A/N: Thank you to Luthien for being my main reviewer. And apologies for taking so long to update.

Writer's block is a curse.

Two Sith, a Pirate and an Opera Ghost

Chapter 7

By Master Warious

o.o.o.o.o.

Arrrrg! I really hate it when my own mind won't work.

I must have been out of my mind to not immediately accept James' proposal. I'm nuts about him. I love him beyond what I thought possible for my own heart.

Sounds like I shouldn't have a problem right? Well, there is.

Erik is alive. I really don't understand this transformation of my feelings for him. He was like the big brother I never had. Deep under the Opera House, at a time when I needed someone other then my Master (Force bring him peace), Erik was there for me. I could tell him everything and anything I was feeling or thought.

Why then are my feelings for him so confused now?

I suppose that if this were a phan phiction I would forget all about James and pursue a relationship with Erik. But this is not a phan phiction and I am not a Phangirl, I'm a very confused Sith Master. But I think I'm starting to love him in a new and more complicated way. If Erik never showed up when I called James these feelings would never have surfaced.

Really, Erik is not the Gerry version most think of now. Erik is really as Leroux describes him. I dare not describe him for the sake of his privacy. If one wanted a description of his face, they can read the book for I will respect Erik's privacy.

So anyway, that's the state of my mind.

James and I went to see Episode III of Star Wars. I wished Maul didn't insist of following us with Erik to 'chaperone' us. Like we were going to make out in the movie theater, really Maul. This is the final Clone Wars movie, as if I was going to miss it by making out, sheesh. I wasn't even born when Vader became Vader!

When Sidious started fighting using his lightsaber with such skill, Maul and I were definitely inspired to improve our respective lightsaber forms. He moved with such speed and agility killing Jedi so easily. Sigh. There really is a difference from being told and seeing a possibility of what did happen.

Vader and I never really got along. We always tormented each other, never truly civil to each other. I called Vader a whiney brat and he called me the short menace. I hated it when he pointed out my obvious shortness. I'm very sensitive about my five feet one inch height! James didn't really care about my height. He seemed to think it an advantage, how I don't know, he never explained.

James, having been forced to sit though and watch all five movies before coming, was able to understand the story line. He had more trouble with the Matrix trilogy.

On our way out of the theater, Erik held me back as James and Maul used the 'little boys room'.

"Something is bothering you Tiger." Erik said.

"Bothering me?" I asked with sarcastic innocence.

"You don't want to tell me?" He sounded hurt.

"Not here Erik," I sighed. "Not in public or where others can hear." By 'others' Erik would know I meant James and Maul.

"Very well," Erik said nodding. "But when we get home, we will talk."

When the Opera Ghost is determined it's better not to argue. "As you wish mon frère."

Erik seemed to wince at my choice of words. I hope I imagined it.

o.o.o.o.o.o.

Later that night, after James was sound asleep, I slipped out of my room and into Erik's. He didn't get up or say anything when I lay beside him. Neither of us wore any clothing. My reason was because it was too hot. Erik's reasons are unfathomable.

I noticed he was awake when I looked at his face though the darkness. The golden eyes glowing like a cat's stared into mine quietly, waiting for me to speak.

"Why did you flinch when I called you my brother?" Was the first thing that popped out of my mouth.

Erik was still silent. He never blinked once as he continued to stare into my eyes.

"Are you even awake Erik?" It would figure really.

I felt his arm snake around my middle, though it was down lower from where he normally placed it.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Still he said nothing. I felt his hand start rubbing me where it had come to rest.

"I thought you wanted to know what was bothering me. Why won't you speak? Erik?"

I heard him give a deep sigh before a pure musical voice (though it was somewhat more raspy then normal) replied, "I do want to know what was bothering you. But there has been something that is bothering me."

"Do you want to go first?" I asked him.

In the next moment I was on my back, half under him, as he kissed me possessively. I knew it was a possessive kiss because James had often given me such kisses in front of his men when they had been ogling me.

He pulled me close to him after and gave a despairing moan.

