In their respective rooms, Erik and Christine had prepared for their night out together with all care. Their efforts had not been put to waste, if the shared reaction to each other was any indication. Upon seeing each other, they had both fallen silent, eyes riveted.

For her, Erik had donned his finest black dinner jacket; the deep ebony cut him a lean, imposing figure. In startling contrast, the pristine white of his shirt exploded to her gaze. The white of his mask was a perfect match to his shirt, setting off his bright eyes and dark hair.

Christine felt her breath hitch at the sight of her man so perfectly groomed, so sophisticated and elegant. He was as intimidating as he was beautiful in his strength. Surely, Erik would be the recipient of female interest tonight. There was a strange, dangerous shine to his eyes, and Christine felt her pulse quicken as she watched him absorb the sight of her.

Unlike Erik, Christine had forgone black and chosen a gown of screaming scarlet. The cut of the dress was fairly simple, thin straps supported a modest neckline and long skirt. The draping material skimmed her trim form, creating the perfect silhouette. Erik glanced down, surprised and delighted to see a long slit in the dress, revealing one of her endless legs. It thrilled him to see her wearing the sapphire pendant.

"You look…"

"So do you!" Christine said excitedly, reaching for his hand.

Erik took her hand into his, drawing her to him and turning her- the dress was backless. His hands longed to reach forward and stroke her, but Erik held back. He knew if he touched her that way, he wouldn't be able to stop himself.

She was so exotically sensual…

He smiled, "Are you ready?"

Christine nodded, all eagerness. "Oh, yes. Can you dance, Erik?"

Erik took his keys and shrugged into his coat as they left the apartment, heading towards the elevator. "I can do a wobbly box-step, how's that?" He asked, smiling.

The elevator chamber hit their floor and they both stepped inside. "Well, I don't want to brag, but ballet isn't my only dance. I can do it all," Christine winked.

Erik raised his brow, and stroked her arm. "And do it all very well, I imagine. But when we get to the floor, I beg you to go easy on me, Christine. I'm a dance-challenged old man, you don't want to embarrass me do you?"

Christine laughed as the doors opened and they moved through the lobby, greeting Jerome behind the desk as they moved past him. "You want me to go easy on you? Sorry Erik, I can't do that. When we get on the dance floor, I'm going to give it everything I have."

He smirked at her. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Erik and Christine arrived at Denver's, a popular restaurant renown for it's pleasant atmosphere and beautiful dance floor. Christine was not unaware that a great many sets of eyes were trying to be discreet as they followed the progress she and Erik made as they were led across the room to a table.

They were seated quickly, and Erik made the order for a bottle of fine red wine. "Have you noticed that a lot of people are watching us? Or rather, they're trying to make it look like they're not watching us." Christine remarked.

Erik raised a brow and smirked at her, bumping her foot with his under the table. "And why wouldn't they look, Christine? You look wonderful, and being here with me is sure to turn a few heads."

"Are you really that interesting to them?"

Erik laughed, "In a world of stockbrokers, someone has to liven things up a bit. I'm considered the resident eccentric. Being here with me, that makes you the top subject of discussion, I expect."

Christine laughed at him, "And here I thought people of the upper class were supposed to be so sophisticated and elegant! You're like a bunch of gossiping high school students, aren't you?"

Erik smiled, loving her more with each passing minute. He took her hand into his. "I wouldn't disagree with you there, Christine. No one ever really grows out of their youth here. Do you mind me telling you that you look stunning tonight?"

A strange, warm feeling swept over Christine as she saw the open adoration in his eyes. Nervously, she cleared her throat. "I, um, no I don't mind." Gaining confidence from Erik's playful look, Christine went on, "In fact, I'd be gravely offended if you didn't tell me how beautiful I was every hour, on the hour tonight."

"That won't be a problem. The way you look tonight, Christine, me and every other man will be telling you every few minutes how wonderful you are. And if your confidence on the dance floor is anything to speak of, I'm sure you'll be the most sought-after young woman in New York." Erik said as he brushed a kiss over her wrist.

She felt blood rise to her cheeks and ears, staining her skin as red as her dress. "I think I can live with that," Christine replied, her voice suddenly lower.

Erik smiled and released her hand, feeling a welcome sensation spread through his own body. He was happy to have her to himself, even while they were being discreetly observed by his friends.

He was even happier that they were flirting. It was fun, and it was a good omen for their future.

She was a stunning sight, a bold slice of scarlet in a room full of common winter black. Besides being beautiful, Christine was so vibrant, so alive and exotic, she was drawing smiles from all that glanced their way. There was an innocence in her behavior; she wasn't playing for the crowd, and she wasn't playing him.

After the first few women he'd become involved with, Erik had developed ways to determine whether a woman was genuinely interested in him, or just his bankroll.

The waiter appeared to present them with their wine and then their meal, a steak for Erik and fine pasta for Christine. All throughout dinner, they spoke of music, film, politics, touching briefly on a number of subjects while occasionally touching each other's hand or shoulder.

Their intimacy did not go unnoticed by the patrons surrounding them.

Christine excused herself to use the ladies room, where she mentioned a need to powder her nose. Erik didn't really understand what that meant- she looked perfect to him, why did she feel a need to touch up her makeup? He shook his head, resigning himself to the blissful ignorance of being a man.

Erik sipped his coffee in quiet contemplation of the young woman, when he felt a gentle hand slip over his shoulder. He smiled, "I'm glad you're back, it's almost time to d-"

"Dance?"

