Disclaimer: Me? Own this niftyness? –bursts out in hysterical laughter-

"They're going to what?" Erik demanded. He was seated at his piano, fingers pacing the keys at such restless speeds that Christine had long since stopped trying to follow them. She gave him a patient smile.

"Apologize, Erik. You know—"

"No, I don't know," he interrupted. "I fail to remember apology, Christine, save for my own. Why would they do that?"

"Well…" She hesitated. Would he view this, too, as an act of pity?

"You pressed them into it." It wasn't an accusation, simply a stated fact. Under his hood, he was smiling thinly. "Well, I shouldn't have expected anything less, I suppose…all right, I'll accept their apology. I won't by any means relax, but I'll try to be forgiving." Quietly, he added, "I'm not a total monster…"

Her big brown eyes widened. "I never called you a monster, Erik."

"You haven't." Shaking his head, he seemed to come out of a little trance. His hands halted in their constant, frenzied pattern across the piano keys. "Was Madame ready for me?"

"She said you could come up at any time," Christine confirmed. He nodded to himself and got up.

"Good. I need to get some of this energy out."

What about me? Christine wanted to cry. Get it out on me!

What am I thinking?

He was already at the door. "Coming?"

"Just about," she muttered. He lifted an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry?"

"Yeah, yeah…" Frustrated with herself for having such useless thoughts, Christine brushed past him. Or tried to; his fingers curled around her thin wrist, stopping her progress. She glanced back.

"Yes?"

He was smiling that patented little smile again, half shy, half sexy. What was she supposed to say to that?

"Thank you," he whispered. "For at least trying." Feather light, he touched his lips to the inside of her hand. A shiver rushed through her.

"Anytime," she managed, resisting the urge to jump him right there. Class, class, have to get to class…

Still holding her hand, fingers threaded comfortably with hers, he led her up the stairs. She grinned, unrestrained.

Meg seemed puzzled by this. "What's so funny?" she asked when Christine settled next to her. "You're smiling."

"I'm not allowed to smile?"

"You're happy," Meg continued, disbelieving.

"I can't be happy?"

"Not since Friday, it seemed."

Christine shrugged, sobering a little. "Things change."

"Is this because Raoul and I are going to apologize?"

Was it easier to lie or to explain the torrent of emotion tearing through her at inhuman speeds? "Yes."

Meg rolled her eyes. "Little Miss Sunday School, be nice to the animals, hug some trees…the weirdest things make you happy."

"I've never hugged a tree in my life," Christine fired back, enjoying the banter in spite of herself.

"Ladies, can we have some quiet please?" Madame Giry asked, looking annoyed. Meg smirked.

"Sorry. We'll be good."

Christine elbowed her, holding back a giggle. She saw Erik smile faintly up at her and her body warmed all over. She waved.

"Miss Daaè, if you'd be so kind as to pay some semblance of attention," Madame sighed.

"Sorry."

A/N: Shorter than short! –laughs- I've got another shorter one, then a longer one almost finished for you; should be posted tonight or tomorrow morning.

Review Replies:

Rowin- Yes, Erik's pop's an ass. As for his appearance, I'll go into detail with that in a later chapter. You'll just have to wait till then. –beams-

SALLYMAETHEHICK- Woah, interesting name. I'm perfectly aware that Christine's Swedish, but I can't picture anyone other than Emmy Rossum in the role. It's a problem, I know, but it's how my brain works. Sorry.

Awoman- Wow, you read it all in one sitting? Rock on! You get an extra large cookie for putting up with me like that.

Christine- Look! More! Enjoy.

Alixy- Ah, well, this is a dilemma. You see, if I restrain myself too much, the story won't get told very well. My plot (yes, I actually have a plot coming, it's just on the horizon…really!) is at least PG-13 level. I highly doubt it will get sexual, if that helps, as I suck at writing lemons.

MadameAngel- Is it really your favorite? Aw, that makes me feel so good.

erik'sangel527- lol, me? Update frequently? –grins-

Totschafe- Wait, woah, you're going to flamingo me if I update? –nervous twitch- I think I'll wear a hard hat…