Author's Notes: Meg sings to Christine: "... I only wish I knew your secret, who is this new tutor?..." This gave me the conflic idea for the story. Just wanted to pointed that out. And I'm apologizing now if things get repeated. I have a really bad habbit of doing that. Sorry. Oh, and major Erik/Meg fluffness in this chapter. Enjoy!

Reveiwer Shoutouts: Kit - Thank you. More updates are coming. The plot bunnies are chewing away at my brain and this phic is probably going to be my best work!

Melinda - I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Erik/Meg would make a good couple. I just thought, well Erik didn't get a happy ending, and neither did Meg really. So, add the two characters together and what do you get: a romantic love story!

Chapter Two: The Phantom Returns:

Erik had dwelled in the sewers now for the past few years. It took him awhile, but it wasn't long until he he called it home. He even got use to the smell. Erik just didn't know how Meg put up with it. The younger Giry came to see him everyday in this dark, damp place. A smile came across to his face as he thought Meg. He was growing very found of her.

The echos of footsteps caught his attention. Meg was on her way. He could feel her presense all around her. "Erik." her voice called out to him.

Erik came out of hiding and he came before her. "I'm here Meg."

"Good, for I bring good news."

"What?"

"The Opera House is finally open to the public." Meg answered. "This means you can return to your home."

"I do not know if I could return to that place." replied Erik. "The old memories that haunt that place might be too much for me to bear."

Meg thought back. She remembered what happened there. It was there that he had brainwashed Christine, and it was there where he saw his beloved betray him. The Phantom was different now. Erik was a good man. She had witnessed his kindness through her many visits here. Not only that, but she could not allow him to stay in the sewer.

"Then I'll just have to shoo those ghosts away then, won't I?" Meg asked him, referring to the bad memories.

Erik laughed. He had not laughed in a very long time. Meg brought laughter back into his life. As his laughter died down, Erik noticed that something wasn't right with his friend. On the outside, she was happy, but Erik could tell that she was hurting on the inside, she was hurting.

"Meg, what troubles you?"

Erik's question caught her off guard. How could he know? Meg thought. She shook her head. "Nothing." She would not burden him with her troubles, not to mention that some had to do with Christine. Meg knew that mentioning her name, would bring nothing but sadness, and she did not want that.

"Do not lie to me," Erik walked up to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know you better then that."

Meg gave him a small smile. Besides Christine, Erik was the only other person who knew her better then anyone else. She told him everthing. The only thing she kept from him, was her dream about becomming a great singer, like her friend. Like her mother, she didn't know how Erik would respond to it. Her mother didn't take it lightly. She wondered if he would feel the same? She took a breath, and soon told him what he wanted to hear.

"I wish to be a singer."

Erik was taken aback by that. He had no idea that Meg wanted to be singer. "Why did you not speak of this before?"

Meg hung her head. "Christine. That's why."

Christine... Many years passed and he had not seen his beloved. She was probably happily married to that boy that he hated so much.

Meg could see his eyes grew dark when she mentioned her name. "I am sorry."

Erik tried to rid his mind of his thoughts of Christine. Meg was in need of a friend. Right now, he wasn't much of one. "No, please, forgive me. Continue."

"Are you sure?"

Erik nodded.

"All my life, I've been compared to her." Meg went on. "I was happy as an only child, but when mother brought Christine up to me, we became sisters. We took the same classes and had the same interest. No matter how hard I tried, or worked, Christine always held a speacil glimsp in my mother's eye..."

Erik could hear the saddness grow within her voice. Meg's confession of Christine and her mother were true. He had watched them in the shadows. He remembered feeling sorry for the younger Giry. He often wondered when it would be her turn.

"She always got the better treatment then I." continued Meg. "Christine even got you as a teacher, not me." Meg sighed. "My mother doesn't even think I can make it."

Erik shook his head. A mother should never doubt her child. Erik brought his hand from her shoulder, to her cheek. "I think you can."

"But I don't have the voice for it, that is what my mother says."

"She is wrong." Erik told her. "You can do it, and I will help you."

Meg smiled at him. "I couldn't ask you to do that."

"I am not asking. I am making an offer. And it is not lady like to refuse a man's offer." said Erik, in a teasing matter.

Meg nodded.

Erik pulled his hand away from the younger Giry and asked: "Should we be on our way then?"

"Where?"

"Back to the Opera House." replied Erik. "I surely can not train you to sing in here. The acusitics are much better there."

Meg nearly knocked him to the ground as she through her arms around him. Erik hesitated but soon, he returned her embrace. "Thank you." Meg whispered in his ear.

"You are most welcome." Erik whispered back.

Erick could not not believe he was holding a woman like he was now. He held Christine, but not like this. Meg's feelings were true. Erik did not have to brainwash her to like him. She liked him for what he truely was.

"Come then!" Meg said as they parted and took his hand and they were off to the Opera House.

Once on the streets, Meg had to keep herself and Erik in the shadows so they would not be found. She found the window that would lead him down to his old home. Erik opened it and slipped inside. He held it open so Meg could slip in as well. Erik then lead her to his hidden shrine to music.

When Erik reached his destation, he was shocked at what he saw. All his things were gone. It was as if nothing was ever there.

"The guards destroyed everything." Meg told him, as if reading his mind. "I managed to salavage a few things."

Erik watched as Meg went to the small room. She returned moments later with a small bag in her hand. She handed it to her friend. Erik took it, and kelt down so he could go through it. Meg knelt beside him and watched as he pulled out his things, one by one.

Meg managed to save an old pair of clothes he once had, a small mirror, the old music box that was shapped in the form of a monkey, his dark wig and his mask. He turned to her with a questionable look in his eye. "Why did you safe this?"

"I thought you might want it when the time came." answered Meg.

Eric nodded. The asked: "Will you excuse me?"

Meg watched as Erik grabbed his things, and went to the small room. It was here he changed into his old clothing. He placed the wig upon his head, and straightened it out. There was only one thing left: the mask. He took a breath, and put the mask on. Erik looked into the mirror. The Phantom had returned.

The Phantom returned before Meg. When she had first seen him, he had frightened her, but he didn't now. As she looked him over, she could not help but notice that he was a nice looking man with the wig and the mask.

"I am not that ugly then?" Erik asked her. He noticed her looking over him. Erik gave her a small smile. "I've missed this mask. It hides my monsterous image."

Meg placed her hand upon the mask. She never touched this side of his face before. Erik never let anyone touch the scared side of his face, unless he wore the mask.

"How many time must I tell you Erik," Meg said to him. "You are not a monster. You are a beautiful person. With or without the mask."

Erik stared back at her and looked into her eyes. He was looking for some lie that lay behind those warm words, but he found none. She spoke the truth. He had longed to hear those words said to him.

Meg and Erik had no idea what was happening to them, but they soon found themselves drawing closer together. Erik pressed his lips upon her's. It was gentle but Meg could feel the passion behind it. This was her first kiss, and it wouldn't be her last. The two parted and Meg embraced The Phantom once again that eveing.

Meg remained in his arms and nuzzled her head into his shoulder. She felt his strong embrace her again. She couldn't believe it. This is what it feels like... Meg thought to herself as a smile came across her face. Their friendship had grown into something much more: love.

Erik had been denied the joys of the flesh for so long. He wondered if he had finally been forgiven of his crimes. The Phantom's life had been a dark one. Erik would start a new, better life this go round, and this time he won't be alone.

TBC...