(A/N to VagrantCandy: Good to hear you liked it. I've been busy with… various things lately, but I'll be sure to keep updating as soon as I can type things out.

to Katiecee: My Katie! This my friends, is my new beta. Give her a round of applause! Yey! Thank you dahling for all your help and I might have to take you up on that last offer. –wiggly eyebrow-

to LovinRKO: I was looking back right before I got this review and thought the same thing. Now all of the chapters are at least 1000 words long, and have more detail overall. Thanks for trying to point out what needed work!

to charity: You liked the chapter? That's great! Thanks for the review, and I'll be sure to keep writing.

Chapter eight: Temporary Abode

Madame Giry stood outside her unlocked door, carefully contemplating her dilemma. She couldn't keep a drug-dependant opera ghost in her room, for Meg had recently given up board in the dormitories to sleep in the rooms with her mother. Obviously the fact that a strange man lived under the building she called home was a bit disturbing, and meeting the person face to face probably wouldn't help. Meg had begun to have horrible nightmares after the accident, and the other dancers were more than judgmental. As strict as Madame Giry was, she couldn't just stand by and watch such abuse happen.

Shaking her head and inhaling deeply, Antoinette ran through her other options. The infirmary wasn't the place either. All they needed now was a gaggle of frightened nurses -that would surely help them rise back to success. Rolling her eyes at her own thoughts, Madame Giry stared at the hood covering Erik's face. It was a pity really. He was truly a genius, and she only wished the world would accept him. Suddenly an idea eked its way into her mind, and she spun around to face the opposite direction. Jennet!

There really was no better option. She was trustworthy, and had a room of her own. Besides, she was already nursing Anika. How much harder would it be to see that Erik didn't sneak off to buy more of whatever he was on? Many different situations flashed though her skull as she slowly made her way towards the staircase to Jennet's room. There would be a few problems…

Jennet was such a fiery individual, set in her ways and passionate about her beliefs. When people were around her, she suddenly became boss of the situation. No question about it. Erik however, was much like a spoiled young child. With no mother to nurture him, he hadn't learned compassion. With no father to teach respect and discipline, he became a man without morals. Socially, he was still a toddler. This would be Jennet's worst nightmare. Having to live around a person who always had to have his own way… or else… while she was so accustomed to having her own. It would be a clash of the titans.

Reaching the base of the winding metal staircase, somehow Madame Giry felt she was rising to meet something formidable. What on earth would she say if Jennet refused? By now Erik was growing heavy, his slight weight deadening all sensation in her forearms. Even in his emaciated state, he was still a very large man. Monsieur Jezime hadn't been dishonest about the awkwardness of carrying a man taller than yourself.

Walking up the stairs was even harder, and she felt immensely guilty for hitting Erik's head on a few rungs of the railing. The man was unconscious; he felt nothing, but Madame Giry still was uncomfortable abusing him even the slightest bit. So many others had done what could not be undone by the constant abuse… Walking carefully to the door and re-arranging Erik's limp form, his head ended up buried in her shoulder. She felt as though she was carrying some sort of a frightened infant… only not. No infant was addicted to morphine.

Madame Giry knocked softly, her knuckles hitting the smooth grain of the wood. She stood there for a moment before knocking again, a bit louder this time. She could see the light under the door, and knew Jennet was there. Why wasn't she answering?

"Jennet! Please come to the door."

She called urgently, her hand pulling at Erik's traveling cloak to better cover his form. It wouldn't do to frighten the dancer before she even asked if he could stay. Madame Giry heard rustling from behind the door, and her heart began to pound. How was this going to play out? A groggy figure cracked peered out of the room, her eyes narrowed into slits. Realizing who she was seeing, Jennet opened the door wide and welcomed Madame Giry in.

"Antoinette, what brings you here at such hour?"

Eyeing the large gray form she was carrying, it took only a few moments for the overpowering stench to reach her nose. Immediately speaking up, Jennet pointed at the mass and scowled. Her voice rang in outrage, and she wrinkled up her nose in disgust.

