Erik ushered Christine into his office and closed the door. He avoided making eye contact with her for a few minutes and then after much deliberation inside his head, he loosened the straps and took off his mask.

"I admit I am not all together comfortable with doing this, but I know it is what you want and considering I know you wish to speak about something unpleasant, I will do whatever I can to make it less difficult for you." He then met her eyes.

Christine came up to him and embraced him. She then kissed his deformed cheek. "I did need to see you right now, so thank you." She then pressed her forehead to his and rested it there for a moment.

"Angel, tell your Erik what is wrong." He took her hand and kissed it.

She caressed his other cheek and nodded. "Gustave was asking me questions about Raoul and it made me think about the future."

"How so?" He looked worried.

"Don't think unpleasant thoughts. It isn't about Raoul, but it can impact us."

"Go on."

She rubbed her hands together as if finding exactly how to explain this to him. "Raoul thinks he is Gustave's father and more importantly so does Gustave. If…. When Raoul and I divorce, he will still be in Gustave's life."

Erik's face cringed. He hadn't really thought about that. "I didn't think…."

"I couldn't keep him from Gustave. It is his right."

"It is not his right! He isn't the boy's father. He has no right to…" He realized his voice was raised and he was losing control. He forced himself to calm down. "I'm sorry, Christine."

"No, you aren't, and you shouldn't be. I'm not sorry. I don't want to have to continue such a lie but if I don't do so..…."

Erik went to her side. "You don't think he would try to take the boy back to France, would he? Surely he would come here and see him."

Christine made a look. "I don't think Raoul has passage for such frequent trips. Not that they would be so very frequent. He never was there for Gustave but if Raoul wanted to make things difficult, he could."

Erik smoothed his hair and Christine smiled, despite herself. She loved his little quirks, but she wouldn't make him conscious of such actions, not yet anyway.

"We are getting ahead of ourselves."

"We are?"

"We need to be focusing on your career and your being able to raise Gustave on your own. Raoul can't do that and furthermore, you are his mother. Custody will be wherever you are. Surely after how he has acted, he knows he doesn't stand a chance of taking the boy nor does he even want that responsibility." Erik then thought for a moment. "Do you think he would try?"

"I don't know. His letter seemed to say he would accept whatever choice I made regarding our marriage, but he didn't speak of Gustave."

Erik looked at her pointedly. "You see? He didn't even think about the child that is supposed to be his. He's not even an afterthought."

"Gustave doesn't want to go back."

"He doesn't?" Erik tried not to look too hopeful.

She took his hand. "I suppose one decision will lead to others, whether we want them or not."

"Then let's focus on your music. This will give you all the answers you will need and if Raoul wants to see Gustave…."

"You would be alright with that?" Do I want him to say no? What would that mean if he did? Any choice we make will impact Gustave.

"I would be alright with anything that made Gustave and you happy. Discovering he is my son would not help anyone right now. We need to make sure that your marriage is annulled."

"Annulled? Erik, I told you…."

"You have earned it, after what that maggot has put you through. Then once that is behind us we can think more clearly about telling everyone the truth. It's too risky now, we need to think of your options and your reputation. Oscar Hammerstein may love your talent, but he will not be involved in a scandal. Raoul could hurt your chances."

"Or Madame? She could find out."

"That's unlikely. She's gone now. I don't want you worrying about her."

"I will never trust or underestimate her again. You should do the same, Erik."

He took her in his arms. "I won't let anything, or anyone come between us again. I may not think about her, but I have not forgotten who she is. There's a difference."

She hated to admit it, but he was right. Keeping their secret was their only option for now. "What I wouldn't give to go back in time."

He took her hand and kissed her fingertips. "Don't think like that. Think of the future. A very bright future."

"Then we better get to practicing."

He nodded and led her to the piano.

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After two solid hours of their lesson, both Erik and Christine were tired but exhilarated.

"I had no idea how tired I would be. Don't get me wrong, it was wonderful, but I have picked up some rather bad habits." She bit her lip.

He looked at her as a tutor but responded as a suitor. "I saw and corrected." He then grinned. "Yet you remembered during the bridge. We have time to make it perfect and we shall."

"Yes, Maestro."

He then got up from the piano and moved behind her, ready to kiss her behind her ear.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

"What we said before about the future and my options…."

"Yes?"

"Maybe we should hold back a bit on our kissing."

"You don't like it?"

"I didn't say that, and you know it isn't true. But we should focus on the music, Maestro and kissing can lead to distractions. As well as other things…. She turned her head, so he couldn't see her blush

"How about when it's absolutely necessary?" He inched closer.

"Absolutely necessary?"

"Yes. Such as after I do something cute or we have a romantic evening, or we dance…."

"Dance? I didn't know you danced."

He grinned. "You'll have to be the judge of that."

She smiled. "I would love to dance with you…" She then shook her head to bring her out of her fog. "Ok, only when it's absolutely necessary."

They were silent for a moment and then Erik spoke.

"Christine?"

"Yes, Angel?" She answered far too quickly.

"Being along with you for two solid hours and not kissing you, makes this moment…."

"Absolutely necessary!"

They kissed with vigor,as they were lost in their passion once more.

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Later that night in the city slums, Tom entered a crowed bar and looked around. He hadn't found much success in the means of work since losing his position at Phantasma and blamed it on everyone but himself. Thus, when he received a letter addressed by Mr. Y, he thought that he had finally come to his senses and was asking him to come back.

I''ll make that freak beg. I'll come back when I am good and ready. Right or wrong, Tom knew he had to be ready now, as he was out of money and his belly didn't like to be kept empty for too long.

When he got the letter, asking him to meet in the city and not at the park, he was confused but he wasn't about to question his job offer. Yet when he got there, he almost walked out. The bar was dark and full of smoke. It wasn't Mr. Y's style at all. It wasn't until he saw her face sitting at a table, near the stairs did he start to understand what was going on.

"Mr. Y didn't send you, did he?"

She laughed. "I am no longer doing his bidding. Yet I am quite sure he does not want you anymore than he wants me."

Tom took a seat. "I heard about the latest changes, Madame Giry." He scoffed. He didn't think the latest move was such a bad decision but thought best not to say it out loud. "So, if the boss doesn't want me, what the hell am I doing here?"

"You have a new boss."

"I don't understand."

"You'll be working for me now and together we are going to take back what is rightfully ours."

"Look, Madame Giry…"

"Trust me, Tom. When we are through with Mr. Y, he will finally understand that all people matter, and his precious slut and bastard will be all but a memory."

A/N: Guess Madame Giry was smarter than we thought. Such perception. Yikes!