Erik pulled into the shadows when he heard someone coming. A dark haired girl scurried past him. He frowned, realizing it was Jacqueline. He was almost positive that she hadn't been the girl who screamed, but based on how fast she was moving, she was certainly involved. A soft cry echoed up to him. Wondering what on earth Jacqueline had done, he ran to the bottom of the staircase.

Ella's face was white as a sheet, her eyes shut with pain as she tried to climb the stairs. It took Erik a whole two seconds to process what happened. Jacqueline must have pushed Ella down the stairs, and obviously Ella was hurt.

She cried out again one of her legs gave out from beneath her then squeaked in surprise when she fell against Erik. "Easy now," he said gently helping her sit down. "You don't want to hurt yourself any more than you already are."

"I was afraid no one was going to realize I was missing," she cried, throwing her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shirt, causing Erik to jump at the sudden contact. "I thought I was going to either have to crawl back or be stuck here till morning."

Hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around her to return her embrace. "Well I'm here now."

Ella screamed as she landed hard on her ankle. Looking up to the top of the stairs, she saw a figure running away. Someone had pushed her! But who? And why?

Then Ella realized that was the least of her problems at the moment. Attempting to stand wasn't working out so good she discovered as shooting pains shot up her leg, making her cry out in agony. Her ankle had been definitely twisted and was sprained if not broken. And unfortunately it was entirely possible that no one would come this way until morning. She needed to find some way back or she could be alone here all night.

Summoning all her willpower, she pulled herself to her feet again. She took one step but could feel her ankle buckle under her weight again. As she fell, she started to scream again, and wound up hitting something solid, which was completely unexpected. A pair of strong arms maneuvered her so that she was off her injured leg. Looking up, she saw she was resting against Erik. He set her down on the stairs carefully.

Without thinking, she hugged him tightly, just grateful to have been found. He stiffened slightly but he slowly returned it. "I'm here now," he whispered. Ella didn't respond, just pulled herself closer. "What happened?" he asked.

"I…I don't know," Ella mumbled into his chest. "I was walking down the stairs and I felt someone push me. But I couldn't see who it was. But I hurt my ankle. I can't walk on it. It hurts too much."

"Let me look at it." He knelt beside her and gently took her foot in his hands. She bit her lip trying to keep from crying out in pain. "Does it hurt?" Erik asked, seemingly sensing her discomfort.

"I've had worse. It's no big deal," she replied, before a whimper escaped her lips. "Okay, maybe it hurts a little."

"Well it's not broken," he announced. "Definitely sprained, but isn't broken."

"Ella?" Ella looked up at the sound of Meg's voice. "Ella where are you?"

She turned to Erik who nodded before disappearing into the shadows. Ella could just barely make out his silhouette, but if she didn't know where he was, she would have no clue he was even there. "Meg!" she shouted. "I'm down here!"

Meg appeared at the top of the stairs. "Oh my goodness what happened?" she asked, running down the stairs. "Are you okay?"

"I fell on my way downstairs. I think I sprained my ankle. And I'm pretty sure I'm late for dinner."

"You think?" Meg replied. "Archer showed up upstairs wondering where on earth you disappeared to. C'mon, we better get you upstairs."

She took Meg's offered hand and tried to stand, but for a third time, her injured ankle gave out. "Oh no! You really did hurt yourself!" Meg cried. "Um, stay here; I'll go find you some help. Don't go anywhere."

"I don't think that'll be a problem," Ella groaned.

"I'll be back as soon as I can!"

Ella nodded. "I'll be here."

The second she was out of sight, Erik was back at Ella's side. "Dinner?" he asked.

"Meg decided she was going to make me go out with Archer again," Ella explained. "She seems to think that I need a social life. But I'm thinking that's going to fall through. I don't think I'll be able to walk for a few days at least."

Suddenly she realized something with a gasp. Erik noticed her building her panic. "What is it?" he asked. "What's wrong?"

"If I can't walk, then I can't dance. If I can't dance, then they'll dismiss me. I can't leave here. I've got nowhere else to go!" she cried. "I'll have to live on the streets, I've got no money, and…and…" She started hyperventilating.

"Shhhhh," Erik whispered, holding her close as she trembled. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it. I won't let them send you away."

"But then if you do that, they'll know you've been paying attention to me. It won't take them very long to realize that you've been helping me."

"I said: I'll take care of it."

She looked up into his deep green eyes and realized she had never found a place she felt safer in than that moment in his arms. Their faces were only a few inches apart, and she could feel them growing closer and closer until…

"Ella!" Erik vanished again as Meg appeared, Archer in tow. "Ella you still here?"

"No," Ella replied sarcastically. "I got bored and wandered off. Of course I'm still here!"

"What on earth happened?" Archer asked.

"I twisted my ankle," she replied. "I can't put any weight on it. Can you help me walk?"

He smiled. "I can do better than that." She shrieked in surprise as he scooped her up with a slight grunt. "Meg, I'm going to take her upstairs, you get your mother. I have a feeling her ankle is going to need some medical attention."

"And how long are you not to use your ankle?" Firmin asked.

Ella bowed her head. "I'm not supposed to put any weight on it for four days, but the doctor told me I can't dance for another month," she whispered.

"A month?" Andre cried. "We've no use for a dancer who can't dance and a month is a long time for supporting someone who can't perform. I'm afraid we've no use for you anymore."

"Please Monsieur!" Ella begged. "I've nowhere else to go!"

"I'm sorry Mademoiselle, but it's how this must be." Ella couldn't help but feel her panic building again. Erik promised he wouldn't let them get rid of her but he was nowhere to be seen or heard.

At that moment, an envelope with a red skull ceiling fluttered down from the ceiling. Everyone groaned. Firmin ripped it open and began to read the note aloud.

It has come to my attention that most regrettably one of the dancers has sustained a fairly serious injury. However I must strongly advise against this. Miss LeFontelle has shown remarkable improvement since her arrival, as well as great potential. Although it is obvious that dancing is out of the question for Miss LeFontelle for the time being, I'm sure there can be another position for her. After all, I do believe there is a chorus position available which requires minimal movement until her injury heals. And as for Jacqueline, I ask that you please inform her that the next time she feels the need to shove one of her fellow dancers down a flight of stairs that she picks someone less talented, or at the very least, leave no witnesses behind. If she continually chooses to sabotage those that are better than her, then the quality of the productions will suffer, and I'm sure you all know how much I hate when that happens.

Your obedient servant,

O.G.

Andre sighed. "Well Mademoiselle, it appears you got your wish. You may stay."