It was nearly ten thirty at night when Tammy finally returned home. Dumping her backpack in a chair by the front door she placed a small bouquet of roses and pink lilies in a vase. Turning out the lights she grabbed a comb to brush out the ringlets in her hair and headed up stairs. She was exhausted and couldn't wait for sleep. She trudged down the hallway and made it to the green room still standing upright. She opened the door and went to turn on the light.

She never saw it coming.

The instant the light went on all of her muses attacked. "GRAB HER!" Will yelled.

Instinctively she reached for her sword only to find it had been removed from its scabbard. Dang resourceful muses, they were much smarter than she had anticipated. Golden Apollo easily disarmed her of the dagger she had hidden up her sleeve. Galrid and Ilsmir (working together Gasp! ) effortlessly picked the small authoress up, carrying her towards the computer. Merlin released the demonic paper shredder to hold back the army of rubber ducks that had suddenly appeared at the sound of their leader being writer napped, though Tammy wasn't making it easy with her thrashing and cursing. Will fielded the magic staff that was sailing through the air towards it's owner. None to gently Tammy was dumped in her spinning desk chair, Will and Erik strapped her to it with duct tape around her wrists ankles and waist. Kyle even did his part by cutting off any biting remarks she might have had by stuffing one of his freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in her mouth.

Fuming, but happy to have a cookie, She glared at her muses. Will stepped forward meeting Tammy's furious blue green gaze with his cold green one, "It is our duty as your muses to make sure you update frequently."

Tammy rolled her eyes and chewed her cookie thoughtfully, Kyle had added a pinch of vanilla like she liked. Erik came to stand next to Will, "Do you remember the last time you updated?"

Tammy blinked, Apollo sighed, "Have you even written any thing in the past month?"

Swallowing her cookie Tammy growled, "I have too! Pages upon Pages!"

Terrible shadow Lord Ilsmir crossed his arms over his armored chest, "Firna? Prove it!"( translation: Yeah or yes, pronounced FEER-na). Before she could answer Galrid agreed with Ilsmir, "You need to write I have at lest five reviewers wondering where you are or if you've given up on this story?"

"But…"

Will didn't let her finish her thought, "So, until you update you are not leaving that chair and we will each keep watch."

"But…"

Erik dumped her keyboard in her lap, "NO buts, I want those Phan girls out of my lair tonight and I'm not asking!"

She stared at her keyboard then swept her muses with a fairly innocent look, "This is sort of sweet to see how worried you all are about my stories…BUT I CAN'T WRITE WITH MY WRISTS TAPED TO THE CHAIR!"

(Rising Mushu style out of the fog) I LIVE! Sorry for the incredibly long wait. Before you throw shoes at me please let me explain myself. I have just finished the production of Oliver and have been at school from 7:45 am to 10:00 pm. Not to mention the end of my High School's grading period. So my writing time had been monopolized by make-up, Victorian costumes, and actually eating and sleeping enough to live to see the next day. This chapter will be mostly Philippe and Tammy, cameos will be continued in the next chapter(s) depending on when my muses ever let me out of this chair. So without much further ado I bring you chapter …um….yeah.

To Dump A Comte

Tammy muttered dark curses as she stormed through the crowd that now decided to get out of her way. Stomping on his foot was a mild action for the mood she was in. He was just lucky she had only worn her three inch heels, she had contemplated stilettos. She dodged left passing Raoul and the gang, she barely muttered a hello before continuing.

Raoul stared, she was clearly unhappy. If he were a betting man he would have placed his money on the fact that Philippe probably did this to her. If he wasn't stuck here in societies clear view he would go after her to make amends.

Speak of the devil, Philippe passed him but stopped when he caught his brothers eye. "What?" Philippe snapped.

"Let her be," Raoul crossed his arms over his chest, "Can't you see she is furious. I know you had something to do with this."

Philippe dismissed his brother with an elegant sweep of his hand. "She doesn't know my intentions, I have to find her."

Raoul watched Philippe disappear, noting the he walked with a slight limp. Gabriel raised an eyebrow, "he can't be serious."

"Philippe has never been a man to settle down," Tristan scoffed. "He'll lose interest in fortnight, if not sooner."

Rachelle elbowed Tristan, "Be nice. This is one lady I'm not certain Philippe can woo."