Erik looked up, startled to find not Christine, but Adele staring down at him. She smiled, and moved to take Christine's empty chair. "That's Christine's chair, she's coming back," he said, feeling slightly dazed.

Adele quirked her brow, "Don't have a coronary Erik, I won't be in your hair for long."

"How have you been?" He asked her, regaining himself. Truly, she looked wonderful in a dress of deep blue- it leant a startling contrast to her red hair and jade eyes. The woman was beautiful, and though Erik remembered how he had found her lively and wonderful in their time together, he just hadn't been able to love her the way she deserved.

She smiled at him, "I've been fine. You've obviously done well for yourself. She's adorable, but why you allow her to work that club I have no idea. You, being the jealous, possessive man you are, it's beyond insane. Hell, I remember when if another man even looked at me, you'd hit the roof!"

Erik tensed, grabbing her wrist, "Lower your damn voice, Adele! Our relationship is none of your business, and how did you find out about her…occupation in the first place?" He demanded, sneering at his own polite wording. His grip on her wrist tightened.

Adele rolled her eyes, "Relax, Erik. You think I'm here to play the part of the jealous ex, hell-bent on revenge? Please, we're all adults here." She drawled. "I would never stoop so low as to go around spreading the news to ruin things between the two of you. It's a little melodramatic, not to mention pathetic." She put her hand over his, "You know me better than that, don't you?" Her jade eyes were honest, imploring.

Reluctantly, Erik nodded, and withdrew his hand from hers. "You're right. I do know you better. Adele, you are the model of nobility."

She smiled again, slightly sad this time. "Thank you, it's too bad you were such a fool and let me go,"

Erik laughed, "Yes, but where I was a fool, another man, a much better man than me, will not make the same mistake."

She laughed with him, "You're damned right about that! Now, her secret is safe with me, and I'm positive that Claudette won't breathe a word to anyone else. Sisters tell secrets, Erik, but only to each other."

He raised his brows, "Claudette told you?"

"Yes, after you told her. No worries, now, we're not interested in spreading gossip. I only saw her that one night, opening performance of your opera. It doesn't take a psychic to see that you're crazy about the girl, Erik, but just because you like her, that doesn't mean I have to like her too. I still care about you, and I just want you to be…careful, that's all."

"Oh, Adele. Nice to see you again,"

Both Adele and Erik looked up to see Christine standing before them, looking none too pleased at seeing them together.

Adele gave Christine a tight smile. "Hello Christine. Sorry I stole your seat, James was just about to take me onto the floor. My sister Claudette told me you were quite a talented little dancer." She said, deliberately hinting at the truth.

Christine nodded, her stance becoming slightly rigid with stifled anger. She reached forward and took claim over Erik's arm. "We're going to the dance floor too. Keep up if you can, you might even learn something."

Erik did not resist as Christine led him toward the floor.

He tried not to laugh at Christine's first showing of animosity- it was amusing to him, in a way, as if she was a kitten unsheathing her claws for the first time. The rigidity abated from her somewhat, though tension was knotted in her brow.

"Should I be ready to break up a catfight on the dance floor?" Erik asked her.

Christine turned to him, a strange expression of worry over her face. "Erik, she knows about what I do. I shouldn't have reacted that way towards her, she could tell your friends, she might-"

"Christine, Adele won't do anything, I promise you. We've already discussed it, and in any case, I don't care who knows. This isn't by your choice, and it won't go on for much longer. You're with me now, that's all that matters." He stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers, and brushed a swift kiss to her lips.

Christine blushed as she glanced around and saw that there were several witnesses to their kiss.

Erik took her hand and led her to the dance floor as the band was just setting up for a new song. Christine's pulse quickened as she recognized the rhythm for Argentine tango. It was by no means an easy dance- in fact it was renown for it's precision, complication, and passion.

A flutter of nerves welled in her chest- the last thing she wanted to do was embarrass Erik in front of his friends. She started as Erik took her hand and confidently led her onto the floor, drawing her to him and whipping her into a turn, dipping her backwards. Erik brought her up to face him.

Her expression was thrilled and astonished. "Erik, you lied to me!"

He laughed and stole a kiss, twisting and turning with her in perfect time to the music. "Yes, I did. Are you going to hold it against me?"

Christine sent him a mocking glare as he moved behind her, molding their bodies together. "No. Besides, you're the one holding it against me!" She whispered to him, nipping his earlobe playfully before moving away into another step.

Erik groaned subtly, embarrassed that she'd been able to feel his response to her. She was teasing him, playing at being the seductress- it was the music, the atmosphere, the wine, the jealousy of seeing him with Adele. This wasn't his usual Christine, Erik recognized the change in her and knew it wouldn't last, but Erik couldn't complain about her sensual advances.

Tango was a dance of passion, possession, anger, jealousy, desire- every sense was heightened, every emotion between them brought to the surface. Christine flashed her eyes at Erik as their steps matched in perfect unity- she had never dreamed he could be more wonderful than he already was, but to learn that he could dance in addition to everything else…

His hands slid down her body, playing the part of the jealous lover. He touched her, he turned her. When their bodies were locked together he stole quick kisses to her cheek or shoulder; when they were further apart his eyes roared his desire to her.

Christine felt her heart pounding in her chest, swelling with the intense pace of the music.

All at once it was over- the music swept into a clean ending just as Erik and Christine completed the final step of their dance. He was holding her, they were both breathing hard. The primal intent in his eyes burned through her, and Erik leaned forward to take her lips with his.

He wanted her.

"Tonight, Christine."