A: -Angelina and Mysha both walk out, this time followed by a crusade of muses/pixies/faeries- this is war!

MW: On what Angelina?

A: -smirks- You! You have stolen the last of my stuff! -turns to the group- Attack!

Nightmare: -rolls her eyes- Honestly -takes the three bears from the machine and hands them to Angelina who clutches them with death grips and Mysha who can't stop laughing- Now where's that money you promised?

A: -smiles- I said I would give it to you if you gave Mysha what was coming to her -point to still standing- She's perfectly fine – not a scratch!

Muses/pixies/faeries: -all walk away mumbling about false pretenses-

MW: -laughing- On with the show!

Wandering Children

Chapter 10-Decisions

Mirielle and Jess looked over their shoulders as they ran down the streets. Their chests heaved up and down as they ran towards the large gray building in the distance. As their feet hit the ground the steps rang through dark streets. They arrived at the opera house and immediately entered before catching their breath. They looked at each other and smiled weakly, "At least we're out of there," Mirielle said still regaining her breath.

She nodded in agreement and sat on the floor leaning against the door. Suddenly, there was a push on the door and Jessamine jumped up and screamed. Mirielle and her backed up towards the auditorium as the door creaked open slowly. Their hearts rapidly beat in their chests until they finally relaxed. To their relief Aidan and Michael walked through the door.

Aidan and Michael's hearts stopped. Only twenty minutes ago Michael had gotten the note that was addressed to John about Mirielle's disappearance. Upon reading the note he went to get his brother off the roof. Despite his objections of Mirielle Aidan went with Michael to wander around the city looking for Mirielle and Jessamine.

Shock took over, they didn't know whether to be afraid, launch themselves at each other, or become excited. Michael then realized something, he was putting Mirielle in danger, it was him who this unknown person was after, not her. He walked over to her and put his arms around her, not knowing what to say he just held her close. He buried his face in her hair, and a few tears fell from his eyes.

"I'm so sorry," he murmured.

"About what?" Mirielle asked with a tinge of worry in her voice.

"Putting you in danger like that," Michael said pulling away from her slightly, but still holding onto her. "I don't know how to tell you this," Michael grimaced trying to think of an excuse.

Mirielle looked into his face with confusion. The only emotions she could read on his face were, hurt, anger, pain, relief, and sorrow, what about, she had no idea. "What do you mean?" she asked softly.

"Your brother followed my sister to the graveyard," he began. "While they were there Dante apparently came and tried to kidnap her using a rag soaked in chloroform. Your brother witnessed this and went to her rescue; unfortunately he was shot in the shoulder." He waited for her to cry out or bitterly respond to it.

"Where is he?" she asked calmly. "Where's John?"

Her voice became panicked but still soft enough to sustain a normal level. Michael took her hand in his and started towards the auditorium. Aidan looked at Jessamine in disbelief.

"Is it really you?" he asked chocking back tears of joy that she was back.

"Oui," she smiled gently and walked forwards a little bit.

Aidan closed up the distance between them and touched her cheek. Her blue eyes looked up into his gray ones and he took a curl from her hair and wrapped it around his finger. Jessamine blushed as his fingers brushed against her face.

"It is you," he smiled, "I was so worried."

'Why am I telling her this?' he thought to himself. From the stairs Akeem watched their reunion. He watched as Mirielle and Michael left the lobby and went to the auditorium, and while Aidan waited for those two to be gone before taking Jessamine in his arms to kiss her. Akeem silently tiptoed away and to the backstage area through secret passage ways.

He knocked on his uncle's office's door and hear Nadir call him in. "What is it?" Nadir said pouring over some paperwork.

Akeem stammered and then said, "They're back. Michael and Aidan returned, but so did Inspector Mirielle and the thief." Nadir dropped his pen on the table and his mouth dropped. "Michael took the inspector back stage while Aidan and Jessamine are in the lobby. You may want to notify Madame Noir and her husband about the return of their sons' sweethearts."

"For once I am glad you have a big mouth," Nadir smiled getting up from his chair. "Now, go do more spying on Michael and the inspector, make sure they don't go near Erica's dressing room." Akeem nodded and hurried out the door.

"Allah, give me strength," he murmured hurrying to the Rue Scribe.

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Akeem climbed the flies of the stage. From high above he could see almost everything, but he couldn't hear what they were saying. For once he wished he had his Uncle Danesh's sense of hearing.

"Your brother is being taken care of by my mother and sister," Michael told her as they walked along. "He'll be fine as long as they're around. But, I can bring him back to your hotel when he's up on his feet."

