You guys are great. I never expected to get such a response. Thanks to you all!

"I see the honeymoon's back on." Meg commented when she saw Christine. Christine merely grinned. "Obviously you found him. So, what are you gonna do? He can't be your teacher, and your boyfriend, Chris."

Christine hadn't even thought of that. "Well I suppose I'll have to drop his class then."

"But don't you need that class?"

"Surely there's someone else who teaches it?" Meg merely shrugged. "I may have to transfer to a different school. It'll be difficult with us both in the Music program. He's bound to come up as my professor again."

"Transfer?" Meg gave her a sad look.

"Erik could lose his job."

"Yes, but…"

"Hurry along girls. Get into costume." One of the wardrobe ladies ushered them out of the hallway.

"We'll talk later Meg." Christine threw over her shoulder.

Erik was glad he'd thought to rent the box out for the duration of the show. People must have heard about the angel gracing the stage, because the box office was packed with people wanting to get in. Christine must have changed him. He even went as far as smiling at someone who was staring at him. She accepted him as he was, he could care less what others thought.

The usher led him to his box, with the little 5 etched in the door, although Erik himself probably knew the way better. He glanced over the edge of the balcony. The people seated below were noisy. A baby wailed, and Erik rolled his eyes. This certainly wasn't the place for misbehaved children. The managers and patron sat across from him again.

The patron, Ryan, looked bored out of his mind. Ever so subtly, he slipped an earpiece in his ear. Erik glared at him, though he suspected the effect was lost all the way on the other side of the theater.

Things were starting to quiet down. Showtime must've been approaching. When he heard the orchestra start, he crept to the front of the box again, preparing for her arrival on stage. Her glow was back, that's for sure. She looked radiant. He felt her eyes focus on him for a moment as she sang.

Erik could barely find fault with the whole of the show. Steps were on, notes were on. Not a single person stayed seated when they had finished. The managers jumped up excitedly. Perhaps they did know a little something about the theater business. The patron was slower to rise, and applauded half-heartedly. The little dollar signs must have lit his eyes up when he saw the audience's reaction. He clapped a bit more enthusiastically.

Before the applause had even died out, Erik was on the move. Christine was just outside her dressing room when he finally fought his way through the jumble of people backstage.

"Christine." He growled. (Just like Gerik. Yum.) She turned, a smile still lighting her face.

"Erik."

"Bravo. You were amazing. All the hot shots from Broadway will be wanting you soon."

"Oh, Er-" Before she could finish his name, his lips were on hers. His tongue plundered her mouth, his big hands cradling her delicate face.

"Oh, get a room." Meg Giry swept past them. "Great job Chris." She tsked and shook her head. "Eh, just look at him." She glanced briefly up at Erik, who had little lipstick smudges on his lips and part of his mask.

Erik frowned at Meg, as Christine chuckled and rubbed the lipstick off.

Still shaking her head, Meg waved. "Goodnight kids."

"Let me get out of this." His gaze heated as he nodded. He followed her until she closed the door in his face. Waiting outside the door, his arms crossed over his chest. The patron walked toward the door, and Erik gave him another good glare. Ryan swept his eyes over the strange masked man with distaste, and kept walking.

Christine learned with Erik's tastes jeans and sweaters simply wouldn't do. Dresses and skirts had become her after show attire. Removing the stage make-up, she reapplied some of her own. She let her hair down.

Once they were in his SUV she noticed they weren't heading to one of his favorite restaurants but toward his apartment.

"Where are we going?" A ball of heat formed in her stomach.

"Surprise." His lips curled into a smile. He pulled into the spot he'd been parked in earlier. Before she knew it he was there, helping her out from the vehicle. He took her hand as they crossed the street. As usual, Lucy was waiting at the door. Erik ran his fingers over her head a few times, and then dismissed her with a simple command. Erik hung her jacket on the back of his closet door and led her to the little dining area. "Have a seat." His voice was a low whisper that sent little tremors over her skin.

"Thank you." She accepted the flute of champagne he offered her.

"I hope you like Italian." He called over the counter that separated the kitchen from the dining area. A salad was placed in front of her. He lit a slender candle.

"Did you cook for me?" She gave him a smile.

"No, but I did order take out for you." His grin was infectious.

They ate. They drank. They were merry. She took the opportunity to glance around his apartment while he was getting the entrée out of the oven. His walls had some art on them, and little else. No pictures. That reminded her that she knew very little about this man, expect for the whole musical genius thing.

"Do your parents live in New York Erik?"

He looked up from his meal and shook his head.

"No, I was orphaned at a very young age. Three." He took a bite of food.

"I'm sorry." He merely shrugged. "How did they die?"

"I was told in a fire. I guess someone saved me. Then I moved into an orphanage for the following 15 years. No one wants a disfigured kid." His mouth was grim. Christine took his hand.

"Where were you from?"

"Quebec. I moved to America when I was 18." They talked about his life in America while they ate. Then hers.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly eat another thing." She said when he brought out dessert.

"Come on, just a bit." He offered her a bit of his. She did take that, but that was it. She watched him finish his. They cleared his table.

Dishes forgotten, his armed snaked around her waist. He wasted no time before kissing her. His arousal was evident against her stomach. Gently he ran his hand down her side, tugging her closer. She pressed against him. Groaning, he lifted her until her legs locked around him. Unconsciously, he made his way toward his bedroom. He could take this torture no longer. She would be his. All of her.

As he set her gently on his big bed, he broke their heated kiss, and ran his fingers over her features. She pulled at him, and he knelt over her. He kissed her jawline, brushing her hair back. His teeth nibbled on her earlobe. His breath brushed against her ear as he whispered, "Christine, I love you."