A/N: Just a few things before we get on to the chapter...First, and foremost, a huge thanks to my wonderful friend and beta N.S.L. Jewelles. She is completely amazing and I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done. Secondly, I know many of you are looking forward to the next update of Dark Prince, and I will get it all out to you as soon as I can. This is a very important chapter to me and until I am completely satisfied it won't be posted. I hope you all can be patient and thanks for all of your support.

Last but not least, Lonesome Hearts is slowly coming to an end. There is only a few more chapters left, and I hope you all enjoy each and every one of them! Thanks, DonJuanTriumphs.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Real Erik

Christine smiled in satisfaction as she looked at the apple pie in front of her. She had learned that Erik's favorite pie was apple. When he had dropped her off at the bakery that morning she had decided to make him one and surprise him with it later that evening. She was really looking forward to going over to his house because after their night at the amuesment park they had been unable to see much of each other. Erik's business was still booming and he had been spending a lot of time on the phone taking care of the things he needed to. Then there was also the matter of his house itself. He was trying to finish up all of the remoldeling and that was taking up the time his work didn't.

She had been surprised by how much she missed him. She seen him for about fifteen minutes every morning because he drove her to work but that had been it for the past couple of weeks. It was strange that she had not noticed how much he was a part of her life until he wasn't there. That was why she was determined to stop by his house and bring him the apple pie. He worked much too hard and she wanted to help him relax for a moment. And of course it was an excuse to see him. The bakery was closing in an hour, and she wanted to stop by the grocery store and pick up some ice cream to surprise him with to go along with the pie. Hopefully he was not in the middle of anything because the last thing she wanted to do was interrupt, no matter how much she wanted to see him. His galleries were important to him and she did not want to jeopardize any of that.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Jack came into the gallery, a rather wide smile on his face. That was a look she had not seen on her friend's face for a very long time, and it was a most welcome change. It would seem that things were going well for him, and she had a very good feeling that it had something to do with Faith. The two were not dating, but they had been spending some friendly time together. Something she knew that Jack needed. When she saw them together he seemed more relaxed, more at ease than he usually ever was. And she could not explain how happy she was for him.

"Hot date tonight?" she asked, noticing that he was dressed rather fancy. His black trousers and light blue dress shirt were a change from the jeans and t-shirts he always wore. Once again she was flashed with a toothy grin.

"As a matter of fact, I do," he said, his eyes twinkling.

"So you finally got the courage to ask her out?" Christine wondered. He nodded, looking extremely proud of himself. She was proud of him as well. It was a big step for him to be able to ask a woman on a date, and it was the first time he had done so since he had met Meg and asked her to be his girlfriend.

"I'm excited for you, Jack!" she said happily. He smiled and hugged her tightly to him. When he released her a more somber look crossed his features. She frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing...I just...I don't know," he said, obviously reluctant to speak what was on his mind. Christine was not having any of that. Grabbing him by the hand she brought him over to a booth and sat him down. When he was situated she brought him some coffee and a cookie, knowing it would help calm his nerves.

"What is wrong? You can always talk to me about it," she prompted. He had been making such an effort with Erik lately and she was thankful to him for that. If she could help him in any small way it might be able to show the true extent of her gratitude. Besides that, he had always been there for her.

"Well, you're a woman," he said, starting off nervously. Christine laughed.

"I am oh so glad you noticed," she chuckled. He blushed.

"No...what I mean is, you understand women," he began again. She raised a slim brow.

"I understand where women are coming from, seeing as I am one," she answered, wondering where he was going with this conversation.

"Well, I am glad you gals understand eachother, because as far as I am concerned I am completely baffled with you females," Jack said. Christine said nothing to the 'you females' statement, deciding that something was really bothering him and he did not realize what he was saying. Of course men didn't understand women, if they did things would be a lot less complicated!

"Just tell me what is on your mind, Jack," she urged gently. He sighed, not able to meet her gaze.

"I...I really like her, Chris," he admitted softly. She had assumed as much but was surprised that he had found the courage to admit such a thing. This Faith was making him act much differently than he ever had, which told Christine much more than Jack probably even realized.

"I'm glad," she informed him. Christine thought that he would be happy about this revelation, that he was happy that he was finally moving on with his life after Meg's tragic death. But he didn't look happy, in fact, he was frowning rather deeply.

"Jack...?"

"There is something wrong," he said. She felt her hopes deflate a little. If he thought there was something wrong that was not a good sign. From what she had seen they were the perfect couple.

"What do you mean?"

