Sorry for the short chapter, I wrote it at 4 o'clock in the morning.

Revelation

Both Erik and Mercedes were too stunned to move at first. Mercedes was shocked that Erik was even here, and Erik couldn't believe that this woman wanted to take her own life. Erik instantly knew that the brandy held some form of poison in it. Striding across the room to where Mercedes sat petrified, glass still in hand, he knocked the crystal cup out of her hands, spilling the pungent amber liquid all over the deep burgundy carpet.

Erik saw a flicker of anger flash across her beautiful face, but it left as quickly as it had come. The realization of what she had really intended slowly crossed her mind. Even she could not believe that she had been jealous and hurt enough only minutes ago to kill herself.

Erik sat down on the piano bench next to Mercedes. For a long while they just stared at each other. Slowly, shakily, Erik said, "Don't you ever frighten me like that again, Mercedes." He then scooped her up in his arms and held her there. She responded by embracing him, holding him as though she would never let go. Her head rested on his shoulder, and her tears drenched his shirt.

Her light, vanilla scented perfume was making him a little heady, and his state of mind was not helped by the fact that her warm body was tightly embracing his. Erik loosened his hold on Mercedes and tilted her face up towards his. He gently wiped away the tears that streamed down her face. Gazing once more at her clear grey eyes, he thought, why do I care if this woman dies? The answer, however, was right in front of him; he had just been too blinded by self pity to see it.

He leaned down and gently kissed her soft, crimson lips. He felt as though fire was coursing through his veins, a fire which started where her lips met his in a passionate kiss. He could taste her salty tears. One of his hands strayed into her silky, black hair, while the other held her behind her neck, his fingers resting over the scar on her pale skin.

Mercedes' fingers trailed over Erik's muscular shoulders and back, gently exploring this mysterious man who had just saved her life. She tried to deepen the kiss, but found that Erik's mask was in the way. She pulled away, gasping slightly for breath, and slowly reached up for his white mask. Erik tensed, all of his instincts telling him to run, yet he could not get up from the bench. Mercedes was reassured by the fact that Erik did not run away, and she removed his mask. She then caressed the right side of his face and gently kissed his disfigured cheek. Her lips then met with his once more, her arms flung around his neck.

Erik's hands ran down her back to rest at the small of her back. He pulled her closer to him, her warm body molding perfectly to his own. His tongue slipped in between her lips, causing her to moan slightly with pleasure. His hands ran all along her body, memorizing every detail, every curve of her body. Suddenly, he realized exactly what he was doing and pulled away. He could not do this, not yet. His heart was still too broken.

Mercedes seemed to understand, for her heart had been broken as well and she knew how painful it could be. Trying to find an excuse to break the awkward silence, she asked, "So, have you decided whether or not you will be Don Juan in the opera?"

"I might as well." he replied. It may help me heal my shattered heart, he thought, though he did not say it to Mercedes.

"Well, then, you will be playing the role opposite me." said a new voice coming from the door of the room. Both Mercedes and Erik turned to see a furious Christine standing in the doorway.