Disclaimer: Same as before…all I own are Maggie and the story premise! Please don't sue me (I am too poor already!)

Calliann: Thank you so much for reviewing – you're my only reviewer so far! sob I know this story wouldn't be popular I started posting it once before but took it down due to lack of reviews and support – but I decided I liked and wanted to finish it! Writer's block is causing so much trouble for the other stories I hope this one doesn't fall prey too! As to me being a wonderful writer – HAR DE HAR HAR! (to quote Jaynie, Jess and House) I am not, definitely not! But I am so glad you liked this story so far. I have the POTO movie on dvd and own a copy of Gaston's original novel which I first read as a gawky teenager (I think the current terminology for me then would be a geek, albeit a gothic one for a penchance for fighting!) and I truly related to Erik. I despised Christine for choosing Raoul over Erik as it seemed to me that she did it more out of the need to be with someone as beautiful as she than any true love. All most a puppy love thing – in the movie you get the impression it was also down to Raoul's money and social standing as well as his looks. There will be much Christine bashing throughout the story, purely because I dislike her now as much as I did as a teenager – possibly more for torturing him so at the end of the movie…..the way she came back and then left again….! rubs temples to calm down Personally I would choose Erik every time – people put too much stock on looks and not enough on the person underneath. He was no devil, no evil man – a monster is made, not born. I loved the LoEG and felt that he needed to be a part of it as he has the same drive that, for instance, Quartermaine and Harker does…… the same goes for Jane who I wanted to be more like, Heaven help me, the cartoon one than the one in the movies who does little more than run around screaming! Maggie will feature prominently in this story….and for a reason….I may kill some of them off, I may not; not absolutely sure yet. At least I have two films to study now instead of one! LOL

All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.

Anyway…on with chapter two!

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Erik and the Gentlemen:

Chapter Two – Old Scores and the Nautilus



As Jane gracefully crossed the foyer of the opera house, hotly pursued by her 'pack', Maggie and Nemo, she smiled at the motley ensemble they must look. The wolves that swarmed around her, Baloo at the head, had adopted her in much the same way the gorillas had adopted John.

Erik was descending the main staircase to meet them, he stopped; her graceful walk took his breath away. If anything the past 8 years had only made her more beautiful; the wolves milling around her legs and the elegant way she walked, made it look as if she floated across the foyer.

At the same moment, Carlotta entered through the main doors, accompanied by Meg Giry. Loudly berating the poor girl for some suspected misdemeanour, she stopped dead when confronted with the strange group approaching them surrounded by about 10 wolves!

Jane knew they didn't have time for this; but her darker side took over on seeing the kind and ever adorable little Meg being berated so, and she stepped more quickly toward her old adversary. "Carlotta! How nice to see you after all these years! Still taking singing lessons I see, and from such an old friend of mine. " Her voice, though light, dripped sarcasm.

"Hello Meg, it's so nice to see you again and so gracious of you to teach one such as my dear friend Carlotta to sing". Erik had to hide his smile; particularly as the wolves surrounded the hapless Prima Donna, growling, knowing this was where their alpha leader was directing her dislike.

With merely a nod and a smile, Meg Giry darted away to find her mother; she knew that when Jane and Carlotta locked horns there would be trouble! Jane was notorious still at the Opera House for her unflinching defence of Erik and those she loved, and Meg could see this time would be no different…..though she was flattered that Jane's defence on this occasion was of none but herself.

Carlotta remembered immediately who it was speaking to her, but 8 years had dulled her fear and so she spoke sharply "Who are you to say I sing bad, huh? That a little ballet rat needs to teach me to sing! I am diva! I sing ….ooh how you say? Very beautiful music, yes I sing very beautiful music!

You? You sound like strangled baboon when you sing! Go back to your jungle, wild woman….go back to your ape man and take the little gorilla with you!" she spat, pointing at Maggie.

With one fluid movement Jane had sprung forward, seized Carlotta by the throat and had her pinned against the wall; her eyes glittered blue, but rapidly turned black and Erik knew the diva had over stepped the line.

He marvelled at Jane's speed and dexterity, she had become even more graceful and catlike since their last meeting. But he also knew he could not let her harm the prima donna she had pinned down before her; after all, they hardly needed the company of the police when they so obviously had to be somewhere quickly!

Carlotta, on the other hand, suddenly lost all bravado and looked like a deer being sighted by the hunter, but unable to move from the kill. Which Jane was about to go in for….

"I would suggest you keep a civil tongue in your head, madam. We would not want you to lose it, now would we?" she asked quietly. Quickly the wolves surrounded the two women, snarling and growling at Carlotta.

Carlotta, about to protest, clamped her mouth shut quickly and merely shook her head. Erik had trouble not laughing out loud, Jane still had a fiery temper he could see!