"What's wrong Erik?" I asked again.

"Why is it when ever I fall in love, that person already loves another or their love is stolen by another?" He replied.

"You've fallen in love with someone other then Christine?" I asked.

Erik raised his head to glare at me through the dark. "Are you so blind then, though you see so much?" He asked bitterly.

"In matters of love, Erik, it is best to be forward about things as I'm not accustomed to these types of feelings. Tell me? What is it that I don't see?"

He dropped his head against my shoulder and growled in frustration before raising back up to answer me. "Can you not see how much it hurts me when I see you with that pirate?"

"Why should it hurt you Erik? We shouldn't remind you of Christine and the Viscount."

"No you don't remind me of Christine. Darn it Tiger! Don't see what I'm trying to tell you!"

"Er…"

Erik kissed me again, fiercely this time. When he broke the kiss he spoke, "I love you! Can you not see it? Can you not feel it? Why did you think I asked of you what I did only a short while back?"

"Oh…um…" I started but Erik continued.

"But I want you to be happy. So if that means being with your pirate then I'll leave you to him. But it hurts like the very hell when I think about it."

Erik fell silent then, rolling onto his side away from me.

'Great!' I though, 'Why do these things ALWAYS happen to ME!' I caught myself in this thought and realized this was probably the exact same thing Erik was thinking.

I couldn't help but laugh. Perhaps it was hysteria…

Erik growled and turned to glare at me. "What is so funny?" He demanded.

"I was just thinking 'why do these things happen to me' and I realized you're probably thinking the same exact type of thoughts I am. I realize it isn't really funny Erik, But with my state of mind recently…" I trailed off and sighed.

"What's had you so troubled recently Tiger?" Erik asked, remembering what I was really here for…other then sleeping next to him that is.

"Er…Erik…Don't go killing anybody for this and hear me out, promise?"

"Very well."

"No, Erik, I want you to give me your word."

"Fine, I promise to not kill anybody till you've had your say."

"Thank you Erik. James asked me to marry him the other day." I stopped and looked at Erik. He nodded for me to continue. "So I asked him to give me time to think. The thing that's been bothering me is that I've been starting to feel differently towards you, as more then a brother. I've come to the conclusion that I love you and James. But I know that like Christine I must make a choice. Had circumstances been different I would not hesitate too much in such a decision. But as both you and James are here," I shrugged my shoulders helplessly, "I'm not sure."

Erik was looking directly at me now, his golden eyes slightly glazed over with realization. "You love me?"

I sighed exasperatedly. "Haven't I always?"

"I mean as more then a brother. You would accept me as a lover?"

I winced at his choice of words. "I have morals that prevent me from taking lovers. Husband would have been a better word. Would you have said that instead if you remembered?"

"Would you have me as a husband?" Erik amended.

"Are you making a proposal?" I replied.

"Yes."

I sighed. "Oh boy, I walked into that." I shook my head. "As I said before, if circumstances were different…Oh Erik!" I cried out. "How does anyone expect me to choose? My heart and mind is a wreck. I love you, Yes! But I also love James and I do not know who I love more!"

I was going to continue but Erik placed a long bony finger over my lips to silence me. "But you love me, and you trust me; otherwise you wouldn't be here with me."

I nodded silently as he removed his finger. He leaned closer and kissed me gently. "You are sure that you're not repulsed by me?" He asked.

"Wouldn't you have known if I did by now Erik? You who so easily sees the revulsion in other people's faces?" Has there ever been any in mine? I said I love you and I mean it."

Erik pulled me against him in a hug. I took this opportunity to deliver what all phan girls would give Erik if they saw him…

I glomped him, and then I kissed him because I wanted to. I think there are advantages to not having a nose. Not having to worry about bumping into one makes kissing more fun for me. (But that is just me) Not to say I didn't enjoy kissing James…

Help! Someone give me their counsel!

I think it's time to call Tiana…

o.o.o.o.o.o.

A/N: Review me! And tell me which way you wan to see this go. I'm seriously stumped.