A/N: This is still not necessarily an E/OC. Stick with it and review x

Chapter 14- Seven Year Itch.

London, 7 years Later.

'Erik!' The big man reached out and grasped his hand, shaking it vigorously. 'So good to see you!'

Erik smiled and stepped into the well lit hallway. 'Good to see you too,'

'I'm so glad you could make it, it's been too long and I hear you've been working far too hard,'

'Hard enough,' Erik said, taking the glass of wine from the waitress and walking with his companion, Michael Bailey through to the ballroom.

'Christmas is upon us, Erik,' Michael said jovially, his big hand patted Erik's shoulder. 'And a little birdie tells us you have a special treat to be played in her Majesty's Grand Theatre in the new year.'

His firm English accent stuck like bullet in Erik's head.

'Indeed he has,'

'Ahh, the soft tones of a woman!' Michael said turning to the dark haired woman, who was hooking her arm through Erik's.

'I'm sorry I'm late,' she whispered as she rested her lips on Erik's cheek.

'So good of you to join our Christmas party,' Michael grinned. 'Madame Valesk.'

The energy in the room was almost suffocating as people laughed, ate small starters and mingled. Erik straightened his back and walked through the large arched doors into the crowds of people. Some turned to look at him, the ones who frowned at the mask on his face had never met him before. Those who had met him before simply smiled and bided their time until they walked, acting casually, into his company.

He found it highly amusing as he stood there, his beautiful wife Fiona on his arm, and people bustling around him, that Erik Valesk was loved for his genius, admired for his wealth, envied for his family and loathed for his temper. The people who knew his temper simply avoided it but did not avoid him for his wealth and influence in the nobility had simply grown and grown over the years.

Her Majesty's Grand Theatre had been designed, built and occupied by Erik, it was one of his greatest achievements. It took him almost a year to design it and present the drawings personally to her Majesty. She was impressed and made no reference at all to the mask and despite her cool reputation (or perhaps because of it) he had found her company most enjoyable. The team he had gathered to build the project had been elite, only the best of the best would do and they were led by Nadir, who was still a trusted friend and companion. Erik was a slave driver of a boss, demanding hard work and perfection every day of the year through sunshine, wind, rain and snow, until the job was completed in little over a year.

The Queen had been ecstatic and Erik had taken the time to build her box personally, lavishing it with his undivided attention and material of the highest quality. His attention to detail was rewarded with the commission to build her another theatre further north in a place they knew as Birmingham. He designed and had Nadir over see the project, looking on them every few weeks to ensure that the theatre would be up to Queen Victoria's wishes.

It was.

By this point, barely three and a half years after he fled to England, he had more money than he knew what to do with, more offers of work and more social invitations than his butler could sort through. The first opera to be played at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, six months after it was built, was one chosen by Erik himself and written by a young man called Anthony Garder. He was unknown and it was a risk... which paid off beautifully as the show was a hit with all critics and fans alike.

His achievements grew, not only the unprecedented design and build of two monumental theatres in an unbelievably short space of time but his composing and his music became the talk of the city.

Erik composed his first piece for the theatre in London only two years previously, three years after it opened. It was a rapturous success and his popularity grew. Fiona had remained by his side, in spite of his poor temper, and he had rewarded her with jewels and finally, four years ago, marriage.

The Phantom of the Opera had been married for nearly four years.

Erik stood next to the bar and kissed Fiona's hair delicately as she stood beside him and asked the tender for a Sherry. As he sipped his wine he cast his eyes over the crowded room and was stopped by a man standing in the far corner. The man had not seen him but he looked familiar. He had short golden hair, neatly cut and was clean shaven. From the distance Erik could make out dark eyes and a tall frame, he was accompanied by several woman and wore the finest attire. As Erik stared the man turned away from him and walked out of the room leaving Erik to wonder who he was and whether or not he recognised him personally or had simply seen him at one of his shows.

Little did he know that the answer to his questions were simple. He knew the man both personally and had seen him at his shows.

'She's fabulous,' Fiona gushed as she admired the cleanliness of the crystal.

'She is,' Deborah Bailey said with a bright smile. 'The best we've ever had.'

Fiona nodded. 'Our head maid has moved on, we're looking for someone just like her.'

'I'll ask Michael,' Deborah said, taking Fiona's arm firmly and walking with her our of the living room. 'I'm sure he won't object to you and Erik using her of a weekend.'

'Really?'

'I don't see why you can't.' Deborah walked back into the main hall. 'Clear it with Erik first though dear, you know how they can be!'

Fiona really didn't know how they could be. Though Erik's character was a dominant one he often enjoyed his own company, writing his opera's or producing his drawings alone for hours on end. He left Fiona to deal with the household matters and trusted her judgement and, for the most part, her decisions. Their marriage had never been a particularly close one but they were both happy enough in it. The arrangement suited them both and often Erik could give her the impression that he actually loved her.

Of course, she loved him.

He was beautiful, with eyes as deep as the ocean and features so dark they were attractively mysterious. His intelligence and genius was vast and it had taken her only a few months to realise that all Nadir had said about him when they first met were true. Architect, scholar and musician. And perfect at each... however, the night he had truly captured her heart was the night she had walked along the hall in his new home and heard him playing piano and singing to the music. She had fallen so deeply in love with him then that there was no escaping. Never had she heard a voice like his before.

Fiona often wondered about Erik's first wife, what she was like, how she coped with his moods and his genius, she often wondered what she looked like, whether she knew how talented he was and whether she thought of him from heaven. Erik never spoke of her and the mere mention of her name early in the relationship had caused such a stir in his eyes that she had been almost frightened the mention it again.

He had also made sure that Joshua grew up knowing that Fiona was not his mother but he was to respect her at all times and respect her he did, but he never loved her. Father and son were close, they spent long hours together, Erik home schooled him mostly and Joshua was popular with everyone he met. He must have received his charm from his mother for he certainly had not got it from Erik. What he had got from Erik was still a mystery to her but she did suspect that his brains came from his father and she also thought that Joshua probably had hidden talents that Erik had not let allowed him to show.

The nanny that they had hired was wonderful and caring and gave Joshua all of the attention he needed when Erik was away, when Erik was there the nanny was rarely needed. As silly as it seemed to her that such a powerful man, such a cold man could come apart for a child, it was true. Erik doted on Joshua and sometimes Fiona thought that it was probably because he had loved his wife so dearly that Joshua was held close because he had once been a part of her.

Fiona felt his arm slip around her waist and she allowed her body to curve into his.

'Are you ready to leave?' he whispered into her ear. 'You know how I despise these events.'

Fiona smiled and kissed his lips.

She was ready to leave.