VagrantCandy: Well, now that the confusion's gone, I hope you're finding this fic amusing. And I'm glad you're liking the A/N's.

Erik: I can't believe you think I'm funny when I'm irritated!

Emma Noble: I'm glad we're still amusing you. Both of you. I've never watch Master and Commander. Sounds like I'm missing out. OK, that's next on my to-do list.

Erik: After you watch Dracula 2000, Atilla, and The Cradle of Life… Why exactly are we watching all of those tonight?

Simple… Gerard Butler stars in all of them.

Erik: Should have guessed.

MasqueradingThroughLife: So, you have a feeling? Keep reading… It could be a little different than what you're expecting…

Erik: She brought chocolate and buttered popcorn?

Erik, all of this junk food is bad for you! Have you ever considered cashews or something instead of all that sugar?

Erik: Cashews? Ew. Sugar's not that bad! Besides, I burn it off torturing that fop all day.

Jedi Knight Padme: Yes, let it be known that Fantine has her own bedroom and she does not sleep with, beside, or anywhere near Erik. Sorry guys. I'm glad you're finding Fantine amusing. Hey, Erik! This phan drools over you!

Erik: As long as she keeps supplying clodhoppers and continues giving me free massages, she's free to drool anywhere she likes.

Tadriendra of Mirkwood: No offence or mockery intended on any and all American, including Texan, slang. How about if I just stop using it?

Erik: Sounds like a great idea.

Anyway, if it appeases you, we'll watch Signs first tonight. That movie was pretty good. And Erik will give you another massage.

Erik: I am shocked that she suddenly became so happy with the image of me naked and wet!

Who can blame her? I find that image rather appealing too, even if you do have a terrible bedside manner.

Erik: (Scoffs) Girls!

Raoul the Phantom: Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you think it's funny. Oh, and let me say it again… This is not a Les Mis/Phantom cross-over in any way, shape, or form. But we're glad you like it.

Erik: I don't think I like that pen name… As a matter of fact, I feel a little insulted having the fop's name next to my title!

Erik, be nice!

Erik: You're not an R/C shipper, are you?

Erik, shut your mouth!

Erik: I smell fop…

One more word and I'm tossing you out the window! Again!

phantomess08: Wow! I feel a little intimidated now. What am I going to tell her when I'm away at that youth retreat next weekend?

Erik: I could always do updates for you!

Heck, no! That wouldn't be right! That would almost be unethical! Letting you near my PC? Lord have mercy!

Erik'sPhantomess: Glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for reviewing.

Erik: Yes! Another one who likes my fanfic, Fop Torture for Dummies!

For school? She must go to school with fops!

Erik: They're everywhere.

darklady5289: Thanks for reviewing, faithful friend. Here's another girl who wants to read that fanfic of yours, Erik.

Erik: It's going to be a best seller, I know it!

VictorianDream: Wow, this girl's almost as morbid as you, Erik!

Erik: Excellent. That Halloween movie sounds like a good wholesome film. Can we watch that as soon as we're done watching Signs?

She brought popcorn, too.

Erik: Mmmm… Buttered…

Starrylibra: Competition? Oh, no! Erik, you'd still rather live with me, right?

Erik: What does it matter? As far as I'm concerned you're both a few bassoons short of a full orchestra.

AngelicFlutist: Thank you for the feedback. I'm glad you think it's funny. Feel free to bring along the popcorn, but you might want to stay away from the caramel popcorn. It gives Erik the shakes.

Erik: You know authoress, you're starting to sound like my wife or something…

Why, thank you!

Erik: Can we start the new chapter, now?

Why, certainly! Enjoy!

XxXxX

Erik scanned the crowds. After the performance had ended, Fantine had disappeared.

"Damn that woman!" he cursed.

Sighing, he made his way to Christine's old dressing room. He had to get back to the lair and hope that Fantine was already there waiting for him.

Just as he was about to open the mirror, he heard the twist of the doorknob. Quick as a flash, he dove into the wardrobe and hid. The door creaked open and shut. Peaking through a crack in the wardrobe, Erik saw Meg Giry enter the room.

"She must have moved in here after Christine left," he thought.

But she wasn't alone. "Oh, Robert!" Meg exclaimed. "You were perfect tonight!"

"As were you, my dear," came the manly voice. Erik watched as Robert bent to kiss her.

"Fantine's eye-­candy is seeing her old rival?" Erik mused. "She won't be happy…"

Meg pulled away from Robert. "I have to speak with my mother. Wait here for me, Robert."

He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "I love you, my little Meglet."

She smiled sweetly, then left the room. Erik hoped that it would not be long before they both left. The wardrobe was cramped and his muscles were beginning to protest.

Then an angry female voice came from the mirror. "What is this? After all I've done for you, Robert, how could you leave me for that little ballet rat?"

Erik groaned. "Fantine…"

Robert looked scared. "My Angel? Please, don't… I… I'm sorry… It's just… I… I love Meg!"

Fantine laughed coldly. "Then perhaps Meg can obtain roles for you! Meg can make you a star! Perhaps you don't need me at all!"

"No, my Angel!" Robert cried. "Please! I'm sorry! Cast me not away from your presence! Stay with me! Guide me!"

"I'm here, Robert…" Fantine's form became discernable within the mirror.

"Let me go with you, Angel!" Robert cried.

"Come to me…" the mirror opened and Fantine reached out, taking Robert's hand. She pulled him inside and closed the mirror behind her. Erik stumbled out of the wardrobe and into the middle of the room.

