Author comment: Hey~ I wanted to write and post more but time ran out for me, so I'll probably work on this more tomorrow. Hope you enjoy it and if you have any feed back I would love to hear it!


Christine hesitated once she got outside the restaurant. She knew Raoul wouldn't like her wandering around by herself, especially in the part of town. But somethings she just had to do by herself. She bit her bottom lip and opened the note that was given to her,

My dear Christine,

If what I expect is true, you want to find Him. And not as a plot to capture him and have him killed. I know what he has done is wrong but the things this man can create are too good to be ignored, to disappear like they have.

If you are so sure you want to do this, you can find him at the address written on the other side of this paper. But only go if you know what you are doing. And don't let him hear you sing, I fear he won't let you go a second time.

I am glad that you wrote to me, Meg and I have missed you.

Antoinette Giry

Christine smiled at her note, it was just like her to be cryptic but caring at the same time. Christine flipped the paper over and was shocked to say the least. He was still living at the place where he had lived for most of his life. Thinking quickly she decided that she would take a carriage to the little flower shop that was a block and a half away from the Opera Populaire.

She wasn't completely sure how this would play out, she was still a young woman, alone on the streets of France. And she could be recognized and that could get back to Raoul. Who was sure to take drastic measures given their history. She also did not want any one following her to the Phantom, to her Angel. She was sure that he could handle himself but she didn't want to expose him like that, not again.

That was a blemish on their past, on what could have been. And that was something she would always regret. The day she exposed her Angel to the world, embarrassed and humiliated him.

This was not a safe plan, not that she cared at the moment. She needed to see Him again. To let him know that she wasn't afraid him, anymore, and that she wasn't appalled at his face, something he couldn't help. And the way he acted, that wasn't entirely his fault either, that was the fault of society, for shunning him and mistreating him.

She walked across the street and hailed a passing carriage. "Good day Monsieur I was wondering if you could take me to the flower shop on Rue Lavaud?"

The man stared at her for a while before answering and she was wondering if he recognized him. Thankfully he shrugged and motioned for her to get in the carriage. "Sure mademoiselle, I would be 'appy to take you. It will be 25 francs."

She nodded and climbed in, a little too hastily. She rode in silence, preferring to be in deep thought. 'What would he do when he saw her?' "What did do now that the Opera house was closed?' 'How would I get in?' The fire had spread quickly but it was put out just as fast. There had also been several attempts to rebuild, all with little success. So there was a chance she could get in. But she didn't know if she could get in unnoticed. She also hadn't been back in eleven months so there was a chance that the little flower shop was gone, closed now that its main source of income was gone.

The carriage pulled to a halt and the man spoke. "Mademoiselle, we have arrived."

She glanced out the window and was thankful that the flower shop was indeed still there. She opened the door and got out. She pulled out 30 francs instead of the mentioned 25 and handed it to him. "Thank you monsieur for taking me, please keep the change." She smiled and walked away.

She entered the flower shop and scanned the flowers. Looking for something to give to the phantom. Even if he was upset or angry at her, she wanted to give him a present of sorts. Her eyes lit up at the pots of roses and she called out for the owner to help her remove one.

A boy came over and looked her over. "You look familiar miss." He mumbled as he expertly cut a rose from its fellows. "Would you like it trimmed of thorns?"

She nodded and tried not to speak. If this boy recognized her, word could reach Raoul. And if Raoul knew she was back near the Opera House she didn't know what he would do.

The boy squinted at her as he sat there and cut the rose of its only protection. "Do you live around here, miss?"

She smiled and shook her head no. She used to but if she gave that away she might be recognized. She did need to ask this question though, "Do you have any ribbon?"

The boy nodded enthusiastically. "Of course we do! We have many different colors, what were you looking for?"

She smiled happily. "Black ribbon or black with red perhaps?"

The boy frowned, "black is such a dull color…" but he hopped off of his seat and went to fetch the ribbon anyways.

Christine sighed and wished the boy would hurry up, she still had to figure out how she was going to get into a building that was definitely unsafe to enter.

"Here miss, I found a ribbon that's black with blue on it, I couldn't give you the black ribbon though, that's too dull for someone like you." He blushed after he said that and handed her the ribbon.

She looked it over and even though it wasn't quite what she wanted she accepted it with a smile.

"Shall I put it on the rose for you, miss?" the boy asked, quite happy with himself.

She nodded and tried to hide a giggle, the boy may be slightly annoying but he was cute.

The boy tied the ribbon onto the rose and handed it to her. "That will be 6 francs, miss."

She nodded and handed him 7 francs. "Thank you so much, kind boy, please keep the change."

The boy lit up and ran off with the change.

She rolled her eyes and left the flower shop. And now for the hard part.

Breaking into her former home to find a man who didn't want to be found.