Disclaimer: I do not own Erik, or Meg, or Madame Giry, or any other characters from the ingenious mind of Gaston Leroux! Anne just currently resides in my head until she's done telling her story. She's getting alone quite well with all of the other voices that reside up there. :)

AN: Did you know that the original Opera House did burn down in 1873 for reasons that they are still unable to determine? The Opera House was rebuilt and opened on January 5th, 1875. The setting ( according to the Webber movie ) is 1870. Chapter One of this story does begin around March/April of 1875. I just did this sort of research so the fact that these dates coincide with the original timeline...leaves my mind a little blown. If your mind just went BOOM leave a review!

Chapter 25

Somehow, without any possible explanation, I had managed to find myself in the Vicomtess's carriage, being given a ride to the de Chagny estate, and now was sitting out on the balcony having tea. I had tried to explain that I needed to get back to the Populaire, that I was expected, but apparently she had grown self-centered during the few years of her marriage, or the sudden rise in society had all gone to her head. She seemed to think it would be okay to uproot me from my day in order to suit her needs. What on earth could I talk to her about? I knew nothing about fashion and society and I was sure she didn't want to hear about Erik, whom she probably believed was dead. Therefore, there was nothing that could possibly interest her that I would have any knowledge in. This was a complete waste of her time, and mine. I had hoped to check in on Erik when I returned, but she seemed determined, ironically, keep me with her.

"So, what's going on in the Opera House now?" She took a bite of a pastry and looked at me as if she were poised for all of the latest gossip.

"Nothing new. It's the same as when you left, Madame."

She laughed. "Oh, I hardly doubt that. I'm sure things are much different now than when I was there. I'm sure rehearsals run a lot more smoothly."

"Considering our Managers have some taste, than people who were in the junk business, yes I can see your point."

"You said 'our Managers.' You work at the Populaire?"

"I'm not a charity case." Well, that was a lie, but only a white one. "I helped accompany during rehearsals and I also accompany Madame Carrolton in her private lessons. Of course, my time is considerably freer now that Madame Carrolton's time will be all consumed by the Opera and the troupe will rehearse with the orchestra."

"Oh, well then you must spend your time with me! I long for a good friend now that I'm back in Paris."

"What of Meg?" I asked, coldly.

"What of her?"

"You were her best friend."

She signed and fiddled with the hem of the tablecloth. "Meg and I were friends a long time ago. Things have changed."

"No, it's more like you have changed, Vicomtess. Meg is still very much the same."

"Still living in the world of the Opera House, she will always be the same. I am now a figure in society. I have an image to maintain!"

"Then I can't imagine why you would wish to spend your time with me, since I too am a working girl at the Opera House. Meg has a better chance than I of ever making something of herself. She has become the Prima Ballerina at the Populaire, and has dreams…"

"Yes, she has dreams. We all have them." She looked away towards the garden, a wistful expression on her face. "Eventually, we have to put them aside when reality comes knocking. Dreams….can also be dangerous. They can make us prey to unspeakable evil." She clenched her fists and looked around her as if she was nervous of someone overhearing her. "One…can never be too careful."

We were touching on Erik now, but before we could progress farther on that or any other topic, we both heard a door slam very hard. Someone's heavy footstalls were fast approaching and I wanted in some type of anticipation who was coming towards us. I was surprised to see who could only be the Vicomte de Chagny walk towards us, his eyes filled with the blackest anger.

"Christine…who is this?"

"Darling, this is Anastasia Hillcrest."

I started. I hadn't told her my name was Anastasia…just Anne. How did she know? My confusion must have shown on my face.

"You are Elizabeth Hillcrest's older sister aren't you?" Christine looked at me puzzled, yet hopeful.

I tried not to groan and roll my eyes. "Yes, Elizabeth is my younger sister."

"Splendid!" She clapped her hands as if she had just discovered a secret treasure. She turned to her husband and smiled. "There…have I not done a good thing? Elizabeth told us that Anastasia was in Paris and I happened to meet her while I was at the Luxembourg Gardens today! I thought I would invite…"

"A complete stranger into our house," the Vicomte finished for her, his tone harsh and like ice.

The air grew tense and I started to rise. "Well, I really should be going. My family will be expecting me."

"Elizabeth's at the Opera House as well?" Christine asked, standing up with me.

"No. I broke with Elizabeth and my Grandmother. I live at the Populaire with my Aunt and her daughter."

She took a sharp gasp as if she had finally just put the pieces together. "You're Madame Giry's…?"

"Niece, yes. Meg is my cousin." I gave a polite curtsy to the Vicomte. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance even though we were not introduced. I'm glad to know that the same pleasantries that are denied in England are the same in Paris." I made my way away from the two of them and back towards the main entrance. I had no desire to spend any more time with the Vicomtess and definitely did not want to be introduced to the Vicomte. She appeared to be insipid and stupid. He…well, the alcohol on his breath spoke volumes.

"Anastasia, wait!"

I had my hand on the doorknob. I had been so close. "Madame, I really must thank you for the enlightening afternoon, but I really must return to my home."

"Yes, I know, but I've rung for the carriage to return you to the Opera House. It's such a long walk and I don't want you to be attacked by ruffians or anything." She smiled politely and I sighed.

