Erik kept hold on the reigns with one hand, his other arm wrapped tightly around Ella, cradling her securely against him as they began their trek back to Paris. She nestled even closer, still trying to warm herself even though she was unconscious. He wanted nothing more than to get her out of the cold, but they needed to get away from Archer's estate quickly.

His head snapped around as he heard dogs barking, and it sounded like they were growing nearer and nearer. Rephrase that last thought. They needed to get away now. Erik spurred Cesar into a full gallop and they took off flying through the forest.

When they reached the stream from before, Erik reluctantly had Cesar enter the water and travel downstream. They needed to lose Archer and his dogs, even though it meant getting wet. After a while, the water trickled down to nothing. He only hoped they had spent enough time for their scent to wash away. Another bark made him realize that he wasn't going to be that lucky.

He swore before adjusting his grip on Ella and tried to come up with a new plan. Even though he was on horseback, Cesar was tired, and the dogs would be able to follow them until the horse collapsed if Erik couldn't think on his feet. From what he knew about tracking dogs, it wasn't the dogs that made mistakes, it was their owners. If he could trick the people, then the hounds wouldn't be an issue.

Quickly, Erik had Cesar leave the forest and go towards the road. When he had come this way earlier, he seeing remembered a fork. One way would lead to Paris, the other back to the Dubois manor. He went a few hundred yards on the road to Paris before doubling back and going the other way. After going down a ways down towards the manor, he led Cesar to the tree line and stopped to let the horse rest. Hopefully this would work.

They didn't have to wait long. Only a few minutes had passed when he heard the shouts of Archer and his men. He heard them and the dogs grow quieter as they followed the false trail. Cries of confusion and frustration soon made their way to his ears. Praying they fell for it, Erik pulled Ella against him, hiding her face in his jacket. "The dogs are probably confused. This road is so well traveled that there's probably a hundred different smells," Erik could hear Archer say. "We know she's going towards Paris. Come, she shouldn't be too much further."

As the sound of their voices and the dogs died down to nothing, Erik let out a sigh of relief. They believed that Ella was running the other way. Well they were sorely mistaken. Now he could focus on getting his angel warm.

Keeping Cesar at an easy trot, Erik began the trip back to Paris, his guard up. If Archer decided to turn around, then he could still be caught. After a while, he spotted a barn. If they could just hide there for an hour or two, it would be a nice break for Cesar and he could tend to Ella.

Growing closer, Erik realized the barn appeared to be abandoned. Even better. Looking inside, he could see holes in the roof and grass starting to grow inside. Obviously no one had been in here for years. But it still had four walls and about half of a roof. Yes, this would do perfectly for all three of them; no one would look here.

He lifted Ella from Cesar's back and gently placed her on the ground. Erik pulled his cloak off and wrapped her securely in it, before taking off his jacket as well, using it as a pillow for her. Now that he was in just his shirt, it began to sink in just how cold it was. As Cesar began to graze on the wild grass, Erik cleared a small nearby area, gathered some fallen wood, and began to build a fire. There were two things he learned from being the Phantom: always have the Punjab at his hip and a book of matches in his pocket. You never knew when you needed to light candles or a torch, or in this case, light a fire to keep Ella and himself from freezing.

A few minutes later, he had a small fire going. Erik crouched next to Ella, his fingertips lightly brushing her cheek as she slowly began to quit shivering. He wondered how long it would take her to wake up. There were so many unanswered questions that he had. What had Archer done to her? Why was she in the woods in the middle of the night? Had she escaped? How?

"E…Er…Erik," she muttered, stirring slightly at his touch.

"I'm here mon Ange," he replied softly. "I'm here."

"He's going to take me away!" she cried. "Stop him Erik!"

"I have Ella. You're back under my protection. He can't do anything to you again. You're safe from him now."

Apparently he said the wrong thing. "No!" She began to thrash in her sleep. "I don't want to go to America! Take me home Archer! I'll do whatever you want! Please! I want to go home!" she sobbed.

"Ella it's me," he told her, trying to get her to relax. "I'm taking you back to Paris. We're going home."

She nodded. "Good, it's about time you realized I love the Phantom." Ella began drifting back into a deeper sleep. "I love my Phantom and there's nothing you can do to change that Archer," she murmured, before growing still again.

Erik kissed her temple before rising to tend to Cesar. The horse snorted and gave him the horse equivalent of a dirty look then resumed grazing. He chuckled before stroking the horse's neck. "I never would have found her without you," Erik said with a smile. "I knew you were a great horse."

"Where could she be?" Archer thought desperately, looking up to the midmorning sun. Ella's scent had vanished nearly two hours ago, rendering the bloodhounds useless, and they hadn't been able to find a sign of her since. She could have gotten lost in the woods, or someone could have taken her, or worse.

"Monsieur, let's face it, we're not going to find her," one of his men said.

"We have to find her!" he cried. "I refuse to stop looking until I have her back in my arms. She's in danger! There is a maniac after her and only I can save her!"

"Well now you've lost her."

"I know that!" Archer snapped in frustration. "Maybe she found some way to get to Paris faster. A ride from someone or something. We'll look there, and notify the police. They can help us find her."

"But Monsieur, Paris is a several hours ride still!" another man protested. "We've been out half the night. We all need rest, you included sir."

"Not until I find Ella!" he shouted. "Now let's get a moving! Paris is still a long way off. Come on!" A groan rose up from his men as they continued their search for a girl who was hidden several miles behind them.

Erik watched the sun sink over the horizon. They had spent the day in the barn, waiting for nightfall and the cover of darkness to continue their journey. Ella had been drifting in and out of consciousness all day, but she never quite woke up. For a while, he had been wondering if Archer had drugged her, but if he had, it would have worn off by now. The poor girl probably just hadn't slept since he took her.

His stomach growled, and it dawned on Erik that he hadn't eaten since before he found out Ella was missing. She would probably be starving as well when she woke. But they'd eat once they were safely back under the opera house.

He carefully put his jacket back on, before he gently touched Ella's cheek. Her eyes half opened, but he could tell she wasn't really awake. "We're leaving now mon Ange." She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck as he enveloped her in his cloak and carefully picked her up.

"Are we going to the opera now?"

"Yes Ella. We're going home."