"She...I don't know how to explain, she is holding back," he said, his voice showing his true confusion with the situation. Christine frowned.

"'Holding back'?"

"Yeah...I mean, it feels like she isn't ready to give herself the chance of a relationship. I know what that looks like, because I am the same way. But I don't get it. I think she likes me...but then it's like she doesn't!"

Christine felt bad for Jack. She didn't know what was going on with Faith, but apparently something was holding her back from liking Jack completely. The cowboy was already as unsure about the situation as he could be, and this would not help in any way.

"Well, I mean, Carlotta is her best friend...you know she has tried to be with you before. Perhaps Faith doesn't want to hurt her friend's feelings?" she suggested. As if Carlotta had ever had a chance with him! She wasn't good enough, and she never would be. As far as Christine was concerned anyways. Jack immediately shook his head.

"I have seen Carlotta go on a few dates since Faith got here, she isn't strung up over me. It goes deeper than this, I just know it," he said. She wanted to give him the best advice she could, but she did not know Faith and did not know what was going on in her life. There was only one thing she could tell him, and she would just pray that everything would work itself out.

"Whatever is going on, Jack, you need to talk to her about it. She is the only one that knows what she is feeling. If you think she likes you then there is nothing holding you back. You deserve this chance at happiness. Don't be scared anymore, just go to her and ask her to confide in you. The rest will work itself out," she said.

"And if she doesn't want to tell me?"

"Just take everything one step at a time. Perhaps she is just afraid of your reaction. Let her know you will be there for her and everything will be alright."

"When did you become so smart?" he teased, a lightness coming back to his eyes. She smiled and shrugged innocently.

"Just go get her, tiger!"

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Erik growled in frustrated disgust, slamming the phone down with a resounding bang. Trying to take a deep breath to calm himself, he leaned forward on his desk, his hands coming to rub his temple, a headache already pounding against his skull. He had been on the phone for a few hours and he felt completely drained. He had not gotten much sleep for the past couple of days, trying to finish the house and catch up with the galleries, because he had been neglecting it for far too long. Every part of his body was screaming for sleep, but he still had too much he had to do before he could make his way to bed for the night. Then he would be getting up early in the morning to drive Christine to work.

Christine...Just the thought of her was enough to bring a smile shining through his sour mood. Driving her to work in the morning had been the only way he had been able to see her lately. And he knew this was the one thing causing him so much stress. When he was with her he forgot about all of his responsibilities and he was able to enjoy life. He missed her, more than he was ever willing to admit. He was finding the seperation difficult and though he called himself a fool he had to stop himself numerous times throughout the day to not call her. She was busy at the bakery and he wanted her to do what she loved without being interrupted.

He had wanted to call her several times for the past few nights, but by the time he managed to find the time to do so it was too late. She had to be up early in the morning and waking her up and making her tired for the next day was the last thing he wanted to do. Which left him without many options and a heart aching for her. He knew that his love for her was undeniable. If he could not stand to be without her for a few days he knew he had it bad. And he saw this as a blessing. He was far too lucky to have this woman, and he would never second guess it or take it for granted. Love could be snatched away so easily...and he refused to ever let that happen.

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Christine glanced down at herself as she climbed out of her car. She had opted to wear a short, yellow sundress that just reached her knee, showing off her legs and arms. She wanted Erik to be swept off of his feet by the sight of her and she hoped this dress would do just that. She had left her hair down and had worn little makeup, feeling that she looked better without it. Walking slowly up the drive to Erik's front door she carried the apple pie and a pint of ice cream. He wasn't expecting her and she liked the idea of surprising him. Hopefully he would take it as a welcome surprise... Deciding against knocking, because Erik had told her numerous times to simply come in, she did just that.

The house was quiet. She heard Erik's voice floating from down the hall. Instead of calling out to him she tiptoed down the length of the hallway. It sounded like he was talking business on the phone and she didn't want to interrupt by yelling his name. Her heart was beating rather excitedly in her chest, unable to contain her enthusiasm at the idea of seeing him and being with him after so long. If only he knew how much she wanted him with her for the rest of her life! Just the sound of his voice made her ache for him! Christine loved how commanding and in control he sounded on the phone, a no-nonsense tone to his voice. When he wanted something done, it was done.

Gently easing the door open she slipped inside, a bright smile on her face as he turned in his chair to look at her in surprise. The smile slowly faded, however, when she realized that he was not wearing his mask...

"Oh, my God..."

