Any activity taking place outside the academy on the lawn is here

After wondering the coridors for a while Anglica found her way outside. IUt was a clear crisp autumn day and she felt that the fresh air would do her good.

She sat down on the grass, thinking over all that had happened between her and Richie, and the summer she had spend with Scott.

She was in a dilema, she didn't know how to tell Rich about Scott and she didn't want to tell Scott about Rich.

She sat alone trying to work out what to do.

Noah felt like laughing and crying at the same time, unbelievable. As if he needed Christine's attitude after he'd just got out of first aid? She was drooling over him, and he asks her to go for a walk, and she spazzes? And then to say he was hostile over Gavin? Oh that was just nasty and uncalled for. Looking ahead, he cursed himself. Why did she have to pop up everywhere. There she sat, under the tree - looking all moody as if he'd done something wrong.

Pondering on whether to go over to her or not, Noah stretched out and sighed. "Bloody women. I am totally going celebate. Bloody hell, I SHOULD be gay. What the hell am I saying?" He muttered, spying Angelica to his right. Waving he grinned and mouthed hello, walking ahead of Christine, pretending he hadn't even seen her, and rested under a similar tree, putting on his most handsome but stroppy look.

Lying on his back, he began to softly sing Music of the Night, the music from the movie still remaining in his mind. And of course, as per usual, the body of Christine became....

Jennifer Anniston.

Christine Owen and Mr. Gray

Christine closed her eyes trying not to hear the song coming from Noah's lips. But as much as she tried to, she just couldn't. The feelings she had were starting to frighten her and she had to get away from the source if just for a minute. She slowly rose from her seat under the tree and started to walk along a path which she found led to what appeared to be some kind of lake or pond.

If there was one thing she knew, it was that being around water helped her to think. She walked over to the railing that surrounded the body of water and leaned on it. As she looked out onto the water, she could see that the sun was just starting to set.

"What is it with this place?" She whispered. "Why am I here? Why won't he just leave me alone? But...do I want him to?"

She took a deep breath and started to sing Pamina's aria from The Magic Flute

Ach,ich, fuls....

As she continued to sing Pamina's dramatic piece of a love that she believed she lost, she heard a voice from behind her.

"Please tell me that you do not plan on killing yourself over a Prince because he can not speak to you?" Mr. Gray asked as he came up on the other side of the railing.

"Excuse me?" Christine asked as she turned to him.

"You were singing the role of Pamina, yes?"

Christine nodded.

"Well then I would hope that you do not have some dagger tucked underneath of your coat or something that you would use to kill yourself over Tamino. I always thought that he was a little too...girlish anyway." He gave her a smile. "Oh, my name is Mr. Gray, I'm a teacher here at the drama academy. Please forgive me for scaring you but when one hears such an angelic voice at dusk, it does tend to wish them to find out where it is coming from."

Noah repeatedly bashed his head against the tree he was sat against, closing his eyes and saying "Ouch" each time he did so. Pointless? Yes. Stupid? Yes. But what else did he have to do? Rubbing his head, he messed up his hair and stretched out, boredom setting in. Looking over the lawn, he decided to go talk to Angelica, but had a better idea when Mr.Gray walked past him.

"Sir!" He called, getting up and following the teacher around a clump of bushes. "Sir!"

"Oh." He said, as he caught up to Mr.Gray, only to find Christine was also there. "Hi." He greeted, shaking Mr.Gray's hand again, ignoring Christine, though it was proving a hard job, he could feel her eyes burning into the back of his skull.

Christine Owen And Mr. Gray

Mr. Gray had been waiting for Christine's answer when he heard a voice from behind him. He had not expected anyone else to be around particularly a male but he took it all in stride. "Ah, Mr.....Irons, isn't it? How interesting that we meet again. I was just out taking a stroll on this wonderous night and..." He gestured to Christine. "Have you two met?"

"Yes, we've met." Christine replied bluntly.

"I see, well I'm afraid I don't know this young lady's name. I am to assume it is not Pamina?" He chuckled.

