"Learning to Love"

A Phantom of the Opera Story

By: GerrysISUChick04 (also known as Katie)

Summary: After losing the only true love of his life, Erik wants nothing to do with the world anymore. But when he gets taken to the year 2005, can he forget the past and move on when he meets someone new?

Disclaimer: (cell phone rings) Hello? listens Yeah, that's me, why? listens more…yeah what about him? listens more Hmmm, I know of this Erik guy sure, he's my personal slave and sings to me whenever I want to…listens more Okay okay, I'm just kidding, keep your pants on sheesh…huh? (listens more) WHAT?! (turns to the readers) Okay who told the lawyers I owned Erik?? Nice try, I really wish I did, but I actually just own Gerry Butler! HA! Nah don't own him either.

Author's Note: As I was writing this chapter, I was thinking that the female character needed a friend and that's where EriannaAbyss comes in!! And someone else will come in later on as her man. I wonder who…but anyways this one is for you, thanks!!

Please read and review!!

Katie

Chapter 1: Movies and a Meeting

Terre Haute, Indiana 2005

A woman ran down the hall of Terre Haute Regional Hospital dodging people and comments. She was running late and she had a gut feeling that she should have left the apartment earlier.

"Sorry!" she yelled after almost knocking down a tray of food as she ran up the stairs two at a time to the Maternity Ward. She kicked the doors open and ran into the locker room to change when she ran into her friend and co-worker Christina who was sitting on the bench.

"Hey Chris, sorry I'm late." She said as she opened the door to her locker and put on her white coat.

Chris looked at her watch and then up at her friend.

"About damn time you got here, Jon is shitting his pants muttering 'where the hell is she?' Come on Katie, you're slower than a turtle." Chris replied.

Katie rolled her eyes as she put her red hair back in a ponytail and put on her tennis shoes.

"Oh please I am only two seconds late Chris. You're way too impatient." Katie commented.

"Am not." Chris muttered as she playfully shoved Katie and then laughed.

She was a doctor, an OB/GYN to be exact and Chris was her friend, also studying to be a doctor, but was Katie's personal choice for her intern. So she was sort of like Katie's assistant which was very helpful at times. Plus Chris got Katie to laugh and be dumb at the times of the day when it could be stressful.

Both had much in common including their love for the movie "Phantom of the Opera," starring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum.

"You know Phantom is playing at the cheapy theatre this weekend?" Katie asked curiously as they walked outside to the nurse's station.

Chris' eyes got wide as she squealed in excitement.

"Oh awesome! We gotta go, where is it playing at?" Chris asked all excited.

Katie laughed as she glanced down at the chart in front of her.

"Indiana Theatre all this weekend, want to go after work? There is a show that starts at 7:15, then the next one is 10:15." Katie replied.

"Umm, let's go at 7:15. Because I have to go back home this weekend." Chris replied.

"Why?" Katie asked as they began walking down the hallway.

"Family reunion…lucky me…NOT!" Chris replied rolling her eyes.

Katie chuckled as their day began helping women have their babies, in one way or another.


Later that evening

"I love that movie! Gerry's so hot in it!" Chris exclaimed as they walked out of the Indiana Theatre later that evening.

Katie laughed and nodded.

"Yes Gerry is hot. But I like his singing ability better myself. For someone who portrayed the Phantom of the Opera, a famous character, and someone who hadn't ever sung professionally before, he did a good job." Katie replied.

"Yeah, yeah, but he is still hotter than hell. I'm going to go home and sleep and crap. Bye girly, call me later." Chris said as they hugged.

"Okay Chris, drive carefully see you later." She said as they went their separate ways to their separate cars.

She unlocked her door and was about to climb in when she heard a noise from the alley in front of her. She glanced up and saw a figure lying down on the ground.

She probably shouldn't, but she couldn't help, but be curious. She closed the car door and locked it again as she slowly made her way up to the figure.

"Uhh sir, are you okay?" she asked and the figure made a noise, but didn't move.

Katie slowly made her way over to the figure and then shook it gently. It jumped up making her jump away in freight and she looked at him, with wide eyes.

"How dare you touch me! Who the hell do you think you are anyways?! Leave me alone, all I want to do is die…" the man screamed at her.

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. The man was tall and had messed up black hair and blue eyes that were full of sadness and sorrow. He had on a white shirt and black pants and shoes that looked like they were from a different time period.

The thing that stood out the most was the white mask that covered the right side of his face. And he looked a lot like Gerard Butler, the man whom she had just seen portray the Phantom.

No, it couldn't be, just some role playing weirdo.

"Who are you?" she asked him.

He looked at her with fire in his eyes.

"What?" he spat.

"Who. Are. You.?" She asked again slower.

"Why do you care?" he replied.

She sighed, trying not to let this guy get her upset. She could easily just walk away and let him die, like he requested. But she couldn't at the same time.

"I care because it is freezing outside and there is a chance you can catch God only knows what. So whoever you are, don't kill yourself. I'm sure whatever you're upset about will work itself out." Katie said.

He snorted in response as he turned away.

"You don't understand. Nobody understands, so why bother?" he replied.

"Surely someone can help you. But from the sounds of it, you won't let anyone help you. I'm no expert on life; I'm just a plain, simple, doctor who doesn't want you to freeze to death. This is Terre Haute and we're ten minutes away from a college, people do dumb things." Katie pointed out.

He turned around sharply.

"Terre Haute? I am in Terre Haute and why are you in pants? Girls are supposed to wear dresses! Oh God where am I?" he cried now a bit panicked.

Katie reached out to touch his arm to calm him down, but he hissed at her.

"Don't touch me!"

"Fine! I'm sick of being nice to you. I try and help you and you refuse it. Trust me, whoever the hell you are, raise your voice to me again and see what happens! Go freeze to death for all I care!" Katie screamed, sick of being nice and turned her heel to go to her car.