Madame Giry's POV

Ruined. So much of it was destroyed by the fire. The entire stage was consumed by flames, all of the seats were burnt as well. Luckily, the fire had, by some miracle, been contained. But, even though the flames didn't reach back stage, most of the props and costumes had been destroyed by the smoke. I shook all thoughts of the hopelessness of the situation from my head. It didn't me any good to allow my thoughts to linger on what couldn't be changed.

I continued to sort through clothes. Some were mine, others belonged to Meg, and others to Christine.

'Christine…' I thought as I found a dress that I recognized to be hers. She was lucky, very lucky. She escaped from this horrid ordeal unscathed (well, unscathed for the most part). He had let her go with le Vicomte. She and le Vicomte's love for each other was palpable and infectious to anyone who was lucky enough to be around them. Even Erik had to see that. Why would have he let them go otherwise? As I glanced around I couldn't help but feel guilty. I had brought Erik here. It was I who didn't do anything. I could have stopped him. I could have done something, but instead I stood by and watched as he destroyed the Opera House and ate away at Christine's heart and sanity, and I couldn't help but think, as I saw the wreckage around me, that I had brought this dark fate upon myself.

"What have I done?" I whispered into the silence, sinking down onto my knees. Suddenly, I felt older, much, much older. I was weighed down with guilt and despair. With the Opera Populaire destroyed how was I to support Meg? Where could I find a job? I had few talents and the one that I did have, well, jobs in the ballet were few and far between. I wasn't sure how much longer we could stay at the Bird and Baby. I didn't doubt whether or not Christine and le Vicomte would take us in; in fact, they had already extended an offer, but I didn't want to be a burden to them. No, I would just have to find a job elsewhere, who knows, maybe Andre and Firmin would rebuild the Opera Populaire and obtaining a new job would be unnecessary.

My head snapped up at a soft whooshing sound that came from somewhere off to my left. My breath caught in my throat, could it be? Oh God, please no. He stepped from the shadows. It was unmistakably Erik, for he wore no mask. I couldn't completely hide my surprise at this fact. It was the first time I had seen him without his mask since the night I brought him here. I immediately rose, resuming my commanding air once more.

"Erik," I acknowledged his with a curt nod of my head. I busied myself sorting clothing again. He stood there, unmoving, watching me.

"Madame….," he trailed off. I pretended as if he had said nothing, ignoring his presence altogether. He opened his mouth in another attempt to break the silence.

"Don't," I snapped, not even looking up from my work, "There is nothing you can say." I finally looked at him. He looked genuinely sorry, but he had proved to be a master of deception; I no longer trusted him.

"Why did you come back?" I questioned, my tone softening slightly. I didn't trust him, but I did still pity him.

"This is the only home I've ever known," he whispered. His voice was weak and defeated. I twang of sympathy hit me, but I suppressed it. Regret, did not make up for all the terrible things he did.

"This is how you would treat your home?" I questioned fiercely. He opened his mouth in protest but I silenced him. "Do you intend to stay here?"

"Is it safe?" I knew exactly what he meant. If anyone found him he surely be put to death.

"They think you've gone," I replied, "They will not think to look here again." He nodded and turned around to disappear back into the shadows. Why was I helping him? I could go to the police. At the prospect of catching the infamous Phantom of the Opera, they would all come running. Why was I agreeing to keep his secret? He didn't deserve this aide; not after what he did to the Opera House, not after what he did to le Vicomte, and certainly not after what he did to Christine. He was a villain. I tried hard to convince myself of it as I stared at his back.

'Villain, villain, villain," I repeated the mantra over and over again in my head, but it did little to convince me of anything. I could never truly see him as the villain. I loved him too much to do that. Despite the fact that we were very similar in age, I had, essentially, raised him. I cared for him as a son. It was my dilemma. Would I speak ill of a son who hurt a daughter, or would I speak ill of a daughter who hurt a son? For they both came out scarred.

He turned swiftly back to me as if he had suddenly remembered something very important. "Will they rebuild it?"

"Perhaps," I answered. He nodded and, without any further words, disappeared into the shadows. I listened carefully but neither heard no further sounds nor was able to pick up any evidence that he had actually been there at all. There definitely was a very good reason as to why he came to be known as the Phantom of the Opera.

I lingered for only a moment before collecting all of the clothes that could be salvaged into a bag and leaving. I walked briskly out of the Opera House and the short distance to the Bird and Baby.

I stepped relieved into the cozy warmth of the inn. I set my load down onto a nearby table and brushed some snow from my cloak.

"Good evening, Paul," I greeted the jolly inn-keeper. He was serving whiskey to the few customers he had on this blustery evening.

"Evening, Madame," he replied.

"Where is Meg?" I asked.

"Upstairs with Marguerite," he answered, "Would you like me to help you get that up the stairs?" He gestured towards the bag of clothes.

"No, but thank you. I can do it myself," I assured him. He nodded and continued to serve drinks.

"Oh," he said suddenly, "Before I forget,"—he pulled a piece of parchment out of his pocket—"this came for you today." He handed it to me. One glance at it told me it was from Christine. I collected my bag, bid good night to Paul, and hurried up the stairs to my room.

Once I was in my room and my bag was placed on the floor I opened the letter. It read:

Dear Madame Giry,

I'm writing to you to renew my appeal for you and Meg to come and live with us here at the De Changy estate. Raoul and I would simply love for you to come. It's so beautiful here. Everything about it and it is removed from hustle and bustle of the city. It has been so long since I lived away from Paris that I forgot how nice it is to live in the country, after recent events I'm quite content to live away from the city for a time. Raoul is going into the city on business with Andre and Firmin tomorrow. I have arranged for him to stop by the Bird and Baby at four o'clock when he has finished. He will pick you and Meg up then. I apologize for using this tactic, Madame Giry, but I felt it necessary. Otherwise you would never come! I greatly look forward to seeing you and Meg. Until tomorrow.

With all my love,

Christine

'That girl!' I thought as I put the letter down. She was a great deal slyer than one would believe upon meeting her. She really had left me with very little choice. I had seen first hand how stubborn le Vicomte could be. If she sent him on the task to retrieve us he would stop at nothing. I sighed and began to change for bed. It really wasn't that bad. Christine was right, after all that had happened some time away from Paris would do us all a world of good. I drifted off to sleep with thoughts of the freedom the country would bring bouncing around in my head. I was relieved to have something other then Erik to occupy my thoughts.

A/N

I am SO sorry this took me so long! I have been unbelievably busy. I might have another one up tomorrow, but I'm not sure. I'm trying to give this more of a plot. When I started this I intended it to be a oneshot and consequently had no ideas about how to continue it. I think I have one now but I don't know how well it's going to go. The minute it sounds bad and cheesy tell me! Please tell me! I love your reviews! So please review! That's all for now! Until I get another chapter out!

RiverofTruth

Oh yeah, just an FYI, because of a suggestion that LadyImproptu made I'm going to be doing a bit of a 180 on Christine's character. Just so you're aware of it.