Disclaimer: Don't own Phantom.

Notes: Takes place a few hours after the previous chapter.

Chapter Eighteen

XXX

"The ballet girls are talking about a ghost."

Christine and Erik were seated on the divan, leaning against one another as Erik flipped through a few novels that Christine had brought him. They'd both been silent for so long, that Erik jumped at the sound of Christine's voice.

"Oh?"

News travels fast...

"Yes! Sophia and Jammes were talking about hearing a ghost inside the old prop room. Apparently he knocked some things over and made quite a fuss..." Her eyes were twinkling now.

"Hmm... how curious." Erik feigned interest in his book again, smirking.

"What were you doing in the prop room, monsieur?"

Erik snorted. "You think I am a ghost?"

Christine heaved a heavy sigh and stood, walking across the room and stretching elegantly.

"No, I think you're a thief. What did you take?"

"Oh, an old violin."

The sound of the bedroom door slamming reverberated through the house, making Erik wince.

He wondered how comfortable the divan would be to sleep on...

XXXX

A night apart seemed to cool Christine's temper, and the next morning she made Erik breakfast. She watched as he polished and strung the violin and sniffed, obviously still upset that he'd stolen something from the place that had taken such good care of her over the years since her father had died.

"I need my music, Christine." Erik murmured, not looking up. Christine rolled her eyes.

"I think rehearsals are going to run a bit late this evening. Will you be alright here alone, or will I hear about the thieving ghost again?"

Glaring, Erik finished with the last string and brought the instrument to his chin, playing a gentle chord.

"Perfect."

It wasn't until Christine had left for rehearsals that Erik sat down with some paper and red ink and began to compose. He hadn't been able to write out his compositions for so long, and the happiness he found at knowing that he'd be able to not only remember the song later that evening, or even weeks, months from now, but also give it to someone else and they would be able to play it as well, made him grin broadly.

Yes, Christine would sing.

He would teach her.