A/N: Okay… so I didn't get this up when I wanted to, but here it is now! Hopefully the wait wasn't too bad. ;) And ready for some bombshells? I know I am. Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing! They truly make my day and help the Muse get her butt in gear. Enjoy!

Chapter 26

Erik stood there, unmoving and gaping at his former love. How long had it been since he last saw her? Months? And here she is… just out of the blue she appears at his doorstep?!

She was still beautiful—nothing about her appearance seemed to have change. Well, her hair seemed to be a little more blonder and her nose seemed smaller. Did her chest get bigger? He couldn't remember but the Elena he knew was different from the one at his doorstep.

How did he know she was different?

This Elena couldn't stop fucking smiling at him.

The Elena he knew didn't smile the last time they saw each other. Instead, she walked away from him and his proposal after he removed his mask after the incessant times she asked for him to show her his face. This Elena looked like she was almost happy to see him, which had to be far from the truth if his memory served him correctly.

While he couldn't remember much about her appearance, he certainly remembered their last time they spent together and the heartache and the pain and the lack of desire to keep living…

Shaking his head, Erik reminded himself that part of him was over now. Even stranger was how he felt now looking at her. There was still the residue of his past emotions—the betrayal and anger (definitely the anger)—but he didn't feel the need to act on those feelings. He certainly didn't feel like the slamming the door on that perfect yet physically altered face.

Okay, a little.

Yet, it was his stunned and speechless reaction that prevented him from acting on that impulse to shut the door on her. After all, curiosity was a powerful emotion besides anger and he was wondering why she was here now, of all days, and after all this time when she hadn't bothered to visit him while he had recovered.

"Hello Erik," Elena repeated again, breaking up the prolonged silence that seemed to stretch on endlessly after he opened that door. "May I come in?"

His brain was working on all the things he wanted to say to her, but his mouth wasn't cooperating the way it normally did. His jaw was locked tight and he couldn't find his voice to tell her to fuck off. However, his body had a mind of its own as he stepped to the side to let her in.

As Elena swept past him, he caught the brief scent of her perfume. It was one of his favorites.

Clenching his fist, Erik forced himself to stay in control. He couldn't afford in getting locked up because he couldn't restrain his temper.

"I see this place hasn't changed much," she commented, looking around the room. She had seen past Christine who was clearly just as surprised and flabbergasted as he was. The ghostly beauty couldn't take her eyes away from the woman that stolen Erik's heart and effectively trampled over it without a second thought.

"Still feels like music," Elena went on, ignorant of the other woman present and Erik's silent but glaring look. "I miss that. The music."

"Why are you here?" Erik finally found his voice as he asked the same question that was being repeated in Christine's head.

"You look good Erik," Elena said, purposefully not answering the question. That or she was intentionally ignoring the growl in his tone. "I'm glad that you're doing better."

He didn't want her compliments. Or the false concern that he was positive she was showing. "Answer the question Elena. Why are you here?"

She sighed. "I wanted to see you." Her response sounded so obvious, so much like the Elena he dated and fallen in love.

Well, he saw through that smokescreen instantly.

"Seriously? You wanted to see me?" Erik said, crossing his arms. "What you forgot I was stuck in the hospital for several months? Could have seen me there anytime. Or how about when I was released? There were plenty of opportunities for you to 'see' me then."

There was no point in skirting the issue as he flung the word "hospital" at her face. He did take some delight in that she cringed at his tone and she had the good form to look away with guilt.

Good.

At least it seemed she was capable of having human emotions after all.

"Of course, I couldn't blame you for not wanting to visit sooner," Erik went on. "I was in pretty bad shape after the fall. All banged up with cuts, bruises, even had a cast on for good measure. But it wasn't nearly as bad as my face is. No… unfortunately, that couldn't have healed like the rest of my body. But hey… that's life for you. Sometimes you don't always get what you wanted. Or maybe you do. I don't know Elena. Tell me. Have you always gotten what you wanted?"

"Erik…"

"Wait, you did. You wanted to see my face and I showed you. And how did you repay me? Right… you had thrown our relationship back at me."

"And what did you do? You jumped off the balcony!" Elena shot back. Realizing how harsh she sounded, she softened her features and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry Erik. That was wrong of me to say that."