"What in heaven's name is that!"

Anika stirred in her sleep at the loud noise, and Jennet inwardly slapped herself. She couldn't wake the precious sleeping beauty! Madame Giry on the other hand, had completely forgotten how rank Erik smelled. Wincing, she shifted him from one shoulder to the other.

"Please, you must understand.. he's-"

Madame Giry had gotten nothing out before Jennet threw up her hands, walking over to one of the armchairs by the hearth and settling in to its cushions. Before crossing her arms over her chest, she motioned for Madame Giry to take the chair opposite her.

"Put him on the daybed. I have a feeling we have a bit of a chat in store."

xXx

"This is Erik. Believe it or not, you know him very well."

Madame Giry had set the man in her arms comfortably onto the bed, wrapping his traveling cloak around him for the time being. She could see the soft rise and fall of his chest, and a grim smile settled into her features.

Jennet shook her head, peering over to the bundle and arching an eyebrow.

"I can't even see this mysterious Erik. I don't know him at all."

Madame Giry folded her hands in her lap, a vacant look passing across her face. She said the next few words with unnatural calmness, and for a moment the words didn't even register in Jennet's mind.

"Angel of Music. Opera Ghost. A Phantom of sorts."

She paused and looked over to Jennet, whose eyes had grown large with horror. So many things crossed her mind at once, it was like a explosion of colors and sounds. A crystal chandelier, the smooth clear voice of a young ballerina, two bodies twined in an embrace so true it was sickening. And then screams. Nothing but torture.

"He's there… the Phantom of the Opera."

Jennet's voice cracked halfway through, her eyes darting to the motionless form on her daybed. How could that be the deadly voice in the shadows? That thing under the cloak. Her hands shook with horror, and she stole a glance to Madame Giry before standing unsteadily. Each step she took closer to the daybed grew harder, the stench of hot nasty grime and her mind racing as to what she would find almost killing her. Reaching out with her hand and pulling back the woolen cloak, Jennet closed her eyes tight and gagged after her eyes fell over his disgusting features.

"Take that thing out of here!"

The scream resounded around the secluded chambers, her hand pointing at Madame Giry accusingly. The ballet mistress stared her down; her face set in stone. She hated what she was about to do, but it was inevitable.

"You have to take care of him. He's addicted to something, and if I let him go free he will die. Erik was like a child to me, and I need your help."

Jennet threw her hands up to her face, roiling deep inside just knowing that Erik was in her room. The Opera Ghost was laying on her daybed! She shook her head in refusal, hands shaking and eyes streaming tears.

"No."

"Yes! I hate to do this, but if you do not take him in, I shall have to remove both you and Anika from the opera house. Permanently."

Madame Giry's words stung deep inside Jennet's soul, but she had no choice. She would be defiant anyway, however sure she was that Antoinette would win eventually. How could she let this go without a fight! HE WAS THE DAMN OPERA GHOST! Fears bubbled to the surface of her being, knowing what would happen if she failed to make him well. He had killed more than once, he could kill again.

"You evil woman. Leave."

Her voice was strong, however quiet, laced with such malicious attempt that it was a wonder Antoinette didn't erupt into flames at the rearing of the comment. Madame Giry stood up and walked to the door silently, her eyes falling on each member of the room before she opened the door.

"He stays."

She said coldly, not even a question any longer. Stepping over the threshold and closing the door behind her, Madame Giry could once again hear the estranged sobs of madness through the door. She had felt bad at first, but it was necessary. Jennet would look after her Erik, and if any harm came to him… There would be hell to pay.

(A/N: Well, this was one of the longer chapters. Madame Giry was played way out of character, and I might change that later. Sorry guys, but she needed to be an ass wipe for a little while. This is Erik we're talking about. She didn't pour all that time and effort into him just to have him die of drug addiction. )