Watch In Admiration

Meg's next encounter with le vicomte was a strange one indeed, for she was in the awful position of knowing far too many secrets that she was unable to disclose. Christine had for months been mourning for her Phantom, yet growing stronger in her love for him, until, at last, they were reunited once again. She had returned from her encounter with Erik in a state of happiness the likes of which Meg had never been witness to.

Meg was finally beginning to understand what had drawn Christine back to him; for she had finally met the infamous Phantom of the Opera, and in Christine's bedroom no less. Although it had been an innocent enough encounter between the newly reunited lovers, Meg had been instantly overwhelmed by the connection between them. She had never before been so close to the man who had for so long been know to her as only the Opera Ghost, and to see him up close was a revelation. For even though Meg knew of his deformity underneath the mask he wore, his entire figure was strikingly handsome.

And the strange chemistry between he and Christine seemed to permeate the very air around them, drawing Meg herself into the spell. She had felt something similar once before, when the couple had been on stage together, but the intensity of that performance seemed nothing compared to seeing them together in open expression of their love.

Christine had changed so much in only a few months, newly confident with her own desires and in her power as a woman, and Erik seemed calm and content in her presence. It was difficult for Meg to reconcile his gentlemanly countenance with the heinous acts he had committed in his madness. Yet, she knew that darkness existed in him still...and more, Christine knew it as well, but had forgiven him.

So it was with that knowledge that Meg Giry descended the stairs to greet le Vicomte de Chagny when he again came to call on Christine. His renewed interest in his former fiancée had not been invited, but for Christine to turn him away completely would have been to risk discovery of her true heart's desire. She had only a brief time until her future with Erik would begin in earnest...away from Paris...so Meg was to play chaperone until then.

"Good afternoon, Monsieur le Vicomte."

"Meg...? Have we returned to such formalities?"

Meg blushed slightly. "I thought perhaps you would not wish such familiarity in public."

Raoul grinned, making a show of looking around the empty sitting room. "It would seem a private enough setting."

Meg's pink cheeks grew even hotter, and Raoul found himself once again admiring the look on her. "Christine will be down shortly. I hope you aren't very disappointed that she has asked me to entertain you awhile."

Raoul smiled sincerely. "On the contrary, Meg, I find that I enjoy your company a great deal."

She smiled shyly at the compliment. "As I do yours, Mon..." At his raised brows, Meg amended her sentence. "Raoul."

He grinned. "Very good. Now tell me how your dancing progresses?"

Meg grinned. "Very ill, I assure you."

Raoul gave her a very cross look. "Surely you are joking? You dance divinely, Meg. I would not be surprised to see you dance the lead very soon."

She laughed outright, the sound almost musical. "Then you shall be the only one who is not. For I assure you that Monsieur LeCleur has no intention of displacing his prima ballerina anytime in the near future."

Raoul shook his head with a grin. "A shame. It seemed to me she was a bit past her prime."

Meg giggled. "I would not repeat that outside of this room, Raoul. Yvette DuPres has spies everywhere."

Their easy laughter was interrupted by Christine's entrance. Raoul immediately straightened and stood, bowing to her and placing a kiss on her hand. "Christine. You look radiant."

Meg noticed Christine color slightly at his compliment, but in truth, Christine was glowing with happiness as of late. Meg could not help feeling guilty in her knowledge of the reason for that happiness. Christine smiled at Raoul, and then Meg. "What have you both been speaking of with such enjoyment?"

Meg grinned a little. "Only life upon the wicked stage."

Christine arched an eyebrow. "Well, I am glad to see my two dear friends are getting on so well, because I would like for us all to have lunch together today. That is, if you would care to eat with us, Raoul."

A flicker of surprise passed over Raoul's face that Christine would have Meg join them, but he smiled happily. "I can think of nothing that would please me more than dining with two beautiful ladies."

Strange, but Meg felt a wild little flutter in her stomach when Raoul looked directly at her during his statement. She shook herself slightly, thinking he was likely only seeking to make Christine feel more at ease. Meg's own presence was purely a matter of practicality. Raoul could make no unwanted romantic advances to Christine if he could not be alone with her.

As the three of them sat down in the parlor to a light lunch, Raoul immediately resumed discussion of the wicked stage. "I am actually quite glad to have the opportunity to speak with you both about some news that has come to my attention. It seems that the Opera Populaire is to be renovated and reopened."

Christine gasped, clearly surprised, and Meg looked curiously at Raoul. He was watching Christine's reaction very intently. For a few moments, no one spoke and Meg drew a breath and asked. "Have Monsieur Andre and Monsieur Firmin not gone back to their junk business?"

