Authors Notes - Posting two chapters today, I'll include review responses at the end of chapter 14. Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing. I promise Erik and Charlotte will meet. Soon.

Enjoy

Chapter Thirteen

2 Months Later

Madame Giry watched as the girls rehearsed to the new Opera, La Traviata. They were opening in two weeks and they still needed alot of work.

She watched Charlotte for a moment and sighed. The girl had changed over the past few months. She had become quieter. She wasn't sure if it was because she was now settled in or perhaps she missed her mysterious Angel.

She knew Erik had retreated into the depths of the opera house, for even she hadn't heard from him since she had gone to talk to him by the lake. She was worried about him and had sent him a note but she didn't go down into the labyrinth. If Erik didn't want to be found, he wouldn't be.

Joshua had really settled in to the Opera House. Sometimes he even came to watch rehearsals and he enjoyed them. Angel, his faithful furry companion barely left his side now and he seemed to be keeping Joshua out of too much trouble.

'Okay girls,' Madame Giry stopped them. 'Very well done, I suggest we continue rehearsals first thing tomorrow afternoon,' she could see their surprise. 'Yes, the morning is free to do as you please and be back her promptly by lunchtime,'

The girls gave a soft cheer before they all headed for the dorms.

Charlotte headed for her room when Meg stopped her. 'I need to go into town in the morning, to pick up a dress I was having made. Would you and Joshua like to join me?'

'That would be lovely Meg,' Charlotte smiled. They had become closer over the past few weeks.

'I shall come to your room about 8 or so,' she smiled. 'Mother shall make me a example if we're late back,' she smiled.

Charlotte smiled and nodded. Madame Giry was hard on all the girls and more so on Meg, although she knew deep down inside it was only because she loved her so much and wanted her to become a prima ballerina.

The girls went their separate ways and Charlotte opened the door to her bedroom smiling at Joshua who was holding up a piece of string for Angel who was batting it around.

'Carrr,' Joshua looked up and grinned.

'Yes, I'm back,' she smiled, giving him a kiss on the head. There was no performance tonight but it was already nearly 10pm. The opera opened in two weeks and rehearsals weren't going as well as hoped. 'And it's time for you to go to bed,' she laughed at the frown Joshua got when he heard her words. 'Yes, its late and we're going into town tomorrow,'

This seemed to make him happier, for she got a grin. 'Now go and get dressed and I shall tuck you into bed,'

Joshua simply nodded, standing and picked up the piece of string, Angel running after him.

Charlotte smiled before she herself changed for bed. She'd get an early night so she could do her best at the rehearsal the next day. Madame Giry had given her a lead role in the chorus and she wanted to do well.

Ten minutes later, she tucked Joshua into bed and gave Angel a scratch behind the ears before she moved toward bed herself.