Christine smiled. "No, it's Christine, Christine Owen."

"Christine? Ah yes the name of the Phantom's lady love. That too is appropriate." He took her hand gently. "Delighted, Miss Owen." He paused and looked at Noah. "Speaking of Phantom....I heard a most enduring rendition of Music of the Night earlier by Mr. Irons. And...after just hearing your voice, I think the two of you would make an interesting duet."

"Wha...what?" Christine asked.

Noah's eyebrows creased as he saw that odd look in Mr.Gray's eyes. He looked back to Christine, and found his mouth was slightly gaping. Looking back to Mr.Gray, he closed his mouth into a tight frown and shot him a look that could kill.

"Yes. The Phantom's love. Possessive though he was, he knew the look of lust when he saw it. He could overreact, but boy did he always have the scenario spot on. Fancy yourself as the brave young suitor, Sir?" He began slyly, staring at the proffesor, and giving him a sarcastic smile, quite sure Christine would not know what he meant. But he was sure as hell Mr.Gray would have a good idea.

"A duet?" He changed the subject, ignoring Mr.Gray and looking at Christine. "I would love to sing with a voice such as Christines, but I doubt the feeling is mutual."

Christine Owen and Mr. Gray

"The brave young suitor?" Mr. Gray asked as he met Noah's glare. "I think in some instances some might accuse the phantom as having that lust rather than Christine's brave young suitor." He smiled back at Noah. "But I can assure you, Mr. Irons that I know nothing of suitors such as this."

Mr. Gray had hardly just stepped off the boat and knew exactly what Noah was getting at. It was evident to him that there was obviously something more between Noah and Christine then met the eye. However, the last thing he wanted to do was embarass Christine which was why he chose to answer with innuendos as well.

"You don't believe the feeling is mutual?" Mr. Gray asked almost smiling to himself.

"I never said that." Christine replied. "We just....got off on the wrong foot so to speak."

"Well, there are many partners in the world of show business or stage that are not best friends but perform wonderfully." Mr. Gray pointed out. "And in some cases...that distance between them makes their singing even better."

"It...it does?" Christine asked.

Mr. Gray nodded and smiled. "Yes, so you see it is not necessary to be best friends with a duet partner. In fact, I think you would perform even better if you didn't have that quality." He paused. "But I digress. Please tell me that you are in opera workshop, Miss Owen? For a soprano voice of such crystal clarity belongs no where else." He looked at Noah. "Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Irons?"

Noah blinked out the anger in his eyes and looked at Christine, saying nothing. What did he care if she sang like an Angel or not? As soon as he tried to improve situations, she undid his work - he had no care for her voice. And still, she enticed him like no other, why, if he weren't so God damn proud, he'd talk to her like a man.

"I'm not one to say, Sir. It seems all my words today have been taken out of context. If I say she has the voice of the Angels, I'd be branded a fool. I say she has nothing special, and I'm just an arse." He said in his thick Scottish accent.

He looked back to Mr.Gray and grinned. Honestly, what did he care if Christine didn't like him? There were more important things to life, or were there?

"I'm sure you'll do what suits you and excel. You don't need me to help you." He added solemnly, staring at Christine with a tight-lip expression.

If she cared for him in any way, it had gone unnoticed - though he could read a woman like a book, Christine was just another, infuriating case.

"I should go. I only came to talk to you Sir, and... I don't want to further upset Ms.Owen."

Noah bowed like a Gentleman, and turned around, beginning to walk...

Christine Owen and Mr. Gray

"Well, I shall certainly look forward to opera workshop this semester with...two such talented voices." Mr. Gray replied with a smile. "And it shall give me an idea of what to set up." He nodded to Noah and then watched as he walked. "And I should leave as well to prepare for tomorrow's first day of classes, Miss Owen." He took her hand gently again. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Owen and I look forward to hearing your voice again. Good night."

"Good night....Mr. Gray." Christine replied with a slight smile. She waited until Mr. Gray walked away and then turned toward where Noah had gone. "Noah? Noah, wait."

