Chapter Twenty-Six – Learning to Rely

"It's so nice to be back," Christine sighed as she took a seat in the sunlight, just outside of a little bistro the girls had chosen for dinner. "I'm glad that Raoul let me come to visit."

"Your darling husband seems a little possessive," Becca noted as she picked up the menu and began to skim. "You ought to put him in his place every so often."

"Heavens, no!" Christine gaped at her.

Sorelli chuckled at her reaction. "You'll have to excuse Rebecca – she's American, she doesn't like it when men start to boss women around."

"My mother's influence," she shrugged. "She was a stubborn, hard-headed woman for her time."

The six females giggled, soon distracted by Christine's new dress and what they were in the mood for. The wife of the Vicomte found herself in awe as she looked at each lady in her company. "Rebecca from America, Mary from England, Sorelli and Meg, and dear Angelique…what an unusual group we make…" She smiled, as they jested and whispered, making her feel as though she had come home to a family reunion.

"Are you back for good, Christine?" Meg asked, tilting her head at her old acquaintance. "Or will you be leaving again?"

"I'm not sure," she answered truthfully. "I convinced Raoul to come back so we could visit family, and I do hope we can live here again, especially now that he and Philippe have come to terms." "And now that Erik won't come after me."

Their reunion with Erik was surprisingly heartfelt and sincere. Erik kissed Christine's hand and they marveled secretly at his new creation – a mask that appeared lifelike, a fleshy, skin cover that moved with each facial expression made. Angelique had suggested the girls all go for dinner to celebrate her arrival and get to know one another while the gentlemen could remain in the opera and discuss business and whatnot.

"I really do hope you'll stay in Paris," Meg said. "It's nice to be able to go out with you all. I never used to be able to do this."

"That's because you were with those ninnies," Sorelli rolled her eyes. "You're with women now."

Angelique exchanged glances with Mary and Meg before realizing that Christine and Becca were struggling not to laugh at the head dancer's comment. Deep down, they were all still young girls with bright-eyed hopes and dreams. They still giggled and gossiped, and they were all in love in one form or another.

"Such lovely ladies, and with no one to accompany them? What a crime."

The conversation and laughter dried up in an instant as they heard Randall Cutler's voice, his face appearing suddenly behind the nearest lamppost. His smile was already etched onto his face as he approached the group, who stared back at him with glares and clenched fists. "Did I startle you ladies?"

"Not in the least," Becca sniffed. "We could smell your stench a mile away from here. Your overbearing attention is really quite sickening."

"Becca," Mary hissed in a warning tone, her eyes moving as she followed Randall's steps.

"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way," he chuckled, his eyes moving towards Angelique. She sat perfectly still, staring off at something across the street. "Mademoiselle Archambault, isn't it? You seem rather distracted."

"I am," she answered simply.

He opened his mouth to speak when a playful yip caught his attention. Looking down to the pavement, he saw a filthy ebony-haired pup, only a few months old, hopping around his legs, biting onto his fine trousers and giving a vicious yank. His eyes flared with anger and agitation as he knocked the dog aside with his leg. "Filthy beast!" he snarled, watching as the puppy whined in pain, barking at him and baring his teeth. "Little monster, I'll show you-!" He raised his head to look for something he might use as a weapon, perhaps a menu or one of the girls' purses, when a face caught his attention. His skin paled as he saw a set a familiar, haunting golden eyes in dark sockets, staring directly at him.

"Monsieur Cutler?" Sorelli asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"D-Do you s-s-see that?" he gasped, pointing across the way.

The girls exchanged perplexed glances with one another before returning their attention to him.

"See what?" Christine asked.

"If this is a joke-" Meg frowned.

He looked down at them, his eyes wild and desperate as he searched each of their faces, wondering why they couldn't see what he had seen. "Th-There's a skeleton with ember eyes in the crowd, I tell you! He's right th-!" He stopped, freezing in place as he looked back towards the spot and saw that the apparition had vanished. He had seen this face before, once when he tried to follow Angelique Archambault home a few nights ago, but the demonic face had appeared in the darkness and sent him off to his current abode in a small hotel room, quivering in fear.

