-1Note: Thanks for everyone's review. I promised to reveal a little about Darcy's background, so here it is.

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I awaken early. Today is my day off, and I do not intend to waste it sleeping.
Slipping out of bed, I put on my robe and slippers.
It feels so soft and warm next to my skin and I almost envy the wealthy people who wake up to luxury every morning.

I have already planned my day. First, I will visit a little park right outside of Paris; I try to go there whenever I can because it is so serene and quite. Next, will be a visit to the library; lastly, I will have dinner at one of the diners nearby.

I go through my normal morning routine, and then put on my best dress to wear out; it is dark green with a wide collar, the dress is worn but still serviceable.

Satisfied with my appearance, I grab my shawl and purse, and then head out.

---

It is cold out side and a gust of wind makes me pull my thin shawl closer around my shoulders.
the mornings are usually cold in Paris, however by noon the weather will be quite pleasant.

I look around at the tall magnificent buildings that line the street, the crowds of people of all ranks, shapes and sizes, some in a hurry, others taking their time, stopping to look in this window or that.
I slowly make my way through masses of people.

It will be a five-mile walk to get to the park, but I do not mind.
The long walk is always refreshing and peaceful, something not too often found in the Opera Populaire.

About a quarter of a mile into my walk, a black carriage pulls up along side me.

"If you are heading to the park, it will be a long walk. Perhaps I could offer you a ride mademoiselle", calls out a rich and beautiful masculine voice.

I stop in surprise and stare at the hooded driver.

How does he know that I am heading to the park?

I wave him off. "I have not enough money to pay you monsieur and how do I know that you will take me there?"

"Do not worry, mademoiselle, about the fare, and I assure you, that I will take you straight to the park. You have my promise".

For some strange, unexplainable reason, I believe him and get into the carriage against my better judgment.

I watch out the carriage window as the scene slowly changes from the crowded city to the beautiful countryside.\
I feel relaxed and calm sitting here, feeling the rumble of the carriage traveling over well-worn paths, and watching the beautiful scenery around me.

Soon the carriage pulls to a stop right at the park. I get out and thank the driver.

"You are most welcome. I shall call for you, lets say, in about an hour."

I gaped at him in astonishment. Perhaps he is my Angel. No, I am sure if it were he, he would have made himself known.

I strain to get a look at the hooded figure, but his face is so heavily shadowed that I cannot make out his features.

"I do not know what to say Monsieur, except thank you. Are you sure, you want to wait for me and drive me back?

"Oui mademoiselle, it will be my pleasure." he bows his head slightly, then drives off.

---

I stroll slowly around the park, admiring all the beautiful flowers and trees. There are roses of every possible color and calla lilies, different species of pelargonium, magnolias trees, wisteria growing up a few trellises and Choisya.

I stop to watch the children playing around a stream that runs though the middle of the park.
Those children look so happy and carefree. I can remember a time when my life had been just as theirs is now.

That thought makes me remember what I vowed to do a few days ago, to recall memories of my past, no matter how painful or unpleasant they may be.

I allow my mind to drift back as I continue to stroll around the park.

--

The first four years of my life were happy and peaceful, but shortly after my fourth birthday, things changed.

I had come running home with tears streaming down my face.

"What is the matter love?" Mother had asked upon seeing me.

"Some children were throwing stones at me and calling me names", I explained tearfully, "Why mother, why were they being so mean?"

She picked me up, carried me to the rocking chair, and sat down, with me on her lap.
"I think you are old enough now to understand.
The old mid-wife that delivered you told all the people that you were a changeling and accursed and that you would bring nothing but trouble and harm to everyone.
The people were only too willing to believe the old woman; they wanted a reason to be hateful and spiteful. Those people are nothing much more than suppositious pigs!"

Her vehemence and anger frightened me.

I tried hard to understand what mother was telling me.
"You mean everyone thinks I am bad and will hurt them?"

"You are not bad Darcy." she said looking into my eyes. "It is just that the old witch told lied so that people would think you were bad. But never think that there is anything wrong with you, you are my angel, my baby."

Heavy sobs shook her small frame. I remember reaching up and wiping away one of her tears. She held me to her tightly, squeezing me until I could barely breathe.

After that day, I began to notice the way people stared at me whispering and pointing or would turn away when I passed.
The children would not play or talk with me or would throw things.

I came home crying many times, not because I was hurt physically, but because I was hurt inside. I had never done anything to hurt anyone, yet no one would give me a chance; they would not even look at me.

I was six years old at the time my life changed drastically, the time I had nightmares about.

I had come home from walking in the woods, ate dinner, and listened to mother's stories. She had put me to bed as usual; but I awakened later to those voices and the bright light shining though my window.

