Hey guys! Sorry this took so long. Last week was well, the last week of Jesus Christ Superstar, which was amazing. Now that its over, I should have some more free time for updates. Sorry if this is a blah-ish chapter since I haven't had much time to do better.

"You're in everyone I see,
so tell me
Do you see me?"

-Michelle Branch, "Everywhere to Me

3. Everywhere to Me

While Raoul recovered from his fever, Meg continued to remain faithfully by his side, lovingly caring for him, but the love in her actions continued to go unnoticed. After almost a week, when the Vicomte was surely healthy again did Meg reluctantly let him go. Though he had assured the Girys that he would repay them for saving his life, the dancer still doubted that they would meet again.

Slowly the Girys were making their way back onto their feet after the disaster. Now that the Populaire's dormitories were no longer an option, they now rented out a small tenement. It was not as comfortable as their former rooms, but the family still had many blessings left. Madame Giry had managed to save a few possessions before they were consumed by fire, and there was still some money left over. Most of all, they had each other. There were dancers that had come to the Opera alone without a family behind them. Dark, unspeakable, terrible fates awaited them and neither mother nor daughter wanted to imagine what had become of those poor girls. At least Meg had even managed to find another job opportunity. While flipping through the paper, and audition notice at a small theater had caught her eye.

"Oh look Maman, Le Théâtre Comique is holding auditions for A Midsummer's Night Dream!"

"Wonderful, ma cherie," Madame Giry replied before another coughing fit seized her and she quickly drank some water. "Perhaps they are in need of another ballet mistress, or even a seamstress."

Meg's heart sank as she looked at her mother. She had been such a strong, independent woman, and now the disaster had brought her down. The thought of her mother as a lowly seamstress was terribly degrading. "Maman, you should rest. You need to get that cough checked out by a doctor."

Her mother inwardly sighed, knowing that their situation left them a bit lacking in money. "Let us wait until you get a paycheck again."

On the day of the audition, Meg rose early to prepare for the day ahead. She ate a light breakfast before stretching and warming up. At last, she took a leotard and one last pair of tights and pointe shoes before heading off to the theater.

Le Théâtre Comique was certainly nothing compared to the extravagant Populaire. Everything was just smaller, the foyer, the house, the stage and it made her feel smaller. The theater didn't even have dormitories for the performers. As Meg's name was called, she shyly went onto the worn stage. The footlights and shadow of the seats from the stage instantly brought her thoughts to performing. A pianist played the music for her routine and she lost herself in a dance. Her body swayed as her arms waved about and her feet moved as though they belonged to themselves. Meg lost herself in the spotlight as the familiar feel of a stage beneath her slippers made her feel at home again. In the climax of her dance, she spun into a series of pirouettes finally ending in a fantastic bow. A smile spread across her face as scattered applause broke out, making her aware of those watching. Feeling very confident and proud of herself, Meg left the stage and sat in the back of the theater to watch the others.

At the end of the auditions, the manager, Monsieur Danier got up and began assigning roles. Meg was chosen to be Cobweb, one of the fairy servants of Titiania the Fairy Queen. She was about to change and go back home when her heart stopped for a moment. Raoul had just entered the theater and was talking to the manager, Monsieur Levier. Shyly, she crept near them, keeping a distance so as not to intrude on their conversation, but close enough so that there was a chance that Raoul might notice her. With a nod, the Vicomte turned around, heading in her direction. Holding her breath, Meg prayed that he would see her. As he walked right past her, she let out a sigh and turned to get the rest of her belongings.

"Mademoiselle Giry!"

Her heart instantly leapt as that familiar voice called her and she anxiously turned to him.

"Good morning Vicomte," she said with a smile.

"Same to you, mademoiselle. How have you been lately?"

"We've been making it through. I managed to get a part in the play."

"Congratulations. And how is your mother?"

Raoul noticed as Meg's eyes dropped as he mentioned Madame. "She is… not quite the same. I worry about her. She's had a terrible cough since the disaster and refuses to find a doctor. But enough about me. What brings you here?"

"Well, since the Populaire is gone, I've decided to help out the Comique. It certainly could use a bit of work, and I hope that maybe it will help you out as well."

There was an odd moment of silence and they stared at each other nervously. "Well," Raoul said, breaking the uncomfortable quiet, "I must be going. Good day, mademoiselle. I pray that you mother will be well again soon."

"Farewell," Meg replied. As he turned away, a smug smile came to her face as she realized something. 'He never noticed Christine right away.'

As Raoul returned to his family's manor outside of Paris, he couldn't help but think about how odd it felt to see Meg again. Stepping inside another theater had been terribly difficult. Just being in the open atmosphere of a stage had brought back surges of longing. His eyes had occasionally drifted up to where the auditions had taken place. It brought back so much of Christine, but the reminder that she was not up there made everything feel so empty and wrong.

And then of course, seeing Meg had come with the same doses of false reality and familiarity. Though he had never really paid much attention to the blonde ballerina, there had been moments when he waited for Christine and conversed with her best friend just to pass time. Seeing someone who was so close to her made it feel like old times, when she was still here. He nearly half expected the diva to appear at any minute. 'But you keep forgetting that she's gone now… for good.' When would his heart ever learn that she was gone! Why couldn't he just let go!

But even with this bittersweet fantasy he lived in, filled with the emptiness of a broken heart, being around Meg was almost comforting. Seeing people and places that Christine was associated with were curses and blessings all at once. The little dancer had also been incredibly helpful with his case. After all, she had saved his life. But there was something else that almost seemed to pull him to her. Not only could he maintain his cursed, yet blissful fantasy around her, but now he had someone to talk about his woes with, someone to comfort him without just plain pity, but genuine understanding. Meg would not criticize him like Philippe would for letting love blind him. Sweet Meg would simply sympathize and maybe even make it easier to recall good times at the Populaire. Perhaps meeting the little Giry again was more of a blessing than he expected.