The Midnight Train Crossing

The Phantom swiftly moved through the shadows of the theatre and then froze, seeing the Mastermind sitting where she had fallen.
She looked around, not seeing him and touched her leg... her bleeding leg, near tears. she had never felt anything this painful! She started to bawl. she couldn't stand it, the pain in her leg
Out of everything that had happened, this was something that the Phantom certainly didn't expect.
The Mastermind glanced again at the blood. horrible, trickling, HERS
He slowly slipped through the shadows past her and continued on his way.

The Phantom stepped out of the shadows.
Eponine opened her eyes, "Ah. You're back."
The Phantom pulled out a rather large bag. "Yes." he said, "I went back to the kitchen and got food."
"For the rats?"
"And you."
Eponine smiled at this. "thank you.."
"Of course," he said.
The rats, in her lap, were squeaking rather angrily
"Hopefully they'll eat it.." she said.
He nodded, setting the food down in her lap by the baby rats
When they didn't eat right away, Eponine carefully moved some of it towards one of their mouths. It sniffed around blindly for a minute, before taking it. "There. good rat." she said softly.
After awhile, Eponine finished making sure each of the rats had eaten
Rusty had eaten what the Phantom brought, happy that it wasn't liver-flavored
"you know, she's been starving everybody?" Eponine said, making no move to touch her own food
"I know," the Phantom said.
Eponine scowled
"I will be back," the Phantom said, "You two stay here."
"What? where are you going now?" Eponine asked
"To put this where somebody that needs it can find it," he said, holding up another bag.
Eponine smiled
With a swish of his cape he was gone

'Well...' Rusty roused himself and got up.
'how long do you think she'll..'
'I don't know.' Rusty said, 'but I don't think she'll do anything to us for a little anyway...'
'yes... but once she *can* again' Eponine shivered
Rusty went over to Eponine and rubbed his head against her comfortingly.
She patted one of his ears. "with any luck, that wont be for awhile.."
'Yeah.'
Rusty closed his eyes and leaned against her, resting his head in her lap.
She looped an arm around him lightly, shutting her eyes.

Suddenly Rusty opened his eyes, 'Eponine.... I... I feel funny...'
"what?" Eponine asked clearly concerned. "what part of you feels funny.." she asked after a moment
'I just...' Rusty started, 'I dunno... not really funny I guess...' He couldn't think of how to explain it
Eponine, not knowing what she could possibly say, pulled him into her lap, giving him a gentle hug
Rusty closed his eyes and cuddled into Eponine's arms. Then felt something odd inside him. He half wondered if the Mastermind was behind this.
Eponine hugged him tight. 'no.' she thought, 'she can't be... not yet...' but she sounded anything but certain
Rusty felt a very strange - strange, but not painful- sensation and then... there was a soft hiss and he felt something warm inside of him.
Eponine gasped, as Rusty grew in her arms, becoming larger heavier and... growing wheels! "Rusty!"
He opened his eyes and realized with a start that he was able to look directly at Eponine instead of looking up at her.
"Look at yourself!" She said happily, hugging him. Then, on second thought, "no.. get off of me, and then look at yourself." she laughed
Rusty, with a smile, hugged her back, then got up out of her lap.
Eponine grinned widely at him
Rusty looked down at himself, at his familiar frame and grinned. He could feel his fire burning brightly within him and his boiler working, just as if he had never been changed.
"I'd almost forgotten what you look like as a train."
"I'm... shiny..." he said softly.
"Yes. very."
"Wow. I haven't been since - I don't remember."
Eponine looked thoughtful... "Perhaps it's... while you were a dog... she made us take bath's remember?"
"I remember." Rusty let out a soft whistle and smiled.
"That must be it..." She gave him another hug.
Rusty whistled softly again.
"you look wonderful." she said
"Thanks," he said, rolling around a little, making sure that everything still worked properly.
"hopefully, you can stay like that."
He nodded, "Yeah I hope so."

Meanwhile, the Phantom had deposited the food where he was sure that the others would find it, with a note to share it.
The Mastermind, who, had somewhat regained her composure, came up behind him, tapping him on the shoulder angrily.
He whirled and then took a step back, preparing to run.
She waved a finger, freezing him... or at least slowing him down as best she could.
The Phantom fought against her weak powers. He couldn't run, but he could walk quickly.
"Stop." She said, trying to sound imposing.
"No." he answered quite calmly.
"Yes." A cage shimmered, rather hesitantly into existence around him
This brought him to a stop.
"Now will you talk to me?" she asked.
He turned towards her and crossed his arms.

