Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story except for the few you do not recognize.

Author's Note: A sincere thank you to my reviewers for reviewing. To my great story editors Penmora Zenith and Musicallover, you're an endless source of ideas and encouragement, and I love you both. And a special thank you to my friend Pertie.

Chapter 25

Patience

Christine was closing the windows to her apartment when she had finished cleaning the last window. Pinecone lay on one of the windowsills as Christine gathered the last of her supplies and looked at her wryly.

"I should've asked you to pick up a bucket and do some work around here, lazy," she said. Christine had been busy since morning cleaning the apartment top to bottom. She'd mopped, vacuumed, dusted, cleaned the bathroom, kitchen, and closets, and had just finished doing the windows. If tomorrow, Sunday, was going to be as uneventful as today had been, she was determined to wash the walls next. She hadn't wanted to mope around today thinking about Erik or waiting for him to call, so she'd made constructive use of her time by thoroughly cleaning house. For once she didn't even feel like calling Megan.

Since she'd skipped breakfast and lunch, she was hungry and decided to go out and grab some fast food to bring home. Due to the events that occurred last night after eating at Fong's, she walked past it and went instead to Burrito Express a few doors down.

"Buenos noches, Senorita Karlsson!" the plump owner beamed at her. "Long time no see!"

"Hi, Mrs. Garcia," Christine smiled. "I've been pretty busy with school, but it's always nice to come here." Christine loved the Garcia family for they'd been so welcoming when she'd first moved into the neighborhood and hadn't known anyone. "Could I have a couple tacos and a vegetarian burrito, please?"

"Coming right up!" Mrs. Garcia smiled. "Alejandro! Dos tacos y un burrito vegetariano!" she called to her son in the back.

Christine loved the atmosphere in the little diner for there were no false pretenses here. After a few minutes, a very handsome Hispanic man came out with her order in a paper bag.

"Hi, Christine, good to see you again," he grinned.

"Hi, Alex, I see they've got you working the diner again. How was law school?"

"About what you'd expect, but I'm working in the DA's office now. You'll be graduating soon, won't you?"

"Yeah, in just a few more months, and then I'll try to get hired over at the Phil. Well, take care," she smiled as she waved goodbye.

"Don't be a stranger," he winked.

As Christine walked out the door, she could hear Mrs. Garcia chastising her son. "Alejandro! Why don't you ask her out? She's a nice girl!"

And she could hear Alex call from their kitchen, "I would, but she's already got a boyfriend…!"

Christine grinned. Alex had been the one to help her move her furniture in when she'd first moved into her apartment, and they'd gotten together a few times, but it'd never gone any farther than that. He was extremely handsome and was a few years older, but he hadn't seemed interested in developing their relationship any further. She'd wondered about that for a time until she happened up on him and his boyfriend one night saying goodnight around the corner from the restaurant. Christine had been shocked, but could see immediately that Alex was indeed very passionate, just not with women. Shit! she remembered thinking, but he and his family had been wonderful to her over the years.

As she trudged up the stairs and walked into her apartment, she noticed that Pinecone had planted herself before the door and meowed as if awaiting her return.

"What's up, crazy cat?" she asked as she brought down a plate from the cabinet. She set a place for herself at the table and put on some music. "Did you miss me, baby?" Christine refilled her water bowl and opened a can of cat food and Pinecone was now in her world.

Christine turned on her laptop and checked her mail as she ate. Junk, junk, spam, junk…what's this?

She'd received an email from a SeraphM, and the subject line said Let's go to the movies!

Yeah, right. Since she didn't know SeraphM and wasn't eager to get another computer virus, she deleted the email without reading it. She wondered if Erik was online. She was sorely tempted to IM him, but since he'd been the one to leave this morning without leaving any word, she decided against it. This is ridiculous she thought. He's the love of my life and I still have to play these games. And then she thought about his mask. If I'm willing to stay with him mask or no mask, then why do I need to see his face? She scowled as she pondered this, and then realized she really had no good answer for it. Do I really need to see it?...Occam's Razor…. What was Megan trying to tell me?

Just then, the instant message tone sounded from her computer and a window popped up.

SeraphM: Good evening, Christine.

Christine was shocked. SeraphM!

AriaMaven: Who is this?

SeraphM: A secret admirer, but not so secret.

Christine grinned. It had to be Erik!

AriaMaven: Erik! Is that you?

