Terribly sorry to keep all of my reviews waiting. I have been sick, but the first thing I did when I recovered was update! Aren't you all happy? A few notes to some of my reviewers, soofija, thank you for your delightful review, it had made me add a few things in my further chapters, and milkywaypnay37, your review made me laugh! Thank you for bringing some cheerfulness into my day! To my other faithful reviewers, all of your reviews have put a smile upon my face! Well I hope you all like this next chapter, because we get to see…well…Pierre's true side. And it aint pretty I can tell you that! Well on with the story then!

Chapter 9 – Pierre's True Side

The halls grew colder and darker as Pierre and Crystal traveled further into the Opera House. Still arm in arm, Pierre began picking up his pace and Crystal found herself nearly running to catch up with him.

After turning a few corners, the two finally stopped.

"Pierre. Where are we going?" Crystal demanded short of breath.

Pierre reached out his hand and gently stroked her cheek. "Ah mon cherri. That is for me to know and you to find out."

Crystal was now becoming unsure of this whole idea and knew that if she told Pierre to turn back, he would not listen to her.

She and Pierre turned one last corner until they stopped at a door. The only door in that hallway in fact.

Pierre turned to Crystal smiling and said, "Open it."

Crystal pushed her wavy hair away from in front of her face and made her way to the door. It was covered in dust and cobwebs. It was most likely kept out of our service since the fire. Crystal turned the knob and the door slowly creaked open. Her jaw dropped imminently when she looked inside.

The room was warm and was covered in candles, everywhere. A fire was burning in the enormous room at the fireplace. A table with wine and two glasses sat in the center of the room, along with two pillows to rest upon. Crystal turned around with one of the largest smiles Pierre had ever seen. Her cheeks turned a soft pink.

"You did all this for me?" Crystal said as she became teary eyed.

Pierre walked towards her and took her hands in his and said, "You are the only one I would do this for." He leaned in closer to Crystal's face and closed his eyes but she retreated. Her heart began to race. She was not yet ready to kiss this man.

Crystal let go of Pierre's hands and walked to the pillows on the floor. She laid down and rested her arm upon the pillow. Her head resting lightly on her hand. She gestured Pierre to come beside her.

Erik raced down his hidden passageways to every hallway and vacant room. Every so often he saw a few people wondering the halls, but none of which were Crystal or Pierre.

Erik stopped to catch his breath. That was when it came to him 'It is Pierre we are talking about. Where does he bring all his mistresses?"

Erik's head snapped up and he spoke out loud. "The abandoned room!"

"Are you comfortable now?" Pierre said setting the bottle of chardonnay on a small table and handed Crystal a glass. She smiled in thanks, the firelight playing across her features.

"Yes, I am quite fine, thank you." Crystal responded looking around the magnificent room, admiring it. "Such a beautiful room. Why is it not occupied?"

"The Palais Garnier is large Crystal. Not every room can be filled." Pierre told her.

They both signed contentedly, leaning against the large pillows on the rug in front of the fireplace.

The Opera House, this room, it gave Crystal the feeling ofhaving a home. She had moved around with her wealthy parents much of her life. Smiling, she sighed again, happy that she decided to let Pierre take her here.

Pierre poured Crystal some more wine, though not himself, and clinking his glass gently with her own. "To your health." He murmured before taking a sip. Crystal raised her glass to her lips, delicately tasting the sweet wine. She felt it slide down her throat, making a warm path through her body.

"What do you think?" Pierre laughed at the expression on Crystal's face. She opened her eyes and blushed.

"Absolutely wonderful. I have never tasted anything quite like it before." Crystal smiled looking away from him and now placed her eyes upon the blazing fire.

Pierre moved closer to her and placed his arm around Crystal's waist. Her heart began to beat quickly. "I am glad you like it. I would not pour anything but the best in your glass. "Pierre said. His French accent wreathing her senses along with the wine. Her heartbeat now returned to normal.

Throughout the night, the two continued drinking and talking. Crystal drinking much more than Pierre had, without even realizing it. He was talking about how he often comes to this room to simply get away from the world at times.

Crystal stared at Pierre in delight and leaned in closer to him.

"Careful my dear. You are going to spill the wine." Pierre starred into her eyes and slowly stroked her back. Crystal giggled to herself and once again raised the glass to her lips. Taking too large a sip, she spilt it anyways. A few drops sliding down her chin and onto her neck.

"Oh how clumsy of me." She cried. The usually graceful pianist raised her hand to wipe her neck, but found Pierre's fingers already there.

"Let me." He whispered gently stroking her cheek. He kissed her neck softly catching the spilled drops of wine on his tongue.

Pierre looked up into Crystal's glassy eyes. The alcohol now controlling her, she touched his hair and ran her delicate figures through his soft blond waves. Pierre wasnow so close to Crystal's face, she could feel him breathing on her. He placed his hand around the back of her soft neck and the other wrapped about her thigh.

"Pierre." Crystal whispered closing her eyes as she titled her head back.

"Shh, do not speak." Pierre said pulling her body closer to his. He pulled Crystal's neck toward him with his hand, and planted a wet firmkiss upon her lips. Pierre moaned into her mouth but Crystal did not.

They were lost in each other's arms for several blissful minutes until Pierre rolled Crystal onto her back. She landed on her back with a thud. Pierre now rested his body on top of Crystal's.

"Why so forceful?" Crystal mumbled with her eyes still closed.

"I told you to be quiet you little twit!" Pierre said practically shouting as he began pulling at Crystal's skirt. Her hand was there in a second to stop him; she was still drunk but she knew when enough was enough. Unfortunately that did nothing, for he grabbed hold of her wrist. He began twisting it, ignoring Crystal's cries. He continued twisting it until they both heard it crack andCrystal cried out in pain.

"STOP…Erik, please, help me!" She shouted out in agony as tears began running down her face.

"What did you say? Whom did you call for? Why..." Pierre's sentence was cut short when something hard from behind hit him over the head. He lay on the floor unconscious.

Crystal, now tossing and turning her head back and worth, opened her heavy eyelids slowly. Before her eyes rolled to the back of her head from too much alcohol, she saw but one thing flickering in the firelight. A white mask.

Oh I wonder who that could have been! Hehe. Well now that you know Pierre is just like Meg had said he was, did any of you think other wise? Well please let me know what you thought of this chapter along with my little Pierre question hehe...REVIEW!