Author's Note: Ok, I had serious writer's block for this chapter, so it's far from the best. Please keep reading the story anyway, hopefully it will get better. I don't know Madam Giry's first name, so I'm just gonna use her last. And sorry if Erik doesn't sound respectful to her, he's still a little... I don't know. Guess he's feeling whatever worrying emotion he has.

Thanks to the people that reviewed, most people don't take the time to. -Glares at non-reviewers- REVIEWS ARE APPRECIATED PEOPLE! Thank you.

Disclaimer: STILL don't own it.

Chapter 4: Giry's Troubles

"Meg, now."

"But-"

"Now."

"I don't see why you can't just deliver them yourself."

Madam Giry smiled as she watched her daughter leave in a huff. Usually Meg was a reasonably obedient child, but at the moment she

was very grumpy. She couldn't blame her: anyone would object to having to deliver letters to the rather foolish managers.

'Ah, the advantages of being a mother,' thought Madam Giry as she settled herself in an armchair. Glad she did not have to deal with

Andre and Firmin, she picked up a book and began to read. Only a few minutes had passed before she heard a voice. Recognizing it at

once, she jumped up and slid back the mirror that resided in her room. Erik just stood there as she took in his appearance. He was

covered in blood and his normally slicked back hair was disheveled. She gasped, and he looked at her curiously.

"Why are you just standing there woman! I need you to come with me."

Ignoring him she asked, "What happened? Why are you covered in blood?"

He looked down at himself and cursed. "It's not mine. It's the viscount's. I need you to attend to him."

It was Madam Giry's turn to look at him curiously. Deciding she would find out what was going on when she got there, she quickly

followed Erik through the passage behind the mirror.

The trip to his lair seemed to take much longer than usual, though it might have been due to Giry's curiosity concerning the viscount.

When they reached the candle lit cavern, Giry quickened her pace. Raoul was lying on the silk sheets of the phantom's extra bed,

looking rather beat up- to put it lightly. Immediately, the woman switched into leader mode, and started tending his injuries, all the while

questioning Erik and ordering his assistance. This did not please the phantom obviously, but he grumpily complied. What seemed to

Erik an eternity, which in reality was only about half an hour, slowly passed and Giry finally silenced.

"That should do it. Now, he will need some time to heal- presumably here?" She glared at Erik, silently daring him to refuse. But Erik

never was one to back away from a challenge.

"No way in hell," he said cheerfully, which was rather out of character for him.

"Erik..."

"No, madam."

"He has nowhere else to go."

"Perhaps back to his dear Christine?" He knew that if the man was here of all places, he probably wouldn't be welcomed with

Christine, but it was worth a shot.

Madam Giry stared at him. "Have you not heard the rumors, monsieur?"

"They are no concern of mine."

"Erik..." She warned.

"Perhaps I did hear a whisper or two, but just stage hand gossip."

"Well, this 'stage hand gossip' is all over Paris, thanks to your student. He must stay here."

Ah, so it was Christine he had to strangle.

"As I said, madam, I care not for his well being and I will not have him disrupting my peace."

"Erik, if it were not for me, you would have no peace to be disrupted. Now I ask this favor, at least until he is healed enough to face the

masses."

And she continued on her guilt trip until he conceded.

"Fine! If it will silence you I agree! But once he is well he is fair game."

"Erik..."

"Are you aware how many times you have said my name in the past hour madam?"

"Erik..."

"Fine!" he said exasperated. "I will give him a head start, then I will hang him."

"That's all I ask." Giry smiled. She had won.