Noah rolled his eyes and turned around as Christine walked up to him. Oh what now? Was he going to be branded a stalker? Hell, would she slap him in the face? Great, he'd be landed in first aid again! He raised his eyebrow, but stopped moving.

"What is it, Ms.Owen? I'm a busy man - I have at least three more tree's to piss on marking my terratory before going inside and marking the walls."

Christine Owen

Christine sighed. "Noah, it was wrong of me to insist that you were being possessive back in the student lounge. I just...." She let out another sigh. "I have dealt with so many guys in my life and they were all jerks. I guess...I just put up a protective wall around myself and thought all guys were the same. But...I have never had someone continue to pursue me after I practically dissed them. I think...that shows you may not be like them and it was wrong of me to think otherwise. I'm sorry, Noah. This is my first time away from home and I am very on edge. I have no right to take it out on you. You...you are not an arse....I am."

"Christine..." He sighed, rubbing his temple. He lightly took hold of her shoulders, and made her look at him.

"I think we've established, I'm not like other men. God Lass, don't go blaming yourself. I think I was better off when I was the arse. I still feel like one. Christine, I... I don't know how you feel, because I don't have a family. I don't have a mother or father, so how the hell do I know what homesickness is? It would help if I felt homesick too. But I don't. I don't have a home to be away from - so I can't say anything comforting.
I'm sure your family want you to do well, to excel. And you can't excel while worrying. What's the point? Don't let your family down because you've been worrying about them - when it's them that have to worry about you."

He wasn't sure why he did this next thing, but it seemed appropritate in the situation;

"Look." He said, releasing her and pulling out a piece of paper. "A note from my mother - she wrote it while away in Paris. It tells me and my brother that she worries about us every day because we try and out-do each other all the time. She tells us that its worrying, but healthy. Meaning, not only is competition good, so is worrying. I'm not saying go crazy, but keep them close to your heart, just don't freak out over losing your family, becuse you havent - it's not the end. Worry about yourself now, Christine. You won't regret it."

Christine Owen

And now Christine felt even worse. How was she supposed to know that Noah had no family? And here she was whining like some little girl! She TRULY felt like an arse now!

"I...I guess it was selfish of me to think that everyone had family. My family is all I have known in my life. My brother, Fox...has been the only guy in my life and now he is also away from me. I guess...maybe part of me is afraid because I don't want to take responsibility yet. Here....I know that I don't have them and I have to make a new life for myself. The Christine Owen that exists back in Massachusetts doesn't matter here. The only thing that matters here is what I create now."

Noah slowly nodded as Christine confessed her feelings. It was odd, how one could change at the switch of a light, at the drop of a hat.

"It's ok, Christine. I'm sure people at the academy will look after you. You won't be alone. And... Well... It'll be ok. Don't worry, pet. Just concentrate on your singing and things will work out nicely - you've made at least one friend, you and Nick get along like a house on fire, not that I ever understood that term..."

He trailed off, staring at the floor. He wasn't bitter - nor upset, but for some reason a nagging feeling was eating away at him. It made him want to scream at Christine, and hug her all at once. And confusion wasn't something Noah liked. Maybe if he wasn't judged all the time... But then again, what had he done to earn anybodies respect?

Thinking that she would snap at him again if he called himself a friend, he decided to use somebody else. Of course, now he'd be branded as sarcastic again. Why couldn't things be simple? Damn.

"It's clear to me, Christine, that you know who you don't like, and who you do. That's sometimes a good thing. Me, I put up false pretences, and clearly no one likes that, so I find myself wondering 'What the hell can I do to please everybody?' I've never been one for words. I've never had anyone to teach me how to interact with people, apart from dear older brother whose had God knows how many STD's, now that isn't a good role model, is it? But I'm digressing - you'll see your family soon enough. I mean... They'll visit at the weekends? I'm sure everybodies parents will..."

Well, not everybodies...

