A/N: All of my reviewers have deserted me! Lol, and I've been updating so quickly!

Right, last update for a week or so, I'm going on holiday.

Kaledena: Thank you for the review. They are together… but…

Elektra: Thank you for the review. I'm glad it didn't come across as too lusty. I knew it needed to NOT be. If that makes sense. I don't believe I've ever been called anyone's hero before… lol

Chapter 43- Everything I've Known

Tomas looked over at the figure now sitting in the corner of his living room, then his glance moved back to Emily, who had been home only an hour. There had barely been a word passed between any of them. Tomas was glad that Emily couldn't see his face right now, right now he was sorry for everything that he'd ever done.

He had stared at Henry blankly when he had told him the situation. It was like a thunderbolt through his mind. He didn't understand why he hadn't seen it himself, he should have seen it. Surely, he should have seen it!

That was when he'd gone on the move.

He had decided that it was time to deal with this once and for all.

She had to be found.

Tonight enough was simply enough.

Meg had gone to bed early, not long after her mother had left in what seemed a hurry. Since then she had been lying wrapped in her blanket, gazing out of the gap in her curtains watching the sky fade to a dull orange and now finally, a near black. The stars were sparkling high above her and the night was beautiful but her mind was in a spin,

Something was bothering her and she couldn't quite figure out what it was. She thought it had something to do with Henry. She thought carefully about the last few weeks and suddenly her mind edged on to what it was.

She knew what was bothering her.

It had been such a sudden change. Not in Henry but in Philippe. Without any warning, no gentle give, Philippe had begun inviting Henry to the opera, to see the shows. He had invited him to use the Boxes, invited him for free drinks and genial conversation. There was nothing right about that. Meg had not caught on at the time and was happy that, although it was Philippe, Henry was being made to feel like part of the opera circle.

What had Henry done?

Then a few times only a few nights she had caught glimpses of her fiancé speaking to the Comte, they seemed deep in conversation. Important conversation. And it was certainly conversation they didn't want her to hear. Whenever she hinted that she was curious Henry would find a way to cut her off and change the subject. Why had it taken until tonight to figure that out?

Henry going away tonight had certainly triggered it, that must be it. And where was he going tonight. Business was usually conducted from closer to home and he hadn't actually told her where he was going. Just that he was going South for a few days on business, not worry and that he would be back as soon as he could.

Her heart thudded in her chest.

Christine.

Her mother had gone not long after Henry had left and in her haste had barely even opened her mouth to say goodbye. Her mother had even ridden away herself rather than taking a carriage. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

And she was convinced now that it must have something to do with Christine. The way Henry had always been so keen to change the subject. It was something that involved Philippe, something that he had dragged Henry in on and something that her mother wanted to prevent. Why else would she have run out so fast? She would do anything to protect Chris... no, she would do anything to protect the Phantom.

And that was surely where Christine was.

Meg felt sick, the bile rose in her throat and burned her inside. She wanted to vomit but all she could do was stare out of the window. She had never felt so helpless.