Thank you for the numerous reviews for the last chapter. I have gone back and fixed my faux pas from chapter 10, thank you for pointing it out to me; what would I do without you, my lovlies?

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 Brosnan (slightly shorter)

Karen -Bette Midler (only about ten year's 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 12

Erik barely remembered driving home, he was so lost in thought; if he hadn't known better, he would have thought his car had a mind of its own.

He knew Karen meant well, but Christine would be like all the others. Summer had even thought him handsome and could not understand why he would cover half of a handsome face with a mask.

Erik still could not believe that she had thought he wore the mask for "eccentricity", she had never really known him at all. He knew he was ugly with it, but he was hideous without it – he chose the lesser of the two evils.

No, he would simply have to watch as Christine fluttered in and out of his life as if she were a butterfly. He would be content to catch a glimpse of her now and then and discover her through her daughter's eyes.

He walked languidly into his luxurious bedroom and pulled down the silk sheets. He loved the feel of them against his skin and he loved their beauty. There were few things of beauty in Erik's life; Vince and Karen, Indigo, his home, his car, and his music – he treasured them all.

Seeing Indigo rounding the corner, Erik scooped her up and pressed her close to him. He listened to her soft, soothing purr as he sat down on the bed. It was at times like this, that he still missed his parents and brother while vivid memories tickled the recesses of his mind.

The pain of their loss had subsided to a dull ache; just enough to remind him of his humanity; but the loneliness of their loss ate at him every moment of every day. He had to admit, though, Karen and Vince made it easier.

He allowed Indigo to curl up beside him and her quiet, contented purr lulled him to sleep.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

The lessons with Meckenzie were a highlight of Erik's week. She was such an avid and quick learner and seemed genuinely to understand the depth of music. It was as though she were at one with its origin.

She was a beautiful little girl who was completely unaware of the beauty she possessed and of the fact that she had him wrapped around her finger. It made it easier, in Erik's opinion, that she could not see him, for he would certainly frighten her away; and Erik considered this little five-year-old girl, a friend.

"Mr. Erik….I want you to meet my mommy. She is so special!" Meckenzie exclaimed Friday afternoon, as she started getting ready to leave after her lesson.

Erik smiled sadly, thankful that she could not see the desire he had in his eyes to meet her mother. He knew she genuinely wanted him to meet Christine, but she didn't know the monster who was her beloved teacher.

"She used to sing on Broadway…did you know that?" Meckenzie announced with bravado.

Erik's brow creased, he knew every singer that had performed on Broadway for the last ten years, he didn't remember a beautiful blond by the name of Christine Daae; and he knew he would remember her, everything about her was unforgettable.

"Did she?" He stated, questioningly. "I don't remember seeing her…and I have familiarized myself with almost all the performers for the past ten years."

Meckenzie smiled and offered more information, "It was a long time ago…before I was born." Her smile faded and she dropped her eyes, "It was before my daddy left me."

Erik heard the guilt in her voice and knew that she felt responsible for her father's leaving. Erik hadn't heard the whole story, but Vince and Karen had filled him in on many of the details.

"Mommy talks about him sometimes…she tries to hide the hate, but I can hear it in her voice." Meckenzie was trying hard not to cry. "His name was Rule…Role…something like that."

She had no idea what her biological father's name was. As shocked as he was, Erik knew that had his relationship with Summer gone any further, and she would have been with child by him, she would have purposefully removed him from their lives; just as Christine had with her ex-husband. No one wanted a monster as the father of their children…no one.

"Meckenzie, nothing that happened between your mother and father was your fault – it is perilous to think that way." Erik instructed.

"But my mommy is so alone." Meckenzie stated with remorse, sad tears creeping down her sweet face.

"There are worse things than being alone." Erik whispered; knowing she heard him. "Besides, she has you."

"Something's worse than being alone?" She inquired.

"Devastating loneliness that eats at you every moment of every day…never knowing the tender touch of a lover…or never knowing joy." his voice dropped very low, "Knowing that your touch renders fear in the hearts of others…" Erik stopped, looking at Meckenzie with longing. When had his feelings for this child gotten so deep? "…these are worse than being lonely."

He almost didn't notice as Meckenzie moved closer to him and started to reach her hand out to comfort him, but she thought better of it and simply smiled.

"Do you have kids, Mr. Erik?" Meckenzie suddenly asked.

Erik was befuddled for a few seconds, wondering where that question had come from? She was inquisitive and curious – two traits that Erik normally found entertaining and attractive – but today, they were frustrating.

"No, Meckenzie…I don't." He replied, softly.

She picked up her book bag and started heading for the door, her voice was soft but full of assurance as she spoke into the air, "I'll be your kid, if you ever need me to be."

Erik watched from the shadows as she walked out the door, feeling the crunch in his heart at the purity and sweetness of her words – he wanted a family more than anything; and Meckenzie Rae Daae was not making his inability to have one any easier.

He marveled at the courage she possessed; it was humbling to realize what she forced to live with; and yet, she always smiled with genuine joy. Joy…there was a concept that was lost on him…he had no idea what it felt like.

He moved into the soft light of the room and began picking up the discarded paper and things that were on the floor.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Christine was finally going to be able to meet Meckenzie on her hall and walk her most of the way to the far. She had not had that opportunity for the first month, she was so busy, but things had leveled off and she was managing to get out early today.

"Hi, Sweety!" Christine chirped as she came to Meckenzie's side.

"Mommy! You got out early!"

Christine smiled at the enthusiasm in her daughter' voice, "Yes I did!"

"Come on, you have the chance to meet Mr. Erik…I just left his class." Meckenzie offered.

