XXVI

Christine found that she enjoyed the night out with Raoul and the Armands. They were nice people, and made her feel welcome, and Raoul seemed so happy to see her that he kept her in the carriage as long as possible before allowing her to go back inside.

"Raoul, I have to go. I have rehearsal in the morning," she said at last, cutting him off during another story.

"I've just missed you so much over these past weeks," he sighed, "but that will all end soon, won't it?"

"Oh, I guess," she said, slightly confused, "why don't you come to the performance at the end of the month? Meg and I are in it."

"Of course, Christine. I'd love to," he said, stealing a final kiss, "but you must promise me that you will attend a small affair, a party that Charles invited me to. It is in a week."

"Of course," Christine said, freeing herself from the carriage, "good night, Raoul."

"Good night, Christine," he sighed.

She offered him another smile before disappearing into the house and giving a small sigh herself. She could see the lights on in the parlour and knew that someone was up. Most likely Antoinette waiting to ensure she got home before it was too late. She smiled to herself at that; it was so nice to know that there were people out there that cared enough to do things like that.

"I'm home," she called quietly, poking her head into the parlour, "Madame?"

"I heard you," she said, looking up from a piece of paper, "did you have a good time?"

"Yes, Monsieur Armand invited us to supper. I hope you don't mind that I went."

"Not at all, you still made it home at a decent hour."

"Good…what are you reading?" she asked, curling up in one of the arm chairs.

"A letter from my friend, Pierre," she replied, tilting it slightly.

"Oh, we stayed with him at Christmas last year, right?" Christine asked.

"Oui, and Colette and her little girl, Fleur," Antoinette agreed.

"How are they?"

"Fine, Pierre has been telling me that there is another man helping Colette with the farm now and that the town is as boring as ever. But they are all well."

"Another man?" Christine asked, smiling a little, "she was a widow, right?"

"Yes, and you are beginning to sound like Meg."

Christine gave a small laugh, "I'm sorry, it just seemed like, well, you know…what's his name?"

"Richard. Now go to bed, my dear. It is late and there is much to do in the morning."

"Of course, Madame," she said, getting up and moving towards the door, "oh, may I attend a party with Raoul in a week?"

"I do not see why not," Antoinette replied, "go if you want to."

"Merci, Madame, and good night."

She slipped from the parlour and then to her room, moving as quietly as she could to keep from waking Meg. She was just opening the door when she heard Meg's door creak open and saw her friend poking her head out and smiling at her.

"How was it?" she asked, creeping into the hall and talking quietly.

"Fine, I went for supper with the Armands and Raoul," Christine shrugged.

"So you made it on time?" Meg persisted.

"Yeah, and the rain even stopped."

"That's good. Well, maman will be angry if we stay up and talk, so I guess I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well, Christine."

"You too, Meg. Good night."

"Night!"

Erik sighed as he paced the streets of Paris. He didn't want to return home, that would only result in a string of questions from his nosey maid. The woman could annoy him to no ends most days, and today he did not feel like dealing with it. He couldn't deal with it.

So he wandered the streets, ignoring the rain that began to fall after in became dark. Rain had never bothered him; he actually found the sound of it falling on the roof, or on the leaves of trees to be soothing. Almost musical at times…that was another thing he did not want to face; music. Something that had once brought with it so much joy now brought nothing but a deep sadness or a burning pain.

A carriage clopped past him and he kept walking. With no where to go and no idea what he would do when he got there. He simply enjoyed the exercise, the ability to stretch his legs and walk off all the frustrations. It never really seemed to work though, and that night was no different. All he succeeded in doing was returning to his house at an ungodly hour and slightly damp.

The maid bustled into the house at her usual hour of seven o'clock. Erik tried to ignore her noisy preparations for the day and cling to the last fragments of sleep that fogged his mind. It didn't work and he found himself fighting against wakefulness with his eyes shut. He finally gave up when she dropped a pan in the kitchen.

"You need to learn to be quieter," he hissed, stalking into the kitchen and snatching the pan away from her, "some people are still asleep at this hour."

"Oh you're up!" she exclaimed, "Well then, I guess I was a bit too loud for you. So sorry, but I have my work to do. You hired me to cook and clean and so here I am…God, you look terrible!

"Thank you for that, Madame," he spat, "I think I am aware of my appearance."

"No need to be so touchy. Did your trip go well?"

