A/N: Ok I know a lot of you hate Raoul and you hate it that Christine's heart flutters every time she thinks of him, but hey! Wouldn't yours if a hot guy was asking about you?? Hope you like it! Sorry this is another short one. R&R...

"Where is Christine Daae?" The Vicomte de Chagny asked bursting into the manger's office. The two managers looked up from their desks in surprise. His clothes were not in their usual orderly appearance, and his face was what caught the attention of the managers. His eyes were dark with questions he longed to breathe aloud.

"See here Monsieur!" Monsieur Firmin stood quickly. "Oh! Vicomte de Chagny, I do apologize for my rudeness, I did not know it was you!" Raoul's face was what caught the attention of the managers. His eyes were dark with questions he longed to breathe aloud. His face was almost gaunt with the lack of nutrition.

"Please I must see her!" Raoul pleaded. His eyes spoke volumes. He had not slept or ate when he had learned she was missing.

"Who?" Both managers asked him at the same time.

"Christine Daae." He repeated, his chest heaving from exhaustion. He had burst from his carriage upon arrival and had run up two flights of stairs to get to the offices. "Please, you must tell me where she is!"

"But sir! Mademoiselle Daae has not checked in for almost six days, at least that is what Madame Giry tells us." Andre said, he was not very good at hiding his emotions, and Raoul could tell something was very wrong.

"What do you think, Monsieur Firmin? Where do you think she is?" Raoul asked anxiety was filling his heart. Where was Christine? Where did she go?

"I do not know," He said gravely. "Have a seat sir." Firmin was worried about the Vicomte, he looked as if he had not slept for many nights. Raoul sank thankfully down in one of the chairs.

"When did you last see Mademoiselle Daae?" Raoul asked them. His tone was low.

"It was not since her grand debut as Prima Donna." Andre answered for them. "We've been overrun by paperwork, and sadly have not been able to venture out."

"I have not seen her for seven long days." Raoul said softly after a moment. "I was detained by my brother, Philippe, and could not come to her rehearsal the last day she was seen here." The managers exchanged glances.

"Perhaps it is time we called the police, Firmin." Andre said seriously.

"No, we can't. If word gets out that we have...how do you say...lost our Prima Donna, than no one will want to come to the Opera House. Especially if the ballet girls have anything to say to anyone. They'd convince a fly that the Opera Ghost was behind every loud noise and twisted ankle." Firmin looked down at his desk uncertainly and then back up at the Vicomte de Chagny. "We will hire a private detective, sir."

"That seems the best action." Raoul nodded seriously. He brushed his hand through his untidy hair. His eyes reflected the fear he felt.

"We will find her." Andre glanced at Firmin.

"If the detective does not find out where she has gone, than I will search for her myself," Raoul said softly. The door suddenly swung open, and Firmin turned towards the door to reprimand the intruder, but stopped. Madame Giry stood in the doorway, her hands clasped tightly, her eyes shining with urgency.

"Mademoiselle Daae has returned monsieur." Madame Giry said directing her look at the Vicomte de Chagny.

"Where is she?" Raoul asked, standing so suddenly his chair became unbalanced and clattered to the floor.

"She is in her room resting."

"I must go see her!" Raoul pleaded with the ballet mistress.

"She wishes not to be disturbed."

"Did she tell you this?" He asked anxiously.

"Yes." Madame Giry nodded solemnly.

"She would not even wish to see an old friend?"

"She said specifically for no one to disturb her. We must honor her request." Madame Giry gazed at him intently. "Don't you think so?"

"Of course." Raoul nodded sadly. He picked up his black hat from Andre's desk and slowly turned to face them.

"Madame Giry, are you certain she is well?" Firmin asked the ballet mistress.

"Yes, I am quite certain, Monsieur. I did not question her. She was quite pale, but she looked physically well." Raoul looked down at the hat in his hands..

"I trust, gentlemen that you will keep me informed about Mademoiselle Daae's health."

"Of course." Firmin nodded.

"Than I will take my leave." Raoul said softly. He dipped his head to Madame Giry and exited the room.

Christine heard a soft rapping at her door. Her heart fluttered expectantly. Her hand went instantly to her breast and the edge of her nightgown, her fingertips lightly brushing the spot over her heart.

"Come in." She called. Meg slowly opened the door and peeked her head it. Christine tried not to show her disappointment, but then she should have known. It could not have been Erik.

"Good morning my dear friend." Meg smiled. She held forth a gift wrapped in a silver box, and set it in Christine's lap. Christine lifted her self into a sitting position. Never before had she slept this late, it was almost an hour past noon. Christine took the top off of the small box and withdrew a lovely handkerchief with the embroidered letter "C" in blue thread.

"Oh Meg," She breathed. "It's lovely."

"Thank you." Meg blushed. She kneeled beside Christine's bedside. "How are you?"

"I'm well." Christine tried to smile convincingly, but she knew Meg was not fooled.

"Really?" Meg asked softly. "You would not lie to me?"

"I am as well as one can expect." Christine said thoughtful. She chewed lightly on her lip. A habit her father would have frowned on.

"Where did you go?" Meg asked. "I was so worried. Everyone was worried. Even Mama, and she never worries about anything."

"I went away." Christine said vaguely. She could not tell anyone the truth, not even her good friend. "To...to see a friend."

"With out telling anyone?"

"Meg, it was important." Christine said lightly reprimanding her friend for prying. Meg cast her eyes away.

"I just wanted to make sure you were well. Mama was even more troubled after she met you on the grand staircase last night. She said you looked terrified." Christine's eyes grew wide at Meg's revelation.

"Please trust me, Meg." Christine pleaded. "And speak of this to no one, not even your other friends." Meg's head jerked upwards at her friend's tone.

"Christine." Meg whispered. She was offended. "I would never do that." Christine smiled slightly and tilted her head, and Meg's frown softened.

"Well, maybe I would, but this time I shall not breathe a word to my friends. I swear on my ballet shoes." She patted Christine's cold hand. A mischievous grin crept over her mouth. "Rumor is that the Vicomte has been asking about you."

"Has he?" Christine whispered softly fingering a lace handkerchief. Her heart beat a little faster. Raoul asked about her?

"Yes!" Meg smiled. "He seems anxious to hear from you. You should write him a letter."

"Perhaps I should." No, she couldn't. Erik had forbidden her. But how she wished she could assure him that she was well. It was so tempting. She felt like Eve in the garden. She wanted to protect him more than anything. She didn't care what happen to her anymore. She didn't deserve life after what she had done to Erik. It was inexcusable. She still remember his eyes, the emotions of shock, anger, and hate that flooded his golden eyes. She could also see the sadness and loneliness. She looked down at her wrist. She could still feel the gentle pressure of his cloak covered hand.Oh why did she have to have done something so wrong just for curiosity's sake. She closed her eyes trying to shield herself from the pain. It was a pain that Erik most likely felt everyday.

"Well, mama would be mad if she knew I had disturbed you so I best leave." Meg said sensing Christine's turmoil.

"Thank you for the gift, Meg," Christine squeezed her friend's hand. "I appreciate it greatly."

"You are welcome."

"Goodbye." Christine whispered. Meg could never know what she had been through. Erik would always be a secret that she would long to tell, but never be able to speak of. He terrified her yet made her feel things she had never felt before. His voice made her soul sprout wings. She felt like she could fly whenever she heard him call her name...