"Is something the matter?" Angelique asked, appearing genuinely concerned at the sight of his distress.

He tripped backwards, his heart thumping furiously as he ran away from them. There was some sort of monster following these girls around, and in broad daylight no less! He had to get away, and fast, before it came after him.

"He just…left?" Mary whispered, giving a sigh of relief.

"I wonder what could have gotten into him?" Becca asked, looking towards Sorelli and Meg for answers.

Christine and Angelique's eyes locked, knowing smiles growing on the lips and vanishing just as quickly. Picking up their menus, they began to skim once more when Angelique's eyes widened. "Oh dear! Whatever happened to that poor puppy?!"

~OG~

"That was excellent work, sneaking out the moment he looked away," Adrien commented as he watched Randall run away while the girls continued on merrily with their luncheon.

"Merci, my boy," Erik chuckled, pulling his hat over his now exposed face. Oh yes, Adrien had seen it by now, though it hadn't been planned that way…

Two Days Ago…

"I'll be back in a moment, Erik," Angelique said, gathering the tea tray into her hands before stepping out. "I just want to leave this downstairs."

"Of course," he nodded, waiting until she had shut the door before painstakingly pulling his skin mask off. "Mon Dieu, this needs some adjustments, it gets so sticky at times!" he growled, setting it aside. Pulling his handkerchief out, he dabbed at his face, glad to be free of the second skin. It really was remarkable, but there had to be a way to make it lighter and a tad more comfortable so it wouldn't stick whenever it got too warm! Perhaps it was just the consistency…at any rate, Lamar seemed to love it when he introduced it just last night. Rising from his seat, he began to walk to the piano placed in his room at the Archambault estate, where his spare mask lay. He smiled wryly as he realized that he rather missed wearing it at times. As his fingers took hold of the mask, the door opened. Foolishly, he glanced up, thinking it was Angelique.

His eyes widened in horror as he saw Adrien gaping at him from the doorframe, his jaw dropping at the sight of him. "NO!" Erik cried, covering his face with the porcelain mask. It was too late, however. The damage had been done.

"M-Monsieur…Erik?" Adrien choked, leaning against the wall for support. "…Mon Dieu!"

"Do not look at me!" he demanded darkly, sending shivers down the boy's spine. "…please, go away," he said a bit more softly, gripping onto the piano for support.

"Erik? Is everything…? Oh dear." Angelique shut the door after her quickly, her own face becoming pale as she realized what had happened. Rushing to Erik's side, she wrapped her arms around him and whispered sweet reassurances to him. "It will be all right, Erik-"

"No, it shan't. My face…"

"Erik, don't-"

"Maestro?"

The couple turned to face the young man, now slowly inching towards them. "…Maestro, I am…very sorry…I should have knocked…I-"

"You've seen Erik's face, it's hideous, I know," Erik snarled, shaking his head in despair. "Adrien, for Angelique's sake, I ask that you don't tell anyone-!"

"I won't, I swear it!" he vowed, kneeling before them. His eyes were filled with tears as he reached out hesitantly to Erik, who gaped at him in awe. "Monsieur Erik…please forgive me. I shouldn't have…I mean-"

"There is nothing for which you must apologize…you would have found out one way or another," Erik sighed wearily. "I cannot blame you for recoiling-"

"But I shouldn't have!" he insisted. "My father is also deformed!"

"Your father is a war hero with battle scars, my boy. I was born with this 'face'," he grumbled. He tensed as he felt Adrien's hand land on his shoulder, his eyes full of pleading.

"You are kind and generous, and a wonderful teacher. How can I abhor you when you are nothing but a gentle master to my family? I can't judge you by your face after all you've done for us."

"Oh, Adrien!" Angelique smiled, kissing his cheek tenderly.

Erik reached out, his hand shaking, and touched the boy's arm, looking into the young man's eyes. "…I truly do appreciate that, Adrien…you have no idea-" he choked on his words, fighting to clear his throat.

