Passion

"Meg, I love you like my sister, but I'm moving out," Christine told her friend whom she'd been living with for about a week and a half. Like Christine had predicted, things had been getting tense between them with the lack of space they had in Meg's small apartment.

"What?" Meg said, surprised.

"Come on, you knew this was only temporary. I found another apartment a little closer to the opera house so I won't have to spend as much money on gas. And when I get my car back I won't have to get up as early," Christine explained before Meg could argue.

Meg sighed. "I guess it's more convenient. Have you bought it already?"

"Yeah." Christine showed her the pictures she had taken of the little flat. "It's about sixty dollars a month and the landlord seems pretty nice."

Meg looked disapprovingly at the old, scratched walls and the stained carpet.

"Meg, it won't be that bad once I get my stuff moved in there. Besides, it's the only place I can afford right now," Christine defended herself.

"Fine. But as soon as possible you're getting out of there. I know that part of town and you'll hate it. With all the night clubs and bars down there, it's not really….you," Meg said, hoping to talk Christine out of it.

Christine got up and hugged her friend. "Thanks for your concern, but I'll be fine." Christine looked out the window and saw Erik's car pull up. "Got to go to work, but I'll be moving my stuff out tomorrow once my car's out of the shop," Christine called as she gathered her stuff and headed for the door. "Bye!"

"Have fun!" Meg called after her.

Christine had been working at the Royal Opera house for five days now and she and Erik had become quite more comfortable with each other since then. Although now she was receiving glares from Carlotta frequently and flirtatious remarks from Anthony which were soon interrupted by Erik if he were to overhear. Christine was very thankful for this.

After rehearsal that day Christine stayed back as she normally did and waited for Erik to gather his stuff in his office so he could take her home. Erik seemed to be taking longer today and Christine found her gaze wondering to the piano. She slowly got up from where she was sitting and walked over to the beautifulinstrument that sat by the stage.

Christine walked over to the bench and sat, tracing her fingers over the ivory keys as if about to play. Flashbacks of her parents playing to her on the old worn piano they had when she was young ran through her mind. Christine was unaware of the tears running down her cheeks as she though about this. She had had to sell that piano when she sold the house. Now she felt as if she had betrayed her parents and her childhood.

This is how Erik found her when he came to retrieve her. He silently went and sat beside her, waiting to see if she would tell him what was wrong.

Instead Christine turned and was startled to see him so close. "Erik, you scared me!"

"My apologies," Erik said. And after a few minutes of silence he spoke again. "Are you going to tell me what has you so upset or am I going to have to get it out of you?"

Christine laughed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "It's nothing I promise."

Erik was smart enough to know there was something Christine was hiding but wanted her to feel comfortable enough to come to him about it. So he decided to dismiss it. Then an idea came into his mind. "Do you sing, Christine?"

Christine stared at him for a moment, shocked. "I used to but I wasn't very good," was Christine's brief, non-descriptive answer.

"Would you like to?" Erik inquired.

"No, thanks. The last time I sang was probably five years ago. I'd be horrible and too embarrassed."

"That's ok. I promise I won't laugh," Erik persuaded childishly.

Christine smiled up at him, but refused once more.

"Fine, what if I promise to sing. Then would you?" Erik pressed.

Christine considered that a moment. "You have to go first, though," she bargained.

"Deal!" Erik smiled, shaking hands with her.

Erik motioned for Christine to scoot over some on the bench, leaving him enough room to stretch out his long finger onto the keys. He began playing the introduction to his song and then came his voice:

Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation.

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.
Silently the senses abandon their defenses.

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor.

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.

Christine's breath caught in the back of her throat and her shut closed as she drowned in Erik's voice. It was unlike anything she had ever heard. She could begin to feel the hair standing up at the back of her neck and the goose bumps rising on her arms.

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.

As Erik's voice did a crescendo Christine's eyes slid open and she looked at Erik as he poured his soul into the song. Then her mind began to wonder about the mask. It never bothered her until now. Christine had begun to figure that his face was probably not normal. But she had vowed to herself that she would never care what Erik looked like. But now she was feeling anger at Erik and how he had to hide his face from the world.

