Hey there everyone! Getting this chapter to you all a little early! You can thank Terpsichore314 for that. She plowed through this chapter like a pro and got it back to me in record time. She is wonderful what can I say?

Once again another huge thanks to all my reviewers. You guys are so great I can't even put it into words. Oh and I really liked hearing from those of you who were reviewing for the first time. Thanks! But anyway that is all I have to say…enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 45: An Unlikely Savior

Sitting back on her haunches, Brielle swiped a hand across her forehead. Surveying the newly-scrubbed floor before her, she gave a satisfied, if tired, smile as she picked up the grubby scrub brush and climbed to her feet. Arching her back, Brielle stretched out the bunched-up muscles in her arms and shoulders. Smoothing out her skirts, she turned and walked over to the nearly empty bucket sitting a few feet away. Tossing the brush into the bucket, she sighed as she glared down at the pitiful water level remaining in the container.

"Damn, I was sure one bucket would be enough to finish this room." Looking off to one side, Brielle mentally tallied how long it would take to march down a floor to where the nearest water tap was. Finding no other alternative, the Irish woman bent and snatched up the bucket handle, carrying it with her out into the hallway. At least I can visit with Conner and Aria on the way. See that he isn't turning her into a wild child…hopefully they haven't set anything on fire, yet.

Stopping out in the hall, Brielle paused for a moment, suddenly remembering that she had left the bottle of soap behind. With a sigh she set the bucket down and hurried back to the dusty dressing room; spotting the bottle immediately, she stepped around the wet sections on the floor and plucked the bottle off the floor. Stuffing her small allotment of soap into the pocket on the front of her apron, Brielle hummed to herself as she strolled back out into the hall. Bending to retrieve the bucket, she snatched her fingers away from the handle with a gasp.

"What the hell?" Bunching the material of her apron in her hand, Brielle stared, baffled, down at the full bucket of water at her feet. Quickly glancing up and down the hallway, she raised a hand to her head in confusion.

"Hello?" she called out with a nervous laugh. "Is someone there? Conner, if that is you trying to be sneaky I will box your ears!" When no reply came, the laughter faded from her gaze and she began to worry her bottom lip between her teeth. "All right…starting to feel a little worried now."

Trying to ignore the anxiety working its way into her consciousness, Brielle picked up the bucket and moved back into the room she had been in before. The thought occurred to her that this strange incident could be attributed to a number of factors; but only one of which sent shivers down her spine. Though it was possible that Conner was playing a joke on her, it was just as likely that the Opera's resident ghost had decided to mess around with her mind. She wasn't a fool; she knew that all the strange noises which had plagued her the first weeks of her employment at the Opera could directly be laid at Erik's feet. And he had plainly stated that if she chose to stay she would be a target of further mischief. Trying not to allow this scenario to work her nerves to the breaking point, Brielle took a calming breath and got back to work. I just won't react. That is the best plan. I will just finish up in here and be on my way.

Bending down, Brielle once again set her brush to the floor with slightly trembling hands. Over the last several days she had made it a point to never work on her own for this very reason; she had been afraid that something strange would happen. This evening was the first time she had braved working alone, but strangely enough the bucket was not the first unexplainable occurrence to happen to her. Hair-raising noises and malicious little tricks had bombarded her the first several days after Conner's arrival, leaving her shaken.

But about a week later Brielle began to notice a change in the 'tricks' played upon her. Instead of the frightening noises she had come to expect, Erik's interference had turned more to making objects appear and disappear, something which Brielle halfway embraced. The day before several of the other cleaning ladies had found it funny to pester her about how she knew that the sandbag would fall before it did; it had not taken long for the questions to turn to accusations and name calling. They had shut their mouths awfully fast when they returned to their rooms only to find every thing but their beds missing. Since then they had thankfully decided to avoid her; thankful, no doubt, that they had been able to find their possessions scattered throughout the Opera and not permanently gone.

Though his new antics were confusing they were by far less frightening; and if Brielle didn't know better she would have said everything that had happened lately was more helpful than irritating. But I do know better. Just because filling my bucket with water is helpful to me he most likely did it just to confuse me. It all still seems so unreal though…like a bad dream. At first I halfway expected him to try and murder me in my bed…he just looked so angry when I last saw him…but even now…after everything…I still cannot burn it into my brain that he is a murderer…that he would hurt me. Every time I try and convince myself of that fact, all I can see in my mind was how he ran out onto the ice to drag Aria from the pond, or how shy his smiles were when we were first starting to know each other.

