Summary: Christine struggles to keep her humanity after being thrust into a new world where there is little humanity left. Erik is her mentor, and the only one who can help her escape for good. Will he ever be able to place his loyalties in Christine, or will the Section always be top priority? Modern day, AU. Phantom of the Opera / La Femme Nikita crossover.

Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to, I don't own Phantom or Nikita. Nope.

A/N: Okay, before I started writing this story, I basically knew where I was going with it. This chapter, however, gave me ideas to kind of change what I originally had planned. The endings are basically the same, but I think this way it kind of flows better. Which means that I'm going to have to cut the scene that included the title, but what can you do. So, anyway, here's the mission where Erik and Christine have to play husband and wife, and since they're acting there's probably going to be quite a bit of ooc-ness in this chapter. Also, in the previous chap I mentioned that Operations had Erik wear the prosthetic on some missions, and this is one of them incase anyone is a bit confuzzled. Enjoy!

"Christine… Christine," Erik approached the bed tentatively, a tray of two tall Starbucks coffees in hand. They had been living like this for over a week- as husband and wife. Setting the tray gently down on the end table, he remembered her newly adopted, unparalleled talent to sleep through anything. With one finger, Erik reached out to prod at his 'wife'. "Christine, it's time to get up," he said, a bit louder than before.

"Mmmfalse." Christine murmured while rolling over to lay on her other side, facing away from him. She tucked the sheet about her and pulled it over her head, so as only a messy flash of gold peaked over the top. She was not terribly tired, but she found it playfully amusing to kick up a fuss, and God knows how much she missed that. After a moment when she finally relented, she propped herself up on her elbow, reaching out and twining her small fingers in Erik's thick dark hair. "How long have you been up for?" She asked him, finishing with a yawn. Her gaze was fixated just beyond Erik's now flawless face. Christine was shocked when she had first seen him without a mask (and perfect skin to boot), but she did not question it.

Erik shrugged. "Not very long." He watched with a tiny smile as Christine came back into focus.

"You brought coffee?"

Nodding, Erik reached over and handed Christine the hot cup, their fingers briefly touching. Her brows furrowed as she took notice of the little cuts in Erik's hand, and with her own free one she seized his. "Sugar, where did you get these?" She asked.

"The cat." As if in response, a beautiful Siamese cat sauntered in the master bedroom. Christine hid a smile as Erik picked up the feline, stroking it gently. He brought in near the bed, but was stopped by Christine's protesting hand.

"No… cat does not come near bed. I just finished cleaning in here,"

Erik rolled his eyes tenderly, "Oh, Ayesha, mommy's a little grouchy today, no?"

Tossing the coverlet to one side, Christine hurried Erik and the cat out of the room. "Well, maybe if daddy cleaned up the hair every once in a while, we would not have this problem!" He flashed a sharp look before being locked out.

Christine had to admit it to herself, she very much enjoyed being normal for a change. And Erik, well, when Erik was acting he was an absolute sweetheart. He was so kind and gentle; he even went as far as to mow the lawn for the little old lady who lived across the street. She wished this was real, and at times she allowed herself to believe it was. At times she allowed herself to forget that they were basically told what to say and when to say it.

After showering and clothing herself in a sweater and jeans, she made to join Erik in the kitchen. Christine inhaled the wonderful scent of fresh bacon and eggs. She smiled to herself as she took in Erik's figure at the stove.

He cooks. Goodness, you have to tell me about yourself one day, Erik.

"That smells delicious!" She playfully leaned over and pressed a tender kiss to his perfect cheek. Erik smiled as he turned to her for a moment, and she felt herself blush.

"What do you have planned today, my darling?" He asked.

Christine shrugged, using the remote to turn on the small TV in the kitchen. "I don't know… do you think we could go to the Georgian Mall? I need to get a dress for the wedding…"

Erik began to protest, "Sweetheart, that's hours away…" he was silenced, however, when Christine batted her eyelashes at him. "No… don't even try, that won't work."

"Please."

"No."

"Erik," she whined, wrapping her arms securely around his stomach from behind him. "I suppose we could go to Meg and Raoul's house... she wanted to show me those floating candles she bought…" Before Christine could continue, Erik interjected. He was not going to spend the day with Raoul while Christine and Meg chatted about false wedding details.

"Shopping it is, then."

Erik waited patiently outside the change room as Christine tried on what had to be the sixth cocktail dress that caught her eye in the past hour. His elbows were planted on his knees as he sat silently, occasionally glancing at his watch. Looking up as Christine stepped out, Erik's breath caught in his throat at the sight of his 'wife'. She wore a simple, strapless, formfitting crimson dress, and Erik swore he had never seen her look more stunning before that moment.

"Christ, Christine, you look amaz-" He was silenced by a wave of her hand.

"You're just saying that because you have to. Come here, I need you to lace me up." She said, gathering her blonde curls and pulling them over her shoulder so Erik could tie the laces. He complied, moving behind her. Christine bit her lip as she felt the slight touches of his fingers behind her. She watched both their reflections in the mirror, trying to discern Erik's expression as he worked on the laces. Christine had to admit it to herself; he was one of the most handsome men she had ever laid eyes upon. She knew it wasn't real, this perfect face, and it saddened her. It saddened her that as soon as the mission was over, he would be back to the same insecure, cold and ruthless operative of Section One.

