When Erik had left the flat in the pre-dawn hours, he had not expected to come face to face yet again with his past. Daroga. For a moment he felt he was on the verge of being hunted again.

"Your still holding yourself to your duty to your friend, a dead friend?"

Nadir spun around, his features seeming even more aged. "Well, dead to the world but not to me. So good to see you my friend! How long have you been back?"

The kind and eager tone set Erik at ease, and he soon realized he had done nothing to warrant being hunted over. Erik felt a warmth inside, realizing how much he missed his friend.

"Well a better question would be how did you know I was back? But come in, I am certain I can get the story from you."

"I am glad to tell you know if it is required, but the comfort of chair would be better." Nadir said, knocking his foot on the side of the boat.

Both boarded the little boat and started their way to Erik's lair. They made their way in comfortable silence. Once there, Nadir took off his coat and almost flung himself into a thickly cushioned sofa. Quite a fete for a man who was getting up in years.

"Please, make yourself at home!" Erik said dryly.

"I believe I have! Well now, my old friend, you've already expressed an interest to know how I knew you to be back in Paris, and I shall tell you. You probably didn't know, but after I wrote to the Vicomte and his wife of your death, I have only occasionally found my way over for a visit. Well, somehow- I don't recall how you came up at all- I made the comment about the anniversary of your death. I'll spare you the Vicomte's reply, but Christine turned pale then red. A hint of anger that was cooling but mostly embarrassment I think. When her husband left I got the full story," flashing a knowing smile. "No news could have made me happier than to know you found what you wanted. And as I have been more than willing to share my story, I expect you to be willing to share yours. What sort of girl is she? How did it come about?"

The eagerness with which this flowed forth was highly gratifying and Erik found he was more than willing to share. He clarified who Meg was and how he had known her since she was little, even bringing out the notes that she had written through the years. In fact he told everything. Erik explained his initial reservations on approaching Meg either on finding her in his home or when he found he had feelings for her, which was quite understandable his old friend agreed. His utter contempt at himself for liking his competition, but he wasn't nearly as bad as the Vicomte so it was allowable. Erik brought out Meg's last letter and the little song she had wrote, demonstrating the few bars she had shakily played, and told how this insight and the real chance of losing her before he could have her drove him to act finally. But he just would not give the intimate details of their first night. To this the Daroga feigned shock and disappointment, both men laughing heartily. It felt good to Erik to share in such camaraderie, having a friend to share his happiness with.

"Now don't laugh at this, I'm very serious, but sometimes it really does seem as if she was made for me."

"You romantic! Ha, well it would seem as if she was."

"How I could have missed it, especially when as a child she showed such love, it makes me feel I can't repay her. Well, what else was to be done but to marry her?" Erik looked up with a sly grin as he heated the samovar. Nadir had sat bolt upright.

"Well that's new! Your married, really? When? Damn man, put away the tea we must celebrate! No, wait, take me to your wife, and then we'll have one. Erik, you shouldn't hide such things, but I suppose it's the showman in you that has to bring out such news in such a dramatic way" he groaned as he pulled himself up from the couch, taking up his coat.

Erik grinned and helped his friend. "Well if you weren't going to ask to meet her I had to say something to make you want to."

"Wait, so your not married?" Nadir asked, his tone annoyed and incredulous.

"I am freshly married, Nadir. A few weeks ago. Now come along, I want to introduce my wife." Nadir smiled, knowing the pride Erik felt being able to say that, bringing back memories of his own lost family.

MEG SAT waiting what felt like forever. She wasn't sure when Erik would return. The waiting was only adding to her anxiety. Grabbing her coat she announced she was going to go down to him. She couldn't wait any longer. She opened the door and came not quite face to face with Erik.

Erik stood staring down at the pale and apprehensive face whose eyes were quickly threatening tears and quickly forgot Nadir standing behind him. Half a moment later she had thrown herself in his arms, shaking like a leaf.

"Meg, I- what's happened?" When he heard a choked sob about to break forth, he tried his voice. He could tell she needed comfort, from what he could hardly think, and hoped like anything that at this moment she would let his voice influence her. "Shhh, now Meg, it's okay. Whatever it is will be just fine."

Meg wanted so much for it to be true. Just let it all be okay… She let his voice wash over her and sighed as her nerves settled. She could feel the salt drops start sliding down. As she tiptoed, ready to rub her eyes on Erik's shoulder, she stiffened suddenly and pulled away; quickly dabbing her eyes she smiled at the visitor.

"I'm sorry- please, come in, I'm sorry to have scared you both. Your- you're the Persian, aren't you? We use to see you around the opera house." Meg wracked her brain trying to remember his name, she was certain that Erik had told her. When her memory didn't serve her immediately she felt her stress rise again and only wanted to cry more.

The man stepped forward and took her hand, giving a reassuring smile. "Nadir, Madame Destler. Pardon me for not paying my respects to the happy couple. I place the blame solely on your husband for not having invited me to the wedding in the first place. But at least he's had the presence of mind to talk about me when I am not around."

