A/N: okay you guys, I am SO sorry I haven't updated recently. School has been crazy hectic and I just lost interest. But, I'm back again, and I promise I won't disappear again. So anyway, PLEASE review, it seriously helps me stay motivated. Thanks again for taking the time to read this!

I watched as the men tore apart the charred remnants of my theater. They seemed fairly tamed, but if one stepped out of place, I'd be sure to let my presence be know. My eyes followed a tall ginger boy as he branched of from the group. I heard the false wall behind me open, but I paid no mind to Nadir. The boy began wandering, I wonder if he was searching for me, or perhaps my ghost. Another boy in the group called out to him for help, and he sheepishly returned.

When I turned, I was surprised to see Marjorie standing next to Nadir. A slight blush creeped across my face. I hadn't intended for them to meet, although I did nothing to stop it. I wasn't even expectingx her until tonight. My gaze shifted to Nadir. His brow was furrowed and his mouth was turned into a frown. I was in trouble. "May I speak to you a moment, Erik?" I was definitely in trouble.

I smiled politely at Marjorie. "Excusez-nous, s'il vous plaît."

We stepped back into the small corridor and Nadir turned to frown at me. "Please tell me you aren't doing this again, Erik." I was a bit taken aback at the harshness in his voice.

"I'm sorry?"

"Who is this girl, Erik? What is her purpose?"

Anger flooded through my veins. What was he implying? My voice filled with venom. "You think Marjorie is a prostitute?"

Nadir's eyes grew wide. "No! No, of course not! She's a lovely girl, Erik, but I see how you look at her. I don't think you should start taking her the way of-"

"The way of Christine? Marjorie is not Christine. No one could ever be Christine. And no one could ever, ever be Marjorie." My vision was turning red and my shoulders were stiff. I hissed vehemently at him, "Do not compare them."

"I'm sorry Erik, but you can't afford another accident in this opera house. We cannot have another chandelier crash!"

"I can take care of myself, Nadir." My anger had turned cold as I adjusted my suit. "You may choose to either leave or stay in my opera house, but we will not discuss this again."

"Please consider, Er-"

"We will not discuss this, Nadir!" I pushed the door back open and stepped back into box 5. Of course, the door slammed into wall. My hair hung in my face and my mask was slightly askew. I smooth my hair back and adjust my mask, clearing my throat. "Pardonne-moi."

"What did you talk about?"

"It was nothing, mademoiselle" I stepped towards her and eyed the box in her hands. The intoxicatingly sweet smell wafted to my nose. My stomach growled with desire and Marjorie's laugh filled the small room.

"Are you hungry?" My stomach growled again and her body shook with laughter. And I found myself craving more of it. She had the kind of laughter that brightened up the whole room. It wasn't the timid little titter that most women found proper, it was a contagious sound and I found myself laughing too.

We must have been heard, because footsteps and voices began approaching the door. Quickly, I grabbed her and pulled her into the corridor and replaced the wall, right as the men walked in. Pressing my finger to my lips, I pull her up the staircase. A draft blew at our ankles from the door at the top of the stairs.

"Close your eyes."

I open the door and lead her out onto the roof. I take the box from her hands and set it on a ledge before leading her to the edge of the roof.

"Open your eyes."

Marjorie's POV

"Open your eyes."

Her eyes fluttered open and she was shocked at what she saw. Her mouth fell open and she gasped. The whole city of Paris laid out before them with the sun beginning to set. It was beautiful, so much more so than the view from her home. She could see the Seine glistening orange in the sunlight and the half-built Tour Eiffel looming above it. She didn't care how much the other Parisians hated it, she found it to be lovely. "It's so beautiful, Erik."

"I thought you'd like it. It's much better than my dungeon."

She walked to the edge of the roof before sitting, tucking her legs under her. Erik sat next to her and placed the box between them. He opened it and turned it towards her. "Ladies first?"

Grabbing a tart, she turned the box back towards Erik and they both ate together in silence, gazing out across Paris. Slowly, she reached her hand across the box and placed it in his. For a moment, he froze, but he soon wrapped his hand around hers.

For once, the noise in her head finally went silent. The only sound was their breathing and the noises drifting from the street. Even though it was cold, she felt warm just being with him.

Eventually, her gaze drifted to the bakery. She hadn't really planned on being gone so long, but it wasn't too busy. People passed by, some looking in. It was a strange feeling watching from the outside.

Eventually, her eyes began drifting down the street until movement caught her eye. A carriage bounced down the road before slowing to a stop in front of the bakery. A lean brunette man jumped out before helping a very pregnant girl out of the carriage. Marjorie's eyes widened as she realized who it was.