A/N: I am soooo very sorry. I didn't realize I hadn't realized I didn't let you all know that I was grounded so let me explain… First I got grounded and then I kept going on family vacations. Then I started senior year and I started a different, completely original story for senior project and my FF's got pushed to the back burner… Skip all the drama and stress here… and it turned out that I was going to go back to my FF's. *eye roll* Joy upon joy. It's all working out but it was crazy for a while.

So long story short… I'm terribly sorry I disappeared and will now be updating again. Yeay… and hopefully some of you at still here.

Thirty-four

Telling Meg

After the long, slow kiss, they had talked quietly for a while before exhaustion once again won over as neither had gotten very much rest.

Darcey woke up before Erik and used the time to get dressed. When she stepped out from behind the changing screen, she found Erik siting on the edge of the bed and pulling on his boots. She smiled before turning to sit at her vanity. Running a comb through her hair, she once again wished it was either curly or straight. Instead it was loosely curled to about an inch past her jaw. She began to experiment with it but stopped when Erik stepped up behind her. He bent down and kissed the top of her head.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, combing his fingers through her hair.

"Thank you."

"How long was your hair before you cut it?"

"It went halfway down my back," she said fondly.

He was silent as he continued to play with her hair before speaking. "I'm quite fond of it as it is. It suits you."

She turned around to face him directly. "You think so?"

His smile grew. "Yes, I do." He kissed her forehead and offered his hand to help her to stand. "Will you join me for supper tonight?"

"I would love to."

"I look forward to it. It would be wise if you found your friends. They are likely to be restless until they see you for themselves. Until tonight." He kissed her forehead before disappearing behind the mirror.

Darcey found herself grinning as she left her room in search of her friends. She couldn't wait for tonight.

She headed towards the stage but stopped when she heard her name being called from behind her. She managed to turn around before she was pulled into a big hug by Meg. "Are you alright? We were so worried!"

"I'm fine."

"What happened? Tell me everything."

"I had a fever but I'm alright now. I need to talk to you though. You know my violin teacher?"

"You've told me a little bit about him."

"Well… There's something else I need to tell you." She glanced around before saying quickly and quietly, "I'm in love with him and I think he might love me back." She bit her lip nervously in anticipation of her reaction.

"That's wonderful! How do you know? Wait, don't tell me yet. Let's go to your room. Then I want you to tell me everything. I'd say it's probably about time you told someone." Darcey nodded at the true statement and they walked to her room in silence.

Once the door closed however, Meg promptly dragged her to the slightly rumpled bed and demanded she speak.

"I don't even know where to begin," Darcey said as she fell back onto the bed.

"You could start by telling me the name of this man you've fallen in love with."

"You may not believe me when I tell you," she took a deep breath before continuing. "I've fallen in love with the Phantom of the Opera."

Meg's jaw dropped and she stammered before managing to say, "What?"

Rubbing her temples at the start of a headache, Darcey closed her eyes before continuing to speak. "The Phantom. Erik was my teacher. He offered to teach me the violin before I returned from his lair. He's not at all like the rumors say he is. He's simply misunderstood. He was cold at first but once I got to know him, I discovered he really was actually quite sweet and caring."

"What about our patron? I thought he was courting you."

"He was. Is. Ugh. It's complicated."

They were silent while Meg processed what she had said. "Wait. If you were in love with the Phantom, I mean Erik, then why did you allow Lord Rossau to court you?"

Darcey blushed and opened her eyes to look back at Meg. "I let him for you. He said he would help get time off for you and Garren. I knew how much you cared for each other and wanted you to be happy but it's so busy all the time here. I knew you wouldn't have much time together and wanted to help. Besides, Lionell isn't such a bad man. He's matured a lot since I last saw him."

"So that's why we kept getting time off," she stated. "Wait, does the Ph-, I mean Erik, know that's why?"

"No, I didn't think he liked me."

"And now you do." Darcey nodded.

"I don't know what his intentions are but he wouldn't kiss me if he didn't have honorable intentions."

"He's kissed you then," Meg said with a grin causing a faint blush to appear on Darcey's cheeks. Darcey playfully smacked her on the arm.

"Yes, he's kissed me. This morning in fact." She smiled happily at the memory and tucked her hands under her head.

"I don't know how best to ask this but have you, umm well." Meg cleared her throat. "Seen him without his mask?" she continued quietly.

"Yes, I have. I know what you're thinking and no. It's not perfect but it's not horrible," she answered just as softly.

Meg sighed softly in relief. "Sorry but I had to know. I want what's best for you and want you to know what you are getting when you marry him."

"Marry?!" Darcey exclaimed sitting up and swinging her gaze to Meg.

"You are going to marry him aren't you?" Meg asked with a smile.

Darcey stared as she quickly processed it. She relaxed and shifted to lean against the headboard. "I never thought about that but yes. If he asked for my hand, I would say yes in a heartbeat." She sighed happily. "Do you think he will?" she asked hopefully.

"Of course. Why wouldn't he? You're a beautiful girl, inside and out. He would have to be a fool to let you slip between his fingers."

"Thank you. I think you're beautiful too." They smiled at each other before sitting silently.

"We are having supper together tonight." Darcey said suddenly.

She received a smile and then suddenly was pulled to her feet. "We better get ready. I want to make sure tonight is a night he'll remember."