I keep forgetting to put the disclaimer up at the top: Don't own the characters, I'm just borrowing them in a manipulation. Earning no money from this yadda bladda just the sheer enjoyment of writing. -:sighs contentedly:-

I really had planned to update sooner than this. :) A thousand hugs to the last group of reviewers! (reaches through cyber space -:hug:-) Thank you so much!

Shortish chapter and mostly from Raoul but there's some important stuff.


"What do you mean you can't find her?" Raoul bellowed as he slammed his fist down on the desk.

The managers flinched but Andre spoke up in an unaffected voice, "Exactly that, Monsieur le Vicomte. After you reported she was missing from her chambers, the search party has looked since and they're exhausted."

Firmin joined in his comrade's cause with an indignant tone, "No one's found a trace of her and anger won't change that."

Raoul closed his eyes and settled back into the chair. "I suppose you're right," he stated, resignedly. The men left the room. He placed his fingers to his temples, lost in desperate thought.

Raoul almost regretted the extra measures he'd taken to insure the Phantom would be taken alive, to spare Christine the anguish of witnessing unnecessary brutality to her maestro. Once the police had pulled him back from an untimely demise, he'd been so shaken that he nearly passed out. After he'd regained himself, he'd marched over to the Phantom as he lay on the cold stone, shivering.

Erik's elegant demeanor was gone, marked by his tear-stained face and bloodshot eyes, and he seemed to take no notice as Raoul stooped down next to him, his face still white. "How could Christine ever care for a monster? What made you think you could take her? You love her, don't you?" Erik made no reply except to meet the Vicomte's brown eyes; Raoul almost felt sorry then. Almost. "Don't you!" Erik closed his eyes and winced slightly as he turned his head. Finding this as a sufficient answer, Raoul kicked his prostrate form brutally before ordering the police to take their prisoner. Yet before they carried Erik's limping body away, Raoul, caught in the craze and bitterness of the moment, ordered them to stop and faced his adversary once again; forcing Erik's downcast eyes up, Raoul removed Erik's last layer of protection.

Raoul gasped, too shocked to put the mask back on as they lugged the Phantom away. Once he regained himself for the second time, Raoul went off to find Christine to beg her forgiveness; delicate that she was, the entire ordeal was still a shock and overall too much excitement as evidenced by her distressed reaction. Then he prayed they could discuss a wedding date now that the last obstacle was gone.

But she wasn't in her room.

He scrounged all the forces that he could to find her and they'd worked through the night without success.

He struck the table again. Then Raoul picked up the mask from his desk and inspected it carefully.

"Monsieur le Vicomte?" Madame Giry walked into the room. "The Opera Populaire is in uproar. What is going on?"

"We caught Erik," his voice rang with distaste on the name, "last night, our Phantom. And now Christine is nowhere to be found."

Mme Giry raised her hand to her mouth as her eyes darted to the white mask in his hand. "Mon Dieu, truly?"

"Oui, we can't find her anywhere." Raoul rose from his chair and leaned against the wall, staring out the window.

Mme Giry did nothing to correct where her true concern lay, she had an idea as to where Christine would go to be alone, but there would be little mercy for Erik. She excused herself quickly, assuring Raoul she would tell him if she heard anything and only suffering minor guilt for the fib. So as not to arouse suspicion, she returned to her dancers and led them in her normal, grueling routine. She dismissed them early, many claimed fatigue as they were unlucky enough to be caught in Raoul's frantic search, not allowed to leave. She pulled Meg aside as the other dancers filed out: "Ma fille, tell the other dancers that there will be no more practice today. If anyone asks where I am, tell them I went home and am not to be disturbed."

"But Maman, where are you going?"

"I'm going to find Christine. Please just do as I ask."

"I promise, Maman. Be careful." Mother and daughter hugged before Meg dashed off to change and make her announcement to the other ballerinas.

Mme Giry walked cautiously along the stage and glanced around quickly before disappearing through a hidden door.


Hope you enjoyed the last installment. Love it or hate it, LET ME KNOW (...please?)

What's to come: Well, Erik of course. :) :P

Much love, all