AN: Good day, my fellow fanficers......or fanfickers, whatever. I've just discovered fanfiction on gaiaonline--still haven't found POTO among all the Twilight rubbish but I've found plenty of phans on discussion forums. Um...I don't think anyone but my two or three loyal reviewers are actually reading this story anymore but I'll post anyway because I have no life and because I am unbearably, insanely, DESPERATELY BORED.

That is all.

Chapter Whatever It Is

The next few days were either too hot or too rainy for Christine to go outdoors, except in a taxi to her summer jobs as a waitress for a few restaurants. Eventually, Erik ditched the park and tried his lucky on a bench outside an Italian restaurant Christine worked at on Mondays through Wednesdays. He waited until about ten minutes before she got off to start playing the violin (and with certain songs, singing as well). There was a surprisingly large crowd around him this time. Perhaps because the music he had chosen sort of set the mood for the many couples sitting on the tables outside Provinos. Normally, this would be wonderful business but right now, all Erik cared about was Christine being able to see him through all of the people.

At last he saw her, curious but tired face peep through the crowd--she disappeared, then pushed forward with a newly shocked expression. Erik deliberately put more heart into what he was singing, glancing at her a lot more often than anyone else. Finally, she made her way around right next to him and listened like everyone else--in awe. When he finished with a long, beautiful chord, he just turned around to her and grinned.

"Hi Christine"

She hesitated and blinked suddenly, as if snapped out of a trance.

"Um...hey.", she replied awkwardly. "Nice to see you again."

"I was about to say the same thing.", he mused, still smiling a bit foolishly. Returning it, Christine said, "So...I got my wish. Wishes, actually."

He tilted his head a little in confusion. "And what's that?"

By now, the crowd had finally departed, disappointed and a bit irritated that Christine had interrupted Erik's playing. She watched them go, then chuckled a little.

"I wanted to hear you play your violin. And sing", she answered, sitting down on the bench beside him.

Sighing, she added, "It was a nice end to a long day at work. I can't believe how well you play--and your voice..."

He quietly laughed and averted his eyes shyly. "...is nothing compared to yours.", he finished.

Scoffing, Christine rolled her dark eyes, which had brightened considerably since she left work.
"Why aren't you famous yet?", she asked, partially teasing, but mostly serious. Feeling lucky all over again, Erik smoothly answered that question with another.

"Why aren't you?"

She sighed again, glancing away, then back at him.

"I simply cannot convince you that I'm no good can I?", she asked, a tiny smile hidden within her expression. He simply shook his head and grinned.

"That's impossible. You are--" he started, then corrected himself quickly. "Your voice is wonderful."

"Ok, ok, I'll agree if you do.", she said, as if making a deal. He shrugged.

"Fair enough."

That seemed to cheer her up. Her presence alone was certainly making HIM happier. The orange glow of the setting sun was quickly fading, and dark grey-ish blue was beginning to cover the sky from the East. Christine noticed this, and stood.

"I have to get home. It was nice to see you again.", she said with an apologetic smile. Erik quickly came up with a logical excuse to stay with her a little while longer.

"I could come with you--if you're worried about safety that is. It IS San Francisco, and you're walking alone at night...so um...", he trailed off awkwardly. Turning back to him, Christine appeared amused.

"You're offering to walk me home?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. He averted his eyes and flexed his hands nervously.

"I suppose I am...nevermind, I'm sure you're perfectly capable of defending yourself, I was just um...just nevermind."

She shook her head. "No, I understand. You can come. Actually, I'd prefer it."

Erik looked back up at her and smiled, a small feeling of triumph washing over him. One step closer...Christine smiled as well as he gathered his violin and his music, stashing money in his pocket and donning his hat. Once his case was in hand, they started their walk to Carmichael Complexes.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's your profession? Other than playing the violin and singing for crowds.", she asked him in a genuinely curious tone. Thinking fast, he replied, "Right now, that and working at various fast food places. And selling, or attempting to sell, some songs I wrote."

"Oh" She nodded. "I'd expect they'd sell for a lot. Your music is extremely good, to say the least.."

"Thank you, but people only appreciate it when they hear it. No one wants to take the time to play it out.", he shrugged. There was a pause before Erik asked (even though he knew the answer) what her profession was.

She rolled her eyes. "Restaurants, like you--at least during the summer. The rest of the year, I teach ballet."

"It seems like we're in the same position of income and potiential of income. Except you have higher of both, no doubt.", he mused, looking at the ground as they walked. She tilted her head in confusion.
"What do you mean?"

"Well, we're both working at restaurants--though you do fancy, nice places and I do fast food--and we have almost the same potiential in careers as musicians. Once again, you with the higher chance.", he explained. When she didn't reply, he added, "I dont mean to offend you--the ballet teaching probably pays very well, and the other jobs, I just um..noticed a similarity...I'm sorry--"

"Don't apologize, I understand. Kind of funny, actually.", she said thoughtfully. "Maybe I could get back into singing, but I'm so out of practice..."

"What about lessons?", suggested Erik. She shook her head.

"Too expensive."

"..What about free lessons?", he trailed off, coming up with a risky but wonderful idea. I'm rather creative today..Oh this is a huge step--too friendly, too personal, too quick..not to mention I've only taught MYSELF...but it just might work.

Christine stopped in her tracks, and so did he. Slowly turning to him, she asked, "What exactly do you mean, Erik?"

He swallowed nervously and took the plunge.

"I mean, that if you wanted, if you had time, I could re-teach you, so to speak. For free.", he clarified his earlier statement, trying to appear casual. Looking back to the sidewalk before her, Christine began walking again. He followed, feeling desperate.

"That's a very big offer...", she said, more to herself than him. "Considering the price for lessons usually..."

"I could teach you when and wherever you want.", he added. "I have all the time in the world and anywhere you feel comfortable is fine with me. Or not at all, I guess..."

"I'd have to think about that...I'm not sure if I'll have enough time. I'm working or walking Thunder from dawn to dusk, except on Sundays, where I'm at church. And I don't know if once a week would even get it. You know, I'm not even sure I want to get back into singing anyway. There's just a lot to think about..."

Erik nodded hesitantly and gazed downward, feeling like an idiot. Christine sighed and the rest of the walk was silent. When they got to the apartment building, she paused.

"Thank you for walking me. And for the offer. I'll seriously think about it.", she said, nodding with a ghost of a smile. He nodded as well.

"Thank YOU for letting me, and for considering it."

The faint smile widened and she bid him goodnight, opening the apartment door.

"Goodnight", he echoed once she had disappeared inside. He looked longingly at her window and sighed before heading to his own home.