Title: You Are Music
Author: FoxsDana
Email:
Rating:PG-13 but may possibly go to R due to violence and sexual situations
Category/keywords: Mulder/Scully Angst, Phantom of the Opera/X-Files crossover, Mulder/other past life
Spoilers: Anything that happened before Season 6
Dedication: To all X-Philes present and future. To one of my favorite stories of all time "The Phantom of the Opera" as well as Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's magical musical. Thank you Gaston Leroux and Sir Webber for creating your wonderful pieces! To all the versions of "Phantom" I have seen ranging from musicals to books and movies. The story will always hold a special place in my heart. To David Duchovny's moving portrayal in "The Field Where I Died" which also inspired this idea. To all my avid readers who encourage me to keep writing
Summary: What if the events in Gaston Leroux's novel had actually happened at the Paris Opera? Could a simple piece of jewelry conjure up the past once again? And is it possible to love someone that you've never met?
Feedback: Please, I love it!
Archive: Sure, just let me know where it's going!
Disclaimer: The character of Lysette Willoughby belongs to me. The Phantom(Erik), Raoul and all other "Phantom" characters belong to Mr. Gaston Leroux. All aspects of "Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera" belong to him. The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me but are the property of Chris Carter, 20th Century Fox and 1013 Productions
Note: In the beginning of Gaston Leroux's "The Phantom of the Opera" he talks about how the events of the Paris Opera House back in the 1880's were real. This fic attempts to explore that statement had it been true.
On stage, a figure could be seen wearing a hooded cloak with a red scarf wrapped around her. She was singing with her arms outstretched, her beautiful soprano voice filling the theatre. The orchestra crescendoed as she reached her last note and then all became still. It was a few moments before the silence was broken.
"Beautiful! Absolutely, beautiful!" the director shouted from the side as he applauded. He then walked up to the stage and over to the singer. "Brava, brava my dear! Your voice would bring anyone to tears."
The hood was taken down to reveal a young dark, haired girl with blue eyes. "Are…are you sure Mr. Constance?"
"Positive!" he replied placing a hand on her shoulder. "That was, the most moving rendition of Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again that I have personally ever heard! If Mr. Webber were here right now, he would be agreeing with me!"
The young girl blushed. She could hardly believe that she was hearing. It seemed only yesterday that she been in her first choir and done her first opera workshop in college. Then had come her auditions only landing chorus roles in professional productions of musicals and operas. And finally her winning lead roles in Gilbert and Sullivan productions as well as the understudy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. It was truly like a dream come true for her! How many times had she watched Melinda portray the role of Christine right here on this very stage? Standing right where she was now singing to an audience of thousands. And now to be told that her version was just as beautiful. But she had to remember that she was just an understudy and had not actually done the role yet. But to her, it was enough just to be in the production at all.
She had always been drawn to the story of The Phantom of the Opera for some strange reason. She had read the novel when she was a little girl and was instantly drawn to the character of Christine. As she had read it, she had almost been able to picture the scenes in her head as if she were there. And then had come her mysterious soprano voice from nowhere, a gift unlike any other. It was unusual because no one in her family had any kind of musical talent. And yet when she sang it was with little effort and foreign languages were like second nature to her in art songs and arias. She was well on her way to being the greatest singer the world had ever known. And then had come the day that her best friend and musician Rose had been raped and murdered in her apartment. Rose had always treated her like the daughter she never had and had also been her inspiration to sing. Once Rose was dead, she lost her singing voice and pulled away from music. And then after years of absence she had finally returned to the theatre and the stage and was on her way down that path again. She couldn't help but wonder if she would ever perform in a professional opera company as a lead soprano some day. But she had to focus on now. "Thank you, Mr. Constance. It's nice to know that my voice is still in good condition."
"Oh, Lysette don't worry. One night Melinda will become very ill and then you will get your chance to shine. And then the entire audience will hear your beautiful, haunting voice when it's not covered up by a chorus or has the one small solo by the Princess in Hannibal."
"They say that rarely happens though."
"You must have more faith in the heavens above my dear. Ask for something and it will be given to you. Perhaps even in a way that you never thought possible."
"Thank you, Mr. Constance." Lysette answered with a smile.
"You're welcome, Lysette." Mr. Constance glanced at his watch. "Well, I think you had a good rehearsal for today. We won't be doing anything more with Christine today therefore that frees up both you and Melinda for the rest of the day. So, why don't you go out and enjoy the rest of your day?"
Lysette nodded and smiled. "I think I will do that. Thank you, Mr. Constance."
"Just don't forget to give the costumers back their hooded cloak or they will come and hunt you down."
"I won't." Lysette replied with a giggle as she took off the cloak. She started to walk off the stage when she heard Mr. Constance speak again.
"And remember what I told you. If you ask for something, you will get it if you believe."
"I will, thank you."
Mr. Constance looked after Lysette for a moment and then smiled before turning around again.
After returning the costume where it belonged, Lysette went to her dressing room. She couldn't believe she was actually in Washington D.C. where her uncle worked! That was one good thing about being in a touring production in that it was bound to end somewhere close to family. And her uncle was very special to her. He had always believed in her and had also encouraged her to return to her music. He was just like a second father to her and now he was going to be able to see her perform. She secretly wished though that he could see her perform the role of Christine and not be an understudy to it with a role in the chorus. But to her, it would be enough to see him. Due to her musical commitments and his career ones, they had not seen each other in years. And because of that, she had to find something special to wear for their upcoming after the show dinner.
