Thank you for your patience. I really like this story. It's a bit slow at first, but it'll get better. I promise.

Ange slowed down. Erik sighed. He'd been traveling for three days straight now. Maybe it was time for a rest. He needed to get to Italy before Raoul did if he was going to find anything out!

Spotting a roadside inn, Erik urged Ange over to it. Tying the horse at the hitching post, Erik walked into the inn. Loud music immediately greeted him. It wasn't the soft pleasant music he was used to playing and singing at his house on his organ, but instead was rough yelling and pounding of keys. It was worse than Don Juan!

Erik took a seat at the counter. A waitress with an extremely low, plumed top sauntered over to him and batted her eyelashes. "Would you like anything to drink, sir?" she crooned.

The Phantom rolled his eyes. "Yes, a water please. And I'd like a room for the night, and a stable for my horse."

"Oh, all right. You'll want to talk to Suzann over there." the waitress nodded toward a voluptuous woman with red curly hair swept on top of her head. "She'll get you all hooked up." the waitress walked away for a moment before sliding a tall glass of ice water down the bar. Erik clutched it and took a drink.

When he had finished the water, he stood up and walked over to Suzann. "Excuse me, ma'am?" he said.

Suzann spun around to face the masked man. "Yes." she raised an eyebrow and appraised him.

"I'm interested in a room for one night and a place to board my horse." Erik stated, his face showing no emotion.

"Ahh… you wouldn't be interested in any other services, would you?" she winked.

"No." Erik said firmly.

Suzann's face fell. "All right. Come this way." She paused, and turned to a scraggly man with brown hair and an unshaven face. "Can you hook up that horse outside with a stable? Thanks."

Suzann led Erik up the steps to a long hall lined with doors. The music could still be heard quite clearly and Erik moaned. He hated roadside inns. Suzann sauntered into one of the end rooms. Erik cringed when he saw that it was already occupied.

"Alright you two. You have three minutes to finish up and be out of here. This man needs this room. Its our only empty one." Suzann pushed Erik out of the room and he stood against the wall.

In two minutes, a man emerged looking quite bedraggled. Then a woman did too, she smiled at Erik and he raised his eyebrow. Suzann rolled her eyes. "They never ask permission. I get tired of this."

Suzann walked into the room before Erik and quickly made the bed. Erik pulled his wallet from his pocket and handed the woman the pay for one night. She smiled warmly at him and then walked out of the door.

Taking off his suit jacket, pants, cape, mask and fedora, Erik sighed and flopped on the bed, not caring what had gone on before he'd come in. Within an instant, he was asleep, dreaming of exposing the Vicomte in his worst moment.

- - - - -

Sunlight shone in through the window. Erik blinked and then squinted in the bright light. Standing up, he did the best he could to straighten his bedraggled shirt. Pulling on his pants and jacket, Erik walked over to a small bureau where he'd set his mask and fedora. Shaking his head at the disfigured side of his face, Erik slid on the mask and fedora. Hanging on the door knob was his cape and he draped that over his arm and walked down the creaky old steps to the bar downstairs.

The waitress who'd worked last night was still there, and Suzann was in the process of kicking out three very drunk men. Erik took a seat at the bar. The waitress grinned. "Hi. Sorry I was so rude last night. Evenings are always torture. I'm Paulette." the woman held out her hand.

"I'm Erik." he replied, and shook it.

"So, Erik. What brings you to this run down place?" Paulette asked, and sat down on a stool that was obviously on the other side of the bar.

Erik pondered what to say to her. "Well, I'm actually trying to figure something out. A good female friend of mine is married, but her husband is never home. Perhaps you've heard of Vicomte Raoul de Changey?" Erik asked.

Paulette grinned. "Oh my yes. He's supposed to be the most handsome man around."

Erik snorted. "Anyway, I'm going to figure out why he isn't ever home."

The waitress nodded. "A noble cause indeed. Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes, that would be wonderful." Erik smiled.

"Hey, Bart! We need two breakfasts out here. Just do the special." she exclaimed. Turning back to Erik she raised an eyebrow. "Why do you wear the mask?"

Erik flinched. "My face is horribly disfigured. People get frightened at the sight of it." the man shrugged.

Bart, who was a portly man wearing a stained apron walked out carrying two dishes of eggs and bacon. "Who's the second one for?" he sneered, setting them down on the counter.

"Me." said Paulette. "I haven't eaten since yesterday at lunch."

Bart snorted and waddled back into the kitchen.

"He's grouchy. Not much of a morning person I'm afraid. But he is a good cook." Paulette began to eat her breakfast. Erik did as well.

With his fork, Erik plucked up the last bit of egg and popped it into his mouth. "That was delicious. What do I owe you?" he asked reaching into his pocket for his wallet.

"Its on the house. I don't care." Paulette said.

"Thanks." Erik said with heartfelt sincerity. He picked up Paulette's hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. Her eyes widened. Men didn't treat women like this anymore! Then he bowed and left the inn.

- - - - -

Erik mounted Ange and clicked his mouth. They set out at a fast pace, heading towards the city where Raoul would be having his meeting with the other men. It was going to be a long journey, for sure.

They traveled as quickly as possible until he reached the next small town. Erik sighed and tied Ange again at the post. Walking into the inn, which was a bit more upper-class than the other had been, Erik sat down at the bar.

"A champagne, please." he asked, needing something to calm his frazzled nerves.

The waitress slid a glass of champagne in front of him. Taking a sip, Erik surveyed his surroundings. Then his eyes widened. On the other side of the room, immersed deeply in conversation, was Raoul!!

Did you enjoy it? R&R!! Thank you!!

Kara