Hey guys, I haven't abandoned you! I've just been oober busy trying not to fail math, and my other fanfic has been much more cooperative with me. I know this is a short chapter but it's more or less just fluff to keep you all happy until I can sit down and write a good chapter. You guys never seem to mind fluff, but I'll be having Christmas and the Masquerade soon to make it up to you! Anyway, if you thought Jacqueline got off easy last chapter, karma (and Erik and Meg) have come for her! Read, review, and Enjoy!

~nibblesfan

"I hope you're happy!" Meg's voice rang out. Ella hobbled in to see her friend standing toe to toe with Jacqueline, neither one looking very happy.

"What are you talking about?" the dark haired girl demanded.

"You could have seriously hurt Ella!" her friend shouted. "You're lucky she broke her ankle and not her neck!"

"I don't know what you're going on about, but I didn't do a thing!"

"Oh yeah? Then how come the Phantom specifically said you pushed her down the staircase? You've been tormenting her since the moment she arrived! Who else would hurt her besides you?"

"Are you accusing me?" Jacqueline asked, her voice full of malice.

"I believe I am," Meg retorted just as viciously. "That letter didn't write itself."

"Meg what are you doing?" Ella hissed in her friend's ear. "You're going to get in trouble!"

"Don't worry," her friend whispered back. "Someone's got to stand up to her." She turned back to Jacqueline. "Haven't you spent enough time terrorizing people? Don't you remember what happened to La Carlotta?"

Jacqueline's eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"

"I'm not," Meg replied. "But it sounds like the Phantom is."

"Meg," Ella whispered cautiously. "Let it go. Don't push it."

"Look at you," Jacqueline snarled. "You think just because you're head ballerina you think you're better than everyone else. The only reason you're even head ballerina is because your mother is the ballet mistress. You can't even claim to have gotten that job on talent."

A loud slap echoed across the room. "Oooh," the dancers chorused as everyone waited for Jacqueline to retaliate.

Before she could move, Madame Giry appeared. "That's enough! Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves. Jacqueline, do you really think this is wise seeing as you're already under scrutiny whether or not you're guilty. At this point, you're lucky you still have a job because of the accusations. Do you really wish to risk that by fighting?"

"No," Jacqueline muttered sullenly.

Madame Giry turned to Meg. "And you. I expected better of you. You are head ballerina for a reason. Is this the kind of example you want to have for the other girls?"

Meg shook her head. "No mother," she replied.

"I won't stand for any more of this, from any of you. If you have issues, you will bring them to me or you will deal with them like the young ladies you are. I will not have you fighting like ruffians. Am I understood?"

"Yes Madame Giry," the girls answered simultaneously.

Erik watched a white-face Jacqueline dash from her dressing room. He smirked as he saw the note lying on the floor. It had the exact effect on her that he wanted. As he walked away, he recalled every word he had written.

You're lucky that Miss Giry got to you before I did. I will not tolerate a jealous girl attacking her fellow cast members, because she believes she's more talented than is really is. If any more of these "accidents" occur, I can assure you mademoiselle, you will have to face the wrath of a very displeased ghost. If so much as a suspicious sneeze happens, rest assured it will not go unpunished. I'll be watching.

O.G.

He hoped the note would frighten Jacqueline away from Ella. There was always the possibility that she would harass Ella even more, but now he knew that she wouldn't dare hurt her, and that was his main concern. The rest could be dealt with later.

"Finally!" Ella cried in triumph a week later. She spun around the room. "I can walk like a normal person again!"

"Careful," Meg laughed. "You still aren't supposed to be dancing. You don't want to hurt yourself the second you get off crutches. Jacqueline won't have to push you down the stairs if you just hurt yourself. I'm sure she'd appreciate the assistance though."

"No thank you," she replied. "I've spent enough time crippled. They're actually going to let me onstage tonight for the performance."

"Oh that's right! Tonight's your first night performing in the chorus. Are you nervous?"

Ella nodded. "Terrified. You know how much I don't like people."

Her friend smiled. "Well if it makes you feel any better, you're just a big nobody on stage. No one's going to notice you're even there let alone hear you sing."

"I think that's the only way I'm going to be able to make it through the performance without fainting." She wondered if Erik was going to be watching. Probably not. Like Meg pointed out, Ella was just going to be a nobody. There was no reason for him to bother.

"Well we better get off to rehearsal. Mother will be livid if we're late."

Erik let himself into Ella's dressing room the second she disappeared behind the privacy screen to change into her costume. He placed his present on the vanity, where all his notes went. Right before she emerged, he backed up towards the mirror, but wasn't able to get out in time. He froze as she picked up the pure white rose. A smile touched her lips as she twirled the stem in her fingers before her attention was brought to the note. Even though he couldn't see it over her shoulder, he knew exactly what it said.

Good luck on your performance tonight. The chorus has gained a treasure whether they realize it or not. Soon it will be your time to shine.

E

"Does that mean he's going to be watching?" she wondered aloud.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Ella jumped; obviously unaware he was still in the room. Her face turned as red as her hair. "Do you mean it?" she asked.

Erik felt his face get as hot as well. That wasn't quite the reaction he was expecting. "I told you," he murmured. "I never break a promise."