Gabriel regarded Nicolette, "Really. What, perchance, did you discuss with our mysterious lady?"

She half shrugged, "We discussed matters that do not concern you. Miss Delarox however was quite adamant in her opinions and nothing short of the second coming itself would change her mind."

Tristan frowned, "Surely even she isn't immune to a mans charms."

Rachelle examined her white lace gloves, "Immune she is not, but she knows what she wants and she won't change her mind."

Raoul frowned, "She doesn't know then that Philippe's interest never is a passing thing."

Gabriel paused, "What do you think will happen when Philippe finds he can't have what he wants?"

Tristan grinned, "now that is a show I intend on having front row seats too."

XxX

Tammy had slowed down, the throb of wearing high heeled boots on cobblestone had stopped her. She normally had great stamina for pain but cobblestone was something new to her. She entered a secluded part of the park far away from where the auction was being held. Surrounded by trees and a row of hedges, leaves already haven fallen, it was semi private. A stone bench sat in the middle of this secluded glade. It was off the path a bit, but worth the walk. She had found it by accident trying to find the coach.

She collapsed on the bench, and pulled her cloak closer around her scarlet morning dress. It was something about the pain in her feet or it may have been something in the air that made her actually start to think of what was going on. She had come to several conclusions on her walk.

First off was that she probably over reacted to Philippe. She hated the fact that he was spying on her instead of asking her straight out what he wanted to know. Horrible things had happened to people who tried to pry into her private life back in the future, and old habits die hard.

On that thought came the realization that even if he asked her what was going on she couldn't tell him. She didn't belong in this time and she was like a Men in Black Agent that just had their identity erased. What was she going to say, 'Look you're a great guy. I think you would make an awesome beau, But there is one teeny tiny problem. I can't date you because I'm from the future, have no money, and I've lied to you for the last few weeks. Oh and heads up my last name isn't Delarox. To top it off I'm American and learned French from a disfigured genius who lives five floors underground who is, in fact, not my brother but a psychotic man with anger issues whom has it out for your brother.' Sure that would work so well.

She probably shouldn't have stomped on his foot, especially in heels. Pausing she took that thought back. He deserved to have his foot stomped because of what he accused Erik of. Sure Erik threatened her often, but would he ever actually harm her? Probably not. Tammy had the feeling that, even though he may want to strangle her on a regular basis, Erik had a code of conduct. Or at least enough moral not to harm a woman. She could be far off base, but she didn't find her feelings wrong very often. As long as you didn't count eighth grade.

With a sigh she decided she would have to apologize to Philippe. As long as he didn't do something stupid she would apologize and leave. Meeting everyone that she did was wonderful and great, but she couldn't be in the publics eye anymore. For both personal reasons and scientific reasons. She would alter time if she spent any more of it in the limelight, she didn't want to know what would happen then. She also was tired of being in society. Life in the high ton was what she had dreamed off since she was able to read those romance novels, but she didn't belong and she knew it. Acting kept this odd feeling away from the surface, but she was tired of putting on her mask in public. She just had to break it to Philippe gently.

"Tamara?"

She jumped whirling to face a well dressed Comte. Philippe was standing in the break between two tall hedges. Any other woman would have swooned at the sight of the undeniably handsome man dressed in Victorian finery. Tammy however learned a long time ago that handsome did not equal nice. Her calm cold mask was back in place.

Philippe raised a brow a her, she glared at him. Raising her chin she turned away from him, "I don't remember giving you leave to use my first name."

In his customary prowl Philippe crossed the small clearing to stand in font of Tamara. She glared at him, and twisted on the stone bench to not have to look at him. He gritted his teeth, and in a semi clam voice he tried to reason with her, "You used mine."

She threw him an ice cold glare, "that is different. I'm horrible with last names. If you noticed I've already taken to calling Nicolette and Rachelle by their Christian names as well."

Patience wearing extremely thin he sat on the bench next to her, she stiffened. He clasped his hands together, making it much easier not to try and touch her. He had decided to play the gentleman but she was making it very difficult. A painful silence stretched between them. He was temped to say something, but he had the feeling that anything he would say would be shot down in flames. So they sat in silence, and he was becoming more and more frustrated. "Did I hurt your foot?"

He glanced at her profile, "What?"

"When I stomped on it." Tammy spared him a quick glance, "I would hate to be the one to cripple the famous Comte de Chagny. So I'm asking, did I hurt you?"

