Disclaimer: I do not own Erik, or Meg, or Madame Giry, or any other characters from the ingenious mind of Gaston Leroux! Anne, however, she's mine...well, she resides in my head until her story is done.

AN: Did I mention that writer's block is the devil? UGH!

Chapter 43

The statement of "going to tear down the Populaire" could have been taken several ways. Erik's first thought was for Anne's safety. She was down here on a lie so he immediately believed that it was discovered that she was not in England visiting a friend, or kidnapped and being held by the Opera Ghost against her will. He wrapped an arm protectively around Anne's waist and held her close. Having just found the one person who made him feel as if he no longer a monster in someone's wildest nightmare, he was disinclined to let her return to the world above.

Fortunately, as Madame Giry continued her explanation of what was going on in the Manager's office, this was not the case. Anne was safe here for the time being, but the same could not be said of the cast and crew of the Opera House.

"She's come in fresh off her honeymoon and is completely determined to tear down the Populaire and make it some sort of hotel with cheap entertainment. It's absolutely horrid!"

"She's can't do that!" Anne yelled. She looked up at him and he was lost in her clear blue eyes. "Can she?"

"Her husband is the patron, Anne. It's apparent she's got him wrapped around her tiny finger and she could do whatever she wants to do with this place."

"But surely he's not the only patron, Aunt."

Erik shook his head. "No, there is someone who has put more funding into this place than they do."

Anne's brow furrowed. "Who?"

Erik smiled. "Me."

"Erik you can't be serious?!" Madame Giry put her hands on her hips. "You'd have to show your face in order to make something like that stick."

He shook his head, thinking himself very clever for putting all of this together before he'd found someone to run the Populaire. "Not necessarily. I have someone who handles my affairs."

"Is he someone who can be trusted?" It was hard to read whether or not Antoinette was relieved or worried with Erik's announcement.

"Oh, he's someone who can definitely be trusted. He's always had some sort of fascination with my affairs regardless of what they were."

It hadn't taken long to put together a brief note and have it delivered to his place of residence. Erik sat calmly in his chair while Anne was busying herself with…well, keeping busy. She'd made a late lunch, which she'd only partially eaten, cleaned the kitchen, and then rolled up her sleeves to straighten up the rest of his house.

"How can you just sit there, Erik?" She'd asked for the hundredth time, her anxiety getting higher and higher each time she'd posed the question. "Elizabeth is threatening to tear down your home!"

"Technically my home is beneath the Populaire, but I see your point," he teased.

"Ugh!" She went about her work, her exasperation very obvious.

With a brief glance at the clock, Erik saw that he had a few minutes before his visitor was scheduled to arrive. Taking pity on Anne, he got up and followed her to her room where she was busying herself with taking out her belongings in the trunk and placing them in places around the room. She only had maybe three weeks left down here, as Antoinette was very adamant that they ruse of her visiting her sick friend remain intact, much to Anne's annoyance. It did strange things to his heart seeing her make this bedroom hers. Her dresses hung in the wardrobe, a jewelry box sat on the vanity as well as a brush, comb, and mirror set.

"Anne, do you trust me?" He leaned against the doorframe, crossed his arms across his chest, and watched her.

Her arms stilled after closing the doors to the wardrobe and he could hear her sigh. "You know I do, Erik, but I can't believe you'd just sit by and let the Opera House just fall."

He smiled and came up behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, suddenly very glad that she'd worn her hair up. He ran his fingertips along the curve of her neck and placed a soft kiss just underneath her ear. He felt her shiver and he chuckled. "Trust me then, Anne, when I say that I'm not just sitting back and letting it all fall apart."

She turned to face him and he bent his head down to kiss her. "Do you believe me?"

"I…I'm not sure. I'm going to have to think about it."

He kissed her again. "And now?"

"A little…" She smiled before he kissed her again. "Alright, Erik, we have to stop this." She laughed and he was determined to do everything in his power to hear that laugh often. "When are we to expect this visitor anyway?"

He relaxed his arms and she stepped out of his embrace. "He should be here right about…" There was a knock at the door and he smiled. "Now."

I did not go immediately to meet this visitor of Erik's. I stayed in my room in a complete frenzy about what should be done about Elizabeth. She was always a force few chose to reckon with, but I usually had been able to deal with her. I sat down on my bed trying to get my thoughts together. Whatever Erik was going to plan, I knew that I couldn't stay here with him for very much longer. There would be some speculation as to what had happened and why I had returned so soon, but there were stories and lies that were easy to tell. I flopped back onto the bed and sighed. As much as I had come to love Erik, I knew that I couldn't stay here forever. I would have to leave, and it might as well be now with Elizabeth being…well, Elizabeth. I couldn't stand by and let this place just fall though I knew Erik wouldn't give it up without using whatever means necessary.

