Disclaimer: I do not own Erik, or Meg, or Madame Giry, or any other characters from the ingenious mind of Gaston Leroux! Anne just currently resides in my head until she's done telling her story. She's getting alone quite well with all of the other voices that reside up there. :)

AN: Two chapters in one night! Happy Thanksgiving, for those of you who celebrate it!

Chapter 27

I felt Erik's eyes on me the moment Elizabeth's name was said. In fact, everyone turned towards me and I shot up from my seat. Elizabeth…here? Why? It made no sense. She would have nothing to do with the arts and there was no way her fiancé did, for he looked about as lost amidst the throngs of lower class people as a hunting dog in a sheep field. I made my way into the aisle and towards the stage.

"Oh, Annie!" Elizabeth rushed to meet me but stopped at the stage's edge. I walked up the stage right side, and in my peripheral I could almost see the flecks of fire in Erik's eyes.

"Hello, Elizabeth. This is a quite a surprise."

She came forward and embraced me with all the sisterly warmth one who would expect in a normal family. I, however, was not fooled.

"Well, my darling James just loves the arts, and England has become so passé for it, so we thought what better place than Paris!" She looped her arm through his and smiled up at him. What an almost convincing couple they made.

Christine stepped forward and wrapped her arm around my shoulders as if we were the best of friends. "And I offered to bring them to the Opera House to settle all the financial arrangements and thought that us girls could spend a little time together."

"And your children?" I asked, pointing out the twin girls who had their mother's brown hair, and green eyes.

"They'll go back with Raoul of course. Their nanny is always taking such good care of them. I must confess I find myself quite jealous sometimes at how attached they've become to her."

I rubbed my temples trying to hold back the comments I could have said to her. But now was not the time for harsh words. Regardless of whether or not they recognized it, they were taking away from a rehearsal so I had to get them out.

"Why don't we go for a light lunch and let the dancers get back to work. They have a lot of practicing to do." I looked back at Aunt Giry who nodded her approval and the group quickly dispersed. Christine said goodbye to her husband and patted her children on the head. Raoul seemed less than pleased about being saddled with the children. Anne said goodbye to her precious Earl as he made his way off with the Managers.

I, however, steered clear of Meg Giry who was trying to figure out how I knew Christine since I said nothing about it last night as she gushed out her dreams and tears to me. I felt guilty about not saying anything, but it wasn't my place to say anything bad about her friend. She had to learn from her own decisions. I couldn't interfere with that. She had to be free to make her own judgments and choices.

I, once again, found myself in the de Chagny carriage, this time with both the Vicomtess and Elizabeth. The two prattled on as if they had been friends all her life. I found it highly annoying and wished to be back at the Populaire. There is so much talk any sane person could take when it came to ribbons and lace. I watched the scenery pass by and found that we were going to a formal restaurant that I had come to on a few occasion with my Aunt and Meg. The hostess however, recognized me instantly.

"Ah, Mademoiselle Hillcrest, such a pleasure to see you again." The hostess smiled at me and politely took my hand. "And where is the young Giry today?"

I smiled back at him, always pleased by his friendly manner. "At rehearsal I'm afraid. I have guests with me today Francoise: my sister Elizabeth, and the Vicomtesse de Chagny.

"Ah, Madame and Mademoiselle, such an honor to welcome new faces to our restaurant. Mlle Hillcrest would you care for your usual seat?"

"I think something a little more secluded, if you would be so kind."

"Of course. If you would please follow me."

We were all situated in our seats, drinks were ordered and menus were being perused when Christine broke the silence.

"I had no idea you were such a regular here, Anne."

"I did not give you permission to use my Christian name, Madame. I come here sometimes with my Aunt and Meg. Francoise is a pleasant gentleman who is very kind and attentive to when we come in."

Elizabeth scoffed and finally decided on her lunch. Christine followed suit and I studied my menu before realizing that all the letters were swimming before my eyes. I couldn't really focus on anything and that was irritating. When the waiter came back, I ordered the first thing I could make out which was thankfully a salad.

"Isn't this nice? Spending time with just us girls away from the men? Not that you, Anne, would have any experience with that."

I glared at her wanting to pour my lemonade on her expensive dress. I, however, simply smiled and took a sip before replying, "Elizabeth, I must say that I am quite surprised to hear that your fiancé wishes to be a patron of the Populaire. Even more so that you would be so supportive of it."

"Why, dear Annie! Why would it surprise you?"

"Because you care just as much about the arts as I do about society, which is nothing."

Elizabeth smiled at Christine in an apparent vain attempt to make her believe that I was lying. "Well, that's just silly. I've always loved music."

"Since when? You never took any interest in any sort of private lessons when the opportunity arose. You chose to apply yourself in which silverware to use at a formal dinner service and how to properly hold a fan."

"Well, I guess it's perhaps you took all of the spotlight in that area. I was never given a chance." She walked to her fiancé and smiled up at him. "Now, I'm getting that chance. Aren't you happy for me, Annie?"