The boy embraced him, startling him for a moment. "Forgive me, but I think of you as my teacher and friend."

Slowly, his arms came around and he embraced Adrien back, a great weight lifted from his heart. "And I think of you as my student and friend…thank you, Adrien, thank you…"

"He'll be back," the Persian said, frowning as he watched the Englishman leave. "We haven't seen the last of him."

"Most assuredly," Philippe nodded. "But we shall be ready, won't we?"

Erik nodded, placing his false nose into position and fixing the collar of his cloak before facing the others. It was strange, being out in the open, with a strange assortment of men that had seen his face and one way or another accepted it. Adrien, Nadir, Philippe, and Raoul all stood with him as they watched the girls, concerned for their well being, working as a unit to protect them.

"I can't help but feel as though I'm stalking them," Raoul pouted. "It's not right."

"You used to stalk Christine all the time outside her dressing room, little brother," Philippe smirked. "What makes this any different?"

"I did not!" Raoul snapped.

"Yes you did," the Daroga chuckled. "I saw you myself, many times."

Erik bit his tongue, fighting the urge to laugh at the Vicomte's puckered face when a tiny, weak whimper caught his attention. Looking down, he saw a stray black puppy wandering over, limping towards their side of the rode amidst the hustle of the streets. Moving quickly, he ran towards it and snatched it up, hurrying back the way he came before checking the animal. "Hello, little one. You're the fellow who distracted Cutler, weren't you?" he mused as he petted the dog.

The puppy's ears perked at the sound of Erik's soothing voice, raising his head so that he could see Erik's hidden face. He was a bedraggled thing, tired and worn, his ribs poking out through his skin and thin fur. One of his floppy ears had been torn in half, a light scar running down the canine's neck. However, his bright brown eyes lit up at the sight of Erik's horrible face, his long tail wagging. He whined, placing his injured paw upon Erik's tie before stretching his neck and licking Erik's chin.

"Looks like the little mongrel likes you," Raoul commented, cocking his head at the scene in curiosity.

"Erik always had a connection to animals, even in Persia," Nadir informed them. "They do not judge his appearance, only his kindness."

Erik couldn't hear them at the moment – his heart melted as he held the poor dog in his arms and hummed to him, feeling his skinning body resting against his. "I shall call you Paien," he murmured, smiling as the puppy curled into his arms and placed his head against his heart, sighing in content as he began to drift off to sleep.

"Would you look at that?" Philippe said quietly, a smile growing on his lips.

"Just look at him!" Adrien grinned.

Raoul took a step closer, his heart warmed by the scene. "…might I hold him?"

"Non," Erik scowled, shielding the dog from him as though he were a protective mother. He smirked as Raoul pouted. "Come now, Vicomte, you wouldn't want to catch the dog's fleas, now would you?"

"I may be of nobility, but that doesn't mean I'm afraid of dirt or bugs," Raoul remarked smartly, earning a laugh out of Erik.

"Very well…perhaps we could all get together one of these nights and have a drink…yes, you may see Paien as well," Erik rolled his eyes as Raoul continued to eye the dog.

Philippe laughed as he nodded. "I think that's a splendid idea. We might as well, seeing as we're all going to be seeing each other much more often."

"Not to mention our common foe," Nadir pointed out. "We ought to contact the Baron as well. He will be most interested in Mademoiselle Giry's welfare."

"Then we are agreed?" Erik asked.

Raoul and Philippe nodded simultaneously, sharing the same look of determination. "Agreed."

~OG~

"Oh, he's a little darling," Angelique cooed as they wrapped the puppy into a towel and brought him into the Louis-Philippe room of Erik's home. "I can't believe you found him…and he's the very same that distracted that horrible man."

"Yes…he's a noble one," Erik said, coddling the little pooch in his arms until they sat down before the fire. He accepted the bottle Angelique gave him and offered it to the baby, watching him chew and suckle on the point to obtain the milk within. "You don't suppose Lamar and Fanette will mind if we bring him into the house?"

