Part 11: Down Once More

With his realization came a wash of emotion that he hadn't felt in over a hundred years, since Christine. He didn't know what to do or say. Was he supposed to just confess it out right, or was he supposed to do it gradually? AT least he wouldn't have to worry about her finding out who he was.

Of course there was the matter of finding out what was under her mask, but he figured that he would soon… but what if she didn't feel the same ay?

'She's been in love with YOU since before you knew her.' His mind told him.

It's easy to be in love when you don't think you'll ever see them. You can't be in love with something you don't even know is real…

'There is that, but, look at the way she looks at you.' He sighed, and Willow looked over at him. He realized that she had heard the sound of his sigh. He slowed down to turn into her apartment, and her sweet voice rang through the silence that the ended CD had created.

"I don't want you to go to my apartment!" his heart dropped into the floorboard, and he tilted his head so that one eyes was hidden by the shadowy depths of his mask…

He had known it was a mistake to have even entertained the thought that she could feel anything for him… he knew better. He was a monster, after all…

"Very well, I'll pull up so that you can get out." It was a quick, unemotional answer.

"Nope!" She smiled lazily. Now he was utterly confused.

"What do you want?" His voice rang softly through the silent interior of the car.

She looked up at the pain in his voice, and realized what he was thinking. She quickly reach out and took his hand. She felt his cool, long fingers hesitate a moment before interlocking with her own. She gave his hand a soft squeeze and explained herself.

I want to see where you live." She didn't let go, since she had watched him drive with out hand all the time. Instead, she brought his hand over to her lap and settled it there with her hand placed over it. He looked down at it and she watched as a small smile played on his lips.

"You want to see the Opera house catacombs?" He asked as if she didn't know what she was talking about, yet, never the less, started in the direction she knew led there.

"Come on Erik, I wanna see the dungeons of your black despair." She gently chided him, and then moved his hand from her lap to rest around her shoulder. "Show me the prison of your mind." She stifled a laugh, and he looked over at her, his eyes actually shining under his mask.

"Well then, I shall take you down that path into darkness deep as Hell." She did laugh at that.

"Good." She scooted a little more, and then laid her head comfortably against his shoulder. For a moment his arm stiffened up, but, after a second it settled possessively across her shoulders, hugging her tightly to him. Her eyes began to droop, and she reach out for the CD player. He, however, stopped her with his voice.

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes the imagination. Silently the senses, abandon their defenses…" And held in his arms, she was lulled to sleep by her angels voice like she had always dreamed she would be.

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Erik knew the moment she fell asleep. At first, he had been startled when Willow had actually been bold enough to lay over on his chest. He had stiffened and then decided that he liked her there, and settled his arm over her shoulders, intent on keeping her there. He looked down to see her eyes drooping, and watched her reach out for the CD player controls. He gave a small smile. Didn't she say she always dreamed of being held by him and him singing. Now, NOW, she knew who he was and he wanted to share it with her, to grant her this small wish. He opened his mouth in song.

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes the imagination. Silently the senses, abandon their defenses…" And momentarily she was asleep with a pleased smile on her face. Cradling her against his chest, he made his way to the Opera house.

He pulled up in the back, and contemplated how to get out and not wake her. Finally he opened his door, still singing…

"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you…"

He slid her into his lap, and then stood, picking her up. She turned in his arms, snuggling her face into his chest. He felt her breath come out in a sigh. He let a little shiver run throughout his body, then tripped one of his many secret passages, and carried her down (ONCE MORE ONCE MORE… SANDRA SHUT UP!) while still singing

"Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in…."

He made his way to the bed with the gossamer curtains, and then laid her on the bed brushing her brown hair out of her face, his fingers hesitating over the mask before caressing it softly and then moving on.

"You alone can make my song take flight…" He laid down beside her, laying his head down on her shoulder… "Help me make the music of the night." And his eyes too drooped, and soon, they both slept.

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