"You do realize, when I get my full powers back, I'll have to punish all three of you for your behavior?"
"For what behavior?" he asked.
"Biting me, and escaping."
"Ah yes, well, dog's tend to do that you know," he said.
"He ought to know better, and will be punished."
"He only did it because of what you were doing to him."
"I was doing nothing to him at the time. I was speaking to the girl about her new found children."
"Ah yes, your creations."
"Just wait until you see what comes out of her next..."

The Phantom, before he could stop himself, took a step forward.
The Mastermind smiled. "Though, I don't she'll survive it... long."
The Phantom, who really had been doing a remarkably good job at keeping his temper under control was rapidly losing control of himself.
"Imagine, rats big enough to eat a dog whole... and as ugly as you are."
His hands at his sides balled into fists.
"Corpse rats. White claws, and teeth to slit her throat, from the inside. Then, they'll go after you and Rusty. You're welcome to try and save them though. This will be tomorrow night. I'd suggest, saying your good-byes."
Even though he realized that it wouldn't do him any good, he pulled on the bars anyway.
"Maybe give her a kiss, just before the end. I think she'd like that... but, you'd have to take off the mask to do," the Mastermind smiled, "She's already had a nightmare... about your face. Stranger, how she doesn't associate it with you in the least."
He didn't answer, continuing to yank on the bars, too worked up now.

"I could go start it now, while you're stuck here. "
"Oh yes," he hissed, finding his voice again, "Yes. While I'm trapped." He laughed suddenly.
The Mastermind smiled cruelly, "That could be fun. Would you like me to start?"
He continued to laugh, rather maniacal sounding.
"I will. any thing you'd like me to tell them first?"
"Tell them that you were too afraid of me to face me without any tricks."
"And that you're to afraid to face their deaths?"
He laughed again, "You have never remained to face me whenever you got me angry, so why should this time be different?"
"I'm facing you now."
He tapped the bars, "With these keeping me from you."
The bars suddenly shimmered, and fell away. It took him a second to register that and then he walked towards her, his black cloak swirling around behind him impressively. She backed off a few feet and he followed her.
"You know, I won't allow you to do anything to me-" As she had spoken he lunged at her, catching hold of her arms tightly.
The Mastermind made as if to use magic, but of course she couldn't. she went for the next best thing... frantically trying to pull away
He held her firmly.
"Let go." she ordered
"No," he growled, glaring at her angrily.
"I mean it."
He tightened his hold on her
She kicked him and made as if to knock of the his mask
He dodged out of the way, pushing her back up against the wall.
"LET GO! NO!"
He pushed her harder against the wall.
"I mean it.."
"No."
"Damn you..."
He held her tightly, pinning her arms to her side.
The Mastermind looked irate but the Phantom, on the other hand, looked murderous.
She spat in his face
He didn't particularly seem to care.
She went back to struggling, trying to escape
the Phantom just laughed

"Tell me," he said, "How's your leg?"
"Fine." She said tightly
"I take it you aren't used to that?"
"No. and I don't intend to become used to it."
He laughed again, "I guess that up until this point, all of your... amusements, have been well-behaved?
"Yes. Most of my amusements have been smarter than Rusty and Eponine."
"Oh?"
"Yes." She hissed, though she had enough good sense not to get into plans of their demise right this second
"And how have the others been smarter?"
"They haven't revolted."
"Oh? They just let you do whatever you liked?"
"Yes." She tried to jerk away
"Well I think that it's good that you've finally met somebody that won't allow you to behave like a spoiled child."
"I hardly behave like a child."
"Oh no?"
"of course not."
"Then tell me something," he said, "Why do you act like a child when things do not go according to your plan?"
"I don't."
"You seem to."
"No. I don't. If anyone acts like a child, it's those two."
"How so?"
"All it takes is some vomit and a few rats to make her fall apart."
"And you did that to her when she did not do what you wanted of her."
"Yes."
"I would consider that childish."
"It's my right."
"It is your right to do whatever you please to people?"
"Yes. I can, so it is my right."
"Why?"
"I don't need to answer your tiresome questions."

