Title: Second Chance, ch. 2 Returning to the Scene of the Crime
Disclaimer: Don't own it. Leroux and Webber are the men.
Briefly: Thanks to those who reviewed, especially whoever tipped me to the Madam/Mademoiselle thing, if I knew how to fix it I would, you're a peach for giving the constructive crit. And now, without further ado...
It was amazing how fast time could pass when you had suffered from a massive head injury. It had been a month since the accident, and had Raoul and Christine not chosen to take that particular path from the reception hall they would only just now be returning from their honeymoon. Christine would have begun her voice lessons again, with a normal, sane teacher this time, and Raoul would have gone back to the Opera House to supervise the rebuilding of his Opera House.
It was comforting to know that despite what curves Fate threw at you, eventually life would return to normal, nothing could divorce you from your responsibilities but death. That's why Raoul had returned to the Opera House today, when he would have anyway, had the circumstances been different.
Andre and Firmin came up to him the moment he walked in the door.
"Hello Monsieur de Chagny," Andre said with a smile extending his hand, "My name is Gilles Andre and this is my associate Richard Firmin it is our pleasure to welcome you to the new Opera Populaire." Raoul frowned but took the outstretched hand.
"I know who you are Andre, I've only lost a year, not my mind." Andre had the decency to look embarrassed and Firmin spoke up.
"Well, we weren't exactly sure how much you remembered and thought it best…" Raoul waved his hand at Firmin's explanations and sighed.
"No, I'm sorry; it's just that I've spent the last month having every person I know talk to me like a simpleton or a child. As near as the doctor can figure I have all my memories up until, oh, eleven months ago?" He sighed. "As I'm sure you are aware, that is why I am here. The memories I have are of a happy, single young man. And now I am told I am widower who had just been through some rather harrowing experience in the Opera Populaire." He turned and began walking up the marble staircase, managers following closely at his heels. "My physician says that I have a better chance of recovering more memories if I can be in a place that reminds me of them. Seeing the same sights, smelling the same smells…" he hesitated for a moment at the top of the stairs before turning right and continuing down a small corridor in the same confident manner.
"We really would like to help you Monsieur de Chagny but are you really sure that staying in the Opera House is going to help? I mean, perhaps some things are best left buri-…" Andre trailed off before he could completely embarrass himself, but Raoul's pace didn't even slow.
Andre gave a beseeching look to Firmin who took a turn.
"It's just that the repairs aren't finished and it is an Opera house we don't really have any guest bedrooms…"
"I'm sure I can find some place to hole up for the night." He finally stopped walking to turn and smile at them. "Now gentlemen, please don't let me keep you from your duties, I'm sure I can do a little exploring on my own without a guide," and he started shooing them slowly back down the corridor.
"Well…if you're sure," Firmin said.
"Of course, of course, go on, see to the repairs, check in on the dancers, all those necessary jobs you do." Andre and Firmin exchanged A Look.
"We do need to see to a few things," Andre said uncertainly and Firmin nodded hesitantly.
"Yes there is the matter of the new chandelier being installed…" They both shuddered slightly.
"Yes that definitely needs to be supervised."
"Then it's all settled," Raoul said, and gave the managers one final nudge down the hallway to get them started, "We'll meet up at the boxes in two hours."
Author's Note: Right now the goal is to update every 10 days or so. If I start getting lazy feel free to slap me with a flame. Or choose not to. Depending on whether you have a soul or not.
Once again, love to my beta, Alchemy Hael.