"Of course not, he's a little angel," she smiled, kissing the puppy's nose. He licked her, momentarily distracted from his meal. She giggled, scratching him under his chin. "Erik, do you realize you're doting on him like he was your child?"

"In a way, he is," he chuckled, offering the puppy more of the warm beverage. As he watched the tiny creature in his arms, he glanced over at Angelique. "That fiend didn't harm you or your friends, did he?"

"Oh, no. He startled us, but I knew you'd be close by if anything happened," she winked, kissing his unmasked face. "Really, Erik, you should be more careful. If someone else saw your face-"

"You needn't worry for Erik's sake, dearest. He's quite capable of hiding what needs to remain unseen," he reassured her. "Besides, Erik also had company today."

"I still can't believe you're actually getting along with the de Chagnys," she shook her head. "And you're all acting as a unit to protect Mary-"

"As well as you, Angelique," he reminded her.

She sighed. "Oh Erik, I don't need protection. It's Mary I'm worried about. The poor girl doesn't sit still unless she's with someone else, and even then, she appears slightly distracted. She doesn't get a moment's rest."

"We shall stop this Cutler fellow, I promise," Erik vowed, taking her hand and kissing it reverently.

She smiled at him, her eyes straying to the wall, where a small slot peeked out from behind the thick, lush curtain. Her smile twisted into a smirk as she gave Erik a scolding look. "Speaking of promises, what about the torture chamber, Erik?"

He tensed at this, smiling weakly at her. "Ah, yes. Well, with everything that's been happening-"

"I'm teasing, Erik," she laughed, kissing his cheek. Her smile changed into a pout as she said sternly, "But please, Erik, now that there's a puppy, at least lock that room up so that no one can get into it."

"But of course," he sighed in relief. He had promised her he would destroy it, and he would make good on that promise, but with so much going on at the moment, there was no way he'd be able to attend to it until after Don Juan Triumphant was performed. "Don't worry. Erik shall make sure little Paien won't stray inside, isn't that right, little one?"

"Oh yes," the puppy panted as he blinked at Erik. "I won't get into trouble!"

Angelique laughed as she watched Erik use his ventriloquism skills to make it appear that his voice came out of Paien's open mouth. "I'd love to see how children would react if you made their toys talk."

"Hmm…" he mumbled, stroking his chin in thought.

"Erik," she said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"It's a rather good idea," he commented, grinning wickedly. Chuckling, he wrapped one arm around her and drew her close to him. Gazing into the fire, he confessed, "Erik likes this."

"Likes what?" she asked, snuggling beside him.

"Sitting by the fire, with you and little Paien…being able to step outside and being appreciated for my work…I should like to take you out on Sunday to the park for a bit."

Closing her eyes, Angelique nodded her head. "That would be lovely, Erik. I'd like that."

"Good." Humming a lullaby, he leaned back in his chair, holding both woman and puppy to his chest, his own eyes drifting shut after a moment. "How strange it is…to be happy."

~OG~

"Does this mean you'll be leaving after the show is done?" little Jammes asked while Angelique sewed the hem of her new tutu.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her fingers moving swiftly so that the girl could get back to the corps for practice.

"I mean, will we be getting a new seamstress?" she asked, her eyes on her ballet slippers as she tapped her toes anxiously. "You're a Comtesse now, and you're seeing the new manager."

Angelique laughed softly, shaking her head before biting the thread off. "No, ma petit, I'm not going anywhere. I like working here, and I would miss you all very much."

Jammes's face lit up as she heard the news, a squeal of delight escaping her mouth. "Oh, good! I thought Monsieur Chevalier would whisk you away forever!"

"He wouldn't take me from the opera," smirked Angelique. "He loves it too much, as do I." Smoothing out the skirt, she nodded at her work. "It's fixed. Go on and get back."

"I'd rather stay here with you," Jammes pouted.