Stiffening at the flood of happy memories, Brielle pressed her mouth into a firm line, refusing to allow herself to fall back into the deception. Surveying the room to distract herself, Brielle realized that at some point during her musings she must have finished the floor. With a relieved smile she climbed to her feet, gathered all of her cleaning supplies, and hurried out the door.

Quickly making her way through the twisting corridors and the jungles of discarded props, Brielle stored away her brush and bucket back in their proper closet. Reaching behind her back to remove her soiled apron, Brielle set off toward the front of the theater, hoping to catch her brother and daughter wandering somewhere near the stage. As she neared the area directly behind the stage, the Irish woman could faintly hear the familiar ring of Aria's childish laughter.

Following the sound, Brielle came out from stage left. Spotting Conner lounging casually against a large plaster elephant just a few feet in front of her, the Irish woman quieted her steps; creeping up behind where he stood watching the stage she reached forward and tickled him just below the ribs. Startled by the unexpected action, the redhead visibly jumped, stumbling away from his attacker before he realized it was only his sister.

"Brielle! By God you startled me…" he said, huffing slightly.

At his words, the two figures upon the stage stopped cavorting around and turned to look over at them. Smiling smugly, as if she had accomplished some great feat, Brielle felt the anxiety of being on her own melt away. "Ah, don't lie. You would have screamed like a girl if you hadn't recognized me right off."

Looking indignant Conner straightened his jacket dramatically, the barest hint of a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. "Oh really? Well you just wait till I catch you unawares. We will see who screams then."

"M-Momma," Aria squealed from the middle of the stage. "Look h-here! S-see w-what Meg b-brought me!"

With a smile Brielle brought her eyes up from sparring with her brother to glance over at where Aria was twirling next to Meg. The little girl was jumping about in a miniature copy of Meg's practice uniform with shortened white shirts and a blue ribbon about her waist. Laughing when Aria executed a clumsy series of ecstatic jumps, Brielle clapped her hands together as she hurried out onto the stage.

"Bravo! You are on your way to being one of the best dancers here!" the Irish woman chuckled as she came up to lay a hand on Aria's dark head. "Meg, where in the world did you get that outfit? It is absolutely darling!"

"I asked one of the ladies in the costume department to put it together," Meg said affectionately as she bent and retied the blue bow around Aria's squirming waist. "They had extra material and were happy to do it. The whole staff is rather taken with this little hellion."

Laughing at Meg's comment, Aria scampered away, throwing her arms up into the air and skipping around in a tight circle. "I am the b-best!" she screeched before falling over onto her bottom.

Crossing her arms loosely over her abdomen, Brielle watched her daughter's performance with light, amused eyes. "It is good to hear her carry on like that again. Everything has been so serious lately that I was worried…"

"And it is good to see you smile once in awhile as well," Conner cut in as he sauntered across the stage to join the two women. "Though I have to admit I am a little jealous of all of the fun that little outfit is causing. Makes a man sort of feel left out when all the pretty girls in the room are having fun on their own," he said with all seriousness though the glint in his eye gave his joke away.

Meg opened her mouth to reply to that but shut it again with a blush. Obviously being included in Conner's grouping of pretty girls had robbed her of what she was about to say. Brielle uncrossed her arms with interest at her friend's reaction, looking back and forth between the petite blonde and her brother with hooded, considering eyes. Strange I didn't notice it before…how odd they both are acting.

Finally recovering herself, Meg shot a glare Conner's way, flicking a lock of her hair back over her shoulder. "I doubt very much that you have ever been lacking in amusement in your entire life, sir."

At this Conner's ginger eyebrows soared up, wrinkling his brow in surprise. "Then I am afraid you have caught me in a lie. For I cannot deny that."

Pursing her lips Meg raised her chin slightly. "I find that there is often more to life than simply seeking out one pleasure after another," the blonde stated coolly, her wide doe-like eyes carefully monitoring Conner's reaction.

A slow, roguish smile tugged first at one corner of his mouth and then the other. "Do you think so?" he asked in such a way that made Meg start and step back half a step. "Then I don't suppose you have ever had a proper night out on the town. Perhaps you would think differently if you had."