He pushed her back again, "Yes you do."
She winced, but was silent
"Because I've learned that while you're injured, your powers are weak..." he started.
"they aren't." she said tightly
He smirked, "Then why aren't you doing anything?"
She didn't have any response for this
He pushed her back against the wall again
The Mastermind made a very visible pained expression, like trying to hold back tears
"You could hurt so much worse then that," the Phantom scoffed. "In fact, you've inflicted more pain then what you're feeling now."
She glared at him
"When you got hurt before... I believe that Eponine and Rusty felt worse."
"Good." she snapped.
"But I believe that it wouldn't take too much effort on my part to change that."
"But you wont."
"Oh wouldn't I?"
"You wouldn't. Because, if you did, I'd kill them both
"But you wouldn't be able to."
"Yes I will."
"Not if you're hurt," he said, with an unsettling gleam in his eyes
"You really think that will stop me?"
He laughed again.

At that very minute, a white Cat, and a brown and orange cat came tumbling into The Phantom, followed by a large black leather clad drag queen.
The Phantom was pushed over, in fact, he was pushed over rather hard, falling into the wall himself and hitting his head. The Mastermind took this as a good moment to run in the other reaction.
Dinah came roller-skating in after them, followed by Mark and Florence.
Electra had a sack in her mouth.
"give that to me, you stupid little..." Paying no head to The Phantom, Frank was on the ground trying to pry the food out of Electra's mouth.
Dinah and Mark were trying to pry Frank away from Electra.
"give me that!" Frank sneered.
"We're supposed to share it!" Mark said.
"No! it's mine!" Electra clutched the food tightly. For a second she looked up at Dinah adoringly, "But I'll share it with you of course."
"We're *All* supposed to share it." Mark said.
Frank tackled Electra.
"Let go! you're hurting her!" Dinah kept trying to pull Frank away, who was muttering something to the effect of "mine minemineminemine"

The Phantom chose that moment to loom up impressively out of the shadows as he is so good at doing.
Dinah was the first person to notice, letting go of Frank, rather stunned.
"Uh..." Mark started cleverly.
"hi..." Dinah continued.
"I believe that I left instructions for that to be shared," the Phantom said a bit annoyed, "There is enough for all of you."
Electra and Frank were to wrapped in their battle to notice.
Florence sighed, annoyed, her hands on her hips. "oh for goodness sake.." She said, as if she were not standing in the shadow of a large imposing masked man. "Mark, help me get them apart before they kill each other."
"I'm open to ideas..." Mark started as the Phantom reached down and caught hold of Electra by the scuff of her neck.
Florence made a grab at Frank, and with Dinah's help they pried him away from the kitten. Electra let out a yowl of protest at The Phantom's touch
The Phantom picked up the bag of food.
Electra hissed at him.
Frank meanwhile was trying to escape from Florence and Dinah.
Dinah's courage was quickly exhausted, and she ducked behind Mark
"Be quiet," the Phantom scolded Electra, "Now, I am not having a very good day, so I would advise all of you not to make me further annoyed."

"And just who are you?" Frank demanded, effectively pushing Florence away.
"That is no concern of yours," the Phantom said.
"I think it is very much my concern." Frank began to run a seductive hand down The Phantom's chest
Quick as lighting the Phantom caught Frank's wrist and twisted it behind his back hard.
Frank made a face of complete and utter agonized pain
The Phantom let him go after a moment. "I am someone that is not to be trifled with."
Frank regained himself quickly. "Not to be trifled with!" He said, full of indigence. "Don't you know who I am?? Puny human..."
The Phantom ignored Frank, turning his attention to the others.
Florence met his gaze evenly.
Dinah was still very much cowering behind Mark
"I hope that the rest of you have more sense." the Phantom said.
"I should hope so." Florence said, giving Frank a look of thinly veiled disdain
"Good," the Phantom said, handing Florence the bag, "I do hope that you will be able to make sure that everyone gets a fair share."
"Of course." she said in her business like tone. She looked at The Phantom with some curiosity. "Who are you? when did she bring you here? Dinah's been giving tours to new arrivals."

