Erik's eyes never left the ring, "Love me?" he said

dryly. "That didn't seem to be the case…"

My mother showed me her jewelry once, when I was six

years old. I was looking through her rings, but I

soon got bored with all the plain gold and silver

bands. Sitting on her bed, I thought for a moment on

my father, who had died years ago.

"Mama?" I asked, hesitant to bother her as she got

ready for a play. "Did you have a ring from daddy,

when you got married?"

Pausing, my mother turned away from me. "I…it was

very difficult for me, when daddy died. It made me

sad to see it. So, I gave it to a dear friend, for him

to give it to someone he loved one day."

I wanted to question her more, but I saw tears in

her eyes. It was never mentioned again…

I took Erik's face between my hands, forcing him to

look up at me. For a moment, I was ironically

thankful for the handcuffs…he couldn't push me away

this time. I stroked my thumb against his mask,

silently contemplating.

"I knew you all my life, Erik…how could you think

that after all we've been through, I didn't love

you…?"

It had been almost a year since Christine had

arrived, with the Christmas Masquerade only weeks

away. I sat on a chair near the door of my old room,

watching Christine get ready for yet another

performance. She was chatting aimlessly, giddy about

her childhood friend, Raoul.

"Oh, he's absolutely wonderful…I've known him for

almost forever," she said, all smiles. "I think he

loves me."

"Christine…" I said carefully, an uneasy feeling

rising in my chest. "What about your…mentor?"

She bit her lip, looking as queasy as I felt.

"Well…"

I forced a small laugh, though it sounded more like

a cough than anything else, making my tone light and

teasing. "I thought you rather liked your Angel."

She waited a moment before speaking. "I…do."

After several minutes, waiting for a chorus girl to

walk past, I answered. "Christine…promise me, you

won't hurt Erik. You know he cares about you."

Waving a hand in the air as she put on some rouge,

she flashed me a smile. "Oh, I promise. Honestly,

Meg, you worry too much. I'm just having some fun,

before I get old and wrinkly."

We eyed one another for a second, a small cold chill

coming over me. But I simply smiled back, and nodded,

feeling sick. I stood and left, wanting to give her

some dressing privacy, but also wanting to escape her

presence. How twisted my soul felt, inside…

I lowered my hands back to the sapphire ring around

my neck, and Erik looked out the window. My gaze

followed his, watching the dark sky as we were dragged

back to Paris. At this pace, we'd be back by noon the

next day…three days and back to where we began, and no

better than before.

"We should have been more careful," I grumbled.

"Sprained foot, dirty clothes, all to get battered

around by the police. All my fault, I slowed you

dow—"

Erik shifted positions, leaning back against my

side. I snickered, turning to hold him in my arms.

"Ha, I knew you couldn't resist the charms of Meg,"

I teased.

He shook his head. "Bah, don't flatter yourself.

You're just a better pillow than that wooden seat

would be."

I pouted, and he laughed at me. We fell into

another silence, and I rested my chin on his shoulder

with a sigh. I thought he had fallen asleep, but

minutes later, he returned an equally discontented

sigh.

"That night…the night on the roof…when I found those two together…you have not forgotten, have you," Erik murmured.

It was a statement, more than a question.

"Just like it was yesterday," I replied, closing my eyes as well, remembering…

I followed Raoul and Christine's path, desperate to

make sure she was safe. Oh, why did Erik have to go

and bump off that Joseph! The horror on my Mother's

face…although, there wasn't a virgin around that would

miss that parasite. Looking around, I was finally

able to figure out their path, and I headed towards

the roof. An odd place to go, but considering how

panicked Christine had been…

It was a good ten minutes before I even got close to

the exit that led outside. As I approached the open

door, a beaming Raoul pulled with him a rather happy

looking Christine. All apparent worry had vanished.

"Are you okay?" I asked, looking between them.

Something wasn't right…

"More than okay," Raoul laughed, but Christine

hushed him quickly.