Spotting the outrage flicking across Meg's face, Brielle quickly cut in. Laying a hand on her brother's chest, she sent him a warning look as Meg whirled about and stalked off toward where Aria was once again picking herself off the floor. The Irish woman had long been aware of her brother's free-spirited lifestyle and his skirt-chasing ways; there had been many a time when she had affectionately called him a cad, or worse. But somehow seeing him shamelessly flirt with one of her friends was different, the sisterly warmth she had formerly looked on his behavior dimmed slightly. Meg was not as loose with her affections as most of the other dancers were; she was more a dreamer than anything else. Brielle didn't want to see Meg get caught up in Conner's obvious charm, and later be hurt by it.

Without missing a beat, Conner turned his eyes to Brielle, his entire expression transforming to brotherly warmth. "Forgive me…I forgot to ask you how work went today."

Not trusting his easy transition as anything other than a distraction, Brielle slowly lowered her hand to her side. "Everything went well. I finished a little early. Most of the worst areas within the Opera have already been cleaned at least once so the work isn't as hard as it was once." Pausing there, Brielle glanced off to the side to see that Aria was still twirling at a safe distance across the stage. "Though I have to ask you something…did you happen to go down the second floor hall on the east side?"

"No, I have been here the whole time," Conner replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, the oddest thing happened…I set my bucket out in the hall for a moment…my empty bucket…and when I came back to it only a few minutes later, it was full again. At first I thought it might be you being an idiot like usual…but…"

"But now that you know I have been here…do you think it was someone else?" he asked carefully, the smile falling from his face as his eyes flickered off to one side.

"Yes, I do and so do you. Who is the only other person in this place who would think it was funny to do something like that? To try and drive me crazy?" she asked, her indignation beginning to show as she planted her hands on her hips.

Fiddling idly with one of the brass buttons on his waistcoat, Conner shrugged his shoulders. He didn't appear in the least concerned or surprised by her story. "Perhaps you are wrong about that. Filling an empty bucket doesn't sound all that malicious to me. It sounds more helpful than anything else…just like that thing that happened to those blasted women who were bothering you yesterday. What if this is all a sort of peace offering?"

A moment passed as Brielle blinked blankly over at her brother, her mouth gaping open in shock over his words. Shutting her mouth with a click, she leaned forward and took a hold of Conner's elbow, forcing him to meet her gaze. "What are you talking about? Peace offering? That is ridiculous!"

"Why is that so farfetched? It is possible…maybe time has mended whatever rift there was between you. You know he was never that good at apologies."

Releasing her hold on Conner's arm, Brielle took a hasty step back. "I am not the one that started all of this. He wouldn't just up and decide to change for no reason. Having me here is a thorn in his side because I know his secret…I know why he is here. You don't know everything, Conner…I never told you everything."

His interest caught, Conner raised one eyebrow in inquiry. "Oh? And what didn't you tell me?"

"I…well…" Realizing her mistake almost immediately, Brielle raised a hand to cover her treacherous mouth. Still she found it impossible to say out loud the full extent of Erik's deception. I told Conner that he changed…that he wasn't the man we had thought he was. That should be enough to keep him from seeking Erik out. He doesn't need to know…no one else needs to know. "Never mind. It doesn't really matter. Shouldn't you be heading off to bed? I worry that you don't get enough sleep because you stay up half the night with me."

Frowning at the sudden change of subject, Conner raised a hand and jerked the black ribbon holding his hair from his face free of his head. Twining the ribbon through his fingers he sighed and smiled. "Ah now, Bri…you should know better than that. If I wasn't here with you, I would be out roaming the Paris nightlife. I am just staying out of trouble is all…not losing sleep."

Shaking her head, Brielle allowed herself to relax slightly. He didn't mean anything by making that weird suggestion…he only wants to think the best of Erik…they were friends after all. "Yeah right…like anyone could keep YOU out of trouble."

Laughing at that, Conner leaned forward and placed a kiss on Brielle's forehead. "Aww, now, is that any way to talk? I can think of several people who ruin all my fun by keeping me out of trouble," he said quietly, his eyes shifting for a moment to focus over his sister's head where Aria and Meg were laughing across the stage.

"Well, count yourself lucky that any of us put up with your antics," Brielle replied, missing the uncharacteristic confusion clouding her brother's grin.

"Bri, you are Meg's friend…do you think that…that…"

"That what?"

Clearing his throat, Conner shook his head, finally dropping his eyes back to his sister's face. "Oh, nothing…Do you suppose the kitchens are locked up at this hour? I suddenly feel very hungry. Would you like to go and break into the food storages with me?"

