"Christine, I love you," Erik sang softly.

Christine slipped the ring into his hand and took one last look at his disfigured face. Erik's face crumpled as Christine brushed her hand against his and turned around. She rushed into the arms of her waiting lover, Raoul.

Meg leapt out of her boat before the rest of the mob had stopped. She ran into one room. It was dark, but she could see a figure slumped against the wall. Meg ran back as everyone was getting out of their boats.

"He's not here," she cried out. "But his boat is gone." Angry cries rang against the walls. "I think I saw him go that way," she pointed north toward a series of small dark tunnels. The mob turned around and rushed into the labyrinth.

"Hide your face, so the world will never find you," a small voice, followed by dry heaving sobs reached Meg's ears. Meg found a candle and slowly walked into the room where Erik was. She knelt beside him and he kept his head down singing softly to himself. "Look back on all those times, think of the things we'll never do,"

"There will never be a day when I won't think of you," Meg sang along softly.

Erik's head jerked up. "Who are you?" he whispered hoarsely.

"My name is Meg," she answered starting to come closer.

"Don't get any closer," he said covering his face.

Meg stopped where she was and sat cross-legged on the floor. "What's your name?" she inquired curiously.

"My name is not of importance," Erik said. I will just get abandoned again. He thought bitterly.

"It would be if you want this back," she reached into her shirt and pulled out his porcelain white mask.

"How did…" he trailed off. "Slide it to me." The mask slid soundlessly across the floor into darkness. Meg heard him shuffle towards it. As Erik put on his mask which was still warm from her body heat, he slowly emerged into the small light that the candle gave off. Meg caught a glance of the deformed part of his face she had seen not very long ago.

She sat calmly, waiting for Erik to get situated. "Meg was it?" he asked. She nodded. "Stand please," he said. She stood up slowly. Meg picked up the candle and held it out to him. Erik took it from her hands gently and walked around lighting the candles that were placed about the room.

"Sir," Meg began timidly.

"Yes Meg?"

"You never told me your name," she smiled a little.

"Oh," Erik said turning around slowly. "My name is Erik." Meg inclined her head and dropped a small curtsy. She picked up another candle and lit the remaining candles around the room.

Even with all the candles lit the room wasn't very bright. There was a deep red armchair in one corner that had a small table and a gas lamp beside it. The walls seemed to be made of large bookshelves.

Meg gasped as she looked around herself. She had never seen so many books in her life. Erik smiled at the girl's awe. "Do you like books?" She nodded her eyes still wide in wonder. "Do you have a favorite?" he prompted.

She shook her head slowly then tipped it to the side. "Well," she began. "I have always liked fairytales." Meg laughed at herself. "I must sound so childish."

Erik shook his head and chuckled. "No not really."

Meg smiled. "Monsieur," she asked turning away from her wondrous gaze from the books onto the collector.

"Erik, please." he said.

"I need to get home," she said in a hushed voice. She felt like she was whispering to herself, and she really didn't know why. "I need to make sure my mother is okay."

Erik sighed. He was beginning to warm up to this girl. Although, looking at her killed him a little. The grace and poise that accompanied her every move reminded him so much of Christine.

"Erik?" Meg asked. His eyes were glazed over and Erik was staring off in the distance with a bittersweet smile on his face. He stood like a statue.

Erik shook himself. "Come with me," He said grabbing his cape. He took another down from a hook as they were on their way out. "Meg?"

"Hmm," she snapped out of her stupor.

Erik fastened the securely around her delicate shoulders. "Here."

"What for?" Meg questioned fingering the soft black velvet.

"It's cold." Erik stated the obvious. "I am going to take you home."

"By horse?" Meg asked once again.

Erik laughed to himself. Did Meg honestly thing he was going to go out and get into a coach?

"Oh, right," Meg blushed. "Sorry." Erik lifted a gloved hand as if to brush it off.

Erik pulled Cesar to a halt in front of Meg's home. He swung his leg off his horse and geltly helped Meg to the ground.

"Thank you," she said looking up at Erik.

"Your welcome." Erik murmured. Meg looked so young and innocent standing in the moonlight.

She smiled briefly, and turned to the door. "Good night," Meg whispered.

"Good night Meg," Erik mounted his horse and rode back to the smoldering Opera Populaire.

A/N: okay everyone sorry about the previous version. It sucked badly… I had lost my notebook with this part in it. -–Sniff-- but it was found obviously… and personally I believe this part sounds a lot better. I know that it isn't a lot longer, and it is still kinda rushed, but I think it sounds better…

R&R hugglez and kissez!

Kat