You ready, Erik?
Erik: You know, everyday you ask me that and I always say yes, right?
So?
Erik: What would you do if one day you ask me that and I said no?
I'd drag you over to my PC kicking and screaming and force you to answer reviews.
Erik: I see...
Tadriendra of Mirkwood: The Churchill quote was the part where Fantine said she'd poison his tea and Erik said he'd drink it… Apparently that was some conversation between Churchill and some female politician whose name escapes me at the moment…
Erik: Happy birthday, Tadriendra! For your birthday I shall give you a twenty-minute massage.
AngelicFlutist: Thanks for reviewing again! I'm glad you liked the last two chapters.
Erik: Ah, that massage felt wonderful… You know, my lower back has been giving me some problems as well… Do you think you could work your magic down there?
Emma and Hollom: Aww, thanks guys! You know, I just love hearing from you two!
Erik: And even better, I have earned some healthy fear from Hollom!
darklady5289: Thanks for reviewing… I agree, they are starting to sound like a married couple…
Erik: An old married couple? I'm insulted!
Oh, Erik! Grow a sense of humour!
Carkeys: OK, this is me updating ASAP.
Erik: Eager one, aren't you?
MasqueradingThroughLife: Thanks! Good to know some people still find me amusing…
Erik: Aww, me being my sweet, adorable, gentlemanly self? I always liked you.
zero sparrow: Hey, don't worry about not getting to review… I know exactly what you mean about the school situation… Freshman? College or high school? Well, whichever it is, I'm sure you'll adapt just fine…
Erik: I missed you!
My, aren't we just warming up to the ladies today?
Erik: I guess it was the movie… I never knew how chick flicks can awaken one's sensitive side… Really, it makes me want to hurl…
I see…
MJ-Skywalker: Wow, thanks! Some people thought my characterization of Erik was a little off, but I appreciate your compliments… And I'm glad you like Fantine…
Erik: And I appreciate your sympathies…
cylobaby: Thanks for reviewing… Anxious to get into the closet, are we?
Erik: Sorry, dear… I never kiss on a first review…
You never kiss, period!
Erik: Yes, I had a rather unpleasant experience with an over-eager phan-girl… What was meant to be an innocent kiss on the cheek turned into a fifteen-minute make-out fest while I tried to pry the girl off of me! My tongue is still sore…
That was more information than I needed…
Erik: But I do appreciate your compliments… You think I'm sexier than Gerard Butler? How sweet. And I appreciate the chocolate-covered popcorn… Very creative!
VictorianDream: Aww, I don't think I'd feel the same way about you if you weren't fascinated by blood and violence…
Erik: I still don't think I'll ever be entirely at ease when this girl massages me, ever again…
GalindaxlovesxErik: Thank you! Glad you liked it! I hope we continue to please you!
Erik: You want my advice? I suggest Music of the Night… It's always been a personal favourite of mine…
Jedi Knight Padme: Another Canadian? Ladies, let's start a club! Good luck at school… I'm still having second thoughts about going back to high school… Maybe I should have just skipped along to college with everyone else… Ooh! Chocolate-covered pretzels?
Erik: Ah, so our health-conscious authoress does have her weaknesses! Anyways, you want a movie where a fop-hero meets his tragic and untimely death? It's called Titanic. "Never let go Jack! Never let go!" She let go!
VagrantCandy: Well, I can't disagree with you there… Fluff is magical… Don't you agree, Erik?
Erik: Oh, oui… Like I said before… It just makes me want to hurl…
Mominator124: I'm glad you're finding it funny… Originally, I was going to make it a Humour fic, but then I finished writing it and the serious situations seemed to outweigh the funny situations… You'll see what I mean as you read on… But I can't help but write a fic without throwing some humour into it… It's just not fun to read if it wasn't fun to write, you know?
Erik: And you have a twisted sense of humour…
Starrylibra: Geez, Erik! Do I have to keep an eye on you 24-7?
Erik: Like she said, Angel… You can't put a stop to our love… So, neh!
Araiona Dubois: No more math for you? I'm jealous. Glad you're still reading!
Erik: Apple-flavoured popcorn? Yes, I'm interested!
trallgorda: Thank you! Hope you enjoy the rest of the fic.
Erik: Fantine is not my equal! I'm far superior to her!
Oh, right… You're one of those guys who thinks all women should be bare-foot and pregnant…
Erik: No, I encourage women to wear shoes…
Sexist jerk… Well, here we go!
XxXxX
The following morning, Erik and Fantine sat at the table in an awkward silence while eating breakfast. She glanced at him a few times. He stirred his tea nervously.
"How's, uh… How is your hand?" he asked.
"Um… It feels better…"
"Oh… Good…" He glanced at the floor. "Uh, Fantine? I was… I was wondering, uh…" Erik cursed himself, aware that he was babbling. He was usually very articulate. Right now he felt like a blushing schoolboy! "Would you… Would you like to… spend the day together?"
She looked up at him. "You mean… out of the lair?"