"What? Don't be silly. If the cooks catch you stealing their food they will cut you to pieces."

"So that is a no, then?" he asked playfully as he reached up and retied the ribbon in his hair. "Too bad…I will just have to go myself then. If you don't see me by tomorrow, send a search party," he said with a wave as he turned and set off toward one of the wings.

Spotting Conner leaving the stage, Meg stopped playing with Aria, straightening slowly. Taking the child by the hand, the blonde came rushing across the stage to stand next to Brielle. "Where is he going in such a hurry?" she asked with feigned indifference.

"He said something about breaking into the kitchens to get something to eat," Brielle murmured, frowning when she caught Aria muffling a yawn behind one hand. "But I think we have all had a bit too much excitement for one day. Aria, I think it is about time you went to bed."

As Brielle bent to scoop up her protesting four-year-old, Meg looked off toward where Conner had disappeared into the darkness. "I don't mean to be rude…but I was just wondering if your brother has always been such a…well…a flirt, or if it is just a new development? One would think that a man of his age would have been married by now."

Balancing Aria on her hip, Brielle sent Meg a searching look. "No, he has always been as he is now."

"Don't you worry about him? How he charms anything in a skirt?" Meg blurted before covering her mouth in shock. "Oh! I am sorry, you don't have to answer that! I don't know what is wrong with me! Please don't be offended…I didn't mean anything by that."

Laughing now, Brielle shook her head. "No, I am not offended. I know what he is like…how he acts." Pausing for a moment, the Irish woman worried over the aghast blush staining Meg's face a bright red. "Though I don't think he means it to be anything personal. The way he acts, that is. It is more of a way of keeping people at a distance than anything. Don't worry about it too much. If he is bothering you, I can talk to him about it."

"Oh no…he would know we had been talking about it then!" Meg squeaked. "It isn't a problem; I have dealt with worse than him before. I was just curious is all. Pretend I never even mentioned it," she finished hurriedly with a shake of her head.

"All right…consider it forgotten," Brielle replied as she slowly headed toward one of the wings. With Meg following upon her heels, the pair left the stage behind, heading back toward the dormitories. After walking for several minutes in silence, Brielle turned to Meg with a nervous smile, needing to fill the echoing quiet. "How have the practices with Carlotta and Maryann been coming? I hear terrible things about them, but surely they cannot be that bad."

Grimacing, Meg opened her mouth to reply, but she was interrupted by a craggy voice speaking up from behind them. "I am afraid you will be finding out that for yourself from now on." Yelping, both Brielle and Meg nearly jumped out of their skins as they whirled about to find Madame Dubois standing several feet behind them.

Observing their fright with one raised eyebrow, Madame Dubois pushed her glasses further up her nose with one knobby finger. "Did I frighten you? Forgive me…" Pausing after her half-hearted apology, the older woman spotted Aria resting against Brielle's shoulder. As her gaze took in the child's miniature ballerina costume, her face went under a rather odd transformation. The grim, crotchety woman smiled.

Coming forward, Madame Dubois pressed her hands together as she grinned over at Aria. "So you are a dancer now? My word…you are cute as a button!" she cooed.

Shooting Meg a disbelieving look, Brielle smiled hesitantly. "The costuming department made it for her. She likes watching the dance practices during the day."

Sobering at Brielle's words, Madame Dubois's smile faded from her wrinkly face. "Yes, well, I don't have time to stand around all day chatting. I do have something I need to tell you."

"Yes?"

"Now that the Opera is getting closer to reopening, it has become apparent that we are in need of a small daytime cleaning staff. I have decided that you will be a part of this staff, seeing as you are one of the few presentable women I have in my employ." Stopping there, the older woman pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket. After coughing into it for a few moments she stuffed it back in its place. "That is all I had to say…except that I suggest you keep on the straight and narrow if you want to keep this new position. It is a privilege to be allowed to wander about during the daytime hours, and I will not hesitate to pull you back onto the night shift if you cause trouble!" With that said, the stooped woman turned and hobbled off back in the direction she had come.

The two women waited until Madame Dubois's shambling form had disappeared around a corner before bursting into laughter. "What was that all about?" Meg asked between giggles. "I have lived here all my life and I don't think I have ever seen that woman smile before!"

"I guess she must secretly like children…" Brielle murmured as she looked down at Aria. "Because she certainly has never smiled like that at me!"

