Sorry this chapter took so long guys. I kinda got grounded and I wasn't able to do ANYTHING. But no more about that. Sorry this chapter isn't very long. I wanted it to be, but I didn't feel like going on and on. Forgive me if it seems that I'm rushing into a relationship too soon, I'm just getting sick of them bickering all the time andI bet you are too soI decided to get to the love andspeed things up a bit.

Review replies:

Moonjava: One of my ever faithful reviewers. I'm glad you still like it. I love your reviews!

ThePhantomsShadow: Ya, I can't wait for the romance either, that's the most fun to write. Sorry if this wasn't romantic enough, but its a start. I agree, I think Meg does have a lot of emotion, she just never has the chance to show it because everyone always sees her as a little girl. Its going to get interesting when Erik finds out that he waspartlyresponsible for causingMeg so much pain.

sweet-little-girl: ya, I like doing passionate stuff. Its easy to write and its fun. I was glad you liked it because I do think that Meg has a lot of passion in her.

Emily singing reflection: Yay! another ever faithful reviewer. I'm glad you understand, I know how you feel sometimes. I have the same problem when I read something Kay based (grrr, still haven't read it though). You know, that is a really good question. I've seen the stage version twice and I've wondered the same thing. I guess Christine must have really been out of it not to hear him banging on the organ.

Valkyrie of the Rohirrim: I completely agree with you. There are way too few e/m phics out there, and although I like almost any pairing (except for r/c, no toleration for those whatsoever), I think that e/m is my favorite. They are just too cute together and you can't go wrong with that ship. I'm so glad you like my phic!

Hypnotized: Yes, I love e/m too, its the best pairing EVER! I totally agree with you. Meg has a lot of passion but very few opportunities to prove it. I think its funny how they are always fighting. Writing the part when Meg tried to punjab Erik was so much fun. I thought that was pretty funny if I don't say so myself. Ya, I was thinking the same thing about Meg getting bored too. There can't be much to do when you are stuck underground with a psycotic murderer (sorry Erik, I still love you).

Starkitty Angel Yay, I'm glad you found my phic. I'm a big E/M shipper, but sadly there just aren't enough out there and I'm trying to change that. There should be more. I love E/C, but sometimes E/M just seems more realistic and there are more options with it. I'm glad you like my phic so much. Don't worry, there is still much more ahead.

Nameless Waif:Yet another ever faithful reviewer! (hugs) I'm glad you thought the length was better. I'm trying to make these chapters longer, but without going on and on. I LOVED the little dialogue in your review. I loved it when Erik was like "AH! ITS POSSESSED!" I love Erik, I just want to cuddle him (cuddles Erik plushie). I feel sorry for you about the red tide. I hate the smell of dead fish. I live around the chesapeake bay and I can't stand the smell of crabs that have been sitting in a trashcan for like a week. Yuck!

brittanypiercey: I'm so glad that you like it! It's fun to do angry Megs! Its a shame that no one really realizes how much passion Meg actually has. "Breaking point" is a good way to describe this chapter. Sorry if it seems like this is moving too fast, but I really wanted to get into some romance.

PhantomoftheBandroom I can understand your urgency. I hate it when stories take forever for updates. I'm just sad this chapter took so long to post, but my author's note explains it, i hope. I tried to be original with what happened after the Opera House burned down. I was up for something a little darker. Sad and depressing is just very easy to write.

5. Something There That Wasn't There Before

With a catlike grace, the shadow left its spot, moving into the faint candlelight. My heart stopped and I felt my cheeks turn scarlet. That wasn't supposed to happen! I had been dancing for myself alone, as my own means of release, not as a show. I felt so violated. For him to watch that dance was a way for him to look inside my soul, to see my inner turmoil and suffering; something that I had never wanted him to see.

"How long were you watching?" I growled, very upset by his ever watching eyes.

"I'd say about five minutes," he said casually. I could feel the bloodlust returning.

"Why were you watching! You don't like it when I intrude on your music!" I waited for a response, but none came. So, I finally caught the Phantom without words! Though it was only a small victory, it was still one nonetheless.

"I couldn't help myself. There was something different about it that made it worth watching. "

I looked at him questioningly. "I've noticed that sometimes you do not put all of yourself into dance. On stage, you often move a certain way because it is what is expected, but there is no passion in it. This time was different. You put your soul into it and it made it, well beautiful."

I looked at him with my mouth wide open, completely caught off guard. I had been expecting a rude comment like usual, but certainly not a compliment.