Meg felt a wild giggle ready to burst forth but she gained control, determined not to make a fool of herself. She appreciated his kindness in helping her and trying to make an obviously troubled woman smile. She wanted so much to be a proper hostess, for the sake of Erik and for the man she had taken a lively interest since she had learned of him.

"Meg, we can wait-" Erik offered quietly.

"No, no I am okay. Please, we cannot have him leave. Nadir, do sit. I am delighted to finally meet you properly. Erik told you then about the wedding?" Meg put on her sweetest smile and took a seat, Erik soon taking the one next to her. The trio was soon joined by Antoinette. As everyone was settled and Meg seemed composed, Nadir retold how he had learned Erik was back in Paris, Christine's springing it on him.

"Did she really seem like she wasn't as angry? I hope so…." Meg trailed off.

"That could not have been a comfortable conversation to have. Might I ask what you said to her, monsieur Nadir?" This came from Madame Giry.

"It was a bit awkward, the more so since I had to conceal my happiness. But I told her that your daughter did make some good points, but that in the confusion of the moment it may have been expressed not as she intended. I intimated that she should dwell on the things that made her fall in love with her husband, and that he would be the kinder for her attention. And that the happiness they once had will naturally return. And hoped that she would be happy for both her friend and Erik."

"Good advice, let's hope she takes it. I hate for my little Meg to lose someone she was as close as a sister with." Again from Madame.

"Well it was one surprise after another. I get here and finally find Erik and receive news that he was married. I told him we had to come straight away, I needed to bless the bride belatedly and celebrate the happy news with you all."

Erik beamed, he had a family and friends and more happiness than he thought he would ever have. And to be able to do celebrate- he'd never been asked to participate in any form of celebration until Meg. He rose headed to the kitchen, "I have a bottle of wine left from the wedding. An 1880 Jouffreau Clos de Gamot. "

"Just water for me, thank you," Meg stammered out. She felt all eyes turn her way, her mother the only one giving her an understanding look.

"Water for a celebration? Meg, you can't be serious," Erik said in a playfully reproving voice. "I'll get your glass."

"I can't take wine Erik."

Erik looked at her quizzically then turned off a laugh. 'Nonsense, love, of course you can."

Meg visibly paled, and Nadir stepped forward. "Erik, I think she's trying to tell you something. She could drink, yes, but she wont. It wouldn't be good for her.." He let the words sink in. Erik looking from Nadir to Meg to Antoinette.

"No, no that - no! Meg how could you! Aren't you suppose to keep up with your- your, well your cycle?! You knew you'd get pregnant!" Erik thundered.

Meg's tears and fears quickly dissolved, quickly angered at the thought of Erik thinking she did this on purpose. "I knew I could! But I can't keep track, if you must know and if you want to discuss such things openly. I am not regular. A doctor told me that women who are under such rigorous training or athletics may not have regular cycles so I shouldn't worry. I didn't plan this! I do not know how long I can hide it, how long I will be able to dance, I have no idea what I am going to tell people! Your not the only one affected by this."

Antoinette embarrassedly confirmed this, leaving Nadir and Erik both feeling uncomfortable. It didn't do much to quell Erik's anger.

"Your about half responsible, my friend," Nadir quietly interjected. "Look at your wife, she's been upset about this for a while obviously. She was afraid of what you would think."

Erik grumbled under his breath and looked over at his now crying wife, feeling suddenly sick and ashamed. He pulled her close and sighed, "Oh Meg, I'm sorry. Please, love don't cry. I'm sorry I yelled."

"I should have known. You h-hate… you hate" Meg couldn't finish her sentence, her voice suddenly weak and tired.

"I don't hate you for this. That- I didn't mean to sound that way." Erik's voice was calm and soothing. When he felt her relax, he made his voice firm and persuasive. "There is only one thing to be done, Meg. You know that right?"

Meg sniffled and nodded.

"Good girl. We will find someone to help you get rid of the child." The words hung in the air, and both Madame Giry and Nadir nodded and bowed their head.

"No, that is not what is to be done, Erik," Meg's head shot up, her eyes hard and defiant. It frustrated Erik that she would choose such a subject to purposely assert her own will and reject the control of his voice. She had to know why he didn't want this.

Erik caught her shoulders, fighting the urge to give her a good shake. "Meg, we are not having that thing! I will not have any child suffer as I did and be teased and tormented by the world. You will do as I say and get rid of it as soon as possible."

Her voice was calm and quiet, but it carried all the conviction she felt. "Erik, I am sorry to go against the wishes of my husband, but I can't do this. It's so soon but I want this so much. I understand your fears. The chances of him being born with the same deformity seems so unlikely, since as you have told me, it did not seem to be in either side of your family. Please. Please Erik, say you will love him."

There was an awful silence. No one knew where to look. Erik turned and walked out the door, only saying he would return. Nadir, feeling all the discomfort of having witnessed a family fight of such importance, said a hasty congratulations and bid farewell, leaving the two women alone. Life was about to get a lot harder and a lot more interesting.