Trmo77: And it get's worse!

Phantom Serenity: No he doesn't.

Chapter twelve

Erik felt a hand on his shoulder and he spun around gripping the hand, ready to snap the wrist in two. Christine cried out and Erik felt sick.

"Oh Christine!" he immediately knelt at her feet. "I am so sorry. I'm sorry."

"Erik," she said, pulling at him. "Please, stand up."

"I'm so sorry." He said. "I didn't hear you."

Christine got down on her knees and smiled. "I heard your music. I should have known you were a million miles away and you aren't used to people touching you. I'm sorry."

Erik felt tears fill his eyes. "No. You should never apologize to me. Never."

"Erik," Christine shook her head. "It never happened. Forget it."

"But

She placed a finger on his lips, tracing where his lip lifted slightly. "It's forgotten." She smiled. "Now, how about that music?"

Erik stood up and helped her up. "All right." He stopped and looked at her. She was wearing an attractive, turquoise day dress. Her hair was styled nicely, but her smile really attracted him. "You look lovely this evening. Your smile…really brightens up this place."

She smiled nervously, "thank you Erik."

Erik took her hand and led her back to the piano. He helped her into the seat he'd placed there for her. He handed her several sheets of his songs. "This is a sample. They might suit you."

Christine smiled and took the music eagerly. Erik had picked out his best songs for her. You raise me up. Come what may. Someday, I'll fly away. Love me with all your heart. You don't have to say you love me. I'll take the fall for you.

Christine cleared her throat. "These must sound lovely Erik."

Erik stood up nervously, "I'll get dinner. It's not much, just some cheese, bread, fruit and dessert. I don't really know what your likes and dislikes are."

Christine smiled broadly, "Erik, that sounds marvelous. Raoul bought me quiche Lorraine and I'm afraid my stomach isn't used to fancy French food yet."

Erik smiled, "neither is mine." He cleared his throat, "I'll find you a light, delicate wine. It shouldn't have any effect on you. Or, would you prefer water or tea?"

Christine smiled, "how about water for now? Then, once we're done with these songs, dinner."

Christine sighed as she set down the music to unusual way. Erik's music was marvelous. There hadn't been a single song she heard that she wasn't anxious to sing.

Christine smiled, "Erik, I don't know how I'm going to choose what song to sing. They're all beautiful."

"I'm humbled Christine." He handed her another song. "this shall be our last for tonight. It's almost 2:30."

Christine frowned, "I don't seem tired. In fact, I'm not. I could stay up all night and listen to your songs." Christine looked at the title. Where is love? She cleared her throat. "Erik, how…do you know how describe these feelings so well?"

Erik turned back to the piano. She sat down on the edge of the seat, her thigh brushing against his. "I-er-um-I observe people." He stammered.

"but these feelings are so real." She said. "haven't you been in love before?"

"no." Erik said abruptly.

She frowned, "not even once?"

Erik hesitated and he lifted his gaze. "perhaps."

She asked gently. "did she know?"

Erik shook his head, "no."

"didn't you ever tell her?" he shook his head again. "why not?"

"Christine." Erik paused and her heart fluttered as he looked at her. They were real close now. She noticed how close. "my face. the reports are not inaccurate. I'm hideous."

Christine croaked, "no you're not. Not to me."

Something strange happened. Erik peered deeply into his eyes and she trembled inwardly Erik nervously edged forward as if he were going to kiss her, but something stopped him. and he turned back to his music.

"I apologize." He said. "a monster has no right to…think such things. I'm sorry."

Erik had spent most of the evening apologizing to her and she was getting tired of it. He touched her hand, and he apologized. He'd made her a nice, simple dinner and he'd apologized for not having anything grander. but it was perfect, slices of various cheese and he explained each kind. the wine was light, the grapes were ripe and the bread was fresh. She couldn't hit a note in a song and he'd apologized for it not being suitable. Now, he had an urge and he apologized. Why did he think he was so unworthy?