"Very well," I replied, growing weary by this entire experience. She walked me out of the house and towards the awaiting carriage. The door was opened, but before I could step in, she stopped me by placing her hand on my arm. I looked back at her.

"Is everything alright at the Populaire? Are there anymore…accidents?"

"You're referring to the Phantom," I whispered.

"Is he…still there?"

"Why do you want to know? You shouldn't be looking back at your past. It holds unspeakable evil for you, and that won't be good for you, or your family." I pointed up to the window where I could clearly see a child. She looked up at the window and then back at me, clearly ashamed of herself. "I'm offended that you didn't think to introduce me to your husband, or to your children. Where I come from, a hostess behaves better if trying to make a new friend. Brush up on your social etiquette and then try again."

I got into the carriage and shut the door behind me. The wheels spun, and I didn't even bother to look back as I made my way home.

"Oh, Anne, thank goodness you're back!" Meg exclaimed when I got into our room. "Today has been such a wreck of a day and I'm glad that I can now spend some time with you."

I took off my hat and sat it on my bed. "Why? What's happened?"

"Rehearsals were awful today as the Managers came in halfway through our staging of the first act. They were in an awful tizzy waving around letters that everyone knows bears the Phantom's writings, whatever they say about a private arts critic."

I sat down on my bed and unlaced my boots, my feet tired and aching from all of the walking. I could already feel a slight pounding at my head and my eyes felt heavy. It was time for a nap. But, Meg needed to talk.

"What happened?"

"Our 'critic' apparently finds fault with the scenery, as well as with the music, and how the staging is already going. 'No one understands how this is all supposed to feel to your audience!' They were crying out. As if emotion has anything to do with how much money you take in."

"But Meg, it does! People will spread the word to their friends and will come back to see more performances if they were not only astounded by what talent lies at the Populaire but also by what they feel. If I can be moved to tears by a love gone wrong, or angry at a jealous lover, or want to shout for joy at a happy ending, or laugh at a funny scene…I will come back, again and again and again so that I can experience those same sensations."

Meg huffed and sat on her bed. She crossed her legs and tossed her blonde hair around her shoulders. "Anne…how did you get to be so knowledgeable in all of this?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, every time I try to say something, you come right back with a retort that changes my mind completely."

I laughed. "Oh, Meg. I've lived in the world and experienced a world beyond the confines of the Opera House."

"It's not as if I've never wanted to live outside the Populaire, Anne." Meg's reply was harsh and I was taken aback.

"Meg…I…"

"Just forget about it. I'm going to bed."

"No…let's talk about this." I got up from my bed and sat down next to her. She had never really talked about what she wanted for herself so this was an new turn of character for her. "I want to hear about your dreams and what you want to be."

Meg drew her legs up under chin and looked at the opposite wall. "I want the Managers to bring back the Paris Ballet. I want to be more than just the Prima Ballerina that performs only in Operas. The Ballet hasn't been around in five years and I want to play roles I've only dreamed about: Coppelia, Giselle, all of which require hard work and dedication. Those are things that I have and I'm not given the chance to show what I'm capable of. I can be so much more than another face in an Opera. I'm the Prima Ballerina and should be given as much of a chance to shine as the Prima Donna!"

I knew that Meg was passionate about her dancing, but I never knew it could reach to such depths.

"I sometimes feel like I'm drowning here…being suffocated by my mother and by the Managers and by the Opera Ghost!" She punched her pillow with such a force surprising to her small stature. "Christine left me behind when she married Raoul. At first, everyone thought he was charming but what kind of person could he be to not allow her associate or keep up with people who practically raised her and supported her even when she sounded like a mad woman?!"

Tears formed in the girl's eyes and started to run down her cheeks. I, instinctively, wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. Meg cried into my dress, her body shaking with her sobs.

"Why would she leave me?"

"Ah…so this is what has you so worked up."

"She was my best friend. I loved her like a sister and would have done anything for her and then she becomes a Vicomtess and she treats me as if I were dirt under her feet. I hate her! I never want to see her again!"

"Meg you shouldn't say such things. You can't know what's going on in her life. If her time here was as tragic as you once said, then perhaps it's the association that keeps her away."

"So, I'm tainted by association."

I tried to fumble about for a response. I knew what Christine thought of Meg by her own words earlier today, but I didn't want to unload it on Meg right now. She had to learn for herself and it would not be a good idea for her to hear about it by second sight.

"Maybe you should try and see her outside the Opera House. She won't come here…then you should go see her. She's back in Paris, you know."

"How do you know that?"

I bit my lip. "I saw it in the newspaper as I was walking around the city."

She thought over my words. "I suppose I could give her another chance."

"If she's truly changed, then you would have every right to cut off the friendship entirely."

Meg nodded and soon we both went to bed, but our chance to go see her never came. We both woke up the next morning to hear that the Vicomte and Vicomtesse were coming to pay their respects to those of us at the Opera House, since it had been Christine's home.

AN: Meg apparently needed someone to talk to and she and Christine will have an interesting stand off a little later on. Don't expect Anne to go all crazy jealous right now. Confused? Definitely. Jealous? Anne says "Say what?" :-)