"Why? Because it's the truth?" Erik rejoined. "You knew how sensitive I was about my face. I thought—I thought you were different. Guess I was wrong. You're no different than the rest of the world."

That really hit its target as Elena visibly flinched. "I deserve that," she whispered.

Christine, on the other hand, knew this was taking a personal and private turn. She walked past the pop singer and lightly touched Erik's shoulder. It was a habit and reflex but he looked at her just the same. Before he could open his mouth to speak, Christine beat him.

"You two have a lot to talk about. This isn't my place so don't argue with me. I'll be in the next room. I promise I won't 'poof' away." As she turned away, Christine looked over her shoulder. "And Erik… hear her out. Don't shut her out like I know you want to do. At least give your relationship the proper closure it needs."

Then, true to her word, Christine walked into the closest room to give them their privacy.

Taking his sudden silence as a sign, Elena continued. "Look, I know I can't take it back. Saying 'I'm sorry' isn't enough. But I want you to know Erik that I am. I am sorry for how I behaved. I didn't… react well and you were so wonderful and loving and I was a—"

"Bitch," he supplied.

She faltered. "Yes… I was a bitch. I—I wasn't expecting that. You took me by surprise and I didn't know what to do."

"You could have answered me," he retorted.

Elena glanced down. "Yes. I should have answered instead of walking out. I regretted it the moment I did it. But going back would have been a mistake. I was afraid to see your expression since I disappointed you and I took the coward's way out. I kept on going until I was back in my apartment."

"Yeah… going back would have been a mistake," Erik echoed quietly. Lord knows what would have happened if she did return. His reaction to Christine seeing his face probably would have been a walk in the park compared to Elena's. "So what changed? Why now?"

"Nadir called me," she revealed. "Well, I should add that he called me when it happened. He was so upset and beside himself that he insisted I come by and see you. He thought that maybe seeing me would have helped you get well. Or come to terms with what happened between us. He didn't know that I saw your face. He's your best friend and I figured if you had told him… he wouldn't have been so insistent for me to come. I knew right then how much I hurt you and even then I couldn't work up the courage to visit you or even see Nadir. And he kept calling me. He left all these messages and—"

She paused as she let out a choked sound. "God, Erik. I can't believe you tried to commit suicide. And all for what? Tell me I wasn't the reason."

"What do you think when the love of your life walks out after baring your soul to them?"

"I told you. I didn't mean—"

"No. You didn't mean to leave. Your feet suddenly grew a mind of its own and did it for you while you fought against it," he interrupted. "I was there Elena. I saw your face. I saw the disgust before you tried to hide it. Although I have to give you props. Most people wouldn't have bothered to conceal their feelings so I should 'thank' you for the kind service."

"This is not how I meant it to go," she muttered.

"How Elena?" Erik asked, throwing his arms in the air. "Did you think I would have forgiven you? Did you think I would have accepted your reasons like that?" He snapped his fingers. "Hate to break it to you, kid. But you really did a number on my heart. I thought you loved me. I thought you accepted me. Apparently, love wasn't enough for you to see past the scars and damaged tissue that is my face. So what more could you possibly say to me that would make it all right? I clearly wasn't perfect enough for you, but that no good talentless prick of an actor Blaine Fox is. I hope you two are deliriously happy."

"I'm not with Blaine Fox," Elena said. "Yes we dated for a short time. That's all I swear it."

"Oh? How do you explain that sparkler there on your left finger?" Erik pointed out.

Elena sighed again. "We were… engaged briefly. I was confused Erik and stupid. I wanted so much more with us and when I screwed up… I knew I couldn't get it back. Blaine was there. He was convenient. He wanted me and it felt right at the time…"

"So Prince Charming wasn't good enough either? Did he have mole on his ass or something so reviling?"

"No! He cheated on me and he called it off. I just haven't had the heart to take it off."

"Ah, he broke your heart. My… karma is quite the bitch, isn't it?"

"Erik," Elena said wearily. "Yes I know. I deserve all the bad karma for what I did to you. I get it. You don't have to keep rubbing it in my face or remind me. I know what I did was wrong and I won't ever forgive myself for that, but you need to put that behind you as well."

