Disclaimer: Don't own Phantom.

Chapter Nine

XXX

"Don't worry, no one will need to see you."

It was three days later that Christine came home, telling Erik that Monsieur Reyer had given her the name of a desperate publisher. Erik had spent hours writing out several pieces of music that had only ever lived in his mind, and now as he handed them to Christine, he was having second thoughts.

"Are you certain? What if they see the music and want to meet the man who wrote it? I can't let them see me, Christine…"

The small woman sighed, stomping her foot. "Honestly, Erik! You wanted a job, and here one is! Life is all about risks, isn't it?"

She was right. His music could be seen by the world, he could support the woman he loved, maybe someday even dare to ask for her hand in marriage…

Handing the music to Christine, he stroked her cheek. "You'll take it to the publisher now, then?"

She laughed, nodding and throwing her arms around his waist. "Of course. I'll be back in but an hour."

He watched as she rushed from the house and flagged down a carriage, and retreated to the sitting room to pick up a book and began to read.

Thus was his ascent into society. A swell of pride filled his chest, and he closed his eyes, a smile etched across his lips.

He'd come so far, from the filthy man in the cage, gawked at, mocked, feared and reviled. Erik knew that from now on, things would be looking up.

Now, he just had to figure out how to be a normal man.

Why do I have the feeling this is going to be easier said than done…?

XXX

"Christine!"

The Vicomte walked quickly forward down the street, his cane in one hand and his top hat in his other. He'd watched Christine step out of a carriage, and he rushed to her side, taking her arm.

"I haven't seen you in days, where have you been?" he asked, and she turned, looking up at him with wide eyes and clutching the music in her hand.

"Not now, please Raoul. I'm on an errand of great importance." She said, pulling away from him and walking down the street to the publisher. Raoul kept up beside her, surprised at her obvious distaste in seeing him.

"Well, once your errand is finished, I'd like very much to take you out. Perhaps somewhere for some dinner and dancing?" he asked, eyes bright.

Christine sighed, stopping and looking up at him reproachfully.

"I'm sorry, Raoul, but I've made plans for the evening."

"Again?" he looked crestfallen, and Christine frowned, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Raoul, I don't want you to court me any more. I'm sorry, we had fun as children, and I honestly have enjoyed seeing you again these past few months, after so long apart… after father died… but I'm not interested in you, not in that way… please. Just leave me alone."

Raoul's eyes flew wide open, and he gasped. "What? But Christine, I thought that you loved me!"

"No, Raoul. I did not ever tell you that I loved you, you just assumed-"

"But-"

"Please, no arguments, Raoul. I must go." With that, she pushed open the door to a small building, and left Raoul standing stunned on the streets.

XXX

Erik slept easily, laid back on the sofa with a book open on his chest. Christine smiled down at him, kneeling at his side and lifting the mask from his face.

His eyes fluttered open, and Erik jumped, than sighed in relief when he saw it was only Christine.

"Everything is taken care of." She murmured, and he smiled broadly, taking her hands and kissing her fingers. Christine grinned, helping Erik to sit up, than crawling into his lap.

She'd been almost ready to burst with excitement the whole carriage ride home, and she'd nearly had to sit on her hands to keep from fidgeting too much. This was so wonderful! She had been so concerned for Erik ever since bringing him home from the circus, worried that he would never come out of his shell completely for her, or poke his head out into the world to get a real taste of freedom, but now it seemed her fears were for nothing. It wasn't much, but small steps still took one forward, she knew.

Looking up into his eyes, delirious in her joy, she battled her eyelashes at him, smiling sweetly as she brushed a lock of wispy, sparse hair from where it had settled over one eye.

"Are you happy?"

Instead of speaking, Erik kissed her passionately, running his hands down her back, then moving his lips down her neck. "Very happy…" he whispered as she squirmed on top of him.

Kissing her again, she pushed her chest against his and shivered. "Oooh. Erik, what-what are you doing...?"

He lifted his head to meet her eyes, and he smirked at her. "Don't you recognize this? It's how Davis seduced Martel in the book you've been reading…"

She colored and laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning her head back to meet his enflamed gaze with a look of mock-consternation.

"You're seducing me, good monsieur?"

He blanched. "Oh! No-no, of course not, that would be highly inappropriate, I mean-"

She cut him off with her lips, kissing him eagerly and rubbing at the back of his neck. Erik melted against her, whimpering very softly as he drew her tightly to his chest, relieved as he realized a little too late that she had been teasing. When would he be able to read other's the way everyone else could?

The kiss broke several moments later, and Christine smiled, kissing his forehead before lifting off of his lap. Her cheeks were pink, and her breath came in and out in becoming little pants. Steadying herself, she smoothed down her skirts. She knew that if she wanted to keep her virtue intact, it was time for a change of pace. And while a part of her wanted to quite forcefully make her virtue un-intact, she knew that this was not the time. Neither of them were quite ready for such a large step, things were too fragile. Taking in a slow, calming breath, she met his gaze and smiled.

"I'll go make us some supper."