"Scrap metal." Raoul muttered automatically, then grinned along with Meg. Christine smiled as well, but thought how odd it was that Meg and Raoul had such instant rapport. Raoul continued on. "They have indeed washed their hands entirely of the theater. A Monsieur Ranier has purchased the building and plans to rebuild."

Christine asked, "Is that possible?"

"The engineers seem to believe that the structure is still sound. Of course, the entire stage and auditorium must be replaced, and there is a great deal of fire and water damage to the interior. But Monsieur Ranier feels it is a worthy venture."

He smiled first at Meg, then Christine, and if it seemed a bit forced, Meg understood why. "Perhaps you shall both be able to reclaim your former positions before long."

Meg watched Christine's face pale slightly. Raoul was testing her, Meg felt certain. He clearly wishes to know if her feelings concerning all that happened at the Opera are settled. She cleared her throat and broke the silence. "And will your family continue as patrons, Monsieur le Vicomte."

Raoul looked pointedly at Meg, rather not liking her use of his blasted title once again. Still he smiled at her. "Ranier has already solicited me. Understandably, I am still undecided."

"Understandably." Christine echoed absently.

The table grew silent, until Meg forced the conversation to a more carefree subject. "Tell me, sir. What news have you of the high society? I simply adore good gossip."

Raoul all but gawked at her for several seconds while Christine tried and failed to smother a laugh at her friend's outrageous question. Then Raoul joined her in laughter before proving himself rather fond of gossip as well.

xXx

Raoul's second attempt to call on Christine was met with much the same subtle resistance. He had purposely kept a careful distance for several days in hopes that she would not feel pressured by him, but he had hoped to be able to escort her to a private dinner. It was not to be.

Once again, he had been met in the parlor by Meg. Although, he'd had to admit, her company was lately a very pleasant diversion.

"Good afternoon, Raoul."

A genuinely happy smile had lit his handsome face. "Good afternoon, Meg. It is always a pleasure."

"For me, as well. Christine will be down shortly. I'm afraid I am once again to be your entertainment until she arrives."

Raoul wondered if he was imagining the little blush on Meg's cheeks. "And you shall certainly not hear me complain." They shared a smile, and a strange little silence that seemed to thicken the air around them a moment. Then Raoul seemed to shake himself from the spell. "Tell me, Meg, how is your mother faring at the Le Soliel? I understand that Monsieur LeCleur is most pleased with her."

Meg's grin was rather wicked, and Raoul caught his breath at it. "Yes, most pleased. I do believe he is quite infatuated with her. Although she certainly does not encourage him."

"Well…I…that is…I hadn't realized…" The concept of Francois LeCleur being infatuated with Madame Giry quite literally left Raoul at a loss.

Meg laughed. "Do not fret, Raoul. It is all perfectly adorable." Then she grew more serious. "Maman deserves to have some attention for a change. It has been so long."

Raoul could not help but be touched by the clear love and affection Meg felt for her mother. He felt a tiny stab of envy that his relationship with his own parents could not be so. "She is truly blessed to have a daughter such as you, Meg."

"And I am blessed to have such a friend."

Christine's voice at the doorway snapped Raoul and Meg from their quiet moment. Neither had been aware of her entry. Raoul stood, his adoring eyes turned to Christine. "Christine, you look lovely, as always."

"Thank you, Raoul. I trust you and Meg have been having a pleasant conversation."

"Our little talks are always most enjoyable. Are they not, Meg?"

Meg drew a steadying breath and forced a carefree smile she did not feel. "Yes. Of course."

Christine smiled at her friend, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Meg and I had been planning to dine at Le Monde this evening, Raoul. It has been so rare that we both have the same evening free."

Raoul looked disheartened. "I had hoped…we might dine together this evening, Christine. I have business I must attend to in the coming week which will take me away from Paris."

Christine looked at Raoul with sympathy, but Meg felt certain that her friend was feeling only great relief at his announcement. "There is no reason why you cannot join us, Raoul. We are all friends, are we not?"

Meg grimaced to herself, wondering if Christine was aware of the tiny edge of sarcasm lacing her seemingly innocent words. Erik was certainly rubbing off on her. Raoul inhaled deeply, his troubled eyes clearing. "Of course. If you would not object, Meg?"

Meg started as two sets of eyes landed fully on her. Both pleading for her to agree, but for very different reasons. She wondered vaguely if one could actually suffocate from guilt. She forced another fake smile, hating this game more each passing moment. "How could I possibly object?"

How, indeed?

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