In Mystery

Meg Giry quietly closed the door to Christine's room, sighing in frustrated sympathy for her friend. The past twenty-four hours had seemed to turn the world upside down once again, and she had just spent the last twenty minutes comforting Christine over her broken engagement.

Lord, if I ever get my hands on that fop...

Meg had been so certain that the sweet, wonderful man that Christine had spoken of with such affection would surely be a little more understanding of this…unfortunate circumstance.

He would lay down his life for her, but he cannot give her a few extra bloody months to sort herself out.

Meg sighed again, scolding herself for such thoughts. Raoul de Chagny was not to blame for Christine's current state of upset. He had only wished to begin his future with the woman he loved…his only sin had been impatient pride. Or perhaps he had suspected that his beloved fiancée had willingly returned to the Phantom of the Opera.

No, Erik...Erik... you must think of him as Erik, little Meg. He is just a man.

And Christine had confessed to being in love with him. Yet she loved her handsome Vicomte, as well. Meg could hardly comprehend such a thing. Oh, certainly she understood that it was quite possible to love two men…what she couldn't comprehend was how Christine could love Erik after the horrible things he had done. But then, Christine had always possessed a goodness, a tenderness of heart, that allowed her to forgive easily. Meg envied that at times, however, she did not envy Christine now. Her friend's heart was broken, twice over in one day.

God, what a mess this has become.

Meg, shook her head ruefully, knowing that it had always been a mess.

And you, Little Giry, have only made it worse. You should have pushed Christine back into her fiancée's arms and bid her fly away forever. But no, you had to be forward thinking and tell her to stay in Paris awhile and reflect.

If only le Vicomte had been willing to abide a short separation from his love, surely Christine would have realized that her feelings for Erik were too dark and dangerous to make her truly happy.

Or perhaps she would have come to want him even more.

A little shiver passed over Meg at the thought, her heart knowing it to be true though she feared what it would mean for Christine. She hastily made her way to the parlor to await her mother's return. Thinking once again about the strange events that had occurred recently, Meg felt the familiar melancholy creep up on her. She so missed the life she used to know only a few short months ago, dancing in the corps de ballet without a care in the world. She wondered again if she could have circumvented all that had happened if she had only done…more. Yet what could she have really done?

In the middle of Meg's speculation, Antoinette Giry arrived looking flustered, and not all like her usual stoic self. "Maman…"

Antoinette waved a hand and hurriedly cut her in on her daughter, "Meg, where is le Vicomte?"

Meg cast her eyes to the floor. "Gone, Maman. He left after speaking with Christine."

Antoinette's brows shot up in surprise, "She has returned?"

Meg nodded and proceeded to briefly inform her of the events that had occurred in her absence… omitting certain private details that Christine had confessed, of course. Likewise, Antoinette had neglected to mention her own discoveries at the Opera House which hinted at what exactly might have passed between Erik and Christine. But both mother and daughter agreed that they must endeavor to help Christine make a life for herself in any way possible.

Meaning to offer some comfort, Antoinette sought out Christine, tapping softly at the door. The girl opened it and fell immediately into the older woman's arms, weeping once again, "Oh, Madame Giry…he is gone...he has left me..."

Antoinette did not ask which man Christine referred to, nor did Christine say, but it was silently understood nonetheless. "Hush now, child, you are home again…all will be well in time."

A horrible cliché, perhaps, but there was simply nothing else to be said. Antoinette Giry certainly could not allow anymore damage to be done in the name of love.

xXx

As Christine settled into her new life in Paris, she determined that she would not crumble under the weight that rested over her heart. It seemed impossible to think of herself without Raoul at her side, or Erik watching over her, but she understood that she had hurt them both with her childish dreams. She could be no good to anyone until she finally let the dreams go and grew up.

Her endeavor to do just that was unfortunately met with a great deal of resistance. She soon became all too aware that her scandalous reputation had made her virtually unemployable in the Paris theaters. Christine Daae was forever linked with the Phantom. The rumors had been bad enough before, when his obsession with her had served to advance her career, but Don Juan Triumphant had sealed her fate on the stage. She had been shameless that night, her desire for Erik obvious to anyone who had been looking. No wonder Raoul had run out of patience with her. He could not have failed to see what was so clear to everyone in the audience.

