A/N: Sorry that the update took so long! A lot of stuff has been going on! I have plenty of chapters written, I will type them up as soon as possible, I promise:)

Chapter 5: First Rose & First Lesson

"Erik," she repeated, sending shivers down his spine. As he continued to stroke Christine's hair, he felt her weight lean into him a little more and he could tell that she was drifting into slumber.

"Maybe, my dear, I should leave now and return tomorrow. I can tell that you are tired."

"No, no, it's ok. I'm not tired," she responded through a yawn, muffled by their embrace. Erik leaned back onto her pillow, bringing her with him and brought both of their legs up, still holding onto her, as if for life. Christine slid her arms up around Erik's neck and fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. He knew when she had fallen asleep, but laid there, with Christine in his arms, until daylight began to creep over the horizon. When he saw the smallest glimpse of sunlight through her window, it was then that he disappeared again, through her mirror, back down to where sunlight would never reach. Before he left though, he left behind something. Deep red in color, with a jet black ribbon tied around the stem, he set the rose on her stomach, and left it there for her to find.

On his way back, he began to wonder what it had meant, and his mind filled with doubt. He knew what it had meant to him, the feeling of contentment and joy, to have Christine in his arms, fitting so perfectly, and having her heart beating against him. What had Christine felt though? Had she simply needed comfort, and there he was, her friend? Or would she ever be able to love him? 'Of course not,' he thought, suddenly remembering the flaw in his seemingly perfect affections for her, which he now knew there was no taking back. 'Completely perfect, except for me.' He reached up and traced the edge of his mask with his fingertips. Erik then decided never to let himself be that close to her ever again, as much as he wanted to. What if she had reached up and felt his mask? It's too dangerous. And what if more had happened? The further their relationship would go, she would have to see him at some point. 'No. No good can ever come from this.'

Erik was though, grateful that he had given her his name, a piece of him, which he surely wouldn't have told her if he hadn't been in such a state of vulnerability with her. Most people give out their names all over the place, but Erik of course, was not most people.

His mother had named him. She told him his name, but never addressed him by it. She gave him a mask and let him take care of himself, until he was about 5 or 6, when she sold him to a circus as a sideshow. He had been the Devil's Child, the Opera Ghost, the Angel of Music, but never had he been Erik, until that night. Still, he wanted no one else to know, as if there was anyone who would. It was Christine's little secret of him, and he liked it that way.

The next day -One hour before supper

Erik felt his heart jump as Christine walked over to the mirror where he stood, about to speak, to gaze at her reflection. Although he knew that she couldn't see him through the two-way mirror, but it felt so strange having her there, face to face with him. He smiled as she began to mess with her dress and hair, obviously eager to look her best. 'Could it be for me?' he thought, but quickly pushed the thought aside. He needed to be focusing on how he would train her, not her cascading curls, flawless skin, and full lips...'Stop!' He was getting carried away with deciding what he needed to not think about! Christine walked away from her mirror, and sat down.

"Good evening, Christine." Are you ready for your first lesson?" She grinned.

"Of course, Master."

A couple months later...

"Christine," said the voice that followed a few sharp knocks. "May I come in?" Christine smiled, recognizing the voice.

"Yes ma'am, of course." It was Madam Giry, who had come with some welcome news for the quite restless 15 year old.

"I believe that you are ready to dance again. It seems that you are healed." She delivered the news with a smile.

"Oh really, Madam? How wonderful!"

"Yes, my dear. You may continue training tomorrow morning."

Night after night, month after month, Erik taught her and sang to her, but it seemed to Christine that there was more distance than ever before. He was always very kind to her, and also quite possessive and protective, but he made no movement to be near her again, and there was no mention of when he had been. It had all seemed so real, but Christine couldn't help but wonder if it had all been a dream. She had, indeed, had so many dreams like it before. Even as a child, without the sound of her heart racing at the closeness or the want for romance, she had always had dreams of her holding her and comforting her. The way that she felt now though, was much different. The confusion and hurt in her had deepened, but she showed no sign of it.

Day after day, Christine's voice grew better and stronger, and Erik was quite proud of her progress. His feelings for her though, had not gone away. On the contrary, they had deepened, day after day. Being apart from human contact every day is enough to drive anyone insane, but to love someone so much...Well, Erik knew that he couldn't bear it much longer.

A/N: Sorry for the shortness of this chapter! Also, again, sorry about how long it took me to update, I feel bad. :(

Thank you for the reviews!

Nadiil: Thanks! I will try to get back to a chapter a day again, I promise. I am glad that my characters are in...well, character. I am always worried about that. :)

Phantomfan1911: Awe, I'm glad you are interested to see what happens! I like updating fast, I feel bad when I can't. I wasn't at my house so...yeah. :P

Lillta1957: Thank you so much! I am so happy that you like my story!

Also, can anyone tell me what EOW means:0 I'm assuming it is Erik something, but I am so slow on the F/F language,& I keep seeing it. :P Thanks guys:)