A/N: First off, a big thank you to andersm who kindly pinch hit for my regular beta who is tied up with schoolwork at the moment. As always, enjoy, and don't forget to post me a review! They mean the world to me and keep me motivated to finish this even when I get frustrated and want to beat on my computer.

Neither Erik or Gia had been particularly willing to get up early, but it was a necessity. Not much was said that morning, outside of some the groans that often accompany someone trying to shake drowsiness off. Once both were dressed, Erik in his usual garb and Gia in the red nightgown and robe, along with an extra blanket to use for warmth, they set out to return her to her room.

"How do you feel this morning? Not too cold I hope," he asked, wanting to say something because he found the silence almost unbearable.

"I feel fine, thank you, Erik," she replied politely. Sometimes he swore outside of his lair, she transformed into a different woman. She became a lady, one who was almost unapproachable, who used etiquette and manners as a means to protect herself. He much preferred her when she was relaxed. But then, the closer they came to the shore, the closer they came to returning her to her regular life where her posture of frigidity was something she was used to maintaining. It was like his mask in a way. Outside of his lair, except for a couple of occasions when he had been with her, he felt naked without it. He had to admit to himself that although her mother had a twisted sense of propriety, she had at least raised a woman with manners. Too many of the women who matured in opera houses had none to speak of.

Upon reaching the opposite bank, he recovered her old robe and handed it to her. She would not want to leave it down here, even if it was old and worn. He guided her through the opera house, holding her white hand within his leather clad one much of the time. As they reached the landing, and came to the point where he should bid her adieu for the day, he felt the urge to kiss her. Her lips looked so warm and inviting that he could not prevent himself from bringing his down to meet hers. The moment they touched she threw her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. He kissed her like it was the last time he'd ever have the chance to do so, allowing his mouth and tongue to commit hers to memory. She did the same in turn, and for long minutes the two of them kissed like a pair of young lovers who were about to be forced apart by an overbearing and disapproving parent.

At last he ended the kiss, but although their lips no longer touched, Erik kept his forehead in contact with hers as he looked into her eyes. "I would like to see you this evening, if that is agreeable to you," he said keeping his voice low, his tone just skimming the edge of seduction.

"It is," she responded. "Will you meet me in my room or the practice room?"

For practical reasons, her room was a safer meeting place, there was far less chance of being seen, either him alone, or the two of them together. But Erik's impatience got the better of him and he chose the practice room because it meant he would see her all the sooner.

"I shall still have to go to my room after rehearsal, you know. Maybe I can take a few things with me if I am going to be spending all my evenings with you. Then I won't have to rush back here every morning."

It was a most practical suggestion, and he had anticipated it. Erik was wary about sharing his personal space with another, but for Gia, he was willing to make concessions in order to be with her as often as possible. "After we meet, we shall come here and I will help you with your things," he said gallantly.

"My knight in shining armor!" she exclaimed facetiously.

He gave a mock bow, bending deeply at the waist, and once he straightened up he focused completely on her face as her said softly, "I live to serve you, my lady." The mood no longer light and frivolous, Gia could feel the heat of arousal spreading outward from the pit of her stomach, but backed away from him knowing she needed to change if she was to be at rehearsal on time and prepared to work. The air had become heavy and heated. Her back ran into the entrance to her wardrobe, and he continued to advance on her. Just as she was about to open her mouth to remind him of where she needed to be in the next hour, he simply reached around her to undo the latch. He pushed the door open for her and offered his hand to help her through the opening. Before leaving, he placed a lingering kiss on the back of her hand.

"Until tonight then, Gia," he said as his lips hovered over her hand. A moment later he had let go of her hand and disappeared, leaving Gia feeling alone and bereft without him.

Gia had to rush to make it to the morning rehearsal on time, but skidded into the room with a few moments to spare. Both Meg and Madame Giry gave her knowing looks, as if they both knew how she and Erik had spent last night. Despite all the times they had been intimate, she could not help flushing slightly whenever her thoughts turned to him. He was such a sensual being it was hard to believe at times that she had been his first and only lover. If he was not so convinced of his hideousness he could have had scores of women. However, Gia liked to believe that Erik would not want to sleep with every woman who would find him attractive. He was more discerning than that. Then again, he was sleeping with her.

The clapping of Madame Giry's hands signaled the beginning of class, and after that Gia thought of Erik no longer until class had finished. Just after they were dismissed for lunch break, she noticed Georges Huget approach Madame Giry. They talked for a few moments, and Georges walked away with a huge grin on his face. Madame Giry must have given him leave to court Meg. Soon Meg would have a romance of her own and perhaps then she would be far less interested in the affairs of others.

Between classes Gia used the free time to have a quick bite to eat, and finding herself outside the opera house for the first time in a couple of days she decided to take the opportunity to pick up some much needed supplies at the nearby dance shop. Madame Giry's friend was there waiting on customers, but when she saw her, she gave Gia a smile, and excused herself so she could wait on Gia.

