A/N: Hello everyone and thank you for the reviews! Thanks to my beta, Halley, for a great job and I'm hoping to have the next chapter up by the end of this week. Please don't forget to review!

Chapter 24: Jealousy for One, Please?

It had been pure coincidentally luck that Etienne had been walking past the sunroom. Ahead were his parents, speaking in hushed tones. He was about to go over to them to ask if they saw Stephanie. He couldn't take the silence and injured prides anymore. He wanted this whole affair to be over so some strand of civility could be made.

"Unattractive appalling woman! You're no lady with such foul language!"

Etienne froze in his tracks, recognizing Jeanette's outburst. He had thought the declining of her invitations would be enough for her to cease seeking him out. Apparently, rejection was difficult for her to swallow. But the direction of her words to, he knew, could be no one but Stephanie Larson.

"Yeah and you're no lady for behaving so rudely and threatening me."

Stephanie's comment was so typical of her that Etienne crept near to the door so he could hide and listen. He couldn't help but smile at the look that befallen Jeanette.

"I don't know why I was worried. This outrageous imprudence wouldn't keep Etienne for long."

He stiffened; a low predatory growl came from within his chest. What did this woman know? Stephanie's "outrageous imprudence" was what kept him so intrigued and besotted by her. Etienne held his breath in anticipation for Stephanie's next remark that would put her back in her place.

But he wasn't prepared for what she would say.

"For the record, I'm not interested in Etienne nor will I ever see him any different than that of my teacher."

Etienne jumped, stunned at her response. Not… interested? His heart constricted as he took a staggering step back. This whole time… I really was a fool.

To his dismay, his vision was starting to cloud with mist. The time at the standing stones… something was there. He felt it. It existed.

Blinking away the tears, Etienne forced a stoic look as his feet, on their own volition, entered the room. He noticed how quickly Jeanette changed. He scowled but his eyes were settled on only one person.

"Ahem, ladies."

She had turned around and he could hear her gasping. Did he hear me? Stephanie thought and she had her answer by the cold way he regarded her with his stone-laden gaze. Oh shit.

"Pardon. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything," Etienne said, his voice gruff and solemn.

Heaven help her, but at that moment Stephanie found him too damn sexy from the way he kept himself calm and collected, as his turquoise eyes seethed. Fortunately for her, Jeanette broke the tense air.

"Oh no Etienne! Your student and I were having a chat," she explained, lashes batting demurely. "I cannot wait to hear you at the Populaire."

"As am I," he answered, his attention never leaving Stephanie's. "Mlle Larson has done well but has much still to learn if her pride allows her."

Stephanie, shamefully, turned red by his speech. Then it struck her how she heard it before… the Phantom within was making its debut.

"Oh," Jeanette replied, confused by the silent exchange between teacher and pupil. Forcing a smile, she went on. "Your mother said you stopped working on your opera. What ever for?"

Finding his opportunity, Etienne flashed a brief cocky grin to Stephanie and sauntered to Jeanette. Taking her hand, he patted the back endearingly and led her to sit on the couch where moments ago, Stephanie and Christine sat. With him and Jeanette taking the space up, Stephanie was forced to sit in the chaise where Jeanette had occupied.

"It's hard to explain one's sudden change of mind, but unplanned circumstances had occurred making it difficult for me to concentrate. But now, seeing my muse has returned, I believe I found the renewed inspiration."

Jeanette giggled flirtatiously. "Then, should your muse come over often to ensure you can work again?"

"If she so desires," Etienne purred, lifting Jeanette's hand to his lips. "But I'm afraid I'll be in demand of it."

Stephanie couldn't believe what she was witnessing. Bad enough that the girl was swooning over him, but he was encouraging it despite Stephanie's presence! What the Hell is he doing?

If looks could kill—Etienne would be dead ten times over.

He dared to steal a glance towards the silently fuming woman and smirked to himself. Directing his focus back to Jeanette, he stood up and offered his arm. "Would you like to accompany me in a walk through the gardens?"

"I would be delighted!" Jeanette stood and placed her hand on his arm.

Stephanie blanched as her blood boiled when Bipolar Pretty Princess ogled Etienne as he murmured into her ear. She gripped the armrest tightly so as to not jump and throttle Jeanette LeBlanc to death. Or better… Etienne.

Why should I care who he spends time with? Obviously, they were lovers before I ever came here. The thought wasn't very comforting, even though she tried to justify it was only fair since she erased any and all encouragements from him. But that couldn't stop the pang in her heart.

xxXXxx

A week.

A tortuous long week and Stephanie was game to hurt anyone who dared cross her path.

Her intent to let the Etienne-Jeanette affair slide by, failed miserably. She tried to appear happy whenever Etienne would spend time with the two-timing prude. But every time he held her hand, listen with rapt attention to some babble, or fawn over her like some fragile creature, Stephanie wanted to vomit. Fragile Jeanette was not, spoiled she was.