"He's not new." Dinah said in a soft voice
"He's the OG." Electra chimed in
"Indeed," the Phantom said.
"The what?" Mark asked.
"The OG... he sends us notes." Dinah said. "and, I guess food too."
"Alright..." Mark started uncertainly.
Dinah whispered something in Mark's ear. "we think he's in league with the Mastermind."
"Oh." Mark answered softly.
The Phantom turned back to Florence, "Then I will trust you to handle this."
"Yes. Of course." She said politely
The Phantom nodded approvingly, and then turned to Dinah.
She moved a bit closer to Mark, though, at this point it had crossed her mind that if this OG really wanted to hurt her, he would be relatively useless. She wished Greaseball were here.
"Hmm... so you are a train again," the Phantom said, a bit approvingly.
"Yes." she said softly
"Good. Then I expect that Rusty will be as well."
She had a look like she fully expected The Phantom to eat her but she nodded "I-is he okay?"
He nodded.
"Where is he?"
"I cannot tell you that."
"But you know?"
"Yes."
"Please don't hurt Rusty!" Dinah said suddenly, "He's just a little steam train.... I'm sure he wouldn't do anything to you."
The Phantom blinked, rather surprised by that, "I did not intend to."
"Who turned him into a... a... a weird, four legged furry passenger animal thing?"
"The Mastermind."
Dinah nodded, but she seemed a bit bolder, now that the Phantom had made no attempt to harm her.
"I expect that I will have no more trouble with any of you," the Phantom said, "Otherwise I shall be cross."
That sent Dinah back behind Mark.
"We won't," Mark said, glancing over at Frank slightly, as he realized that that's who the Phantom had been looking at.
Frank raised an eyebrow at The Phantom, fully planning to jump whoever had the food the moment he left
"Perhaps you should distribute the food now," the Phantom said to Florence.
"Yes. I'll call a meeting."
The Phantom nodded, "And beware of that one," he pointed at Frank.
"Florence rolled her eyes. "we can handle it."
He nodded approvingly, and then, with a swish of his cape, he vanished into the shadows.

The Phantom appeared as if out of nowhere, startling Rusty. Eponine apparently wasn't startled. she just smiled at him
"Are you two alright?" the Phantom asked.
"More than." Eponine gestured to Rusty.
The Phantom nodded approvingly, "I had hoped that this would happen. Dinah has been changed back to herself as well."
"with any luck, it will last."
Rusty nodded. The Phantom started to, then hesitated.
Eponine looked at him, questioning
"I am... afraid that I may have done something..." he started carefully.
"yes?"
"I'm afraid that I made her upset."
Eponine made a face at this
"I am sorry. But I... sometimes I have trouble with my temper."
"With her, I can understand it."
He nodded, "And I'm worried that she may take it out on the two of you."
Eponine made another face... she honestly didn't feel up to dealing with the Mastermind anymore
"I'm sorry." he said again.
"I'll... be all right."
He nodded. Rusty looked a bit worried, but he nodded as well.

Several hours later, the Mastermind arrived in the theatre under the stage.
Eponine was the first to notice, being awakened by the fact that she couldn't breathe.
The Phantom stiffened.
Eponine grabbed onto the edge of his cape, rather desperately. She looked rather scared, and disoriented, having just awakened.
"Calm down," he said softly.
Hard to do, when she couldn't draw a single breath
The Phantom lifted her slightly, getting ready to prepare to dislodge whatever was in her windpipe this time.
Eponine's hands were on her throat
Something was moving inside it again, but not like before. Very sharp, cutting
The Phantom moved her hands gently and felt for himself, then turned to the Mastermind, "No."
"Yes."
"No!"
Indeed, a small amount of blood had formed at the corner of Eponine's mouth
"No," the Phantom said again.
Eponine looked at him, trying to silently plead with him to get it out
He knelt next to her, taking the girl in his arms, then he looked up at the Mastermind, "She does not deserve this."
Eponine didn't understand why he couldn't get it out, like he had before. It seemed to be trying to escape on its own
The Phantom lifted her and tried to force whatever it was out as he did before
Whatever it was, started to come out, as it had before, then she felt teeth and claws, trying to fasten themselves to the inside of her throat, even as a skeleton like tail hung out of her mouth.
Rusty's eyes widened in shock.
"I am sorry about this," the Phantom said to Eponine. He struck her throat rather hard, hitting whatever was inside.
She would have screamed, but she couldn't. But at least it started to come out with what could only be her blood. The creature was a rat, like the others, but huge and deformed, bloody and viscous. It bit and scratched at her lip, determined not to fall.
The Phantom managed to get it fully out of Eponine's mouth. He tossed it to the floor.
She coughed, blood getting caught in her throat as she tried to breathe. The Phantom picked her up.
The ROUS seemed no worse off for the fall, and began to run back towards them, trying to bite at the Phantom's ankles.
The Phantom pulled something rather shiny, long and sharp out of his pocket. When the ROUS tried to climb him to get at Eponine, the Phantom threw the knife down at it, slicing it neatly in half. The rat appeared dead for a second, but then reformed into two rat things.
"Not that easy," the Mastermind said, giggling.
He glared at her.
One of the rats continued to attack the Phantom's ankles. He kicked it away, while trying to keep Eponine away from it.
The other went for Rusty. The steamer backed away. Suddenly it made a leap towards his face. Rusty instinctively let out a blast of hot steam, burning the rat. It squeaked in pained protest.