"Fantine, you wench!" he cursed. Then he heard the soft sound of the door opening and closing. He spun around. Meg Giry's eyes were fixed on him, her mouth open in surprise.

"You!" she cried. "How'd you get in here?"

"I…" Erik hesitated. "…was hiding in your wardrobe…" he answered truthfully.

"What? With my undergarments? Oh, you nasty, dirty, bad, bad man!"

"Please, I'm not a pervert!" Erik cried as he grasped her shoulders. "I'm the Phantom of the Opera!"

"The Phantom of the Opera?" Meg whispered, horrified. "Oh, hel–!"

Erik clamped his hand over her mouth to cut off her screams.

"Mmmmfhh! Mmrgh!" her muffled cries came.

"Please, mademoiselle… I will release you if you promise to be silent!"

She nodded her head reluctantly and he removed his hand.

"Where's Robert?" she demanded.

"I'm not sure… But I think he may be in trouble…"

"Trouble?" she said nervously. "What do you mean?"

"I can't explain right now. Just… I need you to do something for me… Turn around and, uh… count to ten slowly…"

Meg did so. Erik opened the mirror and climbed in, shutting it behind him.

When Meg turned around again, Erik was gone.

XxXxX

Fantine paced around the lair. Robert watched her nervously. She was seething.

"What to do, Robert?" she said half to him, half to herself. "We can't have that little ballet rat meddling in our affair… er, affairs. It would ruin everything!"

Robert squirmed. "But… I… I love her…"

"Oh, yes… you love her now… but just wait! You'll get married and she'll drive you insane! She'll make you quit the opera and get a decent job! And then all our hard work will have been for nothing!"

"So… so you think I should say here with… with you?"

"Why not? It's homey enough!"

"True," came a voice from the lake. "But I do believe it would get crowded after a bit, don't you?"

Fantine turned in time to see Erik land the boat at the shore and hop out.

Robert stared at Erik. "Wha…" He turned to look at Fantine. "Who is he?"

"The Phantom of the Opera, at your service," Erik said with a grand bow.

"But…" Robert stared at Fantine. " I thought you were the Phantom!"

"Oh, she is," Erik said. "But so am I. Actually, I was the Phantom first. But this is our home. It's something of a Phantom sanctuary, I suppose. We ought to start a club or something."

Robert turned on Fantine. "What… What's going on here?" he demanded angrily. "Are you trying to make a fool of me?"

"No, Robert! No!" Fantine cried.

"And what's behind that stupid mask?" he yelled as he tore her mask from her face. He immediately dropped it and stared.

"Oh, boy," Erik thought. "Here it comes…"

"Damn you!" Fantine screamed. "You prying little boy! Is this what you wanted to see?"

Robert tried to look away from her hideous face, but she roughly grabbed him by the chin and turned him back. "Look at me! You wanted to see, so look!"

Erik felt it was time to intervene. Otherwise, he feared, she would cause Robert bodily harm.

"Fantine!" he grabbed her around the waist and yanked her off of the boy. "That's enough!"

She kicked and scratched at Erik, demanding to be released.

"Monsieur!" Erik shouted at Robert. "Take the boat and go! Quickly! Run!"

Robert ran from them and hopped into the boat, inexpertly rowing it across the lake. Fantine finally wrenched herself from Erik's arms.

"Damn you, Erik!" she screamed. "Why did you do that? Why?"

"To stop you from making a big mistake!" Erik said. "I told you… relations with outsiders always end badly!" He picked up her mask and held it out to her. "Perhaps one day you will understand…"

"I'll tell you want I understand!" Fantine shouted as she snatched her mask from him. "That boy was in my clutches! I had him! And you ruined it! He would have stayed!"

"He would have stayed out of fear!" Erik shot back. "He does not love you!"

"He would learn!" she insisted.

Erik shook his head. "You still have much to learn…"

"Whatever!" she strode away.

Erik fell down on the couch, exhausted. Was history repeating itself before his very eyes?

XxXxX

Erik? Comments?

Erik: Not bad.

That's it?

Erik: Oui. That's it.

So you're not going to tell me it sucked and point out a dozen different parts of the chapter that you hated and demand that I rewrite it to suit your liking?

Erik: Nope.

Who are you and what did you do with Erik?

Erik: Sorry, authoress, I'm busy right now.

What? Writing your new phan-fic?

Erik: Not really... (To someone else in closet) Oh, lower please... That's good...

What are you doing in there?

Erik: Jedi Knight Padme is making good on her promise to give me a massage... Up a bit, please dear... Yes, between the shoulder blades... That feels great!

Oh, brother! I can't turn my back for five minutes, can I?

Erik: Perhaps not, by my back is getting five-star massage therapy right now, so I'm in a particularly good mood and really don't feel like pointing out everything that sucked about that chapter... Sorry about your luck...

You're hopeless... Absolutely hopeless... Well, everyone, thanks for reviewing and we'll see you all tomorrow... Um, Erik? When you're done can I have a massage?

Erik: Well, you'd have to ask Padme.

Not from her! From you!

Erik: Hell, no!

Why not? You give them to the Lady of Mirkwood all the time!

Erik: The difference is I actually like her.

(Pouts) See if I ever share my clodhoppers with you again... (Grins evilly) Or my body-heat...

Erik: Hey! That happened one time!

Uh-huh... Review please and we'll see you tomorrow!