Disclaimer: Oh, I wish I wish I own him. But I don't so lucky ALW.

A/N: Thanks again my lovely reviewers! Just thought I'll let you know that the next 2chapters Erik finds out the truth about Stephanie. I know that some of you were wondering about that so wait until the next chappie!

Chapter 9- Lesson 5: Never Kill For Your Love

The next morning Stephanie woke to the joyous sounds of metal clashing. She rolled over to find Erik who was intently involved with the swordfight with Raoul. She rolled her eyes and went over to stand by him. Just as she thought, Erik was so engrossed with the action that he didn't notice the hand hitting the side of his head.

"Bloody Hell!" he cursed and rubbed his head and glared at Stephanie through the screen. "What was that for?"

"For waking me up early on a Saturday!" Stephanie replied, folding her arms. "Do you ever get tire of that?"

"Nope. I wish I could see the part where I cut him."

"No more violence for you Ewrik," she said in a childish tone. "I hate to see you become corrupted with such hate."

He chuckled. "Child, I'm already corrupted so don't try and change me."

"And that's your problem right there," Stephanie said wryly.

"What?"

"Carnage, blood, gore, the works. You remind me of my 8-year-old cousin."

"So? There's no problem with a fascination of the human anatomy," he replied as a matter of fact.

"That's fine as long as massacre is not part of it."

Erik snapped his fingers as a playful smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Oh darn."

"Seriously Erik, do you think you would have killed Joseph Buquet?"

He shrugged. "If he got in my way, yes, I will."

"Erik!"

"What? He has it coming. He knows to stay out of my way, plus he's a disgrace to my Opera house! He watches the chorus girls and it sickens me. He's old enough to be their father!"

"Well, if you're doing the same thing with Christine in this day of age, we call that statuary rape," Stephanie retorted.

It was Erik's turn to roll his eyes. "I'm not that perverted."

"C'mon, tell me you haven't been tempted."

"I haven't."

"Sure." Stephanie didn't believe him for a second.

"Miss Larson I do have some manners," Erik answered.

"So you never got a peek? Not one tiny little lookey at an ankle? Or heaven forbid her entire leg!" she taunted.

Erik's face grew red and his words began to jumble together. "N-n-noIdidn't."

"I bet it's great not to have to go to confession or anything," she teased.

"Could we please get off this topic?" Erik moaned.

"No. I find I kinda like torturing you with this," Stephanie joked. "But if you're going to remain cranky if I do I'll stop. Know this, if you ever piss me off I got some major dirt on you."

"You're going to blackmail me? Miss Larson I don't believe you have that in you," he mocked.

"How little you know me," Stephanie grinned. "But back to Joseph. Killing him isn't going to solve anything."

"There will be one less piece of scum on the Earth."

She paused for a moment. "I'll give you that but no one truly deserves to die. Unless they have it coming to them and Joseph didn't. You did it out of frustration and that's why it's important to control that temper of yours. Remember when Christine went to Raoul? She did that because she was scared you would kill Raoul because of her past with him. Also, she's afraid that you might kill her or anyone else she knows that gets in your way. Erik you're losing points if you pull a stunt like that!"

He was silent. Stephanie cocked her head and gave him a look. "What no sarcastic comment? Are you ill Erik?"

"I'm fine," he grumbled. "But I can't help it! When I get upset I black out. I don't know what I'm doing because all I see is red fury."

"This is what I meant when I said 'actions speak louder than words'. A person can still love someone if they commit crimes, but that doesn't mean they want to be with that person. Raoul was Christine's safety net and she was in a vulnerable state at the time. He was there for her and you can't let him do that. Quit hiding and go to your love when she's scared! Hanging back sends her the message that you're guilty."

"What must I do?" he begged.

"Hold onto that thought and let me get dress."

When Stephanie was more presentable, she and Erik sat on her floor, to continue their early conversation. "For one you can't kill people. Nice gesture but she's not the kill-for-me type of girl. If you tell her you'll die for her or hypothetically say you will kill someone for her, that's kind of sweet as long as you don't take the words to heart. Otherwise, she'll go and call the police on you because you're now the crazy killer boyfriend."

"And that's a bad thing," Erik said slowly. "I see it now but it might take awhile."

Stephanie shook her head. "Not awhile Erik. Right away in the present time. If you did that for me I wouldn't stay with you that's for sure."

He sighed. "I'll be a good boy."

"You better. Or else you'll be singing the blues."

Erik shook his head. "You're a strange person Miss Larson."

"I shouldn't be talking Opera Ghost. By the way, don't you think it's odd for a ghost to be asking for money?"

"No. People will when you find the right leverage."

"I wouldn't," Stephanie answered.

"You say that now but if you were threatened directly-"

"I still wouldn't pay. Oh, before I forget. No blackmailing and no threats Erik. That's a major big no-no."

Erik sighed. "Take all the fun away why don't you."

TBC…

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