that fool of a boy had followed me, so I decided to play with his mind a little.

The mirrors spun and I stepped in and out of the shadows, creating the illusion that I was surrounding him. Once he was truly confused, a Punjab lasso dropped into the center of the room, near his head. When Madam Giry came and got him, I left to find Meg.

I found my princess waiting in one of the corridors that led to the main dormitories. A smile came to her face when she saw me approach.

"You came," she said.

"Of course," I answered. "I wouldn't want to disappoint you."

She smiled and took my hand. Such a simple act, but excited me to no end; no one had ever taken hold of my hand without my offering it to them.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"You'll find out soon enough," was all I got.

Meg eventually led me to the party that all of the crew of that opera house was having. It all looked like fun, but I was a bit apprehensive. How would these people react to my presence?

The music stopped and everyone turned to look at us. Everything was silent and no one moved until little Jammes came and said, "It's about time you two showed up. We've been waiting for ages."

The music started up again as Meg pulled me into the crowd. People greeted me and I looked at Meg questioningly. She told me that although they feared me, they respected me more. I have the managers so frightened that they'll do almost anything I say, I got Carlotta out of the opera house, etc, etc. I was welcome amongst them.

I scanned the crowd for Meg (I had been talking to a few people). I found her dancing with one of the male dancers. I frowned and walked over towards them. When I got there I tapped him on the shoulder.

"May I cut in?" I asked.

"Of course," he said. "there's no need for formalities here. We're not a bunch of stuck-up pricks around here."

I thanked him and he left. When I looked at Meg I saw her smirking at me. I must admit, she looked rather cute.

"And what, may I ask, is so humorous?"

"Do you know these dances?" she asked smugly.

I looked around and saw the difference in dancing. I was not accustomed to these dances. I turned my attention back to Meg and shook my head. She must have seen some fear in my eyes, because she leaned up and whispered in my ear, "Don't worry; I'll show you." Her breath sent shivers down my spine. It was rather enjoyable.

She took my hand and led me to a less crowded spot on the dance floor. There she showed me the basic steps and I caught on quickly. Soon we were dancing along with the others, and at times even became the center of attention.

Towards midnight everyone began pairing off for the traditional kiss. I stayed close to Meg, warding off many of the men that hungrily sought after her.

"Thirty seconds!" someone shouted.

I turned to Meg. "Meg, there's something I have to tell you, and I want to get it out before the new Year."

She looked at me. Her mask long gone, all I could see were her gorgeous, blue eyes.

"Ten seconds!" The crowd roared.

"Meg, I," she cut me off, a gentle smile played on her lips.

"Five!"

She began to lean in.

"Four!"

I leaned in as well.

"Three!"

I stopped suddenly. "Are you sure?" I asked. "I don't want you to," again, she cut me off.

She stopped just centimeters from my eager lips and said, "I always did think you talked too much."

"Two!"

I smiled as she continued her path to my lips.

"One!"

Our lips met in a passionate kiss.

"Happy New Year!"

I was elated. Meg was kissing me. The crowd cheered and continued to celebrate, and I have the feeling that it wasn't just because of the New Year.

A/N: Well okay. That's chapter 4! Woo! I'll TRY to have the next chapter up some time soon. No promises though. Please tell me what you think! You know how much I love reviews! Till next time kiddies! Jack: " high on coffee, and saying speedily Hey, friends, lovers, mothers and other strangers, you are not going to believe what just happened to me... Oh, my God, did you just see that? I almost did a half nelson, I almost bruised my delicates, my delicates, my domo arigatos, Mr. tomatoes. Huge News! I have met, are you ready for this, Mr. Right, well, Mr. Right Now. Good night, folks, I'm here all week, Jack 2000. He works at the Jumpin Java - you know, the coffee shop on seventy second and his name is Paul and he is cute with a capital Q! And the busier it gets, the hotter he gets, and the hotter he gets the sweatier he gets, and the sweatier he gets... I forgot where I'm goin with this, but the main point is me likey he and he likey me and the best part of schezam, he gives me free iced coffee every time I go in which is on the hour every hour, good nights and occasionally on the half hour. Ba ba ba ba ba
blows raspberry."