Are you ready Erik?

Erik: Oui.

Let's get started, then.

GalindaxlovesxErik: Well, we shall see if your hunch is correct. Now calm… breath deeply… exhale…

Erik: Mmmm… Tacos…

Tadriendra of Mirkwood: Back and forth just makes it interesting, I think. Wouldn't it just blow if I made them profess their undying love for each other and then the whole fic is over?

Erik: Did Raoul die? Ha! I wish!

MJ-Skywalker: Calmeth thyself my humble Jedi friend… I think you'll like this chapter.

Erik: Could you please stop clinging to me? You're making me very nervous.

RowenaIsolde: You know, I'm starting to grow very fond of you. Your imagination inspires me with new Erik-torture techniques.

Erik: I hate kids…

DarkSilverMaiden: No clodhoppers? Wow, I wouldn't like to live where you live then, no offence. I could not live without clodhoppers. The ultimate comfort food. They come in handy around that special time of the month, if you know what I mean.

Erik: Oh, making a Punjab is fairly simple. You take a rope and make a slipknot. If you don't know how to make a slipknot, just google it. You're bound to find instructions somewhere. Then practice throwing it. I enjoy practicing with my little Raoul-Fop doll. Unfortunately, I've had to glue his head back on a few times.

Inuyasha-gal-97: Uh, Erik? I don't speak cow.

Erik: Oh, you are hopeless. (To reviewer) Moo-snort-reowr-nicker-moo-mrr… (Thank you, but the authoress is retarded and does not understand basic cow).

VagrantCandy: Oh, the questions! Why? Why now? Don't worry… All shall become clear in time.

Erik: With all the people who just show up in my lair, I ought to start renting out rooms… You know, make a little cash on the side?

Mominator124: You're right… Men can be so thick sometimes…

Erik: And women can be so annoying sometimes…

dulciluisa: Awake all night? You're just like Erik. That's right, Erik! Don't think I don't hear you shuffling around in the closet at all hours of the night.

Erik: It's insomnia! You know, I think I could use some warm milk… But it's bad for singers!

Haley Macrae: Mmmm… This pocky is kind of good… What's in it? Erik! Hold still like a good boy and let me put this rosary on you! I'm told it'll keep you from doing anything naughty, wink-wink.

Erik: You are not putting that thing on me! Back off! Get away!

the Unrequited Lover: Another great review! Erik, Erik, Erik… You've got some 'splaining to do…

Erik: You know, it's very easy for a man as brilliant as myself to contradict himself sometimes… But you hold a good point… Obviously, only someone as smart as me could appreciate my genius, but since I'm an unparalleled genius, obviously that person does not exist. Thank you… You've truly put it in perspective for me… But I'm not complaining about being perceived as sexy. I just thought it would be nice to be appreciated for something other than my flawless physique.

GerrysISUChick04: Well, Erik has already seen The Exorcist, but we haven't watched the Chucky movies yet…

Erik: Hmmm… I wonder if it is wise to accept a massage from a woman whose fingers have touched the backs of so many other men… It's a little… (shudders) …unnerving… Oh, what the hey! My shoulders are killing me… Please, be my guest.

MasqueradingThroughLife: Alright, my friend, try to calm yourself… Close your eyes and let your mind go blank…

Erik: And dearie… let go of your Erik's arm… I think you're starting to bruise him… Come on, off now… (Tries to pry the hyperventilating phan-girl off of his alternate ego's arm).

Ceci Webster: Is this soon enough?

Erik: More like too soon!

Elly McGregory: You know, I just love gummi bears! And to be perfectly honest, I love baked chips way better than the regular stuff… They're much crunchier.

Erik: Excuse me! I believe those snacks were intended for me!

Learn to share, jerk!

AngelicFlutist: You know, everyone who knows me on a personal basis thinks I'm related to Stephen King. We share the same last name, and my friends say the insane story-writing must be genetic.

Erik: And you're both creepy, as far as I'm concerned…

Why, thank you! Now onto the new chappie!

XxXxX

Erik whirled around and found himself looking into the warm, brown eyes of his former student.

"Christine!"

She smiled shyly. "Hello, Angel of Music…"

"Christine, what are you doing here?" he demanded.

She ignored his question and walked right up to him. "My, you're looking healthy," she commented. "I remember you used to be so skinny. Have you been exercising?"

"Hardly." Erik was amazed at what healthy eating had done for his body. His bony frame had developed firm, new muscles over the course of the past few months.

Muscles, he noticed, that Christine was observing with a rather hungry glitter in her eyes.

"Christine, why are you here?" he demanded of her again.

She glanced up at him. "I… I think I've made a mistake…"

"That's fine, Christine, it happens to the best of us." He lightly grabbed her shoulders and turned her around, nudging her in the direction of his boat. "Off you go, then."

"No!" she cried. "Not a mistake in coming here. A mistake in leaving in the first place!"

Erik froze. "Why?" he thought. "Why couldn't she have said this five years ago? Why now?"

Her eyes looked glassy. "I… I have been so miserable with Raoul these past several months. He's… he's never there for me anymore… He's always busy with other duties… being a Vicomte and all…" Her eyes pleaded with him. "I'm so alone, Angel… And I've been thinking a lot… I… I think… I made a mistake when I chose Raoul…"

Erik took a step back and she took a step forward. She continued advancing upon him as he continued to shy away, until she had him cornered against the organ.

