Thank you so much my dear reviewers! Also, for those of you who liked the fluff from this chapter and the last one, have no fear. Basically everything is gonna be fluff from here and out.

Also, you people must check this awesome phantom music video! Just go to this site: www.cresentmooncreations. and click on phantom of the opera. Then click on music videos and go to "Never Alone". Oh my God it is beautiful. I'm addicted to it.

Review Replies

ThePhantomsShadow: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Don't worry, I will be writing a lot more, that is, when I can escape summer reading.

KitsuneRW: haha, yes, fluff is great. And Erik really should take better care of his hands. What would we all do if he couldn't play anymore! Thanks for the review.

I Love Gerry: I'm glad you enjoyed the fluff. And I'm so happy you picked up on that scene by the lake! I was definitely thinking of "no one would listen" for that part, after all, the lake is a very romantic spot. And I'm glad that you think I'm doing okay with Meg. Even though I made her this fiesty little thing, she still is the sweet and innocent Meg we know and love. And I hope that the next chapter of your phic comes soon. I love it!

princessBlackRose: aw, thanks for your review Becca! We really do need to do Gerry fest and I desperately want to see you before school starts (yick).

LadyJaye: Thanks for your review! Ya, stage plays can be nervewraking, but I love to do them anyway. Glad you liked the fluff. It was fun to write and I was really feeling the need for some. And I'm glad you picked up on my little interpritation of Meg. She's begginning to see the Erik we all knowand love. And I'm happy that you think I'm doing okay with the speed of things.

satha: haha, yes, gotta love the fluff. And don't worry, there will be much more of that coming.

Little Ballet Rat: Aw, I'm glad you liked the fluff. There will be much more of that coming too. Thanks for your review and here is your update.

charity: Aw, I'm glad you like my phic so much. And don't worry, there will be much more action to come, which is kinda why I made it M. I know that right now this stuff really isn't that heavy, but I thought that with the first chapter and some of the later chapters, it was too much for a T rating so I was like, well, might as well make it M. Thanks for your review!

Nameless Waif: Wow, I really do enjoy reading your reviews. So we've met, eh? Hmmm. (thinks) With my horrid memory and blondness, I really can't think of who you are to save the life of me. There are so many times at family reunions where my mom will be like "Oh Rachel, this is your cousin so and so" and I'll be like, "uh, who are you?" So you are still nameless. hehe, family reunions. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Meg had to forgive him, I mean, who can resist asad Erik? And I'm happy you liked the lake part too. I was kinda thinking of "no one would listen" for that scene, since the lake seems like a very nice, peaceful, and of course romantic kind of place. And I haven't picked up on the Phantom ads yet. I've noticed that there have been some for other things, but I haven't noticed any for Phantom yet. Oh well, it is very appropriate. I'm so happy you liked the ending. I was really fond of that part too. It was fun making them so they were like "STAY AWAY!" but they were really like "ooooh come a little closer." lol. And don't worry, there will be much more of that to come.

HPROXMYSOX: Aw, I'm glad you liked the fluff. And don't worry, after Erik realizes, um, exactly how they wake up, he doesn't make a big deal about it. I think he's starting to get used to Meg pulling it off as well. I'm so glad you like my story. Thanks for your review!

Emily singing reflection: No problem about the review. I haven't been able to get on very often either. And I'm glad you like my story so much. The last chapter of your's was really cute.

Blissful Rose: aw, I'm glad you like my story so much! Don't worry, there is still much more to come.

FFAMasquerade2005: Wow, thanks for your review. I'm glad you like my phic so much. I intended for it to be a little darker. Glad you like it!

Aronoded: Aw, I'm glad you like it so much! Don't worry, there is still much more to come!

9. Give me the Strength to Try

My eyes sleepily fluttered opened and I awoke feeling very well rested and incredibly comfortable. I stirred slightly and opened my eyes. To my dismay, Erik had already replaced his mask. My head had remained on Erik's shoulder but my arm had found its way around his waist and somehow my leg had wrapped itself around one of his own…

WAIT A MINUTE!

Instantly I jumped off of him, quickly moving to the other side of the bed as my face turned a bright shade of red. Erik shot straight up. I hadn't meant to wake him.

"What! What happened? What's wrong?"

"Oh Erik, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you!"

"No, it's all right. I've been awake for a while, I just didn't want to disturb you."

I felt my cheeks grow warmer. That had been so nice of him, but I wondered how long I had been pinning him down like that.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"No, think nothing of it. I didn't mind," he said with surprising honesty. Erik must have noticed it too because almost immediately his face turned a rather adorable shade of red and I found it hard not to giggle.

"Uh, I'll make breakfast," and with that he hurriedly left the room.

I remained on the bed, frozen to my spot, still trying to understand exactly what had just happened. Had Erik just said that he didn't mind that? I had to admit, I had been very comfortable beside him. But what did he think of me now that I had unconsciously clung to him like, well… 'like a whore,' I thought bitterly. I could never go back to those days, I never could. And yet, how had Erik made sleeping besides a man so… inviting, even enjoyable? He had certainly been the first man to accomplish that feat. Still, I couldn't help but wonder why it had felt so comfortable, so… right by his side.