Any bit of attention Etienne gave, she soaked it up like sunshine often looking at Stephanie to see if she noticed. It bothered Stephanie greatly that a man like Etienne wanted to keep company with the tedious wealthy child. Jeanette was whiney and not very pleasant to be around when something doesn't go her way. Especially if he, Heaven forbid, didn't notice a new hat or ribbon or if he didn't hear what she said. The shrill pitch that came from her mouth… she put Carlotta to shame.

Though as much as Stephanie despised her, she kind of wished she was in her place.

She admitted it at last. Somehow… somehow Etienne wormed his way into her thoughts and dreams constantly. The one dream she had previously, before the visit to the standing stones, which she convinced herself nothing but lust became a frequent haunt. She dreamt of Etienne in many scenarios—past and future—and they always left her achy and hot.

It would not do!

Yet… he remained in her head.

And to her chagrin, she couldn't stop herself from trailing Etienne and Jeanette. She had to know what they were doing. Each time she did so it had left her heart heavy and pain in her stomach.

The icing on the cake had been accidental.

Stephanie was in the rose garden, taking a nice stroll and enjoying the good weather until…

She heard singing.

It was most enchanting sound she ever heard! The soft baritone that filled the empty air seemed to have wrapped around her like silk that she began following, wondering in a half-daze if it was Erik serenading Christine. To her ill-fortune, the singer was none other than Etienne Fitzwilliam Destler himself!

That alone broke her from the alluring trance as she stared, mouth agape, as Etienne sang his father's 'Music of the Night' to Jeanette. The blonde was transfixed, ensnared by the powerful voice that came from the Phantom's son. As he reached the end, Etienne was beginning to lower his mouth to hers…

Suffice to say, Stephanie couldn't watch it anymore and fled back into the house. She didn't notice that throughout that time, two damp trails were coursing down her face.

It was at the time Stephanie could no longer hide the truth that she was in love with Etienne Destler.

She didn't know how or when but it happened.

And, unfortunately, she still had room to love Dan.

What was wrong with her? She couldn't be in love with two men!

But she was. She was.

xxXXxx

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Stephanie turned away from the window where she was spying on the two lovers to face Christine.

The older woman walked over to stand next to her to watch as well.

"There was a time when I wanted those two to be together," she mused. "And now…"

"Now what?" Stephanie asked.

"Now…" Christine glanced at her and smirked. "Now I'm beginning to see how naïve she truly is."

Stephanie laughed, shaking her head softly. "I don't get it. Since I've been here I never heard of her or Etienne ever being together. Now, all of a sudden, they're inseparable. It's so bizarre."

"How so?"

"Look at her for one," Stephanie said before moving away. "She lacks a brain that is no debate. She has no opinions or concerns about anything until it involves her. She's stuck up, selfish, and a crybaby. The only thing she cares about if her ribbons and bonnets match her dresses. An intelligent man like Etienne couldn't possibly ever love her."

"And what sort of woman do you think he could love?" Christine questioned, crossing her arms over.

"Well," she began. "He needs to love someone he can actually have a conversation with that contains substance. She has to understand and appreciate the music he writes as well give him a challenge. He's too use to having everything his way and needs to relax, have fun, and laugh."

"That is a pretty good assessment. Where could he find such a woman?"

"If he wasn't so stupidly blinded by that poser he would see," Stephanie grumbled. It dawned on her what she just said and she looked up at Christine, horrified. "I mean—"

"I know Stephanie. I know," she replied. "You couldn't have picked a better man."

"I'm terrible! Dan—"

"Cheri, Erik told me everything you said to him. Dan is not worth it. Not now and not ever."

"Yeah but—"

"There are no buts, my dear," Christine chided gently. "If you're worried, don't be. Erik and I think it's wonderful you should love our son."

"Problem is he doesn't feel the same about me. Or if he did… I killed that long ago," Stephanie muttered. "I lost Dan and I completely missed the second chance. I'm an idiot."

"No you're not and no you haven't."

"How do you know?"

"Simple. You're a clever woman Stephanie. Someone who knows an awful lot about love should be able to recognize when she's being duped."

She gazed at her questioningly. Christine smiled and winked. "You do observe them. Try studying too and you will see the truth."

"Okay… and if you're right? Etienne would be a fool to try something again after being soundly pushed away."

"I'm not much of an expert of the proper method for courtship, being used to the man taking the control. After all, you are from the future."

"That I am," Stephanie responded, her mismatched eyes glittering mischievously. "Thank you Christine."

"My pleasure."

Stephanie hugged Christine and quickly ran out, almost bumping into Erik.

He watched her leave and gazed at his wife. "Do I want to know what passed?"

She chuckled. "I believe you owe me those francs, my love."

TBC…