Christine Owen

"Noah." Christine took her hand and touched the side of his face gently. "It is true that I have made a friend with Nick. He just...happens to be talented in something else that I like. He was honestly just trying to help me as I told him that I needed to learn some ballet before I was able to audition for Phantom of the Opera. I swear to you that is all that was there. He's....carrying around some baggage too from his life and...well...maybe in a way I want to help him."

She moved her hand away from his face and sighed. "I guess....I have such happiness in my life that when I see others who aren't, I feel like I can help them. The problem is...sometimes I don't think and I end up creating more problems than solving them. And then sometimes I just see things that aren't really there and I get stubborn. You can ask my brother Fox about that part and he will tell you all about the Owen stubborness and Celtic temper."

She paused. "I guess....I just want to save the world sometimes. I want us to be friends, Noah. I really do and I...I promise not to accuse you of being possessive anymore. I somehow feel....that maybe...we can help each other? Does....does that make sense to you?"

For once, Mr.Irons was speechless. What the hell? His skin tingled where she had stroked his face. His mouth opened slightly, and he felt himself go completely red. Wait... He was blushing in front of a girl? That was a first.

"I..."

What was he supposed to say? Or do for that matter? She had caught him completely off guard, he had no witty replies or comebacks for her. He had no words of wisdom, for her or himself. The moment seemed to live forever, the atmosphere itself changing, making it seem like one of those pathetic American lovely dovey movies. Only this was all in Noah's head.

He gently touched his face where she had touched him.

"I..."

Say something you Scottish idiot!

"Save the world? Have you... Got a spandex costume?" He joked, his voice barely audible.

"I used to be a superhero... But um... I was in an accident, I'm forced to live in the cellars of the Opera House now. It's not all bad... But I am doomed to watch the woman I love fall for another man, while I wallow in self pity."

Noah shrugged.

"Still... I get to wear a cape."

Christine Owen

Christine smiled glad to see that the tension between them had apparently been broken. "Spandex? Me? You have got to be kidding? No, I thought I would just get some kind of leprachaun costume or something. Or wait...better yet we Celts believe in the fae a lot so I would get me a faerie costume. And then...I could fly around and fix people's problems with a wave of my wand and some pixie dust."

She paused. "Oh wait, that was Tinkerbell from Peter Pan, wasn't it? Ok, well maybe I wouldn't be like Tinkerbell then. And as for being in the cellars? Well...maybe you just need someone to give you light to help you find your way out? And then....you could use my magic wand and turn the other man into a frog!" She grinned. "And then...you could wave the wand and make your love fall madly in love with you. It's that or a frog right?"

Angelica Bloom and Samantha Bloom

As she had watched the exchange between Christine and Noah and was constanly reminded of the situation between her and Richie, she did still love hikm but she was unsure if she could allow her self to let thyings go back to haw they were, not to mention that Scott was supposed to be visitiong her that weekend.

She looked across the grounds and watched the sun set, the academy grounds bathed in a gold and pink glow hads a calming influence upon her, she rolled over and grabbed her cell phone out of her purse.

Hey Sam she said

Hey Honey Whats up how are you settling in came the reply

The academy's great and I've met loads of really cool people I think i'm gonna be really happy here...

But... said Sam, knowing all too well that her little sister had something on her mind

I've got a bit of a situation... I could really do with some advice...

As Angelica told her sister all that had happened that day things seemed to click, they spoke for ages about Rich and Scott and also about Noah, when Angelica put down the phone the sun had virtually set, she decided to head to her room and get some sleep, sleeping always helped her to put things into perspective

She put her cell phone back into her purse and headed back into the academy.

Noah laughed and looked at Christine. A new side he hadn't seen before, it was nice, her joking around - he hadn't seen her do that with anybody at the academy so far.

"Lass, you'd look good in spandex. But then I've always had the hots for little lepracauns." He joked.

"Mind you, you go all Celt? I'll put on my kilt for you. Just as long as it's not a windy day."