"Mademoiselle Burnside, this place has been positively buzzing with the news that you will be returning to the stage in Giselle! How can I help you this afternoon?" she inquired most cheerfully.

Gia explained that she needed three new pairs of stockings for rehearsals and probably four pairs of pointe slippers. While the slippers were readily available, the stockings were not since the shop did not often carry them in Gia's size. However, the proprietress agreed to have them delivered to the Metropolitan at no extra charge if Gia would pay for them now. The purchases obliterated the stipend that Monsieur Dupoix had distributed that morning. She would need to careful with the toe shoes, she would not be able to afford any more and these would have to last her for the next three weeks. As she gathered up her purchases, she noticed that the shopkeeper had thrown in a box of lamb's wool free of charge.

Once back in her room, Gia began to gather a few things together to bring to Erik's home. She took out a box of hair pins, two nightgowns, a pair of old slippers, and laid them out on her bed. Since she might also need regular clothes, she added one dress, several sets of underclothes, and the corset he had purchased for her since he had disposed of her other one. She would also need to bring ballet slippers and her rehearsal outfit. Gia also went to her bookcase and took out some books she thought both of them would enjoy. Surely they could not make love all the time! She looked at the growing pile in dismay and frowned. How would they ever bring all of this down without someone noticing it? My God, it looked like she was moving in with him!

Remembering the time, she left everything on the bed in order to be at the afternoon rehearsal on time. She was the last principal to arrive, and received a disapproving glance from Madame Giry for it. Mercifully Jean Paul scaled back his pursuit of her, and Gia could have almost called the practice an enjoyable one. The ballet was progressing well, and she was performing adequately. The highlight of today had been watching Meg and Georges as they danced the final pas de deux between Giselle and Albrecht. Georges did an excellent job of looking heartbroken as Meg made her exit at the end of the dance. A few of the other dancers had even applauded. The two of them would be a sight to behold once they began working with the full orchestra on Monday.

Beginning that day, Gia would be on display for the entire opera company to observe. Erik would be sure to be watching as well. The thought made tight knots in her stomach. She should thank her lucky stars she was only in the second act of the ballet. On the days that Madame Giry would concentrate on the first act she would have the entire day to herself. It would be fascinating to spend an entire day with Erik just to see how he lived. For heaven's sake, she had no idea how he even managed to procure food! He must leave the Metropolitan on occasion, and she would love to know where he went and for what. Mentally, she shook herself. She was starting to sound like a besotted girl with her first gentleman. She knew better than that!

Once practice had ended, she approached Madame Giry, telling her she wished to practice on her own for a few minutes, and that she would be sure to extinguish the lamps before she left. The ballet mistress merely nodded, but her smirking expression indicated she did not think Gia would be doing much practicing. She put out all but two of the lamps, and since Erik had not arrived, she took the time to work on a complicated series of turns that she had been struggling with. Not surprisingly, she found it easier to concentrate when she was alone and without distractions like Jean Paul or Adrienne.

She was about to run through the sequence a fourth time when she heard a noise in the hall. He was all seductive elegance in his black cape with the black silk and cloth of gold lining and velvet collar. Garbed almost entirely in black with only the white of his shirt for contrast, he nearly disappeared among the shadows, only the white of his mask giving him away. She stood in stark relief in her grayish dance costume, her skin taking on a golden tone from the low lamplight. He said nothing by way of greeting, only that she should continue and he apologized for interrupting her.

"There's no need to apologize Erik. I was just making use of the time. We can go," she replied easily.

"What if I said I wanted to watch you dance for a little while? Would you oblige me?" he asked as he took a position at the front of the large room.

"I'm willing to dance for you, but I cannot promise I will be very good. It has been a long day, and I tend to get nervous when I know people are watching," she confessed truthfully. She did not want to disappoint him as he seemed to be so confident in her abilities.

"I will not pass judgment on you. It is early in rehearsals to be expecting perfection. I just want the pleasure of being the only person in your audience on this one occasion. Dance for me, Gia."

She could not refuse such a request, so she began to dance the sequence where Myrta leads Hilarion to his death. They had not worked out all the details as yet, but she could improvise a bit. She threw herself into the final turns, and found herself spinning out of control toward one of the bars. To stop herself from crashing, she reached out and grabbed the bar, stopping dead. Coming off her toes, she turned to him and said, "As you can see, it needs work."

"The only problem I can see is that you need to keep in mind who you are portraying, Gia. Myrta is a queen of spirits and ghosts, she has been for ages. She is not young and passionate like Giselle. She is only doing her duty. Hilarion is only one of hundreds of lives she has taken." It was good advice. If she approached the role more distantly, focusing more on the character than the steps, perhaps she would have more success. He found it easy to slip into the role of instructor with her. He only hoped she would not resent him for giving his honest opinion.