Raising her head from her mother's shoulder, Aria stuck her thumb into her mouth. "She is a n-nice l-lady, d-deep down," the child stated. "She j-just forgets how t-to be friendly is a-all."

Astonished by this statement, Brielle could only shake her head. "Well, then you know something I do not. Perhaps she will remember to be nicer more often with you running around." Something about that statement pleased Aria for the child smiled around her thumb as she laid her head back against her mother's shoulder.

"It is exciting that you get to work during the day though," Meg said, as they neared the hallway where the different dormitories were. "You will get to see everyone practicing. And we could eat dinner together sometimes. Oh! And I can introduce you to some of the other girls…the nice ones that is…" Clapping her hands together the blonde continued to recite her plans until they reached the door to her room. "Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow then!" she said with a wave as she quietly opened her door and disappeared within.

Shaking her head at the younger girl's enthusiasm, Brielle strolled further down the hall where her own room was located. Well, at least I won't have to worry so much about working on my own. It won't be so frightening during the day. He won't be able to run about without being seen. This is good…finally I won't have to constantly be looking over my shoulder…this is good.

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Leaning tiredly against the broom in her hand, Brielle subtly lifted one foot off the ground, stretching her sore muscles by curling her toes within her scuffed work boots. Turning her head, she hid a yawn behind a hand as her eyes searched the area around her for the distinctly stooped figure of her watchful employer. A few yards away onstage, Carlotta was having difficulty pronouncing one of the words in her lines. Wincing at the discordant starts and stops of the singer's speech, Brielle found herself feeling slightly bad for the other woman; she knew how hard it was to try and learn a new language and speak it properly. That is, she felt bad for her up until the moment Carlotta stomped her foot and screamed several expletives in Italian.

Shifting from foot to foot, Brielle turned her eyes from the stage looking for something else to grab her interest. Her first day working on her new assignment had quickly lost its appeal when she had been told to simply stand in one of the wings in order to wait for a mess to be made. After standing for several hours doing nothing of worth, the boredom had quickly descended upon her. Even with Carlotta's amusing tirades to punctuate the monotony of the chorus's practice, Brielle found her mind drifting. At least I could watch the ballet corps while they were practicing, but I think Madame Giry got tired of all of the interruptions. It only took her an hour to move the dance practice to one of the other rooms. Too bad too…that was the only thing keeping me awake. I almost wish someone would break something so I could clean it up.

Rubbing at her eyes, the Irish woman struggled to stay alert as Carlotta continued to rant in a mixture of Italian and French that hardly made any sense in either language. Watching the diva prance back and forth, Brielle noticed a small group of people move out onto the stage directly across from where she stood. Perking up at the prospect of some sort of diversion, she squinted through the crowds of people between her and the newcomers. Monsieur Andre's distinctive white crop of hair bobbed excitedly next to a taller companion Brielle recognized as Monsieur Firmin and one other man, whom she couldn't quiet make out. What in the world are the managers doing down here? Usually they both stay up in their offices.

With vague interest, Brielle smiled as she tilted her head to the side, trying to see who the third man was that the managers had brought with them. Must be another potential patron…they sure are laying it thick for this one; he must be terribly rich. All activity upon the stage stilled as more and more people became aware that they were being observed. Carlotta's loud shouts immediately fell silent when the Italian woman turned her head toward the men and pasted a bright smile on her handsome face. Raising a hand dramatically, Carlotta strutted over to where the men stood, crooning and preening as Firmin introduced her.

"What in the world is going on over there?" A familiar voice asked from just behind where Brielle stood.

Turning to look back at her brother, Brielle flashed him a quick smile, glad he had chosen to drop by, even though technically they shouldn't be seen together for long. "I think they have found another rich aristocrat to try and con into giving them money. Though I must say I am shocked to see you…I didn't think you would bother stirring yourself into coming onstage since the orchestra isn't practicing today."

Wrinkling his nose at her surprised tone, Conner shrugged his shoulders and stepped past her. "I am hurt, Bri, that you think so lowly of me. I had to stop by and see if you were bored to tears yet. But, since obviously you don't care about my visit, I will just have to go and talk with someone else. Maybe I can lower and debase myself to whoever that rich man is over there…that sounds like fun."

Leaving Brielle's side without a second glance, Conner strode across the stage toward where the crowd of chorus members were gathered. The Irish woman watched him go with a shake of her head. Well at least that broke up the boredom some…though really he shouldn't talk to me too often during the day. People will think it odd for the lead violinist to be chatting with one of the cleaning staff.