"Thanks for the input Dr. Phil," Erik said mockingly. "I didn't realize my suicide attempt was all about you."

"You said—"

"Look, you were part of the reason. But you can't tell me that you're that selfish and self-centered to think that it all revolved around you."

"I'm not—"

"But you are," he accused. "Admit it. That's why you're really here. You want to make yourself feel better about yourself by coming to me to see if I've forgiven you. You want me to tell you all these nice and pretty things so you can go back to whatever man you lured and go back to your life of pretend. Spare me the sugary words Elena. I wasn't born yesterday."

That seemed to shut her up. She did have the decency to look abashed and Erik knew he was right on the money. Of course Elena came back to see him to make herself feel good again. She was probably being tormented with her conscience (it must be working now) and had to make amends so her life would be right as rain again. Well, he wasn't going to give her that satisfaction. He was going to give it to her straight and if she couldn't handle the truth… then so be it. Sometimes the truth is much uglier than people liked to believe.

"Let me assure you this: I don't forgive you. I can't now nor do I think I ever will. So that's going to be your problem you have to learn with. There is nothing you can say or do that will make it right between us. You chose to leave me. You didn't see the handsome prince in front of you—just the monster. You were that shallow to not see beyond my deformity to the beating heart of a man who adored and worshipped you. And if you expect me to feel sorry for you about your break-up, then newsflash: I don't fucking care! Because nothing you feel or experience will come close to my experiences growing up and living with this—" Here, he pointed to his masked face. "—Spare the pity party. I'm not the right audience for this crap. Why don't you take a page from your other peers and write about that actor in some song? No doubt your fans will go nuts over it."

Then for good measure, he tossed back, "And by the way… I hate your music. It was my love for you that allowed me to stomach it, but now I can't stand hearing it. You have no clue what real music truly is and you never will. That garbage you sing and produce and make music videos on has no soul or heart to it. I have heard better street singers than your infernal and ridiculous electronic tampering that is supposedly 'singing'."

When Elena's eyes began to well with tears, Erik didn't look away or apologize. He had no reason to as far as he was concerned. Let her cry. She brought it upon herself.

"I—I'll go now. I'm sorry for bothering you." Elena quickly rushed past him towards the door. Erik didn't look back as it closed behind him. Hearing that door shut was hearing part of his old life where he thought he could live as a normal man shut for good.

It was kind of invigorating, actually.

In fact, Erik felt really good. He hadn't felt this good in a long, long time. Seeing Elena after all this time… he often wondered how their reunion will turn out and this never crossed his mind in a thousand years. He couldn't believe he was able to confront her without falling apart. And he told her everything that he kept holed up inside and it was such a huge relief to him that Erik couldn't help the overflowing laughter from erupting.

He couldn't help it. He felt like a new man and he had to laugh!

"Erik?" Christine called to him. "How did it go?"

Turning around, he gave her a huge beaming smile. "Really good. And you know the funny part? Nadir and Annie was right. I needed to talk to Elena to help with the healing process. I guess small miracles do exist."

Christine couldn't help but chuckle. "I could have told you that. Well, I'm glad you were able to work on your differences."

"Me too. I feel light as a cloud."

"Careful. You almost sound like a Hallmark card."

Erik feigned terror. "God no. I'm much too fearsome to be thought of something so prissy."

"Says the man who writes operas for a living," she teased.

xxXXxx

Now that the chapter surrounding Elena had ended; it was time for Erik and Christine to return to his opera. Of course, she was pleased he was still in a good mood after he made his peace with his ex. While it may not have been ideal, Christine was proud he stood up to Elena and reclaimed himself by doing so. He truly was healing, which it could have been a disaster if the pop singer had come earlier. Then again, Christine didn't want to think what Erik might have done in his previous state of mind.

But that was behind them now. The task was on the present and that currently meant that Christine was going to sing his music.

He pushed the copy towards her, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at the music sheets.

All she ever wanted was to be close to Erik Trussler and sing his music. Now, she was going to experience the ultimate dream by being the first to vocalize this new aria. She was going to witness his genius firsthand and see how he would mold this draft to the perfect compilation before it will be brought to the stage. Christine had to pinch herself to make sure this wasn't some dream or cruel trick of fate.