Of course he'd never be caught dead in a kilt untill he got married - a promise he made to his mother, of course then he was young, and didn't realise a kilt didn't do wonders as most people classed it as a skirt.

"My friend, Damien? He's a big big lad bless him, and he's never caught without his kilt. Unfortunately, when he walks you can er..." Noah winced.

"You can guess the rest."

Christine Owen

"Noah, no offense but I would not be caught DEAD in a leprechaun outfit. I saw my brother dressed as one once and it was very interesting to say the least. He has...very skinny legs and it was quite amusing."

Wait a minute was Noah laughing? Was SHE laughing? Now that was something that she rarely did around anyone but family. But after the day she had had, it just felt right and was releasing all of her negative energies.

"All Celt? Oh yes, my family takes their heritage very seriously. Many times when we get together for celebrations we dress the way our ancestors did. And we..practice our Celtic beliefs as well which some people might find strange. But...our family is proud of who we are and aren't afraid to show it."

She giggled as he mentioned Damien. "You're saying that because he's so big...he....oh my! You know, Noah some people may think wearing kilts is silly but to me it shows you just how dedicated you are to your cultural heritage. I think...that perhaps our families may be similar in some ways. I don't wear a kilt mind you but I do wear a Celtic dress and sometimes a cloak like the Druids used to wear. But Beltane is wonderful because the girls wear garlands of flowers in there hair and I like that. And we dance around a huge fire, it truly is a sight to see."

"Well, maybe I could wear flowers in my hair and dance around a fire with you sometime." Noah laughed, twirling in the air and doing his dramatic jazz hands.

"I like being Scottish. My brother doesn't though - he doesn't even have an accent! I'd like to get married in a kilt though, that's traditional for us Scotsman. Hey, imagine our wedding, WEDDINGS that is... You looking like Tinkerbell and me looking all Braveheart."

Noah looked down at the floor and smiled again. He couldn't stop it - she made him like himself. Noah had never felt himself or acted like himself in public before - never. Christine made him feel like he used to be, and that was a good thing.

"If it's not... Too bold... And, assuming you're not going to be busy... Maybe we could sing together... I mean, if you ARE busy, I understand. Don't feel like you HAVE to... Sorry, I'm rambling."

Christine Owen

Christine giggled. "A scotsman in a kilt with flowers in his hair? I think that even outdoes my brother as a leprechaun."

She leaned against the railing that oversaw the water. "As for my wedding? Well, I certainly would not look like Tinkerbell. Actually...I already have my wedding dress. You see...it's tradition that once a girl reaches marrying age in our family that she and her mother pick out her wedding gown. If one were to look at mine, the would think that it's something out of Shakespeare. It is in fact an Elizabethan design but...not quite that elaborate. You see...I don't believe that a wedding gown should be that elaborate. What is most important...is whom you are marrying." She then realized she was rambling and stopped. "As for you looking all Braveheart? Well....I see nothing wrong with that."

She gave him a bright smile. "Too bold? Noah, asking to sing with me is not too bold. I...find it quite flattering actually. And...Mr. Gray seems to think that our voices would make quite a duet. I'm certain I can't be busy here.....ALL the time, right?" She shifted slightly. "Do you mind if we walk while we talk? I kind of want to see what the rest of the grounds look like."

Noah nodded and began to walk with her, straining his eyes to look ahead, the sun had set making it slightly hard to see past anything in front of them.

"I don't mind, Christine. I was starting to get a cramp anyway." He said, leading the way around a group of tree's into a more deserted part of the green area.

"How about we walk around the perimeter then go inside, see if there's anything fun." He added, raising his eyebrow and smiling.

As the sun had set, it had brought a change in the weather - the temperature decreasing making it chilling to walk outside almost.

"It's cold." He said, looking at Christine taking his leather jacket off.

"You want my jacket? It's leather, it'll keep you warm. I'm hot anyway." He said, deciding he'd say he was hot, just in case she felt bad. See? He could be a gentleman!

