Meg remembered all the warnings she told Christine when her angel of music proved to be a man. A man hiding in the dark, a ghostly shadow in the opera house, the very one people were afraid were responsible for all the mysterious happenings at the opera house. The control he had over the owners, and Madame Giry, this was not a man to trust. She told Christine this. And yet, as Christine grew closer to him, those warnings were lost on her. And she never understood why. Until now.

Her hand in his, and immediately it began. All those speeches, whether trying to use their friendship to keep him away or simply staying away from her as an act of tough love, his hold on Christine never wavered. There was nothing Meg could do to counter the effect he had on her. And all that history he had with Christine, all those things her mother told about him, good or bad, melted away. History unraveled before Meg, and all she could see was herself and him. Nothing else mattered. No one else was involved. And she even though she knew it to be false, she did something terrible. She let herself believe it was true. No one mattered but the two of them.

In his office, Meg sat down on a couch by the door. It was near a lit fireplace and she was little disappointed when he turned on the lights. It was far too bright. Certainly, this would not be the type of meeting Meg was hoping for. Erik leaned against his desk as he reached for some letters he received from Raoul. They were addressed to Mr. Hammerstein, and the man had agreed to meet them at their arrival but all communication between them up to this point was between Raoul and Erik.

"You had a wonderful performance, Meg. Nearly perfect." He told Meg. Nearly broke her heart.

"Thank you, sir."

"I can tell you want something more. Something bigger. More deserving of you talents, more deserving of your time and hard work."

"I'm proud of the work I'm doing now. Of course, my mother worked very hard for the show."

"What I have coming up…essentially my first show, will be different. You're clearly a star, and none of the other girls compare to you. And given our history…" Meg practically blushed at that our.

"Essentially, you'll get that role. You'll be my star…but I have something to mention. I know you spoke to your mother after the show. And she told you the news." Meg was suddenly brought back to reality and looked down at her hands. This talk was not going to be about her. It was Christine, it was always Christine…

"Yes, I heard about the new arrival. Ten years now. Since…everything."

"Yes." He was surprisingly cold about this; he didn't want to talk about the past.

"Meg, I know you have your concerns. Your mother certainly has, but she and I have been friends since…almost forever. A long time, Meg. And you have to understand, right now, we might not be getting along. We might have a difference of opinion when it comes to Christine. But I would like you to know, you will always be the biggest part of my show. All this time, loyal to us. You could have left, god knows, you've certainly had your offers. Not only professionally but I do remember a gentleman or two wishing to have your hand in marriage."

"What about Christine then? She married Raoul, who will be arriving with her. And their children will too, I assume. What about them?"

Erik was silent for a minute, taking in the question. He looked away from her, took a few steps around the room.

"It's far too bright in here." He turned off the lights but the room was still lit with the fireplace and a lantern or two in the corners of the room. He took a few steps toward Meg but passed her. He remained staring at the fireplace and said,

"This is only a visit. Christine made her choice a long time ago. I doubt she'd return ever again."

"Well, don't you mean for her to stay?" Meg asked slowly, her voice quieted with each passing word. She was terrified to ask. He stared straight at her but she mostly saw the angry angles in his mask. The shadows they caused…

"No."

"What now?" Meg was sick of it; none of this was going to end well. Erik couldn't even tell himself the truth about Christine. He had a plan. And after all these years, all their sacrifices, he still couldn't look to her or her mother as an equal. A true friend he could trust for advice. He had his ideas, he had his ways and no one was going to change a damn thing. Erik took a look at the letters again and said,

"They will be here in a few days. Christine will perform three days after her arrival. And she will leave the next day."

"What do you have planned for her?" Meg was curious to hear about what she would've sung if Christine just stayed in France.

"Just one performance. An aria."

"This is part of your new show then?" Meg asked innocently. If everything goes right, Christine sings it once and she will sing a hundred times after.

"No. This is different. Separate. Independent from all my other work." Erik countered, thinking it would please Meg. She will have an entire new show soon enough.

"This song is only for Christine? And no one else?" Her voice was fragile, she was clearly hurt.

"Christine and you have different vocal ranges. I certainly can't use the same material for you without heavy alteration. It's one little aria. It will soon be buried." He assured her. Meg made a quick smile to prove no hurt feelings. She nodded along, of course, she thought as she stared at the floor in defeat. She stood up finally to leave and Erik said,

"It will all be over in less than two weeks."

"Of course." Meg replied, neither believing it.