He chuckled slightly, "I'm sure I'll survive."

"Good." She lapsed back into silence. He gazed at her profile, "Join me for dinner."

He caught her blue-green gaze with his brown one. She lifted a brow at him, "Commands? You forget I am not one of your subjects."

Turning thoughts away from how to rectify that unfortunate situation, he sighed, "will you please do me the honor of joining me for dinner?"

She smiled softly, "Much better, but I must decline. I have to be back at the café by six and it is already drawing close to half past five."

"to meet you brother no doubt." He stood, offering his hand. She hesitantly shifted her gaze between his hand and his face. He sent her his rakish smile, "I won't bite."

She smiled coyly, "that is a disappointment."

Placing her hand on his sleeve he laughed, "I would hope never to disappoint you Mlle. Delarox."

She smiled, but behind her mask she hoped she could just disappear. She blinked, maybe she could just that. With a plan formulating she and Philippe left the small grove.

XxX

They were standing under the canopy outside when Philippe glanced at his pocket watch, it was nearly six. They had left the horse auctions a little earlier bidding a quick farewell to his comrades. Tamara had promised to write the Devereux sisters and to stay in touch. Raoul had bid his goodbyes as well and solemnly followed them to the coach. It was a short an painfully silent ride to the café. Raoul had quit speaking to him, so it wasn't surprising to see he had lapsed back into his silence. Tamara however was thinking of something. She was quiet and only answered his questions with one syllable words.

Philippe pocketed the trinket he glanced at his companion. Tamara stood with a bored expression, she was still using her cloak almost like a protective shield against him. That was something he was going to have change, soon. "When will your brother be arriving?"

Tamara glanced at him, "Hard to say, I told him I would arrive back by six."

Philippe didn't like her response. He wanted to meet this brother as soon as possible, but until then he was content to converse with Tamara. He was determined to solve the mystery of her background. His plan to find out through the tons Matrons had backfired horribly.

"Tamara, what do you think of society?" He blurted. Blinking he tried to figure out where that question came from. He guessed it was from his suspicions of her brother, either way he was curious.

She raised a brow at him, "Society? Aren't you the random one." She sighed looking out across the busy street, "Society can be kind to it's upper crust, but those who are truly worthy of notice go undetected. It can even be cruel to those who do not fit with the mold it creates. In truth I have never cared for society. Certain rules I will respect, but other than that it could go to Lucifer's gate and back for the attention I give it. Once again I remind you that I did not give you leave to use my first name"

Philippe nearly bristled, she was spirited that was for certain. Her tongue alone could be considered a weapon. He however was not one to let a challenge go by, "What is it that bothers you about my use of your name?"

She turned to him, "The privileged few are allowed to call me Tamara, and I decide whether or not they can. No one just start using my name and expect for me just to go along with."

"You like it when I say your name, don't you?" He stepped closer to her, a shiver skated down her spine. She started to feel a blush stain her cheeks. Stop it! He was a FOP! She knew it. Worst off he was the brother of her most despised enemy. There was no reason on God's green earth why she should start going weak in the knees just because an 19th century Comte seemed interested in her. She had to escape now.

"No." A barely audible whisper escaped her lips. Giving him one last fleeting look, she put her plan into action. She sauntered over to the side of the window, Philippe moved to follow her. Throwing him an evil grin she pulled the small rope holding the canopy up. The black tarp covered Philippe and the diners.

Dropping the rope she stepped into the shadows, "Good bye Philippe."

Philippe ripped the tarp away from his head, Panicked dinners struggled to find their way out from the black prison. His brown gaze swept the deserted sidewalk. He cursed, she was gone.

XxX

Closing the rue scribe gate Tammy slipped down the narrow flight of stairs. She knew running was cowardly , but she had grown tired of Philippe and she wanted to be back with Erik. Philippe, though should be proud, he lasted longer than any of the other guys she had ever been interested in. Very notable since, when it came to the other sex, she had the attention span of a gnat… scratch that she always had the attention span of a gnat.

Humming a small tune she half clumsily waltzed half walked down a small corridor to her right, knowing that if she continued strait forward she would have a nasty run in with Erik's torture chamber. Frankly that was a trip she wanted to save for the never file.

