Listen to the Music of the Night

Jewel was alone now she'd lost track of how long Aeris and Erik had been gone. She played with the lake water awaiting their return. She made her way to his bed pulling the curtains back she went inside. On the bed there was a white lace nightgown laid out and beside it a white silk robe was a neatly folded. Jewel admired the fabric she wondered if it was for her. Erik must have laid it out before he left. Jewel put it on and slipped in the robe tying it loosely. With nothing to do she made her way to his desk and climbed into his chair. Jewel traced her fingers alone the full face mask of a skull laying by the miniature of the opera's stage. A full back face mask ended up in her hands.

"Don Juan," she thought.

Soft footsteps startled her it was Erik coming up from behind.

"Your friend is beautiful, I found her quite charming. If only she would learn to keep her hands to herself."

"Where is she?" Jewel asked in a rush.

He stopped and stared at her, "You sound so alarmed did you think that I would harm her? Do not worry I treated her quite well," he teased.

I don't appreciate this Erik," said Jewel red in the face, "where is she?"

He stood beside her," What is this? Could it be you are jealous of your beautiful friend? Was it not you who urge me to take her out?" He noticed her change in clothes and smiled.

"I'm I all she thinks about? She is so curious to know the truth."

Jewel shrugged, "Aeris is fascinated with you maybe now we can find out whets true about you in the books and other things that talk about your life. Have you read Gaston and Kay's books?"

"If you had some one write a book about you wouldn't you read it?" he asked.

Jewel turned away staring into the small desk mirror at her reflection.

"Amanda told me you both like the musical the best," he said.

Erik took off his cape and hat laying them on the desk.

"You silly girl...lost in your own fantasy..."

He pulled her up from the chair but her glaze was toward the floor when he started to sing…

Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
silently the senses abandon their defences

Taking her by the hands he led her to his organ and sat her down. One gloved hand stroked the keys of the organ as he passed her. Jewel watched him move around her his white mask glittering in the candlelight. Jewel smiled at how handsome he looked in the soft light. In her eyes he did look like some dark angel that had descended upon her.

Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendour
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light
and listen to the music of the night…

Erik's voice soothed Jewel's spirit and she sang along with him in her head. he walked up to her kneeling down to her level he took both her hands is his pulling her again to her feet as he still sang…

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!
Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live as you've never lived before…

He's pleading eyes burned into her soul when she felt his breath on her face. Jewel leaded closer to his lips but he pulled his face away. Turning her around him wrapped his arms around her holding her. Feeling safe in his arms Jewel brought a hand up to his face closing her eyes.

Open up your mind let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which you know you cannot fight
the darkness of the music of the night

Erik pulled her up pressing her against his shoulder. He took her hand tightly in his own. Jewel felt the Phantom's power over her but she didn't fight it.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before
Let your soul Take you where you long to be

Only then can you belong
to me…

Turning his face toward her he rested his head on her shoulder. He smiled feeling her heart start to race as his hands felt her body through the thin fabric of her nightgown. She closed her eyes feeling his touch. Her mind raced with questions why was he touched her like this.

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me savour each sensation
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
to the power of the music that I write
the power of the music of the night

You alone can make my song take flight…

Jewel turned around facing the Phantom bravely she brought her lips to his in a soft kiss cutting him off. She slowly pulled back looking him in the eyes. Erik looked stunned back at her.

"Erik I could never be her…but," Jewel reached up with trembling hands touching his white mask. Erik closed his eyes and let her hands take his mask.

Jewel couldn't keep from crying as she looked at his face, the mask shaking in her hands. The skin was a coarsely red, aged and flaky. He had no eyebrow on that side. It looked as though he was burned if a fire with his green eye completely exposed. Some spots on the skin looked a tender pink and the skin looked thin a stretched out on his skull. You could see and feel his jaw and the side of his forehead sticking out. Erik looked down at her opening his eyes which were full of tears. His eyes were that of a frighten child, but Jewel did not shy away.

Her hand stroked his deformity and Erik turned away feeling her take off his wig relieving he was almost bold in that side as well. But that didn't bother her and he was surprised that she kissed him again. She was glad Erik was not angry with her over removing his mask. She was even more please he was letting her touch him. Jewel let her lips slide off his slowly linger her face near his.

Erik was shaking at the knees and trying hard not to show it. He remained composed as Jewel lay her head back down on his shoulder where she drifted off to sleep still holding the mask in her hands. Erik cradled her close in his arms as she slept. When he was sure she was asleep he bent his head down kissing her on the forehead and stroked her face. Her hands slipped and the white mask fell from her grasp. Erik stared down at his mask laying there on the ground as he cursed himself. He pick her up a carried her to the bed. Erik's eye's never left hers as he laid her down. Stepping back he collapsed in a chair that was by the bed. Tears welled up in his eyes as he watched her sleep.

Help me make the music of the night…

Jewel awoke slowly to the sound of music. She rose and pulled the black curtains back. She made her way out finding Erik playing his organ. Nearing him she settled herself at the stairs leaning up to his organ and listened. Erik was playing Bach's piece, Toccata and Fugue. Jewel loved that piece and had always thought of the Phantom when she heard it. Erik was once again engulfed in the song and hadn't noticed her. She made no noise and just watched his face and his hands at the keys. He played for a few more minutes before finally looking over his shoulder to her. Leaving his organ walking over to her him crouched down.

"I trust you slept well?" he asked.

Jewel smiled," Yes."

His eyes fell on the boat, "Come we must return, your friend she'll be missing you."

"No lesson, Master?" she asked.

"Child you flatter me," he brought her to her feet and walked her to the boat, "I'm tired my dear," he touched the ribbon tied to her wrist," Do not worry I will come for you again soon."