A/N - Thanks for all the kind reviews! This is a shorter chapter, but I'm working on the next. :) Cheers!

"Nicholas?"

Silence. The wind rustled in the thick underbrush, making an ominous moan that caused Elizabeth to shiver.

"Nicholas!" She whispered again, a bit more frantically. It was terrifying out here, alone. She wished, for a moment, that they could meet at a more public arena. Halfway between the slums of Paris and her own opulent mansion, kicking through high grass, she felt as though she may be mugged or worse at any moment. Where was that blasted man? Still, only the sounds of night-life answered her plea and Elizabeth continued onward. It had been a month since she was at this place, but she had not forgotten the way. Suddenly, she heard the distinct crackle of branches to her left, and stilled - holding even her breath. What was that? Fear crept into her thoughts, and she turned to run. Surely Nicholas would be waiting for her by the pond. The heavy layers of her skirt were cumbersome, and Elizabeth silently cursed herself for insisting on wearing such a formal gown into the woods. She had only intended to impress him. She could not hear if her pursuer still followed, only the mad thrashing sounds she was making through the field. Just as she would enter into the beautiful clearing, she cast a glance over her shoulder - and stumbled. She could hear the material of her dress rip as it snagged upon a misplaced stump, and braced herself for the impact.

It did not come. Instead, she fell into a pair of sturdy hands which quickly righted her. Breathing quickly, she turned her flush face upwards.

"Nicholas! Someone.. I mean.. something.. It was.."

Suddenly Elizabeth felt very silly. Surely it had only been an animal, and she had acted quite childish in her fear. A dull sheen of perspiration shimmered on the surface of her skin, her hair was slightly mussed, and her beautiful gown... ruined. This was not at all what she had in mind for their reunion. Nicholas glanced beyond her, towards the path she had just trod. When she insisted on stammering on, he placed a single finger to her lips to silence her. They stood like that for a moment, and when he was content that they were indeed alone, he released her. Elizabeth felt a pang of regret as he removed his hands from her flesh.

"You're nearly half an hour early, Elizabeth. Anxious?" Nicholas teased, a mirthful expression filling his eyes. "I would have met you at the road. Where is your horse?"

"I could not bring one, without being caught." Elizabeth replied with faltering voice. She struggled to calm her breathing, trembling from the adrenaline that still coursed through her.

Nicholas, who had turned from her and began to walk toward the water - halted mid-step. He turned toward her quickly, and she almost thought she seen anger in his eyes.

"You walked?" He asked in disbelief.

Elizabeth, suddenly feeling as though she needed to defend her actions, lifted her chin defiantly.

"Yes," she said, though she didn't sound nearly as brave and strong as she had intended. "I would not have been able to come if I had not," she added hastily.

The heat in Nicholas' gaze waned and became one of concern. He nodded mildly. Secretly, he thrilled that she considered it important enough to put herself at such danger.

"Where have you been?" Elizabeth suddenly found an outlet to her frustration. "It has been a month! Do you despise my company so? I thought you would.. I thought I would see you soon!" The petite brunette seemed to demand an answer as she stared levelly at him.

What could he respond? How could he tell her the thoughts that had tormented him? He had thought it all a dream for some time, and then when he could still remember the way she smelled - he had convinced himself it was a mistake. That she would have immediately regretted her actions. And if she had not, he did. Heartache and disaster seemed to shadow his life, and he would not bring it into hers. However, in the end, his desires had won out and he simply had to hear the sweet way she said his voice just once more. Truly, that was the purpose of this visit. To find a way to explain it all to Elizabeth, to tell her goodbye.

"Walk with me?" Nicholas offered his hand to her, an inquisitive expression on his face. Elizabeth marveled at how handsome he seemed, in the darkness like this.

"Yes," she murmured, accepting his hand until she was completely free of the brush that tangled in her skirts. A quick glance down confirmed that a rather large tear had wrenched it's way all the way to her waist, exposing the layering beneath. She blushed, casting an apologetic glance toward him. Nicholas did not seem to notice, instead staring into her face.

"You look lovely," he assured her, his tone soft.

With that, the two began a silent walk along the edge of the water. Nicholas had not released her hand yet, and Elizabeth did not attempt to remove it. Instead, she sighed contently at the pressure his thumb placed upon her warm palm, lightly stroking in circular patterns.

"Nicholas," she interrupted, suddenly remembering the burden upon her heart. "I must talk with you."

Nicholas felt his breath catch in his throat. Would she save him the struggle within, and end their friendship herself? How he longed for that mercy, and yet felt overwhelming heartache at the thought of hearing those words upon her lips. He turned with dread in his gaze to face her.

"Yes, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth felt such a strong compassion and sorrow for the man before her that her eyes moistened with the threat of tears.

"I have found out... I mean, I know... How do I say this? You told me about your parents, remember Nicholas? That you were an orphan?"

Nicholas wasn't sure he liked the way this was going. Curiosity moved him to nod.

Elizabeth struggled to find her voice, squeezing his fingers in a gesture of comfort. "I know who your parents were, Nicholas."

"Impossible!" He retorted quickly, in disbelief. "No one knows!"

"No," Elizabeth insisted. "Your mother, Nicholas.. She was a gypsy. She died in childbirth. She didn't abandon you, Nicholas, she never had a chance to love you."

Tears filled Nicholas' gaze now, and he cast his eyes quickly from her. The whole earth seemed to shift beneath his feet, and so he dropped casually to the ground - staring out in the direction of the lake. He hardly felt when Elizabeth placed her hand upon his shoulder.

"A gypsy?" He breathed, more to himself than Elizabeth. All of his life he had tried to find out about his past, to draw answers where there weren't any. He had closed this part of it, finding it easier to ignore the empty questions. Now, the pain resurfaced as Elizabeth spoke.

"And, your father..." she began, almost fearful to tell him.

Nicholas allowed his head to hang, waiting for the final blow. His father.. A drunkard? Had he raped his mother? An adulterer, perhaps - who could not allow his blunder to be made known?

"Have you ever heard the stories, Nicholas, of the..Opera Ghost?"