Disclaimer: **Blink**

A/N: My dear reviewers, thank you SO much for your kind reviews of my story!!!! I apologize for the long wait… I got sick and then, well… I was just lazy, hehe. ^-^ So here it is, my dears!

Saranha de Angelo: **Shoves food down Christine's throat** when Erik offers you food, YOU EAT IT! ^_~ Hehe thanks for the review!

Phantom Aria: Thank you very much! I am trying to make Erik enjoy this as much as possible!

Erin: Thank you very much for your review! We'll have to see if their love lasts!

Sam: Hehe **has tied Raoul up and won't let him in until I say so** Thanks!

Jenn: Thanks for your review! Ha, I am a BIG fan of fluffiness…

draegon-fire: Thank you!! Like I said before, I love romance!

Vicky: ^-^ Thanks a ton! I've always wanted to write about a piano scene!

X miss mandy X: Hi, dear, I just have to tell you: Thank you very much for your review! I'm glad you enjoy it! And there will probably not be any of those scenes in this story, because I don't support sex before marriage – and as you can see, they aren't married at the moment. But I appreciate the review!

Sharonarnotdon: Thank you! I'm glad you like this! OHHH, limited online time! I hate it when that happens.

Noname: Thank you very much!

"Last tango of the night…

Last song of love…

Sad melodies take flight…

Crying to the heavens above…" – "Last Tango of the Night" by Linda Eder.

***

Chapter 7

        When Christine and I swiftly ate our breakfast, I grasped her cloak, fastening about her shoulders. Draping on my own, I led her out of the lair… and out of the Opera Populaire. My eyes glanced in her direction as we exited the Opera House, catching the surprise. Rarely did we ever leave this building, but tonight…

        Tonight was different.

        Stopping a carriage with a single movement of my hand, I helped her into the coach, following her radiant beauty. As the carriage began to move, it ran over various rocks, causing it to shake on occasion.

        "Where are we going, Erik?" Christine questioned, scanning the outside area of the carriage. Eyes wide, she turned around, clutching my sleeve.

        Smiling, I shook my head teasingly, a mischievous glint in my eye. "My dear, if I told you, it would ruin the surprise!"

        Slumping her shoulders a bit, she sighed, rapping her fingernails on the windowsill. Christine was a very curious woman; the inquisitive glow glittered intensely in her eye as the carriage finally came to a rapid halt. Swiftly, she stood up, unaware of her surroundings.

 Once her head came into rough contact with the top of the coach, I struggled with tremendous intricacy to repress a laugh. Rubbing her brown head with her tiny hand, she frowned, blushing.

Sighing, I smiled, taking her hand. Pulling her down from the carriage, I chuckled. "Calm down, my dear! You'll hurt yourself!"

The pink coloring in her cheeks gradually faded away as I led her away from the carriage. Faint music could be heard, originating from a small building that seemed to receive us with open arms.

She placed her little hand in my welcoming arm as we entered the place. Christine scrutinized every area around her, her eyes stocked with anticipation. Numerous couples were dancing around us, the blithe music echoing in our heads.

I turned my head to catch Christine's quick reaction. Her lips slowly curled upwards as she realized where we were. Her grip on my arm tightened as her smile became larger.

"Oh, Erik!" The two words fled her mouth, the volume of her tone scarce, as if it were all she was able to speak.

"Would you like me to take your coats?" A warm voice inquired.

Spinning around, I saw a woman. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a bun, with the exception of a few curls hanging about her head. The jade in her eyes glimmered with merriment and bliss. She wore the regular uniform that all the employees that worked there wore. A smile remained on her face as I recognized the woman… it was she! The one who had given me four days with my beloved rose! Regaining my speech, Christine didn't seem to notice the slight tension.

"Merci." I replied, slipping off Christine's cloak, followed by my own.

The woman nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. "You're welcome…" Slowly, she walked away, placing our cloaks on a coat rack.

