Hi guys. A little frazzled at the moment. Tryin' to finish chapters and tryin' to get 'em posted. This one is a little shorter than the others I think, and just deals with two characters.

Erik woke early the next morning, his back aching. He winced as he remembered where he had spent the night-leaned up against the solid rock wall overhanging the lake.

He groaned softly and tried to stretch, but something disallowed his actions. He frowned and looked down. Then he remembered who he had spent the night with-Elsa.

She was still curled up in his lap, but she had shifted positions in her sleep so now she was facing him, her head against his chest and her arms wrapped around his waist; his cloak was still draped over her shoulders.

He grinned and dismissed his pain, then moved a hand to rest on her back. She smiled in her sleep and tightened her grip on him instinctively.

He smiled wider, and thought on the subject. He, the Phantom of the Opera, was allowing a woman to touch him like this. Remarkable. And yet, I don't care...Because it's her...

He closed his eyes peacefully, thinking...

Of all the things to happen after Christine left me. Can it be true? Or am I dreaming? Can she really be here? With me?

She stirred against him, nuzzling closer and breathing deeply, mumbling, "Erik..."

His heart jumped as she said his name, even in sleep. She had told him she loved him...But did she still? Had she even really loved him? He looked down at her sleeping form.

So peaceful...So beautiful...

He hesitantly raised a hand to her hair and ran his fingers through the brunette curls.

Am I beginning to fall in lo-?

Feeling his hand, Elsa opened her eyes sleepily. She was so glad there were no bright lights in Erik's home...Just candles. And roses. And music.

What a romantic...she thought, and sighed. She looked up at him. He was smiling; she smiled herself, closing her eyes again.

"Bonjour," he said softly, running his hand through her hair again, pleased with the new feeling.

"Bonjour," she sighed in reply, hugging him.

Then her eyes snapped open wide and she sat up, shaking her head of sleep.

"Erik! I-I-I didn't mean to-!" she stuttered, moving to get up, but his hand kept her from doing so.

"It's perfectly fine. Calm down," he smiled. "And come back here," he said, pulling her back against him.

"But Erik-"

"Ssh," he said softly. "Elsa I have something to say..."

"Anything, Erik," she said, still a little wary to be so close to him. Wouldn't he be unhappy? What about his Phantom bubble no one in the world had permission to pop, and if they did, they would be cursed to death(like Christine)?

"Elsa...I..."

Oh, the words were so hard to say! Even when he really wanted to say them, and mean them. After Christine, he couldn't help to be protective of his weakened heart.

"Elsa, I..." he tried again.

She frowned. What had she done wrong? She rested a hand on his, trying to get him to finish.

He looked down at her hand, then back into her eyes...

"I love you."

"Don't say what you don't mean," was Elsa's sharp reply. Dammit. She wanted him to love her...She loved him! But she wouldn't believe him even if he said he meant it. Why? She was an idiot.

Erik frowned, confused.

"But I do mean it. Why would I say something I didn't mean?"

Elsa sighed. "Caught up in the moment maybe? I am laying on you, and in your lap."

Why was she doing this? he thought. Ah. He knew.

"Elsa, who am I?" he asked.

"Erik, the Phantom of the Opera, the Opera Ghost, the Magician, the Architect, the-"

He held a finger to her lips.

"And what kind of a person am I?"

"A man who is sensitive, honest, caring, kind, dangerous, brilliant, handsome, passionate..." She stopped. "You love me?"

"I love you," he smiled. "And I wouldn't hurt you. You know what happened to me; why would I wish that heartache on anyone else?"

She sighed. "You love me?" she asked again.

"I love you," he chuckled. It felt so good to say what he really felt!

She looked up at him, deliberating with herself.

"I love you, too, you know."

He smiled. He'd been doing a lot of smiling this morning!She was so happy. Really she was. Her heart soared at the thought of him loving her. But then she thought-

"Erik! Your back! You must be in so much pain!" she said, getting off of him.

He groaned. "You are right!" he laughed, standing up. "But, I wouldn't know pain; you're here."

Damn him, he was so sweet. She blushed.

"Erik what day is it?" she asked suddenly.

He thought, closing an eye in concentration. "I do believe it is August the thirteenth. Why?"

"It's my birthday, then," she sighed. Birthdays really weren't a big deal to her. Just another year older, she figured.

"Is it really?" he mused. Now I must wrack my brain with something to get her...

Well, people did you hate it? I like it. I have to get the other chapters up tonight. 'Tis my goal! I'm listening to Past the Point of No Return, so maybe it will encourage me...?

GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE. Tell me where you all want me to go with this thing! I'll love you forever. :throws cookies at all of your heads: