Thank you everyone for the wonderful support and encouragement for this story. Those of you who read Rage may remember a certain addiction my Erik had. Well, let's just say, I'm bringing it back. ;)

Erik looked up at Christine and smiled. He wasn't quite sure what to do in this situation, for no one had ever touched his cheek with such tenderness. How was he ever going to let her go come morning? He wanted to lash out at Antoinette for not fighting harder to keep the child, but in that moment he was so taken aback by her kindness, he couldn't think of anger or vengeance. Instead he took her fingers and gently kissed their tips.

"Come. It is late and we need to get you back before someone discovers you are missing."

She only nodded, for she knew if she tried to speak, her words would have become instant sobs. The thought of saying goodbye was unbearable, even thought she knew she would see him again.

Erik extended his arm to her and she accepted it instantly, reveling in the fact he didn't treat her like a child. As they began walking, she stopped and asked him a question.

"Angel, could we possibly take the long way back?"

"The long way?"He was confused until he remembered how she came down in the first place. He started to laugh out loud and Christine swore she never heard a sound so wonderful, except of course his singing voice. He extended his arm again and said, "I know just the way. Ready, mademoiselle?"

She curtsied and took his arm again. "Ready, my brave angel."

He brought her to the boat but instead of the secret passageways, he navigated north and saw her chocolate orbs stare out in disbelief. The lake was continuing on and so were they. One minute they were entering a black cave, and the next they emerged out onto the night sky. The lake was indeed part of the Seine.

"Angel, your lake is the Seine?"

He only shrugged his shoulders. "Now do you see why I'm fond of such a cold, dismal place?" He winked again and kept the boat steady. "I know a perfect spot where we can see the constellations and then we can walk into the Opera House. To me this is the long way."

Cold? Dismal? No, never. "Angel, your home is beautiful. There are so many wonderful colors. It could never be what you described."

He only nodded, but inside he replayed her words over and over again. Beautiful? My world? To a monster as myself, I believe it but to her? An innocent vibrant angel? He dismissed the very idea. Tomorrow she will see beauty as far as her eyes can see, and this…. this illusion will be just a memory.

He docked the boat there a million times before, usually when he needed to think and be alone. No one passed here this time of night, so he felt confident they would not be disturbed. He sat himself next to Christine and began pointing to a constellation and quizzing her knowledge.

"That one?"

She followed his perfectly formed gloved finger and thought for a moment before answering with certainty, "Orion."

He looked at her twice and then brought his face closer. "Are you sure?"

She looked again for a second and placed her hands on her hips. "Positive."

"Too easy." He then pointed to another. "Enlighten me."

She saw he was testing her, for this one wasn't so obvious. She grinned after she guessed in her mind. "Castor and it's a star. You tried to trick me!"She smiled smugly.

"Did I?" He was impressed."Tell me, how did you get so smart?"

She looked at him in all sincerity. "I had the most magnificent teacher."

Erik was thankful his mask could not reveal too much of the blush that was forming on his face. Had… "If he was that good, he would have taught you how to conger up provisions, when a kitchen is too far away." He patted her stomach.

"You heard that?" She was trying so hard to quench her stomach's growls.

"When was the last time you ate? Hmm?"

"I didn't really touch my dinner. I was too upset. But now that I know….."

He silenced her. "I think we can remedy that. Steady yourself, I need to move the boat closer to the Opera House."

He navigated once more and then he placed his hat securely over his face, taking Christine into his arms and carrying her quickly, as to not draw too much attention. They entered and he placed her down feet, first.

"I'm sorry about carrying you but we needed to move quickly and….."

"Angels can't be seen by just anyone." She knew that wasn't the reason but why not help him pretend?

He thought of reply, but decided against it. "Still hungry?"

"Yes, Angel."

"Good. Race you!"

He was gone in an instant and Christine couldn't stop laughing as she tried to keep up with him.

"Not fair!" She found him sitting on a chair in the kitchen, as if he had been waiting for her all day."You are a cheat."

"Moi?" He simply shook his head. "For a singer you really must work on your breathing. That wasn't very far to run to. What if you need to play opposite stage right for the first verse and stage left for the chorus? I see we have much training still to do."

Her face fell and she slowly approached him. "Angel, we both know that I will never perform on a stage."

"What? What makes you say that, dear heart?"

She was now standing before him. "The Valerius family won't encourage singing. They will want some other profession."

Erik instantly became angry."Since when do you care about that family? That is not a family, if they do not encourage and support your dreams. What of them? In five years, you can do as you please and our lessons will not go astray."

She heard such determination in his voice; it was almost as if he wanted it more than she did. "If you believe it, then I do too. I must."

"Now let's talk of more important matters. Food. What would you like?"

Her eyes were full of mischief. "I must admit I have a terrible sweet tooth."

