AN: First attempt at a Phan fic. Enjoy.

Finally! The day had come! I couldn't believe it, I was finally going to be able to go to the Opera Populaire! After so many years of waiting I was going to see the place where Erik once ruled! Unfortunately, my alarm hadn't gone off on time, so I had to rush around the hotel room trying to decide what to wear. Then I saw my Phantom of the Opera shirt. Of course! How could I wear anything else? And why had it taken me so long to decide on something so obvious?

"Kristina, could you keep it down? I'm trying to sleep here!" Megara called from the next room, "I agreed to come to get to see hot foreign girls. But to hook up with them, I need to look my best, and you're interrupting my beauty sleep!"

Ah, that's my Meg for you. We've known each other since the second grade. Some boy was picking on me, so she threw dirt in his face. We couldn't be separated after that. She's really tough. I'm jealous of her. She has long black wavy hair, and is naturally tanned; I think she has some Indian blood in her, though I'm not positive. I, on the other hand, have straight brown hair, and am completely white; who knows what my ancestry is. Nature isn't fair.

"Sorry Megara!" I called back, "I'm just so excited! I finally get to-"

"Go to the Opera house and search for the Phantom. Yes, yes I know. You've only been going on and on about that for two months now! But if you don't leave soon you're going to miss you're tour." she replied, already halfway back to sleep.

"Shit, you're right! But, are you still sure that you don't want to go?"

"I'm positive. Besides, don't you have to have reservations?"

"Well, yeah, but… okay. I'll be back in a few hours!" I said as I rushed out of the hotel room, "Love ya!'

"Uh huh."

I got outside, only to realize that my bus was beginning to pull away. I had to run after the bus, and when I finally got it to stop, I was even later than I was before. I smiled apologetically at the driver and rushed to my seat.

During the trip I reflected more on me and Meg. I know I tend to sound like I hate her, but she's the closest person to me in the world. I love her. We often joke that the only way I'd become gay is if I could date Meg. She, on the other hand, says the only way she could become straight is if the only way to stay a lesbian was to date me. That's how things have always been between us. We love to joke with one another.

I was forced out of my memories when I realized we were at the opera house. I ran out of the bus and into the building as fast as I could.

Once I closed the doors I smiled triumphantly, only to turn around and realize every one was glaring at me. I automatically began to blush and muttered a quick "Sorry."

"Kristina Daniels, I assume?" the tour guide huffed at me.

All I could do was nod at this slightly plump lady. My blush hadn't gone away, and I was still trying to catch my breath.

"About time! Now that everyone is here we can start the tour. Let's begin."

I let out a sigh and started walking. "Great first impression," I thought, "I bet she's one of those ladies who won't let us do anything fun because I was a few minutes late. Great."

Suddenly I heard someone whisper, "Bonjour, mademoiselle. English?" in my ear.

I jumped slightly and turned around to face the voice. I couldn't believe it when I saw a handsome young man smiling at me. Then I realized that he was wearing Erik's mask over the right side of his face, and gave him a confused look.

"Uh. Yeah," I answered cautiously.

He laughed slightly and said, "I beg your pardon. I just wanted you to know how much I love your shirt."

I glanced down and remembered I was wearing my Phantom shirt. I laughed and replied, "Thank you! You're obviously a phantom fan too," I said pointing to the mask, "but, don't you get a lot of strange looks wearing that?"

This time he laughed more heartily and said "You have no idea. Yeah, I know, it isn't everyday that you see someone walking around with Erik's mask on. But you celebrate him by wearing that shirt, and I celebrate by wearing this mask! Now it's not so shocking, is it? I don't understand why more people don't get it."

I laughed at this pleasant man and said, "No, not that shocking at all, how could people not get it? Besides, it suits you very well; you look positively charming in it!"

"I know, don't I though," he replied while striking a pose.

After a brief laugh at ourselves we walked in silence for a bit. I suddenly caught myself thinking that I could very easily fall for this man. But I banished that thought from my head. Megara and I were only staying in Paris for a month; it wouldn't be a good idea to fall for someone in that time. Even if that certain someone I fell for was a black haired, six foot tall, gorgeous man. So what if he was the hottest, and most interesting, man I had ever met? Nothing good could come from it. Nothing.

The young man leaned over to talk to me again and softly said in his gentle French accent, "You want to know the best part about me wearing the mask? I have something else in common with the Phantom. My name just so happens to be Erik."

I looked at him skeptically, "You must be kidding."

"No, no I am quite serious, here I'll show you," he said as he pulled out his wallet to show me his driver's license. Sure enough, his name was Erik.

"Oh, so that's why you of all people would wear the mask! Makes more sense now. Oh, silly me, where are my manners? My name is Kristina," I said as I reached out my hand to him, "Pleasure to meet you Monsieur Erik."

"You too, Mademoiselle Kristina," he said as he took my hand and gently kissed it.

I couldn't help but show my surprise at this.