"I want to see him," Mirielle said decidedly, "Where can I find him?"

Michael quickly thought up an excuse, "They took him to our house and it's quite a walk from the opera to it, I suggest we just wait for some news about him here."

Akeem saw Michael get nervous. 'She must have asked to see her brother,' Akeem thought. 'If he even thinks about it I have to intervene.'

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Nadir raced down the secret stairs to the underground house. As he burst through the door, Erika was just exiting a room. Erika looked at him in confusion. Nadir walked up to her.

"The sister is upstairs right now." Nadir stated sharply.

"Does she know?" Erika asked as she walked to Christine's room.

"It's only a matter of time until she insists upon seeing him." Nadir remarked, "Is he well enough to move?"

"Yes, he is. Currently he is sleeping."

"Good, let's get him upstairs."

The two friends moved quickly to get John upstairs in the dressing room. Christine hovered near by. She kept telling herself it was because he was her first patient to cover up the truth. Soon they had John settled on the cot in Erika's dressing room. Christine knelt by his side and waited until he woke up.

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He moved quickly. The basement was only one more flight down and he needed to get there before the liquid boiled. Reaching the bottom he pulled out a tiny silver key and unlocked the door. Looking from side to side he sneaked into the room and flicked on the lights.

Shutting off the heater he took the vial of clear fluid and smiled. Adding a small amount of white powder and a blue crystal-like substance he put a plug on the vile and smirked. "This will get them yet, unlike that bumbling fool," he sneered at the thought of how Dante had failed to take the third girl and ended up shooting that boy.

He wrapped a silk handkerchief around the tube and put it in his pocket. Wrapping his scarf high on his face he exited the building into the cold streets. The opera's rehearsal was well underway, giving him his chance. Walking down the streets, hands in his pockets, gently cradling the vile in his all too well manicured hand.

A sadistic smirk spread across his lips while the dark eyes cut through every person in the street like knives. His steps were quick and jaunty, with a hint of anxiousness to them. Down the street from the opera house it looked foreboding, like a large tomb, a chuckle escaped him as the last thought passed through his mind, as that was exactly what he intended it to be, a large grave. Hate filled his body for the Noirs, he wished to watch them die, all of them, slowly at first and then the serpent would strike and inject them all with lethal venom that would do away with them for good.

He went through the back door of the opera, going towards the dressing rooms. His eyes were set on the Noir woman's dressing room. He heard the orchestra fire up and a male and female voice start singing. Looking from side to side he poked his head into the small dressing room. There was the boy asleep on the cot; gently cursing to himself he quietly entered hoping not to disturb the boy's sleep. A pitcher of water rested on a table with some cups. He smiled knowing this was his chance to be rid of them for good. Taking the vile out of his pocket he quietly uncorked it and poured the whole potion into the pitcher. He snickered and then exited the dressing room, lightly closing the door as the boy twisted uncomfortably in his sleep.

As he walked away he mused, "Sleep petite garcon, sleep while you can, for the next days will have none of that going on," he chuckled and went through another door and into another dressing room, watching out the partially opened door for the rats to eat the bait in his trap.

As he waited the thoughts of their demise clouded his mind. A sick fascination with their deaths pushed him and fueled his horrific nature. He was motivated by his sick thoughts, the violent movies he watched, the grueling and explicit novels he read all powered his blood-lust. Watching out of the door he saw the father enter the dressing room with speed and stealth. The dark hope that he would drink from that pitcher made him cross his fingers and hold his breath, outdoing that fool Dante was his goal, to get rid of them once and for all.

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Mirielle looked at Michael questioningly, 'why won't he let me see my brother?' she thought nervously, hoping nothing else had happened to him. "Michael, I need to see him, now where is he?" she finally asked.

Just as Michael was about to explain to her that he was at his home, Akeem ran up. "Mademoiselle Holmes, your brother is in Madame Noir's dressing room, would you like to see him?" Michael gave him a curious look but then shrugged it off, knowing it could be worse.

"That would be great," Mirielle replied, "lead the way."

Akeem led her to the dressing room where John sat up on the cot. Mirielle rushed into the dimly lit room and sat on a chair on the side of the cot, "Mum and Dad are going to kill me when they find out that you got shot under my watch," she teased trying to lighten the melancholy mood.

"I don't think so," John smiled weakly, and then coughed.

Mirielle looked at her brother and her head drooped to one side in concern and wonderment. He looked different, but she couldn't place it. Although obviously hurt he was still cheerful enough. His skin had taken on a different glow, his eyes were brighter and more alert, and he seemed more pleasant in general. "Do you want to go back to the hotel?" she finally asked, unable to place his unusual demeanor.