"Christine–"

She silenced him with a finger to his lips.

"I'm choosing you now, Angel," she whispered.

"Christine…"

Christine reached out and smoothed her hands across his stomach. She felt his hard abs through his thin shirt.

"My, but you are in good shape!" she exclaimed. "You sure you haven't been exercising?"

Part of Erik wanted to push Christine away, while another part of him was desperate for her to continue. After all, hadn't Fantine already shunned him? Rejected him? Had she not made it clear that she had no desire to even be near him?

Christine's hands slid around his waist. Erik jumped in surprise when he felt her hands grasp his backside.

"Christine!" He grabbed her hands and held her at arms' length.

What had happened to innocent little Christine? What had happened to his shy, timid student?

Then of course, he reminded himself, the girl had been married for five years now. She was far from being innocent… Yes, she probably knew very much about how to get intimate with a man.

He hated to admit it… The Vicomte had taught her well…

"Angel, what's wrong?" she asked with a slight pout on her lips.

"Christine… I can't do this… I won't do this… Not now…"

"I… I don't understand…" she whimpered. "I thought you loved me…"

"I… I did, Christine…"

"D-did?"

"Christine… There's someone else…"

She stared up at him with large eyes. "Someone… else?" she whispered.

Erik cupped her cheek with his large hand. "She makes me happy… She makes me feel things I didn't think I could feel… And… I love her…"

"But… But I love you!"

Erik shook his head. "No you don't, Christine… You love the Vicomte… That's why you left with him in the first place…"

"N-no…" Christine looked angry now. "No!"

Before Erik could stop her, Christine had her arms around his neck, her mouth upon his. Erik grabbed at her, trying to push her off.

"Erik!"

Erik shoved Christine away as he turned to see Fantine staring at him in horror.

"E-Erik…" Fantine's voice was a mixture of shock and anger. "What is she doing here?"

"Fantine, it's not what it looks like…" Erik said gently.

Fantine grabbed a spare Punjab lasso that was hanging up on the wall and advanced upon Christine. Alright, she wasn't very skilled with Erik's noose. Her true talent lay with a sword. She would be lucky if she managed to throw the rope in Christine's general direction.

But Christine didn't need to know that…

Fantine had felt sorry about the things she had said to Erik earlier. She had come out to talk to him… and found him grabbing at another woman as she kissed him full on the lips! Not just any woman, Fantine noticed… but his former lover, Christine Daaé!

Was it that easy for Erik to forget about Fantine?

Fantine was upon Christine in an instant. She wrapped a hand around the girl's slender throat and shook the noose at her.

"I want you out of my home!" she screamed in her face. "Now!"

Erik grabbed Fantine's shoulders and pried her off of Christine.

"Fantine, stop! Let her go!"

Fantine spun around and glared at him. Her hand flew and slapped him hard across his unmasked cheek.

"Is that it, Erik?" she screamed. "Is that how long it takes you to find yourself a new little woman to have your way with? Well, I hope her pretty face keeps you warm at night!"

Fantine flew to her room and slammed the door, leaving Erik rubbing his stinging cheek. Christine cowered on the floor.

"Th-th-that's your woman?" Christine whimpered. "She's… she's so violent! So cold! Why… she's… she's…"

"She's exactly like me…" Erik finished for her. He turned to face her. "Who are you to pass judgement on her, Christine Daaé? Do you even know who she is? She used to perform in the ballet corps with you!"

"With me?" Christine frowned. Then she gasped, her eyes growing wide. "Oh, my! I don't believe it! Fanny!"

"Fanny?" Erik repeated.

"We used to call her Fanny," Christine remembered. "She thought 'Fantine' sounded too formal."

"You remember her?"

"She was my friend! Mine and Meg's!"

"She was friends with Meg Giry? Surprising, considering she despises the girl with a passion now."

"I-I-I don't understand! What's happened to her? She was so gentle! So kind! I thought she was getting married! What is she doing here? And why is she wearing that mask?"

"People change," Erik said, helping her to her feet. "Go now… Your husband will wonder where you are."

"But–"

Erik placed a finger against her lips, silencing her. "Relationships take work," he told her. "Talk to your husband. Tell him how you feel. Work things out with him. Don't just give up. He loves you."

Christine gazed at him a moment longer before heading to the boat. In moments, she was gone.

"I should really follow my own advice," Erik murmured as he glanced at Fantine's door.

He steeled his nerve and started for her room. He stopped in his tracks when a glinting object on the floor caught his eye. He bent down and picked it up with shaky hands.

It was Fantine's ring.

She had left so swiftly that he hadn't even seen her stop and throw it at him.

Erik closed his fist around it and squeezed his eyes shut as tears flowed down his face. His heart felt like a great black void.

There was no creature on earth more wretched than he…

Wiping his face on the back of his sleeve, he placed the ring on top of his organ and headed straight for the liquor cabinet…

XxXxX

Uh, oh... Erik's gonna get plastered... What do you think, Erik?

Erik: Oh, I can feel the hangover already! Not from the liquor, though... From the toffee popcorn!

Sugar hangovers... Ah, the memories... Well, hope you all liked it. It's been great hearin' from y'all y'all's (heehee... Accents are fun!) We'll see you tomorrow!