Chapter XV-Memory of the Night

The embers of the fireplace had gone out. The lair under the Opera House was quiet and peaceful, yet Erik awoke. He was stunned to find himself on the floor, on the Persian rug before the fireplace. He had fallen asleep many times in strange places but usually they were self explanatory, like at his desk, at his organ, but never on the floor. He was confused and tried to sit up but could not. He looked to see his Christine's body snuggled up close to him.

Erik, as cautiously as he could, removed himself from beside her. He stood up and felt as though something was missing. My mask, He thought as he swiftly snatched it up and put it back into place.

"Erik." Christine breathed in her sleep. He gazed down at where she lay. Gently he picked her up and walked to her chambers. Carefully he set her down on the bed, and tucked her in. He kissed her forehead and turned. Christine caught his hand; he glanced back to see her bright eyes looking lovingly at him. "Erik? Won't you join me?"

"Christine, it's not proper." She blushed. He had a point but her spending so much time with him alone in his house is not considered proper either.

"Erik, please. I would feel safer if you were here." He gave in and climbed into bed next to her.

At first, they both kept a bit of distance, but as Christine noticed Erik drifting off into slumber, she scooted closer. A song had come to her from her memories. She softly started to hum it, then sing it.

Night-time 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 . . .
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 . . .
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 . . .
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
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 . . .

When Christine finished, Erik surprised her with a tender kiss. She relaxed as soon as she realized what had happened.

"I thought you were asleep." She stated.

"I cannot resist hearing an angel sing." He responded smoothly.

Silence was interrupted moments later by Christine; "You sang me that song when you brought me down here once."

"Yes. I can't believe you remembered." Erik stated awkwardly.

" I liked it, it is beautiful. You wrote it didn't you?"

A silent nod, was all Erik could reply. Christine just noticed that the mask was once again on his face. "Erik, I know you are… I know you… could you remove your mask? It looks uncomfortable for you."

"Christine…"

"Erik, I know what lies beneath it has caused you pain in the past, but I wish to see the true face of the man that I fell in love with." She said this bravely.

He slowly removed it and put it on the table near. Christine immediately kissed his disfigured face and worked her way to his lips to express her passion for him. Erik intensified the kiss and pretty soon they both had to pull apart for air.

"Christine, we have to stop because later I won't be able to stop. Your passion is fueling my flame. But we can't do this, not like this. You are too beautiful and too pure to be taken like this."

He got up and went to his own chambers.

Christine whispered after he left. "Erik I'm yours."

A/N: I have no idea how good or bad this was… all I know the ending definitely could have been better. Well what do you think?