Extending her fingers, Christine concentrated on making herself solid so she could pick up the score. Holding it gently, she scanned the notes and hummed a few bars before reading the lyrics carefully. She wanted to make this right on the first try if possible.

This first aria was a lament of the former model now ghost. The melody was haunting and the words were melancholic as she sang about her regrets, hopes and dreams, and her forgotten memories on how she ended up at death's door. Just reading them to herself brought tears to her eyes. This was what an opera was meant to be and if this one song could achieve its message… She couldn't imagine how the other songs might play the themes out.

When she felt comfortable she could sing it, Christine nodded to Erik as he flexed his limbs before playing the introduction.

As soon as it came to her part, Christine came on cue and the rest of the song was flawless. Her voice hit every note with such precision and the emotional pull of each lyric brought the character of the ghost alive as she regaled her tragic tale of woe. In and out, her voice fluctuate the turmoil and remorse she suffered as it all led up to the cadenza where she could stretch her vocal chords as the ghost revealed she no longer remembered how she arrived in this matter. That was the tricky part and Erik clearly wanted to test her to see how she could handle such a range. Fortunately for her, music flowed through Christine's veins, and not even Death could take that from her as she gave it everything she got until the final cadence.

Of course, as she sang, she was able to sneak a peek as Erik played. This was by any means not the first time she has watched him play. Many times, even before he could see her, she would stand by the piano and listen to him for hours as he composed or recited a piece from memory. Each and every time could only be described as magical. After all, how often does a person get close and personal to a favorite musician and see him in his true element? There was nothing more thrilling than to see Erik Trussler pour his heart and soul into the instrument and watch his genius unfold. It was better than front row seats to any concert and Christine counted her ghostly self as a blessing to see something so rare.

However, this time was different than the other times. Nothing could prepare her for the intense look on his face as he closed his eyes in deep concentration. His lips were pulled back as he moved his head in time with the music and his hands danced across the keys like a sweet caress.

Yes, Erik would often display such uncensored expressions when he played alone. Yet it was the memory of that one reckless night where Christine threw caution to the wind and allowed herself to feel for that single moment that came crashing back with such intensity that her voice did waver for a second.

Her loss of concentration was brief, very brief, that she was certain Erik didn't catch it. At least it looked like he didn't since he continued to play effortlessly without missing a beat. But her mind, her traitorous mind, could not let those images go. She couldn't forget that wonderful and glorious feeling when those same beautifully crafted fingers caressed her as fervently and tenderly as he did with those piano keys. How he had touched her so softly as if those calloused palms were afraid the slightest of pressure might break her. Yet, his fingertips played a song on her—one of passion and adoration as he inspired her to new heights just like right now as the music soared in a crescendo. Each downward stroke and firm press of the keys had her longing for more, but such thoughts were forbidden to her that Christine forced herself to look away lest she forget herself.

And yet…

And yet she was drawn back to watch how his jaw clenched and his neck muscles bulged as he threw himself into the music and played to match her voice with its own competition.

This was Erik in his best and she could not stop thinking about his hands and his mouth and how alive he made her feel. How every inch of his body was pure music and how she, too, became part of his composition when her body couldn't handle the notes any longer…

It was like she had no control over herself as she felt flushed and warm all over.

Little did she know she had succeeded in making her incorporeal body almost life-like with pink blushing skin and vibrant blue eyes much brighter than ever.

As the final echoes of the song stretched out, Erik finally opened his eyes and what he saw in front of him had his blood boiling in an instant. He was first going to mention her slight slip up and the perfectionist in him was going to demand another repeat, but seeing her practically tangible did something to him that he swore would never happen again.

Desire so potent gripped him that he physically reacted by lurching forward against the piano, his nostrils flaring, as his hands splayed across the instrument to keep him from jumping out of his seat. There was no point in concealing the need and hunger for her in his eyes as they swept over her with such razor sharp precision. Even Christine could feel their scorching touch as she unconsciously trembled.

That was all he needed as Erik moved towards her and reached for her…

And he felt her.

He felt the warm, soft, delicateness of her arms that he couldn't help himself as his hands swept up into her hair—her satiny wild mass of brown curls—and he pulled down hard so her face would tilt up to his so he could devour her.

