An odd feeling crept into Elizabeth's veins as she walked down the gloomy passageways toward home. The damp walls that once held a comfort of familiarity seemed alien after she had spent so much time surrounded by beauty. A chill rushed over her skin turning the smooth surface into a rutted expanse with goose bumps as she took the final turn before entering into the light.

A gasp jumped out of her lips as she beheld the scene before her. The stone floor was littered with papers and all the furniture had been tipped over. Frightened Elizabeth dashed to the kitchen to find many of the dishes shattered on the ground. A fear for her friend reached a precipice as she heard a loud thud in the main chamber ring through the airs.

Erik was in shock, he had returned home after one of the most wonderful evenings of his life to find his home ransacked. In a fit of rage he slammed the door shut behind him creating a booming noise that startled even him. He was furious, but another emotion flooded his system as he realized that Elizabeth must have already returned. His fear was confirmed when she saw her shaking form bolt out of the hallway. Immediately he walked toward the girl his hand reaching out to comfort her.

Elizabeth couldn't decide whether or not she should trust the man after he had so obviously lost his temper somewhere during the night, but in the end she decided to allow him to pull her towards him, her head resting on his shoulder as she slumped to the ground. As they sat among the sheaths of paper Erik remained a steady entity for Elizabeth to cling to until she could get a hold on her nerves. When her quaking had finally stopped she looked up into his eyes, "Erik, what happened when I was gone?"

The man with the porcelain mask upon his face frowned, "I do not know, I had decided to see how the idiots we call managers managed to entertain." Erik smiled when he saw a faint tint of red come over the girls cheeks. With a teasing sort of chuckle he spoke, "Do not fear Elizabeth, you looked absolutely stunning. Even on the arm of that terrible dullard William."

Elizabeth was a shade of crimson by the time she spoke, "Thank you very kindly Erik, but please do not insult William he is a dear friend of mine."

Erik nodded, "Of course I can only imagine that you two are incredibly close after…" He stooped certain that continuing on that path would only lead to more bickering. He deftly took a hold of Elizabeth's hand and raised her up, "Come there are more important things to do, such as sleep. Go to bed and I promise that everything will be back in order by the time you wake up."

Elizabeth followed his command and found herself sinking into the depths of deep sleep in a matter of minutes. Erik smiled when he heard the measured sound of her sleep addled breaths. Slowly he then began to put his home to its original state. He picked up each sheet of music and tenderly placed it into orderly stacks.

Her mind was still clouded by sleep when Elizabeth moved to get out of bed the next morning. She placed her feet onto the floor and was about to get up until she noticed the slightest sensation of a petal brushing against her temple. Her fingers rushed up delicately picking up the sweet little violet she had received from the masked man the night before. Then she stood placing the flower on her vanity and sighed when she beheld her appearance. The hours of work she and Meg had spent making her look lovely was spoiled when she had fallen asleep before changing and washing. Streaks of make up were running down her cheek and her hair was knotted in a fashion similar to a caveman's matted coif. She sighed once more as she changed out of her elegant gown and into a simple frock, twisting her hair into a bun and wiping the make up away as she went.

When she was finally ready to leave her room she was greeted by a comforting sight. All the chaos of the night before had been cleared away and in it's place was the familiar stone floor and a warm roaring fire in the hearth. She looked to find Erik on the couch his brow knotted in concentration. He took a moment to greet the woman when she sat down beside him before going back to thought. Elizabeth sighed, "What is troubling you?"

Erik frowned, "I merely am wondering why someone would now want to attack me after so many years."

Soon enough Elizabeth expression matched the one of the man sitting next to her, "There was a ball last night, he may have been out of his senses with drink."

Erik nodded a look of contempt filling his expression, "Or it could have been jealousy."

Elizabeth immediately sensed the implication and gasped at her friend, "That is hardly fair, why would William take out his frustration over me on you?" The faintest of smiles passed over the man's lips but Elizabeth was once again speaking before he could respond, "Besides he was either with Charles, Meg, or me the entire night. So he couldn't be the one who did it."

Erik nodded, "Yes you are right, I am sorry Elizabeth. I was being unfair to your beau."

Elizabeth huffed, "He is not my beau, no will you please drop this and focus on the matter at hand." Never in all the months of knowing the phantom had she seen him acting so child like.

I'm a day late and it's short... My deepest appologies but some difficult circumstances had made it difficult to find the focus to work this week. The next chapter will be better i promise.