Chapter 25

Erik reached the grand hall, where the doors were thrown open to let in the sunlight and to reveal the ever-busy streets of Paris. Erik stared out at the little shops, cafés so full of life, which he had not seen in a good two months. Time had flown by while he had been in the Opera House, he had been so busy summer had flown by and they were well into Autumn. People brushed past him, talking loudly and trying to get either tea or some sort of pastry that the chefs had prepared. Erik wasn't in the mood to eat, so he dodged the many people who were crowding around and headed towards the front door. A nice walk would do wonders for him. Just as he reached the entrance a hand was laid on his shoulder and he whipped around to see who it was.

"A little jumpy aren't you?" asked a friendly voice, and Erik smiled broadly as Steve smiled at him.

"Just nervous I guess with all the Phantomess letters coming in." Erik shrugged. Steve nodded his agreement and glanced outside.

"Fancy going for a walk Erik?" asked Steve.

"I was just thinking the same thing and was about to leave. I would love your company though." Steve grinned and they stepped out the door together, both braving the chilly wind that would occasionally pass by them.

Paris was beautiful in Autumn, the many coloured leaves danced in the air without a care in the world. It was the perfect time when there were still some leaves on the trees, and some were on the ground, just begging you to walk through them. Erik breathed in deep and made his way among the leaves, which crunched under his and Steve's feet. Vendors shouted inaudible things at them, but Erik didn't really pay much attention, he was just so happy to be out of the Opera House.

"Lovely time of year, Autumn." Commented Steve, to which Erik nodded heartily.

"I used to spend most of my childhood outdoors playing in the sunshine, I would always look up at the Paris Opera and wish I could perform there forever." Erik laughed to himself and Steve gave him a sidelong glance, for Erik had never really spoke about himself much. "Now, I really want to be out of that building and be outside."

"Understandable. We've been cooped up in there non-stop because of the Opera. Now that it's over for now, and we have some free time, it's only natural to see some other things then the Managers' bad haircuts." Erik laughed at this comment and the two friends continued down the busy streets of Pairs.

"So, how's the orchestra going for you?" Steve made an odd noise, something between a gurgle and a hiccup and shook his head.

"Maestro along with Richard feel the constant need to remind us how terrible we sound. You know for such a tiny man, Maestro certainly must have very good life insurance to be telling that to some of the orchestra members. I mean some of the bassoon players are twice my size." Erik looked Steve up and down and laughed again.

"You know I'm glad you came along Steve."

"Well it's nice to be here with you Erik. To be honest, I've missed seeing you, now that you're a star."

"Oh Steve, please. I'm hardly a star." Steve gave him a playful nudge and chuckled.

"Modesty suits you Erik. However, by most standards you most certainly are a star."

"I see." Said Erik with a bemused look. "And what standards would those be?"

"Do you receive at least three vases of flowers each day?" Erik thought for a moment, counting in his head and then a shocked look spread onto his face and he gasped aloud, much to the amusement of Steve.

"Oh my God, I do." Erik announced. Steve ticked a finger off his hand.

"Have people ever parted for you in the corridors?"

"Yes." Erik grudgingly agreed. Another finger on Steve's hand was ticked off.

"Do you receive and throw away letters by the dozens?" Erik screwed up his face in mock disgust at just how right Steve was.

"Yes."

"Have the managers ever grovelled on their knees to you?"

"Aha!" shouted Erik, "that hasn't happened." Steve gave him a small wink.

"Just you wait."

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" asked Erik, his eyes twinkling.

"It means they'll cave sooner or later, and notice you're worth 10 Pianjis." Said Steve with a tone of voice a teacher would used to explain a simple math problem to a student.

"That's 'Senior' Pianji to you Monsieur Mertin." Steve began to clap his hands imitating an audience.

"Bravo! We may just make you an actor yet. That was a very good Mme. Giry impression." Erik laughed at Steve, happy and care free for the first time in what felt like ages.

"I should think so, I'm around the woman so much lately." Steve nodded and grinned in reply. The friends had walked quite far by this point and had come to an intersection, where Erik had told Steve that he knew a very nice café where they could buy cheap, but very tasty treats. Once they had purchased their goods, Erik feeling much better, had bought himself a small portion of chocolate mousse, they ate, or drank in Steve's case while following the rest of the street. After walking in companionable silence for a few minutes, and after taking a few bites of his mousse, Erik continued the original conversation. "So, are there any other standards that make me a star Steve?" Steve flashed him that irresistible grin and cleared his throat importantly.

"Has someone ever sent you lingerie?" Erik gasped in shock and glared at Steve.

"What kind of a question is that?" Steve answered Erik's question with another question.