A mere taste wasn't enough and Erik was a greedy man when it came down to it, but it was a culmination of everything in his life—losing Elena, his suicide attempt, seeing Christine, falling for her, and having that closure with his ex—that he couldn't help but feel that yes this is what he deserved. All these months with the denials and countless arguments that Erik felt he finally were given the second chance that he desperately wanted for so long with her.

And her response! So sweet, so yielding…

She opened up to him, allowing entrance as his tongue dove inside to taste and tease. He couldn't help himself as he let out a staggered moan as his tongue stroked hers and she returned the favor with bolder strokes scraping him with her teeth.

Yet it was the damn, infernal need for air that forced Erik to pull back and drag out an agonizing hiss to be separated from her. And Christine… she whimpered at the loss of contact. It was her breathless sigh of his name that suddenly made this seemed familiar to Erik.

Impossible, he knew. They only kissed twice—once, she kissed him on his deformed cheek; the second, that ground-breaking revelation kiss in his theater where he realized his feelings for her. It had been short and quick but it was enough to be seared in his brain forever. However, it was that little breathless sigh she made and the way she whispered his name… he heard it before. He didn't know when or how, but he couldn't get that sound out of his head.

Christine, on the other hand, realized the grave mistake she just made. She had allowed him to kiss her, and worse of all, she kissed him back! It wasn't like before when she gave in for a second. Oh no. She really, truly, thoroughly kissed him back and there was no way she could talk herself out of this one or even deny it was an accident. Saying that her tongue "accidentally" slipped into his mouth was the lamest and dumbest thing anyone could say. There was no way she could win this argument and Erik knew that.

What was she thinking?!

She didn't… that was the problem. She allowed herself to be swept up in the music, watched him play with such abandon… that she had to remember what it was like when he was inside her, tasting her, loving her.

Damn! Damn! DAMN!

Her awareness had Christine return to her bodiless state and she did what she did best:

She vanished.

xxXXxx

Once more she ran away from him. Seriously… the whole fleeing bit was getting old and Erik just wished she would stop running and face the situation head-on. But it was obvious that she wasn't going to be returning any time soon, and that left him all alone reeling from what just transpired.

Well, sooner or later she will have to return and when she did… she can bet he will be waiting for her. Because that had to be talked about.

Until then, Erik decided it was best to call it a night and gathered up all the papers and placed them in a folder. He moved to his bedroom and removed his mask and sat it on the nightstand. Then he lay down and it wasn't long before he fell asleep.

He couldn't believe this was actually happening. None of his fantasies could have compared to the real thing, and despite his drunken state, Erik was trying to savor every little moment.

Christine… his Christine was wrapped around him, moving up and down on his shaft, and he couldn't believe this was real.

She was real.

But it must be a figment of his imagination. She would never… until her inner walls gripped him tighter and he knew this wasn't a dream. This was happening. He was making love to Christine.

And it was wonderful.

And she was looking at his naked face with such lust burning in her gaze that he squeezed her hips and thrust hard against her. He watched as her eyes rolled to the back of her head and he did it again, loving the breathless sigh she made and hearing his name on her lips like it was the only word she could say over and over.

God, he could listen to that for all of eternity and never grow tired of it.

Yet the alcohol in his system had other plans and he was done before he could realize it. He looked ashamed and even mortified that he hadn't lasted long.

Of all the rotten luck in the world…

Christine didn't seem to mind, she smiled, and kissed him on the mouth but she kept on going, sliding up and down, up and down. Then her body began to tense and her eyelids began to flutter before her lips formed an "o" and her nails bit down hard and he knew she came. Though, at that point, she was starting to fade and he couldn't feel her orgasm ripping through her.

He smirked once before his head fell back and he passed out.

It wasn't until he felt the gentle press of her lips against his ear that he began to slowly wake, but it was her words that had him returning back to his slumber and believing it was all just a dream.

Erik's eyes flew opened and he sat up in bed.

He…They… It wasn't a dream like he thought when he woke that morning and finding himself a complete mess. He thought he had sleep-wanked that night, and instead he actually had sex with her. He made love to Christine and he was so drunk that he passed out and she used it against him to make him believe it was a dream.

Oh HELL no.

TBC…

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