Disclaimer: I own nothing! Don't sue!

Q and A: I had a question as to how Elizabeth could speak French. It's one of those weird alternate dimension things. What they say sounds like English to her, but what she says sounds like French to them. Also, it makes the story flow better if you use English. :) Good question, though. Sorry for not answering it sooner.

Chapter 14: Music Lessons

I leaned over Erik's shoulder one June evening as he played the piano. My hand rested comfortably on his shoulder. He didn't try to remove it. I took that as a good sign. It was time to break my news to him.

"Erik?" I asked.

"Hum?" He replied, stopping the music and looking up at me. "What is it, Elizabeth?"

"I was thinking. You're such a good musician." He bowed his head at the compliment. All I hoped was that the Punjab lasso wasn't anywhere in the near area. He probably wasn't going to like what was coming next. "Well, don't you want to give lessons since you're so good? You know, pass on the talent?"

"Lessons?" He gave me a look of complete disbelief. At least there was still no lasso in sight. So far, so good.

"Yes, you know. Teach some of the richer children how to play. I was at the market with Louise the other day and we overheard some ladies talking about not having any good music teachers around. You could do it, Erik. You are the best." Due to my friendship with him, he didn't kick me out right then and there. He paused to consider it. I knew whatever money he had would not last forever. He needed a way to earn more to support all three of us. This, in my opinion, was the best way.

"I'll consider it." He turned and went back to playing. I had to be content with that. If I pushed too hard, he wouldn't even consider it. I thought nothing more of it. Obviously, he would reject the idea. I mean, it consisted of coming in contact with people. His worst fear.

I was then surprised a week later, when he walked into the library looking nervous. A piece of paper was clutched tightly in his hands. I was immediately concerned. What was going on?

"Elizabeth, it was your idea and I need your advice." I put down the book I was reading. My idea? What did he mean by that? What had I done now?

"What do you need?" He handed me the paper. It was a letter from some lady asking Erik to provide piano lessons for her son at their home in northern Paris. I was shocked. He had listened to my idea. Meaning, he needed money.

"I don't know what to do. My interaction with others is limited, to put it nicely. How do I go about replying to this woman? What should my conduct be? Elizabeth, you got me into this mess. Help me get out!" He looked like a caged animal. I felt bad. But, obviously, if he'd steep this low, he was in financial trouble.

"First off, you need to arrange a meeting to meet this lady and her son. You must also explain in the letter that you are disfigured and that you will wear a mask." He gave me a haggard look. I expected him to say "Do I have to?" but I answered it before he could ask. "And yes, you have to. If not, they may panic and ask questions. Just tell them it was a childhood accident." He gave me a nervous look, but quickly composed himself.

"I'll do whatever needs to be done." He stated. I was proud of him. He had changed in the last three years since the opera disaster. I helped him compose a letter to the Countess and he explained about his deformity and policies for teaching. A few days later, a letter arrived giving a date for us to go meet with her and her son. She was very nice and quick to say that a mask wouldn't bother her.

Two days later, we were in the carriage and off to her house in northern Paris. I'd done my research and found her to be quite rich with a reputation of being a friendly sort of woman. That was good. Erik didn't need anyone to snap at him. God knows what he would do if that happened. Her husband was in the shipping business and was rarely home. That was even better since I knew men had more of a tendency to gawk at Erik's mask than women.

We were invited into the house and met Countess de Ray and her son, Alex. Both were charming and we stayed in contact with both of them long after the piano lessons were over. At the present, though, the Countess introduced us to her son. Alex at first was nervous around Erik. Who wouldn't be with the mask and that tall height? I was nervous the first time I met him.

There was, however, a completely other side to Erik that I'd never seen before. He started talking to Alex and before you could blink, they were the best of friends. Erik just happened to be good with children. Odd, is in it? You would expect him to be shy and awkward around a child. At least, that was my first thought. It wasn't the case.

The Countess requested Erik to play something for her. She wanted to make sure he was as good as he claimed. I must say, she wasn't disappointed. He played the most beautiful song I had ever heard. Later, he told me he had been nervous, wanting to make a good impression and the song had just come to him. I was always amazed by his ability to suddenly compose a song in minutes.

The Countess was quick to hire Erik has an instructor for her son. She claimed he was the best she had ever heard in her life. That wasn't such a stretch. After all, he was a genius.

The lessons were given twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Erik was careful and quick to come to me with questions about how you acted around a ten year old. I usually accompanied him to the lessons and sat talking with the Countess. A very nice lady, if I do say so myself.

I had one very interesting conversation with her that I had dreaded since the beginning of our acquaintance. It was about two weeks since Erik had started the lessons and at the moment, he was teaching Alex a new song on the piano. The Countess and I were watching and talking about the lessons. She paused for a second during the conversation.

"May I ask you a question?" I told her sure, ask away. I had nothing to hide.

"What is your relationship with Monsieur Erik? Is he a relative of yours? When I asked him, he just brushed the question off. But, I was wondering for it's odd for a woman of your age to be staying with a man of his age unless you are related." She looked at me expectantly. Oh, what was I to say? I knew how some people reacted to non-married, non-related people living together. For once, I opted for the truth.

"Actually, we're not related." She started, but I ignored her. "He rescued me from some thugs and since I had no where to go, he offered to take me in. I wasn't about to refuse so I've been living with him."

"Ah." She shook her head and that was the end of it. We changed subjects. I knew she was uncomfortable with the fact I was living with a man who was not my husband or relative. But, she dealt with it. It wasn't like we were doing anything we weren't supposed to. Erik rarely, if ever, touched me.

So, the music lessons continued on. It was a great success. I was happy I'd found him something to do. He was slowly getting used to people, which was what I wanted to happen. He couldn't stay a recluse forever.

On a side note, since I know you all are wondering. I didn't slip in referring to the future. I was very careful in what I said and the minute I felt compelled to state some future fact, I'd shut my mouth. I'd seen enough shows where disaster came from revealing the future to know better than to do it.

It was a struggle, though. There was so much from my past that I wanted. Tiny creature comforts that I'd never been without before in my life. There were plenty of times when I wanted to scream for lack of them. But, I didn't. I kept it all inside. Unfortunately, the volcano was soon to erupt.