Disclaimer: I do not own Erik.

A/N: I just went through the C2 communities and to my surprise found this story in there. Thank you to whomever submitted it in!

Maska- For your question, Stephanie is wearing her contact when the guy pushed her.

I also got quite a few comments about Stephanie's mismatched eyes and the treatment she gets from her peers. I'm not implying that everyone that has mismatch eyes gets treated horribly; it's just in this story I've done that's all. So if I offended anyone I'm sorry. I've done that so it's easy to compare Stephanie to Erik. Yes, Erik has been treated far worse than she, but this is the future and you don't hear very often stories of people going through what he did. At least I haven't. So enough of this jabbering and let's get to the story!

Chapter 20- Forgiveness Helps the Soul

For the next couple of days, Stephanie didn't speak to Erik unless it was for a lesson. Erik tried to apologize but each time he was shot down. It was normally difficult for him to admit his faults, but now he was more persistent than ever to do right. Yet, he wasn't sure how to go about it.

He slept little because of the horror last time, but one night he had a completely different dream:

Erik was at his organ, working on his latest Don Juan Triumphant. He was so absorbed in the music that he didn't hear the soft pitter-patter of steps coming from behind.

"Erik."

He turned around, startled and upset for the disturbance, and became shock to see Christine in front of him.

Her unruly mass of brown curls were spread out over her shoulders, her luminous chocolate eyes glowed, and an angelic smiled was painted gracefully on her rosy lips. Erik's breath caught at the picture she uphold and grew afraid she would shrink away if he should reach out to touch one of those silky strands.

"Erik," she repeated in her sweet, melodious voice. "Don't fret my love. I know about the girl."

"What girl?" he asked, confused at her statement. Then it dawned on him- Stephanie Larson. How did she know?

She giggled at his bewilderment. "Yes I know about her. There's no need for alarm."

"Then, how?"

"No need for questions Erik. When have you become so curious?" she teased, her eyes twinkling merrily. "I'm sorry things turned a bit crazy, but she'll come around. You two need each other for the moment."

"I… don't understand," he stammered.

"Erik, you need to be much more sensitive towards her. It's hard for any girl to go through life thinking they're hideous when they're not. You did the right thing before telling Stephanie how much she means to you and to others and how wonderful she is. You have no idea how much that touched her," Christine told him.

"Christine, when have you been so philosophical?"

Her smile widened. "It comes naturally. Don't give up on her and don't give up on yourself. I'm waiting for you, Erik. I know you'll return to me soon."

"How? I don't even know how I got there in the first place!" Erik cried.

"Yes you do. And when it's time you'll return. You have it within you. You will know when it's time and soon we'll be reunited," she exclaimed confidently. "Now go to her."

He woke with a start. The dream felt so real. He could still smell the faint scent of lavender around him. Was he actually back or did his poor tortured mind created the illusion? He went with the latter and thought about what Christine revealed to him. It was puzzling to Erik.

What did she meant by he'll know when he'll return? And how did Stephanie fit in all of this? It was all so confusing…

Go to her… That's what she said.

"I can't now. She's asleep," he said aloud. "What can I do to get back on her good terms?"

He pondered this for a while and then the light bulb went on.

He threw the blanket off and after scrambling around for a piece of paper and pen, he wrote furiously until the sun came up.

The light was so blinding no matter which way she turned, Stephanie was hit with the unwanted cheerfulness. Lately, she has been in a sour mood, no thanks to the Opera Ghost. His never-ending attempts apologizing had little effect over her, except the flattery that he was trying so hard.

She wanted to forgive him but couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't know how long until he decided to lash out like that again. Already, the cuts within were still fresh and she wasn't quite ready to move on. It was a pathetic weakness if she never seen it and hated herself for allowing Erik to hurt her so. What was she thinking? It was a matter of time before he did this, yet she thought she would be invulnerable to his anger once she got through his rough exterior. Boy, she was wrong.

She wasn't sorry for the way she's been treating him. In all fairness, she felt he deserved it. She trusted him and he threw everything in her face again. She couldn't get over the irony of it- her being Erik and Erik as Christine. And it was due to curiosity and flaring tempers.

Stephanie reluctantly removed herself from the warmth of her bed to get ready. While pulling on a shirt, she paused to hear what sounded like humming. There was only one person she knew that could possess such a heavenly voice- Erik. Why is he so damn happy? She thought furiously. He wasn't days ago.

Stephanie tried her best to block out the tune and quickly finished. She ran to the kitchen to get hers and Erik's breakfast and returned to his room. So far she didn't have the courage to enter, to face him, but she was going to put that behind.

She busted through the door, Pop Tarts in hand, and stopped when she saw Erik hutched over her desk, writing at stop speed.

"Ahem." She cleared her throat.

Erik jumped and glanced over to her. "You can put that over there." He pointed to the pillow on the cot before going back to his work.

Stephanie still stood, speechless. That was it? No begging for forgiveness? No on the floor on hands and knees pleading? NOTHING!

Why should you care whether or not if he does? You're mad at him, she reminded herself. But she couldn't help but feel hurt that he wasn't even going to ask. She scowled and tossed it to where Erik asked her.

"I'm leaving," she said flatly.

"That's nice."

"I'm going to school," she added.

"Have fun." He didn't look up or anything.

Stephanie began fuming at his lack of compassion.

"I'm still mad at you."