"Sweets? Oh dear, before bedtime? I don't think…."

"Please, Angel. I know where the staff hides them. We could share?"

"Share? Certainly not. If you wish to destroy your slumber, it is all on you." He shook his head in disapproval. "Well? Make haste, we can't stay here all night!"

She giggled, as she took a chair and opened the pantry door, standing tall on the chair and reached over to pick up a box of chocolate biscotti.

"Really, Christine I could have gotten that down for you…" He stopped when he saw her place the chair back in place and closed the pantry as if she had done this before. "You are a cookie thief!"

She giggled again. "Angel, please. I didn't go as often as I could. Besides after tonight….."

"Sit." He didn't want her to finish her sentence. He watched her in awe. "It might give you nightmares."

She shook her head. "They won't." She was about take a bite, when she looked at him. "Do you want to try?"

He eyed the morsel in her hand and was surprise he actually contemplated his response. "No….."

She didn't believe him. "We could split one? I don't mind."

It does look good… "Angels don't really need to eat." Nor do demons.

She smirked. "Good, because cookies aren't really eating. They have no nutritional value, at least that's what Mademoiselle Giry says."

The mere mention of her name made Erik start to see red again. "Is that a fact? Well, we all know she knows best." He said sarcastically.

Erik sat next to her as she broke the biscotti in half. "Try it."

He took the cookie and sniffed it, but realized he couldn't eat it with his mask on. Instead he gave it back to Christine."Less, please. If I don't like it, I don't want to spoil it for you." He instructed her on how small to make the piece. When he deemed it sufficient enough to enter between his mouth and the mask, he snatched the piece out of her hand and into his mouth.

"Well?" She didn't need his answer for she saw the look on his face. "Good, no?"

"Tell me, Christine." Speaking with his mouth full, "How many others know of the biscotti hiding spot?"

She had to think for a minute. "I don't think anyone else does, Angel. I tend to let my curiosity take over and thus find things I shouldn't." She stared at him a little bit too long and when she realized it, she quickly looked away.

"Then it's safe to say, these will all be mine, once you leave." He took the left over remains of the broken piece and her half.

"Hey!"

"I'm doing this for you. We can't have Mademoiselle Giry upset on your last night. I will heroically take the blame." He gave her an apple in its place.

She couldn't stop laughing now, but didn't dare take this away from him. "My Angel of Music saves me again."

As they walked back, he noticed a far off look in her eyes. "What are you thinking about, my dear?"

"Just that I wish the night would last forever, and the sun would never come up."

He stopped upon hearing those words. "A world with no more light? That hardly sounds like you. You're afraid of the dark, remember?"

"Maybe I just didn't know what existed before." She suddenly wanted to reach for his hand but didn't.

They were only a few feet away from her room. "Christine, we can't stop time. Just think what would happen if we did? You would never grow up and become the fine young lady, you were meant to be. The world might never hear you grace a stage. That would be a real tragedy. Don't deprive us of that, Christine. Make every moment count and don't stop for anyone."

He took her into his arms and carried her back to her room; placing her in bed and bringing the covers up to her chin. "Good night, Angel." He slowly turned away, when she cried out for him.

"Angel!"

"Christine?"

"Will I see you tomorrow to say goodbye?"

His eyes hit the floor. "No, my child. I'm afraid I have never been one for goodbyes. Besides, I will see you soon. You promised to write, didn't you?"

She nodded profusely.

"Then it isn't goodbye but, see you soon." He turned away when he heard her start to cry. That sound will be the death of me.

"I promise my angel, I will write as soon as I have arrived."

He turned and kneeled before her. "Remember, just because you can't see me, doesn't mean you can't feel me. For I will always be with you. Right there." He pointed to her heart.

"You….You won't forget me?"

"Forget you?" Was she joking? "I could never forget you. I carry you within me, right here." This time, he pointed to his heart. "Rest, for tomorrow will be a whirlwind." He then did something he was compelled to do, but could not explain why. He pressed his lips to her forehead and kissed her brow. "Good night, my dear."

He exited out of her room with no one being the wiser, except Antoinette Giry.

"That bastard!"

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Antoinette hurried back to her room and began scrounging for books and newspapers. If Christine was so curious about her masked angel, it was time she finds out.

Why didn't you leave it alone? Why couldn't you just let her be? You could have had a nice memory, but now I have to wake you to reality. You stupid, crazy fool! You think she is differed? You think she will embrace all that you are if you come to her as an angel? Fine, Erik. Let's call your bluff. I will see to it that your precious little protégé sees you for who you really are.

"When I'm done with your song bird, you won't need to wear your angel mask ever again. For she will see you as the rest of the world does, and when she runs away in fear and never looks back, remember you did this. You caused it to happen."