Erik seemed to sense that Christine had wandered elsewhere, and he spoke up as got to the last ties of her dress. "What's on your mind, my love?"

Christine shook her head sadly, leaning back into him when he had finished. She sighed as his arms wrapped around her from behind. When he concluded that the girl wasn't going to answer, he leaned forward slightly, and whispered in her ear. "You don't want to go back to Section One."

"Erik… we're not supposed to be talking about that," She whispered back.

"They haven't followed us in the mall, they are waiting outside. Do not worry; they don't know what we are saying. Nadir said that they are at our home right now, and they're going to abduct us when we return."

Home.

Christine turned around in the embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck affectionately. "They believe the set up?"

Erik nodded, and Christine felt his arms tighten slightly around her body. "How do they think I'm Jane's daughter?"

Erik shook his head, shrugging. "I don't know. Antoinette or Operations must have taken care of that."

"Are they taking the both of us?"

"They should. Do you remember the intel on your character?"

Slightly confused that he would call someone who once lived a 'character', Christine nodded her head. "I do. Erik…"

"Yes?"

"What if they don't?"

"What if they don't what, my dear?"

"What if they don't take the both of us? What if they only take me? Then I'd have to find the samples all on my own. I don't know if I can-"

Erik interjected her, lightly touching a finger to her lips. "If they don't, Nadir will help you. He will tell you what to do. Just make sure you have those earrings in at all times."

Christine was just about to speak when a third voice interrupted them, "Oh, I'm sorry!" The two operatives pulled away from each other at the same time as the sales person wheeled around on her heel, slightly embarrassed at walking in on the couple.

"No, no, it's okay. We're sorry." Christine assured the girl. She looked to Erik briefly, noticing that although they had pulled apart he did not release his hold on her hand.

"Oh, well… how do you like it then?" The sales girl asked, walking over to slightly adjust the top. "It looks lovely on you!"

"I love it, what do you think, Erik?" Christine asked her fellow operative.

"You look beautiful, my darling." Turning away then, Christine didn't want him to see how her face flushed a shade similar to her gown.

Erik paused for a moment, remembering the diamond necklace he had bought for her earlier. "I almost forgot, Christine, I have something for you!" Pulling the case out of his inside pocket, Erik opened it, smiling as Christine's eyes widened considerably at his unexpected gift.

"Erik, it's beautiful!" She exclaimed as Erik clipped the necklace around her neck. Without even thinking over her actions, Christine wrapped her arms once more around the man's neck, and planted a warm kiss upon lips tenderly. While most of the kisses they shared in the past week had been planned or otherwise acted, much to Christine's surprise, this one was not, at least not on her part. The kiss was neither long nor passionate, but it was true. His breath was warm and inviting against her lips, and she had to fight the temptation to capture his mouth once again.

Christine hadn't the slightest idea why she was so drawn to Erik. She knew little about his life outside of the Section, yet it seemed as if she had known him for her entire life. She wouldn't and couldn't have been able to explain it. This man was her mentor, her confidante, and her friend for over two years, and she was sure he had saved her from Operations and cancellation multiple times during the course of her training and afterwards. She wasn't even sure what it was she felt for Erik, either.

Looking up into his reflective green eyes, Christine was greeted by a look of wonder and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.

It took him a few moments to speak. "Are you going with this dress?" He watched as Christine bit her lip and nodded before he untied the first few laces for her.

"Alright, I'll go pay for it."

Christine was slightly disappointed when he insisted on leaving so suddenly. She wanted to know how he felt and whether or not she made a complete fool out of herself. He simply replied that perhaps they made a fool out of themselves together in front of the sales person, and she let herself chuckle at how silly they must have come across as.

Convincing as two people in love, I assume. That's all they asked- er, ordered of us.

As they approached the doors, Christine pulled Erik gently to the side for a short moment. "Erik, I'm sorry."

"Christine, you have nothing to apologize for."

"No, it's not just in the store, I meant for trying to take off your mask." She said, reaching out to cup the side of his face that was usually hidden by the white porcelain mask.

Smiling sadly, Erik turned to kiss the inside of her palm gently. "It's forgiven, Christine."

"Thank you." She said honestly, though Erik could tell she seemed to be a bit nervous. He noticed that her other hand was trembling.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm just- just anxious about the rest of the mission, I guess I just - I don't want to do it alone."

"If they don't take me as well, Christine, I'll find a way to find you. Don't be worried. We have it under control." He smiled reassuringly, a look that was so strange on his features but Christine found it rather pleasant. "Ready?"

Christine inhaled deeply. "Yes."

As the couple parked the car into the driveway, Christine studied the house intently through narrowed eyes. She had managed to calm her nerves, and prepared herself for what… or who would greet them there. Christine got out of the car after Erik, and jumped slightly as he wrapped one arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to whisper in her ear.

"You'll do fine, Christine."

She smiled at him as he gathered the couple of shopping bags they returned with. Standing behind Erik as he unlocked the front door, she did not look back as they stepped inside.

Guys, I'm really sorry that this took so long to get out. Exams are coming up, so I've been focused on those. For those who are also looking for an update on 'Her Promise', I'm not sure when that'll be out, either. Hopefully sometime soon!

By the way, if anyone who's reading this is a La Femme Nikita fan, and I think there's a few of you, check out my new one-shot, 'Stay'. It takes place around four years after Nikita lets Michael go, so if you're a fan of the series, please check it out! Thanks, and have a wonderful week!