"Oh, my mistake, you're from America, no?" Erik said while shifting his grip on my hand to shake it instead, "This is what you meant for me to do, right?"

I laughed nervously, "Yes, actually it was."

"I'll never make the same mistake again, I promise," he said with a smile while placing his hand on his heart, "But for now I think we better stop talking. The other members of our tour group seem to believe that we should be quiet."

I glanced ahead to the rest of the group, and sure enough, every one of them were glaring at me and Erik. My blush began to creep over my face again "Perhaps you're right," I said as I attempted to smile at Erik.

The two of us walked in silence, but every once in a while I would glance over at him. One time during one of these "hidden" glimpses, he happened to glance at me. He noticed I was staring at him, so he looked me in the eyes and smiled. I quickly turned my head and started blushing again. What was it about this man that made me stare at him? I mean, I'd already decided nothing was going to happen between us. But that wonderful black hair and deep green eyes kept pulling me in. And I kept imagining what the hidden part of his face might look like! Yes, he was definitely attractive, but was that really reason enough to stare at him? But, of course, once I got to thinking about him I had to turn to stare at him again. He automatically caught my eyes, winked, and lightly chuckled. My face must have turned scarlet.

"Here we are, ladies and gentlemen, at the base of the infamous box five" the tour guide said; interrupting my thoughts, "Unfortunately, we will not be able to go in it today, because we are running late," she continued with a smirk at me, "But if you'll follow me this way we will get to see many more sights."

I couldn't help but gasp at this awful lady. Yep, I knew she was one of those middle aged bitches whose only purpose in life was to torment others. Hadn't I thought so earlier? I turned to Erik and said, "Can you believe her?"

"You know she's just doing it to spite us. We could skip any number of other spots! But because we are obviously Phantom fans she's punishing us, well you, for holding us, err, her up, but still!" Erik replied in an agitated tone.

"What a miserable woman! I mean, I was only a few minutes late!"

"Well, I suppose we were talking for most of the tour."

"Yeah, well, it's still evil!"

Erik flashed me a smile that made me want to melt. "So Kristina, what do you say we go explore it ourselves? The rest of the tour group is already a fair way gone. There's no one to catch us."

"I'd love to see the box, but the door to box five is practically guaranteed to be locked."

"You want to bet on it?

"What?"

"You heard me, are you willing to bet that it's locked?"

I stared at Erik for a second wondering what in the world he was thinking. But, then I thought, what's the worst that could happen? I responded with a smile, "What are the terms?"

"Hmm," Erik said as his smile grew bigger, "How about this, if I win, you go as my date to a costume party being held tomorrow night?"

I couldn't help but laugh at this. He was just so cute when he said it.

"Okay, but if I win you have to take off the mask, so I get to see what Erik looks like underneath his mask." I said while sticking my tongue out at him.

Even though he seemed a little surprised by this, he quickly recovered, smiled, and said "Deal."

I stuck out my hand and agreed, "Deal!"

Erik reached out and shook my hand, "See, I told you I wouldn't make the same mistake twice!"

I laughed as he pulled my hand and raced with me up to the door of box five. The closer I got, the faster my heart would beat. And it wasn't just because of the stairs; there was something about holding hands with Erik that made my heart race. Once we got to the door I realized that I was no longer breathing, and had to mentally will myself to take each breath. But with the realization that I wasn't breathing, came the understanding that I didn't care who won our bet. Of course because I hadn't been breathing while running I had to gasp for breath while Erik laughed at my predicament.

When I finally got my breath back, I halfheartedly glared at him and said, "You didn't have to laugh, you know. I could have been dying."

"But I knew you weren't so it all worked out right?" He said while still lightly chuckling.

I knew there was no point in arguing so I just glared. This only made him laugh more.

Finally, he said, "Okay, this is it Kristina. Will you get a date for tomorrow night, or will you get to see my stunning face?" Erik asked me while still smiling, but his eyes had changed, they seemed harsher. I could see he was very serious about our bet, and that he seemed to know how this was going to end.

I laughed and took one last deep breath. I casually tossed my hair and said, "Of course, but are you sure you can stand the excitement?"

"What excitement? I already know that I've won this bet," he replied as he turned the door knob, and sure enough, the door opened.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" I squealed as I ran inside. When I passed by Erik it seemed as though looked incredibly thrilled with himself, and his eyes turned back to normal. Once I was inside he walked in behind me and softly closed the door.

"Can you believe it, Erik? The Phantom sat right here! And he saw this view," I cried while running around the room, "It's so amazing!"

"Yes, yes it is," he replied, "So, where are you staying at?"

I gave him a confused look; he just laughed and said, "I have to know where to pick you up for the party."

"Oh! Of course! I almost forgot! I'm staying at the Opera Populaire Montmartre, room 315."

"Ah, a lovely choice of hotels. You have good taste."

I blushed and continued to look around. Finally, I walked up to the railing of the box and looked out. After a few seconds Erik leaned against the railing a little ways away from me and whispered, "You have a thing for the Phantom, don't you?"