A/N: So, I write this in my study hall because doing Phantom's Return at school is nearly impossible because there are so many distractions. Also, I don't want to lose anything. I write this at school because it's more of a stress reliever than a real story. I write more every Wednesday (my only study hall, as I take Chorus and Madrigals) so you can count on updates every few weeks (AKA I can't write one chapter in a study hall, so I write parts)! So here we go!

---

Erik walked around the Opera House Populaire, slightly depressed. The fire wasn't as bad as everyone had said; the stage just needed new floorboards and he backstage needed to be repainted. He sighed and picked up his Don Juan cape. It wasn't singed, but it would need a little repair. He carefully folded it and stored it in his satchel, along with his music and a few bottles of ink.

He had hidden in the shadows of his lair until the mob had left, then packed away a few possessions. He had a suitcase full of his clothes and a few important pieces of his lair outside with Caesar. He had decided to walk through his home one final time before he moved on.

He smiled fondly up to the rafters, where he had dropped that backdrop on Carlotta. And to Box 5 where he sat to watch… her sing. His heart leaped into his throat at the thought of her. He felt the familiar lump in his throat as a tear escaped. He knew he would never love again.

He suddenly heard a voice. A wonderful voice. It sang, "Pitiful creature of darkness – What kind of life have you known? God give me courage t show you: You are not alone!"

He instantly followed the voice. It was not Christine, but Meg Giry, one of the only friends he had. He had no idea she was a marvelous singer. She suddenly turned, alarmed.

"Whoever is there, come out now! I'm warning you! The-The Opera Ghost doesn't take kindly to the hurtful sort, and he's very protective of me…" she lied, trying to sound brave.

Phantom laughed. "The Opera Ghost says that is true." He stepped out of the shadows, into the dim light of the wing. "It's just me, Meg."

Meg stared at him and whispered, "You're alive?" She ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck in a deep embrace. "You're alive! Oh thank God!" She hugged him tightly. He froze for a moment, but then hugged her back. Meg was one of the only people he could count on.

She franticly babbled on about how he was alive and how she was so worried and how she was sure he was dead. She kissed both his cheeks and then… pecked him on the lips, getting caught up in the excitement.

They both froze. He turned red and she blushed. "Um… M-Mother w-was w-worried ab-bout y-you…" she stuttered.

"Yes, your mother…" he nodded, still shocked by Meg's affection. He then realized he was still holding her. He quickly removed his hands and turned, regaining his cool exterior. His ears were still red when he turned back to her. "Can I have my mask back?"

She shook the shock off and smiled, happy the subject had changed. "Yes. It's at home. Mother said you could live in our attic like you did when the Opera House was under construction. Caesar can live in our friend's stables."

He nodded and they set off to the stables, where the white horse was waiting. He loaded his few possessions into the carriage and rode off, Meg sitting next to him.

Once they were at a steady pace, the night grew closer, and the wind grew colder. Meg shivered in her sleeveless dress. Erik sighed at her and took off his jacket and pulled it around her. She wrapped it tightly around herself, smiling at him sheepishly. He half-smiled and looked back to the road. She gathered her courage and moved closer to him. When he didn't react, she leaned her head on his shoulder, nodding off to sleep.

Erik looked over at the maiden on his shoulder. He never realized how beautiful Meg looked. He let go of the reins with one hand and put his arm around her shoulders.

---

Erik quickly and silently moved into the attic. He set up a few sheets of music on a stand and unpacked his clothes. A few years ago, he might have already had a few essentials here, but that was back before young men who tried to woo Meg decided to help Madame Giry with housework. Erik used to do that for her.

He also played music for the Giry's. They kept an old piano in the attic, which meant Erik could play his compositions whenever he wanted. He also had his old violin, the Christmas gift Madame Giry gave to him during his first year at the Opera. He played it now and then, but not as often as he should have.

He crept downstairs to where Meg was sleeping. He watched her for a moment. The sleeping creature was beautiful, more beautiful than his angel. He had been blinded by Christine's maturity and then by his own jealousy. He caressed her cheek and kissed her forehead. He pulled the blankets around her and whispered, "Good night, my little dancer."