V

Erik stayed on the roof for what seemed like forever before making his way back down the winding staircase. For once he didn't care who saw him, he didn't care if they screamed. The gendarmes were most likely there, but he knew that he could disappear almost at will in the theatre.

He was angry, no he was furious, and as he stormed through the theatre his shoulder collided with an older stagehand. He didn't care until he heard the man shout something.

"What?" he hissed.

"I said watch where you're going you oaf," the man retorted.

Erik wheeled around, grabbing the front of the man's shirt and slammed him against the wall. The man's eyes filled with an all too familiar terror and Erik gave a low growl in the back of his throat.

"I'm sorry!" the man exclaimed, "I-I didn't know…"

Erik gave an annoyed snort and released the man, allowing his to fall in a heap on the floor, "Watch where you're going," he snarled, retreating into the shadows and disappearing before the poor stagehand's eyes.

Christine blinked and looked around the brightly lit room. It took a moment for her to remember where she was. The night before Raoul had taken her to his apartment. She didn't remember much more than that. She had been too tired and had gone straight to bed.

With a yawn she pushed back to heavy comforter and got out of bed. She was still dressed in her dress from the day before and attempted to straighten her skirts. With a sigh she looked in the mirror on the wall and ran her fingers through it to try and get some of the tangles out.

"Excuse me?" a small voice asked from the door.

"Oh," Christine gasped, turning to face the maid standing in her doorframe, "yes?"

"I was just coming to tell you that breakfast is ready, miss."

"Oh, thank you," Christine replied, "I'll be right down."

The maid gave a small curtsey and hurried away, closing the door behind her. Christine turned back to the mirror and tied her hair back before leaving the room.

The house wasn't terribly large, but larger than she was used to. She made her way down the stairs to the main floor and looked around for where they would be eating. She found Raoul sitting at the table in a small dining room.

"Um, good morning," she said tentatively, taking the seat opposite him.

"Good morning, Christine," he replied cheerfully, "did you sleep well?"

"Umm, yes, thank you."

"That's good," he replied, "would you like some tea?"

"Oh, yes, that would be nice."

Raoul smiled and when the maid returned she poured them each a cup of tea and served them a fruit salad for breakfast. Christine picked at the food, taking only small pieces of fruit and sipping her tea.

"I thought that we could get some of you things from the theatre today," Raoul suggested.

"Oh," Christine said, looking up from her meal, "yes, that…that would be nice."

"Very well then. I have some business at the bank this afternoon. Perhaps you could collect your belongings then?"

"Yes, that would be fine," she replied, "I promised Meg that I would visit."

That afternoon the carriage jostled to a stop outside of the theatre. Christine stepped out carefully and walked up to the front doors as the carriage left. She bit her lip nervously and entered. A few heads turned to look at her as she made her way through the main hall to the back of the building. As she often forgot the building was often used as a sort of salon for the aristocracy of Paris during the day. They would sit around and discuss whatever it was they talked about while the occupants of the theatre practiced in the back, preparing for the operas and ballets that they would pay so much to see.

"Christine!" Meg exclaimed as she entered the dormitory, "I didn't think you'd be back so soon."

"I had to get my things," Christine replied a bit guiltily, "I left everything here last night."

"Oh, right…"

"I also wanted to see you," Christine added as cheerfully as she could, "I promised, remember?"

"Of course," Meg replied, "but will you still come to practices? Maman had all of us who are still here working. She doesn't want us getting lazy."

"I'll try," Christine said, collecting her few items and putting them in a bag.

"That's all you're taking?" Meg asked.

"I don't think I'll need much," Christine said, "I'm still fairly close to the theatre…if I need anything I can just come by. Why aren't you practising today?"

"The gendarmes are still here, snooping around," she replied glumly, "they're asking everyone what they saw before and after. I think its rubbish. The only person who saw anything was Buquet and he's been…well, I guess you know."

"Yeah," Christine replied nervously, "I know."

Meg bit her lip and looked around the room, "So, is Raoul here?"

"No, he said he had something to do," Christine replied, "he should be back in an hour or so."

"Do you want to go to the café then?" Meg asked hopefully, "we always used to go when we were little."

Sure," Christine said, looking for any excuse to get out of the haunting theatre, "I'd love that."

"Wonderfully, we can even get something to eat, as long as you promise not to tell maman."

"Would I ever do that, Meg?" Christine teased.

They left the dormitory and made their way to the back door they usually used to enter and exit the theatre. As they walked they talked as casually as possible, trying to avoid the subject of the night before. But Christine still felt insecure. She hurried through the shadowy parts of the theatre, glanced over her shoulder at every turn and jumped at every shadow that moved. It was only when they were out in the bleak sunlight that she truly felt safe, though they were still trapped in the shadow of the grand theatre.

"What do you want?" Meg asked as they sat down in the small café.

"Oh, just tea," Christine replied, still staring at the theatre, "thank you."

"Fine, I'll order for both of us," Meg laughed before ordering two coffees and two pieces of cake.

"I just wanted tea," Christine objected.

"That's what you said," Meg agreed, "but then we'd be breaking our tradition."

Christine smiled, "I guess so…we wouldn't want that, would we?"

"We couldn't have it," Meg chuckled, "oh, maman would certainly kill us."

Christine flashed a fake smile, "Yeah…"

When Raoul finally arrived Christine hurriedly got into the carriage. Standing around in the shadows of the theatre had done a number on her nerves and she wanted nothing more than to get away from the building. Every shadow had been terrifying and every creak from above or bellow had caused her to jump. Even in the café she felt as if she had had to keep watch.

"Did you enjoy your visit?" he asked, kissing her gently and smiling.

"Yes. There will be practises starting next week," she replied, smiling weakly, "practises will be starting again next week. I think I should go to them."

"Very well," he replied, nodding his head, "I would never keep you from them, Christine. But until then, I was thinking that we could go to the bois tomorrow. We could have a picnic."

"Oh, that sounds lovely!" Christine exclaimed, "it has been so long since I went there…I'd like that, Raoul."

A/N: Well there you have it, for those of you reading this, another chapter up. Hope you enjoyed it and, as always, leave a review!