Michael poked his head in the door and offered, "Do you need any help?" Brushing a stray piece of hair out of his face he smiled warmly, hoping that they would take up his offer and vacate the dressing room as quickly as possible.

"That would be good," John said slowly turning himself on the cot so that his feet hung off the side.

He reached out his good arm and Michael helped him off the cot. The makeshift sling supported his arm's weight for the most part and Mirielle opened the door for them. They walked towards the car, Michael standing on one side of John and Mirielle on the other.

"Don't drive fast," John pleaded as they approached the hovercraft, "I repeat, do not drive fast."

"Do you really think I would?" she asked arching a brow at him and then opening the hovercraft's door. "What do you take me for, a barbarian?" she joked as she slammed the door shut jostling it from side to side. Before climbing into the driver's seat she smiled at Michael, "Thanks for the help, I'll see you around." Michael nodded and Mirielle shut the door. John cringed as she turned the key in the ignition and slowly took off towards the hotel.

Akeem sighed exasperatedly as he exited the dressing room. "What next?" he murmured to himself leaning against the door not knowing where to go from here. He closed his eyes trying to think straight when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Instinct told him to grab the hand as quickly as he could as his eyes shot open he went to grab the hand but was only greeted by two blue eyes looking up from under a pair of sunglasses. "It's you," he sneered looking down at her and then his eyes lit up, "It's you; I need to talk to you."

"I needed to talk to you too," she said clutching her notebook to her chest she stammered, "I know what he looks like," she said in a low quiet voice.

"You know what who looks like?" Akeem asked looking at Jessamine confusedly, completely forgetting what he was supposed to do. "Would you mind to elaborate or are you going to stand there and stare at me." She didn't speak up immediately and he rolled his eyes, "Speak up Mademoiselle, we don't have all day."

Jessamine bit back a sour comment and said, "He was tall, taller than you with short blonde hair. His eyes were very dark, almost black," she paused and thought for a moment trying to conjure up his image again.

Akeem let out a deep breath, "You still didn't tell me who it is!" he growled. "Now tell me who he is and then go on describing him." He took several deep breaths before calming down.

"I would tell you who he was if only I know," she spat back, her knuckles turning white as she clutched the notebook harder. "Now as I was saying," she gave him a dirty look, "aside from his dark eyes his hands were exceedingly elegant and strong." She held out her wrist to show him the scars forming from where the man had dug his nails in, "He dresses lavishly, the colors are bright and the fabric is rich. That's all I can remember for now, but if I find out anything else I'll tell you M'sieur Khan."

Akeem stared at her in disbelief. He'd never been at the receiving end of her temper and frankly he didn't want to perturb her even more so putting on a nice face he said, "Is that your kidnapper Jessamine? Is that what he looked like?"

Jessamine rolled her eyes disgustedly, "No, it's my description of your Uncle," she said sarcastically, "who else would it be?"

Instead of saying anything rude or obnoxious in return Akeem just said, "You don't know how much you just helped Jessamine," and ran off to find his uncle.

After informing his anxious uncle of the description that Jessamine gave of her attacker he grabbed Michael from the lobby and Aidan from working on some of the ropes and pulled them into a spare dressing room. "Well we know almost nothing about the kidnapper," Akeem said leaning against a wall adjacent from Michael and Aidan who both sat on the cot.

"Where did you get the little information you now have?" Michael asked leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. One eyebrow raised while the other comfortably rested where it should be.

Akeem smirked as Aidan leaned back crossing his arms in front of his chest, versus his over enthusiastic younger brother that leaned forward in anticipation. "Jessamine," he replied simply. "And may Allah save the man who deals with her for the rest of his life," he added quickly.

Michael chuckled while Aidan rolled his eyes when there was a knock on the door. Akeem answered the door and gave the two brothers a look that had, 'Speak of the Devil,' written all over it. Jessamine stepped into the room and looked around, "Do any of you know why Dante is parading around happy as a clam?" she asked without hesitation.

"Does he need a reason?" Michael asked. Aidan shot him a look and lightly punched him on the back. Michael rolled his eyes and then corrected himself, "It's because he's an idiot."

Jessamine gave him a questioning look and then a question popped into her head. After a minute's hesitation she finally asked, "Aside from the fact that Dante is, well Dante, are there any other reason why your whole family hates him?"