After havingleft the theatre, she made her way down the street and to a little boutique she had walked by countless days on her way to rehearsal. There was a black, spaghetti strap dress she had her eye on all that time. And that was what she was going to buy for her dinner with her uncle. She walked inside the store and bought it without even trying it on. She just somehow seemed to know that it would fit. It was perfect just like everything else had been for her up till now. She smiled at the clerk before picking it up in the garment bag and heading out.
She headed toward the street and was just about to call a taxi when she stopped in front of another little store. She could see it was an antique store and was drawn to the jewelry display in the front window. That was what she needed! A piece of jewelry that was unique to go with the dress. And antique stores ALWAYS had interesting jewelry pieces. She opened the door and stepped inside. "Hello?" The only sound she received was from the clanging of the bell on the door behind her. She closed the door behind her and started walking around for signs of anyone. "Is anyone here? I…saw the jewelry in your window and just wanted to.."
An older woman suddenly appeared from the side. "I'm terribly sorry about that. How may I help you?"
Lysette nearly jumped out of her skin at the strange appearance of the old woman. "Yes, I was looking for a piece of jewelry to go with this dress and I wondered if you might be able to help me?"
"Ah, a piece of jewelry for a beautiful girl such as yourself? I believe I have just the right piece for you." She motioned to Lysette with her finger. "Follow me." She slowly made her way over to a counter. "I have seen you walk by before."
"You have?"
"Yes, you are performing at the theatre aren't you?"
"Why, yes. Yes, I am. Can I ask how you knew that?"
The old woman chuckled. "Becomes second nature when you've been here a while my dear." She began to rummage through a box. "Now where is that item? Ah, here it is!" She pulled out a choker with a locket in the center of it. "Lovely, isn't it?"
Lysette looked at the choker mesmerized by it. "It's….it's beautiful."
"Belonged to a young opera singer centuries ago."
Lysette looked back at her. "It…it did?"
The old woman nodded. "A very beautiful young girl much like you. She was destined to become one of the greatest opera singers this world had ever known."
"What happened to her?"
"She was caught in a triangle of love with no real means to escape it. One man loved her for her voice and the other as only a normal man could. And she had to choose which was more important."
"And…she chose the man who loved her normally?"
The old woman nodded again. "She chose to be with the man who could provide her with a secure life. But with that choice she also paid the price of losing her beautiful singing voice and career. She left with him never to be heard from again."
"That's…that's so sad."
"She chose love over music."
"But…can't you have love and music together?"
"It depends on how it is received."
"I just don't understand why her lover would not have wanted her to sing? I mean…I'm assuming he knew about her talent so why discourage her from doing it?"
"I'm afraid only the wearer of that choker could answer that question, my dear." She handed the choker to Lysette. "Why don't you try it on and see how it looks?"
Lysette could hardly contain her excitement as she took the choker and put it around her neck. As soon as it touched her skin, she felt a strange feeling overcome her. "Can…can I have a mirror please?"
The old woman picked up a mirror and held it in front of Lysette. "It looks stunning on you. Almost as if it was meant for you to wear it alone. Are you an opera singer by chance?"
"Not…not yet but I'm hoping to."
"Well, they say that every female opera singer should have a choker of their own."
"They do?"
"Yes, they do. I imagine that's why that other young opera singer had this choker as well. Do you believe that you would choose music over love, young lady?"
"There is no comparison." Lysette answered as she looked into the mirror again. "I could not live without my music."
"Would you give your heart to someone who could give you that music?"
"Without question."
"Would you offer your soul to him?"
"My…my soul?" Lysette whispered.
"Music requires your entire soul, my dear. Music is passion and desire, which comes from within. Without it you are simply a voice. This man who would give you your music would also possess your soul. Would you give it to him?"
Lysette swallowed as she took in a breath. "I would."
The old woman smiled slightly. "I think the choker is very becoming on you."
Lysette nodded. "I'll take it."
"Good." The old woman stepped over to the register. "That will be $20."
"Twenty…twenty dollars for this? I would have thought it would be much more?"
"That choker is destined for you my dear. That is why it is affordable to you. All I ask is for $20 and one other simple request."
Lysette took money out of her wallet. "What's that?"
"That you sing for me."
"You want me to sing?"
"You tell me you want to be an opera singer so let me hear this beautiful voice of yours. I think it is a fair request all things considered."
"Yes, it is." Lysette took a deep breath and then began to sing O mio babbino caro. As she sang she saw the old woman's eyes widen. She had never seen quite a reaction like this from someone before when she sang, particularly from an old woman. As she sang, she could almost feel her voice soaring to new heights she had never known before. Her entire body was tingling as she finally concluded. "Wow." She breathed.
"You will definitely be successful my dear. You have the voice of an angel. And when that man comes for you, you will give him pure beauty and innocence."
Lysette gave the old woman a strange look before handing her a twenty-dollar bill. "Thank…thank you. Well, I uh better get going now. Thank you for your time and for showing me this choker."
"The pleasure was all mine my dear. It will not fail you."
"Good…goodbye." Lysette answered before walking out of the shop.
The old lady watched Lysette from the window as she turned and started walking down the street. "I've found her for you." She whispered.