CHAPTER 11

Erik and Nadir walked over to the table and sat down as requested.

As they helped themselves to tea, Christine placed a hand over Madame Giry's hand and asked, "Erik told me you wished to speak to us?

Madame Giry reached for a roll and proceeded to butter it. "I find myself obliged to tell you all of what I've come to know so far. As you all know, Meg is in the hospital. She is fine and will be coming home in the morning. I went to visit her to see if she had any knowledge of the both of you. She did, but she also added a few interesting revelations of her own."

All eyes were focused on Madame Giry now, as she continued.

"The reason why there are no mobs and Gendarmes scattered about is because they believe that you, Monsieur Phantom, died at the hands of le Vicomte himself."

Erik stood abruptly. "An outrageous claim! Le Fantôme lives! I would never die at the hands of that BOY!"

Madame Giry glared at Erik. "Yes, we see that Monsieur, but it is a good thing that the people of Paris believe you to be dead. Now sit down!"

Erik grunted as he seated himself once again.

Madame Giry resumed, "I have no other details at this time, though I plan to find out more once Meg is at home. I do worry about Meg's sudden attachment to le Vicomte. I do not pretend to know what happened between Monsieur Vicomte and you, Christine, but I find it strange that he would look to Meg so suddenly, no?"

Christine sat twisting her fingers in knots. It was a habit she had when she was younger, whenever she was worried about something. "Raoul had come back for Meg? He found her interesting? Was he going to take comfort in her? The thoughts swirled around her and she wasn't sure what she was feeling. "Am I jealous? Why would I be?

Erik was watching her the whole time as Madame Giry spoke of Meg and Raoul. It always unnerved him to see Christine fretting with her hands in such a manner, but what disturbed him more was that look upon her face. "Is that jealousy I see? Does she still have feelings for that BOY?" He questioned, as his thoughts began to betray him.

"She will leave you."

"Quiet!"

"She will go away again with him and leave you in your solitude."

"She will not!"

Back into the darkness!"

"NO!"

Erik's jaw tensed, as he closed his eyes.

Christine noticed the sudden change in her Angel's demeanor. "Can he read my mind? I'm so terrible to think such things regarding Meg and Raoul. Why should I care at all? I know I love this man before me." She leaned over and kissed his left cheek.

At the contact of her lips on him, Erik opened his eyes and met with hers.

Christine mouthed the words, "I love you" and smiled at him.

His anger and the voices in his head seemed to melt away at her words of endearment to him.

Christine squeezed Madame Giry's hand with reassurance. "Madame Giry, if it's of any comfort, you do not need to worry about those two. Raoul is a gentleman and Meg is always so cheerful. Perhaps they are merely bonding a friendship."

Madame Giry sipped the last of her tea from her cup. "Perhaps you are right, Christine. We shall see in time. Now, we need to discuss the future."

The three of them looked upon Madame Giry curiously.

Erik took Christine's free hand into his own and smiled at her. "Annette, I have had time to lay out our plans."

Madame Giry cleared her throat slightly. "No doubt you have, Erik, but I'm sure there are things you have failed to include."

Erik raised an eyebrow and dared to ask, "And what might these 'things' be, Madame?"

Wasting no time, Madame Giry said, "You have left a lot of people out of employment with you foolishness, Monsieur. Being the great architect that you are, I would think it would not be such a task for you to help in the opera's reconstruction. It will take more funding than Messieurs Andre, Firmin, and their patron le Vicomte could afford, to handle such a venture."

Erik cringed as she mentioned Raoul. "That miserable fop of a BOY!" his mind screamed.

Nadir could see Erik squirm slightly in irritation and stifled a laugh.

Erik whipped his head around to glare at Nadir, before adding, "I'm more than capable of covering the rest of the funds needed in the rebuilding of the Opera Populaire. You know with my salary over the years, I am not a financial cripple, Annette. But I dare say, there are other things more pressing at the moment, Madame, and that is relocating Christine and I, that is, if she is willing." Erik squeezed her hand slightly. He feared her answer, should she reject him.

Christine didn't hesitate to answer him. "Of course I'm willing, Erik!" She blushed at her sudden outburst.

"Then let us concentrate on that at the moment. There will be plenty of time, once we are settled, to undertake the rest," Erik finalized.

"I sense I come into play somehow?" Nadir noted.

"Daroga, you will be escorting Mademoiselle Daae to procure us a home. Spare no expense. She may choose whatever her heart desires." Erik beamed as he saw Christine's cheeks redden.

"So you plan on staying in Paris, Erik? Nadir asked.

"Do you think that is wise?" Madame Giry added.

"Find us a place on the outskirts of Paris. We need to be close enough for the rebuilding. Also, I do not wish Christine to be so far from Meg to enjoy her company. We would draw far less attention away from the city and we would be able to live somewhat normal lives in a town not familiar with the Opera Ghost's tales," Erik noted.

"And who do we have to thank for those infamous tales?" Nadir grinned.

"Daroga!" Erik hissed.

"That is enough from the two of you!" Madame Giry tapped her cane firmly, which made both of them freeze.

Christine couldn't help but giggle at the scolding Madame Giry was giving them. "Just like the ballet rats," she thought comically. Trying to clear the air, Christine proceeded, "Was that all you wished to discuss Madame Giry?"

"It is enough for now, non?" Madame Giry smiled at Christine. "And now we should go." She exchanged glances with Nadir as she stood up.

Erik placed a hand against Nadir's back. "Meet me in the morning, Daroga. We'll need to discuss things before you and Christine look for a new abode for us."

"Any place is better than this, Erik. Really, it's so morbid," Nadir sighed drearily.

"You may go now, Daroga." Erik said, trying to force a smile in front of Christine.

Christine and Erik watched as the two made their way through the passage that Madame Giry had come from.

"Surely, the strangest couple I've ever seen," Erik joked.

Christine playfully slapped his arm and said, "Oh Erik, behave yourself!"

Author's Note
Fluff alert next Chapter! -hugs-