"Perhaps after the performance is through," she grinned. "Go on." She accepted the ballerina's embrace before watching her run out the door, tucking her loose auburn hair into a bun. Rolling up her sleeves, she sat on the floor and began to sort through her boxes of ribbons and threads. She glanced at the suit before her that was meant for the head male singer, Ulrich, to wear. He had been given the part of "Don Juan" and this was to be his grandest suit throughout the whole play. She had already come up with a design for it but she was beginning to have second thoughts on the color scheme. Tapping her chin, she began to contemplate whether red or gold would be a better color to compliment black when she shivered at the sense of another presence in the room. Angelique stiffened, knowing that this was not a friendly encounter. She did not look back as she calmly set the boxes aside and gripped the small sewing kit scissors in her hand. She waited a moment, pretending to look at the design she had posted on the mannequin before she finally heard a footstep. Taking a deep breath, she arose from the floor and finally turned around.

"Hello Angelique," Randall Cutler said coolly, shutting the door after him before he stepped closer. "I've been wanting to talk to you for the longest time."

"Oh?" she asked, debating whether or not she should try to escape through the main door or through Erik's hidden trapdoor.

"Yes…you're fascinating," he said sweetly, clasping his hands behind his back. "You've just been made a Comtesse and yet you insist on working. You're one of the stars of the show and no one knows how or where you learned to sing…and then there's this new manager you're seeing, no one knows anything about him either."

"I really don't see how that makes me fascinating," she said, taking one step backwards.

"Well, there is one thing that is interesting that I'm fairly certain you know something about," he added, pursing his lips in contemplation. His eyes narrowed and all the playfulness left his voice as he glared at her. "Who is this ghost?"

"Pardon?" she asked, raising one eyebrow at him as she stood behind the mannequin for protection. "Ghost? What do you-?"

"This 'Phantom' that haunts the place, he's been out and about, I've seen him!" he snapped, pointing accusingly at her while his eyes blazed. "You've seen him, too! Just yesterday, while you and your lovely friends were enjoying dinner, you looked towards the other side of the street. When I looked up, I saw him, too! Don't deny it, I know you did!"

"Monsieur, I ask that you stop this and leave me alone," she frowned as she raised her voice in defiance. "You have no right to barge in here like this!"

A harsh cackle came out of his mouth, causing her to jump into the air in fright. "Oh, I'll do whatever I damn well please, milady," he snarled. "Ghost or no, I've had my eye on you since I arrived. Your beauty rivals that of dear little Mary, and I want it all for myself!" He launched himself at her, receiving the mannequin in his arms as she shoved it at him. She scrambled around him to get to the door but he quickly threw himself at her and dug his fingernails into her waist. A scream ripped loose from her throat as she felt him bring her down. Thinking fast, she stabbed his arm with the scissors, a yowl of pain rising as he felt the miniature weapon dig into his skin.

"ERIK!" Angelique screamed. "ERIK-!"

"Shut up, or I'll kill you n-aAHG!" he choked as a silent lasso flew through the air and tightened over his neck. Two figures emerged from their hiding place in the corner by the secret entrance, both of them glaring at the perpetrator.

"Erik, Daroga," Angelique gasped in relief.

"Get her out of here," Erik demanded as he gave another sharp tug, watching Cutler's eyes bulge.

The Persian ran to Angelique and scooped her up at once, hurrying to the door when it burst open and two more figures entered.

"Angelique!" Philippe exclaimed, assisting the Persian as they took her outside into the hallway. "Are you-?"

"I'm fine, but Erik's-!" she protested as Raoul pushed past them. Looking over her shoulder, her eyes widened in fear as she watched Randall lunge towards Erik with a sudden burst of speed, his arms extended in the hopes of choking the one who held him captive. Raoul, however, was quicker, blocking the man and tossing him to the floor, starting to wrestle with him. "Let me in there-!"

"Are you mad?!" Nadir hissed, glancing towards the direction of the stage. "It's a miracle the rehearsal is still going on with all this racket! We can't have people see Erik in his mask!"