However, when my eyes gazed back at Christine's face, the inexplicable woman left my thoughts. Her russet curls cascaded carelessly about her pale shoulders as her cheeks maintained a rosy appearance. Her scarlet lips were parted slightly, as her breath became scarce.

She had never been dancing before.

Smiling, I quickly took Christine into my arms, moving across the dance floor.

"I… I don't know how to dance…" She confessed timidly.

"Then you shall learn, my dear." I stated simply.

Slipping one graceful hand around her waist, I grasped her warm hand into my own. Slowly, she rested her hand upon my shoulder as we began.

At first, Christine would occasionally stumble, tripping over her own feet. Her face remained lowered, her eyes locked on her feet. With one slender finger, I lifted her chin up.

"Look at me… Trust me…" I softly whispered, as I made sure her eyes never left mine.

After this, no mistakes were made… not even once.

The music remained with us, as our bodies moved with the rhythmic beat.

Suddenly, the upbeat came to an end; a slower song replaced it. Blushing profusely beneath my mask, I swallowed.

"My dear, I apologize… I do not know how to slow dance…"

Turning around, I saw the mysterious woman, standing there with a raised eyebrow. Arms crossed, she leaned against the counter of where the drinks were being sold. However, this isn't what caused me to stop.

It was a tiny hand that caught me by the arm.

"Erik." Christine softly murmured, pulling me back towards her. "It is quite simple…"

Taking both of my shaking hands, she placed them on her waist. Wrapping her arms tightly around my neck, we swayed with the luring music. Christine and I became oblivious to the other occupants of the dance hall. We seemed to float carelessly, the music effortlessly supporting us. Song after song, we never left that dance floor. One by one, each couple around us began to leave, their feet sore from the exhilarating night.

I honestly believe that if it hadn't been for the manager of the dance hall… we would have danced forever.

"Monsieur… Mademoiselle… I am certainly glad you enjoyed yourselves, but it is time we close up." A short, plump man told us politely. "Of course, you can always come again!" He exclaimed, his half baldhead shining in the dim lights.

Blinking rapidly a few times, I stared around me. The building was completely barren – all that remained was an employee, sweeping up the extra debris from that night… the woman was gone as well.

Christine stood there, a half smile playing about her lips. "Merci." She answered the man softly.

Seizing her cloak, I placed it about her shoulders once more. Draping my own on, I took note of her weariness. Yawning, Christine slowly walked beside me, a gleam of pure bliss in her eyes.

"Come here, child." I murmured soothingly, picking her up into my arms. "Rest."

Laying her head down against my chest, I carried her out of the dance hall. The dark night air welcomed us with an icy embrace; the stars twinkled brightly in the sky, being the only light. Making sure Christine was warm enough, I stopped a carriage.

Climbing inside, I directed the driver where to go. Holding her protectively in my arms, I rested my chin upon her chocolate curls. Breathing in her warm scent, I sighed.

The carriage ride ultimately ended, as I took Christine through the Rue Scribe and back down to the house upon the lake.

The house was not at all welcoming – it was as silent as it had never been before. Extremely quiet, I lay her down upon her soft bed. I glanced over at her nightgown lying on the foot of the bed. In my mind I debated on what to do. I hated to awake her from such a peaceful sleep. Sighing, I draped the warm blankets tightly over her.

"Goodnight, Christine…" I whispered, deciding it was best that I did nothing about the situation.

Pressing a loving kiss to her forehead, I dawdled towards my bedroom. I walked directly past the closed coffin and to… my bed. During the time Christine had spent here, I had decided to purchase a normal bed… for the coffin had always made her exceptionally uncomfortable. Removing my shirt, I slipped into the black bed, resting my head upon the pillow.

My eyelids began to close after about a few minutes of happily thinking about that night. However, something in the bed rustled. Swiftly opening my eyes, I looked down. Christine snuggled up beside me – wearing her nightgown – and drifted off to sleep. Covering her with the blankets, I wrapped my arms around her, falling into the darkness as well.

The second day had come to an end…

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it!! R&R!