Sorry it took a little longer than expected for this chappie, I was finishing up my other story, Phantom in the Future... But anyway, I think that I'll start doing individual reviewers Thank-Yous every other chappie. So like, they won't be in this one, but all of them will be in the next one... So yeah, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own PotO.

The someone Jane bumped into let out a sharp gasp, and for a second they were both plunged in darkness. The man (for it was a man) relit his candle again, and Jane got a good look at him.

It was horrible, to put it mildly. The man was dressed in rags from head to foot, and his face was covered in grime. The man seemed to be in his forties, though Jane supposed that he could have been either younger or older and she wouldn't have noticed.

"Obviously," he grunted, "There is someone here... but why are you here?" the man reached out a hand and ran two fingers slowly through Jane's dark hair, and she moved away in surprise.

"Forgive me," he murmured, looking at Jane with large eyes, as if she was something he had wanted to see all his life, "I am the Ratcatcher. You must be Erik's newest... victim."

"Victim?" Jane asked, her voice meek and squeaky, "What... What do you mean... victim?"

"He brought you here, non?" the Ratcatcher asked Jane. She nodded, and he continued. "The only other person he ever brought down here willingly was that one girl, Christine Daae. I don't think I ever saw someone so in love as Erik when he was anywhere near Christine..." the Ratcatcher looked deeply into Jane's frightened eyes. "Yes, little one. If he brought you down here willingly, then he must have fallen in love with you."

Jane took a disbelieving step back. No. It couldn't be true. It couldn't be. Erik couldn't be in... love with her.

Footsteps brought Jane back to reality, and she looked fearfully at the Ratcatcher, who bowed and left noiselessly. In all but a minute, Jane's life had been turned upside-down again. Coming to her senses, Jane ran down the passageways, trying desperately to find a way out. For a second she hesitated, and a hand clamped over her mouth suddenly from behind.

"You shouldn't wander in the labyrinth," Erik hissed, his lips centimeters from Jane's ear and his words tickling her skin slightly, "Something bad could happen to you..." he whirled Jane around and stared at her. "What happened? Why did you come here? Why did you scream?"

"I screamed because... it was dark and I felt something behind me," Jane lied. For some strange reason, she felt that being scared by a bug was very childish, and she couldn't tell Erik of it. He gripped her shoulders tightly, and gazed into her eyes.

"Why did you come here?" he asked, and Jane fell silent. He repeated his question, but Jane stayed quiet and avoided his eyes. After a while, Erik sighed. "Since it appears that you aren't going to tell me, then let's go back."

Erik took Jane's hand and led her quickly down the passages. He went so fast that it was rather astounding to Jane. How could he find his way around this labyrinth so fast? The question was forced from Jane's mind as they reached Erik's home again. He took her to her room, then turned to face her, and Jane almost gasped again.

His eyes were so full of sadness that it shocked Jane. They looked hurt, but still beautiful, tormented and sad, but still dazzling and breathtaking. It made Jane feel slightly guilty, knowing that it was because of her that his eyes were like this.

"Erik turned to leave, but suddenly stopped. "Oh, mademoiselle, I almost forgot to ask you... Is there anything you require? I can get it for you while you are asleep and have it ready for you tomorrow..."

Jane blinked once, pondering the question. Do I require anything?! Of course I do! I need to go home! I need to be surrounded by my friends, and other people who love me!

Wait... love me... Is the Ratcatcher right? Does Erik really... love me? Jane glanced at Erik's blue eyes, and all of her bitter feelings melted away. His eyes were pleading with her not to be afraid, not to be afraid of him...

"N-No monsieur, but thank you anyway," Jane breathed in spite of the little voice in her head that was screaming at her to run. Erik sighed and bowed low, then turned and began to walk away, his head bowed in what Jane thought was a rather shameful way.

Erik walked away, confused and wondering what to do. He didn't want Jane to be frightened of his home, and yet he wasn't sure what to do. All of the sudden, he got an idea. Of course...

When Jane was sure Erik was gone, she shut the door. There was a handsome mahogany wardrobe in the corner of the room, but as she wasn't sure whether or not she was welcome to use anything in it, she crawled into bed without changing, being careful not to tear any of the fringes of crimson, gold, and green material that were part of her costume. Jane blew out the candle beside her and sat for a few fearful minutes in darkness.

"Wandering child

So lost, so helpless

Yearning for my guidance...

Beautiful child, fear not my voice

For I am your Angel of Music!" a rich, deep tenor voice that seemed to come from all around Jane sang. For a second, Jane was very frightened, but all of her fear melted away in an instant when the voice addressed her once more.

"Child, why do you tremble so?" it asked, and it seemed, to Jane, just so... gentle. Jane searched the darkness of her room, but did not find anything. The voice asked her the same question again, and she found herself being strangely reminded of Erik, but she was too confused to decipher what it meant.

"Who... Who are you?" Jane asked at long last.

"Did you not hear me, child? I am your Angel of Music," the voice answered. Jane almost fainted from her shock, but swallowed and took a deep breath.

"Are you really an... angel?" Jane's voice was barely above a whisper, but the voice seemed to hear her anyway.

"Yes, child. Now, relax. I will watch over you while you sleep."

"Angel?" Jane asked meekly, unsure of where to look while talking to the voice.

"Yes?"

"Why are you here? I mean, why will you be watching over me?"

"Child, did you not hear what Erik told you before? If I am correct, he said, "Welcome to the to the kingdom of music, where music bestows great things on all who are loyal to it". You, child, are loyal to music, and I, an Angel of Music, have been sent to watch over you. I will watch you every moment, but I can only talk to you when you are alone. Now, relax."

Jane complied and laid her head back onto the pillows, and almost instantly the voice began to sing again. Jane felt that her companion that night must have been an Angel of Music, because the voice that came from the lips she could not see was the most angelic that she had ever heard.

"Nighttime sharpens

Heightens each sensation..."

Erik drew himself away from the door when he was sure that Jane was asleep. His trick had worked, and he now felt a little better, knowing that Jane felt herself safe in his home. He was glad that Jane had believed him, for now she would most likely not try to run away again. It also, of course, comforted him to know that his love was able to sleep peacefully.

Erik went back to his own room and laid down in his coffin. He removed his mask and laid it on his chest, massaging his temples with the tips of his fingers. He lost himself in his thoughts for a few minutes before sleep consumed him.

HaHa I hope y'all liked that particular chappie, and the Ratcatcher finally came in! Just to let you guys know, he won't come in for a little while longer after this, but he will come in. So thank you to all my reviewers, individual thanx in the next chappie!

Oh, and by the way, I was wondering... when anyone else listens to the Phantom of the Opera (like, the song), do you guys imagine people dancing a salsa to it? I know, I'm crazy, but I think it has the right beat for a salsa! Give me your opinions, people, please! My friend thinks that the song has the right beat for a twisted version of the Cell Block Tango from Chicago, if the tempos were tweaked... So tell me what you think, ok?