­­­The following nights were spent alone, which, in its own way was a good thing. Without Erik in my bed I didn't have to worry about embarrassing myself further.

And yet, at the same time, I missed his presence. My bed felt very cold and empty and I found myself wishing for his firm, warm body and how safe and secure I had felt waking up with him.

Daytime was beginning to get a little tense as well. For some reason, Erik and I seemed to avoid each other. The atmosphere of the cavern had an uneasy aura to it and I found that a giddy nervousness came over me when I talked to him. With all of this, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I had enjoyed our conversation by the lake and I wished that I could only find another moment like that.

A sound from one of the alcoves caught my attention. I went over, finding Erik holding a violin case.

"I didn't know that you played the violin."

"Yes," he replied, taking it out of its case. "I enjoy the violin very much, I just haven't played it for a while."

"Is it okay if I stay and listen," I asked.

Erik nodded before placing the violin to his chin, much like the violinists in the orchestra. He ran the bow over it, adjusting the strings and tuning the fine instrument. With great care, Erik slid the bow across the strings, making the instrument produce a gorgeous sound and the beginning of a sad melody. I sat there with my legs crossed beneath my skirts, much like a child listening to a story. As Erik played, I watched him intently, noting how he had closed his eyeswhile the violin enchanted me with its song. I felt myself being mezmorized by Erik's music as well as by the man playing it. It was surprising how a man with such a twisted face could make music so beautiful that it must surely be the work of angels.

The end of the song broke my trance and I found that my soul was begging for more.

"Erik, that was so beautiful," I whispered reverently. "Please play another one."

With a flicker of a smile, Erik raised the bow to its strings, pausing to think. The bow began to move and the strings produced a quick, lively, yet passionate song. I could feel the notes moving though me, inspiring my soul. It called to me, begging my body to move with it, seducing me into a dance. The music controlled me like a marionette, pulling me to my feet and I willingly gave in, turning and twisting. My mind gave into my body's demands, causing me to move in seductive ways that otherwise would have made me blush. Yet I could not stop. I moved as the music instructed me to, feeling a deep and intense exhillaration.

I felt something solid and warm against my back and only then did I realize that Erik had stopped playing. He wrapped his strong arms arond me and I leaned back, letting my head rest against his chest, succumbing to him entirely. With care, he trailed his hands over my waist,igniting an intoxicating heat in the pit of my stomach, making it harder and harder to breathe.

"Erik," I whispered breathlessly.

My hand reached up to his unmasked cheek, gently stroking his face while the other guided his touch and I felt Erik begin to tremble. I closed my eyes, feeling warmth spreading throughout my body, yet making me shiver at the same time. To my surprise, I felt a hand slyly sliding under my shirt, tickling the sensative skin of my abdomen. Oh God, don't let this ever stop.

Erik's cool yet soft fingertips left my waist and instead he rubbed his thumb over my lips, making me desire his own.

"So... beautiful," he whispered, tracing my cheek. I opened my eyes, instantly met by his passion-glazed orbs, sparkling with a deeper blue color than I had ever seen.

Slowly he inclined his head, coming closer and closer until I could feel the warmth of his face and his breath upon my lips. I was yearning for him to close that space, to become lost in his kiss while tangled in this embrace. 'Please Erik,' I silently pleaded, 'You're so close! so close...'

In a flash, Erik sprung away, jolting me out of that blissful trance and startling me.

"Erik... What?... Why?"

"Sorry, sorry, forgive me... no... can't... not again," he mumbled before rushing back to the sanctuary of his room and locking the door.

I stood there for a moment, wondering if that had just been a dream before a burning frustration took over. I had been so close, SO CLOSE!

"DAMN IT!" I cursed, stomping up the stairs to my room. That had really infuriated me. I had been so close to him, so wrapped up in that moment and he had to break it and break away.

I sat down on the bed and as I cooled down, sensability began to return. I couldn't help but wonder why I had wanted his kiss so badly. It was a little strange, almost. Erik had been the man I had loathed so well, but none of that seemed to matter anymore. He just wasn't the cold-blooded killing machine that I had once thought he was. If anything, Erik was an incredibly talented and handsome man (even with that one half of his face) with music that could rival that of angels. There was no doubt I was very attracted to him. Just a moment ago Erik had brought out feelings and sensations that no other man had ever come close to sparking, let alone that I thought myself capable of feeling. But could I really go far enough to call that love? As much as I hated to admit it, only time would tell.

Yes, I know it was terribly evil of me to do that, but torture can be rather amusing. Okay, now that I have a very clear view as to where this story is going, updates might be faster, but since my parents have been making me do summer reading every waking moment, it's gonna set me back a bit.

(a/n) About the second violin song, think of that one scene when Christine is on her way to the graveyard and there is that really cool little instrumental part with a really fast violin part. And when Erik and Meg are in that little embrace thingy, think of that one pose with Christine and Erik during "music of the night".

Please review!