Something was not right here. There was more to this than just Elizabeth reclaiming some of the spotlight she lost when we were children. There was a plot behind that fake smile, and I didn't like it. She was up to something, and I felt that Grandmama was behind it.

"Annie? Aren't you going to answer me? I mean, my husband-to-be is going to be supplying the funds to keep this theatre alive, after all. It's his money that will keep you and your friends alive."

So, that was it. Bribery. She knew how I felt about the Populaire, anyone could plainly see that I was attached to it. She was going to twist my arm to do her…and Grandmama's bidding. But my only thought was why? Grandmama had no claim on me and I had no property of my own…nothing to make me of any value. I was not going to play this game.

"First off, Elizabeth, my name is Anastasia, not Annie. Anne is sufficient, but I have not been known as Annie since Papa died. So, stop it. Second, I do not respond to threats, especially threats issued by a society brat who sees nothing more than a pretty face and expects there to be a decent person inside. Thirdly, to waltz in to the Populaire, in the middle of a rehearsal, shows that you have no desire to further the excellence of this Opera House, but to use it as your own conversation piece making you seem as a good person when all you are really doing is living a great big lie. Now, will you all kindly, leave! We are in the middle of a rehearsal."

"We, Annie?" Elizabeth batted her eyelashes at me. "You're just a simple pianist who, at the end of a few weeks, has out lived her purpose and is replaced. Sounds like a broken record, don't you think?"

She was close…so close to bringing up everything that would ruin me forever. I wanted to keep her quiet. I wanted to strike her, throttle her, and shake her until her teeth rattled! Who was she to come in here and order me about like I was some servant beneath her feet? I had my own life and I was under no obligation to give any of that life back to her. She didn't have any more hold of me than a stranger in the street.

Christine, it was obvious, was completely uneasy at the way our conversation had taken. I felt sorry for her. Sorry that she couldn't have been a better judge of character. Sorry that she had to be exposed to our childlike fight. I decided that, since I was master of my own life now, I didn't not have to stay any more than she did. I rose from the chair and looked at Christine.

"I'm sorry Madame that you had to be spectator to all of this. Elizabeth never really did have much tact. But perhaps we could spend some time together later." Yes, I was currently loathed to spend time with her, but I couldn't her think I always took complete leave of my senses.

"Yes…I…would like that."

I looked at my sister. "Goodbye, Elizabeth. It would be in your best interests to not speak with me ever again."

She smiled maliciously. "Threats, Annie?"

I thought back to Erik's kind words to me, words that rang in my heart. "I'll protect you."

"No, it's not a threat. It's a promise."

I placed my napkin on the table and left the restaurant. Fortunately, the walk was not long and I needed time to clear my head. I was angry, furious, and I wanted to cry at the position I had just been placed in. I walked back the Populaire and, hearing the loud singing coming from the auditorium, realized ed that everyone was still in rehearsal. That was fine as I wanted to be away from everyone and everything. No, that wasn't true. There was one person I wanted to see and as soon as I turned down a hallway, I felt his hand take mine and he guided me through the hallways until we reached the room I shared with Meg. He opened the door and I walked through. He stepped in behind me and shut the door. I didn't say anything but I could feel my hands shaking.

I felt his hands on my shoulders and that was when the dam broke. The tears pooled in my eyes and I buried my face in my hands. It wasn't long until I was fully wrapped in Erik's arms, my head on his chest, and my tears flowing unchecked down my cheeks. I don't know how long we stood like that. What I did know was that his arms felt comforting and the slow thump of his heart was a soothing balm to my soul. Soon, my tears stopped but the anger and pain was still there.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, when I felt I had some control of myself.

"There's nothing to be sorry for."

"I'm just so angry at them…"

"You cry when you're angry?" His voice sounded incredulous and I choked out a laugh.

"It's more like tears of frustration." I wiped at my eyes, grateful when he passed me a handkerchief. "Christine and Elizabeth's sudden arrival just aggravate me….Elizabeth especially."

"Wasn't she supposed to be getting married?"

"Another two weeks, I think. Or one…I forget. I'm not responsible for her anymore. And her husband is our newest patron…"

"I don't think you'll have to worry about him, if that's got you like this." He placed his hands under my chin and lifted my face to his. "You really shouldn't cry so much over nothing. Tears don't do anything."

I smiled. "My mother once said that tears are the soul's way of cleaning itself. I believe she's right because I always feel better after a good cry."

He laughed and brushed my hair over my shoulder. "You are a strange girl, Anne."

"Thank you, Erik. I'll take that as a compliment." Somehow, being with Erik made me feel as if the problems of the world didn't matter. He said that he would protect me and I felt like his very presence alone could protect me from any and all evil.

AN: I am a huge believer in fluff! Love it! Gonna be getting really good, really soon! Anne's gonna have a major break, but will Erik be there to save her?