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Ok here's another chapter it is slightly shorter than the rest but that is because I wanted it to end when it does…you'll see what I mean.

Alexander glanced darkly over at the man opposite him. Monsieur Tordu flicked through the papers in front of him. His eyes were full of confusion and anger.

"They are coming, how the hell did they know we were here?" Monsieur Tordu barked. He slammed his hands down on the table.

"Reinette-" Alexander began to say.

"I forbid Reinette to write-"

"She never listens to what you say!" Alexander snapped. Alexander rose from his chair with a dark frown.

"William will never let you marry her. He is very protective of his daughter," Monsieur Tordu said quietly. He knew how to control Alexander's temper. Alexander stared at Monsieur Tordu for a couple of seconds before sitting down again.

"How can we get him to agree to this marriage?"

"I don't know," Monsieur Tordu said gravely. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "There is also the other problem."

"The Phantom? He isn't a problem. I very much doubt even Reinette would choose him over me. He is a murderer."

"As are you," Monsieur Tordu said as he threw a piece of paper into the fire. It crackled and burnt slowly.

If Alexander was surprised that Monsieur Tordu knew of his murderous past he did not show it.

"She does not know that," Alexander said and a smile spread across his face. "The Phantom's past on the other hand is very well known. Have you heard the rumours about his face?" Alexander grinned with glee as he leant over the table. He looked like a small child telling gossip in a schoolyard.

"Yes but Reinette…" Monsieur Tordu began with a slight frown. He knew Reinette better than she would like him too. He knew how she acted and how she would respond to things. Maybe if this Phantom had shown her kindness, had been caring towards her then maybe she would not care about what he looked like.

&&&&

Meg and James had decided it would be best if they were just friends. They had never really had a real spark between them. However, they were still inseparable, especially now with the recent disappearance of Reinette. Both of them were worried.

"What can we do?" Meg asked throwing her arms into the air as she sat down.

"This Phantom you said you have met him before?"

"Of course," Meg said. She closed her eyes as a headache rushed through her head. It was late, far too late and she needed some sleep. "I do not believe he will harm her."

"Are you sure?" James asked, and he sat down next to Meg. His hands clasped in his laps at he looked desperately at his friend. She leant forward and put a comforting hand on his arm.

"Yes, I am sure," Meg said. James turned away with a small smile but Meg bit her lip. If Reinette angered the Phantom she wasn't sure what he'd do. He wouldn't harm a woman would he? He had never hurt Christine. Did James know about Christine?

"James? Have you ever heard of Christine? An old Prima Donna here?" Meg asked softly.

"No," James said curiously.

It was going to be a long night.

&&&&

Jocelyn glanced up at William as he sat at the bar. Sophia was next to him but it was his face that caught her attention. He looked so worried as he glanced over a few papers, they were clutched tightly in his hand. He looked up and his dark brown eyes met hers for a second.

"The papers?" she mouthed silently. He nodded and she slowly walked over to him. Sophia put her arm around her husbands saddened shoulders as he passed the documents over.

"She is engaged," William said softly.

"To whom? She would have said."

"I have strong contacts at the Opera House," William said, " I almost wish I didn't."

"To whom?" Jocelyn repeated scanning the pages as quickly as possible.

"To him," William spat and he took another drink of whiskey from his glass.

&&&&

Erik stared down at the girl he had wrapped in his arms. He didn't believe he could be this happy. It could not be possible. As she drew back and looked back up at his scared face he felt the dark blush of embarrassment begin to spread through his cheeks. He reached over to his mask but Reinette put out a hand.

"Not yet," she said quietly.

"Why?" Erik asked sharply. He always became so nervous without his mask. He needed it. It was a form of protection, a defence against the horrible people that lived in this beautiful yet terrible world.

"Erik," she whispered gently. He saw her hands were shaking and she was staring at them in fury. "I have to tell you something."

"What?" Erik asked sharply. Why should she feel nervous about telling him something? Had he not proved to her he could be trusted?

"I-I-" Reinette stared at her hands. It was now or never.

"Reinette, whatever it is tell me," Erik said staring at her. He still had his arms gently wrapped around her but he didn't notice. "We're friends."

"Stop saying that," she snapped furiously and she pushed him away. Reinette stood up and began to walk away.

"Reinette!" Erik called, he was deeply confused. He stood up and walked briskly after her. "I'm not going to chase you and beg you to tell me what you mean so for goodness sake turn around!" he snapped.

Reinette span around and Erik was shocked to see tears in her eyes.

"Please Erik," she said angrily, "Stop treating and caring for me like I'm something…special if you do not mean it. You are not treating me as a friend treats a friend and it's confusing –"

"What?" Erik asked softly taking a step forward. Happiness beyond anything he could have ever imagined seemed to be burning brightly inside him. Did she mean what he thought she meant? Dare he dream that far? He had dreamed there before but it had broken his heart.

"You really have no idea what I am talking about? That proves my point then," her voice had now become shaken as her hands balled into fists of hurt by her sides "You did not recognise your own actions."

"Reinette-" Erik said and he gripped her wrist before she could pull away.

"Let go off me!" Reinette snapped. The dark flare in her eyes shone. He had not seen it for a while.

"Reinette," Erik said summoning every ounce of confidence he had left inside him, "Be quiet." He put his hand behind her head as Reinette looked at him in confusion. His other hand snaked around her waist and he begin to move his face closer to hers.

Thought I'd stop there because I'm nice like that :P lol!