Apparently, the popular story flittering around Paris seemed to be that Christine Daae had run away with the Phantom of the Opera...her secret lover all along. Her first discovery of this tale had been at the Theatre Soliel. Thinking to get Christine back into circulation as soon as possible, and her mind distracted from her troubles, Madame Giry had dragged her along to Meg's audition at le Soliel. She had discreetly inquired with her new manager if Christine might secure an audition as well. Monsieur LeCleur, in as nice a way as possible, had declined due to the lingering possibility that the Phantom may return.

"After all, my dear Madame Giry, I am acquiring so many of the Opera's fine performers due to the tragedy...best not to tempt Fate with the hook that would certainly lure the one thing from the Populaire that I have no wish to acquire."

Christine had felt the pain of that first rejection more acutely than any other. For in that moment, she had fully realized just how sheltered she had been before, and how large a shadow Erik had already cast over her life. She had also been forced to admit that he had sent her away in an attempt to remove that shadow from her. Madame Giry had insisted that one rejection meant nothing in the light of Christine's talent, and had preceded to set up interviews in every respectable theater, but Christine had received the same explanation from nearly every manager. Her voice was exquisite, but they had no wish to court trouble.

So it was with very little hope that Christine waited at the Theatre Mystere to be seen by the manager. Madame Giry, as always, had accompanied her to the application, and they were soon welcomed with a smile by Monsieur Pinot, a jovial older gentleman with very thin hair and a very thick mustache.

"Ah, Madame Giry, Mademoiselle Daae...it is a pleasure to meet you both. Although I must confess surprise at your presence here, Mademoiselle. I heard you had been spirited away by le Fantome." The good-natured twinkle in his eyes softened the sting of his words, if only a little.

Antoinette looked sternly at the man, "Surely you do not believe every story you hear, Monsieur."

He raised one bushy eyebrow and looked pointedly at Christine. "I have also heard that your engagement with le Vicomte de Chagny has been broken. Is this true?"

Christine dropped her eyes and replied softly, "It is, Monsieur."

Once again, Madame Giry spoke for Christine, "Monsieur Pinot, Mademoiselle Daae is an accomplished dancer, and her voice is unparalleled."

Pinot smiled fondly. "Oui, I had the privilege of seeing you perform at the Opera."

Christine colored, certain that she was about to be rejected once again. "I am also an adequate seamstress, Monsieur, if you are in need of one."

Monsieur Pinot's smile widened. "I could always use another seamstress, but wouldn't you prefer to be on the stage?"

Christine blushed, "Yes, of course, but I realize it may not be possible."

"Ah, I see. You cannot blame us poor thespians for our apprehension. After all, your last performance at the Opera Populaire quite literally brought down the house."

Christine gasped and Madame Giry took immediate offense, "Monsieur! That is uncalled for!"

Pinot laughingly reassured them both of his good intentions, "Forgive me, mes belles, it is only in humor. Come now, you must realize that the cliental of the Theatre Mystere love nothing more than a good ghost story. To have Mademoiselle Christine Daae on my stage would be irresistible to them."

Madame Giry raised her brows. "Then you will engage her?"

Pinot nodded slightly at the older woman and smiled, turning his attention to Christine. "You must understand, Mademoiselle, that my theater specializes in tales of mystery and murder. There is not much music to be heard or dancing to be done, but to waste a voice such as yours would be a sin. I'm afraid, however, that your role would have to be a small one."

Christine smiled in relief. "A small role is more than acceptable, Monsieur."

Monsieur Pinot took Christine's hand and kissed it. "Then you will come to rehearsal tomorrow and we will find a way to work you in."

"Thank you, Monsieur."

As Christine and Madame Giry turned to leave, Pinot's voice interrupted. "Mademoiselle...I could use an extra seamstress if you are still interested. It would increase the size of your paycheck."

Christine smiled radiantly. "I am most certainly interested, Monsieur."