"I know. You should go or you'll be late," he reminded her. Seeing he was right only made her more irritated.

"Bye!" she yelled curtly and closed the door. The nerve!

Erik chuckled to himself and focused on his last try to make up for his rash actions. She's going to be so surprised.

For the rest of the day and on the way home, Stephanie was still bothered by Erik's sudden resolve. She didn't know why she was letting the man get under her skin, but it had to stop or she'll go insane. Though, I don't think it matters since I'm spending my time with an unreal person, she thought wryly.

When she went into the house she found it eerily silent. No whining from Harper, in fact he was nowhere in sight. Elaine was at her Book Club meeting and Tom was at work, but where was Erik? Normally he would have the Phantom soundtrack blasting through the house. Since he's been around Stephanie forgot what it was like to come to an empty house. It was so spooky.

She slowly moved through the rooms on the ground level and couldn't find Erik anywhere. She stopped at the stairs and thought maybe he was in his room still working on whatever he was doing. She headed up when she heard a voice that made her freeze on the spot.

Stephanie Larson….

It sounded like it was coming from inside her mind. She wanted to run or scream or do both, but couldn't bring herself to break away from the spell bounding voice. She couldn't resist. And it seemed it knew that too.

Go to your room.

She obeyed. When she went inside, the small room was completely engulf with never-ending darkness. But oddly, she wasn't afraid. Then a low, sonorous voice sang out:

Lonely Girl, please don't hide

For tomorrow holds

Unexpected truths

And only you can make the difference

So don't let others tell you wrong

For you are the only one

Who can make things right

Please don't turn your back away

On those who have offered so much

Lonely Girl, hide no more,

And let your wisdom

Make its debut flight…

The song relaxed Stephanie and brought tears to her eyes. It wasn't until after it hit her that Erik somehow manipulated her. She turned to leave but the door closed and locked by itself. She became a bit panicky and tried to get out.

You're not leaving just yet… Erik said, the gentle tone taking on a demanding overtone.

Stephanie whirled around and gasped. Once her eyes adjusted, she saw his ghastly white mask glowing with trepidation. She could see his icy blue eyes taken on an almost golden hue as the Phantom stared down at her. She couldn't see his expression, only the seriousness in those orbs.

"Now, I would really appreciate it if you allowed me a chance to speak," Erik stated in a cold, firm manner. "You will not interrupt me by any means until I have finished. Understood?"

"Yes," she squeaked in a mouse-like tone, terrified of what might happen if she refused.

In a flash, the lights were on momentarily blinding Stephanie. When she was able to focus, she found Erik sitting lazily at her desk chair.

"Miss Larson, I deeply apologize for my outburst. I didn't mean to imply that you're a coward because you're not. You're very brave in ways I never seen before. You helped me even though you knew what I was capable of. You even had the patience that others do not possess to keep me in line. People don't give me a chance and I do whatever I can to frighten others, but not you. You stood up to me and told me things that I normally would kill others for even saying.

"And I thought about what you said if there was 'another girl' and I'm sad to say you're right. I wish I can tell you how wrong you are, but that would be just a lie. It got me thinking about myself and I suppose if Christine was another 'pretty girl' with no personality I would still be over her. But she doesn't but I see where you were going at."

Stephanie opened her mouth to say something, but Erik kept right on talking.

"Now, I know you won't completely forgive me right away, but I'll do whatever I can to make it up. It's hard for me to find my faults and to admit them to others. I spent my entire life using anger as my way to get my point across and I never cared if I hurt anyone in the process. But I do now. I know I need to control my temper and I will do the best I can on that. It's hard for me to discuss my feelings with people, but you're making it easier for me to. I'm asking for you to understand where I'm coming from and hopefully work together to overcome our insecurities. I don't want our friendship to end over my stupid mistake."

During his speech, Erik moved over to where Stephanie was standing and clasped her hands in his in a last act of desperation. Falling to his knees, he held her hands and stared into the masked eye, the one she kept hidden from the world.

Stephanie couldn't move, couldn't breathe, and couldn't speak. All her anger dissolved. As much as she liked to see him grovel, this right here proved to her that even if his words still held some truth, he was completely sorry.

"Did you write that song for me?" she asked after the few moments of silence.

Erik nodded. "I see. Erik, I appreciate you doing this and all, but what you did was wrong and I guess I kind of overreacted by giving you the cold shoulder. I think it's time for me to get over this self-pity and you did bring some reality back to me when you said those things. Let's just put this all behind us and forget we even had this squabble."

He let go of her hands and stood up. He was purely confused at her sudden decision. He was all out and ready to do some more pleading if he had to.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

Recalling his earlier words of 'doing anything', a mischievous look flashed across her face. "You know, now that you mentioned it. You did say you would do anything."

"Yes," he said slowly, now regretting his choice of words.

"Well, you can make it up by singing the Music of the Night while pretending you're serenading Christine."

"That's it?" He knew there had to be something more than that.

She went over to one of the drawers in her nightstand and pulled out the Raoul notebook. She handed it to him with a smirk.

"Hold this out as if you'll dance and pretend he's Christine. But you don't have to kiss it unless you want to," she teased. "Go ahead and sing to your rival."

Things I do for forgiveness, he thought stiffly. In future reference, I will never apologize to her ever again.

"Erik!"

"Night time sharpens…"

TBC…

Special thanks to Megan who helped me on the lyrics for the song! Thank you so much! Please don't forget to review!