"Why do you talk so much?" he growled turning on his heel and leaving the kitchen, "I do not pay you to talk!"

"You keep reminding me of that," she said, "what time will you be back?"

"With any luck, never!" he shouted from the door before storming out and into the streets.

After wandering aimlessly around Paris for a few hours Erik started to think that finding a job would in fact be a good idea. After all he knew that he could not remain stagnant for long. His mind needed something to do even if he didn't want to do it. If he didn't find something he would end up lying awake for hours, unable to sleep even when he was tired, his mind racing in the darkness. For a moment he considered Charles' offer, but quickly dismissed the thought as foolish.

He wandered past a family, the parents keeping their eyes on the three children that ran around them. He smiled slightly as he watched them and listened to the worrying of their mother. The man noticed him looking and frowned slightly. Erik returned it with a glare and pushed on, not caring where he was headed. He ended up outside the Théâtre des Variétés. With a sigh he went over to a small café nearby and ordered a coffee. His feet hurt anyways.

Antoinette sighed as she picked up a pair of shoes left in the change room. The younger girls seemed to have a habit of doing that. She didn't mind though, she enjoyed teaching such young and enthusiastic students. Back at the Opera Populaire she had been used to the older performers, many of whom had lost their enthusiasm.

"Charlotte, do not forget these," she said, handing the shoes to the young red-head.

"Oh! Thank you, Madame Giry," she squeaked, grabbing them and hurrying off after her friends.

Antoinette gave a small laugh; they were so young and so full of talent, just like her girls. She was so happy that they had all found jobs in the theatre again and that Christine and Meg were able to perform again. They both seemed excited by the prospect of being on stage again and seeing them preparing for the show made her miss her old job. Teaching young students was all well and good, and she did enjoy it, but she also missed being a part of the performances.

"Maman," Meg said, rushing by, "Christine and I are heading home now, are you coming soon?"

"I will be home for supper," she said, "please set the table."

"Maman, that's why we have the maid," Meg sighed.

"Set the table, she does enough in cleaning, laundry and cooking," Antoinette scolded, "hurry, you will miss the omnibus."

"Alright, see you in a while then!"

The girls left and Antoinette went back to the change room to finish cleaning up. There was another shoe and a ripped practice skirt; someone had also left a hair ribbon lying on the bench. She dutifully picked up all the items and placed them on the corner of the bench before leaving the room.

She left the theatre after a few minutes of ensuring everything was in order, then she went out onto the streets of Paris and started the long walk home. Hoping that she could find a cab on the way. She only made it to the small café when she spotted him exciting the building. A dark form among the other people milling in the streets. She paused or a moment, debating whether to call out to him.

"Erik!" she called, causing a frown to crease his brow as he turned in her direction. She noted that he looked tired and pale.

"Madame Giry," he said, giving small nod as she approached, "it is good to see you again."

"You as well, I trust you have been in good health since I last saw you?"

"I am perfectly healthy," he replied, "and you, Madame?"

"I have been well."

"That is good…"

"I received a letter from Pierre recently," she said, attempting to break the awkward silence.

"Oh?"

"Yes, he told me that everyone is doing well. Colette has even met a man who has been helping on the farm."

"Good for her," Erik replied, shifting slightly, "they are well then?"

"Yes, though he says Fleur misses you."

"I cannot see why," he murmured.

"You hurt your hand?" she asked, motioning at it, "how did you manage that?"

"Working…well, I hope you have a good evening, Madame."

"You as well, Erik…you have more work then?"

"No, it was a small job that is finished now."

"Wh-where are you living?"

"Does that really matter, Madame?" he asked.

"I would just like to know," she said, "as a friend."

"I will send you a letter some time," he said, walking away slowly, "have a good night, Madame Giry; I hope you are enjoying your work in the theatre."

She watched him disappear into the crowd and gave a small sigh; it was amazing how awkward a conversation could be between two people. Even if they were friends, or had once been friends. It was strange, but talking to him had been easier when he had been in the walls or hidden in the shadows. It was as if the daylight made him shy and uncomfortable while the darkness had given him strength and comfort. She could only hope that someday he would find that same comfort in the light. It would be such a shame if he couldn't.

A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up...and sorry it isn't that long, but school has been terribly hectic with essays to write and the like. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, despite its lack of excitement, and will leave me a review. Please do, I love to get them.