A/N: Before we begin, I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed my fic. I know it's not the normal Phantom of the Opera storyline, but I do appreciate knowing that it is being read and enjoyed. Thank you!

A Chateau in the City

Karla was amazed at how the staff was reacting to Tristan's absence. When she first started working for de Valence Realty, she would not have been surprised that the atmosphere relaxed considerably with the agents laughing and joking. Everyday there was a bag of fresh pastries or cakes to share which someone had picked up on their way to work. That never happened when Tristan was there.

What surprised her most was a little black book that seemed to appear in the kitchen overnight and was filled with wagers. Everyone was placing money on who they thought Tristan was sleeping with. The odds were in Antoinette Bartholomew's favour and heavily against herself.

Now as she considered the laidback attitude, she found it oddly hurtful. When she thought how Tristan interacted with his staff, it was not surprising they were celebrating his departure. But she found it disloyal.

Karla spent most of her lunches with Mya or at the gym. Mya was aware that her friend was brooding over her missing partner, and was doing her best to keep her occupied. Tristan was the first serious partner Karla had in years. That he disappeared to London for a fortnight was not lost on either of them.

"What do you think of this dress?" Mya asked as she pulled a pale green evening gown off the rack.

The two women were looking for dresses for Mya's three bridesmaids to wear to her wedding. They had been to numerous shops and were quickly running out of options. There was always something wrong with one dress or another. It was too bright; too overdone; it wouldn't flatter one of the other bridesmaids' colourings. Mya had very set ideas when it came to what her girls were going to be wearing.

Karla wasn't sure about the dress but Mya insisted, pushing her into a change room with the dress. When she stepped out a minute later, Mya smiled smugly at her friend.

"That is the one you will all be wearing."


Against her will on Friday night, the agents dragged Karla out to after work drinks, which they planned to claim as an office expense. She enjoyed herself immensely; she did not realise how amusing and devoted Tristan's employees were.

She arrived home a little after ten, dropped her bag and keys on the kitchen bench then froze when she heard banging in her bedroom. She slowly made her way down to her room – she had no idea what she would do if there was a stranger in her home.

Fear turned to relief, then delight when she saw Tristan rummaging through the papers on her desk by the window.

Crying out his name, she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck as his mouth found hers in a passionate kiss. She took a step back to look at him briefly before reclaiming his lips.

"What are you doing here? You weren't due back until next Wednesday."

Tristan looked down into her shining eyes, and kissed her, unable to control himself. "I missed you."

Those words, so simply said, yet so meaningful, caused the tears of happiness to fall as Karla pulled his lips back to hers.

"What were you looking for on my desk?" Karla asked as she pulled of his tie and began to unbutton his shirt.

"I was trying to find Mya's number to see if she knew where you were; you weren't answering your phone."

"I must have left it on my desk when I went out for drinks with everyone."

"Drinks with everyone?" Tristan repeated as he pulled off her camisole and bra. "I would like to hear the details of that – later."

The couple were still in bed late the next morning when the Tristan's phone rang. Jumping from bed and searching for the intrusion, Tristan found it at the foot of the bed. He sat on the edge as he listened to the caller. Annoyed that someone had disturbed their romantic reunion, Karla slipped from the bed and began to kiss Tristan's neck and shoulders.

When he ended the call, Tristan pushed her back into the bed and continued her explorations.

Much later, Karla lifted her head from his chest and looked up at him. "That was someone from London earlier, wasn't it? I thought you finished there."

Tristan kissed her forehead. "No, I wasn't able to get everything finalised while I was there. It just means I will have to fly over there for a few days now and again while I set up my business. I had to come home and see you."

"You should be a politician; you always know the right thing to say." Karla smiled as she moved in to kiss him. "Have you ever thought of moving in together?" she asked suddenly.

Tristan looked at her in surprise. He had been thinking that it was lonely returning to his studio every night, especially after spending so much time in Karla's presence. He had enjoyed spending the entire night with her the other week and waking in the morning with her.

