A/N: I'm actually doing this story for my senor project for next year as well as for my enjoyment. I reached the half way mark of 50 pages with chapter 24 so now I just have to double the length. Shouldn't be a problem as I still have a lot more plot planned out. ^-^ I might even go over the length requirement. We will have to see... Let me know what you think so far. Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-six

Dinner Outing

Darcey and Meg entered the foyer to find Garren waiting for them. He ran over to them and kissed Meg on the cheek. "You look beautiful! I'm the luckiest man in Paris. Along with Lionell, of course." He winked at Darcey while he linked arms with Meg. "He should be here soon. He was just finishing up. Will you be alright to wait for him by yourself?" Darcey nodded. "If you're sure..." He looked at her questioningly even though he was starting to walk away.

"I'll be fine. You two have fun." Darcey grinned back at her friends and waved as they left. Soon she was alone. She was admiring one of the statues when she saw something move out of the corner of her eye. She pulled her gaze away from the statue to find Lionell looking at her. He looked her over, his smile widening.

He walked over to her. "I thought I had walked into the presence of a fairytale princess," he said, offering his arm for her to take. They walked outside to the carriage and the the coachman pulled out the step and opened the door for them. Darcey tried to meet the man's eye but his face was respectfully turned away and was hidden in the shadows. Lionell helped her into the carriage and climbed in behind her. The door was closed and soon the carriage started moving. Darcey looked out the window, not knowing what to say. She shouldn't have worried that there would be an awkward silence. "We should be there in a few minutes. I heard you were ill. I trust you are as well as you appear?"

"Yes. I am well now." Darcey had forgotten how good the upper class was at making small talk. She remembered wishing for more silence and less empty words but she was glad for it now.

"Good. I would hate for you to be ill." She glanced at him but returned her gaze out the window since she felt uncomfortable meeting and holding his own. "Who are your friends here?"

"You've met Meg and Garren. They are the only ones that work at the opera house." Darcey winced internally when she realized she was still counting Erik as her friend. If he didn't consider her as his friend, she shouldn't consider him as hers.

"How well do you know Garren?" Lionell asked. "He seems to care a lot for you."

Darcey looked up at his tone before realizing he was jealous. "He's like a brother to me. I believe Meg and Garren are in love they just don't realize the other feels the same way. I wouldn't be surprised if he asked for her hand by the end of the year."

He looked very relieved and Darcey had to try very hard not to smile. "Good. Very good." He leaned back against the seat and folded his arms. Soon a mischievous grin crossed his face. "We should help them. I should be able to get time off for both of them. The managers will jump to do my bidding." He smirked.

"That would be great! I would really appreciate the help. I so want them to be happy."

"I'll see what I can do. In return will you allow me to continue courting you?" He looked completely sincere so she nodded before looking back out the window. She thought she should be more happy about the idea. A silence descended on the carriage and she was relieved when it came to stop. The door opened and he helped her out after him. "Pick us up here in an hour. You may wait here or drive around if you wish," Lionell told the coachman before entering the restaurant with Darcey.

"As you wish, Lord Cocky," Erik, disguised as a coachman, replied when the door shut behind them. He ignored the part of his mind that was calling him a jealous liar. Despite the fact that he was determined to let her go, he couldn't help coming along. He grinned at the memory of the true coachman's face before he had fainted. The very sight of the Phantom of the Opera approaching, seemed to have been effective enough on its own without him having to knock him out. He had only had to tie him to a post.

He didn't think Lionell would harm her but he didn't like the thought of the two alone together. The man was infuriatingly gentleman like which gave him no basis for his suspicions. He didn't know what to do now that they were inside but at least he could watch them through the window. The night was surprisingly warm for it being the beginning of November but he had a feeling the nice weather would be fleeting. He would not be surprised if there was snow tomorrow. He wondered if Darcey liked the snow. He instantly berated himself for the thought. Why did he care if she liked the snow or not? He personally wasn't very fond of winter. He was glad his lair stayed warm even when it was freezing outside.

He looked in the restaurant window and felt jealousy run through him as he watched Darcey talking and laughing with Lionell. She looked to be enjoying herself greatly which only made him feel more jealous. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Why did he care so much?

Soon an hour passed and it was time for them to leave. They left the building and he was quick to open the door to the carriage. It wouldn't do for them to find out he wasn't the real coachman. She whispered a "thank you" to him before climbing in. It was probably just an automatic response but he still felt warm at her words. She was so beautiful and kind. She was as perfect as even his one time angel, Christine. Maybe even more so though he hadn't thought if to be possible. He wondered yet again what her reaction would be if she was to see his true face. It was unlikely to ever happen but he still wondered. He sighed as he began to direct the horses back towards the opera house.