A/N: If I wasn't writing this I would murder my computer. Yesterday it crashed while I was trying to upload this…and it wasn't ready until now. I did have the intention to upload this chapter yesterday though, don't be mad *hides under a rock sheepishly*

A/N: Well, here's chapter 12. I probably won't write again until Thursday or Friday next week, I actually going somewhere after Christmas (something I have not done in a few years). Merry Christmas everyone, and to those who don't celebrate, have a good holiday! *looks pointedly at Erik*

Erik: oh, um… Merry Christmas?

Good! I'm teaching him to be nicer

Chapter 12

Erik sat cross-legged in front of a statue closest to the stage. He was holding a medium-sized paintbrush in his hand. With a pail of gold paint next to him, Erik was finishing painting the statue. He knew that some of the statues needed to be repainted after he caught the opera house on fire, and he didn't have anything better to do that day.

Painting the statues was mindless work for Erik. He couldn't play anything he deemed worthy to write down that day, it was too early for Emma to arrive, and he couldn't stand to be in that cave a moment longer. He was, he admitted, bored. Finding nothing else to do, he decided to paint statues.

Adding one last stroke, Erik looked up at the statue to make sure he was finished.

There, that's five. The rest on this side are passable until this place is used again.

Erik stood and stretched for a moment. Sitting that long was not exciting in any way, and it made him stiffen. Grabbing the paint, Erik started to walk to the other side of the auditorium. Quickly examining the statues, Erik saw only two or three that needed a new coat of paint. He walked over to the first one, sat down, and began his work. Eventually, he started humming to himself. It was the song that Emma had sung the other night. Erik suddenly felt a deep sadness take hold of him.

That song…of course, she had to sing the one song that I can relate to.

Without realizing what he was doing, Erik began singing. He sang Emma's song because it was stuck in his head and he remembered the lyrics. While he sang, he resumed working on the statue. The song helped urge him into finishing painting. After he grew tired of singing, Erik sat in pure silence for the first time in his life. His mind was blank and he focused only on painting the statue.

Erik finished the statues close to mid-afternoon and went to feed Caesar. As he filled the horse's water trough, he asked Caesar what to do. Looking up, he could have sworn the horse was giving him a look that said 'I don't know, just tell her the whole truth."

I have to be insane…

Erik was in the shadows on the side of the stage watching Emma move through a petite allegro combination. When she finished, he told her to take a break. As he spoke, he noticed that she turned her head to the left and looked at the spot where he was standing. Fortunately, he had hidden himself in too deep of the shadows to be seen. Emma sighed and walked over to her water. As she re-tied her ribbons, Erik noticed her hands. They were long and skinny in a way that suited piano and organ players. He wondered if she had ever tried playing an instrument, but decided not to ask.

"Monsieur Erik, I've been wondering…are you the supposed Opera Ghost I've been hearing about?" Emma suddenly asked. She was looking down at her feet as the words stumbled out of her mouth.

Erik grimaced slightly. He knew it was only a matter of time before she asked something that would be too painful for him to talk about. Being cautious, he answered, "I have been called that, but I did not actually create such a 'title' for myself."

"Oh, okay," came her only reply. Erik waited for the floods of questions, the polite excuses, and for her to simply run away. All that met him was silence.

Wait, that's it? Erik was shocked.

"Oh, I should tell you this. My mother, some other women, and I are taking a tour of the opera house on Monday. Afterwards, I'm allowed to stay by myself for a few hours. Maybe I could have my lesson earlier that day or something," Emma explained.

"A tour? You're getting a tour? Who is giving you the tour?" Erik exclaimed.

"I don't know his name, but I think he might have worked here before. I thought you might want to know so that you can…remain out of sight if you wish," Emma said.

"Well, at least you were kind enough to tell me," Erik muttered with clenched teeth. People still thought they could control what happened at the opera house. Did they learn nothing? For the rest of the lesson, Erik was too perturbed to give any real instruction, so Emma left soon.

Those fools! They think they can do what they want in the opera house. Even if they don't know I'm here, they should know better!

Erik continued his silent rage and began to think of ways to take his revenge. At least, he did until he remembered that Emma would be there. With a sigh, Erik pushed aside all desire for revenge. HE was not going to harm Emma or cause her to be afraid of him if he could. As he laid down to try and sleep, Erik realized what he had to do. He could trust Emma, he knew that. She knew he was the "Opera Ghost" and she didn't think anything different of him, so that had to mean something, right?

That night Erik had a dream about Emma. He saw himself watching Emma from the side of the stage as she danced for a crowd. He saw a proud smile on his face. Erik figured that the dream Erik was proud for Emma and shared in her joy.

As Erik continued to watch, the dance ended. It seemed to be the finale because he noticed the crowd stand up and cheer for her. Erik looked back at Emma to see her bowing. Then, Emma looked at the dream Erik, smiling, and ran over to him.

"Come on! You deserve the applause more than I do! Come on!" she yelled over the crowd.

Erik's eyes widened as he saw himself smile, take her hand, and walk onstage. he looked out over the audience, who had managed to become even louder, and took a bow. With one last bow by the two of them, Erik watched the curtains close just as he woke up.

It was morning. It was the first time in a very long time that he had slept the whole night through. He felt rested as he sat up and reached for his mask. He put on fresh clothes, just a white shirt and black pants, and walked out of his bedroom. He wasn't doing anything fancy today. Either Emma wasn't bothered by his appearance, or she was.

Erik sat down at his organ and began to play. His mental block seemed to have disappeared from the day before. He didn't write down a full song, but he wrote down what could become excerpts from future songs. His whole day was spent doing this until he heard Emma outside of the opera house.

Erik was late, so he ran to open the doors. He had not known that he had spent all day at the organ. He found Emma patiently waiting at the door.

"Good evening Emma," he said.

"Hello Erik," she replied softly.

As if nothing was different, Emma walked to the stage and began to warm up as Erik gave corrections every so often. Each time, Emma did as she was told. Emma finished warming up and pulled the chair off stage.

Erik took a deep breath before he spoke. If he didn't do this now he knew that he never would. "Emma, there is something that I would like to show you."

Before she could reply, Erik followed his instinct and took a step forward. He didn't look at Emma as he continued to step onto the stage. When he finally stopped, he slowly raised his head to see her staring at him, frozen like a statue.

The only thing in Erik's mind was, What have I done?

A/N: Oh, I didn't realize I left you guys with a cliff-hanger. Sorry… I will tell you that Erik is just kind of paranoid. He hasn't given Emma enough time to actually look at him…