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Hearing the door open gently had caught Erik completely by surprise. He swirled around to see Christine standing in the doorway, a brilliant smile adorning her beautiful mouth. He had been so consumed with the conversation he was having on the phone that he had not realized that she had entered the house. He could not deny how happy he was to see her. The phone, however, dropped from suddenly numb fingers and everything he was talking about became forgotten as the color slowly drained from his love's face, and her smile disappeared.

"Oh, my God..."

He realized too late that he was not wearing his mask...

Clumsily his hands went to his face, trying to cover the monstrocity that he was, knowing it was no use. She had seen him. She had seen and he would lose her forever. Unconciously she had taken a few steps back, and he met her gaze, unknowing what to do or say.

"E-Erik?"

Her voice sounded in the otherwise silent room. The sound of his name was full of confusion, as if she could not quite believe that she was looking at him. Erik felt all of his pain at the idea that he was losing her overtake him, and he did not know quite what he was doing.

"Get out, Christine! Out!" he growled. He had to push her way. Had to before she turned from him herself. Her eyes widened in surprise at his angry tone, never having heard him speak to her like that before. It was too much, she looked so scared, so confused...so disgusted. His cry of pain echoed around them as he got up and fled. Seeing the way she was looking at him was more than he could stand. To see the one woman he loved with everything he had look at him like he was a monster...it was a complete nightmare. His feet carried him up to his room, to the solitude he knew all too well.

Only when the door had been slammed shut behind him did he allow the silent tears to fall.

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Christine felt herself crumple to the floor, the pie and the ice cream forgotten in her limp hands. Tears had begun to fall and she did not know where they came from. Erik...she was still in a state of complete shock. His face...now she knew what he hid beneath the mask...Christine felt as if her world had fallen in around her. From the moment she had met her masked man he had been her perfect knight in shining armor. Then to walk in on him and see what he hid...well, his face was anything from perfect. For a moment she had been completely confused, unbelieving that she was looking at Erik.

After the initial shock, however, she had seen the pain that had welled in his eyes. She knew that pain was because she had seen what he had been trying to hide. When he had shouted at her she had been in more shock than the sight of his face. Never had he raised his voice at her like that, and she had been scared. She knew he was only reacting to all of the emotions welling up inside of him...but she hadn't expected it.

Why are you sitting here complaining about the fact that he yelled at you? Go to him, he needs you now!

Her subconcious told her that if she did not fix things now she would never have a chance at building a relationship with Erik. His face was a part of him, and if she could not accept it then she did not deserve him. How can I tell myself I love him if I do not show him? If she loved him like she believed she did then his face wouldn't matter. Images of the night she had told him about Raoul and Meg's deaths flashed through her mind. That night he had been there for her when she had needed someone to be there for so long. He had held her, and slowly the old wounds began to mend. With him she realized that she could move on and be happy.

Since the moment they had met he had always been there for her. She realized that every gesture he had ever given her had showed her how much he cared. But what had she done for him? She loved him, Christine realized it was about time she showed him just how much. Before she lost him forever...

Scrambling to her feet she made her way from the room, hoping that he had not left the house. Praying it wasn't too late, she searched the house, calling his name and getting no answer. Of course he wouldn't answer...he was ashamed...God, she wanted him to know that he was the most wonderful man she had ever met in her life. That she felt far too lucky to have him, and she didn't want to take what they had for granted. However, her hopes began to fall when she could not find him anywhere in the house. She had checked outside and his car was still there...but where had he gone? The only other place she hadn't checked was his bedroom. Without a second thought she ran to his room, knowing that was the only place left that he could be.

To her surprise, and immense relief, his door was open. Taking a deep breath, she knocked...not wanting to surprise him any more tonight. As she expected she received no answer. Only after she called his name several times did she allow herself to go in, knowing he had had time to prepare for her entrance. A small light on the nightstand beside the bed was the only illumination. Almost frantically Christine's eyes searched for some sign of Erik.

When she found him she felt her heart break. He was sitting on the floor in one corner of the room, his back pressed against the wall. He had his legs drawn up against his chest and his head down, his forehead resting against his knees. He had his arms wrapped around his head so she could see nothing but his thick hair.

"Erik...?" she whispered. For a moment there was no response from him.

"Go away, Christine..."

"No."

He seemed surprised by her answer and she saw the way his shoulders visibly tightened. But other than that he did not move or give any other indication that he was even aware that she was in the room. On silent feet she made her way over to him, knowing he did not want to face her but unwilling to let him do anything else. When she reached his side she slowly sat down next to him, close, but not quite touching.

"Erik?"

When he said nothing she felt a bit of uncertainty. Was he not going to try and fix this? Well, if he wouldn't, she would...