Christine took her hand, and they headed back down the hallway.

As they approached the classroom, the most beautiful music either of them had ever heard filled the hallway.

Christine inched toward the door as silently as she could, holding Meckenzie's hand as she went. The small glass window on the door was just enough space for her to see the broad back of a man sitting at the piano. His hands were gracefully caressing the keys while the heavenly sound he made caressed the air.

From what she could see, he was fairly young with very dark, wavy hair reaching to just above the neckline on his perfectly starched shirt. If she strained her eyes, she could just make out the outline of his profile when he stationed his head just right…it was stunning!

"Who is he?" Christine whispered, not meaning for Meckenzie to hear her.

Meckenzie put her hand to the door, reading the Braille inscription, "This is the room I just left, so it would have to be Mr. Erik." Meckenzie said, resolutely.

Christine quickly looked at the man again, "No…it can't be." She stated with amusement. "Everyone has told me that he is seriously disfigured…this man is…definitely not."

"Go in, mommy – introduce yourself." Meckenzie prodded.

Christine didn't need any further encouragement. She opened the door and glided into the room as if she owned it, much as she had when she walked onto the stage when she performed on Broadway.

Erik hadn't even heard the door open, let alone her approaching footfalls. He was deeply entranced in the music as it spoke to his inner man….the man who lurked inside him, trying to get out.

Christine moved into his peripheral vision and he reacted with a start. He moved from the piano bench to the shadows in the blink of an eye; Christine noticed the elegance in his movements and the graceful way he carried himself.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice harsh and accusing, but still beautiful.

"I certainly didn't mean to startle you, I was following the music." Christine admitted, wondering why he had slipped into the shadows.

Even with the cloak of the shadow, Christine could see the outline of a very well built man with a voice that could make an angel cry. He was taller than she had thought, probably close to 6'3", and she still had the image of his features in her mind.

She hadn't gotten a good look before he went into hiding, but what she had seen was very pleasing to the eyes. She did see the flash of a white mask, which covered about a third of the right side of his face, stopping at the lower middle half of his cheek.

"You found it; your curious nature has been appeased; now you may leave." Erik continued.

His biting tone was unintentional, but he did not like being interrupted nor gawked at, and she had done both.

"Are you always this abrupt?" Christine countered.

She heard the acid in his tone, but was not insulted by it at all. He seemed to be intentionally trying to distance himself from her and she actually found that comical and interesting.

Erik was stunned by her audacity; no one ever spoke so freely around him.

"I am this abrupt when my schedule is interrupted or my demands aren't meant." He threatened.

"Why do you hide in the shadows?" Christine asked, completely ignoring the implications he directed her way. "You have enchanted my daughter and it is my right as her mother to be assured of your expertise and qualifications."

"You are employed by me Ms. Daae; I believe you are more than aware of my expertise and qualifications." Erik remarked in a clipped tone.

Erik knew that she would not go away until her curiosity was satisfied. He had no desire to be stared at or made a spectacle of. This woman was too beautiful and too intuitive for her own sake and Erik was not going to give into her.

He had her there…she knew he was a genius in the music world, as well as being a licensed therapist and psychologist. The man had a plethora of degrees and was wealthy on top of it all.

"How right you are, Mr. Trudeau, and I apologize for my presumptuous attitude." Christine stated with the correct amount of deference. "I don't think it is asking too much to meet you, face to face."

Christine thrust her hand out, attempting to make the first contact with this enigmatic man.

"Perhaps another time, Ms. Daae…" She heard him mumble.

Before she could lower her hand, she saw his perfectly manicured, musician's had extend from the darkness and gently grasp hers.. He was within a foot of her, but the darkness still sheltered him from her searching eyes.

He took her soft, dainty hand in his, brought it to his bent head, and placed a kiss upon the inside of her wrist…Christine felt a warmth spread over her at the touch of his full lips.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." He purred.

Christine was certain she had died and gone to heaven…why was she having such a reaction to this man? That voice was intoxicating…something deep down inside her was responding to this man in a very primitive, sexual way. A shiver of pure desire ran through her.

How could there be two men in the world with that voice? Christine was suspicious, but not willing to voice her speculations just yet; she had to know more.

Erik saw the visible shiver that enveloped her. In his mind, he was sure he knew what caused it. Thinking her repulsed by him, Erik gently dropped her hand and proceeded further back into the shadows.

"Please come out so that I may see you." Christine stated.

"You just shivered from revulsion at the kiss I gave your hand, and now you want to look upon the monster that gave it to you?" Erik spat.

His tone did not faze her in the least; she had been warned about his mood swings and his formidable temper.

"You, Mr. Trudeau, obviously know little to nothing about women if you think I was shivering from revulsion." Christine chided. "And, from what I have seen and heard of you…you are no monster – believe me, I am well acquainted with what a monster is; I was married to one for several years."

Erik did not know how to respond to that, she seemed quite adamant about her ex-husband; but Erik was reminded of what he was every time he looked in the mirror or saw a recoiling glance.

"That is unfortunate, but as I said – perhaps another time." His tone was such that let her know he would not be coming out of the shadows any time soon. She turned toward Meckenzie and walked toward the door, taking her daughter by the hand.

His angelic voice broke the silence as they headed out the door, "Oh, and Ms. Daae, what I do or do not know about women, is none of your concern."

She did not turn back to look at him, but headed down the hallway. He was an obstinate, bull-headed man…but there was something about him that drew her toward him; perhaps it was his voice or maybe his generous heart – but deep down, she knew it was both of these, and much more. Mr. Erik Trudeau was a mystery; a dark, delicious mystery.

TBC