Haha Madame Giry suggested Hope should flirt with Erik and Hope was all like "Who the hell are you and what did you do to Madame Giry?!"

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Phantom of the Opera

Now enjoy the story lovelies! :3

I had finishe getting dressed for the day-wearing my traditonal black skin tight trousers, cream colored peasant shirt, black leather corset, and my leather boots-when I walked into the main room only to see Christine pullng Erik's mask off while he was playing the organ, lost in his music.

I quickly ran over to them as Erik jumpe from his piano bench, knocking Christine down to the ground. I tackled Erik down onto the floor with all my strength, and pinned his wrists on either side of his head as I straddled his stomach. How many bloody times do I have to get in this positon?

My eyes landed on his exposed deformity. It wasn't all that horrifying as he tried to make me believe-which he had never succeded on. The left side was slightly pink while his left eye socket was sunken, making his lower eyelid droop a little. There were some red bumps and marred skin. There were also some scars on that face, but it looked as though somone had tried to claw at that side of his face. I noticed his jet black colored wig was moved a bit to reveal some sandy brown hair and an exposed skull.

A feeling of intense care and a strange sense of a need to protect this broken man was beginning to enter in my being. My protectiveness towards all of him, even his face, was continunuing to grow stronger.

I looked over at a frightened and disgusted Christine who was still holding onto his mask. I had to use every ounce of my being to not lunge at the sixteen year old girl and beat the crap out of her for even giving such a digusted look for my Erik's face and even ripping his mask off. Crap! Did I seriously just thought 'my Erik'? Oh well at least I didn't say it out loud.

"Set his mask down on the floor, take the boat, and leave now!" I ordered. I didn't bother to see if she followed my instructions when I felt Erik trying to squirm out of my grip as he cursed Christine. My main goal is to calm Erik down and assure him I wasn't digusted, terrified, or repulsed by him.

I cupped his face gently and his eyes widen in shock and I allowed my thumbs to caress his cheeks. "Shh. It's alright, Erik, just calm down." I cooed. He calmed down a bit and he contniued to stare at me with wide watery eyes. "Are you calmed down enough for me to get off?" I asked gently. He nodded woodenly and my heart broke when a couple of stray tears ran down his face. I got off him and he covered his face with his hands.

I moved around silently and gently lifted his head so he could rest his head on my lap. He pulled his hands away and he looked up at me surprised. I smiled reassurngly and cradled his head with my hands. "How can you still smile at me still when you now know what lies behind the mask?" He groaned, his voice was filled with self-loathing. "Cause mask or no mask you are still Erik." I said sincerly. He sighed and covered his face with his hands again as he groaned.

"Did you see the look of fear and disgust on her face? She probably wants nothing to do with me now, and is now running to that damn vicomte." He groaned. "Well then that's her loss and she will have no idea what she could of had." I told him gently. He pulled his hands away and stared at me with confused watery eyes. "Why do you say that?" He chocked out. I smiled and petted his head.

"Because I know that even though you have an awful temper and you can make wrong choices, you are caring-you just don't want to show that a lot though-,a genius, extremely talented, you always keep me on my toes as I wonder what the bloody hell you are going to do next," he chukcled a little at that and I smiled-feeling succesful,"an amazing friend when one earns your trust, extremly protective of those you care for, and you are beautiful." I told him.

"Yeah right. I'm a frightening, heartless, madman." He grumbled bitterly. I gave him a scolding look. "Hey, I'm being bloody honest here. I don't think you're any of that," I protested. "I think you're very sweet when you're given the chance." I told him. He sighed and looked at me. "No one besides you has ever given me the chance." He said softly, sadness filling in his voice, "they just assume I'm a monster because of my face." He looked away from me and I gently brushed my knuckles against his marred cheek, gingerly. "That's their loss then." I countered. "Because you are one of the kindest, sweetest, most compassionate man I have ever met, and on top of all of that, you're one of the most handsomest man I've ever met as well." I told hm.

I stared down at him. Handsome was an understatement. "Actually...handsome is an understatement. You're actually pretty sexy and where I'm from...girls go crazy for men with scars." I told him and gave him a wink. Hey why not flirt a little? He blinked in shock. "You honestly think so. You honestly think I'm all of those things you described me as?" He asked, obviously shocked. I smiled. "I don't think that you are. I know that you are." I assured him.

He smirked and reached over and tucked a lose strand of hair behind my ear. I felt my heart stutter and I felt a blush threatening to come. "Well then at least I have an amazing woman in my life, even though we're just friends, I am grateful to have her in my life." He told me and brushed his knuckles against my cheek gingerly, obviously hinting he was referring to me.

I was kinda bummed out that he still saw me as a friend-and my attempt on flirting somewhat didn't have the result I wanted but I guess it's going to be a pain stakingly slow process-but I was happy to know he was grateful to have me in his life. I smiled and kissed his forehead, in a friendly manner. "And I will be there for you no matter what." I told him, and I meant it. I would be there for him no matter what.

He sat up and hesitantly placed a gentle hand on my face, craddling my cheek in his palm. I couldn't help but lean into his touch. "I know and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe." He told me. My eyes watered and I clung to his hand that was on my face. And I'll do everythin in my power to keep you safe as well, I thought mentally.