Christine Owen

"Fun? Here at a student academy?" She asked with a grin as they walked. "Somehow I think that they would try to discourage that and put a huge focus on studies."

She then felt a slight breeze. "Yes, it...it is a little cold." She glanced toward him. "Your leather jacket? Well, that's nice of you but are you sure you....won't you be cold? Oh wait, let me guess are all Scotsman hot-blooded or something?" She grinned.

Noah laughed. "With all the bad weather we get in Scotland? Your body adjusts to it - I'm just naturally hot. In all senses of course."

Chuckling, he took the leather jacket off, and gracefully draped it upon Christine's shoulders.

"Don't want you to freeze now, Red - do we?"

Sticking his hands into his pockets he looked up at the sky. "Blimey. Gorgeous night. Gorgeous. I think I might have to lie under the stars tonight."

An old memory of his. In the summer, all he did was lie under the stars, the only time of year when they ventured out from outer space.

"Yeah. This is definately the night to lie under the stars."

Christine Owen

Christine cleared her throat at the hot comment. "Uhhh....yes of course."

She turned her head slightly as she felt the jacket placed on her shoulders and caught a scent of leather. But that was not the only scent on the jacket...Noah was on there too.

"You said...that you like to lie under the stars? Well, i have to admit that I don't know many guys who..." She then paused and stopped walking. "Wait, did you just call me Red?" She chuckled. "Oh my god, that's what my brother Fox calls me." Her eyes then studied him for a moment. "And...I just realized in some ways you look alike. Ok, this is just too strange."

Noah walked ahead of Christine and sat on the grass, looking up at the sky.

"Your brother? Well... Thankyou I think. Sounds like we'd get along. Sorry, I give everybody nicknames - pet, lass being the traditional one, in your case, Red. As for looking up at the stars I..." He stopped and sighed, fiddling with the grass on the floor.

"I'm not like other people, Christine. See, most people I know like to talk about clothes, sex, whatever. And I normally go along with it, but... I'm secretly thinking about marraige, and kids! Bloody hell, I'm the only guy I know who wants a wife and kids. Except all the girls I know want one night in the rough then its just an awkward goodbye.

I love my music, I love acting, and I don't know anyone who likes those things. Which is why I came here. I don't know why I bother pretending to be something I'm not. I want to be a talented actor with a beautiul family, people I can grow old with. How do I expect to have all that with teenage blondes?"

Noah shook his head, suprised by his outburst. "See that star next to the Orion's Belt? That's my lucky star." He said grinning up at her.

Christine Owen

"Well, if you want to know the truth, it is a compliment about my brother." Christine replied. "For I truly think the world of him and I vowed that there would never be another guy to compare to him. So...actually I don't mind the nickname at all. It's certainly better than Freckles." She smiled.

She listened and crossed one foot over the other as Noah opened himself up to her. Was this truly the same Noah she had met flirting with Angelica? The arrogant one who had made her think he was possessive? She was truly touched by his willingness to share his emotions. NO MAN was ever like that normally. Well...Nick had been....

She eased herself on the ground next to him and decided to comment on what he had just said in a moment. Her face tilted up at the sky, next to his where she followed his hand. "Oh, really? And why is that?"

He looked back up to the star. "I ALWAYS used to sit out under the stars as a kid. It used to drive my mother nuts - every night I'd sneak out of the house, and lie underneath the moon and stars. I never saw this star untill I met my first love."

Noah chuckled at Christines look she gave him. "Music I mean. It was my first love. The night I performed on stage at my school, I sat under the sky, and saw that star. I'd never noticed it, so... It became my lucky star."

He dropped to his back to get a better look at the night sky. "I used to be a nice kid at school. I used to be a recluse really - shabby looks and hair, no one wanted to know me. But... God, that night I was on stage? Everyone wanted a piece of me. I lost all thought of that family I so desperately want - everything. Now, I get here, and I remember all of those thoughts. Like, my wedding? I want the whole shabang! And, my kids? God, I don't care how many I have, so long as our house, me and my wife, isn't empty.