Softly, deftly, music shall surround you

Feel it, hear it, closing in around you.

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.

It isn't fair! Christine thought. She had learned that Erik's parents had left him at an early age. Surely someone cares about him with or without the mask!

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.

Floating falling sweet intoxication

Touch me, trust me, savor 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.

And before Erik could finish the song with his last two lines Christine's small hand reached for Erik's mask and grabbed the edge of it, pulling it off and throwing it to the ground. She had to prove to him that she could love him regardless of what he looks like. But before she or Erik could think, he had shoved her to the ground.

"Damn you! Curse you!" Erik began shouting. "Is this what you wanted to see Christine?"

Christine stared at him shocked. The skin of his exposed cheek was twisted and inflamed. His eye was sunken in, red and puffy. All of the skin looked raw and irritated where the mask usually sat. Seeing the look on Erik's face and the way he was cursing at her, made Christine begin to cry, silently begging for mercy. Erik mistook this for fear of his face.

"I thought you knew better Christine! Damn your curiosity, you foolish girl!" Erik said in a dangerously soft whisper which was just as intimidating had he been screaming.

"I'm s-sorry Erik. Please forgive me!" Christine begged, also cursing herself.

Erik raised his hand to cover his face. However, Christine thought he was about to hit her. This brought back horrible flashbacks of Matt abusing her that night, making her cry harder.

"Erik, no! P-please don't hit me! I'm sorry!" Christine cried before finding her courage and running off the stage and across the theater towards the front door.

Erik stood there shocked, guilt immediately washing over him. He now understood her fear. He would never have hit Christine and began cursing his temper. He quickly put on his mask and ran after her.

As she walked outside, she was hit by the drops of rain that were pouring outside, reminding her of the day she first met Erik. But she kept running, in search of a pay phone, having left her bag inside that held her cellphone. Suddenly though, she screamed when she felt a hand on her shoulder turning her around. There stood Erik, his mask back on and soaked.

She struggled to get out of his grasp, now trembling fearfully. When Erik saw this he muttered, "Christine…"

"Let me go!" Christine yelled.

As she still struggled to be free Erik just kept staring at her.

"I'm so sorry Christine," he whispered, barely inaudible.

Christine stopped moving and looked up at him. She had not expected to hear that. "What?"

"I'm sorry," Erik repeated, still refusing to let her go.

"I don't care about your face, Erik," Christine whispered in response.

Erik looked at her, mouth open, not sure if he should believe her. "Christine, I'm hideous!" he cried.

Christine didn't respond, but looked at him tears in her own eyes as in his. Knowing what she was doing this time, Christine gently removed his mask. Erik's instinctive reaction was to back away but Christine stopped him. She pulled him towards her, and standing on her toes, she reached up and kissed his disfigured cheek. This small action made Erik begin to cry, and then look at her with such longing in his eyes.

"Erik…" Christine uttered seeing his shoulders begin to shake. She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him. Erik was the first to pull away. He looked at her for a second more before leaning his forehead against hers.Both their hearts begain to pound furiously in their chests.Then slowly he locked lips with her.

First the kiss was short and sweet. When they both pulled apart shocked, they stared into each others eyes before Erik grabbed Christine fiercely by the waist and pulled her against him. Seeing she didn't protest Erik made to kiss her again, more passionately this time. Christine wrapped her arms around his neck bringing him even closer.

As Erik deepened the kiss Christine moaned in pleasure. When they stopped for air, it was Christine's turn to quickly resume the kiss. Erik responded immediately and took the chance of parting their lips with his tongue. Christine became weak and Erik held her up, and then began backing her up and till she was up against his car. They resumed this until both of them were feeling light-headed.

As they stopped for awhile Erik brushed back some of Christine's dripping wet hair.

"I think I may be in love with you Christine Daae."

"I know I'm in love with you Erik," Christine responded.

Then both of them came together again for another passionate kiss.

A/N: Well, there it is, the E/C fluff most of you want! I know, I know, it happenedvery quickly but I warned you. Please review and let me know what you think of this chapter. And thanks to all of you who reviewed last time!

Your humble servant,

Greek-Phantomphan