A/N someone in a previous review mentioned a weak plot, yes that is true right now I do have a weak plot. This is my first story and when I was drafting it wasn't sure how to start. I assure you the story is going somewhere just give it time. I had mentioned in the description a month or so ago that it would have a lengthily plot. Thank you for pointing this out so I could give an explanation

Chapter 10- Whose is the face?

He let her hand go and turned around only to find himself staring at his masked face in the mirror. The cold white mask stared back mocking him and haunting him. All he wanted in that moment was to smash the mirror and end its silent mockery.

She looked at him. "Erik, you don't have to wear that mask when you're around me. I'll love you no matter what is underneath."

Erik raised his hand to gently touch his mask. He continued to stare at himself in the mirror. "How can something hold so much comfort, yet mock you so greatly. Only when I wear it do I feel somewhat human. Only then do I feel like I am deserving of your love."

"It doesn't matter how you look…" She put a hand on his shoulder.

"What about the Vicomte?" He spoke softly as he shook his head at himself. "I can't ever give you all that he can." He touched the glass of the mirror and stared into the reflection.

"I don't care about what he can give me. Everything you have ever given to me was made by your hands, and your heart." She smiled slightly putting a hand to his heart.

He smiled and looked at the ground. "Are you sure of what you are doing? I love you enough to give you a choice. I will let you choose a life you deserve."

She walked behind him and put her hands on his shoulders. She started to move her hands in a circular motion massaging his back. "I've never been surer of anything, and the life I want is the life with you."

He shivered at her touch and the mirror shook as his spine crept. He couldn't fight it any longer. Every touch from her strung with over powering emotions and feelings. He turned around and embraced her. "Very well Christine. You belong to me then." He grinned.

She smiled. "I decided I belonged to you years ago."

He smiled and looked around. "So, how do you like this place?"

She looked at him and smiled brightly. "I love it!"

"I will change things. Suddenly all these mirrors aren't to my liking as they were before." He glanced around the room. "I have a thing with mirrors. They are so fascinating and beautiful. You can see into other worlds with them, yet they are also haunting and mocking."

She nodded. "Yes there are an awful lot of mirrors. It makes me feel crowded." She sat at the piano bench. "Can you teach me to play?"

He walked over to the piano. "Well its a complicated skill to master but I shall teach you some day." He smiled. "Would you like to sing a song?"

"It's been a long night, but sure." She nodded.

Erik smiled and walked over to the piano bench sitting down. Christine scooted over and cocked her head to the side. "Do you need me to get up?"

"Only if you want to my dear." He immediately began to play at the keys pouring his emotion into the song. The music was so beautiful and over powering that she had forgotten to sing and shortly became lost in his music. Erik continued to play and the great harmonies that caused the mirrors to shake. It echoed through the room and Christine closed her eyes lost in ecstasy. The music took her to a whole different place. Her mind and soul felt free and suddenly the music stopped. She opened her eyes only to find him inches from her face. "I just wrote that for you." She was speechless.

"Do you wish to stay here tonight or go back home?" He asked.

She smiled. "I like it here, so let's stay."

He stared at her. "Are you sure? There isn't much here yet. There's only some furniture and desks in the backroom."

She nodded. "Yes I am sure, and we can find somewhere to sleep."

He laughed lightly. "Where, the floor?" He stared down at the ground thankful he had swept all the dust before her arrival.

"I can go to the store and get some blankets." She spoke.

He nodded. "That sounds like a good idea, but I won't let you go alone."

"Then how am I going?" She asked.

"With me my dear." He held out his arm to escort her. "Besides, you have no money with you."

"Oh, that's right." She took his arm and smiled.

They stepped outside and Erik took out a velvet pouch which contained a small gold key. He turned the key locking the door and slipped it back into his pocket. They walked down the cobblestone road which was lit by the old street lamps.

"It's not too cold tonight." He spoke warmly.

She now had her hand laced with his. "No it is not."

"What will you tell your precious Vicomte of us?" He looked down at her. "I cannot and will not share you."

"We won't tell him." She didn't want to tell Erik that she had already spoken with Raoul about her feelings. She didn't want to make Erik mad that she hadn't confessed it was the Opera Ghost whom she loved so dearly.

He raised an eyebrow. "But you should tell him." One of the things he longed to see was Raoul being rejected by her. He wanted to see the look on his face when Christine told him it was the phantom which she adored over a great Vicomte. "I hope I'm not some joke to you. You aren't ashamed of being with me are you Christine?"

She stopped and looked at him. "Of course not! If I was I wouldn't be out here with you."

"I won't be mocked by a Vicomte." He glared at a store window as they passed by.

Christine looked at him and saw how tense he had become. She quickly threw him against the wall and kissed him quickly. She pulled away and smiled. "I've always wanted to do that." Erik was in shock. He stood stiff. Never in his life had he been or imagined being kissed that way. Christine moved off the wall. "Come let's get to the store before they close."

