Author's Note: The Phantom and Christine are both taking a trip leaving Jen to her own devices for a few days. She'll be spending a lil more time with some of her friends and her boys. As always please read and review. Remember reviews are like tacos. Feed me Seymour.

Inspiration: None, other that knowing I need to get more chapters written. Been having a lil bout of writer's block.

Perros

Jennifer heard the swish of the cape and turned to the phantom. "Good morning phantom."

"Good morning Jennifer."

"I packed the sack with bread, hard cheese and smoked meat which should last you for the four days. I also placed a few apples and carrots in there as well for Cesar. I would suggest give him the carrots first so if you're still hungry you can have one of the apples."

The sack was tied up and set to the side next to his water jug and a bundle she assumed was a change of clothing. She was glad to see he had on a thicker cloak that should keep him warm while he played his violin for Christine. Jen wished she could hear him play his music perhaps when he returned she would gather the courage to ask him to play or sing for her. They had become close friends in the time she worked in the opera house his trust was almost fully established which would mean that hopefully he would listen to her advice and heed it. She had taken time out to speak with Christine on occasion to ensure that she was receptive to the idea of her angel being in love with her and loving him in return. Christine was a sweet girl although a bit naïve she was glad she had her boys and Platina to talk to but the phantom held a special place in her heart. Their conversations were always enjoyable and she looked forward to them every night.

"I'll miss you." Jen spoke before she realized the words had fallen from her lips but she didn't regret them.

At the phantom's shocked face she continued. "I have grown accustomed to our evening meals, I enjoy your company." She had indeed grown accustomed to him and enjoyed his company immensely even when they didn't speak. She got to see a whole new side to him. Not the scary opera ghost with half a face but a lonely man who was smarter than most, smarter than you would expect from his lack of formal training. He was also cultured, debonair, gentlemanly and also quite humorous on occasion. Some of the tricks he pulled on the Persian guards with mostly consisted of him throwing his voice had her in stitches. In addition, the time he would pull pranks on Carlotta also had her crying tears of laughter.

"I won't be long; you won't even notice I have gone."

Despite his joking tone, she could tell there was slight fear that the words would ring true.

"I would notice. Come now let us have one last meal before you depart."

She put together one of her favorites for them for breakfast. Half a baguette in which she slathered with Camembert cheese and some honey she had infused with black truffles. She added some smoked ham onto the phantoms plate so he would have enough carbs and proteins for the long journey before he could stop for lunch. He looked at the combination strangely before he tasted it and found it to be to his liking.

They ate in companionable silence each one glancing at the other while the other was occupied. Neither knowing quite what to say. Before either realized it, soon enough it was time for him to depart in order to gain a head start. Moreover, with the opera house soon waking there would be greater chance of him being seen. He put the bundle of clothing into the bag of provisions that was thrown over his shoulder with the water jug hanging from a rope he carried at his side.

They stopped by the kitchen door. "I hope your journey will be a safe one. Stay warm and take care of yourself and come back soon."

His eyes softened and he reached out his hand as if meaning to touch her. However at the last moment he dropped his hand to his side and instead he gave her a nod before heading to the stables to Cesar saddled, bridled and packed.

The day was a normal day or at least it started off as such. But by the afternoon chaos ensued. The lead stud-groom M. Lachenel was raising hell over Cesar's disappearance. He was ranting and raving like a madman threatening his stablemen for allowing Cesar to be taken. He went up to speak to the new mangers wanting everyone sacked since no one was watching Cesar who was believed to be stolen by the phantom.

Jen laughed knowing full well that the phantom did indeed take Cesar but the managers wouldn't believe it. They wouldn't believe in the phantom until it was too late. Such fools they were when if only they believed from the beginning than most of the occurrences would have ceased. Just like their plan to sit in box five for Faust on Saturday. 'Such utter fools.'

