chapter 8

I am so sorry for not updating sooner. I moved back to Ohio. Let me tell you, I hate it here. So many hillbillies. When I tell them about the Phantom of the Opera, they say "Huh?"

Well, anyway, in the last chapter "Julianna's" name was meant to be Luciana. Sorry! Now on when she is mentioned the name will be Luciana.

Shadow-Sun- I'm glad you like. Now that I am settled I'll try to update once a week.

my-echo- I know. Spelling has never been a strong suit for me. That beta offer, thanks. If the errors run rampant in this chapter, I'll take you up on that offer.

Child of the Seine- Mary Sueish? Maybe in looks but not in attitude. A spitfire isn't she? She has a heart disease. so her body would be weak although she will not admit it. That's way she was a Karate Teacher. Don't worry it will all be explained soon.

and thank you to you all, VCBlondie137, Opera Dove, Twinkle22

Disclaimer: I don't own the Phantom of the Opera. He belongs to Gaston Leroux. Lucky Dog.

The next morning Erik made sure to awake before Cat, and set about making breakfast. He had pancakes, sausage, and fresh orange juice. Cat came into the kitchen and he almost dropped his pan. She was gorgeous, her short black hair shining and wearing a pair of gray trousers and a light green shirt. She smiled and he did drop the pan. "Ssory." He stammered. She picked it up and handed it to him.

"Butterfingers. Can I ask, do you sleep with that mask on? It must be terribly uncomfortable."

"Yes, it is. But, I have suffered this long with it, so I'll suffer with it until I die. But I'll really like if you don't ask."

She nodded. "I respect your privacy. But it is a shame. You have such pretty eyes."

Respect? When had anyone ever respected his face? Everyone wanted to know, wanted to see the monster beneath the mask. This damn girl was joking him, had to be! He glared at her. She seated herself at the table and Erik calmed himself. She obviously wasn't planning anything. After breakfast they went to the living room and talked. It was wonderful to have a conversation with someone after so long. Cat was having the time of her life. Here she was, talking to a man that most phan girls dream of. She told him in detail all she knew about him. After the initial shock was over, he corrected all that as a lie. Erik told her about his travels in Russia, Italy and Persia. He then asked about her family. So, she told about her family, that they treated her like a useless baby, that they thought she was so weak because of her heart.

"Yesterday you said you were a Karate teacher?" Erik asked.

"Yes. But not a full master. My mother is half Japanese. She is a full master. She owns school where she teaches. I taught the much younger students. Mostly the simple moves."

"A mixed culture? " Erik questioned.

Cat nodded her head, "Not uncommon. Not in the future. My dad is a businessman and he had traveled over to Japan. He met my mom when he visited his boss's boss, Geomo. She was his daughter. They say it was love at first sight. Well, they got married after six months. They moved to the U.S. and set up a Karate School. They then had my brothers and then me."

Erik thought for awhile, then asked," You also said that you did teach. You don't anymore?"

Cat huffed, "No. The damned doctors told me that too much activity is bad for my heart. So they had me to quit and pick a quieter job and hobby. So I choose painting. I'm not that good but it is something to do."

Erik raised his eyebrow. Not good? From what he had seen of her drawings, she was great. "Can I see your paintings?"

"Sure, why not?" With that she crossed the room and picked up the case. When she came back she sat down on the floor in front of Erik. Cat folded out the case and pulled out the pictures. She began to hand them up to him. Erik looked though them. He came to the ones of him. He looked down at Cat. She was digging into a pocket.

"Cat?"

"Hmm?" Not looking up.

"You know that you have these, right?"

Cat looked up. "Erik, you saw those last night. Remember? I all ready-Ah ha! Found it! Here. Read this." She handed him a very worn out book.

"What's this?"

" Susan Kay 'Phantom.' It's about you. From when you were born to after you-just read it."

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As Erik read the book, Cat busied herself by sketch him sitting on the couch. After two hours Erik looked up with rage, confusion, and sorrow in his eyes. "Christine dies?"

Cat shrugged her shoulders, "Not sure. In the book it was cancer. But-" Cat shook her head," It may not be true. Was the author close to everything else?"

"Yes, unfortunely so. You was also was close to the book. What you did you do? Memorize it?"

Cat blushed. "Hard to explain. Leave be."

Erik nodded.

Cat sighed, " Since I have no way home, what do I do now? I don't know where I'll go now," She confided. She came up to sit next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. When he looked down at her confused, she shrugged," Tired."

"Your always welcome to stay here, as long as you like" He replied. "Do you think the Opera would hire me?" Cat asked.

"There are always auditions, for ballet and chorus, however, top priority will be given to those with a reputation and some experience. But your heart-"

Cat's eyes narrowed," Don't remind me," She snapped. "I mean maybe as a painter or errand girl."

Erik thought about it. Maybe it was time for the ghost to come back. She moved her head slightly, and the sensation sent tremors through Erik's body. Here was a young woman, so beautiful, and she did not draw back from him. Rather, she appeared quite comfortable near him. "Sing for me" He asked.