Meg: I can't explain how I felt with Erik, sitting by the piano as his strong fingers glided my hands across the keys. I tried to voice my feelings, but my tongue was far too tied to even make sense.

It was as if I were mumbling to a statue.

Erik pushed me away, even asking if I wanted to retire to the room. I realized, then, that the feelings I may have had for Erik were not the same as what he felt for me.

I was nothing more than a friend, just a little daughter. It broke me, to know I could never replace Christine. We walked in silence to the room. I wished I had chosen to have my own room, because now I felt like slamming the door and crying into my pillow.

Erik was somber as we walked; most likely lost in thoughts of his precious Chorus girl. I'd done my best to impress him with my dancing, but it was obvious that without a strong Soprano voice I could never impress Erik.

I wondered if there would be time for one last ski down the mountain that night, but it was already dark. I would go first thing in the morning, just to take my mind off everything.

I followed Erik into the room as he began to remove his coat. I kicked the door shut with my foot and Erik looked at me. "Whatever was that for?" He asked.

I told him quickly, "I shut it too hard. Didn't mean to slam it." I shrugged off my own coat and gloves and started to unlace my boots. Erik sat on his bed and looked at me. "Meg, you seem frustrated. Are you angry at something?"

I shrugged but said nothing. Inside I was fuming. I was tired of being rejected by Erik, constantly shoved aside because he couldn't stop fussing over Christine. I'd tried so hard back at the main building, talking to him, even trying to get him to kiss me. All he had been concerned about was playing that stupid piano.

He hadn't even been thinking about what I was saying to him! And when I tried to touch his mask, just a little gesture, he'd jumped and told me to go to the room; as if I were a child!

Now Erik was sitting on his bed, twisting his gloves with his fingers. I took my boots off and looked back at him. He said to me, "You are angry at me, aren't you?" His voice almost sounded dejected, as if he were about to start crying.

My heart shook as I heard him. It was hard to accept, that beneath the brave, strong exterior that he eluded; inside Erik was only a lost, lonely man who had never really lived a normal life.

I scooted over to end of my bed and replied quietly, "I'm not angry, I'm just. I guess, I'm a little disappointed." Erik looked at me; his soft green eyes outlined within the black ski mask.

"Why?" He asked. I didn't know how to respond. I knew that if I said the wrong things, he might become angry, or he might leave.

I just wanted to tell him how I felt, how much I liked him, and how much I was jealous. But it seemed as if all I could say was, "I thought, perhaps, back at the main building, I thought, I don't know." How stupid I was!

Erik asked, "What did you think?" I sighed and told him, "I thought you liked me?"

Erik looked down at the covers and replied, "But I do like you." I nodded my head no, it wasn't what I meant.

I wanted Erik to like me the way I liked him, as more than just a friend.

Erik looked at me and whispered. "Meg, I enjoy you, really I do. And it's more than just friendship. I've never felt so close to anyone, not even your mother. Christine and I, we had, an odd relationship. I'd never even met her in person for nearly ten years. But you, I've only known for less than a year, and I feel, so, connected." Erik's eyes were downcast and I folded my hands in my lap.

I asked him quietly, "Why did you want us to leave the main building?" He replied, "I thought, perhaps, we could have a better conversation in private." I felt my heart sink low. I had been angry because I thought Erik didn't want to talk to me, that he wanted me to go to my room and leave him alone.

I was a fool to ever try and figure him out. It was best to just let things happen, because with Erik, anything could happen.

He asked me quietly, "Meg, what do you really feel for me?" I bit my lip, unable to think of a single answer. "I admire you Erik. I feel, happy when we are together. I like talking to you." Erik looked quietly at me and whispered, "Then why are you angry?"

I couldn't answer that. I looked at my nails, and began to pick them. "Meg, why are you angry?" Erik raised his voice and I looked at him. "You told me, you loved Christine. That's true, she's the only woman you'll ever love."

I felt hot tears begin to sting my eyes and I looked away. Suddenly Erik rose up and came over to me.

He sat beside me and whispered again, "Meg, please understand. I never had the opportunities like other men to explore and figure things out. When it comes to love, what the hell do I know? All I do know is this, I loved Christine, and I'll always hold her to my heart. But you, you've given me hope, and courage, to perhaps quell my obsession with her. She's a married woman, Meg, and I honor that."

He gently wiped at my eyes and continued, "But you're not. Your young, and vivacious. You're here with me, and she's not. Christine played with me, she acted as if Raoul and I were toys.But you, you tell me how you really feel, and you respect me. I appreciate that Meg."

Suddenly I began to really cry, and Erik hesitated before he pulled my head to his chest.

I cried into his chest as he sat still. "Meg, it's alright to have feelings for someone. Hush." He began to stroke my hair, and I could feel him unbraiding it. I cried as he began to run his fingers through my hair. It was true, he loved Christine, but I was here with him and she wasn't. She had chosen to throw his love away for The Vicompte, but I would never throw away his affections for me.

I began to feel calmer, and Erik continued to stroke my hair. I snuggled into his chest, feeling the warmth of his body. Slowly I looked up at him, and he wiped my tears from my cheeks. "Meg, please don't be angry at me." He whispered, continuing to caress my cheek.

I couldn't be angry with him like this, so close to him with his arms around me. "I'm not. I promise." I held my hand up his own and we held each other, his hand on my cheek and my hand on his.

"Meg." Erik whispered as he leaned closer to me.

I choked on my words as I asked him, "Erik, we are alone. I want you to feel comfortable around me. You don't have to wear a mask, really."

Suddenly he froze, and I cursed myself. I trembled as Erik's hand left mine, and he hesitated before reaching up to the edge of his ski mask.

His other hand left my hair and gently he pulled it off. I had only seen his face a few times, on some occasions, but now he was before me and vulnerable.

Indeed he was a breathtaking beauty on one side, but on his other the skin was devastated. I could tell he was breathing hard, perhaps frightened.

I smiled as I reached up, and tenderly caressed his marred cheek. His eyes flashed in fear, and he was trembling. I softly reached out and began to massage his gnarled and raw skin.

Erik moaned and closed his eyes as I continued to touch him; perhaps the first person to ever touch him without abuse. I touched his soft, white hair and came closer to him.

His eyes were closed and he was sighing. I licked my lips and reached out, and kissed him.

His eyes flashed open as I reeled back. I couldn't tell if he was either angry or scared, but he reached out to my lips. He began to trace them, and then he moved forward.

He kissed me back, this time a soft, warm embrace. His lips covered mine in a hungry search, and I responded in urgency. We kissed as if neither of us had ever kissed before.

When his lips left mine I felt a sense of calm. Neither of us spoke, but we looked at each other. Erik took my hand and began to caress my palm with his thumb. After a few moments he said, "That was nice. I enjoyed it."

I smiled and replied, "So did I." He smiled back at me, and it was wonderful to see his entire face light up.

He stood up and continued to hold my hand. "I do believe it is late. I will go and prepare for bed." He kissed my hand, and then reached out with his own hand to caress my cheek.

I sat on the bed a few minutes longer, completely stunned.