Something snaked around her waist and pulled her into the shadows, a gloved hand clamped over her mouth preventing the scream that had barely escaped her lips. Naturally she struggled, jabbing her elbows where ever she could, kicking and trying to connect her foot with anything solid behind her, and generally doing a good job of thrashing around like a fish out of water. Her fist connected with a solid chest and her captor gave a short growl. Her eyes widened as she recognized that growl, after all she had heard it enough over the past few months shouting her name. Tearing the hand away from her mouth she spun around to face him, somewhere in the reaches of her subconscious she realized he still held her around her waist. "ERIK? What's going on why aren't you at the lair? Has something happened?"

He glared down at her, his amber eyes glinted with a mixture of anger, discomfort, and what she interpreted as fear. "We've been invaded."

Tammy blinked, "invaded? By whom?"

Erik checked the corridor before continuing in a hushed whisper, "A band of cloaked and oddly dressed girls stormed the lair and attacked me. They weren't even scared of my Punjab. I threatened them, promised to throw them in the torture chamber, but they just seemed to become even more excited. I barely escaped with my life!"

She blinked, before snorting very unlady like and fell down laughing, her sides hurting. Erik however didn't see the humor in this situation. Kicking her side gently he glared, "how come when ever I have a crisis you just laugh?"

"I-I'm so-sorry! You just had -just had you're first phangirl experience!" she tried speaking but giggles crept in to her conversation here and there, "and you reacted just like I thought you would!"

He dragged her up into a standing position by her elbow. "Are you telling me those… girls are my phans?"

Struggling to keep a straight face, failing miserably, she settled for a small grin, "ah now you see why the Punjab didn't work. These young women aren't normal in any sense of the word. They would gladly hurt Raoul and glomp you into oblivion. Few ground rules for dealing with them: if you don't want to be glomped, which you never know you may like it, it's imperative you keep myself and or a piece of furniture between yourself and them at all times. It's also best that you make sure that all of them are in sight, because phangirls are notorious for sneaking up on people, even you. Might want to hide your compositions, I know I loved souvenirs when I was a serious phan. If they start getting out of control music soothes the savage phan. And under NO circumstances are you to leave them alone with Christine or the fop."

If it was possible Erik went paler than usual. Tammy sighed and massaged her suddenly aching temples, "please tell me you didn't do what I think you did."

He swore in every language he knew, French, English, Arabian, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish, and she swore she heard some Chinese mixed in there. She held her hand out, "ring please."

He handed it over, she concentrated eyes closed. When she opened them she was in her favorite phan apparel. Dark blue skin tight flare jeans that flattered her long legs, her calf high black leather three inch heeled boots with silver buckles, white meg style Don Juan shirt with dark forest green and silver embroidery of Celtic designs, black silk gloves, her cloak, silver bracelets, and green feathered mask. In her hand her black staff appeared, it had an emerald in the shape of a flame sitting on the top of the black wood, silver etchings wrapped around the long stick.

Erik blinked, one of these days all of this would cease to phase him. That day however would be far away. It took him a full minute to realize she was halfway down the corridor. She looked back at him, "you coming or not?"

He caught up to her and trailed behind her back to the lair. He was growing more irritated by the moment, the fact that these women had invaded his home was grating him to no end, he was beginning to see red when he realized Tammy had been talking to him. "Pardon?"

She grinned, knowing that he hadn't been listening to a word she had said. Which was a pity since she had been telling him all about Philippe and how she had left him at the Café. Well he would have to find out later. "What were you doing when the phans first arrived?"

He raised a brow at her, "if you're implying that this is my fault…"

"oh, Parish the thought!" Tammy held her hand to her chest over dramatically acting as if she were wounded. "To think I was about to accuse the infamous Phantom of the Opera of an incident that occurred in his own home where only he and his Angel were in residence! By the way I hope you two had a chaperone."

Erik sputtered, "I…I'd never…how…how could you…imply…"

Tammy laughed, "That is something to go in a scrap book. I can see the caption now the day I made Erik sputter!"

He glared at her, "Have I told you lately that I hate you."

She grinned, "As a friend once said 'Compliments are Welcome'."

Well that's it. Sorry about there being no cameos in this chapter. Next Chapter will be all cameos and probably the last cameo chapter but don't hold me to that. Sorry it's short, but I will be writing more often now that the plays I'm in are over. So remember (Looks at counter) to read and not review is a fanfiction sin.