That Man and Mystery

Author's Note: Sorry it has been so long, my life has been quite crazy. I appreciate everyone's patience. May I present chapter ten.

Disclaimer: I don't own the messed up yet totally sexy phantom. Nor do I claim to own Quantum Leap or its characters.

Sam looked at the woman before him. Her hair was down and wild, eyes soft, and was wearing a light, blue nightgown that didn't leave much to the imagination. She was breathing heavily, looking as if she had just run a marathon. Sam suspected she was not training for the olympics. The sight was innocent and yet strangely erotic. He thought it was ironic that he was the one being hypnotized and not her.

Sam finally spoke, trying to keep his voice steady. "Christine, what are you doing here? And, how did you get here?"

"Why is it that men think girls have no sense of direction," Christine replied, lightheartedly. "I took the passageway you lead me through last night."

She walked slowly toward him, soft expression now gone from her face. He saw what looked like anger in her eyes, brows coming together. Sam couldn't believe he thought it was cute. When she finally reached him she spoke, steadily and coolly.

"You caused Carlotta's little vocal problem tonight, didn't you."

Sam didn't understand the feeling of shame that washed over him. He didn't even know the woman, and it's not like he did it. He couldn't meet Christine's eyes as he slowly nodded. Expecting either a lecture or even a slap, nothing prepared him for her reaction. A giggle escaped her lips as she jumped on Sam/Erik and embraced him.

"Oh, Erik, that was great, you provided us all with such delightful entertainment. That woman was just demonstrating what we already knew. She truly is a toad."

Sam was taken aback as he gently unwound the girl from his arms. Now looking at her, he couldn't help but smile at her laughter. Her eyes were full of mischief, uncontrollable giggling spilling forth from her lips. She looked up at him and playfully, faked disapproval.

"That was bad Erik, very bad. You should be very ashamed. Do you think this will alter her chances at having a prince kiss her?"

Christine wrapped her arms around her waist, trying to control herself. Sam heartily laughed with her, and just as quickly as it began, it stopped. Sadness suddenly came upon him, feeling it from his very core. Startled by his sudden shift in mood he stepped back from Erik's protege. Christine noticed it as well for she also stepped back, suddenly nervous. The air was becoming thick causing them both to shutter.

Sam felt Erik's presence, yet Sam was still in the most control. He was feeling Erik's pain. It was so strong, he was having a hard time deciphering which feelings were his and which were Erik's. He couldn't understand how moments before he and Christine were joyously laughing, and the next they were close to tears. Sam felt anger creep up to intermingle with the pain. He walked several feet away from the new Primadonna, as if moving away from her would ease the tension.

"Oh, Erik, I am so sorry about what happened between us last night."

Christine's heart raced as she watched her mentor pace the floor. He still had not responded to her apology. The mood had changed so quickly her mind was still whirling. In fact, she really didn't understand why she had been so fun loving and friendly to begin with. Not even an hour before she had been telling her beau how frightened she was of this man. Told him how he made chills go up her spine, dread to build up in her soul, and her body to shiver. What she didn't know or openly confess was whether these reactions stemmed from fear, or something else.

Erik sat down at his organ and leaned his head into his hands, seemingly ignoring her. Christine just stood there, as if waiting to be dismissed. She noticed how the air was thickening with tension, where only moments before it had been light and warm. It reminded Christine of her relationship with Erik, a living contradiction. She had known him since her thirteenth year, when he had started training her secretly. During these exciting and wondrous sessions she gradually got to know the man before her.

At times he was very calm and serene. She found he could be quite funny and was a grand storyteller. Sometimes at night when she couldn't sleep, he would tell her about Persia and the Mighty Shah. He told her about the daroga of Mazenderan. He told her how this law officer saved a man from his imminent execution. Christine thoroughly enjoyed the story, though, she always suspected he was holding something back. Leaving something out of the story deliberately.

His stories, however, were not the only ones being told. During those six years of tutelage with her angel, she had heard the stories of the infamous Phantom of the Opera. In fact, she and Meg would tell each other tales of the Phantom late at night, trying and usually succeeding in scaring one another. Of course, Madame Giry would usually discover them up past their bed time and would get a slap with her baton.

Amazingly, Christine never suspected her mentor was the very one the Opera House was in a stir about. She only knew him as her Angel of Music, the spirit her Father sent her. Not a man that lived under the opera house. She didn't think she could even see him, which was why she never expressed a desire too. So, during most of her teens, she lived in ignorant bliss.

Over the years Erik encouraged her to persevere with her lessons. He constantly told her of his dreams for her, and how sure he was of her success. If anything, he made her feel special and even loved. Of course, Christine would also cross paths with his other side. The side of darkness and hate. The side that made her draw back in fear. If she hit a note wrong he would start cursing in a language she was not familiar with. If she dared defy him, his voice would become dark and and full of dread. He told her never to anger him, or the consequences would be undesirable.

She learned that the hard way, the very night she found out he was only a man. A pitiful, yet, amazing man. Last night had been the most seductive one of her life and she had to ruin it. The one moment she longed to take back. The moment her hands touch the cool, white mask and thoughtlessly ripped it from her angel's face. Oh, yes, how she wished she could take it back.