Philippe couldn't believe what he was hearing! Charlotte Daae was in love with him. How was that possible? You did save her life. He told himself.

"Charlotte…I'm flattered…but you're tired. I think-"

"Philippe, I know you don't return my feelings…but I had to tell you." Charlotte was trying to sound brave and stay strong. She prayed it was working.

"I'm sorry, but I-"

"Philippe don't, I just need to tell you. Now, I'm tired…if you wouldn't mind." She told him softly.

"Of course." He started to exit the room but Charlotte's words stopped him. "I hope this doesn't affect our friendship."

"Of course not." He assured her with a smile.

"Goodnight Philippe."

"Goodnight Charlotte."

Charlotte waited till she heard his footsteps fade before letting the tears pour down her face.

It was very early when Claire decided to go for a walk. She hadn't been able to sleep very well and with so much on her mind she had informed Ramound's butler what was going on.

As she considered both Anatole and Philippe's proposals, Claire unknowingly passed a pub.

Before she knew what was happening, Claire felt herself being shoved against a wall.

"Well, well, well, look what we got 'ere boys." A man snickered. Claire saw that four large men had her surrounded.

"What's a pretty thing like you doin 'ere?" The first man said. The men advanced on her.

Claire couldn't remember being more terrified in her entire life. There was no way she'd be able to fight off all four of them. She shut her eyes tight.

Bang!

Claire's eyes flew open in time to see the first man crumple to the ground. The other three scattered. A few feet behind where the first man had been standing was Claire's rescuer. He was tall around 5' 11'' and had salt and pepper hair. He grabbed her hand and said: "Run." She followed behind him for a few blocks- not letting go of his hand once- before he came to a stop.

"Are you all right, mademoiselle?" He asked.

"I think so." She huffed. "Monsieur I cannot thank you enough."

"It's no trouble at all, mademoiselle…" He trailed off, intending for her to give him her name.

"Daae. Claire Daae."

"Well, Miss Daae, I'm happy to be of service. May I give you a ride home?" He asked as they approached his carriage.

"Yes…thank you." Claire had a natural instinct to trust him.

"Oh, I should introduce myself. I am Henry Chevalier."

"A pleasure, Monsieur."

Henry opened the door to his carriage and helped Claire in before climbing in himself.

"And where are we talking you to?" He asked.

"The DeChagney Manor." She told him. Henry repeated the order to his driver.

"May I ask why we ran?" Claire asked him a few moments later.

"The owner of the pub and I aren't exactly friends…he won't listen to me, no matter the circumstances."

"Oh." It just dawned on Claire that the man in front of her had actually killed someone.

"You understand, don't you?"

"Y-yes." She answered shakily.

"If there had been another way, I would've taken it. But I didn't have time to think. Had I waited longer-"

"Monsieur, I understand. You don't have to explain to me."

"Thank you…" They sat for a few moments of silence before Henry spoke again. "Tell me something about yourself mademoiselle."

Claire found herself telling him everything about her sisters, the opera house… everything, but Erik. She couldn't bring herself to betray him again. The police now knew how to reach his home, she wasn't going to tell anyone else.

Wow. Haven't updated this in a while. Hope you guys liked that chapter!

Reviews are nice!

~Kate