AN: This isn't as good as my first chapter. Less emotion mostly cos Erik and Christine aren't in it. I tried to get the plot going a bit in this chapter...Sorry if it isn't as...heartfelt as my first. That is more what I'll strive for.

A Mouse and a Man; a Question and an Answer: Chapter 2

All pandemonium broken out when the Phantom wasn't there; only his mask remained. As the stage hands, etc ran around the massive lair, gesticulating and yelling to get their unreleased energy out, Meg couldn't help but feel how pointless it all was. The Phantom of the Opera obvious wasn't here anymore. He had vanished like a wisp of smoke as if he was indeed a ghost.

Was he? Was the Phantom really a ghost or was he a flesh and blood man forced underground by his ugliness?

Her mother had certainly been closed on the subject.

Meg stamped her foot in frustration. This wasn't helping at all. Everyone was still running around like chickens with their heads cut off. It was maddening.

And what had happened to Christine? And Raoul?

Without further ado, Meg climbed the way she had come. No one noticed.

She still carried the white mask in her hand.

Her ascent was just as hectic as the descent. It seemed no one could figure out that the Phantom had vanished. Once people got worked up it took quite a lot to calm them. Once they called for blood, they must have it. Indeed Meg could already see various fights breaking out. They needed to get their hostilities out somehow.

Personally she hadn't descended five cellars underground to murder some "deranged mad man under the opera" but to save her friend. She hoped Christine was alright. Christine had been a little…distance lately. And there was that Vicomte, Raoul, to consider. What had happened to him? Had he listened to her mother? And speaking of her mother, where was she?

As if on cue, Madame Giry appeared like a cold specter of the dead. Meg jumped, her own mother shouldn't scare her so but she did.

"Mama, where were you? Where is Christine? The Vicomte? What's going on!"

Her mother merely stared, not answering. Instead she asked a question of her own.

"Have they found it?" without waiting for an answer Madame Giry continued, "They must have. Very well then. Come along, Meg, we have things to do."

"Wha—"

Meg didn't even get a chance to finish as her mother walked swiftly away, not even bothering to see if Meg was following. One step forward then backwards with a swift turn. She wasn't going to follow her mother. She was going to do what she wanted. Her mother couldn't tell her what to do forever; she was sixteen (?) after all.

She would find Christine first of all. Then discover the mystery of the Phantom.

♪ ♪ ♪

When Raoul returned to the waiting brougham, he had no idea where to go. Should he return to the Opera? Or should he return home? Perhaps not the latter. He should prepare for the wedding. Yes, that's what he'd do.

After giving this decision to the driver the brougham headed for the finest clothing shops in Paris. Raoul settled back to imagine Christine in various, beautiful wedding dresses.

This did not last long.

Completely against his will the events of the previous hours re-played in his head. One thing in particular played over and over in his head. That.

The kiss. Two!

Why, in Heaven's name, had Christine done that? Perhaps, perhaps she had done it to soften the monster. Yes, yes that was it. How many times had he told himself that? And how could she have made herself, no matter how much she loved him, touch let alone kiss that monster?

Heaving a long heavy sigh, Raoul shifted suddenly not as comfortable as a moment ago. She really shouldn't have risked her life like that. Even if this Phantom wouldn't have killed her, binding herself to that mad man would certainly have been just as bad if not worse. Personally, he would rather have Christine free and safe then trapped in darkness forever. What was his life compared to the delicate, beautiful light that was Christine? He was ready to die for her, at least he could be able to watch her grow and change in heaven, but then Christine had done that. Why…

It was like a vicious cycle. Grinding his teeth in frustration, Raoul vowed never to think of it again. Christine loved him. He knew that with all his heart.

Closing his eyes he could still see her, smiling brightly and happily up among the stars of a Paris evening.

All I want is freedom. A world with no more night. And you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me.

Love me that's all I ask of you.

Anywhere you go let me go too!

Promise me that all you say is true, that's all I ask of you.

Turn my head with talk of summertime.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime…

Let me be your freedom. Let daylight dry your tears.

I'm here, with you, beside you to guard you and to guide you.

Smiling happily at the memory Raoul relaxed even further. It was alright…Though he would have to ask Christine about that as soon as she was vibrant again. Pushing that nasty returning thought away Raoul drifted back to happy memories.

Suddenly a high pitched squeak shook him out of his reverie.

"Monsieur le Vicomte! Raoul! Raoul!"

That voice sounded vaguely familiar…

The brougham had suddenly stopped due to a slender pinkish hand clinging desperately to the window door. Peering curiously at this rude intruder Raoul saw a short (somewhat stocky) girl with long blond curls cascading down her shoulders. The face was vaguely familiar…But where…Oh, Christine's friend. The ballerina. What was her name? Oh, yes Meg. Meg Giry. Her mother had some connection to the Phantom but she had led him to Christine so he supposed it was alright.

"Yes, Mademoiselle Giry?" then thinking she might think he didn't remember her name Raoul added, "Meg."

The girl hardly seemed to notice. "Christine! Where's Christine! Did you find her! What happened? And why are you in a carriage at a time like this?"

Raoul was stunted. This girl talked so fast and so rapidly…What on earth was she so worked up about?

"Christine is fine. She is resting at home. And yes we are…fine."

Conspiringly he leaned forward. In response Meg followed suit.

"It was a bit…of…a tight spot there for awhile…but I believe the—him is gone for good. He won't bother us anymore. He let Christine go." Raoul whispered, somehow fearing someone would over hear.

Meg nodded. That didn't explain much but at least it was more of an answer than anything else she had been getting today. Christine would explain the rest.

"Thank you, Monsieur." Meg said with a little bow, "I'll go see Christine now."

"I don't think—" Raoul began but Meg had already turned and ran off.

How odd. What a forceful little girl. Not at all like my Christine.

With another smile (he seemed to smiling a lot considering the recent circumstances) Raoul bid the driver to proceed.

Now what dress would Christine look exquisite in?

Wait, was that girl wearing pants!

AN: Well, what did you think? R&R. Criticize. Whatever. I wanted to show Raoul as a rich, somewhat selfish, nobleman yet which a strong, sincere love for Christine which is how I see him in the musical (my views differ from Leroux!Raoul). I hoped I portaryed that accuracy.