Again, I don't own the Phantom of the Opera. Never have, never will...thanks!

Chapter 2:

(Michelle's POV)

"The new renovations have come to accommodate each member of the cast and crew with their own rooms!" squealed Meg Giry excitedly as she led me to my room. After leaving the managers office the woman had led me to her daughter Meg and asked her to show me to my room. I was to start training tomorrow morning at eight o'clock sharp. I was excited, but still fearful that they would take one look at me and decide that I wasn't good enough. Then I would be on the streets again with no where to go.

"That's lovely, Mademoiselle Giry." I said; my voice still barely above a whisper. She turned to me with a small smile as we reached the door that was the entrance to my new room.

"Please, Michelle. I do not like formalities. Call me Meg." I nodded as she turned back around and opened the door. The room was small, but it was beautifully furnished. There laid a small bed made of cherry with a beautiful wine colored comforter on top. In one corner sat a vanity, also made of cherry, with an oval shaped mirror sitting on top. The closet not very large, but I did not have many clothes so that was no matter. And on one wall there was attached a large mirror that stood three feet above my own five foot two inches.

"It isn't much, but it is yours." She quipped happily. I nodded and sat my carpet bag onto the floor and looked around. It was a lovely room. Nothing compared to what I had grown up in, but this was a new life for me; and it was a welcomed roof over my head.

"Thank you, Meg. It's beautiful." I said sitting down on my bed. Meg smiled and walked back to the door and turned around.

"A maid will come by every morning at seven to wake you up in time for rehearsals. Goodnight, Michelle." And with that she left. I sat still on the bed and looked around the room once again.

"A new life; a new home." I sighed and picked up my carpet bag and opened it up looking at its contents. I stood up and sat the bag on the bed, pulling out a brush, two ribbons, three dresses one of which was black, a night gown, and a book that I had been given for my twenty-first birthday. I smiled as I looked at the book. It was Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. I set the book, brush, and ribbons down on the night stand and put the dresses in my closet. I looked at the pale pink dress that hung there, practically un-used since my family passed into heaven.

"I can't wear mourning garb forever." I mused to myself as I ran the silky fabric through my hand. I sighed as I brought my hands up to inspect them. They were dirty and I realized that I was in much need of a bath. I opened up the door and to my delight saw Madame Giry walking down the hall.

"Madame Giry?" I called out. She turned around and smiled at me.

"Yes, Michelle? What can I do for you?" she walked back up to me and I lowered my head.

"Well," I started nervously, "I am in desperate need of a bath." The woman nodded and told me that she would send someone to bring in a tub and some hot water and soap. I thanked her and closed my door. I opened the closet once again and saw a small changing screen tucked away in the back. I pulled it out, thankful that I could have an extra sense of security as I bathed and laid it aside. A few minutes later two men brought a tub in as they were followed by several maids carrying large buckets of water from which I could see steam rising. I was excited beyond belief. A hot bath! I would have my first hot bath in three months! I thanked them as they left after filling the tub and leaving me with some soap. I put the changing screen on one side of the tub, as it was placed in a corner which I was very thankful for. I locked the door and walked back to it and undressed, setting my dress and undergarments on top of the screen and my night gown on one side of the tub.

"Thank God…" I sighed as I lowered myself into the blissful warm water. My muscles ached from all of the travel. I had bought a ticket to get me to France from my home in Germany, but the rest of the way was traveled on foot and I found myself sleeping in barns. Just to save myself the precious money that I knew I would need for food.

I stayed in the tub for quite some time, how long I do not remember. But I was refreshed and more importantly; I was clean. I climbed out and slipped the night gown over my head and climbed into my bed. How long it seemed since I last slept in a real bed. I tenderly ran my hand over the mattress and snuggled my face into the pillow. This is pure bliss. I thought to myself as sleep overcame me.

(Erik's POV)

I had finished making my rounds for the night when I decided to pay the new recruit a visit. As I arrived at the other side of her mirror I saw her step behind a changing screen, the new found wetness in her curls and the shine to her skin told me that she had just finished bathing. I drank up her visage, as the night gown she wore came just below her knees. She was a sight to see, I had to admit to myself. Her legs were shapely, much like those that a full time ballerina would possess. Upon closer inspection, however, I noticed small scratches and I immediately recognized the scratches to be made from hay. Seeing those on such a delicate creature as this girl brought back harsh memories of my past.

I winced at the thought. What would drive this girl to be sleeping in hay, and more importantly, why hadn't she shielded herself with stockings. I glanced at the clothing she had placed upon the top of the changing screen and noticed that the stockings had large holes in them. That explained why her legs were not protected. I turned my glance back to this Michelle and watched as she climbed into the bed. She ran her hand gently over the goose feather mattress, as if it were a lover from her past. This girl, I realized, had been through a great deal. But exactly what I could not know.

She smiled and yawned, then nuzzled her head into the pillow. I stood behind the mirror for what seemed an eternity, until I watched her breathing soften. When I knew that she was finally deep asleep I flipped the mechanism and stepped out. I walked around her bed, as if I hoped that in her sleep she would tell me something about her past. She had a small smile upon her lips as she slept, and then all of the sudden the smile turned to a frown and she whimpered. I watched her, silent and debating with myself on the choice to leave now or to stay. Her whimpers soon turned to cries.

"No! Mama! Papa!" I watched as she thrashed in bed, trying to run away from the horrors that only she could see. It was then that I started humming a lullaby that Antoinette Giry had sung to me after saving me from the gypsies. I watched as she slowly calmed down, and eventually returned to a peaceful slumber.

"Sleep well little Michelle." I whispered to her before I stepped back into the mirror which concealed the passageways to my domain. I closed the mirror behind me and looked upon her sleeping figure once more. I could not place my finger on what it was that drew me to this girl. She was pretty, that was to be sure; but not a ravishing beauty. I had yet to hear her sing, but I could imagine that someone with as sweet a voice as she had when speaking, would have a beautiful voice when singing. That day was to come shortly, but for tonight I had plans to make and new music to compose.