"You know, Little meg, I do appreciate art when it is done correctly. Besides, that was far better than anything that little cow, Jammes could come up with."

I let out a small giggle. He was quite right. I had never even liked Jammes that much to begin with. She had been more of a whore than I ever was, not to mention she was incredibly snobby and very annoying. I had wondered why my mother even let her become one of the corps; she was really a horrible dancer. She was almost as bad as Carlotta. I couldn't have agreed with the Opera Ghost more.

I almost said something in agreement, but I realized he had turned to leave. That distance had returned, but for that one brief moment, the gap had been crossed. The new side I had just seen of the Phantom was different from the cold and distant man I was accustomed to. It was almost like the ice had melted for a moment. Though it was small, it was still a change for the better nonetheless. But would it last?

Ever so subtly I was beginning to live comfortably in the Phantom's prescence, not just because I was used to him, but it also helped that he was becoming a bit easier to live with. It was nice that he wasn't quite as cold and rude as before. Gradually, I found myself spending less and less time in my room. I eventually ended up eating with him. It wasn't like going out to dinner with a suitor, not ever dining with friends. It was just a simple meal, where we would just eat, mostly in silence, but with a little bit of conversation here and there. It was certainly a change from when I had first come here. The fact that I was interacting with him did not mean that I had forgiven or forgotten the injustices I dealt with. I had just gotten sick of sitting in my room day after day alone and the Phantom was the only company (if you could call it that) available. Life was not exactly enjoyable, but it was getting easier to tolerate.
It had been about another week since the Phantom had caught me dancing. I had abandoned reading in my room and decided instead on reading by the lake, where I had been secretly listening to him playing. It sounded like he was composing. Suddenly, a harsh chord echoed throughout the chamber, startling me and shaking the cavern walls.

I turned around almost angrily. "What was that for?"

"I was just frustrated. I've been making a few changes with my Don Juan and this aria is getting to be particuarly difficult."

Out of curiosity, I walked over to the organ, examining the sheets of music sitting on the magnificent instument. My eyes quickly scanned over the notes. I wasn't exactly that great with music, but I had a little bit of musical backround and it was easy to tell thatit was very complex. He may have been evil, but I had to admit that the mantruly was a genius.

"I know what you mean. It can be quite frustrating when you can't get something right. I have the same problems with dancing."

He turned so that those eyes saw right through me. "You know, dance and music aren't so different. Each dance has its own rhythm and each step composes its melody."

I looked at him in silent wonder, awed by his simple yet beautiful words. None of this made any sense. How could a bloodthirsty monster ever say something so poetic? There was more to this reclusive Phantom than there appeared to be. Was it possible for a man to be hiding within the monster of before? He never ceased to puzzle me. Just then I realized something; I had been with this man all this time and I had yet to learn his name.

"Monsieur, I'm just curious, but do you have a name?"

He paused for a moment, appearing to be in deep thought. "Not one that matters," he muttered, almost bitterly. "Besides, I thought that 'Opera Ghost' or 'Phantom' suited you well enough."

"I'm tired of calling you that. And neither of them fit you well, since you are neither. Surely you have a name, or at least something else that I could call you."

"If you insist, you may call me Erik," he said hesitantly.

"No surname?"

"No, just Erik," he said blandly.

I noticed that apparently he didn't want to continue the conversation so I let him return to his work and walked away. I could tell when he didn't want to be bothered and I decided that I wouldn't ruin his good mood. "Erik." I whispered the name to myself, testing the way it felt on my tongue. "honorable ruler". The name suited him well. The honorable part was questional, but he certainly tended to have an automatic sense of power and the ability to dominate. It was almost a strange name in a way. Two simple syllables, four little letters, yet the sound that they madehad a certain elegance, a certain beauty to it. Perhaps it was possible for a monster to have some beauty hidden within. The only thing I wondered now was if it was possible to find the buried beauty within this monster.

Well, there you go guys. I know it wasn't exactly romance, but as much as I want to get to the fun stuff, it was a little early for that. It was more of a (as brittanypiercey describes it) a breaking point. Sorry if it seemed to fast or slow. I think that updates should come a little bit more often. But I'm a bit unsure about what should happen next, so if anyone has some suggestions, PLEASE feel free to let me know because I am always open for ideas. Also, though I can get on the computer, I am also getting incredibly busy. I've been fulfilling my community service hours this summer so that is getting in the way and I've been in a play and we are getting closer to performace time. But I'll try to get the next chapter in as soon as possible!

Much love! Please review!

Rachel