"Erik." Christine had no idea why she felt this way. She had never felt so angry, confused and embarrassed all in the same moment. "You are not a monster. You have such beauty inside you. You have things to share with people. Thoughts. Ideas. Jokes. I can see those things inside you." Erik looked up at her. "for God's sake Erik! You're a human being and frankly you can make me so mad! You're the phantom of the opera! But with me, you're frightened, cautious, kind, gentle and tender around me. But I see you're hiding your true nature from me as you're hiding behind that mask!"sparks appeared in Erik's eyes and she knew that she should shut up. But she couldn't do that. She was enraged and for some reason she did not know. "if you want to do something, do it! If you need to hit, me then do so! Don't hide your feelings from me!"

"Christine," he growled. "Don't."

"no!" she said. "hiding emotions aren't good for anyone. I know! I learned from it! Erik, you're driving me crazy with how you stop yourself. I read your music and I know I haven't met that side of the man."

"you don't want to."

"how do you know that?" she said. "Erik, I want to know both sides of you, not the hidden side. You're so talented Erik. You can sing, paint, sculpt, compose and cook. I need to know the feelings behind the feelings you show me. I need to know what it is you really ask of me, what you really want of me. Otherwise, this won't work."

at that moment Christine was sorry for everything she said. Erik jumped up off the piano bench, pulling her up with him. Christine gasped as Erik backed her up against the piano. Christine gasped as his hands gripped her waist. Her heart thudded in her chest as his huge hands pulled her against him.

She inhaled as Erik's lips descended upon her. Her heart jumped, stopped, then jumped again. Christine closed her eyes, rested her elbows on his shoulders and gripped the top of his head firmly. She could tell Erik's lips were inexperienced, but that didn't matter. She didn't notice how his lip curled up on one side, the thing that frightened her beyond all belief was how it felt so right. And she barely knew this dark, mysterious man. She just met him the day before! Why was she attracted to him? and what about Raoul?

Raoul! Oh what was she doing to him? she had basically promised her heart to him! that's why she traveled over here right? Raoul had saved her life, twice, he'd put his reputation and heart on the line for her and never looked back once. He was gentle, a wonderful man, and here she was. Kissing someone else. Betraying him. Raoul didn't deserve that.

She placed a hand on his chest and Erik seemed to read her thoughts. Slowly, Erik pulled away from her. His eyes closed and he was trembling. Her legs were shaking and felt weak with desire. Erik's hands were still on her waist.

Christine inhaled and tried to speak. "is…this… the point of," her vision seemed to blur slightly. "no return…you speak of?"

Erik opened his eyes and peered closer at her, "Christine? Are you all right?"

His words sounded very far away and those were the last words she heard as she semi-fainted. But she did feel Erik's strong arms around her waist. She inhaled deeply and the world turned back to normal. Oh please, don't say Erik's kiss caused her to almost faint? Erik's worried eyes studied her.

She murmured and rubbed her face, "what'd…I do?"

"you almost fainted." Erik picked her up. "come. I'll take you back."

"I'm all right." She protested feebly. "I can walk."

Erik peered ahead. His eyes unmoving. He was silent as he opened the mirror and set her down. Her elbow hit a and her hand flew up, hitting his mask and causing it to fall off his face!

Erik's eyes bulged as her eyes widened. Oh dear god! His face had horrible scars. She could see his skull in a few areas. She was startled for a moment and who wouldn't be at that sight for the first time?

"NOOOOOO!" Erik shrieked as he clutched his face. his shriek pierced her heart. "NOOO!"

Erik pushed her roughly out the mirror and she fell. She gasped , this time, she had turned her ankle and it was undoubtedly sprained this time. She looked up at Erik, her eyes watering at the pain. "Erik!"

He walked over, holding his face, swinging her up with one hand and depositing her on the couch. He then turned back to the mirror. "it was an accident!" she said. "honest."

The mirror slammed and Christine jumped up, limped over to the mirror. She tried the lever, but the mirror was locked. "Erik?" she banged on the mirror. She knew he could see and hear her. But he didn't want to see her. "Erik, please?"

he didn't answer her.

"Erik," she pleaded as she sank against the mirror. "Erik, please."

He didn't come back. She didn't know how long she stayed there. She only awoke pressed against the mirror to see Meg and Madame Giry looking down at her.

I'll look forward to everyone's comments.