I quickly sat up when I could hear the unmistakable sound of raised voices. Forgetting about the fact that I should have probably stayed in my room, I rushed out and ran to the music room and pushed open the doors. I shouldn't have been afraid, but it was an involuntary instinct, that was completely unwarranted. I saw Erik having a conversation with a man who was dressed to look like a gentleman of society but he wore a funny looking hat. They seemed to be in some sort of heated argument, and they both turned to me when I entered the room.

"I suppose this is the woman, Erik?"

I did not like to be referred to as if I were just some thing to be passed over. "I have a name, monsieur." I placed my hands on my hips and glared at him. "And I also do not take kindly to the fact that you come in to Erik's home and proceed to shout at him as if he's done something wrong." I could see a smile tugging at Erik's mouth but I was not to be deterred. "Now, would you kindly explain to me what all of that racket was about? Or shall you have to be forcibly removed from the premises?"

The man laughed now, and I was left quite confused. "She's got a bit more spirit than Christine, I'll give you that."

"I don't need to be reminded by anyone else that I'm not like Christine Daaé, thank you very much."

He instantly sobered, while Erik simply smiled and watched on. "Forgive me, Madame," the stranger said. "You'll have to forgive me, as the last time Erik brought someone down here it did not end well, for either party."

"Well, I was brought down here for my protection, but I've stayed of my own free will."

"I'm sure you did," he smiled. "But before we continue having this delightful banter as to your willingness, allow me to introduce myself." The man cleared his throat and swept into a very low bow. "My name is Nadir Khan. I am an old friend of Erik's, from Persia." He stepped forward and took one of my hands in his and lightly kissed it. "And you are Anastasia Hillcrest, daughter of Maria Hillcrest who was once Maria Giry if memory serves me."

"How did you know…?" I was not allowed to finish my question as Erik cleared his throat to interrupt me.

"Anne, if you'd be so kind as to come further in and hear what Nadir and I were planning. I think it may end up concerning you as well."

I nodded and situated myself on the piano bench, allowing the two men to sit in the chairs to face each other. I could see them have their conversation but was also far enough out of the way to not be that much attention to.

"You see, Anne, I get paid twenty thousand francs a month from the Managers and in return, I try not to allow any travesties to effect the opera."

I looked at Erik, my brow furrowed. "I'm assuming they've not paid considering all the damage that's been done?"

"Oh, no. The damage that has been caused, like the falling of the backdrop like on your first day, was meant to be a sort of warning for you." His eyes gleamed with mischief. "If you will remember you were in a place you weren't supposed to be when that happened."

I smiled and nodded.

"Well, to get back to the point, I obviously cannot spend that much money in a month and before this Populaire reopened, I entrusted all of my funds to Nadir who has become the largest supplying patron of the Opera House. He's just acting under my name. He's been sort of nameless and faceless, up until now."

I tilted my head and looked at M. Khan. "And what do you two intend to do now?"

"Well," the Persian cleared his throat and smiled. "We intend to take back the Populaire and to buy out your sister and her husband."

I laughed. "You obviously don't know my sister. She won't budge once she's made her mind up."

Erik's eyes twinkled with mischief. "And you obviously don't know how…persuasive…I can be."

I gasped. "You are not to harm my sister!"

"Such family feelings for a person who practically wants nothing to do with you."

I clenched my hands. "That isn't fair. Since Mama's death, she and my grandmother are the only two blood relations I have left."

"I'm sure your Aunt and Meg will find that most comforting," Erik clipped out.

I was hurt. He didn't have to make it sound like that. "I grew up with them."

"That woman beat you black and blue, Anastasia!"

I cringed. Erik had never used my full name, and I could tell he was visibly upset. Nadir cleared his throat and excused himself. I couldn't tell what he said…something about some fresh air. I sat there on the piano bench for what seemed like an eternity.

"Anne," he whispered. He stood up and walked over to me. When I didn't return his gaze, he knelt down in front of me forcing me to look at him. "This is my home, Anne. Well, this dungeons, yes, but the world above is as close to humanity as I may ever come, aside from your love of course." He gave me a half smile and I touched his face with my fingers.

"Erik…Elizabeth is a vengeful creature. You have never seen her equal. She's nothing compared to Carlotta or to the Vicomte. She's learned from Grandmama to find the weakness and to exploit it."

He smiled. "But you forget, she won't be directly dealing with me. Nadir is quite capable of taking care of himself. We'll buy back the Populaire, never sell part of it to anyone and this will continue to be a home to those who live and work here. That also includes you."

I blinked, realization dawning.

"I'm doing this for them as much as I'm doing this for you. I don't think I could bear to have you taken away now that I've found you."

His voice was soft but it made its way to my heart's core. This was for them and for me. He wanted to keep me close…safe…

"Aright, Erik," I acquiesced, not that he needed my permission. I was rewarded with a kiss and he soon left to go find Nadir. I was left in the music room, and I wrapped my arms around me, torn between my love for Erik and my fear of Elizabeth.