The last chapter sure went down on reviews, very discouraging. Anyway, here is chapter 6.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.

I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.

Character portraits:

Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)

Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)

Meckenzie -Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)

Vince - Pierce Brosnon (slightly shorter)

Karen -Bette Midler (only about ten-years younger, seven inches taller, and long, brown hair)

Ms. Jennison-Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)

Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)

All other original characters, you can use your imagination.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 6

"You're on the air with 'The Phantom', I'm listening…"

After spending all day looking for a job, and knowing that she had a good chance at two of them, hearing his reassuring voice was a Godsend.

"Hello again, it's me…Christine." She stated nervously.

His voice, even if it was enhanced, held the strangest power over her. Strangely, the man she had meant did not match the picture his voice created in her head…for now she went with the fantasy.

Erik gulped visibly, knowing her voice instantly. He smiled, hearing the nervous twitter in her tone. His stomach lurched at the thought of her, and he was trying bravely to calm his own jittery nerves.

"Hello again, to you." He responded

"I just had to thank you for all that you did for my daughter…you didn't have to do that, and yet you did." Christine stopped before she became a blubbering idiot.

"You're welcome; it was the least I could do." He stated. "It is my job to find what is hurting others and try and ease their pain or meet their needs."

That feeling was back, the feeling that all was not as it appeared. Christine had no idea why these feelings were plaguing her, especially when concerning this man. The speech patterns and fluctuations were not even similar to the man she had meant at the Pub. There was something very strange going on.

"I know, but you didn't have to go the extra mile for us." She breathed. "Could I talk to you off the air…for a few minutes?"

"We will back in a few minutes, following these messages."

"What troubles you?" He asked, after the airwaves were silent.

"Nothing troubles me; I want to invite you to my place for a 'thank you' meal." She asked, coyly.

Erik felt another wave of panic enter his chest. "That is not a good idea, Christine."

Christine was lost in the sound of her name coming from his lips; but she'd had a feeling he was going to say that, he was politely telling her he could not mingle business with pleasure.

"It's just a dinner, that's all…I have to thank you somehow." She pleaded.

"Your words are enough thanks for me…and knowing that your daughter will be able to express her minds eye through her music."

"Please let me do something for you." She stated.

Erik looked at Vincent with a pleading look on his face. Vincent had a feeling he was going to have to play his "role" again, whether he wanted to, or not.

"I'll agree to you fixing me a meal, only if I can bring my girlfriend." Erik finally responded, not wanting to cause trouble with Karen.

Christine was taken aback by that…of course, why wouldn't an attractive, older man, have a girlfriend?"

"That would be fine…uhmmm, let me give you my address. How is Friday night?"

Erik wrote down her address, noting that it was in a nice, HUD neighborhood.

"That will be fine…I'll see you on Friday night, about seven o'clock?"

"That will be great, and ignore my mess…I am just moving in."

The conversation ended, but Erik was still suffering the side effects of her voice.

"You did it again, didn't you?" Vincent asked, knowing the answer before he spoke.

Erik just scowled at him. This problem was obviously not going to go away easily or quickly.

"What do you suggest I do, Uncle?" Erik spewed.

"Just face her, Erik…you need to be honest with her and let her know that it is you that she needs to be thanking and cooking dinner for, not me." Vincent shot back.

Erik continued to stare daggers at him once the "on air" sign lit up again. He finished the show and didn't say a word to Vincent as he closed up shop and went home.

Vincent just stood there, looking at his troubled nephew as he pulled out of the parking area.

'He should be on top of the world with his wealth, his health, his genius mind, and his good looks – despite the mask.' Vincent thought as Erik's car disappeared around the street corner. 'If only I could make him see it.'

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Erik was still seething as he parked his BMW in his garage, locked the doors, and headed inside.

'Why does he always insist on making me feel like an imbecile?' Erik thought. 'He knows I can't just waltz into a woman's life and act like I'm God's gift to her.'

Indigo, Erik's blue Persian feline, watched him with brilliant blue eyes. She had been with him for five years and she knew his moods. As he paced, her head followed him and Erik could have sworn she had a smug smirk on her face.

Erik paced his office like a caged panther, trying to calm his frenzied nerves. The fact that this woman kept popping up unexpectedly, bothered him. Why did she insist on burrowing her way into his life?

He didn't need this. Women were a taboo for him; he admired them, appreciated their beauty and intelligence, but he would never make the mistake of getting involved again; his heart just couldn't take it.

He had loved Summer; loved her with everything he had. He respected her and never moved past heated kisses. They never French kissed, just kissed. His body had demanded more, but he held off, knowing she was a virgin, as was he.

Now, here he was – a thirty-three-year old man – too old for giggly school girls; too old for college party girls…just, too old.

He certainly didn't need his uncle playing matchmaker with a woman whose recent life had been filled with one tragic episode after another; he was just not worth it.

As Erik calmed down, he realized his uncle meant well. He only had Erik's best interest at heart, and Erik knew that. He picked up the phone and dialed his uncle's number.

"Hey."

"Hey, you doing better?"

"I know you mean well, Uncle Vince, but you know these things never end well with me."

"I love you, Erik…and I don't want to see you spend the rest of your life without the love of a good woman."

"I loved a good woman…that's not the problem," his voice teetered off, pausing for just a moment, "she just didn't love me."

"Than she wasn't a good woman." Vincent pointed out.

Erik contemplated that thought for a moment. Summer had been everything he wanted in a woman; but in the end, she just couldn't bear the sight of him.

"Thanks, Uncle Vince…I know you mean well…I apologize for my anger."

"She's out there Erik, I know she is." Vincent promised.

"Well, if she is…she is going to have to find me." Erik stressed, suddenly feeling very tired. "Good night, Uncle Vince…tell Karen I say good night."

Vincent hung up the phone and smiled. He had a feeling, deep down inside, that Christine Daae was going to be a hard "problem" to get rid of. She was determined to make Erik a part of her life…she just didn't know it.

Karen noticed the glint in his eyes and smirk on his face, "What was that all about?"

"Erik is going through another self-hatred party." Vince sighed.

Karen smiled sadly, knowing Erik was a formidable force when he wanted to be. "So, now we have to go have dinner with this girl, pretend that you're 'The Phantom', and not mention Erik – that should turn out to be an interesting evening."

Vince lowered his head into his hands and rubbed his eyes. He was feeling the dread entering his bones, and the dinner was two nights away.

"Yes, a very interesting evening, indeed." He agreed with mock enthusiasm.

TBC