chapter 12

She was asleep. Erik had played the entire finished sections of his Opera to her a few days ago, and now he set to work finishing it. Cat had given him several good suggestions, and he was pleased that she enjoyed it. Her only problem with it was that it was too violent, and not romantic enough. Don Juan had been a lover, but Erik had focused more on his fighting side. Now Erik wrote romance into the story, adding bits and pieces, and he set about writing a duet. A duet for Amnita and Don Juan, with the title Point of No Return.

He wondered if this would offend many Parisians, and then laughed. He wanted to offend Paris, "The city of lovers". Modern society was much too narrow-minded. He wondered what the view on love and lovers would be like in the coming millennium. As he wrote he smiled. He had never had any reason to smile, but now, with a young woman in the next bedroom and news that the Opera House had gotten new mangers, Erik had plenty to smile about. He didn't realize when Cat came out and gasped. "Erik darling, you haven't been awake all night with that?"

He laughed as he looked at her astonished face, "Too many thoughts are in my head right now. I'll sleep when I am tired." She came over to him and looked at the current page, and he did not swipe it away or scream.

"Unusual, very seductive." She nodded her head in approval. "I'll fix breakfast."

Erik cracked his fingers and began to compose. She did not try to force him away during the day, unlike his mother who had always shooed him off to other things when he became enraptured in his music. Cat read some of his books and painted. Their days went on like this. Erik would rise in the morning, Cat right up behind him. They talked as ether Erik or Cat fixed a light breakfast. Erik would sometimes leave, to check up on his Opera house. He did not allow glimpses of himself, but old habits die hard. Cat would clean up and ether read or paint. Erik would then come back and compose for most of the day. Around 5 in the evening, they would fix dinner, then Erik helped Cat with her singing. He had offered her singing and proper breathing lessons. They would sing, work on her breathing. Then Cat would go to bed. Erik usually stayed up latter. Some times Erik would pick a fight, or Cat would. Erik gave Cat credit. She held her own against him. Her temper was as bad as his.
One day after a hot tempered fight over a song, Erik realized he was falling in love. When he realized this, that he was starting to fall for her, he tried ignoring her. Didn't work. At first she was hurt by the cold shoulder, but then she caught on.

It was a day after not specking to her that she turned it around and it back fired on him. She had come back from the kitchen and he was sitting at the organ. "Ok Erik, I can play this game too. You see, I don't know WHAT your problem is, but if you're allowed to give cold shoulders and silent treatments...well, so am I." With at she was even quieter then him. For two days she did not speak to him. After the second day he wanted her to speak again. He would've, but he was too proud. Every time he looked over at her she would exit the room, or he'll leave, never seeing her smirk that she gave once he had left. On the morning of the third day, there was a knock. Erik knew who it was. Nadir. he had not bugged Erik for a few days. He was overdue. "WHAT!" Erik snarled at him as soon as he had the door open.

Before Nadir could speak, Cat let out a cry of glee," HA! I win Erik!" with that she smiled at Nadir. "Would you like some tea, M. Khan?" She purred sweetly.

Nadir could only nod as Erik stood there fuming. Latter as Cat poured tea, She chatted with Nadir. Erik sat glaring at them both from his chair. Nadir was uncomfortable. Cat on the other hand paid no attention. she would talk to Nadir and Erik. Erik would not answer, but she would carry on the conversion as if he did. Finally, Nadir could not take it. "Mademoiselle Cat, is anything wrong?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Well," Nadir began uncomfortably," Erik, well..."

Cat looked over at Erik, and laughed, "No. Everything is fine. He's just mad 'cause I won a little game we were playing. Right Erik dear?"

Erik didn't answer, but as he set there watching Cat flirt with Nadir, jealousy rose up in him, until he could take it no longer. "Nadir. I believe it is time for you to go." With that Erik ushered him up and out the door, while Cat sat there with a satisfied smirk on her face.

" What's wrong? Was you jealous?" She smirked.

"No."

"You was too."

Erik walked forward and took her by the arm and pulled her over to the organ. "No. Now sing."

"Fine." Cat began a song that she had always enjoyed.

Take my hand
I'm a stranger in paradise
All lost in a wonderland
A stranger in paradise
If I stand starry-eyed
That's the danger in paradise
For mortals who stand beside an angel like you

I saw your face and I ascended
Out of the commonplace into the rare
Somewhere in space I hang suspended
Until I know there's a chance that you care

Won't you answer this fervent prayer
Of a stranger in paradise
Don't send me in dark despair
From all that I hunger for
But open your angel's arms
To this stranger in paradise
And tell him that he need be
A stranger no more

Oh yeah

Erik played the accomplishment on the organ. By the time the song was over, Erik's temper was gone and was cooled down. He looked up to see Cat grinning at him. "What?"

"You feel better? You were banging on the poor organ's keys hard."

Erik did feel surpassingly better." Yes, yes I do."

She smirked and picked up the try. "Good," with that she blew him a kiss and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Erik just to stare after her.