Mother had come in frantic; I was dragged out of bed. Father came in later and took me into the woods, just as in my nightmare.

He left me there with a promise to return. He never came back.

I cannot recall what happened after that, except me calling out for my father.
The next thing I remember is waking up in a bed, with a kindly old man seating in a chair next to it.
He explained to me that he found me, unconscious from lack of food and water.

I asked him about my family and told him the name of village that I lived in.
He promised me that he would find out something, that he would help me get back to my family.

A few days passed, when he pulled me aside and told me that no one by their names was in the village.

"No, no, no! I cried, "There must be some mistake, they are there, I know they are."

He shook is head. "I am sorry child. I asked everyone, but no one has ever heard of them.

I knew those villagers had been lying to cover up something, but I did not know what.

The old man took me to a home for orphan girls.
That is where I spent the next twelve years of my life.

The time I spent there was not happy. The teachers were cruel and strict; they should no feeling, no love, for the orphans who lived there.
The anger I felt at being by abandoned by my parents and so harshly treated by everyone, made me rebellious and pushy.
I endured many punishments for my behavior, and soon began to straighten up.
I became docile and obedient; however, inside I was full of rage and hurt, I was alone in a cruel, cold world.

After my eighteenth birthday, I was offered a teaching job, which I accepted because I had no place to go, this was my home.

Three months later the schooled had to close, because the man who owned it died, leaving behind large debts.

I was forced to look for work elsewhere. That is how I ended up at the Opera Populaire.

--

The sudden pressure of a hand on my shoulder causes me to jump.
I look up into the grinning face of Joseph, a stagehand.

"What are you doing here Joseph"?

"The same as you, enjoying this lovely day."

Of course, I feel silly for asking him that question.

"It is a lovely day".

"You know, there is going to be a party tomorrow. Are you going to be there?"

I am not one for parties; I prefer to be alone with a book.

"I am not sure."

Joseph leads me over to a bench. I sit down and he sits down beside me.

"I would really like it if you did come to the party." he whispers, then reaches down and squeezes my thigh.

I get up angrily. How dare that man touch me light that; I have never given him any indication that I am interested in his advances.

As I start to walk off, Joseph grabs my hand.

"Where are you going? I think it is very disrespectful for a lady to walk away from a man like that, espcially when he is talking to her".

"You Monsieur know nothing of respect. Good day to you."

Before I can take a step, he jumps up and spins me around to face him.

"Your just not use to anyone showing you any attention" he says, as he pulls me closer to him.

I shove him as hard as I could, he falls to the ground. Several people stop and watch us.

"I'll get you for this, for humiliating me in public," he shouts angrily as he rises and leaves.

I feel shaken as I walk back towards where the carriage dropped me off.

---

Black rage surged through the Phantom, as he watched the stagehand tried to grab Darcy.

How dare he lay a hand on her, force his unwanted attention on her!

He wished that he could go up there and tighten his Punjab lasso around that dog's neck, twisting tighter and tighter, until the last breath leaves his body.
Only fear of being exposed in front of Darcy stops him from intervening.
If he had not been like this, if he had not been a monster, he could have helped the girl.

He knew he was already taking a risk by driving her up here.
He had heard her discussed her plans aloud in her room and, on impulse, he decided that he would borrow a carriage and offer to drive her to the park.

The Phantom had to admit that he was quite taken back, when she accepted his offer.

He then notices the girl walking swiftly back to where he had dropped her off.
He pulls the carriage around and steps down to open the door for her, careful not to let her see his face.

Seeing the tears running down her face, he knows that he would give anything to take her in his arms and tell her that it would be alright, that she is not alone because he is her friend, that nothing bad will happen to her, not while he is here to protect her.
However, he cannot. He would only frighten her.

"Please take me to the Opera Populaire," she sobs as she enters the carriage.

----

During the ride back, I force myself to calm down, even though Joseph's threats are still whirling through my head.

By the time the carriage stops in front of the Opera Poplaire, I am quite composed.
I get out and offer to pay the driver, but he steadfastly refuses to accept my money.

"It was my pleasure to drive you to the park, Mademoiselle".

"Then will you tell me your name, monsieur?" I ask the hooded man.

"My name is Monsieur E."

He does not wait for me to respond.

"Monsieur E!" I say aloud in wonderment.

Oh! I should have known. Only he would have been that kind. I have been such a fool.

I head inside to my little room, with thoughts racing though my mind.

My other plans for the day are temporarily forgotten

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Please review and tell me what you think. Let me know if Darcy starts to sound like a Mary Sue.

Thanks!

Oh, and I think that I will make Erik slightly pale, not Edward scissorhand pale.
Thanks for your help on that.