A/N - so I lied. 35 chapters won't be enough. I'm aiming for around 40. Sorry this is so long.

--xxx--

3 months later...

The bouquet that Erik was studying consisted of a mixture of pink and white peonies . He had never been particularly fond of the flower himself, considering it far too common place to be given as a gift, but to the gentleman's credit the meaning of this particular bouquet did suit the recipient well. He had spent yesterday evening pondering who may have sent the gift, and had come to the conclusion there were two likely contenders: Gilles André and Simon Tannason, the first bassoon. He had also briefly considered the liklihood of the third trombone but decided the boy was far too focused on the second violinist to send a young woman flowers.

Although peonies grew wild in England, very rarely were they found in such exuberant colours in London. The thick morning smog would often leave particles on their delecate petals changing their colours from vivids pinks and bright white to greyish tones and reducing their lifespan significantly. From the colours of the arrangement Erik had deduced they were sourced from outside the city and had not been purchased from one of the many flower girls who roamed London's streets. Instead the gift giver was either someone who travelled into London from her outskirts or was wealthy enough to have employee fetch them. He wasn't sure where Tannason lived but knew his status would make a servant unlikely, whereas André lived in Middlesex and most likely had at least one servant in his employ.

It had become Erik's custom to search her room each evening, looking for indicators of her aquanitences and wellbeing. He told himself it was out of concern for his production and the need for his leading dancer to remain focused, but deep down he knew he was being driven by fear and jealousy. Over the time they had been aquanited he had developed a strong relationship with Meg, and although he had tried to push her away the woman's enduring compassion and kindness had meant she remained at his side regardless of how hurtful he had been, but three months prior she had abruptly ending their friendship due to his lust-filled advances.

He had replayed the final interactions of their sham enagement over in his mind too many times to count. At first he had felt anger, her words about Christine were a result of jealousy and envy, but the more he pondered the more he began to focus on her final words "my heart can't take this anymore" and he started to wonder if Meg Giry loved him. It was arrogant for him to assume such - he knew - but she there had been many small instances and overtures that could indicate her feelings for him went beyond that of a platontic nature.

Erik found the whole situation ludicrous; he was a monster and yet he apparently had the love of two beautiful women, neither of whom he was happy to see with another. The difference was that Christine was already married and he needed to overcome the issue of the Vicomte to enable her to be with him, a problem he intended to rectify shortly, whereas Meg had no ties except her dancing contract. Selfishly he didn't want Meg to find a male companion because as long she she held a torch for him she would continue to dance in ways that she didn't care for in order to please him; he would use her feelings to control her, but if she started courting an admirer it would be quite likely her compliance would wane.

Erik opened each of the drawers looking for further trinkets and evidence of the admirer's identity. As he rummaged through her belongings he found an ornate silver mirror that he recognised but couldn't place and a selection of ribbons. There was nothing new or particularly insightful.

His final investigation consisted of the music box placed neatly in pride of place in the centre if the desk; he didn't usually look in it as he feared the sound would alert any remaining cast and crew members to his presence, but his visit tonight had been delayed by a rather deprecatory meeting with the conductor about the third trombone.

When he opened the box there was a small ivory ballerina posed in a pirouette, with her position reminding him of his continued refusal to allow Meg to incorperate pointe work into the production and how disappointed she looked each time he refused. He didn't feel guilt about his refusal, afterall he was being driven by a desire to prevent her injuring herself, but he understood her dissapointment, as - like him - she was passionate about her art.

Erik carfully removed the layer which held the ballerina,mindful that he didn't want to damage the delicate figurine, and noticed an envelope with recognisable handwriting on the front. Intrigued as to why Nadir would see fit to write to her he almost opened the letter, but stopped when he noticed a small bundle of satin fabric at the bottom of the box. With his curiosity peaked he unfolded the fabric to find two gold earrings adorned with teardropped shaped amethysts and small diamonds. He knew Meg would never have brought something as elaborate as those for herself, and they certainly weren't styled in a way that would indicate an heirloom, leaving only one possible conclusion: they were a gift from an admirer.

As he turned the items over in his hand he tried to compile evidence that her admirer was having a negative effect on her performance. It was a difficult task; she wasn't perfect, but her knowledge and skill did surpass her mother and any errors she made were far and few between. Piqued he dropped the earrings back onto the fabric and returned them to their hiding place.

Checking the time he gave the room one last inspection to ensure everything was in its origional place and then made his way to his office to change. Tonight he would inform Meg that her new relationship would need to end: for the good of the production.

--xxx--

For the past three months Erik had been meeting Christine twice a week in the same restaurant making use of their cabinet peculiar. The time they sepnt together was a mixture of lessons, companionship, and for Erik it was recon. It gave him a great sense of satisfaction when she had admitted she'd promised her husband she wouldn't write to him and that she wouldn't sing his music, yet she came to him twice weekly.

