Hey, we're back! Or… at least I am… Where the heck is Erik? Erik? Erik! Geez, where has he gotten to now? (Cell phone rings. Picks it up) Hello?

Erik: Seven days…

You are such a loser sometimes! Quit fooling around and let's get to these reviews!

GalindaxlovesxErik: Iced animal crackers? Wow, you know how to cheer up a girl in a bad mood.

Erik: Sweet? Aww, you're so kind.

MasqueradingThroughLife: Indeed, you should listen to your Erik. Lemons are very soothing for the throat. You know what? You should try tea with lemon and honey in it. It works miracles on sore throats.

Erik: You're absolutely right, MY-Erik. We ought to start a support group for stressed-out muses.

Tadriendra of Mirkwood: You're right, Legolas… Erik lost his mind long before I met him!

Erik: Ooh, giant spiders… Wow, I'm shaking in my closet… What ever will I do? There's an elf here threatening me with arachnids!

Me and My Shadow: Oh, don't worry about not reviewing. I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes my PC goes all haywire, too.

Erik: Cookies? Aww, you're so nice!

Inuyasha-gal-97: Why thank you, I'll take that as a compliment.

Erik: Hey, I remember you! You hung out in my closet in Angel's other fics! Where the heck have you been?

Pharaohs Daughter: You're right. Erik needs lessons on how to speak to ladies. Maybe you should help him.

Erik: That would be an excellent idea, if I had any interest in creating "lil' phantom babies."

Haley Macrae: Well, now that I know what a plushie is, I suppose my life's education is complete. What do you think Erik?

Erik: I got more s'more pop tarts! And lots of paper for composing! See? I don't even have to draw in the bar lines! They're already printed on! How cool is this?

Welcome to the twenty-first century, Erik.

the Unrequited Lover: Oh, now you're flattering me. I love how you analyze these chapters. Heck, you're opening my eyes to few things that I hadn't even been aware of when I was writing, even though they make perfect sense! Erik: Hmph! I am not lacking in words! I'm an under-appreciated musical genius! I know words better than anyone here! Right… You just choose to remain silent…

Araiona Dubois: Ah, the diva in training returns! I hope she still has time for these lowly fics when she's rich and famous!

Erik: Oh, come now! I would never drop anything on your head! Only Carlotta. Because she can't sing. And she's ugly. I don't like her.

Starrylibra: Erik, I swear… If you have relations with this girl, I'll–" Erik: You'll what? Talk me to death?

Jedi Knight Padme: Why, thank you! You really think I'm brilliant?

Erik: This whole review is a testimony to the insanity of a young girl's mind. Hey, MY-Erik! I think I've got a little study material for the book we're going to write!

RowenaIsolde: Alright, you have got to give me the name of that fic… It sounds absolutely hilarious! And if you haven't posted it yet, do it soon and then let me be the first to know about it!

Erik: Only you would find an Erik-Torture fic amusing… But I do appreciate this popcorn certificate. And Raoul kindling? This is awesome! And you're right… Fop is not worthy of the sacred PH.

Mrs. Gerard Butler: You're so right… Gerard Butler is hot… Mmmm, Gerry… Gerry, Gerry, Gerry…

Erik: Pardon me while I vomit.

Emma and Hollom: Thanks for trying to defend me, Hollom… Unfortunately, Erik claims that I'm not a lady. Rather, he says I'm the spawn of the devil.

Erik: Oh, you'd like to see me try, huh? (Pulls out his trusty Punjab).

Erik! Put that thing away!

AngelicFlutist: Wow, you are just too nice… Don't you agree, Erik? (Long pause). Erik?

Erik: Sorry, can't talk right now… I'm getting a massage… Oooh, that feels good!

MJ-Skywalker: Oh, I don't care what Erik says about me anymore. I know he only says the things he does because he is fatally attracted to me.

Erik: Yeah, right! But it seems that Starrylibra has decided that we're sharing a serious relationship, so I suppose in that respect that I am seeing someone romantically. Though what is so romantic about a tiny closet is beyond my comprehension.

Ceci Webster: Why thank you! Hey, Erik! We have a new reviewer!

Erik: Welcome to my closet. You like?

darklady5289: Thanks! I just love hearing from you!

Erik: Me too! She almost always remembers to bring popcorn. (Looks at her hopefully) Did you bring some?

Well, enough of that, now. Onto the new chappie!

XxXxX

Erik looked around the lair. "Fantine?"

It had been three days since Fantine had begun to recover from her fever. Madame Giry had come over just once to check on her. She found her out of bed, fully dressed, sprawled out on the couch, reading a book.

Madame Giry had put Erik through the ringer for that! Why wasn't she in bed? Had he checked her temperature? Had she even eaten recently?

Erik had had a difficult time explaining to Madame that Fantine had not wished to be babied. Erik had attempted to force her to remain in bed, but what was he to do? Tie her to the mattress?

Fantine had barely spoken to him at all in those three days. Erik walked around each day, feeling as though his heart were full of stones. He soon felt as he had in those days when he and he alone played the role of the Phantom of the Opera. He felt so very alone. Even when she was with him in the lair, he felt so secluded. His walks around the opera house were dull and gloomy without her company. And somehow, when he went up to the roof at night, the stars had lost a bit of their lustre, without her at his side warming his hand with hers. It was as if the past two months had not occurred at all and Erik was on his own again.