"Well, yes. Go for a walk around the opera… maybe… when it gets dark… go outside?"
"Why… Erik, that would be lovely!"
He tried to hide a smile. "Alright. Go get ready, then."
XxXxX
Erik and Fantine began their walk at the balcony – the Heavens. She leaned out and observed the new chandelier.
"It's not as beautiful as the old one, is it?" she commented. "A shame it fell."
"Yes," Erik agreed, trying to hide the guilt in his voice. "A terrible shame."
Their journey took them to the catwalks over the stage.
"The stage was completely destroyed in the fire," she told him. "It cost our managers dearly to build another that was just right."
She grabbed a rope and dropped down safely to the stage. Erik followed suit.
"I remember the first day I stood on this stage," Fantine continued. "I was so very nervous."
She suddenly bent down and pulled off her boots. Standing over at centre-stage, she stood up on her bare toes and began to dance. Erik watched in awe as she twirled and leapt, her feet not making a noise as she burned the floor.
She was so very talented.
Why hadn't he noticed her before?
"My obsession with Christine blinded me," he thought. But as he searched his memory, he seemed to recall a talented ballerina with dark, flashing eyes and long, black hair.
She had been so beautiful back then…
Now she was just a shadow of her former beauty.
And it was his fault.
Fantine spun around, twirling across the stage, right into Erik's arms…
"Oh! I'm sorry!" she cried. "I guess I got a little… carried away… I didn't see you."
"No harm done," Erik replied.
He still held her in his arms, and didn't seem to be making any attempt to move from their current position.
Fantine laughed nervously as she gazed up at him. Her face was just inches below his.
If he just leaned down a little closer…
"Erik! Is that you?"
Erik looked up to see Madame Giry at the back of the room. He immediately let go of Fantine and stepped away from her.
"Madame," Erik replied. "I thought you would be home for the holidays."
"Well, I wanted to check up on our resident ghosts," she said. "Why didn't you tell me you were back?"
"You mean you didn't notice?"
"Well… I did suspect our old ghost was back when you crashed our rehearsal last month. Then of course, there was that incident with Il Muto…"
"Yes, of course… I apologize for the oversight, Madame. I have been… occupied."
Madame Giry glanced at Fantine. "Is it true, Fantine? Are you and Erik… married?"
"What? Oh, Hell no! That was just… just…"
Just what? Why had Erik wanted people to think they were married?
Madame Giry glanced between the two phantoms, a suspicious smile on her lips.
"Well, then… Monsieur and Madame le Fantôme… I shall leave you now." She glanced at Fantine. "I'm glad you've made a friend."
Madame Giry left without another word.
Erik glanced at Fantine. "Shall we, uh… Shall we go?"
Fantine nodded and the two continued their walk. Erik almost gasped when Fantine reached out and entwined her fingers with his.
She was holding his hand.
XxXxX
At nightfall, Erik and Fantine slipped outside into the darkness. It was snowing, the stars were bright, and the air was fresh… Their breath came out in small white puffs. The streets were fairly deserted. Holiday lights and candles decorated store windows, lighting up the dark street.
"Oh, Erik," she breathed. "Isn't it lovely?"
"It's beautiful." But it was she Erik was looking at. Fantine turned and met his gaze…
…And was immediately grateful that her mask hid her blushes…
Fantine tried to change the subject. "It's… been so long since I've been outside… I've forgotten how beautiful the streets are during the holidays…"
Erik's arm slid around her waist, making her breath catch in her throat.
What was he doing?
He pulled her closer to him. Erik's face was only inches from hers now. She could feel his hot breath against her lips. Her eyelids drooped and closed. Then she felt the warmth of his mouth covering hers.
Her heart lurched in surprise. He was kissing her! Even more shocking, she found that she was enjoying it! Her body tensed up, not knowing whether she should embrace him, slap him, throw herself into his arms, or push him away… It had been over five years since anyone had touched her. And now here she was… with Erik of all people!
He let his hands trace a line down her spine. They found their way to her hips and grabbed hold of them, pulling her up against him.
Then Erik's senses returned to him.
"What on earth do I think I'm doing?"
He drew away from her as though she had hit him, turning his back to her.
"Erik?" she said timidly. She ran a finger over her lips, still warm from his mouth.
"Come," Erik said, his voice steady and unemotional. "It's getting cold."
XxXxX
Well, Erik?
Erik: I just started kissing her out of the blue? That sucks! And then I get all shy and stop? That sucks even more!
It was supposed to be romantic, Erik! You know? To show that you're starting to fall for her?
Erik: That would suck even more!
So much for Princess Diaries 2 bringing out your sensitive side...
Erik: Dear authoress, you must know me well enough by now to know that I don't have a sensitive side!
(Sigh) You're a hopeless case, you know that? Oh, well. We'll see all of you tomorrow... Hopefully... As long as I get online before I have to leave for that youth retreat... Otherwise, I'll see you all on Monday! Toodles!