With a smile, Brielle watched her brother's wild red head easily move amongst the crowd until it stopped suddenly, right before where the managers were standing. A second or two passed and she was just about ready to turn her attention to something else when a visible stir went through the crowd separating her from her brother and the managers. A loud curse drifted through the air followed by a crash, as Conner and the mystery man exchanged a few heated words. Concerned by this development, Brielle watched Conner turn sharply and push his way through the chorus members standing near him with none of the finesse he normally employed.

Sensing something was wrong, Brielle picked up her broom and started across the stage. Conner burst through the edge of the crowd, his face white as bone, just as Brielle was stepping clear of the wings. He made a wild halting motion with his hands as he drew nearer her, though strangely enough he turned his head so he wasn't looking directly at her. Not understanding what had suddenly gotten into him, Brielle stopped where she was, frowning in concentration at Conner.

"Conner," Brielle murmured hurriedly as her brother drew nearer. "What is the…" Shaking his head, the redhead finally brought his eyes up to meet hers, mouthing one word over and over. Run…run… Shutting her mouth with a click, a wave of terror swept through Brielle's body, making her fall back a step as she darted a fearful look to the men now racing after Conner across the stage.

Frozen where she stood, Brielle watched as Andre and Firmin chased after Conner, obviously pleading with him to return, and trailing casually behind them was a good looking, well dressed, black-eyed man. Looking darkly pleased with the ruckus he had caused, Andrew tapped his silver-headed walking stick against one clean-shaven cheek, following the frantic managers at a distance. Covering her mouth in order to muffle the scream building there, Brielle turned her eyes away from the image of her former fiancé strolling across the stage toward her. He is here…oh my god…what do I do? Maybe he hasn't seen me…I will just sneak off…right now he is just looking at Conner…

Throwing Conner a sick, horrified glance, Brielle turned on her heel and headed back in the direction she had come. It was all she could do to keep herself from running. She hadn't gotten more than ten feet when Andre's highly strung voice rang through the air, stopping her in mid stride.

"Stop, you! Excuse me! There is something which needs to be taken care of on the other side of the stage…quickly now go and clean it up!" The man shouted, all hints of politeness having flown out the window as Firmin continued to call out to Conner.

Panic-stricken, Brielle cast about wildly in her mind for any ideas on what to do. She could not turn around and do as Andre asked for surely Andrew would catch sight of her face. But she also could not simply run off and draw so much attention to herself. Visibly shaking, Brielle clenched her fists around her broom handle, her terror leaping up to completely blot out all rational thought from her mind.

Conner chose that moment to round on the managers. "I will not work with that man!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, for all the world sounding just like Carlotta in the volume and tone of his voice. "I refuse! Absolutely not! The mere sight of him makes me ill!"

Completely distracted by this violent display, Andre forgot about the dark-haired cleaning woman he had been shouting at, and concentrated all of his attention on Conner instead. "Surely you do not mean that. Monsieur Donovan is one of the leading Englishmen in…"

"Yes!" Firmin interrupted before Andre could finish. "Lord Donovan has offered a very gracious budget to the Opera house. We all should be honored to be…"

"Oh it is all right." A snowdrift-cold voice said, efficiently cutting through every other sound upon the stage. "I have always been aware of what Mr. Sinclair thinks of me. No need to try and change his mind." There was a pause as Andrew came to stand a few feet from where Conner stood, tensed. "Though I have to say how glad I am to see you again Conner. I had been told you were working here now, which I thought rather odd…considering you are a soloist. But I suppose it is your right to branch out. Tell me…how has Brielle been lately? I trust you have heard from her."

A tense moment followed when Brielle was sure Conner would physically attack the young lord. "I am sorry to disappoint you…but I have not heard from my sister in months. We had a falling out before Christmas…as you know."

Shaken by the conversation happening only a few feet behind her, Brielle clumsily started away from the argument. Her legs barely held her as she slowly made her way into the relative safety of the wings. The broom dropping from her numb fingers with a clatter, she rounded a corner and broke into a staggering run down the hallway. With her breath burning in and out of her lungs, Brielle came to a stop, one hand shooting out to support her trembling body against the wall. Taking a few quick breaths, the Irish woman thanked her lucky stars that she had not been recognized.