Meanwhile, Eponine's stomach clenched, and once again she was sure she felt something biting her insides. She shook her head, not wanting it to happen again. She couldn't breathe and looked up at the Phantom, tears filling her eyes.
Another rat made it's painful escape. She put her hands up, trying to get it away from her face. The little thing seemed to know nothing but to attack.
"Close your eyes," the Phantom ordered suddenly.
Eponine felt a blast of hot air, but not close enough to be painful. She kept her eyes closed, as ordered as Rusty burned the attacking rat.
The Mastermind watched, clearly amused. "There," she said, looking directly at the Phantom, "Now, I have a challenge for you."
"I will deal with it if she stops spitting up rats," he answered.
"Oh. Done with that for now."

The Phantom hesitated, and then handed Eponine off to Rusty before stepping forward, "What do you want?"
"Not much, just a challenge I want you to meet."
He waited.
"She's bleeding very badly. you know that, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Keep her alive. If you can do that, there will be no more rats... if not, I'll kill the other one, the same way."
He glared at her, then turned around and walked back towards Eponine. Rusty flinched visibly.
"Good luck." She vanished, along with the other rats.

The Phantom indicated that Rusty should put her down, which he did, reluctantly. Eponine opened her eyes slowly.
"Open your mouth," the Phantom directed.
Eponine started to, and coughed as blood caught in her throat.
"Rusty, how well can you regulate your steam?" the Phantom asked.
"Pretty well," Rusty answered, "Why?"
The Phantom turned to Eponine, "This will hurt..." he warned.
She nodded slowly, a bit in a daze.
He turned to Rusty, "Now, I need you to blow a very small amount of steam down her throat."
"But it'll burn her," Rusty protested.
"I know," the Phantom said, "But if we're lucky, it'll also stop the bleeding."
Rusty looked uncertain, but he agreed.
Eponine had shut her eyes
The Phantom opened her mouth and Rusty took a deep breath.
Eponine waited, having at least some idea of what was about to happen
Rusty closed his eyes as well and let out a small stream of steam into Eponine's mouth.
She automatically cried out at the burning feeling.
Rusty flinched, he didn't like hurting her, but the look that the Phantom gave him prevented him from stopping.
She tried to shut her mouth, but the Phantom wouldn't let her. He indicated that Rusty should stop, which the steamer promptly did.
Eponine wouldn't let herself start crying, she knew they were helping. She closed her mouth as soon the Phantom let her. It wasn't bleeding, but it had never felt this sore.

"I'm sorry," Rusty whispered, "Starlight, I'm sorry!"
Eponine shook her head, not trusting herself to speak at the moment. 'no... it's okay..' she thought.
'I didn't want to hurt you...'
'no... okay..' Her mind felt sort of cloudy, but she tried to comfort him.
"Rest now," the Phantom said, "And don't speak."
She shifted, making a feeble attempt at moving towards him. He moved closer to her, allowing her to lay with her head in his lap.
She relaxed as best she could, giving the situation, but she was shivering slightly for no reason she could think of. She kept her eyes open, not quite trusting herself to go to sleep and wake up again later.
The Phantom stroked her hair back uncertainly, and then he started to sing. He knew that at least she liked his singing.
She smiled at this - it hurt to do this, but the song was lovely. She relaxed, letting herself be lost in the sweet song.
Rusty closed his eyes as well, relaxing.