SeraphM: One down, two to go.

Christine's smile faded. It wasn't Erik? It was a moment before she responded.

AriaMaven: If it's not Erik, who is this?

SeraphM: Sorry, no clues. You should be able to figure this out.

AriaMaven: Rick?

SeraphM: Third time's the charm.

Christine wasn't sure she appreciated this game. Megan was the only other who'd have her email address, but surely she wouldn't be calling her and playing twenty questions, much less calling herself a secret admirer.

AriaMaven: This couldn't be Roan, could it?

SeraphM: Bingo! I knew you could do it, sweetheart. And why couldn't it be me?

AriaMaven: How did you get my email address?

SeraphM: From our mutual friend, Rick, bless his heart. I hope that was all right?

Actually, it wasn't. Christine preferred to give out her email address to only those whom she wanted emailing her, and Roan didn't quite fit that category. She'd have to talk to Rick about that later.

AriaMaven: To what do I owe this honor?

SeraphM: Did you get my email?

AriaMaven: I didn't know it was you, so I deleted it.

SeraphM: I was afraid you would, but I was inviting you to go to the movies with me this weekend.

AriaMaven: Why would you do that? You know I'm dating Erik Dupont.

SeraphM: I'm not asking you out on a date, silly. I'm just asking you as a friend.

Christine thought about this. Since their last encounter, she didn't know if she believed him.

AriaMaven: Then what was that kiss all about?

SeraphM: That was a friendly kiss, between friends.

AriaMaven: It didn't seem that way to me.

SeraphM: Then I'm flattered, but that's truly what it was. That new science-fiction thriller is playing over at the Rialto 16-plex and I thought you'd like to see it.

Truth be known, Christine had really wanted to see that movie, but at $9.75 a pop, plus food, she really couldn't afford it.

AriaMaven: Well, I did want to see it, but I really can't afford it right now.

SeraphM: No prob, I can get us in. I'll even throw in popcorn!

AriaMaven: No, you don't have to do that for me. I'd rather wait until I can afford it.

SeraphM: Okay, but I wish you'd reconsider. I was going to go tomorrow night, and I'd really rather go with you than with Rick. Let me know if you change your mind.

AriaMaven: I'll do that. Bye.

SeraphM: Bye, Christine. Talk to you later.

That was weird she thought. She wondered what Erik was doing now. It was almost six o'clock and it was already dark outside. She wished Erik could take her to that movie at the Rialto.

Erik had finally finished cleaning the grout and tile in the bathroom. Certainly not one of his favorite jobs, but necessary nonetheless. At this rate, he wouldn't have to clean it again for another few months. Anubis sauntered into the bathroom and meowed at him.

Erik looked askance at her. "And what does my mistress desire this time? Is she hungry? Of course, if you were really the mistress of my domain, you'd have helped me clean the bathroom."

Anubis meowed again.

"Very well, my love," Erik sighed. "Come along, we'll see what we can find for you."

He passed his laptop on the way to the kitchen and wondered what Christine was doing tonight. He missed her sorely and wanted to IM her, but held back. He didn't want to have any more discussions about his mask. The last time he'd kept away from her for two days he'd been a basket case at the end of it. He could never think of Christine without feeling some measure of arousal or need to be with her. He knew he was deeply in love with her, but was at a loss on how to handle this situation. He sighed, wishing things could be simple again like they were in the beginning.

He opened a can of cat food for Anubis and refilled her water bowl. He then brought his laptop into the living room and turned it on to read the mail. He rarely got much mail nowadays and was grateful for the spam blockers he'd installed.

He very much wanted to talk to Christine, but couldn't think of anything to say that would be meaningful after last night's fiasco. He opened an IM window to see if she were even online and saw that she was. The IM tone sounded and a window popped up.

DiamondDiva: Good evening, Erik.

EDupont: Good evening, Joanna. How are you?

DiamondDiva: I'm fine, thank you. Do you have a few minutes?

EDupont: Yes, how can I help you?

DiamondDiva: I just wanted to know if you'd like to go on another sight-seeing outing, only this time, I promise, no shopping! I wanted to take in more of San Francisco's fine architecture.

EDupont: I'm sorry, but I've really got too much on my plate right now. It'd be impossible.

DiamondDiva: Well, perhaps another weekend then.

EDupont: No, I don't think so.

DiamondDiva: Why not?

