Hahah. I think you all now know why I said Erik's Angel is my most supportive fan…I think that's the longest review I've ever gotten!

And readers, yes…we will be primarily calling Lauren "Meg" from now on.

Big twist in this chappie. Might be a bit confusing. Feel free to email me (email is on profile page) if you get too confused.

Also, keep in mind that I might not resolve every aspect of the story until the end. That's the fun of it, right?

Nico


"Are you certain she didn't recognize you, not even a bit?" Edwin lazily twirled a lock of Emily's perfect hair as she lay against his naked chest.

She sighed with exasperation. "I've told you three times already that she didn't!"

"How is that possible?" Edwin asked, pushing Emily off his chest a little less than gently. "She's recognized everyone else!"

Emily lay on her back, making a sound of annoyance. "You know what I would love, Edwin? If you could make love to me JUST ONCE without bringing up Christine Daae."

Edwin climbed from the bed, pulling on a pair of jeans. "I just don't understand why you had to go and introduce yourself to her," Edwin said, irritated by the woman in his bed. "If she had recognized you, everything would be ruined."

"Stop being so dramatic, Edwin," Emily said, standing and pulling Edwin's satin sheets with her. She lit an unnecessarily long cigarette and stared out onto the amazing view of the Paris streets.

"I'm not being dramatic, dammit," Edwin snapped.

"You're the one who works for that thing," Emily countered. "How much closer can you get to them?"

"I have to work for him," Edwin said. "How else would I get access to his money?"

Emily walked over to her lover, wrapping her thin arms around his waist seductively. "I'm sure you could have figured something out," she purred, apparently tired of arguing.

Edwin looked down at the woman who was wrapped around him and laughed. He embraced her, placing a rough kiss on the top of her head. "Who would have thought that of all people, we would end up together?"

Emily smiled against his bare chest. "I think it's a perfect fit," she replied, looking up at him. "After all, I was certain it was me you lusted after all those years ago…and not Christine Daae." She spit the name.

Edwin laughed. "I never understood your hatred of her…after all, she was just a child."

"A child you were engaged to," Emily pointed out bitterly.

"So?" He countered. "Need I remind you of a-not-so-little man named Piangi?"

Emily's eyes darkened. "I thought we agreed not to mention his name," she said, sadness creeping behind her eyes.

Edwin embraced her tighter, knowing that the mention of her formerlover caused her great pain. "Don't worry, Carlotta," he said softly. "Soon, we will have our revenge…and live out the rest of our days on his dime."

Carlotta looked up at him, her eyes shining. "I love you, Raoul," she said earnestly, a twinge of evil intent on her tongue.

"And I you," Raoul replied, kissing her deeply.


"When did you realize who you were," Christine asked Meg, biting down on a very ripe plum.

The women were sitting in kitchen of Erik's expansive home, desperate to discuss the strange situation they currently found themselves in.

Meg popped another piece of a sweet cake in her mouth. "I suppose it was about five or six years ago," she said, looking thoughtful. "I had come to Paris after my parents died, looking to make my fortune…just like every other starry-eyed sixteen year old out there.

"I auditioned for a dancing position at the Paris Opera House," Meg continued. Christine's eyebrows shot up, amused. "I know, I know…ironic, right?" Meg laughed. "What's even MORE ironic is that I didn't make it…but I had nowhere else to go…so I applied for the open housekeeping position. And, I got it.

"While I was there, strange things started to happen," she said, her expression becoming more serious.

"What sort of strange things?" Christine asked, enthralled.

"Memories," Meg said. "Strange memories. It was as if I had always been within the walls of the Opera House. I could remember arias I had never heard…dance steps I had never performed…people who I thought didn't exist." She paused to smile. "Just when I thought I was going completely insane, Erik found me.

"He seemed to know exactly what I was going through, even though he barely spoke to me," Meg continued. "He assured me that living as his personal housekeeper would be a satisfactory move, and that before long everything would become clear. And it did. I'm now certain of who I am and have full memory of my past."

"Why didn't you tell me who you were right away?" Christine asked.

"Christine," Meg said softly. "You showed up here in Erik's arms, soaking wet and unconscious. It would have been slightly difficult for me to tell you then anyway. And then when I first saw you, you were too enthralled by him to notice anything else. I mean, come on! I'm the spitting image of what I used to look like!" She gestured to her face, which, Christine had to admit, looked just like the Meg she remembered.

"I was not enthralled by him," Christine countered, standing to place her dirty dishes in the sink.

"Liar," Meg replied, smiling at her friend.

"I wasn't!" Christine said, laughing. "How could I possibly be?"

Meg shrugged. "I don't know…you always have been."

Christine allowed the water to run over the dishes, silent for the moment.

She looked over at Meg. "Why do you think all this is happening?" She asked quietly.

The smile faded from Meg's face. "I'll be honest, Christine. I've spent countless hours trying to answer that question. I think Erik has too. I haven't been able to come up with anything, and as far as I know, neither has he."

Christine nodded. "Perhaps we're being punished," she suggested.

"Or rewarded," Meg countered.

Christine smiled at her friend. "I'm glad you're here, Meg."

"Not as glad as I am that you are," Meg replied.