"Having fun yet?" the Mastermind, who had come back, was watching in a corner.
Rusty opened his eyes and shifted nervously.
Eponine silently buried her head in the folds of his cloak.
"You afraid of me sweetie?" the Mastermind asked.
"Why shouldn't she be?" the Phantom asked.
"Because it's cowardly," the Mastermind responded in a conversational tone.
"It isn't cowardly to be afraid of something," the Phantom answered.
"Are you afraid of anything?" she asked.
"Everyone is."
"You don't like people seeing your face," she teased.
"What are you afraid of?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"Nothing?" he repeated.
"Nothing."
"Hmm," was all he said.

"Rusty," the Mastermind said to get his attention.
He flinched and turned to her.
"Who, in this room, scares you the most?" she asked sweetly.
He looked down, not wanting to answer her.
"answer me, and be honest. I'll know if you're not."
"Y-you ma'am," he whispered.
She smiled. "You're not afraid of the Phantom then?"
He shook his head.
"Not even a little?"
"Well... I was at first," Rusty said softly.
"But not now? not at all?"
"He's nice."
"Look at him."
Rusty did so.
"Don't stop looking."
He looked back at the Mastermind, "I don't understand...."
"Don't stop looking. look straight at him, and don't turn away."
"Why?"
She gestured and the Phantom's mask was gone.
He instinctively reached up to cover his face with a hand, but the Mastermind magically forced his hands away, while also forcing Rusty to stare.
And stare Rusty did, at least for a minute, until he remembered some sort of rule about not staring.

As soon as the Mastermind released the spells on them, Rusty looked away.
"Afraid?" she asked, smiling sweetly at the Phantom, having not returned his mask.
"Yes ma'am."
"Of him?"
"No ma'am."
"No?"
"Not as much as you."
"What about you Eponine? Aren't you going to look?"
"She has seen already," the Phantom answered coldly.
"I think it's unusual... and disgusting enough to bear a repeat viewing."
The Phantom looked up, looking the Mastermind straight on, giving her full view of his face.
She laughed "like I said, I'm afraid of nothing."
"I hardly expected you to be afraid of what I look like," he said calmly.
"hardly find it attractive though."
"Again, that is not a surprise."

"Would you have him kiss you like this?" the Mastermind had moved, and was kneeling close to Eponine. A second later she shook her head, "No, don't think it, speak, so everyone can hear you..."
"She is not to speak right now," the Phantom said.
"Ah. and you're in charge of this?"
"you placed me in charge of her health for the moment."
"I say she will speak."
"Then you should not blame any of us for what may happen."
"would you have him kiss you?"
Eponine didn't answer.
"No. don't think it."
"It's alright Eponine," the Phantom said.
'Rusty. Tell him I wouldn't mind, please... I don't want him to think...'
Rusty blinked and then looked at the Phantom, "She... she said..."
"Let her speak," the Mastermind snapped.
Rusty obediently fell silent.
She opened her mouth painfully, "wouldn't mind..." she croaked and then shut her eyes.
"Hmmm... she really isn't afraid..."
'Guess not...' Rusty thought.
"I'll leave it off then."
Rusty and the Phantom had the same thought: Good!
"Eponine, if this is the case, sit up, and give him a kiss." She teased.
When Eponine didn't move, she continued to tease her. "Aren't you going to?"
"She is not up to moving," the Phantom said crossly.
"I'm sure she can."
The Phantom gently shifted Eponine.
"She becomes more childish by the minute. I'm sure next, she'll be wanting you to tuck her into bed, and check for monsters in the closet..."
"No," the Phantom said, "The only monster that she needs to be afraid of is standing in front of us."
"The only monster in this room, is cradling her in his arms."
"I don't think she would agree."
"Ah, but she won't kiss you."
"She can't move," he said, barely keeping his temper, "Something that is your fault."
"She can," the Mastermind said, "She just doesn't want to."
Eponine rather suddenly forced herself upwards with a glare at the Mastermind.
"Give him a kiss now," the Mastermind ordered, and then she started laughing at something, "Apparently she thinks she has no right to."