Nemo tried to intervene, but was ignored. Erik moved swiftly to the bottom of the stairs and passed a baffled looking Nemo, and giggling Maggie. Touching Jane's arm he merely said "My dear Jane, how on earth would she sing without a tongue? We can't have Carlotta unable to sing - Nellie Melba is only here for one night!"

"Personally, I think it would be vast improvement if she could not sing Erik. From what I've heard in the past strangled baboons would sound better.." she smiled slyly at him.

He could not contain the smirk; you could never insult Jane without her finding a way of turning it around on you – he had learnt that the hard way!

"You….you…choke…me!" Gasped Carlotta.

"So? You're point is what exactly?" Jane smiled coldly, once more turning her head to look at the diva; and then continued with a voice of ice "do not ever insult my family again, Carlotta. I can ensure you will suffer, and not just at my hands next time." She glanced meaningfully at the pacing wolves at their feet.

She went to release the terrified woman, and then just as quickly tightened her grip again "Oh by the way, my family includes Erik – just so you know". Then let the diva drop to the floor.

At that moment Meg came rushing in with her mother. "Jane, I see you have managed to find time to reminisce with Carlotta about the old days" she said dryly.

"Ah Madam Giry….yes, it was so nice to bump into an old friend such as Carlotta. Maybe we will meet again and catch up some more?" she smiled thinly at the gasping woman on the floor; Erik and Nemo noticed her eyes becoming a pale blue again as her anger abated.

Mme Giry stepped forward and helped the hapless woman to her feet "Come Carlotta, we will make some tea for you".

"Why….why does people always try and kill me here?" The diva bleated as she was led away.

"You must come back Jane; things have been too dull without you!" Mme Giry called over her shoulder, giving a meaningful stare to Erik.

She knew how much the woman meant to him, saw how she had dragged him out of his despair 8 years ago; albeit kicking and screaming….there were times she had feared for Jane's safety, when she heard them screaming at each other down there in his lair.

But then, after the Carlotta incident, she realised that Jane had full as much a vicious temper as Erik's; she could more than easily defend herself if need be. Together they were a formidable couple….

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Even after she had left, he had remained somewhat more positive about life; particularly after the opera house was refurbished from its shabby rebuild.

When he had returned from Africa he had thought her assurances that she would always be there for him if he ever needed her; that to prove her friendship she would find a way to make sure the dilapidated opera house was refurbished properly, and some how begin to free him from the de Chagnys was little more than grateful platitudes.

He didn't believe her, thought it was an empty promise; but had wanted to help her, wanted to make sure at least one person was happy in this world because of him.

But then a few weeks later he heard rumours that the de Chagny's had sold it to a mysterious buyer from abroad. Then one day he heard noises above his home and went to investigate, there were workmen everywhere!

Then the new managers came, with strict instructions as to how the place was to be run. To pay attention to the 'Opera Ghost's' advice as well as to stage any operas he wrote; they were to pay him a not inconsiderable 'salary' for said advice and operas each month.

Mme Giry and Meg returned one day not too long after that; on receiving a visit from a solicitor saying they were to return to L'Opera Populaire at the behest of Lord John Greystoke, who was also the new owner.

He realised then that she had kept her promise - that not all females were there to torment and betray him. Finally a woman had seen 'The Phantom' and still remained a true friend. If only……

He had confided all this to Mme Giry and she had smiled sadly. Once again, Erik had loved one who could not be his; but this time he did not rail against the world for that fact.

"Erik, why are you not angry that Jane would not stay and love you?" she asked one day.

"I only thought of her as my friend, until recently. But even then I knew she would be a friend and nothing more. She loves John Greystoke and will remain true to him; how could I, of all people, try to entice her away from him as Raoul had taken Christine from me?" He replied simply.

They had never discussed the matter again. But she had felt from then on, that a small part of Erik's soul had finally found some peace. She would adore Jane forever after for that.

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Back in the foyer, Captain Nemo stepped forward and smiled "We should be going now, my dear. Time is of the essence."

"I am sorry Nemo, I let my temper get the better of me – but that woman is enough to goad a saint to violence!"

"I did not think she did anything to offend?"

"She was breathing."

Erik had to dip his head and pretend to cough to smother his laugh, and then extended his hand "Shall we go….?"

but instead of Jane's hand, a smaller one fitted itself into it as Maggie looked up at him. Erik was surprised, but then saw the greater surprise on Jane's face.

"What is wrong? Should she not do that?"

"No, no – it's not that. Its just she doesn't generally like people very much. Though I have talked of you often over the years."

"You have? Often?" Erik could not keep the amazement out of his voice.

"Of course Erik! You are my dearest friend, why would I not tell my daughter about you! The man who saved her Mama and made sure she found her way safe and sound to her Papa?" She laughed. "But Maggie does not take well to people as a rule – the only others she appears to like are Mina Harker and Edward Hyde who are her firm friends and, to a lesser extent, Rodney Skinner…though Mr Skinner is not always a good influence! But I would say from the little I've seen already, you are to be her favourite".