Within the workroom, the battle waged on as Raoul and Randall tumbled while grabbing each other's throats. Raoul began to grin as he saw that Randall was floundering now, desperate, when he caught his lips turning up in a hideous smile.

"BOY!" he heard Erik cry, soon followed by the sound of a strangled growl of pain as Erik's torso collided onto his back. With a powerful shove, Randall sent them falling back. Raoul shook his head as so to clear his mind when he noticed how Erik gripped at his shoulder. His eyes widened at the sight of the same scissors that Angelique had used moments ago to defend herself, now sticking out of Erik's back.

"Erik!" Angelique cried, restrained by the Persian. She was frantic, kicking and squirming in Nadir's grasp.

"Erik?" Raoul whispered, stunned that he had done such a thing. Just a few weeks ago, they were enemies, and now he came to his aide. Randall's sinister chuckle distracted him, however, causing his head to turn. His eyes widened at the sight of a pistol in the Englishman's hand.

"I'll turn you all into ghosts now so you can greet this Phantom of yours," he stated gleefully when a second click of another pistol earned their attention. Perplexed, Cutler whipped around and fired. An answering shot rung out almost exactly at the same time, causing him to scream in agony and tumble forth, catching sight of the open secret passage. Shakily, he aimed once more and shot, missing his targets due to his shaking arm. He ran into the darkness of the tunnels, leading him into the cellars of the Garnier Opera House.

"Erik! Philippe! Raoul!" Angelique screamed, stomping on Nadir's foot at last.

"Merde!" he cursed, finally releasing her from his hold. "What force!" Glancing up as he winced, he asked, "Monsieur le Comte, are you-?"

"He missed twice at point blank," Philippe said, half-shaken from the ordeal and half-amused from the fact that the idiot had missed. "I'm all right." The two men hurried over and joined the others, now hovering around Erik.

"What's going on in here?!" Baron Henri de Castelot-Barbezac called out as he and Adrien rushed inside, their eyes widening at the sight. "Mon Dieu! What on earth-? Why is that man wearing a mask?"

"It's a long story, Henri," Adrien sighed, patting his new friend's shoulder. He shut the door after them, hoping that no one else would come to see what was going on. "Maestro?! Are you-?"

"I'm fine," Erik reassured them, hissing and biting his lip as Nadir tactfully removed the scissors from his back. "They didn't go in very deep, did they?"

"No, you're extremely lucky," Nadir frowned. "But they could have."

"Oh, Erik! This is all my fault!" Angelique wept, receiving a tender kiss from Erik on the forehead.

"No, mon ange, you did nothing wrong. You were brave and quick," he whispered to her.

"Nadir, I there is some cloth you could use to patch him up, and the pitcher there has clean water," Angelique said, trembling from fright. How she wanted to embrace him, but she was all too aware of the pain he was dealing with at the moment. Why didn't she just hold on to those stupid scissors?!

"Comte…why did you help me?" Erik asked suddenly, looking up at the man kneeling before him.

"For the same strange reason you decided to protect my little brother," Philippe answered firmly, bowing his head to him. "I see now that Angelique truly has changed you for the better…you are not the man you used to be."

Raoul nodded, bowing his head to Erik. "Christine was right about you…thank you, Erik."

Erik gawked at them, blinking in awe before looking away quickly, his throat tight and dry as he listened to them. "…you're welcome…thank you, also."

"Ah…would anyone mind filling me in on what exactly is going on here?"

Everyone's heads swiveled around to see the utterly confused Henri, whom they had forgotten about. Exchanging concerned glances, they all stumbled over their words until Angelique gave an exhausted sigh. "Adrien, tell him everything, won't you? He might as well know since he's here."

"And I'm afraid you'll be joining us once Erik is patched up," the Persian stated, leaving no room for questions. "We are going to have to go down below to find Randall before he hurts anyone else."

"Or gets into my house," Erik added.

"Very well," Adrien nodded, tugging the young Baron aside. "I think it's best if I just give you the abbreviated version for now…"