'What d'you mean?" Rusty asked.
'he'd have to...' she blushed, especially noticing the Mastermind was laughing at her again, 'I couldn't... kiss him. Not like this... even if not... he'd have to."
"Now is not the time to be bashful," the Mastermind teased.
"I will not make her do anything that she does not want to do," the Phantom said.
"No. I think she'd like it. She just won't do it herself."
"She can do what she wants."
"She won't kiss you. it has to be the other way around, or not at all..." the Mastermind laughed, and then left
Eponine lay back down, her face seeming to have fixed itself in a permanent blush.
"Easy now," the Phantom said, "She's gone."
She nodded, shutting her eyes tightly, refusing to let herself cry again.
"I... don't like her," Rusty said.
'of course not' Eponine thought back rapidly
'Yeah.... but I just thought I'd say it again.'
Eponine almost smiled, and shifted uncomfortably in the Phantom's lap.
"Do you still hurt a lot?" Rusty asked.
'I'm... trying not to... hate her,' she thought. She moved a bit, discovering that finding a comfortable position was going to be next to impossible.
"Rusty," the Phantom said, "Would you mind taking her for a moment?"
"Alright," Rusty agreed, sitting down while the Phantom shifted Eponine into Rusty's arms.
Eponine, feeling more than slightly childish, allowed Rusty to take her. He felt nice actually, warmer then the Phantom had been. She watched the Phantom through cloudy eyes.
"Just rest now," the Phantom said, "I will be back."
Eponine started to ask him something, then thought better of it. 'Could you ask... where he's going?' she asked Rusty silently. The whole telepathy thing was coming in handy.
"Where are you going?" Rusty asked the Phantom.
"I'm going back to my room to try and make something that will help." he answered.'
"Okay."
The Phantom vanished.

'He's good at disappearing.' Eponine thought to Rusty
'Yeah he is.'
'It's strange. talking like this is starting to feel normal.'
'Oh,' was all that Rusty said, still thinking about the Phantom vanishing so easily.
'He always does..' Eponine thought
'Yeah. Wish I could like that.....'
'Get away from her'
'yeah....' Rusty said, 'But... I mean, before we came here.'
'wish he could stay.'
'He'll be back,' Rusty said absently.
'Oh, I know that.' Eponine smiled, 'I wont sleep.' she thought absently, though, whether she meant to send that to Rusty or not was not clear.

"Okay," Rusty said out loud, while thinking about, interestingly, a brick wall.
'What?' Eponine thought, confused
It was the wall at the freight yard, kinda worn in places, with moss growing on it, but it was a perfectly good brick wall, one that Rusty had seen several times.
'why the wall?'
"Huh?" he asked.
'the wall... I'm seeing it, and I know I'm not the one thinking of it'
'Oh. That's cuz I'm thinking of it.'
'What about it then?' she asked.
'Well.... all you're seeing is the wall?'
'Yes'
'Good.'
'Something I'm... not supposed to see?'
'Yeah...'
'Oh. Of course,' she opened her eyes. 'sorry. I wouldn't be watching your thoughts, if I could help it.'
'I know. it's not your fault. It's just..... your sick... I don't want to upset you.'
'I'm... not sick. really...'
He didn't seem too sure about that.
'No... sick is something like small pox.'
'Sick is being hurt.'
'Nah. hurt is being hurt'
'Oh. Well you're hurt then.'
'Yeah. a bit.'
'Yeah. Being hurt is.... not good.' Just for a second the wall wavered and the sound of a crash made it's way out.
Eponine shuttered slightly. 'Rusty? what is it?'
'A memory. It happened. It's done.'
She squeezed his hand 'wish I could find some good thought, to share with you... like the ones you've been showing me. But, you've been around for most of them... seen them yourself anyway. The others, you wouldn't like.'
'It's alright,' Rusty said, 'I just... I showed you only the good things...'
'and now you're thinking about one of the bad things,' she finished.
'Yeah... when being about to vanish woulda been good.' Suddenly he gave her a hug.
Eponine was rather surprised, but hugged him back
Rusty held her close for a minute before letting her go.
She opened her eyes, and smiled at him
He smiled back, "I just... needed a hug."
'ah. anytime.' Eponine hugged him lightly
He smiled again.