Only this time it hurt more because she was always right there, so close and yet so far. He actually found himself resisting the urge to run to her, pull her into his arms and kiss her until they were both gasping for breath.

Erik sat at his desk and slumped in the chair. He had not been able to find her. Perhaps she had decided to leave again… Perhaps she would never come back… He propped his head up on his elbows and fought the urge to cry.

A piece of paper on the desk caught his eye. He picked it up, wondering where it came from.

He noticed it was a miniature flyer… One like those that the Opera Populaire posted all over the city to announce upcoming events. Trembling, he read the words:

Le Bal Masqué

New Year's Eve

Theatre Populaire

Festivities Begin at 8:00, Evening

Erik jumped up from the desk.

The date! What was the date today?

Erik paced the room, thinking. Christmas had been December 25th. He counted back the days… That was six days ago… Which made today…

December 31st…

New Year's Eve…

Erik checked the clock. 8:30. The masquerade had already begun!

Erik ran to the boat, then stopped dead in his tracks.

He couldn't just show up in plain clothes! Ironically, that would attract attention.

Erik strode back to his room.

Time to get out the old mask…

XxXxX

Erik remained in the shadows as his eyes scanned the crowds below him. The front hall of the Opera Populaire was crawling with activity. There were was an endless array of different characters of all shapes and colours twirling about on the floor. A light, dancing music resounded throughout the hall.

Fantine? Where was she?

He was certain she would have come here. No doubt Little Giry and her pretty boy Robert would be in attendance.

And it was Robert that Erik was sure Fantine would be after…

XxXxX

Fantine gazed at the sea of people before her. It cheered her heart a bit to be with people again. To be treated like a human being. To them, she was just an attractive young woman who had come to spend the night with her fellow citizens. But really, she was just a damaged soul who sought comfort beyond her cold lair.

Erik had ignored her for the past three days. He took walks without her. Sometimes he was gone for hours at a time!

"How long will he remain angry with me?" she wondered, bitterly. "Doesn't he see how sorry I am? Doesn't he realize how much this silence is hurting me?"

Her decision to come here tonight had been last-minute. She doubted Erik would even notice she was gone.

Fantine's gaze was drawn to the front entrance, where a handsome man appeared with a beautiful girl.

Robert… and his pretty little ballerina…

How Fantine hated Meg Giry… Not because Meg was seeing Robert, but because Meg had everything that Fantine could never have. She had a lovely face… She was prima ballerina… And she had the love of a man…

Fantine sighed. She still liked Robert. But what she had thought she shared with Erik was something… special… Not even Albert had been capable of stirring within her the feelings that Erik had stirred within her.

But now Erik hated her. She felt her heart ache just a little more at the thought.

Perhaps enticing Robert to stay with her was her only chance for male companionship now… Even if the boy didn't love her…

XxXxX

Erik spotted Little Giry entering with Robert Romard. Keeping to the shadows, he followed them with his eyes. He was certain that if he kept an eye on Robert, Fantine would appear shortly.

He was right…

At the top of the grand staircase, a lone figure had her eyes fixed upon the couple. She was dressed all in crimson, her ebony hair pulled back into an up-do with cascading curls, a Death's-Head mask on her face.

Lady Death…

Her costume would have complimented his own Red Death costume perfectly, had they come to the masquerade together…

Erik strode over to her, stepping out of the shadows and grabbing her arm…

"Fantine! What on God's Green Earth do you think you're doing?"

She turned and faced him. Fantine took in his costume. It was a perfect match to hers. She couldn't help but notice how strong his legs appeared in those form-fitting, crimson trousers.

It was the same costume he had worn five years ago, she remembered. The Phantom had come to the winter masquerade, demanding that Andre and Firmin have the house perform his new opera, Don Juan Triumphant, and make Christine Daaé the star of it.

He had seemed so frightening that night… Now, she found his current form rather appealing…

"Answer me, woman!"

He was still angry with her! After all this time, he was still angry!

"What I do is none of your concern!" Fantine snapped at him.

"It is if you suddenly disappear from the lair without so much as a note telling me where you are!"

"Oh, as if you care how I spend my time!" she spat. "Need I remind you that you are not my parent, and I do not need you supervising my every move!"

"Yes, Fantine, you do need my supervision! It seems every time I turn around you're getting into some kind of trouble! I was worried about you! And now I come here and find you eyeing that pretty-boy Robert again?"

"Well at least his face looks normal!" Fantine could hardly believe what she had just said. And yet there it was. She had never been very good at guarding her tongue, and in her anger she had said possibly the cruellest thing she could ever say to him.

Erik tried desperately to hide the hurt in his eyes. "So that's it? All that matters to you is a pretty face? I must admit Fantine, it seems I have misjudged you. I thought that you, of all people, knew that there was more to person than looks. Clearly, I was mistaken!"

