Try My Very Best

The opening night of La Périchole was a rousing success, and the after party held by Monsieur LeCleur was well underway. Raoul stood off to himself, his eyes scanning the crowd for a glimpse of Meg. She had been spectacular, so much so that the Comtess had nothing but glowing comments, though she was well aware by now that her son found himself with some competition for the young dancer's attention.

Raoul, however, had made it quite clear to her that he was not planning to quietly step aside. Not this time. His parents opinion mattered little to him at this point. All thoughts of right and wrong had faded away. Only Meg was of any importance to him now, and he would fight for her.

Suddenly, Raoul saw her, a vision in green. She was on the arm of Jean Ranier, and Raoul felt his blood begin to boil. He made his way swiftly through the crowd towards the couple, plastering a fake smile on his face.

As if sensing his approach, Meg looked in his direction and visibly tensed. Her lips parted and her eyes remained locked on his. Feeling her withdrawal, Ranier turned to what had taken Meg's attention from him just as Raoul reached them. He smiled amiably. "Monsieur le Vicomte, so good to see you again."

"Monsieur Ranier." Raoul acknowledged the man but never took his eyes from Meg as he spoke. He reached for her hand. "Meg." Lifting it to his lips, he pressed a lingering kiss there. "You were exquisite tonight."

Meg felt herself begin to tremble a little, as Raoul did not release her hand, but continued to hold it firmly in his own. "Thank you, Raoul."

Jean could not help but take note of the familiarity between the two. Ever conscious of his own interests, he decided to let the little scene play out before he decided what strategy to adopt. "Yes. Marguerite is quite a vision on the stage. She will be even more so at my Opera."

Raoul reluctantly released Meg's hand, taking great hope from the fact that it seemed to take her a few seconds to realize that he had. He did not, however, release her eyes for even one moment. "Have you decided to return, then?"

Meg found that she could not quite think clearly lost in the strange intensity of Raoul's blue eyes. Return? "No," she murmured absently, shaking her head a little to clear it. The opera of course, you twat. "No…I have not." She finally tore her eyes away from Raoul to look accusingly at Jean. "Monsieur Ranier only persists in trying to influence my decision."

Raoul finally met the eyes of Jean Ranier, and a wealth of understanding passed in the glare between them. The game had been set. "I see. And do you still wish to influence the de Chagny family in the matter of patronage, Monsieur?"

Ranier's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but the glimmer of interest couldn't be disguised. "If le Vicomte will indulge me."

"Le Vicomte will not, Monsieur…but my parents find the renovation intriguing." Raoul's eyes drifted back to Meg as he spoke his next words. "I hope you will allow me to introduce you."

Jean considered this, and frankly could not resist such an opportunity. "We would be honored to make the acquaintance of le Comte and Comtess, would we not, my dear?"

Raoul flinched at the endearment, while Meg looked suddenly as if she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her. Still, her eyes fastened on Raoul's once again. "Yes." Then she smiled, her voice more certain. "Yes, I would very much like to meet them, Raoul."

Raoul smiled warmly at her. That's my sweet Meg, he thought. He glanced back to where he had last seen his parents, and found them still chatting with Monsieur LeCleur. "Then meet them you shall." He bowed a little and waved them in the proper direction, falling into step closely beside Meg.

When they reached the little group, Francois LeCleur scowled at the sight of his business rival and excused himself. Raoul laughed a little at the man's dramatics, he was nearly as temperamental as his actors. The Comtess smiled at her son. "Ah Raoul, there you are."

Raoul stepped forward and addressed his parents. "Mother, Father, Allow me to introduce the gentleman who is restoring the Opera Populaire, Monsieur Jean Ranier, and…" His eyes and tone softened considerably, "Mademoiselle Marguerite Giry. The Comte and Comtess de Chagny."

Jean bowed. "It is an honor to meet you both."

Comte Philippe de Chagny acknowledged Ranier's bow with a nod of his head, but his eyes were focused on Meg with pure male appreciation. He extended his hand to her and she placed her own in his reflexively. "Mademoiselle Giry, it is truly a pleasure. You are more exquisite is person that you were upon the stage tonight."

Meg blushed at his compliment. Raoul shifted uncomfortably beside her, knowing that his father's response to Meg would be far different if he realized his son's attachment. Comtess Elise de Chagny, on the other hand, smiled warmly. "Yes, my dear. Raoul certainly did not do you justice."

The shock of this statement was clearly evident on Meg's face. She had not expected Raoul would mention her at all to his parents. "I…thank you, Madame...Monsieur le Comte."

Philippe smiled at the girl. "Raoul mentioned to us tonight that you came to le Soliel after the tragedy at the Opera. Do you have plans to return once Monsieur Ranier here has reopened?"

Meg wondered why everyone seem so intent as of late on her career plans. Especially when her career was currently the farthest thing from her mind. Before she could answer for herself, both Raoul and Jean attempted to do so for her.