Eponine coughed painfully. her throat felt very... dry... and it still hurt
Rusty looked down at her a bit worried. "Eponine? What's wrong?"
She didn't answer, but kept coughing and spit out another rat... only a small, soft one this time, but still.
He sighed and held Eponine gently.
She shooed the rat away. It spotted the little ones and went over to them. 'Of course..." she thought.
'What?'
'Nothing..' she sniffed
'Tell me?'
'Kinda expected that, I guess.."
"I'm sorry."
'Ain't anything you've done.' just when she had gotten good at ignoring the searing pain in her throat, she felt as though it were back with a vengeance
'I know but-' he trailed off helplessly, 'Well, can't I be sorry anyway?'
She smiled slightly, 'she must be watching'

"Of course." said another voice in the room, "Are you two having fun yet?"
He didn't answer, not looking up.
"You'd like to be able to disappear, like the Phantom?"
"But I'd like to be able to control it myself," Rusty said quickly.
"What would you do, if you could?"
He shrugged, "Stay out of sight of people that I didn't want to see... or to see me."
"Try it."
"Try what?"
"Disappear."
"How?"
The Mastermind gestured. "Like this." and he was in the Phantom's quarters. The Mastermind followed
Rusty looked a bit shocked.
"There. Now you're here."
He blinked uncertainly.
"Fun, huh?"
"I... I guess..."
"And guess who ya get to see in the kitchen?" she said in a far too excited voice.
"I don't know."
"Go look."

Rusty obediently rolled towards the kitchen. He looked in to see the Phantom at work mixing something.
The Mastermind followed, making herself invisible. She tapped the Phantom's shoulder.
He jumped and whirled. There was no one behind him, but a soft giggling could be heard.
"Hi," Rusty said softly.
"Hi," the Mastermind echoed and then giggled softly.
"How's Eponine?" the Phantom asked.
"No worse," Rusty answered.
"How's Eponine? No worse." the Mastermind echoed
"What the?" Rusty started.
"What the?"
"Oh for goodness sakes," the Phantom said.
"Oh for goodness sake," the Mastermind echoed.
He went over to what he was doing before, "Eponine is no worse?"
Rusty shook his head, "But she's not much better either."
"She's not much better either," the Mastermind echoed, "And in time she'll be worse."
The Phantom started to gather up his things.
"Leaving so soon?" the Mastermind appeared in front of him.
"I have business to attend to."
"What are you bringing her?"
"I don't think that it's any of your business..."
"It is. And, you might as well tell me, because if you don't, I'll find out myself, and punish you for making things difficult."
"You told me to help her," the Phantom said, "And I am."
"You might add something to that medicine, for fevers.... but, you hardly have to listen to me."
"She was pretty warm..." Rusty offered.
The Phantom considered and then turned back to his mixture and after a minute, gathered it up again.
The Mastermind had grown bored and she vanished.

"Come with me Rusty," the Phantom said, leading the steam engine back over to where Eponine was.
She was still awake, sitting against the wall. Her face, however, had taken on a hot flush that hadn't been there. She smiled in greeting as her two friends entered. 'Hi.' She greeted Rusty as he knelt down.
"Hi. How're you feeling?"
Eponine, for a moment, thought of lying and saying "fine," but she knew he'd know differently. "A...a bit worse than before.'
'Ah, alright,' Eponine agreed readily enough.
Rusty, under the Phantom's direction, lifted Eponine upwards a bit as he pulled out a vial.
'Rusty, I can...' Eponine started to protest.
'But I don't mind,' he said.
Eponine sighed, that hadn't been what she meant.

The Phantom held the vial in front of her, "You'll need to drink this."
"Okay..." she said with a quite a bit of difficulty. She started to take a big, not at all successful sip... and finding herself unable to swallow. She gagged, more of it wound up on herself and the Phantom then was actually swallowed.
He didn't seem phased by this, "Take smaller sips."
Eponine took another sip, coughing a bit on this one. She only managed to swallow about half of it.
"Easy now," he said, "Good."
She looked away from him, ashamed.
"What is it?" he asked.
She shook her head apologetically and then looked down.
"It is alright. Trust me."
She nodded, but didn't look at all happy with herself. She leaned back against the wall. He throat actually did feel a bit better... not as painful.
Rusty shifted slightly, "Any better?"
"Yes," she said out loud. Actually it was going numb, which made talking considerably less difficult, though she still sounded hoarse.
"Good," he said with a smile, "I'm glad it feels better."