"I shouldn't have said anything." She threw off the covers and quickly grabbed her robe, tying it around her body to shield herself from Tristan's gaze.

"Karla, sweetheart, I agree; we should move in together." He watched as she turned and faced him with surprise. "Get dressed and we will go out for breakfast and look for a house."

Judging from her expression, she had expected him to move into her house. He shook his head as he began to get dressed. He wanted a house that would be big enough for the two of them, Karla's painting and any guests who came to stay. He wanted a house they could call their own.

Tristan's quick agreement that they should live together surprised Karla. As they were driving through Paris, considering which districts they would live in, Karla continued to stare at Tristan. Aware of her continually studying him, he cocked his head to the side, his eyebrow raised in silent enquiry.

"You really want to do this?"

Tristan paused for a moment. "Yes."

"You are happy to try and find a place near the Opéra House?" she asked. She still could not believe this was all happening. "You have a few beautiful chateaus for sale less than an hour outside of the city." Karla watched him from under her lashes.

Tristan nodded. He understood Karla's need to be close to the building. It was their way of remembering that they had indeed lived under the Opéra House and everything that had happened to them as a couple.

"I know the ones you mean. We do not need a chateau; we can find an apartment as suitable apartment here. The Opéra House is central."

To Karla's absolute dismay there was nothing for sale near the Opéra. The closest they were able to find was a lovely, bright three-bedroom apartment overlooking the jardins du Palais Royal.

When they entered the apartment building near the Bois de Boulogne, Karla gripped Tristan's hand tightly as she took in the foyer with its winding staircase and old-fashioned elevator. The agent took them on a tour of the fourth-floor apartments, telling them of the mouldings, high ceilings and the six bedrooms, plus a master bedroom with ensuite and dressing room.

Karla had remained silent throughout the tour, yet Tristan was very aware of her reactions to everything she was seeing. Her hand tightened almost painfully on his.

When Karla suggested the chateaus, Tristan knew instantly the type of house she was looking for, but was reluctant to leave the city. Everything about this apartment, down to the dressings and furniture bore a striking resemblance to the Phantom's house. It made sense to live somewhere like that.

Karla looked around the room she had decided to use as her studio with its large windows, knowing that this was the house they had to have. Here was an apartment, right in the heart of the city that would be enough for them, her painting and the children she hoped to have one day.

And, she reminded herself with smile, it was only a short distance to the Bois de Boulogne where she and Tristan had spent many hours together in the distant past.

"Have you have had much interest?" Tristan asked the real estate agent.

"This apartment has only been on the market for a short time. There have been a few couples who have inspected the property. They have had such positive comments about it."

Tristan nodded; he understood her response. He placed a calming hand over Karla's when she, yet again tightened her grip on his hand. She wanted this apartment – desperately.

"My partner and I have only just started to look for a house; we'll need time to look around more before we make a decision."

The woman nodded. "Here is my card. Let me know if you are interested in this apartment and we will start to arrange things." She smiled at Tristan and Karla.

"Why didn't you do anything?" Karla demanded a few minutes later as she glared at Tristan from her position in the passenger seat. "Tristan, I love that apartment. It is just what we are looking for – it will be perfect for my painting."

"Are you sure about that apartment?"

"You know I am." She could not understand why he was being so difficult.

Tristan smiled as he caught her hand and kissed the back of it. "I will call her first thing tomorrow morning and get the terms arranged. I will have to arrange an appointment with my bank."

Karla turned to stare at him surprised.

"Contrary to what you might think of me, sweetheart, I do not carry contracts around; nor does any realtor." He kissed her hand to assure her he meant no harm.

"I have money in term deposit; I'll write to the bank and get it out." Tristan accepted Karla's offer with a smile, knowing it would be a losing battle to argue with her about who would finance the house.

Unable to help herself, Karla leant across the space that separated them and kissed him. "You loved it too, didn't you?"

Laughing at her belated enquiry, Tristan nodded. "It will be our chateau in the middle of the city."