"Yes, I like you very much….Mama says you like the dark as we do. We like the shadows very much, do we not Mama?"

"Yes little one, indeed we do. They help us hunt."

"And you…..you have scars as Mama does…and Papa did. They are not as clever with animals as I!" She laughed.

Erik smiled at the little girl, so he was her favourite! That was a first for him, to have two females unafraid of him at all, let alone a female (however young) choosing to like him over others. However, although she obviously knew a little about his face she had not seen it yet…not properly; so things could still change.

"How old is she?"

"I am six and a half. Please ask me questions about myself; I am quite capable of answering".

Jane smiled as they arrived on the street, she motioned to the wolves, who scattered in different directions; she noticed Erik's look "they will find their own way back to the Nautilus, and will be less conspicuous this way!

Maggie has been surrounded by adults and animals all her life. So her conversational abilities are a little….um… 'Unusual' to say the least! She can converse with anything from an adult human to a wolf cub or a panther…it can definitely be a little disconcerting for the uninitiated!"

"Will you accompany me in the automobile?" Nemo enquired as they reached the kerb.

Both his companions stared at the large metallic creation in front of them. Erik, tugging his cloak closer to his face to avoid being seen, eyed it warily; Jane merely snorted in derision at it, having seen it before.

"No thank you – I do not trust that contraption and I doubt they will become popular. I will continue to use a horse thank you; much more reliable!" She smiled, as she mounted the Arabian stallion standing majestically behind the car, and pulled Maggie up in front of her.

Erik also shook his head, "No thank you Captain – Like Lady Greystoke I prefer the more comforting ride of a horse to...well, whatever that is!"

"As you wish; I will meet you at the Nautilus. The others will be there to greet us I'm sure." With a small bow he entered the automobile and drove off.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

They rode companionably for a short while, discussing Jane's altercation with Carlotta and the 'automobile' - both laughing loudly at Jane's telling of how Nemo felt that monstrosity would be 'the carriage of the future'!"

Jane then mentioned, almost matter-of-factly "Erik, I should tell you I am not Lady Greystoke; I am still merely Lady Jane Hammondly. John and I never married, at least as far convention would accept.

Nemo and the others refer to me as Lady Greystoke purely out of politeness, but I wished you to know the truth."

Erik felt himself lurch on his horse as they rode through the streets of Paris towards the Seine. "Why did he not marry you? Did you wish to live in sin with him?"

"Erik, please do not think my reputation ruined….for when have I ever cared for convention? We were happy in Africa, John was reluctant to return to England or even Europe to marry for fear of my family's actions; and, well, there are not many churches, let alone churchmen, in the dense jungle we called home for so long." Her smile was infectious and Erik couldn't help but smile as well, despite his misgivings.

"No, we cared not for society's censure – where were we that their gossip would bother us? Even living here I would not care a jot for gossip or reproach if I was with someone I loved more than my own life; so long as we were happy."

Erik closed his eyes with longing; if only he could find a love like that.

"As John would often say, some animals mate for life without paper and a churchman to bind them together…why should we be so different? We said our vows to God and as it is God that joined us, that is all we needed." She smiled again, leaned across and touched his arm. "But thank you for springing to defend my virtue…I'd forgotten somewhat what a true gentleman you were!"

"Hmm…..so long as you were happy…that was my only concern".

"We were - beyond words; until….until John died." She sighed and looked at the sleeping little girl who was nodding against her, and kissed her hair. "I thought I would go mad with grief….my retribution Erik….it was…it was terrible…." She cast those orbs of blue towards the ground. "I will tell you Erik...but not now…when we are at sea….and I can sit a spell and we can talk as we used to…I will tell you my darkest secret."

"Do not condemn yourself so easily Jane. Grief and despair can do dangerous things to a mind…should I not know that better than anyone? You acted to appease a pain beyond measure. I will not condemn my friend for that!" He finished emphatically.

"Erik, my darling friend…I had not realised how I had missed your advice and friendship until today. Before you ask, I did not return three years ago as I did not wish to impose on you. I had a child, a pack – responsibilities, and not all the usual ones….things I could not leave easily behind me."

Erik's heart rose under her gentle praise. But he glowered at her "You? Impose on me! Pah! You have never done so! Even when I first took you in you protected me from the likes of Carlotta in the opera house, back when it was a shell of its current glory! Good Lord Jane, you gave me my life back!"

"I? Protect you! Gave you your life back! Oh Erik, you pay me far more compliment than I deserve…but thank you, you make me laugh again and it has been a long time since that has happened."

"I….." but before he could finish they had reached the Nautilus. Erik could only gape at the majestic vessel rising high before him…..

"Erik, your mouth is open!" came the little giggle next to him, as Maggie awoke...Jane leant over and, with a barely concealed smirk, gently pushed his chin up and closed his mouth…..