I'd love a baby girl, and of course I'd adore a boy. And... Should I be talking about this?" He laughed, scratching his stomach, and resting on his hands.

"And a dog. Or a cat. Or fish. Ha, God... I forgot what a softy I am." He turned around onto his stomach and looked up at Christine;

"What do you want in life? You want a loving husband? Children? Do you want to grow old with that special someone? I could see you with children - You'd be a terrific mother" He smiled. He was chatting away, and yet it didn't seem odd to him, he felt like himself again. It was fantastic to not put up pretenced that didn't seem right - it felt so natural to him now, that he could talk this way.

He seemed to feel something for Christine already, that made him feel like he could tell her anything.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be instrusive. You don't have to answer any of that. I just... You're a really... Spectacular person I suppose."

Christine Owen

"Spectacular?" Christine asked as she pointed to herself. "Me? Christine Owen?" She shook her head. "Noah, I am not spectacular. I may appear to be a strong person on the outside but on the inside sometimes I am absolutely terrified. I'm afraid of so many things. I'm afraid that here they will not accept me. I'm afraid that I will find out that I am truly not cut out for the singing profession. I'm afraid that I will grow old alone with nothing but a cat. And most of all....I'm afraid of failure."

She brought her legs to her chest. "You want to know my dream? My dream...is to sing in an opera house. I don't care what opera house it is, just as long as it's an opera house. That way, I can say that I have sung in one. And I want to sing the role of Christine Daae because I feel it's a role I was born to do. I don't want a fancy mansion, servants or any kind of star treatment for my talent. All I wish to do is spread my love of music and share it with others. Do I want to be recognized for my singing? Of course I do but mostly for the people who never believed in me and teased me when I was a child. That is what I want, Noah. And...if I happen to find someone to share that with me and accept me for who I truly am, that would be a plus. I would be happy if I could just sing for the rest of my life. Someone in my family has told me that I have a special gift and I should not squander it."

She rest her chin on her hands. "There is so much you don't know about me, Noah. In high school I was ridiculed so much until my singing came along. And even then, there were still others who wouldn't accept me. My family are truly the only one in my life who have always accepted me, Noah. And I know this won't make sense to you but...I feel like I don't belong here. Not just at this academy but this life....this century. Now, tell me that I'm spectacular."

Noah sat up and listened to Christine in silence. It seemed to him that they had similar worries and beliefs - only she was open to admit that she didn't like the life she currently led. He looked at her, and stroked her jawline with his hand.

"You are spectacular. When I heard you sing - it was like... Well put it this way, Carlotta's got nothing on you. As long as you have faith in yourself, then whose to say you can't reach your goal? The only reason people ridicule you, is because they're jealous. You have talent like no other, and the fact that you don't care for a diva lifestyle so long as you spread your music tells me that you genuinly want this to happen for you."

His eyes sparked in the darkness with passion. "I always figured I was born in the wrong time too. But I realised that both of us are here to reinforce the ways we wish we had. Like the classic Opera, true love, and my favourite; nobility. Back in the 1800's men died for what they believed in, they died for love, for family and that's beautiful. I'd still like to think men here are noble, and that love still exists.

We're similar you and I. I was always taken the piss out of at school. Like I said, till I sang and er... Got a haircut, I used to be very unpopular. Being liked was simply a bonus.
You'd be fantastic as Christine. Only if I can play the Phantom though. Not fair if you get all the fun now, is it?"

He took his jacket, and wrapped it tighter around Christine, lying back down and continued to look up at the stars.

Christine Owen

Christine slowly turned her head and looked at Noah with disbelief in her eyes. Was this truly a man speaking to her? And here she thought after speaking about being in the wrong century, he would run away or call a psychiatric hospital. How could this be?

"I..I have never met anyone of the male species who agreed with me. I mean..nothing personal but the men I have encountered are only interested in whether I would sleep with them or not. I even had one guy try to lead me on by believing what I did just to get in my pants. I later found out through gossip what he was doing and it devastated me. To me, it showed just how cruel men could really be. I...I vowed after that guy had broken my heart that I would never open myself up to anyone again. I guess you could say sometimes I'm gullible too. Or rather...I was at that time. It was because I was so desparate to find someone that I would believe anything."

