A/N: I just can't seem to write more than a thousand words. Sorry. Extra chapter though. Yay.

Erik

The temperature may have been dropping, slowly as it was, but the sun was still ruthless. Erik felt the tender skin on the left side of his nose. Beads of sweat dribbled down his face. He wiped his arm across his forehead. He was standing in the massive hole that would someday be his basement. A land purchase was his reward for finishing his education. Someday, hopefully in the not too distant future, a house would stand here.

Erik was insistent on being a part of the construction of his home. He'd designed it after all. Construction had been his work the moment he stepped out of high school. He was thankful to the orphanage for that, if nothing else. He'd been given an education. Once he turned 18 and graduated, he left Canada, and headed for New York. People had talked about New York City. It was said to be amazing. That's where he'd been since he left. When he could scrap up some extra cash, he'd treat himself to an opera, or a show. He'd felt at home here.

The group he'd hired was a group he'd formerly worked with. The team didn't really bother with him, most likely were put off by the mask. It must have been quitting time because the crew was heading up the ladder and out of the 'basement'. Erik followed, and had a quick word with the foreman.

Lucy was chasing birds across the yard. Erik's white t-shirt was beyond dirty, and soaked with sweat. He pulled it off, and lay in the soft grass. Years of construction and masonry work had left him with a strong body. (A/N: Fans self) He put his arms behind his back and stretched out. The dog dropped a chewed up tennis ball on his chest just as he was about to drift off. His uncovered eye crept open and he gave her a mocked sigh of resignation.

"Alright." The ball flew over their heads and disappeared in the grass somewhere. Their game continued until Lucy, tongue lolling about, collapsed next to Erik. With a groan, Erik rolled over and went about standing up. "Shall we?" The dog yawned and stretched then trotted after him.

Much to Lucy's dismay, Erik blasted the air, which cause some minor air biting. She sat comfortably on her haunches, tongue still lolling, for the trip back into the city.

"Dearest, the tongue hanging out, it's not really becoming on you." She merely grinned at him, and continued as she was. A cold shower was in order when they arrived home. As Erik wrapped a towel around his hips (I can't help it, I'm in that sorta mood today) he pulled open a drawer looking for his mask adhesive. Thus far, the best working and least painful thing he could find was denture adhesive. It smelled minty fresh too.

He made short work of the mask reapplication and noticed his Fixodent supply was running short. Not good. He would have to go…shopping. A shudder moved over his body. Shopping was possibly the worst thing in the world. Small children crying, people hitting you with their bags, carts, etc. His staff paper was getting low as well. Not good at all. Now he would have to go the mall as well. He knew a guy who ran a store and gave him good deals.

A groan escaped his lips. More crying children, rude people, and possibly worse, giggly teenagers. It would be crowded on Sunday afternoon. Would it really be worth it? If he ran in and out, it would only take five minutes. That's it. Only five minutes.

Christine

"Come on Chris, keep up. We still have more stores to hit. Then I guess we can eat, and more stores after that. Ooooh, a nail salon! Let's get our nails done!" Meg pulled her toward the salon.

"I thought we had a schedule to keep." Christine said blandly, though she was actually enjoying herself. Meg looked thoughtful for a moment.

"You're right. Nails will have to wait. Wow, look at those jeans!" Christine was pulled into a store. She browsed for a little while, waiting for Meg. When she saw the triple-digit price of the aforementioned jeans, she decided that perhaps this wasn't the store for her. Thankfully Meg wasn't too long. After another clothing store and a music store, where Christine actually made a purchase, the headed toward the food court.

"Chris, do you have a tissue?" Christine was looking at the inlet of her new CD and dug in her purse for one. She offered it to Meg.

"Actually its for you." Christine looked up at Meg.

"Huh?"

"There's your man, in the piano store. Unless there just happens to be a second masked man walking the streets of New York." Meg pointed.

"My wha- Erik?" He was pulling out his wallet, handing over a card to the man behind the counter. His head turned when he heard his name. His lips curved at the sight of Christine standing outside the store. The cashier tapped him on the arm. He pursed his lips and signed the slip.

"Hi." Erik moved to her side.

"Hey. We were just about to get lunch, care to join us?"

Erik glanced over at the overly crowded food court. Had it have been just Christine he would have happily joined her, but that Giry girl was with her.

"Ah, I haven't really got the time today," he lied. "Rain check? Thanks. See you tomorrow."

"Oh, okay." Her brows furrowed. "See you."

He nodded at Meg as he passed. "Ms. Giry."

She smiled at him. "Mr. Grenier." Erik walked briskly toward the nearest exit.

"Hmmph. Chinese then?" Meg was unsurprised to see her good friend a bit miffed by Erik's refusal.

"Anything you like." After they sat with their meals, Meg grinned at her. "He's attractive. You're allowed to like him, Chris."

Christine glared at her. "Do shut up." Meg merely chuckled at her.