Meg stood there watching the whole scene unfold as if it were the last act in an opera. She saw the exchange between her uncle and her friend and knew she had no right intruding on their moment any longer.

"So…..I see you've come back." She laughed nervously. "I'm so happy that….." Meg noticed that neither one of them took their eyes off of the other as she spoke. She realized she could have said anything at and no one would hear, much less remember. "I think I'm going to just leave the room. You two don't need me for this, right?"

Silence. The former teacher and student were lost in eyes of brown, yellow and blue.

Meg shuffled her feet. "I'm just going to go see about my rehearsal…and maybe pop in to see if Justin is still in the bushes." Nothing. I was right. They do not even know I'm here. Well, I can't say I didn't try to tell him. "My suitor….in case anyone was wondering…..You two have this, right?"

Silence. Neither one moved from the other's point of vision.

Meg backed away to the door. "I'll just take my leave and close the door on my way out." She glanced at them one last time. "The room is reserved all day, so take your time." Don't waste anymore.

She smiled as she walked down the long corridor. She couldn't believe she pulled one over on her uncle. She finally managed to tell him of Justin, and for once he was helpless to do anything. Hmm… I wonder what other changes I'll see in him now that his love has returned. She then frowned. But what of Christine's past with Raoul? How much will that man come between them even now? She had entered backstage to cut across to the studio rooms when she heard something.

"Psst….Meg."

Meg came to an abrupt stop. "Who's there?" She turned her head slowly, fearful she would see her mother.

"Look up."

The voice was now at normal speaking levels and she recognized it immediately. "Justin!" She looked up and her eyes widened. "How in the world….."

"It was nothing." He jumped down from the make shift ceiling on the stage. "After all, once one hides in bushes, he can do anything."

She leaped into his arms. "How did you know I'd cross over? I could have gone the long way around."

Justin kissed her fingertips. "Don't I know my Meg? Besides, I couldn't just wait around outside to hear how the finale went."

"What do you mean?"

He let go of her hand and crossed stage left, then turned with his arms crossed over his cheat. "What do you mean, what do I mean? Meg Giry, the famous matchmaker. How did the reunion go?"

She looked at him in pure love. "You waited all this time, just to hear what happened?"

"Of course, I did. It was important to you. Thus, it is important to me."

Once again, she ran to him and kissed him passionately, taking him by surprise. He regained his composure and then shook his head. "If matchmaking makes you this excited, feel free to do it daily, Ms. Giry!"

She giggled, but then stopped as she took his arm in hers. "Truthfully dear, I'm scared."

"Scared? But why? You said they would be happy."

"I have no doubt they are very happy to be in each other's lives again, but…."

"Go on." He sat them down on the edge of the stage.

"Christine has had such a horrible life since she left the Opera house two years ago. I can't even begin to know what happened, but until she resolves that she couldn't begin something with my uncle."

He nodded. "She just needs time that is all. You told me he loves her and I am sure he will be patient."

"Justin, Erik has convinced himself that he only needs to be her tutor again. He has no beliefs that she could love him. At this rate, it is never going to be anything more than teacher and student."

"Does he know her past?"

She looked at him oddly. "How could he?"

"Maybe if he knew, he would see it has more to do with her former fiancé, than his affliction."

She sighed. "So close and still so far. I brought them back to one another, but they will have to do the rest on their own."

"Excellent advice, my Meg."

She shrugged. "Is it? Then why do I feel so defeated?"

"Give it time. Patience is a virtue, they say."

She rolled her eyes. "Since when are you patient?"

"When it comes to you? Never!" He took her in his arms and they kissed again only stopping once they heard someone coming towards the front entrance.

"Who is here? This is a closed rehearsal and we don't start for another 30 minutes."

Meg panicked. "Mama…." She whispered to Justin.

He looked up. "I can try to….."

"Meg Giry!" Madame Giry approached her daughter sternly. "Why are you not with Christine warming up and who is this?" She eyed Justin suspiciously.

"I… Well.. You see….."

Justin came to Meg's aid. "Madame, I am honored to finally meet you. What a joy. Everyone speaks so highly of your skillful direction and…."

Madame Giry looked Justin up and down and noticed his very fine outfit, including a eye catching red blazer that was not custom for ordinary French men to wear."Are you in this production? That costume of yours seems to be for one of our leads."

This time it was Meg who spoke up. "He was just hired in the costume department. He makes these wonderful pieces. Won't Jean-Claude look marvelous in this red?"

Madame Giry looked again at the blazer. "Our new tailor will need to take the blazer out quite a bit. Our lead has the voice, but not the physique."

Justin adjusted his collar. "Right away."

Madame Giry then ignored the young man and focused her attention back to her daughter. "How is Christine?"

"Uh…. I would say, confused, unsure of herself and lightheaded. However, she is also very happy to be home again."

"All those feelings are to be expected. Where is she? I would like to have a word with her, this being her first day and all."

Meg's face turned white. "She left!"

Madame Giry frowned. "Left? Why?"

"It was all too much to take in at once."

She sighed in frustration at her daughter. "I asked you to stay with her today, so this would not happen. Honestly, Meg!"

"I did! I tried but once she passed the music room, she couldn't continue the day as you planned." Not a complete fabrication.

Madame Giry regained her composure. "I suppose that is understandable. Yet she will need to be here all day tomorrow, Meg. If she isn't pulling her weight, I will have no choice but to…"

"She will. I know she will." Knowing Uncle Erik, she will be here round the clock.

"Very well. You still need your practice."

"Yes, Mama."

"Good day, Monsieur….. What was your name?"

"Lemont, Madame."

Madame Giry didn't acknowledge his answer and walked away. Meg let out a gigantic breath.

"That was close."

Justin couldn't believe he was sweating. "She has some presence. Not even my father's knights are like that. Is she always this way?"

Meg tried to smile. "Yes, but her bark is worse than her bite…..usually."

"Meg, when will you tell her?"

"Soon, I promise. I just need things to be calm for a while, especially now that Christine and Uncle Erik are… reacquainted." She saw the sadness in Justin's eyes. "I told him, if it is any constellation."

He perked up. "You did?"

"Before I saw you."

"And?"

She hesitated. "He had no ill remarks." Not a lie. He had no remarks at all, because he couldn't hear me, but it's a start.

Justin smiled."That's wonderful! Meg, soon everyone will know."

"Including your family, Justin." She looked down at her feet.

"Meg, I love you. Don't fret so." He sprung her around making her laugh.

She continued to giggle as she spoke. "Stop! We need to get you out of here before Mama inquires about our new tailor."

"Ah yes, that won't do. Poor Lemont, whoever that fellow is." He laughed. "Will you do me the honor of escorting me out?"

"Come my Lord. I know a few backdrops, we can stop and ….admire." She winked, pulling him off stage.

Madame Giry didn't believe Meg about their new tailor. She was displeased that her daughter would feel the need to lie to her. She realized that things had been estranged since she learned of what she did to Erik and Christine, but she did not see how that should hinder their relationship. She did what she had to, in order to protect her family. Right or wrong it was the only option back then.

She then passed the closed door of the infamous music room and sighed. I know his music would help her heal. It would heal him too, but if that family ever found out…..If Christine was to be known in such a fashion and her name out there...She shuttered at the mere thought. "God have mercy on us all."

A/N: Hmm… I wish I was able to include our super couple in this chapter, but fear not. The activities that are occurring in the music room will be revealed soon enough. Thank you again for the continuous support.