He had woven he songs from his new production into her 'lessons' in order to prepare her for the role and to enable.him to make any adjustments so that it better suited her voice. These changes were never well recieved by the orchestra or the soprano, a woman named Lucy, but he gave their complaints little notice. At times he would notice Meg watching him suspiciously and spending more time than appropriate studying changes that did not effect her. But as they rarely gave eachother the time of day, he didn't see her curiosity and suspicious nature as much of a threat.

As the weeks passed Erik became more aware of the encroaching deadline of the premiere, and the need to secure Christine's promise sing. Christine's singing and Meg's focus (by the removal of her suitor) qere the only way that the production would be a sweeping success, for although his orchestrations were exceptional, the orchestra themselves were only of an acceptable standard (bar the third trumbone).

"Has your mother-in-law vacated your home as of yet?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

Erik had taken to following Christine after their meetings - to ensure she arrived home safely - and noticed that the Doweger Comtess appeared to have taken up permanent residence in his angel's home.

"No. I don't know why she stays either. She hates me! She is constantly telling Raoul how wonderful Phillipe is, yet she remains in my home".

Erik agreed the situation was strange as the woman's continued presence vexed him. At first he had assumed Christine, who was prone to flights if fancy, was misunderstanding the elder woman's behaviour. Afterall, she had not be raised within high society and her husband was somewhat of a poodle-faker, so she may have mistaken the aloof nature of the upper-class for a personal slight, but ever her protector and defender Erik had investigated.

Having followed the Doweger for almost two months he had come to the conclusion that she was engaged in an illict affair. He hadn't focused on identifying her companion - yet - but she would change carriages on the outskirts of London before venturing back into the city. Of course, he hadn't shared this information with Christine; it was far more useful for him without her knowing.

"Because, although it pains me to say it, she enjoys hurting you", he spoke softly handing her a hankerchief as he saw tears had started to form in her eyes.

Over the three months they had been meeting Erik had been careful not to push Christine too fast. He understood her predicament and he wanted to show her that he was a viable option: a changed man, and that when she left the Vicomte she would have security with him. Due to this approach he tactfully would mention singing and her happiness, to slowly feed on her idea that she qas unbelievably unhappy without him and without music, and that it was the Vicomte and his mother's fault. His plan had faltered slightly qhen she had explained to him that Raoul was trying to secure the finances to allow her to sing, but it hadn't taken much cinvincing to lead her to believe her husband would never defy his mother.

"I know we agreed not to discuss it, but.Infeeo there is more you are not sharing with me. Do you wish to perform my music again?"

"Of course!" she had replied in a horrified tone, taking his violin from his hands and then holding his tightly. "Erik, your music is divine. Words cannot describe the emotions I feel when you play, when I sing, and when you sing".

"Then sing my music. You can have the lead in the production", but as soon as he had spoken she pulled away releasing his hands and turning her back to him, "Erik, you know I can't. I may have been able to convince Raoul to allow me to perform once - and I do mean once - if his mother weren't here - but he won't defy her...not again". Her naivety always made him smile, as he knew Raoul would not allow her to sing music written by his rival, no sane man would, but Christine- with all her goodness and innocence - believed it possible.

"Loving someone is.doing everything to please them", again he was trying to drip feed her the idea the Vicomte didn't care for her as much as he did.

Her response warmed his heart, as once again it reflected her naivety and innocence. "Do you believe that Love is giving someone everything they want? Love includes sacrifice". Love wasn't sacrifice, love was about surrendering.

--xxx--

Following his rendevouz with Christine Erik caught a cab to Meg's flat. He had never a been inside, but he made it his buisness to try and now the dancer's comings and goings.

Her flat was dark when he entered and there was no evidence that suggested she had been home within the last few hours. He searched her flat looking for any indication that a gentleman had been present, and was relieved that wasn't the case. Always one for dramatics Erik positioned himself so that when the door opened he portrayed an onomous figure as soon as the electric lights were turned on.

When Meg arrived home she shrieked when she saw the black figure casually reclining across her settee, his legs outstretched and arms crossed. He was dessed in formal attire, still wearing his cloak and fedora. His black mask made him appear like a shadow - a phantom - of a man rather than a simple intruder.

"Calm yourself Margeriette, it is only I"

"Get out of my home", she spoke with defiance walking into another room. They had barely spoken since she returned his ring, so his sudden appearance had taken her even more by surprise.

"You are distracted" came a voice from behind her. She hadn't heard him move or enter the room, and she dared not turn around to face him. His current persona unnerved her, it reminded her too much of the Opera Ghost and not of Erik.

"There is a strange man in my home". Her response made him chuckle briefly dropping the Phantom persona and returning to being Erik.

"Your distraction is effecting your work"

"Hardly, I am not working now" she muttered. She knew he was close as she could feel his breath on the back of her neck.

Then, in no more than a whisper, and directly in her ear he said, "end whatever dalliance you are engaged in. I shan't have my work ruined by your loose morals".

Meg spun on her heels to slap him, and to tell him once and for all that her morals were not loose and that she will see whomever she wanted, but all she was left with was the empty air.