Past the Point of No Return

"Why are we here?" she asked as he took off her blindfold. Jewel turned toward him but could not see his face.

"Tonight you shall sing for me…tonight you are mine," said Erik.

Puzzled she let him pick her up and carry her up to the stage. Standing her on her feet he spoke to her, "Tonight we will perform on stage."

"Erik…" she looked up at him as he placed a warm finger to her lips.

"No, questions just close your eyes abandon thought…"
Erik left her there his voice fading into the darkness around her. She shivered looking out into the empty seats. Her heart pounded in her chest as she sat and waited. Hearing footsteps behind her Jewel turned to find Erik lighting some candles that were on stage. He looked different completely covered in a black hooded cloak which shaded his face.

Jewel was so nervous her whole body shook as she looked at her hands.

"You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge. In pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent, silent . . ." Jewel turned looking over her shoulder as he spoke.

The hood fell from his face showing his black face mask of Don Joan, "I have brought you that our passions may fuse and merge. In your mind you've already succumbed to me. Dropped all defenses completely succumbed to me."

Twirling his cloak she saw the rest of his outfit. He looked like some dark gypsy in his black costume and open white shirt with a black sash at his waist.

Jewel's eyes were wide, "Erik I can't sing this..."

Erik shook his head at her posing with his finger at his lips and a devilish grin, "Now you are here with me. No second thoughts, you've decided, decided..."

Jewel watched him for a few more steps feel almost in a panic. Erik would not took no for an answer. She breathed deep before closing her eyes. When she opened them again her imagination had taking over she saw every seat full and a detailed set behind her.

Erik's eyes lifted to box 5 as he twirled his cloak once more this time it fell from his back. Jewel's eyes followed his and she was stunned to see Aeris up there watching them. Shocked her heart skipped a beat she looked back at Erik. Again he put a finger to his lips. The look in his eyes made her feel somewhat helpless, yet she couldn't help but be drawn in by the power of his voice.

Past the point of no return no backward glances

The games we've played till now are at an end

Past all thought of "if" or "when" no use resisting

Abandon thought and let the dream descend

Erik's voice had a hypnotic move on Jewel as he drew nearer to her.

Circling slowly around her suddenly he grabbed her pulling her to feet. He bent her hand stroking it softly. Jewel closed her eyes relaxing to his touch. He gripped her throat his words of pure seduction washing over her.

What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door?

What sweet seduction lies before us?

Past the point of no return,

The final threshold

What warm, unspoken secrets will we learn?

Beyond the point of no return…

Releasing her he walked away. Jewel sank to the ground shaking still. She composed herself sitting very still. Though there was no music she could hear the song in her head. Again she closed her eyes breathing deep she knew that she could do this she just had to relax. With the last words of Erik's solo her mood changed. Slowly she come back to life she turned facing him watching his every movement curiously. Jewel's eyes danced with a glare of fire as she stared Erik down. Her eyes looked him down with a sensual and playful look. Her lips parted slightly as she meeting him eye to eye from the other side of the stage. With a grin a faint she sang out to him,

You have brought me to that moment where words run dry,

To that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence,

I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why…

In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining

Defenseless and silent

Erik returned to her with her looking deep into his eyes. She seemed completely mesmerized taking his out stretched his hand. Holding her by both hands he slowly led her center stage. Erik pulled her close to his body and slipped his hand on her waist. Jewel's eyes never left his as she still sang for him.

Now I am

Here with you no second thoughts,

I've decided, decided… Past the point of no return

He could not hide the same fire dancing in his fierce green eyes as hers. Jewel jerked away from him but he still held her up with one hand. Hiding a smile Jewel stole a look from Aeris. She smiled turning back to Erik feeling his warm breath on her face as she came closer.

No going back now our passion play has now At last, begun…

Past all thought of right or wrong

One final question how long should we two wait, before we're one?

With her index finger Jewel teased him tracing his jaw line and bottom lip slowly.

When will the blood begin to race?

The sleeping bud burst into bloom?

When will the flames at last, consume us?

Both grip each other in the heat of the moment. Jewel's hands fell at his chest and waist. He gripped her face with both hands and they sung together.

Past the point of no return

The final threshold

The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn

Smoothly but almost violently Erik whipped her around so Jewel was facing the seats of the opera house. Their voices joined together ringing out in perfect harmony.

We've passed the point of no return…

There was a long silence after the song though the two were still embracing one another. Erik turned her around so he could be face to face.

"Well done…" He praised her.

Jewel was speechless and only gave a weak smile. She looked like she'd just snapped out of a day dream.

"Did I really just do that?" she thought.

Aeris joined them on stage. "That was amazing…you sang so well!" she beamed,

"Erik what is Aeris doing here?" asked Jewel though she was happy to see her friend.

"I brought her, she promised she'd behave…" he answered.