I can't believe that just happened…my god…oh my god…It would have been so easy for him to look across and see me. I was just standing there like an idiot! Everything I have worked for could have been taken away again…if he had just looked up and recognized me! Sickened by the thought, Brielle sank to the floor, both hands coming up to cover her ashy face. Unexpectedly she felt the urge to laugh bubble up around the churning waves of fear within her. Giggling nervously, she shook her head in disbelief. I must be loosing my mind…what am I laughing for?

Sitting on the floor, trying to muffle her own relieved laughter, Brielle leaned her head back against the wall behind her. Well that is the luck of the Irish for you…though things are going to be different from now on…especially if Andrew is going to be…Pausing in mid thought, Brielle raised her head from the wall with a start. The sound of approaching male voices sliced through her relief like a knife, and the voices were getting closer. Stilling, Brielle actively listened to the sounds, trying not to let herself panic when she recognized Andre and Firmin's distinctly fawning tones.

Jumping to her feet, Brielle hurried down the long hallway, away from the voices, only to find the men inadvertently following her movements. Rounding a corner, Brielle chanced a look back the way she had come. Seeing the two managers leading Andrew on their grand tour of the Opera, the Irish woman ducked back out of view. The luck of the Irish indeed! What a bunch of malarkey! I am the most unlucky woman in the world. Blast!

Picking up her skirts, Brielle dashed off down another hall just as the men came casually around the corner where she had been standing. Trying to stay as calm as possible, the Irish woman kept ahead of the men with relative ease, but no matter where she turned the voices always seemed to follow her without fail. With a quick look over her shoulder, Brielle skidded around another corner. Waiting to see if the small group was still on her tail, the Irish woman waited a moment at the lip of the hallway. When she caught sight of the group off in the distance she turned, intending to run off again, but stopped in her tracks when she was met with a dead end.

Staring with disbelief at the blank wall before her, Brielle let out a series of curses. "This cannot be happening!" Moving to the first of two doors within the hall, the Irish woman tried the knob. Finding it locked, she moved to the other door only to discover that it was also firmly shut.

Losing what remained of her calm, Brielle ran back to the mouth of the hallway, checking on the men's progress. Seeing that they were coming steadily towards her, she returned to try the locked doors again. Running out of options, Brielle backed up until she felt the far wall pressing against her body. Maybe they won't pass this way…just wait…maybe they will turn back. Listening intently Brielle waited, hoping to hear the voices and footsteps grow dimmer. With a silent curse she heard the men draw ever closer.

Paralyzed where she stood, Brielle was helpless to do anything to hide herself. Wrapping her arms protectively about her waist she could only wait and listen as the man who could ruin her life casually approached where she stood. With each footstep she could feel the air freeze within her body, leaving her breathless, turning her blood to ice.

"Oh god…oh god…" she chanted quietly, as she listened to the men converse politely about one aspect of the décor or another.

Just as the pressure built until Brielle was sure her heart would burst, she heard a strange whooshing sound from behind her. Bafflement found its way through the terror, and she turned with a start to look back towards the odd sound. Blinking in disbelief, Brielle gaped at the small door where moments ago only wall had been. From out of the blackness within the opening a gloved hand appeared, beckoning Brielle with the crook of one finger.

As if in a dream, the Irish woman dragged her eyes from that hand, up along the well-toned arm it was attached to, all the way to a man's broad shoulder. Without having to look any further, Brielle knew exactly who was standing before her. She could feel the force of his presence like a fist about her heart. Shying back a step she finally brought her eyes up to Erik's familiar half-masked face. Expecting to find some form of anger or malice printed across his features Brielle was shocked to find a glittering earnestness in his eyes.

"Brielle," he murmured softly, the tone of his voice driving a splinter of calm through the terror veiling her mind. "Come…come to me…quickly."

Feeling strangely comforted by the gentle quality to his voice, Brielle felt her heart settle down into a normal rhythm. I should be afraid…he threatened to do terrible things to me if I stayed…but…I can't find the fear…I…Over her shoulder she could hear the managers nearly at the lip of the hallway, but she could not tear her eyes away from Erik's gaze. Raising her hand, knowing she had no other choice, she hesitantly placed it into Erik's waiting palm.

His long fine-boned fingers closed about hers and in one quick motion he pulled Brielle forward, drawing her silently into the waiting shadows beyond the secret door. The panel slid shut behind her with a soft whooshing sound just as Andrew and the two managers passed the lip of the hallway. Not noticing anything out of the norm the men continued on without even a moment of hesitation.