DISCLAIMER: I don't own PotO

Now enjoy the story lovelies! :3

I looked around the rafters, trying to figure out where Erik was as they did the curtain call. I noticed the chandlier was suddenly jerking a little and my eyes widen. Well the good news is I found Erik. The bad news is he's trying to make the chandlier crash!

I jumped onto the wooden railing and grabbed a rope. I checked to see if it was attached to anything and then pulled out my dagger from my boot. I cut the rope and put my dagger back in my boot. I swung down and jumped down onto my feet. I looked to see the chandlier was coming down and was heading straight for Christine.

I was about to race over to push her out of the way but Raoul beated me to it. Everyone started screaming and running out of the room, and I looked around for a secret passage. "Erik, what in the name of Allah were you thinking?!" Nadir snapped at me, obviously thinking I was Erik because of the white mask. I looked over to see Nadir storming over to me.

Once he got close to me his eyes widen in shock. I smirked and crossed my arms over my chest. "I don't know whether to be offended because you basically thought I was a man or wonder if Erik should be offended because he looks like a woman to you." I teased. He blushed out of embarrasment and looked down in shame.

"Sorry about that, Hope. Should I ask why you're wearing a mask?" He asked. "I'm not being a Phantomess of the Opera if that's what you are worried about." I assured him. He sighed in relief and I slipped off the mask and slipped it in my cloak pocket. Maybe I shouldn't head back home yet. Erik might still be mad and is now getting his anger out through music.

"Say, Nadir, care to go with me somewhere in town? I'm pretty sure Erik is still blowing off steam." I told him. Nadir grimaced then nodded. "Maybe in an hour we should head over to his place." He suggested. I nodded in agreement. "Then try to take the long routes to buy another hour just to be safe. He's pretty livid right now." I explained.

"What got him so upset?" He asked as we headed for the exit. "Er...let's just say he's not taking the news well about Christine and the Vicomte are now engaged." I said nervously. Nadir nodded and held the door opened for me. I uttered a thanks and slipped out.

"So where are we going?" He asked. I smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of my neck. "Er...I was uh...planning on heading to a tavern." I admitted. Nadir raised an eyebrow but sighed. "I'll go with you but I am not going to drink anything." He told me. "I wasn't expecting you to." I assured him.

XxX

~ERIK'S POV~

After a few hours of playing my organ I noticed something wasn't right. I got up from my bench and looked around my house to figure out what it was. That's when I noticed Hope wasn't back yet. "Merde..."I groaned under my breath. I was about to grab my cloak and gloves and go looking for her when I heard heard Nadir grunting. "Erik, help me you here!" Nadir called. I rushed over to see what he needed and my eyes widen when I saw Hope. She was obviously drunk and I could smell the alcohol off her.

She looked at me with her glazed lavender eyes. I was amazed even as drunk as she looked, her eyes still had a their strong and gentle gaze. "Erik, you calm now!" She slurred. I couldn't help but chuckle at her. I admit it. I found her adorable even now when she was drunk. "I'll take her, Nadir. Just go head back home." I told him. He seemed to look grateful of this and guided Hope over to me.

"The girl had only two drinks of Absinthe and well...you see the result of that." Nadir told me before he left. I sighed and shook my head. Hope swayed a bit and nearly fell back. I caught her quickly and she giggled. "Timber!" She laughed. I sighed and shook my head. "What am I going to do with you?" I groaned and scooped her up into my arms.

She nuzzled her face in the crook of my neck and wrapped her arms around my neck. I glanced over at her and saw her eyes were closed. She letted out a tired yawn and curled up more into me. I felt a smile tugging on my lips as I stared at her. She nuzzled her face more and tightened her arms that were around my neck. "Erik, you're a silly." She mumbled sleepily.

I rolled my eyes and carried her to her room. "Why am I silly?" I sighed. She giggled and I shivered a little for some reason from her warm breath against my skin. "You don't crash the chandliers...you swing on them like a moneky." She slurred. I chuckled and shook my head. "No more taverns for you." I told her.

"Fine...I didn't like that...abstienteeth or however you say it. It makes rooms spin." She mumbled. "Absinthe you mean." I corrected her. She letted out a soft kitten like snore and I chuckled. I opened the door to her room and carried her to the bed. I laid her down and tried to pry her arms off. She just tightened her arms more and moaned in protest. I sighed and looked at her in disbelief. "Hope, you need to let me go." I told her.

She shook her head in her sleep. "Stay..."She mumbled. I sighed in defeat and carefully scooted her over in her bed. I managed to kick my shoes off and climb in next to her. She curled up into my side and nuzzled her face in my chest. I shook my head and sighed. She must be a happy and cuddly drunk or something.

I made a mental note to never let Nadir take her to a tavern and keep her away from all alcohol.