Jen headed towards Md. Rogers sewing room to get one of her shirts mended that had gotten torn. Since she had time before her lunch break, it seemed like an ideal time to get it taken care of. When she was walking towards the manager's office, she saw Md. Giry knock then head inside, holding a note in her hand. As she walked past the managers office she was stopped in her tracks as she witnessed Md. Giry literally get kicked out of the office. Realization beamed on her face as she became irate and began screaming at them through the door.

Jen stifled her laughter at the scene that unfolded in front of her and continued onwards to Md. Rogers. When she got to the sewing room she couldn't hold back the laughter any more. The girls looked at her oddly while Md. Rogers asked her what happened. She relayed the whole scene to Md. Rogers who also began to chuckle.

"Honestly Md. Rogers I don't mean to laugh at how Md. Giry was treated it was rather poor of them but the look on her face when she realized what they had done was priceless. The indignity and shock was amazing coupled with her anger as she shouted at them through the door. Her bonnet bobbing to and fro as she yelled the feather looked as though it were hanging on for dear life." Jen managed to speak through giggles before laughing anew as Md. Rogers joined her.

"Oh my dear I can only imagine. I have known Antoinette for a long time and have seen her angry on a few occasions and each time has been rather comical provided its aimed at others. Besides the new managers could use a tongue lashing."

Soon their laughter subsided. "So is your gentleman caller going to take you to the Saturday showing of Faust?"

Jen sobered up quickly at the sudden question. "No, I'm afraid not, he will be otherwise engaged that night with other affairs. I also have a few things to attend to as well that night."

"To bad I had another lovely gown you could have borrowed. It was made for Christine for a charity function but since she pulled out she no longer had a need for it. I was thinking of letting the bust out for you since your more ample than she is."

"Let me see what it looks like."

Md. Rogers showed her a beautiful gown. It had three quarter sleeves with bows at the shoulders, the fitted bodice was attached to a bustle in a light powder blue that opened up to an enormous ivory hoop skirt. Normally she didn't like the poofy skirts but this dress was pretty like a gown you would see rich women wear in old portraits.

"But Md. Rogers this dress must have taken a lot of time and effort certainly someone else should wear it someone better suited like the Prima Donna or Christine should she decide to make more appearances in the future."

"Nonsense my dear your as special as they are besides Christine make certain that it be known she will do no other performances except for those of the opera house. If you don't take it it will be stripped down as fabric for other dresses. Besides Carlotta isn't deserving of anything I make. She has her own dress maker one that will willingly put her in such atrocious and flamboyant gowns in those shocking colors as she wears."

"I suppose if no one else will take it I will. It is a pretty gown and the color is amazing. I'll have to hope for an occasion to wear it."

"Then it's settled then. I will let the bust out as well as other alterations to hem it since you are shorter than Christine."

"No, leave it the length it is. I can always find heels to wear with it."

"Very well I'll leave the length as is."

"Thank you Md. Rogers, thank you so much."

She gave Md. Rogers a quick hug before returning to her kitchen duties.

It was just after she returned from Md. Rogers that the managers spotted Jennifer and quickly headed over to her before she reentered the kitchen. "Mlle. Miller we wished to have a word with you."

"Certainly monsieurs. How may I be of assistance?"

"We came to give you our congratulations. You had done quite well in the kitchens as Mm. Poligny and Debienne told us you would. We hope you will stay on indefinitely."

"Well thank you monsieurs however I cannot take all the credit I have a wonderful kitchen staff that have helped me to accomplish all that I have. They are the most professional and loyal group of workers I could ask for."

"You are certainly as gracious as you are modest mademoiselle. We do realize it is a team effort and had hoped you would pass along our gratitude and praise to them as well."

"Certainly monsieurs I would be delighted to."

They bowed slightly before leaving her to bask in the ego boost the praise gave her before returning to the kitchen. Their lunch break would begin before they started lunch for the opera house. As she walked in the kitchen, she could hear the men laughing and saw them huddled around the break table. She slowly walked over hearing Anton's voice.

"What is better than having roses on your piano?"

He paused for a moment before he continued with the punch line. "Tulips on your organ."

