Author's Note: I don't own The Phantom of the Opera or any of its characters and all that good stuff, I just love them. This is a combination of ALW, Kay and Leroux, since I love all three. I've kept some people alive, and possibly killed others off, and I form my own timeline, I like my artistic freedom.

Prologue

Two weeks after the disastrous tragedy that resulted from the single performance of Don Juan Triumphant.

Madame Giry peered out of the room she was sharing with her daughter and into the small sitting area of the hotel room they had recently taken up residence in. Squinting in the darkness she calmly took in the appearance of her other companion, who was lying on the settee with his long legs hanging off the edge. From her view, Madame Giry thought him so be sound asleep, but his opened eyes were concealed by the arm that was covering his face. She slowly unfolded the blanket in her arms and tip toed across the room to cover the man she thought surely must be cold in the frigid Parisian winter.

"I see you and I do not want that blanket."

Madame Giry gasped in her surprise and stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly inched over to the small overstuffed chair to her right and sat down.

"I did not intend to disturb you Erik. It is practically a blizzard outside. Your thin trousers and shirt will not keep you warm."

Erik shifted and kicked his shoes off in obvious contempt at Madame Giry's presence and her mothering ways.

"Will you at least add some wood to the fire so that it is not below freezing in this sitting room Erik!"

She could not believe how exasperating Erik could be at times. In many ways he was still like a small boy, needing the affection and approval of others, but refusing kindness and support in all forms. She noticed him bristling at the frustration in her voice and waited for his ever expected anger.

"I do not need the fire! I have no desire to feel any warmth. Go to bed woman and leave me in peace."

"Peace Erik? You will not allow yourself to find peace and dying from pneumonia will not bring her back either."

Erik leaped to his feet and stormed across the sitting room to a completely undaunted Madame Giry. The calm glint in her eyes simply further enraged Erik and prevented him from his intended tirade. He howled as he sat back down on the settee and slammed his fists on the coffee table.

"How dare you mention her! She no longer exists. Why would I want to bring her back? She holds no interest for me in any way. I wish nothing but to leave Paris and forget my time here."

"How can you say she no longer exists? She is the very reason we are in this hotel! I know that is why you refuse a jacket or a blanket and have not eaten anything worth mentioning in two weeks. You allow her to consume you and her memory to eat away what is left of your sanity. This cannot continue Erik! You will be dead in a month! There is no way I can explain why she chose the path she has taken. Not everything in life is black or white, there are unfortunately grey areas. I wish you would allow me to bring you some dinner Erik, it would make you feel better….I…..I….I am sorry for my outburst. I know I've crossed the line but someone has to look out for you."

Erik had to use every ounce of self control left in him to not throw the empty vase on the coffee table across the room. Madame Giry's words had hit him like the first breath of icy cold air when you walk outside and into the snow. He literally felt the frost seeping into his veins.

Madame Giry looked down at her hands as they fumbled with the unused blanket in her lap. Afraid to look over and see Erik's reaction, she began to stand up and head towards the bedroom.

"No! Sit down! You are not getting out of this! I refuse to let you finish our little chat", Erik sneered.

"Yes, you are right. She does exist, but no longer in my mind. Grey is the color I see around her. She is just a blur, just a blur in a life that will be forgotten once it is extinguished. Tomorrow I will eat. Tomorrow I will allow myself to be warmed. But tonight…..tonight….she is still here and when the sun rises, she will no longer be. I will leave Paris. I will begin a new life, one where I will not be known and will not have to acclimate myself." Erik stared hard at the woman who had protected him for so many years, even though he would never admit that to himself.

Madame Giry shifted in her chair as the look on her face went from utter despair to complete curiosity.

"Where will you go Erik?"

"To the only other place I have ever truly been happy."