"That is my greatest hope…"

"Meg is undecided at present…"

The two men broke off abruptly and glared at one another, and once again Meg was hoping for some means of escape - perhaps a chandelier to fall.

Where was Erik when you really needed him?

Happily living in England with Christine…both of them leaving me here to clean up after them. All of this is entirely their fault, she thought ruefully

Comte de Chagny, suddenly becoming entirely too aware of the situation for his liking, cleared his throat. "I see." And he did. He would certainly be having a talk with his son later. "And how is the renovation progressing, Monsieur?"

Ranier composed himself, and smiled. "Very well indeed, le Comte. In fact, I would very much like discuss my plans for the Opera with you in detail sometime in the future, if you would be so kind."

The Comtess spoke then. "There is no time like the present, Monsieur Ranier. My husband and I would both like to hear more. I'm certain Raoul will be happy entertain Mademoiselle Giry while we discuss business."

Comte Philippe looked at his wife in mild irritation, Raoul grinned, Meg blushed, and Jean Ranier frowned at the realization that he had just been outmaneuvered. With a heated glare at Raoul, he turned his attention briefly to Meg. "If you would not mind, my dear? It will not be long."

Meg could barely catch her breath enough to reply. "I do not mind at all." And she hoped she did not sound too eager.

Jean shook his head a little. "Le Vicomte, I trust you will take good care of her."

Raoul smiled triumphantly. "Always."

He held his arm out to Meg. "Shall we walk a little, Meg?"

Meg smiled back in a daze and took his arm, leaving Ranier to promote his Opera House to the Comte and Comtess. Raoul led Meg though the crowd and out onto the terrace of the le Soliel's upper level. Only a few other couples were scattered about, making it easy to secure a relatively quiet view along the banister.

Meg was trembling inside, all her good intentions to ignore her feelings for Raoul gone with just one look from him. His quiet scrutiny was driving her absolutely mad. Unable to abide the silence, Meg broke in with a question. "Do you think that your parents will decide to reinvest in the Opera?"

Raoul's eyes darkened, and Meg sensed she had somehow said the wrong thing. "I am certain Monsieur Ranier will persuade them. I am told he has quite a talent for such things." Meg looked away, her cheeks coloring a deeper crimson, but she neither confirmed nor denied his statement. "Tell me, does Ranier make you happy, Meg?"

Her eyes jerked back to his. "I…enjoy his company."

Jealousy lanced through him, but it would do no good to let Meg see. Raoul was almost certain by her reaction to him tonight that she must feel something more, but he had been wrong about that once before…with Christine. He would not make the same mistakes again. Gently, he probed. "But you enjoy my company as well, do you not?"

She hesitated a moment and sadness flicked in her eyes. "Yes. Very much."

Yes. Very much. Do not ruin this chance, Raoul. Meg does not need to be rescued. She needs to be wooed. And you have been too long away from her.

"I have been missing our lunches, Meg. Tell me when I might have your company for another?"

The tip of Meg's little pink tongue darted out to moisten her lips, and Raoul suppressed a groan. "Monday. I…am free on Monday."

He smiled. "Then Monday it shall be."

Meg felt suddenly faint, wondering why she was tormenting herself this way. Oh, how she wanted to believe that Raoul's interest was something deeper. That he had seen her with Jean and realized that he had fallen in love with her. For a moment…she thought perhaps… but, of course, she was conjuring up fantasies again. "Perhaps…we should go back in. Jean will talk about the Opera endlessly if permitted."

Raoul frowned. Jean again. He offered Meg his arm. "Then let us rescue my parents, Marguerite."

Meg grimaced. "Please, Raoul. I much prefer to hear you call me Meg."

Raoul smiled a little, thinking it a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. Monday...Monday he would begin to show his sweet Meg that her friend Raoul intended much more than friendship for them.

xXx

Raoul had reluctantly escorted Meg back to the waiting arms of Jean Ranier, who had indeed intrigued the Comte and Comtess with his grand plans for the Opera's reopening. The little group quickly bid their adieus and split off, Jean leading Meg to safety away from the watchful eyes of the young Vicomte. He wondered just what had passed between the two as he'd discussed his business. "Marguerite? You look very far away just now."

"I am sorry, Jean. I'm suddenly very tired. The excitement of the night has caught up to me, I'm afraid."

He studied her closely, seeing that she was indeed tired, but knowing there was more to her shift in mood. "Perhaps your…walk…with le Vicomte was too much for you?"

He felt her tense beside him. "What are you implying, Jean?"

He sighed. "Nothing, my dear. It is late. Allow me to escort you home?"

Meg nodded. "Yes, thank you, Jean."

"You are most welcome."

And the young de Chagny was most definitely not welcome, he thought. Not welcome at all.

A/N: Thank you again for the kind reveiws. Meg and Raoul have both been a bit clueless...but have faith...