"Erik, please, talk to me," she whispered.

"What do you want me to say, Christine? Sorry, I'm a monster?"

"You are not a monster," she murmured, meaning it. She didn't want to hear him talk about himself in such a way, especially when it was so far from the truth. He laughed dryly.

"Just go home, Christine...try to forget this ever happened," he whispered, his voice shaking.

"You don't want that any more than I do," Christine answered.

"What I want I can't have, so it is better if you just leave," he said. She gently laid a hand on his shoulder, feeling the muscles stiffen beneath her fingertips.

"I don't see why you cannot have what you want, Erik," she said. Her resolve had set the moment she had come into this room. She loved him. She hadn't told him that, and she hadn't realized it, but she did. How could she not? He was absolutely wonderful! His face...she refused to let it bother her. He had never judged her and she would never do so to him. She wanted to be there for him just like he had been there for her.

"Don't mock me! I can't stand the idea that you are sitting here now out of pity," he growled, anger beginning to fill his voice.

"I don't pity you. If anything I admire you!" she admonished. What was this talk of pity? She didn't like it!

"'Admire'?" he murmured.

"Yes! Erik, you are the most successful man I have ever met! You are intelligent and driven, compassionate and understanding! You are all of these things even with the fact that you felt you had to hide your face from the world!"

"I didn't feel the need to hide my face, Christine. The world made it quite clear that they don't allow demons to walk among them!" he hissed. He had lifted his head, keeping the deformity turned away from her. Before she quite knew what she was doing she felt her hand come up and connect with his face.

"Don't call yourself those things! I will not have any of it!"

For a moment Erik stared at her in complete shock, never believing that his innocent, shy, little Christine would ever raise her hand to him. He could see the tears pooling in her eyes, and how her lower lip trembled. This was all just a little too much. She was sitting right there beside him, even after she had seen his face, and was defending him against himself...He didn't want to feel hope when he knew it was only going to be shattered.

"Why are you here, Christine?" he asked softly. She managed a small smile.

"Why wouldn't I be here?" she answered. His eyes were pleading with her, he didn't know how much more he could stand.

"My...my f-face," he said, turning away from her in disgust.

"So you think that if it bothered someone, they would not be able to love you?" she asked. He nodded his head roughly. Christine felt a small smile appearing.

"Then we don't have a problem..."

His eyes snapped back to hers.

"W-what?"

This time she did smile, knowing what she was about to say was going to change everything.

"I do love you, and because of that love, your face doesn't bother me..."

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Erik stared at her as if he really couldn't believe what she had just said. When he continued to say nothing she reached out and cupped his flawless cheek.

"Erik?" she whispered, her voice wavering, unsure if this was what he wanted. What if he said that he didn't love her? Or that he thought they could never work out together?

"Love?" he questioned. She nodded slowly.

"Yes..."

"You love me?"

She smiled and nodded again.

"I do."

"Even with..." he gestured towards his face. Again a slight nod.

"I don't know about the rest of the world, Erik...but you are everything to me. Face and all..."

"But I am deformed..." he said, unable to believe that she was saying all of this to him. She smiled.

"And I can't cook and I talk to myself...none of us are perfect, Erik. I think that is what makes life such an interesting adventure..."

He leaned his face into the palm of her hand, and she felt the silent tears that began to run down his face. Christine, knowing he needed it just as much as she did, pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly against her, willing to fight the world just to make sure he never felt like he didn't belong again.

"You'll never know how much I love you, Christine," he whispered. She felt her heart fill with more joy than she had ever felt in her entire life. He loved her! She felt as if every dream, every wish she had ever hoped for had just come true. But she wanted him to smile, and forget all of the tears he had ever had to shed on account of his face.

"Erik...?"

"Yes, Christine?"

"I would really like a kiss right about now," she murmured. He lifted his face so he could meet her gaze. She smiled, reassuring him with the small gesture that this was what she wanted. With hesitant movements he leaned forward and slowly pressed his lips to hers. The passion they had for eachother had not diminished, even with the unintentional unmasking of his face. Soon they were both lost in the feel of the other, uncaring about anything else around them. Christine allowed her hands to cup both of his cheeks, the first time she had ever been able to do so since she met him. Her fingertips ran over the uneven contours of his face, committing every dip and hollow to memory. This was Erik, the real Erik, and she was even more in love with him than she had been before.

"I...I brought you some apple pie and ice cream," she whispered, when she was finally able to pull her mouth away from his. He shook his head, kissing her once again.

"The apple pie can wait...let me show you how much you mean to me..."