Erik nodded and took her hand again starting to walk. He felt the fire burn all over his face as he blushed. He hoped Christine couldn't see it in the dark.

As soon as they reached the store entrance he stopped. "Wait…" He pulled a black hood over his head so his face was covered in the shadows. "Ok let's go."

She nodded and walked inside heading straight for the bedding area. Some customers looked on with suspicion as they watched the couple make their way through the store. Erik may have thought the hood could hide him but it only drew more attention. All their eyes were mainly fixed on him. He continued to walk as if he was used to it, which he was.

She looked at him. "What kind of sheets do you want?"

In a low mysterious voice he spoke. "Velvet."

She nodded and grabbed some red velvet bed sheets. "Now for the bed." She looked at all the different types of beds.

"Pick any one you like." He spoke quietly to her.

A woman walked behind him and turned a corner stopping to stare. Erik just continued to ignore it as usual.

She smiled. "How about a big bed?"

"Which ever one you fancy." He smiled even though he knew she could not see it.

She looked at them carefully and then pointed to a big bed. "I want that one over there."

"Then it's yours my dear." He wrapped his arm around her waist. The woman's eyes widened and Erik became more annoyed. He slowly removed his hand. "Why can't they just stop?" He muttered.

She smiled and placed his arm around her waist again. "Just ignore them."

"I'm trying to." He smiled softly.

She looked at him. "How are we ever going to pay for all this?"

"Don't worry about it." He guided her to the front desk.

Erik paid the clerk for the furniture and for a carriage to take it back in. As soon as he was sure she was in the back he hopped in the front of the carriage and started to head home.

Once he was home he unloaded all the furniture into the shop. "Ok where do you want this to go?" He asked holding some of the bed parts while the rest lay on the floor.

"Where ever there is space." She replied.

"There is a lot, just pick somewhere." He smiled.

"If I choose, you have to take off your mask and let me see." She spoke seriously.

He dropped some of the parts. "Damn." He cursed softly as he started to pick up the parts.

She bended over and picked them up. She looked at him. "I-I'm sorry. Just put it in the back room I suppose."

He looked around seeing himself in all the mirrors. "No I'm sorry."

She looked away nervously and ashamed of herself. "N-No just ignore it."

"You wouldn't want to see the truth, of who I am or what I am." He sighed.

"I very much would Erik, but I know you wouldn't feel comfortable." She looked up from the ground and back at him. "I won't force you to do something you don't want to do."

"Not here Christine." He looked at all the mirrors again. "It's too much…"

"Well then get rid of them! Put them in a different room. They are mirrors Erik. They show your true beauty of how you were made." She looked at them.

"They show many other things as well." He spoke softly.

"Like what?" She asked.

"Beauty and despair." He replied simply. "Everyday I break another mirror with anger and hate, yet I can't seem to stay away from them."

"Then everyday you get seven years bad luck." She responded.

He laughed softly and looked at the floor. "I guess that will explain it then."

"Explains what?" She looked at him funny and then dropped to her knees realizing what she had said to offend him. "Oh Erik I'm sorry!"

"No it's ok." He smiled slightly.

She buried her face in her hands crying.

"Oh come now angel." He took her into his arms. "You know I'd face the world for you and nothing you say can ever change that."

"I'm sorry." She sniffed. "I just…really love you and I just wanted to know what was under your mask. I didn't mean to say something wrong."

"Don't even think of it." He smiled slightly and kissed her cheek.

"I'm being so selfish." She sighed.

"No, come with me." He helped her up and led her to the backroom leaving the bed parts on the floor.

The room was dark. She squinted trying to look around, but she saw nothing. He lit a candle and it illuminated the masked side of his face. He took her hand again to touch his mask. He smiled slightly trying to be brave. He was terrified, but he loved her and knew she had the right to know.

Christine's warm palm touched the cold white mask and it sent a shiver up her spine. The anticipation was killing her.

Erik took a deep breath and gently helped her peel away the mask. He kept his eyes closed fearing her reaction, and he flinched as soon as the cool air hit his cheek. The tears began to swell in his eyes.

She squinted in the darkness trying to make out the shape but she soon realized it had no shape. It was different from any face she had ever seen. The distortion was like a work of art. The texture blended into one unique masterpiece, something no one could ever paint. She smiled and put a hand to his cheek. "It doesn't bother me." She caressed his cheek memorizing the feeling of the unique texture.

Tears began to rapidly fall from Erik's eyes and he said nothing. He still hadn't opened his eyes to see the warm loving smile she bestowed upon him. She wiped away his tears and softly started to sing. "Beautiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? Please allow me to show you, you are not alone." She kissed him passionately and he shook beginning to cry more.

Erik fell to the ground burying his face in his hands. He wept violently and let his mask fall to the floor next to him.