Chapter 7

"That's you isn't? You are the Phantom."

"I was the so-called Phantom. I never imaged though, that my haunting would travel further then the Opera House. How much do you and the world know?"

Poison grinned. This is something she knew. Even if was only a little. Most of the girls that she and Stick had been traveling with were Phantom fans. They were always talking about it. Picking up a square of cheese, she eyed it then put it back down. "Sadly, I'm not an expert on it, but I'll tell you what I know. Ok. There is a book, few movies, and a musical…that is about all I know. I have seen a few photos and pictures. There are more in my time that know more then I. Me, well, I'm more of a Dracula girl."

"How much of my story do you know?" he asked absentmindedly.

"I know that there was a girl that you loved…she," Poison thought hard trying to remember. "She left, with another man! I remember now! This girl, her name was Christina. She left with some rich pretty–boy." Poison chocked her head, "Though I can't see why she would want to."

"Christine."

"What?"

"Her name was Christine." He raised his head that had dropped. His eyes were blank and voice was dead.

"Christine, that's right."

"I didn't think I'll ever feel so…" he paused.

"Indifferent?" The playfulness left her eyes and voice. Her pale face turned serious.

"Yes. Why would you say that?" he met her eyes.

"Because, long ago the same thing happed to me."

"Same thing!? You are not as ugly that your mother would fear you! That you had to hide from the world! Be called Devil's Child!" he roared standing up.

Poison stood up as well. And here we were talking so nicely, she thought. "Maybe my mother did not fear me…but the rest of the world did! I have been called a Devil worshipper and worse! Many people would literally threaten me and Stick with guns, knifes and with the police! Just because of our way of life, they shut us out in the cold! But…we went on! Loving the way we were! In my time, I was an outcast as well as you! But we still had fun!" she yelled back then ran twice around the table. Stopping at the other end, she faced away from him. Then turned and pointed at his mask. "If you think I'm some stupid girl, think again Bones! I know that you are disfigured under that mask."

Erik's hand flew to the porcelain mask.

"Remember, I am from the future! I have seen it! Even worse versions that cover the whole face!"

Erik crossed the room in two strides and shoved her against the wall. Poison let out a pained yelp as her back hit the jagged stonewall. Holding her still, Erik pushed his face closer to hers.

"Worse then this?" he hissed. Though he wasn't yelling, anger was still in his voice and eyes. He ripped the mask off and threw it to the floor. The sound of shattering porcelain echoed though the room.

Poison stared up into a face that was ravaged on one side. The scaring and deep pale pink grooves and ridges wove up and into his hairline. She stared at his face and into his eyes. She sighed and shook her head. She lightly pushed him away and he stepped back still angry. She rubbed her back. "Fucking great Erik. You know that hurt."

"You have not said a thing about my face." It wasn't a question, but there was a warning question in the tone.

She glared up at him, "What do you want me to do? Scream?" her playfulness came back in her eyes. "Faint?" she put a hand to her forehead and fluttered her eyes in a dramatic motion, "Curse you?" she jumped up on a chair and for the first time towered over him. She wildly rolled her eyes and pointed at him, "Curse!" she shrieked. Jumping down, she ran up to him and stared into his angry eyes. "Or kiss you?" Faster then Erik could move she leaned up pressed her lips to his and moved away.

Erik's body went tense as he felt her warm lips on his. It wasn't a deep passionate kiss, but it was still, so different. It wasn't given to him in pity. Before he could even move, she pulled away, her green eyes twinkling up at him. Like the coward he was at times…he ran to his room.

Poison felt a bit disappointed when he ran, but then she had been acting crazy. She rubbed her back again then turned to the shattered mask on the floor. She picked up the pieces. Laying them out on the table, she began to move them around, singing,

"All the king's horses, all the king's men couldn't put the Phantom's mask together again…"

xxxx

When Erik had gathered up his nerves, he stormed out of his room, back to the kitchen with every intention of yelling at the damn girl. But when he got there, he found that her back was to him, working at something on the table.

"You-" he didn't get any farther when she jumped back and turned to grin up at him, a crazy look in her eyes. Erik's eyes went to his shattered mask that was lying on the table. Instead of arranging the pieces into their right places, they were rearranged into a comical face.

"Look! I am Picasso!" she howled.