Disclaimer: The only characters I own are Stephanie, Dan, etc. Erik is not mine and will never be mine. Though, a girl can dream can't she?

A/N: Hi everybody! I'm baccck! Thank you for the feedback and the luck on the exams. They were a bit tough but I'm glad it's over with. And I'm proud to say that Erik and I had a baby, Erik Jack. That's right the Phantom and me! Hee hee. Naa. For the weekend I'm taking care one of those baby simulators for my Parenting class and so far the name fits the baby.

And about Christa…. you all are going to like this. Don't forget to review!

Chapter 26- The Date

"Erik you need to calm down!" Stephanie told the anxious man.

Erik was pacing back and forth, his mind all in shambles. In a few minutes he was going to meet Christa at the restaurant Stephanie made reservations for. This was his first date, his first date with a woman! He was disappointed that it wasn't Christine, but he believed to soothe his erratic mind; Stephanie explained that since he had no attraction to Christa it didn't count.

But the fact remained and he still wasn't ready to do this.

"I can't calm down!" he roared. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his tone. "I'm sorry but what if I fail?"

"Then you know how to fix it when it comes to Christine," she said. "Are you ready?"

He fixed his collar and readjusted his mask. He faced Stephanie and nodded. "Let's get this over with."

Breathe old boy, just breathe. You're doing fine just relax and remember what Miss Larson told you. Do not order anything with onions and heavy amounts of garlic or it's over. Okay. Sounds simple enough if the place wasn't called the Italian Palace!

Moments ago Stephanie dropped him off, promising to be back in a few hours to pick him up. Now, he was sitting at the table across from his date, and reading the menu.

He was thankful she kept it casual with a dusty rose sweater and black skirt. Her brunette locks were pulled up and held in place with a couple of hair sticks. He dressed in his normal formal attire, but left out the ascot and midnight coat. They gave their orders to the waiter and an awkward silence settled between them after.

Christa was stirring the ice in her water and Erik knew she had to be bored and quickly began small talk by inquiring about her lessons. She answered how difficult they were, but her professor insisted she had real potential.

"In fact I'm considering the part for Christine Daae in the upcoming production of The Phantom of the Opera," she added. "Have you seen it?"

Erik choked on his drink and tried to still his pounding heart. Hearing Christine's name just brought on more guilt to his actions and the reason she asked such a question made him want to laugh out in hysterics.

"Are you all right?" Christa asked, concerned when he started coughing.

"I'm fine really," he insisted. "It's just… " Oh God I cannot do this! Screw the lessons I'm through! "I'm sorry Christa but I can't keep this up any longer."

He knew if Stephanie heard him now she would have smack him upside the head. But he couldn't go through the evening with Christine on his troubled mind. Yes, she may have spent time with the Vicomte but it didn't seem right that he should do the same. He loved her too much to betray her.

Sadness crept through Christa's eyes but there was also a bit of… relief?

"I understand. I don't know what I was thinking agreeing to all of this," Christa admitted. "I thought I could forget about Eliot for a little bit, but I can't. You look so much like him."

"Pardon?"

"The guy I told you about. I've been, forget it. I can't believe I'm even said that to someone I met…"

"You love him," Erik blurted out. She blinked at him in shock.

"How do you know? I mean it's none of your business, but-"

"It's in your eyes," he replied. "Trust me I know. I'm in love with Christine and so I can understand your feelings of guilt right now."

The sudden opening of honesty was a huge shocker to Erik. Did he just tell her how he felt about Christine? Christa's expression was unreadable and after a second or two replaced with utter bafflement.

"Well if you feel that way then why did you ask me out?"

What the Hell, might as well tell her since I laid it out on the table.

Sighing, Erik explained how Stephanie (his cousin) was advising him on the rules of dating. Christa seemed to take his word for it and smiles broke out over her features.

"Your cousin is right about what she taught you," she told him. "Mind if I add a few pointers?"

"Be my guest. I need all the criticism I can get."

"You were too nervous. If you're jumpy then you're going to make her jumpy and everything blows. I know because you were making me nervous and I don't get nervous easily unless it's some big audition then all Hell breaks loose. And the fact you listened to my rambling was actually sweet for most guys talk about themselves all the time and don't pay attention to what the girl is saying. Plus you were interested, it seemed, in my life and that's going to mean a lot to her. Christine is one lucky gal to have you in her life."

Erik could feel himself blushing and didn't bother to try and hide it. Christa giggled. "So do you think from these lessons I should tell Eliot?"

He grinned. "Of course. If you're honest with your feelings he might come out and tell you of his. I believe he might like you."

She smiled graciously. "I'll do that. So, do you still want to call it a night? Or should we stay?"

Feeling much better of after the ordeal, Erik nodded. "I think we could both use this as a practice."

And with that she raised her glass if ready for a toast and announced, "Here here!"

TBC…

Now how's that for another "woman"? Probably thought Erik and her were going to get together. Nope. I'm a true E/C shipper if you haven't noticed.