Fantine sucked in a deep breath. "Erik, listen–"

"Maybe I should go back to living the life of a vagrant!" he snapped. "Maybe I should go back to dealing with prostitutes! Perhaps all they desired was my body, but at least I know where a whore stands! Believe me, that life was far less painful!"

Fantine could hardly believe what he was implying. Leaving her all alone for… for… street trash? Her temper flared as she fought the urge to cry at his words.

"Perhaps you should go back to your whores!" she screamed. "Then I can have the Opera Populaire to myself, and we'll both get what we want!"

Erik glared at her. His hands balled into fists and he clenched his teeth.

How he loved and hated this woman all at once!

Erik noticed that the room had grown deathly quiet. He looked around. All eyes were fixed upon him and Fantine. Their argument had crescendoed to such a point that all activity had stopped and all attention was focused on the two crimson figures that quarrelled at the top of the grand staircase. Erik's sensitive ears picked up a few whispers among the crowd.

"It's them! The Phantom and his wife!"

"Why are they fighting?"

"Is he sleeping around?"

"Something like this happened a few years ago…"

Erik breathed deeply to compose himself. How he had hoped his presence wouldn't become so obvious…

"Fondest greetings," Erik addressed the crowd. He slid an arm around Fantine's waist and pulled her close.

"Erik," Fantine spoke in a low, dangerous tone. She tried to pull away.

"You got us into this," he whispered. "You may scorn my presence all you wish in the lair, but in public you are my wife, and that's all there is to it!" He smirked a bit. "How dismaying… I've made it so difficult for you to seduce your precious Robert!"

Fantine glared at him. The pompous jerk thought all she cared about was Robert?

Well… If that's what he wanted to believe… So be it…

"My husband and I have a proposition for you two," Fantine addressed Firmin and Andre, who were currently cowering at the foot of the grand staircase. "We were hoping this opera house might consider performing Don Juan Triumphant once again." Fantine sidled up closer to Erik. One hand reached out and entwined with his. "Of course, there will be no little accidents this time, will there, darling?" She smiled at him sweetly.

Erik remained silent and stared at her. What on earth was she doing?

"Of course, should you decide to accept our generous proposal, which you will, there will be a few conditions. For instance, we want the role of Don Juan to be filled by Monsieur Robert Romard…"

Erik could feel his blood boiling. If she sought to make him angry, she was doing a good job of it!

Time to get even…

"And the role of Aminta will be played by Mademoiselle Giry!" Erik added.

Fantine glared daggers at him. She found herself thinking horrible, vengeful thoughts.

He was not going to one-up her!

"Maestro? How about a little music?" she said loudly.

Almost immediately, the orchestra started playing again. All eyes remained fixed upon Fantine as she descended the staircase. Smirking, she made her way over to where Robert stood with Meg. She gazed at him, her dark eyes drawing him in.

"Care to treat a young lady to a dance?" she asked.

Robert found himself unable to refuse. Her arm slid around his shoulders and one hand grasped his. As they began to dance, the rest of the crowd began milling about again, filling the dance floor. Some stole a few fleeting glances at Fantine as she twirled around the floor with Robert. Others watched Meg's reaction, who stood off to one side as she watched her man dance with Lady Death. Still others peeked up at Fantine's supposed husband, who still stood at the top of the staircase, watching the scene below him.

His heart felt like someone had smashed it with a hammer.

He watched as Fantine let her hand slide from the boy's shoulders, down his back, allowing her palm to graze his firm backside.

Erik was at the bottom of the stairs in a matter of seconds.

"I'm cutting in!" he said, pushing Robert aside.

"Oh, now, Erik," she pouted as Erik took Robert's place in her arms. "You've taken me away from my lover."

"Do you enjoy doing this?" he demanded angrily.

"Doing what?" she asked innocently.

Erik wanted to say, 'Hurting me,' but his pride would not allow it.

"Do you enjoy infuriating me?" he growled.

"Well, it has made for some rather interesting situations, you must admit."

"Situations that threaten our existence!" Erik snapped. "Do you have any idea what would happen if people discovered we're not who we say we are?"

"Enlighten me."

"Torches and pitchforks!"

"Really, Erik, you are too melodramatic," she laughed.

"Believe it or not Fantine, I actually care for our well-being."

"Oh, yes, of course," she said coldly. "Because you care so damned much about me! That's why you've been avoiding me like the plague!"

Erik was about to respond angrily, but he noticed that, once again, all eyes were watching him and Fantine. He sighed heavily. They would not be able to keep their cover up, at this rate.

In a flash, Erik's mouth descended hungrily upon Fantine's. He kissed her passionately… desperately… Her succulent lips parted in surprise, inadvertently allowing him to invade her mouth with his tongue. After a long moment, he broke the kiss, leaving her gasping for breath.

"Yes, Fantine… I do care…"

XxXxX

Comments, Erik?

Erik: Suckedy-sucked!

I see... Well, sorry guys but that's going to have to last you until Monday. I'm going to be in Connecticut for my brother's wedding, so this is my last update until then... Unless I'm extremely lucky and there's a computer at the hotel where I can do my updates. But don't hold your breath. So, I should see you all on Monday, if not before! See ya later!