A/N: i am so sorry guys this is all fixed now. I have no idea what happened. thanks to all who stuck with and read that mess :)

-On with the chap-

"A left over from the commune," Nadir said darkly. " In the basement."

"Oh really?" Erik looked at him in astonishment, "Wouldn't happpen to be Raoul De chagny's headless body would it?"

"Erik." Nadir groaned.

"Well one can always hope can't one?"Erik said looking at him with amused eyes.

Nadir studdied him wyrly, "You scare me sometimes you know that. You can't still hate him that much?"

Erik shrugged and looked at Nadir, " No not really I guess. But should I hear of Christine being mal treated by the boy I will not hesitate."

"I know you will not." He replied solemnly. "care to accompany into the basements?"

"I believe so. It is where I belong do I not?" Erik asked as Nadir led the way.

"Not anymore my friend not anymore."

Nadir led the way down the hall and into the kitchens. Where he paused for a moment looking for any sign of the servants and then proceded to open a door to a long and narrow staircase. Erik cocked anapparently unamused eyebrow at him and followed.

It was indeed a very long staircase which led to a basement of no great consequence. There was a coal boiler in the corner and a table, wine rack with a few forgotten dusty bottles of wine, and a shelf with preserves. But other than that your typical basement. Nadir crossed under the staircase and pulled a shelf unit away from the wall.

"And what pray tell is this?" Erik asked leaning against a support post.

"Well this my sarcastic friend is one of the old commune tunnels. And if you shall allow me ten minutes of your oh so precious time I shall show you where it leads." Nadir said removing his astrakan and setting it neatly on the table. He then picked up the lamp beside it and lit it with the lighter from his pocket.

"Well it appears I have no previous engagements at the moment. So lead on that way I can save your sorry hide when it goes awry."

"I thought you would never ask." Nadir said all to happy and almost darted into the tunnel. Erik walked to the opening and grimaced he would have to knock nearly a foot off his stature just to get into the opening. Sighing he bent down and followed. but as he got a few feet down the tunnel he found he could stand quite easily without having to stoop. He had known about some of the tunnels left by the commune some of course led to churches and others to the households of Parisian elite. But he could tell it had been used only very recently. Probably when nadir first explored the tunnel Erik thought.

But they had not been used until then. Halfway through the tunnel familar smells began to waft there way through the dank air. Ah the sweet smell of home. He could feel the old arrogance threaten to make a reappearance, No you can wait. I have more to lose now than I did back then. But I can afford to lose you

"Your quiet." Nadir said breaking the silence, "Should I consider keeping my hand at the level of my eyes"

"That's not even funny."

"No your right it's hilarious." Nadir said laughing as he turned towards Erik only to recieve that look. (the one that say's I may as well punjab you now). "Oh come on Erik! I was only trying to lighten the mood. I know this can't be easy for you."

"Thank you Nadir but I will apreciate it more if you keep your attempts to yourself in the futre."

"Spoil sport." Nadir said chuckling, " do you recognize where you are?"

"Well I'll be damned." Erik said under his breath, "I would put that lantern out if I were you."

"And why would that be?"

"Because we are in of the rooms where I stored the explosives to blow up the entire opera."

Nadir quickly blew out the lantern and set it on the ground where he hoped he would be able to find it later.

"I hope you can see. because I certainly can't."

"Of course." Erik said allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness.

"So is there anyway out of this room or did you completely seal it off?"

"There should be a door in the floor above us. But I need about another foot, give me a leg up."

"If my memory serves. . . won't that take us into the torture chamber?" Nadir said obviously not liking the idea of returning to that room ever again. Despite the number of hours he had spent in that house after Christine left. There was always one room he never even ventured to think of.

"Non, the chamber is above the other one." Erik said absently. "Now give me a leg up."

Nadir knelt on one knee. Erik placed his foot ontop of his bent knee and lifted himself up.

"By allah you have gotten heavy in your old age."

"Married life agrees with me." Erik said with a snort. " Your not exactly the same shape you were thirty years ago you know you have gotten shall we say a little wider."

"Apparently both of our lives suit us." Nadir grunted hoping to hell he would hurry up.

"Yes, but however where I needed more. You are going to require less especially if you plan to have a long life with Meg."

"Are you done yet?"

Erik found the catch and flipped it open. He then proved just how "spry" he still was and hoisted himself through the opening into the room above.

"Pass up the lantern and your lighter."

"And pray tell how you expect me to do that ? I can't see a damn thing." Nadir said impatiently.

"Hold it up I can reach." Erik said almost laughing as he could barely see Nadir scramble for the lantern and then fish around for his lighter.

"Here." Nadir said holding the items up as Erik took them and lit the lamp

"Shallom du stœm. I have enjoyed our aquaintance." Erik said in a hollow voice as he proceded to close the door.

"Erik? Erik!" Nadir asked as he watched the hatch close and he was once again in darkness. "What the fuck are you doing?"

He recieved no answer as he could feel the darkness around him. then in a far off voice he heard, "Barrels to sell. Any barrells to sell?"

Nadir swore his heart stopped dead in his chest as the voice grew and got louder.

"ERIK YOU SON OF BITCH! GET ME OUT OF HERE!" He screamed hearing nothing save the voice asking for barrels.