A/N: Hello my few fine feathered friends. PLEASE review. Just…please.

Have some soup! Ahem…story.

The Paris night was a nippy one and Meg's bare arms were sliced by the cold, for the white flowery dress Christine had lent her was not one meant for cold climates.

The large pine tree near the corner of the De Chagny manor found Meg before she found it. In the darkness, Meg ran straight into it, and an arm came from behind pulling her around the rough bark.

She found herself pressed up against the left flank of the mansion, Erik drenched in shadow loomed over her, his eyes lit only by the vivid moon darted every which way nervously.

"What's going on in there?" He asked, sounding peeved but not so upset that he would take advantage of the cover of darkness and procure a knife from his cloak stabbing Meg through the stomach where he held her against the mahogany painted wall leaving her to die only to be found the next day by Christine where he would then capture her and throw her in a potato sack and haul her out of the country to marry her…….

What morbid thoughts I have! Meg thought surprised at herself for suspecting such a plot in Erik's head.

"I just don't know what to say…I mean Raoul is there, I can't very well explain that you are waiting just outside ready to have a cup of tea and talks the whole thing over, now can I?" Meg spat, rather uncomfortable with Erik's closeness. She tried to wriggle free of his grip, but he kept hold of her.

"Wait until tomorrow, the Vicomte will be…how should I say this?…promptly hastened to attend a vital meeting in regards to the insurance of his theatre. Compliments of yours truly. That's where you come in." Erik said slyly.

Meg nodded reluctantly. She would have to tell Christine tomorrow why she was really here.

"Explain to her that I…tell her…I…." Erik couldn't seem to form the words of which Meg was to tell his beloved. Instead he backed away a few steps and handed Meg a single rose with a silk black ribbon tied around it, attached, a small purple jewel.

"Just give her this…and say what you will." He looked down as Meg took the gift from him, perhaps embarrassed or ashamed.

Meg fingered the wine colored gem, it looked rather expensive.

"Erik…where did you get this? Tell me you didn't st…" but Erik swiftly justified himself.

"Opera ghost!" He said. (A/N: Jack Sparrow-esque) Meg smirked, now she knew what he had been up to all day.

She pushed past him, looking down to examine her dress, she saw that the hem of her dress was like a rather large pocket. Bending down, she placed Erik's stolen treasure inside and made sure it was tucked away safely. She nodded to Erik and without another word pranced back to the front door.

Erik watched her leave, her glossy blonde hair skipping in her wake and the moon shining on the spot where she had vacated. He stood in a moment of unscathed thought, which was rare for him as most of his thoughts were of either Christine or villainous plots to steal her. He thought what remarkable angels the Giry's were. His special guardian angels it seemed.

And even though he may never have Christine, he would never be alone. He never really had been.

Feeling overly cautious, Meg silently shut the door behind her, smiling apprehensively at the ever-dusting dust maid. She walked back into the dining area, where she was greeted by two queasily content faces bearing light curiosity looking at her.

"Who was there Meg?" Christine asked.

This operation get Erik and Christine together was hard work! Requiring her to think on her feet at random moments.

"It was a wrong address. The poor man was looking to get to the De Shavre manor, I gave him directions I do hope they were correct." Meg added an unnecessary giggle to the end of her statement, which had simply slipped out. Luckily it didn't ruin her cover.

"The De Shavre's, they were at the theatre last night. Apparently got away ok then I assume." Raoul said absentmindedly, picking at the remains of his food.

"Well then Christine, I do think you should get some rest, News reporters will be simply crashing down the door tomorrow to get your story." He said a few moments later as though it was a giddy everyday event almost.

Christine looked mildly sickened at the thought. It had been hard enough for her to recount the events of the former night this afternoon to her best friend; Meg didn't think she could do it again for complete strangers.

"So Raoul," Christine continued casually, "did you hear anything about Eri…I mean the Phantom?" She corrected herself, not wanting to sound any closer to him than she had to be.

Raoul looked at her strangely.

"Well, yes…er Madame Giry said this morning that she saw him killed in the fire. After he tried to kill…well I suppose you know now don't you." He told her uneasily, waiting for her reaction. But she didn't have one.

"Oh." She said and stared solemnly at her empty plate.

Meg suspected that Christine knew he was alive and well.

But it was only a suspicion.