She chuckled trying to hold back her tears. "Do you know that jerk even had someone make him a fake family history to make it even more credible? He really hurt me and he didn't care. It was after that, that I started to make myself more independent. And I..completely devoted myself to my music and theatre. And the feelings I had about the past, I chose to push back because I felt it was some kind of dream world. But...how do you handle such a thing when you truly have no one to talk to?"

Noah again sat upright, and blinked in disbelief. No wonder they had gotten off to a bad start, when a man did that to her? Noah just made it worse. And for that he was ashamed. But why would somebody do that to someone so special? Someone so magnificant. Because that's what Christine was - whether she believed it or not. He rubbed his head and sighed.

"I don't believe it. I... How... Why would somebody do that to you? To not believe in you? I would have strung them up by their thumbs. No wonder you've become independant, not that it's a bad thing. But... Oh Christine." He whispered, bowing his head.

"That's not right. It's just not right for a man to do that. I know I sound like a hypocrite, but I'm all talk, honest. It's just harmless fun, I never expect nor want to get into a womans pants as you put it. But a man who does that, and then not to feel guilt? It's just wrong."

He extended an arm to hold her, but then drew it back in, thinking he'd look like another jerk trying to sleep with her.

"You're talking to me now, Christine. And it's like I'm seeing you for the first time. I see wounds, but wounds heal. Broken bones are fixed, headaches are solved with tablets.
You hold on to that dream, and don't let it go, Red. I know you think you can't trust anybody... But there are some people who are worth knowing. There are times when you're faced with problems, but you overcome them. Since you were born Christine, your life has been mapped out. It's destiny that you're here - destiny gave you this dream and destiny will lead you to your goals.

You're a beautiful person Christine, and who is to say that you won't be an amazing singer? You feel like you were born in the wrong century, and I do not doubt your mind for a second, but there is more you can do here and now, then back then. You were put here for a reason. God has put your idea Opera House on the earth, in THIS TIME - not back in the past. God has put your true love, on the earth, in THIS TIME- not back in the past! Everything that you've ever wanted, is here, now, in the present. And you'll soon realise it. You will. I promise."

Noah saw tears sparkle in Christine's eyes, and he softly touched her shoulder, prepared to stop if she thought he'd gone too far under the circumstances.

Christine Owen

Christine didn't want to tell Noah that her beliefs were indeed somewhat different from his when it came to God. That would be something he would learn later if they ever got closer. But what he was saying was making sense. Why hadn't he been around her in high school when she needed it? There she was questioning things again which normally didn't solve things but just made them worse.

She flushed slightly as he touched her shoulder. "Are all Scottish men like you? And...how is it possible that you are still single? I can't think of any girl who would want to throw away someone so...caring and understanding, like you. And how is it...that first we were fighting and here we are lying in the moonlight under the stars?"

Noah released Christine and laughed. He looked at her and his eyes narrowed as he felt closer and closer to her by the minute.

"Well, you're not plastered to my mouth this current moment. No, not all Scottish men are like me. You'd hate it there. The crime, the violence and betrayel... It's not a nice place. I learnt my lessons in life the hard way. But, the highlands are something to see - beautiful."

He looked up at the sky and smiled again. "Well, I don't know. I like not fighting though, it's nice." He rubbed down the goosebumps on his arms and shivered. "Phew - it IS cold tonight. And I thought I was thick-skinned."

He leant his chin on Christine's shoulder and said; "It's worth it though. I don't do things if I think they're pointless. Everything has a purpose. We all have a purpose." He brought out his gold locket from underneath his shirt and kissed it.

"No. I made myself a promise regarding women, and I'll bloody stick to it. I'm looking for the one now. I don't want a girlfriend with no promise now - I want to find... well... Her. I want to find her."