Sorry about the delay. I just have been getting affairs in order. But I'll have the next chapter out tomorrow.

Chapter 10

The opera had gone very smoothly. There were no problems and Christine had been a success. Charlie watched the opera from the flies. There were also no problems in the catwalks as well. She knew Erik was somewhere but she left him alone. He would have a lot on his mind and she hoped that he would heed caution tonight. After the opera she zigzagged thought the hordes of people to find that Christine was just going into her dressing room. Charlie had idea that the blonde haired man would show up. And she was right. About fifteen minutes later he came walking down the hall. He had a bouquet of mixed flowers. She stood in front of the door. "Bonjour Monsieur. You are looking for Mademoiselle Daae?"

He nodded, "Yes, I am, Mademoiselle?"

Charlie smiled and held her hand out. "Charlie Marquez, sir."

He took her hand and kissed it noticing the rough calluses on her palm. "I'm Raoul de Changy."

"It's a pleasure." Charlie smiled honestly.

"So is Miss Daae in?" he asked. He shifted the flowers in his hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry. She is resting and then her suitor is coming to take her to dinner." Charlie said feeling sorry for him, as he and the flowers both seemed to wilt. "You know her?"

He nodded, "Yes, since we were children. I just haven't seen her since her father died."

Charlie held out her hands, "I'll take them for her and will tell her that you have stopped by."

"That would be wonderful. Thank you." He handed her the flowers.

Charlie took the flowers and placed them on a small table that was sitting in the hall. "You are welcome sir." They stared at each other for a few minutes until she looked away. "I best be going."

Raoul nodded and Charlie turned to walk away. She stopped when he suddenly called out. "Perhaps…perhaps you would like to have dinner with me?"

Charlie stood stark still. Slowly she turned. "What?"

Raoul walked up closer to her. "Forgive me for being so forward, but I would like it for you to join me for dinner." He held out his hand.

Charlie first looked at it then him. "Is this some trick just to prove some man's coincide?"

Raoul blushed and shook his head furiously. "No-no of course not. Just dinner. I'll bring you straight back."

Suddenly Charlie smiled and placed her hand in his. "I would love to then. But…I am rather underdressed." She looked down at her dark green cotton dress and at his fine finery.

Raoul smiled and shook his head, "You look fine."

Charlie blushed and looked away. They said not a word as they walked though the now empty hall out to his carriage. She only hesitated for a second then took the offered hand of the footman and climbed up into the carriage. Raoul climbed in after her and smiled at her. The carriage suddenly lunched forward. Charlie held on tightly.

Raoul let out a laugh. "It's all right. You act like you have never been a carriage before."

Charlie gave him a half smile, "I have only been in one once and that was a terrible experience. I prefer to ride horses. Oh, that was not ladylike was it? I'm sorry." Only being in this new time she had only picked up on what a woman should say or do a little. But she did know that her talking too much was not good, and she was going to try.

Raoul looked at her with new interest. He remained silent though. It was only a few minutes to the small restaurant. After he helped her out and they was sited at the table and food was ordered did he sit back and regarded her. "You are different. Your accent is not French. Just were are you from?"

"You know I thought after being here for a month the accent would be gone." Charlie sighed. "I am originally from America. Texas to be exact."

"Texas? I have a rancher visiting from Texas. In fact, his name is Marquez as well. Are you here with him and he just didn't tell me about his lovely daughter?" Raoul asked with a smile.

Charlie blushed, "No. In fact I still don't know how I got here."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I remember my home and helping out on my families ranch. Then taking a trip, got in a crush, wake up in front of the Opera House. That's all. I've been working there ever since." She looked up, "Oh, our food is here."

"We will tall some more after dinner." Raoul said as he picked up his fork and knife.

Charlie nodded and did the same. She tried to eat ladylike, but she was a girl that was used to steak and mashed potatoes and all the helpings. She retained herself and left the customary bites when she could have finished it off and had a second helping. In the month she had been there, she had lost weight. It could ether be that Christine and Meg was always on her case or the fact other then the mangers and diva, they all ate little.

When they were finished and the plates taken away, Raoul took a sip from his wine glass. "You ate a lot." He remarked.

"Oh you had seen that. Well to the truth, when I worked on my family's ranch, you worked up a appetite." Charlie picked up the wine glass in front of her and took a big swallow. Raoul just watched in awe.

"Yes, I'll like to talk about that. You said that you worked on your ranch?"

"Oh yes, and I loved it. The ranch was my life. I was the only daughter and I had hoped to take it over one day." Charlie smiled. Her smile then faded. "But I'm stuck here. And I don't think that Abiqui is there anymore."

"Abiqui?"

"Yes, that's the name of the ranch. I really shouldn't be telling you this." Charlie said suddenly.

"Why? Its it because you think you're talking too much?" Raoul asked.

Charlie nodded. She loved to talk, but she had never really opened up to anyone before and she was normally shy and awkward around the few males that paid her any mind. But he was sweet and she felt comfortable around him.

"Let me tell you a secret. I never really cared for rules. I do like hearing about you. You had mentioned that would rather ride a horse? Is that true?" Raoul inquired.

Charlie smiled and nodded. "I think that I learned how to ride a horse before I could walk. I love horses, I love nature, but it is rater hard to be free here. It is stifling."

Raoul nodded. "I have found that it is. The only place I have found that I could really be myself is at home."

Charlie nodded. "Yes. But unfortunately I not have that luxury."

"Maybe one day you could." Raoul said earnestly.

"I-I think we have better get going. I still have work to do tomorrow and I do need to go to bed." Charlie stuttered.

"Oh, yes, forgive me." Raoul called the waiter and paid the bill. He then offered Charlie his arm and blushing she took it. He led her out to the carriage and helped her in. the ride back to the Opera House was quite but comfortable. The crowds had long gone and everything was quite. Charlie climbed out of the carriage. Raoul kissed her hand again. Then surprised her. "May I call on you again tomorrow?"

"N-yes. You can." Charlie blushed.

He smiled and nodded. He waited until Charlie had opened the side door that the employees used before he got back into his carriage.

Charlie walked in a daze down the hall. She pressed a hand to her burning face. She had never blushed so much in her life. She was happy though. He was sweet and a gentleman. A little too sweet and girlish, but all he needed was a little change, like a haircut and less fancy clothes. She laughed a little. Her first date had to be in the 19th century and with a Vicomte. She laughed then let out a gasp as something grabbed her.