"I needed some fresh air," she said calmly. "All

the excitement made me feel faint."

With a few more smiles, the two scooted past me and

back down the stairs. I frowned, and was about to close the door when I heard soft crying. Pausing, I stepped out into the cold night air, looking around carefully.

"Hello?"

The crying quickly ceased. I saw a shadow out of the corner of my eye, a swift movement of black, and the slight sound of footsteps on stone.

"Erik?" I whispered. The footsteps, too, stopped. "Is that you?"

"Go away."

'Yes,' in other words. I listened until the crying began again, then quietly walked towards the sound. Turning the corner, I found him sitting…almost ironically…at the foot of an angel statue. Wincing, I noticed his mask on the ground, his hands pressed to his face. Only two people I'd known had seen his face, Madame Giry and Christine…but I realized, I didn't really care. I was more concerned about this weeping of his…

Stepping closer, I cleared my throat gently. "Um…Erik?"

Startled, he looked up quickly, and I got my first glimpse of what the mask had been hiding. Our eyes held for almost a second, before he noticed me studying his face. With an unearthly wail, he turned from me.

"Damn it all to Hell!" Erik howled, pounding his hand on the statue. "Sneaking woman! I hate you, I hate you, I HATE YOU!"

Raising an eyebrow, I walked the last few paces, picking his mask off the ground and brushing the snow off it. I tapped his shoulder, but he only moaned. I sighed.

"I don't think that's true," I replied gently, turning my eyes to the ground. "I've seen what happens to people you hate."

He let out a shuddering sigh, and turned back towards me a bit. "You….saw," Erik said flatly. "My face."

I nodded, then held out his mask. "Nothing to die of horror about. But you know how people can be…witch, devil, etcetera, burn them all." I hesitated, then looked up at him. "If you want my honest opinion, I've seen worse."

Erik eyed the mask in my hands, but slowly raised his gaze to mine. "You're not frightened?"

"No," I said firmly, stepping closer. "I am not scared, nor am I disgusted." Taking a breath, I paused, then continued. "You're just a beautiful as you were before. Nothing is different."

He let out an ardent purr, turning to fully face me. I didn't flinch, entranced by those shimmering eyes. I thought he was reaching for his mask, but his hand slid over and up my arm, causing me to shiver.

"Nothing has changed, hmm?" Erik taunted, trailing his hand up my back. I whimpered as I felt his finger tease my neck, and he chuckled. "Well, I second that motion."

My mind had only a moment to wonder about him and Christine, before his lips were against mine, a passionate fire streaking through my soul like a lightning strike. All my years of longing…all these painful months of jealousy…vanished like the snow from the heat of our joining. I moaned into his mouth as cool hands slid under my outfit's shirt, brushing over my not-flat-anymore chest. His lips moved from my lips to my neck, his intensity softening into a light caress.

"You have never betrayed me," he whispered into my ear as my body melted under his touch. "I should never have let your mother stop me…"

"Who left this bloody door open?" a shrill female voice snapped. "WHAT THE--!"

Erik moved faster than I could blink, pulling me behind the statue and out of the chorus girl's sight. He kissed me one last time, sighing with regret.

"I have to leave you," he muttered, stroking my hair. "For now. But when I return…"

A flash of vengeance in his eyes made my blood chill. With a click, a trapdoor opened and he was gone, just as the mink-haired singer came around the corner, eyes wide.

"Meg? What are you doing up here?" she cried fearfully, looking around like a scared animal.

Rubbing my forehead, I went through all the excuses I ever knew. Why couldn't life ever go smoothly…?

Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews! I hope this Chapter gave some light to issues that had been brought up. (And YES, italics are past events, normal text is 'present' time.) There's still over three Chapters left, folks, pleanty of time for things to be cleared up:-) hugs to you all, and if you haven't reviewed, pleeeease do! Because I love you, mmhm. -dances- Until next time! 3