EDupont: Well, to be perfectly honest, I'm just not interested in you that way.

DiamondDiva: Didn't you enjoy sight-seeing last week?

EDupont: Yes, I actually did enjoy it, but I'm not interested in pursuing a relationship with you.

DiamondDiva: Couldn't we just go as friends?

EDupont: I'm sorry, but I'm really much too busy to even be able to consider it right now. But I do thank you for your kind invitation. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding someone who'll want to go with you.

DiamondDiva: Did you open the gift?

EDupont: Gift?

DiamondDiva: The gift I gave you last week when you dropped me off back home.

EDupont: To tell you the truth, I haven't had time to. But I promise I will.

DiamondDiva: Good. Well, if you ever feel like sight-seeing again, give me a call.

EDupont: I'll do that, thank you, Joanna. Goodnight.

DiamondDiva: Goodnight.

Erik shook his head. That was one assertive woman. He'd met her kind before: beautiful, bold, smart, and on the fast track to succeed at any cost. He actually much preferred women who didn't already have an agenda…like Christine. Christine…he wondered when he'd see her again. It was obvious the issue with the mask would never go away and that he had just two choices now – to either take it off or not. If only there were a middle ground, a compromise, but he didn't know of one. The feelings he'd almost forgotten from Sarah's rejection were now coming back full force, and every argument Christine had made were ones he'd heard twelve years ago. It was almost as though the past were repeating itself word for word. There was no way he'd put himself through that again. What to do?

He walked over to his desk and sat down, looking out the window. It was overcast again, as usual. He looked over his collection of fine stationery and selected a sheet of off-white linen, which was his personal favorite, and picked up a pen.

Monday

Christine was closing the store and turning out the lights. After she'd locked up, she retired to her apartment and drew a nice, hot bath, with bubbles. She never did call Roan back about the movie, but she thought he had to be kidding about inviting her in the first place. What a weird guy she thought again.

As she lay there soaking, she could hear Pinecone meowing and scratching on the other side of the bathroom door. When Christine didn't respond, Pinecone took it to the next level and began reaching under the door with her paw. Christine looked over and chuckled as she saw Pinecone's paw stretching under the door in search of something. What a crazy cat she thought. Christine laid her head back and let her skin soak amidst the bubbles while she daydreamed. She smiled as she wondered if Erik had ever had a bubble bath. She liked the image of her and Erik in his large tub soaking in a tub of bath bubbles, and wondered if they'd ever have a chance to enjoy such a thing together.

Just then, she noticed Pinecone had retracted her paw from under the door and could hear her padding into the living room, meowing. Pinecone normally didn't do that unless there was someone on the other side of the door.

Christine decided to finish bathing and stepped out of the tub, drying herself. She wrapped a towel around herself and went to get dressed for bed. She could still hear Pinecone meowing from time to time from the living room, so she went to investigate. When she walked into the room, Pinecone was scratching at something by the entrance…an envelope that had been slipped under her door.

Christine's heart pounded as she picked it up because Erik was the only one who left things at the door for her, and sure enough, it was from him. Her name was written on the envelope in his beautiful flowing hand. She opened the door slightly to see if anyone might still be outside, but there was no one, but when she looked down, she saw he'd left a rose by her door that had a black ribbon tied around it. She picked it up and brought it into the apartment with her.

She went back to the kitchen and prepared a bud vase for the rose and brought it into the bedroom with her. She nervously looked over the envelope, as though looking for a clue as to what might be inside, and noticed that it was again written on fine linen stationery and sealed with red wax. Why couldn't he have called her or IM'd her, or even sent an email? The fact that he took the time and trouble to write her a letter didn't bode well to her.

Her fingers were actually trembling as she opened the envelope and took out the letter because she already expected the worst. She could smell his cologne as she unfolded the paper.

My dearest Christine,

It goes without saying that the last several weeks have been the most wonderful and memorable of my life. You have awakened things in me that I did not know were there, and the world has benefited as a result. Each morning, you are the first thought on my mind, and each night, you are the last. You have irrevocably and inextricably become a part of my life in a way I never thought possible. There is nothing I can do any longer without you being a part of it in some way. I love you, Christine, in every way that that word entails. I believe I would not be mistaken if I were to say that you have no idea as to the depth of my love for you.