Aidan got up from the cot and let out a heavy sigh. Michael and Akeem looked at each other with looks that said, 'He isn't going to tell her? Is he?' and both shrugged in unison. Akeem crept over to the cot and sat down next to Michael watching Aidan like a hawk. "Jessamine," he began, "there's a lot of, um... history behind the Noirs and De Changys."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

After Mirielle and Michael helped John up and out of the dressing room, James came back through the Mirror. That was close. He wanted those Detectives gone. Maybe that would scare them away. Feeling his age for the first time in a long time, he poured himself a glass of water. He was about to sip it when Erika walked in with Nadir. Reluctantly, James sat it down.

"Are they gone?" James asked.

"Yes." Erika informed him.

"My nephew is interviewing Jessamine as we speak about what she saw." Nadir added.

James nodded, "Good. We need to be on our guard."

"He may try again more violently this time. Dante is still missing." Erika stated worriedly as she began to pace.

"I will tighten up Security for tomorrow's performance then." Nadir suggested, "James, would you be willing to help?"

"Of course." James nodded.

If someone out to get his family, he refused to stand aside. Heaven help the fool when he gets his hands on them. James looked at Erika who stopped pacing to pour herself a glass of water. She was about to sip it when a thought struck her. She put it down.

"Nadir, Did Dante have any access to the ropes in the flies?" Erika asked.

Nadir thought for a moment, "No, he didn't. Krissy refused to let him up there. She was afraid he would hurt someone. Now we know she was right."

Erika smiled relieved, "Thank god."

James noticed how tired Erika looked. He picked up her glass and his. He handed Erika hers. Erika gingerly took it. He could see she was nervous about their children's safety. James smiled at her.

"They will be fine, my angel." James told her, "You need to relax. Drink your water. We need that voice in top shape for tomorrow's performance."

"With you watching over us, I know we will be." Erika smiled as she lifted her glass in a toast to her husband, "Bottoms up."

Together they drank their water. Erika dropped her glass as a sharp pain shot through her body. The glass shattered as it hit the floor. Another shattering sound followed it. Erika looked up to see James in great pain as well. Her eyes fell on the pitcher. It had been poisoned. Nadir was crouched by her side in a second as she fell to her knees.

"Erika?! What is wrong?" Nadir questioned her with great concern.

"The water. poisoned." Erika whispered, "Hurry Nadir."

James reached out to Erika and pulled her against him. He was pale but seemed in less pain. He held his wife gently. Nadir nodded as he stood up and raced from the dressing room. James got to his feet and tried to support Erika. Slowly he made his way to the mirror. He had to get her to house and Erika's remedies. Erika clutched him tightly as the pain washed over her. James held her close as he moved.

"Don't worry. We'll make it." James whispered to her as they went through the mirror and prayed it was true.

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She looked at him as though he had grown another head, "What do you mean?" she asked reaching behind her and feeling for the desk to lean on, still staring at him with question in her eyes.

Just as Aidan was about to talk the door of the dressing room burst open. Nadir, looking severely panicked, stood there.

"Michael, Aidan," his voice shook a little, "You're parents have been poisoned."

Michael jumped up from the cot while Aidan spun around to look at him in disbelief. Jessamine lost her hold on the desk and fell onto the floor as Nadir made the comment while Akeem's eyes went wide with wonder.

The first one to speak up was Michael, "Where are they? Are they okay?" His face turned ghastly pale when he realized what was happening. He quickly turned to Jessamine who was getting up off the ground, "You said Dante was happy?"

As she rubbed her lower back she murmured, "That's right."

"They're at home," Nadir pointed out. "The water in your mother's pitcher was poisoned."

"Where is it?" Michael asked getting ready to run out the door.

"It's also at the house," Nadir said, "No one touched it. Christine said that you would be able to analyze it." Michael nodded and ran out the door towards his mother's dressing room. "Come on you two," he turned to Aidan and Akeem, "you can help me with looking for the man that fits her," his lip slightly curled as he looked towards Jessamine, "description." Akeem and Aidan nodded and followed him out of the door as they closed it, leaving Jessamine in there to ponder what little information she had been given.

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Michael was hunched over the chemistry set. He was trying to find out what was in the pitcher of water. As he lit the Bunsen burner, he glanced over to his sister. Christine was pale since she was in the house when their father entered with their mother passed out in his arms. He collapsed as soon as he entered. Christine frantically called their grandfather. Fenwick determined that the poison wasn't a fatal amount but they would need to find the antidote soon to make any impact on it.

Michael turned his attention back to his experiment. As he dipped his tongs into the water, he could hear Fenwick come out of his parent's bedroom. Fenwick walked up and looked over his grandson's shoulders. His tired old eyes scanned his equipment in front of his. Just as Michael went to put the tongs in the flame, Fenwick cleared his throat.