"Well, have you?" Erik turned away from his friend's face.

"No…" mumbled Erik quietly, as his face began to turn pink. Steve grinned, obviously not missing Erik's embarrassment.

"Erik, you're lying! Who sent it?" Steve coaxed playfully.

"No one, because I wasn't sent any." Said Erik defensively.

"You're blushing Erik."

"I'm not blushing! It's the cold. Everyone's cheeks turn pink in the cold." Steve stifled a chuckle just long enough to reply.

"All right, let's go back and get your newly acquired lingerie to cover your cold cheeks.

"Steve!" shouted Erik, blushing even more now as he glanced around to make sure no one was listening to the conversation. All Steve could do in reply was laugh heartily, along with many angry glares thrown his way by Erik.

"S…s…sorry…Erik…" gasped Steve between silent fits of laughter. Erik sighed in annoyance and walked forward ahead of Steve, desperate to think of something else.

"Honestly, what kind of a question is that to ask someone?" muttered Erik to himself.

"Erik!" more peals of laughter. "Wait up!"

"Steve, I'm the star. It's my way or the highway." Announced Erik in a mock angry tone of voice and sped up.

"Erik!" shouted Steve, his voice fading slightly as Erik continued to run faster and faster. "You're going to make me spill my precious French Coffee if you make me run any faster!" Erik gasped for breath and his legs pumped hard to out run Steve. He made it around the corner panting and ducked down into a doorway, making sure he was out of sight. Stuffing the rest of his mousse, quite unceremoniously in his mouth, he placed the container in his pocket and peeked around the corner for Steve who was huffing and puffing after him. Erik ducked back into his little nook and waited for the moment when he would jump out at Steve to scare him out of his mind. The footsteps were getting closer…just a bit further…almost there, thought Erik. He heard the creaking of wood and the wall behind him gave way and he fell flat on his back. Two wide, surprised eyes looked back into his own and Erik let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding.

Standing over him was Rachelle.

"Erik?" asked Rachelle in amazement to see him lying on the floor in front of him. "Erik!" she asked again, but almost screamed in his ear for she knelt down beside him and began to touch his face. Her soft cool hands felt nice on Erik's hot, sweaty flesh, and Erik looked into Rachelle's concerned eyes. "My God, you look terrible, come with me at once." She ordered and proceeded to drag Erik to his feet and led him inside the doorway into a small room, which was dimly lit with lamps, due to the fact there were no windows in the small space. Erik's eyes roamed the room as Rachelle sat him down on a comfy cushioned seat and rushed off into another room leaving him alone.

"Who was there?" asked a woman's voice that Erik did not recognise, and Erik strained his ears to hear what the conversation was.

"Erik. Get me a glass won't you?" snapped another voice, that one was Rachelle's

"Erik who?" pressed the same unknown voice. Erik glanced to the door that Rachelle had disappeared into and wondered whom she was talking to, and why on earth she was meeting that person here.

"Erik Destler." Rachelle announced and the clinking of glass and running water interrupted their conversation.

"You mean that poor boy that played with you at our Summer home?" the voice asked with amusement.

"No, the leading Tenor at the Paris Opera House." Said Rachelle sourly. Just at that moment Rachelle came from the next room with a glass of cool water and a towel hanging over her right arm, just like a waiter would. Erik heard laughter from the other room and a woman appeared right behind Rachelle with a curious and delighted expression written over her face. The woman was slightly taller then Rachelle, but had the same colour hair tied back into a braid, that fell down her back. She wore an elaborately furnished dress, a soft brown colour with tiny auburn gems sewn into certain places of the dress. They glinted in the soft light of flames, as did the enormous diamond that rested on the woman's left forth finger. Brown, intelligent eyes gazed at Erik as Rachelle moved somewhat protectively towards Erik with the towel and the water.

"You never told me they were one and the same, dear sister." The woman tilted her head and continued to stare at Erik as she playfully sucked one of her fingers, "you never told me how handsome he became either." Rachelle shot her sister a furious look and the other woman laughed delightedly and crossed the room to pull up another chair right beside Erik's. "I doubt if you will remember me." Her smiled widened as Rachelle handed Erik the glass of water.

"Drink." She ordered and Erik obeyed. It wasn't the first time that he had been under both their cares.

"How could I forget you, Pauline, Countess de Chagney?" Erik said quietly into her eyes.

A/N: Er…I liked the beginning of the chapter, but I'm not so sure how the ending turned out. I hope you at least enjoyed some of it, and I thought I was high time that Rachelle got back into the story. Anyhow, I promise next chapter will be much more exciting. And thanks to all my readers and reviewers who have not yet cause a revolt due to the fact I've been away for so long. R&R.