A/N: You'll love this, and by the way, the song that Erik plays, the piano thing, is the piano part from "Come what may, the remix" by Fat Boy Slim. That's the song that I imagine them dancing to. Just trying to create the scene because I'm not using lyrics. Well, I hope you enjoy, spent lots of time on this one.

Chapter 19: The Rhythm Of My Heart

Erik awakened to cold sheets. The warmth of Christine's body was absent. Had it all been a dream? No. God was not that cruel. His fears dissolved into relief when he heard the sound of glass tinkling.

Erik slid out of bed and pulled his robe over his naked body. They were still in the elephant, so he was rewarded with the sight of Christine making her way up the steps to the elephant's glass domed head, completely unaware that Erik was watching her. He silently made his way up the stairs, noticing a small crystal chandelier swaying slightly from Christine's gentle touch. He climbed the steps slowly, not wanting to scare his love. He paused when he heard the sound of Christine's voice, but it wasn't right, it sounded as if she were crying.

What more could your love do for me?

Except let me live in ecstasy…

Erik listened intently as she continued. He peered over the railing to see Christine in her silk robe, facing the glow of the city Paris.

Why live life, from dream to dream?

And dread the day,

When dreaming ends…

Christine turned and went to sit on the canopied velvet cushions.

Someday I'll fly away,

Leave all this to yesterday…

Fly away…

Erik felt her pain as Christine's tears turned into quiet sobs. He climbed the rest of the steps and went to gather Christine in his arms. She looked up at him, his black hair in place, his robe revealing his perfect chest. To Christine, he really was an angel.

"Shh, mon ange, I feel the pain when you cry and it burns. You should not have to feel such pain." Erik pressed his lips to her forehead, his tears falling to join hers. "Please don't cry." Erik thought desperately of something to arouse and soothe the soul. He was pulled out of his thoughts by the feel of Christine's lips against his chest as she spoke.

"All I see is blood, your blood Erik. Blood." Erik held her against him, a thought entered his mind and spilled from his mouth.

"Maybe you should not have returned to me…" He almost died at hearing his own voice form those words.

"What? No! Erik don't you ever, ever, say that again! I would have left the fuck-head anyway! I love you more than I even think I know, and nothing has ever felt more right to me, ever. I swear Erik, if you say that ever again I will strap you down and taunt you with my love until you are weak with longing!" Christine sucked in air, slightly shocked from her own outburst. She was standing now, looking down at the man that she would die for. He was smiling slightly.

"Strap me down and taunt me with your love? My dear, if I' am not mistaken, that would be pure bliss." Erik watched as Christine's face changed from anger to amusement.

She flopped down beside him in defeat. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she toyed with her necklace. It came to him then, what would help them.

"Christine, I think there are some clothes inside, get dressed and meet me in the garden." Dawn was breaking on the horizon as Erik raised and went inside, gathering his clothes and exiting the exotic haven, dressing along the way.

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Erik was pacing the garden, once again wearing nothing but shirt sleeves and black trousers. His ebony boots came up to his knee, his mask contrasting against them in pale ivory.

No one was in the Moulin Rouge, the men had gone home to their angry wives, and the whores sent to bed by Harold, who had also retired for the night, which had been very slow without the sparkling diamond.

This gave Erik a whole nightclub to work with. And work with it he will until it resembled heaven.

He was drawn out of his thoughts by the sound of Christine's black heeled shoes against the metal of the spiraling staircase. His mouth opened slightly at the sight of her. Christine's curls were half pinned up in a loose bun, while the rest lay untamed around her shoulders and face. A black corset served as a bodice, one of the straps temping Erik by hanging loosely off her shoulder. From the hips down, shimmering black silk slid over her legs and just over her toes. The necklace Erik had given her, finished off this masterpiece of an angel, his angel. He closed his mouth as she approached him and smiled. She kissed him softly, surprising him slightly, but he held her waist none the less.

"Erik, what mischief are you planning to perform?" Christine asked smiling at the dazed look on his face.

Erik said nothing but instead, offered her his arm, which she accepted with an air of a rich snob, while trying to suppress a giggle at her make-believe.

Together they walked towards the entrance to the dance hall, Christine's head laying on Erik's shoulder.

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Erik and Christine entered the dancehall silently, in case anyone was there. No one.

Erik smiled and led Christine over to a shiny, black piano.

All the lights had been dimmed in the mirror walled hall. Only a few candles blazed softtly in the darkness. Tables were stackes along with cahirs along the sides of the floor, leaving more than enough space for the lovers to do as they wish, anything they wish.

Erik sat at the piano, glancing with a raised brow at Christine. She smiled back at him, sliding her chest across the piano top. She lay her cheek down on her hand, giving Erik a tempting smile. Erik smiled back and began to play. The music came strong and unexpectant causing Christine to straighten with surprise. Christine slid down onto the floor, walking gracefully and turning every now and then to give Erik loving yet tempting looks. But he continued, watching Christine's every move, trying very hard not to abandon the piano and go to Christine. Who was now twirling on the floor, and now she was running her hands over her heaving breasts, hips, thighs, and then back up, up. Erik watched as she bent down and slid back up. Twirling and slithering her hands in the air. Then she did it again, breasts, waist, hips, thighs and then Erik was there, holding her to him by the hips. He wondered if she could feel his arousal, the arousal only she could bring. He put his face in the crook of her neck as he put one of his hands on her waist, and in the other he placed her small palm. She slid her hand ohis chest and on to his shoulder. He pulled out of her neck and scent, and looked into her eyes. With nothing but the rhythm of their hearts as music, they begaqn to dance, slowly then faster and faster. They were soon out of breath and Erik backed Christine up into a mirror, kissing her neck as he did so, then her lips. Erik pulled away from Christine's bruised and plump lips only to return after seeing the dissappointment on her face. Then he pulled away again, cupping her cheek. They're eyes never left the others. Erik picked Christine up and took her to the hall of mirrors, where whores were seduced in a room with nothing but crystal and glass, and some cushions and blankets as well. The perfect place to play make-believe for as long as they wished.

The mirrors did not lie that night, they reflected nothing but true love.