"Your goggles." Fenwick reminded him.

Michael sighed as he pulled down his goggles. He put the tongs in the flame and it turned blue. As he jotted down what the substance could be, his grandfather moved his arm away from the flame. Michael put down his pen and looked at Fenwick. Fenwick smiled and moved away to help Christine. After a few more test, Michael stood up.

"It's a synthetic form of dragon's breath." He said to his sister.

"A de Chagny's favorite poison." Fenwick grumbled, "Your mother had to deal with it once to save your father."

Christine looked at her grandfather, "What did she use to counteract it?"

"White Lotus Blossom, I think." Fenwick tried to remember.

"I'll go get some." Christine stated as she headed to the door only to blocked by Michael.

"I'm not letting you almost get kidnapped again." Michael growled.

"I'll go." Fenwick said, "I'm unknown to who ever is torturing us."

"Thank you, Grandfather." Michael smiled as he stared at Christine, "We'll wait for word from Nadir and Aidan."

Christine glared at her brother. Michael only smiled cheekily back at her. They two stared at each other when Aidan slammed in. The younger siblings jumped as they watched Aidan collapse in a chair. He seemed depressed. Michael moved to his side.

"We couldn't find him or Dante." Both have disappeared." Aidan reported, "How are they?"

Christine spoke up, "They are fine. The dosage isn't lethal, but they are in a lot of pain. Grandpapa went for what we need to make an antidote. Right now, they are resting."

Aidan nodded, "Can I go in and see them?"

"Papa has been asking for you." Michael told him.

Aidan nodded as he stood up and disappeared into his parents' bedroom. Michael stared at the portrait above the fire place. The mask figure looked down back at him. Michael wondered if this is how their late grandfather felt when his wife was dying? Christine joined his side.

"Michael, what are you thinking?" Christine asked.

"If this is what they went through when the de Chagnies struck?" Michael whispered, "And how you are going to have to deal with it for the rest of yours?"

"I don't what to be the Phantom, Michael. It doesn't fit me like being a singer does." Christine confessed, "After this I'm going to have to do it."

"Maybe not." Michael smiled at her, "Maybe something else will happen."

"I hope so." Christine admitted.

Suddenly the door to house swung open. The siblings turned to see Jessamine stumble in. She gazed at them wide eyed before collapsing in a heap. Michael and Christine hurried to her side. What now?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Aidan slipped into the room. On the bed laid his parent's unmoving forms. Aidan was suddenly frightened that his sister was wrong and the dose was fatal. His father was holding his mother close to his heart as possible. Aidan stepped up to the bed. As he neared to the edge, James's blue grey eyes opened and locked on his son's face.

"Aidan, my boy?" James asked.

Aidan nodded, "Michael told me that you wanted to see me."

"Any luck?"

"No, but Nadir is still looking. How about you?"

"In a lot of pain. I can't do too much more than think."

"How's mama? Is she?"

"Sleeping." James answered sadly, "I just got her to sleep. She remembers her own mother being like this. She is very scared. I have never seen her scared."

"It's not fatal."

"We know, it's just hard being like this. I wanted to talk to you and your brother about something very important."

"Should I call in Michael?"

"No, because your mother isn't sure if he'll want part of it. As you know, I have been training you two to take over for me."

"Of course, Grandpapa has been after you for months to give us some control."

"Well, aside from this last caper, you two have done an excellent job. Especially you, Aidan. You have emerged as a real leader. I was always proud of my boys even when you got cocky."

"Thanks, Papa."

"This last visit home has made me think a little bit." James admitted as he looked down at his lovely wife asleep in his arms, "While I would still control the Underworld, I want to be home more for your mother."

"What are you saying?"

"Aidan, I want you to run things for me. I'm getting old and I want to spend more time with your mother. She doesn't say it, but I know she wants me here with her more often. And she won't push for it. My little siren won't force me into retirement."

"Then why are you doing this?"

James grimaced as pain flashed through his body, "Because I'm getting too old to be the mysterious Professor James Moriarty. Too old for taking on enemies of all shapes and sizes. It's time for a new Napoleon of Crime to emerge. Make the Underworld your own, my boy and I'll make your orders as creditable as I can."

"I will, Papa." Aidan nodded, "Do you want me to send Michael in?"

"Let me rest." James grinned, "Then send him in. Your mother wants to talk with him too."

Aidan nodded again and left the room. His world was changing. His father was retiring and he was to take over. Where did that leave him with Jessamine?