I knew I had hit a weak spot. Furiously he spit out, "So what do you propose? I could kill you and risk her finding out that her blessed angel was the cause for her best friend's murder. Or I could let you live and risk you telling everyone in the opera about me. They might find Buquet's tales amusing, but there is a chance they could take you serious." He paused, weighing his choices. I waited tensely. Finally he snapped, "Very well. Your life for your silence."

I nodded. "A fair exchange."

Bitterly he turned. "Be gone from my sight before I change my mind. And mademoiselle," he added. "Do not stray into it again, for I might not be as forgiving the second time."

I began to walk away. Suddenly my mind turned against me and for a reason I do not know, I ran back to him. "Wait monsieur!" Grabbing his arm, I said, "I could help you." As the words left my mouth, I thought, what am I doing? Quickly I released him.

The phantom looked as astounded as I felt. "What are you doing? Trying to catch me? Play a trick? I assure you, child, this is not a game," he acidly said.

"I know," I replied. "I but I know I could help."

"And how is this?" the phantom asked. He looked slightly amused.

"I could." How could I help? "I could deliver notes. Or spy for you. I could tell you whatever you wanted to know about Christine." I felt like kicking myself. What was I after? Something inside of me must have had an interior motive.

"But I could get your mother to do any of this."

"Yes, but Christine doesn't confide in my mother. Everyone knows my mother and the Opera Ghost are connected, no one would trust her. No one would know I am associated with this, working for you. Everyone believes me to be completely sane, I can go anywhere in the opera." On an impulse, I added, "Christine tells me plenty of Raoul, as well."

He took the bait. "Raoul? That sniveling Vicomte?"

"They were friends when they were young. And its obvious Raoul is in love with her."

The phantom paced back and forth. I simply waited. "Fine!" he snapped. "You may be enrolled under my services. But understand this, if I find you have been disloyal." He left the threat hanging.

I nodded. "Very well. What shall I get for my service?" What was I playing at? He could kill me in one movement.

Livid, he hissed, "What makes you think your life isn't a satisfactory exchange? Your mother seemed to think it was."

"If I work for you, will you teach me to sing?" I stopped, shocked at the words that came out of my mouth.

"Me? Teach you to sing? Waste my talent, time, and energy on a no account, smart mouthed little ballet girl? Are you mad?"

I shrugged, amazed at my cool attitude when I was at the brink of death itself. "I will give Christine and Raoul your respects at their wedding."

The saucy words stunned him. His face contorted in anger, he considered this for a moment. With a snarl, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me off.

A/N~ *Cringes* Don't kill me! Please! Meg is curious, and feels a strange pull towards him, can you blame her??? The Phantom wasn't giving in, but he would rather put up with her than Raoul any day, anyone who knows Erik knows that. Besides, he likes fun, torture, etc., and who knows what Meg might encounter? *evil grin*