The men were quiet as they realized what the joke meant then started laughing. However the laughing soon stopped as she cleared her throat.

"Hmm...to think I just got through telling the managers how professional you all were and here you are telling dirty jokes. What do you have to say for yourselves?"

Most sat speechless before her while a couple opened and closed their mouths like catfish, followed by Anton trying to speak. "Well I...I mean we..."

"What Anton is trying to say is that we're awfully sorry lassie."

Jennifer burst out laughing holding her sides as the men just looked at each other dumbfounded. "You should have seen your faces. They were priceless."

"I don think we understand lassie. You aren't upset."

"Please, you don't think I can be comfortable in a bar and work around mostly all men without having heard any dirty jokes."

"Yes however you're a woman." Lucian piped up.

"I think I've out drank most of you, and worn breeches long enough for you to realize I'm not your average woman. I've told my share of dirty jokes."

Anton got off the chair and moved towards her. "No you are defiantly not average my dear chef."

She rolled her eyes. "Go sit back down." She pushed him back towards his seat while he made puppy dog eyes at her.

"So lassie let us hear one of these dirty jokes."

All the other men seconded him encouraging her to tell one.

"Certainly hers can't be that dirty." Maurice spoke up.

"Maurice weren't you also the one who thought I couldn't drink as well? Because my jokes make Anton's mild by comparison."

Anton spoke up. "Oh I must hear this."

"Very well it's been awhile let me think of a good one." 'Hmm that won't work cause they might not get the slang. Well...no that won't work they don't have passenger planes yet. Ooo...I got it.'

"Alright I got one for you. There was a man traveling in the countryside who was quite lost and needed directions. So he walked up to the first house he saw and knocked on the door but there was no answer but he could hear people inside so he looked through the window hoping to get their attention. When he looked in the window. He saw it was an elderly couple and the old woman was pulling on her breasts then the old man pulled his penis out and began to masturbate. So the man obviously shocked rushed over to the next house telling them what he saw. To which he not shocked at all replied that they are both deaf so she was telling him to go milk the cows and he was telling her to go fuck herself."

The men were speechless. "Maybe you didn't get that one how's this one? A man walks into a pocket watch and clock store, unzips his trousers and slaps his cock on the counter. The woman behind the counter doesn't bat an eyelid. She looks him straight in the eye and says, "Put that away Sir, this is a clock shop - not a cock shop!" "Well," replies the man, "Why don't you put two hands and a face on it?"

Again the men were quiet before their shock melted away and they all burst out laughing. Maurice and Lucian held their sides while the others had tears running down their faces and Anton shook so hard from laughing he fell off the stool onto the floor making everyone laugh even harder. After five minutes everyone has a chance to calm down before getting their lunch set out.

Jen took the time to talk to Lucian. "So Lucian what is your intentions towards Platina?"

"My intentions?"

"Yes are you planning on courting her or are you just leading her on making her think you are interested."

"I do wish to court her however I worry that she will say no. Besides I have a problem you see my family has been friends with the Dupont family since as far back as I can remember and it has always been believed that I would marry their daughter Claire however I do not love her but see her as a sister."

"How does she feel about you?"

"She is in love with me which makes it difficult to tell them it is not what I wish."

"Well that does sound like something you will need to discuss with your parents and her family but if it helps I can tell you Platina would say yes if you asked to court her. I have it on good authority that she would be excited to accept such a request and if you want to seal the deal I would suggest getting her a bouquet of purple calla lilies which are her favorites."

"You are right I must talk to them and thank you for telling me about Platina I will be certain to ask her."

Lucian smiled all through lunch and dinner service then quickly headed out to purchase a small bouquet of the purple calla lilies. Jen knew she would soon hear of the courting from Platina very soon. While she was happy for her friend that she would be with someone that was in love with her, she couldn't help but feel a little saddened that she had yet to find someone to love her. She wasn't getting any younger and hoped she could find someone that would love her completely and would love her for who she was on the inside. Would it be such a hard request?

A/N: Perros should be interesting.