"Thank you. I shall do my best to take your advice," she answered as she gathered up her few things. Erik took them from her as she put out the remaining lit lamps. He could not be certain if she was angry with him. She had not answered sarcastically, but he thought there had been some trace of annoyance in her voice. Having exited the room, they said nothing as they moved into the depths of the corridors, making their way up to her room.

Less than twelve hours before they had stood here necking, but that seemed the farthest thing from her mind as they entered through the wardrobe into her room. On her bed was the most extraordinary collection of items: everything from clothes to books had been piled there. It would take multiple trips to bring it all to his lair which was something he had not anticipated.

"It would seem that the stories I have heard of women being unable to travel lightly are true," he quipped, and she glared at him.

"These are the essentials if I am going to be spending all my evenings with you," she replied firmly.

"Surely, you don't think you're going to need ALL of these things," he said, holding up several items to prove his point. "The books can stay here, along with most of the clothes. You know there is little use for them when we are together," he said softly, his voice like a hot caress.

Gia blushed prettily, and it never failed to amuse him. She was still very much ashamed of what they did together. No, shame wasn't the right word. It was guilt. That damn religion of hers had taught her what they were doing was wrong, and that she wasn't even supposed to enjoy his attentions. He wondered if she had gone to confession yet to seek absolution for her supposed mortal sins. While she looked under the bed for a small traveling case, he noticed that there was an envelope that had been shoved under her door. Curious as to who would be writing to her, he snatched it up, and his heart stopped when he saw the seal. It was Christine's.

For a moment he considered opening the letter and reading it, doing as she had done to him. Instead he called to her, and held the letter away from himself, anxious for her to take it from him. "Gia, you have a letter. I believe it is from the Viscomtess de Chagny."

After crawling up from the floor, she took the letter from him, eyeing him carefully, and sat down on her bed. She opened it gingerly, fearing what the letter might actually say. Christine's note was brief, and most carefully worded:

Mademoiselle Burnside,

From recent events, I have come to learn that the man known as the Phantom of the Opera still lives. I have reason to believe that he may be responsible for casting you in the Metropolitan's newest production. He has done similar things in the past. I do not know if you have made his acquaintance, but I must urge you to be wary of him. He is a most dangerous man. I would not want you to come to harm because of him.

Sincerely,

Christine de Chagny

Having read the letter a few times, she stood and handed the letter to Erik to read. There was nothing there he did not have a right to see. He should know that Christine had come to the conclusion on her own that Erik had meddled in the casting of Giselle to benefit her before she could have learned that they were lovers from Meg Giry. But from the letter it was clear she did not know the extent of their involvement. He read the letter and tucked it into his jacket pocket.

"What are you doing with my letter?" Gia asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I thought it would be best if it came with us. It will be safer to dispose of it in my stove than for you to toss it in the garbage. Someone might read it," he replied practically.

"You might have said that before you appropriated it for yourself," she snapped angrily, her temper flaring. The very thought of the former chorus girl made her emotions run high. She had to suppress the urge to strike out at him or possibly hurl her copy of Shakespeare's unabridged works at him.

Erik lost what little patience he had and found himself asking, "Why are you so damned jealous of Christine?"

At this Gia rolled her eyes and her chest began to shake with barely contained hysterical laughter. "Why? Why you ask me? Because I love you, you fool! Because I cannot stand the fact I shall always be second in your affections to her! I will never mean as much to you as she does, and for that I resent and despise her. She broke your heart and you cannot stop loving her. I cannot hold a candle to her beauty and talent, but I am here, and she is not. I love you and she does not. And I know that I will never be enough for you."

Having said her peace, she closed her eyes, grateful to have gotten her feelings about Christine off her chest and into the open. When she opened them, Gia fully expected to find him leaving her again, but instead he stood directly in front of her. He placed his left hand on her shoulder and used his right to tip her head up slightly so she was looking at him directly in the eyes.

"Gia, I love you."

She could feel the tears coming on, and she said to him quietly, "You do not have to lie to me Erik. I have accepted my role in your life."

He had to make her understand. He took his right hand away and brought it to his mask. He took it off carefully and tossed it onto her bed.

"Look at me," he implored her, and she brought her gaze up to meet his. "I love you. I said it last night, but I do not think you heard me. Hear me now."

His eyes, those marvelous eyes that truly were a mirror to his soul had turned an almost forest green color. He did not lie. Was it possible that he loved the both of them? In a burst of feeling, she kissed him and for the first time, that kiss seemed to hold the promise of a future together.

No further words were necessary. Gia would never be sure who had first began the process of undressing each other, or even how they cleared off the bed, but somehow it must have happened because that night they made love to each other in her small bed, somehow ignoring the squeaking and groaning springs in the ancient mattress. All night they whispered delicate words of love to each other, and they seemed for those hours to be one. When they sighed each other's names it was almost a supplication, a plea to exorcize the demons of their pasts. It seemed their prayers were answered for the specter of Christine was banished momentarily and there was only Erik and Gia.

The questions would come in the morning.