One of the reasons I waited as long as I did to make your acquaintance was uncertainty over your reaction to my mask. There were never any guarantees that you would accept me once you realized it was me that had for so long admired you from afar. When you declared your love for me, it was the apex of my existence. Every day in your love was a wish fulfilled.

We have had few disagreements, but the ones we have had were serious ones, about my mask. I will not remove my mask, Christine. You are my life, my love, my future. I want you with me always, but you must accept me as I am, as you met me, and as I will always be. I have explained my reasons to you. I love you so much, Christine, and I am already yours… my heart, my mind, and my soul. I only wish to love you for the rest of my life.

Eternally,

Erik

Her face was wet with tears as she re-read the letter. It was all there – his feelings, his expectations, and his desires. He told her point-blank that he would never remove his mask, but that he just wanted her to love him as he was. Her first reaction was to object strongly. But I do already love him as he is! But then another voice would interject: If that's true, then why do you still need to see what's under his mask? Your love is conditional, Christine. You don't really love him as long as you need to see.

She again thought about Occam's Razor. She knew the answer was an obvious one, yet she couldn't see it, although she did feel she was getting closer somehow. She couldn't imagine ever loving anyone in her life more than she loved Erik. But if they loved each other so much, then there should be no secrets between them. This seemed as obvious to her as anything could be, yet Erik insisted on keeping his face secret between them. If they were to be a couple, this seemed wrong.

She suddenly heard the instant message tone on her laptop and immediately jumped up to see it, hoping it was Erik. It wasn't.

SeraphM: Hi, sweetheart, are you still awake?

AriaMaven: Hi, Roan, I'm still here. What's up?

SeraphM: You missed a great movie, kiddo! You would've loved it! Plenty of action, adventure, and even some romance.

AriaMaven: I guess I'll just have to wait until it comes out on video. I'm glad you had a good time.

SeraphM: Rick sends his regards, but I wish you could have come with me. Maybe another time.

AriaMaven: Yes, another time.

SeraphM: Is that a promise?

Christine paused. There he goes again. What's he trying to do?

AriaMaven: Maybe.

SeraphM: I promise I won't bite.

AriaMaven: I'll remember you said that.

SeraphM: So how is Mr. Dupont these days?

AriaMaven: He's fine.

SeraphM: Just fine?

AriaMaven: Yes.

SeraphM: Not to be nosy, but that doesn't sound too good from where I sit.

AriaMaven: And where is that?

SeraphM: On the sidelines, seeing my friend unhappy.

AriaMaven: Is it that obvious?

SeraphM: Yes, very. Would you like to talk about it?

AriaMaven: I don't think so. We should be able to work it out ourselves.

SeraphM: Yes, but sometimes it helps to have another man's point of view. If I may, is it about his mask?

Christine was shocked. How could Roan possibly have guessed?

AriaMaven: It is.

SeraphM: Let me guess: you want him to take his mask off and he doesn't want to. Am I right?

AriaMaven: Yes.

SeraphM: Well, I think you already know he's not going to take it off. He won't take it off for anybody, but of course that's his choice. So the question is: can you live with that?

AriaMaven: I don't know.

SeraphM: Do you love him?

AriaMaven: Yes.

SeraphM: But yet you don't know if you can live with the mask for the rest of your life?

AriaMaven: That's right.

SeraphM: Then maybe you don't love him as much as you think you do.

AriaMaven: How can you say that? You don't know anything about me!

SeraphM: Very true. But as a somewhat disinterested party, I'm just telling you the way it looks from here. Forgive me if I'm mistaken.

Christine couldn't believe this, Roan was telling her how she felt about Erik.

AriaMaven: I don't know what to do.

SeraphM: I'll tell you what my mother told me, and she was right: Follow your heart, and you'll never go wrong.

Christine was amazed. That made more sense than anything else had so far.

AriaMaven: Your mother must have been a very wise woman. Thank you, Roan.

SeraphM: You're welcome, what are friends for? Are you feeling better now?

Christine smiled. She was rather surprised at this turn of events. Never had she imagined herself confiding in Roan Richards. She'd apparently underestimated him. Perhaps he was a better friend than she gave him credit for.

AriaMaven: Yes, thanks to you. I'd better turn in now. Goodnight, Roan.

SeraphM: Goodnight, Christine.

Roan smiled as he logged off on his computer. That had gone even better than he'd hoped. She was starting to trust him. Soon, she would go out with him.

All it takes is patience.